Butterfly2010

Hi Brenda! It sounds like it has been a tough road for you! So sorry to hear about your baby. But I am glad you have posted again and want to continue your banding journey. I too, have not received a fill and it amazes me how well the surgery alone has worked for me. So far! Have a blessed day!

Hello to all bandsters! I have been so busy that I had not been on the site, but it is good to be back. Wonderful to read so many great stories! The questions is a good way to start of the postings again: 1. how many cc's you have in your band? I was banded 9-9-2010 and received less then 1 cc, possible only 1/2 cc at surgery, and have not gotten a fill. Somehow the surgery did what I needed! So far! 2. do you feel you have restriction- what does that mean for you? Ohhh, yes, I do feel restrictions! Yogurt, icecream, shakes go down with zero restrictions... but let me try to eat 2 peanutbutter crackers and I am full. Last night I tried pizza for the very first time in months, one of my favorite foods. One slice and I was super, super full, and I had to eat this slice over 30-40 minutes. Thank God! It works great for me!!! I have had one major episode that something was stuck, and hope it will not repeat. I have to chew certain foods real long and eat very slow, and that is at times still challenging for me. 3. are your calories tending to stay below like 1600 (or what are your calories generally.) Pretty much; I stoped counting but try to get protein in first and stay away from empty carbs. But do have some "bad" food in moderation, like the pizza last night! 4. what is your weight loss like. Has been great! I lost 50 pounds all together and hope to looooooose 20 more! I might have a week with no significant loss but usually loose 1-2 pounds per week. 5. are you hungry between meals. Not really hungry but have terrible gravings for my old bad foods that made me as big as I was...so it is all a mind game for me at this point. Hard, very hard to stay away from it! 6. are you exercising, and how much I exercise an average of 4-5 times a week and have gotten into weights, cardio, zumba and step aerobic. Love going to the gym again; I used to be active and only after I had gained so much weight stopped doing work outs. I am back to being my active self! 7. how much water are you drinking? Honestly: not enough! When I excercise I drink a lot, but the rest of the day I forget...sad to say but I have to constantly remind myself to drink. Overall the band has changed my life dramatically and has given me myself back an dmore! . I am off ALL medications. Well I take the multi vitamine and calcium. I have no more GERD, I have very little back pain compared to prior banding, and I recognize myself in pictures and in my activity level. I am HEALTHY again and love it. This hard journey has been worth all the hard work! Looking forward reading more of your great stories and happenings! Merry Christmas from NC!!!

I would not be scarred! Be happy! You should NOT throw up! diarrhea is "optional" lol; Protein shakes and broth, yes, that's good!! To me it looks like you are doing as your doc told you; but you got to read some of the positive posts too! Hope all stays well for you!!!

Hi Brian: listen to your heart! :smile2: I ended a relationship a few days after I was banded and as hard as it is at times I know it was the right thing to do. I need a partner that will walks mostly beside me, sometimes behind me, sometimes in front of me.... but if I am the one constantly pulling and guiding and making "it work"....something is not right for me.... anyways, YOU know what is best for you. And you have all of us September ladies to keep you company until you find "the special one"..... Have a great Sunday!

Hi Brian, no need to feel sorry, the people I left behind were not friends, just "people" around me. Coworkers, and others, and it did not have so much to do with me getting banded. More a clean up of my personal life; guess the banding just "brought" it on. Being home, having more time to think.... so it was and is a good thing. I want supportive people around me, people with a true heart and honest people! No time for fakeness! I enjoy the forum.... feel we all banded with the banding experience!

Thanks Brian for getting us started "on the other side" . I am a day behind you and have to say too: I am pretty much back to 100% other then not being able to lift anything heavy. I too can feel restrictions even though I have had no fill at surgery and no fill since surgery. I am still loosing weight so I am not sure if I should get a fill this Friday. I am scheduled for one, but I think I will at least postpone until next week. I have changed not only my eating habits but have also lost people along the way that I felt were negative and I will continue to do so; This journey has opened my eyes in many ways! Life is tooooooo short to be miserable or to have people around that are downers.... Time to live life to the fullest! Greetings from NC!

Great to read so many postings with postive results. And almost everyone got the band..yahhhhh!!!! Good luck to the few that are left for September, you guys are almost there! I am on the pureed phase ( week 3 + 4 post surgery) and have been hooked on sweet potatoes, yogurt, tuna and lean ground beef with spaggetti sauce! Still take my shakes to get my protein in... I can feel restrictions and barely can eat an entire yogurt. Weight loss has slowed down with the food changes, but I hope it will steady go down. I had my first day at he gym yesterday and look forward of getting veryyyyyyyyyyyyy healthy! Good Luck to all!

I had my post-op check with my doc today and everything is looking great. I am now allowed to go to the gym for cardio ( we get a 3 months free membership to a great place in town!) I started on mushhhhiiiiieeeessss and enjoy it very much! Even though I did not get a fill yet I can feel a restriction if I eat more then 1/2 cup...so good news for me! Still taking protein shakes to get all my protein in! No more pains at allllllllllllllllllllllllllll! Scheduled for my first fill in 2 weeks! I am also trying to weigh only once a week...it's hard! Good luck to everyone! Greetings from NC!

Hi Pooky! I am sure different people have different feelings and advise for you. My personal view of this is: It's okay to truly feel such emotions ( it also shows how caring you are!), that is what you and I have been eating away; those tears and anger and so on....now we are having to feel it "all the way"...so shedding tears is maybe one way to compensate. It would be more of a problem if you would have a major break down at work every time. But you managed until you were safe in your home. Nothing wrong with feeling sad. And yaaahh, could you have gone to the gym or walk or take abath...sure...but honestly I don't think there is anything "wrong" with crying....and talking about it just like you did. I bet over time you will be able to find other ways too. Just my thougts on that, and thank you for being so honest. I just had a break up with my boyfriend ( both sides wanted it) and had similar feelings, usually food will sooooooooth me. Well instead I called one of my friends last night and talked for a while and also let the sad feeling run it's course.... Wishing you a great day!

Quick check in: I had my first day back to work today and felt great! I am increasing my walking and hope to start in the gym soon. Will have my pre-op with my doc on Friday and hope to get a release to go to the gym. Lost 27 pounds since 8-4-2010; so I am happy! Still on liquid diet but will start puerred in 2 days! yahhhhh! To all of the once still getting banded: Good Luck! And everyone else geat healing! Have a great day from NC!

You are not on an island on this forum....it has helped me a lot reading and posting so I encourage you to keep coming back here when you feel alone or frustrated as well as happy to share good news. You are going back to work already: hats up! I will start back to work tomorrow. I am also from Eastern NC! Have a great day! :thumbup:

Very happy for you!:thumbup: Hope to get there sooooooooooooooonnnn myself. How did you loose your weight? Healthy food, small portions or a specific diet?

Thank you so much for this post! This is what I needed to keep me going on my last few days of fluids only....I don't ever want to be on a diet again...but changing my life, that I have been ready for! Thank you so much!

I was wondering about the same question. Nobody has called me either and I am thinking about writing a note to my surgical center to tell them about my feelings on just that. A short personal call goes long waysssssssssssssssss... Sad part: prior to surgery I had 4-5 calls from the hospital going over the same old stuff... My care at the hospital was also not catered to my needs as a banding patient. The nurse was not even able to tell me how much protein was in the shake she gave me. I did not get the fluid intake, they gave me a straw....yikes.... Not trained in bariatric care; nice nurse, but little help... But I am doing well; will see my surgeon next week. If he asks me about anything I will let him know....:thumbup:

Sorry to hear that you have so much trouble at work. Are you okay with telling your supervisor or your Human Resource person about your surgery? If you are, I would explain to them your current limitations and needs for reasonable accomodations. This is only temporary; they may work with you. If not you might want to get a note from your medical provider stating your "medical needs" and accomodations at this time and speak with Human Resources. I was put on Family Medical Leave and on the form it asked for restrictions when coming back to work. Did you take Family Medical Leave? You want to protect your health and your job. Hope you can get this resolved.

Wonderful Wednesday to Everyone! I am just wondering how is everyone doing when it comes to loosing weight? I have read about people gaining or standing still after they start back to regular food or pureed. I am 6 days post op and have lost 22 pounds since starting my pre op diet about 6 weeks ago. I have lost about 5 pounds since surgery. Expecting it to be a rollercoaster ride until the fillings start; but curious how everyone else is doing? Greetings!

I am 5 days post op and would like to know when did you all start driving again? Greetings from NC

Great to hear you are feeling better!!! And you just taught many of us something new with sharing your happenings. It might help someone else who is feeling similar pain! Thanks! Keep us posted!

Thank you so much for all the posts; I plan on driving if I need to go somewhere... won't be no 1-2 hour trip right away but around town for sure. Have a great day!

Very much agree with Brian, I am a day behind him and feel similar. Thinking about food and knowing I already made changes and there is no turning back; this is our road to a healthier self! One thing is for sure: It is not easy, but I am so hopeful with the band that I think and feel I can change my eating habits forever. And so can everyone else as long as you work towards the goal of a healthier YOU! I am already "seeing" myself in a regular clothing size and love that feeling.... Thank you for all the book tips! Will check them out on B&N.

Has anyone read any good books in regards to getting banded and post op issues, living with a band? I remember that Brian mentioned he was reading a couple of books in one of his posts; anything you would recommend Brian? Thanks!

Please don't ever hesitate to post anything; even if you don't get an answer to all the questions; someone will learn from what you posted and it helps all of us to know that we experience things very differently. I hope you are feeling better and received the medical attention you required. Keep us updated! I do have some tideness around the breast-bone but nothing what you described. 5 days post op and like someone else wrote" every day is getting better". Take Care!

Great, so many people with new dates! To all of you good luck on your pre-op diet and upcoming surgery. I am 4 days post-op and doing well. Not 100% yet, but I have taken time off from work and taking it easy for a change. I am not in pain, just discomfort. But I felt very happy after my surgery and know this is the right decision for me. I am on a 2 week fluids ( protein shakes) only diet and starting to miss some real food; but not reallllly hungry yet. Again good luck to everyone! Keep posting! Greetings from NC

Greetings! Day 2 post op! I had to get back on my prescription pain med; but only take it as needed, sometimes I make it 6-7 hours on a dosis... Question: could you all feel your port right away? I have not felt mine yet.... but I also do not want to push down very hard... when did you feel it? Left side appears more sore... Still no hunger. I also find the calcium citrate wafers very hard to chew... But other then that feeling great; walked outside today, so I am getting better and better!