AmySays

Hello friends! I haven't been on in awhile, I've been pretty busy! My surgery was 12/12/12 and so far I've lost 38lbs. I had my 2nd fill earlier this week and I'm at 4.4ccs now. I'm working hard at the gym 5-6 days a week (2 days aqua Zumba, 2 days land Zumba + strength training), 1day dedicated strength training, 1day H2O/water calisthenics). I can cross my legs, I can hold a notepad on my lap & write... and I'm wearing pants that button & zip (I've been in elastic waists for 2+ years)!! There are so many little things that have made this all worth it. I'm averaging 10lbs lost a month & have a ways to go, but, so far so good! So glad I made this life-changing decision!

I was banded 12/12/12 and just had my first fill on 1/16/13. I feel hungrier now (less satisfied with 1/2-1c of food) than I did before my fill! Has anyone walked away from a fill feeling LESS restriction?!? My surgeon put 2cc (turned out to be 2.8 when NP measured it during 1st fill) and NP added 1cc. So I'm now at 3.8cc and hungry!

I bought a pill splitter and cut the larger pills into 4-6 pieces. I can get them down that way without them tasting *too* bad.

Amazon has Syntrax for $32.41 (2lb). It's a little less expensive than Bariatric Pantry & it qualifies for Super Saver (or Prime if you have it) shipping. You can get it even cheaper (30.79) if you do Subscribe & Save. I LOVE their cappuccino flavor. Fuzzy Naval is also good.

Moo, yes, I get hiccups (somewhat painful since I'm still healing) if I drink or eat too fast. Many people also say that hiccups are a sign to stop eating. My first episode was after eating a 1/4C of applesauce. I just ate it too quickly & didn't stick to "band-size" bites. It's a learning experience. We'll get there!

I'm 14 days post op & had my pity party yesterday. It was just a mini-party though. I was sitting there (with very uncomfortable port pain) and broke down. I simply whispered, "I'm sorry..." and my husband asked what I was talking about. I told him I was sorry I let myself get this way - to the extreme of needing surgery. He just looked at me with a kind smile & said, "it's a fresh start." And I realized, he is so right! It's a fresh start for us all. I'm sure I'll probably go through a few more moments like that, but I'll get through it. We all will.

Hi Cookie, I was banded on 12/12/12 as well. That feeling you're describing is the same that I'm having. I don't know if its even possible, but its almost as if I can shift my torso & feel exactly where my band is.

I'm on Day 7 & I'm moving to mushy food. So far, the only thing I've done is have my tomato soup without diluting it, lol. I'm still in a bit of pain when I move, but I'm trying to get around & do more (other than lifting) for myself. I have NO idea how anyone has gone back to work after even 5 days! Or maybe I'm just a big baby, lol.

Rhonda, you were just banded on the 10th... don't get discouraged. I think these feelings are normal, sweetie. You'll get through this and come out on the other side so much healthier, just give it time. Take it one day at a time & try not to get overwhelmed. We just went through a MAJOR surgery, there has to be a MAJOR healing period. Each day will get a little better. :wub:

The nurse that took care of me in recovery was good, but there was another one there that I was glad I didn't have! She just kept barking orders at the poor patient she was with. I was up walking back & forth and I was so tempted to hobble over & give her a piece of my mind! No one needs to be yelled at when coming out of anesthesia! Especially by the person who is supposed to caring for them. She was on Dr. Hollis' service, so I think I might say something when I go in. I just hate to think of other people being treated like that.

Stiff is right, Nancy. Our bladders may just need a few days to wake up. I have found that if I tilt my pelvis a little, I can get more out. (Sorry, TMI)

Best of luck, nyree!

Thanks, Desoto. I'm doing better, but this really hurts. I have a pretty good pain tolerance and this is insane. I can barely get up out of a bed, the couch, the toilet. But it's getting easier with each passing day. And I still believe this is going to be WORTH it, lol.

