CCBSTX

Keep your Doctor appts. You won't be working, if your body decides to quit! Take care of your arm and your band. See your surgeon and get your fills (if needed). You will feel better about yourself!

After my first and only fill, I've had to get reaquainted with my band. Sometimes these things sneak up on you. Funny before fill chicken was no problem, after fill chicken is a big problem!,

I've been banded for about 3 months and I haven't been my "normal" pre-banded self (potty wise). I suspect that I never will as my intake is way less then before my banding. It's completely normal to NOT be normal.

I am supposing Most of us are feeling "loved" by foods! Our problems is often moderation (yuk)! I never have learned this as my Grandmother and Mother would often push seconds and cooked with "love." The band helps me with the moderation part, however, like we all know..we can eat around the band. Every time I go into my pantry or fridge, I ask myself "am I hungry and do I really need this." Sometimes I answer "No" and still get what I WANT! Oh well, nobody's perfect.

It will go by quickly, especially with the holidays around the corner (busy). I don't think that I could have went back to work earlier than 1 week. However, as you know, everyone is different and so are their jobs! After the 4th day, I was feeling pretty good and little sore (in the port area). Congrats! Shawn

I suspect that MANY happy bandsters never return to this message board. They are off living life, like they haven't in a long time! Good for them. I love this boards honesty with the good and bad. Personally, I would have never lost this amount of weight on my own. Very happy with zero complications!

I am hoping to be down to 213 by the end of the year. I am hoping that the holidays don't sabatoge my goal!

Welcome home! Jonathan that was a heartfelt post. I am touched. It's seems, from your post, that you left YOU out of the equation. It's a good time to get in touch with taking care of YOU! Often, work, kids, divorce, school, etc are all #1 priority and the person (you) gets left out. Make time for yourself and welcome back.

I had my first fill yesterday. It was truly uneventful, like everyone was saying! This is how it went. Know that each surgeon has their own technique. 1) Laid back on table, pillow at the small of my back. 2) Put a small "stick" with a needle to numb the area (with Lidocaine) 3) Had me "pooch" out my stomach and make a muscle. 4) Nurse was standing by my head with a cup of Water and straw. 5) Dr. told me to begin drinking and he began to inject the saline into my band (I couldn't feel it). 6) As I continued to drink, I was to tell him when I felt like the water would "back up" or not go down. 7) Eventually at 1.8 cc, I told him to "stop" 8) I sat up on the table and felt like I had a piece of chicken stuck. 9) He had me lay back down and took some saline out. He backed it up to 1.0 cc. 10) That's it, I ended up with a 1.0 cc fill. Although, he felt he could have gone to 1.2cc, but I'd rather be conservative.

Good work! It's funny how a person can be so happy to have a BMI over 41! I was the same way...

My first fill today...He initially put in 1.8 cc but backed off to 1.0 after I had a hard time drinking Water. I'm on fluids for 24 hours then onto solids.

I'd stave off the meds for awhile. Tell your doctor that you'll try to eat different and take another blood test later. 221 isn't outrageous and is worth revamping your already decent food choices. Perhaps it was the blood workup? Just a thought.

Did you find someone to sit in for you? I am just curious as to why the surgeon wants you to sit in on the seminar. Could they possibly send a video of their seminar and paperwork to you? Did you tell them about the wheelchair?

So sorry to hear about your Grandma. Mine was a special lady and I know how it feels to lose someone you're close to. Grandma was proud of your weight loss and wanted you healthy. You will continue to do her proud, with a few "bumps" along the way. Now, you can get back to the basics and work the band. Take care, Shawn

Hurray! Remember to give yourself TIME to heal. Some lose a little at first and some lose a lot! Just try to follow your surgeons rules and if you have questions or concerns just ASK! Take care and be HEALTHY...

Just keep on reading....If you have a questions search past posts. You'll find not only a wealth of info. here but elsewhere (obesityhelp.com). Yes, we are all in this together and have often been down the same road. Get armed with information, you'll make the decision that is BEST for you! Good luck, Shawn

Don't you hate that when it happens? You're trying to follow orders but which orders are you too follow!? I think you should point this out to your surgeon, when you meet with him. I would go with what the last surgeon told you, but know that things may change when you meet w/your surgeon. Either way, soft foods won't hurt the band. My surgeon told me, "What ever you might be told by a nutritionist, nurse, etc., I am the last word. Go by my directions." That pretty much sums it up. At the beginning I was told I could eat certain food items by the nutritionist, however he had his own ideas.

I am very glad that you logged in here for support! As the others have posted, take Gas X (worth a try), keep up the Water. You will feel weak as you just had surgery w/anethesia and you aren't getting a good level of nutrition. Emotionality goes with surgery, for many of us. The anesthesia, pain, and changes will take a toll. Time and support helps. Take things slow, which you probably are anyway. Get rest and walk some this week. Next Tues. you should start to feel a bit better (your one week banding). Of course, you know your body better than we do. If you are vomiting on water or feel severe pain, call your surgeon. Better yet, call him if you think "something isn't right." That is what he's there for. Keep us posted. Shawn

I know that if you smoke right up to surgery, there can be more complications with breathing. Get it stuck in your head, "I am going to do this if it kills me." Try patches or anything! It's alot, at once, to feel deprived food-wise and smoke-wise. You are doing terriffic though. It will be all worth it, when you come out the other side. Good luck...

I am from Corpus Christi! I was banded by Dr. Chang in Victoria, TX! Good to hear from you S. Texans..Shawn

There are several boards. One of the more popular boards for all sorts of weight loss surgery is Obesityhelp.com.

Why not let them file on Medicare and you pay the outstanding balance (finance, etc). $800 is a a big joke for payment! I understand you apprehension about Mexico, especially if you are in questionable health. If you can afford to do it, through fianancing or otherwise, I would stay in the states.

I believe most tolerate alcohol well. I think it's a matter of personal choice. I avoid it because of the calories, but once I am at goal I might drink on occasion. My motto is that I never want to diet again. Life is too short not to "live" it. Therefore, anything within moderation is OK.

I haven't had any trouble with beans. They are a wonderful source of nutrition as well. They should go down quite well as they are soft.