Hello everyone!

I was banded on 12/21/07. Maybe not such a good idea to have surgery during the holidays, but I figured if I could survive that, I could do anything. So far I've lost 18 lbs and looking forward to reaching my goal by losing 80 more pounds. This seems to be a great site! I look forward to learning a lot from others' experience.

Hi michiwhite. I am also from Maryland and was banded on 12/21. That's too funny. :wink2: How are you doing with your post-op diet? I had to do 4 weeks of full liquids so this past Saturday was my first day of mushies. The thing I'm finding the hardest is not drinking until at least 1/2 after eating. I've lost 20 pounds so far and have about 120 to go. Glad you joined the forum - it's a great help and support.

Hi Allheart,

Who did your surgery? Why did you have to do 4 wks of liquids? I too am having a hard time with the liquids 1/2 hr after. I do understand why though. I've had some really bad experiences with food and drink being stuck in my esophagus. It feels as if you're going to choke. It's scary and painful. I enjoyed the mushie stage. It beat liquids hands down, so enjoy!

Greetings: I haven't been banded yet, but will be finishing up my 6 months in March. I will be banded by Dr. Moe at GBMC. Who did your bandings? Well, I wish you much success in your weight loss.

God's Blessings,

Susan:smile:

Hello and congrats on your new journey! My banding was done by Dr. Kuldeep Singh at St. Agnes Hospital in Baltimore. He is awesome!

Hi michiwhite. Dr. Irgau at CHRIAS in Newark, Delaware did my surgery. I used him because several people at work went to him and were very happy. He is absolutely wonderful as are the other surgeons in his office. I'm not sure why I had to do 4 weeks of full liquids but it helped me get off 20 pounds since surgery so I'm grateful. I'm a little nervous that the weight loss will slow down with introducing food. I hate to exercise but I need to get off my butt and get on my treadmill. How are you doing with exercise?

Hi livn4jesus. Welcome aboard.

Where are you both from in Maryland?

Hello Marylanders and welcome. I am also from Maryland (Southern Maryland, to be exact). Congraulations on being banded (and soon to be banded). This is a wonderful tool for weight loss. I love my band and love losing weight. I have also become pretty fond of exercise (which I never thought would happen). In fact, I'm beginning training for the three day breast cancer walk. It's a 60 mile walk. I'm pretty scared, but I know that I'll be able to do it. I'm hoping to reach my goal by then, so the sky is my limit. Good luck to everyone and enjoy the weight loss!!!!!

I have just finished up my 6 month "diet" and Dr. Singh at St. Agnes will do my band once approved. His office called me yesterday to tell me all the paperwork is in and they are submitting to insurance as of today. So I may know something as soon as next week. My sister went to Singh for her RNY, but when I came to the conclusion that I needed surgery I chose the band because I didn't want to go as drastic as RNY. Singh's a sweety and Dr. Averbach (he's Russian) sounds like Count Dracula LOL! I am hoping for a surgery date in February. I will have to do liquids two weeks before and two weeks after surgery. Before is to shrink liver, after is for healing, if I got it right. Been going to support group and coming here. I have learned a lot from both. Stay tuned . . .