Firebolt

Hi November Nymphs! I know I've not been here in a long time. I DO check on you guys & read the posts every so often. I'm just checking in to see how everyone is doing. I'm hoding my own at 175 (60 lb lost). Got down to 160 & felt awesome! Need to get back on the bandwagon though. So, drop a line & let us know how you're doing soon!

No words can convey how sorry I am right now. I haven't been on our site in a while. I just can't believe this has happened. My prayers go out to her family & to each of you, her friends that lifted her spirits & helped her fight. God be with each of you.

Hi Girlmoose! I'm glad to hear you're feeling better every day. Keep up the healing & following Dr.'s orders! As for my Mom, she has developed new pain on the left side & went to her Dr. again today. I'm still waiting to hear. I am fearful that she had a bad infection & perhaps her Dr. isn't experienced enough with this procedure & potential complications. I am half tempted to have her come down here & see my Dr. He has ton's of experience in the procedure & has done over 1000 procedures. He specializes in WLS exclusively. Her Dr. on the other hand is a general surgeon & does Tonsilectomies & Appendectomies as well as the Lap Band. Grrrr.... Unfortunately, she lives 4 hours away & it would be a difficult journey for her in the amt of pain she's in. She's 63 yrs old. I don't consider her a frail woman at all...she's the most athletic & outgoing person in our family! Please keep me up to date on your progress & how that hole is healing. It's good to hear from someone who's walked the same road. Take Care, Judy

Hi GirlMoose, I'm glad you're home. You know, the type of hole you mention is exactly what my mom has right now. Again, has to be stuffed w/clean gauze twice a day. Her Doc also said that it is best if it heals from the inside out. Less likely to become infected. I just wonder - will it leave a huge scar? I guess that really doesn't matter in the big picture. All that matters is that you're health & healing! Hang in there! Judy

Hi Annie - I too had dropped off the radar for a while, but still lurk & read what's going on. I wanted to let you know that I've lost enough weigh to finally fit into the Denim Skirt & the Black/White slacks you gave me a while back! Thanks Girl! I can now give my size 22's to my Mom (who also had the band & has lost 50 lbs). I hope all is going well for you. Sounds like Jess30 is doing fantastic also! Keep up the good work gals! Judy

Hi Girl...As I write this, you are probably in surgery. I'm sorry you've been through he** with this. I wanted to give an update on my Mom - she ended up needing to have the entire band/port removed. The infection had spread, and just to be certain, they removed it all. She stayed in the hospital for 4 days afterwards on IV antibiotics. She's been home for about 1 wk now, but woke up this morning with a lot of drainage. She's going back to her surgeon tomorrow...will keep you posted. In the mean time, my prayers are with you & anyone suffering from this same problem. My band has had no problems...knock on wood! But we all must remain aware & vigilant for any problems that may creep up!

Hi Girlmoose, I have a very specific question about the problems you've been experiencing. I was banded in 11/07, and have had no problems so far *Knock on Wood*. But, my Mom had the surgery in February of this year. She just found out today that she has an infected port and it will be removed tomorrow at 6am. Your story seems to fit almost exactly with what she has experienced. She started having pain in her left rib cage area. Doctors thought perhaps she cracked a rib. Pain then moved around, and the doctors thought perhaps she pulled a muscle. She has been in very bad pain for almost 1 month. She went to her Bariatric Surgeon last week, and he poked around and didn't find anything. He thought perhaps she was dealing with diverticulitis (infection in the bowels). They put her on antibiotics, but she couldn't tolerate them (almost an allergic reaction). She has been working w/her family doc and her bariatric doc. They did a CT scan to make sure everything was placed ok & no visable cancers. Today the Bariatric doc felt around the port area and said that it feels like there is an infection, therefore they will remove the port tomorrow. So, after that long story, here's my question: You mentioned that your pain started in your left rib cage area & then moved towards your port. Was your original port on the left side or right? Ours are on the right side (which is why pain in her left side didn't immediately correlate to the port on her right side). I pray that you are doing better & that the infections & surgeries are over with. Please drop me a line when you get a chance. Thanks!

