cynpatt

Dr Schmidt in Paramus - Bergen County NJ out of Hackensack Hospital. Awesome! Hackensack is a center of excellence institution.

Hello All, I hope that everyone is doing well. Laura - I hope that you are feeling better and that you are back on your weightloss journey. So it is now 7 1/2 months post surgery and it seems like it was just yesterday! Can you all believe that we have been living with our band for over half a year?!? Life has changed so much. Not only in how much I have lost, but in how I feel. I am down 84 pounds - and am still losing an average of about 2 pounds a week. The weight loss seems to be slowing down a bit, but I am very satisfied with the loss rate either way. I am over half way to goal, but I think that I will now re-evaluate my goal and lower it. I am an avid walker and just ordered some winter exercise gear. Cold weather and snow will not stop me! I thank my 2 walking buddies all the time - I never would have been this committed without them! My closet shelves are beginning to empty and I love it!!! Down from a 32 to a 22! Still a long way to go, but I am SO happy! Let me know how everyone is doing! Cynthia

Hi there - saw your post - I had surgery in March with Dr. Schmidt in the same office. It is the best decision I ever made. I love Nadia the nurse practioner who does my fills and am very happy with the office in general. I go to the monthly support group at Hackensack associated with the group too. Let me know if you have any questions or need any support! Good Luck!!! Cynthia

Laura, Good Luck to you on Monday. I will be thinking of you. Let us know how it goes. Cynthia

I love being able to polish my toes - such little pleasures in life make me happy :smile:

It never really "fell off". I lost 20 pounds over the first 3 weeks due to liquids and mushies, but then again, I did not have any pre-op diet. It seems that those who have a pre-op diet don't seem to lose as much on the liquid phase as those who didn't. After that it has been a steady 2 pounds a week - most of that without restriction. I am six and a half months out and did not acheive restriction until 5 plus months out. I hegan a walking program right away - started with 1/2 a mile 2-3 times a week Now up to 3 miles 4-5 times a week. It really makes a difference.

8cc in a 14cc band. Took 5 fills and a bit over 5 months to reach restriction. At a good place.

Totally addicted - once in the am once before bed. Always 2 pounds lower in the am than I was the night before. I think of it as a good thing not bad. When I was gaining all my weight, I never stepped on a scale at all - now I am finding myself accountable. I just don't let it drive me crazy if I am up a bit, or the loss is slow that week. N - what you are going through is totally normal. I just kept measuring my food at every meal. One and a half cups of food 3 times a day for meals and if necessary a half cup twice a day for a snack. It is TOTALLY a diet until you reach restriction. The thing that has helped me through it mentally is that I knew I wouldn't have to fight the "diet" fight forever. I had surgery 6 1/2 months ago and currently have 8cc in a 14cc band. It took me 5 1/2 months and 5 fills to get to real restriction. I started feeling a slight difference after my 3rd fill (7cc). As they say - it is bandster hell that you are going through. Until I started feeling restriction 4 months out, I never felt "full". I just kept plowing through and walking and have pretty steadily lost 2 pounds per week (after my quick drop while on the liquid/mushy stage diet). Good luck and reach out to me if you ever need any encouragement. The lapband has totally changed my life! Cynthia

8cc in a 14cc band. Took 5 1/2 months to get here and 5 fills. Good luck! You will get there!:smile2:

Laura, Good luck - hopefully it will be nothing serious. Please keep us posted. Cynthia

Down 80 pounds since my surgery on 3/5. Feeling great! Still have a lot to go, but I know that I will hit goal! Hoping to hit the 100 pound mark by New Year - wish me luck!

Fast day today - thinking the band is going to make it a little easier! At least that is what I keep telling myself! Good news is that I cannot over eat at the end while breaking the fast like I usually do :thumbup: Maybe I will lose an extra pound to make my loss an even 80 pounds! Happy New Year and an easy fast to all who celerate.

Ok - So got another .5cc a few weeks ago - now up to 8cc. Finally feeling adequate restriction! Hope I stay here. How is everyone else doing?

Hi! I started with a BMI of 52 at 5'9'" and 350lbs at 44 yo. I am also a Jersey girl from Bregen County. I went to Hackensack Universuty Medical Center which is one of the Bariatric Centers of Excellence and saw Dr. Schmidt at Advanced Laproscopic Associates in Paramus. He also has 2 partners. They run a free seminar once monthly. The hospital has a complete Bariatric set up with dedicated nurses, anesthiologists, tables and chairs to accomidate larger patients etc. I did a LOT of research into my doctor and the hospital prior to my surgery since I am in the medical field. Their numbers were great as far as morbidity and mortality. I was by no way the largest one there! My practice also did not require any pre-op diet. I did have to do a psych and nutritional visit though. I would be very happy to discuss my experience with you if you would like. I can be reached via email - cynpatt@yahoo.com. Good luck!!!!! Cynthia

Hi! Seems like our group of March Banders have not been here lately. I try to get on the forum daily so that it keeps me in check. You seem to be doing great! Are you at restriction yet? I have a 14cc band and my last fill (total of 8cc) has finally gotten me to where I need to be. The pounds are coming off at a steady pace - about 2 pounds a wek and for that I am happy. Still have a long way to go though. The mental struggle is still hard at times, but this has really changed my life!

6 months prior to surgery I had contacted BCBS - they stated that WLS was a covered service, that I didn't need pre approval, just a letter of medical necessity and 6 months of a medical diet. Completed all that and had my surgery this past March. Submitted all bills - 1 time - 2 times - rejection - rejection! Well - after at least 30 calls "we are reviewing it" - I finally told them that I was contacting a lawyer. Guess what - 1 week later - PAID IN FULL! - plus penalties and interest to the doctor!!!!!! YEAH!!!!!!!!

Thanks for doing this - love these challanges! Just finished the Labor day one! Put me in for 16 pounds! That is 2/week.

Has anyone set one up yet? Don't know how to do the spreadsheet. Can anyone set one up please? Thanks!!!!

We can deffinitly do it! Have you tried Avenue or Catherines? I also started at 350 - and found that I could shop at both these stores - down to 275 and a 2X - a whole new world of shopping has opened to me YEAH!!!!!!!

Totally out of wack, but in the opposite direction for me. I used to be every 5 weeks like clockwork. In April I just skipped a month and it happened again in July. I am 45, so I went to my gyn to check and she drew blood to check my hormone levels which are totally normal, and I am nowhere near menopause. The only thing that I can chalk it up to is the weight loss - Both my kids are teenagers - so it scares me when it doesn't come!

Hello all! We are all in this together and a continued trend with those of us of larger size sounds great to me! I am 6 months post op this week surgery (3-5-10)and started with a BMI of 52. I started at 350lb at 5'9" and a size 32-34. I wont say it has been "easy" but not all that difficult either. I did not have a pre-op diet, but did have to have a 6 month approval process. My surgery took at total of 45 minutes - and I left the hospital about 6 hour later. I was very lucky to have a very easy recovery with zero pain, and went back to a physical job a week later, but could have been back much earlier if necessary. I have had 5 fills to date - each around 4-6 weeks apart. I have a 14cc band. 2.5cc, 2.5cc, 2cc, .5cc and .5cc - getting me to a current 8cc's. Did not feel any restriction at all until I reached 7.5cc (4TH fill) which was about 5 months post surgery. Unfortunately that lasted only about 2 weeks. My last fill (3 days ago) has left me feeling fantastic. Hopefully it will stay this way. The journey so far has not been without bumps. I still struggle to eat slower and to chew - still haven't mastered this. I am good about the no drinking while eating though. I SO miss my diet coke, but now drink lots of snapple diet instead. I have had days when I eat way too much (prior to restriction), days when i have thrown up, and days when I even forget to eat because I wasn't hungry. It is a process and I try not to beat myself up because I am not perfect. I eat what I want just in much smaller amounts - this is why I specifically chose the lap band. I only eat 3 meals a day and have cut out most if not all snacking. I write down everything - I use lapband.com and I log on here everyday for support. I go to a support meeting monthly. As far as exercise - I started day 3 post surgery with walking 1 lap around the track and really struggling. I am now up to 2-3 miles 5-6 days a week which I do with two walking buddies who are alo very heavy. Believe it or not - I actually like it! I also go on the wii fit whenever I get a chance - tons of fun!!! Lots of changes besides my weight - I can walk the stairs witout any problems (my knees still hurt unfortunately), I can polish my toes, I can reach areas I haven't in forever! My kids gush when they see my. Recently I flew and didn't need a seat belt extender and I can now even cross my legs! I still have a VERY long way to go - but i gave myself a realistic goal of 200lbs and will reevaluate at that point (would love to get to 170). So.... I am currently 6 monts post - am down 75 pounds to 275 and am down to a size 22 with a BMI of 41. This is still heavier than where some people start pre surgery, but I am happier than I have ever been. We are all in this journey together - hope my story to date has helped at least someone. Lets all do this!!!!!!! Cynthia

I feel the food right below my breast bone and my nose will start to run. like the comments above - one bite can be the difference between comfort and discomfort. 7 months later and still learning. Didn't acheive restriction util my 4TH fill at 7.5cc in my 14cc band.

For me the risk factor also played a factor. Much lower mortality/morbidity rates. I loved the idea that it could change with me and although perminant in my mind - in reality can be altered, removed if necessary. The surgery was very easy and recovery - at least for me - was non existant. I have now had my band for 6 months and am down 75 pounds. It has changed my life. GOOD LUCK TO YOU!

Wasn't sure I would hit my challange goal and then suprise - my period came to visit (4 weeks late) - and for me that means a big weight loss. -4 pounds over night! Yeah - with that I have met my goal plus a few!!!

Wierd/cool side effect - when I am full my nose starts to run! i know it is time to stop eating when this happens. :biggrin: