Lcubed

Hi Everyone. Just checking in to see how you are all doing. I'm feeling good. I'm one of the Notorious Novembers - had my surgery on 11/10/08. I just had another fill this past Tues. I hope that does it for awhile. I do finally feel more restriction now. It's funny how different everyone is regarding the amount of fills needed. Doesn't matter as long as it works - right?! I've lost 35 lbs so far and though I want it to go faster, I am not worried because I know it will happen. I feel such a difference in everything I do - especially wearing my jeans. They are all too big on me BUT I am waiting to buy new ones til after the summer. In the meantime I'll just try shrinking them in the wash. What a problem to have..lol! I certainly don't mind at all. To all those just recovering from surgery..after the liquid post-op phase, the hardest part is over - from my point of view. Although everyone is different, I find I can eat any type of food without having difficulty but the amount is so very much less. Then, as you see the weight coming off, it increases your motivation to eat less. That, combined with the fills, prevents you from eating too much also. I am excited the weather is getting nicer and willing to do exercise with anyone willing to join me...wherever you live. I live in Oceanside, but I never mind driving further east on Long Island. I also would love to get together anytime you guys are planning something. I could use the support and certainly welcome the friendship. We have all gone thru (or are about to go thru) a major change in our lives and I would love to both receive and give support to my fellow bandsters. All the best, Lisa L.

Congrats fatgirlinNY! It took me a little longer to feel better. I had to stay on full liquids for 2 weeks following surgery. I tried to drink the protein drinks but they started to make me sick. I ate as much soup as I could. Bottom line is that I didn't get enough protein during that time and felt weak and nauseas. So don't do what I did...keep drinking whatever protein drinks your dr. told you to have. You will feel better in the long run. After 2 weeks I was able to eat soft foods...that was much easier. Good luck to you!

Hi Donna and Ali! I'm from Long Island, New York and I was banded on 11/10/08. I know how you both feel and what you are going thru at the stages you are in, respectively. If I can help either of you with any questions you may have, please let me know. Of course, I will be speaking from my experience, but I always feel that all input is good. So let me know if there is anything I can do. In the meantime, good luck with your journey...you won't regret it!

Hello Everyone...new and old! I haven't been on in awhile but I have been thinking of all of you and hoping that you are doing well. I have lost about 30 lbs and seem to have reached a plateau. I know I need to do more exercise. I have lots of plans for exercise as soon as it gets warmer but it's taking too long ! So far, I have had 3 fills. Actually I only felt the last one...I'm now at 5.7 and I go back on April 4 so we will see what happens then. I'm thinking that a little more may do the trick for awhile...I hope! Gr8fulmaria: I live in Nassau County also (Oceanside), and would love to have an exercise partner...so if you are game...let me know. Anyone else is welcome also. I also would love to have some support from you guys. You all helped me thru the pre-op stages and now I could use some help with this phase. In return, I'm here for all of you, as well. I would love to get together for our own support group. Hello to all my friends...Susancarole, Amanda, Shrinkinmom, Cappy, Slimtobe, Candle, and everyone else who is still posting! Hope to hear from you soon! Lisa L.

Hi Everyone! So I had my appt on 2/9 and got a fill of 1.5 cc's. Now I am up to a total of 3.7. It's hard to say if I feel different yet...a little too soon I think. I've lost a total of about 28 pounds so far. That's 28 pounds gone forever!!! Hopefully this fill will help speed things up a bit. I do have to do more exercise too and am planning several ways to do that. dinner next week would be great. I would love to get together with all of you. I hope everyone is doing well, feeling good, losing weight, and gaining health and happiness! Looking forward to hearing from you, Lisa

Hi Everyone! I have an appt tomorrow with Dr. Geiss. I am assuming I will get another fill. I feel like I need more restriction. I am now at 2.2 cc's but it is not enough. I would love to get together whenever you guys are planning on it. The only nites I cannot make it are Thursdays. I'll let you all know what happens tomorrow. I hope you are all doing well!!! Lisa

Hi Everyone! I know I haven't been around much or posting lately but I've been reading the posts. Sounds like you are all doing well. I have my 3rd appt. on Feb. 9. I already had 1 fill but I didn't notice any difference at all. I'm at 2.2 cc's now. I have lost 28 lbs. overall. I definitely want another fill when I go to my next appt. I'd love to hear from you guys and find out where you are at with respect to your fills, weight loss, and general progress. Hope to hear from all of you soon! Lisa L.

Hi Everyone! I am definitely getting lost with all of the names but I know it will be easier when we all meet in person. I am glad to hear everyone seems to be doing well. Well, I lost 20 pounds so far...since my initial consult. Of course this includes the preop diet but that's okay. I'm on soft foods now for another week and then I can start regular foods. So far I have not had any difficulties. I go back on Dec 29 for my second visit...and maybe my first fill. I haven't had much of an appetitie at all. I have also had some nausea...has anyone else had that? I don't have that much energy...probably not getting enough Protein and Water...but I am trying. I have also been pretty emotional...anyone else feeling that way? I understand everyone is meeting on Dec. 10...I would like to try to be there too. Where is the meeting, what time, etc? Please keep me posted. I wish all the best to everyone...keep in touch! Lisa

P.S. Only 4 more days to go til mushies!!! I am so excited...I have been dreaming of eggs!!! I have my first post-op appt on Mon. morning and can't wait to hear those lovely words..."you can eat mushy foods now"...lol! Lisa

Hi Everyone! First of all I want to wish Cappy aka Fran the best of luck today! You will do greyt and it will all be over soon. Then Miriam ... you are up! You, too, will do greyt! I was talking with Sue and we were planning on going to the December support meeting. Anyone else interested? Not sure of the date...but we can find out. Then I would definitely love to start our own group. You guys have helped me so very much during this stressful time! I can't imagine having gone thru this big event without the support you have all shown. Let's get Fran and Miriam through this week and Chris thru Dec. 3, and then maybe we can organize our group. I would be willing to try to make a list of who we all are...screen names and real names, locations, dates of surgery, etc...so we can think of where we would like to meet and how often. What do you all think? I would love to do anything to make it happen!!! You are all such wonderful people and I am so happy to know all of you! Lisa

Hi Capricorn32! How are you feeling? I hope you are doing well! Lisa

Hi Jorja. I was banded on Nov. 10. I had asked my doctor about taking my regular meds and was told to take them one at a time slowly. I have been doing that and have had no trouble at all. I would suggest that you verify with your doc but this has been my experience. In fact the pain meds I was sent home with were regular size pills (vicodin) and they went down fine. Just go slowly and you should be fine. I can't imagine a gelcap giving you any difficulty. Good Luck and take things slowly.

I just heard from Sue. She is home and in a little pain...but that is to be expected. She is very happy and relieved that it's over. My best advice is to take all the pain meds you are allowed to take. This is no time to be a martyr...and there is no point to it. The important thing is to be as comfortable as you can; walk as much as you can; and definitely sleep, sleep, sleep. Each time you wake up you feel a little better. Hope to hear from you all soon. Lisa

P.S. Sorry to ask this...but did anyone else have diarrhea? I called the doctor and the PA said we shouldn't have any but I do. I have to call back today. Just wondering if anyone else had it...

Hi everyone! I am home now. I just got home last night. I stayed at my sister's house in Babylon for a few days since I live alone. That way I could at least have some company and some help if I needed it. I had my surgery on Monday and was discharged on Tuesday...now I am home. My sister and brother-in-law helped me alot. They brought my doggy to their house and took good care of her for me. I'm not sure she wanted to go home with me after all of the special treats she got...but we are here now anyway. I have been pretty sore and achey but each day gets better. I am going to try to go to my training session today...I am working toward my license as a Gestalt psychotherapist and we have 2.5 hour sessions every Friday morning. I think I can do it so I am going to try. I can always sleep when I get home. Hopefully I will be comfortable enough to sit there. I wish the best of luck to everyone this week. I've been in touch with Sue...so far so good. I hope Debbie is good too. I can't wait to hear from them. I want to thank everyone for all of your good wishes!!! They mean so very much to me! See you all later. Lisa

Hi! Susancarole: Thanks so much for what you wrote! It's' greyt to have all of you for support...It means so much! Wow...47 pounds in 10 weeks is amazing! Thanks again, Lisa

Hi Everyone! Well, Monday is almost here. I was told to be at the hospital at 9:45am...surgery is at 11. I am so very nervous. It's so real now...it's really happening! I have been on the liquid diet this week and I am so hungry. The shakes are awful...I have Medifast. Thankfully we can also have soup. That has helped. Otherwise it has been a long week. This is a busy week for surgeries...me on Monday, and Sue and Debbie on Thursday. You guys are lucky you will be in the hospital together. I wish my friends and family were more supportive...but, it is what it is. It is so nice to know all of you; the support you all have provided is so helpful. I am looking forward to our support groups. Good Luck to all of us! Lisa

Hey Nancy. I am having surgery on Nov. 10 also. Who is your doctor? I will be at Syosset Hospital. Is anybody else having surgery on Nov. 10 by Dr. Geiss? I'm looking for a surgery buddy. Thanks, Lisa

Hi Everyone! Sue129: Hi Sue! I am now so very nervous...ever since the educational class! Not that I heard anything new, as you said, but just that it is getting so real now. My appetite has been out of control this past week also...as that liquid diet gets closer. I was going to start early but I didn't. The past 2 days I have been trying to eat much lighter, though. Cappy: Hi Fran! I didn't focus on the part about the breathing tube...until you mentioned it...lol! I do agree 100% with your philosophy about the risks. Having surgery is always a risk, but remaining the way I am is a greater risk to my health now and in the future. So, it's time to take things into my own control and do something about it. And, this is the "something" I am doing for my own sake. I think your idea about meeting at a diner on 110 is greyt. You are right...we can sit there as long as we want and we can have coffee or tea or soup, etc., depending upon what stage we are in. But we can always have water! I don't know the area that well, but I'm willing to go whereever is most convenient for us all. I am looking forward to meeting! When would everyone like to start meeting? Candle: Your little Bella is beautiful! I can't wait to take my Juliette out for a long walk without my back hurting. Juliette would love to meet Bella and play with her sometime soon! And thank you so much for the Campbell's V8 soup suggestion! It's a greyt idea. I bought something like it at Costco...a soup in a box...and it is delicious. As soon as I run out of it, I will buy some of the Campbell's V8 soup. I always loved V8 pure vegetable juice also. Are we allowed to have that to drink on the liquid diet? You have done so well with the lapband! How does it feel to actually be below your target weight?! Susancarole: I definitely am not driving myself to or from surgery. I want to thank you also very much for the offer of a ride. It is amazingly nice of you. My sister is taking me there and staying with me awhile on Monday, the day of surgery. She also rearranged as much of her work schedule as possible and can take me home the next day, as long as I can be discharged by 2pm the latest. I am assuming I won't be there longer than that...I hope not! Meanwhile...you are doing so well...42 pounds already! That is fantastic! Well, tomorrow I'm off to Fordham University to see my wonderful niece being honored at the Dean's List ceremony. She is a senior and this is her 4th time! She is pre-med, is number 1 in her class, has a 4.0, and has just been accepted to 2 medical schools so far...with more acceptances to come!!! I'm such a proud aunt! I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend! Lisa

Hi Everyone!!! It was so very wonderful to meet Cappy and Sue129 both in person at the educational meeting yesterday! I am very happy to know both of you! I'm so very excited and now even more nervous! It hits me every day that the day is almost here. Yesterday solidified it for me! So much to remember...but it is all written down and we have each other for support and help! I really would love to form our own support group as soon as our surgeries are over! What do you all think? Let's do it...we can arrange it wherever and whenever is convenient for all of us at no charge to us of course...lol. The most important thing I learned yesterday was..."I just have to make it to the versed"...lol!!! Then it will be fine. I am supposed to start my preop diet on Sunday but I am thinking of beginning sooner...maybe Friday. I know it's Halloween so I think my costume will be a "Soon-To-Be-Bandster". Of course I am one of the "Notorious Novembers"!!! Cappy and Sue129: Hi Fran and Sue! I know this is the beginning of a greyt friendship! I am very happy about that! Shrinkinmom: Hi Chris. You won't believe how fast the next 5 weeks will go. Before you know it you will have your surgery. And, remember, you will always be considered a "Notorious November" regardless of your surgery date! And, it sounds like there is a lot of interest in forming our own support group. So let's do it as soon as our surgeries are over...within the next few weeks! Ssankofa73: It's nice to meet you and thank you for the info...and support! Amanda: You are so right! I cannot drive myself home. The message came across loud and clear yesterday at the meeting. I do not want to impose so I am trying to arrange a ride with a friend who may not have to work that day. But you are so amazingly nice to offer! I will always remember that! Karma is real... Candle: Thank you for the info and support also. Dogs are greyt! I have one also and I am so looking forward to taking long walks with her. I have a greyhound named Juliette. I guess you may have figured that out by the picture next to my name. What kind of dog do you have? Maybe we can arrange a doggie play date and go to that nice park you mentioned. Juliette and I would love that! You are so right...there is nothing like that unconditional love we receive from our furbabies! And, yes...a support group has been discussed, see above. We can work out the details. Once we all meet each other, you will have lots of friends in your 3D life that have been banded! I'm going out tonight with a friend for my last "Pre-Band" dinner. Preop liquid diet...here I come! Lisa

