February 2006 bandsters unite!!

[gentlespirit 1]

Hi, everyone~

I'm now down 24 pounds total (banded 1/24). This is so amazing! I'm starting my second week on mushies and have gained back a couple of pounds from being down 27, but I understand that's pretty normal. I go for my first fill on 3/7 and am a little nervous about it...but I'm sure it'll be fine.

We are all doing GREAT! This is such a good idea to help us keep track of each other...thanks, Janet, for taking this on.

Emily

[skbishop78 0]

I have my surgery tomorrow. I am down 18 lbs pre-op....and am starving. I go in at 7:45 am and they will wheel me back for surgery around 9:45 am. I am very nervous...somewhat scared. I know it will be worth it though!

[skinnymini 0]

I had my surgery done on February 17, 2006 by Dr. Singh at St. Agnes Hospital in Baltimore, Md. No weight lost pre-op. Just maintained at 317

[JanetC 2]

Hang in there Stacey!! Deep breaths! The worst is the waiting during pre-op. You get all nerved up, then they make you sit / lay & wait!!

If you can, go to sleep! Makes it go a LOT faster!!

For me, the worst pain was in recovery, because you're really not all there. But they've got the GOOD stuff there! (Morphine) They'll take good care of you... and after 2-3 hours you'll have napped & be back among the living. At that point, the pain wasn't bad at all, though I could always tell when the meds were wearing off! And I moaned & groaned enough to get sympathy from a rock!

I'm 5 days out now & just weaned myself off pain meds -- mostly, lol. My hubby went to meds at bedtime only after 3 days, he's all stoic & stuff. I'm a full-fledged member of the no-pain gang!

I'm already glad I did it & would happily do it again. Not my favorite day, but well worth it!! At least I hope it will be!

Now to get a fill......

[Jerseytammy 0]

HI

Still on liquids

Banded on Feb 8, 2006

Dr. Gritsus, Wayne, New Jersey

Down 39lbs

Question, why do they say we cant drink while we eat. I was told no fluids 30 minutes before a meal or 30 minutes after.

[JanetC 2]

liquids wash the food through the upper pouch. So no liquid means you feel full longer.

My doc's rule is 15 min before, 2 hours after. Not sure I can obey it!

39 pounds?? WOW!!!! Congrats!

[Jerseytammy 0]

Janet,

Thank you for the information, I was scared I wouldnt be able to drink if I felt something was stuck. I am sooo new to this all and still very neverous about everything. I am not able to drink the Protein drinks, so I am living on flintstones chewables and Water. I have 8 more days before I can eat.........hanging on by a thread.

[JanetC 2]

Wow! Why can't you drink the Protein drinks? Allergies? If so, you might try a health food store & see about soy drinks or something.

No drinks is scary!! I'd tell your doctor you're not eating at all. Surely he has a viable option for folks that can't do Protein drinks!! I know that we're on broth, creamy Soups, etc. Can't wait for mashed potatoes!

Good luck!!

[Jerseytammy 0]

Lets just say the Protein drinks come out as fast if not faster than they go in. I went for my first office visit after the banding on Thursday 16th. He said since I have less than 2 weeks to go to just stick with Water, that I would be fine!!!! ughhhhhhhhh. I can have free sugar frozen pops and Jello but i am sick to death of them, I would rather have nothing.

I too am counting the days until that first bite of mashed potatoes. My doc wont even let me have creamed Soups, broth is ok, but they make me gag.

This so far hasnt been pleasant at all. I cant say at this point I would have done this if I had known. I know this might be lack of food talking but I am less than happy!:cry

[Mikey 0]

No Protein drinks? Hmm... that sounds kinda odd to me. 8 days on Water and Vitamins sounds scary.

And regarding our decision to do this within 2 days of each other - I don't think this would have worked if we were forced to do it further apart. Even the 2 days is a bit tough for us... It's really hard to be on a different diet than Janet. If I had been on this new regimen, and she'd been able to come home with real food, I would have freaked out!

[Jerseytammy 0]

I am a married Mom of 3. Last night I made dinner for my family (homemade lasagna, salad, and glaric bread) I wont lie and say it was easy because it was anything but easy. While they sit at the dinner table and eat I went to my bedroom and cried, it isnt their fault that I have let myself get this big.

I know I am dealing with some form of depression not being able to eat. I am just taking it day by day, nothing else I can do!

[Dancer 0]

Hi all!

Mikey - I hear ya on the real food thing...Hubby isn't banded and last week I was a BEAR when he was eating!!! I didn't really want what he had but was mad as hell that he was eating in front of me! I have been able to add crackers to my 2 oz of Soup this weekend so that is holding my hunger off better.

JerseyTammy - I think I am having the same problem with Protein drinks. Some days they stay in me and some days they don't! Calling the dr about that today. So sorry you can't have anything but Water sweety. We are all here cheering for you!

I am down 13 lbs. as of yesterday. Post op is scheduled for a week from tomorrow. Hoping he will up my food amount.

For those of you that had your surgery in Southlake, TX...where is the surgery center? I live in Keller (very edge of Southlake actually) and I would love to know, b/c my surgeon is in Plano. Might consider changing dr's just for fills....The Southlake office would be a 5 minute drive vs an hour drive!

Glad to hear from everyone! Have a great day!

[JanetC 2]

I think it's just Mikey & I that went to Southlake... it's the Harris Methodist Surgical Center in Southlake, across the street from "Southlake Town Center". It's brand new, gorgeous, convenient, etc.

http://www.hmsouthlake.com/

Dr Sewell's offices are in the center, as is all of our team: PT, shrink, etc.

http://www.lapbandspecialists.com/

http://www.robertsewellmd.com/index.htm

I'm not sure if he'll take outside patients, but he's a good guy.

We're in Keller as well (377 & N Tarrant). It's about 15-30 min for us, but much better then Dallas or Plano!

[Dancer 0]

JanetC - We are really close to each other! I am right around 1709 and Davis!!! Does your Dr. run any support groups out this way?

[Mikey 0]

Yep! Our doc has several different things going in terms of support groups. We have a group meeting with a psychologist every other Thursday night, and a group meeting with a nutritionist once a month... there might be more, but those are the ones that pop into my head...

I'm not sure what his policies are about folks from other surgeons, but he and his staff have been fantastic to us...