How you doing, NH?

It's been quiet on this board.  If you've had surgery, how's it going?  If you're pre-op - what's up? I'm coming up on my 1-year surgiversary on 12/6.  I can't believe it's been a year already!  A year ago I was very nervous, wondering what to bring to the hospital, what music to have on my mp3, wondering what it was all going to be like.  Now I'm down 99 lbs from surgery date and feeling wonderful! Share, share!!  Becky

Hi, I am a pre op person at the moment.  I have done the nutrition appts, PT appts and initial Psych eval.  I am starting the 1st of 5 classes tonight for the behavior modification courses tonight at PRH.  I am sched to do the pre - op testing December 10th and hope to get an appt with the surgeon then.  I have been assigned Dr Pacuilli but have not yet met with her.  My goal is to have surgery the middle of January.  I have about 100 lbs to lose total and I am very exctied to get going!   If there is anyone out there who has had Dr Pacuilli and would like to share there story that would be great.   Good luck to all, Kate

hI,            I had Dr Paciuli and absolutly love her. I was banded Oct 17th and have not had a fill yet. although I have seen her twice for post op. I have lost 18 since the surgery and 33 since Sept 1st. I have about 45 more to go to be healthy. I am so happy with my decision. I can go up stairs with out being out of breath and can bend down and get up on my own. My clothes are VERY loose but I refuse to buy any. I want toget into my closet full of clothes that have been waiting for me. Everyone has been wonderful in her prcatice and the woman in the Prep room, OR and Recovery were wonderful. Good Luck and hope to hear good news from you soon.                                                Linda

I am out here too! I had Gastric Bypass on Nov 5th and am feeling really good.  This is the best thing I have done for myself. I thought it would be tough with a 6 and 7 year old at home- but I have not had a problem adjusting my diet and the whole families! I am excited to get advanced to real food on Mon 12/3. After a while the liquid and pureed food sure does get boring. I am down 34 lbs. since the start of this WLS surgery process. I also check the MA board - I had surgery in Lowell at LGH, but live in Derry NH. I sure wish this borad was more active! My biggest challenge has been to find a protein shake that I can tolerate. What I LOVED pre-surgery, now seems just too sweet. I think I am going to order some Unjury Unflavored. Any suggestions out there? I check in a couple of times a week- so I willl try to post more often. Who else is "lurking" around????? Carolyn

Hi Carolyn,                             I had my surgery on Oct 17th and am now on real food but I still do my shake in the AM for breakfast. I use Carnation Instant Breakfast with Skim milk and I add extra Powdered milk to boost the protien. I learned this from the wonderful nutrionist that I had along my Band journey  BJ'S has the best price for the packets. I am not far from you. I live in Atkinson. I have said before and I would love after the first of the year to get together with some of the local NH bandsters.  We could all go to a restaurant that cater's to bandsters and use the card that is offered on this site to order a children's meal. LOL   Good Luck in your journey and Happy Holidays. I know mine will be this year.                                              Linda                                                                           

Hi Kate.  I had Dr. Pacuilli and thought she was wonderful!!!  It feels like she really cares about your success and you as a person, and she has the surgery skills as well - a great package!  And...my partner had Dr P for her lap-band in March so I got to see things from that side and Dr. P was great then as well re: communication with me during surgery, etc.  You're in good hands!!! Carolyn - congrats on your surgery!!  My first "real" food was egg salad and it was soooo delicious.  We even took a picture of me with it and I had a BIG smile on my face.  I did use Unjury during that stage and it wasn't bad.  Keep checking in and let us know how it's going! Becky

hello all!... yes i agree this nh board needs some spicing up, posting, and just some back and forth typing! as for meyou ask...........hehe wll im going under on the 18 of this beautiful month of holiday cheer! i'm very excited!.  getting all my stuff ready for the big day and after too!..... .i'm looking forward to my journey to cross over to the other side... we are going to celebrate christmas early this year!..........i'm getting the tree this weekend.. my house is already decorated, most of my shopping done for the holiday, i've got to wrap it all this week coming up!..... i just want to be on top of all of it so when i get to my date, i won't be stressed over all the holiday stuff i didn't do.......so christmas will be the 16th....so i guess i'll be able to have my christas dinner, just a little early!...... to all of you wanting and waiting...... have patience.....take it all in day by day and learn as much as you can about what your going to be doing to your body and your new lifestyle of eating and living!...i feel very happy about the portsmouth program, they have always been there to answer all of my questions..they ahve been very thourough?.( where is spell check when you need it?...hehe) i look forward to going to the post opt meetings and seeing and meeting others that i don't know who are in the same boat!.........

I'm out here too, Becky! I weighed in this morning and I'm 218!!!  I can't believe I broke the 220's!!!  I haven't seen this weight since 1999!  So the total now is 66lbs lost.  I can't believe it! BTW, size 18's are getting a little big if anyone's looking to get rid of some clothes... Angela

Hi all,   I am embarrassed to say I have been away from the message boards and also from the meetings at PRH for a while now since I had to find an appartment for my daughter in New York City and then move her there during August and then back to school which is the busiest time of the year at my store!  Things have calmed down now and I thnk it is important to come back.  It helps to keep grounded and keep you on track!!  I had my surgery in April and I have lost 107lbs. Things are slowing down now, but I feel like a new person or the person I remember 20 years ago!!!  I still have some difficult days every so often, but I take each day ...one day at a time. Each day is a new day!   I know this is for the long run and I don't beat my self up any more!!!     Good luck to the befores and congrats to the afters!!!   Patti

Hello everyone! I am saddened to see how quiet this board is... I still stop by on occasion but I spend most of my time over at the lap band forum. Things are good right now... I have 1.5 cc in my 4 cc band, and I do feel some restriction but I'll probably be ready for another fill in a month or so.  Sometimes, espcecially at night, I am so hungry I could probably just keep eating and eating!!!  Other times I'm full after 2 bites.   Since the weather is cold I have not been out walking as much, but I still get to curves 5 or 6 times a week.  I also go to aerobics class every Wednesday.   Unfortunately, I seem to be stuck in the 220s!  I was ecstatic to finally get into them, but of course now I want to be OUT of the 220s!!! I've been here over a month... bit of a plateau.  I am trying to break it by drinking more water... we'll see how it goes!!! I go to the support groups each month in Manchester and it is awesome talking to everyone and hearing successes!  I highly recommend going to your support groups!