Lisa G.

Shannon, try not to worry bout the port thing. From what I gather, the port is actually sutured to the abdominal muscle. You could have stretched one of the sutures, but not likely. They are made of pretty strong material. But they haven't been there long and are still tender. Just be careful right now until everything is healed. I made mine sore a couple of times by trying to do too much. Sugarbear, how's the restriction? I go tommorrow. I hope I get just a little. I'm gonna ask for just a tweak. I don't think I need much. Yall have a good day!

I'm going to try to go. I'm afraid to say for sure, everytime I say for sure, something happens. Take the visitors elevator to the ground floor and it's the second or third door on the left. (not far from the elevator)

lo2us, I think I crushed mine the first week, then started breaking them in half or cutting them smaller. My meds have changed since then and they are so small that I don't even bother cutting them anymore. I do have one capsule that is kinda big, but it hasn't bothered me yet. (knock on wood) And if I really needed to, I could quit taking it. It's only Biotin. I went for a check up today and my PCP told me that if I REALLY tried and exercised every day, lost some more weight, and used my CPAP every nite that I might get to stop taking my blood pressure meds all together. Man, that's something to shoot for. My meds are very low dose anyway from the way he talks. So, I have another goal to work for. Plus, If I lose enough, I will probably get to stop using the "the monster beside my bed" machine. lol Before I gained all this blubber, I didn't snore at all, so that is another goal to shoot for. Goals, goals, goals. We all need goals. That's 3 for me today. How many do yall have???

lol I kinda doubt he has banded you from the site. I don't know if that's possible. lol I was just on it. I don't know where you read that, but that's not very encouraging for someone that wants to lose 3 pounds a week. lol If I could just lose 2 pounds a week, that would make me happy. Well, I hope this tweak will do something. Oh and by the way, if you didn't know it IT'S FRIDAY!!! later,

vylnn, I hope you don't disappear....maybe just blow to the next state. If you start to float, put a rock in your pocket. Hang on to Billy, he might start floating any day now. lol Sharon, next time we see each other, give me a spanking. I forgot to tell everyone. My little boy has ask Jesus into his heart!!!! He will be baptized on the 24th. Now, I just have to get some of this off. I have to have a new dress. lol Very important occasion, have to have something new. You know how it is.lol So.... I have a short time to do all this. I have been praying for lots of will power and time to exercise more. lol TX Hogwild, did you go to the seminar last nite? Did you get all your questions answered? Remember, we are just a post away, if you have any more, k? Sunlight, just a few more days and you will be starting that new life. You can do it. Be determined and it will happen. Shannon, you get a " you go girl" this morning. Doing great. It will get better when you can have mushies. I was scared too, but they will go down ok. Just remember the box rules and what Dr. H told you. Yall have a good day!

I doubt that..... lol. Speaking of banded. I think I'm gonna ask Dr. H about the band he forgot to put on my brain. lol Na, to be honest, I think I just need to get back to th basics of all this. I think I have too much support group meeting information swimming around in my head. And I'm trying too hard to be the perfect bandster. I think I just need to eat when I'm hungry and not worry bout getting all that "stuff" done. What a surprise!!!! lol I just figgered it out. lol

Yep, it's the 18th. I got on it ok. How are you this morning?

Welcome Sunlight. Didn't see your post. I think everyone on this thread uses the same Docs. I think that's why we can support each other like we do. We all have the same "box" rules. YALL STAY IN THE BOX!!! lol If you have questions, ask. Good luck with your surgery and keep us posted, ok.

Hi everyone! Welcome TX Hogwild. What pain? Other than a little pain from the gas that is used in the surgery and a little port discomfort, this surgery is nearly painless. Another site you can visit (if you already haven't) is lapband.com. I think it is the "offical" site for the makers of the band. You can get some information there, but there is nothing like going to a seminar where you can actually see the band and be able to ask any questions. Of course, you can ask us. Don't be shy. We are just one big ole family and support each other anyway we can. Yes, you can feel the port. After you have lost some weight, it is a little more pronounced, but it's not bad. Or mine isn't. There are "low profile" ports, but I think the docs won't "install" (lol) them until you get to goal. But that's another story. Are you going to be self pay? If not, be sure to call your insurance company and ask THEIR criteria for approval for this surgery. Some insurance companies require several things. Some require 6 months of doctor supervised diet. Some 12 months. Just be prepared when you go to see the docs. It saves time and frustration. I get to get a fill Tuesday. I hope this one does the trick. Whoopppie!

Good morning. I have been playing with my signature. Just checking it out. Have a good day!

