Fat2Phat

Yes, the cost of Tallgrass is very competitive, especially locally. I didn't want to travel to a strange place to have the operation. So, I am happier knowing I had it locally and can see my surgeon with ease!

Don't be sorry. I haven't posted on here for months so I can't even remember what I posted in the past. It is best to get a more up to date post anyway. Please note, that I also updated my ticker

I did have my surgery at Tallgrass. I highly recommend them. My surgeon was Dr. Brent Steward. He has done other surgeries on me as well. I have lost about 76lbs so far. They are easy to work with. I had no complications. If you want to talk more about my experiences, please feel free to msg me and I will go into further detail. Or we can exchange numbers and we can talk about it

Machele, Maybe you should consider Tallgrass Surgery in Topeka. They charge 10550. But that is a year of post-op care. Plus it is more local. It would only be a couple of hundred more than you would pay going to Denver (including trips). But in the long run you will save when it comes to the other 6 months of post-op care/fills. Just a thought Heather

Welcome to Cathy. I have been laxed in posting for the last week. I have been keeping busy around my house. I have cleaned out my closet and been focusing on me time while I am in my only available three weeks during the summer. Fall semester starts early this year, so my time is limited. I have lost a total of 41 lbs to date. Which is a victory in itself. I haven't exercised in a week, but when I do it is on the treadmill majority of the time. Who can feel like exercising when it is 103 degrees outside?? Any tips on that?? Yeah I can exercise in the house, but I was outside working in the yard and it drained me! I have had my alarm set for an earlier time every day last week but only got up to take my time getting ready for work. How sad is that??? Water/fluid intake I am doing quite well. Although, how much better would it be with exercise?? Anyway.. just wanted to pop in and say hi to my fellow Junesters.. Hope all is treating you well...

Lizzilo, I am 1 month 7 days post-op. I am doing great! I also had a longer recovery time than I expected, but now I am doing pretty good. I have lost a total of 39 lbs (including the 10 days of pre-op). I am on regular foods and I usually only drink protein drinks for breakfast. I'm exercising about 5 days/week. I am scheduled for my first fill on 8/15, which I am excited to get. Keep up the great work everyone!!!

I love the new SF Jello pudding CHEESECAKE flavor!!! Yum!!! I add protein powder to it to get extra protein. It is the perfect snack, next to the fruit that was previosly mentioned. Sometimes I even add a small amount of strawberries in it. Getting the best of all worlds for a yummy snack.

Wow, it seems several kudos' are in order. Kudos to all of you who managed to get in your liquid intake and for the size changes!!! Barb - I'm so happy that you are doing better. You sound like you are bouncing right back. I agree with you about fearing foods. I am eating far more towards the safe side than risking my band or my lifestyle change. I would much rather sacrifice foods I once loved than live one more day in the body I had prior to this surgery. ofps - you are a dear friend to me now.... perhaps you should call Dr. Stewards office to find out if it is wise to get the fill on the 25th. Maybe you and I can switch appts if need be. I didn't realize that your port wasn't healing yet. I hope that gets taken care of soon. As far as the water challenge, I am on track. I had approx. 40 oz of water and a fair amount of tea. I am down another pound. Inching along, but still progress.

Ok, I am a bit of a late poster! Yesterday I had a total of 51 oz of pure water and a ton of tea (sugar free). I just keep remembering that the bathroom is my friend!!!! I am definitely water logged! But, I am ok with it. Hope all of you are doing well. Back to work I go today!

Ooohhhh I want to be water logged!!!! I'm in for sure!!! Good thing I wake up at 4am so I can catch this at the start!! YAY! Good idea! Barb... I'm so happy you feel better

:cocktail: Here's to you July Bandsters... I'm a June Bandster and I totally appreciate the only form of pizza and cake I can have now!!!! :yield: to the food battle! :welcomeB: to bandster land :cheer2: All of the Junesters are there for you

Actually that could be somewhat entertaining! Hope the recovery is going well for you! Please update us when you aren't taking the pain meds!

I have been using FitDay, which is esstenially the same. I d/l'd the PC program so I do'nt have to be online to enter information in. :eek:

I was wondering that myself. No action here for a bit.

jude, I know it can be discouraging but keep up the battle. Going by your ticker, you have also lost 22 lbs! That is quite an accomplishment!!! Many people gain prior to their first fill, and now that you have that, you can get rid of those 6 lbs and even more. If need be, maybe you can re-evaluate what you are eating or perhaps increase your exercise. I really think you will start seeing a change. Everyone loses at different rates. Please don't think of this as a failure... its a learning experience! And it's not a diet, its a lifestlye change. You can do this. If you feel like you need to talk, feel free to msg me any time!

Ooooh I have several favorite quotes!!! Here we go! You must begin to think of yourself as becoming the person you want to be. David Viscott Your goals, minus your doubts, equal your reality Ralph Marston You're never beaten until you admit it. Patton It's not whether you get knocked down; it's whether you get up. Vince Lombardi Rule your mind or it will rule you. Horace The difference between try and triumph is just a little umph!! Marvin Phillips

Well done barb!!! That is funny!

Well Barb, I'm happy that you are getting a slight unfill. hate to know a fellow bandster is suffering. Take it easy today. Glad you made the appt.

Yeah the same thing happened when I found egg graphics. I think it is best to get the unfill, at least part of it, than to suffer. Get adjusted to the smaller amount first then progress to more of a fill. I think you are making a good decision! I believe you will feel much better in the long run about getting the unfill.

I am finally over my standstill.. I am at -6lbs to date. I know I won't win the competition, but I love the challenge of trying. I had a small set back with irritating the muscles around my port. So, I had to take it easy for a few days. Cheers all

hey Barb, sorry to hear about the trouble you are having. Maybe you should get some of the fill removed??? Keep your chin up, it will get better I'm sure. At least I hope it does. Keep us updated though. I have such a long time before my first fill. It isn't until Aug. 15th. So, I can't comment on how it went for me obviously. Ever find any egg graphics???

Hey Melissa, I'm trying hard to not let my standstill get to me. I feel the lbs are going to start falling off soon. At least I hope so. I am just now starting to get rid of the soreness I have been having. Thanks for the words of wisdom. I never thought I would be one to to get discouraged so easily, but here I am discouraged. I need to go to the recipies page and get some ideas.

I have gotten really bad about posting. I would love to get to know the fellow Junesters. I have not been online as much as I used to because I irritated the muscles around my port, so I have been trying to mind my p's and q's so that the pain would go away! How is everyone else doing??? I have lost a total of 14lbs since my surgery on 6/19. 34 lbs total. I am hoping to increase my exercise now that I have gotten things under control. I am averaging about a cup of food per meal. I'm not scheduled for my first fill until 8/15. Which seems like forever. My weight has actually come to a complete standstill. Any advice on getting a bit more loss before my first fill??? Do you guys think we should do a return TP and egging on the July crew????

Hey ofps, Obviously I have the same card you do. Mine doesn't say a breathing tube. They can't put in a nasogastric tube. The tube that goes from the nose to the stomach to help drain the stomach. Attached to suction, it is usually used after major surgeries because the bowels aren't moving yet so it is a mechanical aid. The breathing tube is way different. The NG tube can't be placed because it can affect the placement of the band or it can damage the stomach if pressure is applied when they fee as though they hit resistance. Hope this makes sense!

Well I am not doing as well as some of you, but I have lost a total of 4 lbs to date. I'm still working hard though, so maybe next week i will jump ahead of the real climbers this week. :party: