Brian-LA

I wonder how BrianLA is doing? we've lost him to the movie industry. And Cathy too? hope all is well with everyone.

Hi Monica & Lisa !!!

I am doing fine / I hope you are both doing well. :blushing:

-Brian

Hi All !

Sorry I have been gone / not posting for 2 weeks... I have been hard at work / working 7 days and doing some 12 to 13.5 hour days at work. I worked 24 of the 48 hours of Tuesday & Wednesday. Kinda hard to imagine I sent half my day at work / didn't really see sunlight for 2 days.

I am doing well / pretty good. I had my first fill on Friday and it was painless / interesting. I got 4cc's put into my REALIZE Band. So far so good. I would like to say everything is going 100% gangbusters BUT that isn't reality. I have had a few slips / lapses into insanity - my previous self destructive attitude toward food. I did eat some bad foods and in amounts I shouldn't. My Band did stop me in a few occasions and didn't in a few. I have had some Band Instant Reality checks in one case I ate a steak sandwich at work - the steak went down ok but the hard bread stopped me cold and after 3 bites I threw up and threw it away. I had the same thing happen last week with an omelet - 3 bites and I just didn't want it anymore / I felt sick. Tonight I went to dinner with a special friend and I had a healthy fish entree but after 4 bites I was done ... at which point I should have stopped but I didn't so on the seventh bite I had to go to the restroom and throw it up. I guess the Band is trying to keep me sane / re-adjust my bad attitude with food.

Overall I am still pretty good... I am close to 30 lbs lost. I should work out more / walk but I also walk 8-12 hours a day at my job and go 8-10 hours without a break or food too. But I know I could do better.

I have gotten a few nice comments from people like " you look like you lost weight " or " I can tell you lost weight... your face looks thinner " ( I wonder did I have a Fat Head before ??? ). Anyway I am doing pretty good. I hope all of you other September Bandsters are going great !!! I will be back soon / back to normal here soon.

-Brian :blushing:

WannaBeHealthy....I posted something similar 2 weeks ago...after much trial and error...ie:gagging and whining....I now get all the pills in a shot glass, mix them with Water, like 1/3 way up the shot glass and let them sit...and sit....and sit...until they are all a chalk like texture...i then get a sugar free popcicle ready...i shoot the pill water, cringe just a little, and suck on the popcicle which gets rid of the bitterness.....quite the process I know, but it works....good luck..:thumbup:

Hi Cicigirl !

Wow thats pretty ingenious ! I also have a to take a couple of pills ( Metromin - I am Diabetic ) but luckily for me I am actually able to swallow all my pills no problem. I don't know how it will be once I get a fill but for now, I am able to.

-Brian :thumbup:

Hey everybody! Brian, Joany, SourMissG, scarred4life,etc. great to see you here.

So I'm almost at my 2 week mark and I'm still feeling tired and sore alot. I just started back to work yesterday and feel just worn completely out by the time I get done. Even at a desk job, 8 hours is sooo much for me right now! I just want a nap,lol! :wink2:

Glad everybody is progressing through their meal plans well. I can't wait until I'm onto the mushie stage starting Thursday! If I have to have one more Protein drink I think I'll hurl. :w00t: :thumbup: What are some of your favorite mushy foods? I know cottage cheese, applesauce, ricotta, but need more ideas. I have to do that for two solid weeks but hey at least its better than the liquids I've done for the last two weeks:thumbup:.

Anyway, really just wanted to say hey and tell you all I'm doing good. I so enjoy reading all your stories and hearing all your wisdom. Thanks a bunch!!

Hi Sarah !

Long time no read ! I am glad you are doing well. On my mushy stage, my doctor allows anything I can mush up on the roof of my mouth, he also allows soft flakey fish. So far so good. Are you basically back to normal ? I hope you are doing well.

-Brian :thumbup:

I had found a Klondike bar in the freezer, and I threw it out. And when I got to work there was birthday cake and ice cream. I pulled out my egg beaters and cheese and didn't really think about it. I was extremely hungry all night however, but hung in there. When I got home, I was starving. In the past I would eat whatever I could find. This time though I ate a cottage cheese and had a Protein Drink. I fell asleep on the couch, woke up around 0330 and then went to bed. Two people had noticed I lost weight.

I am kinda bummed though, as my doctor's office never signed any of the paperwork for my disability claim, and it's about to be denied. So no pay for three weeks. They never even signed my work release form to go back to work yesterday. But I think it was worth it.

Hi MissJoany !

Great Job toughing it out ! That is awesome you threw out the Klondike Bar... I also did a job " Sanitizing " my home of all bad food. It is a lot easier when the temptation isn't there.

As for your Doctor... do you still have time to fill out the Disability forms and turn them in ? I already got my first check and hopefully will get my second check soon. I am lucky in that I get the maximum amount available but I did lose the first week as a waiting period.

Hopefully All is well and I wish you the best.

-Brian :thumbup:

Brian--Glad you had a good first day back to work. I too returned to work yesterday. I only took off for a week and a half, but it was really hard going back. I am still very weak and tired. So I worked about 7 hours and left early. I am also a "boss" and had a ton of stuff thrown at me. I handled it all, but boy, was I pooped!!! Anyway, glad we're back to work and getting back into normal life.

Hi Kat !

Yeah believe it or not it is nice to be back to work. Strange as it sounds I actually started to miss it. Although it was nice to actually be a bum for almost a month... I have NEVER taken more then 2 weeks of being a bum before I start getting restless and bored. Of course when I am a bum I am a total and complete bum !!! And when I work I work like a machine.

I hope your job is going smoothly and you have made a good transition back to work / that you are feeling better & back to normal.

-Brian :thumbup:

Hi! I to was banded on 9-10-10. I got my first fill today! Its not bad at all! I can still drink and eat fine. Just not as hungry as often! Its wonderful! Don't worry! :thumbup:

Hi Lilkrazykat !

So how was it ? Getting filled ? Did they use the Flouroscope / X-ray or just poke around ?

I get my first fill in a couple of weeks.

-Brian :thumbup:

Welcome Monica / Hi Cathy ! Hi All !!!

Well today was my first day back at work after about 1 month off ( 3.5 weeks Post Op Recovery , 1 day holiday 1 day pre-op ) and it was interesting. I got A LOT of " You Look Great ! ", " you lost a lot of weight ", " looking good ", etc.

It was pretty nice and encouraging. I didn't get razzled like I thought I would and it turned out I don't think my 4 friends spilled the Beans about me getting a REALIZE Band.

Today was pretty typical / I jumped straight back in. I had a few crises pop up / I had to handle them / I found out what movies we are currently working, got my usual dose of stress being the boss, etc. Not a bad day .

-Brian :tongue2:

thanks Brian, i'm glad too! it could have turned into full on bowel obstruction which could have meant another surgery :sad:

i initially thought it was a hernia cause the pains were soooo bad. glad it wasn't that either :/

as for my job, *sigh* im afraid the pay isn't what i would like it to be. i know managment likes me a lot though so i'm hoping i can continue to get promoted through the company and eventually get to examiner [people who actually pay the medical claims] to make a few extra hourly $. sadly, our examiners are treated just as badly. they have been on this forced overtime for almost 3 years :sad: it's....unfortunate.

i came in as a grunt, a gopher, a "sh*t position" as one of my coworkers put it. i came in as a claims clerk and the pressure was intense and the pay was crap because i had only 1 year of previous work exp. im considered "clerical" which is the bottom of the totem pole. BUT! i was promoted within a year and half to Data Entry Processor and the next place to get promoted to is Examiner. i'm movin on up i suppose. i just have to bust my hump to prove myself which isn't an issue for me. i'm willing to work hard in order to benefit myself.

Hi OC !

Keep your head up and keep kicking butt and you will go places. I started entry level at my job 8 years ago, worked extremely hard and was dedicated, I've have moved up every year until I got to my current position. Every department I went for I got / had a great reputation and everyone always wanted me in their departments. At one point I got as high as I wanted / my dream job there - working in Customer Service dealing directly with the Studios / Directors / Studio Executives / Producers / Movie Stars and after about a year decided I was nuts and it wasn't worth it for the extremely long hours / stress / crap and for the same pay I was getting for the level below. So I backed down to my previous level and I am pretty happy. Although going out to lunch at a Hollywood elite restaurant with a $1000 lunch tab that I didn't have to pay for was kinda neat:ohmy:. Going out to lunch every day to nice restaurants on the company was pretty cool. :tt2:

People / Management always notice the hard workers and they also notice the slugs.

Another GREAT benefit of working so much is the money. I worked so much overtime that I basically have no time to spend it / too exhausted to spend it and by the time I am done after a few weeks of long days for 4-6 weeks straight every day including time and a half Saturdays and double time Sundays... I usually have an extra $4-5,000 at least. I am not sure how much you make but when you are slammed by long hours I doubt you spend any and chances are you saved a lot of money too.

Just trying to put a good face on it. :tongue2:

-Brian :crying:

Hi Brian,

No, the band will stay where it is, actually the surgeon says we may be able to fill it after 3 months, we have to see how things go. I was concerned because I had surgery while I was already pregnant, but doc said it was so early on, it shouldn't have an effect. I'm no where out of the woods, but I need lost of prayers that this baby is OK. Funny thing is, I found out I was pregnant the day after my son turned 10!

They did my bloodwork in Aug, while I was NOT pregnant. Before surgery they ask, "pregnant?" I said noooo. Dummy!

thanks for the congrats, it's a bumpy road ahead, but I believe we are given what we can handle.

Thanks,

Brenda

Hi Brenda !

Great news... I am not sure if you noticed it BUT there is actually a PREGNANCY WITH THE LAP BAND whole section on the main page just below Post Op Section a few rows down. You aren't alone and it has a good number of fellow pregnant Bandsters there too !

-Brian

Hi Wren,

I am not a Doctor or knowledgeable BUT GO TO THE E.R.

Bleeding and Pain isn't good. Go to the E.R. and get yourself checked out.

I am sure it isn't life threatening but get checked out immediately to make sure you are ok / Put your mind at ease.

Hope you are Fine.

-Brian

Hi All,

Well tomorrow is my first day back at work after about a month off ( 1 day Pre-Op before Surgery and 3.5 weeks off Post Op ). I am excited to see my friends but I am a little apprehensive too. I only told four close friends and apparently one or more blabbed. I work in a mostly male dominated company with some macho testosterone hi- jinks and ball busting. I have a friend who is an Italian American old school crusty East Coast Ball Buster who I know will be busting my chops tomorrow. Of course since I am his Boss, I will make his life miserable in turn too :smile2:.

Actually overall I am excited I have been off too long and I was getting seriously bored at home. I haven't Not worked for so long that this month off was way too long for me. 2 weeks would have been ok but my job is semi -physical so I did want to make sure I would be ok. Hopefully I am.

Everyone have a Great Week and I will see / write & read you soon.

-Brian

Hey Brian,

Yes indeed, 12 hours :mad2:

I work for an IPA/Medical Group in the Medical Insurance business. It's not standard; it's forced overtime. A little something they like to call "mandatory". When the economy took a horrible turn my COmpany downsized drastically. I work in the Claims Dept as a Data Entry Processor, however there are days when I cover for the Mailroom, Provider Dispute Resolution Dept. and Claims Clerk position. *sigh* and people tell me I should be happy I have a job :wink2: pff, i am, but it's a huge slap in the face when they heedlessly take advantage of you because you "should be happy you have a job in this economy".

uh. yeah, sure.whatever.

excuse my bitterness :thumbup: but i work because I have too and while it's a "comfortable" job, it's one that drains you completely. I suppose I wouldn't be so nasty about it if I were able to make boo-ku bucks for signing away my Life.

Hi OC !

Wow I thought I had it bad :smile2:. Yeah I know where you are coming from , again in my job I can be forced overtime too and I can be forced to work 6 and 7th day for weeks at a time... BUT with this year being a slow year for movies ( it usually takes a year or two to effect the Motion Picture Industry ) and because of the economy and the banks were tight lending money to the studios to make movies last year this year is slow. Next year my company is swamped... this year we are slow.

Does your job pay you well at least ? Good benefits ? I am paid pretty well and I have fantastic medical / dental / vision through Motion Picture Industry Health Plan *** BUT *** they don't cover bariatric surgery of any kind. Hospitals LOVE to see me and my card and I am kept over pretty long compared to others with lesser insurance. Still sucks that they don't cover bariatric though.

P.S. .... I am glad you are feeling better and out of the hospital.

-Brian

Brian, thanks for moving us over to the other side.

I am 6 days out and doing pretty well. Trying to exercise but very low energy. My visit with the surgeon will be Oct 15. I'm on Protein drinks until then. Some pain in my left shoulder for the first time today. Glad you guys indicated that it might happen..didn't worry about a heart attack! I hope everyone is doing well.

Hi Dave !

Welcome to the other side ! The pain in your left shoulder could be gas... try walking and or GAS X dis solvable strips. Walking helps equalize you and helps output the gas out of your body.

-Brian

I was banded 09/27/10 and my first post op appointment is this Tuesday! This is also my first post although I have been reading a lot of blogs and they have helped me A LOT..im really glad I have found this website..So far everything is okay for me.. I can sleep on my side already except I need to use a pillow or I feel weird. I am not all that hungry..well it comes and it goes but it's not unbearable. I started trying Protein shakes to help me and I am trying to get enough Water in because my face is dry..Did this happen to any of you? I dont know if I am the only but I have read alot of people had problems keeping things down like the Water and I havent..? Im really excited about what is coming up and esp. Tues since that day I can start pureed foods.. Thanks to all of you for writing what is going on with you and the support..It has really helped me out a lot!

Hi Natalie ! & Welcome to our Group !!!

If you are having trouble with getting your water down or hydration try the low calorie Gatorade ( I think it is either C2 or G2 ) or better yet Powerade ZERO which is zero calories and comes in Grape, strawberry, Lemon Lyme, orange and some unknown blue flavor . It is great tasting so I think it could help. Crystal Light is good too.

-Brian

Thanks for the hints, Brian. I have eaten some Tilapa. It's already cooked and frozen, I just heat it up in the microwave. It was great. I was worried about my luncheon on 10/16- the day after my first fill, so will order fish or eggs and eat really slowly.

Hi MissJoany !

Does your Doctor allow you to eat right after a fill ? I don't want to be a spoil sport and for all I know your Doctor is different but My Doctor says I have to do a shortened modified food plan after every fill. 2 days liquid, 2 days Mushies, 2 days soft for me to adjust to the fill. Just like right the initial surgery but only 2 days for each phase. It is tohelp me adjust to the fill.

Every Doctor is different as you can see by their eating plans / stages after initial surgery ... so your Doctor might be different.

-Brian

ps We don't get those wonderful ice lollies in South Africa. : (

Hi Des !

You are kidding right ?!?!? No sugar free low Calories Popsickles or Ice Treats ? That is horrible !

But you live a beautiful country so I think that makes up for it.

-Brian

I am sitting on my first plateau. The scale has not moved in days.

Any suggestions?

Hi Rebecca !

I don't think you should worry or as I have been told you probably shouldn't look at the scale every day too. If I remember correctly realistic weight loss with the Gastric Band is 1-2 ... maybe 3 lbs a week. You could have drank some Water and gained or whatever. It could be temporary Water weight. Etc.

In addition are you exercising too or just doing the Band alone? You will lose with just the Band but the Band, food and Exercise is optimal.

-Brian

Hi there Brian. I am feeling exceptionally well and enjoying the pureed food after the liquid diet. My BIG WORRY is that I think I'm eating too much! The 'baby food' jar sized portion just doesn't nearly satisfy so find myself going for seconds an hour later. I'm pretty good with the type of food - fat free veg Soup, low fat smoothies. I feel like I'm in a no mans land pre first fill and my body isn't talking to me about having enough. Do you experience this????

Hi Des !

No so far so good. Although I do feel I am over-doing the sugar free Popsickles... I think I am addicted :thumbup:. Right now I am mostly doing Soups and liquid still. I do some regular food but only a little. I tried to eat a tuna fish sandwich on wheat bread yesterday and finished 1/3 before I felt restricted and then I just gave up and threw it in the trash bin. I was craving it, gave in and then gave up ! In the past I would have eaten 2 sandwiches.

-Brian :smile2:

Do you worry about these things? Are you on regular food yet? Thus far on the mushy stage I have been doing great and eating well but not too much. I actually feel great! I hope this lasts. Maxi

Hi Maxi !!!

No I don't really worry so much about food because I have already felt Restriction a few times, I have thrown up twice and I have felt ' stuck ' a few times already too. It wasn't too bad and it just reinforces that I did the right thing because the Band is keeping me honest.

I am not really on ' Real Food ' yet but I am slowly inches there. Most days I am still basically liquid / very soft or mushies BUT in the last few days I have started some real food. My Dr. allows soft fish and eggs in the mushy stage so the last few times I have gone out to a restaurant I have ordered eggs / omelettes and fish entres. I was NEVER a fish person but I am actually enjoying fish A LOT. Tonight I had a really nice and tasty Grouper ( sp ? ) which was one of the Chefs Specials. I ate half and took the rest home. I was totally full which is a new experience for me. I am not scheduled for a fill until October 24 or something near there too. I think I will ask to get it tighter.

-Brian :smile2:

Hi everyone, I am 2 days post op today, still pretty miserable. Just real sore and shoulder pain is awful. I feel like I am doing pretty well otherwise. No appetite at all but I have been drinking fluids and broth. I ate some sugar free Jello too. It is really great reading about everyone's experiences!

Hi Laura !

Don't worry it DEFINITELY gets Better. It is only a few days of pain that will go away and you will be on a road to a better life.

As for sugar free Jello, My Doctor doesn't recommend it for the first month as he says a gob of it can sit in your stomach. I HIGHLY recommend the sugar free popsickles like Dreyers No Sugar Added fruit Bars. They are awesome.

As for the Gas Pain - WALK ! It equalizes you up and helps you to expel the gas. And if needed try GAS-X Dis-solvable strips. They supposedly help too.

-Brian :smile2:

Hi Brian,

no need to feel sorry, the people I left behind were not friends, just "people" around me. Coworkers, and others, and it did not have so much to do with me getting banded. More a clean up of my personal life; guess the banding just "brought" it on. Being home, having more time to think.... so it was and is a good thing. I want supportive people around me, people with a true heart and honest people! No time for fakeness! I enjoy the forum.... feel we all banded with the banding experience!

Hi Butterfly2010 !

Yeah I think I am starting to feel a little like you . Tonight I went to dinner w/ my special Friend and I am thinking SHE AIN'T THAT SPECIAL ANYMORE !!! She did say " wow ! you are losing a lot of weight " which gave me a smile but I think our relationship is a little ... actually A LOT too one sided on her favor. I just don't think I am getting anything out of it compared to what I do / put into it.... I actually feel a little used now. She is sweet, she is stunningly beautiful, etc etc all an ex-model / actress yada yada whatever. I am thinking I need to move on. :smile2:

such is life. :thumbup:

-Brian

Hi OCButterfly !

12 hour days ??? Wow I thought I worked a lot. That is standard ? Where do you work ? I work in the Motion Picture Industry and yes I do have the occasional 12 hour to 13.5 hour day and I do sometimes have to work weekends and I have actually worked every day for 6-8 weeks at a time ( and made a helluva a lot of Money !!! ).

As for LET ME IN... I was thinking about seeing it. I saw the original Swedish film LET THE RIGHT ONE IN and I saw that Rolling Stone gave LET ME IN a good review. Hmmm maybe I might just go see the Facebook movie :smile2:.

-Brian :thumbup:

Hi everyone! Well, I was banded Sept 22, but sorry to report I must stop the banding experience. I was so sick and so nautious I questioned whether I did the right thing by getting banded. I am still very weak and sick daily.....

The good news is, it has NOTHING to do with the band.

Timing is everything as they say, and I found out I'm pregnant just two days ago! Yeah, 40 and single, who'd a thought! How did that happen? So, no negative thoughts about the band, but it is going to have to wait until it's put to use!

Any questions? Bring em' on, I still need support! I'm still one of us, but my tickler probably won't change!

Love to all,

Brenda

CONGRATULATIONS BRENDA !!!

Does that mean you are having the Band removed or that you will have it empty and just wait until you and your child are ready ? Just curious. I guess you are on a different journey for a little awhile !!!

-Brian :smile2:

Hi Brian and everyone else from the Sept. 2010 Bandsters! We all made it! Yeah!

Thanks Brian for pushing us to cross over from pre op to post op and for keeping this great group together.

I was banded on 9/17/10 and I'm now in the mushy stage, which is so much better than the liquid stage. The only thing good I can say about the liquid stage is it makes you lose a ton of weight.

I had my first post op visit last Monday (9/27) and I'm down 18 lbs! :smile2: While 3 lbs. came off after my surgery (in 10 days, which is not too bad), most of the weight (15 lbs!) came off prior to my surgery. I feel like I made good progress!

I'm learning to eat differently - eating slowly and making better choices. Congratulations to us all! We are on our way!

Maxi

Hi Maxi !!!

I was wondering how well you were doing ? Has a lot of the pain gone away / are you feeling more like yourself yet ?

I am Hoping all is well and you are feeling GREAT.

-Brian