Yeah, but our little friend needs to take a little more active involvement with their end of the agreement. I have things that I want to do and my friend has continued be a silent partner. I have to admit, I can here it whispering sometimes. Depends on what day it is. So, I'm thinking I just need a little fill this time. I will have to wait a few more days to get it so, I guess I'll make it. talk to you later, lisa

Hi, Susan.....How are you? I'm still here. Just not losing any weight :angry. I sincerely hope that I get to my sweet spot soon. I guess I will eventually. I am just discouraged right now. I had several goals set for myself and I haven't even met one yet. Like I wanted to loose 50 before Easter. That wasn't too much. I had 4 months to do it and had already lost 15 or so before surgery. I wanted to be at least 65 pounds lighter by June 1. Still haven't even gotten close to the 50 much less the 65. I didn't think those were unrealistic, but I guess I was wrong. Yes, I am beating myself up. So, sorry for whinning. lisa

awwwww, I thought you liked the pretty white stockings. Personally, I wanted to chunk them the first day. But, I did wear them almost 2 weeks. Man, your ticker is really moving. Good for you. I knew you would do well. Sugarbear, how did your fill go today? I wish I had tried to work something out for this week, but I will be ok till the 19th. I don't think it will make much difference anyway. Still not loosing. Yall have a good meeting tonite! lisa

lo2us, I promise that situation will remedy itself. Remember, you are just taking in liquids right now and there isn't much waste. Just be sure to drink as much water as you can stand. Personally, I haven't used benefiber. It really causes problems with me. And I agree with Sugarbear about the taste thing. From my own experience, I thought things tasted stronger than pre-op also. My first scrambled egg was the best thing I ever tasted. It was so good, I had to make myself NOT eat it very fast. I just wanted to swallow it whole. lol lisa

Sugarbear said what I was thought of this morning after posting. They have to have so many CEU's a year, I am assuming. Just like lab, x-ray or any other department within a hospital, doctors have to have be updated too. Did that sound a little goofy? sorry. Yes, I would like the updated 2007 model doctor to attend to me. lol I think it will be a good thing for them to branch to plastics. Think we would get a discount?? lol I just wanted to let yall know, I just had a sliming episode. GROSS!!!! I know yall wanted to hear that, didn't you? Don't even think about having one it's just gross. I guess that was my first one. I hope it's my last. lisa

Sugarbear, I couldn't make the Tues. or Thurs. appointment change. Mine is scheduled for the 19th. That's not much longer. I guess I can handle that. It was that or try to get in and out at 3 in the afternoon. Too late for me, so I opted for the later date. I'll be ok, I guess. Not gaining so what's a few more days, huh? lol Mizboo, I kinda wondered the same thing. I hope we are wrong about that. I don't know why we should loose our docs if they are doing so many surgeries, if you know what I mean. vylnn, you hang in there girl. You keep everyone rested and pain free. Just remember to take a little time for yourself. (however short the time may be. lol) Tell Billy we are still praying for him. Hope he gets better soon. lo2us, how are you today? Has anyone heard from Priss? or hopefulchurch? I wonder if they are lurking??? And what about wannabethin? I know she must be lurking too. Yall better stop that and post once in a while! lol Well, I just rambling. Yall have a good weekend. lisa

Thanks vylnn. I hope you get to slow down soon. And I hope Billy gets to see someone soon. That just ain't right. lo2us, your incision sites might be higher because of the way you were positioned on the OR table. My top incision is about 1 inch from the bra line. I wouldn't worry too much. As you get skinnier, the incisions will drop down. That may be why you think yours are higher. You have seen where ours are, but remember we are further out than you. As for the BP meds... I just broke mine in half. Or just smaller pieces. Depending on the size, that might work for you. (kinda takes some of the bitterness away if you can swallow little pcs instead of powder) I didn't take very many doses of pain meds either. There is one more thing....remember.... your stomach is swelled from all the manipulation from the surgery. As the swelling goes away, you will probably begin to get a little more hungry. At this point... don't get discouraged. You have to remember, there isn't anything in your band. This is a time for healing, not so much for loss. Loosing is great, but you have to take care that your band and port "seats" into place. K??? Sugarbear, see you monday morning. Yall have a good weekend! lisa

Way to go lo2us! Glad everything went ok. You are offically on the road now. lisa

The top paragraph is from my last post the other day. I don't do so well with quotes. lisa

