Big girl banded

It took me about 2 months. But part of that was trying to get appts for all the other stuff and having it fit my schedule. I was self pay also

I drink regular with skim milk and splenda. Doc told me just dont drink it all day as the only liquid. I told him.... i just need it in the morning!! They said that coffee drinks can be laden with calories with the creams and flavors and sugars... so they try to encourage you to not do it at all.

MIne was about a month. But the doc took a vacation during that time too:) It was very fast. But i had to remind them everytime i called or had an appointment... then they expedited it. I think they are so used to having insurance issues. But it was pretty quick.

I am too. I had this tattoo done last year. The doc worked in between it at my request. It actually covers a very old breast reduction scar that goes from under one pit to under another from 15 yrs ago. That scar looked like i had been cut in half I got the tattoo to enhance the scar. I like my healed wounds. They are neat reflections of how i heal. Thanks for the compliments. I love it too. But i will tell you.. out of all that i have OUCH that one was tear producing journey!

I just posted in the scar section a picture with one of my tattoos in it. You may like to see how my doc moved around it.

I finally posted my scar progression pic in the scar thread if anyone is interested in looking /comparing. Keep in mind i am the type that keeps scars.

This is the day after sugery (10.12.06) This is on 11.4.06 about 3 weeks later. I am the most excited about the tattoo not being disturbed.

I think i will always refer to this as my "fluffy period". I like the way that sounds.

My port is in the way when i bend over to pick stuff up and i feel it when i try to roll on my side. I have a right side port. Weird since i have a big liver too. i think maybe i have too much stuff on that side It does get better though.

Hey three beauties. I was banded on the 12th. Seem to be doing well too. I have lost some weight, not puked or slimed yet (thank goodness) and have been feeling pretty good overall. I have been working full time for a week. It was a little challenging. I bartend at night which is long time on the feet... so i was Wiped out the next day, I got really hungry since i was moving so much and burning calories i guess. My only issue is drinking. I am so scared i am drinking too much. I am a water nut. But i know it is good for me, i am just afraid that i am drinking too much to fast and i am going to pop that little bag they loosly call my stomach now Hope you are doing well and adjusting to this too. Keep up the good work!

My Bmi was 36 i think, maybe a 35. I was on the edge but have asthma. I am 6ft tall and starting out was 266 (It had been 255 but i gained 10lbs going off some of my meds in the last month before surgery). My weight and height makes me carry the weight differently. My doc said this is "damage control" ...if i continued gaining as history showed that it was going to get really bad. I decided to it now before it gets that bad. Alot of the Oct Bandsters seem to have started around the 260 range. It really depends on you and your doc if this is right for you. And you must factor in that someone 300lbs who is 6ft usually has a much different BMI then that of someone who is 5ft. So it isnt all numbers. Goodluck deciding!

My glue started pulling and stretching after the first week. I shower everyday. During the second week i slowly cut them back as they peeled up. Eventually they came all off. That was by my 2wk office visit. They look GREAT> I still have a HUGE bruise now not at the port site but the one right in front It is barely green around the edges yet. But the glue coming off helped with the itching too. Good luck

I have used a little neosporin, just a little to grease it up. It got cold and dry here so i am drya dn itchy. Two days of this REALLY helped the problem.

I was told no soda. Not even flattened some. Causes issues... plus cola is so bad anyway... but d*&$ it It DOES taste so good with bourbon. Gonna have to find a new drink. :cool:

Sonjacan... i think that you just made a great decision. Worth the extra money :girl_hug: Good luck. Tell us how you are doing.

I am allowed on mushies, rice soft pasta, cottage cheese, mashed potato, very moist chicken (i have been getting the little 3oz cans like the tuna, very moist, just the right size) Tuna, hard cooked veggies and soup. I was told that anything that can be mushed up, or soft that it is ok. Absolutely no red meat but fish is fine and so is very soft small chicken. I got rotissere chicken the other night, chopped it up super fine and put it in creamy soup. I needed some substance. The liquids just make me hungry all day. I need more that will stick with me. I cant drink those slimfast shakes. they gag me and i start heaving really bad so i have to get a little creative.

Hey guys. No fear, jump on the boat Everyone around here is doing it!! Seriously if you were not a little scared, worried or just plain freaking out then you should have your head checked. This is a BIG step for people and it has uncetain outsomes since EVERYONE has a different experience. But dont worry there is alot of support here and the worst part is sitting at the hospital waiting your turn. After that it is all smooth sailing..becasue it is DONE. Good luck to all this week! See you on the other banded side!

I went to work one week after sugery. I wished it was alittle more but it was all i had.

MOmotrips- I too thought i would be carrying on after a day or two. No way! I was miserable for a week. Not in agony after the first three days but still very sore, hungry, confused, not wanting to leave bed where i could lay down. Sitting felt too weird. But I am at day 9. I am on my mushies (lucky me) but i am doing much better. Still get little attacks when i first stand or roll over too quick but it passes. Everyone heals differently and i guess my body is being difficult. I is MUCH better then a few days ago (which seems like ages) Stay calm, get rest, moving around the house is STILL MOVING.... and i promise it does help.

Ok. I was banded last thursday, I am feeling really tight in my sternum area. Regular pain in port area as described by everyone but the band pain, when i sit down, stand, rollover, it suddenly will take my breathe away. I am having a hard time telling if i am hungry or if this is bad, the barium said all was well and i have not vomited at all( thus disturbing the band) Is this normal? Am i being a little over sensitive? It hurts also when i breathe in deep. But it is definalty the stomach.

I bombed at weight watchers 3tx. I dont have time to do all that computing stuff. I did 10 yrs on phentermine. I did phen phen which was AWESOME. I lost tons of weight and kept it off for a few years. Too bad it is off the market. The phentermine helped for a long time to keep me at the weight i was at 215-230 but i was completely addicted to it. If i didnt have it daily i felt like i was walking thru mud. Getting off it was aweful, i slept for weeks, and then gained 30lbs immediately. In order to get the meds i met with a nutrionist monthly. I was banded in hopes to go off the meds. It was making me stuuppiidd. and i felt like a junky when i would drive hours back home to get the meds before the Brain mud sunk in. PM me if you want any more info.

Bckeye- glad to be of assistance. I love that site. It is so much fun to "create yourself" My model looks alot like me. I made one for my husband to adn it looks JUST like him. Kinda scary. Cheers to us looking like our virtual models!

(3) I made a rule that no one in my house could comment on what my mush looked like. So no self pity. That is hysterical! I love it!

Someone asked about visual models to show your loss. Go to my virtual model, then hit on levi strauss, you can show yourself what you look like now in jeans and what you will look like. You can change you face, hair etc. It is fun to see what the changes will look like. they are very right on. You can save them too but i cant remember how.

bckeye I understand, I was banded on the 12th, and i have no children except for my husband who has been great in bringing me jello, but it whining about food for him. He is a so so cook, just not used to doing it all the time, and at 150 lbs i have watched him eat the ENTIRE time i havebeen banded. When i say it smells good he immediatly runs out of the room to take the temptation which is funny bc i know i cant eat it so i have no want to but a week ago i would have "crushed it!" THis is emtional, and personal. No one can understand YOUR journey with food. We all empathize bc we have similar but we ALL have different stuff going on. Hang in there. Be asssertive about your needs right now. And cry if it makes you feel better. Good luck!