WorkingMom

I had a NSV yest. I ordered a few dresses on-line from Ann Taylor Loft. ( I didn't have the guts to go to the store, as I feared nothing would fit) When I received the dresses and tried them on, they were all too big! I then returned them to the store and picked out items to try on, again all too big! What a delight!

Everyone is different, but I would say 1 week after you would do fine at a job interview. I only took one dose of pain meds, the first night out of the hospital, and from then on I was fine - tired, but I would have been fine to go on an interview. Good luck with the surgery and of course the job hunt!

Over the weekend I was in a store and decided to try on a regular size 14, rather than a 14W - it fit! Woo Hoo! I started at a size 20W. Also... This morning at work, a female security guard ( located in the lobby of my office building) called me over and said " I've been watching you, you are really doing great - how much have you lost?" Woo hoo - so very few people say ANYTHING to me that sometimes I want to yell out - hey, look at me, can you see that something is different about me? I of course don't do it, but it does drive me crazy! Anyway, just wanted to share my NSV - - love to hear about yours!

I can eat it, but I usually leave most of the rice behind, so I can eat more fish!:smile2:

27 Pounds is great! I know the frustration of thinking you should have lost more, and also not feeling fully restricted. You have definately cut back on your foods, but I am not sure your food choices are completely wise. No pun intended ( wise) get rid of the chips, and the pudding and eat the whole sandwich, not the half. Also, as hard as it may be, cut those Desserts out every night - perhaps you can have one once a week. As you lose more you will probably have more energy and it would be a good time to kick up the walking, maybe increase it to power walking or a longer walk. Have patience, it can take several fills to get you to your sweet spot. Good luck!

Hi, I didn't have to have an upper GI. It was never mentioned to me along the way, and I went through insurance. I did have to have a psych exam, a consult with a dietician and have 6 months of a medically supervised weight loss program, as well as 5 years of documented obesity. I didn't need the upper GI though! Good luck and try not to let it deter you!

It really is important to follow your Dr.'s instructions. The period immediately following surgery your stomach is healing from the surgery. It is adjusting to having a band around it, the stiches that hold the band are still in place, and thus, liquids only so that you allow healing. Liquids are not given because of restriction. Once you go on mushies, you may still find that you can eat a lot. After you go on regular foods, you very likely will be able to eat as much as you want. I am surprised your Dr.'s didn't give you an overview on what to expect after surgery. You see frequent posts on this board with people referring to 'bandster hell'. Bandster Hell is theh time after surgery that you have little or no restriction and you can eat anything. Many are confused, as they question why they had surgery. Have patience, after a few fills ( not necessarily the first one, the second one or even the third one) restriction will come and you will shed pounds. Many surgeons are very conservative when it comes to fills and will not schedule them less than 6 weeks apart. Please have a chat with your surgeon to find out what his/her expectations are of you, and please follow all future directions. Realize also that after a fill many surgeons require a liquid diet for 1 or 2 days followed by mushies for 1 or 2 days. Don't test the band at this point, listen to your Dr.! Good luck and keep us posted!

I am interested in hearing the responses . I too, started taking a multi Vitamin that I swallow - - I keep meaning to ask surgeon if there are reasons other than not being able to keep it down. My surgeon orginally suggested taking 2 chewable flinstone Vitamins. When I ran out I bought the regular adult multi vitamin. I have heard also that people shouldn't take motrin - - not sure why.

Woo hoo! I love your post and the inspiration you share! I hope to accomplish the same in due time! Thanks ! You made my day!

Wow, I too have been told the same thing! What do people think, that we'll be happy to hear that? Grrr!

First thing I could think of is that it is your gall bladder. I read one of your replies, you need to see a Dr. who can do an ultra sound and see if there are gall stones. I had my gallbladder out and when I was having attacks, I too thought I was going to die. Please get it checked out, as a planned removal of a gall bladder is far easier than emergency surgery. Keep us posted.

Great job! Funny when you are the one educating the Dr.! You must be on cloud nine! Enjoy today!

I have had pizza a few times. I only go for the very thin and crispy crust and find that I can barely eat one slice, but I do enjoy it and marvel that I am not looking to eat 3 or more slices! Pasta, well, not so good for me. I can do the tiny elbow macaroni, but not much else.