Good luck, Nancy!

Smiley, I think this is probably normal. I had my surgery yesterday and feel like I have a ton of mucus in my throat. It hurts too bad to cough so there's really no place I can make it go. Let me know if yours clears up in the next couple of days. I'd like something to look forward to, lol.

I got home around 1:30. Not a bad turn around... checked in at 8:00, they took me in at 10:00, back in recovery at 11:45 and out the door by 1:00. I'm in some pain. Gas-X strips are a godsend, so make sure you get those prior to surgery. The worst pain is getting up and down. I'll update more later, need to rest now.

The time has come! I check into the surgical center at 8:00 in the morning to be banded. Am I nervous? Well, I didn't think so, but I just realized I've chewed my nails to nubs today, so maybe a little, lol. A week ago I was a complete basket case. Now, I'm just ready to do it. I'm ready to get on with my life as a healthy person! I thought I would have more to say here... and there would be some great epiphany that I would be able to share, but there's just not. I've lived most of my adult life as an overweight person. I'm ready to start unwrapping the layers from myself & find out who I can be without the burden of this extra baggage I've carried for so long. So, here we go... see ya'll on the flip side!

Oh my, LOL... maybe I should go back and re-read my info as well, haha... too late now, I guess! My pre-op diet wasn't as bad as some of the others I've seen. At least I got to eat actual food for dinner (3-4g lean protein, 1C green veggies, 1C fruit). A lot of people are on 100% liquids! I'm praying that I'm just not hungry for real food this first week post-band and I'm happy with my protein shakes & broth, lol! I think I'm all ready for tomorrow morning. I just heard the washer finish, so I'm putting my comfy pants in the dryer and heading to bed! I'll try to check in tomorrow night. I just wanted to say thank you to you all for your support. You have been amazing little cheerleaders & I'm SO glad I found this site and this GROUP of terrific people.

The nerves are 100% normal. I go in tomorrow for my surgery & last week I was a jittery mess. The past 3 days have been great though, I'm excited and READY! Good luck on your journey!

Tomorrow is my big day! I have to be at the surgical center at 8:00am. Anyone else going in in the morning?

This is it! I have to be at the surgical center at 8:00 in the morning - eeeeeeeeeeeK! I'm so excited. Wishing the best of luck to my band buddies: maybeme, bronbegins, nicolemm, deb44 and suzannetx! Here's to an amazing new beginning for all of us!

Dylan, this is the second time I've seen you post that recipe and I can just say one thing. I have seriously got to buy myself a blender... think it would work in the margarita machine? Gerhowzel - when I put my cappuccino protein powder in milk & stir, then shake (blender cup), I always stick it in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes. Just that little extra time helps it not be powdery or clumpy anymore. I tried drinking it right after mixing and Yeuccccch! Talk about nasty! It was like sipping CLUMPS of flavored mud. Trial & error....

200.4?!? I don't think you'll be knocking on that door much longer... you'll be barreling through next week! Yay YOU!!

I just want to say I agree with the other replies here. I've read countless stories about LB patients who went a year or more with minimal weight loss. Through trial and error they were able to pinpoint why they weren't losing. Once they changed just a few minor things, the weight started coming off quickly. Definitely track your food (myfitnesspal app is free for your phone) and speak with a nutritionist. Wishing you the best of luck!

I'll say I agree. I purposely scheduled mine when I did. It allowed me to still eat a normal Thanksgiving dinner before I started the pre-op diet. Christmas dinner has never been a huge deal for us... we open gifts on Christmas Eve (except for Santa - he doesn't come until that night so kids have to wait for morning) so everyone is more focused on that, then getting to church for the midnight candlelight service. My mom is the only one in my family who knows I'm doing this & she's arranging it where I'll end up sitting at the kids' table. None of them will notice how I'm eating, LOL. I'll start the new year off with my pretty little "belt" on, ready to kick some poundage boo-tay.