Tracytma

Hey carol.. I was just banded on monday, and was shocked to see my port site is right at my waistband! What the heck.. I wonder why? I was too groggy to speak with the surgeon, so I'll have to wait 2 weeks to get some answers.. Hope once it is 100% healed, it won't bother us!

I'm being banded on the 14th of this month... but last night I went through my closet.... getting out the rest of my summer clothes. That made me open up the bags of "other clothes.." I realize I have a store in my closet. I am wearing size 18-20 currently, but made a bag of "small 18s" a bag of 16's and a bag of 14's and a bag of 12's!! I kept all these clothes with the hopes of one day fitting into them.. They are all older clothes, but still in great condition... Glad I kept them, as I'm not going to buy many clothes until I REALLY need them. I'm just going to wear my older ones!! I was amazed at the variety of clothes I had!! Can't wait to dump the biggger ones. I am NEVER KEEPING FAT CLOTHES AGAIN!!! WOO HOO!!!:thumbup:

The medical director of my program told me this information and it helped me with my decision AND with ALL the people who tell me to "just eat less and walk!!" He quoted from a reputable medical journal that LESS than 5% of people ACTUALLY keep off ALL the weight they lose.... AND.. add a menopausal woman.. and it goes down to 2 to 3%!!!!!! So tell them that! We need the tool to help us maintain... and with this tool... we get into the 70 to 80% success rate of keeping of the weight...and MANY people do even better!!!

Much success everyone! My date is June 14th and I can't wait!!

I'm glad you chose June Bugs :ohmy: I meant to write back in over the weekend and say i liked that but never had time!

I'll go post there too and follow up on everyones progress. Good Luck everyone! I'm being banded on Friday the 4th... 2 more full days... AHHHHHH!!:ohmy:

Good Luck on Friday (I'm the 14th) You'll do GREAT!! Tomorrow is the first day of your new healthier life!! Bravo!!!:Dancing_biggrin:

Tracy

Getting banded on June 14th in Lake Worth, Florida. I get done teaching on June 11th. Can't wait. Looking forwards to being smaller in August when I go back to work. I'm mostly concerned about trying to keep eating the right way once I get used to having the band. I am an obsessive eater. Just eat to eat...

Colletta... I'm a June 14th Bandster too! We should all try and keep in touch..... ! Are you on a pre op diet? I'm doing fine with mine. Maybe we should do a thread for June 14 people? what do you think?

Tracy

We need a name for us June Bandsters! How about Junesters?

The waiting was the worst part of it all. The insurance company took it's time but once I was approved it went by so fast from my 2 pre-op visits to my surgery day. I didn't feel weak or anything like that but I ate too soon and all the wrong foods. So I suggest getting a few books about the weight loss surgery and read those because after going 6 months without losing any weight I did that and now the weight is coming off...slowly but surely every week I lose. The books give you so much information on what would should do before surgery, the day of surgery, and after. I wished I would have done that before I had surgery because I would have a success story to tell by now.

Can you tell us specifically what books you bought? I am being banded in 2 weeks!!!

Hi, I am getting banded on June 14th. I am very excited! I am counting the days, hours, minutes and seconds. :cursing:

I'm getting banded on the 14th of June as well! We have to keep in touch!!! We need a good name for ourselves!!!!

Tracy, I don't exercise much because I need knee replacement on both knees. I really watch what I eat and journaled and measured in the beginning. Now I know how much to eat. I probably eat around 1000 calories a day and that's it. I eat a looooot of Protein and drink a loooooot of Water all day. For breakfast I have eggbeaters with cheese. For lunch either a salad with meat or refried Beans (small portions) and for dinner I split a chicken breast or fish or steak with hubby and have a half of a baked yam and veggies. My only "treats" are greek style yogurt (super high in protein and low in sugar) with a little honey dribbled on top and once and a while I might have a skinny iced latte at Starbucks. I hope this helps you. Just remember to be strong with your doctor and let him know that you intend to follow his directions. Take care! Dottie

Dottie, thanks so much for taking the time to answer me! I appreciate it as I am going to exercise... but perhaps not one hour a day.. I will start with 3 times a week and build up from that. I've had a few back surgeries and I need to start slowly. My doctor felt without exercise, I wouldn't lose a thing... but I will just show her!!! I will exercise... and I WILL be successful. Thanks for sharing your daily menu. Sounds like a menu I could live on! Keep up the great success! Can't wait to be 50 down, I know my joints will feel soooo much better!

