tskelli

I agree. I started at 319 and the weight has dropped pretty quickly.

Typical day for me: B - Scrambled egg w/cheese or whole wheat mini-bagel with ff cream cheese L - Whatever meat and veggies they are serving in the cafeteria at work. I had a salad today with boiled eggs and cheese. About 1/2 - 3/4 cup D - Tonight I had 1 small piece of cubed steak, about 2 tablespoons of rice, and green Beans. I usually have a Protein shake between lunch and dinner. If I get hungry after dinner, I will have a yogurt or sf popsicle. I did have to start counting carbs. Even though I was eating less, I was getting in way too many.

I won't have a fill until 4/17 - 7 weeks after surgery. My surgeon put in 2ccs at surgery, and they said I will get 1 cc at my first fill. I have a 10cc band.

Just checking in. Life has been hectic the past week or so, so I haven't been around a lot, but I have come at least once a day to read posts. I don't get a fill until 4/17/08, and I'm okay with that. I did call the other day after reading all of your posts because I didn't know what size band I had or how much I would get on my first fill. They said I have a 10cc band and that they put in 2ccs at surgery. She said I would most likely get 1cc at my first fill. I still have some restriction, or at least I'm telling myself I do. I can eat pretty much anything, but I do get full a lot faster than pre-band days. I have not any of the complications like PB, nausea, or sliming. I have had some pain around my port occasionally, but she said it was nothing to worry about at this point. I have been walking about 2 or 3 times a week, 2 or 3 miles each time. When I called I asked if I could do other exercises now and they said yes. I've been looking into a gym membership, but I'm trying to shop around. I don't want to get sucked into a year-long contract and then wish I had gone someplace else. Just want to say thanks to all of you for being here. I have learned so much from all of you. You inspire me everyday!

I am using that one tonight!

I think my doc would have let me go back sooner, but I had 2 weeks of pre-approved leave, so I took advantage of it. I felt like going back after a week, and I've heard others say they've gone back in only a few days. As for the meds, I did get a narcotic prescription, had someone hold me accountable, took them only a few times, and then asked my husband to throw them away. Really, after day 2, I was ok on liquid tylenol. I would suggest telling the doctor your concerns so you can find out what your options are. Much success on your journey! Let us know how it goes!

Yay! :thumbup: Gibson, we need you around! Isn't that what we're here for? To listen to each other and support each other? I believe you would support me if I came here depressed. But we can't support you if you're not here! I believe you are going to do this! You don't have to believe it, just believe that we believe it! Your sense of humor and honesty are just what I need when I come here! So keep it coming! I won't get a fill til 8 weeks! It's frustrating. I've lost a good bit, but look where I started from. Now that I've lost, I have less restriction. I'm going to see if I can wait til 8 weeks. If not, I may have to pull a Gibson on them. :w00t:

EVERYBODY CALLS ME: Kelli MY PRIMARY RELATIONSHIPS INCLUDE: My husband, Tommie, and my 5 daughters. Jamie, 18; April, 17; Adriana, 16; Jasmine, 14; Brittany, 13 MY NON-HUMAN FAMILY CONSISTS OF: 3 cats - Kizzi, Shadow, and Lily. We rescued a dog recently, but I'm not sure if we'll keep her. The kids call her Bacon. I LIVE IN: Lexington, SC OCCUPATION(S): Inventory Analyst AVOCATION(S): I have a yearly vegetable garden, I'm currently writing a book, I also like to travel FAVORITE EXERCISE: Right now, walking. I COLLECT: Children...lol. I don't really collect anything except photos.

I have UHC and also had a 10% copay, but I haven't had to pay anything yet. I haven't received a bill yet, except from the anesthesiologist. I'll let you know when and if I do. I was banded in SC, so my surgeon may be different, but he didn't require any money up front. That was one of my earliest concerns, so I asked when I went to the first appointment.

Anybody seen her?

Thanks for the update! Glad you're home! Sorry about the catheter. Did they say how long you have to keep it? I'm sure it's only a temporary problem, right? Keep us updated!

I had my gallbladder out in 2000 laproscopically. As far as I can remember, the two are comparable. It has been a while since my gallbladder surgery, so it's hard to really remember exactly how it felt. I do know I wouldn't have wanted to go back to work after only a few days after getting the lap-band. After a week, I felt like I was ready to go back, but had a 2 week leave approved, so I took advantage of every day. I was raring to go by the time I went back. I had already lost 17 lbs, and my energy level had improved. Getting rid of all the caffeine and sugar helped my energy level tremendously. No more crash and burn. Much success on your journey! Keep us updated on how it goes!

Welcome! Yes, I went through that before surgery also. I think when I went for my initial appointment, I was around 290 lbs. As I went through all the pre-op testing, and especially when I was approved by the insurance company, I started eating like there was no tomorrow. I weighed 319 at surgery. I guess it's psychological? I'm not sure. I think I finally felt like there was some hope, and at the same time I gave up fighting and any amount of willpower I may have had left. Much sucess on your journey! I think you'll find a lot of support and guidance here!

I live in Lexington, probably about 2 hours from you. I don't know if the group of docs I go to would do fills and follow-up for surgery performed elsewhere, but it wouldn't hurt to ask. They may be able to tell you someone who will. Riverside Surgical is part of the SC Obesity Surgery Center. Their phone number is 803-791-2828. You can also find out more about them at South Carolina Obesity Surgery Center Let me know how it goes!

To jomarie and anyone else considering the band, I just want to say that not everyone goes through all these things. I only had to take pain meds the first 2 days after surgery, and liquid tylenol a few times after that. I didn't have problems with gas pain, and I was back on my feet in no time at all. I don't want you to think it is inevitable to be miserable during the first weeks after surgery, because it's not. I was hungry after several days of the liquid diet, but it didn't take much to make that go away. I learned that a lot of it was in my head. I didn't know anything but eating, so it felt odd that I wasn't stuffing my face all the time. I wanted to share some good along with the bad so you could get a complete picture. It's possible to get through it without looking back. I certainly have. I have no regrets. No matter what I went through, it has all been SO worth it. I wouldn't change it for anything! :sneaky:

Amazing! You were great! :thumbup:

Ditto... I'll join the ranks of wagon-faller-offers. I had a cadbury cream egg, several other pieces of candy, quite a few boiled eggs, and more ham than I care to mention. I am surprised that the scale wasn't up this morning, but it has remained steady so far. I did go out and walk today and got back on track with eating. I guess I'll allow myself this treat!

Ok - gonna try this one more time. This is me in October 2007. Not sure what I weighed then. Most likely 300+.

I chose mine, too. I haven't even discussed with my doctor, but I'm sure I will at some point. I'm 5'6", so I thought 170 or 175 would be a nice weight. I think that I will probably change it as I get closer. My DH is 175, so if I can get to 170, at least I will be less than him! I started out at 319, and haven't been under 240 since I was a teen, so 170 is almost impossible for me to imagine.

I'm not sure what happened to my pics. They were there last night after I posted. Guess I'll try again when I get home. I'm working late tonight. Gibson, I can tell you are a beautiful person. You are not your body. That's just a shell you temporarily call your home.

I was just thinking I'd like to start a thread to get know each other better. Guess I just needed to look. It was fun reading about all of you! It seems like we all come from different places and different walks of life, but come together so beautifully to share with each other, encourage and support each other. Anyway... I'm Kelli. I'm 37 years old, married, and mother of 5 teenage girls. :thumbup: They are 18, 17, 16, 14, and 13. My oldest is a freshman in college this year and living on campus, so I'm down to 4 at home. At least for now. I work at a company that manufactures electronics and such. We make ATM machines, picture maker kiosks, self-checkout machines, along with other computer-type stuff. I'm an inventory analyst. My husband is an electrician, 48 years old, and you gotta feel for the man being the only male in the house! :Dancing_shocked: He has been my biggest supporter and cheerleader in this. At surgery, I weighed 319 lbs and wore a size 26/28. The highest I've ever been is 328. I've struggled with weight all my life. I remember weighing in at 240 lbs when I was 16 years old. We have 3 cats. Kizzi, Shadow, and Lily. We just acquired a dog. She looks like she's mixed with chihuahua. She's a cutie, and I think we may keep her. I've really appreciated all the encouragement and support you all have shown since I've joined LBT. I'm glad we can share this journey together!

B - ff blueberry yogurt L - small piece of talapia, 1/4 cup green baby limas S - EAS shake, string cheese D - small piece of meatloaf, 1/4 cup spinach, little less than 1/4 cup mashed poatoes S - sf ff banana cream pudding Dang I did terrible with the carbs today! :thumbup: Guess I'll have to get back on track tomorrow. :Dancing_shocked:

Hey olgi, I personally use 100% whey. I buy it at Wal Mart. It comes in chocolate and vanilla. There may be other flavors, but I haven't seen them. I had a hard time getting the shakes down at first, then someone told me I could use sugar free syrups. I use the chocolate powder in the blender with ice, fat free milk, and a little Sugar Free Chocolate syrup. Sometimes I add a small spoonful of reduced fat Peanut Butter. Sometimes you have to get creative! When I don't have time to make those, I use the ready made Atkins or EAS shakes.

Congrats on the clean time! That speaks for itself! I have been clean 6 years, will be 7 in July. My husband just celebrated 11 yrs. Your surgery is coming up soon! Be sure to let us know how you're doing!

B - 1 scrambled egg w/cheese L - salmon patty, 1/2 cup brussel sprouts S - EAS shake D - another salmon patty, 1/2 cup broccoli S - sf popsicle