northsidegirl65

I've seen a lot of negative on the site and want to share some positive. I was banded 5/14/09 and this week I weighed and hit the 20 lb lost mark. I am so excited! I am down a clothing size and never knew how good I would feel with just 20 lb gone. I had no fill at time of surgery and won't have a fill until the 23rd of this month. The compliments I'm receiving make me feel so good and that I am a success at weight loss. People call this "bandster hell" as your hunger does increase but keep in mind "you can do it"! I remind myself everyday that this is a chance of a lifetime to regain my life and take control. I am really amazed that doing without the carbs can become a habit. I'd rather have the Protein to fill up on rather than the junk. As my doctor reminded me at my first visit this journey is up to me, no one else and nothing else, not even the band. Just encouraging everyone to get their head back in the game and not to think with your stomach. I have now set another goal of 20 more pounds and will share more as I get to my new goal. Starting Weight 276 Now Weight 256 Goal Weight 150 :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

I went in yesterday for my one week post op check. I have to admit I'm pissed at my doctor and my visit was one where I cried like a fool all the way home. He was not happy and with the 6 pounds I had lost in only one week. The total is 10 pounds if you count the week before surgery. I was literally in shock. Here I've been following this liquid only diet and my doc can't even give me a positive shot in the arm. If I could have eaten it would have been the biggest burger I could find a marguerita to go with it. But I went to the slimfast low carb option instead. He grilled me about the type of slimfast shake I was drinking and even asked me if I were using them as Snacks. You could have hit with me with a 2X4 and I would'nt have felt a thing. He continued to ask me was I eating sugar free popscicles and Jello. I think I have opened my frig 5time to check (and yes they are all sugar free). Obviously, I'm not the poster child for the lap band. But what about everyone's body being different. If I had been eating (which I haven't even wanted too) I can take my fair share and eat crow (ha, ha). I'm a big girl and I can take it! However, do not be so wrapped in your title as DR that you forget what your patients are going through. So now I'm ready for him the end of June for my first fill. He will see the #ITCH in me. But then he ends by saying the expectation for weight loss by my appt in June in 5-6 lbs. Please tell me if I am crazy or not! I wouldn't have had the @#&% thing put in if I didn't want a lifetime change and to do what it takes for the process. But it seems this journey could stand some positive assurances along the way! Thanks for letting me get this off my chest! Feeling Alone and a Failure in Florida:nonod::thumbup::nonod:

Day two after surgery and all is quite good. I have been taking it easy. I'll lie down for a while, then get up and walk around and treat myself to a popsicle. I've eaten some jello but have to eat it slowly. I got dresses this morning and walked down the sidewalk to the neighbor's house and back twice. My hubby then drove me over to my Mom's while he cut her yard. Not to bad, I laid down and took a nap when I got back. Still very sore and having some sharp pain off and on in my shoulder. Was told this was normal due to a hiatal hernia repair. I may be over cautious but I don't want to harm anything I had done until I know I am healed. I decided to not to back to work on Monday. I'll just take it a day at a time and see how I feel. Monday AM I can start on protein shakes and I'm looking forward to a different taste in my mouth, but not hungry. Hope everyone else is coming along nicely and listening to your body during recovery. No says you have to be a super hero. I figure I've come this far I will give my body the time it needs and deserves.

I was at the hospital at 10:00 am and I was back in the holding area at 10:10 am. I was given a pregnancy test, of which they had to do twice, but all was negative (thank goodness). I put on the usual gown and stockings were place on my legs and well as the support cups to aid in circulation on the lower legs. The heparin shot was given. It was just a pinch and a mild burning sensation for about at minute. The docotr was running ahead of schedule so I was taken back to OR around noon. Don't remember anything but sliding onto the table and a mask being place over my mouth and nose. I don't remember the time I was placed in recovery. I woke up coughing and extreme left shoulder pain (do to a hernia repair). The recovery nurse gave me a pain killer and that really eased it up. I did two laps around recovery, drank or should I say sipped down two cups of Water and before I knew it I was going home and at my house around 3:30 pm. No gas pain to speak of yet. Just the nagging shoulder pain. I can have sugar free popsicles and Clear liquids through Sunday. After that it's four days on nutrient liquids such as the Protein shakes. Then next Friday and can have soft foods. Not hungry at all right now though. Have been rest a couple of hours then I do laps in the house. I want to stay moving in case of the gas and that I don't want to get stiff either in the mid-section. I can take a shower tomorrow and can take off support hose ( I should say later today). All the info in these forums is so helpful. I was very well informed and really my nerves didn't kick in at the hospital...I was ready! Good luck to everyone else this week, and the rest of May. I'll keep updating on the progress or any problems I encounter. You're Awesome May Banditos! Northsidegirl65

