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Any Central Iowa Bandsters?



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I was banded in Des Moines 9-9-08. I just found this web site and absolutely love it. Glad to hear there are more central Iowans on this site. How is everyone doing and when did you start feeling restriction with your band?

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Hi,

I had my surgery 9/2, my first fill 10/16, but will probably try to get in the next week or so for another. My efforts to maintain high protein/low carbs with 0 "white" carbs is working to keep my appetite under control. I have lost 17# since surgery, but like everyone else, would like it to go faster. I hope with one more fill I can keep the portions to where it will be more effective. I have great support at home and at work, and that really helps, too. At work we had a big open house and there were 2 cookie bouquets! That was tricky! I keep dark chocolate on hand and have had some fudgesicles and low fat ice cream sandwiches, but the carbs are high on some of these. I just don't keep them in the house so if I need something (emotionally) I go for a piece or two of the dark chocolate. Or I make Decaf coffee. Evenings are the tricky time for me, I get through the day just fine.

People are starting to notice, and that is really great!

Paula

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PSUNDAY-

That is awesome!!!!! How did your first fill go? Did it hurt, did you feel restriction afterwards? How much do you work out a day? Nights are hard for me too...I have found heating up the 0 calorie apple cider in the microwave helps (it makes me feel like I am drinking hot apple cider) I also use the sweet rewards Swiss Miss hot chocolate, it only has 25 calories. Keep up the good work, your weight loss is a huge success!!!

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thanks for the ideas, they sound good especially with the wind howlling tonight!!! You may want to check out www.bariatriceating.com, too. Its a great website, sometimes more about the RNY surgery than lapband but a great source for recipe ideas and Protein ideas!

The fill was no sweat. Numbed the area on my stomach, that stung a bit, but be brave! Over in about 5 minutes. You drink the stuff so they can see what they are doing. I was in and out in an hour, waiting for some others ahead of me, but the actual procedure was only 10-15 minutes.

Paula

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I have now had my second fill and this one is doing the trick. Don't hesitate to get back with your surgeon if you aren't satisfied with your lap band. They probably have ideas for you that you hadn't thought of!

Its going well, keeping up the Protein, and I am feeling good. Noticing the little things like not having to have the steering wheel all the way to the top of the adjustment, and more seat belt to work with. I am looking forward to flying in February, hoping I won't need a seatbelt extention!

Paula

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Hi everyone. My surgery is scheduled on 1-27 at Mercy Center for Weight Reduction. My surgeon is Dr. Smolec. Would love to hear from anyone who had surgery with him. Thanks.

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I was banded at the same hopital you are going to! My doctor was Cahalan. Are you excited or nervouse? I was both but I am really glad I went through with it:tongue::wink2::tongue:

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Lovebugs, I'm sooo excited! I was supposed to have the surgery last year but got very ill in July (kidney failure) and had to recover from that enough, so I'm just more than ready. Do you go to the support group meetings? I haven't been yet, but hopefully will go after the surgery. I really love everyone at the center -- they are all so nice. Smolak is Calahan's partner. I'm not really too nervous, just wanna get it done and over with! Thanks for replying.

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Wow, what a small world:redface: I absolutely love everyone in the clinic, they are so nice and helpful. I have went to two support group meetings and hopefully will be able to attend more. Walking, ice, a heating pad, and getting all my waterand Protein really helped me after surgery. Are you going to take a protein supplement? I suggest Unjury (chocolate) it was the best...I mixed it with the 25 calorie packets of hot coco:redface::thumbup::redface:

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Yes, I'm probably too well stocked with Protein supplement. I bought powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury -- strawberry, chicken Soup, chocolate and vanilla as well as some fruit flavored Isopure. My real name is Linda -- hopefully we'll meet at the support group. Have you ever met anyone else here on this forum who had surgery at our clinic?

Linda

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Hi Linda:redface:

My real name is Mindy...the chicken Soup unjury was really good, I forgot all about that one:rolleyes: Yes, hopefully we will be able to meet at the support groups, it is so nice to be able to talk with people who have experienced the same thing! I haven't met anyone else at the clinic that uses this forum, but I haven't asked either:tongue:

Daniellevaughn- so have you been banded for over a year and a half? Have you been successful with your weightloss? I am kind of at a plateu, I have only lost two pounds in a month so I am getting frustrated:cursing:

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Hi Danielle -- do you go to the support meetings at the clinic? Have you done well with your lap band. I'm looking forward to my surgery. Three more days!

Linda

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Well, I'm home from hospital -- the procedure went so smoothly and everyone was so nice. I'm so glad I found lapband!

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    • 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💪
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    • 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/
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