Rolfergyrl

Hi, I am waiting for approval and hope it comes fast because I want to get banded in early August. Would love to chat with others in town getting ready to get banded or who have already had the surgery.

Today is 5 months since I had the lapband on August 12. I have lost aproximately 50 pounds since the visit before the surgery. I have had 2 fills. The first one was about 10 weeks after surgery and I didn't notice a difference. The second fill was on Dec. 21 and I had my reality check on what having a smaller stomach actually meant. Chewing food, smaller portions, no gulping ....everything I had read about but until that day on Dec. 21 had not experienced. I think I have lost about 8 pounds since Dec. 21 with the fill and starting to workout at the gym consistently. Usually my weight loss would have stalled after 50 pounds.... instead I feel invigorated and in control. These are two things I have not felt about my diet in a long time. I would do this again. Feel free to say hello anytime.

From the time everything was submitted to insurance to approval it took two weeks. It took 2 months to get all the testing done that had to be submitted to insurance. It probably could have been faster but I have a very busy work schedule and had to schedule around that.

I just got back from a coast to coast flight. I was 3 weeks post op at the time. No problems flying, just a little discomfort at my incision sites from sitting for sooo long. Heads up on some food choices: I got some pinto Beans at popeyes to take with me on the plane... very good. I had some egg drop Soup from one of the chinese places in the airport... I am still doing full liquids/mushies so I was kinda worried about food. Also, remember that you can bring food with you...as long as it is not liquid. (they let me bring some blackbeans from a restaurant thru security) Good luck and have fun!

Cream of wheat was on my "full Liquids" portion of my post op diet. I got the instant version of the healthy grain cream of wheat and 4 oz keeps me full for 4 hours. (I haven't had my fill yet either) I use the brown sugar version of splenda very sparingly. ALSO... greek yogurt...WOW... I got that off the food and nutrition part of this website and I am so glad I found it. It is soo thick and satisfying 4oz= 60 cal. and 7.5 Protein I have been mixing that with sugarfree jam and splenda AND pureeing canned salmon, tuna etc using it like MAYO...just add some seasonings. You won't even know the difference. I have been starving too... So I am looking for food items that stick around a bit more than Soups.. High protein, some Fiber and few carbs. >>>I am thinking purred cauliflower next because it can taste just like mashed potatoes. I also got the cookbook recommended by other lapbandsters called Eating well after weightloss by Levine and someone else. It addresses the pureed stage.

If I could have a fill today I would take it. I have been starving since the 3rd day after the surgery. (two weeks tomm.) I went back to work this past Monday, so I am hoping that the distraction will help but my stomach growling from hunger thru each of my sessions is not exactly pleasant. I am drinking all my water and protein. My doc office actually gave me a gastric bypass diet that says only clear broths and 2 protein shakes a day for 6 weeks then I can add tofu and cottage cheese for the next 6 weeks. What a laugh. I have been having some full liquids but only the soups.. cause I want to stretch out the menu for a bit. I go to my Doc on Thursday and will be counting the days until my first fill until then. Hopefully, I will have some fingernails left.

I understand completely. The last time I lost a lot of weight I became sex crazed... for me it was about the power... and the attention. It felt soo good> feeling sexy and desired. This time I have joined Overeaters Anonymous because I realize now that I had traded one addiction for another and I don't want that to happen since I am happily married this time. This is my story and only applies to me...but just wanted to let you know that u r not alone.

I use Stevia. I have gotten used to the taste and I am trying to use natural wherever I can.

YEs, my BCBS sent me a letter letting me know that with excessive weight loss their is a strong possibility of excess skin. The letter also stated that Plastic Surgery was NOT covered. Still thought it was nice to be that direct.

