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YAY! You're a bandster:) What a mess trying to get in, huh? It sounds like they are bound to hold up surgery no matter who you are.. I thought it was just me and my crap luck! Glad to hear you are doing well. After the first couple of days I felt a lot more human, but all together it wasn't really as bad as I thought it would be.. Is it more/ less discomfort than you were expecting? I'm sure you'll make it through this like a champ, you seem like quite a tough cookie:) How are the kiddos treating you? Hopefully you're being treated like a queen. I made sure I played it up for all it was worth! lol My husband and sister waiting on me hand and foot... How amusing to look back! As for your fill.... I wasn't filled in the OR, the doc said the band he used came pre filled with about 2cc's in it. Do you know what band you got? I wonder if you had some saline in there as well to begin with? You could call and ask? I had a heavy feeling in my chest every time I sipped on something, and when I called they said it was restriction from swelling, and the pre fill.. Do you feel any different when you drink? Well, I hope you're resting comfortably on your pain meds.. I'm envious, I got my a/c's out today, and boy, I'm feeling it tonight.. Take a dose (or 2) for me lol Chat soon ~Kerri p.s. congrats again! I can't tell you how psyched I am for you!

wow annie, you look fabulous! Congratulations:)

I just noticed your title on the top post- off to see the wizard.. lol.. I hope the wizard did his magic, and treated you well. :)Kerri

Thinking of you girl... I hope everything went ok! May I be the first to say congrats on being an official bandster?!:thumbup: Can't wait to hear from you..

Oh my! No rest for the weary:).. Good luck today, and I hope to heck they find a vein quicker than usual. I was incredibly nervous the day before, and kind of mellow the day- of as well.. I did great til I got there, and panicked a little, but once I had some "happy juice" I was swell:) I am so happy for you that this is finally happening!! Next time I hear from you, you'll be a bandster!!! YAY! GO GET 'EM! :)Kerri

You go girl!!!!! Best of luck tomorrow, I'm sure you'll do great! When you get a chance, drop me a line and let me know how you are doing. I will log on here in the morning before I leave for work, and check to see how you're holding up:) Can't wait to hear from you! Hope you're not too nervous:) ~Kerri

This site is totally addicting! I don't post a lot, but I am usually on a few times a day to browse. I love going back into old threads.. I'm forever finding great info, and people in situations similar to mine. I kind of feel like it's a 24 hour weight watchers meeting- It helps keeps you accountable:)

Maybe working tomorrow wont be so bad.. It will help keep your mind off things:) Tomorrow night you can come home, do a little cleaning, and take a break to let everything set in! I'm sure the kiddos will be of help knowing that you are going to be going through a tough few days! I just noticed your ticker says -28lbs.. Holy! Your results from surgery will surely be fabulous! Go get 'em:) I posted these pics on the March 08 board, and totally forgot to post them up here for you.. So here you go! Have a great Monday.. It'll be one more day to go from there!

Hey girl- sorry I haven't written back in a while! I can't tell you how hectic things have been! Anyhoo... Thanks for the Birthday wishes! Everything went really well. I have my family party today.. It's been an unhealthy weekend to say the least! I am back on track tomorrow for sure! The tattoo I got is of sunflowers. It is a cover up of an old, (prison-ish looking) tattoo lol. My husbands brother owns a shop here in Farmington, and so gratefully hooked me up for my birthday. I've needed it done for a long time now! I will for sure send you a pic when it's done. I have to go for another session in 2 weeks to finish it up. Soooooo on to YOU!!!!!! 2 MORE DAYS!!!!!!! Do you know what time you need to be there yet? Are you working tomorrow, or do you have Monday and Tuesday off? Are you feeling prepared? Do you like all of my questions? lol I found the lists on here very helpful, but sometimes over the top. The tong thing made me laugh. That was one thing I skipped on the list.. Although I guess it could be helpful for some larger people? Just be thankful you DON'T need them I guess:) Do you have a heating pad? Mine was a lifesaver for me! The small bit of gas pains I had were relieved immediately with the heating pad. Well, sorry again for taking so long. I have felt so bad knowing you are surely getting anxious, and I haven't been on here for you.. I hope you are getting excited and not too nervous.. You will do great! In 2 days you will finally be a bandster! I feel like I should throw you a party or something lol:) Chat soon, :)Kerri

I was diagnosed with a hiatal hernia at 16, and started heartburn meds that day for severe acid reflux. During surgery my Doc decided not to do the hiatal hernia repair, as he said the size wasn't concerning. I was really worried about the heartburn coming back, but it never did? Since 4 days after surgery I have not taken my meds, and have not had any issues. That's my story.. :)Kerri

Thanks guys for the comments! You rock! Sorry Fenton TMI.. lol But- there's nothing like a new bra that fits right and stands the girls up at attention:)

7 MORE DAYS SARAH!:thumbup: Woot woot!

Congrats Connie! What a wonderful feeling it must be! Keep up the good work:)

Harley- looking fab girl! This is what I have for now...

I found liquid tylenol at wal mart. It was called "rapid blast". I had to get help to find it though.. Sounds like a nice place to heal and rest, out on the lake! We used to have a camp on a lake, I would spend my whole summer out there while off from school. Oh how I miss that! Not a care in the world:) I haven't totally given up on my goal, but I know how close I'm cutting it! I ate wayyy too much yesterday while out with some friends, and felt full for hours.. I think I may have stretched my pouch a bit so tomorrow I'm going to do mostly liquids to try and shrink it back. Maybe it will help me shed another lb or 2 as well:) Being as hungry as I am, the last thing I need is to have a stretched pouch! I hope I didn't do any damage.. It sure was an awful feeling I don't want to feel again. You will do great with your band, look how well you've done so far! I can't wait to see your results:) I bet you can't either! How exciting! I hope you have a great week- it looks like it's going to be warm and beautiful:) We're having a big bash for my birthday and a friend of mine on Friday night, so I'm hoping the weather holds out! Tomorrow I'm off to the gym to beat myself to a pulp.. If I give myself til Friday for my goal, I may be able to do it.. Guess I'll have to wait and see:) ~Kerri

Hi Sarah:) You must be getting so excited!! 9 more days to go! Are you getting nervous yet? I am getting so excited for you:) It's sure been a long wait! As for me.. I'm still keeping my eye on the prize- another fill! I've been doing pretty well, I just get frustrated with the waiting game. Patience, patience, patience:) Yesterday morning I was 205... Sooooo freaking close! 6lbs to go.. I'm sure I wont lose it in 3 days, but I am ok with that. I had a few setbacks, and I know I will get there. Hope everything is going ok on your end. Do you have all of your stuff ready? Isopure, broths, jello, liquid tylenol.. All the good stuff? Bringing a pillow with me to hold on my tummy for the ride home was a God send! They have a great list of things that you'll need for post op on here:) So, the countdown is on:) ~Kerri

Hey girl! It's been a long time since I last visited "our" thread lol.. All the prep for camping had me tied up, and I didn't get to respond to you. Sorry:( The office said it's a no- go on an early fill. I was told to "suck it up", not expect restriction so soon, and that my stomach has to heal 6 weeks between each fill?? I was extremely impressed.. not. Holy frustration! I am STARVING!!! I eat and then 30 minutes later my stomach is growling again.. It's so hard to not eat! OK.. I complain too much. lol Camping was a blast! I pre planned most meals. I brought chicken salad, tuna, eggs, turkey sausage, sandwich meats, hamburg, turkey dogs,and american cheese.. Mostly stuff I can eat. I also brought at my husbands request: swiss rolls, mini apple pies, cheez-it's and nutty buddy's. Ughh! That was the worst. That's why I keep that crap out of my house:( I ate 2 swiss rolls some cheez-its and a mini pie. Damn those baaaad sweets! I ended up gaining 2lbs, but already have lost 1. Over all it was a fab weekend, and I'm trying not to have regrets on my set back. I have been so good, I allowed myself to go the other way for a weekend. For the record, I don't plan on doing that again:) heh I was wondering who you have for insurance? I almost think you told me Anthem?? I have a friend that just started the process who has Harvard Pilgrim (who I have), and she was all excited to know someone who went through them.. Now her insurance is getting switched July 1, and she's freaking! Just curious if that's who you had? Anyhoo, I'm going to hang out some laundry while it's nice. I am so behind from camping! Hope all is well with you:) ~kerri

Well, I guess this has turned into our very own thread.. If someone chimes in now, they've got a lot of reading to do! I'm going to call the office today to see if they'll fill me a little more. I'm not supposed to go in for 6 weeks, so I'm afraid they're going to tell me to get lost lol.. I def need more in by 6 weeks! Well, 5 weeks now. No progress photos as of yet. I'll do a few when I come back from camping.. I'm hoping to get a little tan?? If it's possible:) This morning I was 207.. So one more lb down.. Ughh! I am so close! Luckily most of our camp food is protein, and I am out and about all weekend, fishing, walking, lugging wood, maybe I can lose a few more:) My husband likes junk food for camp, so I'm going to get stuff I don't care for.. Trying to plan ahead. I hope this works! Have you gotten any pics of yourself to do comparison? I'm telling you, you won't regret it! It's great to look back on. Did the office do a polaroid of you at your first consult? I'm curious to look at mine. I think it's a good idea:) Well, off to job #2.. Yay. lol.. It sounds stressful there, not looking forward to this longgg shift! I hope you are having better weather than I. It's cold and wet here, I just want a nap! :)Kerri

