Are there any other VA band-newbies like me? Anybody in Williamsburg, or Hampton Roads? How’s everybody doing? I'm new to the Virginia forum & just wanted to introduce myself... :wave:

I was banded on Feb 15th at Sentara Careplex in Hampton, VA by Dr. Terracina from Weight Loss Surgery Center of Hampton Roads. In the 1st 3 weeks, I lost a pound a day on average. I’ll weigh-in again on my 1-month Bandiversary before the local LapBand Support Group. Aside from some occasional port pain & a real lack of energy, I feel great! I wish I was loosing faster like so many other Bandsters seem to be doing, but A POUND A DAY sure has a nice ring to it! :eek:

I'm still on the mushies diet & I’ve tried eggs, tuna salad, chicken salad, pintos-n-cheese (both Taco Bell & homemade), and mashed potatoes. (Last night I had just a little ice cream at a birthday party.) While on 2 weeks of liquids, I stuck to Protein shakes, the broth of creamed Soups, and sugar-free pudding for the most part. I'm actually nervous to start solids like salmon...:nervous

My 1st fill is supposed to be March 29th, but at this point I can’t imagine a fill at all! I eat 1/4-1/2 cup of food at a sitting & am totally contented – not overly full and not still hungry, but actually satisfied. It’s frickin’ amazing! If I still feel like this come the 29th, they’ll postpone my 1st fill. I eat when I’m hungry & stop when I’m satiated. Wahooo!!

I've got a heck of a long way to go, but I'm really starting to think this might work… :clap2:

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Gina, sounds like you're right on track, new hairdo and all. What size band do you have? I have the smaller 4cc band, if I had to guess, I would say my last fill was maybe my 5th fill, and that was at 2.5 years. I insist on smidgens, as Dr. T calls them. Congrats on finding the sweet spot, hopefully it will last for a long time, WTG

I have the larger band - VG 10cc's.

When you say you insist on smidgen's - do you get them? and if you do - do you not count them as fills? Are they done at port warwick with floura - or in his office?

Sorry I am being a pain - just curious!

Gina, I read a previous post about bringing a pillow for the ride home....I got to thinking about that seatbelt and decided a squishy pillow might not be a bad idea!

I did not use the seat belt - I know I was bad. Every bump in the road and turning corners hurt if my belly jiggled - so holding my tummy with the pillow limited the movement and the pain!

I also asked for a cup of crushed ice to take with me in the car-- I was so dry mouthed. That was great -- I had a 1 hr ride home (Hampton to Chesapeake almost to carolina line on 17S.)

I would do it all again!

Best wishes.

Good morning everyone. I'm finishing up some stuff at work today and then will be at the hospital by 5:30 tomorrow! I can't say I'm nervous just yet - I'm sure I will be by the time tomorrow actually comes. I just keep thinking that this is IT! - you know? The IT that is finally gonna help me get healthy and feeling good again.

Signgirl - you got the 7:30 one too! Yeaaa!!! I would rather do it first thing in the morning. :eek:

I'll talk to everyone soon.

Gina, Dr. T is usually the one who insists on a smidgen, because I have such a fear of being too tight. If the needle goes in, yes, it's a fill. I've only had two done under flouro, one was done at PortWarwick in NN, the other at Sentara in Hpt.

My first year, since I was self pay was included in the cost of the surgery, all of which were done in his office. My last fill was Jun 14, seems like every time I get ready to make appt for another fill, I have a very restricted day. Like today, I was busy and forgot to eat, then stopped at Wendy's tonight and got chili, which gave me a fit. I gave it a rest, then ate the salad instead, with no problems.

Dr. T wants me to see me in Dec for my 3yr anniv for a check, but if I do that, I'll prob get a fill instead.

I've only had 2 fills in the last 2 years.

Donna, I'm so excited for you, I don't know if you read the thread where I said I drove myself to the hospital the day of surgery, (I was not only his first surgery of the day, but his first lapband patient). I had DH and my mom meet me there just before I was whisked away. Had the surgery on a Monday, discharged on Tuesday, first stop 7-11 for coffee

Is that 5:30 am or pm? Glad I was scheduled early, but would have preferred getting to the hospital around 8:00

I didn't need a pillow, just dared DH to drive crazy, but I'm sure it wouldn't hurt.

Big Big Hugs!

I am also from Va in the hampton rds are looking for some "band" friends!!! This is a great board! Hope to meet someone soon:)

Welcome Tracey, so glad to have you on board the VA site.

Be sure to visit the NJ site, lots of fun ladies, not all from NJ either.

You'll find lots of great information and great people here.

Donna, I hope you're well. I'm sure everything went well. I kept thinking of you tuesday. Write when you can.

Donna Hope all went well! You are probably on your way home. Be sure to walk, walk and walk! It will help with the gass pains.

gina my first fill was aggressive, almost 5cc in my 10cc band. then I would say they were smidgens, or I asked for a "tweak". I did not want to pbing or be where I could not drink, etc. after that my two fills were .5 and now I am at 6cc. I go in November for my second fill with flouro, I am not sure I want a fill, but wanted to get on the schedule, for my doctor's office books up fast. I am still tight at times, and then others I think I eat to much and I get hungry.

tracey welcome!! I am not from Hampton Rd.s bug Northern VA, and was banded in Richmond!

Gina,

It's Heather. Waiting on my 6 mth doc suppervised requirment for Insurance. Bummed about teh delay but happy it's just around the corner.

I had a few more questions for you :eek:

Can you sip on any sodas? If not, what causing the issue? I was eating a marinara sauce yesterday and it had tomatoe skins and egg plant skins in the sauce. Will that be a problem? I am just trying to understand and prepare for the no's and yes' on this journey. Is Garlic an issue with digestion? Let me know what you have found to be the most difficult to consume. I know it is different with everyone but good to know what may be possible

Thanks Gina!

Heather

Donna, where are you, we want to know how you are!

Heather, I can eat salsa by the spoon fulls, without problems, (which may be a little chunkier than marinara),just gotta chew, chew, chew.

As for sodas, the carbonation is bad for the band, so why take the chance, maybe if you let it sit and go flat, but then what's the point, LOL. I haven't had a soda in almost 3 yrs, hard to believe diet coke use to run through these veins....

Donna, where are you, we want to know how you are!

Heather, I can eat salsa by the spoon fulls, without problems, (which may be a little chunkier than marinara),just gotta chew, chew, chew.

As for sodas, the carbonation is bad for the band, so why take the chance, maybe if you let it sit and go flat, but then what's the point, LOL. I haven't had a soda in almost 3 yrs, hard to believe diet coke use to run through these veins....

Heather -- I agree with HarleyNana!

I am past my 6 month anniveresary of banded -- and have not had a soda in over 9 months. Okay I will confess - there was 2 seperate occassions I did take a BABY sip of DH's. It wasn't nothing special - I don't miss it at all. I have replaced my adiction with Crystal Light flavors.

Sorry everyone - I was gone for week - business conference.

Mmmmmmm! Crystal Light Flavors!

Donna, Zannie, hmmmm, where are you?

I guess Champayne is out of the picture That's fine. Plenty of other no carbonated things to choose from. The good news is I normally drink water for my beverage. Wine with a nice dinner. Bourbon and ginger over the Holiday's. I can let the Ginger go flat I never knew it can damage the band. That is great to know.... I thought it was just discomfort. Thank you for the insight. Pretty important Sounds like the large pieces of fruit or veggie skin is the problem. Hard to chew down. How tough is pasta to deal with? Any type better than another. I eat all whole wheat pasta now when I cook. Problem you think?

Bad News everyone -- I called Zannie and the # is disconnected. I sent an email to her personal account and no word. She was going through a very bad time as you can see from another thread she started. She left for family vacation for a week - and has not been heard from since.

If I do hear from her - I will let you know.