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I'm sorry that i couldn't get back to you sooner, i just got home from the hospital yesterday. My surgeon also fixed a large hernia while installing my band...so i'm still pretty sore but dong alot better now... how are you feeling? I'm still on clear liquids for another week... so even though i'm really not hungry yet I'm looking forward to some cream soups and yogurt next week...LOL I never thought i'd say that. How's everything with you? *Maria*

Hey Amy! Welcome to the group! You must be excited that June is here! When is your date, mine is the 19th! 2 weeks from today! Enjoy your weekend!

I'm sorry that you have 5 red scars... My port is actually just above my belly button. When do you go for a fill? How are things going? Are you still losing?? I hope you're having a great week!!

Whoooo RAY! I finished today! My last payment will be next Wednesday! Then off to insurance.... I got cleared by both the nutritionist and the exercise specialist today. They both said I was doing really well. I am having Dr.Voellinger write me out for two weeks after surgery. I am a big baby when it comes to pain and I dont heal very well either. I am so happy for you for the progress!! How bad is the diet afterwards and before???

hi amy, thanks for posting your pics. very inspirational, as i am just starting this whole process (getting banded in a week) and of similar build. You give me a lot of hope, and confidence that i'm doing the right thing.

I will look into going to the meeting on Monday. My incisions are healing up nicely. I am going to start using a scar cream in a week. are you getting excited?

Hey lady! I'm just counting down the weeks until my surgery. Thankfully I will be spending 2 weeks in Cali two weeks before my surgery so it should fly by fast. How's the insurance approval coming along?

I lost about 12 pounds prior to my first fill... I was 272.9 at my highest and 261 at surgery. I don't know remember exactly what my weight was at my first fill, but it was about... 250(?). I lost 10-12 pounds during liquids, then gained back a pound or two on solids waiting on the fill. I had my first fill April 21, a little over six weeks from surgery. My doc wouldn't do it before the six weeks. I can't imagine having to wait 8!! Hang in there, though - it's worth it!

Hey!! It will probably be another week or so before you feel "right". I felt the sensation of fullness quickly for the first couple of weeks. Now, however, I feel absolutely NO restriction. At this point, it's pure self control. I'm away at a conference this week, so things have gotten quite difficult. I'm just trying to stick to eating protein first. I did have an apple martini though. Yummy. That's so wrong! I've been released to a regular diet now. I'm finding that there in nothing on my typical menu that is intolerable. My doc says this may change after my fill which is scheduled for June 16th. I don't think you're doing anything wrong. My understanding is that this is the roughest period because you aren't filled. Keep up the good work and stay motivated. This time next year girl...you'll be lethal. That's my plan, and I'm sticking to it! :-)

Hello Diva,

I'm a dirt track afficionado also. We normally would be there tonight, but with the torrential rains this week, we are too waterlogged to race. I only watch with my BF, but we do have our favorites and his good buddy and the buddy's neice race mini stocks. What makes you a dirt track diva?

Good luck on your surgery, Monday is my oldest's birthday...I can't wait to hear all about it. I'll have a 2week pre liquid diet too and I get banded on July 20! Best of luck to you. kathi

Wow you look great... I'm one week post op and I wanted to let you know that you progress is truly inspirational...

Awww.. thats so exciting!! Congrats on your engagement.. I wish you much success!!

Oh my pain level is VERY limited, mostly when i wake up and its only like a 2.. Most of my discomfort is were my port is ( the biggest incision).

I already started working out, and today makes it a week since surgery.

Hey Thanks Girly!!! I've gotta do my blog update for this week. I think I will add that pic. But I have got to catch up with YOU!! 71 lbs!!! I'm so jealous!!! You are workin it!!

Yea I had my very 1st PB episode last week. It wasn't pleasant. I've been paranoid about eating all week. It'll teach you to definitely slow down and chew your food better that's for sure. Well enjoy the day it's beautiful out today. Just wish it would get up into the 80s and stay there!!! Later.

I had my first PB yesterday though, yuck! It was with tunafish. I can start going back to solids this week. I'm excited. My first fill is the 29th. Wow, that's great that you're doing so well! Keep up the exercise, I know it sucks sometimes for me though! Wow, 2 miles that's awesome! Good for you. I hope you have a great week!

Good glad to hear you're doing good. You back on solid food now? You get your 1st fill yet? I got my 1st fill about 5 weeks after my procedure and it was only 4 cc's. Not much restriction but enough that I was eating smaller portions and not feeling hungry in between meals. I started walking at work. I walk on my morning break and during lunch for a total of 1 1/2 miles. I do this about 3 times a week sometimes 4 depending on the crazy Michigan weather. When I go to my brother's house I will go on a bike ride with the kids. My 5 year old nephew and I went on a 2 mile bike ride last Saturday. It actually felt great.

So good luck with the pre opt...blah I was on liquids for three weeks...that was that hardest part for me, it's easy after that! So what/where is this party cingulus is talking about?

Hey, Penn! Thanks for the support today. I have been eating a mushed-up variety of foods, and, although I have not yet had a fill, I feel restriction and a definite sense of fullness. I am having a hard time developing the water habit, though. I know that I should be sipping all day. Will try to get better at this. When I was first home from surgery, I heated up some low-salt Swanson chicken broth and added two tablespoons of cooked pastina with a tiny bit of parmesan cheese. It was soft, hot and good and felt like food. Just a suggestion for next week for you. I am chewing and eating slowly and learning to expand the list of cooked veggies I like. I will not stick with this if I do not make it work for me. Best wishes to you and all readers here!

Regards,

Maureen

Hey Akilah, I have the family health plus w/medicaid, it took about a week. But I was under observation for 6 months prior and I have 2 co-morbidities- Sleep Apnea and Severe Hip Arthritis as well as (discovered last minute) Not so healthy cholesterol levels for someone my age, esp. w/ heart disease in my family. My doc sent in 26 pages of notes, and in about 10 days I got my answer. Who is your doc? Also, My surgery was re-scheduled from May 7th to May 21st, b/c of my PCP. I've been banded for 2 weeks already....Anything else just ask, I'm here

thanks so much, you are awesome and so sweet! im sorry you are having slow weightloss. have you worked with your docs to figure out why?

i needed an unfill because i was too tight for almost 2 months, but instead of taking out a lot we just kept taking out .5cc every time and there was no effect. i started getting back pain every time i ate or drank, which scared my adjustment nurse so bad that she completely unfilled me and scheduled me for an upper GI a week later. The x-ray showed i was completely healed and that they could start adding fluid again. so if i had a slip, my body fixed itself.

there are only a few things stopping me from getting more fluid: 1) it is so expensive! it is supposed to cost me $75 each time but the nurse said shed work with me. 2) I am scared I will get too tight again and really hurt my body! 3) With 2cc in my band right now, my weightloss is slower, but I am still losing.

hope you are doing okay! update me

Hi There RTBT, I am thetig, Cheryl, you had asked me about restriction with my band. I could feel the restriction with both my first and second adjustments or fills but for only a week or so. I have been very careful to stay with the protein only eating carbs on limited occasions, but I do love carbs. If you have gained weight I would suggest that you go back on your liquid diet for a couple of days and get the kick start that you might be needing. Also please read as many blogs as you can especially Julie.ann.......it takes a while to get the band to really work as far as fills go. I have read that it can be up to as many as 4 or 5 before you have reached your "Sweet Spot" my Doc says the same thing to me. I know this was the best decision I could have ever made and it is working! Keep in touch!

Yeh, one day at a time. That's how I look at it. Well keep me updated. I just had another fill this week. I noticed my weight loss was slowing, so we'll see how it goes. alright. ttyl.

Hey again Cherri! I can't believe it, 3 weeks from tomorrow! I am going to loose my mind I think lol. I am nervous bc I have not lost the 10lbs they wanted me to pre-op......I was trying liquids and couldn't make it all day, I have ended up eating dinner.....I am going to have to go to the gym and work it off cuz it's just not happening! What isyour low card diet consist of do you know??

HAHA! You look much better than me but I'm trying to get there! I definitely eat enough to maintain weight instead of lose right now but I had a complication so I had to unfill a little...but in 2 weeks it will all be back in and I'll have restriction again! Plus I dealt with some depression issues last month but now I'm back with a smile on my face and back in the gym! I did 1 hour on the treadmill yesterday, 3.11 miles, and I wanna go back tonight and do cardio + weights. What do your workouts look like? Thanks for the compliments...

The nut was great. I do like her and got lots of good eating tips for my pre-op, oh yeah, 2 weeks baby! But there are a number of 'acceptable' things on there that I won't feel like i'm starving too much. yogurt, grits, mashed potatoes!!, jello, pudding, sf popsicles and lots of broth. Still trying to figure out how i'm going to smuggle some of that with me to disneyland! I have a friend or two in the area, i'm thinking a ride over to the grocery store will be in order for my foods.

June 2nd, huh, ouch...that is a long time to wait. i'm sure it will be here before we know it. next week?

kathi