wickedredhead09

I'm in too. I was banded in February and this will be my first challenge. I want to lose between 10 and 20 pounds by Christmas. I just got my 4th fill on monday and I'm already down about 3. I think I may have hit my sweet spot... too soon to tell i dont know. **Fingers Crossed**

Good everyone!!!!:thumbup:

Also from Irvine. Banded Feb 18th on my 3rd fill and feelin FINE!!! <3:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

I thought 10 minutes was a little ridiculous myself just wanted other banders take on it. I currently have 6.8cc's in a 10cc band. I'm feeling pretty good and waiting about 1 minute between bites. Similar to you all I am taking a smaller bite chew chew chew and waiting for it to go down before I take another bite. Thanks agreeing with me and I no longer feel like I'm crazy.:thumbup::tt2::thumbup:

Erin

I have read so many things about small bites and pencil eraser sized bites but is that really what everyone does..? I really, really try to make small bites and when i'm cutting say meat, i really try to be reasonable but sometimes get larger and chew, chew chew.... how important is it? With veggies, i don't monitor the size so much. Is this a mistake?

I also had a hard boiled egg this morning and it was TERRIBLE... i won't ever eat them again. It was just the white and i wanted to throw up sooo badly, it hurt. But it was just a bite... any tips.? Thanks! :confused:

While on the subject of bites and chewing yadda yadda yadda.... Did anyone have their Dr tell them to wait 10 minutes between bites of regular food.... I just think thats a little insane... a minute or two... MAX five but ten.... TEN????? Seriously???

How much hair loss is normal?

I find myself forgetting how much hair I was losing pre-surgery and can't figure out if the strands I find on my clothing is normal.

My gut is that I'm losing more hair than I typically did, although it is not a lot. I have super thick hair, so Im not so concerned yet, but I've read that even people with thick hair have lost half or more of their hair. I don't want to be one of those people!

Im only a month post-op, and dealing with all these changes has been hard. I don't want to deal with Hair loss now too :confused:

So, at what point should I be concerned that I am losing too much hair? And I am reading about Biotin and Nioxin Shampoo and people seem to have varying results. Any others ideas?

(I will obviously consult my physician about this as well, just curious to hear from fellow bandsters.)

I was banded in Feb. I just started losing hair in the last 2 months and started taking in more Protein it helped alot. I guess I just wasnt getting enough! Double check your Protein and maybe up it a few grams. Good luck on your journey!!

Hey all!!!!

Just thought I would drop by and say hiyas and give you all an update.

I was banded on Feb 18th and since then I am down 14 Lbs! I am loving it... I may be losing a bit slower but i really dont mind ANY loss is a LOSS!!!! I am so happy I took this leap and decided to take my life back under control. I have energy and I FEEL healthier. I am eating solids and LOVING it. I am not really measuring EVERYTHING, but eating until I feel satisfied, that feeling changes from meal to meal.

I go for my first fill on the 31st and can't wait to get even just the tiniest bit of restriction because I can tell ya the hungry monster is banging on my door more often then I'd like.

Since my surgery I haven't had a single craving its amazing. Pre-band I would just sit and eat a bag of chips and salsa for haha's I would eat a whole pint of Ben & Jerry's i would CRAVE sweet and then salty and then back to sweet. So far I haven't had ANY of this.... Crunchy I have craved but nothing specific just SOMEthing crunchy.

My PMDD is under control with out any hormones in my body it is AMAZING.

I Never imagined I could ever be this happy in my life and here it is. Almost as if the band was that one last puzzle piece.

Crazy Huh?

Hope everyone is doing well!!!

Talk to you all soon!

Much <3 Erin

Hi Erin. I got moved into March. My surgeon is suggesting the Realize Band. Do you think that one causes more pain than the others. I still have time to change my mind.

I am not sure I know it is attached to you muscles differently... I will find out tomorrow which one they gave me and let you know.:tongue_smilie:

Hey everyone!!!! Thought I would touch base with all my FABULOUS funky bandsters! I am 5 days post op and believe it or not I am feeling great. Back to work today and down 6Lbs since Thursdays weigh in. My incisions are starting to get a little itchy and I am still pretty sore around my port area. I dont know which band my surgeon put in but I am almost guessing it may be the realize band bc I am so sore. I made it through the first 5 days only taking liquid tylenol so its not too bad. The worst part is the shifting gas...especially at night. Everytime I shift I feel it shift ugh! Hope everyone else is doing well!!!:frown::thumbup::sad:

Much <3

Erin

I did it I am officially banded!!!!! Been home for about 3 hours, sitting up in bed took a snooze... Not too much pain.... mostly gassy. Port site is sore only when i move around... went for a walk after my nap and will be going for another shortly. One issue though.... I took some pain meds and then not 15 minutes later threw them up:eek:... I hope I can take regular tylenol if need be but so far the worst pain is the gas and thats not even too bad. Been sipping Water slowly... wondering if i should try to eat some pudding or jello... may a posicle? Any one have any thought or what did you eat for you first post op meal? Hope my fellow surgery day buddies are doing well!!!! :confused:

Much <3

Erin

Tomrrow is my BIG DAY! I can hardly wait. I will be banded at 7:30 in morning by Dr. Kim in Carrollton. It all seems surreal. I hope I can sleep tonight, yeah right. I live about an hour and half from the hospital, so it will be a very early morning for us. Good luck to everyone being banded on the 18th!

It looks like theres three of us going into "bandland" tomorrow... You, me, and "A New Me" I have to be to the hospital by 5 am for a 7 am surgery. I get to confirm that later on today. Wahooo I am excited and totally freaking out at the same time... Fear of the unknown is whats getting to me today. I am not really scared for the actual procedure its a short one. Just freaked out about whats coming down the road but kinda freaked out in a good way.... Is that possible? Any how GOOD LUCK TO ALL MY 18TH BANDITS!!!! I'm rolling with ya!!!!

Much <3

Erin

Hellooooo to all of the FABULOUS and Funky Feb Bandits!!!! Hope everyone is doing well!!!

I am going in for surgery in about 48 hours... I feel like I am forgetting something... I hate that feeling.

I went shopping yesterday and stocked up on SF/FF pudding Jello posicles, I am going to be making some home made chicken stock tonight. I have liquid tylenol, gas x chewables and tums ultra, chewable Vitamins, comfy clothes are going in the wash tonight... I have a heating pad and will be getting ice tonight or tomorrow.... any other last minute things I should be picking up?

I am in a state of "zen chaos" LOL! I am calm but I know I have ALOT to do between tonight and thursday morning... I sprained my foot last week so I got next to NOTHING done this weekend ugh the timing makes me cringe... Any way any suggestions or replies would be helpful! Can't wait to see you all on "The Other Side"!!!!

much <3

Erin

PS... These forums are great!! You guys have all been giving me sooo much support and strength and you don't even realize it, so, I just wanted to say thanks!!!!:biggrin:

OK so ... I am about 3 days late which is nothing I know, But usually I am like clockwork.... I am freaking out a bit bc I had to get off my BC about 1 month ago. I am scheduled to be banded this Thursday. Could this just be hormonal and stress as well as the diet change screwing with my body? I FEEL normal ... like I should be getting my period ANY minute cramps cranky etc... but its a no show..... I'm stressed out as it is.... any one else have this happen?

OK so .... I am working on all of my preop stuff... I go in on Feb 18th for surgery (Wahoooo) BUT... the whole no BC thing is really freaking me out. I am emotionally unstable without it. It SUCKS big time... I can do 30 days before ok no problem but NINETY days after, I really don't think so ... I really wish I could talk to my surgeon about this I still haven't had a one on one with him. So frustrating... I had surgery to remove a tumor in my nail bed and it was a similar length procedure no issues with having to give up my BC... It's just really frustrating. I am giving up my emotional eating day by day but if I cant be on my BC I am REALLY going to have problems...

Congrats!!!!! I go in on Feb 18th so shoot me a message if you have any questions in between... I'll be about 1 month post op and hopefully will be of some help :biggrin::thumbup:

Congrats again!!!

Erin

Hello all!!!! I am getting ready to be banded on Feb 18th. My surgeon is Dr. Mir Ali at Orange Memorial in Fountain Valley. I am really excited to begin my journey to and through "BandLand". I live in Irvine and would love to be a part of a support group as well as a walking group. I look forward to getting to know everyone and enjoying the "Band" wagon!!!:thumbup:

I too am using Smart Dimensions... I read a bit about Dr. Mir Ali. Anyone else use him?

#1. Surgery date? Feb 18th

#2. State you live in? Cali

#3. Doctor/Surgery Center? Dr. Mir Ali

#4. Insurance or self pay? Insurance Out of pocket should be about $300

#5. Age and height: 29 5'-6"

#6. Current weight and goal weight? Current 298... goal well we are shooting for 200 right now beyond that is icing on the cake LOL

#7. What was your deciding factor for having this surgery? I want to be healthier, and live life to the fullest.

#7. Do you have the support of family and friends? Yes my noyfriend and family and everyone here = D

#8. Concerns and questions? I am jumping in with both feet... I am of course concerned about missing certain foods and being able to pig out on yummy stuff but nothing tastes as good as healthy will feel!

I am more excited and anxious to get started then anything...Good luck to my fellow February Fabs!!!:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

Congrats!!!! I got mine yesterday I am STILL jumping for joy! I go in on the 18th! Good luck and I am sure I will see around on the forums!<3

I'm not sure if you are still looking for ways to get your Protein... I just started South Beach this week while I was waiting to get a surgery date. There is a great "milkshake" that I just made last night and it was FANTASTIC!!!

1/2 c 1% milk

1/2 c lowfat cottage cheese

1/4 c egg beaters

1-2 tbs Cocoa Powder

1 TBS Splenda

1 Tsp vanilla extract

Throw it all in a blender with about 1/2 cup of ice.

It blends up thick and creamy like a milkshake. I had to play with the amount of splenda in it but OMG YUMMMM. I gave my boyfriend a taste and he was like "OK so where is mine? Can you make me one too??"

Hope it is enjoyable!!!

Hey All!!! I am soooo excited to say I will be joining you all in Feb. My date was set yesterday for the 18th I am soooooo excited I am about to burst! Good luck to everyone and I'm sure we will be seeing each other around. If anyone else is having surgery in the Orange County area of California add me and maybe we can be Band Buddies!:thumbup::thumbup::tt2::thumbup:

I got the call last week but they didnt leave a message. Called my insurance coordinator for a status today and she told me I was approved for surgery!!!! I go in Feb 18th OMG OMG OMG!!!!!! I am so excited I am about to burst! Here I come bandland!!!!!:thumbup::thumbup::tt2:

I was reading through the binder I was given on Friday at my consultation. There is mention about stopping all medications...including Birth Control??? :biggrin::eek::biggrin:

WAIT WHAT???

Did anyone else stop taking their BC for 90days before and after their surgery? I NEED my BC otherwise I am an emotional train wreck plus the stress of the surgery and new life style... Please please please tell me I don't have to give up my BC....:biggrin:

So I went to my first "consultaion" today.

It was more of a classroom experience. There were probably about 20 people in the room. We were educated on both the Bypass and the Lap Band and given a binder of information. after the "class" we were given paperwork to fill out and a psych test to bring to the evaluation when we get our appointment. I saw a PA she took my medical information and checked my heart and lungs. They took my weight and height and a "before" picture for my file. I then got to speak to an Insurance "specialist" who had all of the information on the prequalifiers for approval. For me with Blue shield of California.... I have to have a psych eval and a nutrition class...THATS IT....

Wait WHAT?!?!?! Yeah THATS IT!!!!

Of course there are all of the pre op tests and what not but that comes with every surgery. OMG I AM SOOOOO EXCITED. I am hoping to get a srgery date for the last week of Decmber ... BUT... the PA said they are really backed up ... 3 months??? Ugh But I can wait if I have to, it will give me more time to plan and cook and freeze etc etc etc.

I finally feel like I am on the road FINALLY... Why didn't I do this sooner?

Hugs and Kisses and can't wait to see you on the other side!!!:thumbup::biggrin::biggrin:

Erin

Yummy Protein shakes... they really arent that bad. I am trying EAS Myoflex in chocolate. You could probably do the low carb Slim fast shakes too... But best to talk to your surgeon or the nutritionist

:tongue_smilie::thumbup:Congratulations!!!!:smile::thumbup:

I cant wait to get more information from my consultation. From what I have gathered from my insurance company they only need a psych eval and a nutritional consultation. I am hoping to get a date for the end of December if not I am thinking of pushing the surgery to February (Presidents day)