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:

Thanks Janine for the info. I'm going to do all that I can to prepare and take your advice and tell them my situation so that perhaps they can move things along. I've been going to a Wellness center for years - and my Dr there (she is a medical doctor) suggested lapband to me. I'm hoping she can help me collect my medical records and write the referral instead of my primary care physician.

I think its fantastic that you've lost the weight slowly. As much as I'd like to lose a lot of weight quickly as many have here on these boards, I worry sometimes about the signals and chemical changes that might occur as a result for me personally if I lost weight quickly. I think about the chemical changes your body must go through - and many GREAT changes - but I think a lot about hormonal changes (less progesterone running around b/c less fat tissue) and how my body might respond to it. I am high risk for breast cancer and my father passed away from skin cancer - so I think a lot about how losing this weight is going to help me be at LESS risk for cancer. I want to control the things I can to lower my risk. Anyway - I feel like a gradual loss - gradual changes are always a good thing for lots of reasons! So hats off to you!! I see you've lost 54 lbs - that's phenomenal - what dedication you have! Does living with the band and your dedication get easier over time? Once you've found that proper adjustment with the band - do you always feel the same lack of hunger? Or does that go away over time?

Sorry for the long post......just thinking out loud! :tongue2:

Janine you're doing fantastic. I wish I only had 20 lbs to go. lol

rhc,

thanks for the kudo's! Sometimes I don't feel like I am doing so well, so I need to stop and look at the big picture. I would have to look at my history to see how many fills I had, I wish I could remember this stuff. I have a lot of restriction now, and have for a while. I am not sure if it is due to me still, after almost 2 YEARS!!, not chewing properly, or what. I can eat one thing and then the next time I try to eat the same thing, can't. You will find the band is finicky and you have to work it out. I always know I have it, like any other part of your body. Not sure that makes sense. I have accepted the fact that I can't eat pasta( even though in a weak moment I will try and regret it) or a burger. It does not bother me. I can't drink beer for it girgles up. So, I drink wine, probably a factor in my slow weight loss weeks!

I don't seem to get hungry. what is the challenge like any lifestyle change is giving up bad habits, like snacking or eating when stressed or upsetting times. this will not go away. So, they are right when they say the band is a "tool". You still have to get to the root of your eating. I think the first 80% of loss comes off okay, but by then you may slip back to some of these habits, and have to face them. This is my experience and perspective, but maybe not of everyone.

Don't get discouraged with the time it takes to go through the process. I know once you make the decision, you want it NOW. I had to schedule appointments that felt so far away and that I would never have the surgery, but it all happens and works out. YOu have made a great decision to change your life.

luvmy2dogs thanks. how are you doing? what kind of puppies do you have? I have a golden retriever and a mix bread we adopted.