jetti

I have not had my gallbladder removed since I have the band - I acutally had it out about 12 years ago - but I have read about quite alot of people having it removed after being banded. It seems very common so I think you will be ok.

good luck to you and your coworker on your journey!!

My cravings for fast food and junk food have all gone away. I will sometimes get a sudden urge for McDonalds when someone at my office is eating it but it goes away in a few minutes and im over it. One of my addictions is chocolate and I still have some a few times a week in small quantities of course but nothing like before I had surgery. good luck to you!

I have been banded a little over 6 months and still cant feel my port. I have an idea of where it is because when laying on a big exercise ball at the gym I can sometimes feel it pushing on something but I have not gone around poking my belly to find it...it kind of freaks me out :-)

congrats on your great work!!! keep it up and you will be "normal" in no time at all.

I was banded by Dr Bertha of Advance Laproscopic Surgeons in Florham Park. He works with Dr Abkin and they do surgeries out of St Clares Hospital in Dover, Morristown Memorial and St Peters in New Brunswick. I also attended seminars for Dr Ballantyne and Dr Capella out of Hackensack and I am sure they are great doctors I just didnt get that comfort feeling I did when I attended the seminar help by Dr Bertha's office.

I have BCBS of NJ and started my 6 month diet and monthly visits to my PCP before I even pick who the surgeon that I wanted to do my band. I knew it was required so I started as soon as I could so that when I finally picked my band doctor I would be a little ahead of the game. It worked out well for me - I had my first visit with my surgeon on 10/19 and had my surgery on 11/6

Alicia I was not bedridden but I did spend most of my time on the couch. I was more sore then anything not much pain - and I am a chicken when it comes to pain. After a few days I would walk around the house to get my body going and when that got boring about a week and a half after surgery I would walk on the treadmill at a VERY low speed just to keep myself moving fpr about 10-15 minutes at a time. It was November so it was too cold to walk outside so thats why I used the treadmill. I do remember getting winded quickly but I would take my time and just do what I could.

Lisa - I didnt weigh myself at the beginning and before I new it when I went to my doctor for my 2 week post op visit I was down almost 20 pounds. He didnt seem worried at that time so I just assumed that it was normal. when you go to the doctor I am sure he will let you know if there is reason to worry. I didnt get to much protein in during the first few weeks for the same reason as you. just keep up the good work and you will be fine

welcome to the board Trish!!! It is a little quiet around here but once everyone gets going there is no stopping us!

sorry to hear about your accident Sherry. I hope you feel better soon. Get some rest!

Hi ladies!!

I agree that portion control plays the biggest part. make sure you keep your portions small and eat proteins first. also start working out as soon as your doctor says you can. I started by doing the treadmill at home first and when I got bored of that I joined a gym and now I love going. I do 2 classes a day and they are fun so that makes me want to keep going. I have been lucky because I am over 6 months out and still dont have a fill and I am continuing to lose weight. keep up the good work and you will be just fine

I am 6 months out and yeah I have some saggy skin and will most likely have a little more but I would rather have empty saggy skin that fluffy skin full of fat...thats my look on it :-)

I would love to be an exercise buddy with you ladies!! I have a little head start because I was banded back in November and started the gym in January but I can still use a buddy! Moon - find something you love to do at the gym and you will stick to it and see the pound roll off. I enjoy the classes that are given at my gym and get mad when I can make it.

Stay positive Ailie I had 2 wisdom teeth pulled about 10 days before my band surgery so you may still be ok...good luck

Good luck Kat!!! cant wait to hear from you when you come back.

Harts you are doing a great job losing without a fill so why get one when its not needed? by waiting to get one you will save yourself room in your band to get filled when you really need it. I am just over 6 months out and I have yet to have a fill. If you continue on the pace you are on now it will not take 3 years to lose 65 pounds - Im down 60 from my surgery date - and once you start working out - if you choose to do that - you will lose even more. I was actually glad at my 1 1/2 and 3 month visits when my Dr said that I didnt need a fill. I am sure I eat more then the average banded but as long as I am losing weight to me that as all that matters. Keep up the good work and you will be just fine.

thanks Marisa

It doesnt have to be only in Essex County just in the area. I think I am just going to wait until the end of the month and go to the one held at my doctors office.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to all you beautiful moms!!

just popping in to say have a great weekend to everyone! Im going dancing tonight and I am EXCITED!!!! I love to dance plus it is great exercise so its a double bonus for me!

I now understand. I didnt realize Pat was talking about on this board. I thought it was something in the "real world" DUH me!

hmm I have no idea what that means...can you use it in a sentence?

Im from North Jersey - Essex County - so im looking for something in this area.