uniqueladie

Thanks for your post. I have had 2 fills and have been debating whether to get another one. From the guidelines you said I think I need another one. I have not lost weight and can definitely eat more than 1/2 cup at a time with no problem. Thanks for the encouragement

I am interested. I need the extra help. my email is: niqueladie50@gmail.com

Wow, you are totally inspiring. 117lbs in six months. Your progress is amazing.. I am hoping mine is as awesome as yours. Keep up the good work. Thanks for the encouragement.

Hey bandsters. I got my first fill today. My sister got banded today and is now a part of the fam. Anyway since I was her guest I got a chance to talk with Dr. Martinez a bit extensively and in person... (so handsome) about why the first fill may not yeild as much restriction as expected and how to get more out of your band. Basically it was what I think I am starting to learn anyway... You have to work with the band and not expect it to do the work for you. In other words DON't test the band to see how much it will let you eat, instead see how little you can eat and feel satisfied. It will allow you to keep going if you push it but it is there to help you feel satisfied for at least 3-4hrs eating less than what we are used to and still staying satisfied. Making the right food choices and portion amounts is the key factor. I knew that from my own experience because I noticied old habits starting to creep back and realized that I could end up in the same boat that I was in before the band if I did not change my attitude about food. The tool I now have is to aid me not be a dictator and master me.. I am my own master under the direction of the Holy Spirit. No eating solids for 3 days after the first fill, but I am on full liquids, anything that goes through a straw is permissable. He said after the second one you can eat right away. Anyway I am motivated and encouraged that this process will suceed and I will reach my goal.

Hi ladies, I think this is a good idea. I need the help to be accountable. I have been trying to be consistant with my workouts but work 12hr days on my feet most of them.. Well here goes. I worked out 30mins today on the eliptical and light arm weights. My goal is 5 days a week...Long stretch but so far it has been at least. 3 days this week.

Hi, I had my surgery on 1/18/10 the 21 days were easier than I thought. I took 2 week off work which helped tremendously. I was not really hungry but had to make sure that I stayed hydrated. As long as I drank enough liquids, water especially water, I was not weak. I drank tea, juice and broth. Towards the last week I started really wanting to eat mostly because everything was getting old, tired of soups, yogurt or anything liquid and was ready to get the next phase started. Once you make the decision to go for it everything else will be easy because you will have made one of the best decisions for your life. That in itself gives you the strength to get through the liquid phase. Hope this helps. Good luck!

Yea! Good for you, that was a bit of motivation for me.... I can't swim but I do need to get off my A!#@@! and get moving. Thanks for sharing

Hello all, sorry for not staying in contact. I guess I could say I have been busy but the real truth is I am embarrassed that I have not made any more progress. I lost twenty three pounds off the bat after surgery. I have been gaining and loosing the same three pounds since eating again. Mostly because I have not bee reallly strict with my eating. I don't eat as much as before but some of my old habits have crept back in. I am very very busy and things are a bit stressful for me right now so I don't always make the best food choices. I have a hard time staying on a consistant schedule of eating three meals a day. Breakfast is the hardest and by the time I eat it and something later for "lunch" I am not really too hungry for dinner. What ever the excuses I am determined to straighten up the ship and get on point. I get my first fill on the 29th!! Yea. One thing I have learned that no matter what fill or not, how the band works is all up to you and a fill is no gaurantee for success if you don't make the success happen.... Now I see what Dr. O meant when he said that the band is a tool and you will get out of it what you put into it. This is no walk in the park. We still have to say no to the Pizza and other junk food. Just because it goes down easy and you have not issues with eating it is no reason to indulge. Preaching to myself here. Anyway, I am looking to my fill for some more restriction until then I am purposing to reallly work this thing. that's it for tonight. Peace out!

Sorry for taking so long to respond. I am still learning how to get around in here. I have to say the port pain lasted the first month. It got better after that and now I just have tenderness when I press on the scar. For some reason the port scar is the deepest. I think it is forming a small key loid. I am african american and sometimes we tend to get those with scars. This is my first one. It is not bad but the other scars are smooth and faded. I don't mind because it is still worth having the surgery.

Ok, well I just discovered that I have a blog even though I set it up. This is really neat. Anyway I was banded on 1/18/10 everything went well. I took 2weeks off work because of the work I do. Boy am I glad, because when I went back the last 3 days of my 3rd week of liquids was a challenge. I was very tired and a bit drained. I pulled it off though. Anyway I lost 18lbs during the liquid phase and was at a standstill. After I started to eat I lost 3 more lbs. At first I was satisfied with about 1/4C. now I can eat a good cup of food. Today I at a whole Avacado sandwich. I make I chew very, very well. I don't want to experience Pbing. I am suppose to get my first fill around the first week in March but I am putting it off until the end so that I can go down with my sister who is getting banded. Lets hope I can keep enough restriction to not start gaining weight. Anyway enough rambling. Just wanted to try this blog thing out. Blessings and good tidings to all the new comers that are joining the bandsters, it will all be worth it.

WOW! is right. I am glad you posted this because I just got banded on 1/18/10. Because I live in the NW and don't have a lot of money, I was considering not coming back to the OCC for my first fill. The Dr. I am leaning towards does not do fluro though she is highly recommended and have good rep. Now after seeing that video I want to at least have my first fill done with the fluro to get as much accuracy as possible. Thanks,

Hi Mandy, thanks so much for the info. I have been so blessed to hear all of the information that you ladies have shared of your experiences. I fly out in the morning for my procedure on Monday the 18th Whooo Hooooo! It seems like this day took a while to get here but now that it is here it seems to have come so fast. I will be posting my progress also and will keep in touch with yours. I too have kept my surgery a secret except for my husband who will be coming with me for support and my son and daughter. I have 5 kids but they are the only ones that know. I just want people to experience the metamorphis that I am about to go through without any judgments or opinions. This is my life and a very personal experience for me. I am soooooo excited. My sister is also going to do the surgery but is going a different route. I feel that the one I have chosen is indeed one of the best. Uniqueladie

Wow! all of you ladies are such an inspiration to me. I learn new things everytime I come on here. I am so excited and a bit nervous the closer the day comes for me. I know it is a total life transformation and I want to try and get all of the info I can so I can do it just right this time. I know that some things are by trial and error since not everyone is the same but the information that you ladies are sharing is very helpful for me. Thanks and keep up the good work, all of you. The big day is fast approaching 6 days and counting!!!! YEA!!!!