work_in_progress

I had surgery on May 14, 2009 at 262 pounds. Today I weigh 194 pounds and I'm 29 pounds from my goal! This was absolutely the best decision I ever made in my entire life. I feel like a whole new person! Not only am I feeling younger, my knees don't hurt and I'm playing tennis at least twice a week. I am loving my new life! I will graduate from RN school in 18 months. One of the reasons I had the surgery was because I didn't think I could stand on my feet for 12 hours on a hospital floor - I'm doing it now! Sometimes I do get frustrated when I can't eat something that I love, but it's so worth it, let me tell ya!

So glad I read your post! I've had the same type pain for several weeks and I drink alot of Crystal Light. I'll give it up immediately and see if that helps. Thanks!

Sorry I've been absent for a few weeks, just pure laziness on my part. My weight loss has slowed down the last few weeks and it gets discouraging. Spidey, I'm gonna try your Protein Shake for breakfast idea. I an't complain though, I'm down a total of 35 pounds since surgery and I feel GREAT! I got in more exercise the last few days and it did budge the scale a bit, so I'm gonna run with that (literally.)

HW-262

SW-255

CW-220

GW-160

Finally!! After 2 weeks with no loss, I've lost 3 pounds this week!! Patience is a big part of this weight journey. I'm scheduled for my 3rd fill next Tuesday, Aug. 4th, so I'm hoping for a loss next week too. Congratulations to everyone on their wonderful progress!!

PreOp - 255

Surgery - 248

Current - 222 :crying:

Stuck for 2 weeks with no loss :biggrin: I get another fill on August 4th, it can't come soon enough. It gets so frustrating when you're watching what you eat and chewing so carefully, etc...and then the scale just stalls. I know, if I'd exercise more the scale would move. Hoping for better next week.

Surgery date : May 14th. I'm down 30 pounds :thumbdown: I'm very happy with that. I've had two fills. I have 4cc in a 10cc band.

Finally! I'm down 2 pounds this week after having my second fill on Tuesday. The fill really made a difference in the amount of restriction I'm feeling. It's also made it more difficult for me to eat certain foods. I tried some deli turkey breast the other night and I got the most horrible pain for about two minutes. I guess I was stuck. However, thank goodness, it didn't come back up. Maybe I just didn't chew, chew, chew quite enough. I'm now down 28 pounds!! :tongue_smilie:

Starting wt: 255

Surgery wt: 248

Current wt: 227

I guess I'm still in Bandster Hell. I lost 0 this week. I'm scheduled for a 2nd fill next Tuesday, so hopefully there will be better news next week. I'm still happy with my 26 lbs. lost since may 7th

Finally broke free of "Bandster Hell" after my first fill last week. I'm down 3 pounds this week! I've lost a total of 25 pounds since May 7th and I'm so happy with my band, :thumbup:

My surgery was May 14th and I've lost 25 lbs. I was stuck at 22 lbs. for 2 weeks til I got a fill 6 days ago and I've lost 3 lbs this week.

I've been in Bandster Hell for 2 weeks, no loss. I got my first fill yesterday and I'm definitely feeling some restriction. Hopefully, next Friday I'll have good news. I'm also 10 days late for TOM and NO, I'm not pregnant. I figure it's just my body adjusting to my new way of life. Has anyone else had this problem? That may also be a reason that I'm not losing.

Starting wt: 255

Surgery wt: 248

Current wt: 234

Total so far: 21 lbs :tongue:

No loss or gain this week, just maintaining. I'm 4 weeks post op and in Bandster Hell. Fell like I'm hardly eating at all and still not losing. My first fill is next week, 6/18, hopefullt I'll see a loss then.

Starting weight - 255

Surgery weight - 248 (5/14/09)

06/05/09 wt- 235

13 pounds lost in 3 weeks :thumbup:

Started eating regular food this week so I'm not expecting big things next Friday.

1st fill on June 18th - I can't wait!

Wsully: Try the Flintstones chewables, they're 100% better tasting than those big orange chewables.

I've found a pretty good addition to my chocolate Protein Shakes. Add one small container of vanilla Activa yogurt. It tastes great and it helps keep things moving too

Heather - I had my surgery on May 14th too! I cannot wait to start mushies next Thursday either. I've lost about 15 pounds since one week before surgery when I started my pre-op diet. I'm doing great exept for some port site pain. No regrets! :thumbup:

I'm one week post-op and I have the port site pain too. It's really the only thing that's bothering me. I never even had the gas pains. I can sleep on my right side, but not my left. Ouch! Can others who have had port site pain please let us know how long it lasted for them.

I'm one week post-op today and I'm flying into Denver on June 18th for my first fill. I've been doing great and feel like my old self the last 3 days or so. The full liquid diet is not that bad, I'm really not hungry. oatmeal, Soups and Protein Shakes do fill you up. I am glad I have the hard part behind me and I'm so excited for what's to come. :thumbup:

I was banded on May 14th, I've had left sided abdominal pain since the surgery. I called my doctor today and he said this pain is normal and it's due to instruments they use to move your muscles out of the way for surgery. So, it's probably no big deal but you still may want to ask your doctor anyway.

Hi Angelo, I live in Conyers, GA and I had my surgery on 5/14/09. I'm 5'10" and I weighed 255 prior to my pre-op diet. I'm absolutely sure it's the best decision I have ever made. I am also self pay and I flew to Denver, CO and had my surgery with Dr. Kirshenbaum. He will do the surgery for $9950 (everything but travel expenses) and he's wonderful. The band is adjustable so you are satisfied with smaller meals and you stay full longer. It's much safer than gastric bypass too. You should browse around this website and you will learn much, much more. Good luck!

So, I went to the Nutrition Depot (nutrition shop in town with a smoothie bar) and told the girl I was not enjoying the Protein Shakes I made at home. Well, she hooked me up with a stawberry, banana and pineapple juice smoothie with Protein and it was the best thing I've had all week. It was so huge it took me 4 hours to finish it, but I was not hungry and best of all not nauseated. I think I'll be her daily customer for the next few weeks. Only took Tylenol today (day 5 post op) and did fine, no more hydrocodone for this chick.

I'm returning to Denver in 4 weeks for my first fill. Dr. K said it would be in my best interest to get my first fill from him. The doctors here in Atlanta fill you very slowly and Dr. K tries to get you to restriction quickly. Sounds good to me! Anyway, does anyone know of a hotel that's within walking distance of his office? I was thinking I could take a shuttle to the hotel and save on the rental car. Dr. K does want me to stay overnight after the fill to be sure I'm not too tight. Thanks.

I'm glad to hear that this too shall pass. I was banded on May 14th. I have been nauseated, especially trying to take the liquid Lortab and while trying to drink the shakes. I haven't vomited or dry heaved but I have felt like I was going to. I'm getting about 2 shakes a day down instead of three. I will be SOOO glad when this liquid stage is over. It's nice to know we are not in this alone and we'll all be doing so much better in a few weeks. :eek:

Sorry it took so long for me to post, I've had a rough few days. I was banded on May 14th. I also had a "large" hiatal hernia repair. The only time I've had the gas pain was on the airplane home. My biggest surprise was the pain in my belly (I assume port site pain). I wasn't expecting to be in that amount of pain, it was intense. The hydrocodone does relieve it. I was able to switch to regular Tylenol today, so it's getting better. I can feel my band too, it's such a strange feeling. I'm glad to hear that will go away. I've been able to consume 2 Protein Shakes a day plus all the other full liquids. I'm happy to say, I'm not hungry at all so far. I'm so glad I have the hard part behind me. One day at a time to a new me :laugh:

I am 4 days post op and was wondering if it's okay to add fruit to your Protein Shakes during week 1 and 2? I'd like to add a banana or some strawberies for flavor. Would this still be considered full liquids since it will fit through a straw? Thanks, Susie

Hey Dr. K bandsters! I had my surgery with Dr. K on Thursday and I arrived back in Atlanta last night. Dr. K was wonderful and so was his staff and everyone at Parker Adventist hospital. I stayed at the Holiday Inn Select and was really impressed. The bed was super comfortable and everything was so upscale. Make sure you get a suite so you'll have a refrigerator. We went sightseeing in the mountains the day before surgery. I didn't feel like doing anything like that after surgery. The flight home was kinda rough. I was in pain and we went through some tough storms that were very bumpy. I'm just glad to be home. I'm feeling much better today. I'm so glad I made Dr. K my choice. I'm coming back to Denver for my first fill but will probably switch to a local Atlanta doctor after that. Anyway, if you are considering Dr. K, do so without hesitation. He's great!

Susie :scared2: