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wanderlust_76's Blog
 

Today Is My 4 Month Anniversary

Today is my four month anniversary, and I have lost exactly 62 lbs. I have to say the day I woke up from the surgery, I was not sure it was worth it, but 4 months later I can safely say "IT IS WORTH EVERY OUNCE OF PAIN."   I still have some things that I am struggling with such as eating out. I thought by now my brain would catch up with what my stomach already knows, but I find myself still wanting to eat everything on the menu. I still want to order the big meals. I find that frustrating.   I also feel like I am not eating as well as I should. I just don't eat as much. I know that right now it is ok, but in five years it will bite me in the butt.
wanderlust_76

wanderlust_76

4
Mimi's Journey 07/03/2012
 

3 Days Post Op- Water!

I'm 3 days post op now. Discharged yesterday and I'm home. I'm focused on staying hydrated and keeping the water moving. I'm on full liquids for the next two weeks and I'm not even blinking at it. I have NO HUNGER at all. It's a bit shocking. To not be hungry. No cravings.... My mom stopped by a burger joint on my way home to get my boys some lunch and I didn't even salivate at the smells of french fries and bacon burgers! It phased me not one bit. (My mom was hesitant about stopping to get burgers because of my condition, but I told her to let the boys be boys for now. They eat pretty well most of the time).   I tried plain yogurt and it didn't go down well at all. I used to love yogurt with a little bit of lemon juice. I've been able to tolerate creamy of chicken soup pretty well. I tried chicken broth with a little bit of spice and it did not go down well. Vegetable broth is a winner!   I'm pretty sure I will not be able to do spice for a while. I thought I'd be really leaning on the sugar-free popsicles, but I find them a bit too sweet. I"m going to try SF jello today. Right now it's all about the crystal light and water. A sip every 15 minutes! I do not want to get dehydrated and that's my biggest obstacle for now.   I'm also doing deep breathing exercises every two hours to ensure I don't develop pneumonia. That's a challenge, but I'm staying on course. I also have a little machine to work on my legs. It does compressions on my calfs when I'm idle to prevent blood clots. I also have a 10 day regimen of blood thinners in the form of shots in my tummy. It seems like a lot, but my doctor is very thorough and I truly LOVE the office for that. I feel well taken care of.   I'm staying away from the scales until my follow-up. Initial consult weigh was 339 lbs, Day of surgery I registered 325 lbs. At discharge I was 326 lbs (mainly due all the water they were pumping into me). My follow-up is next Thursday. So we'll see where I land.   Taking it day by day.... GOALS: WALK WALK WALK. DRINK DRINK DRINK.
Mz_Elle

Mz_Elle

10
Mimi's Journey 07/03/2012
 

Surgery On 07/03/2012

I finally got sleeved on 07/03/2012. The procedure went well despite a small hiccup with me not meeting my goal weight loss of 15lbs at my pre-op on 06/29/2012. I needed to lose 5 more LBS over the weekend o my surgeon said we may have to push back the date. I told him ABSOLUTELY NOT. We'd keep the surgery date and I commenced to work my A** off over the weekend.   Monday was weigh in date at the office I and met goal by losing 6 lbs over the weekend. I was elated. My mom and hubby were there for the surgery and I checked in at 11:30 a.m. Besides difficulty with my IV I can only say my procedure went rather well. I woke up at about 5 p.m. with the anticipated pains, but nothing severe or overbearing considering I just had 80% of my tummy removed through 5 little holes in my belly.   My only drama was my IV which had to be replaced and since I was already low on water my veins were hard to find. Overall my pain level was never above a 7 on the 1-10 scale.   The gas pains were something else, but I will tell ANYONE. WALK. WALK. WALK. Up and down the hallways as much as you can. It did wonders for me. The nurses were cheering me on because everytime I'd go the restroom, I'd goal myself to do at least 4 laps before getting back in the bed.
Mz_Elle

Mz_Elle

5
NMAC's Blog
 

1 Week To Go

one more week until I get sleeved Yeah . Trying to behave before surgery eating chicken and vegtables. Hoping my liver is small enough when they get in there to do the sleeve, would really hate it if it was too big and had to cancel the surgery.
NMAC

NMAC

0
Banded June 18 but not restricted
 

Banded But Not Restricted

I was banded on June 18, 2012 and am going in for my first fill on Monday, July 9, 2012. I did really well sticking to the diet prescribed until about a week ago. I guess in my mind, I had restricted myself to be limited but when I ate something and realized that there was no restriction, my mind has done a 180. I know that I have to do seriously better because I really do want to lose weight. I stay hungry all of the time, almost worse than before I was banded. Not to mention that I have a discomfort under my left ribcage that is really annoying. I'm going to ask the surgeon about this on Monday. I have learned, surprisingly, that I stick with the diet best when others are not around. Anyone have any positive suggestions outside of the obvious of "suck it up and stay faithful to the course"?
NettaRue

NettaRue

8
dliteful!'s Blog
 

Four Weeks Banded - Journey Update

Hello band sisters and brothers!   Just a quick update before getting ready for work. Four weeks ago this morning was my surgery, and what a difference a month makes! I thought I felt good after surgery, but now I'm feeling so great! Healing is a process, and I've had to be patient with myself. I went back to work on day 5 which went really well, but I live on three acres in Colorado and there were so many things needing done that I started in on one week after my procedure. I found I had to build up my stamina slowly, but eventually it has come back (pushing myself a little every day), and now I'm back in full swing - with even more energy and able to do much more than I could before.   I had the tiny amount removed from my band around day 5 put back in a week ago and it has helped. I've been working out five days a week doing 40 minutes of cardio, striving to stay in my target zone, and feeling good doing that. I've been doing my very best not to eat too much, I do have some restriction, but could still overdo it. I find myself wanting to "graze" all day, and that's not going to be a good strategy with the band, so I've been trying to stick as much as possible to three small meals and one snack in the afternoon, being sure to get in all my protein. I find myself eating too fast which can sure cause discomfort and some trouble, and I realize that old habits really do die incredibly hard. I'm grateful to have this physical reminder of the habits I need to change!   I've lost a total of 19 pounds since my pre-op diet which was a three-day clear liquid fast. Since surgery, I'm down 11. Slow and steady, maybe a pound a week, but my doc says not to worry right now about losing weight so much, so I feel like I'm doing well. They also tell me that those who don't have large amounts to lose will lose slower, and I need to remind myself that the weight WILL come off if I continue to work with my band, and remind myself how good I feel with 19 lbs already gone. It makes a really big difference in getting around and moving through my day!   My fill isn't scheduled until July 18th, and that's a week or so before we're leaving for a family vacation. I'm glad I'll have some time in between to see what works and what doesn't so I don't end up uncomfortable on vacation. My nephew is a chef and he'll be preparing many of our meals, and right now I find that I can handle just about any food as long as I chew it thoroughly, and eat slowly. My goal is to be at -20 by the end of next week, which is a very realistic goal (one pound a week!) though I really secretly would love to see it fall off much faster than that!   I love this site, I love my band and I'm grateful to everyone for their support and for the information I gain here! Thanks everyone, back in a little bit as there is more to report.   Hugs to all D
dliteful!

dliteful!

5
Charmane's Blog
 

Back....

Hello all, it has been quite a while since I have been on this site. To be honest I had forgotten about it until now, when I need someplace to write down some thoughts. but isn't that human nature? I have my Lap Band surgery on 11/10/2011 and so far I have lost a total of 102 pounds. I am in need of a small fill but the doctor's office had two people leave and are in transition. They are trying to find new staff to fill the two vacancies. I have been within the same 2-3 pounds for the last 3 weeks and would love to lose a little more. So the next best thing to getting a fill is writing in my blog and going to the support groups for the support I need.
CharmaneFischer

