- Username: NYC2009
- Location: Manhattan, USA
- Member Since: 8/27/2009
- BMI: 37.8
- Post Op
- Surgery Type: Lap Band (06/10/10)
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Hello Everyone...
I thought it was time to write a new intro..
First fill today - August 24, 2010. Feeling fine so far. I have lost 20 lbs since June 10, 2010. Not what they expected, but I'm thrilled none the less.
Easy does it. I think the slower the better!
My First Fill on August 24, 2010 5:55 pm
Two months and 14 days have passed since my surgery and today I finally received my first fill.
They gave me 4cc's which is quite a bit, but given my circumstances, she really wanted to give me a "boost".
For those of you who are wondering what it feels like, it's really nothing more than a little pin prick. Really! I am petrified of needles so I kept my eyes shut and she walked me through it. She told me everything she was doing (which helped). I felt a tiny bit of pressure, but really, it felt like nothing was done.
She explained to me that you will not feel any different until you actually eat something. She told me to go on a 2 day liquid diet...I will start tomorrow. This will really jump start my new restriction.
I'm excited, and feel like I've been given another shot at losing a large amount in a short amount of time.
I am going to start exercising...2 miles leisurely walking (consistant walk) each day. Then I will add my kettleball exercise.
My surgery was on June 10th, 2010...today is August 24th and I have lost 20lbs. Not as much as I wanted nor what they expected. I am not giving up. I will not let this deter me from getting to my goal weight.
So, don't worry about the fills...it's a breeze...trust me!
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20 Tips For Success on July 26, 2010 11:00 am
I bought a great book to help me stay on track after my lap band surgery.
In it, the author Jennifer Whitlock Heisler, RN of "The Everything Post Weight Loss Surgery Cookbook" list "20 Tips For Success". I thought I would share it with you.
1. Avoid drinking calories
2. Exercise everyday, even for a few minutes
3. Keep a food diary
4. Find a support group
5. Drink at least sixty-four ounces of water per day
6. Keep your appointments with your doctors
7. Don't weigh yourself too frequently
8. Take your measurements regularly
9. Make your exercise as pleasant as possible by reading a book, listening to music, etc.
10. Don't drink fluids half an hour before or after a meal.
11. Follow your surgeon's instruction to the letter.
12. Look for ways to include exercise in your day, such as taking the stairs
13. Don't keep trigger foods in the house
14. Before taking a single bite ask yourself if you are "stomach hungry" or "head hungry"
15. Focus on eating the protein serving before eating the rest of your meal.
16. Don't expert perfection, but do plan for it.
17. Find exercises your enjoy, not just the ones that burn the most calories.
18. Measure your food; don't assume your portion sizes are correct
19. Accept the support offered by friends and family
20. Reward yourself frequently for your accomplishments and hard work.
One Month and Counting on July 13, 2010 6:34 am
On July 10th, it was one month since my lap band operation. I am suprised that I haven't lost as much weight as I thought I would, but I'm not going to give up of course.
What I do see is a change in how my clothes are fitting though. I have to use a safety pin in my trousers and in my tops to give them more support in the chest area.
I know that I have lost inches in my waist, and I have definitely noticed that I have lost a lot of the "muffin top" in my back. I hated that roll of fat that hung over my bra. My arms appear to have lost an inch because it's easier to slip into my shirts.
When I walked in the past (with a dress on), my thighs used to rub together in a way that was very painful. Now, I can walk with just a small amount of rubbing. I can even cross my legs.
So overall, I have lost only 15 lbs, but with results that keep me plugging away.  I bought a Schwinn stationary bike and I have bought several different types of videos for strenth training and flexibility.
I will be taking some pictures to document my progress even if it's only a little bit. I think it's important to see the evidence in a picture. Good luck to everyone out there!
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Tips For The First Week after WLS (lap band) on June 17, 2010 7:44 am
Someone emailed me today to ask if I had any tips for her. Her surgery is schedule for tomorrow. This is what I told her about my experience so far this week:
I know everyone has spoken about the amount of discomfort and or pain that will be present after the surgery. I will be completely honest with you and say that the moment I drank my first 1 oz in the recovery room, I felt a sharp discomfort in my chest. I thought I was having a mild heart attack...but I quickly realized what it was. Gas. That's it. That comforted me.
My suggestion is that you breath (just like they say to do if you are in labor). That eased the discomfort/pain very quickly!! So remember that tip if and when it happens. Try to burp..that helps too. Ask for a pain reliever...they wont give it if you don't ask for it! It will ease the discomfort in your belly button and at your stomach area.
Within 9 hours after the surgery I was walking out the door to go home! I didn't need assistance. When I got home, I started with my 4 oz of water. I didn't want anything else. I needed to take a pain reliever before bed...I suggest this so you can have a good night sleep.
Next tip: WALK WALK WALk. You will feel 100% better! I promise.
If you have a fever that next day, take your temp. but not to worry until it gets to 101 degrees. (The hospital nurse told me this). This is coming from the anesthesia wearing off. I had a slight fever the next day. Apparently when you are put under, your lungs actually collapse. (This little tid - bit came from my Dr.) So don't panic you will be fine. I promise!
I have been drinking the following liquids - 4 oz , (1 x an hour.)
* Diet Snapple
*Water
*Chicken and Beef Broth (low sodium)
*Crystal lite
*Unjury Protein shakes - 3 x's a day - spread out over the day
*Sugar free ice pops - Sugar free is different than "no sugar added" so be careful
*Sugar free jello
Next Tip: DO NOT forget to have your protein shakes and to be very certain that you get in your 48 - 64 oz a day of liquid. If you do not follow this, you will be certain to slow down your weight loss and you may even gain. NO KIDDING!! I saw the nutritionist yesterday. I had a very hard time the first few days doing this...and she lectured me about this for what seemed like an hour. Apparently your body goes in survivor mode and it will literally hold onto your fat cells to keep from dying and it will hold all liquids to keep from hydrating.
So DRINK DRINK DRINK!! 
Next Tip: Make sure to call your Dr.'s office to set up your first week and second week follow up appoints as soon as you can! They will not call you and you may be forced to wait because they don't have any room for you. When you are at your second appoint (or second week appoint), then schedule for your next. Stay on top of this for your health and to get information that you would benefit from. Trust me on this!!
Next tip: Take before pictures. You will thank yourself later. It's a great pick me up when your tummy is grumbling and you are wondering why you did this!
If you would like to see my new blog outside this site go to: http://foodaddictnyc.blogspot.com/
So take a look. Let me know what you think! Sign in.
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Lap Band Surgery and home that Day! on June 10, 2010 7:00 pm
The day began by signing in at the admissions desk. The financial officer I spoke to on the phone for the past few months didn't write in my "notes" that he was allowing me to pay half now and half later for the surgery.
So when I went to give the clerk my card, he said that he would not take anything but the whole amount and came SO CLOSE to canceling the surgery  that I have been waiting for the past 9 months for!
I did some fast talking... and he finally allowed me to pay half. WHEW!!
Then, there they were...the doors that will lead me to a life that I have been dreaming about! When I walked through those doors...the tremendous knots in my neck and shoulders immediately relaxed. I was there sporting a new white bracelet and I was in heaven!!
I signed some more papers and met with the guy that will put my lights out for the next hours. What a cutie BTW! Made me think about how fun it will feel to get back into the dating scene again!
I woke to the sound of his voice..what a nice way to wake! I had a very brief moment of nauseousness but was given some medicine to make that go away.
For the next 9 hours I slept on and off. Then before I knew it, my friend came to take me home. I am now in bed with my dog Dutchess sleeping soundly besides me.
Over all...a damn good day!!
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My Story
I grew up with a mother that was critically depressed. Back then they really didn't know much about it, nor did they prescribe anything for her. She used to hide her eating. She would eat when we were in school, when she was cooking in the kitchen (we were never allowed in the kitchen at that time), and when we went to bed. She would yell at us when the Oreo cookies would disappear. We knew we didn't eat them..so who did? She died 3 years ago weighing in at 400lbs...in a terrible nursing home, We couldn't afford anything else. It was so painful to see her like this. I told myself I would never end my life looking and feeling like she did!!
My grandmother would tell me (starting at age 5.).."always watch what you eat..you don't want to be like your mother"! I was 19 y.o. , 5' 8" a size 5 and 119'lbs., and my father said my butt was starting to look like my mother's. I grew up with a terrible body image and a bad relationship with food..period.
I have been on all the fad diets, exercised in fancy gyms and was able to maintain my weight at 180'lbs approx., up till last year. I look back now and say that I wish I weighed that much now!
On September 20, 2008, I decided to go horseback riding with a group that I joined just that month. It was my attempt at getting out, exercising, and meeting new people. The horse ranch had a busy day and was low on horses, so they looked for the largest person in the group (me), and decided to place me on a Clydesdale (which was bred for hauling heavy loads). No kidding!
They are wide, taller than the average horse and can weigh up to 2,000 tons.
That day my horse "Romeo", decided to run in competition with the horse in front of me. He was only a year old and didn't have much experience in the "field"..neither did I. He bucked me off and I suffered a burst fracture of the L1 vertebrae. They said my vertebrae shattered like a china plate in my back.
I have 9 titanium rods, several screws and bolts living permanently in my lower back. If any of you suffer from back pain, you will understand the limitations that I have.
Since then I have gained a tremendous amount of weight. It has caused more complications and has prevented me from recovering properly. I am hoping that I will be able to get the Lap Band to take the excess weight off so I can exercise (within limits) and recover properly.
So here I am...221 lbs. and climbing..waiting for my 2nd consult and getting prepared to submit my paperwork to my insurance. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
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