I have just attended my first meeting. I'm already scheduled to meet with the dietician, therapist and doctor. I'm very nervous about the surgery and post op pain. It would be great to here from fellow CT pre/post banders. I will be having my surgery at St. Vincents in Bridgeport.

C'mon, CT let's not live up to our cruel and cold reputation and support on another. :help:

Ctmann

5' 11", 301lbs. BMI = 41

12/11/07 - Initial Meeting

12/18/07 - Therapist & Dietician

01/03/07 - Dr. Ehrlich Visit

Hi, Had Band 13 Mths Ago With Dr Floch Same Office Great Dr,s

:clap2: THEY ARE VERY GOOD AT THAT OFFICE

Poopie thanks for the reponse and your well wishes are appreciated too !!!

I'm Marjorie, banded 7/11/2007 by Dr. Tishler @ Hartford Hospital. I feel great! Best thing that could have happened to me.I lost 38lbs so far and Im getting ready for my trip to St. Pete's Beach. Good luck to you.

Hi Marjorie,

I'm so happy to hear that you are feeling great and have lost so much weight. Have a great time in St. Pete's and great job losing. Thanks so much for responding.

I have just attended my first meeting. I'm already scheduled to meet with the dietician, therapist and doctor. I'm very nervous about the surgery and post op pain. It would be great to here from fellow CT pre/post banders. I will be having my surgery at St. Vincents in Bridgeport.

C'mon, CT let's not live up to our cruel and cold reputation and support on another. :help:

Ctmann

5' 11", 301lbs. BMI = 41

12/11/07 - Initial Meeting

12/18/07 - Therapist & Dietician

01/03/07 - Dr. Ehrlich Visit

Hi, Dr. Ehrlich did my surgery on 11/27/07. First four days after were the hardest from the gas pain. It felt like an elephant sitting on my chest. I also had a little lightheadness a few days after from just not getting enough liquids in. My incisions never gave me pain.

I followed the post op food plan with Clear Liquids first, then "full" liquids etc. I was not very hungry the first week. Hunger then started to return slowly each week, but I did find I was able to keep my calorie intake down. Willpower or help from the band, not sure?

I had my first fill 12/20 ( 2 cc's ) but the office explained I should not expect restriction from it and I don't have any or very little. Not sure which because I do not try to push my band to any limits. My next fill is 1/3/08 and I was told it would probably be 1/5 cc's. The fill was just a little needle stick, not that bad.

I am just trying to take each small step along the way. I am still catching myself drinking after eating, so I am working on that before I get to good restriction, so I'll be ready.

Post again, if you have a question or when you get a surgery date.

Good Luck.

Thanks Shortgal,

That's very enouraging. Watch your liquid intake, diet Snapple popsicles I heard are good for the "thirsties". Where are you getting your protein drinks from? I heard that there are cheaper places than the hospital to pick up stuff from. I'm thinking of even ordering my Optifast boxes online. Its sooo much cheaper by the case.

Hope you had a wonderful Christmas and please keep me posted on how things are going for you.

Hi CT Man,

I'm scheduled for surgery Jan 11th w/Dr. Erlich at St. V's.

Can't wait! I heard he's a great doctor. So far my visits have been very positive with him and his staff.

Hi to you both!

Each week gets better.

CTman, I did not have to do the two week Optifast program because when I first had my consultation they were only requiring a low calorie, low fat diet so they told me to stick with that. Now, I kind of wished I had to do the Optifast b/c it really jump starts the weigh loss.

I bought the Ispoure CLEAR Protein drink at GNC store at Trumbull Mall. It was hard for me, to get any drinks down the first four or five days, then I was able to increase to be sure I got my protein in. I also bought my chewable Vitamins and Calcium there and a bottle of papaya enzyme, just in case I need it at some point.

I now add at least one Atkins advantage shake a day to be sure I get the protein in. We have found them to be the cheapest at BJ's.

CANTWAIT2BTHIN:

Hi and good Luck to you. Renee (the PA did my first fill and she was great at it) and my buddy Kevin usually comes out to say Hi when I have an appt. The staff is very nice.

The PA Renee, also visited me in the hospital to check on me and she was so great answering all my questions and explaining my incisions and where the port was etc.

At my first "fill" appt, I had even more questions for her and she patiently answered all of them.

You will both find lots of great info and support here on the forum. It's easy to look up a thread about a certain topic by using the "search" feature at the top tool bar.

Let me know if you have any questions that I can help with.

Shortie

Hi ya Shortgal

I met w/Renee the PA at my pre-op. She was very nice.

Kevin has also been great.....answering all my emails about my approval, etc.

Have you attended any support group meetings? If so, where?

No, I have not been to any support meetings yet. If I think I need them I might, but right now, I don;t think I need it and feel like I'm getting my answers and support on the forum.

Do you have any favorite receipes that got you thru the first few weeks post op?

Hi Cantwait,

Thanks for your response. Please keep in touch on how your Post/op days are going for you. That's what I'm nervous about. You'll be in my prayers. I hope I'm in there by the end of Feb.

Congrats Shortgal on reaching your goal. I know u will meet your 12/31 goal also. Thanks for the info. I will be renewing my BJ's card because I want to be sfocked up on s/f jello, s/f drinks and pop sickles when my time comes to officially join the banded family. Thanks again!!!

Hi! I'm just starting, too. I'll be having my band put on at Midstate in Meriden, hopefully in May. I just had my first dietitian appt. & will be scheduling my psych eval. in a few weeks. I'm supposed to lose 20 lbs. before the surgery, but it's been hard with the holidays. My doctor says the prep process takes 6 months. Is it the same with you? Thanks & keep in touch.