Search the Community

Betsy, I have received so much benefit from your posts. Thank you so much. I am 51 years old and have MS. I am due to be banded next week on April 9th. I look forward to seeing you in the forums!

Melanie

4/1/2010 It is exactly one month and 9 days post op. I will be getting my first fill on Saturday in Tampa. It is hard to believe I have gone from a size 26 to a lose 20 (I do not have any smaller clothes in the house, hehe) I have donated all my big clothes. I have gone from 279lbs-238lbs. I did the preop diet then my dr. had me keep my post op liquid diet for two more weeks. My mom just came and saw me for the first time and she started to cry. She was so happy for me. I started watching what I eat and journaling daily. I exercise 4-5 times a week. I love my band. I will post a message on how the first fill goes. Have a blessed day.

Thanks for the nice note you made my day I love my black lab, I will look for your pics. When did you get your band? I have been at this for 9 months now and have lost soooo much. I eat Food. Not Too much and mostly Plants with protein first. I was too tight and I had to have some removed. I am still extremely tight but I am working with my band. I only have 3 more pounds to lose to be a member of the 100 pound club. Have a great day. Best wishes imaluckydog Kathy

Hi. Thanks for checking up on me. It's been awful, but only in the mornings, so I am thankful for that. I get up and have to throw up at least 3 times, then magically it's all better. lol It's to the point now that I look forward to throwing up becasue then I know I will be better. Its just so weird! I never had this at all with my daughter. How have you been? You must be so excited! R u showing yet? Can't wait to hear all the details Take care and talk to you soon!

lost 14 pounds since surgery its two weeks this thursday i can say doc told me i can go back to gym. i love the band dont even feel like its there. lol well have a good easter.

Thanks for checking in on me. I'm doing well - feeling pretty good now. It's amazing, it was like when I hit the week mark, my body healed all of the sudden.

Don't be nervous! It will be great and pretty soon you'll be banded and starting your new life!

Hi! I just read your comment on one of my pics and thought I'd leave you with the answer to the question you asked.

I started out by walking, but as I got stronger, and lost weight, I started cycling. Cycling (on a spin bike) became my main source of exercise, and I cycled 40 mins 3 times a week most weeks. It was good because my knee was arthritic and cycling was low impact. As I approached my goal weight, I did take up some running but it aggravated my knee, so I stopped.

Doing that, it took me 7 months to lose 66lbs. And I've lost another 19lbs or so since my body lift, though since my lift, I don't exercise in a structured way so much anymore.

I started out at 325! I have lost 174lbs! Crazy right? I am not a huge exerciser....i walk like 3 -4 days a wk. like 2 miles each time sometimes more. Am going to start jogging...slowly...very slowly!

I'm sorry that i couldn't get back to you sooner, i just got home from the hospital yesterday. My surgeon also fixed a large hernia while installing my band...so i'm still pretty sore but dong alot better now... how are you feeling? I'm still on clear liquids for another week... so even though i'm really not hungry yet I'm looking forward to some cream soups and yogurt next week...LOL I never thought i'd say that. How's everything with you? *Maria*

How are you doing post op reference pain and energy? I feel strong at home so increase my activity a little then I am in pain or too tired to move. I walked to the supermarket today (about 10 min walk each way) and when I got there I felt light headed and dizzy so I went to the coffee shop and had some milk and felt a bit better. I am really interested in how you are feeling. I mean how much are you doing now? Do you feel drained because of the op or do you think the lack of energy is down to the reduced diet? I am getting about 300cals a day now but thats only been the last 3 days, before was under 200. How much are you managing. Help:scared2:

Living My Dream,

I was so encouraged reading your blog and then discovering your age! I'm 56 5' 3" and at banding weighed 208. I'm small boned and haven't seen a size 10 in well over 25 years. If I could get to a 14 I would be elated!! I am so happy for you and could feel all you feel in your new body and you explained...... Happy new life!!

Hey Amy! Welcome to the group! You must be excited that June is here! When is your date, mine is the 19th! 2 weeks from today! Enjoy your weekend!

Just had my first fill on June 5 It did not hurt at all they put the needle in the port it goes through the scar tissue so you don't feel it.Then I just had to take a small sip of syrup as they viewed it on x-ray it took all of 3 minutes.Now I feel very full with a little bit to eat. I did not know that before this the band is not even filled.Best wishes!! Let me know how you make out.

I'm sorry that you have 5 red scars... My port is actually just above my belly button. When do you go for a fill? How are things going? Are you still losing?? I hope you're having a great week!!

Whoooo RAY! I finished today! My last payment will be next Wednesday! Then off to insurance.... I got cleared by both the nutritionist and the exercise specialist today. They both said I was doing really well. I am having Dr.Voellinger write me out for two weeks after surgery. I am a big baby when it comes to pain and I dont heal very well either. I am so happy for you for the progress!! How bad is the diet afterwards and before???

hi amy, thanks for posting your pics. very inspirational, as i am just starting this whole process (getting banded in a week) and of similar build. You give me a lot of hope, and confidence that i'm doing the right thing.

I will look into going to the meeting on Monday. My incisions are healing up nicely. I am going to start using a scar cream in a week. are you getting excited?

Hey lady! I'm just counting down the weeks until my surgery. Thankfully I will be spending 2 weeks in Cali two weeks before my surgery so it should fly by fast. How's the insurance approval coming along?

40 lbs in 3 month good for you. You look great!

I lost about 12 pounds prior to my first fill... I was 272.9 at my highest and 261 at surgery. I don't know remember exactly what my weight was at my first fill, but it was about... 250(?). I lost 10-12 pounds during liquids, then gained back a pound or two on solids waiting on the fill. I had my first fill April 21, a little over six weeks from surgery. My doc wouldn't do it before the six weeks. I can't imagine having to wait 8!! Hang in there, though - it's worth it!

Hey!! It will probably be another week or so before you feel "right". I felt the sensation of fullness quickly for the first couple of weeks. Now, however, I feel absolutely NO restriction. At this point, it's pure self control. I'm away at a conference this week, so things have gotten quite difficult. I'm just trying to stick to eating protein first. I did have an apple martini though. Yummy. That's so wrong! I've been released to a regular diet now. I'm finding that there in nothing on my typical menu that is intolerable. My doc says this may change after my fill which is scheduled for June 16th. I don't think you're doing anything wrong. My understanding is that this is the roughest period because you aren't filled. Keep up the good work and stay motivated. This time next year girl...you'll be lethal. That's my plan, and I'm sticking to it! :-)

not good.... when i think about the fact that i will never eat another oreo or DQ blizzards.... i am sad to say, i actually get sad!!! How sick is that? High protein???? what else besides chicken breasts? i have got to get my mind into this NOW!! But i know what my pproblem is.....i have been going through this for 3 years, yes i'm approved, no wait now we want this from you...... over and over again!!! I have officially been told several times that i was approved and then nope ..... wait not yet.....and each time i had started the high protein/low fat diet only to be let down once again....... so now i just can't get into it!!!! sorry to ramble on.....thanks

Hello Diva,

I'm a dirt track afficionado also. We normally would be there tonight, but with the torrential rains this week, we are too waterlogged to race. I only watch with my BF, but we do have our favorites and his good buddy and the buddy's neice race mini stocks. What makes you a dirt track diva?

Good luck on your surgery, Monday is my oldest's birthday...I can't wait to hear all about it. I'll have a 2week pre liquid diet too and I get banded on July 20! Best of luck to you. kathi

Wow you look great... I'm one week post op and I wanted to let you know that you progress is truly inspirational...

Awww.. thats so exciting!! Congrats on your engagement.. I wish you much success!!

Oh my pain level is VERY limited, mostly when i wake up and its only like a 2.. Most of my discomfort is were my port is ( the biggest incision).

I already started working out, and today makes it a week since surgery.