CharmaneFischer

1
mamabravo's Blog
 

Looking For Information And Advice About Having The Lap Band Done In Mexico

I have been researching the lap band procedure since oct 2011. I have visited the slim band clinic, CIBO clinic and the SWLC.   My results were down to CIBO 18,000$ AND SWLC16,000$. Then the reality of price kicked in.   I'm desperate to loose weight because i'm trying to get pregnant. Im gonna be 39 in august and i really dont have years to play around with. the cost of my fertility treatments alone are around 12,000.00$   The plan was to have the lap band done by sept this year, loose a good amount of weight so that i might begin fertiliy treatments around feb/march.   I began looking into dr. ortiz in mexico because his price is affordable. but as I have learned no doctor in toronto will offer me fills if i do my surgery outside of canada. I Even began wondering if it would be easier to have the gastric sleeve done. I would love some feed back from any canadians who had their surgery with Dr. ortiz.   Can anyone offer any suggestions or info about getting fills in buffalo ny   Thanks and look forward to any replys adriana
mamabravo

mamabravo

2
Smog's Blog
 

A Bit Tired Day 4

I'm a little bit tired today, doing all the right stuff- drinking as much as possible and am trying to drink 1 isopure clear a day diluted with water. I seem to have no problem drinking slowly. I didn't manage all of an isopure yesterday, but did the day before. It is what it is! I'm keeping hydrated. Today I am feeling good but a little tired and strangely emotional, I think I need to catch up on some sleep and so will take it easy today. One of my incisions is weeping a little, the smallest one. It is not angry or red, I cleaned it with a dettol solution & put another waterproof dressing on so perhaps this is normal as it doesn't hurt. I won't worry about it unless it gets swollen, red or painful. I'm quite PLEASANTLY surprised BY how low-key and uneventful my recovery is- which is great! Long may it last!!!
Smoggy

Smoggy

3
CassandraGodd's Blog
 

Every Race Starts With 1 Step

I guess this is the begining. I was lucky enough to get this surgery approved by my insurance at no cost to me. Now I am dealing with the what if's and fear of the unknown. I have my KAISER orientation on Tues.then need to make a decision. I know I want this, I just dont want problems afterward. It would help if my family was supportave, but they are not. I feel like I have been in a fat suit I cant get off for 29 years. My 30th birthday is on Monday, and my gift to myself is a new life.
CassandraGodd

CassandraGodd

0
pcosmommyof4's Blog
 

First Post Op Visit

It has been a month since my surgery. I am very happy with the way things are going. I had my first follow up visit two days ago. They took my twenty staples out of my stomach and filled my lap band with 1.5cc more of silicon. They put in 4cc’s during my surgery. I found out my band holds 16cc’s. I am lucky enough to have the large band because of my body shape and where everything is placed in side of me. (In other words because the PCOS has caused me to carry 150 pounds on the front of my tummy) The fill was not that bad.   You can read the rest of my blog here: http://tinkrisegrind.blogspot.com/
pcosmommyof4

pcosmommyof4

0
velvetbuckle's Blog
 

1St Post-Op Visit- Day 9! What Did I Expect? Twilight Zone Of Course!

Holla fellow bandsters! Hope you all had a fabulous Independence Day! I sat here and tried not to watch myself and boys have simultaneous combustion from the heat- alas we were all saved that scene. It was a strange holiday in that there was no BBQ to attend, here or otherwise, I didn't even go watch fireworks! I can't decide whether it was just too hot, or I'm just getting freaking too old to "OOOHH and AWWWW" about fire in the sky. Boys weren't interested either so I just listened to the neighbors pop it like it was hot til around midnight. My dogs didn't even seem to care. So the boys had Subway and I had the normal protein shake and cream of chicken soup but as an added bonus, I put strawberries and bananas with some Greek yogurt, 1 pkg Carnation sugar free instant breakfast and skim milk in the blender! Boys had smoothies I froze mine and had strawberry banana "ice cream" around 10 last night. Delish.   So as you know, I have been thinking today I was scheduled to have my first fill. Thanks to this forum, I now know that the receptionist misspoke when she said "fill", what she meant to say was "Post-Op" visit. Regardless, I was excited to go pretty much anywhere at this point. I scrubbed up, brushed up and put on a comfy sundress to wear, good choice because I didn't have to worry about buttoning and or zipping anything, I'm still slightly swollen and all I had to do was put it over my head and Voila! I really had no clue what was going to happen at this 1st appointment and lucky me, I got a nurse who was clueless as well. The regular Nurse that takes care of such appointments was on vacation this week (HOW DARE SHE) so I don't know if she was brought up from another unit of the clinic/hospital or if she was an agency person, or if (Lord I hope not) she works there and I just never seen nor heard of her before. So kids this is how it went down.   I was ushered into the examination room and sat on one of the chairs. The nurse says "Ok, so what have you been eating, and sorry, but I have to look at your incisions." Umm, Ok, I hope you're going to look at my incisions (DUH) and I told her protein shakes, yogurt, chicken soup, yada, yada, and then I said "Um, am I going to see the Dr today or what's happening here?" she said "Oh no honey, you won't see your Dr until after your 1 month check-up with the regular nurse who's on vacation, then 1 or 2 weeks after that appointment you will have 1 with the nutritionist, then the week after that you will have a fill" My head was spinning off my neck at that point. I decided it was best maybe not to ask not too many questions to this particular person at that particular time, besides, I have this forum if I want to know something right? Well you guessed it, I couldn't resist, I started asking because you know, I brought a small list. (Well I didn't want to forget anything ya know?) I looked at my little list and immediately mentally crossed off things that I assumed only the Dr would know, or I only personally wanted the Dr to answer. So I asked about vitamins I think, something along those lines and she excused herself and brought in a booklet and said "Did you get one of these?" Uh, I don't think so, it doesn't look familiar. So she handed it to me and then said she needed to look at my incisions, I said Ok, and she basically lifted my dress up and said those have to go and RRRIIIPPP off came the first one! HEY, I said. I don't know if I'm- RRRIIIPPP- well screw it guess I'm ready to release my surgi-strips.   Look I know it sounds like a nightmare and it pretty much was, I could go on and on, but my point is I went to my post-op appointment and basically expected Ashton K. to jump out of somewhere telling me I've just been "Punked" although that didn't happen, I did get a a wink/half eye roll from the receptionist when the nurse was explaining to her the upcoming appointments I needed, especially when she called her Stephanie and she said "My name's Ashley" (insert half wink & eye roll) giggle. I guess I was pretty calm about the entire thing because when she took my blood pressure it was only 107/62. My temperature a chilly 97.3, and guess what? She never weighed me, and I didn't ask.   I guess what I'm trying to say is that none of that really mattered. I already knew I wasn't going to be getting a fill today. I pretty much assumed that they were just going to check on me after surgery. I've survived the ripped off strips and now that I think of it, I'm glad she did it because I babied them so much and would have worn them as a badge as long as I could have and I need to move on. The receptionist, Ashley, and I agreed she would just call me on Monday and we would go from there, sounded great to me! On the way home I thought to myself, I'm not restricted at all. I could eat whatever I want right now and it would be fine with my twisty and my stomach. Maybe I'll just have a salad, that's not such a big deal. I thought like this for about 10 miles until I snapped out of it. Girl you better check yourself, for Christ's sake this is exactly why you had this done, if you don't start using it now, instead of thinking like a food addict, your road shall be even longer. I came home had a yogurt and a Crystal Light, I still wasn't even hungry, not really. I picked up the red booklet she gave me and it was "All you need to know about your upcoming gastric bypass surgery" I just laid it on my chest and laughed hysterically. As always, onward and upward and Lo & Behold....Velvet  
velvetbuckle

velvetbuckle

3
Toby&theBanded's Blog
 

First Weigh In

Today was my first weigh in at the doctor's office and I lost 10 lbs! Yay! Super stoked that the hard part of the past week has paid off. Everything else is looking great and should be progressing nicely.   As shy as I am to tell those not overweight that I have had the surgery, I have found comfort in meeting all the patients that had surgery in the past week at our nutrition meeting today and all the friendly, kind, motivational people I have met here online. I feel a sense of freedom I don't have around "normal" people. It's like you all get it. You know what it's like. And I'm not a failure or giving up by having the surgery. I'm making a commitment to changing my life for the better. Thanks everyone for being so awesome. It's amazing what support can do for us all! We're all in this together!   A
Toby&theBanded

Toby&theBanded

0
tjloser's Blog
 

Started!

Well I've started my 5 day pre-op diet and I am really hungry:) My surgery is July 10th and I know that this is important so I will follow it to the T, I will not cheat. I have so much support with this. My husband, 3 sisters and a friend, wow, how much love I have. I appreciate all the support that they have given me. To be able to talk about this with them has been great and has helped me release some of the nervousness. This is only the first official day so we will see how the rest of this time goes.
tjloser

tjloser

4
Youjustwaitnsee
 

Believe In Yourself

What ever you do. Please do not give up. If I can do it, you can do it also. I am still on my journey, but loving every minute of it. Each day is a new day. Do not forget that. Let's stay connected. Email me any time. vblack433@ymail.com. I will share with you my story.
waitnsee

waitnsee

0
goal_will_be_met's Blog
 

Tired

UGH, I want to work out and I should but I am so Tired. Trying to get my motivation going is hard...But I just need to get 30 minutes in but meh...I've got to figure out ways to get going...before surgery when I had to lose weight I did it no problem I was losing a pound a day but now meh...Don't get it...I'd give anything to have half the energy I had when I was younger....anyway hope everyone had a good 4th! Not bad here it was nice but it totally thru me off having the day off in the middle of the week....All i have to say that tomorrow is Friday and YAY!.
goal_will_be_met

goal_will_be_met

3
Wisdom2KnowTheDifference's Blog
 

Adventures In Medical Tests...

Today I went to the hospital for my big testing (upper GI, RUQ and gallbladder ultrasound, chest x-ray). Call me crazy, but I was kind of excited because its one more step towards getting banded?! But anyway.   They did the ultrasound first, which started out fine, I've had those before. But then she started pressing REALLY hard in the same areas over and over... and about by the 45 minute mark, I was like, what on earth is going on?? Does this person know what they are doing? So then she tells me she needs to go get the radiologist. He comes in, and they spend about 5 minutes looking at the screen, then the radiologist takes a go at me himself. By this time I'm really in pain because they just keep bearing down on one spot.   They're looking at the screen, and I hear the woman say, "Is that real?" At this point I have to say something, so I say... Um, what are you guys talking about? They looked at me like they I had forgotten I was in the room! Then they told me that I "might" have a cyst on my kidney and I "may" need a CT scan or MRI. How vague is that? They said that they would make a note on the test results to send back to my surgeon and that he would follow up with me. I was just like, okay, breathe, lets get the rest of this done.   So then they take me to the Upper GI test. Let me tell you...I am glad I didn't know what I was in for. Ya'll that have been through this know what I am talking about. First I had to take the crystals, then I chugged the solution (almost puked - by FAR the nastiest thing I have ever drank), then they have me on this contraption shouting orders at me... mostly "don't burp!!" Then I had to drink another solution while on my belly, through a straw. All the while this bastard radiologist is literally yelling at me, "faster! faster!" But I just did what he said because good lord, I didn't want to go through it all again.   Side note: One thing the radiologist kept saying during the test, which I thought very odd, was "just think of something really good to eat." I was just like, the LAST thing I am thinking of right now is eating!!!! (for once).   So that was my experience. Tomorrow I have bloodwork and EKG, hopefully it will be less eventful. And I am trying not to get too worried about this kidney cyst issue, until I have more information. But all in all, I feel good because I am one step closer
MKambalimath's Blog
 

Sabotaging Myself

This surgery really is not easy. There are so many people that say we have taken the "easy" way out of being fat. I'm learning, the hard way, that this really is a lot of work. Maybe for some people, they can sit back and let the weight drop off. I know a couple people that never went to the gym, drink alcohol (lots), eat whatever they want and still the pounds just drop off. I guess I was hoping I wouldn't have to work so hard anymore. I've recently gotten out of a 4 week stall. I lost 5 lbs, and now I'm not losing anymore. This time I know its my fault because I am definitely grazing. I've actually gotten up to over 1000 calories a few times, which I don't think I should be at this point, and definitely not with carbs, which is what I've been grazing on. I'm going to the gym 5 days a week now, and burning 600+ calories according to MFP, but I'm going between 228-229. I start out really well, having cheese and wheat crackers for breakfast, and lean protein for lunch. Sometimes I make it to after dinner before I start grazing. Sometimes I start after lunch. I know it sounds like a cop out, but I've been thinking of asking my surgeon if they have a recommendation for someone for me to see about the mental part of this. Since having a smaller stomach inst really working for me at the moment, I guess I need to deal with issues as to why I eat. I never really figured it out on my own. Most of my family is heavy so I always figured it was genetics, since I've never been abused or abandoned or anything like that. I don't really have an excuse to have a "food addiction" unlike other people that actually have had traumatic events that they need a coping mechanism. I was 220 when I got married, but quickly ballooned up to 250+ in the 1st couple yrs after I got married, and at one point was at 287. That was scary. So I know I should be happy with almost getting down to where I was before I got married, but I KNOW I'm sabotaging myself
MKambalimath

MKambalimath

11
Hurry Up and Wait
 

1St Official Blog Weigh In

Ok, sorry one day late, but I was BEAT yesterday!!   There was a special workout class for Zumba yesterday as in we were supposed to all wear red, white and blue. AHA...ok. I wore my Texas Rangers t shirt. But I was mistaken for the time and got there an hour early so I was convinced by an older woman to join in on the class that was going on- a Nike Fit boot camp!!!!   That class killed me more than Zumba, but I went forward. It was the same instructor who kept mentioning that Zumba followed the boot camp and she challenged/invited people to do both. So I did.   I was only able to do 23 minutes of Zumba before I cut out. I just couldnt lift my legs or arms for it. I felt like a rag doll. But I weighed before I left and it was 245.   So Ive recovered some of the ground I had lost last week, yay!   Afterwards we spent the 4th of July at Six Flags over Texas. Walked the whole park from 4-9pm and then we went to a firework festival in Bedford, more walking. Probably another mile or so. Now this morning I can barely walk, hahaha.
RahRahRah

RahRahRah

0
nyangela426's Blog
 

Day 4 Liquid Diet

My boyfriend and I got into a huge fight last night because he doesn't understand why I don't want to tell all our friends that I am having lap band surgery. He doesn't understand that I feel like it is no ones business but mine and I will tell who I want to tell and it is not his place to tell our friends what I am choosing for them not to know. He is worried that people are going to ask him questions on how I am losing weight and he is going to be forced to lie and he doesn't want to have to keep this secret. Honestly I think he is being utterly selfish but I kinda understand. I just don't want everyone judging me and watching what I am eating. Does anyone have any wisdom that they can share?   P.S. I had Campbell's French Onion Soup broth (drained out the onions) yesterday for dinner and it was delicious. It really helped to satisfy my craving some something savory.
nyangela426

nyangela426

4
Shying Away...Oops I did it again!
 

Yesterday's Thoughts

With yesterday being the 4th of July naturally my husband and kids were overly excited about going to watch the firework show, I on the other hand was far less enthusiastic. When getting ready (as usual) this overwhelming sense of disgust and depression takes over me. Nothing fits, nothing looks or feels right. I feel so out of place in large crowds. I'm not a shy person at all and I remember the time I use to enjoy crowds. I cheered in high school and college for a min. I loved crowds! The thing is when my attitude sucks I don't think I'm pleasant to be around. Who else has felt this way? And it seems as though the closer I get to picking a surgery day, the more I realize (or rather the more I begin to admit to myself) that my weight is way out of control!
SweetTee

SweetTee

3

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