rsbell

I had lost about 60 after the band, then gained about 15 over a 4 month period. I have gone to low carb (basically Atkins), and have dropped 25 in about 6 weeks. Low carb is the only diet I have ever tried over the years that worked and I could stick to. It also helped that I read "Good Calories Bad Calories" by Gary Taubes.

There can also be some swelling right after a fill, that may go down after a few days.

I had a nodule on my thyroid about 3 years ago. Turns out I had thyroid cancer. Removed was: entire thyroid, all but 1 parathyroid, 55 lymph nodes, left jugular vein, parts of several muscles in my neck and shoulder. Turns out the only cancer found was a 3mm nodule on my thyroid. I've been cancer free since, and get annual check ups. I also take a thyroid replacement daily, and my nerves in my left shoulder, neck, and arm are a bit scrambled (touch my shoulder, and I feel it in my arm). Oh yeah, I have a long scar from my left ear across my throat to the right side. Having said all of that, I'm fine. Thyroid is (as previously mentioned) the "best" most curable cancer you can get, should that be your diagnosis. Hang in there, act quickly, and everything should be fine. :girl_hug:

Tami is absolutly right. I lost more on the pre op diet than post op (3 weeks post op now), but I still am losing thanks to the losing mentality getting the band put me in.

You can also burn the songs to cds, then rip them in iTunes from the cds you just created.

My "nice hotel" was at home trying to keep the pug from jumping on my stomach while I slept!:angry

I was banded 2 days ago, went home yesterday (my doc requires a night in the hospital). I'm pretty sore, and I don't think I have any restriction. I have about 70lbs to lose. I've already lost 24 preoperatively.

I'm 2 days post op, and haven't had any problem today with protein shakes or water or broth. I've had a 12 oz. shake with no problem whatsoever. I was hoping for SOME restriction right off the bat, but I don't think I have any. :phanvan

Well, I'm getting ready to go to the hospital in about 20 minutes for my banding. I'm kind of excited, but also have a bit of, what will I cal it, "sadness"? It's been said that I am about to lose my best friend (and worst enemy), but I also feel like it shouldn't have to come to something as drastic as surgery ust to control what I put in my mouth. It's almost shameful... :/ Oh well, I'll report later.

Well, here I am 24 hours after surgery still lying in the hospital bed. I'm pretty sore, and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't having major second thoughts. I suppose it doesn't matter now! My dr. said I had the worst hyatal (sp) hernia he had ever seen. The hour long surgery took over 4 hours as a result. Otherwise, everything is about as expected. I want to thank everyone who has posted for being so suuportive-it really helps. Scott

Here I am with the iv before going in. I fell better about the whole thing.

What hasn't worked for you? Why do you want it removed?

What part are you in? I'm in Bakersfield.

:clap2: Thanks for the info!

Audree, I, for one, am dying to know how much weight you've lost so far!

I'm just getting over a col, too. I'm scheduled for Monday. Man this better not interfere!

How many pounds to get to a BMI of 35? :heh:

I get a runny nose now when I'm full, and I won't be banded until Monday. I get a lot of runny noses; that's why I'm overweight!

This is my third day of liquids only. I haven't cheated at all..... yet. I think I can hold out until my surgery the 22nd...

I will be having mine on the 22nd (1 week form today :confused: ), and I'm male. I'm 5'10", 255, and in the middle of the pre-op liquid diet. I certainly expect everything to be ok, and hearing from the other men on the board has certainly helped.

Audree, you are a great cheerleader! I got my final official drs. clearance today, so I am all go for the 22nd. It's been a 5 month process, with a false start back in November, but I finally have the green light. Finally!

Update: I found out today that my hemoglobin level is back to normal! So, I am a "go" for January 22 pending the final checkup endoscopy on the 12th. Looks like I will be a bandster yet!

I'm currently re-scheduled for January 22nd. As some may recall, my surgery was cancelled on November 11th. I'v been trying to stick to the diet designed to heal my esophogus (wih mixed success. If I could do it, I wouldn't need surgery!). My Iron is up, as well, but not nearly enough yet. I have a follow up endoscopy on Jan 12. Hopefully it's clear enough to go forward with the surgery!

3 days before being banded I had an endoscopy to look for lesions after a blood test showed I was anemic. Sure enough, found bleeding esophogeal ulcers. The doctor told me right then what the situation was (actually, my wife because I wasn't very conscious at the time). Results? Banding put off until January (at least).

As I had been posting below under another thread below, my new-found anemia was caused by significant loss of blood, as discovered by endoscopy/colonoscopy yesterday. What was found were 2 bleeding ulcers in my lower esophogus. As a result, my surgery scheduled for Monday was cancelled,and I have to go back for another endoscopy in 2 months to see if the ulcers are healed. IF they're healed, I can have the surgery then, but not until they are healed. The Dr. could see blood running down my esophogus with the scope. So, I'm not a bandster yet, but hope to be in January... :angry