Longhorn - what a smashing idea! I have a daughter in Band & Track - Maybe we'll just bring a couple of extra cases to the performances & track meets & clean up! Good thinking!:biggrin:

Oh, BTW, I forgot to mention that my Mom (62 yrs old) is having the band put in on the 25th. I'm travelling up to Michigan to be with her during her surgery & for a couple of days after to support her. It will be very interesting to see from the "other side" of the bandster experience. Her pre-op experience has been difficult...They required the 2 week liquid diet, the bowel prep, the Upper GI. She's really going through a depressive mode right now. She's on her 5th day of 700 calories a day, and she's very tired. She also freaked out when she had to sign the documents (that we all have to sign) before surgery that says..."You could die"! I remember that day myself - it was kind of a slap in the face as to the reality of what we were about to go through. But, now that it's been 3 months post op - I'd do it again without any hesitation!

Hi Friends, Just thought I'd check in with all of you. I had my 4th fill today (5cc's in the 10cc band). Got full really quickly tonight at dinner. Monday will be President's Day & the kids are out of school. I'm taking my Girl Scout Troop to lunch that day (at a Chinese buffet of course - Hey, they voted for it - not me!). I'll get to spend $6 to eat 1/2 cup of chicken! Do pray that I don't over do it though. Other than that, all else is going well. I'm glad to hear that Penny will be on the Band-Wagon soon!:eek:

Hi Friends, Sorry I've not been around much lately. I've been swammped with Girl Scout Cookie Sales & other Kid Stuff. The Cookies have not YET been delivered, so there's been no temptation from them (but they get here on 2/20 - I AM NOT STORING THEM AT MY HOUSE). I also have my kids trained to hide 'naughty' food and not keep it in the pantry. My goal is to not eat a single GS Cookie until I'm at my 1/2 way goal. Well, I'm down 28 lbs so far (72lbs left to go). I was really getting hungry again and went in for my 4th fill. I'm at 5cc's in the APS 10cc band. Ate some chicken from the top of a salad & I'm full! I hope this lasts a bit longer. But, as my fellow Potter Fan (Bandpal) says: "but we are putting in the work, going for our fills, learning how to eat all over again through trial and error and maybe even seeing some NSV's or a little movement on the scale." And that's what counts. This is going to be a long process and we just need to hang in there & find what works for us. Bandpal - I'm glad you're finding ways to make it work in your personal environment. 37 lbs down is TERRIFIC! You're finally out of that MORBIDLY OBESE catagory. Doesn't it feel great to be on the road to health? I love your quote from Joshua. I think I may just put that quote on the fridge as a reminder! And just think - You are a terrific Seeker, so therefore that Golden Snitch will not elude you for long, my friend! Just keep an eye out for a Bludger, ok? Ovahkummer - Hang in there. Keep that scale hidden for the time being. Just continue to eat well & throw in some walking when you can. I had my first fill 4 weeks after surgery. If you're hungry, get it filled - that's what it's there for! Towens - Wow 7.5cc's! I bet you're getting some terrific restriction. How much have you lost so far? How much are you able to eat at a sitting? Skinny Jill - Sorry about the Superbowl. Well, 18 out of 19 ain't bad! You are doing sooo well on your weight loss! I't terrific your down 35 lbs! I'm so glad you're doing well! Longhorn - OMGosh - You've got only 34 left till goal? Wow - that's inspiring. Well, I'm off to walk on that dreaded treadmill (can't wait for it to get warm enough here in Ohio to walk outside for a change). Love to you all & keep me posted on how you're doing!

Name................Start..........Current..........Goal ......To Go TxArcher............360.............345................345.........Zero baby! Foofy ................249............242.5 (yay!).....237.........5.5 Momto1plus1.......241............228.8..............229..........-.2 mariegabrieleee....261............252................256..........-4 Shortgal..............198............189................192.........(-3) Hollyberries..........298............282................285.........(-3) Trixie..................264.............241................244........ .(-3) Longhorn.............211.............204................199.........(5 ) Shalee04.............218.............205................206.........(-1) ellebrookes..........191..............178..............175......... 3boo Skinny_Jill...........195..............186...............180.......... 6 I'm okay with it! plump_princess......237.............220..............227.........(-7) alor ....................251.............214...............209.........5 want2lose............236.8..........226................225.........1 Firebolt................243.............215...............212..........3 Looks like we all should be congradulated!

ShortGal - DON'T GIVE UP BREAKFAST! It screws with your metabolism too much! Can you have a slim fast that won't stretch your pouch for b'fast? At least that will keep your metabolism up & then you can start solids at lunch! Hang in there ShortGal - That next fill will be here before you know it!

Hang in there Skinny_Jill! We'll get there. Thank God we can keep getting fills. Do you know of anyone who's at 10CC's and still hungry? Lord, I hope not!!

Hi Everyone! Had my 3rd fill today (I'm up to 4cc's in a 10cc band). That was at 11am. When I got back to work I had an Atkins Protein bar for lunch. Well, it's now 3:30 and I'M STILL FULL! This is nomrally my awful snacking time of the day. My daughter made Cookies, and I coulnd't even think about sneaking a bite! I just hope it lasts a while!

Hi friends, Just wanted to let you know that I've moved my 3rd fill up two weeks. I'll be getting it this Friday. Hope to get to about 5cc's & finally have some true restriction. I was able to eat a Subway Sandwich on Sunday after church. I thought the bread would be a problem, but it went down w/out any problems. Guess this means I'm not properly restricted (besides, I'm starving in the afternoons & end up snacking). I'll let ya know how it goes. Judy

Towens - I don't wanna count! So, I've got to count Protein, count calories and carbs? Jeez Louise! I just wanted to eat less & exercise more. Oh well - I guess this is the 'new lifestyle' I need to adjust to. Maybe if I get to proper restriction, I won't be able to eat those carbs cause my body will tell me not to. My brain just needs to catch up, huh?

Annie - I'm so glad to hear that your closet has become your friend again! Are the clothes still in style? If so, then you've got it made! It's got to be so motivating - they say, "nothing tastes as good as thin feels", and now that you're back in your old clothes, that's gotta feel good! It's also uplifting to hear that the lady at the gym remembered you & noticed all of your hard work. 35 minutes is a terrific workout, especially since you haven't been in a while. When are you planning on going again? Are you going to stick to a schedule, or just hit it when you can? I've taken your advice and have my next fill appt. for this Friday. I really want to see this weight come off. I get discouraged sometimes - here it's been about 2 months & all of my weight loss was in the first month! But - I am using my treadmill everyday. 40 minutes last night. I walked while watching a show on Discovery Health called "Addicted to Food"...It shows these extremely challenged overweight people fighting for their lives, barely able to walk. I'm so thankful that my battle is not as hopeless as theirs may seem. I've only got 100lbs to loose. These poor folks have 400-600 lbs to loose. It motivated me to keep on going on that dang treadmill. I don't have it too bad now do I? Write back soon! Judy

Marilyn - woah, 5cc's? That's HUGE! I imagine you wanted to hurl. How are you doing now? Have you been able to eat solids or are you still working the liquids? I guess the up side is that you probably won't need another fill for a while - huh? I want to have 5cc's soon, but my doc took it a little slower (2cc's, then 1 cc for a total of 3cc's) I've not had true restriction yet, but I do fill up sooner. However, I'm eating more than 1 cup at dinner. When I go in for my next fill in 2 weeks, he said he'd give me 2 more cc's bringing me up to 5. Write us back and keep us posted, ok? Judy

Cindy - Great idea! BTW - I hope your son is doing better. That's got to be very difficult. OK - Here goes: Bfast - oatmeal (instant) lunch - Frozen South Beach Diet Chicken/Spinach pizza (30gm Protein & 330 calories) Yummy! dinner - 4 oz salmon 1/2c Orzo salad w/Feta cheese & olives 1/2c Green Beans w/Carrots & dried cranberries (Birdseye) Drinks: 1c wine (ok, just shoot me) lots & lots of Chrysal Lite

Dear Friends, New Friends & Inspiration I cannot tell you how much support I've gotten from our shared 11/20 Thread. I met a local bandster today that I met on this forum (different thread) who happens to live just a couple of miles from me. She's exactly 1 year ahead of us (Nov 2006). Wow - she looks great. She's lost about 50lbs and has about 50lbs to go, but let me tell you - she does NOT look like she was ever a bariatric patient (this should be inspiration for each of us!) We're Already Helping Others (Amazing!) In talking with a newbie on another thread, they wanted to know what to expect the first couple of months after surgery. I directed her to this thread to read "the good, the bad & the ugly" from the mouths of those "walking the walk". She wrote me back after reading our posts & said that it was really educational, and that she'll take the information to heart. See - you're already helping others!! TLWEMPEN - Yes, I too am in Bandster Hell with you. Now, I've had 2 fills totalling 3cc's in a 10cc band. Still able to eat pretty dog-gone well! Went to Olive Garden the other night. Shared appetizers (fried of course) with my DH. Ate 2 servings of salad (I love their salad). Then shared a main dish with my DH (at least they split it onto two plates for us, he had 4 Ravioli & I had 3 Ravioli on my plate). Now, after the appetizer & salad(s), I was only able to stuff 1/2 of a Ravioli in my mouth before I said "enough". I was finally full. BANDPAL - It was so very good to hear from you again. I appreciate your honesty about eating, sliming & PB'ing, then eating again. God love ya! I have yet to slime or PB or even "mourn" my food loss because I just don't think I'm at the proper amount of restriction. Now, don't get me wrong. I'm glad my MD is taking it slow on the fills - This is better than being too full & PB'ing all the time. But the weight loss has stopped in my case, just as so many on our thread. We are all literally in the same boat. However, you're a little ahead of me, because you're actually feeling full. You are teaching me lessons on what to expect when I get to the proper amount of restriction. I'm not certain if I'm really looking forward to it! I've been depressed enough (post holiday, yucky cloudy weather, lack of weight loss) without mourning my loss of food! I'm only kidding of course. We wouldn't have taken this path unless we were really serious about getting healthy. TOWENS - Any better yet? You've got 1 more cc than I do - are you feeling less hungry? Any problems with ground beef or rice? I think when we get to the proper fill, those items will become more difficult for us (I'm still able to tolerate them without any problems). Guess I still need more fill. My Doc gave me 2cc's the first time, 1cc the second time and told me he'd give me 2cc's the next time (that's his preferred pattern 2-1-2-1-2...). So, that will put me at 5cc's at my next fill. I'll let you know if that seems to do the trick!! Ovahkummer - I'm glad you checked in with us - I was getting worried! I'm so glad you're doing well. Please continue to keep us up to date here. Again, I just want to say "Thank You" to each of you who continue to post & keep us informed. This is waaaay better than a "support group" that you only meet once a month. I feel like you guys are good friends now & we share so much together. I pray we all start to see the weight coming off soon. I haven't budged since before Christmas!! Hang in there folks & write back soon! Judy

Hi Annie! It was terrific meeting up with you for coffee this afternoon (again, sorry I kept you waiting!) Your insight & experiences were invaluable. We are exactly a year apart. It's hard to believe you were a bariatric patient! You look fabulous - even if you don't get to goal, you've got to be sooo proud of what you've accomplished so far. It's also great how much we have in common with the kids & mutual friends. I look forward to getting together again soon. Look at your calendar and see if there's a date in Feb. when we can get together again. I'm hoping we can get together with Jess & Penny also. We'll make our own support group! By the way - I went through the clothes you donated - I absolutely LOVE the Eddie Bauer Skirt & I'm looking so forward to having some new sizes to try on! The slacks are beautiful & the jeans will be great for the weekends. Thanks again! Talk to you soon.... Judy

Penny - how long do they think it will take before your blood pressure is down enough for surgery? Did they give you any kind of estimate? Glad to hear you're going to the gym. Sure wish I could get motivated to go!

Well, I was scheduled for my 2nd fill on 1/28, but just couldn't wait - I was so hungy I was snacking every afternoon! Called my doc and they were able to fit me in today. They put in 1cc (total of 3cc's now). Feeling much more restricted. Hoping this will last a while! How's everyone else doing? Haven't heard from you in a while...