SanDiegoUbermom

I've too have decided to wait for the fill. I was reading the posts and about the complications. I know that not everyone has complications but I just didn't want that right off the bat.

I was banded just last month. I'm still learning how to use my tool and to work with it, I don't need to fight w/it just yet.

So I agree that you need to make the decisions for your body--not them!

I was concerned it was too soon and read some things on this board and decided to wait. I am so glad I didn't just do what he said. I wanted some "help" with weigh loss, NOT all the band. So I don't have a fill yet,

Hopes place, I hope you've seen your doctor already and have some relief.

Way to go PIK--did they tell you, you need to go on any liquid diets first?

I did and it was hard. Good luck if you do.

Kmayer77 and Kat72; I'm in San Diego (Clairemont Area). I was banded on 7/11 at Scripps Green in La Jolla and there is a support group that meets on the second Monday of each month. Our next meeting will be the 14th at 5:30 - 6:30. Meetings start on time so be there a bit early if you can.

Location:Scripps La Jolla - Schaetzel Center/Great Hall Room

Street:9890 Genesee Ave.

City/State/Zip:La Jolla, CA 92037

There is another local group you can go to also.

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/ScrippsBandChat/

Hi,

I am in Escondido and getting banded in Orange County on Aug. 30th. Would love a local support group.

Kathy

kmayer77@hotmail.com

Hey giggle3474; I've decided to wait on my first fill. I was scheduled for a fill today but cancelled it. I just wanted more time to get to now my new tool.

I did my best weight loss on the liquid diet before surgery. Since surgery, I think it's only a pound or two. I've taken the scale out of the bathroom for now and will only bring it out once a month. I was becoming dissapointed too on not seeing the scale move. But my clothes are telling me that I'm losing and my kids tell me that they can put more of their arms around me when they give me a hug. My DH is going to help me measure once a month too so I can see where I might be losing it.

Are you still keeping a journal? I have a big problem with that but I'm trying. I do it in my journals I keep here. PeggyLee said something about Fitday.com as a free place to have a food journal but I haven't gone there yet.

I've started drinking 64 oz of Water a day and this is my 3rd day. I've found that it stops some of my hunger pains. I've also gotten the food scale out and seeing it that way helps me more then using a cup as a measuring device.

15 pounds is an awesome accomplishment!!

I keep telling my self that this new tool is a slow tool to get me where I want to be. I want to tone my mind, body and soul with time and not to be rushed into it. That is why I chose this type of weight loss tool over the other.

I hope to see you at the Scripps Support Meeting next Monday.

As PeggyLee also says "Faith not Fear".

Hi fellow July Bandsters! I was banded July 3rd. I've been doing ok, I guess. I lost about 15 lbs since the surgery and that was all in the first week and a half. I got my first fill (4.8ccs) at 2.5 weeks out. I felt a little restriction at first but thats gone now. I get another fill next week. I'm dissappointed that I haven't lost any weight in about 2 weeks. I am really counting on this fill to make the difference. I can eat about 65% of what I used to eat which is still pretty scarey. The only way I even know I have a band is that food sometimes gets stuck. I am soo more than ready to get things moving...

Anyways, I'll post more later.

Thanks~

Hey you two; my doc in San Diego said that we CAN drink before meals but it should be an hour to a half hour before you eat. As for after & while you eat; you need to wait the same amount of time afterwards too--don't want to wash everything down before it benefits us. :omg:

I try not to have a cup on the table while eating. I've found it to be to tempting.

I hope this helps? :paranoid

Charlie, I'm sorry I didn't get back to you. As you may have read, a few posts back, I was admitted at my appt. and It totally slipped my mind to ask about the drinking before the meal! I am dying to know myself, it just doesn't make sense. The only thing i can think of is it might my us feel too full and we won't eat enough??? If anyone knows the answer to this.. please post.. I'd love to know, So does Charlie, I'm sure... LOL

Ask him if he has the time to come w/you to your appointments and meetings.

<O:p</O:p

I’ve been married for 13 years and I’m at my heaviest, my DH is still by my side (bless is little heart) and loving every inch of me. But the love needs to come from me too and I just don’t feel it, for myself that is.

<O:p</O:p

My DH has been w/me to each appointment and has come up w/questions that I never would have thought about. He learns right beside me and encourages me too.

<O:p</O:p

Maybe you can start there.

I was able to finish my Water yesterday :clap2: and it felt good. I read somewhere that having water before breakfast might help, so I tried that today and it did. I was able to eat earlier in the morning and it wasn't tight.

I've started again on the water and am on my second 16 oz cup.

:hungry:

Breakfast: 10:25am 12 oz of ProRated powder from Costco

Lunch: 12:45pm 3oz steak & 2 oz chicken flavored pasta

:clap2: :clap2: CONTRATULATIONS to all of you that have been doing so well after being banded. Keep up the awesome job!!

Hello July Bnaders,

I've been sitting back reading everything and posting some. I was banded on 7/11 in San Diego with Scripps Hospital and all is going ok. I pulled a muscel a couple of weeks ago when I picked up a watermelon. Won't do that one again--it hurt!

I've read were some of you are weighing youselves either every day or once a week. I'm trying really hard not to do that. I'm making an appointment for myself once a month to weigh in and measure (at home). My first one will be on Thursday the 10th. I last measured the night before surgery.

I can tell already that I've lost just because of my clothes and my kids keep telling me how thier harms can fit around me when they give me hugs.

Because this is all still new to me and my body I thought I would pass on having a fill for this month. I'm able to eat more then I thought I would but I'm really trying to watch what I eat and how much.

I started today to put a 64oz jug in the fridge full of Water (taday) and I'm drinking. I found that I wasn't doing tht and tht could be part of my hunger problem.

So far I've had half of it (32oz) and going to the bathroom alot.

I like how you are posting your food logs. It gives me ideas. I have problems with logging, it just to much to do sometimes. But I should do it so I have a better understanding just how much I'm eating in a day.

Thanks for listining and being there.

Are you all still going to the chat room? If so when and at what time?

http://store.bariatriceating.com/featuredrecipe.html

I was on one of these threads and I can't remember wich one but they suggested a book called:

Before & After: Living & Eating Well After Weight Loss Surgery

By: Susan Maria Leach

You can buy it on line in many different places. But after doing some online research I found some of her recipes online.

If you go to the address listed above you will find them.

Just thought I'd pass it on.

Well I'm 20 pounds down from the date I started back in December. From surgery it's 4 pounds. :clap2:

I had some complications a week out. It was all my fault.:faint: I started eating mushy food before I should have. I just got so tired of the liquid. :confused:

I had severe chest pains. I awoke with pain, sweating, and when I looked into the mirror I was VERY pale. I took tumms and all was fine.

It happened again 2 days later but not w/so much pain. I called the 24 hour hot line and the doc. on call said that because my pain went away when I sat up that it was most likley heartburn but that I should call my doctor in the morning.

I did and they said that I was having a problem because I started eating to soon. Asked that I stop for a few days and if I want to start again.

I started up agian over the weekend and so far all is fine. Because I'm only 14 days out my band feels that it's wide open and I can eat alot. At first I could only get 4oz in. Now I can do more.

I'm watching what I eat and I have been pain free.

I am also able to bend on my left side just about pain free too.

I think I'm going to find OA in my area and start going. I need some help on food choices and accountability.

Thank you everyone for your awesome support during my pre surgery gitters. This web site is so great. It covers so many topics.

I had this pain too. It also went to my back. I awoke w/great pain and in a sweat. I looked at myself in the mirror and I was so pale. I was scarred.

I took pepcid and tumms, stayed up for a bit and it went away.

I did call my doctor the next day and he felt that I had started too soon on mushy food after surgery and or I ate to much. (I started eating 5 days out.)

I stopped for a few days as recomended (went back onto liquids) and started up again. All is fine now.

I did have pain again at night like the first time but it wasn't as severe. Took some tumms and all was fine.

As of today, I'm eating and doing well. (14 days out from surgery)

If you haven't done it yet, please call you doctor and see what he/she has to say.

Please keep us posted and good luck.

Hello All,

Well I’ve been banded for 4 days now and today is the first day I haven’t started my day off w/pain killers.

Yesterday I only had them in the AM and before I went to bed.

<O:p

My surgery day went well. At the Post Surgery Diet Class I met a woman named Alma who was going in an hour or so before me on the 11<SUP>th</SUP>.

I met up with her in our rooms. She was not doing so well, she felt nauseated from it all.

I am happy to say that I didn’t have that feeling at all. All of my RN’s and CNA’s where wonderful. I had a great experience from Scripps Green Hospital in <ST1:p<?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comSan Diego</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st="on">CA</st1:State> from the get go.

<O:p

I was so tired that I was falling asleep while in the check in room (the room you go into before they put you on a gurney). I saw Dr. Brunson in the post surgery room and he woke me up too. He said “it’s not time to sleep yet”. Then I was off to surgery and don’t remember anything until I woke up in recovery.

My surgery was delayed by an hour because Dr. Brunson had an emergency surgery that morning. So I didn’t go in until close to 11.

My DH was worried; I was only suppose to be in surgery for 1.5 hours and it’s now been close to 3 and now one could tell him why.

<O:p

Dr. Brunson did come out finally and explain why and that all went well and both the gallbladder and the band were done.

<O:p

I did get hunger that night and asked for Jello. But I really didn’t have an apatite while in the hospital. I was really trying to get ride of my dry mouth so I ate a lot of ice.

<O:p

At home now I’ve been eating a lot of Jello and drinking Propel. DH made me some beef broth and it was good but I’m not craving that as much as I am the Jello.

<O:p

I was feeling a pinching effect on my left side when getting up out of bed. I called the nurse and she said that it a normal feeling and will go away.

Today it’s a lot better when getting up. I don’t feel it as much now.

<O:p

4 day out and feeling fine.

Melia

Well I got a call this morning telling me that I'll be going in 2 hours earlier then scheduled.

I'm off to the hopitial tomorrow morning at 8 and surgery is at 10!!

Thank you everyone for your support, you guys/gals are awesome!

I'll talk to you guys later.

:clap2:

I know just what you’re talking about. I’m up for surgery on the 11th her in San Diego, CA. I too have thought about this long and hard. I first heard about Gastric Bypass back in 1994 and thought I might want to do that.

I am so happy that I didn’t. Knowing what I know now and all of their complications and that it are not reversible. I'm very happy that I didn't do that surgery.

I wanted something that would take time. I didn’t want an immediate lose of weight either. I wanted to learn from it, have a chance to tone up and w/a family of 6 I needed to teach them about good eating too.

I too have been healthy all my life. It’s only w/in the last year that my Rt knee has been a problem and I’m hoping that it will be solved w/the weight being gone, also my lower back issues that I’ve had every since 2000.

My latest issue is I need to have my gallbladder out at the same time. I was just told this week about that. If there are any complications in the removal (leakage) they will not band me and I’ll have to reschedule. But the doctor assures me that they’ve done this many times and w/out complications.

So I’ve been fighting that fear of failure and I don’t want to start this stupid 10 day liquid diet again. I has a small set back because of the news and ate food. Of course my body said “what in the hell are you doing to me” and w/in 2 hours I was visiting the bathroom w/the runs. I’m dealing with it better now and am on the right track again.

Talking to people like you really helps. I too love this site and all the people from all over.

A moto that another bander has “faith not fear”. Find you faith and stomp the fear and you will pull through this with flying colors!

Way to go Carrie--You can do it. You've learned what you can and can't make it work now over the past year. I believe in you!! You will succeed!! You will drop those last 23lbs!

Please tell DH that he's also in our thoughts--GO DH GO!!

I had not idea that soda would cause such a problem after a fill. I’ve been weaning myself from REGULAR to DIET for a year now. Recently I’ve been cutting down on how many a day and I’ve got it down to 2 or 3 a day now. I used to drink soda instead of Water.< /span>

At Target here in San Diego, CA they have a house brand of powdered diet drink mix (like crystal light) and I’ve been drinking those instead but when I started my liquid diet I got really bad headaches. After talking to my doctor he told me that right now I can have caffeine but not to over due it. I never told him I was talking about soda.

I guess I need to step it up a notch and cut the soda and maybe start drinking tea if I need the caffeine.

I think that LabBandTalk.com is awesome. I'm learning so much from all of you and seeing all those questions---GREAT! Some of them I would have never had thought of on my own.

July5thforme.

I've been really good about telling my kids all about it and showing them TV shows and clips when they come on (well the older ones that is). But each time we go out to eat (which is alot) They all watch what I'm doing now on my liquid diet and they all have alot of questions.

I never thought about putting things lower for them to reach--good one.

I'm so nervous that I'm not sleeping. Last night I went to bed but, watchted TV till 1:00 and couldn't sleep so I got up and was on the computer till 4:45am. It's 10:40 I'm just getting up. I feel tired but can't sleep.

I'm glad to hear that moving around is better. It sounds like the pain isn't worse then a c-seccion recovery (I hope) and for me it was easy recovery.

Malluvia

I'm hoping that my older ones will also help out (as they usally do) but it's the fighting and bickering I'm worred about. They are at that stage and it gets to me. I'm in San Deigo,CA and our weather is awesome. I hope this will give the kids the opportunity to play outside A LOT!

The one thing that I hate and that is WAITING--for anything and this is just about killing me.

Thank you both for posting--please keep doing so :confused: and keep up the good recovery!

:clap2: Congratulations to all of you who’ve just been banded. I read your post w/intensity. I want to hear how you’re doing after surgery so I kind of know what to look for or know what I’m going to face.

I’m a mother of four (9,8 & twins at 4) and my DH is going to take 4 days off to help me but I’m nervous that the pain might last longer then that.

<O:p</O:p

And what to do w/the kids for the next few weeks while I recover. I called in the calvary of friends but still…what to do w/them once they come home???

<O:p</O:p

Please keep posting and let me learn!?

<O:p</O:p

Mine is just around the corner and I’m NERVOUS! What about? I was told that they will also be taking out by gallbladder while there. If they are able to get a clean recovery then they will do my banding but if not, the banding will have to wait.

<O:p</O:p

I’m doing ok on my liquid diet—cheated 3 times now, but not w/much. But I don’t want to have to do this again. It was hell those first 2 days.

<O:p</O:p

Congrats and thanks again for posting.

This thread is awesome!

Hearing all of your thoughts and ideas is helping me move forward as I will be banded in just a few days (July11).

I’ve been looking at things in my house & asking “how can I get ride of this, I bought it w/my hard earned money” or “Oh the kids really need this even if I don’t”.

Giving me permission to “TOSS IT” is a great one.

“I’m not a garbage container” is an awesome moto.

But the one I like the most is “either it’ll be in the toilet or a landfill. Either way it won’t be yours for long”. It is soooooo true!!

Reading all of your rules, guidelines, daily agendas…Is helping me understand better that it isn’t about the food. It’s about YOU and what you do with YOU to succeed after banding.

<O:p</O:p

Thank you all so much for responding to this thread and I hope this information continues. I want to learn and improve with my new tool in life.<O:p</O:p

Thank you Penni; I've copied it and printed it out. I have my pre op oppt. today w/my surgeon and these are great questions to have.

I did a web search and found it located at Amazon, Overstock and Shop.com. You might be able to call you local bookstores and see if they have it or if they can get it in for you.

Cost is under $20 it looks (that's not including s/h).

If you go to Amazon.com and click on the book you will find some recipes you can try --there are a total of 5 that you can look at and try.

Ubermom_1

Hi all; I'm a mother of 4 (9,8 & twins @4). I have a gym membership and they have a kidcare area. I haven't had the chance to go back in yet with either me having a cold or them but it's going to cost $10 a kid on a monthly bases.

I only need to do this till Sept cause all of them will be going to school then. After that I can go and not worry about them or the cost.

I just need to find the energy to get started. That's my biggest problem.

I've tried to walk and have them w/me and that just doesn't work. DH gets home to late for me to do anything and the weekends are just to full of family things.

My surgery is in 9 days and I'm not sure how much I should start on or where.

:help: I need a push, I need encouragement!!

:nervous :Banane20: I didn’t get the kitchen in to the condition I wanted. I have way to much STUFF around.

:help: I have 10 days till I find my gold at the end of this rainbow.:clap2:

I found Joe Robb’s Protein drink at our local Henry’s and it’s not bad. I put ice cubs in it and I need to chew in order to get it down. I remember my mom doing this when she was on Optifast. She said that it took care of or chewing fixation.

My youngest DS was so cute. He could see that I was frustrated and he wanted to make me Breakfast. He asked if he could bring me Cereal, yogurt or even make me some toast. I told him that for the next few weeks I won’t be able to eat anything, only drink.:Banane20:

I’ve been working w/my kids on what I’m doing and why. Both my DSs have seen TV shows that talk or show the procedure. My DDs are only 4 and they’re not sure about it but try to understand.

Ok; I’ve been told that I need to get ready for a Padre game (that DH was supposed to go to w/the boys but he now has my sore throat). This will be hard, smelling and seeing all that food. I was hoping my first day would be calm.:help:

~~___________~~

Okay; I went to the game and came out a winner. I thought I might have problems w/seeing all that food. Well I didn't :clap2: I didn't even want any of it.

I’ve gone through my first day and survived!

When my DSs and I came home we picked up the rest of the family and went to Souplantation and while they had food I had Soup broths. I will need to have my other Protein soon too. I’ve only had the one from this morning. I’m okay right now but I know I should have one before I go to bed.

Well I’m proud of myself for accomplishing this first day!!:bananajump: :clap2:

I think you would likely have better luck finding a new PCP and having them request the med recs. All you have to do is fill out a form with the new office and they will have the recs faxed to their office. I think with this "wonderful physician" (do you hear my sarcasm?) the new office will have more leverage. Also, you'll essentially be hiring a secretary to do the harassing of the old office for you. Unfortunately a private physician's office is technically private property and they can have you escorted from the facility by security or the police if you go in there irate. You have rights to your records, but they may make you go through legal channels to get them. Often they require you to go through medical records department.

By the way, I'm a physician assistant and agree that your md's behavior is unacceptable.

This is the way to go.

But I would still put a “permanent comment in his permanent record” for all to see. Anyone looking for a new doctor needs to know the good as well as the bad.

Don’t stoop to his level of behavior. Always step up, play smart and come out with a smile.

I’ve been on the heavy side for as long as I can remember.

<O:p</O:p

I look at photos when I was young and I see that I was a bit heavy and then again in High School. In HS I was wearing a size 12. I CAN’T WAIT TILL I SEE THAT ONE AGAIN! :biggrin1:

<O:p></O:p>

I kept hearing from kids at school and my brothers that I was fat. Teased as a kid didn’t make things easy. It became a habit to eat when I was depressed or angry.

<O:p></O:p>

I started smoking w/I was 16, quite when I was in my early 30’s while I was getting ready to become a mom. I knew that I would gain weight so I went on the Optifast Diet after I was off of cigarettes and was replacing food for cigs. It worked for 4 months until I fainted at work. After being rushed to the hospital by ambulance and having test run, they couldn’t figure out what caused me to faint.

So I:

Stopped the diet (1994)

Got pregnant (1996) Gained 30 pounds

Waited 18 months and got pregnant again (1998) Gained back the 30 plus 10 more

Waited 3 years and got pregnant again—this time it was twins (2001)

Gained back the 40 plus 10 more

<O:p></O:p>

I tried over and over to exercise, watch what I eat and it would work, but then the weight loss would stop. So I gave.

<O:p></O:p>

Now I have knee problems and lower back pain at 222lbs. With four kids ranging in ages of 9-4, I need to be able to play with them, pick them up if I need to or just sit Indian style on the floor with them.

<O:p></O:p>

My mom had a weight issue while I was growing up and it wasn’t until I was in HS that she let it all go. She did OptiFast for a year during my 30’s and did a awesome job. She got a Tummy Tuck and everything. Well now she heavier then I’ve ever seen her. I’m frightened that I might turn out like her---I DON’T WANT TOO, I’M TAKING CONTROL OF MY LIFE TODAY! I’VE MADE MY CHOICE TO FIND A TOOL THAT WILL WORK WITH ME!! I’VE WILL BE BANDED ON JULY 11<SUP>TH</SUP> AND I WILL SUCCEED!:clap2: