Aummie58

I keep copies of the two pictures I allowed at my heaviest on my cell phone. I show them to people to help motivate them. I feel if I could do it I want to help others. But I had to search to find a picture since I was always the one behind the camera.

I was able to get approved with a BMI of 35 and at least two co morbidities. My insurance also required that I lose 10%of my weight pre op which would have put me below the BMI of 35. I got letters from 5 different physicians supporting my need for surgery. When I was initially denied by the first line of insurance nurses it was not difficult to get approval based on all of the letters I have obtained.

I have a box of pants in the garage that I hung onto when I knew I was going to be banded. I am looking forward to getting them out and trying them on. I also had pants that I could barely get fastened preop. They are starting to get loose now and that is exciting.

I had to give up my Diet Pepsi Wild Cherry which I consumed in a large scale preop so I am not going to give up totally on caffeine. I know it can cause dehydration but I am willing to just drink more mostly ice tea. I really don;t like water even if it is flavored.

It s good to hear that it takes a while for the swelling to go down. Mine is still swollen at the port site and everything else seems to be back to normal.Just looks like a lump.... looking forward to it not being so obvious

I don;t have any fitness pals yet but would like some support. Feel free to add me Aummie53

Banded on June 5th back to working out June 14th at a step aerobics class ( without the step) I took my first step class today with a step and no risers yet.. I walked 1-2 miles a day the first post op week. I am anxious to get back into my water aerobics class but can;t until all my steri strips start to peel ( per my surgeon) Frustrating!!

I am having the same issue and am still on full liquids so am worried about when I start eating real food. I have to drink a lot extra anyway because of a medical condition. So it is a struggle. I guess we will get used to it but I am so ingrained with drinking with meals.

I lost 100 pounds and have regained some of it which is why I pursued banding. I exercise 5-7 times a week. I find that my exercise keeps me more on an even keel emotionally. I find when I am sad that exercising is the best thing to do... I always feel better afterwards. I do have to push myself sometimes but never regret it.

The first day after surgery was the worst for me. My MD showed up and I told him there was no way I could go home that day. He said I could stay if I couldn't tolerate liquids. I managed fluids and felt better as the day went on. Now 11 days post op the only pain is right at the port. It is still swollen there and a bit bruised. Day 2 and 3 were a bit rough but it helped to be home. I should add that I have had 7 surgeries in the past 7 years so getting through surgery is a bit of a predictable path for me. If it is your first surgery it is hard to put it all into perspective but it does get better every day. Hang in there.

I take several meds that can't be crushed and that is tme released I am not taking my singular and Niaspan yet. Was told to wait and should be able to take them in month

Ouch.... if it makes you feel any better I know I stopped my pain meds ( narcotics) three days after surgery and then went only with Tylenol. I took my last dose at 5 days post op and now just deal with the occasional pain. It will get better and you will get encouraged when you see the scale going down. Can you use a hot or warm compress on your abdomen?

Mine is on the left side about 4 inches from my belly button. It hurts now when I am driving and and have to bend. Hoping it will get better with time. It is still noticeably swollen. I was banded on June 5th

Getting off of Diet soda really gives me the shakes.. I so miss my Diet Pepsi Wild Cherry. I was soooo addicted!!

You may need some medication to decrease your nausea. I would check in with your MD. The port site is going to be sore for a bit because of how it was put in.

I was banded on 6/5/12 and have lost 10 pounds so far

Great job. Keep up the good work

I also was banded on June 5th. I am walking 1-2 miles a day but am tired when I get home. We have had several parties to be at but I brought my own food so it was not too bad. The hardest part was our church festival... they ran out of BBQ chicken before I could buy one to freeze for a few weeks down the road. I am on liquids only and see my surgeon on Wednesday. I gained 8 pounds during the surgery but have lost that plus 6 more as of this morning. I am a daily weigher which I know is not the best but have been doing it for 5 years. I really don't like sweet liquids but have been enjoying Greek yogurt and cream of chicken soup I put hot sauce in. Also struggling to get enough liquids in. I am still swollen mostly over the port. It seems to be quite noticeable right now so I hope it settles down at some point. Hang in there... we will all be back to normal soon!

I think we all need to remember that our weight didn't go on overnight and it will not fall off overnight. It is healthier to have it slide off slowly rather than dropped quickly. It is a lot for our bodies to adjust to and we are programmed to hang on to our weight so it takes some time for the body to adjust otherwise. Hang in there.... I have chosen to tell very few people about the surgery so I won't get all those questions.

I was just banded last week and have lost since then. I came into the banding process since I do know how to lose weight. I lost 102 pounds in 2 years but could not keep it all off. I have found through TOPS ( Take Off Pounds Sensibly) how to gradually lose and maintain weight in the long run. I was banded because even with working out 5-7 hours a week and eating reasonably I put back on 35 pounds and could not get my control back. I can tell you that losing 1-2 pounds a week is much easier on your system and it does not cause skin sagging or massive hair loss. I have a friend who had GB in November and has lost over 80 pounds but her her hair is falling out and she looks 10 years older. So be patient... it is worth waiting for!!

I was so happy to get on the scale today..... down 8 pounds from pre op finally!! Not really hungry but BOY are there food ads on TV and smells are bothering me as well. SO we will see.

I am impressed. I gained 8 pounds during the surgery so am now back to where I was preop on Tuesday. I hope to see some loss tomorrow