Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Finally....



Recommended Posts

Hi everyone - here I am again with even more apologies for not posting for so long....! :nervous :nervous :nervous

Things are really busy for me and I never seem to get two seconds to spend on the computer - last few times I logged on, I have been perusing all the Vegas photos which took me ages - wow you all had a brilliant time - I was sick with jealousy - I thought of you all on that weekend as it was my sister's 30th birthday and we had a huge surprise party for her - she was absolutely thrilled so it was (nearly! :cool: ) worth missing the bash for her!

Well anyway - my big news is - I am finally getting a fill! Two weeks from my one year bandiversary! For those who don't know, I have a 9cc Inamed band, which was filled to 4cc during surgery, and have never had a fill. I have some restriction but not much - I have a problem with some breads but that's about it! So rather than go back to France to my french surgeon, I sourced a really good band doc in the UK - a belgian guy who has fluent english (unlike my surgeon!) who can answer my questions and most importantly of all - GIVE ME A FILL! I am a bit apprehensive, and wished I had paid more attention when y'all were talking about fills - now what was it you all were saying again???? :nervous :nervous :nervous - I am coming up to my one year anniversary, and wish I'd lost more than 70lbs in the year, but hopefully I'll get a lot more off in the next year - I am 80lbs down from my highest weight so I guess I shouldn't be whining...

The other big news is, I decided to go back to school! It has been so long since I have felt depressed and unable to cope with life so I peeped outside my rabbit burrow, and decided to get back into the world! I rummaged in the back of the cupboards, found my brain and headed out into the world of acadaemia! I am doing a university certificate in Psycology, and am hoping to get into college next year to do a degree as a mature student. I am loving the course so far - and my new found knowledge will really come in handy with my bonkers family!

This is my NSV - there is no earthly way I could have concieved doing anything like this in my old body. I feel so focused and energetic, it seems like a miracle.... Last week, we walked to the nearby village, during the lunch break of our lecture - I was smiling to myself as I walked with everyone else - I wouldn't have been able to "stroll to the village", over half a mile, a year ago. The whole day was a triumph for me - my concentration, my confidence, and I walked!!! Wow!

Anyway just wanted to say hi to everyone - i'll try to be around more xx

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Bright,

Nice to hear from you and glad your getting out into the "world". I think you'll enjoy it a lot. Best of luck on your fill and let us know how it goes. Good seeing you and wish you the best, Teresa

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hey Bright, lovely to hear from you! Did your DH ever get what you wanted from the health-food stores?

We're in exactly the same place band-wise, sistah!! I just scheduled a fill for November 4, in the hopes that I'll stop being so ready to eat more just because I can. A change is definitely needed, and not just in my restriction. But 70 lbs in a year is FABULOUS and I'm super-proud of both of us. :cool: :D :D

Good for you in going back to school!! That will do wonders for your spirits, and just think of all the cool stuff you'll learn and people you will meet. I'm jealous...

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Congratulations on 70 lbs. :cool: I think the new hope and confidence are the most incredible benefits of having the band. Have a great time out in the "real world."

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Bright, you don't have to apologize for being an infrequent visitor. We love hearing from you whenever you have time! Your weight loss is fantastic. In fact I envy you.

Congratulations on going back to school! I'm studying for an exam for an advanced credential and it's been so rewarding that I'm planning to go back, too. It's really empowering! Best of luck!

Nancy

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks everyone!

Alex - no my bloody DH did not bring back the few things I requested! I had forgotten about it and am all mad again :angry :angry :angry All I wanted was a lousy bottle of oil and a Pottery Barn catalogue but apparently that was too much for him to do (rant rant...) He's heading back there before Christmas so I will "reorder" with him! He loved the hotel tho, and had a giant steak there - he was telling our son about how huge it was, and my son said confidently " oh, the cows are MUCH bigger in America than they are here..." :cool: He has a trip to Morristown planned for March 05 too, and I'm hoping to go with him - wouldn't it be great if we met up???!!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi Bright

Welcome back

You were missed. Carol Vera and I did wonder in Vegas where you had been. Glad to here you are doing OK..

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

hi guys - Am heading off to the UK tomorrow for a flying visit to meet my new doc and get a fill - just wanted to know if there are any special preparations you need to do before going? I have all my x-rays, info from France, have fake tanned my stomach (!) and am wondering about fasting? Are you better off not to have eaten before the fill? Or should I have done a naked rain dance? Or what?

Nervous and wishing I knew more about fills!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Probably better to have something in the morning, just not immediately before the fill. Continue to drink, for sure. I hope you like your new doc! Let us know how it goes!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Bright, just don't eat 2 hours before your fill. But you can have fluids right up to the fill time. Congratulations on your fantastic weight loss, but even more importantly on your confidence and self image!!! Going back to school, that's wonderful! Clara Luz is going back for another Masters! I'm so happy for you! You are beautiful inside and outside! Now, once you get your degree, maybe you can figure out some of us Bandsters! LOL

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Bright,

So glad to see you back here posting.!!!!! I missed you here. So ya finally got to see a pic of me at the Vegas Bandsters Bash. I brought the before photos and DVD with me when I was in Vegas. You have done wonderfull and I am proud of you. I still want to meet with you when and if you ever get to the States. Keep up the good work and dont panic about the fill. Its not a big deal. Just like getting blood drawn.

Babs in TX

334/194/170

-140

6/23/03

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Leatha, Marie & Babs, thanks so much for getting back to me...I'm not really nervous about the actual fill - just want it to go smoothly, and not have any immediate problems - like finding out I can't swallow Water on the plane ride home - I'm so far from any one band-aware, that I can't afford anything to go wrong - I am hoping my fill will bring me to 5.5cc or maybe even 6cc in my 9cc band - I REALLY need to actually feel the band working for me, instead of depending on willpower most of the time....! Thanks for the tips - I presumed I shouldn't go in with a full pouch but wondered about measuring restriction etc.... oh well - I'm just looking forward to this time tomorrow when I'll be back at Gatwick airport waiting for the plane ride home!!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • KimBaxleyWilson

      Three months and four days ago... I was in Costa Rica having a life changing surgery! Yesterday we had a followup visit with Dr. Esmeral via video chat and this morning my middle number changed.  I'm down 47lbs and two pants sizes. I can wear a Large tshirt for the first time in like... 14 years! Woot!! Everything is going great. I have zero regrets. I went down to the riverwalk with a friend and walked 2 miles on Monday without even getting fatigued. And no more snoring or chugging pickle juice for crazy leg cramps! I need to go to the gym more... I'm making new shirts next week so that will motivate me. LOL But I'm also just not as TIRED all the time! I have a LONG way to go...but seeing the progress on the scales and in the mirror is a huge motivator!! Thank you all for cheering me on and supporting me!!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • bellaamey

      https://alluniqueguide.com/java-burn-coffee-reviews/
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×