February 2006 bandsters unite!!

[nanster 0]

Julie*: Is your "pain" like an intestinal kink? I have had one like that one the left side just under my breast, but it was like a kink in my gut, not bad, just annoying. It was usually when I was "full" of liquids, like a big Protein Shake. Other than that, I can't say I've experienced anything like that. Is your port centered between your boobs, only under your breastbone, or is it on your side?

I feel relatively satisfied with my meals for about 2 1/2 - 3 hours, then I start getting pretty hungry again. Is that an indication for a "fill"? I guess it should last 4-5 hours to truly last from meal to meal, huh? I'll find out on the 22nd.

I did step on the scale this morning and was actually shocked to see I was down another pound...that's a total of 14 for me so far. WHOO HOOOO-that's a feat for me!!!

I'm still allowing myself 1c of coffee in the morning and another in the evening, with 1/2 tsp of sugar and some Creamer in it. I know it's not a good habit, but I used to drink a pot a day with about 2-4tsp sugar and creamer in each cup, so I'm definitely cutting down. (It's my one sinful pleasure, since I'm not having chocolate at all!)

Can you believe I STILL haven't lost all my steri-strips???? They told me NOT to take them off under any circumstances, but only 3 of 5 incisions have fallen off so far. Hope they don't start "growing" into my skin:biggrin1:

Trying to stay true to this new way of life and eating. A taco or burger should would hit the spot though!!!

Talk to you all more soon! Keep on keeping on!!

Nanster

[skbishop78 0]

Had my fill, and I think I feel a difference. I am on liquids and they are going down fine, we'll see how it goes after the liquids.

Julie, I doubt your band has slipped...my Dr says it is highly unlikely a band to slip unless you pb frequently! Have you PB'd at all? I would call your Dr for sure. Let us know how it goes....good luck sweetie!

[JanetC 2]

Wow! LOL, things have been hopping! I had to make notes to keep it all straight!

We're doing great... though we totally ran out of steam on our diet. I was doing great as long as we were on the post-op diet... but our doc's diet is only for 3 weeks, can you believe it! I was terrified of not following it... but now that we're off it, **sigh**. Yeah, thank goodness we don't have a scale... I would be SO depressed! I'm dreading getting on it next Monday! In the past, I haven't been able to successfully diet for longer then 4 weeks. I made it to 6 weeks this time, lol, that in itself is a miracle!

We've been trying to gear up on the exercise... but we've fallen off that wagon too, lol. Today is a new day!!!

I have found that as long as I chew well & eat slowly & use "food lube" (salad dressing, catsup, etc), just about anything goes down. I really didn't need to know that, lol! When I don't eat slowly (my big downfall), it HURTS!! But 15 min & the pain is gone... **sigh**. It hasn't slowed down my calories much, lol. Cannot wait for our first fill!

And on to my notes:

StormGirl: I hear you on the starving bit! That's so exciting that you're getting married in June! Congrats! If you're seriously needing to drop poundage before the day, you may have to suffer through a diet... I don't know if the fills will catch up in time! But at least anything you lose, you should keep off this time! Cuz by June your band should be all full & happy!

nanster: Our surgeon doesn't even require liquid for fill day! I think I might do it anyway, just because, but he doesn't require any special diet at ALL.

SherryW: I read an article last week that advocated THREE months of rest before fills! It strongly suggested it, lol, made me feel guilty for getting it before that! So know that you're being safer then the rest of us. (Don't know if that helps, lol, but it's all I've got!) I love your tips for in-between hunger! Thanks!

Stacey: Hehe, I hear you on the nuggets! As long as stuff has "food lube" (something to dip it in), it goes down just fine (well, after chewing forever, of course, lol)!

ReneBean: We're getting our fills on the same day! Woot! Cannot wait!

Tammy: Hehe, we've been in "last meal" mode for a month now, lol. We did it before we started the pre-op diet, lol, then the day before surgery, and now (AUGH!!)... we're doing "last meal before the fill". **sigh** When will we learn!

Michelle: Hope you're feeling better!

Becky: SO glad cutting out dairy helped! Hope you can ease back into it later! And congrats on getting through the liquid diet... you're almost there! :lovechoc:

Julie*: Congrats on the weight loss, wow! :welldone: That's awesome!

Stacey: Awesome news on the 2nd fill! Wow!

Julie*: I'm glad Tilly was able to help you! It seems that for right now at least, lol, everything is gas (or wind, lol), huh! :welldone:

nanster: LOL at the steristrips! :success1: They told us we could take ours off after a week, lol. Go, um, take a bath & hope they soak off! Hehe. :waytogo: Grats on the loss!!