I just attended my second meeting at OA. I went there one week after my lapband surgery and let my surgery be known. I think that getting the band was my first step in admitting to myself that I was powerless over my eating addiction. Everyone has been super supportive and there is even one person who had gastric bypass in the group too. This is the one place where you can be honest... and if people aren't supportive of you there...then THEY have the issue...not you! I plan to be successful with my lapband TOOL... not cure..(smiling)

You will be okay in Ormond. The entire length of the ocean has walker friendly sidewalks. You are only 20 minutes from Daytona Beach and 30 minutes from St. Augustine. I visit there regularly because that is where my father in law lives. As for the plane> from Bariatriceating.com I got these ready to add Water shakes. Remember once you clear security, you are free to buy things in the airport. Nowadays, there is a Jamba juice or something like that everywhere. I bet they would blend your powder with some of their stuff. Have fun! I think the best walking is next to the beach.

I have an annoyance that has been building which I will voice with my Doctor at my next visit. It seems that much of the information that I was given was specific to the Gastric Bypass patient and I was just given these instructions to follow instead of any consideration being given that the Lapband operation has a different healing schedule and nutritional requirements (since there is no mal-absorption challenges) I was reading my post op information packet that is soo clearly written for the gastric bypass patient...starting with "you will be in the hospital for 2-3 days. Clear liquids for 6 weeks...after six weeks you can add tofu and cottage cheese......expect to go back to work 6-8 weeks after an open procedure and 3-4 after laproscopic" Anyone feel like they got "what is good for the Gastric bypass should be good for the lapband patient" type info?

I was banded 12 August. I reported to the hospital at 8am. Surgery was around 10:30. I was very groggy and sleepy afterwards when they took me to radiology make sure there were no leaks and they gave me a small medicine cup of clear thick liquid to swallow while I STOOD in front of the xray type machine. Since it was a clear picture and he could see the liquid slowly going into my stomach he said he did not have to do the barium. I was falling asleep standing but he was very sweet and showing me my new stomach etc. I was home by 4:30.... probably later than i could have gone home, if I could have kept my eyes open for more than one minute at a time.

I was banded on August 12. sleeping has been okay. I was starving the first 2 days >at least my stomach was rumbling and all my intestines were rumbling sooo loud you could hear it across the room. Everything has been much better since i can actually pass gas without that action causing a pain in my belly making me want to throw up. I tried to drive yesterday and will have to borrow my husband's minivan instead of my small car... the pain getting in and just sitting squished up was intolerable. I am a massage therapist (Rolfer) and plan to go back to work in a week...kinda nervous but I feel much better today with the twinges from the incision site. Fortunately, I can cancel all my clients if needed. My biggest challenge is not having support from my husband... he seems to think that I could have lost weight without surgery if I really wanted to. (20 years plus of obesity doesn't seem to register in his man mind). So I try not to say anything to him about what is going on with me. Thanks for letting me vent. i feel better :biggrin:

Mine is tomorrow too. You are not alone! Hard to believe that by this time tomorrow night you and I (and many others) will have started a new part of my life. WOW!

I am a Certified Rolfer. I just quit my job with the school system as a Special Education Case Manager and I am doing the Rolfing full time. That was the biggest risk I have ever taken and getting the lapband surgery will be the second one. (Rolfing is a form of manual therapy that addresses soft tissue restrictions in the body that often creates opportunities for better posture, less muscle tension and greater ease and flexibility in the body.) I am kind of worried because my work is very active, so I would love to hear from anyone who has a physically demanding job. I am taking two weeks off to recover from my surgery that is scheduled for 12 August.

I have been scheduled for August 12.

Have you tried Stevia? It is an herb that is sweet. Most large grocery stores carry it and so do health food stores. I love it and also try to stay away from artificial sweetners You could make your own Jello with unflavored knox Gelatin and unsweetened Koolaid or something like that.....

Surgery date scheduled for August 12, 2009 with Dr. Ejeh.

I love iced coffee and I pick up a large coffee from starbucks and use it to make my own Iced coffee each morning> For cream I use some of the Atkins vanilla low carb premade drink to it. Tastes great.

I have heard good things about him. I am waiting for insurance approval for Dr. Ejeh. She works with Dr. Carter. She had performed lapbands in Atlanta Ga prior to arriving here in Fayetteville about 2 years ago. So she probably has more "bandings" under her belt.