Tra:lol:cy

Hi Tracy,

I'm booked for June 16th. We will be same Weeksters :cursing:!!! I've had some Doctors with Lousy personalities, too. She didn't sugar coat anything. I think alot of people think that surgery is gonna fix everything. And should hear what you heard. I just don't think she new who she was talking to??? :w00t:

You handled the "Inquisition" perfectly!! :cool: You go GIRLFRIEND. Keep us informed.

Best Wishes and Luck,

Carol D'

Carol D! Ha ha... we are weeksters... that's a good one. We need a good name for us June bandsters! Keep in touch, let me know how the pre op diet is going!

Yes, surgeons are a rare breed. My surgeon got nasty with me one time and I held my own also. After that there's been nothing but high fives and smiles. Once they know you won't back down they seem to gain respect some how. On a side note..getting banded was the smartest thing I ever did. I only wish I'd done it sooner! Best wishes on your journey.

Thank you for your support! You are doing great yourself? Can you tell me, (since we nearly the same age), what do you do for exercise? Do you also journal, count calories etc? Do you happen to know how many calories you eat a day? I thought I wouldn't be counting cal's with this... but it seems the successful ones do... so I'm interested in what is working for people!

Thanks, Tracy

Tracy,

I've worked in the medical field for 20+ years and like you I've known my fair share of surgeons. They like to fix things and see quick results. The bypass makes sense to them. At my practice, we only see the surgeon for one or two pre-op visits and one post-op visit. For the rest of the appointments and fills, we are managed by a bariatric doctor. This combination works well.

Bottom line, I don't think you have to worry about your surgeon. She will do the surgery, and you feel confident with her skills. If the aftercare isn't great, you can always switch to someone else. She just wanted to make sure that you knew what you were getting into.

Cindy

Cindy.... 165 pounds?!?! I am standing up clapping girl!! :cursing: That number is astounding to me! You are indeed a wonder. Thanks for your kind words! You are an inspiration!

Thanks again,Tracy

Seems like alot of us are being banded on June 14th!! Hey, we need a name for us new June Bandsters!!!

I haven't taken a Nexium since my surgery on 4/15/10. For the prior two years I was on a daily regimen and without it would have horrible reflux. Also haven't taken a daily dose of Claritin since surgery and don't quite understand why I'm not feeling the need for my daily allergy med as I was before.

Great idea for a thread.

Thank you SO much for your post! I met my surgeon today, who tried to steer me away from LP, and she said straight out.. "oh if you have reflux and are on Nexium, you may not be happy with LP... It probably won't help your GERD!!" I'm thinking, WHOA lady.... losing a 100 pounds SHOULD help my gerd!! So Thanks for this positive posting!!!

Thanks everyone for your votes of confidence. For a little while after my appt, I was sort of "shell shocked" then after talking with my clinic... they asked me.. "are you sure about your decision?" I said, "Yes, and I'll show her!!" So I felt like I got some gusto back. After reading your posts, I agree I've made the right decision. I realize I may lose a little slower than most if I can not be super woman in the beginning with vigorous exercise.. but I'm hoping as the other Bandster said, that after I lose some weight, my back will hurt less and I will be able to do more and more exercise.

I think what really scared me was that I've failed at many diets, and always failed at keeping the weight off if I did lose the weight.. and she was telling me I may fail here again. That was a hard blow to my "bandster ego" I'm trying to form... but I'm sticking to my "I'll show her" attitude. Pre op diet ... here I come!

Hi everyone...once again I am here looking for support! Good thing you are all here! Well, like momma always said, "careful what you wish for...cause you just might get it!!" Well, I was hoping for a quick date when I met with my surgeon and I got it!! June 14th... two weeks from Monday! I sort of freaked out inside! Guessing that is normal... but what was weird for me was that my Doctor actually tried to talk me out of the band!!!

Ok, so I have Gerd (gastric reflux) and a bad back (two back surgeries). She said... "you know.. the band might not help your Gerd and you may not be successful at all if you don't exercise 1 hour a day... so you might want to reconsider. I looked her in the eye and said... "So I guess I'm going to have to exercise an hour a day!" She also said I might not like it. I said... we'll we'll just give it a whirl and if I don't... you'll take it out. She actually smiled. Oh well...I'm a nurse and have worked with surgeons my whole life... just have to work around them I guess.

Then I asked her about band erosion, slipping and vomiting, as I fear vomiting and having complications, i.e slippage/erosion etc. she said, "What are you a vomiter?" Since when did THAT become a noun I wondered. I am not a "vomiter," so I "guess" I'm ok! I heard she encouraged questions... but she didn't seem to like mine. At one point she said... "I'm not going to be your PCP!!" I said "fair enough."

She is known for being a superb surgeon, and I'm ok with her crankiness... but this push for Gastric bypass is really creeping me out!

Next she said, "Fluids for a month you know." I said, yes, I'm aware. She asked if I could do that. I said... it's not Cancer, not a life sentence of illness or fluids, it's a month... I can do most anything for a month. She smiled a little and said... ok, let's book you.

I wanted to hear from her that I'd be successful! That the band was going to be a good tool, etc... instead I felt like I brow beat her into doing it!!! NOT what I expected today.

Any thoughts my friends?

Thanks,

Tracy

that's an awesome shot!! GREAT to see your house! LOVE the internet!!!

Hi marion!

Just had to say how cute your kittens are! your hubby sounds wonderful! have fun with them!

Tracy

Happy Mother's Day marion and friends! Sorry I'm a little late on the well wishing! Sounds like you had a lovely day!

Looking GREAT there girl! I see the difference just from your photos. Saw that your GP noticed as well! Now THAT must feel great! To have someone else notice! Well done!

Finally have my appointment to "meet" my surgeon on may 28th. Hoping to get a surgery date then! Keep your fingers crossed for June!! The waiting is so hard. My BMI is just above 40, so I can't lose any weight in order to qualify for the surgery!! Never have I ever been told NOT to lose weight!! Quite a change!!!

Anyway, enjoy the week and I'll catch you in a few days.

Tracy

Hey Marion!

Can NOT wait for some clothes shopping myself! That will be GREAT! I have said I will not buy ANY new clothes until I am down a few sizes. GREAT motivation!

Had a great weekend in New Hampshire, USA. We're on our way to summer here, so me and the hubby worked in my yard the entire weekend. My 18 year old daughter will be graduating from High School in June, so we're preparing for a large (100 pp) party for her! It's alot of work, but a lot of fun as well. NOW If I could get my lap band date, so I'd know exactly when to schedule it!! :thumbup:

I see the medical director tomorrow and I'm hoping he'll think I've hopped, skipped and jumped thru allll the hoops and give me some idea! Keep your fingers crossed for me.

Keep smiling... and BUY THAT DRESS!!! You are doing FAB!! What a change I see in you already! You go girl! chat soon and have a great day everyone!

Tracy

Hey Marion! LOOK AT YOU!! You look GREAT!!!! Wow! 16kg down! Keep up the great work. Sorry it's been quiet from my end... busy at work and home and my meetings! Can't wait to get my date. Keep posting, you're an inspiration to us all!

Tracy :redface:

I haven't had my surgery yet (hoping for early June) but from reading and taking notes, I've heard that "gas x strips" help with the gas pain. AND... for the ride home.. to cushion the seat belt, a nice soft pillow to put between you and the seat belt! A must if you have a decent ride home!

Best of luck to you!

Tracy

Awesome advise everyone!!! I'm taking notes!!!

Cheers!

Hey everyone, Just want to thank everyone for their heartfelt responses... just what I needed a little kick in my big (soon to be small) butt! I need to keep the prize in front of me... I wish i could comment of each one that took the time to leave me a comment, (shhhh but I'm at work!). but you really helped me. Thanks! I will let you all know when I have "the date." lol It feels as important as a wedding date... but at least I know the band is forever! LOL.. now THAT's funny!!!!!

Keep smiling! Tracy

Hey Marion! sounds like you had a busy weekend! Yikes! Well, sorry you had a little "stuck" incident, but I heard that we all must go through that. I will admit, I am NOT looking forward to THAT!

Saw my nurse pract. yesterday at my Weight Loss center. She was impressed that I've jumped through so many hoops already! ha ha. my next appt with with dietitian and then medical director to clear me for seeing the surgeon! I have to admit..I got a bit daunted by the fact that it looks like it's coming quicker than I thought!

But then I hear your stories, how you just are living your "banded" life, with what seems like "ease" (I know it's not always easy) and I can't tell you how much hope and good feelings it gives me!! Just had to let you know!!! You are quiet an inspiration!

Hope you are having a restful day, sounds like you deserve it! Take good care and keep up the GREAT work!

Tracy