I have a question... does anyone else have this problem? When you get a fill, do you loose weight, then gain a couple of pounds back and then get stuck? I have done this every time I have gotten a fill. If you add all the weight I have lost this time, I have lost 15 pounds,(which is not really bad for 4 weeks) but the scales shows 7. How discouraging, if you have to lose the same weight TWICE!!!!!!! I just wanna holler. I'm exercising like I'm supposed to, even trying to change up my routine, drinking my water. Very seldom do I NOT get my water in. Eating properly. Small portions like I pose too. I'M MAD!!! Maybe, I'm not getting enough calories. I try to get about 1100 to 1200 in a day. Maybe, that's too much? Ms. Betty told us at our last meeting...no less that 800 per day. I don't know. Nope, I have definately NOT blown away. I am so disgusted with this I just want to cry. And I have. I am NOT loosing like I want too and I know yall don't want to hear me whine about it. I am almost SIX months out and I haven't even gotten near one goal since I started this whole thing and I'm not particularly happy about it. Don't misunderstand, I'm glad I have my band, I'm just not happy with myself right now. I don't know what else to do. I'll just have to wait until monday and hear the "stay in the box" thing. I don't mean that ugly. I know what I'm supposed to do, I'm just very frustrated right now. Thanks everyone for letting me gripe! lisa

I don't think you missed much. lisa

Mornin, Susan. How's everything this morning? lisa

Good mornin, everyone! Vylnn, you sound like me. lol I'm the same way. I'm just NOT gonna try something on in the store. I got into a pair of my "unstretchable" jeans the other day. I almost squeeled. I have a question... does anyone else have this problem? When you get a fill, do you loose weight, then gain a couple of pounds back and then get stuck? I have done this every time I have gotten a fill. If you add all the weight I have lost this time, I have lost 15 pounds,(which is not really bad for 4 weeks) but the scales shows 7. How discouraging, if you have to lose the same weight TWICE!!!!!!! I just wanna holler. I'm exercising like I'm supposed to, even trying to change up my routine, drinking my water. Very seldom do I NOT get my water in. Eating properly. Small portions like I pose too. I'M MAD!!! Maybe, I'm not getting enough calories. I try to get about 1100 to 1200 in a day. Maybe, that's too much? Ms. Betty told us at our last meeting...no less that 800 per day. I don't know. Anyway, yall have a good day. I'm off to the races again! lisa

Good mornin everyone. Hope everyone is doing well this mornin! I saw some very sad news this morning. The ticker under the newsperson said that obesity is now the number 2 killer in the nation of preventative illnesses. One guess what is number 1.....yep smoking. So, girls, we are ahead, having done something about ours!!!! Yeah for us!!! That counts you too, Shannon, you are doing great. 8 pounds is good on the pre-op diet. Stick with it and you will be fine. It's just a little anoying by now, right? I thought so. lol Well, I have changed my exercise program. I'm bike riding now. If you ride from my house, it's up hill all the way going. And the little guy likes to go exploring. He thinks it's cool to ride with his poor, old dilapidated (is that spelled right?) mom that "can't keep up with me". lol He is just fooling himself. lol Good exercise for the both of us and it's fun. But, I'm gonna have to get a new pad for my bike seat. The other seat is sore...if you know what I mean. lol Yall have a good day. lisa

Shannon, you can do this. I promise the second thoughts are a normal part of it. I had my second thoughts after I got my band. I wondered if it was really worth it if you aren't loosing like you are supposed to. But then I realized I didn't really have a lot of restriction. And I got to thinking about all the stuff I had done after loosing what I have lost. I have done stuff that I would never dreamed of doing before I got my band. I'm not trying to talk you into the surgery. Someone else can't make the decision for you. You will have to do that yourself. We can only encourage you and help anyway we can. It's not easy, but it can be done. You have to be determined to change your life. You also have to look ahead and see what is in your future. Obese people are more prone to sicknesses such as heart disease, diabetes, sleep apnea, stroke, heart attack, kidney disease and arthritis just to name a few. Personally, I don't want to have to deal with those until I am too old to care. I know you don't want too either. When I was considering this surgery, I took a long look at those. I knew that those were in my future and I wanted to be able to enjoy my son's childhood with him. Had I not had this done, I would not be able to. As you probably know, this is not the only site for help. Go, look at others profiles and see all the success this procedure is. Go, look the others lives have changed. Alot of those don't even have time to post much anymore. They are busy enjoying their new lives and being able to do millions of activities that just weren't possible. Like I said, we are here to encourage you, if that's what you want. If it's all the needles and the surgery itself, it's not as bad as you think. Most all of it is done after you are asleep. Pre-op lab and the IV are the only two I can think of that were done while I was awake. Others might have had more than two sticks, but the staff at Wadley are great and will put you at ease quickly. Try not to worry so much, k? We care and we have been in your shoes. lisa