momcof3

I have no problem swallowing a capsule and a tiny pill. I just make sure I take a drink of water first before swallowing the pill so my throat isn't dry.

At my surgeon appointment with Kaiser in Richmond, he asked me which surgery I wanted to have and then he had me lay down and lift up my shirt so he could feel my abdomen/chest area where he would be cutting etc. He also went over my medical history of prior surgeries and any current medical problems, medications, etc. He then asked if I had any questions or concerns. It was a pretty short appointment.

I didn't lose anything this week - still at 225. I didn't make it to Curves this week - I need to be better about making time for me.

I had my surgery in Richmond on 8/26 - yes it is best to start the 1200 calorie food plan right after orientation to quicken up the process. My surgeon was Dr. Im - I saw him first and he said I needed to lose 20 lbs total - I had already lost 12 - my starting weight was 285 - so I didn't even have to lose 10%. I think it may sometimes depend where you carry your weight. As soon as you hit the goal weight you get an appointment with your case manager and she gives you a surgery date. I didn't go to any of their support meetings before surgery - too far to drive from Sacramento and they are only on Wed evenings. I went to orientation on May 9 and had surgery Aug 26.

Which Kaiser are you working with? When did your primary care physician send the referral over?

Richmond did schedule some of the appointment two in one day - they do the pre-op nutritionist and surgeon appointments the same day and the 2 pre-op classes the same day. I made a total of 5 trips to Richmond from Sacramento, but it was worth it to me to have them pay for the surgery.

I was the first surgery in the morning at 8 and my dad was driving me out of the parking lot at 12:30 that day. I did bring a pillow for the bumps in the car. I was taken in a wheelchair down to x-ray 1 1/2 hours after surgery and had to stand and drink the stuff. Interesting how different each hospital/program can be.

I think you have done excellent to lose 31 lbs in a little over a month. I was banded 8/26 in Richmond Kaiser and I have lost 30 lbs since then. I had one fill on Oct 6. The weight comes off pretty fast in the beginning, but then it slows down - it is designed to be slower (unlike gastric bypass). I lost 30 lbs before surgery too, so my body has been through alot in the last 6 mths. I have always kept my protein/food at 1/3 c per meal.

1 chewable complete Vitamin daily - I take Flinstones Complete 1 calcium chew daily - I take the Kirkland chocolate one these have to be taken at least 2 hours apart for them to be most effective.

It didn't go too well. I ate 3 black olives while waiting for the turkey to get done. Then I ate about 1/3 c dark turkey with gravy, one bite of stuffing and one bite of yams. Then the stuffing and yams came back up and it took about an hour for the pain to go away. On Friday for leftovers I had 1/3 c chopped up dark turkey with gravy and one bite of yams and was okay. Here's hoping your week goes well. I need to get in more exercise this week.

Yes, that is true about Kaiser Richmond - all those who attend the orientation are in essence approved for surgery - the things that can stop surgery are the psych evaluation, not getting to goal weight, and possibly other medical issues that are uncovered by the ekg, the blood work, or the chest x-ray. Good luck on your journey.

I pushed on one of my incisions a few weeks after surgery as it was sticking up and I heard/felt a pop but the incision flattened down. So I pushed on the others too, including the port incision and the same thing happened- I think it was like an air bubble under the skin. It didn't hurt and everything has been fine since. I am now 3 months post-op.

I had some of those same moments and thoughts after I was banded, but I am so glad I had it done now. I still get scared sometimes when I think that this is how it will be for the rest of my life, but the alternative is also scary. I have not been perfect in my eating, but for the most part I have followed the plan. I lost 30 lbs before my surgery and 30 more since my surgery on Aug 26. Yes, I could exercise more and make some better food choices, but this is a learning, evolving process and I feel so much better physically and emotionally now. Realize the feelings and emotions you are going through are normal - it is a huge change in your life. For me, food was my friend and it feels like I lost a friend, but now is the time to change priorities and live life to the fullest.

Weight last Friday 226 Weight today 225 I finally hit the 60 lb mark - I lost 30 lbs before surgery and 30 after surgery. Yipee.

Thanksgiving wasn't very pleasant for me. I ate 3 black olives waiting for dinner and then had 1/3 cup dark turkey with a little gravy on it, one bite of yams, and one bite of stuffing. Then the pain began. The stuffing and yams came back up and it took about an hour for the pain to go away. I am apparently still learning to tell when I am full. I have had one fill -4 ccs in a 10 cc band - and thought I didn't have much restriction, but I did yesterday. It was just my three kids, my parents, and a friend and they all know I have the lapband so it wasn't a problem taking my little plate to the couch to eat - my mom kept asking me if I was okay.

I got banded at Richmond Kaiser on Aug 26 - I went to orientation on May 9 - so the process took a little less than 4 mths for me. The quicker you get to your goal weight they set for you, the quicker you get surgery. Feel free to e-mail me directly if you want.

Weight last Friday 228 Weight today 226 I lost 2 lbs - I have been exercising more and sticking to plan so hopefully it will continue.

I am also playing with the same pound - up one week down the next. I have only had one fill - on Oct 6 - and although I am happy to have lost 57 lbs total (27 since surgery on 8/26) I am getting frustrated with the standstill. I am not scheduled for another fill until January, but they put me on a cancellation list in case any opening come up.

I'm female, 46, never been married, have 3 wonderful kids and live in Sacramento CA

Weight last Friday 228 Weight today 228 I stayed the same, but I have fallen off the wagon a little this week - need to get back on.

I get what they call "head hunger" where I want a cookie or chips or something sweet. If I am actually hungry and it isn't time for me to have a meal, I will have two wheat thins. I have lost it a few times and had cookies or chips, but it seems like if I eat even one, I want more. My dietician said to take a walk or do something to keep busy when this head hunger hits. It is normal for you to be hungry between meals at 6 weeks post op - I still am and I have had one fill.

I am only supposed to eat 1/4-1/3 cup protein, 2 tblsp vegetable or fruit, and 1/4 piece toast or 2 wheat crackers three times a day. I eat the 1/3 c protein and that is usually it. I was eating 1 egg for breakfast, but recently my dietician said I could have 2 eggs as I was hungry a couple of hours after breakfast.

I had bad bruising too and a couple of the sites - one being the port site - were still bruised although healing at about five weeks after my surgery. I had one on my left side where the liver retractor must have been that took two months to go away and there wasn't even an incision made there.

I stayed the same as last week - 229 - but I haven't been walking as much and only made it to Curves twice.

I followed the 1200 calorie food plan they gave me. The incentive for me was knowing I couldn't have the surgery until I lost the 20 lbs - I ended up losing 30 lbs before surgery.