gingerjane

Looks like everyone is doing well. That's awesome! :ohmy: I had my first fill yesterday. I have 5 ccs total. I thought it was a bit aggressive. She originally was going to give me 6 and tested to see what I had in there (she said they usually put a little in the band) and I had 2 ccs, so she filled me up but the barium wasn't moving through like she wanted so she pulled a little out. I'm at 5 total. I swear, I was more hungry today than I normally am. Not sure what that is about. I couldn't eat a lot at lunch. I felt like I was going to hurl, so I know that's restriction but it doesn't last as long as I was hoping. This morning, my protein shake did not last near as long as they normally do. Hope everyone is doing good!

Awesome NSVs so far! Keep 'em coming! :ohmy: I think buying smaller clothes is always a good one! And, feeling like you have a handle on food and won't go crazy - that's a BIGGIE, too!

I updated the spreadsheet. I am down a little over 2 pounds which I was SUPER ecstatic about because I was out of town on business and had to eat out ALL the time. :ohmy: I had my first fill yesterday so I'm hoping to hit my goal even before Mother's Day. We'll see!

I took Alli two years ago when I did weight watchers and it works - but goodness do NOT ever eat more fat than recommended. Trust me. It can get UGLY quick. And it's EXPENSIVE! I wouldn't recommend taking it with the band because Vitamin absorption is already an issue. Plus, with the higher carb, lower fat diet, you shouldn't really need it. (Or your friend - I'd tell her to wait because she needs her vitamins) My brother still uses it but only about once or twice per week. Tell her she needs the fat to help her body absorb Vitamins. I think one of the big things with the band is that it's not so much a ton of fat, it's the carbs and sugar that get processed and stored as fat. She still needs some fat for basic body functions. But, it did help me lose faster on weight watchers. I was about 50% higher than everyone else in my group. :ohmy: However, when I stopped, as you can see - I gained it back and now have switched to the band.

My first fill was yesterday and it was under fluro. Basically, you drink a barium and they can see how it empties from your smaller stomach to the larger one. It's pretty cool. She had overfilled me a bit and watched it get "caught" so she pulled a bit out. They can tell how good your restriction is with one. :ohmy: I personally think it's better. That way, they're not guessing on how tight your band is.

Had my first fill today - there were 2 ccs in my band from surgery and they added 3 more today. She was going to add more but the barium was slow going down so she didn't want to risk it. So, I have 5 total in my band! :thumbup: They've been pretty happy with my weight loss so far but I hope that this really kick starts it. I've spent the past five days out of town working a show, so I was having to eat out all of the time. I still stayed within my Protein and for the most part calorie limits. I'd like to know - did you feel much restriction after your first fill? I know most people say it takes 3-4 to hit it. I have been keeping my food intake to about a cup at a time. (Sometimes less) I can tell when I start to get full - I can feel it. She did say that my band is more at an angle (where they stitched it) which is where they wanted it. I have the 10cc Allergan band. Would love to hear first fill stories.

This is my first business trip since being banded on 3/22 and I'm a bit nervous about it. Not about the food because I'm cleared for soft foods (including chicken, etc.) but because I tend to bloat really bad when traveling. Does anyone have any suggestions as to how to avoid this? I feel like because I'm on my feet all day (I'll be working a trade show) that I tend to swell up. I can always notice it in my hands and feet. I already plan on buying a bunch of Protein shakes to keep in my hotel room when I get there, and I'm going to try to drink as much Water as I can. But, I feel like travel ALWAYS does that to me. Anyone else? Any suggestions? Also - I know this is probably silly but does flying affect the tightness of your band or anything at all? I haven't had my first fill - I get it Monday when I return. But, I thought I'd ask for those of you that have been there, done that. Thanks in advance! :cool:

So, my husband confesses to me today that his parents know about my surgery. I didn't want them to know because in the past they have made nasty comments about my weight and they're the type that would watch everything I eat and make snarky comments. He also has a sister that revels in showing how thin she is compared to me. (I could go on and on about the comments but won't because then I will start crying) Turns out my mom slipped and mentioned something about my procedure to them. She just said "Yea they found a hernia too". Well, I told them I was having hernia surgery. So, his dad asks him why he's lying to him and to fess up. So, he does. He tells them. And he doesn't understand why I'm upset. I've cried since he told me. (About 2 hours ago) These were people I did NOT want to know. So I asked him "Well, will they tell your sister" and he's like "I don't know". And now he's mad at me for being upset about it. I just had to come here and vent for a second. I'm hurt, upset and distraught. Now, they'll be watching every single thing I eat. Has anyone else dealt with this type of situation? I just want to put my head under the blankets and sob right now. I feel like he betrayed me. And to make matters worse, this was TUESDAY and he's just telling me TODAY. :w00t: Heartbroken...

Hubby and I have moved past it - but boy I was not happy for a while. But, you're right - I did decide that he was also a victim of his dad. After all, he interrogated him when he had him cornered because he knows that he can do that to him. I guess because I'm the type of person that has always told people where to go (and how to get there - LOL!) I don't understand the submissiveness. We've been to dinner with them three times since they found out and they haven't said a word. The only thing his mom asked was something about my choosing Protein. She was like 'Is that what you mainly have to eat now?" That was about it. So, maybe he told them to back off. I don't know. I think he sometimes doesn't tell me the entire conversation. But, they haven't said a word. Of course, they do know I am completely capable of telling them to jump off of a bridge. LOL! The longer I have my band, the more I realize how much I love this tool and they can all go to hell. :cool:

WOW!!! That is AWESOME!!! You go girl! I hope to see Onderland sometime by the end of this year. What an inspiration! How often do you work out?