Sarah, so sorry to hear about your grandmother:( Remember to take a few minutes to take care of yourself, girl! CONGRATS ON YOUR DATE!!!! It's only like 3 weeks! I am sooo happy for you:) Also congrats with the bf- what a relief that must be for you! What a lot of information for you to be taking in all at once.. Take care of yourself, and if you need to vent, I'm here:) ~Kerri

Holy smokes, girl! 18lbs down is great! And to hear that you have good abs.. Wow.. I don't think I have any at all.. lol I'm glad that they submitted you early. I can't wait to see when your date is. I'm going to keep checking, waiting for the god news:) Everything is still going good here. I def need more of a fill though. I'm not nearly as tight as I thought I was. I think the 4lbs I lost was from liquid and mushies again... Maybe I'll just go on a liquid diet forever lol.. Well, I'm off to work.. Yay.. I am so excited to get out and go camping this weekend, it's something I look forward to every year. This year in particular because of our looong winter! The weather looks great so far, but I'm still crossing my fingers. Do you have any plans?? Do you camp at all? We do it the old fashioned way; tents, no running water (besides the river/ lake) and no electricity:) Just the way I like it! Well, can't wait to get the reply with your date! I am so happy for you that it's almost here! :)Kerri

Hi Sarah! How did the final consult go? What happens now? Waiting for your date? I am soooo excited for you that this is finally happening:) I think I had to wait about a week for my date, but I'm not sure how your Doc does things? As for the nurse consult- I sooo agree! And when I went I had to wait 55 minutes, for a 5 minute visit.. grr... That got to me a little bit! Anyhoo.. I have lost about 4-ish since my fill. The first day I felt really tight, like I really had to take small sips of water. I don't feel so tight now. I am definitely eating less... Well see:) I have 9lbs to go before being in the 190's, and about 20 days to do it. I think I can do this! My gym pass finally started up on Thursday, but I haven't been yet.. I have had a hectic few days filling in for other people and appointments.. Ughh.. I was excited to sleep in this morning and go to the gym, but guess what? I was called in this morning?! UGGHHH! I only work 12-5 though, so hopefully I can go after:) I do tend to fluctuate 3-5lbs during the day.. I wouldn't know this if I didn't step on the scale every time I walked by it lol.. Bad habit #247 haha.. Well, I hope you're doing ok, the waiting is almost over! Have a great weekend! ~Kerri P.S. how are things going with the bf??

Hi there, Dr.Trieu did my surgery on March 19. I have had a fairly good experience with him and the center as well:) I just had my first fill on Tuesday, but I have lost about 3lbs since.. Not that that helps as for long term after fills lol.. :)Kerri

Hi Sarah, yes the first fill was under fluro.. So weird! I saw everything:) It went pretty well! I only had to take a sip of the barium so it wasn't too bad. When they diagnosed me with my hiatal hernia and GERD I had to drink 2 cups of it- blechh! It's not great stuff. So final consult is tomorrow- You must be stoked! It's about time:) Do you feel like you're at the finish line?? Now all you need is your date:) I personally think that they should send out for a date when you give the the $500.. Doesn't that prove to them that you're going to stick with it? At that point you're already approved by insurance, and all you have left is Nate and the final consult.. Grrr.. lol. They make me frustrated! Anyhoo, enough bickering for today:) I'm off to work, and maybe the gym, yahoo! :)Kerri P.S. Congrats on 18lbs! You go girl! You've got quite a jump on me- I'll have to get my butt moving:) Good luck tomorrow!

Ok, I've officially been filled:) I now have 5cc's in a 10cc band! I had my first fill at the hospital. It wasn't to bad. I was in and out in 20 minutes, waiting and all! Dr.Trieu said that he was aggressive with this fill, but the barium flowed right through. He also said I must be very careful, as it will be easy to have an "episode" lol... We'll see I guess.. Protein shakes and water for the next 24h, then to mushies, then back to normal.. Maybe I'll drop a few more lbs????:thumbup: Yay!! :)Kerri

I'm off for my first fill.... I hope this goes well.. I'm feeling a bit nervous this morning! Just had to share:) ~Kerri