dj_bryan

Good Morning Everyone! Happy Birthday, Eileen! Betty, I can actually tell a difference already. Since I am on liquids I don't know how far it will go or how long it will last, but I found out I can no longer gulp! I feel like a funnel. :thumbup: Jessica- I'm so glad you girls are going to get together. I wish I could be there. My middle daughter, who lives in NJ, will be down here that long weekend. Pat- have you been to the beach? You look so tan in your pic! We are going down this weekend with good friends of ours. Diane- that was a good idea taking your DH. I may ask mine next time if he wants to go. Of course that means he will be there when I step on the scale. Sherry- I sure hope you're feeling better. Trish - hang in there. Sometimes things get worse before they get better. You have a lot of support here, so please take advantage of it. Have a terrific Thursday everyone. Donna

I had my first fill today and the dr said liquids today and tomorrow and mushies and soft food for two days after that. Then I can eat whatever I can tolerate keeping in mind that protein comes first. :wink_smile:

Hello everyone! I had my first fill a few hours ago and it went really well. My doctor does all fills under fluro and it was so interesting seeing the port and watching the liquid go down. He said he put in a little over 3cc's. The liquid did go down more slowly when he got to that point, but I'll be surprised if I have any real restriction after the swelling goes down. It has given me renewed motivation though. :thumbup: Trish, I hope your mother's health is improving. She is in my thoughts and prayers. Have a happy Wednesday everybody.:wink_smile: Donna

Good Morning ladies, I hope everyone is doing well. I had a terrific time with my oldest daughter this past weekend. She is a lot of fun and I was sad to see her go back to NJ yesterday afternoon. About a 1/2 hour after I got back from taking her to the train, my SIL came to spend the night before going to a conference this morning in VA Beach We had a great time last night cooking out and drinking too much wine. :cool2: It's been a busy few days, but good busy. NYCfun- welcome. I know you will enjoy this group, they are all terrific women! I am looking forward to my first fill tomorrow. Even though I'm not expecting much as far as restriction, a couple of days on liquids should put me down a couple of more lbs. Every little bit helps, right? Kat your SIL sounds like she has a lot of energy! Maybe you can put her to work on something other than decorating your home.... polish the silver or clean out the junk drawer. LOL I hope everyone has a wonderful day. I'll let you know how my fill goes tomorrow. Donna

:cool2: Pat, you deserve to brag; you look fabulous!

Of course we don't mind....the more the merrier! Is your husband stationed at Fort Dix? My nephew is in Iraq now as well. I will keep them both in my prayers. This is a really supportive group here. Donna

I was also a few lbs heavier the day after surgery. It went away plus more a few days later. Don't fret. :cursing: surgery 6/25/08

Jachut, congratulations on your weight loss; you look wonderful! I'm not sure you can buy vegemite here in the states. Last summer I met a group of Aussies at a week long workshop in San Diego. They brought some in for us ignorant Americans to try. It must be an acquired taste, because I can eat almost anything... but not that! I'm sure there is American fare for which you can relate! lol

Good afternoon girls. Betty, thanks for starting a new thread for us. Jessica- you have done a fabulous time with your weight the past 9 months. Any secrets you can share? Pat- I'd be happy to get together with you and Diane. I have my first fill on Wednesday so we can celebrate that! (not that we need a reason to celebrate.) Have a terrific weekend everyone. :cursing: Donna

I am 5 weeks post op and eating between 900 - 1200 calories a day. The past three weeks I have lost 1lb each week. I go for my first fill next week so I hope that will help some.

Hey wonder women! I hope everyone is having a good week. I went to my sisters today to sit by the pool. I don't want to lose my tan!:biggrin: Sherry- It's amazing that our technology is so advanced and we cannot get you relief for that awful reflux. That's a terrible feeling and I do empathize with you. Jessica- I bet you have some tan after all that time in the Dominican! I am looking forward to seeing some pictures also. Betty and Kat- thanks for your support and not making me feel like a circus freak because of this big band. I'm happy to have the band, and if it takes longer to find that sweet spot, so be it. If I didn't have it at all I would be getting bigger all the time. Trish - did you go to the Lancaster PA area? I remember touring a Herr's factory there. Diane- I'm glad you're getting a break from your boss for a few. I prefer less tension to more work anyday. Pat- have you tried that outside take out service at wawa? How is the food there? Is Eileen away? My oldest daughter (26) is coming in from Jersey tomorrow for a long weekend. I am so looking forward to it; she's always a lot of fun. Take care everyone.:biggrin: Donna

Good Morning, everyone! I went to the nutritionist Monday afternoon. The usual one (zero butt) has gotten a new job, so they have an interim one there until they find a replacement. I was worried about my weight because of vacation, but I was actually down 2lbs, so I'll take it. The nutritionist did not even look at my chart. She thought I was a gastric bypass patient. When I told her I was a lapbander, she couldn't understand why I was hungry because of the restriction from my fills. I then had to tell her I haven't had my first fill yet, and she seemed surprised. She was no real help. She told me to eat what I could tolerate and try to keep around 900 calories a day, not to exceed 1200. Good thing I'm off right now, because I would have been more aggravated if I had to lose time from work for this. I have 8 more lbs to go to reach my mini goal of losing 25lbs before I go back to school. I'm hoping next week's fill will help some. I'm not counting on much restriction, but maybe a day or so of liquids will speed me up a couple of more lbs! Have any of you noticed any difference after the first fill? I looked at my card and have a 14cc band. WOW... I knew I was fat, but I wasn't thinking circus material! Anyway, I wonder if it will take longer to get restriction with such a big band. Any thoughts are appreciated. Have a great day. Donna

Hey ladies, I'm baaaaaaaaaacccccccck! I had a terrific time on vacation. The cape is lovely and quaint in many areas. Sherry, I love the Stop and Shop! I wish we had one here in VA. I have an appointment this afternoon with the nutritionist (zero butt). I feel like I did well with my eating inspite of the spread that was put out each night. However, I did drink pretty much every day so I'm worried I may have gained. I was conservative with my drinking most days except for the day I had 3 chocolatinis. WOW they were so good. OH well, if I gained, I'll just lose it again. I want to lose weight, not stop living! Pat it sounds like you had a good beach week. I got pretty tan, actually, although I'm starting to peel already. Diane how have you done after that last fill? Can you tell you've had it? Betty, it sounds like you had quite a scare; I'm glad you're okay. Trish, let me know how that first fill goes. I have mine in about 9 days. Have a terrific day. Donna

Allis, what's done is done. Take it as a lesson learned and get right back up on that horse! You're doing great!

Good evening, I hope you are all having a good weekend. Pat, forget the Schnapps; I'll pick up some more. OH>>I am so happy you posted the new pics. You look wonderful and younger than your previous pic. Keep showing it off... you've got it!!! :smile: Hey Diane, I hope the tweak is all you need to keep going. You look like you're getting pretty close to goal! Oh, how did DH like the girls??:ohmy: Sherry, I hope you're feeling better. We will be staying in West Yarmouth. I've been to Boston before, but not the cape so I have no real idea of where this town is in relation you. We have a 7am flight tomorrow and I can't wait. I'm sure it is lovely. :smile: Susie, good luck on your surgery. You will be fine. Trish, your pool sounds beautiful and inviting. Try kissing that frog and see if anything happens :frown: You have a lot on your plate right now. It is so difficult when parents get old and need so much care. My mom has advanced Alzheimers and has lived with my sister for the past 4 years. I take her when my sister goes away and I swear I don't know how she does it day after day. My hat goes off to you. Eileen, I hope you feel better soon.:scared2: Betty, technically it wasn't my first drink, but it certainly was the first one that packed a punch. Pat knows how to make a drink that tastes good and can wallop you.:ohmy: Someone asked which one of us is Diane and which is me. Well, Diane is the one with the svelte body. I was banded 3 weeks ago... I'm the fat one! Consider it my before shot.:wink2: Have a good week everyone. I'll post again in a week when I get back home. Donna

Good afternoon, ladies. It's another beautiful day here. Betty, I'm going to Boston and Cape Cod. It will be casual, but there are no laundry facilities so I'm scrounging a bit to find something to wear each day. I had a great time over Pat's yesterday. Her and Diane are so sweet and welcoming. Pat's home is fabulous and she's a wonderful hostess. The picture she shows here does not do her justice; she's a knock out. I think its time to update. :Banane03: Diane, are you still on liquids? Can you tell any difference with your new fill? You're right, Pat makes a helluva martini. Hey Trish; hope you're doing well. I'll catch up with all of you tomorrow. Take care. Donna:teeth_smile:

