imaluckydog

Hi Everyone, I have just read all the posts from our beginning. Hard to believe we are all about 7 weeks post op now. So Cool isn't it. I would like to know how everyone is doing thus far? Have we all had at least one fill? I have lost almost 50 pounds. I said almost 3 ounces away. I still have some really good days and I do make a few poor choices. I have found I cannot eat after 7 p.m. or I wake up with heart burn in the middle of the night. This is Not such a very good feeling. I still do not burp but I have gas all the time. Lets hear how our journey has been thus far. I would do it over again if I had too. Oh Happy day!! I look forward to hearing from anyone banded on June 29 or near that date.

Best wishes imaluckydog Kathy

Hi, Take time to heal. My Dr. said I could go back in 3 days. I had to take 2 weeks. I have been banded for 3 now. I only have one spot under my bra that rubs and it is still causing me pain its ugly. I have had to go bra-less for a couple of days for this spot to heal. Only you will know how you feel. I say do not rush it if you do not have too. Best Wishes and feel better soon. imaluckydog

Hi Band Buddy, I am going for my first fill on July 29th. I drive 1 hour so I hope they are going to give me something. I can eat almost anything I want. I do not feel any restriction at all. I know I have 2 cc in a 10 cc band. Glad to hear all is going well and glad to hear the fill is nothing to worry about. Thanks for sharing. Kathy imaluckydog

Hi K, I have a 10 cc Allergan band as well with a 2 cc primer fill as the Dr. referred to it. I have my first fill on July 29. That will be only 4 weeks 3 days Post Op. So I am not sure why they scheduled me a fill so soon? I may not get a fill then who knows. I can eat almost anything if I go slow enough and chew really well. I have had some trouble with Grilled red meats and pork. I have not eaten bread never liked it anyway. I eat a lot of eggs and soft foods trying always to get the Protein in first. Lets keep in touch. Kathy imaluckydog

I had a hard time getting that much in. Drink slow listen to your body do not force more in or it will come up. It did for me. Sip SLOWLY. Drink Protein slow. I ran back to Dr. after two days and they wanted to take the primer fill out I said no. They offered me another type of protein and said if I can keep it down they will not take any out. I have 10cc band with a prime of 2cc Everyone is different. If you are not able to keep any liquids down at all GO or CALL DR. that is very important. I went and that is what happened to me. Just wanted to share. I am 2 weeks post op. imaluckydog

Thank you Lahey I am very happy.

"Do not question yourself!!!" I said this morning as I was telling someone my story about "My first surgery date that was to be July 20 and how very excited I was. Then it was moved up to June 29 my surgery date, because I had met all the requirements!!! OMG

Holy COW have a cow!!!!" I was shocked, I did not think I was ready, I was worried about the insurance, the surgery, I was worried about the pain, about not eating and only fluids, worried about drugs, you know yata, yata yata, everything you read about was going thru my mind non stop in a loop, Over and over again.

Well, let me tell you I hugged my DR. Yesterday! I never thought I would do that!! But I DID.... I just jumped up and said "can I hug you." He gave me a HUGE hug back, I felt so GOOD!!

I said to him I have the power to change my life now. This tool is helping me change, and I have found confidence as well.

I find support here on this web site, I have not told many of my family, they do not get it. That is OK for me.

It is for me to figure this journey out, it is MINE. I am two weeks Post Op and have never felt better in my life. It is eleven days from surgery exactly!! What a load lifted.......

I have not really suffered. I was uncomfortable for two days after surgery. Drugs helped. Drinking Water has never been my thing, I drink lots of Water now. The liquid post op is hard, I must say, and/but worth it. Eating slow is even harder, putting the fork down and not picking it up is starting to be funny. I just stare at it. The amount of food is so small. I want to be small. The saying is you are what you eat.

Thanks to everyone who has shared with me their secrets especially Band Groupie. I want to play in your BAND!!

imaluckydog who is helping to create my own destiny. Yipppeeeee I am down 37 pounds in four weeks, wonderland/onederland is just around the corner. Oh happy day

Hi my June 29 LB Friends, So glad to hear from all of you. I too am still a little sluggish today 7/5/09. I am glad I do not have to go back to work for one more week. I took my first BM yesterday, I too almost took a LAX but I am glad I did not. I have been having 3 Protein Drinks a day 17 to 20 grams of Protein in each, broth, and sf freeze pops. I would make sure you are getting enough PROTEIN because hair can fall out if you are not getting enough. I am drinking tons of Water and I think that helps with waste management as well. I am still using pain meds. I am sleeping better and everyday I feel so much better I may even go and walk on the treadmill with my daughter later this afternoon. I have had very little gas pain but I have been walking, walking, walking even if it is just around the house. My port site still hurts I think it must be the stitches healing. I think it may take a couple more weeks until I feel 100%. I am happy in my head so that is a good place to be. Thanks for listening. imaluckydog Kathy

Hi,

I was banded on Monday, June 29, 2009. I am hoping to find other people who were banded the same day as me.

