Singer

What a great message - thank you Mikey for taking the time - I haven't been on the forum for SO long. I was banded in July 2007 and also had a wonderful experience with Dr. Ortiz - he thought it was interesting that I was a vocalist and actually sang to me as I went under - and it was good ! I have had my struggles with fills too - one of the issues for me has been medications - specifically anti-inflammatories - anyone else find this? When I take them I got unusual restriction - to the painful point...and I've had to take some prednisone - that was bad - had to go get an unfill...anyway I am med free now, will go get adjustment in 2 weeks I think. Hope to find that sweet spot once again.

You are so right, as are the folks that have replied - this was no magic bullet - but has been a great tool - using it in the most effective manner is a daily, per meal issue. Once I had my unfill I put on about 5 pounds - it's funny because I could feel it right away. Before, 5 pounds was like 'whatever'.... I don't use a scale anymore - ever - as I have found that numbers will drive my mood and that has not been mentally healthy for me...so I'm size and comfort aware and that is working. I started a size 20 and now am in 14's. I know I will never be that slim person I once was - but that's okay - I just want to be healthier and am moving in that direction.

Anyway, your post was just what I needed - being unfilled for a while has let me slip into some old habits - I recall so well that sweet spot !

Singer

It's been a little over 8 weeks since my Lapband Surgery. I researched the Lapband option for several months before I made the decision to go with Dr. Ortiz. It was a decision in will NEVER regret. My entire experience was great. The pre-op diet was a little tough, but the thought of the upcoming procedure kept me motivated.

It was a long six weeks until my first fill. Initially the post surgical swelling restricted my eating, as well, I kept to the post-op diet of liquids, soft foods etc. It was challenging as there were periods when I was hungry, although I found that a cup of soup at hand made it managable.

As the six week period drew to a close I began to feel "normal" and was anxious to get the fill. I had stopped losing weight although I didn't gain. I think the 5th week as was worst, feeling able to eat most anything, and worried that I would not lose weight going forward. However…

My fill went very well, no pain and a very interesting experience. My doc put me on a liquid B Complex, made sure I could drink water okay and off I went !! I was on a liquid diet for a day, then soft foods, then "regular" foods with the admonisions to CHEW - CHEW - CHEW.

I was somewhat hesitant to try a solid, and started off with a very tender chicken - no problems and could only have a small amount. Tummy would growl, but I had no desire to eat more. As the days past I tried various other foods…I haven't found a food I can't eat yet - seems to be more a matter of EATING TOO FAST and/or not CHEWING enough. Yes, I have PB'd once. Ouch, Yikes, and never want to do that again. Getting food stuck hurts!

My issue at this point is the first eating of the day - unless it is liquid, I always feel a little "stuck" - I have a few mintues of attention getting pain - I walk and it's over. I think I'm still taking bites that are too big, not chewing enough and eating too fast. I have read about drinking a hot tea to "open the band" - I am going to try that today. I've also gone to using child size spoons and forks, it's harder to get a big bite with those.

Overall, I'm down 25 pounds in 8 weeks. I am very pleased with that !! No regrets, just looking forward to making new behaviors and better choices a daily habit. Although I already "knew" that this was a tool and not the magic bullet, I still have to remind myself to eat right, the old habits of eating for entertainment, comfort, boredom still remain - and yes, you can eat around the band (sometimes). So, I still am working on eating healthy - but overall this has been the best thing I have ever done for myself.

Singer

Everyone home and OK? Heather I am sorry I didn't get to meet you, I really want to stay in touch. Renee and Debra, I enjoyed meeting you and hope we can get our fills together. Let me know. Stasha, how are you doing? Thanks for going shopping with us, and I hope you are doing well. Singer, How did it go? I was so glad to meet you before your surgery. I looked like crap and swollen. Keep in touch.

And Tim, are you doing OK?

Is everyone's port still pretty swollen. I feel like my belly is lopsided. Hows the liquids going? Anyone hungry? Anyways, everyone update each other.

Candy

Hi Candy, yes, I'm home and glad of it! The whole procedure went well of course, although Dr. Martinez was so dreamy I had a hard time concentrating on what he was saying - LOL. I asked Dr. Ortiz if I would be okay to perform this coming Saturday and he said he was a "singer" too - then he burst out into a song in Spanish - I was already loopy pre-surgery and don't recall really "seeing" him, but I can still hear his voice - it was amazing. Anyway, the trip home kicked my behind, but other than that no problems. I too am swollen, the port site being the only place I have discomfort. Liquids are fine by me - my tummy is growling but I have no desire to eat. Wow, what a concept. Talk to you soon, Karin

Hey Singer, I will look for you at the clinic on Friday. I am being d/cd that day so hopefully we will cross path. I do want to meet you. I am 5'5' hopefully 210. Short med brown hair. You are doing better than me on my pre-op. I am stuck at 8 lbs.

She you soon,

Candy

Candy - you must be SO excited - do you leave tomorrow ? Please do come look me up before you are discharged, we will want/need to stay in touch. I have looked forward to and appreciated the conversation with you - I'm stuck now on the pre-op too - going between 10 and 11 - 10 and 11 - just like all the other diets. However, I leave Thursday so I'm getting close too - I'm so thankful there is this new tool to end the cycle. YAHOO ! See ya in Mexico Girl !! Karin

Well ladies, this is our week. Our banding will be the first day to the rest of our new lives. I will thinking of each of you and pray that each of your bandings will be great. I am looking forward to meeting all of you and hope that we all can remain band friends. I know I sure could use a band buddy after this procedure.

Anyways, everyone stay postive. See you all soon,

Candy

Yes - Yes- YES ! We are days away...look for me - Karin Gannon (Singer). 47 y/o redish med length hair, 5'4" 220...Red Flower Tattoo on calf, left side - can't miss that. Doing well on the pre-op diet, down 11 lbs. I am also thinking it would be smart to go shopping now for the first week liquid diet stuff to have on hand when we get home.

I do want to meet all of you and since I am the last one to be banded I will look you all up. Will anyone be at the Hotel Saturday afternoon - evening? I will be released from OCC Saturday and hope to (!) hang out at the pool for a while.

I am coming from Tulsa too. Yeppeee, I am so glad to hear someone from Tulsa is going. I will be coming in on the 25th, and you will be coming back to the hotel. We need to meet. In fact everyone that is going to be around that week, we need to meet. Sounds like one of us will be going in as the other comes out, and so forth.

If you would like to meet, lets confirm and then we can exchange info.

I'm excited. Hows everyones pre-op going. We had a pizza party today for one of my classes and I am so proud that I didn't eat any of it!!!!! Not even a bite.

Talk to everyone soon,

Candy

I will be flying in 7/26 and doing pre-op - is the 26th your banding date? I will be banded the 27th - we should be in OCC at the same time - how long are you at the hotel? I'm out of OCC and back to the hotel the 28th. I'd love to meet up ! Have you noticed that some of the folks that get banded around the same time have fills together - and stay in touch - that's really great. I'm doing well on pre-op, lucky that I can work from home so I don't have the donut/mini-snicker bars to contend with all day - the'pre-ops not easy but every day that goes by we are getting closer to our banding! YAHOO! We are in the final countdown - I'm starting to think about what I'l packing - making a list, etc. Will you be with anyone ?

Anybody for July 28th? Arriving the 27th? I'd love to "meet" you on line and chat. Heather

Hi Hopeful1 - I'm sched for banding 7/27 so will be in the OCC when you arrive, probably on your pre-op date. Sounds like you will go in the day I get out - so close ! Anyway, maybe we will meet up - hope all is going well with your pre-op diet - a little tough sometimes, but well worth it !

yes... there are stitches that hold the band in place... the doctor stitches part of the stomach below the band and part of the stomach above the band... making a "belt loop" for the band to help hold it in place.

=D> Excellent - thanks for the reply. I'm sched for 7/27 and getting more excited by the day !

Does anyone know if the band is stitched once it is placed? Of course watching TV - seeing Lapband procedure and MD's stitch in place.... is that done at OCC?

I don't know where the July surgeries thread went for Dr Ortiz- I can't find it? I am on my preop and getting real nervous. How are others doing? Want to talk to someone who knows I feel?

Hi there - I was wondering how you are - I'm in 7/27 - now on the pre-op too. Yikes, it's tough but getting easier for me after the first fews days. I've been shopping alot - just to be out of the house ! LOL. I'm getting nervous too, but more on the excited side. Write back ! Singer.