I'm one with more weight to lose but I think that the best thing is that it can help you from gaining it back. When you learn to use the tool and use it properly, that's the biggest benefit. That's just my honest opinion. I wouldn't let the "smaller" amount of weight deter you from the surgery. If it were like 20 lbs, I might say differently, but I think anything over 50 lbs can adversely affect your health.

That is so funny! I was laughing picturing someone "scooting" to the bathroom trying to hold up baggy underwear. :thumbup: I had that happen last Friday with a pair of underwear and I had to walk a MILE to the parking garage where my car was. Let's just say I prayed that nobody would see me hike up everything. And, when I got home, they went in the trash. They were "low riders" as it was. But, I don't think by Low-Ride, they meant "under the butt cheeks". You're doing awesome! So happy for you!!! I get my first fill on Monday and can't wait!

Congratulations on the 50 lbs! :thumbup: That is awesome! I'm still waiting for my tax return so that I can join a local YMCA. (Need it for the babysitting so that I can work out and the kids will have something to do!) I remember David. LOVED him! How is he doing? I had joined "Don't Stop David" back when that season was on. He was a sweet guy.

I just started the challenge today - when is the official weigh-in? That way, I can keep you updated. :thumbup:

Is it too late to join the challenge? If not, I'd love to be in. I didn't see this thread until today. :thumbup: Anyway - I'd like to set mine at 13 lbs. I've got a month and my first fill coming up - should be able to do that I hope! Today I'm 257.6. If I lose 13 lbs, that takes me down to approximately 244. (I'd love to see 240 by then!) I'll start my ticker! Thanks for doing this challenge and I will definitely do the next one, too! Ginger

Good luck to you Ryan and don't give up on your journey! It will seem like it takes a while to get approved, get the surgery, etc., but the truth is the time moves faster than you think. I remember thinking "It's going to be FOREVER" and I'm almost a month out. So - don't lose hope! :cool2: One good piece of advice is to also start limiting your diet. I found that to be SO helpful. I cut out carbs and did my 2 week pre-op diet. Not going to lie - it was two weeks of torture, but worth it. It really helps with my new lifestyle! And this board is SO supportive! You'll love it here! :thumbup:

I usually see a nurse practitioner for my fills and she is GREAT. But, my band doctor is always accessible, too. I can e-mail him on a Sunday morning at 8:00 am and he gets back to me within 15 minutes. He carries an iPhone and you can get a hold of him all the time. He also makes his staff accessible 24/7. I can e-mail my nutritionist and hear back from her, too. I agree with Leigha - I think you need to keep in contact with your gastric team. Mine has support group meetings. I'm going Saturday morning for my first one. Can't wait!

Welcome Kelly! I am so glad you have a surgery date! That is AWESOME!!!! I was banded on 3/22 and it's been the best decision. I LOVE my band and I haven't had it that long. You'll do great! :smile2:

You know what I don't get? Is why strangers feel that they have a right to comment to us about our size. I will NEVER get that. :smile2: Naturally, family members think that they're "helping" you when really, they're just being jerks. I don't know - I don't get it. Ugh. I guess I could talk about the time that my husband and I were out at an amusement park and this chick came up to him WITH ME STANDING THERE and hit on him. He about died. He was like "I'm married" and grabbed my hand and she just looked at me. Of course, I am a bit possessive of my man, so I was like "He's HAPPILY married and I have no problem kicking your ass." My daughter is overweight right now and the kids tease her and it breaks my heart. I actually do have an appointment for a weight-management clinic at our local children's hospital for her. (they have a positive, award-winning program) I keep telling her to ignore the kids - that they're cruel and that life begins after school. But, it's hard. I've been there. The sucky thing is - she inherited my genetics. I just wish I could take the pain away for her. This one little girl likes to torment her and finally I told her to take her down. LOL! I remember when I finally did that to some snot nosed kid when I was in the 5th grade, they all left me alone. Sucks that it comes to that. She's a cheerleader, too, and I keep waiting for someone to make a comment about her in the stands. When it happens - so help me - they won't be able to pull me off of them.

So, I'm on day three post op (Surgery was Monday) and we're on pureed foods - the consistency of applesauce. Well, last year I bought a Magic Bullet from my mom's neighbor and thought "Maybe I'll use it one day". I got it out today and it's AMAZING! For my mushy dinner tonight I made some ricotta cheese ravioli (get the micro because there are less carbs) and boiled them. Added them in my little cup with some low-sugar spaghetti sauce, a little bit of parm cheese (shredded) for Protein and then a scoop of Protein powder. Blended it up and voila - a pretty tasty applesauce-consistency dinner! :thumbup: I also blended up a piece of turkey sausage just for a few bites (hubby made turkey smoked sausage) and it was fine, too. HIGHLY recommend them for my fellow bandsters!