Band_Groupie

Good luck to you...all your fears are normal. I'm surprised he's offering you all the choices at the very end (I knew from the initial seminar). If you're worried about him messing up the port placement, just ask one of the nurses to mark the spot on you with a Sharpie "Port Here" (it's alcohol based, so it's sterile...and they mark people for different surgeries all the time). Or if you're crazy like me, you draw a 'porthole' on your tummy. If it helps, I did a lot of research and chose the LB (but I know you'll find people on both sides of this debate). One of the docs on here who has been in trials for the new Realize 'C' (which most docs don't have access to yet) says he prefers the LB to the old Realize...the new Realize 'C' makes them more equal, but I still would have picked the LB (and the LB site is in the process of being updated so it will eventually be more like the Realize support site). Stay overnight if you can...even though I didn't get much sleep, all my (minor) things happened the 2nd day and I would have had bigger problems at home (like when my blood sugar spiked...I'm not a diabetic so I would have had no way to deal with this). Try to get some sleep tonight, and good luck tomorrow! -BG

lingling- LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the spreadsheet...it's very motivating and I especially love seeing the percentages and what others are shooting for. My goal BMI is somehow wrong on the sheet (probably just a typo)...I wish I only had 2.8 BMI to go, but my goal BMI is I think a 22, not 29.6 (I know, probably not attainable, that's the lowest end of the range I'm shooting for). Weight loss has stalled as expected on this starvation mode post-op diet. I'll check in tomorrow! Thanks again!!!! -BG

Week 1 update... PharmaGirl -------------- 20lb --------------------- 276lb ---------------- 1 May --------------------- 276lb -------------------- 256lb NY Lady ----------------- 20lb --------------------- 253lb ---------------- 1 May --------------------- 253lb -------------------- 233lb lingling ------------------ 20lb --------------------- 279.6lb --------------- 1 May --------------------- 279.6lb ----------------- 259.6lb JayTee562 --------------- 20lb --------------------- 272lb ----------------- 1 May --------------------- 272lb -------------------- 252lb MrsMitch ---------------- 25lb --------------------- 242lb ------------------ 1 May --------------------- 242lb -------------------- 217lb ALuv82------------------ 35lb ---------------------- 297.5lb --------------- 1 May --------------------- 297.5lb ------------------- 262.5lb Band_Groupie ----------- 15lb ---------------------- 218 lbs -------------- 7 May --------------------- 216lbs -------------------- 203lbs kaner ------------------- 20lb ----------------------- 275lb --------------- 1 May --------------------- 275lb ---------------------- 255lb scoobydoo -------------- 25lb ----------------------- ? ------------------- 1 May --------------------- ? -------------------------- ? TerriLynne -------------- 15lb ----------------------- 296lb --------------- 1 May --------------------- 296lb ---------------------- 281lb hopeful41411 ----------- 18lb ----------------------- 260.8lb -------------- 1 May -------------------- 260.8lb -------------------- 242.8lb IsabellaP84 ------------- 20lb ----------------------- ? ------------------- 1 May --------------------- ? -------------------------- ? hannahj914 ------------- 20lb ----------------------- ? ------------------- 1 May --------------------- ? -------------------------- ? JWL08 ------------------ 18lb ----------------------- ? ------------------- 1 May --------------------- ? -------------------------- ? Abbie-pie --------------- 30lb ----------------------- ? ------------------- 1 May --------------------- ? -------------------------- ? poconomom -------------20lb ----------------------- ? ------------------- 1 May --------------------- ? -------------------------- ? myturn2bhappy --------- 30lb ---------------------- 288lb ---------------- 1 May --------------------- 288lb --------------------- 258lb DM Chef ---------------- 20lb ---------------------- ? ------------------- 1 May --------------------- ? ------------------------- ? FutureSize10 ------------ 25lb ---------------------- ? ------------------- 1 May --------------------- ? ------------------------- ? doodlebug11 ------------ 20lb ---------------------- 207lb--------------- 1 May ------------------------- 209lb-------------------- 187lb tcbgirl ------------------- 15lb ---------------------- ? ------------------- 1 May --------------------- ? ------------------------- ? twinmamma1130 -------- 20lb ---------------------- ? ------------------- 1 May --------------------- ? ------------------------- ? mi_illusion_st ----------- 15lb --------------------- 211.6lb ---------------- 1 May --------------------- 211.6lb----------------- 196.6lb Babygirl_68 -------------- 20lb ---------------------- ? ------------------- 1 May --------------------- ? ------------------------- ? kittygirl ------------------ 22lb --------------------- 203lb ------------------ 1 May ---------------------- 203lb ------------------- 181lb jukeBox81782 ----------- 40lb ---------------------- ? ------------------- 1 May ---------------------- ? ------------------------- ? Losing for me ----------- 20lb ---------------------- 189lb ---------------- 1 May ---------------------- 189lb --------------------169lb early -------------------- 15lb ---------------------- 202lb ------------------- 1 May --------------------- 202lb -------------------- 187lb lapband-AP-redo -------- 20lb ----------------------- ? ------------------- 1 May ---------------------- ? ------------------------- ? pottergirl----------------- 20lb----------------------- 280lb ---------------- 1 May---------------------- 280lb -------------------- 260lb shakia90 ---------------- 20lb ----------------------- 285lb ---------------- 1 May --------------------- 285lb -------------------- 265lb txdj --------------------- 20lb------------------------ 205lb ---------------- 1 May --------------------- 205lb --------------------185lb ThinWithin -------------- 27.4lb --------------------- 297.4lb -------------- 1 May --------------------- 297.4lb ------------------ 270lb help1977 ----------------20lb----------------------- 251.8lb ---------------- 1 May -------------------- 251.8lb ------------------- 231.8lb vcatalina1 -------------- 20lb------------------------ 255lb ------------------1 May -------------------- 240lb --------------------- 220lb Auddie ----------------- 20lb------------------------ ? -----------------------1 May ------------------- ? --------------------------? lapbandgirl2009 -------- 25lb ---------------------- 259lb ------------------- 1 May ------------------- 259lb --------------------- 234lb swkrp ------------------ 20lb ---------------------- 219lb ------------------- 1 May ------------------- 199lb --------------------- 234lb Shellynnrn --------------20lb ---------------------- 260lb--------------------1 May ------------------- 260lb-----------------------240lb kath17268 -------------15lb ----------------------- ?lb--------------------1 May ------------------- ?lb ------------------------ ?lb knighmo -------------- 25lb --------------------- 298lb -------------------- 4 May-------------------- 298lb ------------------- 273lb jannyboo -------------- 29lb -------------------- 219lb ---------------------1 May ------------------- 219lb ------------------- 190lb Lilith ------------------ 20lb -------------------- 249lb---------------------6 May ------------------- 249lb ------------------- 229lb

