blossom

Tuesday night I ate a huge bacon cheeseburger from Whataburger (bun and all) and a few fries. Granted before being banded I could have eaten all the fries. Last night we went to our favorite mexican place and I cleaned my plate, as usual. Of course that was after I had scarfed down a bunch of chips and salsa. Somehow, I managed to say no to the flan, LOL! I almost can't even tell I have been banded.

Mine is to the left of my bellybutton, too. Pat, with the 4cc at least you will probably have some restriction during your initial 6 weeks or maybe even longer. I will be thinking of you on Monday!!! I'm praying all goes perfectly for you!

Wow!!!! Ya'll look great!

Most of the presents bought and wrapped, tree up and decorated. I have to hold off on the music though, I'm always sick of it by the time Christmas actually gets here, LOL!!!

When I told DH I was considering WLS, he was a little freaked until I explained that I had found one that was much safer than by-pass and also reversable. Then I sat him down in front of the computer and pulled up this website and just let him read. After that, he was 100% behind me!

Jane, you look AWESOME!!! Congratulations!

Doug, are you sure you will be going home the same day??? I had an overnight stay, and I can definitely say, I would not have wanted any small children around. I was on a morphine drip almost the entire time and was only awake for minutes at a time and I definitely did not want to be disturbed, LOL!

Thanks, Leatha! I calculated mine and at the bottom is says that I will lose 1 pound every 16.588 days. That is based on no less than 1200 calories a day. Once I get good restriction will I be eating a lot less than 1200 calories a day? Otherwise how will I be able to lose 1-2 lbs per week? Hmmm....sometimes I think the more I learn, the more confused I get!

Congratulations! Yes it is normal to not have a bowel movement, especially if you have been on the liquid diet some drs. require pre-op. However, don't be surprised if you have a little diareah, that is normal, too.

Depends on where you are and who you go to. That said, my dr. charges $14,500 which includes 18 mos. of follow up and fills. I am in North Texas.

Jen, hang in there! You can do this! I had to do 10 days clear liquids and it was hell. I did cheat a couple times, I just couldn't help it, LOL!!!

Wow, Michelle! I was off line for a few days and only just read about your problem. I'm so glad your band is ok. Get well soon!!!

Congrats, Ryan! Looks like you are off to a wonderful start!!!

Theresa Marie, I am sorry for the delay! I know how frustrated you must feel, but hang in there. The 15th is not too far away and will be here before you know it!! Did your dr say why they are switching to the new band and is it the 10cc? You may want to take a look at my post about the 10cc band, so you will know what to expect.

Well, I am glad to see I am not alone in this, LOL!!! Even though I know that any weightloss achieved before the first fill is purely a bonus, I can't help but feel a bit cheated out of that first magical month to 6 weeks when so many bandsters lose a substantial amount of weight. Hey, maybe we should form the 10cc club! Apparently our weightloss journey will be quite different from those who have the smaller size.

You know, I still can't figure why someone who weighs 226 and has a 38 BMI would need the 10cc. I think it was too big for me! The Inamed website says it is really good for people who have a BMI > 45. Geez, I've only lost 5 lbs!!! I tried to follow the nutritionists guideline of eating only 1/2 to 1 cup, but I am WIDE OPEN and that amount just doesn't cut it! If I couldn't do that before the band, how can I do that with an unfilled 10cc band? Well, I better get some good restriction with that fill, I really need it, LOL!

I was banded on 11/5. I couldn't figure out why I was so hungry and could eat so much when I finally got on mushies and then solids. It was almost as if I had not been banded at all! But then, I went to see my surgeon for a follow up on the 24th and the first thing he said to me was "I bet you can eat a LOT more than you thought you would be able to!" I said yes, so then he explained that he and his partner had started using the 10cc lapband (is that the VG?) because it is larger and allows for better healing after surgery and is supposedly safer and healthier than the smaller size. Those are his words, not mine, although maybe that explains why I just bounced back to normal so quickly after surgery. Anyway, he told me that all of the patients who got the 10cc have had the same complaint - we can all eat like a horse! Therefore, those patients can get their first fill in the 5th week instead of waiting for the sixth. I am scheduled for Dec. 8. But I am just wondering if anyone else on this board is having the same experience with a 10cc band? I am a little disappointed that I didn't get to have a substantial weight loss during that first month or so...

Hmmm..... I still get the growling tummy hunger and hunger pains just like pre-band. I can eat and eat and eat and still never really feel full. I'm beginning to wonder if I really have a band!!!

Wow!!! What an amazing job you've done! Congratulations!!!

LOL!!!! Marie that is just too funny!

Aaawwww, you guys!!!! Ya'll are being way to nice to me! But, I really like it!!! Thanks!!!!

Way to go, Jode and Greg!!!! You both are doing fabulous!!!

What Alex said!! And I also agree with Ryan that you should look for a more informed PCP. If my PCP said something like that to me, I would find myself questioning all the treatment he had given me and wonder if his knowlege and judgement is what is best for me. My trust would most certainly be replaced with doubt. It's normal to be nervous. I got a little nervouse a couple days before, but on the day of surgery I was cool as a cucumber. However, my DH was a basket case, LOL!!! Good luck to you! I am sure you will be just fine!

Well, I want to remain in the closet. I know the minute I tell, I will immediately feel like I am under a microscope, with everyone watching and waiting to see if I fail. I applaud those of you who feel you can tell everyone else about the band, but I know it will be a long time before I feel comfortable with doing that.

Michelle, I was really surprised when my dr said 1 week full liquid, 1 week mushies then introduce solids. I figured I would just do what felt right and if I felt I needed to be on liquids longer then I would stay on them. But, I am a fast healer. The swelling went away after only a few days and I have very little restriction and a voracious appetite, so I went ahead and started mushies the 2nd week. The chili was probably a day or 2 early on my schedule, but I had no problems with it. Geez, I can hardly wait for my first fill!!! Thanks for the suggestion, Betty. I will try that. Marie, your sons don't know!!! Have they noticed how slim, healthy and active you are becoming? Paula, I hope you're right! We are a pretty close knit group, though, hence the worry they will notice. LOL, instead of worrying about the time, we just make sure the bosses come with us!!!