kaohinani

I totally agree, that you should take it out yourself prior to surgery. But my question is this????? If this were me???? would I have a piercing down there, because.... frankly, I don't think it would be seen with all my extra weight..... But maybe you are different. Good Luck

Aoha everyone, I was banded on August 29, 2007, and the journey has been awesome. But not as awesome to make it to my first mini-goal of being in onederland ( under 200 pounds ). I felt like I was plateau(ing) soon after surgery and I had gotten a fill at my 1 month post-op appointment, then lost 5 lbs, then nothing again, so I went back 4 weeks later and got another fill, and I really feel like the band is working like it should. I have restriction, like I have never felt it before, and it really, really, does work. I am so excited that I had to share my good news. Good Luck to all of you out there, and I wish you all the best on your journeys. Oh by the way, I started out at 243 lbs, and now am at 197. YIPEE !!!! Take Care...

Wow, you sound just like me, I was banded 8/29/07 and lost 15 lbs the first 2 weeks(of course only having liquids will do that to you) then nothing. so I went for a fill of 1cc in my 3.5 cc band 1 month post op, then lost another 5 lbs. Then..... NOTHING!!!!!!! I am so frustrated, I exercise 90 minutes daily for 5 days out of the week, and watch what I eat. So I will have another fill in 2 days, I hope it works. I know I am doing OK.... but I want to do better. Wish me Luck, and good luck to you all too. Aloha

Hi all, my first fill was 9/28/07 and that went OK... but I need an adjustment, and that will be this Thurs. at 10:30 hope all is well with all of you. Lisa, are you able to eat regular food yet? Hearing about how tight your band was made me a little nervous, but I guess if I want to be aggresive that is the results I should have, wish me luck.

You go girls, do what feels natural and what feels right for you and your body.

OK ladies, and funny its all ladies replying to this thread, I think.... anyway for me it was 5 days, and the variation we chose was for me to lay on my back with my butt on the edge of the bed. It worked well for us, but our bed is 4 feet off the floor, but the concept is good. No pressure on the abdomen. And if any men are looking at this thread, my hubby was banded earlier than me, and it was the same position, about 5 days post op also. Hope everyone is enjoying their journey and their successes. Keep up the good work.

OH Boy, did it ever, I thought that something must be wrong, but it quit doing it about a week after surgery. I still get hunger pangs and my stomach rumbles and its funny, but now it seems to have like an echo sound, like in an empty room or something, but when it rumbles, I can ignore much easier than before surgery.... go figure.... anyway good luck on your journey

I am pretty sure no damage was done, but thank goodness its a learning situation, I too have been "over" eager to eat, and have had it get stuck. But I learned and have continued to learn, every time it happens, I think I will have to be more careful when I get another fill also. Take Care and good luck on your journey.

Well everyone, sounds like we are all on the semi right track. I think that we still have a little way to go before we get "it" right. I haven't ever PB'ed or slimed, but I sure have had things get stuck, and that wasn't pleasant. Lisa, I too have that problem sometimes that I forget how much I shouldn't be eating and then eat like I used to, and thats where the fill and the band is supposed to come into play. Good Luck on your fill, just tell Dr. Fowler that you want him to be aggresive on your fills, but be careful cause it might be too tight. But the good thing is that when you get your fill, you have one month to get it adjusted without having to pay again. Lucky for you, you dont have to fly over. Good thing for me that my insurance pays for my airfare, but still its a day off of work, renting a rent a car etc... But in the end all worth it right????? I think that if I would eat till I am really full it might be all of 2 or 2 1/2 cups, thats way wrong, so I definately need an adjustment to my fill. Miriam, sorry I didn't call you back, its been a very hectic week for my family. No chance to even check e-mail at home. I have to come to the library on my lunch hour to catch up. A Hui Ho, keep it going ladies.....bev

I think that I am not filled enough, I feel I can still eat a ton of food, actually it might be more than a cup though, and that is still toooooo much. I lost 5 lbs, the first week after my first fill, but nothing since. I talked to Mary and she said she thinks I am eating too much. Thus, I need an adjustment to the band. Hey Miriam, my appt is in the morning at 10:30 and I will be spending the afternoon with my daughter (hopefully) at Windward Mall if she doesn't have to work, and she can catch the bus, but if you are in the area of Kaneohe, or Kailua at lunchtime, maybe we can hook up. Let me know. Hope everyone is healing OK, are you Lisa????? Keep in touch everyone.

Hmmm, sounds a little like me, I am 6 weeks post op and have not lost a bunch. I talked to the nutritionist today, and we discovered that I was probably eating more than I thought. Good idea to keep that food diary. Keep up the exercising though, always a good idea. Keep us posted on your journey, how ever good. aloha.....

