Mrs. Mateo

I was banded August 12th, and I've lost 40 lbs since this whole process started. I lost 20 before surgery and 20 since surgery. Today I had my first fill and it was a breeze... I'm feeling restriction (just a little) and I have a 10 cc band. I'm wearing a size 12/14 pants and 14 tops, I feel GREAT and I love stepping in the shower in the morning and noticing so many inches disappearing...I LOVE my band so far. Great work everyone let's keep the losing trend going....:biggrin: PW 252 CW 212 GW 150 Class Reunion is October 24th of this year and my next goal is to be at 200 for the reunion... :mad:!

Yankeegirl, I had to do a double take of your post and make sure it wasn't mine....I have been going through the same exact things since being banded on the 12th of August as well. I'm just taking it one day at a time because it seems that time heals the wounds literally....I wish it could get rid of all of this gas that I am having. I had to leave work early today because of it, and my primary doctor told me that I need to be off for at least another week from work since I'm not eating any food at this stage. I have my ups and downs and night time seems to be the worst some days. Last night is the first night that I pretty much slept all night...Thank God cause I needed the sleep. Can't wait to get past this part...

Keep up the Great work you can do it....!

Hello everyone, I was banded on August 12th and it seems that each day I feel better and better. I am drinking as much liquid in a day as I can take. I feel like I'm already restricted a lot. I drink about half of a bottle of Isopure protein drinks as protein takes away hunger and helps you to heal quicker. I'm not quite sure if I'm hungry or if I am feeling one of the lingering gas pains in my chest... I think they are hunger pains though. I can only consume about 2-3 sips of liquid at a time, so I can't wait until I speak with my doctor again, which will be on August 24th because I feel like he filled my band at the time of surgery. Other than the Isopure I drink Swanson Chicken Broth (very tasty and 33% less sodium), sugarfree popcicles, about two cups of tea (usually can't finish an entire cup...) as well as water I try to get at least 16oz in per day but that doesn't always happen. I use the bathroom often so I believe I'm on the right path. I seem to lose at least a pound or more per day. At surgery I was at 229 lbs and I am 223 lbs as of today, so I am very happy about the weight loss. I just want to feel 100% again sometime soon, now I would say that I'm at about 75%. Hope everyone is doing well.

Hello everyone, here's where my story begins.... 1994 is when my weight started becoming a problem for me. I already had both of my children, one in 1990 and the other in 1991. I was about 189lbs after I had my second son and things were pretty much stable at that weight for me. I wanted to lose weight but it didn't become a serious problem until about three years later. I put on about 30lbs from 1991-1994, and it just continued to increase from there. Of course I decided to begin taking weight lost pills (phentramine/and the other phen). I both pills for about two months and quickly lost 50lbs. I thought the battle was over at that point until I gained the weight back about 6 months later (as I stopped taking the pills). I tried some of my own remedies like exercise and all types of diets. I walked and did lots of activities with my children but the weight just wouldn't go anywhere. Looking back at my weight lost journey there were a total of 11 years that I have been trying to lose weight with all types of attempts. I've taken so many diet pills and shakes that I can't even count. My husband and I attended a seminar for day one surgery in Chicago Illinois in March of 2008. In April of 2008 @ 232lbs, I decided to start working on a supervised diet plan with my doctor, I told her that I wanted to attempt a lap band procedure and she let me know that most insurance companies require that you have at least a 6 month history of a medically supervised diet. In addition to that my doctor had just started seeing a patient of hers that had the procedure done, she called her and let me speak to her to see how she felt about the surgery. I decided to go with the same doctor (Dr. Klem out of Central Dupage Hospital, in Winfield IL.) that she has since here experience was so positive. So the 6 month program began. That included Phentramine, water pill and a 1200 calorie diet plan. I lost about 10-15lbs over the 6 month time frame, which wasn't very sugnificant to me. Once I stopped taking the pills I was right back at square one.... back to 230. In September of 08' I began seeing Dr. Klem, he has been performing this type of surgery for the last 17 years, he gave me all of the pro's and con's of the procedure and told me I was a candidate for either surgery, the bypass or the lap band. My husband and I decided that the lapband was the best choice for me since I didn't have any pre-morbid conditions. The process began the next week after being catagorized as morbidly obese. By the way when I started seeing Dr. Klem I was up to 242lbs, this was barely enough to be considered for insurance (why I'm not sure...). By the time my scheduled appointment for nutritionist came I was a all time high of 247.6lbs. That was a depressing time for me, I cried when I left the office and spoke with my husband about the weight gain that I was experiencing. We decided the I should try Weight Watchers to try and work on the problem immididately, as I had developed high blood pressure by this time and my doctor decided to put me on blood preasure medicine. I began Weight Watchers which I started doing very well with and dropped about 15lbs. Unfortunately I put the procedure off because I thought maybe this would be the fix that I was truly looking for. That did not last for more than a couple of months because of the high amount of sodium that was in so many of the meals. By now it's December and I'm right back in the same visocus circle that I've been in and now my weight has really gotten out of hand. by January I was a whopping 252lbs and had a very low self esteme. I didn't want to go to any social settings and couldn't fit any of my clothes. I was up to a size 18/20...I'd never wore this size clothes even when I was 9mo pregnant with either of my children. Life seemed very glomy for me. In January I decided to get back to business with Dr. Klems office and get the show on the road. As most of you know this can be a very long process because of all of the steps you have to take to be qualified for surgery. By March of this year I was finally finished with all of the steps that I needed (so I thought). My Information was submitted to my insurance company and I thought it was complete but of course my insurance company Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois denied my case. They claimed that I didn't have enough previous documented diet attempts for at least 5 years. When I submitted 7 years straight of failed diet attempts with one diet (Dr. Greenspon) doctor. My case was taken on by the Attorney that handles lap band denied cases, which took almost two months to get resolved. Finally got approved (this was a very stressful time needless to say).:tongue_smilie:As I was waiting for the approval I decided to try another dietary option, Weight Watchers (This was so costly, but my husband wanted to make sure I tried absolutly everything.....) by June of 09, I was finally approved... Now to set the date...July was full for my doctor so I opted to take August 12th. I'm now scheduled....:thumbup:... Kept doing Weight Watchers for a minute until I ran out of thier food and I'm now at 239.5. My liquid diet starts July 29th, which does consist of some food. I am to have a protein shake for breakfast, a morning snack (which will be a fat free yogart without fruit), Protein shake for lunch, mid lunch snack (which will be sugar free jello), and then a dinner (I've opted to use a Smart One's meal which is approved by my nutrutionist as long as it has meat in it.) and I can have up to two sugar free popcicles or fudgecicles. This doesn't seem like a liquid diet but the doctor knows best and it's ment to be 1000 calories. My nutritionist said it was good that I've been on the Weight Watchers diet because it's comparable to what I will be doing except it's 200 calories less. I will continue to post after my procedure but I can say that I'm happy that it's all most time for me to get this part over with....It's been a long time coming.:confused: Start Weight: 252lbs Pre Op Weight: 239lbs Pre Surgery Weight: ??? Goal Weight: 145

Three days post op...It's funny how fast you heal after this procedure. Banded on Wednesday 12th of August, arrived at the hospital at 5:30 am. Was very excited and a little bit nervous but okay for the most part. I had my husband right beside me all of the way and that was comforting. I got called to the back to get prepped for surgery as soon as I checked in. The 1st think that I did was weighed in and was then given a gown and asked to undress. My husband helped me tie up the operating robe and then I was asked a series of questions by my nurse and given a blood thinner shot in my stomach. After that my husband and I just watched the flat screen tv for a while then the anesthesiologist came in and introduced himself and asked me what I was getting done and who was my doctor. He then proceeded to tell me what he was going to do, and I asked him if he was going to take care of me and he said yes, that is the plan. He left and then came back in and told me he was going to put something in my IV that would relax me. That was the last thing that I remember. After that I was waking up in the recovery room at about 10 am. The nurse asked me what my pain level was on a scale of 1-10 and of course I said it was a 10 and I was given doladin for the pain. About 30 min later the pain was a little bit better but I was still given more pain medicine to make sure I was comfortable. By 11:00 am I was taken back to my room where I met back up with my husband. I was so happy to see him that I almost cried. I had to be given a shot of anti nausea medicine as I almost threw up for no reason at all. I tried to drink a little bit of water and had to be give anti nausea medicine again so that I wouldn't throw up. I was still in a lot of pain so I was given more pain medicine. Then it was time for me to go to the x ray room to check and make sure i could actually digest liquid. I had to drink this clear solution just a few sips and then the barium. I kept both down and that let them know that I was good to go home. I still had to show that I could keep some water down so I had to sip on that when I returned back to the room. I did that and was released at about 1:30. My husband took me home and all I wanted to do was lay down. This was a very painful process. I was in so much pain my husband went and got my pain medicine perscription filled and then I just sat on the couch for most of the day just sitting there in pain. Then the gas pain started....I tried to walk around the house as much as I could tolerate the pain but it wasn't enough for the gas pain to move very much. Day one was a mess if you ask me...I couldn't sleep in my bed and had to get back on the couch which I slept sitting up because that was most comfortable for me. Day two was a little bit better as it related to the insision pain, but the gas pain was worst. I walked around a lot more on day two but still sat around for most of the day. Today is day 3 and I can finally go outside and enjoy some day light and warm sun on my skin. How wonderful. The gas pain is a lot better but still present in my left sholder and in my stomach. I will do a lot more walking today so I expect for the gas to move a lot more. I wil post some pictures of before and now soon.

Congratulations lingra I had surgery on August 12th as well, and I'm finally feeling good enough to respond to this site. Day one and two were pretty challenging for me but I did make it through...Thank God. I am still experiencing a lot of gas and some pain, I've been taking my liquid Vicodin faithfully as it really helps me to get back to normal life. I'm not the type of person who sits around a lot but this procedure has made me have to stop and rest. I'm up and about now and I can tell that as each hour goes by I feel better and better. I wish you well on your journey as well as myself. I know that this is was the best decision for me and I would not have changed a thing (outside of the pain..lol). Let's keep in touch.

Okay the day has finally come....I will be getting my band tomorrow....I have to be at the hospital at 5:30 AM but my actual surgery doesn't take place until 7:30 AM so I hope I get out of there by noon. God bless all of those who have their surgery this week and throughout the year.... talk to you all on the post-op side...

Happy for you....keep up the great recovery... :ohmy:

Okay everyone, I'm getting closer....I saw my doctor yesterday and asked all type of questions (as this is my last Dr. visit before my surgery next Wednesday), he answered everything and told me that I'm all set and that he would take good care of me. I've lost another 9lbs since the liquid diet started, and like I said I'm not completely on liquids because I am eating at least a meal a day with Snacks totaling 1000 calories per day. I can't wait until next Wednesday....:ohmy: so my new stats are as follows: Start WT 252 Current WT 230 Goal WT 150 BMI 37.5 7 days and counting for surgery........

Hey I have the same date...don't worry you will be fine...This is what you've been waiting for....:thumbup:

Glad everything is going so well for you. My pre op diet starts on July 29th, and I am able to still eat 1 meal, as well as have two snacks (jello & sugar free Popsicle) and two protein shakes. Did you get to eat a meal with your liquid diet? My total calorie intake will be 1000.

In a way you are empty, but now it's time to fill up with all good foods....now is your chance to start all over almost from scratch....Give yourself a little bit of time to heal up and I'm sure you will be back to happy... especially when you see the pound drop...don't worry you will be fine...

I added some more....I get banded on August 12th. I can't wait..... and I wish you well too....

