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Hey Sharon! Surgery was relatively easy actually! I had pain around my port site for about a two weeks and had some gas pains that lasted for about a week and a half. I was up and walking within 3 hours of surgery (they wouldn't let me up sooner) and then I walked off and on all night. I had to stay overnight so I didn't have anything better to do since I couldn't get to sleep on my back!

I'm a month out now, and to be honest, I'm a lucky bandster, I'm not hungry. Haven't had a fill since I'm losing weight and can't eat over 1/2 c. of solid proteins. I stay full for 3.5 hours. I exercise 5-6 days/wk.

I spent my 6 month supervised diet learning as much about my new life as possible. I knew to succeed I had to figure out why I ate, when I ate and what to do when I couldn't eat to make myself feel better. It's going to be a lifelong journey - but well worth it!

Congratulations on starting your journey! Good luck with all your pre-surgery steps and feel free to contact me anytime!

oh wow you only had to do it for a week?? When is your operation??? Clear fluids wow what can you actually count as clear fluid haha?? You have to do clear fluid before your op?

I'm nearly two weeks down on my preop diet.. and over 11.2 pounds down so far.. it's killing meeeee...

Hi Laurel, How have you been this past week? I uploaded some before pictures finally. Ugh....I can't wait to get some "after" pictures. -Matilda

You just did. I try to take the time to encourage others because I know that when someone takes the time to cheer me on, my flagging resolve gets a boost. So thank you. I've been enjoying your blog and your posts, by the way. It's nice to read about someone who actually did lose all their excess weight and not just stall with 30 or 40 pounds still to go. Thank you!

My hunger is awful. I never expected that. However, the doc (and other bandsters' docs) apparently think it's OK to eat as much as we need of the full liquids to keep hunger down. Mine said the three meals a day only applies to more solid foods. So, I'm not messing around with it anymore and will eat liquids whenever I'm hungry. Heck, two ounces of liquid is only a few calories and I don't see how we couldn't lose weight on a 500 calorie diet! I'm on to mushies next Tuesday. I can't wait!!

Hi Bell. Thanks for your comments on my blog. I started working out a littl bit about 2 weeks post surgery. Just doing small things like going for long walks. About a month afterwards, I joined a gym and started working out more frequently. I had a workout buddy in the beginning, so that made it easier. She has stopped going as often, but I still work out all the time; however, having her in the beginning helped give me the push I need.

Hi! Sorry it took so long to get back to you ...lots going on here! I was banded 9/22/09. I started with a lower bmi and was told weight loss would be slow. Now it is at a complete stall and I am partially to blame. I've had a total of 4 fills and still have not reached restriction. I got the band because I am not good at sticking with diets and this past month have fallen back into some bad habits. I'm hoping restriction will put my head back into the diet mode. It's been a long winter and I thought I would have been farther along. Thank you for your inspiration and keep up the good work! Sandy

Sorry I haven't had a chance to get back with you sooner...work has been really busy latley and my little one (only one) keeps me busy...I'm sure with 3 you are very busy!! Wow...only a week away? That's great. I was excited and nervous at the same time! The closer I got the more on the nervous side I was! I'm sure you will do really well! My honey and I went to our support group last night and there was a guy there that was banded 6 months ago and has lost 50 pounds since the band (he lost 40 before) so he's doing REALLY well! I'm at 4 weeks post op today and have lost about 13 pounds since surgery....I've only lost another 3 pounds since the first week and 1/2 but if you average it out it's over 3 pounds a week so I guess I will take it! That 34 pounds must finally be showing because there have been a ton of people at work telling me I'm looking good

hi there april:) how have you been doing? i havnt heard from you in awhile so just want to say hi and make sure everything is ok! how have you been doing since the band? i go in this coming monday to get my band!! i cant wait! clear liquids for a week doesn't sound that fun though!lol but it will be worth it! well i really hope you are doing great with everything! i hope i hear back from ya soon! take care:)

Heyyyyyyyy Mispristy!!! That's what I'm talking bout!! Back to work already. I'm hoping that I can do the same they want me to take a week off no can do it (without pay???) nope nodda doin it!!!! Yes, 5 more days I am so ready!! my clothes are packed for my overnight stay and the suitcase is by the door!!! Hmph!! I am not playin!!

Which band did you choose? I told my doctor that I wanted the AP Band which is the one that is more circular with the rough ridges that when it's inflated it looks like a circle still....However depending on my antamony (as they put it) will determine which one I will get one of the AP band sizes I will get. Since this is a revision to my gastric bypass that I had in 2004 he told me more than likely they will be filing my band so that it will fit around the valve to my stomach pouch.....I wish today was Friday!! Hmph!! Anywhoooooooo, I am glad that you are doing well. How are you doing with your proteins & stuff??

Oh yaaaaaaaay!!! =)

I'm doing alright...I've been slacking a little bit lately so I really haven't lost anything in a few weeks...I'm trying to get my mojo back so I can lose 40 more lbs to hit 100 down!

I'm excited about your surgery date!!! I know you're probably getting nervous, hows the pre-op diet going?!

I'm great how are you? My progress is good for right now, I have been slacking on going to the gym. Don't be concerned!! The first 30-45 days you should focus more on following the doctor's diet and healing...weight loss during that time is just a bonus. Weight fluctuates constantly, I recommend weighing only every week or so. Your fills are more about how food moves through the band and not your weight...just talk to your doc about your concerns. Congrats on your loss so far!!

Way to go with the 4 lbs this week!

Thanks for posting on my pic. I don't really know if it is a key but what I have done is watched what I eat ( which at times can be hard) and I work out 2 times a day 5 times a week. I don;t drink soda nor eat any kind of fried food. I use to be the fried food king thats all I would eat thats why I jumbo up to 416. Now I don't miss it and don't really crave it. If you have any more questions feel free to hit me up.

Doing pretty well here, too. My diet has been a little screwed up b/c it seems that there's just one thing after another going wrong. First, I had thrush....so I had to start yogurt early. Then I had severe constipation, so the docs told me to go ahead with the mushies to get things moving along...almost wish I hadn't. Had to go to the ER at 3:45 yesterday morning - the most painful thing I've ever experienced, including 3 natural childbirths. Now I'm not eating anything at all - not b/c I can't - but because I'm just scared to. lol...I've lost a total of 30 lbs from pre-surgery till now, but haven't lost anything since the 5th day post-op. It could be the mushies that I started, but they were low-fat/low-cal and I was only consuming a little over 300 cals a day. I hope this is not what I can expect from here on. I need more than 300 calories to function properly! I go back to my surgeon on the 25th for my 2 week follow up appt. I was really excited, and now....not so much.

Today was my first day that I felt something remotely normal. Had more energy and felt good for most of the day. Maybe tomorrow you'll feel good. I too, am supposed to be on the liquid diet, but I had a bit of oatmeal for breakfast - it went down no problem but I had an upset stomach later on in the day - not sure if its related or not. To date, pre-surg diet and after being banded, I've lost 15 pounds. I had hoped for more, but its a good start. I make a point of drinking three protein shakes a day and the ones I chose seems to have a lot of carbs, calories, and sugar - may have to rethink those. I am getting bored though, I even have food fantasies and that is bad. I know I need to get a grip. Like you I am trying to get to know the site. I pretty much respond to threads in our group, reply to recent blog postings and respond to messages like yours. I'm hoping in time I get better with this because I really enjoy the conversations. I hope you start getting back to normal really soon.

Ok 7 days in...I am counting them! Trust me! Not easy when going to Olympic events, walking and watching people eat smokies and stuff! I want to rip their faces off. Too much??

I have so much more energy. I did have to put a little oil in my salad and had a small piece of salmon! I was feeling sick! I did start my own little blog on livestrong.com Very cool to express your feelings! Yours is looking fantastic and you are doing amazing! I know its hard but keep it up! Less than a week away...getting excited and nervous!

Hope all is well up North!

Cheers,

A

Hey Bobbie! Happy Happy Birthday!!!!

Sorry I haven't been on here much lately. I finally made it past my 6 month plateau. I've lost 10 pounds in the last 4 weeks. I too am now around 212 / 213. And I agree we should have been in Onderland by now. But I am still very happy to be where I am. It's so much better than the 281 I started at. Don't get discouraged. I started to drift and go back to old habits. I have since kicked it into high gear and eating healthy again and the biggest part for me is exercise. I have learned that is the ONLY way I can lose weight. So I have to stick to the basics and what works for me. I hope you had a good birthday and treated yourself! stay in touch

Just passing thru to let you know I got my date!! 3/1/10!! yes!! That is in a few weeks!! Yes!!

Hey girl! Our Bandiversary is coming up very soon!!! 2/25/10! I can't believe it's been a year already! I just celebrated 40 lbs. this week. I thought I would never meet that mark! The last few months have been hard and the weight has been slowwww to come off! But I am still hopeful that it will keep moving down the scale. I have had 5 fills so far and have a total of 5 cc. I don't think I can take anymore, my band is tight enough for now. I sure hope that you are doing okay and that you have found a good spot (with the band). Love to hear from you!

Shelley

southernbelle07 - My name is Page. I'd love you hear about your experience. I'm being banded this week at Limarp.

Hi, thanks for the compliments. I do workout a lot - about 5-6 times a week. I do cardio 3 times, weights 3 times (1 of those times is with a trainer), and abs every day. It's a lot of work and dedication, but totally worth it. I feel so much better about myself and I used to have serious back issues, which have faded along with the weight. The 65 lbs I've lost is a lot of weight and strain to be carrying around with you every day. Are you banded?

Correct, depending on your size - I weighed about 280 and mine was about an hour.

There is a combination of soreness and discomfort, a lot of which is dealing with your own mind. I had a fear of hurting myself so I was afraid to sit up.

Actually diet before surgery was important for me because I had a fatty liver so losing some weight before hand helps shrink the size of the liver and makes it easier for them to work on me. The diet before consisted of high protein shakes, broths and non-starchy vegetables. From the reading I've been doing every doctor varies so if they didn't mention it, it is probably not necessary.

After surgery, I have two week liquid, then move on to purees for another two weeks, then soft foods. So your six weeks seems normal to me.

Hope this is helpful.

OMG!!! I was just poking my head in to say hellerrrrrrrr & see how your doing?? What the french fry??? Broke his nose?? Are you kidding me?? Tell him to tape him nose together wrap it in gauze and more tape & get to you into surgery STAT!!! Dang mama!! Sorry to hear about your delay. Well it gives you one more week to me even more prepared than this week. I will say a prayer for you & that all goes well next week. (And pray he don't break a foot or a cheek bone next!! Smmfh @ the dr.!! Hmph!!)

well that's good to hear. How long were you on liquids for then? my doc says I'll be on liquids for 3 weeks. yikes!