chrissie

LIBRA......how have you been now that its been a few days since your? keep up the good work everyone....our bodies are still adjusting to this huge change, give it some time. I'm sure the scale will be reflective of the decrease in the amount of foods taken in, remember how many YEARS its taken to get where we are, so be patient with it....THIS IS GOING TO HAPPEN FOR US ALL!!-----HAVE A HAPPY LABOR DAY!!------

I was banded 8/24/06 and I've been searching the boards with the very same question. I can't seem to find any real answer. How would we know? I haven't had any restriction since day one! Never a problem getting anything down, in fact, I'm so paranoid Ive been thinking maybe it hasent been right since I got it?! They didnt do any x-ray or scan. Or sure, I could be crazy. But how would we know if there was a problem? Is it like being pregnant...and you are just suppose to know?

DIVA GIRL---you desirve a huge gold star!!***** you should be very proud of your self control,and dedication. We all know just how hard that is to "walk away" and you did it twice! a sit down dinner AND a BBQ..... you ROCK!

Thank you girls for all the help with the ticker link! I'm going to put it up tomorrow, I'm just too tired now. LIBRA---thanks for sharing your fill story, thats what helps us later Aug. bandsters get ready for our next step. I'm so glad it went smoothly for you, what kind of post-op diet/eating did you follow? I thought you had to be on solids before the 1st fill, where you? it seems that the differences in Dr.s orders on pre and post op eating varies to an incredible EXTREME! Im asking because I can never listen to anything Im told to do and have been "modifying" my diet since day one. In other words- cream Soup @2 days pot-op cream of wheat,soft boiled eggs,etc. so now that Im @8 days ofcourse Ive already moved onto really "good stuff" I wont even go into what Ive been eating! It does scare me because I know its not allowed and I read all the post from the 'good' people who follow orders and are still on liquids or just starting mushies @ my stage. I have no restriction and no trouble getting anything down (never have) So thats why I'm asking how it went for you, did you go thru 'steps' in your post-op eating? Sorry if this was rambling...Iam really tired! that anesteshia has really kicked my butt.

Can anyone tell me how to do the darn ticker?!?!?! I feel so plain up there!

hey, here's all my friends! thanks for starting this up for us losin'it. Libra...could you give us a little more detail about your 1st fill.I don't want to be noisey,but the more info. the better. I'd love to have a better idea of what to expect.THANK YOU!! be well everyone------chrissie

yeah keep up the water! you do NOT want to dehydrate. And I'm NOT SUPPOSE to be eating I'm just such a dumb ass. I do have real hunger,but I really need to be more accountable to myself and plan better. Today I went with my daughter for her college orientation, and out of bad habit I left w/o having any breakfast. So after a few hrs. @ the school and walking all over the campus, I was hungry. The cafeteria was closed for the day(even still,I went in and asked if I could just buy a yogurt-they said no) that would have saved me,becaeuse they put out a bbq lunch for everyone and by that point I could have eaten the charcoal baquettes. Do I really have to admit on the board that I ate the inside of a burger and some potato salad? Did I have guilt? OHH yes! Did I love every minute of it? OHH yeas! will I do it again. NO WAY! I know I need to plan ahead and finally be responsible for myself and my eating habits.I know I have to put my big-girl-panties on and make the changes this band can help me to make. Anyway, your alot stronger than Iam, keep up the good work!

You might have a deal Trizzy...hmm is it plain or poppyseed? and did you get my note? I was leaving AND looking for you like I said I would, but they said you passed out after your bloodwork-so I knew it was you and left a note. To bad you passed out!? would have loved to meet you in person, but I know thats not uncommon when blood is drawn.Your ticker looks great! how ya feelin"?

SURBY---- If you are vomiting that violently, please call your Dr. again don't wait. That kind of severe straining can put you port AND stiches in danger. Plus your not holding down liquids and you DON'T want to dehydrate. I hope this passes for you quickly,PLEASE keep us updated. So here we all are...the end of the month! All those weeks and days we all waited so anxiously to go by, that big circle we all have on our calenders for our 'BANDAY'. Give up? who said that?! this month kicks the other 11 months asses! we can't NOT Keep going! we just started our new lives, we have to have holidays and anniversaries! this is the best part, I love reading how well everyone is doing, even the hard parts seem easier when you can share it.Right? Like this...I have 6 kids, and right now I would sell one of them for a bagel. Any takers?

