Massachusetts Bandsters Chat

[cheri52 1]

Hi Kimberly, You CAN do this and it IS worth it!!! Just think back at your history and how "well" you've done in the past, Sure, like me probably not so good, which is how you, we, ended up here. I can't speak for the preop diet , my dr. did not require it of me. I think it is an individual thing so as to get you in the best possible shape for the surgery. I carry most of my wt. below the waist which makes for an easier time. I did have the post liquid diet for a week , I didn't find it too bad. your stomach is swollen so you really aren't very hungry. it goes by quick! Like Ted, wish it had been an option when I was your age. Good luck and keep us posted.

[Sue Magoo 71]

Kimberly:

I am one of the Glasgow's patients too. I think they are fabulous over there.

Maybe I've seen you at the support group? I've been going every month since September 2007.

I wish I had been banded back when I was 30 instead of when I was 47. I had the biggest appetite and I got through the ten day liquid diet. I dieted starting in April 07 (kind of a modified weight watchers plan) and lost 38 pounds before I got banded on 7/26/07. Since then I've lost 65 more pounds and feel like a new person. I started at 324 and I'm down to 221. I'm 5' 7", and I'd like to be a size 12. Right now I'm in 18's.

I was so ready to get banded. I did the ten day liquid pre-op without a problem. It bothered me a bit the first few days, but then it just became a habit. Drink, drink, drink, and then drink some more, and oh I was eating sugarfree popsicles so often I was going through a box every two days! I never cheated on the pre-op diet because I have a daughter who depends on me and I didn't want any extra risk going into the surgery. The lower risk was the reason why I chose lapband. I think that it's all a mind game.

If you need to discuss it, send me a private message here and I'll be glad to send you my phone number.

Best wishes to you for a quick ten-day liquid diet, and a very successful surgery. I hope to see you at the March support group meeting.

Take care.

Sue

[cheri52 1]

WOW Sue :eek:, you're my hero! you got banded after me and you are SOoooo... way ahead of me. That's great!!! If you got a minute I'd love to know what your typical day might be like as to food and exercise, also, how many fills did it take to get there? I have just recently "stepped" it up a bit but would love some insight from one who has done so well. Do you get a lot of the nasty side affects that keep you from eating? or are you the poster child for the band:smile:?!

[Sue Magoo 71]

cheri52:

Thanks for the compliment.

A typical day for me is as follows:

coffee w/FF cream 7:30 to 9:30

Instant oatmeal 10:30

Hard boiled egg or half Protein bar around 12:30 sometimes fruit too if I can fit it in

Fruit or 100 calorie popcorn at 4:00'ish

Half a porkchop, or chicken, (something w/protein) and frozen veggies around 6:30

SF Popsicles, rice cakes, low calorie for snack while watching tv

Exercise - 15 to 20 minutes walking 9:15 am

50 minutes walking at noon

15 to 20 minutes walking at 3:00

30 to 50 minutes walking at 7:30

So far this is working for me. I recently added 1/2 hour to my exercise because I was plateauing. Between kicking up the exercise and my last fill I'm good for now.

I have one of those bands that holds 4cc's. I'm at 1.5 cc's now and it feels pretty good. Occasionally I pb and/or slime if I eat too fast, or don't chew enough.

Best wishes to you for your future weight loss success.

Sue

[mary1094 0]

kimberly listen to what Sherry andTed have to say..it is worth it 10days will go by fast just focus on other things and keep food out of your house.start to walk with friends..I am in easton if you need some one to walk with I am always looking for some one to push me...Sherry maybe we could all meet and then if people want walk once or so a week...when the it isn't snowing...

[SherryW 4]

Hey Everyone...Just wanted to put this out there.....I'm willing to hold a get together type support group at my house. My friend Christine and I have picked Saturday, February 23rd at 1-3pm. This way we have a date set and see who can come. It will be held at my house in Taunton,MA. Very causual "get to know you" get together to see if we can help support each other and keep us all motivated. Anyone interested PM me and I'll email you my address to see if we can get something going on the SouthShore for us all

[cheri52 1]

:wink2: No wonder! that says it all, I have a 4cc band too with 2.5cc fill, and I would be starving if that was all I ate! I go for another fill on Monday, and maybe it will allow me to be full longer, but I think it will still take more than just an egg to do lunch! I wonder if the different surgons leave various size pouches?? sometimes I think that mine holds way more than some. thanks for the schedule, you really are workin' it !!

[countrygirljtl 0]

Hi Sue Magoo,

You sure sound like you have had great success thus far and are happy with your band.

So do you think that there is hope for me? I have had 3 fills, tomorw will be my 4th, I am half full to capacity, but with no real restriction, I don't really know what it is like to 'Have to stop eating or else", if you know what I mean, there for the only wieght I have lost was the pre-op and 8 pounds the first week after surgery. So do you think as soon as I get full restriction that I will start dropping this wieght??

I exercise and try to eat right, but at night I get the hungry horrors and I'm off to the races, just as always.

What's your thoughts??

Janet

[countrygirljtl 0]

Hey Sheri and Sherry and everyone else,

thanks for the invite, great idea, I doubt that I could make it to Taunten, but I will look it up on Mapquest, because I could really use the support.

Sue, Thank you so much for you Day example, I am with Cheri52, I am not restricted enough to be full or even near satisfied with the small portions you are taking in, but Kudo's to you for all your efforts, that gives me inspiration.

Hey did anyone see OPRAH yesterday?? it was on teens getting banded and getting the bypass, they seemed all successfull, there was lots of contraversy from the adults and professionals though due to their ages and development, and the fact that they still have to go to Mexico to get it done.

Let me know what you thought

Janet (I wish I could get a ticker for myself, I tried twice with no success)

[nomadem 1]

:mad: No wonder! that says it all, I have a 4cc band too with 2.5cc fill, and I would be starving if that was all I ate! I go for another fill on Monday, and maybe it will allow me to be full longer, but I think it will still take more than just an egg to do lunch! I wonder if the different surgons leave various size pouches?? sometimes I think that mine holds way more than some. thanks for the schedule, you really are workin' it !!

awesome ide, I do need support. Will PM you now....

..should you also start a new thread? dont want your invite to get lost

~Mel

[Btlbailey 1]

Hi Kimberly, I can only echo the other board members. I went through the stage of doubt and panic. Will this work, am I choosing the right procedure etc... All I can say is it is working !!! I am loosing slowly but it is coming off, slowly but surely. I have only had 2 fills, 1 cc at a time (my doc is very conservative with the saline) I know the next fill next week is gonna get me to the "sweet spot" - I can feel it. I know several people who have gone the GP route, some with no problems,and some with complications. For myself, I really wanted the minimal invasion & scarring, the minimal recovery time, and the option to reverse if absolutely necessary. It may not come off as fast as the GP, but I figure it took me 20 years to put on, I can't expect to get it all off in a few months. As far as the pre-op & post op liquids, it wasn't as easy pre-op, but if you get creative ... there are some great recipesout there to keep you satisfied and believe me ... It's So Worth It - you just have to look at the light at the end of the tunnel. Post of liquids was a whole lot easier because I wasn't hungry for solids. You can do it ! You will be so happy when the weight starts coming off, and when the surgery is over, you will be amazed at how quickly you bounce back. I have spent so many years unhappy and ashamed, it was finally my turn to take control and do something for me. I haven't regretted it for a minute. Remember you deserve it !!!! It does work - you can see the results on this board, and the support here is wonderful ... These people will be with you ALL THE WAY ! Don't be overwhelmed, your already doing the best thing, asking questions and reaching out for support, it's what got me through the scary times. Your not alone !

Carol

[Sue Magoo 71]

Countrygirljtl/Janet:

It can and does work. You just need to get to the right fill level. Night time is the hardest for me too. Load up on sugar free Snacks if you can. Sometimes I have four sugarfree popsicles at night when I can't stop that head hunger. I sometimes crush ice in the blender and add crystal light and eat it with a spoon. It's kind of like a sugar free snow cone. Talk with your doctor if this fill doesn't get you to the restriction level that you need. He should be able to give you a fill after a week if it doesn't. You don't want to wait longer between fills if you're not restricted and not losing. If you are losing, then you should be okay.

I've been walking my ass off, and it's working!

Good luck with getting restriction.

Sue

[cheri52 1]

Janet, I wish I could remember just how I did the ticker, I know it took me about 3 tries and I was never sure ! I know you click on someone elses to take you to the site. when you are done creating it you cut and paste the code at the end, (not sure which one it was, I think that is what took the many tries) when you have the code highlighted you do the cut and paste thing on the "edit your signature" page . I know it's frustrating, but once you get it you never have to redo that part again. you can make changes and it just does it. Also I found that the changes don't take place till you post another message. I remember I was suprized when it showed up cuz I didn't think it took. Sorry, if I were a little more "smart:cool2:" I could teach you better:rolleyes2: it was more dumb luck that got mine done!

Sue, so if I added right , you are doing about 2 hours of walking a day?! My nurse,pt would Just LOVE you! I'm sure that plays a big part in your success. I really don't have that kind of time but I have started to go down now that I am adding days to my curves workout AND going line dancing every Friday night. we'll see......

[Sue Magoo 71]

cheri52:

You are right. I increased my exercise by a half an hour per day with the new total walking of 2 hours per day 6 days per week. It seems to be helping because I've lost 8 pounds since 1/16 which was my last visit to the doctor. I was getting into a rut and losing and gaining back the same 3 pounds for weeks so I decided another half hour of exercise would help and it has.

I'm fortunate that I can do most of my exercise walking around the building at work. I take two 15 to 20 minute breaks during work to walk, plus 50 minutes straight during lunch. So, it's just part of my routine now and I walk no matter what the weather is. Then, I add 40 to 50 minutes at night to make sure I have 2 hours.

I'm going to have to start some strengthening exercises soon - yuck!

I don't have any young kids, and my house is empty all week while my 20 year old is away at college. So, I have alot of "me" time which allows me to focus on my exercise goals.

Take care.

Sue

[countrygirljtl 0]

Thanks girls for the advice, tips and encouragement,

I see the nutritionist and get a fill tomorow, somthing has got to get better. I am not losing, have'nt in months. I know that I am not eating good and exercising the way I was due to being so damn discouraged.

So keep up with the great support, it is very helpful

Janet :confused: