MiMi Teapot

Hi Everyone- I cannot believe it has been 2 years. I have lost 81lb- down 3-4 dress sizes- have 7.5 cc in my 11cc band. I feel wonderful. I have had very few problems, have only ever vomited 2 times. My Lapband dr thinks I am the poster girl for lapband. I still have 20lb I would like to lose and it is doable in this next yr. This has been such a good experience for me and I talk with people every week about gastric wt loss surgery(I work in a GI office) It has NOT been aways easy but definitely worth it. Happy 2 years everyone. MiMi

I had my first fill yesterday at 2mo-3wk-1day after surgery.( Last time I was doing too well for a fill, but this time I was getting hungry between meals and I could eat more before filling full.) The PA found my port easily and put in 4cc and then had me drink water. Water would not go down-chest pain right away. She reinserted needle and removed 1cc and the water went down, she asked if I wanted alittle more out and I said Yes. She took out 1/2cc more. So my first fill is 2.5cc. I was able to eat bean soup last pm and my cottage cheese this morning. Restriction is there and I get full faster. All and all a good experience. 33 lb sicne surgery a total of 59lb since 1/09. I am very thankful and praise the Lord for His goodness. MiMi Teapot

My surgery for realize band was 5/24/09. I seen my surgeon @ 4 wk for checkup but my first fill was not scheduled til 8 wk. After reviewing my records and wt lost they decided I still didn't need a fill. I am losing wt every week and really do not feel hungry. I have lost 32 lbs since surgery, a total of 57.5lbs. I can eat more than 1/2 cup but I try to stay close to that. It's really a head game. I still have restriction and I still have problems at time with food going down.So now I am scheduled for a fill 7/16. I try to make good choices in food and I write everything down that I eat and drink. I am also diabetic on insulin so I keep track of my blood sugars too. I have been able to decrease my insulin from 5 injections to 2. Off my oral med for diabetes, off b/p med, and am taking a holiday off cholestrol and tricor med. I have labwork in July to see if I can stay off it too. This surgery has been a good experience for me. I would do it again in a heartbeat. Thank you Lord! MiMI

I am a Type 2 insulin dependant DM. The surgeon would have done by-pass, but I chose banding. I am about 1 month out and have dropped to 1-2 injections a day, off my oral DM meds completely. Since Jan 2009 I have losted 48 lbs, I have hope of going off my insulin completely. I have a friend who is banded and Type 1 and she will not be off insulin, she takes a very small dose. It is something that you will need to decide for yourself. The band is less recovery and no vitamin deficiencies.It was the right choice for me. MiMi

I CALLED MY SURGEON'S OFFICE AND ASKED WHY THE SCALES WERE NOT MOVING. tHEY TOLD ME MY BODY IS IN STARVATION MODE AND IS EATING ITSELF. i HAVE LOST 10.5 INCHES. tHEY SAID I AM DOING EVERYTHING RIGHT. THE WT WILL COME OFF IF I HOLD ON. SO MY QUESTION TO ALL OTHER BUNNIES THAT HAVE NOT SEEN THE SCALE MOVE, ARE YOU SEEING THE INCHES COME OFF? mY FIRST FILL IS NOT UNTIL 6/22, SO I AM HOLDING ON. tHIS PAST WEEK I WENT DOWN TO 1 INSULIN SHOT A DAY.PTL FOR THAT. BLESSING TO ALL, MI MI

Thanks to everyone's input. It is nice to know I not the only one in this boat. I am able to eat reg food now, but I am not able to eat more than 1/2 cup before feeling full, and I am not hungry. I do drink alot trying to get in 60oz a day. My first fill is 6/22. A postive note- I did not need to take PM insulin last night. My blood sugar was 121 last nite and only 105 this AM. Thank You Lord! Thanks everyone! MiMI

Any suggestions? I have lost 18 lbs since surgery, mostly in the first 2 wks. My wt has not dropped any more. I am walking 5 days a wk and my calorie count is less than 1000cal a day. I am getting 50-60g protein in a day plus drinking 60oz of fluid. I feel I am doing everything by the book, but am frustrated by the scales. On the other side I am now off my blood pressure med and am taking a drug holiday off my Tricore and Simvastatin meds. Will have lab work in July to see if I can stop them permanently. I have also gone down a size in clothes. I would appreciate any suggestions. Thanks MiMi

Pennreporter, I felt good after 1 week but I am a office nurse and my days are very busy. I wanted to make sure I could keep up with my Doc. Plus the weight restriction right after surgery,my surgeon did not want you to drive for a week.So that 2nd week I tried to increase my activity. Actually it worked out well, because my father fracture his hip and I could be with him. I am sure you will do fine going back after a week. MiMi

I was banded with the Realize band 4/24. So far no problems. I am on my second week of mushies, no hunger at all. It seems like I am drinking all the time except for 1 hr after eating. My first fill is 6/22, my Dr likes to wait 8 wk. so you are healed. I have lost 18 lbs since surgery, plus some wt before surgery. Walking every day, was back to work after 2 wks.I feel good. MiMi Teapot

Dear Bunnies, checking in. Seen post op visit 5/11. First fill sched 6/22. Now on mushies. My instructions are to eat 3 meals a day, 1/2 cup portion total, buit if hungry can have a low cal/protein snack. Doing well, I get hungry in afternoon and have a sugar free pudding or protein drink. I am finding that I can get liquids in more in AM before I have bkfast and that hunger pains stay away if I have bkfast later around 9am. H ave lost 18.5 lb since surgery 4/24, a total of 42.5lbs. It is really nice to see the scale under 250. Thanks for all the encouragement Bunnies. MiMi

I know I prayed alot before making this choice. I believe this is the tool God gave me to become healthy. God is not limited in the ways He can use. With the lapband I still have to make right choices in the kinds of foods I will eat. I am involved in a Sunday school class @ church, we are using First Place Bible study series. It talks about a life that is balanced, physical, mental,emotional and spiritual. It has been great. All the girls in the class are losing weight but also studing the Word. The lapband is a answer to prayer for me. MiMi

Will be seeing the surgeon on Monday, first time since surgery. Have been on full liquids since 4/24. Next is soft foods, I did try a soft egg and did all right, it just sat on my stomach. Has anyone had trouble going back to food? I have lost 15lbs since surgery, total of 41lbs since 1/09. Back to work on Tuesday. MiMi

Walking every day, trying to do a mile every day with DVD and some light weights for arms. Seeing Dr for first visit after surgery. 11 days post op and have lost 13 lbs. Before surgery I was walking 1/2 hr before work, will get back to that shortly. MiMi

Carol, Glad surgery went well. I am 10 days out from surgery and each day getting better. I have already lost 11 lbs.Getting your protein in I think is the key, it promotes healing along with preventing hunger.Remember walking also helps the gas problem. MiMi

Well it is 4 days post op and I am feeling much better. The surgeon had to get through old gallbladder scarring, but band in good placement. Lots of back pain and nausea after surgery, but medication helped.Was in hospital 23 hr, discharged Sat 12n. Clear liquids 1 day, now doing full liquids 2 wks. Down 5 lbs since surgery. Trying to get 60g of protein in every day, plus drinking extra. Took off clear dressings yesterday, incisions look good, starting to itch a bit. No hunger at all:). Trying to walk abit every day. No gas pains, but was constipated, took Colace, now better. How are all the other April 24th banders doing? MiMi Teapot