That dinner sounds heavenly right now!! I don't know why they told me I wouldn't have any phsical hunger the first week post-op, I kept telling my husband, but he didn't believe me till he put his hand on my belly and felt/heard it rumbling! the only thing thats been saving me is thick soup and a few soft foods. But Im really supposed to be on all liquids still. I would LOVE to be able to have chicken, and I love veggies when thier grilled, too! Any trouble getting it down? Are you thirsty at all when you eat? I don't know how thats going to be...you know eating w/o a drink.

u2 pebbs...you really are turning into a night owl!! haha good luck @ work...remember your protien so you can get thru the day.

Tabby!!! OHH MYY GOOOD!!! ---YOU rock!!--- I just realized how much you've lost, wow. You should be very proud of yourself,thats incredible weight loss in just 8 months. How many fill have you had and when did you get them? Do you LOVE this band!!

Marrisa...sorry I didn't get back to you faster, I had my band done the day after you posted so I was already on my way to Mexico! I chose to go there because as a self-pay I was researching all my options, checking credentials, and comparing all Drs.,etc. I kept coming back to Dr. Ortiz. Even the most expierenced Doc here in N.Y. hasent done the number of surgeries that he's done.He's proctored many other Dr.s and came highly recommened by Inamed. I was very confident going there, and now that I'm back, I know it was the best choice for me! It was a better than I ever expected. I heard there was a Dr. from N.Y. learning a prosedure at the clinic the day I was banded so I asked to meet him and it turnrd out to be a Dr. from L.I. Bariatric Center in Levittown!!(where Im going to go for fills) it was just a crazy coinsidence. Im one week post-op and feeling great, I haven't taken any pain meds since I left the hospital (I actualy went shopping at the markets when I got released and walked all day) I have no problem getting anything down, the marks on my belly are tiny, I can even sleep on my side! I did /do have some gas pain in my shoulder, but nothing unbearable at all and most important I think for the first time -this really might work!! WHO LOVES THIER BAND!!?? I know I do! Did I tell you I went in at 214lb and today Im 206?!How freakin' great is this thing. How are the rest of you doing? keep posting New York...we ROCK

JOLIESMOM......Thanks for the advice, I heard about the 'chiken lady' too! I will be more carefull.

Good for you !! just make sure your getting enough protien and taking your vitamins. Your doing great!! I was banded on Thurs the 24th by Dr. Ortiz I went in @ 214lb and I'm 208 today @ 5 dyas postop. Believe me-I'm not complaining either!! But I am hungry and I have been eating. So far Ive had sream spoup,tomato juice,cream of wheat, a soft boiled egg, and last night I made the family manwitch for dinner and had about 3 bites. I know I shouldnt but its really hard because I don"t have any problems getting food down and I've been hungry! Rumbling in my belly hungry, not head hunger. My husband thought I was crazy, untill I put his hand on my belly and he heard and felt it growling! I am trying to be carefull but...Has anyone else been like this so soon after surgery? besides having the few very small puncture marks, I havent had anything negative. No pain meds since I left on thurs.,just some gas in my left shoulder,but nothing unbearable. I even woke up on my side this morning! Maybe they skiped me? maybe someone else got two bands? HAHAHA. Like I said-I am NOT COMPLAINING!! Does any one feel way BETTER than expected?? Best wishes to everyone being banded this week, August bandeters rock!

Thank you again! its so good knowing I'm not alone. Sorry you all had to hear me PMS venting, I think I'll take a hot shower and vegg for the night. But before I do... let me tell you the hotel Lucerna is spotless, very nicely stocked with the basic toiletries, hair dryers are already here, coffee maker, too! the staff has been very friendly and eager to assist. We have a beautiful king-sized room with a balcony. There is (duh) internet access ('cause Im on it!) and the T.V. even has some english speaking channels. The driver picked us up right @ baggage just like they told us. If Im not laughed away at the door and humiliated at the clinic tomorrow...Ill post again ASAP. You all keep up the great work

hahaha...I was going to add to the bottom of my post for YOU to look for the short,fat blonde!!! lol!! yeah my hubs is with me. He's been very supportive, its my own guilt thats killing me right now. I want this so bad..how could I have been so stupid and possible mess up this chance?!! Seriously, its like Im possesed by 'food demons' they talk-no sream at me to pull thru drive-thrus and they don't take no for an answer. I cant shake them, untill I give in to the craving aqnd then (like now) I have guilt so bad! What the hell is wrong with me?? why Im I so oppsessed with food? and if I cant follow thepre-op directions how in the world am I ever going to handle my life post-op?

HI everyone, I'm sitting here at the hotel Lucerna!! it is very nice. I flew in today and will have surgery tomorrow A.M. since my flight came in @3:00 my pre-op will be done first. So here's my problem...Im not nervous or scared about the actual procedure, but to be honest I have not stuck to a liquid pre-diet. I have such guilt right now and last night had a dream that they turned me away because I could'nt follow directions. Any other week I think it would have been hard but not impossible--but Im RAGEINGLY PMSing right now and it really was just about impossible for me.I feel like I've already failed.This is really embaressing to even admit.Has anyone else been "unfaithful"? I just hope they don't turn me away at the door tomorrow.....AND TRIZZY...I 'll be looking for you!! I won't leave untill I find you and say hello! Thanks for listening you guys!

Hey Marissa- I live in Riverhead-were neighbors! Can I ask you why you were unfilled? I'm not trying to be nosey, just want to learn as much as possible. Im being banded on Thurs. Thanks!

I totaly agree with Mandy...if I do order from the kids or just an appitizer, I still make sure the tip is reflective of a full price meal, so the wait staff is not slighted in any way.

HI pebbles... yeah I think its less expensive from waht I hear of the costs, but everything is less out of New York! But really I was researching on the net about the prosedure and starting reading more and more of the surgeons in Mexico ( and of course-my first thought was NO WAY!!) but the doctors there have done way more sugeries than in the US and I didn't have to go thru all the insurance stuff like I said before. I wasen't going to fight with them over if obesity was a disease or get a pyshic. evaluation! (I know exactly how nuts a I'm) I didn't need a stranger to tell me 'try harder' or your weight loss efforts have to be documented etc,etc. Plus, I am 5'5" and 214lbs my BMI is 34- would you believe some doc.s think thats not fat enough?! Iam really confidant in the desicion to go to MX-but I am starting to ask myself if I can make such a big commitment to AFTER- like if Im going to be the 2% that fails or streatch me new stomach- but like I said I am soooo PMSing right now, maybe its my hormones talking right now. And contrats to your weight loss thats great! and to Elisabethsew WOW! your both an inspiration! keep up the good work!

My daughter came home from school one day I saw that I had the hiccups-they had been driving my crazy! She simply said my teacher says to me "Try and do it again!" when I have the the hiccups in class and it stops them. Ofcourse I thought...Yeah right! but my daughter said it to me and it worked! Evidentaly, if you TRY and hiccup (or TRY to make it happen again) you can't. Ive done it by myself while driving in the car and it worked again too! I know it sounds to easy and something a 10 year old would say-but if you want to give it a try what have you got to lose?! Let me know if it works for anyone. best wishes chrissie

I just have to add my two cents in to this. My husband and I own a small family restuarant. I would never deny a person ordering off the kids menu, if its because of WLS or a senoir who can't eat that much, or any personal reason. But thats because I care about my customers without them we would not have a buisness.I do every thing I can to accomidate thier needs and give good service. It sounds to me that these big chain buffets don't give a crap if your happy OR come back OR if you take you family and friends with you! The nerve! it really is about the dollar. I would rather sell you a kids meal than not have you as a customer! Why don't they see it that way? GREED!?! I'm glad there's none of these places where I live.

I live in Suffolk county too!! I hang around the August Band Crew board, but mostly read, I haven't posted to much. I am packing right now for the airport, I'll be leaving in the morning out of Macarthur. My surgery is with Dr. Ortiz in MX on Thursday 8/24. I am a self pay because I really could not deal with jumping thru insurance hoops. I'm very comportable with the desicion, but I have had a real hard time the the pre-op diet, to add to all the gross liquids, I'm sooo premenstrel I could sell one of my kids for a bagel! I hope I will be o.k. with the surgery, I keep having dreams that when I get there they turn my away because I didn't follow directions or lose weight.I know if this was any other time of the month I could have fought the "food demons" that are screaming at me to pull into the drivethru a little bit better-but I've got the PMS real bad. Anyway, I was just going to intoduce myself, not go on like this! Good luck to all of us-maybe we should start a 'Big Apple' thread! lol! Nice to meet you all!....Chrissie

Diva; I have never heard of 'Isopure', you said its high protien and lo carb? Where do you find it? it sounds like a great nutritional suppliment to have on hand. Thanks for the info. Glad to hear of your success. love,luck, and best of health to all our August bandsters. waiting for 8/24/06....chrissie