:thumbup: Oh my gosh!! I can't believe the time has come and I'm two days away from surgery. I start the liquid diet tomorrow as only required by doc two days before surgery. Been on a strict diet since last Wednesday. Starting weight 276, now at 268. I am getting nervous but with the support of this forum I'll be fine. It's so reassuring to know you aren't the only one. Just wanted to thank everyone for their posts so far. This is truly the beginning of the rest of my life!

Off this morning for my surgery. Let's update this thread with current stories of surgery. I'm scheduled for 12:30 pm and have to be at hospital at 10 am. The pre-op diet has gone well. The only problem was gas pains and yes some diarreha yesterday. This morning I have no tummy rumbling and amazingly I'm not hungry. I'll try to post ASAP when I get home (that is if the circumstances will allow) to let you know what happened and how things went. Really anxious right now and I'm sure real nerves will kick in as I enter the hospital parking lot. I began my journey Feb 3rd with the first group visit consult about surgery. I just can't believe it's here! Pray for me today! Can't wait to see less of me! My starting weight was 273, last week at last office visit was 268.

Off this morning for my surgery. Let's update this thread with current stories of surgery. I'm scheduled for 12:30 pm and have to be at hospital at 10 am. The pre-op diet has gone well. The only problem was gas pains and yes some diarreha yesterday. This morning I have no tummy rumbling and amazingly I'm not hungry. I'll try to post ASAP when I get home (that is if the circumstances will allow) to let you know what happened and how things went. Really anxious right now and I'm sure real nerves will kick in as I enter the hospital parking lot. I began my journey Feb 3rd with the first group visit consult about surgery. I just can't believe it's here! Pray for me today! Can't wait to see less of me! My starting wait was 273, last week at last office visit was 268.

Thanks for the support! It's the morning of surgery and I'm scheduled for 12:30 pm. Have to be at the hospital at 10 am. Not feeling hungry as of yesterday on the pre-op diet. Just encountered lost of gas and diarreha. Today no tummy rumbling. Just nerves are kicking in. I'll post as soon as possible as I should be able to come home later this afternoon. No overnight is required if I do okay. Remember me today in your prayers! northsidegirl1965........soon to be HOT MAMA!

May 14th please add me to the list

Sorry, I gave the wrong surgery date it is May 14th not the 15th. Guess I was just excited.:crying:

I was approved this morning from the insurance company for the lap band procedure. I'm scheduled for May 14th have a few pounds to get off to prove to the doc I'm serious. Dr. Cywes will be doing the surgery at Memorial Hospital here in Jacksonville. My BMI is 48 and I look forward to the changes in lifestyle. Anyone have any suggestions during this waiting period before surgery?

My surgery date is May 15th!!! YEEEEEEHAAAAAA!!!

I'm soooo ready! I'm at 280, with 48 BMI. Surgery date is May 15th here in Jacksonville. I too am tired of the yo-yo diet. I am looking forward to the full "feeling" people are talking about. This is where my life really begins for a lifetime. Let's do it! I've been obese all of my life and am ready to beat this food addiction once and for all. Hope you and the May Bandsters are readly for the greatest time of our lives!

I have started cutting out carbs and trying to eat mostly protein. I began drinking lots of water today but at a slow pace. The chewing is going to take a while as I'm so used to swallowing things whole. Thanks for the advice. I'll really start working harder on the chewing.