Hello everyone, here's where my story begins.... 1994 is when my weight started becoming a problem for me. I already had both of my children, one in 1990 and the other in 1991. I was about 189lbs after I had my second son and things were pretty much stable at that weight for me. I wanted to lose weight but it didn't become a serious problem until about three years later. I put on about 30lbs from 1991-1994, and it just continued to increase from there. Of course I decided to begin taking weight lost pills (phentramine/and the other phen). I both pills for about two months and quickly lost 50lbs. I thought the battle was over at that point until I gained the weight back about 6 months later (as I stopped taking the pills). I tried some of my own remedies like exercise and all types of diets. I walked and did lots of activities with my children but the weight just wouldn't go anywhere. Looking back at my weight lost journey there were a total of 11 years that I have been trying to lose weight with all types of attempts. I've taken so many diet pills and shakes that I can't even count. My husband and I attended a seminar for day one surgery in Chicago Illinois in March of 2008. In April of 2008 @ 232lbs, I decided to start working on a supervised diet plan with my doctor, I told her that I wanted to attempt a lap band procedure and she let me know that most insurance companies require that you have at least a 6 month history of a medically supervised diet. In addition to that my doctor had just started seeing a patient of hers that had the procedure done, she called her and let me speak to her to see how she felt about the surgery. I decided to go with the same doctor (Dr. Klem out of Central Dupage Hospital, in Winfield IL.) that she has since here experience was so positive. So the 6 month program began. That included Phentramine, water pill and a 1200 calorie diet plan. I lost about 10-15lbs over the 6 month time frame, which wasn't very sugnificant to me. Once I stopped taking the pills I was right back at square one.... back to 230. In September of 08' I began seeing Dr. Klem, he has been performing this type of surgery for the last 17 years, he gave me all of the pro's and con's of the procedure and told me I was a candidate for either surgery, the bypass or the lap band. My husband and I decided that the lapband was the best choice for me since I didn't have any pre-morbid conditions. The process began the next week after being catagorized as morbidly obese. By the way when I started seeing Dr. Klem I was up to 242lbs, this was barely enough to be considered for insurance (why I'm not sure...). By the time my scheduled appointment for nutritionist came I was a all time high of 247.6lbs. That was a depressing time for me, I cried when I left the office and spoke with my husband about the weight gain that I was experiencing. We decided the I should try Weight Watchers to try and work on the problem immididately, as I had developed high blood pressure by this time and my doctor decided to put me on blood preasure medicine. I began Weight Watchers which I started doing very well with and dropped about 15lbs. Unfortunately I put the procedure off because I thought maybe this would be the fix that I was truly looking for. That did not last for more than a couple of months because of the high amount of sodium that was in so many of the meals. By now it's December and I'm right back in the same visocus circle that I've been in and now my weight has really gotten out of hand. by January I was a whopping 252lbs and had a very low self esteme. I didn't want to go to any social settings and couldn't fit any of my clothes. I was up to a size 18/20...I'd never wore this size clothes even when I was 9mo pregnant with either of my children. Life seemed very glomy for me. In January I decided to get back to business with Dr. Klems office and get the show on the road. As most of you know this can be a very long process because of all of the steps you have to take to be qualified for surgery. By March of this year I was finally finished with all of the steps that I needed (so I thought). My Information was submitted to my insurance company and I thought it was complete but of course my insurance company Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois denied my case. They claimed that I didn't have enough previous documented diet attempts for at least 5 years. When I submitted 7 years straight of failed diet attempts with one diet (Dr. Greenspon) doctor. My case was taken on by the Attorney that handles lap band denied cases, which took almost two months to get resolved. Finally got approved (this was a very stressful time needless to say).:tongue_smilie:As I was waiting for the approval I decided to try another dietary option, Weight Watchers (This was so costly, but my husband wanted to make sure I tried absolutly everything.....) by June of 09, I was finally approved... Now to set the date...July was full for my doctor so I opted to take August 12th. I'm now scheduled....:thumbup:... Kept doing Weight Watchers for a minute until I ran out of thier food and I'm now at 239.5. My liquid diet starts July 29th, which does consist of some food. I am to have a protein shake for breakfast, a morning snack (which will be a fat free yogart without fruit), Protein shake for lunch, mid lunch snack (which will be sugar free jello), and then a dinner (I've opted to use a Smart One's meal which is approved by my nutrutionist as long as it has meat in it.) and I can have up to two sugar free popcicles or fudgecicles. This doesn't seem like a liquid diet but the doctor knows best and it's ment to be 1000 calories. My nutritionist said it was good that I've been on the Weight Watchers diet because it's comparable to what I will be doing except it's 200 calories less. I will continue to post after my procedure but I can say that I'm happy that it's all most time for me to get this part over with....It's been a long time coming. Start Weight: 252lbs Pre Op Weight: 239lbs Pre Surgery Weight: ??? Goal Weight: 145

Just finished my pre-op on Friday the 24th, EKg, Chest Xray, and blood work... All went well and I'm ready for surgery on August 12th! Yaaah. Pre op diet starts on July 29th, I was surprised that my doctor allows me to eat one meal... and two protein shakes. It could be the fact that my BMI is 39, not really sure but is sounds like it will rather simple since I can eat at least one meal, as well as sugar free popcicles and sugar free jello, this should be a breeze. Start Weight: 252 Pre Op Weight: 239 Goal Weight: 145 :thumbup:

This protein drink is not carbonated just loaded with 40 gm of protein.

This protein drink is not a carbonated beverage, just to let everyone know.

I found a liquid protein that gives you 40 gm of protein. It's called Isopure and has zero carbs, it comes in different flavors. I like Apple Melon. You can find it at Vitamin world. They are about 3.50 per bottle, but it's worth it if you can get all of your proteins in easily.

I wish everyone well with the procedure, I will be praying for everyone! I'm very excited about the entire ordeal, I've been attempting to lose weight for years like everyone else. I told my husband when I'm done I am going to go on "She's got the Look" it's a modeling show for women 40 and over.... I'm very serious.... :ohmy: I have the face for it, now I need the body to match my face and personality. I feel like I've been in hiding or something like that. People tell me all of the time that I look fine and that I really don't need to get a procedure like this done. The scale can't be lying, I'm 240lbs. at 40. That's way to much weight, my back hurts all of the time and I just can't wait until August 12th!!! I'm positive that it will be a lot of hard work but I'm up for the challenge. It took me for ever to make up my mind, as I started the procedure for lap band surgery in September of 08. Then by January of 09' I was completely ready, as I had got up to 252lbs. I wasn't that large when I was pregnant with either of my son's. This is what I've been searching for since about 1996. What a long time to be on a diet right? I've tried everything you can think of, my last try at it was Jenny Craig...She's for the rich women only....way to much money. After finally making up my mind I had to complete all of the steps, which took until May of 09. After that my insurance denied my procedure. I couldn't believe it with all of my past history and the fact that I had started to take medication for high blood pressure. My case was turned over to an attorney that handles retarded denied claims which took an additional 2 months and then I was finally approved in July. So needless to say this has been a long process for me, and I'm positive it is the best resolve for me!! I see my nutritionist on July 24th, and begin my 2 week liquid diet on July 29th......:thumbup:. I've already dropped about 12lbs with Jenny Craig, now I'm just waiting to drop about another 15-20lbs before surgery. Let's stay in touch on the post op blog August 09' branders... :thumbup:.

Hey August banders.... I'm August 12, starting my all liquids on July 29th can't wait for the new me to begin... :smile:

Just recently got approved, it took me a few days to get things set up but It's all set and I have my surgery date set for August 12, 2009....I'm very excited! I have been doing JC and I still am, I wanted to see how much I could lose on my own since this was the last diet strategy that I needed to try. I tried the rest this was the last one and I might add its very costly, I've been doing it for 2 weeks and I've lost 7lbs, I think I wanted to see how much I could lose before my 40th birthday on July 19th....still going through with the band just wanted to get things jump started...can't wait!!!