trs893

Hello, The hardest thing for me right after surgery was accepting the fact that I had had the surgery. It took a long time for me to recover physically, and even longer emotionally. For weeks and weeks and weeks I questioned my decision and thought that I was stupid for following through with the surgery. It was hard because I hurt. Because I missed food. Because I was afraid to eat ANYTHING because I just wanted to lose the weight as quickly as possible. Now, I am almost 9 mos. out--and I know that this is the best decision I've ever made, the best thing I've ever done. Give it time, and success will come. --TRS

Vix, I wish I could say just the right words to make you feel better, but I don't know that I can. Doctors can be really annoying like that sometimes, what can I say? I know how annoying it can be to have a doctor seemingly dismiss your problems and tell you to wait it out and then come back. I hope everything turns out well. You're doing great, and we're always here for you! --TRS

Hello all! It's so amazing to read all these posts--it just gets me really emotional. My NSV's include being able to run straight for almost 10 min on the treadmill. wearing size M's when I started out as a size 3x wearing regular 14's when I started out wearing 24w's not being afraid of walking in front of little kids and worrying what they will say to me having the feeling that for the rest of my life, I will be in control of what I'm eating, and will be able to live a healthy lifestyle I hope everyone continues to reach their goals. Great job! --TRS

Steve, I am 15, and I was banded just over 8 months ago (when I was still 14) and have lost 105lbs--it is without a doubt the best decision I have ever made in my entire life. Like you, I have a family history of obesity. I did not want to be a part of the chain anymore--so I did something about it. My surgery was NOT covered under insurance (it wouldn't be until I was 16 or 18 or something, depending on how I went about the pre-insurance programming). Let me just tell you that I am so thankful that I decided NOT to wait any longer--I don't know where I would be now if I had waited. I have heard excellent things about the OCC (I myself was actually not banded there; we did it a little more locally). I'm always here for questions. This could be the change you've been waiting for. Good luck! --TRS

Hello, I was banded on 1/16 and it's been 35 weeks since surgery, and I've lost 105 lbs for an average of 3lbs per week. Everyday, I feel extremely fortunate because I know that I have had a little bit of an easier time than others letting go of the weight. After fills, I have lost b/w 5-6 lbs in the week of the fill. Otherwise, some weeks I'll lose 4 lbs, and then like 1 lb the next week, etc. But it's been pretty consistent for me I guess. You're doing great! The numbers will just keep going down from here! Good luck, --TRS

Hey Dapzilla! Welcome! You WILL be glad you did it--it's worth it in the end. Really. We're all here 4 u whenever--feel free to share anything here! --TRS

HOORAY! WTG! I'm sure the #'s on the scale will just move down from here! --TRS

Hey! Just took a look at these--you look FABULOUS! Keep up the good work! --TRS

Kelsey, Just wondering how things were working out for you recently. I hope everything's going well! --TRS

Nice Job Cathy!!!!!!!!!!!!!! > It really should be those NSV's that we concentrate on--not the numbers on the scale. You're an inspiration to many--keep up the good work! =D> --TRS

I have lost 104.5 lbs since surgery--and I feel great! I have a charm bracelet, and for every 15 lbs. I lose I get another charm. I'm 1/2 lb away from 105 which will be my 7th charm! Good luck everyone! --TRS

hello, for your 1st question: I'm not sure if I can tell you quite how I felt 9 days after surgery b/c i experienced some horrible incision pain and didn't even want to touch my stomach at that point I don't think. As time goes on and you lose more and more weight, your port will become easier to feel with you hands and when you bend over/move in certain ways, you'll probably be able to feel the presence of the port--kind of like a lump in your stomach, as you described. Yes, for me (and most ppl, I think) the port incision is the biggest. for your 2nd question: out of my 3 fills, I have not had one done under flouro. my doctor felt my port area, apparently found it, and just gave me my fill--in one prick, no pain, no problems. so I'm not 100% sure how they know exactly where the port is and where to inject but my dr. doesn't really use the flouro method, and I personally know other ppl who have gotten their 1st fill with him (no flouro) and have had absolutely no problems. plus, i don't think your port is quite in the same exact area as your stomach--I know mine isn't. hope that helps! good luck with everything! --TRS

Thank you! I just took a look at the pics you posted from your 3 month mark and you look GREAT! Keep it up! --TRS

Thank you!!! --TRS

Hey guys, Just a quick question: You know how at the bottom of ppl's posts they often have information about what their surgery weight was and when they had the surgery and their fill dates and current weights and goal weight? Well, how do I get that? I've tried changing a couple of settings and it doesn't seem to be working. Thanks! --TRS

HOORAY FOR YOU! This really is the best decision I've ever made because I have been getting more and more healthy and more and more in shape. I've lost a lot of weight--and I can't even find words to describe how good it feels. Soon you'll be watching the numbers on the scale go down. But more importantly, you're just gonna feel so much better than you do now. Good luck, and we look forward to getting to know you on this forum! --TRS >

Hello, I also have a 4cc capacity band. At my first fill, I received 1.5cc. Helped for a little bit, but after just 2 weeks, I was eating more and more. My second fill I received .3cc (total now 1.8cc). Also, the same story. At my third fill, I received .2cc (total now 2.0cc-my doctor was deciding b/w .2 and .3 but said that some ppl. come back for an unfill after having .3 at this point, so we decided to go for just .2--best decision because I had a ton of restriction for like the first week after at least). Well, this was THE fill! It has worked wonderfully for me--five weeks later and I still feel good restriction. I have dropped a lot of weight since the fill, and I think that I'm in a good place--for now. So maybe the next time is THE time for you, because having 2cc in my band is great for me (obviously, everyone's different). Good luck! --TRS

Hello all, Just wanted to talk about something that I'm sure a lot of people deal with. I know it's totally normal to look at food and wish you could eat it and not worry about it getting stuck or gaining weight. But what do you do when the desire for the food becomes so overwhelming that you can't focus on anything else but food? It happens to me all the time. Knowing that I can't physically eat something is usually a blessing, so I won't cheat, but it also depresses me. You'd think that after losing a lot of weight, the results would be enough to make you immediately turn your head away from tempting foods, but it never got any easier for me. Does anybody have any suggestions on how to deal with a situation when you've become so upset about foods you can't eat anymore that you feel like crying? I'm sure that others on this forum feel like this sometimes... Thanks for everything, TRS

Sure thing! Just wanted to make sure you know but you'll need to buy mats for the game (I don't think they're too expensive). There are many different versions of the game, also (meaning, the DVD's). My favorite one happens to be DDRmax. You can unlock all the songs first by just plugging in the regular PS2 controllers or you can do it the hard way and actually dance your way through! Good luck, TRS

I don't have a Wii, but I can tell you that DDR-Dance Dance Revolution-(mine on PS2) gives an EXCELLENT workout. --TRS

Well then I guess I've lost 33 average human brains and a rack of baby-back ribs---LOL. --TRS

Welcome! This forum is a GREAT place to get your q's answered. You know you don't have to feel embarrassed at all because we're all sharing a somewhat similar experience... Hope that everyone here is able to get you through your journey--congratulations on already losing the weight you have! Good luck, TRS

Thanks for the support! For those who asked, I was banded on 1/16/08. It was not by Dr. Ortiz (though I can tell that he's an excellent Dr. by what I've read)--we ended up staying up local for the procedure, and I had an excellent experience with my doctor. --TRS

Hello all, Today I have officially reached my 100lb weight loss goal! As of today, I have lost 101 lbs since being banded. It feels absolutely amazing--I'm almost a different person! I started my journey wearing 24w's and am now wearing regular 16's or 14w's. Today makes the entire journey worth it. The pain, the will power and self control, the healthy dieting, the exercising, the bad weeks, everything. I'm so lucky to have had this opportunity at such a young age, and I don't think I'm ever going back to the old me. I just wanted to say thanks to everyone on this forum. It felt good to know that things I was experiencing were normal, or to share a good laugh at someone's post, or be able to commiserate with someone. Sometimes, things I read on the forum really help me put my situation into perspective. I look forward to continuing to be a part of this forum as I still have quite a bit of weight to lose--even then, when I reach my final goal, I don't think I'll want to stop being a part of the forum! So, again WOOHOO! and thanks so much. Good luck to everybody--you all seem to be doing great! Power to the band, TRS

Just a question (not sure if it's ever been discussed on the forum before...)--- Is it better to eat a snack before or after exercising? Does one burn more calories or more fat than the other? Because I've read various opinions on this issue, and I'm not sure what the clear message is (if there is one). Thanks, TRS