Drake alp

Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Congratulations on all you have acccomplished! Enjoy today and ROCK that suit!

junibug - good to know another person that got banded so close to the same time. Sorry you're struggling with hunger too. Let's keep in touch as we figure this out ... and yes, count me in for skinny-minnie!

I was banded 6/24. My dr said I'd lose about 10 more lbs before my next appt on 7/26. That would be quite a slowdown for me, I thought. I had lost 15# on the 19 day pre-op diet. I'm a little over 3 weeks post-op and have lost 13#. Eight of them came off quickly at the end of the first week following surgery. Last week I lost 2 and this week it was 3 (almost 4 but I don't round the decimals up or down on my scale). I am happy with 3 because I had 2 nights away from home due to a work function, so for 3 days I had to eat the food provided -- without a scale or planning. I did great and it built my confidence. I also increased my calories this week. Prior to this week I couldn't get over 800 calories on dr's orders of 4 oz of food 3x daily, plus 2 protein shakes. Every day this week I was between 900-1000 calories, averaging about 90 grams of protein. This is also an increase from 45-60 grams a day. What did I deduce from this? It's ok to have some calories, and to be sure and get my protein. I think those are key for me going forward. I am getting curious about the fill. My dr doesn't put anything into it during surgery so 7/26 will be our first discussion. I do get hungry between meals but I can't tell if it's head hunger. When I'm distracted, like during work, I don't think about eating as much as it's not as hard to control. The evenings and weekends are challenging. I am curious about the 'sweet spot' that others have found, and what the right balance is between will power (the band still requires work!) and fills (the band is a tool that is ok to leverage for help).

So glad to hear you are feeling better! Sounds like you are giving yourself a break. That's good news. I found my body didn't do as much as I wanted right away either. I was on the pain meds 5 days I think. Sleeping really helped too. I was bored by the time I could move around the way I wanted to. Hang in there!!

Thanks Bklynike. I'll be anxious to hear how to goes Thursday and if you get a fill or not. Also maybe we can help each other through as we go through the process to find the 'green zone.' It's so nice to know someone who had surgery so close to mine and we can really relate to one another. I haven't gotten sick or felt over-indulged. My main struggle is hunger, but I'm holding strong. Nope - not gym yet. Am not allowed to do anything strenuous before my 4 week appt. I'm doing walking and resistance bands for my arms right now. Some stretching too. I met with a trainer (works with my drs office) before surgery and he gave me the exercises. You keep up the great work too! Go "US"

I'm tooting your horn as well --- very impressive!! Thank you so much for sharing. I was banded 6/24 and my goal is to lose 102#, putting me at 140. Your results and attitude are very motivating! It's great to have folks like you share results - the road ahead of me is long and your story brings optimism and purpose when I get low once in awhile. Thank you and congrats!!!

Dana - congratulations and best of luck to you!

I wish you much success! Keep up the positive attitude - that will carry you far. I had Diabetes II. I had surgery 6/24 and it is in remission now. I wasn't checking my blood sugars during the pre-op diet, and they checked it during the surgery prep and it was 76 fasting. I've been checking since surgery and am running 74-76 fasting each morning. I wish you the same good health!

You are almost there - congratulations! As far as what to have after the liquids, I've learned that there are many programs depending on who your doctor is. Your doctor or nutritionist should give you that information. My nutritionist stopped by the hospital to check on me and gave me the lquid, soft and normal diet instructions. I have them all even though I was banded 6/24 and won't be on normal diet until around 7/24. Good luck!

No it didn't. My insurance covers BMI of 40 or higher, or BMI of 35 with a co-morbidity (I had diabetes II). I was approved for pre-certification in 24 hours --- definitely not the norm from the stories others have shared with me. Good luck!

Glad you enjoyed it. Never doubted others would be moved by your message. Keep sharing!

Just dropping by to say hello! Keep up the great attitude and the hard work!! You are doing great.

So the first overnight is almost complete - other than I have a stack of business information to read in preparation for a team meeting at 6 am (did I mention I am not a morning person?) I wanted to post and let you know how I did at the restaurant tonight. We went to Mo's in downtown Indy - nice fine dining with great food. My gut instinct was right -- I wanted to drop my face into that wonderful food and just chow down --no hands, napkins or utensils required! Instead I started by choosing 3 shrimp with a tad of sauce for an appetizer. They had lobster bisque soup or salad (I love the wedge with bleu cheese dressing) and I told the waiter I could have neither. He recommended Tomato Basil (wasn't included on the pre-selected menu as a choice so really appreciated this). I accepted so I would have something in front of me. I had about a soup spoon total. Next came the salmon. That was an easy choice, although I love red wine and red meat I had neither. I had what I guess-timate to be about 3 oz. For dessert I declined and he recommended sorbet so I accepted - again to have something in front of me while everyone else was eating so I could avoid all the questions. I had about a spoonful of that. I drank water and tea. I did forget in the beginning and started drinking while I was eating shrimp. I also realized I was doing that with a straw -- egad!! I calmly recollected myself, moved the tea out of reach and removed the straw completely. Not too bad for the first time - not perfect but not too bad. I also had my spirits lift right away when I arrvied at the hotel. One of my co-workers who lives out of state saw me and said I looked great - he had to do a double take. That made me feel real good - just sayin' I've been here since 3 so only had to deal with 1 meal. Tomorrow is a new day and I've got 3 meals to make it through and 2 shakes to somehow sneak in. I generally don't like talking about myself so the hardest part today was when folks asked me what I'm doing to lose weight. I followed what I've read others have done - protein first, watching portions, etc. I'm not embarrassed it's just not the setting to engage in what I'm sure will be deep discussions on the pros, cons, my feelings, why I did it, etc. of WLS. I know some will agree with me and some won't and that's ok - because I'm being me and that's who God created, like it or not. :laugh: Enjoy the evening and have a great Wednesday!

I lost 2 lbs last week. I know that's the norm and I should feel lucky to be losing; I will admit that it's a huge slowdown and was tough to keep believing that there wasn't something wrong with me. I did struggle with those fears coming back that I am the only one this won't work for. I am happy to say that despite those struggles, I made it through! I stuck to the program and while I weakened in belief at times, I leaned on the support here to "keep believing!" The stories here are inarguable -- I am so impressed by the successes that folks have had and how they are grounded and still here to help new folks like me. Thank you to everyone who provided encouragement - some I knew because you posted on the blog or sent me a note, others that motivated me have no idea -- I read posts and success stories and I'm equally as grateful for those. I was gone today over 12 hours for work. I haven't put a day that long in since before surgery (2 wks post op last Thurs). I don't have all my stamina back yet, but I am getting there! And I am so much more calm and at peace. I also had a couple of victories today. I crossed my legs during an all day meeting -- without having to use my hands to lift my leg up. Doesn't sound like a big deal but I love that my stomach is not inhibiting my movement anymore. I also went shopping because I needed clothes that fit better for the work commitment I have this week. I bought size 16 for the first time in at least 5 years! And definitely the first time I've been happy about it - last time I was on the way up and way out of control. Wishing you a very good week. Keep the faith - you are doing great because you are here; nothing beats the support that banders share!

Congratulations! Looking good!

Yay for "shopping" in your own closet! Great progress!!!

Bklynike - just tried this recipe and it's wonderful! Made pasta for the guys to add and they liked it also. Thanks again for sharing!

I'm not sure what the medical parameters are to say officially that my Diabetes is in remission, but the news is great so far. Prior to the pre-op diet on June 5, I was taking 1,000 mg of metformin per day (with last meal). The blood work I had done in April showed a fasting glucose of 107. They told me not to take metformin the day before surgery and when they checked my fasting glucose the day of surgery it was 76. Wow! That's the first time I can remember I've had a fasting number under 100 (100-124 = pre-diabetic/insulin resistant; 125 and over = diabetic are the medical standards I've been told). I have not taken metformin since prior to my surgery on June 24. I've continued to monitor my blood sugar and the low numbers continue!! This morning my fasting number was 75. I go to my family doctor in a few weeks and she wants me to bring my meter so we can discuss. I got down to my current weight 2 years ago through diet and exercise and my metformin was still needed - just reduced to 750 mg a day. Of course, when I put 30 lbs back on I needed the 1,000 again. So grateful for my health. Besides looking better, getting around easier, feeling better about myself --- I'm going to live longer thanks to this surgery! I knew it would resolve the Diabetes but I didn't know it would do it PRIOR to surgery!

I just recently went through being approved and the surgery, and you're right - there are a lot of decisions to make about who you are choosing to care for you as well as the financial impact of the options. I have Anthem BC/BS and they pay $0 for out of network. I ended up finding a doctor that was in-network because I wanted to get maximum benefits. Turns out I work with someone who went to this surgeon so it increased my confidence. I found a win-win with the financial option and the quality of care. I've seen a few posts about patients having to wait in their doctor's office for an hour or more. I really don't understand that and I personally would be concerned. One of the reasons I chose my doctor was because they treat me like an individual - not a number. This is a major event in my life and I didn't want to be treated like I was in a cattle-call. I wish you the best. You will find the right solution; it make take a little work but it will be worth it!

I agree not much is needed at the hospital. I had a 23 hour stay and I didn't do the puzzles, games, computer or anything I took with me. I napped or was in bed a lot the first couple of days so fresh sheets, new jammies (shorts type with elastic waist), and a tidy room/house made me feel better. As far as what you need for after discharge, it depends on your doctor's program. I could only have clear liquids for 2 days, and then full liquids until day 9. It helped to have different choices of drinks --- tea for when I wanted something a little sweet (artificial sweetner of course), crystal light for when I was craving sodium, Jello (sugar free), 50 cal orange juice (careful on the servings - I was limited to no more than 4 oz a day), and sugar free popsicles. Once I went to full liquid, I was able to substitute the Bariatric Advantage Protein shakes with Instant Carnation Breakfast mix (blue box with lower sugar) and skim milk. I didn't think I would do it, but the first sip I had of the ICB, I was hooked! Haven't had another BA Protein shake since. 3 weeks was enough for me! :confused: One thing I would encourage you to think about. I had to measure everything for the first couple of weeks -- only 1 oz of liquid for 30 mins at one phase for example. If you need to do this also, they should give you little measuring cups at the hospital. If they don't, ask for them. We ended up taking several home and they really helped with measuring the liquids the first several days. Good luck!