cat whisperer

Let's share the cuteness - post your pet photos here!

Three of my four cats chillaxing on the couch.

Let's share the cuteness - post your pet photos here!

Three of my four cats chillaxing on the couch.

Let's share the cuteness - post your pet photos here!

Three of my four cats chillaxing on the couch.

Thanks ladies! Where do I send the check to?

My story is identical to Leanne's - with the multiple pokes etc. even funnier as we were there at the same time except for the fact that because I had no Fluid in the band (they had taken out 4ccs during my "emergency" the first week) they put in 2ccs. I was worried enough to stay in a hotel (I live two hours away) tonight to make sure I'm fine after the fill, but so far, so good... just hard to find something to eat in a restaurant!!

wow... 6ccs is a lot! No wonder indeed you weren't hungry for a long time!! sounds like you made the right choice to keep things as they are for now

Just got back from my appointment (BTW, it was the first one since surgery on May 6). I asked how much saline was put in my band during surgery. They said 6 cc. OMG!!! No wonder I didn't feel like eating for 2 weeks! I talked with the nurse practitioner about my eating habits, etc. She was going to give me a small fill, but then I said I didn't want one. She was happy to hear that because she really thinks I don't need one right now. Basically, just because I CAN eat anything and take big bites doesn't mean I SHOULD do that. She said even if I don't vomit or PB doesn't mean the pouch can't dilate. She also said putting Fluid in could make that worse and I still don't have to have the vomiting symptoms. I've been a little worried that damage can still be done even without the obvious symptoms.
So, it's back to following all the rules. Going back in 2 weeks to see how I'm doing.

That stinks that it took them a few pokes. We're you laying down? Do they offer it under fluoro? Glad they got it taken care of feeling feel is great, unfortunately my hunger had come back

My nurse couldn't find my port at first and then neither could my surgeon. They did locate it...after quite a few pokes...but they did say the first one is always the hardest. They were lovely to me...I had one cc put in and that should take me to about 4. Feeling full all day and loving it!!!!

Me either on the stuck part but I am looking forward to not caring about when my next bite of food is. I'm about to leave for my appointment...and I'm looking forward to it!!

Ditto! It scares me that I will finally have a stuck episode after my fill. I don't want to experience that!!

I get my first fill tomorrow too! I'm nervous. I know I need one because I'm able to eat anything and I take too big of bites. Hope it goes well for the both of us!

I'm supposed to get my first fill tomorrow...kind of freaked out...but I am getting super hungry now. Perhaps just a little fill? We'll see what's decided tomorrow.

Today was my first day of the "mushy" foods... I had seen this post about a week ago and saved the recipe as I knew it would be my first foray back towards food after 4 weeks of liquids... it was YUMMY!!! I did substitute ricotta as I don't like cottage cheese... but the result was awesome!! thanks for posting.

Great news!

I can't believe this is working. I still have anxiety when getting on the scale but this time it is steadily going down. Hello motivation! Now on to my last week of the progressive diet. Have a fantastic day everyone.

Cat...maybe we should look into the Queen City Marathon...or something like it...for a goal. How exciting...I've always wanted to be a runner.

I've just returned from my pre-op appointment and it went very well! I'm starting my pre-op diet tomorrow (2 Protein shakes and 1 quality meal a day + water) and now that I know I get to have one meal a day I feel much better about my chances of not screwing it up. If anyone is getting banded by Dr. Christopher Reilly in Houston, beware: he is way hotter in person and if you look directly into his eyes you'll be hooked for life. He's very funny and I feel very comfortable with him performing my procedure.
If anyone was wondering, my insurance covers the procedure 80/20 - my out of pocket expense is $1,400.00, plus $215.00 for the surgeon's fee. Not bad...not bad at all!
Have a great day guys...I'm finally on my REAL count down!

Two and a half weeks post op and could not be more proud and happy with my decision !!! And hope that you are as well. This last week has been so hard because of being hungry but my will power has been great ! Go for my first appt today and looking forward to the next stage. Have lost 20lbs keep up the good work everyone and keep your eye on the prize! My prize will be a new bathing suit. What will yours be?

Hey, it took me a while to figure out it was something related to bringing up food - don't worry, i saw it used by many other people too but was too embarrassed to ask until today when I finally decided what the heck
Wheelcrazy, I can totally see how you thought that it was Peanut Butter, though!! LOL

Hey, it took me a while to figure out it was something related to bringing up food - don't worry, i saw it used by many other people too but was too embarrassed to ask until today when I finally decided what the heck
Wheelcrazy, I can totally see how you thought that it was Peanut Butter, though!! LOL

Thank you everyone for the support, on here as well as the many inbox messages. It's too bad we have to be afraid to express ourselves at a support group. Lesson learned. I know what I did wrong, my guilt over it speaks volumes, I was looking for people help me through my guilt not finger point at how badly I was doing. I already knew that!! If I didn't have issues with food and the emotions that tie to it, i wouldn't have gotten the surgery.

I will tell you first hand (as will many others), that the band is HARDLY the easy way out. It takes a lot of strength and will power to work with the band. It doesn't do the work for you, it only "assists".
That being said, I felt the same way when going through the decision process. I felt like such a failure, and a total weakling. But I worked through those feelings, and knew as sure as I'm typing this note, that if I didn't go through with the surgery, I would continue to gain. I was resolved. And I haven't looked back one minute since 3/25/13, with regret. I've dropped 25 pounds so far; 25 pounds which NEVER would have come off if I reached out to yet ANOTHER diet program.
A couple of months ago, (I think it was parisshel) had a great post regarding the very same thing. She outlined it in a way that really hit home for me. I'll try & find the link to that post and send it to you. Aside from so many wonderful things in that post, she likened the band to the patch to stop smoking. Would you judge a friend who used a nicotine patch to stop smoking, as being weak for not being able to do it "on their own?" By getting banded, you are taking care of YOU and your health. As said above, there isn't anything easy about it. The weight doesn't magically fall off. You STILL have to do the work.
I'm going to look for that post & see if I can find it. It was really good

Thanks for the tips. Second night way better than the first. Took the sofa pillows and created a nest in the bed. I'm taking my liquid Lortab every four hours like clockwork. At this rate, I'm afraid that I will go through it all before Monday. Is anyone taking OTC meds with rx?