Short and Chunky

Way to go Robbie - passing on Chik Fil A is not easy. Glad you are getting ready to start the journey to surgery. It took me almost 3 months, so hang in there. My surgery was on 7/7 and I am down 45 pounds and counting. I feel great and have tons of energy. The band can't do anything about the car trouble but look at it this way, the next time it breaks down, you can walk to get help and use that as exercise towards your goal. Congratulations and good luck - remember patience ! Melinda

I am 7 weeks post op and down 45 pounds. I have had one fill and another is scheduled for this Friday. My Doc is moving slowly too but I find myself getting very hungry about 4 hours after eating. He does not want me to eat between meals but when you are so hungry that has been very hard. I look forward to my next fill and finding my "sweet spot". Have not had any vomiting or slimming and I am currently walking 2-3 miles per day and tossing in some swimming too. Good luck to all the bandsters out there and thanks so much for the support and the postings, it really helps to know you at not alone in this process.

Hey Reyanne, I am 7 weeks post op and doing great. I feel wonderful (really no different than before). I had lapband and plication so my recovery was about 4-5 days rather than 1-3 but doing great. What they tell you about gas and pain in your shoulder is true, but hang in there and know it will go away (heating pad was my best friend). I walk 2-3 miles everyday and just completed my first 5K. I am 59 yrs old and my kids are grown too. I am now down 45 pounds. Feel free to contact me if you want to talk. I am happy with my band, but follow the docs directions (although the liquid diet is a killer) and you will be happy too - not only pain wise but with your weight loss. I have had one fill and have another on on Friday. Good luck with your surgery and stay in touch.... Melinda

You guys made me laugh - thanks for that. I had my first fill this AM and feel good although I am hungry - this liquid thing just stinks. Down 41 pounds in 1 month + 2 days so I am happy so far. I guess I may be different since I had Plication with my lapband. Hope I don't have any issues when I begin to eat again but I now know what to expect - Thanks to everyone for your great posts - it really helps those of us who are a few days/weeks behind you.

Would love to stay in touch with you too. The Plication is probably why I returned to work on Wednesday (following a Thurs surgery) instead of the Monday like Dr. Cywes stated. It was OK though - now that being said. I had a hernia repair, lapband and Plication. I am also 59 yrs old (but in very good health). For 4-5 days, I thought I was going to DIE. My blood pressure dropped very low and I felt wierd. I gagged on evertyhing and my body was saying NO more liquids - you need something more substantial. I actually ate 1/2 cup of potato soup and I was a new woman and then on the road to recovery. Between surgery and my 1 week appointment I dropped 15.5 pounds ! I returned to working full time and driving myself to work 9 days after the sugery. My port spot and naval area are a bit sore but not bad. I am eating solid food (just not much). For me, the Plication was wonderful and I am glad I had it done. In fact at my last pre-op appointment (I was in a group of 6 that day) all 6 had the Plication and when I saw them at their post op appointment NO ONE was sorry. I know it is still in the investigation stage but go on-line and do your own research. I only found 2 surgeons in Florida doing them. Cywes and one in Palm Beach. It is reversable and I think it is going to give me what I need to finally loose my weight. I have plans on loosing 108 pounds - as of today, I am down 25.5 of those pounds so hey, something is working. I am not scheduled to get a fill until 8/9. Since you said your surgery is not until Sept. you have time to give it some thought and some research but I for one am very happy. 2 weeks tomorrow ! Stay in touch and good luck with your decision and your weight loss., Melinda

I was banded (with plication) on 7/7. I have lost 26 pounds but none this week. I guess my body is just catching up. I am finding that I get hungry some (usually around 4 pm) so I am looking forward to me first fill on 8/9. Gas was awful for a few days and due to the heat I am having some issues walking but I still find time to do it for at least 20 min a day. Due to the "double" surgery I will have a bit longer recovery time. I am really suprised how good I do feel and I am back to work full time. Looking forward to hearing from you guys. FYI, I began eating regular food on Fri 7/15 and not having any problems. Have a great day to all from warm and sunny Florida Melinda

