TracyChandler

Hi all, I am in Greenville and am having my surgery on July 7th in Anderson. I went to so many seminars and considered Dr. Bour and Dr. Ross but I really like Dr. Rowitz and the lap-band seems like the best choice for me. I am excited and scared. Not so much about the surgery, but about the whole lifestyle change. I'm a single mom to an amazing autistic little boy and I put off doing the surgery until I could be sure that he wasn't going to panic if I was out of commission for a little while. He went to the last seminar with me and he is excited that his mom is going to be healthier and have more energy. He doesn't care what I weigh, but he does care that I feel bad a lot of the time. At any rate, all of my friends and family who have had WLS opted for the gastric bypass and so they don't have a whole lot of information for me. Everybody is being super supportive though and I feel really prepared. I will keep you guys posted on my progress and look forward to reading about your journey as well. less than 2 weeks and counting, Tracy:thumbup:

I didn't like Bour at all and I thought the "program" fees were a racket. I have lost 85 lbs from 232 to 147 or 145 on a good day...lol. I did have some of the typical lapband yuckiness in the beginning but not so much now. I had surgery 18 months ago so I feel like I'm right on track. Of course, I'd love to lose another 25 lbs and have a little lipo or a tummy tuck but I'm still enjoying the journey. I went from a size 18 tight to a loose 10. I often say that the worse part of the lapband lifestyle is better than my best day on any of the hundred diets I went on. I hope you have had great success too!!! Tracy

I lost 6lbs at my last weigh in but I only weigh at my doctor's visits...about every six weeks. Down from a size 18/20 to a size 14. 2XL tops are now just plain old XL..lol. My tracker is a turtle...slow and steady wins the race. I am rapidly approaching my 7/7 bandiversary and am happy with my progress.

I had my surgery last July 7th and I'm very glad I did it. I've lost 58 lbs and while it hasn't been painless or without sacrifices, it has been so much easier than any "diet" I ever tried and for the first time in over 20 years, I feel in control. I haven't been big on goals and have basically tried to follow the LAP-BAND® rules and let the weight loss come as it will. I've consistently lost even if it was just a pound or two. I still have things to eat that I love just not so much of it. Please read about the yucky stuff because it will happen to you and you need to be prepared but it you expect some of it and you communicate well with your doctor, you will overcome the pitfalls and find success. Good luck and welcome to the LAP-BAND® family!!!

I don't do real well with "goals" because if I don't make it then I fall of the wagon badly...lol. Let's just say that I would love to be down 75 lbs by my bandiversarry on 7/7. I've already lost 58 so that seems pretty reasonable to me. Of course, if you had asked me this question last July, I would have been a bit more optimistic. This is not an easy journey we have started but oh so sweet and far easier that the thousands of "diets' and heartbreak that have come before. Good luck to you all!!!

I am feeling pretty good about my LAP-BAND® right now. I was so discouraged after months of no restriction. Other bandsters post about "bandster hell" but you truly cannot appreciate it until you are in the midst of it. I got my 4th fill 5 CC's total and I have some restriction...FINALLY...woo hoo!!!! I've lost a total of 36 lbs since my 7/7 surgery date. No pb's or stuck episodes so I'm doing great on that front. I'm in onderland for the first time in six years and I think I'm going to stay!!! :Yawn:

Okay, so I'm a little discouraged. I have had two fills 4cc???since 7/7 and lost 32 lbs. I haven't had ANY restriction yet but am still hopeful that I will get some at this next fill on thursday...please! Anybody else able to eat whatever they want with no restriction?:thumbup:

:tt2:Okay guys, I had surgery on 7-7 and weighed in at 232...no pre-op diet for me. One month later and I was down 25 lbs mostly because I followed the rules to the letter and I wasn't hungry much at all. which is why I was able to follow along so well...lol. Weight loss stalled at 207 when I went to solid foods and then I finally got a fill at 6 weeks but alas no restriction and I'm still hovering at 207. I don't have another fill for 5 weeks and this sucks!!! I know some of you believe in "tough love" but if we were all so great at dieting and had so much so called will-power none of us would be here so I don't need a kick in the a** just some support. I know I will eventually feel restriction but right now this is just feeling like another diet which I am struggling with.

Well I get to go for my third fill next Thursday so maybe I'll get a little restriction then...would be soooo nice!!! At any rate, my weight is up and down by a pound but at least I'm not gaining back any weight. I proud of that! I am so close to onederland that I can almost taste it. I've reevaluated bandster hell and tried to chill out and let the process work. Hard to do when this was supposed to be "the answer" but so far it has been exactly what the doctor said just not what I predicted. I was going to do MUCH better than the average...lol. I'll check back in after my third fill and maybe I can post under the topic about being out of bandster hell....fingers crossed!!!

Okay...I'd raher post on one of my "good" days but this is a true and I'm sorry to say accurate Saturday for me with no restriction. Lunch: 3/4 Zaxby chicken salad with lowfat ranch Dinner: 1 Chicken Chimichanga, 1/4 refried Beans, 15 chips, salsa, sour cream Not the best, I know but FAR better than prior to the band and actually the worst eating day our of the week. Still need to work on my Water intake and increasing Protein and lowering carbs.

CONGRATULATIONS!!! I'm hovering between 204-206 so hopefully after my next fill on 9-30 I will join you. Progress is painfully slow but I'm not miserable or deprived so all is good. I know you must be so proud of all your hard work! Enjoy this labor day because you've earned it!!!

Sorry to say that I'm glad I'm not alone but hating that others are in the same boat too... I'm afraid my doctor is super conservative and won't do a fill until you've waited 6 weeks. I'm still going to call tomorrow and see if I can get any sympathy and a little shorter wait time...worth a shot. At any rate, I've now officially gained back 3.5 lbs and I'm just sick about it. I knew it was going to be a long process when I began...with ups and downs but I never expected to be gaining at this stage of the game... definitely a real morale kick in the gut!!!

I had my first fill today...4cc in a 10cc band. I laid back did an ab crunch and it was over in 3 seconds. Just a quick stick and not bad at all. I had to drink two cups of Water and it was over. No liquids or mushies for me...yea!!! I ate a chicken queasadilla after and had no problems but no real restriction either...which bites. However, it's the no water before, during, after meals that is killing me...lol. Seriously, it is the worst part for me. Everything else has been a breeze. Tracy

I am 4 weeks out today and just got off liquids. I ate a little egg salad 1/2 a cup for lunch and then a thin slice of chicken and cheese for dinner. I would stick with refried beans and/or ground beef until I was sure what I could tolerate. Just my thoughts. Good luck!!!

Went to the doc for my 4 week check and lost another 7.5 pounds for a total of 24.5 pounds since surgery on 7-7.

Hi all, I am a 42 year old single mom to an amazing autistic nine year old boy. I love my life and the only area I want to improve is my weight and health. I considered gastric bypass and decided the risks were too great. I need to lose 80-100 pounds and was happily banded on July 7th, 2009. My surgery and subsequent recovery have been so uneventful that I won't bore you with the details. I'm tolerating all liquids well and have virtually no pain at this point. I am excited but realistic with my expectations. I'm a rule follower so I've stayed on the all liquid or soupy no sugar diet of three meals a day and no Snacks and am doing pretty well with only minor cravings. I just wanted to pop in and say hello and wish you all the best of luck. What an amazing journey we have all begun!!! Tracy:thumbup:

Okay...I think I just might win the tempation test!!! My parents had a big anniversary last Friday and I planned an amazing dinner for 30+ family and friends at my favorite restaurant. First came the appetizers...hot cheesy spinach artichoke dip and fried green tomatoes dripping with some kind of white cheese filling...then the main courses, shrimp and grits, pork medallians, braised salmon, and spaghetti....then homemade sweet potato pie with whipped cream...just shoot me...lol. I had a very nice thank you very much bowl of tomato soup. Was is worth it? Absolutely, I found out I can go out with a big group and have a ball with absolutely no alcohol or high fat goodies. Also, today I found out I've lost 17 lbs in two weeks...I am proud of me!!! Tracy

Well my surgery has come and gone and I'm doing great... Anybody else banded by Dr. Rowitz or from Upstate SC. Would love to compare notes!!! Tracy

I would probably complain more if I were having cravings. I must admit that I am getting VERY bored with my current diet and since my doc requires 4 weeks of soupy liquids and another 2 weeks of soft solids...I am probably going to lose my mind. Oh well, I knew all of this going into it and I'm still glad to be banded and feeling great!!! Tracy :smile:

What did your doctor say at your appointment? When is he doing your first fill? I am very nervous for some reason about that part of it all. I hosted a dinner party for my parents 40th Anniversay and ate some tomato soup and didn't even really feel deprived at all the amazing food I had ordered for everyone else. I couldn't have survived that dinner if I had just been on a "diet". I have had a suture pop open which looks yucky but all my other tiny wounds are almost completely healed. I go again to the doc this Thursday and I hope to have a better understanding of it all at that time. Good luck and take care!

Barbie, I was a little glad to go on 7/7...then my room was 377. I figured all the sevens couldn't hurt...lol. I'm glad to hear that you are doing so well. I've been eating Soup, pudding, cream of wheat, Jello, and juice. No real cravings yet but my son's pizza looked good to me last night. I wasn't hungry though just wanted to eat out of habit, normal I suppose for people with a weight problem. Let's keep in touch and compare notes. Tracy:rolleyes2:

Thanks Michelle, I haven't recorded any weight loss yet but when I do...I will click and get my "sparklies". Congratulations on your surgery and subsequent loss...YOU ARE DOING GREAT!!! Tracy

Thank you Jen!!! I feel exactly that way about it. A healthier mom has got to be a better mom in so many ways. By the way, how do you get all the cute things at the bottom of your post like your little weight loss meter? Very cute!!!

I was banded on 7-7 and have been on soups, puddings, juices, and other sugar free liquids. I am doing great with no appetite or pain to speak of. I won't have any restriction until week 6 and am instructed to stay on liquids for 4 weeks with another 2 weeks of soupy solids. That seems a bit different than the rest of you but really is working for me and others that I've spoken with who were banded by my surgeon. I am sleeping well and off all pain meds. I can't wait till week 6 when I can get my first fill and start this process for real. I haven't weighed and don't plan to until my follow up appointment on the 23rd. I didn't have a pre-op diet so I'm curious if I've lost any weight. Since I'm eating 600 -700 cals a day and still moving around pretty good....I'll bet I have. I love reading about all the various experiences. I haven't felt so connected to other people since my pregnancy...lol.

I am scheduled for July 7th in Anderson, SC. I am excited and nervous but mostly excited. I am new to this board and I'm looking forward to sharing my journey. As for the pre-op diet, I don't have any. Is that unusual? less that 2 weeks and counting!!! Tracy:thumbup: