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:

Janine, I too would keep the appointment, after all, if you're self-pay, it's still "free". As for the fill, Dr. T will probably try a smidgeon, a little bit, but I can tell you from experience, you don't want to be too tight, it's a miserable feeling, so take it slow. If you're not spitting back (I hate that pb term), then you may do ok with a little fill, but how do you feel?

Is your appetite getting satisfied pretty easily, if so, then you may not need a fill, my appetite is not, which tells me in my case, I definately need a fill. I may make an appt next week, what time is you appointment?

TC

Pat and Gina thanks so much for your thoughts! I have my fill appointment on November 13, at 12 at St. Marys' Hospital in Richmond. My first fill was flouro, the other two were in the office. This one is another flouro, for an inside check! For that reason alone is why I made the appointment. My NP at the last fill told me to make a check up in December and if I thought I needed a fill before to make an appointment. I decided just to get on their busy schedule and make my decision as I get closer. I agree with having not experienced pbing! it is great, and I really dont' want to go there. I hate that! I have restriction now with many foods, and stop eating for that reason, but last night at Olive Garden I had to make myself stop! it was so good, no full feeling and no restriction. the band is a crazy tool!!!

Gina how are you doing this week with tempation? and the gym? I did not go all weekend and need to at least walk with the dogs and my dh.

I am off to a business trip next week, three days. This is the first one since bandland! I should be ok, most eating is on your own, so I will have choices.

thanks for being a great support!! talk to you soon

morning folks! (whats left of it,lol) Hope all is well with everybody. Well, I'm on day 4. Doing great I think. I'm following all the rules. Still sore on the port site, especially moving certain ways. Picking something up that fell on the floor is still a challenge!

Janine, I'll be thinking of you on the 13th, cause that's my appointment date too!!!! this'll be my post-op appt. I live in wmbg. but have to go to the weight loss surgery center in NN. I hate NN traffic! Hope all goes well for you

good morning everyone. I am in Harrisonburg VA, leaving today to head back to the office. the drive is beautiful, I will drive through the Shanadoah National Park. I hope I don't see any snow flurries! I can't beleive how cold it is.

I have a change in my fill appointment. as you know I have been on the fence if I should get it anyway. But my work made the decision for me. I had to schedule a personel hearing with attorneys on the 13th, I had no choice with that. so, I rescheduled my fill until the 27th. which is after Thanksgiving, which is better all around! If I still get it.

I have been eating more and have up and down restriction days. Not sure what that is about. yesterday I had eggs and a peice of bacon, peice of pinapple and had no issues. which is unusual for the morning? I just need to be good with my choices and not let that give me a green light to eat more! Hey, the band could decide today to be tight again!

Diane, glad you are doing well. the pain in your port will get better. good luck at your appointment. it is an exciting one to begin your real journey!

gina and pat, hope you are both doing great and looking forward to a long weekend!

Hi Girls -- I am doing well. This week I have been on vacation -- just hanging out with loving hubby (it was our 15yr anniversary together, 11yrs married) - fishing, shopping, cleaning, visiting and entertaining!

Today was 7month anniversary - I have lost 50lbs since surgery day and lost 46lbs in the 7 months prior surgery.

I only lost 5 lbs this month - 1 lb less than the typical 6 lbs in most other months.

I am at 96lbs lost and getting to 100lbs is getting to be very challenging.

Hugs to everyone -- keep up the great work everyone.

Happy anniversary! Hope you've had a great vacation too! Congratulations on all you hard work in losing so much weight. Can't wait 'til you post your fabulous pix

Wow Gina, that's a lot of weight gone, WTG. You must be the perfect bandster Happy anniversary too!

Thanks HarleyNana!

I am no where near being the perfect bandster - unfortantly I love ice cream and sweets. We are at a bad time of the year - Halloween; Anniversary; Thanksgiving; Christmas; New Years; Valentines day -- then Mother's day; May Birthday; Memorial day; Hubbys June birthday; 4th of July; Labor Day --

OKay -- I can find plenty of reasons to EAT!! LOL

I do get into bad things (no where near as bad as they could get if no-band) and pull myself back into WHAT I SHOULD be doing.

Just a matter -- How BAD do I want it --

Thanks again!

Gina GREAT JOB!!! I hope to be near that for my 6mth on June 7th! Hope you had a great vacation!!

Diane good luck at your doctor appointment today!!

HAIR LOSS I am getting really worried! I am reaching my 6 month and I don't see my hair loss easing up! I was looking at the top of my head and it looks thinner for sure. I have really thick, curly hair and I am lucky to this point that it is hiding this. I really did not notice until last night. I am getting REAL SCARED!! I have not been taking my vitamens as good as I should but will be very sure to do now. any ideas??? I am really worried.

well, off to work today.

Janine

Janine, are you getting your proteins in? That's very important, even after you start eating food.

Gina GREAT JOB!!! I hope to be near that for my 6mth on June 7th! Hope you had a great vacation!!

Diane good luck at your doctor appointment today!!

HAIR LOSS I am getting really worried! I am reaching my 6 month and I don't see my hair loss easing up! I was looking at the top of my head and it looks thinner for sure. I have really thick, curly hair and I am lucky to this point that it is hiding this. I really did not notice until last night. I am getting REAL SCARED!! I have not been taking my vitamens as good as I should but will be very sure to do now. any ideas??? I am really worried.

well, off to work today.

Janine

hi janine! the dr. appt. went really well! Yea Mushies! good to have some food other than liquid! I was told that multivitamins plus Biotin (for hair and nails) helps. And, the good news is that the posts i've read about this, say that after a few months, when you think it can't get any worse, it suddenly just stops! and the hair grows in nicely!

Diane,

Thank you for thie information, I will look for some biotin. I am taking 2 types of vitamins now. I am really trying to get it to turn around. I hope it will.

I am glad that you are doing well. How is your mushies going?

Hi Gina and Pat, I hope you had a good weekend!

Hey there Janine! The Mushies aren't so Mushie! LOL! I asked the surgeon that did my band, what was the difference between Mushies and the following weeks, and he said "none other than next tep is to chew really well...chew chew, chew and chew some more. So I just do that (chew.....) innstead of mashing it up beforehand

Am doing really well. Still a little sore at the main incision. Not ALL the time, just certain moves and certain clothes.

Diane -- you are doing tremendous!!!!

Hugs

Thanks Gina