ConnieD27

Hello all! I am fairly new to the forum, and just discovered this "Maine" board. I was wondering if ppl would like to do introductions? Even just some general info. Here's mine... My name is Connie and I live in South Portland w/my boyfriend and our 2 children. I had my band placed on 12/12/2007. My starting weight was 296 lbs. My current weight is 244 lbs. So, I am just shy of 4 months post op and down 52 lbs. I work full time and am trying to find ways to slip in excersizing...but would appreciate any/all input on how you all find ways etc! So, who's next? Connie :Dancing_wub:

Hello fellow Mainers! Well, we finally moved. We are no longer living in South Portland...we closed on our house in ALBION on 8/1 and moved 8/2! I tried e-mailing the intake person @ Maine General about becoming a patient- but it was returned to me. Does anyone have the name of the person to ask for when I call their Waterville office? Thanks!

I had to buy a pair of jean shorts for the holiday weekend, so I went to Target and all they had were size 16, 22, 24 ad 26. Since I was pretty sure I am an 18 now I got VERY discouraged. BUT, I decided to try the 16 on anyways...ad GUESS WHAT?!? THEY FIT!!! I got VERY excited and jumped up and down in the fitting room. My 2 yr old didn't understand what was going on, but was happy for me and my 6 yr old will probably never want to go shopping with me again...BUT THEY FIT!!!!! :biggrin:

Ok ladies. I am moving from the Portland area to I guess what you would call the "Greater Waterville" area for work. (We are putting a bid on a house in Albion, TODAY!) I'm hoping to transfer my care and would like some honest input about the dr's up there. I think Maine General is the hospital...but there are about TEN pages of posts in that thread! I was hoping to get information (good and bad experiences) on the dr's available. Thank you!

Last Friday I chaperoned my daughter's summer camp trip to the Boston Children's Museum. I walked around the museum for FIVE hours and wasn't sore the next day!!!!! Granted, I was tired that night- but who wouldn't be?!? That was HUGE for me. Also, I received some hand-me-down dresses from a relative. They are size 14/16W and I thought it was a cruel joke that she thought they would fit me. Well, guess what?!? One of them fits beautifully and the other is only a little tight!!!! That is AMAZING to me. I'm getting there I tell you! lol And, finally, I ran into an old friend that I hadn't seen in 2-3 years. She didn't recognize me! I have to finally say "hi" using her name for her to really look at me and realize that she DID know me. That was really nice. :thumbup:

I just updated my weight loss ticker today (weighed in yesterday) and I was able to see that I am HALF way to my goal!!! My goal is pretty hefty (no puns intended) and I am already half way there!!!! I'm so proud of myself right now that I had to share.

Thanks guys! Your support is SO appreciated. For the question about the ticker- click on anyone's and then make one. Then copy and paste the code into your signature (in your profile). :thumbup:

Thank you! I'm feeling awesome and SO proud. I appreciate you guys supporting me. :biggrin2:

I just updated my weight loss ticker (weighed in yesterday) and am ELATED that I am now half way to my goal!! YIPPEE!!!

Hi Lisamarie- I have had issues w/vomitting too. I've found that even if I eat slowly and chew REALLY well, *I* still need to be very careful. Some foods I just CAN NOT handle. eggs, bread (even toasted well), red meat etc. I am currently @ 6cc's in a 14cc band. My last fill was just a couple of weeks ago. I don't know if it's possible, but if it is- feel free to send me a message "offline". It looks like we face a lot of the same issues. Be well, Connie

Hello! My name is Connie. I was banded on 12/12/07 in Dallas, TX by Dr. Benavides w/ Lap Band Solutions. I am from (and live) in MAINE- but made the choice to travel to Dr. B for my surgery because of his stellar reputation etc. My pre-diet (and highest ever!) weight was 296 lbs. At 4 months post op I was at 244 lbs. It's SO amazing to me!! I had my last fill on 01/29/08 and my next one is scheduled for 05/06/08. I stretched it out a little longer the I should have, as I'm feeling as though I would benefit from a fill N-O-W, now! I have an AP-S band. If someone could tell me how to 1)post pictures and 2) get those cute ticker things...that would be really cool! Connie:teeth_smile:

Hi Gina!! Welcome to the board! I have found this group to be really supportive, and I'm sure you will too. Jump in and have fun!! Connie

Good morning everyone! I had my second fill last week, and my dr had a hard time accessing my port. I had to bend my knees up, hands under my bottom, lift my neck etc. It took two sticks and a little swirling of the needle (needless to say, it was NOT an enjoyable experience). Anyways, after he was able to put the 1cc in, he started talking about how I will most likely need a new ("designer") port in a few months. This REALLY freaked me out. Maybe I should be saying "shame on me" for not doing ALL the research and knowing about this...but I didn't know about this! I didn't know it was even a possibility!! Have any of you had similar conversations w/your physicians? Or, do you know anyone that has actually had this done? Thanks in advance!

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So, in a normal day- what type of food do you have for meals/snacks/etc?? I am thinking that I'm not really picking all the "right" things, because I don't seem to be loosing as much in comparison to some of you folks. Here are some of my examples: bfast- oatmeal or Cereal (w/ 2% milk) morning snack- Myoplex Light Bar/cheese stick/banana/yogurt Lunch- almost ALWAYS have a big salad (usually w/a hard boiled egg and a little shredded cheese). If I don't have a salad I have leftovers from home (either chick w/veggies or curry or something) afternoon snack- veggies with hummus/Myoplex Light Bar/cheese stick etc Dinner- fish or chicken, veggies (either small salad or steamed veggies) and rice/noodle type side (very small amount) evening snack (THIS is what gets me)- honestly, it varies and I don't make "good" choices. This is where I need some real help. I'm kind of embaressed to admit the things I choose here. Things like popcorn...or, last night I had 2 oreo's...things that I feel guilty over- but crave SO much! Thank you!

Here are some for me. The first 2 are "before" pictures. The first one (I'm on the right w/short hair in the navy gown) is Sept '07, the second one is Oct '07. First "after" picture is 2 months post op (Feb '08) and the second is 4 months post op (April '08). Feel free to share yours too!! pre-surgery2.bmp

Thank you! My weight loss has stalled out. I've been at the same amt for a couple of weeks now. I'm going back to Dallas next week for a fill...I'm SO overdue. I'm actually freaking out a little because I'm a bridesmaid in my cousins wedding in August, and I ordered my dress (in February) based on the 8-10 lb wt loss/month that my dr predicted for me. EEK!!!! Luckily, I think I was conservative enough that I won't look like a stuffed sausage...but I think it will be a tight fit.

Thanks Kerri! I have lost 52 lbs since starting the pre-diet on 11/30/07. I lost 9 lbs while on the pre-diet. So, I guess that means I've lost 43 lbs since surgery (12/12/07). Connie :biggrin2:

So, here's my answer- I don't exercize nearly as much as I should. I'm trying to step it up though!

I'm jealous!! I can't even do toast. I would forgo buying that stuff too...but with 2 little kids, it's a necessity! LOL PS- on my "room for a new member?" post I added progress pictures...if any of you would like to take a looksie. :rolleyes2:

Thanks Tracy!! PS- I LOVE your picture!!

Thank you for the reassurance, and I will check that other link! I try really hard not to drink w/meals. Occasionally I have to do a little sip here and there- but I used to drink 2-3 glasses of Water WITH my meals...so this is a big change for me. This is probably one of the hardest things about having the band (for me). I REALLY miss bread. I haven't been able to "handle" it yet. Also, what the heck is it about scrambled eggs?!? Do those make you folks sick as well?? Before I had my first fill I had no problems w/scrambled eggs. Since then though, I just can't handle even 1/2 scrambled egg. Thanks again.

You guys are SO nice. Thank you for the welcome. I've attached some pictures of my progress. The first is Sept '07 (I think I gained about 10 lbs before actually having my surgery- so that wasn't even my highest. I am the one w/short hair in the navy dress, but daughter is the little girl). The second is Oct '07. Then I have a 2 month post op (taken in Feb '08) and a 4 month post op(taken in April '08). I don't really see a difference between Feb and April. pre-surgery2.bmp

Thanks Sarah! I didn't order the additional wrist band things. I figured I need to get used to actually moving my body first! LOL I'm hoping that I love it too. I'm in a wedding in August and I don't want FLABBY arms!! ick

YAY for the board getting active!!!!!! Hi, I'm Connie. I live in South Portland...although we are hoping (please cross your fingers) to sell our condo this summer and build a house further north. I had my band placed 12-12-07 by Dr. Benavides in Dallas, Texas. I am probably going to be looking to transition my care to someone up here pretty soon. Are any of your dr's taking on patients that were banded elsewhere??