Auntie Aud

Hi Jessica! Unfortunately, I am flying to Chicago this afternoon and won't be able to make it to the group. Let me know how it goes, ok? I usually find them pretty informative. Hope all is going well for everyone!

Karen, Congrats on reaching the mushy stage! I remember how excited I was! To this day, just the thought of chicken broth makes me want to wretch! As far as fasting goes, I haven't had any problems going 24 hours without eating.

Funny Jessica! If you're an old maid at 29, I hate to think of what I am at 36! I certainly didn't think I would be in such a minority when I moved here. The first week I lived here, I was out working in the yard pruning roses, etc. and one of the little girls up the street asked me why I didn't have a husband to do that? I live in Riverton, and have really grown to love the area! I moved here almost 2 years ago from California for work and it was the best move I could've made. I work for T-Mobile as an Operations Manager for part of their Business Division. It's a pretty good job, and it requires quite a bit of travel which I enjoy. I actually heard of Dr. Alldredge through one of the ladies at work. She had the surgery last June and is already down over 100 pounds! Anywho - it's nice to meet everyone. Perhaps we'll run into each other at one of the support meetings?

Hey Puddin! What an inspiration you are! Congrats on your success. I was banded by Dr. Alldredge as SV Surgical. I just love those folks too. Vivienne is the best! I'll admit I've been feeling a bit frutrated lately, but seeing how well you've done has made me feel better about the process. Thanks for sharing!

Karen, I am so sorry to hear about your father. I will be sure to keep you both in my prayers. Try to take it as easy as possible during this recovery stage. Take Care, Audrey

I understand how you feel! I am beginning to wonder why I'm not feeling much restriction. I'm glad that it feels like it worked for you this time! I hope that it did so that you don't feel that discouragement any longer!

Glad to hear things went well, Karen! Make sure to do a lot of walking! I swear that's what helped me the most. I walked around the block every morning and afternoon. It took me forever because I was going so slow, but I am certain it helped. I only had to take some liquid tylenol for pain on the 2nd day. Hopefully you don't have too much pain! Jessica - I've had a couple of ups to, especially when I travel. I had a fill last week, but still don't feel much restriction. I have 1.8 cc's right now. I'm beginning to wonder if I stretched the pouch or something. I can eat a lot before feeling full! Sometimes almost 2 cups, if I don't watch out. I really need to step up the exercise! I plan to go buy a bicycle next payday so I can start riding around the neighborhood now that it's staying light out later.

Hi Jessica! I dont know what happened... I have been unable to login for months, and all of a sudden it worked the other day. Very strange! I'm doing well. I'm officially at 51 pounds! Yay! Although, I have been traveling a lot for work again, and that is really making life difficult! I went to Seattle last week, and was in seafood heaven. Next week I'll be in Orlando for the entire week. It's hard to eat well when you're on the road and hitting restaurants or room service for all of your meals. How are you doing?

Welcome Karen! Congratulations on your surgery! :clap2: Best wishes for a speedy recovery! Let us know how you are doing when you are able to.

Try reaching out to Dr. Alldredge or Dr. Hansen at South Valley Surgical. They are right by Alta View Hospital on 1300 East. I don't know what their policy is on fills for patients from Mexico, but it's worth a phone call. Their phone # is (801) 571-9511 and their website is www.svsurgical.com. Dr. Alldredge performed my surgery on 10/23, and everyone there is so great! Many of the nurses and the social worker there have had the surgery so they understand what the patients are going through. Best of luck!

Hello! I hope everyone's Thanksgiving was nice. I too ate more than I would in a normal day, but certainly not as much as last year. I had about 2 tablespoons of everything (dressing, mashed potatoes, cranberries, green beans, turkey, etc.) And I had dessert for the first time since surgery - Bannana Cream Pie Yummmmmy! I was out and about early this morning to do my Christmas shopping. Went up to Park City for a while, then the mall, then Kohls. So, I walked off a good deal of what I ate last night. (At least that's what I am telling myself to make myself feel better about it.) One thing I have noticed, is that I have gotten in the habit of parking in the far end of the lot and walking, so the parking issues today really didn't bother me much. Hope you all enjoy the rest of the weekend!!

Like Jessica mentioned, I took liquid Tylenol the second day because of the gas pain in the shoulders and neck. Other than that, I didn't take anything. Also, I was cleaning the bathroom the next day - it ended up being a bit much and I had to stop. I still have the whole bottle of loritab sitting in the cabinet... It's true - everyone is different. I took the whole week off of work and had surgery on Monday. By Wednesday, I was bored out of my mind. I spent the rest of the week going to places like WalMart, where I could spend time walking around the whole store (the weather was a bit yucky at the time, so walking outside wasn't a great option). I was just happy that I wasn't at home in front of the TV. Best of luck to you! Keep us updated...

Hi Terry! I'm in Riverton - just west of Draper. I have great friends who live in Draper off of 123rd South. You are so right, the mountains are beautiful in the fall. I also love them right now, when they are covered with snow. Congratulations on your surgery and how well it's going!

I absolutely loved living there! We lived off base too, in a town called Minderlittgen. I remember us being so happy when we lived there. That's why I love Utah so much, it reminds me of Germany.

Welcome Dawnae! This is quite a journey you will be going on! Let us know if you have questions. We are by no means experts, but we may have had the same questions too. I think the best thing is knowing there are others in the same situation here to support you.

Hi Sweethot! Welcome! Where in Germany are you stationed? We were in Hahn and in Spangdahlem and I went to school in Bittburg. My dad was military and my mom is German - in fact, I have an uncle who lives in Frankfurt. Keep us updated how things are going!

JDru - you aren't kidding about missing meat! I went to Albertsons yesterday for a couple of things and walked by the meat counter. I stood there staring at the steaks. I tried and tried to figure out a way of cooking one and making it a "mushy" without completely ruining the steak. Unfortunately (or is it fortunately?) I could come up with anything so I went on and got my yogurt. Overall I am doing well. The scale has been stuck for a week, and I am getting disappointed with that. I did so well the first two weeks, it upsets me that this week the scale didn't move at all. I even tried uping my exercise - instead of walking 1 mile, I've been going for 2. Hope you and Sandranoelle are doing well!

Laurend, I completely understand what you are going through. I too have a loving mother who would freak out every time I talked about taking drastic measures to reduce my weight. But when I would turn down something extremely fattening, she too would go the "you have to try this" route. When I went to the initial seminar, I called her. I was excited to share the information, and the only thing she focused on was that I had said that I would have to end my non-stop soda drinking. She said to me that since I drank so much soda, this might not be the best option for me. I explained that I thought that giving up soda was well worth the benefits that I would gain by having the surgery. Every time we talked, she would pick another small reason that I should not have the surgery. Then one day I told her how high my blood pressure was. It scared her. And, it helped her turn the corner and see what I had been saying for years. Two weeks before my surgery I flew out to visit her. She was so extremely supportive! The reason I shared this with you, is that I think that if you continue to share the benefits of the surgery and how it will help you improve your health, your mom too may turn around and become supportive. It will also allow her to see that this is something you have carefully researched and are serious about. Best of luck to you!

You name it, I've probably tried it. Weight Watchers - about 5 times / Jenny Craig - twice / Atkins / Xenical / One of the Phen Fen's / Low Fat / Low Cal / Herbalife With all of them, I would lose 30 or 40 pounds and gain it all back - except Atkins, with it I lost 60 (and gained 80 back). I think it's good that you are asking and researching your options. I have been researching for years. I researched the RNY and couldn't bring myself to do it. Especially after a friend had it done and while she lost a lot of weight, she simply looked unhealthy. Her hair was falling out, and her gums receeded, and she just looked sickly. Then I saw in an interview somewhere that Sharon Osbourne had a "band" so I went all over the internet to find it. I researched it and decided that was the option for me. It would help me, but it would also force me to change my lifestyle so that I was eating healthier and taking better care of myself. (As a side note, I find it humorous that just as I am about to get the band, Sharon Osbourne is talking about removing hers!) In June, one of the gals in my office went in and had lap band surgery. I watched her very closely to see how she recovered, and how well she did and if she was hungry. Prior to surgery she lost 20 pounds, and since surgery she has lost over 40 (in 4 months!). So, I was finally comfortable that her Dr. would be great and I go in on Monday to get banded! Best of luck to you in making your decision. Bottom line, this is about you and what you feel will be best for you.

Hi Sandranoelle, I'm in Riverton, Utah. I will be banded a week from Monday by Dr. Alldredge (Dr. Hansen's partner). The only information I have for the mushie stage is what Vivienne gave us in the pre-op handout, so I'm not much help. But, I wanted to say hello and let you know I was here if you wanted to chat. There's another one of Dr. Hansen's patients on here as well. She will be banded on the 26th. Her name is JDru. You may want to join us in the October Bandsters thread. Hope you are able to get some good feedback on your question.

I was just reading through, and found your thread. WOW! I feel very fortunate! My Dr. includes the first year of fills in what he bills the insurance company (or in the amount charged to the people who are "self pay"). After that he offers a "package deal" for the fills, you can pay as you go or buy a year's worth. His theory is that if we are going to take the time and effort to make this work, he isn't going to throw a potential road block (like not being able to afford fills) in our way to success. Thanks for sharing!

Wow! What a nice thing to do! I'm sure that it really brightened her day to know she made a difference in someone's life. I also agree that it was a good opportunity to further the insurance company's understanding of lapband and the good that it does. Thank you for sharing your experience. I am going to follow your example once I have my surgery on the 23rd!

Hi Jessica, I'm so excited for you. Keep me updated on how things go, if you don't mind. I have 2 co-workers who went to Dr. Hansen and Dr. Alldredge here in SLC. One was just banded in July and is down 57 pounds! She said she was only on pain meds for 2 days and she was back at work in a week, so I'm comfortable that we picked the right Doctors! I just got the approval yesterday and am scheduled for 10/23, so I will be anxious to hear how you are doing. Audrey

Well, I'm not a very patient person. I know that Dr. Alldredge's staff just faxed the information over to United HealthCare on Tuesday - but it's Friday and I just had to call to see if United HealthCare had made a decision yet. They have - I've been approved! WooHoo! So, I am scheduled for surgery on 10/23. I can hardly wait!

Thanks for the kind welcomes everyone. Jessica - I met with Dr. Alldredge who is Dr. Hansen's partner. Best of luck to you in this journey! I'd love to hear how everything goes for you. Thanks again! Audrey