ElizabethNYC

Hang in there it does get better!!!

I'm not going to lie the liquid diet SUCKS but I'm kind of glad I had to do it. It helped jump start my weight loss and it got me prepared for the 2 weeks of liquid I had to do after surgery. I won't lie I slipped up twice and I felt really guilty afterward. I'm sure people's surgery have been canceled because their liver was too fatty.

Trying again...

Here is my ATTEMPT at putting my pic up lol (hope this works!) <a href="http://s1184.photobucket.com/albums/z337/ElizabethNYC817/?action=view&current=IMAG0047.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1184.photobucket.com/albums/z337/ElizabethNYC817/IMAG0047.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

This was my number one reason for being banded so when it came down to my information seminar I asked a lot of questions about this and was told that when and if I get pregnant I would be unfilled completely. I too had to sign a contract stating I wouldn't get pregnant for at least 2 years after being banded. A little side note, I have PCOS which already slimmed my chances of getting pregnant. I hardly got my period but I am not even a month banded and already my period is coming back to normal. I know it sounds weird but I am really excited about it! Good luck with everything!!!

Big congrats to you!! Make sure you have your chewable vitamins and calcium pills ready, also make sure your pain medicine is already filled and ready. Have a pill cutter and a protein shake that you like! Keep a positive attitude and remember WALK WALK WALK it helps with the gas. :-)

Awesome congrats!!! I'm going to Disney on May 5th and my mom is being nice enough to give me money for clothes, I told her I wont be shopping till the weekend before! Still trying to lose another ten pounds before then.

Hey everyone!! My name is Elizabeth most people call me Liz or Beth, totally up to you! I am 27 years old going to be 28 in August and I live in Staten Island, NY (One of the five boroughs of New York City). I am almost a month banded (surgery was March 15th). I am loving it so far and of course I love jumping on that scale seeing those numbers go down. Right now I am a Sales Associate/Project Manager for a translation/Interpreting/Voice Over/Transcription company. I actually HATE my job with a passion and currently looking for something else. I probably wouldn't cry if I was fired and people yell at me for that BUT I tell them to spend one day here and they'll understand. I had the surgery to improve my health and self confidence. I hate being the fat single friend, I want a happy ending one day too! I love Summer time, swimming, hanging out with friends and BBQ's. I have the same friends since HS and I kind of like it that way, less drama, more loyalty. I have a hard time trusting and letting people in so sometimes I come off a little bitchy (ok so SOME people deserve it heheehe). That pretty much wraps up Liz in a nut shell. Thanks to the the topic starter for this post, I enjoyed reading everyone's post and can't wait to read more.

On my ticker I used my weight right before I started my liquid diet. When people ask me how much I've lost I go from my highest weight which was pretty much right before I started my liquid diet (some how I lost some weight then, I chalk it up to nerves).

Every doctor is different. I had to do 2 weeks liquid after surgery, then 2 weeks mushy (which I'm on right now) and starting Wednesday i can SLOWLY introduce things like ground meat, low fat ravioli's, hot cereals. I had chicken noodle soup about a week and a half after surgery and it was because I was starving! Just chew REALLY well and you should be fine.

My doctors scale always says I lost less BUT when I weigh myself in at home I do it naked in the morning right after I've used to bathroom. So I haven't eaten or had a drink yet.

Thanks Joan!

I'm sorry to hear that but hopefully the next 2 weeks will fly by! Just a minor hiccup and before you know it you'll be banded and starting your new life. Good luck!!!

Research is the first step and although I've only been banded for less than a month I can tell you now it's not a walk in the park, from the pre op testing to insurance approval all the way to losing the weight. Weight is not going to just fall off, you have to work at it and eat healthy and such BUT in the long run you do become a healthier person. I hope I helped a little bit. Good luck with everything and keep us posted!

Gas-X strips, make sure your pain pills are filled. Get a pill cutter. Make sure you have a protein shake that you like! Make sure to get your chewable vitamins and calcium pills. If you don't plan on sleeping in your bed at first make sure your blankets and some pillows are on the couch or recliner. Keep a positive attitude and you'll do great! Good luck.

I think the blood thinner shots were the WORST! I had one in my stomach right before surgery then another one in the back of my arm around 10 that night and my last one in the back of my other arm the next morning and my arms were SOOOO sore and the bruises were so bad, I actually think they're still there!

I have 5 incisions. The only "bigger" one is my port which isn't that big at all (2 inches if that). That one is still a little red. As far as the other 4 they just look like little holes and I can see those fading a lot quicker than the port incision. I'll try and upload a photo as well, might have to give me a few though.

I'm pretty sure it's because of the no carbs.

As long as you have your approval, you are good to go!!

Good luck to all of you on your liquid diets!! It does suck but so worth it in the end. I wasn't allowed ANY food all liquid!

Liz checking in at 271. Scale hasn't budged in over a week. Have my first fill on the 27th, hoping it helps.

Don't be scared, it will all be worth it. Keep your head up and congrats on the approval!!!

This is a little off topic but I get a statement from my insurance company each week or every other week but anyway they showed my surgery on there and it felt REALLY good to know that I didn't have to pay a bit of the $22,000 it cost :-X

My doctor was really specific she wanted low in cards high in protein. I searched the boards a lot because I was having a problem liking any protein drink and I tried A LOT! I finally have settled and actually LIKE Body Fortress Super advanced Whey Protein, and so far I've only tried Chocolate Peanut Butter. It's sold on walmart.com for $13 and it tastes REALLY good. Plus it's high in protein so I only have to drink one a day. Good luck on finding something! Look around though and buy some samples, this way you know what you like when you need it.

Before my surgery I had an EGD which does include sedation and I probably wouldn't of been able to drive home if you asked me too. It was real easy though, they put you to sleep do their thing and you're awake all within about half an hour. AFTER my surgery I had an upper GI where they make you drink the gross chalky stuff and they take pictures of the band. They do this within the first week of your surgery to check placement and make sure all is good. My surgeon said they will use this picture as my base for my Bandaversary to make sure it stays in place and all that.