BandedNellie

Love#1 or #3... Those choppy cuts never last.. as soon as the layers start to grow out!! Plus you will probably need to use a lot of "product" to keep the messy look, unless that is your thing!! Way to go on the weight loss... I love reading your posts!!

The only person in my life that knows is my husband!! My friends think I just had abdominal surgery... and my family ( who do not live close ) do not know anything! This was the best decision.. becuase I know that I am not prepared for any negative comments.. so even though I feel bad that i told a little lie.. I am so happy I do not have to explain anything.. And I have started to get some compliments on the weight loss.. and I just thank them and tell them I am working on it. Here is the kicker.. My mom came down last week.. and did not say anything to me about my weight loss!!! WHen she has been my biggest critique!!! Now 25lbs is hard not to notice!!! At the end of the weekend visit.. it just proved to me that I made the right decision!!!

Hi Everyone.. I know it has been a while since I have shared with my September Bandsters.. sorry about that.. but let me catch you up.. Had my post op appt yesterday.. 21 days since surgery.. They have me down 20lbs.. I think ( I know it is more.. since I prefer first to go with my weight from first thing in the morning, this was at 4 in the afternoon.. dressed) Anyway still VERY stoked about the loss.. but it has definitely slowed down since I have been eating soft foods.. I did ask for a fill and the Dr... gave in after some resistance... but he gave me 3cc.. Now I know that will not make a huge diff.. however, I just wanted to get the initial fill out of the way,, curiosity mostly.. Well it was not bad at all!! Needle is long will not lie to ya.. but with no topical.. just went for it.. and wa pleasantly surprised!! Now I am on mushy and looking forward to my numbers going down..... only 8 away from first goal!!

Happy Monday Everyone... Last night I had the first true meal with my family since being banded. It felt really nice to be back at the Dinner Table becuase that is such an important time for my husband and I to spend with the kids. It also is nice to cook for the family again. Well, first of all.. we have all switched to small lunch plates.. which helps in portion controll. The menu was a lean pork tenderloin ( which we grilled, a sweet potatoe and sugar free apple sauce) I had two very small pieces of pork and a 1/2 of potatoe w - margerine and no skin.. did not even eat the apple sauce - I was too full!! Than I had to go for a walk becuase i was way too full! Felt good though and love being back with the family. We were laughing at how small I cut the pork piece.. smaller than pea size.. my husband joked am I gonna cut my meat that small when I go out with friends? I am still terrified of getting stuck.. even thought I am being extra careful!! Can anyone explain to me what sliming is.. I figurte it is not pleasant.. just trying to understand the lingo.. Also a little disapointed that in 3 days I have not lost any weight... but I also know that I am not drinking enough.. so will work on that.. Hope everyone is recovering well!!

Hello all.. I am writing in this color.. because today in CT, I feel like this is the first day of Fall.. Love this time of year!! Nice cool brisk morning... Anyway I am now 23lbs down.. 9 days post op.. I started the diet on Aug 21.. Gas pain finally gone.. sleeping on my tummy again.. all is good.. except the Steri Strips on my incisions are driving me nuts!!! My incisions ITCH ITCH ITCH!!! Thank goodness my finger nails are not that long becuase I would be all scratched up!! The one that is the most bothersome is the one that has the port.. In reading all your posts I am glad I do not have an incision in my belly button.. because after three pregnancies.. my belly button is wacked out.. finally recovering. All in all I think that is a pretty good complaint to have.. I am enjoying my Greek Yogurt smoothies in the morning. I have pretty much been vigilant with the diet rules.. however last night I had a couple BABY bites of some mashed up speghetti. I used to mash the foods for my kids.. now I am mashing for me.. it felt good to have a little substance in my belly.. but here is the funny thing.. I could not even finish a 1/4cup!!!!! I got that immediate FULL feeling.. which is umcomfortable and scares me.. but more importantly stops me from eating!!!

The Bad Breath was the same for me.. Get yourself some sugar free mints.. plus I chewed a lot of Trident gum during my preop... Your body is just in shock.. this too shall pass.. I would just go to bed when I got home from work.. sleep was the best thing... and kept me away from the kitchen. Good Luck!!! It will totally be worth it.. I was only banded a week ago and with the preop diet (+) band (+) postop diet... I am down 23!!

Thanks Ce Ce.. good to hear that you are doing well. I put moist heat on my shoulder tonight.. definitely made a difference! I had a Greek yogurt for dinner tonight and added a little sugar free applesauce to thin it out.. It was yummy!! And I felt full which is perfect!! Off to whatch a little tv w/ the hubby.. enjoying the piece and quiet in the home.

