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Blog 85870
 

Day 6 Post-Op

Just checking in. Today marks day 6 with being banded and i have lost a total of 7.5 pounds since Monday! My weight this morning is 203.5. I cannot believe it! I am strictly on fluids and got the okay to start protein shakes yesterday. I was told to drink 1 ounce every 15 minutes of the shake. I thought this was a minimum because i was able to drink the whole 4 ounces pretty much at once. BIG mistake. I suddenly got all bloated and gassy for the first time. I was extremely uncomfortable. I still am actually. So today, i have been doing what is instructed. One thing I have noticed.... I can't burp. I have the urge to but it never comes all the way up and out. Anyone else experience this?? It weird. I am still pretty sore in the port area. I am actually taking a bit of pain medicine for it. Having 2 little toddlers is definitley a challenge after surgery. I have a hard time bending over to pick stuff up. I was fixing them lunch and popped a piece of pasta in my mouth without even thinking about it! I quickly spit it out after I realized what I just did! I will have to say I am not hungry yet. The liquids are still satisfying and they will have to be until April 9th. Thats when I have my appointment to start pured foods. I hope i can last till then! I am just surprised on the amount of energy I have on really no calories. Its weird.   So far so good though!
Jilly29

Jilly29

4
Big Blog Girl
 

What I Did During My Lapband Vacation

It's official. I gained 6 lbs since my "unfill" on March 10. It's probably not a full 6 lbs because I'm very bloated in a womanly way - I'm guessing it's about 3 lbs once I unload all this fluid.   The thing is, I really don't feel badly about the weight gain. I've been able to wrap my head around the idea that this is a process and with any long term endeavor, there are ups and downs. In this case, it's still mostly downs (as in weight going down) and I'm way ahead of where I was mentally and physically, even a month ago. Sure, a month ago the weight was falling off but it was at the price of vomiting, feeling unwell and feeling mentally punished for being fat all the time.   With the unfill, I was able to replenish both my body and my mind. I like to think of this period as a mini vacation from the band that allowed me to refresh and start anew...just like coming back from vacation and going back to school or work.   Yesterday, I got a fill. Only 1cc which brought me back to 6cc, exactly what I had after my first fill. I couldn't feel any restriction when I had my soup for lunch and fluids go down fine but I decided on some soft cheese, salad and hummus for dinner and I could feel it. Yay! Restriction is back and not too much. I may still need another adjustment but I'm really ready to get back on the wagon and correct these bad patterns I fell right back into over the last month:   1) Drinking while eating 2) Bread, bread, bread 3) Eating too fast and not chewing well enough - even with very little restriction I had a bad PB incident with a bagel 4) Slider foods and candy 5) Diet soda 6) Booze 7) Snacking   It was a great vacation - eating, drinking, my birthday, having too much fun with food - but I'm back now and tightening the reins.   Happy Easter, Passover, Spring to all!
BarbaraWM

BarbaraWM

4
Blog 81095
 

Almost as exciting as setting my wedding date...

I have set my surgery date. DH came to the Drs. appt with me which is helping him feel a little bit better about the surgery. The surgeons wife is so involved and a great 'people' person. She explained to my DH that not only am I preventing health issues before they develop, I'm also entitled to look and feel good about myself. Thank you. DH is thinking that I'm all about the cosmetics, while important it's not the only reason I'm doing this. If it was I wouldn't opt for surgery.   So when is the big day?!!?!?!? May 14. It's a friday and then I'll be home with DH all weekend for him to take care of me! lol.   This means I start the pre-op liquid diet May 1. I already explained to the Dr. why I have such a hard time with the low carb. My workouts are still pretty intense and working overnights, there are times I stay awake for 24hours. If I allow an extra yogurt and take tylenol, Im ok. But between working as a nurse and driving home tired, it's not so safe to feel like that! :thumbup:   Well I was told I dont have a fatty liver and I've lost most of my pre-op weight required. I was required 12 lbs and I lost 8 lbs. I explained where Im having difficulties and basically was told to keep doing what I'm doing. I hope for the month of April to lose another 8lbs and make it more than I was supposed to! :tt1: Then anything lost on the liquid portion will just be extra!   I'm feeling pretty good about everything. It still feels surreal that I'm going ahead with this but I've been honest with the Drs. team. I guess everyone can feel the way I do at times.   I still am having a hard time telling others about this surgery. So far DH is the only person who knows and two friends know I'm thinking about it. I'm worried to tell my parents because they are moving soon and I don't want them to worry about leaving me or anything like that. DH is doing a good job supporting me. I hate feeling like I'm lying since I talk to my parents all the time. "So what's new?" "...Nothing..." ARGH!
Mel Mel

Mel Mel

5
Journey in the Future
 

One month post surgery

It is now one month since I had my Lap Band inserted at Emirates Hospital in Dubai. One night in hospital was followed by 2 nights in a hotel in Duabi just so I could access the hospital should I need to do so. (My choice). An uncomfortable two days with my stomach feeling like a corset was tightly strung inhibiting movement. Then day 3 arrived and movement was significantly easier and life seemed much more positive.   A return to Abu Dhabi and a further three days off work meant I could reflect on the sudden changes in my life - a lapband and a new apartment. Surrounded by boxes waiting to be unpacked I had to call on friends to assist in getting me the very basics of a bed organised. Now a month later my apartment is ship shape and I am already feeling clothes are loser and a spring is back in my step.   Weight loss to date is 10kg or 22lbs. No fill as yet as the surgeon here prefers to wait 6 weeks before doing this.   This have been going very smoothly no major issues with food. So far so good.
aklhoney

aklhoney

2
Blog 68671
 

Easter Challenge HOOORAY 290LBS

http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0AtJHinfw3ya3dFFUVUd5NVhreklrV3p1RlItVXcwd0E&hl=en     Congratulations to all of us!!!!! Grand Total 290lbs. That's like loosing me at the beginning of my journey!!! :thumbup:
kdee

kdee

1
Blog 89299
 

Anyone banded in TJ Mexico

I am scheduled for banding in TJ soon. Anyone have any insight on what to expect at the borders? All the news coming from this reigon is not very good so would like to hear your story and what to expect.... Thanks
PAK

PAK

1
Blog 89026
 

Too soon to go shopping

You know I have been working out, and I lost 7lbs and feeling kind of good, then it had to happen, I needed to go get something for Easter, went to the store and they had shit for clothes, nothing fit. nothing looked good. Lane Bryant is not for me.. the thought of goint to Catherines is just killing me, the I looked at my self and said OMG I cannot wait for this lap band I need this weight off and I need it off fast. I am so tired of being over weight I am so tired of not being able to buy nice clothes at JC Penny or Lord n taylor so sick of the fact that I cannot buy a nice pair of sandles or shoes for that fact that I can put my foot into as for I cannot wear any shoe because my foot is so always so damb swollen. it suck, cant buy shoes any place, target, walmart, payless. dsw.. no were.. it sucks, sucks sucks, and I have had it.. when will it change..   I go for my phys eval. which OMG I am acting like a crazy person right now so they would probley have me committed if they saw me today.. so after that I hope I get the date. I say JUNE 1.. that is when I went it.. I am ready ready ready..   Ok.. well Easter is coming and yes there is candy and yes there is food. am I going to eat it.. ? well I am not going to binge I am not going to eat and eat like I have always done, ok I will have a little of something and that is it. I am also going to committ to my self that I will in deed go for a walk at least twice this Holiday weekend, Charlie (my chubby dauchound) needs it as well as I   Well I am going to bed.. I needed to get that off my chest.. before you know I will be buying a sexy pair of capri's a hot top and some gold colored sandles. for a summer night..
msanitaml

msanitaml

1
Blog 84020
 

My 1st post

Hi everyone, This is my 1st post. I had LAP band surgery on Feb. 9th, everything seems easy and perfect (for now). Yesterday was my 1st fill and I am down 52 pounds! (my pre-op weight was 286). I feel happy and I hope it continues to be this easy.
TheLuckiest

TheLuckiest

1
Blog 85392
 

officially a bandster!

