KarenCI
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It's funny - maybe more experienced bandsters can weigh in and confirm or refute - but as the weight loss becomes more noticeable it seems that my thin(ner) friends are very supportive and the overweight ones are becoming ambushers!! Those who are naturally thin, or work hard to keep the weight off, ask a few questions, understand the band is just another tool in the weight loss war, and are positive. Those who have 20+ pounds to lose are almost snotty - like 'well, sure, you're losing weight, you took the easy way out and got lap band. . . ' Be prepared for jealousy!!
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Absolutely no regrets, it was awesome! I did a lot of research and selected the Obesity Control Center in Tijuana. Dr Ortiz has been doing lap band surgery since before it was even approved in the US and proctored for Allergan to teach US surgeons when it was approved here - so he is admitted to practive in the US. Authored the book "Lap Band For Life." The facility is state of the art, and the staff to patient ratio is far better than I have seen anywhere here. I had a smooth surgery, easy recovery, and while doing the surgery he found a hiatial hernia that he repaired gratis. It cost about $7500 including air fare, there are others cheaper but I was willing to pay more for peace of mind. Also included 3 nights at the Marriott and I could bring a friend (hubby) Would recommend it to anyone. Lost 10 lbs on pre-op diet and another 14 in the 5 weeks since surgery, have my first fill scheduled for 5/1 - I am going to spend the $$ to go back there, they give free fills for life but you have to get there - so with American offering $99 air fare to San Diego I am going that route
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If you choose to tell just a few people, be sure to ask them to keep it confidential! I told ONE person in my (very small) town, and now everyone I know knows about it and probably some folks I don't. Luckily most are supportive, but there is always that one overweight person who will walk up to you at a social function and in front of a dozen people squeal "I heard about your surgery, now all that weight is just going to fall off in no time!" and you will want to kill her. At least I did :-) But I'm learning to develop a sense of humor about it, and one thing about having the whole world know, at least it's powerful motivation to stay on track!!
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lost 14 pounds since surgery its two weeks this thursday i can say doc told me i can go back to gym. i love the band dont even feel like its there. lol well have a good easter.
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doing very well now. no more gas pains feel like myself again a tinyy bit sore once in a while by incesions but thats normal and they look really good. i think im not going to see any of them but the big one and thats looking good. i'm on the pureed diet for 12 more days and its killing me have no problems with anything going down either the best thing i could of done with myself but it stinks watching my family eat the good stuff pizza hut hamburgers pork chops lol. lost 27 before surgery and 13 pounds since surgery and its only been 10 days yay 40 pounds all together.
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AHHHH!!! Help...Entering Bandster Hell!!!! HELPPPPPP!!!
KarenCI replied to mskutz's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I was banded 3/18 also and on 3 weeks of liquid diet, no mushies or anything until 22 days out! Was ravenous right after surgery, must not have had much swelling, but now that I am past the clear liquids and into the "full liquid" stage it's getting much easier. I'm not doing "meals" - I've been drinking about 600 calories and sipping on chicken broth whenever I feel hungry and the hot liquid works well at soothing the hunger pangs. I don't get any fill until 5/1, which feels like forever away. But I've lost the post-op IV weight and have been dropping about a half a pound a day, which is plenty of motivation to stick with it until I can find the sweet spot!! -
ABSOLUTELY! I was banded 3/18, lost 10 lbs on pre-op diet and have lost 6 more since the surgery. I'm on 3 weeks of liquid diet before I can eat anything mushy or solid, and don't get my first fill until 5/1. The hunger is there but not bad, I don't feel much restriction. Was up and walking an hour after surgery, my Dr says walk walk walk, helps with the gas. Pretty much 100% now except for a little tenderness at the port incision. Stepped on the scale this morning and saw a number that begins with a "1" for the first time in about 5 years - that felt so good!!!!!
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How are you doing post-surgery? I'm doing pretty good - finally over the worst of the gas, and back to losing weight. 11 more days of liquids before I get to sink my teeth into something but I'm getting used to it and starting to learn to ignore the hunger! First fill not until 5/1 - hope I can hold out on the diet when I go back onto real food!
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Was banded March 18th and seem to be following the pattern - up and walking an hour after surgery, released that afternoon. Told to walk, walk, walk to help with the gas. Gas has mostly subsided but I do still get those burp/hiccups that seem to get stuck and not happen! Pretty much 100% now except the port incision is still a little tender and seems to poke when I try to bend all the way over - can do everything except tie my shoes! Lost 10 lbs on pre-surgery diet, gained a couple back right afterward but am now down 6 more. On liquids for 3 weeks post-surgery: 4 days of clear, then added yogurt, then can add Protein shakes and cream Soups day 10-21. Never realized how good cream of broccoli can be! No fill until 5/1, not feeling much of any restriction, but getting used to the liquids. . .it felt so good to see that first number on the scale change from a "2" to a "1" this morning!!! http://www.TickerFactory.com/weight-loss/wpf0CfF/
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Day 2 of pre-op diet and HUNGRY!
KarenCI replied to KarenCI's topic in Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story
Just an update for those who are a week or more further out than me - it DOES get easier! I've been on pre-op 2 weeks and it's gotten better. Even went out to friends' houses for dinner a couple of times, just brought my own little frozen dinner, explained I am on a diet, asked to use their microwave, and having gone through all of that made it easier to stick to it (although not having a glass of wine was the hardest part :-) Have learned to sub steamed broccoli or spinach for the salad and use it to stretch the mini-meals. Lost 10 lbs, 2 more days of pre-op diet to go and then Thursday is the big day. Took a long walk on the beach yesterday and found a seahorse, the first in 40 yrs of beachcombing, so that's got to be a good omen! Then saw a shooting star last night. So all of the weight loss Gods are smiling on me, it's going to be an awesome journey! :wub: url=http://www.TickerFactory.com/weight-loss/wiauoXe/] [/url] -
Keeping it to a small close group has been tough. At first I was just going to tell my hubby and parents. Then hubby decided since we were traveling from NC to Tijuana and he is from SoCal he would organize a small family reunion 'as long as we're going to be there' Of course, everyone wants to know why you're not eating anything, and not real active, so THEY have to know. Then decided I had better let the cat sitter in on it in case there were any complications and had to be gone longer. . .and SHE told just a few people, confidentially of course :-) so pretty soon everyone who was interested knew, and had an opinion - everything from 'you go girl!' to 'if you would just stick to a diet you wouldn't need it' to "Mexico? are you crazy? You're going to get mugged or something! (this is rural NC, after all)' So be confident that you are doing what is best for you, accept the support when it's offered, and let the negative just wash away unheeded. Save the energy spent wondering about who knows and what they think to concentrate on your exercise plan!
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Oh, I am jealous of those of you with no pre-op diet! I am on shakes right now, but surgery is Thursday and I can't wait. Have lost 12 lbs on pre-op diet...but had gained 4 before going on it in my last meal binges! Mexican! Margaritas! Pizza! Now I have a new mantra: NOTHING tastes as good as being skinny is going to feel!!!!
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Thanks! I hit a 3-day plateau on the pre-surgery diet and was in a panic but down 2.2 lbs this morning so all is well - can't wait! Where are you getting it done?