Hey Everyone, good to know everyone is doing "OK". Nice to meet you Carmen. I am going to see Dr. Fowler on 10/25/07 for an adjustment for my fill. Any chance anyone else going on that day, let me know. Lisa just make sure you heal. And by the way, have you gone to the gym yet ??????? Keep up the good/great work everyone and we will all be at our goal soon enough. A Hui HO.....bev

Hey Lisa, YESSSSSS, that is what they call bandster hell. Just keep doing what they tell you and it will all work out, remember, no carbs, no excess sugar, if you can just eat 1/2 to 3/4 cup of food per meal, only 3 regular meals a day, and two snacks (healthy kind of course) and lots of water, be sure you have enough protein in your diet, cause if you do it will curb the hunger. And most important keep exercising. Remember you didn't do all this for nothing. Just go to the gym and forget about everyone else there. Remember, this is all for you. Good Luck, keep up the good work, and yes, PMSing could be a factor. I am doing well, Thanks for caring.

I was banded on Aug 29th and boy did I ever get some gurgling in my stomach post surgery, It was soooo loud. It went away after a few days and my stomach healed. But to this day when I do get hungry and my stomach growls it is still louder than usual and it sounds like it has an "echo" to it. Like it is in a cavern or something. But the hunger pang doesn't bother me like it used to. I can pretty much ignore it till it is time for me to eat. Good Luck on your journey everyone.

I have eaten string cheese in my mushie stage, and also chedder now, with no problem, I guess as long as you chew it well, it will be OK

OK all, so I was banded 8/29/07 then lost 15 lbs in 2 weeks then none after that. I saw my surgeon and fitness trainer yesterday and they said things are going ok, because although I didn't lose pounds, I lost inches (something to think about), but anyway since I live on a different island from my surgeon, he went ahead and gave me a fill anyway. I am anxious to see if it will help. Someone said to change your exercises, and that is what the fitness trainer said to me also. It confuses the muscles, and also was told to try maybe eating a little more so your body doesn't stay in the "she is starving mode and hanging to all those fat cells" Good Luck to all, we will all make it to our goal. Oh by the way I am 5' 2" and started out at 243 lbs, now down to 208.

OOOpsss sorry, my name is Beverly

Hey Paula, I will be at Dr. Fowlers at Castle Hospital at 1:15, I plan on waiting around for some others, Ithink the last one to show up is Miriam and her appt is at 3:00. So anytime between there I guess. My name is Beverly, I am part Japanese and part Filipino so I hope you can find me, just let the girls at the desk know you are there and are waiting for some others. Hope to see you there.

Way To Go Big Wave Dave, You Are My Hero. You Are So Awesome And Amazing. You Are My Inspiration. If It Weren't For You I Wouldn't Be On This Journey. Just Fabulous, Absolutely Fabulous.

Aloha Lisa, I guess when I see you on friday we will have something to talk about. I do don't see the scales moving at all. I am so discouraged. I also weigh myself often, and Dave keeps telling me to stop, but I just cant, I am afraid that if I dont and then step on the scale at the end of the week and its a gain, I will freak out. See You friday.

Hey KJDVILLE, you sound exactly like me, I am one month out and have lost only15 lbs since surgery and most of that was on the post op liquid diet. I do everything they tell me, watch what and how much I eat, I exercise EVERY day, on the elliptical for 45 minutes and lift weights. Still no change, I am hoping to get a fill this friday at my on month post op check, Any thoughts anyone????

tonight I had the refried beans with canned chicken, and then I topped that with some mexican spiced chopped tomatoes, then some cheese and microwaved it, OMG, it was soooooo good. Gotta have it again soon. Thanks a bunch.

well paula you are in luck, because there are a few people that have had it done in your neck of the woods, One is Lisa_hawaii, she is here on this site, and then there is castlegirl, I think she lives in Kaneohe also. Look them up. I think we are meeting this friday at Castle or somewhere. I live on Kauai, but would love to keep in touch also. I have a friend who had a vertical sleeve done by Dr. Lapshies, and she had some major complications, but doing well now. Until we chat again. Good Luck, maybe we will see you sometime.

WOW, everyone, I am no longer on mushies, but i would have loved all of these recipes for me at the time. Everyone on this site is soooo awesome in their support and encouragement. WAY TO GO BANDSTERS!!!!!!!

WOW, Kathleen, did you get sick? Dr. Fowler told me that we shouldn't have any raw fish for 5 months after surgery. Something about getting sick???? Did you eat raw fish? in your poke?? What time is everyones appt. I am still trying to coordinate my appt time and meeting up with everyone else. Can all of you post your appt times for me. Mine is at 1:15. I am doing great, back at the gym in full force, on regular foods, and hopefully losing weight on track. lost 15 lbs since surgery, would like to lose more though. Any thoughts?? anybody?? See you guys on the 28th...aloha...bev