Where are the vermonters?

babbs3772 · 07-14-2008, 09:41 PM

Hello, I was nervous too and did have second thoughts but trust me I would never go back, I am glad that I did it. Oh god the ten day diet stunk but to be honest I think after the surgery was more difficult after following the diet- for me it still is, I keep wanting to rush but then have to remember to follow my instructions :)

July 21st is this coming Monday :) and I think you will be very happy afterwards :) I have to say that everyone at the hospital was fantastic and I had incredible care. I think that you will be ok once you get there - keep us posted I will anxious to hear your experience, good luck and smile!

auggies · 07-15-2008, 01:43 PM

I'm a new Vermont to the boards. I have been thinking about WLS for the past 8 years. My best friend had gastric bypass done back then and it worked out great for her. Everytime I thought about having it done, I realized what a risk that surgery was and decided against it. When I heard about the LAP-BAND^® last year I started thinking more and more about this procedure. This spring I realized this is what I want to do. I applied in May to Dr. F and today is my first group intro meeting. I'm hoping that I'll have the surgery in January to start 2009 off on a better note than today.
I have tried to lose weight many, many times. I currently weigh 272. I've lost 50 pounds, gained it back plus 10, lost 40 pounds, gained it back plus 15, lost 50.....gained....you get the picture. I need something that will be long term.
I'm a little nervous about the outcome since reading that someone had only lost 11 pounds in 7 months timeframe. That doesn't seem like very much. I could lose that much on my own with Weight Watchers. Problem is, i'm sure I'd gain it back at some point. What is the average weight loss for the first year? I'm hoping I can lose at least 25% of my body weight. Is that possible? Maybe this is information they will share at my meeting today.
I visited another message board a couple of weeks ago and was inspired by their before and after pictures. Normally I stay away from the camera but I've been letting my kids take pictures of me so I'll have some "before" photos.

boos02 · 07-16-2008, 12:35 PM

Hi Tamra -

How was the intro meeting? I get banded on 7/21 so I've been through the appts you'll be going through. It seems like a long process, but it goes by quickly. So far, everyone is very nice.

I'm on 10 day pre-op liquid diet. It's tough, but I know it will be worth it.

- Kathy

boos02 · 07-29-2008, 01:15 PM

OK - maybe I'll just blog for awhile since Vermonters are quiet and no one is using pats_laps either.

I had my surgery on 7/21. Everything went well and I'm 8 days post op on fluids. Tomorrow I return to the gym and start working with a trainer again. Weight loss is happening. Still nervous about this life change, but excited about all it will bring.

boos02 · 08-06-2008, 12:47 PM

I'm going to continue to report in case there are those of you reading but not posting. Yesterday was Dr. Forgione's LAP-BAND^® monthly support group meeting. The group continues to grow. Still more pre-ops than post-ops. I feel like it's a "show and tell" but I guess that's normal in the beginning. I'm looking forward for when we can share ideas, motivations, frustrations, recipes etc. Seems like a nice group of people - all with the same goal in mind - to live a healthier lifestyle.

auggies · 08-07-2008, 01:16 PM

I'm still here. I was hoping to attend the meeting this month but something came up and I wasn't able to attend. I'm hoping to be there in September. I don't have a date yet for my surgery so I'm one of those pre-op people. I'm planning on attending the support groups post-op as well as pre-op. I think it's important to keep connected with others who are going through the same thing you are. Plus I'm hoping we can share recipes, food finds and tips that have worked for everyone.
If we could get just one person from each surgery each month to committ to going to the meetings and sharing the items you talked about above, that would be great. Count me in! Plus, feel free to email me privately and we can talk. I'd be more than happy to go through the journey with you (although I'll be a few months behind you) and we can share together.

I have one question now - what are you eating for breakfast? I don't like eggs and I'm trying to find a good low-fat protein to have in the morning while still trying to keep my carbs low.

boos02 · 08-07-2008, 04:27 PM

Hi Tamra -

I'm still on the blender phase for 10 more days. I usually have a protein drink in the morning. I get Genisoy. Then I mix it with skim milk and strawberries. It's pretty good.

I had an appt today with Dr. F and he and Ellen both said I should have something else, like oatmeal. He said not to worry too much about protein as long as I get it in during the day. We'll see.

I've been emailing with another gal from pats_laps. She's pre-op too. It will be great to have "buddies" on this journey. Let's keep in touch.

auggies · 08-07-2008, 06:44 PM

What's pats_lap???

boos02 · 08-08-2008, 11:19 AM

pats_laps is a Yahoo Group. You can go to Yahoo and sign up for the group. It was started by one of Dr. Forgione's patients. Not many people participate but it's growing.

new2tch · 08-15-2008, 06:56 PM

Good Evening all,
I did not know that one of Dr. Forgione's patients had started a chat group.
I was banded a year ago on the 20th of this month. I am sorry to say that I have not lost much weight only 34 pounds. I just had another restriction this week and I still do not think I found my soft spot. I have a 10cc band and I wish that the doctor was more aggressive with the fills. People who know I have had the band placed are asking me if it was worth it to go through all of this. I do believe it is worth having a band, I just wish I could loose enough weigh to make a difference. I do walk, but not religiously especially during the summer. Since I am a teacher I tend to walk more when I am in routine.

I also find it difficult to get to the doctors. We have to wait to get into the new office in Williston, then a month later for the restriction. (Plus since I work an hour and forty five minutes north of Burlington I have to take a day off just to do the ten minute procedure. This is my own problem)

Those of you who have Dr. F could you please share your success with the weight loss? In your experience is the Dr. shy about adding restriction?
Thanks for letting me know. I do get frustrated with the slow weight loss, well at least I am not gaining!

boos02 · 08-16-2008, 08:33 PM

Hi new2tch - I'm not sure I can help too much. I was banded on 7/21/08. It's been almost 4 weeks and I'm down 27 lbs. I'm probably still in the "honeymoon" period. Having said that - are you tracking your food, exercising 30 min a day and drinking 64oz of water? That seems to be the key from what I've read on this website.

I've heard from others that it's getting harder to get into see Dr. F. and then to get a fill. I hope they address that issue, since the group meetings are getting packed with pre-ops. Maybe they'll expand the practice. I've also talked with him about his protocol and he does go with a more conservative schedule, but I'm sure you can talk with him about it.

Anyway, I'm hoping more Vermonters use this site to check-in. I think we can all use the support.

Leese · 10-02-2008, 08:29 AM

Hi, I had my surgery Sept 29th at FAHC. I am from Barre, VT. All went well with the surgery. My stay at the hospital went well. I didn't expect to be so wiped out from the surgery. I have minimal pain. The pain I am experiencing is in my back. I think it is due to gas. Yes, I am walking. I don't have an appetite but trying to get in my 64 oz. of fluid each day. So far I have no regrets on having this surgery.
Leese

boos02 · 10-02-2008, 03:40 PM

Leese -

Congratulations on your surgery!

Carollee57 · 10-11-2008, 11:35 AM

Hi I was banded Sept 23 this year. So far so good. I just started blended foods and am alittle discombobulated so far. I havent gotten the hang of it yet.

Newbeginnings · 10-18-2008, 07:40 PM

Hi All, I am glad I found this thread. I live in vt and was supposed to have surgery with Dr F but he referred me to MA to U-mass to a specialist because I had a hiatal hernia. I am supposed to be referred back to him in 6 mos and it almost time. Now after reading these posts, I'm not sure I want to. i have appointments every 6 wks and although its a pain to drive 3 hours they are great down there. I had my surgery on March 31 and have done great. I have a realize band and it holds around 10-11 cc of fluid and so far i have 9 cc's in there, I have lost 35 lbs and wished i had lost more. This summer i have stayed the same which in itself is a miracle. I used to be the biggest yo-yo dieter there was. I have been taken totally off my diabetes meds, my blood pressure is great, i feel great, and have no regrets. I just started writing down what I eat and exercising every day and have lost 3 lbs this week. I know it was me not helping my band more than it was my band failing me. Leese, I live in washington, its great to know someone is right in barre. good luck to all you guys just starting out. I know its hard to decide to do elective surgery but its really not that bad.

Newbeginnings