Good Luck LeeLee. I have finished my liquid pre-op diet and post-op diet (I was banded on 7/7). I must be honest. I thought I was going to DIE. I got the shakes and my blood pressure went way down. I felt awful (this is near the end). But I hung in there because I knew I had to do this in order to get my surgery and now I am SOOOOOO glad I did. I got the laband with plication and I feel great. Sure the first 4 days weren't all that, but after that I began to move and started putting food back in me and I became a new person. Last night I had red meat, squash and a small salad (full tummy) Felt great. From my pre-op appointment to my post surgery appointment (last Friday) - in 3 weeks 25.5 pounds down !!!! Yea for me. It was worth it and I would recommend it to anyone who asks. Just keep telling youself, this is the hardest part of this whole thing and in a few days this will be behind you and a skinner future awaits. Good Luck...

I had my surgery on 7/7 and the gas pains are awful. I was supposed to return to work today but with a belly that looks prego - I don't think so. Any suggestions out there. I had lapband with plication. Short, chunky and bloated

OK, my doctor says you can have diet soda (as tolerated) and diet drinks but water is best. I agree with others, you have to do what feels right for you and as long as you have results, then it is working "for you". I am having issues with the pre-op liquid diet and I am about to croke but my surgery is tomorrow so I guess I will live.

I too have Tricare and they did not require the 6 month pre-op diet. My doctor did not require it either. I did have a two week diet and today is my 2nd day of the liquid diet as my surgery is tomorrow. Be thankful you have Tricare !

OMG, I am in day two of the pre-op liquid diet and I think I am going to die. My medication makes me sick and everything I look at reminds me of FOOD. Thank goodness my surgery is tomorrow. So glad to have found this July bandsters group. I am in Jacksonville, Fl. and my insurance is paying the bill but wow am I hungry !

I am having Lap-Band with Plication on 7/7. My doctor highly recommend it but did say it is still in the investigation stage. He says he charges $800 additional to do the Plication but as long as it is still investigational he charges nothing - so, I am having it done. I have lost 12 pounds on the pre-surgery diet and am doing the serious diet starting today. Not looking forward to the clear liquids thing on Tues and Wed but hey, if it helps me heal faster yeah. I asked about returning to work and he said I could go back to work on Monday and drive myself there. He even said I could climb stair when I get home and this thing is being done as an outpatient., Can't be too bad. I'll keep you guys posted on how it goes. I am Florida and this is becoming all the rage down here.

Gingy and others out there who have had the Banded Gastric Plication. I am having it done on 7/7 and am so looking forward to moving on with this thing. My Doctor introduced this option to myself and 5 other syesterday. He said he has seen wonderful results with little or no difference regarding recovery. I have lost 12 pounds in my pre-surgery diet (2 weeks). Starting today NO CARBS but all the steak my heart desires. My doctor is big on the high protein-low carb diet - he is 100% on that bandwagon (he has a band himself). I would love to hear how all of you are doing and how your weight loss has been. I would also like to hear how you are feeling now and if you would do it again. The doctor said I can change my mind on the Plication all the way up to falling asleep. Right now I have not heard anything that is making me back down. I have 100 pounds still to loose and this sounds like the best option for me. Please post and let me hear from you. I do feel alone on some of this as it is so new.

Hey, I am a July bander...My Date is July 7th. I have been doing a modified Weight Watchers diet for the past two weeks and lost 12 pounds. I am so looking forward to having the surgery behind me and moving on. I do try not to read anything negitive. I don't need that at this point in the process. So good luck to all you July bandsters and I will be posting off and on.

My surgery is July 7th and I am getting a bit anxious. I have been watching (and journaling) what I eat now for two weeks and lost 12 pounds. I am not looking forward to the pre-surgery liquid diet. I understand that is really tough and I will be working those two days. I see my surgeon next week and I will get more info from him then. I have made myself several soups and bought my popsicles. I also have stocked up on SF Jello. As for protein shakes - they all tast like mud to me. The only one I like is Carnation Instant Breakfast so I guess it will have to do. I have bought 7 different kinds of protien shakes to date and not liked any of them. Oh well, I guess that is how I got where I am with my weight. FYI, I am a 59 year old female with a BMI of 36 (thanks to my recent weight loss) and my insurance is paying all but $25 of this proceedure - I am blessed with that anyway. I am really going to rely on this website. It has answered more of my questions than anyone else. Thank you to all out there.