sawdawg

I would love to see please thanks Sawdawg@roadrunner.com

I have the VG band that is a 10cc band with 5.8cc in it

You look great! I am 55 and we started at nearly the same weight. We also had our surgeries within several weeks of each other. I have yet to post any before or after pictures. Do you find that you feel thinner than what your pictures show? That is the part that depresses me is when I see a picture of myself.

determination------- I am 51 and I now im working out in a gym in hopes some of this skin goes away and yes I feel thinner then I think I look in pictures but

hopefully my body images will start to get better as time goes on that's one of the things im working on its not easy

thanks for all the great comments and support

Wow! You look great! Where can I get a tan like that?

the tan comes from Arizona and boy has it been HOT 115 today

I never thought this dream could start to came true !!!!!!!!!!

the first picture is me now after dropping 64 pounds I thought I would put a before picture

on here it was hard to find one I just never would have pictures taken of me. I always take all

the pictures so I did not have to have a picture of me or I would go behine peoples back and

delete the pictures But I found one HA HA so here it is

I still have 60 pounds to go to make my first goal, But with all of your help and hard work I will get there

It is so good to see you back on the forum we were banded around the sametime and we both have ther bigger band

so I always would read your post glad to see your doing good Hope you stick around I love hearing how things are going

for you

Hi everyone I read this forum all the time what great information I have got from this forum

Living with my band has been a great challeged some days are good and some days things just don't

go down right I do know when things don't go down Its my fault not the band's I still try and eat to fast

then thats when things get stuck I will be going to OCC on wed the 15th of july for my third fill I now no that things will

really change If I don't slow down

I can say I love this band without it I would of never been able to lose the weight that I have lost

I can't even rember when I ever workout in my life now I work out ever day not only at home

but at a gym never would of done that before.

I can never thank Jazzy Jude enough for all of her help and love during these 6 months

I was banded on the 12th of Jan 2009 with 65 pounds lost I hope to loose another 40 before Oct when I go on my cursie but we will have to see

how things go I try not to push it the weight will come off as long as Im doing my part

Thanks to all of you for all your help You been great

Janet

very well said sandra, how are you doing? janet

Okay, your band sucks. Now tell me

1. What's the inventory of your refrigerator?

2. What's the inventory of your pantry?

3. What was shown on your last receipt from the grocery store?

4. When did you last eat at McDonald's and what did you have?

5. What is on your food journal?

6. When did you last go to the gym?

7. When did you last contact your doctor with your band concerns?

Your band doesn't do the work. You work your band. Many many people would like to have a band, just like you do. This journey is all about DOING. Lots of what you have to do requires a huge amount of effort.

Happy Birthday Jazzy Jude

I love all your post, don"t think Im not reading them, because I read them all

Hope you had a very happy birthday

see you soon

I had my first fill about 10 days ago by Dr. Acosta. I got a 1.2 fill. I think I need more of a fill. I'm not feeling a difference. Is it too soon to go back?

I would call OCC and ask them they told me to wait 4 weeks but everybodys different so I would call them

Let us know how your doing

I've been out of surgery for about an hour. I've been walking around and I had a popsicle and sucked on some ice. I feel like I have gas/indigestion, but otherwise I feel fine. I also found out that I lost about 30 lbs on my pre-op diet

Glad your doing well take care and let us know how things go "GREAT LOSS ON PRE-OP" WHY TO GO

Just had my 2 fill on friday the 24th of april and boy has things changed for me I have never had anything get stuck untill today

boy does that hurt I need to slow down and chew better Is it best to go on liquids for a couple of days after getting something stuck

or just eat if you feel like it

I am thinking of doing this pouch test myself, in the hopes that it might help me get my restriction back. Has anyone else done this? Does it work?

what is a pouch test?

My family was also worried about the violence in TJ, and so they offered to fly me else where for a fill with flouro (I won't do a blind one). I wanted to go to Vegas too, but Fill Centers USA said they only do flouro one Sat a month, and as of 2 days ago, they still didn't know what Sat in April. So I have decided to go back to TJ, and I am going to just pay for the transportation to and from the border...it's worth the hassle.

when are you going back to tj for your 2nd fill

Did anyone experience being gassy every day all day after being banded? I am 9 weeks out from being banded, so I don't think it would be the gas people experience after surgery (which I didn't have to begin with). Every day I just feel bloated and gassy, to the point where I have to leave work, go out to my car, and let it come out. At first, I thought it was because I was constipated, but even after going to the bathroom, I just feel gassy, and it's so uncomfortable. I carry boxes and bend up and down at work, and sometimes (not to be so TMI) but I feel like something might slip out one of these days..lol. If you experienced this, what did you do to stop it?

> I'm so glad to see you on Here I have gas all the time don't know why, but how are you doing

after your first fill ? I like to watch and hear from you because we have the same size band and we were banded around the sametime.

Got my lapband today! yippee!

why to go good luck to you I got my first fill today

I am going for my first fill in March. Did you guys use their shuttle to and from the airport? Did you have any major delays? Just debating on how I want to do this. I was also curious if I got there early if they would see me early. My flight comes in at 9:30, and my appt. isn't untill 1:30. Just curious- I have seen some posts about delays and problems.

I live in arizona so we drove over to OCC we got there at 9:30 my appointment was at 11:00 am They took me right away

and we drove back across to the US got back to san diego before 11 I was done and back across before my appointment time

It was great!!!!!!! Never had a problem with them

I just had my first fill at OCC Everything went great. It was alot better then I thought I don't

like needles and was real nerves about this hole thing but It just felt like a pinch

Being able to see the port and the band was the greatest sure makes you feel better when you can see

it for you self

I am very excited about my accomplishments over the last 4 months with my band. I have learned that I do have to work for my weight loss and that it is true, this band is only a tool to help me. There are times that I still have cravings that I know will lead to a big bootie & I must say NO! If I don't get my exercise in, I won't lose weight for weeks, and water and supplements are fuel that I MUST have!

I have gone through frustrations over the last month as I have only lost 5 lbs. But, that is still 5 lbs lost, not gained, and not holding. So, I have to be happy. I have my 3rd fill scheduled for March 9, so maybe things will speed up!

These are recent photos I took of myself & you can really tell my face has slimmed down. I plan to take full body pics soon. I LOVE MY BAND!

BEFORE

FEB 09

Great Job I just love to read your posted You give me alot of hope Thanks for sharing I need to read about all The hard work people do I must work with this band

Its just a tool

Has anyone ever experienced excruciating back pain when something hurts going down.

I have had lower back pain that goes all the way down my legs ever since I was banded on Jan 12 ,2009 hopefully It will get better soon

Hi JazzyJude do you still do the protein bullets on a daily base?

quote name='JazzyJude' date='Feb 9 2009, 05:00 PM' post='64691']

Hi Ladies ~ ok, the bloating you are feeling is from the surgery as they used C20 to pump up your chest and stomach area to do the surgery. Trust me, it WILL go away, give it some time. Remember to continue to sip, sip, sip (no straws, to eliminate more air inside you) and do LOTS of mini walks throughout the day, not just a long walk. This will keep any gas bubbles moving and eventually they will go away. Also, don't sit for too long and the gas bubbles likes to hide in the joints and just hang on! When sitting down watching TV, raise one of your arms towards the ceiling and stretch upwards and then do the same for the other arm, just to keep moving. Rolling your shoulders and neck, forward and backwards, seems to help too.

Since you are doing liquids, it is clear (hahaha...no pun intended!)...that you are not taking too much daily protein. You need a little help in which you can add unflavored protein powder in your clear broth or soups AND, take those wonderful "whey liquid protein bullets". These bullets have 42 grams a proteins and they are GREAT! They look like a tube-like vial and comes in 4 flavors (orange, fruit punch, grape, and blue raspberry). You can drink it as is (kind of like a thicken gel) or mix it in with a Crystal Lite, Gatorade, or even water. If you drink the whole thing all at once, you will definitely feel kind of strange with all kinds of tingling effect. But what I do is take 1/2 in the morning and the other half in the early afternoon, to spread it out a bit and this works well for me. Protein is the key here and it helps with the weakness, nausea, fainting, headaches, etc. Also, GREAT for hair and nail growth as well help your skin glow. also, I drink those yummy Special K20 water as well, which has 5 grams of proteins.

BrandNew Dawn is correct is saying the recommendation is to have 1/2 cup serving of broth or creamy soup at a time, as many times in the day you want. There's no limit and there are no calorie counting the first 21 days.

YOU CAN DO THIS! Stay on tract with the guideline and go forward with your own journey and keep coming here for questions and concerns or ideas. Check out the recipe sections for ideas of menus to have for your creamy soups days and then plan for your solid food stage.

Good Luck! ((HUGS!))

It's amazing to say the least at what you had taken for granted for so long being overweight and then realize it is no more. Here are a few NSVs I have to share with you.

~ This morning, as I was getting into the shower, I stopped in the hallway and looked at myself naked in front of our huge full length mirror. I can see less of my tummy (and it's not that saggy anymore!) and I have NO MORE 'rows' of fat on my thighs anymore! I know, kind of gross but it's a huge thing for me. The walking and exercise videos is what's helping me!!

~ While showering, I can actually step the opposite side of the shower head and not get wet! Weird observations, but it's cool! I can shave my legs and bikini area without huffing and puffing or taking a breather. I now can wrap my BATH towel (not the beach towel) around me. I can get out of the tub without the aid of holding on to something first! When drying myself off, I can lift my foot on the toilet seat and can bend down to my foot to dry off without the excess of tummy fat in the way and not struggle and hurry before I can get in my next breath!

~ I no longer have that 'rubbing' of material between my legs ~ YEAH! I've been alterating my own clothes because I just can't see continuing to buy new clothes while losing...so I truthfully don't know what my pants size are right now until I go clothes shopping. U was wearing 24/26 pants and now wearing 18's. I also noticed the 'tight 18' jeans I was wearing are looser! Yes!!

~ I lost the excess fat on the sides of my breasts and is now officially flat and smoothe, not bulged out anymore! My bras fit much, much better and don't have a rash underneath. I am on the last, tightest hooks ~ after freshly washed, instead first to use the loosest. And because of this new change, I've extra 'material room' in my blouses to comfy wear without using a safety pin to help keep my buttons close properly! (The girls were constantly wanting to peek out! LOL)

These are only a few small things at the moment...but to me, right now, it's a huge difference in my confidence! I really put it down to watching my portion control of foods and the variety of exercising videos I've been doing. Also, I've lost another 6 pounds ~ how cool is that?

Thanks for listening!

Jude, You are the best I just love to read your post. You give some wonderful advise and it works I try and read everything you post I got up today and I'm down 31 pounds I can't believe it 3 more days of soup and then on to real food that when I will really be careful, Thnaks for all the great post nad information

I drink TONS of water!! I can tell a difference in my skin and my overall health if I do not drink a lot of water...but I am wondering if I will be able to continue with this after I have my band. Is there anyone who was a big water drinker pre-band that was able to continue drinking lots of water?? It sounds like a lot of people cannot tolerate fluids after their band. What is everyone's experience with this? Any tips? :lb12:

I drink tons of water before and after It is real important to drink at least 64oz of water per day after you are banded

1. Name: Janet

2. Location: Yuma, Arizona: From San Diego

3. Age: 50

4. Band Date: 01/12/2009

5. Married: yes ( to a wonderful man)

6. Children of the human or furry kind: I have 2 children and 3 grandchildren

7. Hobby(ies): sewing, quilting and playing with my grandchildren

8. Work: Tax Accountant

9. What was the deciding factor(s) on getting banded: Went a healthier Life