sweetbean70

Hello! I got my first fill today (7/7/09). I now have 3.2ccs in a 10cc band. Since it was my first fill, I had to drink some barium swallow and have the fill done w/ a fluoroscope. I thought I was doing ok until I got REALLY hot, started sweating like a pig, and heard a rushing noise. The nurse had me lay down on a table and put cold rags on my forehead and the back of my neck. After a few minutes, I felt well enough to sit up and drink sips of water. I'm not sure why I got so woozy. I didn't watch the nurse put the needle into my port, but I did watch everything that was happening on the x-ray. OH well... the pain was minimal and I am looking forward to my next fill on Aug 1.:biggrin:

Hello! I just had my first fill today (7/7/09). I was banded on 6/8/09. From my surgery date til today, I've lost 20lbs and 16 inches. It brings me to a grand total (including pre-op) of 33lbs lost. I am sooooo proud of myself! :biggrin:

LMFAO! The "F" stands for FARTING. I have been plagued by these really long burps. I will open my mouth to speak and this "thunder belch" just rumbles on up out of nowhere. My stomach has also been very vocal since being banded (6/8/09). My dog was sitting on my lap the other day when my stomach started gurgling. She started pawing at my belly and cocking her head to the side. As far as the "bottom burps" go, I tend to wander off to a secluded place a lot more often then I used to do to take care of business.:thumbdown:

Hello! So far, I haven't had any negative comments about my surgery (June 8). I was going to keep it a secret, but decided to be proud about my decision to commit to a healthier me. Unfortunately, there will always be someone w/ a negative viewpoint or some sort of horror story. I have sort of gone down this same path when I decided to have LASIK surgery performed. There hasn't been a single day when I have regretted getting my eyes "fixed" and I pray that I will be as fortunate w/ my band.

I have to admit to being somewhat confused by all the different pre/post diets being posted on this site. I had to do a 2 week pre-op diet of Medifast and Healthwise products. I have read on this site that some have had to do a "liquids only" pre-op diet anywhere from 24 hours to 4 weeks before their surgeries. A few lucky souls only had to stop eating and drinking after midnight the day of their surgeries! I realize that the duration of most pre-op diets is usually based on a person's BMI. The post-op diet seems to be totally at the surgeon's discretion. I was allowed only Clear Liquids the day of my surgery (June 8). The day after surgery, I was allowed to indulge in full liquids/soft foods. This coming week, I can eat anything that has been put into a blender as long as I can tolerate it. I have been reading posts on this site that have people on clear liquids for up to 2 weeks after their surgery and then 2 weeks of "mushies" after that. It will be going on week 5 post op before they can even try anything that I'm allowed to have my 2nd week post op! Can anyone shed some light on this topic for me???

First of all, I would like to say... "I LOVE THIS SITE!" I was banded on June 8 and have been avidly reading this site since the end of March when I decided to make the commitment to a healthier me. My journey from beginning to banding was very short b/c I paid for the procedure out of my own pocket. I knew from reading on this site about "Bandster Hell," emotional issues to expect, and many of the physical side effects. I thought that I was totally prepared to face the challenge. WOW! It has been like a slap in the face. I have been through a wide range of emotions (nervous, scared, excited, proud, confused, etc.). I have also been truly mourning my loss of food and my old eating habits. I didn't realize how much food ruled my life. It does seem to be getting better each day though. I have a great support system in place. In fact, my best friend is being banded on June 29 and my mother is having a gastric bypass done in the Fall. We are the three amigos! I also keep reminding myself that the 31lbs. I've lost since the middle of April would not have happened w/o my pre/post diet and band. It has made me focus so much more on myself and what I need and what unhealthy choices I have made for most of my life. PS~I am soooooo craving dill pickles! Do you think it would be a bad idea? I'm allowed to start introducing more than full liquid/soft foods into my diet tomorrow.

Hang in there! If you have problems w/ your blood sugar dropping too low, it can make you feel sick to your stomach. When I was waking up from my surgery, I was very nauseous. The nurse had me sip on some "strong" Hawaiian Punch and put an alcohol swab over the bridge of my nose. I know it sounds goofy, but the alcohol swab worked wonders! :confused:

Hello! I was just banded on 6/8/09 and I am feeling pretty good. I have a little soreness in my rib cage and slight bruising where the port is. I am in the mushy stage for another 10 days. I, too, have felt the pangs of hunger that come w/ healing. I, too, would have loved to awaken from surgery at least 50 pounds lighter. I knew this would be a slow process, but I do feel the benefits of the weight loss pace is worth it. My surgeon told me that the first month after surgery is all about healing and adjusting to the changes the band brings to one's life. I am proud to say that (knock on wood) I have stuck to my "mushies" and have had no issues. I am sure that I will probably put on a few pounds once I start adding solids back into my diet. I am NOT going to fret about it! I will focus on more exercise. I have been eating about every 2.5-3 hours because of my blood sugar dropping too quickly if I wait too long between food. To make a long story (sorry) short, I want to lose a total of 150 pounds over the next three years. This is a lifestyle commitment that will not be reversed by years of bad habits overnight. Good luck to you all on your journey!:confused:

LOL! I know exactly what you guys/gals are saying! A few years ago, I had an acquaintance that went on NutriSystem and lost 50 pounds. I swear to God that if she had offered me her "waaaaay too big clothes" to me one more time I would have done bodily harm!! When my current clothing gets too big, I so want to bag them all up and dump them in her lap. :ihih: PS: She has gained all of her weight back plus a little more.

I just got my Realize Band yesterday (6/8/09). So far, the most difficult part was waking up after the surgery. I had a lot of gas pain and nausea. My best friend and husband went with me. We had to be at the surgery facility an hour early (for me) b/c my bf is going to get banded also and she was completing her surgeon consult, nutrition class, and psych eval while I was having my suregry. We then had a 2.5 hour car ride home (Cincinnati, OH to Newark, Oh). Once I got home, I took more meds and went straight to bed. I was up and down all night. Not because of pain or nausea, but b/c I had slept all evening. I have had 2 sf popsicles and some apple juice. I feel really good now... just a bit of a headache. I am sooooo looking forward to a shower this afternoon! :thumbup:

Hello! I'm on day 6 of my 11 day pre-op diet. I kind of did things a bit backwards by scheduling my surgery date and then going in for my EKG, psych eval, nutrition consult, etc. Because of my timeline, I didn't have a full 14 days to do my pre-op diet. I am being banded on June 8. At my surgery consult, I told the nurse that I didn't have a full 2 weeks for my diet and she told me that it wouldn't be a problem b/c I'm "pear-shaped." This means that I do not carry most of my excess weight around my liver, but rather through my butt, hips, and lower belly. My pre-op diet is a combination of Medifast and Healthwise products. With the Medifast, I also get to eat 1 meal that is "lean + green" (6oz of lean protein and 3 servings of a green veggie). I thought I would try to eat only the products, but I felt so crappy yesterday that I had a baked chicken breast and some sliced cucumbers w/ white vinegar and black pepper (yummy). I feel much better today. I also noticed yesterday that I had an awful taste in my mouth and was constantly thirsty. (TMI) My urine was also very strong smelling. I asked the nutritionist at my surgeon's office about these symptoms and she said that I was probably in ketosis. This happens when you are burning up your fat storage. :frown:

LOL! It is so good to know that the band is going to help me in the exact opposite direction during "that time of the month." I can always tell when my period is on the way b/c i constantly find myself in front of the fridge or raiding the pantry for something to eat while the whole time I am telling myself that I am not hungry. I am getting banded on June 8th and if the surgery doesn't throw off my cycle, my "visitor" should arrive around the 20th (sorry, TMI). I will have to keep an eye out for the tight feeling.

I am getting my band on June 8. I start my pre-op diet this coming Monday (June 1). I am trying sooooo hard NOT to think of this weekend as one long "Last Supper." My doctor wants me to do Medifast shakes, puddings, oatmeal, eggs, soups, and protein bars. I had my nutrition class on May 26 and got to pick my food choices from a pretty decent list. I am not looking forward to this diet because once I tell myself "I'm on a diet," I want to eat everything in sight! I just keep reminding myself that this coming week is just a rehearsal for the "BIG SHOW." Knowing that my "second birthday" is just around the corner gives me all the motivation I need (hopefully).

Hello. I am looking for a reputable wls surgeon in the central Ohio area to get fills done. My friend is planning on having her surgery done in Mexico because she is paying for her surgery out of her own pocket. Thanks!

Hello! I am looking for a fill doctor in the central Ohio area. I am going to Mexico to have my lap band surgery done b/c I am self-paying for the procedure.

Hello. You should take a moment to read the post on the PCOS board that is here on this forum. It is VERY insightful and reassuring to find out how others w/ the disease are handling it. It helped me tremendously:)

Howdy! I am planning on getting a tattoo and I have the design all picked out. I'm going to get a beautiful butterfly. Down the side of one wing, I am going to have the date I am banded. At the bottom of the butterfly's body, I am going to have the date I reach "one-derland." Down the side of the other wing, I am going to have the date I reach my goal. :thumbup:

I can soooo relate to lying about weight on the dreaded driver's license. My goal is to actually have my true weight listed on my DL when I go to renew it in Aug. of 2010. I am getting banded on June 8 at 11:30am (17 days, 15 hours, and 8 minutes... not that I'm counting down or anything.

WOW!!! :eek: I have no idea what size I will be wearing when I finally reach my goal. I was born wearing plus size diapers!! I truly do not think I will ever be able to wear single-digit size clothing. Right now (band is in 3 weeks), I wear a baggy 26/28. I am 5'9 and have always had the build of a refrigerator w/ boobs. Could it be that I was just deluding myself all these years about being "big boned" or being able to be a walk-on for the Steelers? I will be thrilled if I can fit into a size 12 comfortably. :sad:

Hi! I live about 45 minutes east of C-bus in Newark. I grew up on the east side of C-bus and my folks still live there. I am being banded on June 8 in Cincinnati.

On second thought... I think I will name my band Junie B. (as in Junie B. Jones) since I am getting Banded in June. Can you tell I am an elementary school teacher? :scared2:

Howdy! I think I might name my band... RINGO

After making the decision to be banded (3/27/09), I told only a few select friends and family memebers b/c I didn't want to listen to anyone's negative crap and/or "oh-so-helpful suggestions. As I am now approaching my surgery date (6/8/09), I have done a complete 180 about telling people I'm getting banded. I am politely letting people know that I am having surgery to help my kidneys (I have kidney disease), to lower my blood pressure, to lower my blood sugar, and to lower my cholesterol. In other words,,, FOR MY HEALTH. Naturally thin people seem to just jump to the conclusion that having WLS is for those "heavy" people who don't have the willpower or mental fortitude to just "eat less and exercise more." At least 99.9% of the people having WLS do it to improve their health or to avoid future health problems... not to have a tight, little body (it is a bonus though).

Howdy! Dr. Curry is doing my lap band procedure on June 8. I live about 45 minutes east of Columbus, but would love to hear from you and your experience w/ Dr. Curry.

What a great idea! :frown: I will... 1) sit with my legs crossed 2) fly without needing a seatbelt extender 3) ride all the rides at Kings Island & Cedar Point 4) wear a bathing suit that does not have a "skirt" 5) tuck my shirt in 6) not fear a scale 7) wear something sexy to a social gathering 8) proudly walk into the room at my 20-yr college reunion 9) walk into any store and buy something "off the rack" 10) wear clothes that actually fit...not baggy