soulsista001

I live in Irvine.. my surgeon was Dr. Owens in Orange.. most surgeon offices run their own support groups. There's a really good one every other Tues and Thurs nights at The New Program in Newport =)

Sooo got my first fill of 6cc's! So 7 cc's total... in a 14cc band.. so far I definetly feel "tight" and I'm burping a lot.. a lil discomfort but so far so good.. we'll see how this unfolds =)

Congrats and yes the HEATING PAD helped the most!

Right on! I'm scheduled for next thurs.. it's weird though bc some days I can tell I'm hungry and others I can only get down like 2 shakes.. till maintence my reccomended calorie intake is 600-1000.. and unless I have a "drink" I'm still not even hitting 600 now.. I think it'll be easier when I get out of the mushy stage =)

I got banded Oct 1st =)

You go girl! I look forward to loving my band too.. how often were your fills and do you drink alcohol or wine?

That is awesome Jen! How often were your fills and whats your calorie intake and exercise regimen?

Congrats Angela! Well I have an appt tom for my first fill tom and it's been 20 days since surgery.. I just don't know if I should do it or wait another week.. As I've started integrating mushies I have noticed I am getting hungry again.. vs. just being on pure liquids.. and now I was with Dr.Owens. .. Another question.. what's your height and daily calories consumed?

Shrink- so you think fills are a huge part? I ask bc I got banded Oct 1st@202 and I'm down to 192.. I figured bc of my lower BMI my loss would be slower. I just started mixing in mushies w/ my liquids this week.. I'm scheduled for my first fill on friday however, I'm not overeating or getting hungry so I think I should wait another week.. with your experience would you suggest I get one this soon? ( According to your timeline you waited a month)

So I went for my 2 week post op today and nutrition class.. Hoping tom I can start mushy foods! Well.. I have to do one more week of liquids because I was losing a lb a day after surgery and the last week I've lost 1 lb. And I've been active and walking but not getting my heart rate up bc when I tried that I was getting a lil light headed.. but the doc said still do it.. So tom I'll start really exercising and 1 more weeks of liquids and hopefully that will get me somewhere =)

I got banded 10/1/10 and I'm still on liquids.. but I heard that if you get stuck and chew papaya enzymes that helps SO SO much!

Oh cool, mine was at Chapman Medical Center in Orange with Dr. Owens =)

Whats your calorie intake and amount of weekly exercise Onthego? I wasn't losing much on my preopdiet and now since surgery I'm losing a lb a day. However, we know as low BMIers etc.. we have to be patient and work at it as hard as someone who has more weight to lose. I'm 5'3 and I'm 199 today with a goal of 130. I've watched a lot of videos on youtube w/ other women who were in the same scenario as me and they did it in 7 months.. we'll see what happens =)!

Good luck to you Boston!! I got banded last friday and we have the same amount of weight to lose.. however I had no health conditions and was a self pay.. good luck to you!

I just got banded on Friday... and I'm feeling better each day! It was my first surgery and I was nervous.. but everything turned out just FINE. Just relax and take each moment at a time.. the next 24 hrs will fly by!! Also we have our age and good health on our side.. I also had a lower BMI of 35 and no health risks.. but remember you chose your Dr. for a reason and that there's a reason why you trust him. In the last couple of days, heating pads have been my biggest relief for my shoulders and stomach(fyi). Good luck and God bless!

Puppy- I would wear draw string pants or something with an elastic band.. flip flops.. sports bra.. lose t shirt.. and bring a zip up sweatshirt.. and also you'll prob want to sleep in the outfit etc bc you most likely won't want to change.. so breathable fabrics =)

Good luck to you today lil dog!! Well I am OFFICIALY banded!! I was just thinking I can't believe that part is over and done with and now my whole life will change. I checked in at 7am and was out by 1:30. The nurses were great and very thorough and I met with the doc one more time and ( I suggest writing these down) asked him any last questions. Next thing I know, I was being wheeled in the OR and luckily I didn't have my contacts or glasses on bc that could of been a lil overwhelming to see all the instruments etc. They put oxygen on my face and then I woke up crying and in pain and I was in the recovery room. I had already been in there 30 mins and I rolled over onto my left side( to relieve the gas) and they gave me some meds and I started to feel a lil better.. I was in there prob another 30 mins and went back to the other room. I got up, went to the bathroom, and next thing I know leaving the hospital =) Throughout the rest of the day the pain in my shoulders and upper stomach was really bad. It feels like needles going in. With the pain meds I've been taking 1/2 of one every 2 hrs and I took whole ones every 4 hrs when I slept which was great! I’ve been sleeping through the whole night! Also, a heating pad on my shoulders and stomach is a huge relief! Today, the pain in my shoulders is still there but my stomach is feeling a lot less tender. I’ve already at a bowel movement which is a great thing and I’ve been able to keep my fluids and shakes down. However, remember to drink slooow.. I wasn’t at first and got really nauseous. Good luck and keep up the good work with your pre op diets!! Hope this helps in what to look expect.. and again my BMI is 35 and I’m at 202... thx for the support and prayers!!

I'm on the preop diet and as I look into my new eating guidelines etc... I'm curious if the amount of sodium that is in a lot of the soups, or sugar free puddings, etc has an effect on any of you? Also, is it good to be only be having sugar free products on a regular basis because it contains aspartame? Normally, I don't eat a lot of processed foods therefore don't intake a lot of sodium and I cut out splenda etc from my diet a few yrs ago... so I feel a little backtracked if that makes sense.

Betsy, what was your favorite flavorless protein brand?

I also spent 13K and was banded on 10/1/10.. unfortunately though I think you're in worse pain than me. I'm still on my pain meds and I've been able to keep down my liquids really well =) I'm in shock too lol.. Cheers though to the journey we've begun!! =) Ashley

Well I am OFFICIALY banded!! I was just thinking I can't believe that part is over and done with and now my whole life will change. First of all, thank you for all your prayers because I def feel them from the support around me. I checked in yesterday at 7am and was out by 1:30. The nurses were great and very thorough and I met with the doc one more time and ( I suggest writing these down) asked him any last questions. Next thing I know, I was being wheeled in the OR and luckily I didn't have my contacts or glasses on bc that could of been a lil overwhelming to see all the instruments etc. They put oxygen on my face and then I woke up crying and in pain and I was in the recovery room. I had already been in there 30 mins and I rolled over onto my left side and they gave me some meds and I started to feel a lil better.. I was in there prob another 30 mins and went back to the other room. I got up, went to the bathroom, and next thing I know leaving the hospital =) Throughout the rest of the day the pain in my shoulders and upper stomach was really bad. It feels like needles going in. With the pain meds I've been taking 1/2 of one every 2 hrs and I took whole ones every 4 hrs when I slept which was great! I slept through the whole night! Also, a heating pad on my shoulders and stomach is a huge relief! Today, the pain in my shoulders is pretty much gone and just my stomach is tender, I've had 3 shakes and lots of Water and def feel the pain meds working steadily. Hope this helps in what to look expect.. and again my BMI is 35 and yesterday I was 201... thx for the support and prayers!!

I did my preop checkin with the doc and hospital today to get ready for friday!! Getting excited!! Only nervous part is going under since I've never had surgery before =)

Jachut I agree! I actually have read a lot of your posts because you started as a low BMIer like myself..and I'm 5'3/200lbs and besides weight I'm completely healthy! Definetly after my liquids phase I will cut artificial sweetener back out of my diet and watch my sodium intake!

Well I can't believe this friday is Oct 1st!! The anticipation is finally coming true lol! A lil nervous but I know I made the right decision. Well the preop is ok.. I'm doing 3-4 shakes a day using Bariatric Advantage and Premier and mixing it with a strawberry or banana, ice, sugar free Toriani syrup, and sometimes Splenda Hazelnut flavored. puddings are good too.. and I like mixing Jello with it.. Also.. I can have V8,broth and a lil cream so I heat them all up together so it's more like a Soup.. which gives you the salty satisfaction.. However, I feel like my bodies retaining Water from all the sodium in these products and the amount of liquid. I'm really not losing much weight (I am a lower BMI) .. I only have to lose 5 lbs on my preop however for just being on liquids I would expect more... Oh well though I trust my doc I'm doing the right thing .. Good luck to all of you and where you're at in your journey!

Getting banded on Oct 1st with a BMI of 35 (5'3 and 200 lbs) and besides my weight I'm completely healthy.. however like most of you say I wish I had done it sooner than later .. so at single and 27.. I'm doing it sooner!!