hdmdavid

I was banded by Dr. B on May 7th, 2009. I used LapBand Solutions for my insurance, True Results for my pre-op testing, and the Surgery Center of Richardson for my surgery and follow-up. As far as I know, he has a hand in all of these companies, but I don't care. More money for him is fine by me. He deserves it for the level of care we receive. David

I'm at 233 today. The last time I checked in (about a month ago) I think I was at 241. So eight pounds in about a month is about right. I've been trying to hit the gym with more regularity, but I'm finding the holidays and other time eaters are keeping me from it. At this point, I feel like if I can make it through December without gaining, and hopefully still losing a few, I'll be ok. David

Good luck, Bill! Personally, I'm going to be lucky to complete my first 5k in January. Not sure if I ever see myself doing a whole marathon, but I like to think it may be in here somehwere... David

Well, I got an iPhone last week, and I downloaded the C25K app. I've been following the program on my own for a while now, but only off and on. I believe the app will help keep me motivated to achieving the singular goal of being able to actually complete a 5k without stopping. I have been able to do a 5k with the combination of jogging and walking, but I really want to get to the point where I can go without stopping. Because of my previous workouts I decided to start with week five, judging that to be about where I was at. The one thing I had not taken into account is that I hadn't actually worked out the week before while I was on vacation. Day one wasn't too bad. Day two kicked my arse. I'll be doing day three on Saturday. Day three is 20 minutes of running with no rest, which I have only done once before. I'll do my best to keep it going...wish me luck! David

I don't know if it's good or bad, but I don't seem to have a problem with too much of anything. There are somethings that I avoid just because everyone says they are tough...pizza being the first thing that comes to mind. But I have toast occasionally. I eat tortillas regularly. I have rice. Lettuce. Deli meat. chicken, turkey, ham, beef. The only thing I have any issues with is sausage that is still in the casing. Doesn't matter how small or how many times I chew. Of course, my portions are tiny compared to what I ate in the past, but still more than I think some people with the band would consider appropriate. I went in for my fifth fill today. I now have 8.3 in a 14 band. I had been going about every month or so for a fill, but this past time I thought I had reached my sweet spot and was planning on skipping October and November and waiting until December for one. But right about the month mark I started finding myself getting hungrier and hungrier much sooner than I had in the past. I was snacking too much to try and help control my portion size at meals, and I realized all I was doing was adding empty calories to fill the gap. Sure, it was things like almonds, cottage cheese, or greek yogurt, but it was calories that I shouldn't have needed to consume to get to my next meal. I'm really hoping this fill puts me back on track, because next week my family and I am going to DisneyWorld, and I don't want to overeat, and I don't want to be so tight that I have to worry about it either. David

Thank you, guys. I appreciate it. I know that I'm doing great (as most of us are, thankfully!), but sometimes I let those why's and what if's take control of me. You're right, Ann...I did start earlier than you...but I DO kick myself, because I was going to do it three years ago and didn't do it. I feel like I lost those three years. I'm just hoping the weight loss gives them back to me later! :-) David

When I started my journey (11/01/08) I was at 325. Surgery Day (05/07/09) I was at 296. One day before my 6 month anniversary I am at 241. Down 84 total, 55 since the surgery. At my 6 month mark I really wanted to be at 60 pounds since the surgery, so I'm a little mad at myself, but also pretty happy with what I've done so far. I have to say though, that the closer I get to my goals, the further away I seem to be. I look at myself in the mirror, and I think I'm more disgusted with myself now than I was in the past. How and why did I let myself get so big? What an idiot. Ok...shake it off. Move on. Keep going forward...I know...I'm trying... David

You are your own "Barbie Doll." Maybe in the past you didn't feel comfortable showing off, changing hair styles, or drawing attention to yourself. You said you kept your hair long partially to hide the back fat. You don't have to do that anymore. You can decide to do whatever you want to do, and not worry about the attention. Such a great feeling! David

Sorry you have to go through this, Suzanne. I've been wondering the same thing myself, worried if I ever had to have one. Good luck! David

