Halobabe

Do I qualify? I started at 210 had my surgery end of July 06...lost 8 lbs initially, but after getting fills adding up to 9.5cc. of a 10cc. band, I have lost another 6 totalling 14lbs. I am hypothyroid, so I'm naturally a turtle.

All I can say is do NOT eat an egg roll!!! I am dying! I ate it at work and was in a hurry---need I say more? I have been PBing and sliming for half and hour and still have the "swallowed a brick" pain in my chest. It's my own fault...I knew when I swallowed the first bite that I hadn't chewed it thoroughly enough...I ate the rest just hoping it would go through. I usually can't feel it until I'm finished. I am miserable!

I am from Lexington, KY. I had my surgery July 25th in TJ with Dr. Ortiz. I am having all my follow ups with Dr. Trace Curry in Cincinnati Ohio---I believe Sherrijo is also seeing him for her follow ups' too. He is very nice and puts the patients first. I have had 4 fills (5+2+1.5+1) at $150 each, and am already up to 9.5 cc's because I have not had any restriction until this last 1cc. fill & was gaining. He even has Saturday visits once a month---which is way cool. The ball is finally starting to roll! I finally have restriction and am losing weight---more importantly, I finally feel full and want to eat less!!! I have only lost 12 lbs but since I didn't have any restriction, it was like normal until a couple of weeks ago. I have actually experienced my first pb!!! CAn you say gross? ON a freakin' 1/2 of a Bagel of all things! Yuk! I am low BMI with hypothyroidism, so I know I will be a slow loser, but at least it's starting to work---I was getting worried that I had spent $10K for nothing! Good Luck!!!

I also have a 10cc. band, even though I was low BMI---and am getting soooooo discouraged. 4 weeks after my surgery, I had 5cc. then the following week I had another 2cc. I am up to 7cc. and no restriction at all. I have lost 8 lbs---but that was in the first month---actually during the first 2 weeks of the special liquid diet stuff. I am eating less, and following all the rules, but stil not losing any weight. I am still really hungry and have never even thought of PBing or anything. I guess I should be happy I'm not gaining, but after a self pay of over $10K I expected more. I hope to get another fill either this weekend or next. Karen MT Ortiz

I had my first fill!!! I am lower BMI of 35, apple shaped, and received the VG 10cc. band. I went for my first fill last Friday ($300 for first visit & fill) and my aftercare doctor couldn't believe that I had a 10cc. VG band! He (Dr. Curry) gave me a 5cc. adjustment but said it would probably take 2 or 3 more fills before I felt ANY restriction at all! He hit my port in ONE try and was very nice. I am getting very discouraged, as I still have NO restriction at all. $10,000 later. I am REALLY anxious to start losing weight! Ugh! I've only lost 8 lbs and that was in the beginning in the first 10 days when I was on liquids and was still swollen and had 'some' restriction. I am getting discouraged and running out of money! I am maintaining only because I am dieting...which we all know stinks!...and not the reason I got the band. I don't want to feel hungry and I want to feel FULL after eating a small amount!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am eating a full cup of food at a sitting before even remotely feeling any semblance of fullness. Karen MT from Kentucky Banded 7/25/06 Dr. Ortiz in TJ 5cc. first fill 8/25/06 Dr. Curry in Cinn. OH<!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

WHEN can we eat pizza??? LOL

Today was the first day someone actually asked me if I had lost some weight!!! Yea!!! I"ve only lost 7 lbs (2 weeks post op) but my abdomen was SOOOOOOO distended and bloated for about the first 8 or 9 days I looked 8 mos. pregnant! That has now gone down, thank God, and I am eating more substantial food so I'm not dying of hunger like when I was on clear liquids. I DO HAVE some restriction though---YEA!!! Went out to eat after church yesterday and after about 1/2 c of fried eggs mixed with some milk gravy, I was stuffed!!! And I was satisfied! It was such a wonderful feeling! Took the rest of my gravy home and made my own eggs and mixed it in with them for some good eating breakfast this morning---but again, only about 1/2 cup! Heck, in the past, I would have eaten two biscuits along with all that and more! So, my menu for yesterday: breakfast:, 1/2 c. scrambled eggs mixed w/gravy lunch: 3/4 c. purreed cream of mushroom soup (condensed w/1 1/2 c water instead of 1) dinner 3/4 c. purreed vegetable soup evening snack: 1/2 c. ice cream with choc syrup (I allow myself a little treat each evening---sometimes eat a yogurt)

I really liked the McD's Asian salad with GRILLED not fried, chicen before surgery...w/o the nuts, I don't think it's too bad. I'm anxious to see if I can eat it when I am back to solids. <TABLE borderColor=#cccccc cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=4 border=1><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=center bgColor=#ffffff rowSpan=2>Nutrition Facts</TD><TD noWrap bgColor=#eeeeee rowSpan=2> </TD><TD bgColor=#ffffff rowSpan=2></TD><TD bgColor=#eeeeee rowSpan=2></TD><TD bgColor=#ffffff rowSpan=2></TD><TD bgColor=#eeeeee rowSpan=2></TD><TD bgColor=#ffffff rowSpan=2></TD><TD bgColor=#eeeeee rowSpan=2></TD><TD bgColor=#ffffff rowSpan=2></TD><TD bgColor=#eeeeee rowSpan=2></TD><TD bgColor=#ffffff rowSpan=2></TD><TD bgColor=#eeeeee rowSpan=2></TD><TD bgColor=#ffffff rowSpan=2></TD><TD bgColor=#eeeeee rowSpan=2></TD><TD bgColor=#ffffff rowSpan=2></TD><TD bgColor=#eeeeee rowSpan=2></TD><TD bgColor=#ffffff rowSpan=2></TD><TD bgColor=#eeeeee rowSpan=2></TD><TD bgColor=#ffffff rowSpan=2></TD><TD align=middle colSpan=4>% Daily Value</TD></TR><TR><TD bgColor=#eeeeee></TD><TD bgColor=#ffffff></TD><TD bgColor=#eeeeee></TD><TD bgColor=#ffffff></TD></TR><TR><TD align=left colSpan=24>Salads</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left bgColor=#ffffff>Asian Salad with Grilled Chicken</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=#eeeeee>12.7 oz (362 g)</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=#ffffff>290</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=#eeeeee>90</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=#ffffff>10</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=#eeeeee>15</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=#ffffff>1</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=#eeeeee>5</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=#ffffff>0</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=#eeeeee>65</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=#ffffff>21</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=#eeeeee>890</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=#ffffff>37</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=#eeeeee>23</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=#ffffff>8</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=#eeeeee>6</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=#ffffff>22</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=#eeeeee>12</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=#ffffff>31</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=#eeeeee>130</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=#ffffff>90</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=#eeeeee>15</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=#ffffff>20</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

I have another question...a week after surgery, I started finding some new bruises on my belly...I have a big dark purple one behind my belly button...and one near the bottom of my belly. It's like they are from the inside out---which is strange. Anyone else have this?

Help!!! I can't seem to get the iodine stain off of me! I am 8 days post op. Scars are fine---they used the glue stuff. The worst thing about it all wasn't my scars, it was the sticky stuff under my boobies! I guess they duct taped them up during surgery, but it left a whole lot of sticky stuff and my girls kept wanting to stick to my belly! (even more than usual) Did anyone else have that? Also, how can we use scar care cream if we still have the glue on each one? Does the glue really ever come off on it's own...I'm dying to pick mine off, but I won't. Karen MT from KY 7/25/06 Ortiz in TJ

I can relate. I was there all alone too. I really wish they had a meet and greet pre-arranged. It's not like we have "lapbander" tee shirts on! I was so depressed and feeling wimpy after surgery also...and I am about as social a person as there is. I went shopping alone...which stinks, and walking alone, and the thing is, I know there were people there who I could have or would have gone with---if I'd just been given their name and room number! We're all in this together!:phanvan

I have a question: I am 4 days post op and my abdomen still feels really swollen...is this normal??? I went to TJ alone and had to handle my carryon through two airports on the way home, and it was definitely over 5 lbs. I know I overdid it, but what else could I have done? I have been dying of hunger, then I made the family a big roast with carrots and potatoes...no, I didn't eat any meat, but I did grab some of the broth and pureed a few potatoes and several carrots. I added a cup of beef broth to thin it and it was definitely a liquid. After only 1/2 cup, I felt better than I had all day! Saving the rest for tomorrow. I was eating jello and popsicles and chicken broth and it just wasn't gettin' it. I am amazed I feel so much better! My stomach is still very rumbly and dh can also hear the hunger pangs! No abdomen gas, but am getting some out the other direction! (tmi?---but feel so much better when I CAN!) Every once in a while I feel a 'wave' of my stomach---I don't really know what else to call it---but it is wierd and kind of hurts, but not much---just a really weird feeling---does anyone else have this???