Good Morning everyone, I hope this post finds you well. I'm getting ready to go on vacation next week and I'm having a bit of a clothing crisis. I don't want to buy anything because I'm losing and what I have that fits is looking outdated or shabby. Any cheap suggestions? Sherry, I look forward to your long posts. Type away when you have enough energy! :frown: Trish- I'm right here; somedays I just don't think I have much of interest to say. I'll post more if you don't mind the mundane. LOL Betty, are you recovering from your company? People who don't entertain have no idea how much work is involved for those that do. I enjoy it, but it does take time and it can take its toll. Pat and Diane, enjoy your day at the pool. It certainly is beautiful weather today. :eek: Have a terrific day everyone! Donna

Hey Trish, thanks for the information. So far I haven't had problems with any foods. I tread fairly carefully, but I'm already allowed mushies and soft food after 2 1/2 weeks. I can go on solids after the 28th appt if everything is going well. My first fill will be Aug 6th and after reading so many posts I'm not counting on any restriction. I moved to VA 7 years ago from Lawrenceville, NJ (between Trenton and Princeton). I lived in NJ for over 40 years. I know about where you are... Pennsville and Penns Grove area. I have a brother that still lives in Moorestown and another that lives in Chesterfield. I was there in May when my youngest brother had a big white trash party.. it was a blast; he had a blow up doll, a blow up sheep, an Elvis impersonator, and lots of typcal foods like cheese whiz and spam! About the incisions... I have the same thing. In fact, just last night I cut off the small part that was hanging. LOL I didn't come unwound or anything, so I guess it's okay. They still itch a bit, but besides that they're not too bad. Congratulatons on the 25lbs! I hope to get there by the time I go back to school in about 5 weeks.. that's my mini goal, anyway. Donna

I go to the wlsc of hampton roads and had surgery on June 25th. You pay a $750 program fee, and my surgery was $18,400, including the hospital and all care there as an outpatient.

Moni, I just went for my post op appt, 13 days out, and the Dr. said I could go back on aspirin. I think you'll be fine, but just double check with him at your appt before taking more. Don't worry. :thumbup:

Thanks for the information, Betty. Now I won't feel like I'm doing something wrong when I have a few. Pat, thanks for all the soft food suggestions. When I went to lunch yesterday I ordered huevos rancheros and ate the eggs and beans. I'm trying to stay away from lots of carbs since it seems the more I eat them, the more I crave them. I'm anxious to hear how your fill goes, Diane. I'm looking forward to my first one. How many does it take to notice? Is Dr. Clark conservative with the fills? I hope everyone has a great weekend. Donna

joiful, yes I read the Secret and it really does help to put your life in perspective. As far as slimfast goes, I've been buying the low carb version and it contains 20g of protein.

Good Morning lovely ladies and thanks for the congrats. I know I have a long way to go, but I have to start somewhere. I am actually able to eat mushies and soft foods. I don't have to do anything pureed they said because I'm doing so well. When do people start sliming? After fills? It hasn't happened to me yet. I have my first fill on Aug 6th, so I hope I don't find out! Diane, one of the best things about this thread is nobody does chastise each other. I've read some of those other threads... it's scary in some of those places; people can be miserable. What's the point? We're all human and support goes a lot further than chastisement. Pat and Diane, where are the chocolate stains coming from, I'm almost afraid to ask? I'm lucky not to have a big sweet tooth. Give me a bowl of spaghetti or a greasy cheesesteak anyday. :redface: (it looks like those days are long gone) Question: When did you add alcohol back into your diets? I'm going on vacation in a week and a half and I would really like to have a few! Well, thanks for listening and have a great day. Donna

Yes, I'm here! I went to the dr for my post op appt and I lost 15 lbs! I'm so excited; only 101 lbs to go. lol I hope everyone is having a great week.

ML, Dr. Clark did my surgery 10 days ago. He was the doctor whose seminar I attended. I think that's how they assign you, although I would think you could request. Good luck to you and Bridgette. There are many knowledgeable people who post and give you support. I feel so fortunate to have found some of the best. Donna