Hi Everyone, well I am on day 6 of post op.. The long weekend was a huge help in my recovery.. and did not have to do much of the Mom thing as my husband stepped up to the plate BIG TIME.. I was able to make it to the beach for a Bonfire on Sunday and a little beach time on Monday.. but not my normal amount of time.. but it felt good to be back with my friends and family and walking the beach really tired me out. Today I returned to work, which has not been that bad so far.. but I am sure will wipe me out later! I was basically off all pain meds by Saturday ( I was banded on the 1st ) even felt that I did not need the Tylenol.. I am big on the Gas X though.. been so afraid of the gas pain I have basically been overdosing on the stuff.... have not had a problem with it until TODAY!! My shoulder is killing me!!! But I am happy to report that all bodily systems seem to be back in order. Sorry if this is too graffic for ya.. but when the pipes don't work.. I get a little freaked out. It took me until today... 7 days since I had to take Milk of Mag the night before surgery!! I start full liquid tonight. Oh and I slept ( very carefully ) on my tummy for a little bit last night.. Felt so good!!! Hate sleeping on my back!!! I itch... does any one else's who has been banded itch at the incisions??? Have a great day.. 20lbs lost:tt1:

I survived!! But not after a couple of bumbs in the road. The day of the surgery went great.. Had to be at the hospital at 6:30. My husband and I stayed at a hotel close by.. Woke up at 5am, took a shower got ready.. Went to the hospital they asked for a urine sample to make sure I was not pregnant.. I could not get a sample ( which stressed me out ) so they finally took blood. Of course I was not pregnant so off to the surgery.. Absolutely no problem.. woke up in a lot of pain, but they were right there with the happy juice!!! Now I am not suppose to spend the night.. just waiting for me to pee ( AGAIN ) in order for me to go home.. wait until 8pm for them to cath me and they admit me to get my bladder going. As soon as they cath me I started going about every 3 hours.. so was home by noon the next day. Frankly I think it is nuts that some insurance companies think this is an outpatient procedure.. Actually relieved that I spent the first night at the hospital. TAKE your ICE PACKS home with you!!! I love mine.. it is always on my belly - makes it feel better. I did come home a couple pounds up on the scale however I have been on a IV for 24hours..so once my bladder gets worked out.. and I gt rid of all this fluid I am on the right track.. Absolutely no appetite.. but forcing the liquids not to get dehydrated again. Isopure is gross.. but forcing it down.. now just waiting out this hurricane Earl coming up the pike!! More later!

Hey Everyone.. sneaking in one last post before surgery tomorrow!! I got the call from admissions last night and am all set. We are dropping the kids off at friends house's tonight and then off we go. We decided to spend the night in a hotel close to the hospital since it is over an hour drive.. and I need to be there at the crack of dawn. Good thing is my hunger has given way to nervous butterflys!! Of course there is the nervous feeling of am I crazy.. will I be able to eat again.. What if I get a blockage.. What if I don't loose weight.. etc.. But I know that this is the RIGHT decision and all those fears are coming from a place of the unknown... meaning I will figure things out as I go along and that this is a tool to loose weight and that I still need to work at it. Crazy thing is at least I get six days off from work!! ha ha Have a great Labor Day Weekend Everyone!! Talk to you soon.. oh and pray this Hurricane Earl does not effect us.. ( I am in CT:w00t:)

I never thought I would say this... but I miss my Optifast shakes!! I started the Only Clear Liquid portion of my diet today.. I have had tea, jello and chicken broth... three things I will NOT have when I get back on food.. ha ha Anyway was sooo good all weekend.. no cheating AT ALL, and gained a pound!!! Isn't that a kicker.. I don't feel bad ( which is weird) becuase I know I did everything right.. so I will see changes soon.. I also realized that I have not had a BM ( sorry TMI) in about 3 days.. so that could be it too.. The only thing that I am nervous about tomorrow is the Milk of Magnesia that I have to take!! yikes less than 48 hours!!! Talk to you all after surgery!! Good Luck to all those just starting the pre-op.. It went a lot faster than I imagined.. and NOT that bad either.

I am over the hump and can now say I am less than a week away from my surgery.. The pre-op diet is going well, but I do miss chewing.. thatsounds weird.. I am on a pre-op diet of 4 optifast shakes and clear liquids.. Not quite sure if V8 is considered a clear liquid ( highly doubt it ) but it curved my salt cravings today. I know that after the surgery I am still on clear liquids.. however I am pretty sure from all the posts.. that recovery will be what I am concentrating on.. not food. I have been on the diet since Sat 8/21 and have lost 10lbs.. That is pretty great!! I am taking I can since I know it will slow down when I get to real food.. I am a little cranky though... GOD BLESS my family for putting up with this process!!:wub:

The only one in my life that knows is my husband.. My brother was with me this weekend and when he questioned my diet, I told him I am having a female procedure.. ha ha - but he bought it no questions asked.. I am relying on friends for support with my kids on the day of surgery.. so I told them I am having my Gallbladder out.. same scars.. same recovery.. not one of them has even questioned my diet.. when I go out to one of their homes.. I have a decaf tea from dunkin donuts in my hands.. to keep me from eating and their questions at bay..

emsbugbug -I ordered it online.. There was an infomertial / show on cnbc.. watched it ordered it.. about $30.00 Not bad and cheaper than a class.. My kids have done it at parties etc.. and LOVE IT!! I will say it is kinda cheesy but fun.. and definitely makes ya sweat!!

