Lisa65

I'm so glad to read this thread! I was concerned because until today, I had 8cc in my Realize band, and only felt minimal restriction. I went today and they did a barium swallow to make sure everything looked okay and to see how fast the barium went through the band, then gave me .4cc and said they believe that will really give me restriction. Of course I'm on clear liquids for tonight so no real test, but when I swallowed the water there, it felt like air went down with it. The guy who gave my fill said, "Yeah, I believe you'll have restriction now! So be careful." I've heard that the Realize band is a lower pressure band, so I'm wondering if it just needs to get fuller than the others to really put much pressure on the stomach. This was my 4th fill, and I'm hoping for great things now. I've lost 55# since April, but it's basically been by conscious choices and small portions, not because I had a lot of help from the band...yet. I'm hoping I will now and it will help with the 2nd half of what I have to lose. Good luck to all. Lisa

My guess is that all the PBing has made you swollen even more. I would try very hard to stick to liquids only for a few days - maybe even Clear Liquids - to allow that swelling to minimize before you try anything solid (or even mushy) again. Many times the swelling from the PBs make a bad situation much worse. If you could stick to the milk (if that is your only liquid option), I really think it would be best. I know that is extremely hard to do, but you don't want to risk damaging something with all the PBing that's going on. I wish you the best - please keep us informed of how you are doing, okay? Lisa

I got the Realize Band on 4/29/08. I just got my first fill on 6/4/08 (it was delayed a week past the doc's normal 4 week mark because they were out of town at a conference). I got 6cc on my first fill! But they did it under fluoro and went in very slowly and it took that much to show any restriction on the Barium at all. I am just up to soft foods today on my post-fill diet and I haven't noticed much difference when eating, but I do notice a big difference in drinking Water. If I take a couple swallows together, I have to wait a minute before drinking any more to give it time for that pressure in my chest to lessen. And each time I drink (which I tend to do in bigger swallows and quickly, which I'm trying to slow down), I feel a strange pressure that feels like I am swallowing a bit of air with the liquid. It's not really a pain, more of a pressure, like I'm going to have to burp once the liquid goes down. I usually don't burp though. The feeling passes after a few seconds. Is this considered good restriction? I figure after a couple more days and once I try regular foods I will have a good idea if it is or not! Lisa

I'll third it! Best wishes - hope everything goes wonderfully! Here's to all of us being banded in these last three days of April! Lisa

Well I'm just glad you're not really disappearing completely! LOL.

The looser they get, the longer they will get. You do not have "fluff" holding them out/drawing them up any more! For example, take a shirt in your hands by the side seams and try to stretch it to make it wider...notice it gets shorter too? Same concept - only backwards!

I just realized when I looked at the clock that one week from RIGHT NOW I will be heading into surgery. I can't wait! Good luck to all who go before me - and after me as well! :biggrin2:

Maria - actually I guess it was my day 6 and 7 that were rough (Sat & Sun) but day 8 WAS better. I completely believe it has to do with being home on the weekend and messing with my schedule plus dealing with boredom and head hunger. Don't get me wrong, I am still really wanting some real food, but as long as I stay busy I'm okay. And I know I'll make it through. Thanks for the encouragement! We can ALL do this! Lisa

Maria, I found day 5 and 6 to be very tough too. It was better today. I think it might have more to do with my being home and bored, plus sleeping later than during the week, which threw my eating schedule off. It does seem a bit better today, although the thought of 8 more days isn't too appealing.......:tongue_smilie: Lisa

Whatever you are, be a good one. Abe Lincoln

xnuyawkas, I'm not sure who you were asking as there are several April Avenger fonts, but if you find the one you want you can simply highlight it, copy it, then go to "edit signature" and paste it directly below your ticker. That's how I got mine. I think it originally comes from a glitter something website. Hope this helps. Lisa

Hi, I'm Lisa from SW Ohio. I have been married to a wonderful man for almost 18 years. I have two great daughters, age 23 and 14, and an adorable 7 year old cockapoo. I am also going to be a Nana for the first time this fall! I get my band on April 29th with Dr. Curry in Cincinnati.

Hi all! I'm also scheduled for April 29th with Dr. Curry in Cincinnati, OH. I'm so excited! I have been on my pre-op diet (Medifast) since Monday and have lost 9 pounds in 5 days! I always lose quick the first week - the test will be to see if it continues into next week - and of course, beyond! It's great to have several others banded the same day! Lisa

Dee - 11 pounds in one week is AWESOME!!! You should be so proud of yourself! One suggestion on the sodium. You can buy it in those cartons that are basically the same thing with WAY less sodium. It costs a tiny bit more, but would probably be worth it. I was looking yesterday for broths to make my Medifast Soups with, and realized that with Walmart's brand (Great Value) of beef broth, the labels look just alike and would make you think they are the same thing. However, the one in the can had 940mg of sodium for one cup, and the carton one had 180mg for one cup. Unbelievable! Also, the carton one had like 5 less calories and .5g less fat. Go figure. I just thought you might want to try that if the sodium is causing Water retention. Good luck on your second week, and again, put your chin up and be proud of those 11 pounds gone forever! Lisa

Maria79 and wdwcrazy - welcome to the April Avengers! I'm also on the 29th and look forward to going through this process with my "band birthday buddies". Do you all have to do a 2 week pre-op diet? I start mine tomorrow. I can't believe the time is here to actually start the process! Welcome aboard!

My surgery date is April 29th. I am required to do 2 weeks of Medifast (which includes shakes, Soups, oatmeal, and bars (only one bar per day). You have 5 or 6 Medifast meals per day - nothing else except broth or boullion, sf popsicles, or sf flavored waters. I am starting tomorrow (1 day early) so that I have a one day buffer if needed. I do know that I am strong enough to do this without cheating, but I'm sure I will be hungry in the beginning. So I thought if I REALLY FEEL like I need some extra Protein or something that first day, I can have a bit of tuna or a piece of cheese on the first day, then hopefully by the next day - my first official day - I will be able to stick to the plan without adding anything. At least that's my hope! I know this won't be easy, but we really are doing this for our own good, so the surgery goes smoother and with less risk and our recovery is easier. We can do this, with each other's help! :biggrin: Lisa

Nesser - finally, someone on my day! I've been waiting thinking I was going to be the only one on LBT with April 29th! Band birthday buddies! :thumbup:

Good luck to all of you April Avengers getting banded this week I hope you all have a very easy and speedy recovery. We look forward to hearing from you from bandland! Lisa

Carol, I'm so sorry to hear about your kidney disease. I know that's awful. I have a brother in law who had to have a kidney transplant at age 48 due to kidney disease. (My other sister's husband gave him a kidney - all in the family! That was probably TMI too, but I'm proud of how close we 4 sisters' hubbies are) Anyway, I just wanted to give you a little sympathy. I think sometimes it's easier if they just give us the food (or liquid) we need to have and that's that. Having to do it differently than others makes it more difficult I'm sure. But you will get through it - I have faith in you! My nutrition class, consent, and physical is scheduled for the 10th. If I can also get my pre-op done the same day I will. If it doesn't work, I might reschedule so I CAN get it all in one day, to minimize my time off work. By the time I start my liquid diet, you'll be through with yours and already banded!

Carol - is that the Medifast diet? Is the flavor/taste awful too, or is it just not nearly filling enough? What does it consist of? Lisa

Ditto to everything ImWkgOnMe just said. This thread has struck such a chord with me and I can totally relate to everything that has been said. I also wonder about how it will be at family get togethers - we have always focused on food. But like everyone else, I will just have to focus on the company and think about the fact that I am so thankful we can all be together and be as close as we are. We will all get through these changes and make the necessary adjustments to our lifestyles, and be SO much happier in the long run. We can - and will - do this!

Nesser, I am also scheduled for the 29th. I'm happy to find someone with the same band date as me! My surgeon requires a 2 week Medifast pre-op diet. I go for my Nutrition class and pre-op testing on April 10th. I'm guessing I will start the diet after that.

Carol -I just sent you a private message so we don't hijack this thread completely - but wanted to let you know how excited I am to find someone who is using Dr. Curry so close to the time I am! To everyone else - I am just so excited to finally be a part of the bandsters (and soon to be bandsters) on this site, and I look forward to much interaction and support with everyone. I'm very thankful for this site. Lisa

Looks like we will have quite a few Ohio April Avengers! It's exciting to know we have others who are close by. Maybe we can all meet up in person some day! Turler - thanks for the offer of joining you. I was having trouble posting earlier and couldn't write all I wanted to, I kept losing it and finally went with a one liner, then it worked! Anyway, I know Dr. Curry has support group meetings at his office, but I'm not sure if they are only for his patients. I plan to find out. His office is only about 45 minutes away from me. He is on the northern end of Cincinnati. Anyway, I go for my nutrition class on April 10th. I'm guessing I will get my 2 weeks of Medifast meals then. I'm actually pretty ready for that I think - just ready to get the show on the road!

Turler (Carol) - where are you located? I'm actually in Oxford, OH