Auntie Aud

Hi Jessica! Unfortunately, I am flying to Chicago this afternoon and won't be able to make it to the group. Let me know how it goes, ok? I usually find them pretty informative. Hope all is going well for everyone!

Karen, Congrats on reaching the mushy stage! I remember how excited I was! To this day, just the thought of chicken broth makes me want to wretch! As far as fasting goes, I haven't had any problems going 24 hours without eating.

Funny Jessica! If you're an old maid at 29, I hate to think of what I am at 36! I certainly didn't think I would be in such a minority when I moved here. The first week I lived here, I was out working in the yard pruning roses, etc. and one of the little girls up the street asked me why I didn't have a husband to do that? I live in Riverton, and have really grown to love the area! I moved here almost 2 years ago from California for work and it was the best move I could've made. I work for T-Mobile as an Operations Manager for part of their Business Division. It's a pretty good job, and it requires quite a bit of travel which I enjoy. I actually heard of Dr. Alldredge through one of the ladies at work. She had the surgery last June and is already down over 100 pounds! Anywho - it's nice to meet everyone. Perhaps we'll run into each other at one of the support meetings?

Hey Puddin! What an inspiration you are! Congrats on your success. I was banded by Dr. Alldredge as SV Surgical. I just love those folks too. Vivienne is the best! I'll admit I've been feeling a bit frutrated lately, but seeing how well you've done has made me feel better about the process. Thanks for sharing!

Karen, I am so sorry to hear about your father. I will be sure to keep you both in my prayers. Try to take it as easy as possible during this recovery stage. Take Care, Audrey

I understand how you feel! I am beginning to wonder why I'm not feeling much restriction. I'm glad that it feels like it worked for you this time! I hope that it did so that you don't feel that discouragement any longer!

Glad to hear things went well, Karen! Make sure to do a lot of walking! I swear that's what helped me the most. I walked around the block every morning and afternoon. It took me forever because I was going so slow, but I am certain it helped. I only had to take some liquid tylenol for pain on the 2nd day. Hopefully you don't have too much pain! Jessica - I've had a couple of ups to, especially when I travel. I had a fill last week, but still don't feel much restriction. I have 1.8 cc's right now. I'm beginning to wonder if I stretched the pouch or something. I can eat a lot before feeling full! Sometimes almost 2 cups, if I don't watch out. I really need to step up the exercise! I plan to go buy a bicycle next payday so I can start riding around the neighborhood now that it's staying light out later.

Hi Jessica! I dont know what happened... I have been unable to login for months, and all of a sudden it worked the other day. Very strange! I'm doing well. I'm officially at 51 pounds! Yay! Although, I have been traveling a lot for work again, and that is really making life difficult! I went to Seattle last week, and was in seafood heaven. Next week I'll be in Orlando for the entire week. It's hard to eat well when you're on the road and hitting restaurants or room service for all of your meals. How are you doing?

Welcome Karen! Congratulations on your surgery! :clap2: Best wishes for a speedy recovery! Let us know how you are doing when you are able to.

Try reaching out to Dr. Alldredge or Dr. Hansen at South Valley Surgical. They are right by Alta View Hospital on 1300 East. I don't know what their policy is on fills for patients from Mexico, but it's worth a phone call. Their phone # is (801) 571-9511 and their website is www.svsurgical.com. Dr. Alldredge performed my surgery on 10/23, and everyone there is so great! Many of the nurses and the social worker there have had the surgery so they understand what the patients are going through. Best of luck!

Hello! I hope everyone's Thanksgiving was nice. I too ate more than I would in a normal day, but certainly not as much as last year. I had about 2 tablespoons of everything (dressing, mashed potatoes, cranberries, green beans, turkey, etc.) And I had dessert for the first time since surgery - Bannana Cream Pie Yummmmmy! I was out and about early this morning to do my Christmas shopping. Went up to Park City for a while, then the mall, then Kohls. So, I walked off a good deal of what I ate last night. (At least that's what I am telling myself to make myself feel better about it.) One thing I have noticed, is that I have gotten in the habit of parking in the far end of the lot and walking, so the parking issues today really didn't bother me much. Hope you all enjoy the rest of the weekend!!

Like Jessica mentioned, I took liquid Tylenol the second day because of the gas pain in the shoulders and neck. Other than that, I didn't take anything. Also, I was cleaning the bathroom the next day - it ended up being a bit much and I had to stop. I still have the whole bottle of loritab sitting in the cabinet... It's true - everyone is different. I took the whole week off of work and had surgery on Monday. By Wednesday, I was bored out of my mind. I spent the rest of the week going to places like WalMart, where I could spend time walking around the whole store (the weather was a bit yucky at the time, so walking outside wasn't a great option). I was just happy that I wasn't at home in front of the TV. Best of luck to you! Keep us updated...

Hi Terry! I'm in Riverton - just west of Draper. I have great friends who live in Draper off of 123rd South. You are so right, the mountains are beautiful in the fall. I also love them right now, when they are covered with snow. Congratulations on your surgery and how well it's going!

I absolutely loved living there! We lived off base too, in a town called Minderlittgen. I remember us being so happy when we lived there. That's why I love Utah so much, it reminds me of Germany.

Welcome Dawnae! This is quite a journey you will be going on! Let us know if you have questions. We are by no means experts, but we may have had the same questions too. I think the best thing is knowing there are others in the same situation here to support you.

Hi Sweethot! Welcome! Where in Germany are you stationed? We were in Hahn and in Spangdahlem and I went to school in Bittburg. My dad was military and my mom is German - in fact, I have an uncle who lives in Frankfurt. Keep us updated how things are going!

JDru - you aren't kidding about missing meat! I went to Albertsons yesterday for a couple of things and walked by the meat counter. I stood there staring at the steaks. I tried and tried to figure out a way of cooking one and making it a "mushy" without completely ruining the steak. Unfortunately (or is it fortunately?) I could come up with anything so I went on and got my yogurt. Overall I am doing well. The scale has been stuck for a week, and I am getting disappointed with that. I did so well the first two weeks, it upsets me that this week the scale didn't move at all. I even tried uping my exercise - instead of walking 1 mile, I've been going for 2. Hope you and Sandranoelle are doing well!

I just went to my Dr.'s website where he has a BMI calculator. When I started this process, my BMI was a 50. Now, one week post op, my BMI is 45! I know this is still high, but I am darned proud of myself. :clap2: Yay Me!:clap2: Hope you all had a happy and safe Halloween!

Laurend, I completely understand what you are going through. I too have a loving mother who would freak out every time I talked about taking drastic measures to reduce my weight. But when I would turn down something extremely fattening, she too would go the "you have to try this" route. When I went to the initial seminar, I called her. I was excited to share the information, and the only thing she focused on was that I had said that I would have to end my non-stop soda drinking. She said to me that since I drank so much soda, this might not be the best option for me. I explained that I thought that giving up soda was well worth the benefits that I would gain by having the surgery. Every time we talked, she would pick another small reason that I should not have the surgery. Then one day I told her how high my blood pressure was. It scared her. And, it helped her turn the corner and see what I had been saying for years. Two weeks before my surgery I flew out to visit her. She was so extremely supportive! The reason I shared this with you, is that I think that if you continue to share the benefits of the surgery and how it will help you improve your health, your mom too may turn around and become supportive. It will also allow her to see that this is something you have carefully researched and are serious about. Best of luck to you!

I'm so glad you checked in Jessica! I've been thinking about you wondering how it all went. Hope the pain isn't too bad for you!

Too Funny qbanita! I think I may have forgotten how to chew, since I did 2 weeks of liquid prior to surgery. :faint: I'm with you, I am not into the SF Jell-O and if I have any more broth, I am going to scream! I tried both Chicken and Beef Broth, and the Chicken is the only thing I can stand! Sunday I go to full liquids and can have milk! I never would have thought that I would miss milk. Then on Monday I get to go to pureed food for two weeks. I can hardly wait! Has anyone else noticed that they are hyper-sensitive to smells? I was at Wal-Mart yesterday, and I went down an isle that smelled funny for some reason and I got so nauseous!

Jessica, I will be thinking about you! You'll do fantastically! Looking forward to meeting you at the follow up meeting at the Dr.'s office to compare notes. Let us know how you are doing when you can!

Hello All, Haven't posted in a couple of days.. Just wanted to update that I'm doing great. I came home Monday about 3 hours after the procedure and felt fantastic. I went walking around the neighborhood, and all was well. Then it was time to go to bed... I couldn't find a comfortable position (I've never been able to sleep on my back). Yesterday I felt horrible. The gas had moved up to my shoulders and I had a hard time moving my neck without being in pain. I took some liquid tylenol, and it helped some. Today, I feel much better. The glue is coming off of two of the incisions, but the hospital said not to worry unless the incisions start to come apart. Haven't been able to go outside to walk, because of the icky weather we are having. So, I am making laps around the house. The incisions are very tender, and they pull when I stand or sit. Oh, and I had a coughing attack today. That was PAINFUL!!! I havent lost any weight since I came home. And I am still feeling bloated. But I am so thrilled to be a member of bandland!! I too hope we continue to update each other on this thread! Thanks for sharing your experiences with me! You've all been inspirational.

Yay Jessica! I'm so happy for you. Well, I did it. I'm back at home and no worse for wear. I went in at 6:30 this morning and was back home by 11:00 am. I had a little nausea when I first woke up, but since then have been fine. I haven't taken any of the loritab yet, as there really hasn't been much pain. At least nothing that Tylenol couldn't handle. I took a short walk this afternoon, and pretty much have slept most of the day away. The gas pain hasn't been too bad, but I am really swollen. In fact, no matter how I try - I can't feel where the port is. Guess I will find out on my follow up. Jessica, the folks at the hospital were great and so friendly! They'll take great care of you. Good luck to you on Thursday, and let me know how you are doing, OK?

Ok everyone, I will be heading out early in the morning. I have to be there at 6:30 am for the 7:30 am procedure. I am about as nervous as I can possible be. Having never been under anesthesia before has really got me freaking out! It will all be worth it tomorrow afternoon when I am home. I'll write as soon as I feel up to it. Good luck to all my band buddies that are going in tomorrow too! Thanks for all of the encouragement that you've all been sharing!