Sidann

I wish my plane got in earlier on Wednesday night so I could join you at Red Robin. I think I get in around 8:30. I'll be thinking about you. Brandy - I'll be looking for you Thursday morning. I bet I can identify you with your description of yourself but especially with your girls. I have short brown hair. Lifesaver - thank you for your personal story of the time between surgery and a fill. I needed that encouragement to stay the course and that I will start losing! You guys are the best.

When I had my preop appt with Dr. K the afternoon before my surgery Natalie gave me the prescriptions and had me use the pharmacy in the same building as Dr. K's office. I had an insurance card but the pharmacist said it was cheaper to buy them from her than pay my insurance co-pay. The bill for all the meds that Dee mentioned was $50.00. It was really a bargain. It was cheaper than Walgreens or anywhere else. I agree with Brandymom on the "out of it" time. I wasn't in very much pain but I was just goofy the afternoon after my surgery and the next day. I spent some time outside because it was such a beautiful day the day after my surgery and I wanted to walk a little. I got a sunburn! That evening I didn't even remember going outside earlier that day. My daughter reminded me about it but I still didn't really remember. For a while we thought my sunburn was a reaction to meds until she told everyone what I did that day. I had my surgery on Wednesday morning and flew home on Friday. By Friday I was doing really well but I needed help with my bag when I got on the plane and when I got off at home. Those are just my thoughts on the subject.

Brandymom - what a sweet offer! I am truly thankful for that gesture of support. My sister in law is going with me so I won't be alone. She isn't heavy and hasn't ever experienced weight problems but she has other areas of addiction. As a result she understands that I need support and has been there for me. Your offer and those offers others have made for Fatwidow have made me realize what a special group of people you are on this thread. I've read other threads on this site and never find the compassion and true concern I find here (unless it's someone from this thread that responds). I'll look for you when you come in for your appointment. Hopefully I'll be done before they take you back for yours. Thank you again for your offer of on the spot support!

Hey Brandymom - My appointment is at 10! That would be fun to meet you in person. I don't know why but I'm kind of nervous to have a fill. I need one so I'm going through with it. Besides that I've bought my plane ticket - more than twice what I paid to come have my surgery a month ago! This will probably be my last trip to the office because of the price of the plane trip. Dr K. makes it easy to get a fill but the airlines are just not as accommodating. I will go to a Fill Center USA near St Louis. My daughter lives in St Louis which is about a 5 hour drive from me. The Fill Center is about 4 hours away but I can cancel or reschedule easier than if I am flying. Now aren't you glad I said all that - good grief I'm wordy today! Hope to see you Thursday Brandymom! Sidney

Good grief you guys are doing so great with your weight loss!!! I'm the NOT Loser this week. I think I did what Dee said might happen - during week 3 I gained because I started eating regular food. But regardless I am up 1.5 lbs this week { BUMMER. But I'm not gonna give up. I'll be in Denver on Thursday for my first fill. I'm a little nervous because I have to fly right back out after the fill but I think I need one. I have an encouraging story. I met with a group of women for a quarterly meeting today. I wore a knit top and wondered what was wrong with the thing. It was hanging WAY down in front so I pulled it up and it would hardly stay on my shoulders. I asked a friend if the top looked as weird as it felt. She laughed and said that it is about 2 sizes too big. I haven't lost much weight but I guess I have lost enough for my top to be too big. She has lost a lot of weight (about 50 lbs)and said it's just one of those fun things about the weight loss. She hasn't had the band surgery and probably will never need it but she is really supportive of me and my journey. I have 3 friends who are trying to be supportive and helpful along the way. Between those 3 and all of you I feel like a million bucks even if I have gained weight this week. Sidney

Hello Banders - It's still Saturday here in Central Time so I'm reporting in with my weight loss. Now remember that I have been banded less than 3 weeks so I am losing easier than those who have been banded longer. I lost 4.5 lbs this week. I'm like you Mini - phen-phen was great while you were on it but forget it after you got off because I never learned how to eat right. Dr K said with a BMI less than 38 you needed 1 week of pre op diet. I lost 3 lbs that week and it wasn't too hard. Not having ANY potatoes or bread was a little difficult but overall OK. The night before surgery he said I could splurge but I didn't really do that too much. I have to confess something I did today. I wanted pizza so bad that I decided to order it and just eat a little of it (yeah right - eating my idea of a little of it got me where I am today - FAT). I called a place that only is pick up or delivery and they DID NOT answer the phone and I let it ring a gazillion times. Then when I hung up I laughed. What was I thinking? Obviously I wasn't thinking. I am there with the ice cream, chocolate, chips, etc folks on binges if I'm around the stuff. I am so happy to have found this thread. You really make me see this is doable with support. Dee - I'm a college teacher in physical therapy. I agree with the others. You would be a fantastic teacher in whatever field you chose. I am older than you are and went back to school at 39 after a bachelor's degree years before and pursued my health care career dream then was asked to come back and teach in the program I graduated from. It took more education but it was so worth it. I have had a lot of jobs over the years but I finally at 52 yo found the one that is my dream job - teaching in the field I love. I just completed my 10th year. A teacher of mine told me that as a practitioner she would impact her patients but as a teacher she would impact everyone that we treated as well. I'm sorry this is so long. See ya', Sidney

Hey BikiniBeachy - So glad to have you in this group. It is wonderful and everyone is very supportive. Dr. K is great. Your appointment will be in the office in Aurora. I was just banded on May 14 and so far things are going well. I have been back to work since the 19th part time and full time since the 27th and it has been fine. (I am a college teacher so I don't have a lot of strenuous activity but I do walk a lot.) The timing of your surgery depends on available days and your schedule. I had to wait about 9 weeks from my contact with the office until my surgery but it varies I'm sure. As Dee would say "we're saving a place on the Loser Bench for you and there's always room." SidAnn

Hey Banditos Congrats to grandmas recent and soon to be. I'm jealous. My daughter isn't married yet and no prospects so I'm still a long way off from that joy in life. I loved the toes Lap and you are looking so beautiful. Please put me down for 20 lbs in 10 weeks. I'm a little concerned because I have only lost 3 lbs since surgery 5/14. I'm a little low on the BMI scale but have 2 obesity related problems - diabetes & high blood pressure. I had uterine cancer 5 years ago so there are those hysterectomy issues as well. But I want to do well with this. I'm trying to be patient and Natalie said not to expect much loss until I get my first fill. It is so encouraging to come here and see and hear how everyone is doing. Thanks for spurring us on both new to this and not so new. I really look forward to "hearing" how everyone is doing. Dee - I love the protein plateau results you are getting and admire your diligence to stick with it. I think I will move up a step in eating because I have been hungry for the last couple of days. But maybe I'll add a protein drink in the afternoon. After all that's what Paula told me to do from now on - drink (for now) or eat protein mid morning, mid afternoon and between dinner and bedtime. I'm not always good about doing what I'm told but that is something I'm working to change. She's the expert not me!

Hi Banders - Just checking in. I'm feeling good and can't believe I've already had the surgery because there is very little pain. Today is my last antibiotic day and so far have made it without any mishaps (you know what I mean?) I'm experimenting with the protein drinks since I still have a little while without "real" food and have found a few things that I can handle. I have not lost ANY weight since the surgery. I didn't know how long it would be before I started. I'm guessing my body thinks I'm going to starve or something. I have been hungry some but a few sips of soup or whatever takes care of it pretty fast. Reading all of your posts is a bright spot in my day. Thank you for your positive notes and your honesty with your struggles. You have already talked me through some tough spots. I'm going to add my stationary bike to my exercise tomorrow. Walking has been it for me since surgery but I think in order to see the scale move I'm going to have to move more first! Sidney

Great input on the protein drinks - I'm going to keep trying until I find one. The antibiotic regemin (sp) (yogurt, anti-nausea meds,etc.) has worked pretty well today. All in all I'm doing great and very pleased with everything. Dr. K and all others in the office were super plus those in the surgery center in Parker were great. I couldn't have asked for more. Dee, Lap, Mal, Shellie and others have given me support this weekend when I had questions and helped me over the few problems I wondered about. Mini and Deb I traveled from out of state for surgery and everything went just fine. You've made the right choice in surgeon and lap band thread! I love the picture from RR - I wish I lived closer to participate some time. I'll be back to CO on July 12 for a fill. I would rather come back to Dr. K with an airplane ticket price than pay the same $$ with a stranger.

Dee - What a sweetheart you are! I will try those protein drinks - my problem is probably expecting too much from an "unflavored" powder. Since I am on full liquids I feel less like throwing up than I did on Friday. I'm trying to be still when nausea hits so that I do not throw up and so far I have not. My daughter lives about 5 hours away and I live alone but I have friends who will check on me. The physical part of this is one thing but the head part is something else. I feel like you who have been banded are the only ones who really understand what goes on in that way. Again - thank you so much! Hearing that some things are just normal right now is very helpful because I start thinking that something is wrong.

Thank you to all who encouraged me to keep going with the antibiotics and for ways to make it "doable". I took yesterday off but I see the wisdom in finishing what Dr. K told me to do. I have had trouble with antibiotics all my life so I'll just do the best I can and live with it. I'll be better off in the long run. My daughter just left to go back where she lives and had the same reminders you have had - walk, drink your water, and walk some more. She also added to get my protein drinks in - boy those are nasty. She was such a great support for me before and during and will be after as well. It is really comforting to have you guys around and you answered very quickly. Thank you SO much. I'm proud to sit on the Loser's Bench with all of you! Sidney

Hi All Dr. K Banders - I'm on the other side of surgery and feeling pretty good. Surgery went well (5/14 11 am) I have had only one problem. The antibiotic makes me REALLY nauseated and gives me diarrhea. I took it 3 days but that's it for me. Hopefully my incisions won't get infected because that medicine is worse than any pain from the surgery (and that hasn't been very much). I'm doing OK on the creamy liquids now. Any idea how long this swelling will last? Just thought I would check in and say thanks for the encouragement and for your informative posts. This group is by far the best thing going for encouragement to stay the course! For all of you with surgery coming up - hang in there it's worth it. Sidney

Dee - I'm having my surgery in Parker. Tomorrow at 4 pm is my pre-op and Wednesday at 11 is my surgery. I'm very blessed that my brother and his wife live in Parker and my daughter is coming with me for my surgery. It's nice to have that support as well as the support here. Thanks so much, Sidney

Hi to everyone. I will be in Denver on Wednesday but that is my BAND DAY!!! Yeah!! I'll be thinking of you but won't be there in person. It's good to read everyone's updates. I feel like I know so many of you even though I've never met you. Thank you for encouraging everyone through all of the stages.

Amie - I live in Miami, OK - way up in the NE corner of the state on the KS, MO, & AR border. But I am glad to hear there's another Okie with Dr. K. The closest support group or fill doctor to me is Tulsa. I may try support but his fills are around $250 and I can fly to Denver for less than that. Vucarre - I have my surgery on May 14 too. Maybe we will see each other during the process. I had my phone consult a few weeks ago but I don't have my nutrition consult until May 5 which is just 2 days before I do my pre-op diet. Dee - I love your website and have learned alot reading about your journey. Thank you for being so honest and willing to talk about your true feelings and experiences both here and there. I'm going to check my schedule and try to get to the Aug reunion. I'll just be 10 weeks post op but I plan on being smaller. It would be great to meet all of you who have so faithfully posted here. You all really encouraged me as I have made the decision to get the band and I wait to be banded. Just 20 days to my band! Sidney

Thanks to all of you for your greetings to a newbie. I have been reading your posts for quite a while and I know you care about everyone going on this journey. Dee - I don't live in CO - I live in Oklahoma. My brother and his wife live in Parker so I can stay with them when I'm there after my surgery. But I would like to try to come for a fill around the time you have a meeting. There is a group of banders that meet about 1 1/2 hours from me but no one very close. I have a very close group of friends who are supporting me in this but I believe it will be important to talk to all of you who are actually dealing with the band every day. All of you posting losses are encouraging me regardless of the amount. I have weighed the same for so long and when I do lose some weight I can't keep it off. I am a candidate for the surgery primarily because of the co-morbidities I have with my weight. Thanks again - 23 days til band!:tongue_smilie: Sidney

Hi Dr. K Banders - I have absolutely no clue what I'm doing but I'll try posting here. I have been reading your posts for several months. My surgery with Dr. K is on May 14. I am so excited and wanted to thank all of you for the information. You made my decision easy and I feel good about my decision. But I am VERY nervous about this step. I don't want to fail again!