imagine923

I was banded on 12/30 and I went in for my first fill 1/26. I don't want to be a negative Nellie here, just being honest. My fill was painful! I didn't get any numbing meds at all. It was very quick, but the poke hurt like the dickens! I was expecting something similar or a little more than a blood draw, little poke, little pressure, but holy cow!! Maybe it was because my incision is only 28 days old, but that needle felt like a meat thermometer! ....just sayin' I mentioned this at my support group last night and all the healed up bandsters told me that it was indeed because of the fresh incision that it was painful. Maybe next time I'll be more prepared for what it actually is.

Oh Leo! I am so sorry to hear this, but I'm glad you are ok. Think of this as your dress rehearsal, so you'll know what to do and not do the next time. I'm glad you only have to wait a couple months to get rebanded. (((hugs))) and good thoughts coming your way. Chris

Hi Jen I was on a 6 month requirement too and I was afraid of being disqualified if I lost weight. My surgeons office told me that it's your beginning weight that counts and anything you lose is a bonus and a headstart to the rest of your life. Enjoy the ride! Best wishes to you. Chris

Congratulations!!! I'm so excited for you. I know waiting for the insurance approval is the worst! Now for the easy part! The surgery. I can see you now...dancing down the hallway into the operating room! He gonna have to knock you out to get you quiet! LOL You'll breeze right through it with the great attitude that you have! Keep your eye on the prize, girl! Good luck to you!! Chris

20 pounds is FANTASTIC!!! Congratulations! My suggestion is to stay away from the scale....put it in the closet and just concentrate on one day at a time until your surgery. Keep moving forward and never look back. You can do it! You are worth it! Best wished to you....may you be pleasantly surprised when you weigh in the morning of your surgery.

I've only told a handful of people about my surgery because of the negative ignorant comments that some people make. WLS is a personal thing and if you don't want to share with someone that you are having it, so what. WLS doesn't mean that we are losers....wait a minute yes it does! LOL I can lose the weight....now I'll be able to keep it off too!

I went through a 6 month program that was required by my insurance and there were many many times that I thought to myself...am I doing the right thing? I made a list of all the reasons why I wanted to do this and had to do this. I knew that if I didn't do something, nothing was going to change. I doubted if I was doing the right thing almost up to the end. There was even a night while I was on my liquid only diet, that my husband was eating and I had a little pity party for myself and convinced myself that I was being selfish, because I wanted to be healthier and thinner! I was telling myself that I should be happy at the weight I was at.... Wow! Talk about negative self talk! That night was another "wake up" moment for me. I am SO glad that I went ahead with the surgery. Sure I'm not going to be able to eat like I used to, but I'm not going to look like I used to, either! Find your reason.....and the doubt will go away. Good luck to you.

I began my journey in June of 2010. My insurance required me to do a 6 month doctor supervised diet, which I did with my lap band surgeons office. I was SO disappointed that my insurance wanted me to wait! I wanted the surgery right away! But, during that 6 months I learned so much about the process and about myself. I started going to support groups on Thursday nights, started practicing what life with a band would be like (chew chew chew) and I started replacing a meal here and there with Protein drinks. I'm so very thankful for those 6 months and the things I learned. I was banded on 12/30/10 and it's been wonderful! There are things that I miss eating, but in time I'll be able to have them in moderation so it's not like I'll never get to eat them again. It's a learning process and we'll both get there. I am happy to answer any questions that you might have, but keep in mind they will only be my experience and that everyone is different. What some can eat, others cannot. My email is imagine923@hotmail and you can email me any time. Good luck with your journey. Keep moving forward and don't look back. Chris

I was banded on 12/30/10 and I had to do a 2 week pre op liquid only diet, too. Yes, it is and was very hard and you are so right....it's worth it, and so are you!You can do it!! Look how far you've come already! Keep your eye on the prize and how much better you are going to feel. I can't believe the changes I feel inside and outside! Good luck with your surgery next week, you'll do great! Chris

I have a standard size Allergan band that is 10cc. I went for my first fill today and she put in 2cc.

I know this is going to be a DUH moment when I find out the answer. But, what the heck is PBing? I cannot for the life of me figure this one out. Gimme my moment! LOL

OH my gosh! I never would have guessed that! Excuse me for saying this but that sounds like a polite way of saying vomiting...without the gut wretching. (sorry sorry sorry!!) Thank you for explaining that to me. I don't want to slime or PB!! But, I know at some point I probably will. Ewww!

I drink MM lite and I really like it. I get mine at Sam's Club.

wondering how you are doing today? Are you still having trouble?

The pain could be gas pains from your surgery, but if you are having trouble breathing, I would call your Doctor IMMEDIATELY.

I like the Muscle Milk Lite. 100 calories and 15 g Protein. I also had SF Jello and SF pudding on hand. I did have SF popcicles, but didn't eat as many of them as I thought I would. And, I had chicken and beef bouillion cubes. I really didn't have any appetite after my surgery and really had to work to get my protein. Be sure to have your chewable Vitamins and chewable Calcium +D. I bought Centrum chewables and Caltrate +D. Walgreens will order it for you if they don't have it on the shelf. Good Luck with your surgery!

I'm new to this, but I'd love to give this a whirl! Please put me in for 25. thanks for the awesome spreadsheet! you rock!

Hi There Each doctor is different. My doc had me on a 2 wk pre op diet that consisted of Protein shakes, protein Soups and 1 Protein Bar a day. After surgery I was full liquids for the first 10 days. Muscle Milk lite, S/F Jello, S/F pudding, broth and skim milk. Then day 11-21 is soft/mushie foods. I am just starting this phase today, and it's wonderful! I think keeping to your doctors plan is key to your recovery. I'm afraid to stray off the path because I don't want to damage anything while I'm still healing. Good luck with your surgery, and you'll find lots of good advice and information along with support on these forums. Take care..Chris

This has probably been asked before, so please forgive me. I am moving into the mushie stage and I'm so looking forward to something other than Protein drinks and Jello. :-) Making a trip to the grocery store today, and I want to be prepared. What do you dip? Can you eat tortilla chips? What about snack crackers? And my other question is "what did you have for your first solid meal?" Thank you for all the inspiration and encouragement I've gotten from these forums. It's so great to speak with someone that's "been there" vs. a non banded person.

I know I have to be VERY mindful of what I am putting in my mouth. Mindless eating got me to 253 pounds! I could eat an entire row of OREO's with a glass of milk, before I even knew it! How many calories was that?!?

I thought about that with the crackers, too. I know if I get started on them, I'll want them all the time. Really liking the idea of the canned chicken with FF gravy with mashed potatoes. That sounds like a good go to when I need "comfort food". I'm sure you could even toss in some veggies. When I got home from the grocery store I was condensing my pickle jars and decided to save the juice so that I could mix it with my tuna. Gotta have pickles in there! LOL thanks for the ideas