I would avoid salads until you are back to a full diet. salad is rough and does not go down as easily as the mushies. I know it is frustrating to be eatting so much less and to not be losing weight. Have patience, this is the time your body is healing from surgery, it is only a few weeks. You will lose soon enough! I didn't start to really lose until my 2nd fill. I was frustrated, as for so long it felt that the only weight loss was from my liquid preop diet. It will all come together, just follow your Dr.'s instructions and you will be delighted! Good luck!

I still have a way to go before I will know, but I will share what my surgeon told me. She told me that a lot has to do with excercise and how active you were before gaining the weight. I was quite athletic prior to becoming the size I was prior to surgery - my surgeon told me that my body will remember and if I work out and keep fit during my weight loss I will be less likely to need surgery. So far so good, everything is coming off, and I am looking toned as I lose. Of course the real test will be 60 lbs from now!

I ran and completed my first 5 k in over 7 years! I ran the Revlon Run/Walk and completed the 5 k in 38 minutes! It was a great experience and I did a bit of reflection while crossing the finish line!

Way to go! Great job! Get that facial and a mani pedi! You deserve it! When did you have your surgery?

I decided to tell only my husband and my mother. I do not regret this decision in the least. When people ask me how I am losing the weight, I say, I am finally taking care of myself, and I am working out and going to weight watchers. Both true. I go to weight watchers to be weighed, but don't really follow their plan, but I don't need to tell that to my group at work! I was very thankful no one knew when I wasn't losing weight from surgery to the third fill. I would have had a lot of explaining to do as to why I wasn't shedding more weight .

I am sorry you are going through this. I have the same band and didn't get a fill until 6 weeks post op, and had no problems. Surgeon said to do a 'crunch' and wala, it was done. I am concerned that your dr.s didn't put you on liquids or mushies post fill. I have to be on liquids for at least 24 hrs post fill and then mushies for the next 24 hrs. I have also been told and have experienced that I don't feel restriction for a few days after, so it is likely you will feel tighter in a few days. It took me three fills, a month apart to get to my 'sweet spot'. Good luck to you and I would not hesitate calling the surgeon to voice your concerns.

You are my inspiration! Way to go! Congratulations!

Hi, I had my gallbladder out 4 weeks after delivering twins. I had, had 3 attacks which were the scariest and most painful experiences of my life. I thought I was having a heart attack. The surgery was a breeze. I was given the option to stay overnight in the hospital or go home the same day. Since I had 2 newborns at home, I choose to stay in the hospital that one night so that I could sleep. I went home the next day, and was fine within 2-3 days. The wounds were tiny and healed within 10 days. This was all preband.

Hi, You are on your way! I too have Cigna and was shocked to discover that I needed a 5 year history. It wasn't as hard as I thought, as I got records from various Dr.s from visits over the last 5 years = and all showed I was overweight. As for the 6 consecutive months, I don't know. I would plan on needing to start with March, but submit in June/July and see. If denied, then start with the March appointments. Good Luck! It seems like a headache, and it is, but... IT IS WORTH IT!

I remember your frustration well! Be patient, and keep moving! I lost about the same amount as you preop, and then very slow going until about 6 weeks out. Now, after my 3rd fill things are moving faster and wow, it was all worth being paitient in the beginning!

Congratulations ! It will be here before you know it and you will be losing, losing, losing! I had my surgery in NY, with Dr. Ren on 1/12/09, I feel great and am loving entering into this spring weather 40+ lbs lighter, and know that I will keep it up until I meet my goal. Good luck, keep us posted!

Today I had a huge NSV! I went to Talbots to get some spring clothing...for the last 12 years I've had to go to the 'Women's Section' and was wearing up to a size 20. Today I realized that the women's section was not working for me, and I went to the regular section. I tried on a size 14 dress, and to my utter surprise, it was loose! I really thought I was trying it on just to see how much longer it would be before I might fit in it! After that, I went to Ann Taylor and tried on several pairs of size 14 pants! I didn't buy anything yet, but will be shopping again tomorrow!