MelodyJ

I was just going on the fact they said nothing bigger than a pencil eraser and Nexium is bigger....I got food stuck and I am such a chicken!!!! Got my first fill Wednesday and feel like when I first had the surgery...BIG restriction....so now I'm back to REALLY being careful again...had gotten a little "lazy" about chewing to goo....I am back on liquids for another couple of days!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -38lbs

DonnaB-- Manufacturer lied....it is very bitter ....I mixed it in choc pudding....but that's ok!! I lived!! Melody Banded 3/20/6 -38lbs :eek:

I am a born again Christian and I love the Lord and will be praying for all the needs/problems that arise....We MUST support one another and pray for one another as the Lord has directed!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -38lbs :grouphug:

Amy-- 40 lbs is AWESOME!!!!!!!!!! You are doing well....you have done well....and you will do well!!! This is the time to "practice" our new banded life!!! Chew, chew, chew!!! Ask yourself if your still hungry....not am I full?? This is the time to succeed!!!! You can do it!!!!!!!!!!!! Don't let the old ways grab you woman!!!!!!!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -38lbs :grouphug:

Avi- I was banded around 9am on a Monday and was back in the hotel by 3pm that day....I would have went home but it was 2 hrs away...so slept in the hotel for a night then off to home the next morning!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -38lbs :confused:

Sam-- My first fill is tomorrow afternoon....will keep you posted!! :confused: God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -38lbs :eek:

Thanks Sam....I am trying so hard!! I just don't want to think I've spent all this money for naught....that and I've truly failed so many times....I just want to give it my all!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -37lbs

Tina, You are so young to be going through so much!! I'm sure if your surgeon works w/ your primary and nephrologist they can calculate what to give you in saline during the surgery! You will have to be watched VERY closely post-op as well....for imbalances, etc. Ultimately they are right the wt loss would help...it would help us all!! :eekB: You are definitely a "case" that will put them to the test in each phase!! I wasn't even able to drink 2 cups each day the first few days....just not up for it....but others have hunger and thirst quickly!! They will have to calculate and be so specific w/ you....but caring surgeons and doctors will put forth the effort and help you I"m sure!!! Will be praying for you!!! GOd Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -37lbs

Debra- I am a medical person and honestly have found after doing stuff 3-5 times it's in your head and much easier to do!! I am not saying run to someone inexperienced...but if they'ved done 100's....that's a lot!! I had my lap band done in Dalton, GA by Dr. Ponce who was in on the FDA trials. Then I've moved to FL.....at first thought I was going to have to drive back to TN for fills....but have found a doctor 2 hrs a way willing to take me for fills. Job relocation was my reason for moving....I wonder if the drs in your area resent the Mexican doctors taking all their money and patients?!??! Then they just make a "little" from fills"?!!? Just a thought. Anyway....just check out your dr w/ the state board of medicine for reports against his license or problems.... Hope this helps!! God Bless, MElody Banded 3/20/06 -37lbs :eekB:

StrawartS-- My humble opinion is to take a stool softener on a daily basis....this gently draws Water from the bowel wall....a laxative forces the wall to contract and then your bowel becomes dependent on the laxative. Of course, Fiber is GREAT....prevents colon cancer and helps regulate your bowels. Of course, continue your lots of water and exercise!! Lots of fiber!!! Start slow as you will start bloating and gassing..... God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -37lbs :eekB:

Well....I've finally found the March '06 bandsters site!! Yipppeeee!! :eekB: I was banded 3/20/06 in Dalton, GA w/ Dr. Jaime Ponce. Good experience. I am now living in FL......job relocation! I am scheduled for my first fill on Wednesday, May 3rd in Zephyrhills, FL w/ Dr. Grossbard. I am told he's great as he has had the band placed! We shall see now won't we?!! I have lost 37lbs!! Woohoo!!! The first 22lbs came in the first week honestly! The last 15lbs have been in the last 4 weeks. I am still excited. But wouldn't it have been AWESOME to lose 22lbs every week!! I am about 1/4th of the way through this weight loss process!! I am learning what slow really is....had no clue before! I am learning how good I can feel with eating healthy and walking daily. Hope to get close w/ other March Bandsters!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -37lbs

Careful on the liver cleansers....some of them can actually aggravate the liver and elevate the liver enzymes!! You are SO MUCH more on the ball than I was....I ate several last meals and didn't prepare well at all!! :eekB: Praying you do well!! Melody Banded 3/20/06 -37lbs

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