I just want to weigh in here. This blog section here is a place you can say, rant, yell, whatever you want because it is your journal, it's not a question/answer forum (so Greg you have every right to say what you want here, I do). There is also a 'rants/raves' section on the forum. I too get a little frustrated with those that post the type of complaints you described on the regular forums, but I try to remind myself that this is a support network. Some obviously did not do basic research into the LB before getting it and are now surprised by what they need to do, not the band. I don't think Greg (correct me if I'm wrong Greg) was talking about posts like yours Shelly where people recognize it's them that needs to change to reach success...we're all going to have times we slip up, some for longer than others and I for one will be the first to come here for support when I do slip up and need to get back on track...if I had the willpower to do everything perfectly my doc says on my own I would have by now and I wouldn't need the LB. The type of posts I get frustrated with are the ones where the person doesn't really want to learn or change anything and gets mad that the band isn't doing it for them. I find if I can't answer those complaints nicely, then I just move on to someone else that I can help who is ready to make the changes that they need to make...and then I'm there to support them. JMO -BG

I may just give this a try! My basil plants are already in the ground (a little early here, but I'm a risk taker LOL), and my tarragon plants are coming up big time already. Can you start using this right away, or does it have to rest awhile? Do you pour the basil leaves into the bottle or take them out once you heat (to boiling?) them with the vinegar? Thanks! -BG

WOW! Many of you have GREAT weight loss since surgery...I've lost 10 pounds in 2 weeks (with my post-op diet only 400-500 cals/day), but I'm happy with it as I'm a low BMI'er. The swelling is down a lot now. Just a reminder because I've seen a few new faces here on this pre-op thread and I'm not sure everyone has found us: We have our very own April Forum with lots of threads going, click HERE. Join us and add your name to the 'Dates Only' thread.

I'm also allergic to adhesives. When you tell the hospital this they usually give you 'paper tape' which just changes the tape and not necessarily the adhesive. I did some of my own patch trials before this surgery, since I knew they weren't coming right off. I've found that some of the 3M Nexcare brand ones work best on me, so that's what they used (I had a small reaction, but not bad). I know this doesn't help you now though....I use Benedryl and a good antibiotic ointments (like you mentioned) to help the healing when I've had problems before. Also, remember the faster you get them off the better next time.

Yeah, I was banded the 22nd and I feel like I have ZERO energy. I get so tired and shaky doing anything. I've been blogging (on LBT, below) about that and being hungry. I have a week left (3 weeks of phase I) of clear liquids and skim milk ONLY. My cals. are 400-500 per day so I'm in starvation mode and have stopped losing weight as well. I've been reading that people get their energy back once they're able to eat food and get more calories in. I'm counting the days!

I get 24 gr. of protein per day from the 3, 8oz. glasses of skim milk and that's pretty much it...a couple from chicken broth. I think it's weird too...and skim milk has a lot of sugar...12g per cup...that's 36g per day! I'm thinking the one protein shake I'm cheating with and substituting for one of the milks is probably better for me anyway.

I just wish I could have full liquids even (skim milk is my only non-clear)! I started cheating this past weekend when we had a big event at our house and I needed some energy, but my cheats so far have been EAS chocolate Protein drinks and Special K2O Protein Water mixes LOL...some big cheat huh? My blog (on LBT) for tomorrow will be on how I look forward to Vitamin time so I have something to chew on...pitiful. Today's blog was about 'Mr. Hungry' (link below if you're interested). I don't see the doc until next Tuesday and I'm already counting the hours.

Are any of you still on a phase I diet? I've got a whole 3 weeks of SF clear liquids/skim milk ONLY, so I've got one more week of this (banded 4/22). Am I the only one from that week still on liquids only?

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I'm so sorry for your loss. She sounds like a wonderful friend. ((hugs)) -Bg

Are you on regular foods now, or are you still on a phase of the post-op diet? Just asking because 2oz. is a tiny amount if you're now on the lifetime meal plan.

Wow! That's the biggest surgery day fill I've ever seen! Many people are at their sweet spot before 6cc's in a 10cc band! You must have some good restriction already! I have 0 fill in my band.

Great attitude! It really is all up to us, isn't it?! Sorry about the delay, but you're sure making the best of it...and things happen for a reason. -BG

Yeah, I've always been jealous of those that can take a short nap and wake up feeling great...not me. I slept 8 hours last night and got up at 6:30am...was ready for a nap by 9:30am, but I didn't go. I just had one of my 'cheats' protein drinks and I'm feeling a little more energy. I've been reading that some feel this way until they get back on food...well that's still a week out for me. I can't stand another week of this. I think I'll try another protein drink later today and see if more protein will get me going...I just feel weak and super tired, which isn't like me at all. The more I move around the worse I feel. No biggie, just annoying.

Lena- Is there a way you can make this bigger on the page? Or maybe a link? I even tried to copy and paste it and that didn't enlarge it. My now reading glasses eyes can't see it. Sounds yummy! -BG

WELCOME to LBT. There is and "Insurance" forum as well as a "hospitals/doctors" forum that I'd suggest you post these questions in (just click the forum tab at the top of the page and scroll down). You'll also find an "Ohio" group in the same place under "Groups" then "USA". If you do a search under the Pre-op forum you'll get lots of info. on people's psych experiences. Mine was definitely on the short/easy end. Less than 1/2 hour and only about 20 min. of simple questions. Others have to take long tests...you can call the office and ask what it involves and how long it will take. Good luck on your start here! -BG

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lingling- You are SUPPOSED to be hungry as you get toward meal time. If you get to the point where there is NO hunger ever, then something is wrong. Remember the band is supposed to make you eat smaller amounts and keep the food in the pouch longer (4 hours or so) if you eat right...solid Protein first, then fruits and vegetables. But, you probably know all that. 195 cals is not enough for one meal even, and I'm guessing you're supposed to be eating sliders right now because of the fills (your list is sliders), because there wasn't any protein mentioned...maybe that was your Breakfast list? Most docs recommend a minimum of 1000-1200 cals per day or you'll stop losing weight. I just want to make sure you're not in starvation mode?

Kathi- I'll be waiting to hear! A nurse in the family would be great!!!

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Can't wait to try these! Thanks!

You're doing great! ...and 20lbs. is awesome loss in that amount of time!!! Holy Cow!!! Keep up the good work, you're an inspiration! -BG