I miss sitting with my family while they eat dinner.. I made a decision that that is too hard, so I go up stairs.. My husband has been wonderful in preparing the meals so I do not get tempted to "try" something.. actually surprising myself that I have not cheated! My hunger pains come in the form of headaches.. best cure - I go to bed

One week from today!!! Yikes... so far the hardest part is drinking the 4 optifast drinks.. they are pretty gross.. But the other part of the diet is not as bad as I imagined.. plus lost another 2lbs.. so moving in the right direction! My kids and I started ZUMBA last night.. lots of fun and definitely gets ya moving!! Have a great day

Hello Septembers'... Well I am on day 3 of my Pre-op diet of Optifast ( 4x a day ) and clear liquids.. So far so good.. The first day I had a pretty bad headache.. but I took Tylenol and went to bed so as not to give in.. Chicken Broth is my saving grace.. also the broth from Raman Noodles ( and my kids get to eat the noodles so we both make out!! ) Did not think that I would like Black coffee with splenda.. but it ain't that bad.. Oh yeah and for fun I got on the scale... no joke 7 lbs!!!!!! Tonight I have to go to a friends house.. so that might be tough.. but I am going with my SoBe water.. 8 days till Sugery!!!!!!!!

I have my class tonight, start a true liquid diet on Sat.. and I think I am going to start going to the suppoprt group at my hospital Tuesdays.. I am not thrilled about the Vitamins portion of the diet.. they have never agreed with my stomach. And I am very excited that my Husband will be joining me for my pre-op tomorrow. He is the only one who knows what I am doing.. except for you fine folks.. Not prepared nor do not want ANY negativity ( from my mom and siblings ) so we decided to go this route.. I will probably tell my girlfriends after but now it is kinda nice to be going through this JUST with my husband as my support system, and Love him even more for it!!

nbrett - your story seems very similar to mine and we are on pretty much the same schedule, I start on Friday, even though I have mentally started this week, watching what I am eating. I to find myself getting to 180/190 and get stuck. I also have a mother who I love but is the most critical of my weight and even speaks to my husband about, and he loves me for who I am! Good luck on your diet, are you aloud decaf black coffee, at least the taste might fool your cravings.. I drink it REALLY hot to take the bitter taste away. You have a great spirit and will do very well!! Good Luck

Hey Everyone.. love reading all that is going on with everyone.. but gotta be honest, as I read more, the more I get confused. My surgery is set for 9/1. My pre-op is Friday the 20th and my class is tomorrow night. I have not started the pre-op diet yet but am certainly watching what I eat. I spoke to my PA about how everyone with later dates than me has already started and he did not seem that concerned. I am assuming that I am starting full liquid diet Sat am ( oh joy!! ) but am excited to get this party started if ya know what I mean!! This September group is FANTASTIC and a huge help to someone like me who is basically clueless!! Thanks everybody!! Oh and Cathy.. I agree Hell Ya we want you in this group.. You will be able to fill us in what to expect!! Love that.. and GOOD LUCK!!! Looking forward to your post op blog!! Happy Liquids!!

Anxious about my pre-op appt!!

Mothers can be harsh!! That is why I am not telling mine about my surgery.. What would she say if you put the weight back on? Take care of yourself.. be proud of your decission and like diva2010 said.. ya may loose a couple more lbs on the liquid diet.. but more importantly, you will FEEL BETTER, and that is what is MOST important!

I start my pre-op on Friday.. kinda freaking out.. plus have to hide my Sobe Waters from my kids!!! ha ha Best of luck to you - can not wait to hear how it goes.. I have surgery Sept 1..

Wow, looks like we will be going through this at the same time. My Pre-op appt is the 20th w/ my class the night before.. trying to avoid "last meals" this week - so that my body is not in shock for the following week's pre-op diet. Surgery is all set for the 1st of Sept.. what a way to celebrate Labor Day weekend... Good luck to you looking forward to comparing experiences through this adventure!

I am kicking the month off with a September 1st surgery!! Looking forward to starting off this adventure:redface: