gingerjane

My first fill was yesterday and it was under fluro. Basically, you drink a barium and they can see how it empties from your smaller stomach to the larger one. It's pretty cool. She had overfilled me a bit and watched it get "caught" so she pulled a bit out. They can tell how good your restriction is with one. :ohmy: I personally think it's better. That way, they're not guessing on how tight your band is.

Had my first fill today - there were 2 ccs in my band from surgery and they added 3 more today. She was going to add more but the barium was slow going down so she didn't want to risk it. So, I have 5 total in my band! :thumbup: They've been pretty happy with my weight loss so far but I hope that this really kick starts it. I've spent the past five days out of town working a show, so I was having to eat out all of the time. I still stayed within my Protein and for the most part calorie limits. I'd like to know - did you feel much restriction after your first fill? I know most people say it takes 3-4 to hit it. I have been keeping my food intake to about a cup at a time. (Sometimes less) I can tell when I start to get full - I can feel it. She did say that my band is more at an angle (where they stitched it) which is where they wanted it. I have the 10cc Allergan band. Would love to hear first fill stories.

This is my first business trip since being banded on 3/22 and I'm a bit nervous about it. Not about the food because I'm cleared for soft foods (including chicken, etc.) but because I tend to bloat really bad when traveling. Does anyone have any suggestions as to how to avoid this? I feel like because I'm on my feet all day (I'll be working a trade show) that I tend to swell up. I can always notice it in my hands and feet. I already plan on buying a bunch of Protein shakes to keep in my hotel room when I get there, and I'm going to try to drink as much Water as I can. But, I feel like travel ALWAYS does that to me. Anyone else? Any suggestions? Also - I know this is probably silly but does flying affect the tightness of your band or anything at all? I haven't had my first fill - I get it Monday when I return. But, I thought I'd ask for those of you that have been there, done that. Thanks in advance! :cool:

Hubby and I have moved past it - but boy I was not happy for a while. But, you're right - I did decide that he was also a victim of his dad. After all, he interrogated him when he had him cornered because he knows that he can do that to him. I guess because I'm the type of person that has always told people where to go (and how to get there - LOL!) I don't understand the submissiveness. We've been to dinner with them three times since they found out and they haven't said a word. The only thing his mom asked was something about my choosing Protein. She was like 'Is that what you mainly have to eat now?" That was about it. So, maybe he told them to back off. I don't know. I think he sometimes doesn't tell me the entire conversation. But, they haven't said a word. Of course, they do know I am completely capable of telling them to jump off of a bridge. LOL! The longer I have my band, the more I realize how much I love this tool and they can all go to hell. :cool:

WOW!!! That is AWESOME!!! You go girl! I hope to see Onderland sometime by the end of this year. What an inspiration! How often do you work out?

I'm one with more weight to lose but I think that the best thing is that it can help you from gaining it back. When you learn to use the tool and use it properly, that's the biggest benefit. That's just my honest opinion. I wouldn't let the "smaller" amount of weight deter you from the surgery. If it were like 20 lbs, I might say differently, but I think anything over 50 lbs can adversely affect your health.

That is so funny! I was laughing picturing someone "scooting" to the bathroom trying to hold up baggy underwear. :thumbup: I had that happen last Friday with a pair of underwear and I had to walk a MILE to the parking garage where my car was. Let's just say I prayed that nobody would see me hike up everything. And, when I got home, they went in the trash. They were "low riders" as it was. But, I don't think by Low-Ride, they meant "under the butt cheeks". You're doing awesome! So happy for you!!! I get my first fill on Monday and can't wait!

Congratulations on the 50 lbs! :thumbup: That is awesome! I'm still waiting for my tax return so that I can join a local YMCA. (Need it for the babysitting so that I can work out and the kids will have something to do!) I remember David. LOVED him! How is he doing? I had joined "Don't Stop David" back when that season was on. He was a sweet guy.

I just started the challenge today - when is the official weigh-in? That way, I can keep you updated. :thumbup:

Is it too late to join the challenge? If not, I'd love to be in. I didn't see this thread until today. :thumbup: Anyway - I'd like to set mine at 13 lbs. I've got a month and my first fill coming up - should be able to do that I hope! Today I'm 257.6. If I lose 13 lbs, that takes me down to approximately 244. (I'd love to see 240 by then!) I'll start my ticker! Thanks for doing this challenge and I will definitely do the next one, too! Ginger

Good luck to you Ryan and don't give up on your journey! It will seem like it takes a while to get approved, get the surgery, etc., but the truth is the time moves faster than you think. I remember thinking "It's going to be FOREVER" and I'm almost a month out. So - don't lose hope! :cool2: One good piece of advice is to also start limiting your diet. I found that to be SO helpful. I cut out carbs and did my 2 week pre-op diet. Not going to lie - it was two weeks of torture, but worth it. It really helps with my new lifestyle! And this board is SO supportive! You'll love it here! :thumbup:

I usually see a nurse practitioner for my fills and she is GREAT. But, my band doctor is always accessible, too. I can e-mail him on a Sunday morning at 8:00 am and he gets back to me within 15 minutes. He carries an iPhone and you can get a hold of him all the time. He also makes his staff accessible 24/7. I can e-mail my nutritionist and hear back from her, too. I agree with Leigha - I think you need to keep in contact with your gastric team. Mine has support group meetings. I'm going Saturday morning for my first one. Can't wait!

Welcome Kelly! I am so glad you have a surgery date! That is AWESOME!!!! I was banded on 3/22 and it's been the best decision. I LOVE my band and I haven't had it that long. You'll do great! :smile2:

You know what I don't get? Is why strangers feel that they have a right to comment to us about our size. I will NEVER get that. :smile2: Naturally, family members think that they're "helping" you when really, they're just being jerks. I don't know - I don't get it. Ugh. I guess I could talk about the time that my husband and I were out at an amusement park and this chick came up to him WITH ME STANDING THERE and hit on him. He about died. He was like "I'm married" and grabbed my hand and she just looked at me. Of course, I am a bit possessive of my man, so I was like "He's HAPPILY married and I have no problem kicking your ass." My daughter is overweight right now and the kids tease her and it breaks my heart. I actually do have an appointment for a weight-management clinic at our local children's hospital for her. (they have a positive, award-winning program) I keep telling her to ignore the kids - that they're cruel and that life begins after school. But, it's hard. I've been there. The sucky thing is - she inherited my genetics. I just wish I could take the pain away for her. This one little girl likes to torment her and finally I told her to take her down. LOL! I remember when I finally did that to some snot nosed kid when I was in the 5th grade, they all left me alone. Sucks that it comes to that. She's a cheerleader, too, and I keep waiting for someone to make a comment about her in the stands. When it happens - so help me - they won't be able to pull me off of them.

Family was WAY more judgmental thank work. (Minus 1 coworker but she's a judy judger anyway) I have to say, my office has been SUPER supportive of my surgery and they are always asking me questions about how I'm doing (not food wise but just feeling, etc) and one girl goes walking with me a lot. I think if you have a few people that you are comfortable with, I would just go on ahead and tell them. That way, they're not guessing and it gives you a chance to explain WHY you want to have this done. I found that my co-workers were very supportive - even my boss. Of course, it is also NONE of their business. So, that is also something else to take into account if you don't want them to know. But, I do agree with some of the above posts - they're going to talk about it regardless. I have to go out of town next week and I'm meeting up with some colleagues from one of our satellite offices and the one is driving and she even offered to pick up Protein shakes to bring me for the trade show. To me, that meant a lot because she knew about the surgery (her sister had it) and she was being supportive. You never know- you might find a supportive person when you least expect it. Good luck and you'll do great! :smile2:

Ironically, my husband recently wrote a paper on the same topic. It was a class assignment and he defended my position, calling it "our" lifestyle change. I was pleasantly surprised. But, he also talked to me about it and he has seen the changes that I have had to make. I would point these out: 1) We have to limit our food intake, and because of that, we have got to make better choices. Protein becomes a HUGE factor in our food pyramid. 2) Think about it - we had SURGERY. It's not an easy thing to decide. I don't care what people think - the decision to have surgery is HUGE. I know with me personally, I had never really considered WLS because I always thought "Well, I can do this on my own - I just have to have the willpower". The truth is - I could have the willpower for a little while - drop some weight, and then all hell would break loose and I'd be back to where I was plus 10 lbs. I think it's been the best decision I've ever made because the band keeps me honest. I don't try to push it because I'm scared I'll screw it up. I'm scared I'll dilate my pouch or something. So, I think having that constant reminder keeps you on track. 3) We still have to exercise. When you see the successful band patients on the board, they're the ones working out. It's not a magic pill. 4) Not everyone has the lifestyle that allows for 2-3 hours of working out per day and customized meal plans. We just don't. So, this is the reality for a lot of us that have struggled with weight. We have a TOOL - it's just a different tool. I hope I didn't go off on tangents and I hope I gave you some ammunition. I'm still early in my journey, so I can't give you a before and after but I can tell you WHY I decided to do it. After four failed attempts at Weight Watchers (and that doesn't include the other diets like Alli, Adkins, etc.) only to lose weight and then gain it back plus more, I decided this was my PERMANENT solution. Hope that helps! :thumbdown:

Does your doctor have a support group or a nutritionist you can talk to? I think maybe getting back into "band life" and being on this board will help tremendously. I'm recently banded so it's all still new for me, but I know that my doctor's office offers all sorts of support groups and we have a nutritionist that is on call for us basically 24/7. What types of foods are you eating? Are you going with your protein first? I would make that change before anything else. Start with the lean meats that you can tolerate and then move from there. I bet if you start making small changes, you'll see a difference. Are you having your band adjusted? Or, has it been a while?

I wish I could offer more help but I was one of the lucky ones that didn't have any nausea. I think the only time was the first day and they had given me Finnegran tablets for at home. Is there any way maybe they can prescribe some for you? There is also an over the counter nausea medication you can take - I can't remember what it's called but if you ask the pharmacist, they'll tell you. I got my TOM about 4 days post surgery and so I did feel like crap for a few days. Make sure your Protein drinks have some Iron in them because you're already on reduced calories and with the TOM, you lose some iron. That could make you feel crappy, too. Hope you feel better soon! I'm a little over 2 weeks out and feel great. It's one of those things where you'll wake up and all of the sudden feel 100% better. I promise!

And by the way - congrats on the weight loss. You have ROCKED it! :smile2:

I think that's how moms are. I was eating with mine the other day and went to take 1 more bite and she was like "Haven't you had enough" and I looked at her and said "Mom - this is my body and I know when it's had enough". I had ate less than 1/2 cup of food. She didn't know. She thought she was helping me and I just flat out told her I didn't need her to police my food. That's why I hate for people to know. You start getting the commentary.

Would LOVE to be your weight loss buddy! I was banded on 3/22 and I find that this journey is always easier when you have a friend doing it with you. PM me and I'll give you my e-mail. I'm two weeks out from the surgery and have healed very well. You'll do great! :smile2:

I completely agree with the post above. It's one slice of cheesecake. The band is meant to allow us to still enjoy certain things in moderation. I think as long as you don't make it a big habit, you're fine. :smile2: I had a tiny sliver of cake today. TINY sliver. I felt guilty for a bit but then realized that it was a SUPER tiny slice. (We're talking 4-5 small baby-spoon bites) Before, I would have had a nice, big slice and a scoop of ice cream. It's baby steps, you know? Just put the protein first, which it sounds like you did. I always try to do that, too. And, I normally skip dessert these days, when normally, that would have been the first thing I went for. Don't beat yourself up!

Another reason why I swear that McDonald's Fries are laced with CRACK. My husband and girls have been going there and I'm like "no thanks" each time they go through the drivethru but let me tell you - those damn fries smell GOOD. I do know (because I used to work for the company that made their oil) that they add a special flavoring to their oil to make their fries taste better. Hence, why I correlate it to crack. And you did the right thing. I bet it was hard to tell her no. But, you're looking out for her. It's love - tough love, but love.

That is awesome!!!! :thumbup: I hope to arrange a clothing swap once I get down. I've not lost much since the banding (banded on 3/22) but dropped about 14 lbs beforehand. Of course, my pants are still fitting. It will be a while I think before they get too big. I told my mom I wanted to sew a button and some elastic in them like my 4 year old's adjustable waist pants. LOL!

My heart is breaking for everyone because I have been there. Oh wow...how I've been there. Let's see.... here are a few: One time I was fishing at my SIL's house. She's the type that was always thin, so she never had a weight problem and would make comments to me. Well, I'm sitting on a wooden bench on her pier and it's a family reunion so EVERYONE is there. All of the sudden, I hear cracking and you guessed it. It broke. Right there. In front of EVERYONE. I sort of wanted to drown myself in the pond. At another family gathering, my husband's dad was watching our cousin swinging. She is a bigger girl, so he hollers over to me (in front of about 10 other family members) "Hey Ginger - why don't you go get on the other swing so we can see the thing break". I wanted to deck him in the face. :thumbup: A**HAT! I've had to bypass sitting in the folding camping chairs because I know that they only went up to 225 lbs. I didn't want to risk it. I used to be a product designer in the scrapbook market. If you know anything about it, it's a very vicious, female-driven industry. Well, there was a blog that was called "Smack" and I was the target for the fat jokes for a long time. One of my "friends" said "hey - they're talking about you on there" and they were. Talking about how fat I was, how my husband must go to strip clubs to get turned on to come home to me, etc. I was so distraught that I quit my job and walked away from it. I couldn't handle it. I mean, the comments were downright MEAN and they were anonymous so I had no idea who wrote what. I had done a few TV shows, taught all over the country, etc., so I knew these people had met me. To think that was what they took away from meeting me was devastating. :cursing: I could go on and on... Isn't it sad how all of us have these stories?