Butterfly07

It seems so rare to hear from someone else with Colitis and the band. I sure wish that having the disease had the effect of helping the weight loss, but no luck before or after the surgery. I think the only thing it helped was no constipation problems post op - ha ha! I have had colitis for 16+ years and can manage it pretty well, but apparently the mal-absorbtion issue is greater than we all thought. I thankfully still have my colon intact. I am about 6 weeks post op and 26lbs down total so far, with one fill and another scheduled for 11/28 but not sure what they will do now. I don't feel enough restriction when I eat but I am able to not experience any hunger so therefore I can eat a lot less volume. Has your colitis affected your post op life or with the removal of the colon is it no longer an issue? Good luck and good health!

Hi Sandy! Please read my post new today under "A Cautionary Tale"!! Please take care!

I had my first fill on October 24th, and they said it takes a few fills most of the time to hit that "sweet spot". I had a 2cc fill on a 5cc band and feel a minor amt of additional restriction. I am working hard to behave "as if" it is at my sweet spot already. Good news, I am down 7% body fat in addition to the weight loss!!! Good luck!

Count me in! Yup, January is the first month I slow down long enough to breathe. I am in the far NW valley.

I work in a school setting too, Originally I shared my decision with only 3 (out of 150 employees) close friends at work, over time, that group expanded - three others had GBP - and I have received nothing but support. However, if you are more comfortable keeping the information "personal", it is your right. Since I have students every day, upon my return from surgery, I told curious but well-meaning kids and parents I encountered that they did some "repair work" on my liver (they did a biopsy, so this was a form of the whole story) and that I was fine now, no one ever asked for more info. Good luck whatever you do!

I second the recommendation for SBC and Dr. Blackstone!! She did my banding on 9/19/05 and she and her entire staff are the best! They are thorough with the complete person and they really care. Plus, as busy as they are, Dr. Blackstone remembers me each time I see her (sometimes in the hall and she has NOT looked at my chart yet). She takes all the time you need and answers every question. I get my first fill with her on Oct 24th so I will letyou know how she is then. Go to www.scottsdalebariatric.com for her info. Good Luck!

That sounds great to me! Count me in!

Hello fellow September bandsters! I was banded 9/19/05 and had 6 incisions. All are healing very well. The largest one is about 3 inches (my port) it's on the left side, about 1/2 way btwn my breast and my belly button. I am on the musshie wagon until my first fill on 10/25, dreaming of a hamburger (no bun). AT my 10 day post op visit I was down 12lbs and had lost 6lbs the week prior to surgery just from giving up coke (I really miss my carbonated friend....) I tire easily and experience soreness after a long day, but I was back to 7 hr days after a week off and now am back to 8 hr days at work, feeling great. I am happy all of us have chosen this journey to a new us!

Hi Guys! I was banded 9/19/05 and am feeling great. My 1st fill is scheduled for 10/24/05. So far 12lbs down post-op and 6lbs down in 2 wks before surgery so 18lbs total! Here's my weird experience that I think my fellow bandsters can (maybe!) appreciate or...laugh like I am crazy! Here goes: One day last weekend my hubby - who is an amazing cook - was making steak and gravy for the kids and himself. It smelled sooooo good and I wanted a taste really really bad but didn't want to do anything stupid or painful. But mmmm, it smelled so good. I went over to the plate of sliced steak he had prepared and looked longingly, then peeked around, made sure no one was near, and popped a piece in my mouth! Don't worry, I did NOT EAT IT, but I did run it around in my mouth, lick it and make all the noises better left in the bedroom if you get my drift. Then I took the still whole piece out and threw it away. It worked! Satisfied my desire for a "taste" After all, it's all in the mouth anyway right? So guys and gals, have any of you ever done something as crazy as this? If this has been you, please let me know!

Thanks for making me feel a bit less crazy. I wasn't sure if you guys would find it funny or gross!

I am so sorry! As I was reading your post I wondered if somewhere in his mind he is fearful of the surgery and the changes it will bring. What do you think? Also, sometimes big changes brought on by their partner push them in a direction they were secretly heading. But hopefully, after he gets some time and distance he will realize what a great woman he has left and call you to try and work things out. Do you have family/friends nearby? A good support system is important. remember to still take care of yourself and get as much rest as you can. Wishing you luck!

My doc's rules (in AZ): pre op - liquids only after breakfast day before (to help w/bowel prep- UGH!!) nothing after midnight post op - first 5 days - clear liquids, clear broth and sugar free Jello only (no red) Post op 6th day to post op class - Mushies only -tuna, jello, fat free pudding, fat free cheese, yoghurt, refried Beans (?!) soft finely chopped chicked, soft, hard boiled or scrambled eggs. no drinking 30 min before or after eating, no carbonated drink, no sugar drinks no mention of protien drinks... That's all they tell you at first, then require a post-op education class to discuss life after that. My class is tomorrow 9/27 so will post more afterwards.

Hi! Congratulations on your band! When was your surgery? I was banded 9/19 and have notyet had a fill either. I couldn't agree more that I am sick of the soft foods. Plus, I have never liked tuna, eggs, Jello and mashed potatoes (unless homemade). How are you doing with amount of food you can eat? I can only eat about 2-3 tablespoons of food, and at the pre-op class they said that would be from post surgical swelling. I believe how severe the swelling is will affect when I get my first fill. I will say that it helps restrict my intake. I long for a spaghetti, Meatball & garlic bread meal...mmmmmm With a coke! Dream a little dream...ha ha How are you healing? I hope you do well! ps - your starting weight is my short term goal weight!

dianeb, Congratulations! I was banded on 9/19 so am one day ahead of you. I have had the same question about sleeping, I have always been a stomach sleeper and the least comfortable position has been on my back. Since surgery it's all I can do. So now my back hurts! I have even tried sleeping on my side but it feels good for about 1 min then uncomfortable. Anyone have any ideas for comfortable positions and/or timelines for sleeping on side/tummy? ALso dying to know if I can mash a bananna for a mushy? Is there a restriction on fresh fruit? I love fruit! Thanks!

Thanks coyotegirl! I chose banding because of the colitis. I understand my surgeon told my husband that she placed the "small band" what does that mean? I live in the north valley and work out at a local gym regularly. I hope to go back after next week since I still have some soreness at the sites. But I will go slow and work my way back up to my kickboxing classes, 45 min on treadmill & weights routine. My story in a nutshell: Mildly heavy all my life, heavier as years went by, was over 250 when had first child in 88. Mom, Grandmother and sister all about 380lbs + - my heaviest was 325 - just before surgery I was 307. Never have eaten a lot but most of diet was carbs and COKE! Miss that drink. Mom died suddenly at age 62 almost 2 years ago and her weight was 350lbs. Seeing how much pain and medical issues she had that were all weight related gave me a wake up call. My sister had a bypass almost 2 yrs ago (she was about 425lbs) and has lost about 190lbs now. Seeing how well she did inspired me to go for the banding. My husband of 20 years is very supportive as are kids, family & friends. I am looking forward to my new future as a healthy, slim woman. This summer I am planning my lifelong dream trip to the UK, and hopefully will be able to fit in the airplane seat comfortably instead of barley fitting into the seatbelt and having to have hubby raise his armrest to give me room. Thanks for the support!

I used to be on HCTZ a year ago, and had to have a D&C - well they did blood work and discovered that my potassium was almost zero and my Calcium too high. The doctor said these (especially potassium) are both potentially deadly as they throw your electrolytes off and that affects your heart. So my caution is watch your potassium while you are on the med!! Talk to your doctor about monitoring your levels. I was banded on 9/19 and haven't graduated to bananas yet (when can I eat these, can they be mushy?- I love them) but at the time I ate 1 a day and thay balanced things out. I am since off the med. ps - it makes you pee a lot so all that Water is extra important to drink. Good luck!!

Hi everyone. I have been peeking in at the site since I started seriously pursuing the banding in April. I was banded on Monday 9/19 and am feeling pretty good. I am in an unusual position, having ulcerative colitis - which is why I chose the band over bypass. I have some questions. Just wondering why you all chose banding over bypass and.....how long is typical until the first fill? I have a post op class and post op dr appt next week. but am looking forward to my first fill. last - how much weight loss is "typical" in the first 4 months? I have a big family event and want to buy new smaller clothes (in mid dec) is this realistic. ps - how do you put the scale thing tracking your progress at the bottom? Thanks for your posts, they are all awesome!!

thanks dylansmom, my sister had the bypass almost 2 years ago and has lost about 200 lbs, (she was about120lbs bigger than me to start), but because of the colitis I felt the band was safer, there was a big chance I would wind up malnourished, and have traded one life threatning problem for another. I want to be an old lady with my great grandkids too.

Hi! I am in Phoenix, Banded by Dr. Blackstone 9/19/05. Feeling very good. Back to work on Monday. look for my post "newbie" on the food thread for more info on me. Let me know your experiences/input. Here's to a new and better life!

Hi Jill! I am newly banded on 9/19 too!! Feeling so good it scares me. Typical post op pain at sites but moving and doing well. Peek at my thread under "newbie" i posted more info about me today. I wish us botha speedy and easy recovery. On to thin & healthy!