I am 4 days post op too, and sneezed a biggie---whoa---it really hurt! Ouch! Karen MT Kentucky

I am now 2 days post op and my tummy is swollen and rumbling/grumbling! But the good news is i"m not really hungry---just empty feeling. Tijuana is the pits alone. I just paid $2.50 for 1/2 Cup of jello---I"m feeling depressed here all by myself---walking and shopping ain't much fun alone. I can't wait to get home. I wish I had some ruby slippers to click my heels with! But alas, I will get no sympathy there, as only dh knows about my surgery! My flight leaves at 9:35 am...I'm counting the minutes!:help:

---Karen from Kentucky

Okay, This is IT!!!:clap2: This is my last post before my surgery. I only got 3 hours sleep last night because I was so excited---and everything was running through my head! I know I've overpacked, but I figure better too much than not enough. My flight is 8.5 hrs long. My surgery is scheduled for Tues, July 25th with Dr. Ortiz in TJ! Everyone say a little prayer for me!!! The worst part is I am not telling anyone,(except DH and having to lie about going to a conference in SD. (When I mentioned it, everyone except DH was super negative) So, if I am not feeling well, I won't get any sympathy. (not that I ever do anyways, LOL) What happens in Mexico, STAYS in Mexico! Next post, I"ll be a newbie!!!:heh: ---Karen from Kentucky

okay, my question is, is it a problem to be ON your period when you have the surgery? I usually wear pads, but heck, I flood---so I may ask to wear a depends diaper while I'm in surgery and post op so I don't have to worry about flooding the poor bed! Do they allow you to wear underwear and tampons during surgery? Please don't think I"m silly---I really need ot know this! Karen MT

I have a 7 yr old average weight, but tall daughter, (4'3") Haley. She wears a 10/12. Everyone thinks she is around 9 years old. One of her best friends is a little petite thing...wears a size 6 & everyone thinks she is 4 years old. Her Grandparents are essentially raising her, and her grandfather walked up to us in front of a friend and said "can you believe they are the same age?" That Haley is a freakin' AMAZON! I practically bit my tongue off to not say, well, not EVERYONE is a freakin' pip sqeak! They are both such cute girls, but I don't want her to get a complex either. Should I say anything to this fella? Haley is already asking if she if fat as she bends over and grabs her skin, because all of her friends are so much smaller than her---I've always told her she is beautiful and perfect. And she is not a bit fat!!! I think they get a lot of this from TV too. Karen MT from Kentucky 2B banded in TJ Ortiz 7/25/06

I DO have to change planes! Only have 1/2 hr:omg: to switch in New Jersey...that's all I'm worried about. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the flights won't be late.:phanvan

This may be a silly question---if your TSH is WNL, but your T3 or T4 is high(toward hypo range) other than raising Synthroid, what can the doc give you? This is me.

We have the same surgery date!!! Only 13 more days!!! I understand how you are feeling. I have a 7 year old and I"m not telling anyone other than my husband, so I won't be getting any coddling. I'm going to Tijuana all by myself. Even though I live in KY, my flight is going to New Jersey then to San Diego---I think the plane ride scares me more than the surgery. #1 I've never flown, plus #2 I"ve never done anything like this all alone. I worry about our plane being hijacked, or crashing all to be thin? I know I have more chance of being killed in my car on the way to the airport, but it's still going through my mind. But cha know what? WE CAN DO THIS! WE ARE TOUGH COOKIES! and, we WILL be THIN and healthy in a very short period of time! Best of luck to you! Karen MT

My Momma had some sleep bras that hook in the front and are real loose but keep the girls from sweating and sticking to my stomach---I inherited them when she passed away. I usually only wear them when company is spending the night, but they will come in really handy for this, it sounds like. Karen MT, Kentucky Dr. Ortiz 7/25/06

I am also getting banded on the 25th with Dr. Ortiz in TJ---how about you? I hope you are too!!! Good luck to us both!!! 16 days and counting!!! Karen MT <!-- / message -->

That is so great July5forme! You are so brave to go home the same day! I can't wait to NOT be hungry all the time!!! Good for you!!! Keep us posted! Karen MT 35.1BMI 2 B banded 7/25/06 in TJ

No, I do not lose weight when I dip into the hyper range...I do seem to have more energy during the day, but then I can't nod off to sleep at night...which isn't an option for me, as I work full time.