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

Charlottesville Area Lap Band Support Groups



Recommended Posts

thanks, i have been trying to take everything on here with a grain of salt. I had my pre-op appointment yesterday and Dr. Trahan put me at ease. I am amazed at how nice and helpful everyone is. I am so glad that I found Dr. Trahan because she has been amazing so far with my questions and has made me so comfortable. and Lillian has been extremely helpful as well :-) thanks for the advice

Congratulations! I know that this has been a hard decision. It was for me but I was more than ready. You are in good hands. I have been nothing but pleased with both Trahans and Martha Jefferson. As soon as surgery is over, get up and walk as much as you can. I did stay the night but was released by 10 the next day. Don't be scared to drink broths and Water. I was scared I was going to throw up. But, if you have any problems, make sure to let the nurses and Dr. Trahan know ASAP. Follow-up appointments are short. The hardest part of the surgery is that time you are transitioning to solid food. Hang in there. It is over before you bat an eye! I've been to one support group meeting and wasn't really impressed. I'm not really sure what I was expecting though. We sat around and talked about the psychological impact. There also were only 4 banders. Maybe the night session is better. Don't take my word for it. You still need to go to at least one to see if it meets your needs. The best advice I can give you is NOT to read any of the 'complication' posts put on this message board and talk to Dr. Trahan if you have any questions. Both are good listeners and will give you great advice. Good luck and congratulations again!!!! :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Is anyone still here? I would like to reinvigorate our online support.

vic

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi Vic,

I'm still here. I actually go for a fill on Wed. Sorry to about your troubles with the lapband!

Melanie

Is anyone still here? I would like to reinvigorate our online support.

vic

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi, is anyone current on here. I also have Dr.C. Trahan. I am waiting for my approvel. Just would like to have support for a newbie in the area.

Lucy

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi, is anyone still out there? I just was on Jan, 30th,2012. By banded by Dr. K. Trahan.

I wanted to know if anyone was to meet or email or text. This is new for all and the older bandsters have lots of info for us new B!

I am just starting Level 3 this week.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am still here. I am almost 4 years out. Never been very much going on here. I would go through the support group @ Martha Jefferson. I would also be happy to talk with you if I can offer any help.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks for the info. I will go to the support group in March since I missed them this month.

How have you been doing. 4years out what a success !

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am doing ok not as good as I would have liked. Never really had any support so I did all the work on my own. Did you get lapband rules? I try to walk as much as I can that seems to help best with my weight loss. I had a knee replacement in Nov. and I am still get back from that. Do you live in C'ville? If you do maybe we could walk together if interested.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I was banded Dec. 23,2011

I was banded by Dr. Bruce Shirmer. It was one of the best decisions I ever made. It is up there with asking my wide to marry me. I have lost a total of 96 lbs so far. I am at a crossroads right now I have a 14mm band and am having fill issues. I went to 10cc and could not eat pr drink anything. Went in and had 1/2cc taken out to no avail. Went in again and had 3/4cc removed,

I think it is too much. I feel like I have no restriction. I have moved my next appointment up to have another adjustment. I am planning to have about 3/4 to 1cc added. Any thoughts?

This is the first rime posting. I have been doing this solo. I am glad to have found this support forum. People do not understand what you deal with. I now feel like I ha e a place to express myself and have others understand what I am talking about.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Did Dr. Schirmer do the fills himself?? He seems to routinely overfill. I have gone to another surgeon because after too many overfills my pouch is now stretched and I have SEVERE reflux. I didn't think I had any restriction either, until I had a flouroscope which showed my band was almost completely closed and my pouch had stretched. I would suggest getting your next fill under flouro. and not a "blind fill". 10cc seems like a hefty fill for only 5 months out. I have a 10cc band and just unfilled it 1cc and I am now at 4.8.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Anyone up for starting this group up again?? It seems to have died out over the summer.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi, I also had Dr KatienTrhan. I am 9 months out and they are the best. I have been to several of the support groups. Not many people show up. Smothers more we can find and try together would be great.

I am also off all my meds after 3 months. It is the best thing you will do for yourself .

Good luck!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hiya Lcuy, Aqua here. I had lapband mid Oct and am looking for a walking buddy. I have gone on MJH trails. Very pleasant. Like to join me?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi Aqua,

Would love to meet up with u but right now the storm and have some renovations in our new house and having to be home for the workmen. If on face book private msg me and we can talk if you like.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi everyone. Been banded since 2009 w no weight loss. I have almost 7 cc in a 14 cc band. I am not giving up and need support.

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

    • Doughgurl

      2 days until I fly out to San Diego to have my Bypass Surg. in Tiajuana Mexico. Not gonna lie, the nerves are starting to surface. I don't fear the surgery itself, or the fact that I'm traveling alone, but its the aftermath that I'm stressing about the most, after this 8 week wait. I'm excited to finally be here, but I am really dreading the post surgical chapter. I know its going to be tough, real tough and I think I'm just in my head to much now that the day i here. Wish me luck, Hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones, and everything goes smoothly. Cant wait to give an exciting update,. If there is anyone else have a June bypass or even a recent one, Id love to have someone to compare war stories with. Also, anyone near San Antonio Tx? See ya soon with the future me. 💜
      · 1 reply
      1. Phil Penn

        Good Luck this procedure is well worth it I am down to 249.6 lb please continue with the process..

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • 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. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • 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.

  • 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

    ×