Down two pounds this week to 249. Finally broke 250! Yes! lol David

I like it. Thanks for the idea. David

I'm in on this. My goal is 30 miles on the treadmill. David

Wow...that sucks. I read horror stories like this one and I'm incredibly thankful that I didn't experience a similar episode. David

John337 105 SpideyMom 70 hdmdavid 75 TOTAL: 250

Been a while since I checked in, but thought I would share. As of today I am down to 265, a loss of 31 since surgery (May 7th), and 60 overall since December. I've gone from a size 56 pants to a 48, and I'm looking forward to getting to a 36! David

Highest (11/30/08) - 325 Surgery (05/06/09) - 296 Today (06/12/09) - 275 Total Lost - 50, Since Surgery 21 David :thumbdown:

Yeah...at my Walmart the 150 ct bottle of the Flintstones was about a buck cheaper than the 100 ct bottle of Centrum. The other plus for me is that it has multiple flavors (cherry, grape, and orange) so I get a little variety...lol David

"Flintstones, meet the Flintstones..." I admit, I take the Flinstones Chewables. After checking the contents, I realized I wasn't missing anything from an "adult" tablet, and at least they attempt to flavor it. As an added bonus, I was able to get my daughter to start taking HER Vitamins. :ihih: David

Very cool! Great job!

Very cool! Great job!

I was banded on May 6th, and had my first fill yesterday, June 4th. I haven't had any problems, but to each his own. David

I don't think I'm a good judge of the needle size...she did mention that it was slightly smaller than the ones they use to draw blood, if that gives you any ideas. I was told to be on a liquid diet for two days, and then soft foods for two days. I did not follow those directions, however. One of the great benefits to me is to have a good friend who has gone through this, and I listen to her for most of my advice. I was HUNGRY when I was done. I had some Soup at lunch (maybe a 1/4 cup), and some pinto Beans at dinner (1/2 cup) last night. This morning I had a shake for Breakfast, and had mushroom chicken (1/2 cup) from a Chinese place near work for lunch. That was about four hours ago, and I'm not hungry...so I guess it's working. lol David

I was banded on May 6th, and had my first fill yesterday (June 4th). I was pretty nervous going into it, mostly from not knowing what to expect. The woman was really nice though, and walked me through everything. She asked me some questions about my diet, how hungry I get, etc. Then she checked my chart and saw that I had 4cc's from surgery in a 14cc band. She decided that she was going to put 1.5cc's into it at this time. She asked me if I wanted lidocaine, and I told her I wasn't sure, what was the difference? She said if I got the lidocaine I was going to feel a bee sting, and then I wouldn't feel anything she did after that, or anything else right there for about an hour. I'll admit, I'm a big baby, and didn't want the bee sting. I asked her if I didn't want it, what would it feel like. She said well, it will feel a little like I'm taking blood. You're going to feel a push, it will be in and out, and then you'll be done. I finally decided to go without the lidocaine. I pulled my shirt up, and she put a pillow behind my back to make me "bend" more backwards, it kinda felt like I was looking upside down. I put my arms behind my head and didn't really watch her. She felt for my port, and said that it was right on top, and she wasn't going to have any trouble finding it. She swabbed me with some alcohol, and then said, ok...here goes the pressure. She said I'm going to check that there is 4cc's in there, yep, there is. I'm going to add 1.55cc's. Ok...you're going to feel a slight pull...and then...well...that's it. I was done. She was in and out in less than 45 seconds. She stuck a band-aid on me...and that's it. I was given a cup of Water, told to drink it, and that when I was ready, I could go. Could not have gone any better I don't think. I built it up in my head so much that I afterwards I couldn't believe it. Love my pre-op care, my surgery team, and now my post-op care. They've been wonderful. David

Highest (11/30/08) - 325 Surgery (05/06/09) - 296 Today (06/05/09) - 276 Total Lost - 49, Since Surgery 20 David

I like this...I'm in... David