A-band-on-me

____________________________________ I was also banded on the 17th. I think we really need to focus on our own progress and not compare ourselves to others. There are people who have been doing better than me in losing weight. They are proud of what they have done and they want to tell the world. I don't blame them; but we can't compare ourselves to them. Do you have any idea how many people are not losing as fast as they want to or as fast as some of the people who post on here? I am betting there are a lot. If you think you are a failure because you haven't lost as much weight as someone else, your wrong. Twenty pounds is significant weight loss. Go get a 20 pound weight and try to hold it over your head for 5 minutes. If you lose 5 pounds in the next 5 weeks, that is really good. It is way better than what you were doing before you decided to have the surgery. Get your head back in the game. You are doing very well. You have probably gained a little muscle. You might be retaining a little Water. You might need a little metamucil. Whatever. Keep going on the exercise and drinking the water and making good food choices. I'll try to do the same. And yes, I am pretty much sick of chicken.

_______________________ I had surgery 12/17 and had fill today done under flouroscope. It really was not bad at all. It is a funny feeling when the doctor fills the band up and then pulls the Fluid back to optimum level (without completely shtting the flow of fluid, etc). There is a very small amount of pressure in the chest for a few moments at that point. But it is nothing to be feared at all (for those of you who haven't gone for the first fill yet). I had this done at 2:00 p.m. and was back in work by 3. Right now I just have that funny gas feeling (like needing a burp) like I had after the surgery. I feel a little hungry but then I just sip about an ounce of Water and the feeling goes way for 5 - 10 minutes. I am staying on Clear Liquids for three days, then full liquids for a couple of days before venturing into actual food. Good luck to december 2007 bandsters and any one else venturing into this thread. Male 41 years of age 327/315/292 now/about 190 goal.

____________ Just wait a few days. You still have swelling and the air can't get out yet. I'll bet in a week you will be back to normal.

TMarie: Is there any pain at all with the fill? Having my first next week.

________________________ I thought Sheryl was good. Ten times better than the guy I saw in prep for the surgery. It just suprised me when I met her. I was finished with the doctor and all of a sudden they called me back from the waiting room and told me I was going to meet with her. So I sat with her and she was fine. Then she asked for $25 in cash and basically told me that I will meet with her each month and it is going to be $25 (which isn't a big deal but I really like to have insurance pay for things since my office -- which I own -- pays $20,000 a year for health insurance for me). I think I would have liked to have been told what the regimine was going to be after surgery. But, I think it will be good to meet with her. I wonder if there are going to be any other surprises. I was at my gym Wednesday night as well.

_____________________ Trish, i will let you know how it goes on the 24th with the fill. I asked our doc if I needed to do anything in prep for it and he said "no". I know I am going to have to go back to Clear liquids for at least a few days, then full liquids, etc. The one thing that scares me is the thought of having a whole lot of new foods getting stuck. I have had sticking a couple of times (when I am not thinking) and it is very uncomfortable. What do you think of the nutritionist that we have to see in the office?

Yes I am the one with the glasses. Takes me a few days to get back on here, sorry I didn't reply. I am going to try to do Monday support meetings. Wednesdays always seem tough. let me know if I missed anything (if you went tonight). Are you getting filled on the January 24 date? Our doc has time blocked out for it, I believe, to do it in radiology department.

Banded in NY on 12/17/07. 41 years old Out of sheer hunger I progressed from liquid to mushed food in about 4 days and I have been trying new foods and just chewing the heck out of them and cutting it really small. I progressed to gym exercise 3 - 4 times a week. I am exercising more than I ever have really before (at least in 15 years). I am down 20 from surgery and 30 from highest weight. Have a fill on 1/24 under flouroscope. Same doc as you Trish. I think Kaczmarski operated on me right after you. We may have actually met in support class. I find reading the LBT helps too. 327/315/295 now/195 or so goal.

I had my surgery on 12/17/07 and I ate a tiny bit at my office holiday party on 12/21/07. I was walking around the mall on 12/20/07. I could not simply drink Clear Liquids and eat sugar free Jello. The good news is that I tolderrated the surgery really well. I PROBABLY could have gone to work like two days later. The bad news is that I got hungry relatively fast. I am really careful with what I am eating now but I am eating food. Maybe I have a stomach like a billy goat but I am tolerating everything pretty easily. Also looking forward to my first fill in about 4 weeks. I am down 10 lbs from surgery date and 27 lbs down from pre-surg diet. I am not saying what I am doing is right; it isn't. But I really couln't just do liquids anymore. Good luck everyone.