juliansmom2003

Welcome to Bandster Hell (a place where I feel like I've been FOREVER! LOL) I actually remember writing your post almost verbatim about 3 or 4 weeks ago. Thank God I have my first fill next week! It has been such hard work without that help!!! Hang in there! And as others have said, try to 'chew' your Protein (chicken breast salad, cheeses, things like that). They give you more satiety than the Protein drinks, which will slide right through the band and you won't feel full.

I use a plain old dietminder journal that my nutritionist gave me when I started the program. I bought a new one when I got banded to start fresh. Even though it started out to be a pain in the tush, I write in it faithfully every day. It keeps me straight (and God knows I need it LOL)

My insurance approved it as inpatient, but my doc really said I could've gone home that day. I'm SO GLAD I stayed!! I had someone giving me pain meds and I was able to actually rest (again I have 2 small kids too LOL). I love the heck out of them, but I would've had lots more explaining to do had I come home the same day. I was discharged and on the way home by 9 am the next morning anyway.

Sorry I can't be of much help on this one. I was also operated on under general. Honestly, I was sitting down yesterday trying to remember going into surgery and I could only remember laughing at the surgeon because we were both singing together just before I completely went out. As glynn mentioned, they give you a sedative before taking you down into the OR and that stuff is so good, I just loved everyone. When I woke up, all I wanted was to get settled into my room so I could see the Phils' game (it was the night they won the playoffs to go to the World Series) LOL It really isn't that bad. I was paranoid about it for a long while, but it really ended up being the least of my worries :-)

Absolutely! All of the above!! Luckily I did all my research and homework before having the surgery. A lot of that also is getting a surgeon you're not only comfortable with, but who has extensive experience with Lap Band and is listed on the LapBand site. Many docs won't even see you for a consult until you go to a seminar. There you will be able to ask all the questions you want (and the ones other people ask are helpful too). I also have two little ones, so I didn't take this lightly either. Believe me, the pros sooo outweigh the cons. It'll be great for them to have a healthy happy mommy. Good luck with your decision! Ask any questions you need to--this is a wonderful resource for support!!

Count me in! I get my first fill on 1/14 and I'm starting to see the scale move a little bit, so I'm in! I'd like to lose 15 lbs before 2/14. I'm currently 188, so that would put me at 173! Holy crap! NEVER thought that weight would be in reach!! Good luck everybody!

Woohooo! Great job! You are doing phenomenal!! Keep up the great work!!!

WOW Willow!!! You look amazing! You've lost so much since June, you should be so proud! I'm not in the 'after' stage either. About 40 more to go, but it's good we're all taking pics to keep track of our progress. Congrats again on your weight loss! You've done such a great job!

Kylee -- you look awesome! It definitely looks like you lost more than 30 lbs! Gotta love that weight distribution factor, right? Keep up the good work! You look great!

Thanks so much for posting this. I am losing serious hair and I do a good job of getting around 60 grams of protein every day. I am so relieved that you are seeing it taper off.

Actually, my doc tells us not to drink until an hour after eating. Maybe extending your 30 minutes will help you. That's great you were able to get an appointment sooner. I'm jealous (banded 10/21 and not getting my first fill until 1/14)! Please let us know how it goes next week! Good luck to you!

I'm not happy about this by any stretch, but it's finally proof that my band is in fact in there LOL! I was eating a few home made meatballs last night (yum) and I chew the way I always have (I haven't really paid attention to my chewing and still eat pretty quick), but for some reason, the unbelieveable pain started, followed by the sliming, then bam everything just came up. Question is (since this has never happened to me before and again, I've not eaten any different since I've been back on solids) --is this a sign of restriction or perhaps the specific food? I am sooo trying to hang in there until my fill on 1/14 and I am noticing that I am not as ravenous as I have been and I'm just wondering if it is possible for me to all of a sudden to have restriction...

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! What a wonderful accomplishment (not to mention, over the Holidays?!?) How wonderful! You're doing amazing--keep it up!!!

I agree with everyone else in that you shouldn't be so hard on yourself. We are definitely retraining ourselves and trying to get out of habits most of us have had for a significant period of time. I have to laugh a little though. I read your post as we were waiting to be seated for dinner (my husband decides to take me to Cheesecake Factory after I get banded, the bastard LOL). I was thinking all I had today was Cereal, so I am going to have a nice healthy dinner. Well, I got a kids' serving of grilled chicken, potatoes and green Beans and nearly ate the whole thing (which was WAY more than 6 ounces). Then I sampled some of my daughter's mac and cheese (about 3 bites), then split a piece of cheesecake with my husband. Honestly, I think I ate all my calories for the day during that meal. I look at it as a little treat for being so good during the holidays and I KNOW I can't do it all the time. I don't even feel good right now and I'm almost positive I will have a food hangover tomorrow (but it was yummy LOL). I can't wait until my first fill! Anyway, hang in there and tomorrow is definitely a new day...for all of us :-)!

Wow I am 8 weeks post-op and I am still waiting for my first fill LOL! Sorry I can't help. So, were you eating a full 8 oz/cup of food? I'm so scared of stretching my pouch and I don't officially measure most of the time, so I'm thinking I'm eating 8 ounces (when I think it should be 4-6) because I'm starving! Just hoping I'm not doing any damage....

Woohoo! Congrats!!! I'd definitely say that Santa came early this year!! YOU GO, GIRL!

That's awesome! So glad to hear of the great progress you've already made! Congrats on being in onederland too (I am right at 192 myself and I haven't seen that in about 8 years LOL)! Hoping my fill on Jan 14 gives me a new sense of hope! I hope yours helps you!!!

I must say I'm a bit miffed. Of course between the Holidays and his freaking vacation, I got the short end of the stick. I was in for my 6 week checkup on December 8 and THEN he scheduled my fill! And it's not like the appointment was even to confirm whether or not I needed one, they handed me my date as soon as I sat down! I have been stalking them religiously to see if they've had any cancellations, but with the holidays and everything, it looks like I'm just going to have to suck it up until then. I mean, I'm making healthy choices, but the portion size is the real challenge for me. I'm just praying I get through this.....

Banded on October 21. Lost about 19 pre-op and 19-20 post op. I am just at a freaking standstill. My first fill is scheduled for Jan 14 and when I say I can eat ANYTHING and have no restriction, I can eat ANYTHING :-(! I am starving all the time and have to physically stop myself when I get to 6-8 oz for fear of stretching my pouch. This is just terrible. I am really having a hard time now and feel like I'm struggling more after having this surgery. I was losing so well on my pre-op, 1500 cal per day diet and not keeping under a cup of food. I am just so worried that it's always going to be like this.... Sorry, I'm usually more optimistic, but it's really getting tough living with constant hunger and knowing I can't do anything about it right now.

My God, I was about to write the same post. I lost 20 lbs post op (20 before) and I don't get my first fill until january 14. I just had lunch (taking a class today) and I forgot to pack, so what do they provide? Pasta, greasy meatballs and sinful freaking black forest cheesecake treats. They are still calling my name, but I'm staying strong so far, but I think I had more than 8 oz of food (not sure about my sight measurement). The worst thing is, I had to force myself to stop eating because I'm paranoid about stretching my pouch, so here I sit with my belly growling :-(! Hang in there. We all need to lean on each other until we get to that sweet spot!!!

So, I finally got an appointment for my first fill. Unfortunately, with the holidays the first available appointment is January 14 :-(!! My insurance, Keystone Health Plan East (PA), covered my surgery. I wanted to check with those of you that had fills, did your insurance cover them? I called my insurance company with the procedure codes to find out if it is covered, but the surgeon needs to call (and they will in a couple weeks to confirm). Just wondering how many people have had fills that were in fact covered by insurance. Thanks!

This is the same case with me too! I actually have an appointment with my doctor tomorrow to assess whether or not I need a fill. I am at a standstill with my weight loss as well (20 post-surgery)--I've been at the same weight for 3 weeks!!! My restriction is non-existent. I ate a whole chicken quesedilla (the insides) today for lunch. The good news it that will keep me full for the rest of the day. The bad news is I didn't measure, so I'm praying to God I'm not stretching my pouch, but I just cannot handle being starving all the time. It's no way to live :-( Hang in there! I hope you get some restriction with your fill! Keep us posted!