My original date was July 20, but was moved up as I have done all requirements. Someone had to cancel for heart reasons.

I stayed over night one night and was comfortable. Then came home and was fine until Wednesday I was unable to keep my liquid drinks and sf Jello down. I went back to the hospital and my nurse put me on another Liquid Protein drink to see if I could handle it. She made me stay and drink the entire thing to make sure I could handle it. I have the Allergan Lap Band with 2 cc fill at surgery she said it was standard. I cut out the Jello as I always gage with it so she said I do not have to eat it. I think that was part of my problem. I and feeling 100 % better today. Let me know how you are doing? I look forward to hearing from you. imaluckydog

Hi KTK1982, I have Blue Cross Blue Shield. But I just had a twist. I called the insurance back in early April to see if I am covered? They sent me back a packet and it said I am covered. Paper work I though was all set!!! Did I say PAPER WORK!! yes I did. I have a surgery date of July 20, I am all set in my head and getting ready for it. Finished all blood work, all group and ind. Psychic classes, all nutrition and teaching classes are done. I get a call This past Friday do you want to have it done on Monday? This Monday OMG, YES but I am not sure I am ready. Well the twist is that the insurance co. who said I am approved has not sent back the paper work. I have a 12:30 surgery time and the insurance office opens at 8:30 am. I think I am going to be on the phone trying to see if they will fax over paper work as it is almost a month early. Not sure why but always make sure the paper work is signed before you get a date. I may not be able to have the surgery if insurance does not pay. I hope this helps. imaluckydog MAYBE???????

Ok, The Pre Op visit is over. Blood work is done. Paper work is done. Met with Pam O'Brien NP great lady. Talked about the get ready to loose wt. before surgery Talk is done. Next time will be a two hour teaching session with NP and Dietician. Things are moving right along smoothly I must say. The four group Psych classes went by quickly. LB is right around the corner. imaluckydog

On your mark get set Go....

Hello everyone, I just want to be part of this group as well. My birthday is July 18 I will be 53. OMG did I just say that!!! My new BIRTHDAY band date is July 20, 2009. I want to take my life back. I do not want skinny I want what I see as my normal body size back. I am a shiny July Jewel and with any luck I will get a shiny red ruby to make me feel better. Long term goal. I better start saving now. Ha Ha.. Good bye food you do not work for me today! Best wishes to all my July band mates. Thanks for all the support along the way. imaluckydog Kathy

Best wishes hope all goes as planned. Let me know how you are doing? I am getting banded 7.20.09 and was told I may get a call to go early I am not sure I would be ready. Good luck imaluckydog

Hi everyone, Thank you for starting this thread!!! It will help keep my paws out of the cookie jar. By the way, I tossed the Cookies and the jar in the trash last week. I would mindlessly eat them and never thought much about it. Until they were all gone and then I would to buy more to replace NOT any more. Not even having them in my house. LOL

I was called a “babe” when I was in high school. I WANT THAT BACK!!! I want to wear Lilly again. I am a size 24 stretch. My BMI 40.3 and I am 5 1”.

I am almost 53 my birthday is July 18th and my new Band Birthday will be July 20th.

My sister had the GBP in July about 7 years ago and it changed her life. She is a big supporter. I cringe at the thought of telling people especially, my mother, because my mother never accepted my sister’s surgery and worried all the time and still does. She would say, “Why does she have to do such drastic measurers just too loose weight, why can she not be like normal people?” I have told only my husband of twenty eight years on June 20th and my two grown college age young adults’ ages 19 and 20 that are very supportive. No one thinks I should tell my mother. I have told her I am having pelvic support issues which I do have. We have said if I get that fixed I could loose weight. Ok a little lie that will not be such a bad thing for anyone. I work with food and cannot change my profession at this time.

This year I had my regular Dr. Happy Visit ha ha. My Dr. was NOT Happy with me!

My blood pressure was through the roof for the third year in a row! My weight had been down from year before. But I knew it was only time before it was back up again. I know the ups and downs as I go on the Ferris wheel effect. My highest was about 258 and I am hovering at 241 with a 17 pound loss that has been a struggle to keep off. Blood pressure meds not a good thing. I have been on them since that NOT so happy visit. When the Dr. suggested surgery and I said NO WAY are there any pills I can take? That would be easier RIGHT Huh…. Alli and away we go, Ya it worked and then I ate ice cream. The GOOD stuff!! Not going there again. I have kept off 17lbs. I am great at WW, tried Cambridge, no fats, and the SEA FOOD DIET. See food and eat it you know the one.

Six years ago I started to use the sleep apnea machine I would love to get off that.

Started the LB process in April, have great insurance, a date and a WAIT.

Thanks for being here for me.

imaluckydog

Today marked the third of four Psychiatric Group meetings at Lahey. The group was a lot smaller today than the past weeks. Topics First week Mindfulness vs. Mindless Eating; Second week Triggers for eating: Reacting vs. Responding; Third week today Physiological vs. Psychological Hunger. DR. gave a nice chart from Totally starved to Painfully Over stuffed. All went well and worth the time I put in.

