MelodyJ

Tomorrow is the BIG day!! I was banded 3/20/06 and it was the best decision I've ever made!! :eekB: I feel SO GREAT!!! I am more healthy now than ever!! I have more energy and feel as if I am now in control and the food is no longer my master! GOd Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -37lbs:)

I had my surgery w/ Dr. Ponce in Dalton, GA when I was living Sevierville, TN. The outpatient center is significantly cheaper! I now live in FL. I changed jobs. Dr. Ponce is great! :eekB: Love his PA-C, Amanda....very helpful and kind. She is actually the one I've dealt w/ the most....I'm a PA-C as well....so don't mind at all. Figure if I have questions she can't answer then she'll talk to Dr. Ponce. The surgery hurt.....but only a few days. I would go through it again knowing the results of the way I feel!! The band is such a great tool!! I now have the ability to eat only small amounts and stop!! I am now tasting my food and enjoying it! The food is NOT controlling me....I am controlling me!! I feel SO MUCH better!! I have so much more energy not eating the junk food!! I feel so much better not eating so much that I'm so tired I take a nap in the middle of the day to make it. I am now up to walking almost 2 mi a day to work! I used to avoid walking 2 blocks!! I am amazed at the change in 5 weeks...I am down 37lbs!! I praise God for the changes HE is doing in my life through this tool!! Praying for your success!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -37lbs

Kelley B- I don't know if all the rumbling is about hunger....I think that it's normal for the gut to go crazy after the type of surgery we had.....the rumbling settles down after you start mushy food....at least it did for me!! :eekB: God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -37lbs

Jenwillwin-- Double check....I was checking more on them doing the fills.....maybe you can attend the support?!? Double check...hate to give you the wrong info!! Melody Banded 3/20/06 -37lbs:)

Absolutely gorgeous!! We love cats too!! Unfortunately, my allergies do not!!! :eekB: Melody Banded 3/20/06 -37lbs

Jenwillwin, I wrote to Dr. Kim and asked about their prices....they said if you did not get your band w/ them they charge $995 to "join" this did include the first fill and their support group and I believe nutrition classses?! I asked if I had to "join" and they said yes. I wish there were support groups in the area! I think they would provide accountability and help! In TN they came free w/ nutrition classes and everything by my doctor....but had to move for my job. :eekB: Welcome to Bandland!! I'm loving the choice and changes!! I was banded 3/20/06! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -37lbs

Gale: I was banded on 3/20/06. I did not have to have a pre-op diet except the day before I was to be on liquids. They told me this was so I wouldn't binge and eat "my last meal"!! :eek: Some people are put on liquids if they have a higher BMI I believe!? My BMI was < 50. Each doctor is individual. What did you think of the seminar? Did you make it April 14th? I was living in TN and had my band done there at $13,000 in an outpatient surgical center. I have since moved to FL. I am scheduled this Wednesday for my first fill. Yipppee....I think?! :eek: I did have pain after surgery. But now 5wks later would go through it again if necessary! It was not unbearable but do-able especially with drugs!! :mad: If you have any other specific questions feel free to ask!! Hope this helped!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -37lbs

My mom told me it was improper for a lady to burp....have felt in life that maybe a burp might help....but until the band I was unsuccessful!! Now.......... lookout I might be able to win contests....unfortunately!!! :eek: Usually talking when mine pop up!! :eek: Oh well....worth it too me!!! Melody Banded 3/20/06 -37lbs :mad:

Rockin Robyn- Please accept that I truly feel so sad for you!! I can't imagine the struggle you are going through....can feel your pain!!! I am a Physicians Assistant....know a little....you need to get the surgery again!! I am praying for a miracle in your finances....that God would miraculously supply for EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!!! What your doing right now is not safe to continue....by the way, don't sleep on extra pillows that increases pressure in your abdomen....have your husband put blocks under the head of your bed about 6-8"....the gravity keeps things down better without increasing your abdominal pressure. I will be praying for a MIRACLE in your life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -37lbs :bananadoggywow:

I have my first fill appt w/ Dr Grossbard in Zephyrhills on May 3rd. I moved from TN to FL right after my surgery March 20th!! He has had the surgery and I am told is very aware which is great!! :confused: God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -37lbs

Consider a mini-fast....maybe go back to Water and Clear liquids....will drop and break the plateau...then slowly go back! Just a thought! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -37lbs :confused:

Pam, PB is a "Productive Burp"....you take too big a bite or go past full and it's liek a baby...you bring it right back up....undigested....looks just like it did going down cause it didnt' make it too the stomach. No pain....quick and painless!! I've had one...it was a Protein drink....went past the room I had available in my stomach!! Pain comes on swallowing if your not chewing your food to goo....you MUSt chew them up or they get "stuck" in the band area....I recently did this when I went to regular foods...it was very painful and intimidating! I went back to Clear liquids and it was better the next day!! The band is a tool to help you only eat a healthy amount....to stop when your satisfied.... to not over eat!!! Hope this helps! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -37lbs

Elisabeth-- Are you getting enough Protein??? I am actually sleeping less but feeling more energy and I attributed this to the exercise and wt loss!! Sorry your not experiencing this quite yet.... Did you take enough time off to recover??? Or did you jump back in...you need a solid 4 weeks to heal....some places say 6 weeks! You also sound like you have a VERY full platter!! I take Melatonin 3mg 1/2 tablet that dissolves in my mouth! So helpful!! Gives me a deeper sleep....more effective!! Hope this helps!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -37lbs

Melinda--not there yet...but maybe someday!! Need to lose some more weight and get in better shape....then maybe!!? Lisa--congrats on your soon entrance into banded life!!! I love it!!! YOu will love it!!! God Bless, MElody Banded 3/20/06 -37lbs:)

Leenerbumps, Did you actually check your blood sugar or just "feel" that it was low?! Some antidepressants can make you feel this way....also you must be careful if your diagnosed w/ bipolar....the antidepressant can take you the other way! I've prescribed Prozac and it works good....it's an oldie but a goodie! And you are on a low dose.....so hopefully it will be just enough!! And you may adjust to that feeling of sugar....by the way....don't eat the sugar...it just raises your sugar and then it plummets....eat your Protein and AVOID sugar....makes the situation worse!!!! THat is why we gain weight is we eat the "wrong" food and our body screams and shoves out the insulin which makes our sugar drop then insulin also makes us hungry so it's a vicious cycle!!!!! If you don't have a rash, your sugar is not low then keep trying to work it!!! You've helped me...hopefully this helps!!! :party: God Bless, MElody Banded 3/20/06 -37lbs:)

Tinaj-- Best thing I ever did for myself so far!!! :party: Just do exactly what they tell you to do...only baby spoon bites; chew, chew, chew; 60sec. btwn bites and only dish out 3-4 oz on a small plate! Don't ask yourself if your full....ask yourself "Am I still hungry?".....I have lost 37lbs in 34days....all post op!! Didn't do a pre-op diet.....I weigh 100lbs more than you....so you won't lose as fast...but you will lose if you follow the band and use the band as a tool!!!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -37lbs

I am taking a Walmart knock off of Flinstones--One Source Complete chewable....they suggest only 1/day for adults and children over 4ys. They do have Iron and lots of stuff!! I also have invested in Fruit Plus..... I chew up "2fruits" in the morning and "2veggies" in the evening...suggested by a friend. I do feel great!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -37lbs :party:

Yoda--I agree w/ Dawn....my problem the 2nd or 3rd day was head hunger....food there that must be eat!! It will pass and it's easier said than done....don't think about it!! You will have a symphony down in your gut area!!!!!!!!!!!!!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -37lbs :party:

Leenerbumps: I've stayed on mushy since I was so rough Thursday and Friday!! :party: No thank you to the testing phase again....I have slowed WAY DOWN also!!! Really don't want to have that pain EVER again!!!!!! Maybe you do want to stay mushy a bit longer.....up to you of course!! Donna--sounds much better than what I did!!!! I will try mushy....gotta be better than nasty bitter!!! Thanks so much!!!!!!!!!!! There is actually a PPI that is powder to add to liquid....Zegerid didn't have any in my office and not sure how it tastes anyway?!!? Hopefully won't need anymore!!!! Desertmom--still could be food....remember it takes a while for it too pass through that little hole....maybe consider liquids for a day or so then mushies and go VERY VERY SLOW!!! From a woman who KNOWS!!!! Really appreciate everyones help and encouragement!! Thanks!!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -37lbs

Well....I am alive!! Wondered if I would ever visit a site again!? I wasn't able to do much except sleep since 6pm last night. Finally up at 11am today!!! Feeling SO MUCH BETTER!!! PRAISE GOD!! I was truly in misery!! Hate to complain so was trying to be brave....I ended up taking the Meclizine....that made me hurl....but hurling w/ the band is much different I've disovered!! I was able to handle 3oz of smoothie this AM and took 20minutes to do it!! I am DETERMINED to S-L-O-W down!!!!!!!!!!!! Well, I gotta go do something!! Thanks for prayers and help!!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -37lbs

Mona--so sorry you were denied....I was denied in TN by the same insurance!! They just don't want to pay anything...even though obesity has many more complications!!! VERY frustrating!! I ended up going self-pay. I'm praying the Lord providesa miracle in your finances!!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -37lbs

Leenerbumps-- How do I take the meat tenderizer? I called my dr finally today....the PA called back and felt that something may have gotten stuck OR it was just left over from surgery swelling??? Told me to go back to liquids...already done that the last 24+ hrs!! I was dry-heaving...nothing out til the last time and I had this belch w/ the heaves and white stuff come out then have not since....the nausea has lessened...but in the background a bit still. Took Bonine (meclizine) chewables and have slept much since after work....rough day!! Anyway.....she told me only hot/warm stuff as cold could cause to spasm worse!?! So I am drinking hot only now....maybe helping?!? Broths' and hot Water w/ lemon in it....not really a tea drinker... bout ready to try no matter what?! She's telling me that by tomorrow I will be feeling better since I backed off?! I'm thinking I don't know if I ever want to eat again!! Thanks for any advice/help!!!!!!!!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -31lbs:) (probably more by now)

Good to the last Melody?!?!? Melody Banded 3/20/06 -31lbs :Banane56:

Leenerbumps, I guess eating too fast...I was a record speed eater prior to surgery...so anything was a slow down to me...but I'm eating too fast I guess AND not ready for solids....i was doing GREAT on mushies...but Monday when I went to solids got MISERABLE! I was up last night twice as I get a sudden metallic taste and have to dry heave gently....nothing comes out....but wonder if I had something stuck and it's just sore now?! These stupid pains come up from the intestinal area and go through my chest and sometimes come out the top....sometimes not?! I took Maalox max....so things are coming out the other end quite smoothly...magnesium always does the trick!! :eek: I am only about 32 days post op or so....I ate soup last night and still not hungry 13hrs later....have not had any fills yet of course....can't imagine making things tighter in there just yet?! :Banane56: My husband says, "should I worry?" I'm quite pitiful right now....I am able to work....but feel very tired of course....tried not to whine...but sure don't like this pain!! HOping that whatever it is passes. Using the antacids, liquid tylenol. He broke open a Nexium capsule yesterday and put in pudding (disgusting) and not quite feeling up to par...hoping this weekend to rest and recoup!!!! Any suggestions...I'm open!! :mad: Thanks, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -31lbs

WOW you ALL helped me!! I am 4 weeks post op and just started solids since Monday and I am MISERABLE the last 3 days!! I have this pain you are describing and I think you have all answered me!!! Thank you thank you!!!!! I went back to liquids today...I am still "sore" but praying that by tomorrow will be feeling perkier!!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -31lbs