tammyj

Hi all,

I havent posted to this thread yet but have been fallowing it. I was banded mar.23. Oh, Im Mimi 36..from OK. I was banded in TJ MX. This thread has been such a big boost! I dont really know anyone thats been banded and havent really told anyone but my husband and out of state sis.

My problem is, im 3.5 weeks out from surgery and am on soft foods. Today I heated up som pre pkg pork roast, and put some salsa /sour cream on it. i took 1 bite, Chewed it up realllly well and swallowed. welp, the next 1/2hr i spent pb ing like crazy, I think I took to big of a bite to fast? not eatting that again!!! Anyway, My question is. should I stay on Clear Liquids for a day? Or reg liquids? I dont know? ive just been able to sip on hot tea since. Nooo fun. Ok, nice to meet yall and thanks for eny advice.

Welcome Mimi! We will all probably have this experience at some time. Some meats are just not band friendly and no matter how much chewing you do it's not enough. If you're still on soft foods you may want to stick to foods that don't require much chewing. I have never PB'd yet, but some say it is best to go back to regular liquids for a day or two. You need your Protein so clear liquids won't do much. Feel better soon!

Beautiful!!!! I love the arched brows and earrings. Fantastic for you!

Thanks Juli! :biggrin1:

Karen, that sounds delish!!!! Congratulations on all the weight loss victories. You guys are doing AWESOME!!! Well, I am about to try my first solid food since my first fill on Monday. I am a little nervous! I am able to drink Water fine, but when I eat applesauce it goes down much slower and I can even hear/feel it gurgling as it goes down. I think I'm going to try a scrambled egg and see how that goes. Good thing is...I am not hungry! I could pass on Breakfast this morning, but I know I better eat something. Wish me luck!

Sniff sniff.. my journal.. where is my journal?? sniff sniff :-(

I was able to get to my journal by using Sunshine's link in her signature (Thanks! ) Scroll up a couple of messages to see her post. Of course, I would like to get there a little easier so hopefully they will fix that soon.

Are the journals gone or am I just missing the button?

Ditto

I HAVE THE SMALLER BAND!!! I felt immediate fear when I found that out yesterday at my first fill! I assumed I had the larger band because when I left the hospital after surgery they gave me an information packet from Inamed with a VG sticker on it. It seems most of the problems I hear about on this board and in my support group are from those that have the smaller band. I also have this phobia about being too tight. My doctor told me that the VG band is usually used for men or women with higher BMI's. He also said that if he had given me the larger band it may take filling the band to capacity for me to even feel good restriction because my stomach is smaller. I guess that makes sense...in a way.... Oh well, there's nothing I can do about it now. It's in there!!!

Anyhow, I was given 1.5cc in my 4cc band. He filled it to 2cc and then asked me drink about a half cup of Water, but I could feel the water up in my throat so he took out .5cc, had me drink some more and the water went down fine. He used a mini ultrasound machine to find my port, gave me the numbing shot which was a little uncomfortable, and then he inserted the needle into my port to fill my band which I didn't feel at all. The funny thing is I never laid down. He did everything as I stood up in front of him. I am scheduled to go back in 2 weeks on the 30th for another fill if needed.

Thanks for the compliments everyone! I needed to hear them! I was in a state of shock when I first cut it all off. I feel better about it now!

Have a Great Day Ya'll!!!

If I had not read story after story (both good and bad) on this forum I would have thought getting banded and losing weight would be a piece of cake. I even attended 12 weeks of pre-op group sessions before I was banded and they were not totally blunt and honest about what to expect after banding. I found out the "real deal" from this website and from ready stories like yours. Thank you for sharing! :gluck:

Thanks Sugarbear and Pianoplayer for describing your fill experiences. From what I've been told, my surgeon performs fills alot like Pianoplayer described. Well, I finally get my first fill tomorrow as long as there are no surprises!

You may have noticed that I look a little different in my avatar pic. Along with losing weight I will be going through a hair transformation at the same time. I have been wanting to go ALL NATURAL for years, but never had the guts to do it. I wanted to totally transform myself so I stopped relaxing my hair about the same time I decided to get banded. I couldn't think of a better time to start! After growing a couple inches of new growth I finally chopped off all my relaxer. I went and got my eyebrows arched, put on some make-up and some cute earrings to ROCK MY TWA (teeny weeny afro)! I can't keep my fingers out of my hair...I love the way it feels! This is the hair that God gave me and it is beautiful! I can't wait til it grows long enough to put a flower in it or to wear some twists. I have to be sure to get in at least 60g of Protein a day so I won't lose what little hair I do have. Watch out as my HAIR GETS BIGGER and my BODY GETS SMALLER! :biggrin1:

Well, right now my answer is :

Yes, regular exercise has made a difference between losing at a steady pace and not losing.

That is just my answer right now and it may change, but it won't stop me from exercising. I joined a gym a couple years ago, way before banding. I went religiously at least 3 days a week and never lost a pound, but I could see amazing changes in my body shape and others could see it as well. I felt stronger and I could do alot of things physically that I could not do before. I experience some pain in my knees from excess weight, but it is not severe. There are alot of exercises you can do if you have joint pain like Sit And Be Fit or Water aerobics (which feels like heaven for anyone with joint problems). I hear alot of people say that I am losing weight just fine and I'm not even exercising, but what kind of weight loss is it...muscle or fat? I believe exercise is the "key" to being healthy not just losing weight.

Just checking in to see how everyone is doing. Congratulations on all the weight loss victories! I lost another 3 lbs this week! The weight is still coming off!!! :clap2: I was afraid I was going to gain with no restriction so I have to think that the exercise is really paying off. I will be getting my first fill on Monday, this time for sure! We all are going to be looking HOTTT this summer! Keep it going!!! :bounce:

I was banded at Mercy on March 15th. I feel like a new person already and have no regrets. Congrats on making this life changing decision. If you would like to talk feel free to PM me. Good Luck to You!!!

I am scheduled to be banded on July 11th by Dr.Bonomo at mercy hospital, he's really good, great bedside manner so far. I spoke with a few of his patients who are already banded while waiting in the lobby and thay had no complaints.

I'm another one with no complaints. Dr. Bonomo and his staff are excellent!

TammyJ - that's great. Let us know how your fill went. I had my band put in on 3/12 and I don't get my fill until May 22nd. I have the VG band which holds up to 11 cc's of saline. Which one do you have?

I have the VG Band as well and I'm glad. I know several people with the smaller band in my group meeting and they seem to be having the most problems out of all of us. A couple of them had to get unfilled because they were so sick and could not tolerate any fill. I think the larger band is not as harsh. Downside to the larger band is it may take awhile to get any restriction if your surgeon only puts in a little at a time. My surgeon does not ease up on restriction. Another patient was there for her first fill last night and was given 5cc. She was able to drink and felt fine while another girl was given 4cc. He fiils aggresively and then backs off until you are able to drink to his satisfaction.

I have to wait til next Monday the 16th. It seems the people in scheduling screwed up. I had my 2 week post-op appt. on 3/26 when it should have been 4/2 and my first fill was scheduled for 4/9 when it should have been 4/16. My surgeon said he wants me to wait a full 4 weeks and to come back next Monday (the only day he does fills). I'm okay with that I just wish they would have caught it before I wasted my time coming out there. It's a 45 min drive to the hospital, gas prices are high and I have to go back tonight for group...:doh:

I get my fill a week from tomorrow (April 16th) - Tammy, you have yours tomorrow, right?

I dreamt last night that I forgot to go for my fill, and then forgot to fast before my fill and on and on. I think it's weighing on my mind.

YESSSSSS, my first fill is today at 4:45pm!!! :omg: I hope everything goes well. I have to go back on liquids for a couple days so I went and bought more Protein Powder and Soup at Hands. I don't have to fast before my fill. I just called my surgeon's office to make sure and they told me to eat normally. Just curious...Is anyone else told to eat normally before their fill or am I the only one?

I hope everyone is doing well! I will check back later to let you all know how my first fill went.

Hi Marchies! What a GLORIOUS day today is! I had my post-op follow up appt at 8:45 this morning. The doc took care of that stitch I had poking out and told me to do soft foods for 2 weeks, then regular food for 2 weeks and then see him again. So my next appt is May 17th.

But the most happiest, amazing, wonderful thing happened when I got on the scale... (go figure, LOL). Since March 19th I have lost 38 pounds!!!! I would be concerned that it was dehydration or something, but I ration everything out the night before so I don't have to think about it with work and everything going on. I get 64oz Water, about 850-900 calories and 65 grams of Protein.

Doc said exercise was ok, so I just signed up at the new Planet Fitness that opened up here in Morris Plains, NJ. You should check them out in your area. They seem great and for $19.99 a month you can bring a friend with you to workout for free, you get unlimited tanning, half off cooler drinks, and many other perks. I have a session with the personal trainer today to develop a program for me, a session tomorrow morning for upper body and a session tomorrow afternoon for the cardio equipment. All these sessions are free!! I'm really looking forward to the cardio session because they have treadmills and elliptical trainers and I've never used either. If anyone is in the area and wants to workout there, you can always come as my guest.

I think the best part, aside from the weight loss, is SOFT FOOOOODS! OMG supermarket here I come...salmon and tuna and an egg for easter! Who would have thought an egg could be so exciting. LOL

Virginia

WAY TO GO Virginia! Sounds like have a game plan and it will definitely pay off. Exercise is the key to really dropping those pounds and transforming your body.

Tracy, I bet some of your surgeon's patients are not too happy about that (not you of course;))! It's probably for the best! I think the pre-op diet really prepares your body for what's to come after surgery!

Magnolia, It wouldn't hurt to ask...all they can do is say no!

SGDodge, sounds like you had a fun day! I think I am going to have a pampering day tomorrow!

cate, Congratulations on your NSV! I also have some smaller sized out-of-date jeans in my closet...I guess that means I can go shopping! Also, I don't think it's very common, but I have heard of a few people who had Fluid put in their band at surgery. If I recall correctly, they were banded in Mexico.

Josie, I am glad you are doing well! I also have a problem not paying attention to what I am eating. I have a habit of eating when I am sitting at this darn computer! :biggrin1:

Kyethra, I hope you are feeling better soon!

Mrs. Husker, I know exactly how that feels. I had my gallbladder removed some years ago and it can be very painful. Have you thought about having it removed? I have read that alot of lapband patients eventually have to have it removed.

Have a Great Day Everyone!

Congrats TammyJ!!!

I started my pre-op on Monday! Good luck on your first fill!

Thanks Tracy! Kudos to you for starting your own pre-op diet! I know your Dr. is one of the ones that don't require one. I am so happy for you! I know you are getting excited...you are getting so close now!

You guys are welcome to join us on the other thread.

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/marchies-april-t32501p7.html

There's a bunch of us March Bandsters over there!

Weigh-in at the hospital last night and I am down another 2 pounds. Weight loss is slowing down now since I've moved on to soft foods, but I am still happy with the loss because I have absolutely NO restriction. I've been working out like crazy and measuring my food trying to keep the weight off. 5 more days 'til my first fill. I refuse to gain any weight back...I'm OK with maintaining, but I definitely don't want to gain. Congratulations Sophie and everyone else on your weight loss victories and non scale victories!

I know exactly what you mean. I have been struggling with that this past weekend and over ate. Man I was very very uncomfortable. And still did it yesterday!!! I put myself on Soup today and I am feeling better.

Anyone know how stress affects the band?

G

Big Hugs! :hug: It is definitley a big change...learning to take smaller bites, chew, chew, chew, and knowing when to stop. It will take some time learning these things. I know you can do it and you will be successful! Try again tomorrow. You will get the hang of it. I hear that stress can make you feel more restricted.

Today is the day for the scale. I decided not to do it everyday because when it doesn't move what I think it should move I get discouraged. Well, it didn't move. So my loss for 14 days is 24 pounds.

I tend to become obsessed with weighing myself when dieting so I decided to only weigh-in every Tuesday evening at the hospital when I go to group meetings which will be tonight. Last Tuesday I was 257...I am anxious to see what the scale says tonight!

"Thanks for all the details Synicalchick. I wondered how that worked..sitting up with a needle sticking out your side certainly explains it."

Actually, my port is dead center under my sternum. I know some port sites are to the side. Not sure what the benefits are to the different positions. Is yours on the side??

T

Yes, it's on my left side.

Thanks for all the details Synicalchick. I wondered how that worked..sitting up with a needle sticking out your side certainly explains it. I was told my surgeon fills pretty aggressively with about 5cc in a 10cc band. Then he has you drink some Water and backs off until the water flows through easily. Most of his patients end up with about 4cc at the first fill. My first fill is scheduled next Monday so I really appreciate your post.

I just had to applaud :clap2: Mrs. Husker and SGDodge for posting your before pics on the before and after thread. Good for You! I took pics before surgery, but I should have taken some with less clothes as well to really see the difference in my body. I can't wait to see how you two change over time.