I was banded on march 30, tuesday. Everything went well, i have a lot of gas but other than that im relieved!! Not as bad as i thought! Down 16.2 pounds including my 2 week post op diet. Im excited to start my new journey....wish me luck!
trisha lynne

trisha lynne

3
The Sweet Spot
 

4/2/10 Blog Updates

3/22/10 7 Habits...Or Maybe 70... 3/23/10 Namaste 3/24/10 Tell All 3/24/10 I Died 3/25/10 I'm Coming Back Home (Parent's Move) 3/28/10 Prepped and Ready to Go 3/29/10 Surgery Update 3/30/10 A Bouncing Baby GB   3/31/10 b***h and Whine 4/1/10 Up 19 Pounds...and NowI know Why!! 4/1/10 Stiletto Award 4/2/10 My Crossover Addiction   All here: http://bandgroupieth...t.blogspot.com/
Band_Groupie

Band_Groupie

1
Blog 50043
 

first fill: DONE!

i just got back from my first official fill.   i had 2 ccs in my band, the surgeon wanted to put in 3 more. i told him id rather ease into it and just get 2 more rather than 3. he agreed that was fine.   fill was done with the fluoroscope. i felt a tiny pinch and some pressure. no pain at all. drank a cup of water and IMMEDIATELY felt the restriction! :w00t:   then i watched him pull the needle out. HOLY JEEZ! big freaking needle! it didnt hurt one bit tho!   im hoping this will help jump start my weight loss again.   im back on a week of liquids followed by a week of mushies before starting solids again.     and the journey continues!
harliquinn

harliquinn

1
Blog 68671
 

Easter challenge last weigh in!!!!

http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?k...tVXcwd0E&hl=en     Well folks this is our last weigh in and as usual I am doing this from work, so the link may not work. If someone can repost it, I appreciate it.   Anyhoot, I will post our VICTORIES, after work and congratulations to us that completed the challenge.   I wasn't as sucessful as planned, but am grateful for what I lost. This Easter will be the 1st Easter that I plan to participate in our annual family baseball game!!! Normally sat on the bench and cheered. I wouldn't have dreamt it before, but because of my weight loss and all of your support, I am so looking forward to it. Thank you! and may you and your family have a blessed Easter!!!
kdee

kdee

1
Blog 77505
 

I'm stuck

I was banded on 10/09/09 and was 269 & now I am 245 & I can not get passed 245. I don't know what to do:frown: I have had my 5th fill some months back. I am eating very little, I have started to get brittle nails, I do excersie but I can not get passed the 245 mark. Help any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Also, I don't think I'm getting enough protein either. I tried one vitiam it was for hair, skin & nails & I could not digest it. Again any & all suggestions are welcomed please
mscheal04

mscheal04

4
Blog 82799
 

Insurance Approval?! 4/1/10

I think I might be approved! I sure hope it's not an April Fool's Day joke   I've been checking on triwest.com to keep tabs on my claims & pre-approvals. The claim for my consultation showed up on 3/29 and as of today, still says "in-process".   Today listings for "office consultation", "esophagus endoscopy", and "office/outpatient visit x3" popped up in the authorization & referral status area of the site. All three things were marked "approved".   Could it be true? Man, I hope so!
desperate4aband

desperate4aband

1
Blog 82799
 

Consultation 3/24/10

Today I had my much anticipated Lap Band consultation at Dr. Oh/Dr. Hirai's office in Federal Way. Oy vey! I forgot to double check to see where I actually needed to go! There were several phone numbers and addresses listed on the paperwork from the seminar. I tried to call before I left the house, but it was during the lunch hour - they don't answer the phone between 12pm & 1pm... I decided I'd go to the address for a clinic that's a few blocks from the main hospital. I thought I'd be early enough that I could run to the correct place if need be. I live around an hour's drive away from their office. I was really nervous so I ended up getting there nearly 30 minutes early. The parking was very limited. Walking through the older office building is almost like a maze. I'm sure I'll be able to find it all in my sleep by the time this is all done, but it was a little confusing for a first-timer. Once I made it to the right office, I found that the receptionist was super nice! She handed me about 10-12 pages of paperwork to fill out. I was done with them long before my appointment time. Since it was in the afternoon, they were running behind schedule. I was called back to be weighed, etc. a little after 3pm (my appt was for 2:40pm). Apparently I'm 5' 5 3/4" tall. Huh? I've been going around for years thinking that I'm 5' 8". Oh well, it works in my favor for WLS! I waited in the exam room for around an hour. It was so quiet out in the hall that I almost started to think that everyone went home for the day. :eek: It was after 4pm when Dr. Oh came to see me. A friend of mine who has gone through the process with them, told me that Dr’s Oh and Hirai often switch & cover for each other. Honestly, I was a little scared when he walked through the door. I made my appt to see Dr. Hirai. I guess they really do switch/swap/cover each other’s appointments! I’d heard some less-than-glowing reviews of Dr. Oh’s bedside manner, so I was quite nervous. I’m happy to say that my experience with him thus far was positive! He was very nice. He had me sit in the chair next to his desk and asked me questions from a form, rapid fire. “Do you hurt here? Do you have this? Does your family have that? What surgeries have you had? What medications do you take?” and so on. He pulled out the ol’ stethoscope and listened to me breathe. He checked my belly button. He said he wanted me to stop at the front desk on the way out & schedule an upper GI endoscopy and follow-up. I asked him about pre-op weight loss – my friend told me Dr. Oh requires a 10% loss. He confirmed that & said he’d send everything to my insurance for approval, and we were out the door. Since I homeschool and my DH is in the military, I needed to bring my son with me. I was nervous about that – afraid they’d kick me out the door when I tried to check in. Luckily it didn’t happen. I’ve had chats with my DS about the lap band, all the appointments I’d need, etc. in age-appropriate terms. He has done really well sitting still and being quiet. Part of it might be the heavy bribery I did, :w00t: but either way I’m so thankful that he’s been a perfect gentleman and that the people at the doctor’s office have been ok with him being there! However, I’m not thrilled about the endoscopy appointment. The earliest I could get in is five weeks from my consultation. I also am required to have a driver. Huh? Nothing like making it simple for a homeschooling mom with a DH in the military and no family in the state. Sheesh! I hope I can find someone to go with me.
desperate4aband

desperate4aband

1
Blog 82799
 

Visit to My PCM 3/18/10

I thought I could skip a visit to my Primary & charge straight ahead to my LAP-BAND consultation.   At the last minute, I panicked. I called to squeeze in an appointment with my Primary & had to move my LAP-BAND consultation for the week after that.   I want things in this process to go as smoothly as possible & I knew that Dr. Hirai's office requires a thumbs up from your Primary.   I've got "issues" with visiting the doctor so I try to put it off unless necessary...   Despite the fact that I was lucky to find a civilian who takes my insurance, too much abuse from military doctors over the years has turned me into a seriously nervous Nellie whenever there's an appointment on the calendar!   Plus, I knew I'd need to see someone new at the clinic I'd been going to as the Primary I'd been seeing quit working there. Add another thing to the "nerve-wracking column"!   Anyway, I had been experiencing widespread joint & muscle pain for quite some time so I made an appointment for that and to talk about WLS.   Thank Heaven that my new Primary is a lovely woman who acutally listened to me AND believed me!?! Go figure! It's been years since I've had that!   She suspects that I may have fibromyalgia so she sent me for bloodwork to rule out other schtuff. She was very supportive when I brought up WLS.   Whew!
desperate4aband

desperate4aband

1
Blog 82799
 

Getting the Ball Rolling! 3/3/10

I attended a seminar with Dr. Hirai on March 3, 2010.   Pretty much the same info that I received at the seminar I attended with Dr. Neal at Pacific Surgical back in 2006. Insurance wouldn't cover a band back then, Pac Surgical doesn't accept my insurance, and I couldn't pay out of pocket at the time, so I couldn't go any further...   At the end of the seminar I ran up to the front to put my name on the list for a consultation appointment!   I hope everything will go smoothly & things will fall into place with the timeline I'm up against.   It will be tricky, being a homeschooling mom with a DH who is about to leave for a partial deployment. Ugh.
desperate4aband

desperate4aband

1
Blog 57021
 

Omg!! Too tight again!!!!

Well I ended up going to see my surgeon again. Under fluro 6 weeks after having a removal I had to have even more removed. Not much but it was enought to finally feel better. I can finally eat something again. Yogurt had even started to be a problem. I feel much better today, no headache any more and I don't have a tight chest pain in the middle of my chest. I can breath again.
rorochef

rorochef

3
Blog 52574
 

Entering the Land of Real Restriction

Yep, I'm finally here. That fourth fill on Monday did the trick. By yesterday afternoon, I decided to try some real food. First, I had a yogurt which went down real slow. Then, I tested myself w/a solid dinner of chicken apple sausage, asparagus (slightly overcooked on purpose), and pasta. I took very small portions and cut everything super small. The skin on the sausage was a little irritating, but went down OK. But, having the leftovers today at lunch, I got stuck bad. Still no PB. I had to just tough it out until it passed through. Lesson learned... remove the skin on sausage!!! :eek:   Its kinda like now is when I really GOT my band. All of the stuff they taught me that I would need to do (small small bites and chew chew chew) was not necessary before and now, all of a sudden, it is. I'm gonna take it easy w/dinner tonight and maybe just have lentil stew or a black bean soup that has been waiting in my pantry for just such an occasion. The really good thing is that I'm still not hungry so I really don't care what I eat.   I am a little worried about tomorrow, though. I'm going to a friend's wedding tomorrow night and have no idea what is on the menu or if it will be buffet or served to us. I usually am not a fan of buffets, but I am really really hoping for a buffet this time so I can pick out just a little of the things that I think will work for me. I just really don't want to end up having a stuck episode in public and at a special event like that. My plan is to locate the nearest bathroom ahead of time and cut my food really really really small.   Working in my favor are two things. First, all of my friends know I am banded and I am sure she will have sat us all together. So, at least all of my tablemates will know why I am eating such miniscule portions and skipping on meat or dry chicken if that's what is served. They are all very supportive too and won't make me feel weird about it. The other thing is that the bride's own mother is actually banded. So, maybe, just maybe, the menu is actually band friendly. Could I actually be that lucky? :w00t:   And then as soon as I survive this wedding, what do I have next? Easter dinner! At least I am hosting so I get to choose the menu. I'm gonna make ham and really creamy delicious scalloped potatoes. Haven't figured out the rest of the meal, but my MIL is bringing baked apples (totally soft and band friendly) and coconut cream pie. Yum! Still gotta figure out some other sides. Really, I think the ham is the only thing that I'm not sure of. I have never baked a ham myself and just hope I can do a good job so it is not dry. And, the good thing is that the only outside guests are my inlaws and they also know I'm banded and are supportive.   You know, the thing is that even though everyone knows about my band and is totally supportive. They just haven't seen me ever get stuck before. :eek: And, I would hate to have that happen in front of them and then have them think badly about the band. All of us who are banded know its a learning curve. Every time we get a fill, we have to relearn what works for us and what doesn't. But, from an outsider's perspective, they see you get stuck or in pain once and they think... oh, the band is bad, makes you sick all the time. Oh well, I guess I can't start worrying now about what people think.
adagray

adagray

5
Blog 85448
 

A Trip to the Tailor

I'm blessed with a really great tailor - Chris. Her s-i-l had lapband so she gets it. She's also straight up about what she can and can't do. I really hate shopping - I've said it before - even when I was a size 8/10 I hated it. So I naively thought that I'd just had everything taken in - they do it with wedding gowns don't they? Well, Chris had me try on what I brought including a couple of brand new size 24 Charter Club "Allison" pants..which were too small when I bought them in January. She was honest - they were too big to take in and the inseam(crotch) was so low it just wasn't flattering. So I guess it's time to face facts and go through my closets - Consignment stores here I come! Oh - my shoes are now loose too. Better not let my husband see the shopping bags!
RavenClaw779

RavenClaw779

1
Blog 85448
 

Some Real Nutritional Info - From a Reliable Source

Met with my NUT practice today(not the one affliated w/my surgeon). I explained that I was confused about what to eat and how much(don't know about everyone else, but I've gotten so many conflicting tidbits that I've got pages of notes). So the ladies get out the ADA Pocket Guide to Bariatric Surgery - Appendix C - LAGB Stages and Postadjustment Diet Instructions. Right there on the front it says, "Note: There is no evidence supporting a specific diet transition. Expert opinion suggests (a) a staged approach; ( diet advanced as tolerated. Some other notes of interest: Stage III (whole grain crackers may be added to eat with protein) StageIV (your calorie needs are based on height, weight , age and activity - so much for the "1,000 calorie" pat answer)   Another great help was the ADA's EatRight - Bariatric Surgery Blended and Pureed Nutrition Therapy which provided a Sample Menu by Hour with amounts to consume - you are literally eating or drinking every hour from 8am to 10pm! I had no clue - so this will help as I go through the stages again following my fills.
RavenClaw779

RavenClaw779

1
Blog 59174
 

Today I had a fill....

Or so I thought. I went to my Dr's ofc and after a 45 minute wait, I went back to get my fill. I was superexcited to get back on track. Well, due to my acid reflux I was doing a barium swallow fill, and after he filled me and then stood me up to drink, he ended up UNFILLING me slightly. I can't believe I am paying like 300 for him to take some out! How rude! Grrrr. I don't know what else to say!
princessmoni

princessmoni

1

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