Donna113

Why did you have to have 2 operations?

As in most hinsight situations, once you've made up your mind to do something and do it, you often wish you had done it sooner (especially if the outcome is positive). Having said that, WLS is a difficult decision to make and not one that should be entered into lightly for a variety of reasons. I am glad I decided to do it (12 days post op) and wish I had done it sooner but it took me a very long time to admit to myself that I couldn't do it alone and that I need help. Also, WLS means you change the way you eat for the rest of your life and if you have a food addiction you have to face that fact as well. So yes, I wish I had done it sooner, but I didn't realize it until after the fact.

Did you only have problems with shrimp after you got a fill? I haven't had a fill yet and had several pieces of shrimp yesterday with no problems. Is shrimp something I will have to watch out for after I get my first fill?

I told anyone who cared to listen. I've had a lifetime of keeping secrets and found that whether it's secret worthy or not, the secrets only hurt the ones that keep them. I have to admit that I've been rather surprised at the response. I expected guarded responses (judgmental responses aimed at seeming neutral) but I received very positive responses such as "I'm so proud of you!" and "Good Luck!"

I'm almost embarrassed to state that I only lost 10 lbs total and then it looks like I put 1.5 back on just yesterday! I lost most of it in the first week and today is day 12 post op and I haven't lost anything in over a week. I did not go on a post-op diet so had no post-op weight loss. Although I have not had a fill yet, I am still only taking in between 800-1200 calories per day and some days a lot less than that. I guess I'm just a slow loser.

Hi Jill. I'm in the Houston area and was banded by Dr. Spivak on July 16, 2008. I still get excited when I see someone who's been banded by Dr. Spivak, too. I can't wait until I get my fill. Now that I've recovered from the surgery it's almost like nothing happened. My appetite is not quite what it was pre-banding but I can certainly eat more than a cup of food at a sitting if I allowed myself. Did you find it very difficult until you got your first fill?

I am a bit frustrated and puzzled about my weight loss. I lost 9 lbs in the first 3 days after surgery then another lb 4 days later for a total of 10 lbs in the first week. I haven't lost a single lb since then and I don't understand why I haven't lost since I'm sure my calories are between 800-1000 per day. Some days I think I only manage 500. Anyone have any ideas about my weight loss pattern?

Thank you! It worked.

Wow, you and I are band sisters and both in Houston, Texas. I see we had different doctors. I had my surgery at 7515 Main Street. Where did you have yours?

Thanks! I'm looking forward to the rest of my life. I'm so excited for you that you are just 5 days away. I don't know if I was just lucky or if my surgeon was just extra good but I had no pains or complications. Not even gas pains and now it's day 9 post op. My appetite is going berserk on me. Sometimes I'm so hungry I think I can eat horse and other times I have no appetite at all.

How do you get the July 08 Butterfly banner?

Hello fellow July Bandsters! I'm a happily married mother of 2 children (boy 15 and girl 8). I am a paralegal who negotiates contracts for corporations. Today is day 9 post op and I'm looking forward to each new day because I know that every new day brings me one step closer to a healthier, lighter me! Oh, to be thin again and be free from fat! I remember how it used to feel and I can't wait.

I have a couple of questions: Where did you get the July 08 Butterflies banner? I'd like to have one, too. I'm just shocked that you had WLS so soon after giving birth and the doc restricted you to such low cal. How are you able to function with the surgery and the newborn on so little nutrients?

Can you tell me about your head hunger and how that feels different from physical hunger? I'm just 9 days post op.

I was banded a week ago so I look carefully at everyone's weight loss and when I see people who've had a lot of weight loss within just a couple of weeks of banding, I wonder why I only lost 9.5 lbs but then when I see people who've been banded for 2 months and they've lost less than 20 lbs, I wonder what they're doing wrong. I know this is crazy thinking so someone please step in and tell me to get a grip!!!!

Thanks everyone. This really helps especially since I'm now starting my second week and starving! I can't believe I have to wait at least 3 more weeks to get a fill...... I want to yell give me one now because these portions ain't doing it! Any advice?

Not drinking with my meals has been difficult because I have always drank with my meals my entire life. I drink up to meal times but wait at least 1/2 hour after meals before I drink. I don't like it but I didn't like getting so fat that I had to undergo WLS. After going through WLS and paying all that money to change my life, I'm not going to sabotage myself by not following the rules.

Hi, Kacee. I see you are now one year banded and below your goal. Do you still go to Dr. Spivak's support groups? I just got banded by him last week and plan on attending my first support group meeting on 8/5.

Long2bFree, you and I are practically band twins. I had mine one day before you. Let's try to keep in touch.

Look how much you've lost so far! That's awesome! I can't wait until I can put up a 75 lbs lost banner.

I've just been banded a week but started hearing that noise within the 2nd day. I used to hear that noise before I got fat. That just means you have an empty stomach. The reason why I'm fat is because I haven't allowed my stomache to empty. I don't think that sound should alarm you at all; you should rejoice that you have enough control to let your stomach empty from time to time.

Do you have to self-pay for all the PS, even the ones to correct prior PS? If so, do you mind sharing with us how much they cost? I'm thinking that once I lose the weight I will need a lower body lift and want to prepare myself for the cost.

My doctor says that statiscally the average bander loses 50% of their excess weight in 18 months to 3 year and keep it off. Some lose more and some lose less but if you lose 50% of excess weight, then you are considered a success. I hope and plan to lose all of my excess weight but now I know that means that it is entirely up to me to do so.

DO NOT PICK A DOCTOR BASED ON FEES/COSTS!!! This is your life and it's important that you pick a doctor with the BEST track record and not one who's the most convenient or the cheapest.