HELLO EVERYONE!

MY NAME IS ASHLEY AND I AM FROM THE SOUTH SUBURBS OF CHICAGO. I AM NEW TO THE LAP BAND JOURNEY AND AM SO EXCITED. I AM 27YRS OLD AND ALWAYS STRUGGLED WITH MY WEIGHT. I AM HOPING THIS IS GOING TO HELP ME GET WHERE I WANT TO BE. THE JOURNEY IS JUST STARTING FOR ME AND AM SOAKING IT ALL IN RIGHT NOW. MY FIRST DOCTOR VISIT TO GET STARTED IS ON JULY 9TH. SINCE I HAVE A BCBSIL BLUE ADVANTAGE *** MY INSURANCE IS REQUIRING THE 6 MONTH DIET BEFORE HAND. EVEN THOUGH IT WILL SET BACK MY SURGERY I AM EXCITED ABOUT MEETING WITH A DIETICIAN AND LEARNING ALL ABOUT MY FOODS. THE PROGRAM COORDINATOR SEEMS VERY CONFIDENT THE INSURANCE WILL APPROVE ME AFTER THIS PROGRAM. HOPEFULLY SURGERY WILL BE AROUND JANUARY! I AM 5'1 AND ABOUT 230 LBS RIGHT NOW. 150LBS WOULD BE AMAZING TO ME. EVEN THOUGHT IT SOUNDS A LITTLE MUCH FOR MY 5'1 FRAME I DON'T THINK IVE SEEN THAT SINCE JUNIOR HIGH MAYBE HIGH SCHOOL. I AM LOOKING FOR ALL SUPPORT AND ANYONE IN MY AREA WHO IS GOING THROUGH THIS OR HAVE GONE THROUGH THIS! PLEASE CONTACT ME! WOULD LOVE TO MEET YOU AND BE ABLE TO LEAN ON EACH OTHER! I WILL KEEP UPDATES COMING AS THE JOURNEY PROCEEDS! THANKS FOR LISTENING AND ANYTHING U MAY ADD FOR ME!!!

ASHLEY

I do no live anywhere near you but wish you all the things you wish for

lassie

THANKS LASSIE MUCH APPRECIATED.

HOW HAS YOUR JOURNEY BEEN SO FAR?

welcome and good luck on your journey. I too am in south suburbs of chicago..near Oak Lawn. My surgery was 4/26 out at Loyola in Maywood. Looking forward to reading more about your journey and if you ever need anything, just holler...support is the key to any lifestyle change.

becky

THANKS BECKY! I AM GLAD I FOUND THIS SITE AND WILL BE USING IT REGULARLY FOR SUPPORT! HOW HAVE YOU BEEN DOING SINCE YOUR SURGERY? I SEE YOU HAVE LOST 35LBS AND THAT'S FANTASTIC! WHAT ARE YOU HAVING THE MOST STRUGGLE WITH IF I MAY ASK?

Hi Ashley,

I too am from the sw burbs, New Lenox to be exact;). I had my surgery in October of 2011, I have lost 62 pounds so far. I am soo happy with my decision, I noticed you have the same surgeon as me, Dr. Shayani, he is so awesome! He is the only dr I actually look forward to going to;). Best of luck to you and let me know if I can help with any questions you may have.

Jenna

Jenna-

That's great congrats on your weight loss!! I am from the Homewood-Flossmoor area and actually I work @ St. James as well. Which is how I learned about Dr. Shayani and his reputation. Which is remarkable!! I am so happy to hear you are happy with him. Did you have to participate in the 6month pre-op program? What are the types of foods you eat and drink now? I want to start eating now like I would be eating after and would like some tips.

Thanks for responding

Welcome, Ashley! I don't live near you, but I want to encourage you to post your thoughts here at LBT. Before my surgery (June 5, 2012), I spent countless hours here and was able to gain a wealth of information. So far, I am happy I made the decision to be banded. I have not had a fill yet and am not experiencing any true restriction, but the thought of vomiting definitely helps me stay on the diet I was provided and control my portions. Consequently, I am losing weight and am motivated. I am hoping for a fill at my surgery follow-up appt. to help with the hunger.

Wow, Elizabeth, since June 5th you have already lost 52 lbs?? That's amazing, congrats! What are some of the foods you eat regularly? Thanks!

Wow, Elizabeth, since June 5th you have already lost 52 lbs?? That's amazing, congrats! What are some of the foods you eat regularly? Thanks!

No, Ashley, I've lost the 52 pounds since I had my pre-op visit with my surgeon in January. I asked him that day if I could start losing weight and he said yes.

I've actually lost 11.8 pounds since surgery. As far as foods are concerned, I am on the Week 2-3 Post-Op Diet, and have been eating turkey, cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, lots of Jello with applesauce mixed in, Protein drinks, green Beans, baked potatoes (no skin), and pudding. Next week, I move to the Week 4 Diet, which is a regular low calorie, portion controlled diet. I can hardly wait.

Welcome Ashley! I too have BCBS IL and I am now waiting on my surgery date. I live in the West Suburbs near Forest Park and will be banded at Loyola in Maywood also. There is so much information and support on this site that I think you will benefit from so feel free to reach out to everyone we all are here for the same thing. Good luck!!!! :D

THANKS LASSIE MUCH APPRECIATED.

HOW HAS YOUR JOURNEY BEEN SO FAR?

has been pretty good , banded on the 24th of May will get my first fill in July, cant wait for that as I am starting to get very hungery lol. It did take me a full year to get approved for the surgery so it is a process. Good luck sweetie

lassie

THANKS BECKY! I AM GLAD I FOUND THIS SITE AND WILL BE USING IT REGULARLY FOR SUPPORT! HOW HAVE YOU BEEN DOING SINCE YOUR SURGERY? I SEE YOU HAVE LOST 35LBS AND THAT'S FANTASTIC! WHAT ARE YOU HAVING THE MOST STRUGGLE WITH IF I MAY ASK?

21 of the 35 has been since surgery. I had gotten sick (nothing band related) and it kept me out of the gym for over 2 weeks, then was down with a sprained ankle...so my biggest struggle this last month or so has been exervise.

as for foods..breads get stuck, flour tortillas like i use for chicken wraps also get stuck..and chicken i have to eat right when cooked, cuz if i have to reheat it, it gets too dry and then it sticks, if its not dry i can eat it....so far thats the only things i have tired that have bothered me. Im also having a hard time waiting the 30 mins or so to drink, after I eat...but i have got myself down to just a small sip about half way through meal and then right after the last bite.

Welcome Ashley! I too have BCBS IL and I am now waiting on my surgery date. I live in the West Suburbs near Forest Park and will be banded at Loyola in Maywood also. There is so much information and support on this site that I think you will benefit from so feel free to reach out to everyone we all are here for the same thing. Good luck!!!! :D

Lolita,

you will be so happy with Loyola....Dr. Sarker is amazing and has been very helpful. So glad to see someone on here who has the same surgeon. :-)

Lolita,

you will be so happy with Loyola....Dr. Sarker is amazing and has been very helpful. So glad to see someone on here who has the same surgeon. :-)

Have you had a fill yet? How often do you feel hungry? I happy that you had Dr. Sarker as well, she seems to be very nice and straight forward.

I had my first fill 6/4 she put in about 3.8 cc...between surgery and fill i was able to eat as much as 6 oz of Protein plus veggie and sometimes a carb, and still walk away hungry. after fill i eat same amounts, but it satisfies me...according to dr sarker and the nutrtionist, its still too big portion so i go back july 9 for another one.

before fill i was eating 3 meals of that size but snacking with fruit in between...now i just eat my 3 meals and average 250-350 calories per meal. i havent lost in the last 10 days or so, and dont think i will lose much before my next fill, unless i lose it from exercising.