Hey all.

So there's a bunch of us in this group, all split up into our different banding days. I was thinking that it might be a good idea to have one master thread as we move through the month, in which all of us could post as we go, from the pioneers going on March 1st to the finalists on March 31st.

I'd love to talk about our anticipation and any worries as we approach our banding date, for people to talk about exactly what happened from the moment they walked into the hospital door until the second they walked out, about how recovery is going, about weight loss and plateaus, about non-scale victories and challenges.

I was thinking that if we all contribute to one thread, it'll form a more substantial channel for information and support. At the moment, I was thinking that we might be too spread out into individual date, and that a central thread would be a really good backbone for the group, in addition to the date-specific threads.

What do you think?

Fenton

I'm doing pretty good. It only hurts when I move. I have a sore spot on my lower belly that hurts, I irritated when I threw up on the way home, that seems to be the worse of it all.

I really haven't been doing much, sitting at the computer, laying in bed or on the chair in the living room. My hubby and 10 year old daughter has been helping. After lapband they didn't do much and I threatened them that they better help this time, so far so good.

I have a follow-up dr appt tomorrow at 2 30 they will then take off this binder and look at things. I hope to see a flat belly! I will still have to keep the binder on for 3 weeks but will be allowed to take it off to shower.

I hope I feel thin after this. I worry I still won't feel satisfied. As of this morning I weighed 136 that is with the binder on, so I think I might actually be in the normal weight once the binder is off. Can't wait to find out.

I am back to drinking Protein shakes he wants me to drink 2 of them a day. I hate them so bad but I want to heal so I'm doing it.

Good to hear you're in one piece! My understanding is that there's a good bit of swelling for a while, so your tummy probably won't be flat right away...

Had my follow-up dr. appt today. He said everything looks good. I go back next wednesday. He hopes to remove one of the drains by then. I saw my belly no sags but it is still swelled guess I'll have that for a while. I am so glad the worse part is over and am looking forward to the benifits yet to come.

Scrappy --Sounds sore. It scares me a bit as I'm expecting a breast reduction in about 4 weeks. I hope you feel better.

Fenton -- I'm not sure we are going through the same thing but I'm feeling that I may be relating to some of what you are saying. I too am feeling enormous pressure at work. There is the expectation to get out publications and especially proposals. My tenure is being held up due to the NY State budget. My father just passed and my mother's having a hard time. I'm an only child so it falls to me to try to help her with this. Meanwhile I'm trying to drag my body through exercise and good eating habits. I also have considerable shoulder, neck, arm, hand, and lower back pain so I'm looking into breast reduction. It's all a bit overwhelming and I find it very hard to focus on thinking and writing under pain and stress. It's all but impossible during the academic year. I'm going to the gym most days right now but not getting a darn bit of writing done --- and that isn't good for the tenure situation. Ah well! I have decided that my health must come first and I do really hope that you take good care of yourself above all else.

Edited June 24, 200917 yr by Desdemona

Had my follow-up dr. appt today. He said everything looks good. I go back next wednesday. He hopes to remove one of the drains by then. I saw my belly no sags but it is still swelled guess I'll have that for a while. I am so glad the worse part is over and am looking forward to the benifits yet to come.

I am glad to hear things are going well. I am waiting for insurancw apporoval before scheduling my tummy tuck. Can't wait. My DR told me 2-3 weeks recovery before going back to work. I worry most about the discomfort and pain, but know in the end it is all worth it.

Penny I sure don't want no breast reduction. My boobies are flat and not much left of them. I guess I could have checked on getting them filled up but, didn't want the extra expense or pain.

Im back from a wonderful trip to Alaska and the visit to California with the memorial for my mom. (Which ROCKED! We celebrated her life with friends and family in a very special way)

Between the trip and the stress Im up about 10lbs, kind of sucks.

Fenton- My Dr bills charges $250 for fills, my co-pay is $20. It comes through on the insurance as "surgery". I have heard that other band docs don't like to take on a patient that they have not banded, my doc won't. There is Fill Center USA, a franchise that is spreading around the US. They offer a comprehensive package with aftercare. They are in Stamford, CT, Mount Laurel, NJ and Smithtown, NY at the present. As to doing your own fills I have thought how nice it would be. I am not needle phobic. I would however probably abuse the process as you guessed and full and unfill at will. Know where I can get my hands on a Huber Needle?

Scrappy- Congratulations on the successful surgery!!

Christine- It seems like forever since I've been on here and am sorry I haven't been around to support you more.

So many March Bandsters! Is anyone else hitting a platue?

So many March Bandsters! Is anyone else hitting a platue?

I have been battling a plateau for several months. Actually gaining and loosing the same 5# or so.. very frustrating..

But I am looking forward to my tummy tuck, so am working hard to drop a few more pounds before the end of July

I guess you would have to define plateau. I've been 225 for about 3 weeks to 4 weeks now and I went in for a .2 cc fill yesterday. That last fill I had was in April and I weighed in at 238. I'd lost 13 lbs in 3 monthes so I guess I wouldn't count that as a major plateu. I weighed in today at 222 and usually drop anywhere from 5 to 10 lbs when i do the liquids for 2 days and softs for 1. I usually hold at that weight for a week or so and then drop off a few more. If your plateuing and eating more might just mean its fill time.

Hi Andrew-- I have been off the board for a while so we are just meeting. I agree about eating more as a sign of needing a fill. I have never been much for exercise but I just plain stopped losing and my MD says I'm so short I wouldn't lose anymore unless I got moving. So I have finally been working out 5-6 days a wk. I know I'm losing fat but I can also tell I'm gaining muscle (which is good). But I'm also really hungry! I'm going tomorrow AM for a fill so we'll see.

Hi Rhonda --- We are having the opposite problem. My belly is actually doing amazingly well. I have lost a lot in my boobs too but they are . . . . . well . . . . pretty sad . . and uncomfortable and they hurt. My shoulder is killing me. I have spinal degenerative disc disease with stenosis and fusion of 2 disc so I'm HOPING my insurance will pay for it. I'll know in a couple of weeks. I'm really worried about the pain (like you Lynn) but I just have to do something about this. Once that's all done and I get to goal -- I'll make a decision about other possibilities but so far -- my skin really is not doing too bad.

I wish the best of luck to you and walking has always done well with me. Especially in this god awful Texas heat lol.

Hi Andrew-- I have been off the board for a while so we are just meeting. I agree about eating more as a sign of needing a fill. I have never been much for exercise but I just plain stopped losing and my MD says I'm so short I wouldn't lose anymore unless I got moving. So I have finally been working out 5-6 days a wk. I know I'm losing fat but I can also tell I'm gaining muscle (which is good). But I'm also really hungry! I'm going tomorrow AM for a fill so we'll see.

Hi Rhonda --- We are having the opposite problem. My belly is actually doing amazingly well. I have lost a lot in my boobs too but they are . . . . . well . . . . pretty sad . . and uncomfortable and they hurt. My shoulder is killing me. I have spinal degenerative disc disease with stenosis and fusion of 2 disc so I'm HOPING my insurance will pay for it. I'll know in a couple of weeks. I'm really worried about the pain (like you Lynn) but I just have to do something about this. Once that's all done and I get to goal -- I'll make a decision about other possibilities but so far -- my skin really is not doing too bad.

I have been battling a plateau for several months. Actually gaining and loosing the same 5# or so.. very frustrating..

But I am looking forward to my tummy tuck, so am working hard to drop a few more pounds before the end of July

I can not wait to be at the point when I can get a tummy tuck...btw I can't spell :bored:

Plateau is putting it mildly. Stuck in the mud is more like it.

Im making an appointment for another fill. I was hesitant this past spring to get one because of all the traveling I was doing. But I will be staying put for the next two months so now is the time to fill it up.

This last time on the plane I had some band discomfort for the first time. I guess there's a bubble in there now.

Have a good day!!:bored:

I wish people would post more I'm bored!!!!!