Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!
$99 Yearly Supply Alert! 🎉 "1 per Day!" Bariatric Multivitamins

Blogs

Blog 95523
 

The Big Event..My First Fill

Whew....it is finally over..my first fill. It was not nearly as bad as I had envisioned. However, I was greatly surprised by the size of the needle. My Dr. was really sweet and he was telling me exactly what he was going to do. I really appreciated that until....he felt the need to show me that long needle.:smile: He could have skipped that part and I would have been just fine. He put 3 cc's in my band. It was not bad at all. It was much easier than getting a shot. Now I am hopeful that I will not find myself getting hungry. He stated that I should be eating 1/2 cup at a meal. That seems like such a small amount. How do we get enough calories to keep from going into starvation mode? I wished I would have asked him that question. However, if anyone has the answer please let me know. :thumbup:
Dadkins8

Dadkins8

4
Blog 93585
 

First Fill

i had my first fill today. it was a breeze, he had me lay down and put my hands under my head and do a partial situp. he pressed for the port and shoved the needle directly in NO PROBLEMS, just the stick of the needle. he then had me set up with the needle still in place and drink water, which was the way to gauge how much saline to put in the band. he had me drink until the water sat in my throat for 1-2 sec and if it then went down without issue then thats how much saline i received which was approx 3cc's. today is a good day i have more restriction and i feel like i will be a success. i wish you all much success in your journey.:thumbup:
lori49

lori49

2
Blog 96623
 

Extreme Craving!

Before I was banded, I ate lots of sweets, smoked 1/2 a pack per day, and drank 4-5 Diet Cokes per day. I 2 weeks before my surgery and I don't eat more that 30 carbs a day - I am doing fine with that. My problem you ask? I would do about anything...and yes, I mean anything!!!...for a Diet Coke. I have tried Diet Snapple, Powerade Zero, G@, VitaminWater, Minute Maid Pomegranite Tea, Minute Maid Light Lemonade - nothing satisfies my thirst like a cold DC! I WANT DIET COKE!!! I am begining to wonder if I really can live life without my Diet Coke. I am foghting my cravings but it is so hard since my surgeon never even explained why I cannot have one...help!
PrairieDawn

PrairieDawn

8
Blog 97718
 

ok nerves...2 more days....

So, I stopped blogging for a bit, bc I got frustrated with the wait...:smile: but now I'm back and over it...:thumbup: lol   I am now having surgery on Friday, yep, this Friday it's happening...finally after 2 reschedules (on behalf of surgeon, unforeseen family emergency) and now I'm getting nervous.   Upside, on this liquid only thing and down 17-20 lbs, been flux'ing 3 lbs at a time, weird, I know...that's partially why I'm doing this surgery.   I am in FW and having to drive 60+ miles for surgery...but you do what ya gotta do...right? Anyone else out there close to me, or date or whatever...   let's keep in touch and motivate one another together...   until next time... drink water! :eek:
mrsbrem

mrsbrem

2
Blog 98799
 

Banded Aug 13, 2010

I'm not much for writing my stuff for all the world to see, but I thought it might help to have a record when I need to be reminded of where I've been and where I'm going.   I was banded by Dr Richard Carter on August 13, 2010. I'm now 31 days past surgery and all healed up and eating regular foods. I had my first follow up appointment on Sept 2. Everything was fine.   My top weight was 311, pre-surgery was 299 and current is about 287. I'm a little discouraged that I haven't lost more, and that the loss stopped when I went on solid foods, but I know it's all part of the game. I have my first fill appointment on October 21. I hope that after that things will pick up again. I'm nervous about the pain; I was told he doesn't numb it first.   Even with the band completely deflated, I've had two times where I forgot to chew and gulped my food. I paid dearly for them both. At least I know what feeling it is that I need to watch out for now. Ouch!   There, I've got this started. Tomorrow I'll give my opinion on public education! (i.e. I'll gripe about not having a job! :thumbup: )   Now to go do laundry and clean the child's room whist she is still out of the house!:smile:
clohse

clohse

5
Blog 95628
 

Too much!

Two weeks ago I had my third fill - added .5 cc - so currently I am at 4.5cc. I followed instructions and for first two days I only had liquids and then mushy food.   Since then, I have been spitting up almost anything non-liquid I try to eat. I follow all instructions - small bites, chew well, no liquid right after eating, etc.   The only food that goes down with almost no spitting up is crab. I have been to Joe's Crab Shack 6 times in last two months....3 times in last two weeks!! I am going to go broke if this keeps up.   I am getting frustrated - wanting to taste other food - can’t stand cottage cheese and soup anymore.   Last week I started to get worried about all this and made an appointment with the doctor...but the day before the appointment I was able to eat three cups of rice and chicken...so I canceled...thinking it was just swelling earlier and I am good to go.   Am thinking it was a mistake to cancel. Since Friday I lost 5 to 7lbs and am constantly spitting up most food.   So, made another appointment for tomorrow - will have x-ray - to ensure my band did not slip or something like that. If it has not slipped, I will ask for that .5cc to be removed...or at least .25cc.   The only thing keeping me from bashing my head with a wet noodle is that thus far (since June 29), I lost 43lbs.
Seby

Seby

7
Blog 3678
 

Ooops, forgot to feed..

Wow. I keep forgetting to drink my protein. Day 7 of the pre-op was the first time I noticed I wasn't hungry much. Today, day 9, Ive missed 2 already. I figure as long as I get in the 60+ grams of protein in the recommended qtys and drink all my water I should be good. 5 days to go til surgery. The only nightmare is dealing with insurance. Otherwise, Im working on a dream coming true.:thumbup1:
gena155

gena155

0
Blog 100642
 

Post fill day 1

Well I survived my first fill, yay. Feeling fine today, down to 222 on the scale. Not having any problem eating thin cream of wheat this morning and not hungry now. I am more optimistic that this is really going to work for me. Lost 17lbs since my surgery on 8/17/10 yay!
tavimew

tavimew

1
Blog 79244
 

Over fill- 5 days of hell

I had my second fill on last Thursday, and I was experiencing some difficulty swallowing liquids and foods. I thought maybe it was from eating something that I should've eaten based on my fill diet. Maybe that had apart to play in my stomach becoming too irrigated to tolerate any foods or liquids going down. However, I was always told liquids should always go do. Well, that was not the case for me. By Friday morning, anything I put in my mouth was not going down no matter what I did. This was the very first time I have ever had to vomit since my surgery. The next few things I am about to say may sound a little nasty but this was my experience. There was foamy/slimy substance coming up due to things not pasting through my esophagus. I had the worst pain in the center of my chest that you just could not imagine. I continued to say to myself things were going to get better. I started to go to the ER on several occasions, but I did not want the long wait or the ER bill. I prayed for Monday to come like never before. I can not remember being that miserable in a very long time. Nothing I did seemed to make my situation better. My every focus was on how to get some fluids down without all of the awful chest pains. It would take me about 3 hours to slip on a 16 oz bottle of water praying it was not going to come back in with all of the foamy/slimy action going on. Thank God Monday morning came and I called my doctor's office first thing that morning. I was first told to continue to slip water and come in on Tuesday morning at 9am. I told her to let my doctor know he would be coming to meet me in the ER sometime that day. I could not take it any longer. Soon after our conversation I received a phone call stating he would meet me ASAP. I went to the center and he asked if I had eaten anything outside of his fill diet and I stated yes. He explained that could have caused my system to swell and increase more swelling to the band area. He took only 1cc out of my band and instantly I could feel my insides changing. I felt like a brand new person. Today am able to drink and eat just fine. I want good restriction, but being too tight is the worst thing in the world for any band person to experience. I still feel like I have pretty good restriction with the 3cc in my band.
shonette

shonette

9
Blog 94866
 

Psych Appt

Well, I had my psych appt yesterday and apparently I am mentally stable to have the surgery. Good thing they didn't talk to people who really know me!!! :thumbup: He said that I had researched it thoroughly and that I knew what was expected after the surgery. So, now I just have to see a nutritionist and I have I think four more appointments to reach my six months and hopefully I can have my surgery in January!! :smile: I will start the new year off right. Hope everyone is doing well and have a wonderful day!! :eek:
Jodie1

Jodie1

0
Blog 90135
 

Pre Op Diet starts in 2 days!

I can't believe the countdown is almost here. These past 5 months have really been something. All this visiting the doctor, jumping through hoops, researching, etc, has finally resulted in surgery in 2 weeks. I am so excited!   I start my pre op diet Thursday. I am supposed to have a protein shake for breakfast, for lunch, and a Lean Cuisine (or something similar) for dinner. Also, I can have chicken broth, sugar free popsicles, sugar free jello, and sherbet (up to 2 cups) during the period.   I have to admit, though, saying goodbye to food is actually quite sad. I had my "final dinner" Sunday night...which, consisted of a feast at Red Lobster (oh, I will miss you cheese rolls!). However, I told my husband, it will feel good to leave a restaurant and not be hungry or overly stuffed. I am one who never finds a middle ground between the two and end up STUFFED! But, I'm ready to say goodbye. And, I know I'm ready to say goodbye to all the bad foods.   Tonight or tomorrow night, I will do what I have never done before, but SHOULD have done years ago. And, that is buy a scale. Before, I always avoided the scale because I was deathly afraid of what it might read and feel horrible. Even during my pregnancies, I only got brave to look at it a couple of times. But, I think the scale might be a good friend to me for the rest of my life very soon. It will be a friend to help keep me honest and speak nothing but the truth.   I can't wait to begin the journey of being banded and I am soooo glad that this website exists, as you gals and guys are a huge wealth of knowledge and support for me. I know I don't know you all personally, but you help me out more than you will ever know! :thumbup:
qtney1

qtney1

0
LoseIt!'s Blog
 

And now for the spandex...

Between the pictures yesterday, the compliment from a stranger and Support Group last night...I was almost giddy yesterday!! :thumbup: I think I forgot to say in my blog yesterday that I had platform shoes on in the new picture. I received a comment that I looked taller, but in all fairness I WAS taller!! But I still felt awesome!   I think I have talked about this a bit before, but over the last few days I have really seen myself in a different light. Almost all of my adult life, I have been a size 18W. I remember discovering "women's" sizes my senior year in college. There have been a few (maybe 3?) short spans where I have worn smaller/bigger sizes, but the majority of the time, it was 18W. I think that in my mind 18W is my size. Period. When I was brushing up against 300 lbs. and squeezing myself into 22/24s, I would still pick up items in the 18W range and think they would fit. I would be so surprised when they didn't.   Now, my 18W sizes are too big. But it seems to surprise me when I fit into something smaller. For example, I bought a Junior size XXL Halloween shirt from Target. You know those ones they have every year? I have never been able to fit in them so I had to buy the womens ones that were so ill fitting on me. Since my next 5K (!) is on October 30th, I thought it could be an "incentive" shirt. I would strive to wear it by that time. When I got home, the darn thing fit. What?? Don't get me wrong, it was awesome! But I obviously never thought I would fit my body into that.   Then, last night at group, my friend Debi gave me some regular size 16 khaki pants. First of all, they were size 16, not 16W. Second, they are light khaki and that shows EVERYTHING! I'm much more comfortable in black pants. Anyway, I told her I would take them for incentive. Again, I went home, tried them on and they fit great! I wasn't even concerned with the light color.   So, is it official? Am I now in the range of "normal" size? Can I actually go to "normal" stores when I go shopping? My mom is coming this weekend to help me bargain shop for fall clothes. Can we skip Lane Bryant and Avenue? There have only been two times in my adult life that I have been able to do that. In 1999, I'm not sure what initiated it, but I got down to 197# and fit into a regular size 14. That lasted about 6 months. In 2006, I had just started on my CPAP machine and was sleeping great and Jazzercising and I got down to 203# and got into regular size 16s. That lasted about 9 months.   Although I KNOW I look smaller, it is hard for me to imagine that my butt will fit into something smaller. I'm quickly approaching those 203# & 197# numbers that are my all time adult lows. What then? I can barely register myself now. I can't even imagine what 185# or 175# might be. I almost hate to dream about it lest I jinx it!! I have difficulty thinking about years to come and daring to hope that (with continued dedication on my part) I will never have to wear an 18W again. I will revisit this issue again at a later date.   Now...pictures. Yesterday I had my casuals. Today it is the stripped down spandex version. I really do feel like I'm tightening up nicely. I think the running is helping my legs a lot! Plus the use of hand weights at Jazzercise (and the fact that I'm up to 10# weights) is really helping the arms. I have included Front-beginning and today and Side-beginning, last month, and today. Hugs to you all!!!
LoseIt!

LoseIt!

2
Blog 75574
 

Getting Excited about The Wedding Dress!

:smile:My dress will be here today or tomorrow hopefully!!!   I can't wait to try it on, it is beautiful! I hope that now with the weight loss it will be a wedding I will feel good about how I look! When my son got married I was in too few photos, and that is sad. But I dodged the camera, needless to say that was not fair to my son for his memories later on when I am no longer around. (which will be a long time!!!)   If it fits, I will take photos and post! Hope you all have a blessed day!:thumbup:
janetsjourneytoslim

janetsjourneytoslim

2
Blog 100500
 

Banded 8/27/10

Startng weight 203 - today 193.   Feeling a little frustrated. My surgery was an overall good experience Dr's and Nurses were great. Had my first post-op check 11 days after surgery on 9/7/10. Everything looked good and I had already lost 14 lbs. Dr. stated that a could go to mashed foods (i.e., mashed potatoes, tuna, egg beaters, etc. I have followed his orders precisely. It is now 9/14/10 and I back to 193. Confused and really frustrated. I see my Dr. 9/21/10 for my first fill.   Anyone else experience this? Thinking of going back to liquids only until my feel!   Would love some feedback !
jacobs27

jacobs27

3
Blog 94826
 

T-15 Day 1 of Liquids

OK today is the start of the liquid diet. I don't know how i'm going to make it but i am determined to do so. I have a variety of raw veggies to chew on throughout the day and a variety of water shakers to help me get through it. I do have one question: did anyone exercise during their liquid fast? I am an advid exerciser and with the classes I take I don't know how in the world I will have the energy to do it with just these liquids and a few veggies...any suggestions?
chriper

chriper

1
Blog 100212
 

Surgery date: 9-28

So, I have had a kidney infection, and I am taking Cipro for 7 more days. I got a call from my Surgeon's offfice this morning, and my surgery date is 9-28, so yes, I am going to be a September,10 bander. I have to see my dr. in the a.m. and I guess I will start my 2 weeks liquid thing tomorrow. Oh well, no time for a "last meal". Please keep your wonderful comments and sugestions coming. But more than anything, your prayers. If there is a prayer group on this site, I would love to know about it. I will keep you all posted.   :thumbup:
copa

copa

0
Blog 99356
 

Liquid Diet 09-14-10

Day 1,First 2 hours: Lots of ups and downs already. Had to break the worst habit ever which is fast food breakfast stop on the way to work. Its hard to remember your on a liquid diet when your so used to your routine... But I'm doing it so far, and its gonna be a long day ahead of me, but its all good because I'm gonna look like Barbie ~!!:thumbup::smile::eek:
MrsRea122008

MrsRea122008

4
Blog 95742
 

Off To See The Surgeon!!!!!!!!!!!

I am off to see the surgeon this morning I am so nerveous.I should be close to goal, I've been jumping through hoops since June,all that jumping gotta count right LOL. just a little humor to try and calm my nerves,I hope I get a surgery date today,my insurance approved everything on Aug.25,2010. WISH ME LUCK:scared2:
lnhardemon

lnhardemon

0
Blog 101311
 

feeling rather guilty

well i totally screwed up!!i gave in and ate lst nite!!i'm not on the full liquid pre op diet yet,but was trying to lose some before that.i'm very dissapointed in myself.i'll lose some if i stay away from sweets and carbs,until the liquid diet.this isnt going to be as easy as i thought.i am counting on this site for a little support...:thumbup:
laurajean1

laurajean1

4
Blog 101042
 

going through the motions

My PCP is ordering me a sleep study. I told him that my past weight did not go along with Aenta's guide lines and he just looked at my file, so not sure if i do or not. lol. I am stressed about it though. why cant they (aenta) just give a simple yes or no and not have everyone jumping though hoops!. ugh. well i feel a little better now thanks.
rmaxwell

rmaxwell

0
Blog 100099
 

not losing

Its been 5 weeks since my surgery and I have only lost 10 lbs. starting to get discouraged. I don't eat any junk and watch my portions and don't drink with my meals. How on earth is it that people lose 20 -30 lbs in the 1st mo. Believe me I have plenty to lose. :thumbup:
swissmiss62

swissmiss62

2
Blog 99592
 

Good Fill!!!:)

I can finally say I am having good restriction! I am not going to say it's my sweet spot yet because I just got the fill on 9-7 but it's gettting better and better each day! I hope it is my sweet spot though!:thumbup: I am so ready to lose some weight! I worked out everday last week and did one hour today in the gym also!
Noturningback15

Noturningback15

7
Blog 101349
 

protien drinks

i go for my surgery sept.23rd.im very excited but having a real hard time with the protien drinks:crying::thumbup:
paris

paris

4

PatchAid Vitamin Patches

Bariatric Forums

For Patients

Health Professionals

Search Surgeons

Bariatric Surgeons: Want to research a weight loss surgery surgeon? Enter their last name below to start!

×