I am hoping the fourth and final group is as exciting. Lots of group questions and discussions people had great information to share. Dr. Kantor is a pleasure and is insightful. The hour and a half just seems to fly bye....

Next week the Dr. will speak about follow ups and after surgery information. I have a surgery date but many in the class do not yet. Everyone seems to be at a different stage of the process. Some are still not sure which surgery LB or GBP they will or will not have. Some are still exploring.

I am glad Lahey has this format it a way to digest it all.

Wish everyone well. In search of Love.Life.Lilly and the Pursuit of Happiness. for now imaluckydog

Hi everyone I am still at a loss of 17 lbs. before surgery. I would like to do better before band date of July 20. I am trying it is so slow going. I am keeping my spirits up and may try to find a ticker that I like if I can figure out how to insert one. Have a great day everyone. Best wishes to all my Birthday Buddies. Keep happy. imaluckydog

Hi, I am also getting banded July 20, like many. Very excited, very nervous, learning new ways to love myself other than using food. Going to a second psych / nutrition appointment today. I have appointments of some kind, one a week until the beginning of July. I am going to be busy. Wishing everyone well on this life journey. imaluckydog that is for sure.....

It's a name? Anyone will do for me! Just pick one.

I just want to be included. I am being banded July 20 at Lahey in Burlington Ma. It has been a long hard wait. Glad to be learning with the BEST. Thanks

Julystars or July Stars

imaluckydog :blushing:

Started the first of four health workshop sessions today at Lahey with Dr. Lyle Kantor he knows his stuff!! He is Very educated and honest to the core. There may have been 18 or so people who are interested in LB or GBP in the class. These are informative sessions that one must attend before surgery. Talked about Mindful eating instead of what I do, Mindless eating. LOL

I am looking forward to session two. I think Lahey does a nice job getting patients ready for surgery. I wonder if there is a follow up and support after surgery? Does anyone know about that?

imaluckydog:thumbup:

I have found Lahey to be very nice so far. They have had to change my schedule a few times. That is a pain but for the most part everyone has been so nice and pleasant. This is a time consuming process from start to finish. I am now waiting and learning as much as I can from this site as possible. I have a July 20th date so this is very exciting to say. Hope everyone has as smooth a time as it has been for me so far. imaluckydog:thumbup:

I got my date it is July 20, 2009 at Lahey Burlington Ma.:wink2:

I have a few more visits with nutritionist and pre op lab work and then I wait. Better start making Soup to have on hand when I need it. Hope all goes as planned. I started this LB in early April to July four months is a lot better that most.

imaluckydog NOW!!!!! that I have a date....

Great work everyone. :thumbup: My birthday is July 18 and I was given a July 20,09 band date. Dr. has said I may get moved up in dates if there is a cancellation so I am just waiting. Trying to keep my head in a good place about all this. I need to get rid of 100 or more pounds. Good luck to all and

Happy Birthday to everyone in July.

imaluckydog

WOW, this is making me have to think!!!! I am going to get back to you because I never thought much about what my life would be like when I got rid of this weight. I'm not even banded yet and I now have something to think about, Read about and plan for, it's about me now isn't it.......

Thank you

imaluckydog

Hi Brittany, You are OK!!! Yes, I also feel same way as you. I have been approved but do not have a date yet. I am 52 DID I just say that??? Now thats hard to belive. Because I will be 18 till I die!! No kidding. I needed to ask for help on this one.

Oh yes the doctors have been suggesting this for about 6 or more years. I did not want to listen to them. I was in denial I think hu I know. Six weeks ago I had a health complication and end up in the hospital. I was totally dependant on others to take care of me. That just sucked. No Kidding.... Having support is key. I am NOT, that is NOT going to tell everyone. People watch me do WW and I am good at it. So let them think what they want. Only my Dr. and Family know I will be doing this.

I have found some very nice people to chat with on this page. I do not know how to work the site yet either. The more I explore the more interesting it gets. I do not have a picture becuse I do not know how to get one do you? I will need support too, I'm glad I found this site.

I'd like to be a support if you will for me too? I will be having it done at Lahey in Burlington Ma.

Have a nice day.

imaluckydog

Hey! I am having it done at Lahey Burlington, my date is June 19th. I have Dr. Sillin. He has been doing the lapband for years but is new to the hospital and had the most availability so that is why I went with him. So far so good I love lahey! Are you seeing Karen Palmer the dietician or the other dietician??? Go ahead and ask me anything you want I am an open book!

I am having what I was told is a three hour work up. Did you have that. Sounds like I will be there all day. I am not sure how long it will tale to get a date after this work-up. Some people I have read have to wait a very long time. That will probably drive me crazy. How long did you have to wait and what happens after the three hour evaluation? Is it different for everyone? Thanks for your reply imaluckydog

I was approved and will have it done in Burlington Ma. I do not have a date yet. I just want to know if you were happy with the Lahey Burlington Ma.? The Doctor may be Napomashay sp? The more I read the more I do not want to wait any longer. :smile2: Thanks for any reply