Stacey: Keep us updated! You're the guinea pig for all of us! :waytogo:

[mommy2xp 0]

My surgery was February 13 in Springfield, MO by Dr. Christopher Edwards.

I have lost 14 pounds pre-op and 5 pounds post-op.

[JanetC 2]

Awesome!! Welcome mommy! And happy 1 month bandiversary!

[mommy2xp 0]

*laugh* I just noticed my weight-loss surgery is linked on your blog.

[JanetC 2]

Oh my word, lol, you were the "1st bandster in Springfield"? Hehe, too cool! We have a celebrity in our midst!

[mommy2xp 0]

Celebrity riiiiiiiiiiggght. *laugh* I'm stressin' now. I've GOT to make this thing work. I can't wait for my fill!!

[skbishop78 0]

ok ya'll....I don;t know what is wrong with me. I am so emotional. I have cried for like the last 45 min. here at work at my desk. Everything bad has happened today, but besides that I woke up mad at the world for some reason. Its not even that time of the month. I don't know whats wrong with me.....do you think I am actually pissy b/c I can't eat? I mean I am overboard pissy. Not your average just in a bad mood. I have been crying at everything...and I am so sharp with my daughter whom I love more than anything in the world. It has come and gone for about a month...but today is the worst. I feel so bad for snapping at my daughter..she is 2 for Pete's Sake.....and I snapped at her. Bless her heart...okok I am crying while typing. I feel like I am losing my mind!

[JanetC 2]

Boy do I hear you!! And with the media attention on you, ouch!! Talk about living in a fish bowl!

Hang in there... fills are coming!

[JanetC 2]

Oh my word, Stacey!! Stop, stand up, put your arms around yourself & hug yourself HARD!!!

Breathe deeply 3 times... tell yourself that you're ok & you're doing amazing!!!

Walk to the bathroom & splash your face with cold Water (use a paper towel & pat it -- if you're wearing make-up). Stretch in the bathroom a couple of times -- get the blood to flowing.

Then hug yourself again, get yourself some Protein & water... or warm tea, yum!!

... And go schedule an appointment for a haircut, manicure, pedicure, something for YOU!!!

Surgery is known to cause mood swings. AND it's a full moon right now, so the tides are against us...

Be nice to yourself!! You need some pampering!!

(( Hugs!!! ))

[Jerseytammy 0]

Stacey

I am right there with ya, but I didnt know that surgery was known to cause mood swings, I just thought I was finally loosing what little mind I hve left. I too have been "pissy" and weepy for awhile now. Oh some days I just want my husband to say something wrong so I can go off and release the beast....lol. Ok I am not Normal...

I think I maybe experiencing food withdrawl, does that make any sense. I mean for me food was a drug. Now that I am trying, key word "trying" not to make bad choices with my food it is like my drug that has lost its power. Food was my best friend and now I feel almost betrayed.

God does any of this make sense??

[JanetC 2]

Someone in some thread said that food was their best friend... and that they buried that friend on their surgery day.

I like that analogy, cuz I'm going through classic grief symptoms: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance (hmmm, haven't felt that one yet!). I bounce around among the top 4, lol.

Oh to hit #5!!!

[Julie* 0]

Hi everyone,

Yup, I agree that it's gas pains. I think I have just really overdone it with dairy and carbs and it's not agreeing with my body. My DH got me some GasX and I am trying a day of very low dairy to see if that helps.

Stacey and others: I have been going through the exact same thing. I am luckier than most though b/c I go to a weekly group therapy meeting that I've been going to for 3 years as part of a weight loss clinic. The psychologist we meet with specializes in obesity and we talk every week about the emotions surrounding food etc. I really think it has helped me to prepare for the challenges of finding a new "friend" besides food.

But, I am still having a hard time too especially in the evenings.

Janet: Thanks for the kudos about my weight loss. I am pretty happy about it. 10 pounds was on the 10 day liquid diet that I had to do before the surgery.

I am finding that I have less restriction each day. I start on solids next Tuesday and am curious to see how that goes for me.

I'm glad we're all sticking together. It really helps!

[skbishop78 0]

Thanks ya'll....am a little better...but still could bust out into tears if someone looks at me the wrong way! Wearing my feelings on my sleeve I guess...I never understood that saying...if anyone knows what that means let me know. lol! Anway...everyone else have a good day!