Hi Amanda, Wow...that is so very nice of you...I live in Oceanside. I am still trying to work something out but I really appreciate it. You are a very good person and I believe in Karma as well, so I understand how you feel. I will try very hard to work something else out because I don't want to inconvenience you...I'll be in touch. Thanks again very much! Lisa

Quick question: Did anyone drive themselves home the day after surgery? I may have to do that. I have a ride there but my ride home the next day fell through. Would it be hard for me to drive myself home the next day? If they have us walking around a half hour after surgery, wouldn't it be possible to drive the next day?

It is at 2:45. I am going by myself. I am looking forward to meeting you!

Hi Capricorn32: I hope you remember me. We wrote a few times. I see you don't have your "Notorious Novembers" image in your signature. Did you get my message about how to do it? If not...or if the instructions weren't clear...I am certainly still willing to help you. Hope you are well!

Hello Everyone!!! Wow! It's getting sooo close now...Nov 10 is right around the corner! I am so excited and I am really getting nervous now. I start my preop diet in exactly 1 week! I just received all of my shakes and Vitamins so I am ready to go. Medifast also sent me a free week of meals along with my order. I got some Soups, oatmeals, puddings, hot cocoa, etc. I'm sure it all tastes like crap but ... oh well! Candle: You are doing so well. Even though you are much further along than most of the rest of us posting, I hope we can meet at some time since we all live so close. Keep up the greyt work! Susancarole: Hi Sue! Thank for the info, as usual! I appreciate it. Did you notice any changes in reflux (if you had any before surgery) since he fixed your hiatal hernia? I have been on Prevacid for reflux for many years, but I never knew I had a hiatal hernia. I am assuming that is why I have the reflux. I am hoping the reflux will go away after it is fixed during surgery so I will not need the medication anymore. I am happy you like the idea of forming our own support group at some point. This does not necessarily have to replace the "official" one...but ours would be free and there seem to be enough of us to be able to share info and meet in mutually convenient places. Ajoneen: Hi Amanda. Thanks for the info. I am going to ask those questions at the educational meeting also...and hopefully I will also learn more then. FatgirlinNY: I am so happy that you have joined us here. The more support, the better...that's how I feel. This thread has been so helpful for me and it is so nice to have met and continue to meet such wonderful and supportive people. Don't listen to what others tell you about having surgery or not...I went thru the same thing. I have been told that I am at the "lower end" of needing surgery and why do this, etc...but it doesn't help me to hear that. I am doing it for ME...because I know when I am comfortable and uncomfortable with my body and I want to both resolve existing health issues and avoid future ones. Only YOU know what's best for YOU...so do what you feel is right for you. I have told some people about my surgery and gotten mixed reactions. This is why I have not told that many people. So I am not making a big deal of my surgery to anyone other than my few closest friends and family who are very supportive. And, of course, this is also why it is so wonderful to have this group on this forum! Cappy: I am looking forward to seeing you on Tues afternoon! It will be wonderful to meet you in person! I am also looking forward to meeting anyone who will be there on Tues at the educational meeting. I am a little confused...is Chris or Sue129 also attending? See you then. Speak to you all soon! Lisa