FLORIDAYS

The way you were positioned on the table maybe? I am watching this thread since I am the next to go under....Tuesday needs to come quickly. Feel better soon.

Now that is Just sinful. Not the bite but that you actually like it.

I am going to give you some advise from someone who spent the majority of her life worried about what others think..., About 18 years ago I went against my gut feeling and did something which was the more popular choice among my friends and co workers. It wasn't illegal or immoral or anything...just that I listened to them instead of me. I wont clutter this post with the details but it was the wrong choice. I made a decision after I picked myself up and put my life back together .... Unless someone is paying my bills their opinion makes no difference.. I can take it under consideration but they cannot hurt my feelings or make me second guess myself.

Congratulations.... That would be a question for your OBGYN. He should best guide you on your nutritional choices. Remember the baby will take everything it needs from you....if there is nothing leftover your health is compromised.

Excellent post. I agree with quite a bit of what your wrote. I don't agree with some of it but I respect the way your articulated your thoughts and opinions. I struggle sometimes after reading post after post of someone who just wants to whine and complain about the diet, the band, the dr, the support....it just gets old and I am learning that I just don't need to reply to that particular thread anymore..and I am doing ok with that.

Are you going to drink flat beer?? Drinking carbonation is risky at any stage but especially early on. Try some wine or maybe a vodka, Water and cranberry..I know it's not manly but you could ri se out an old beer bottle.....and use it.... Have fun... Remember it's not all about eating and drinking . Is about the fun and friends...

Just remember it takes about 2 weeks to feel like yourself again... Although it gets better after about day 5!

I am not sure what menopause has to do with anything... I went through it the second i was banded actually...had my last TOM the day before band surgery...LOL if you aren't happy with your doctor then you should find another. I would make sure I tried all avenues of communication before I switched but ultimately if you find another dr who motivates you and meets your needs better than the one you have it's worth considering.

Telling or not telling people is a personal decision. I did t tell anyone at work but I told people I knew personally outside of work if it came up. Once I had lost about 100 lbs people at work started asking so I wasn't going to lie... It was no big deal. And now.... I would shout it from the mountain tops!! ....as for you other question about the port.... It's never been an issue for me during intimacy. If one position hurts it...change things up a bit.

If you have one...and I mean only one Hershey's kiss now and then it won't kill you....and it will satisfy your craving. But only step out of bounds if you can control yourself to stick to the limits.

Hi Andrew I am 220 lbs lighter than I was when I was banded....it's a wonderful feeling! Congrats on your success!

You get used to it... It the beginning I had to take a tiny sip while eating but I quickly realized it wasn't a good idea and just stopped doing it. If you drink constantly during the day you will find yourself less thirsty when eating....

I have only had excellent health since getting banded but I cannot see how this CU has anything to do with the band but of course I am not a doctor. I would however consider moving to a warmer climate if the one I lived in made me sick.

It's wonderful to hear about everyone's ah ha moments... Such a short time ago we were a bunch of unhealthy people living for the next meal.... Way to go everyone!!!

There have been several lessons learned obviously...... but overwhelmingly the # 1 lesson I have learned from my band is that my life doesnt revolve around food. Eating is no longer an "experience" its just filling a void which I need to survive. I am not saying I do not love food. I love to cook, entertain, plan family meals.... it is just so different now... I no longer care where we eat, I don't look forward to holiday meals for the act of eating food, I don't care if I like what someone is bringing to a picnic or other pot luck event... its just food. And I don't eat enough of it to care. This became evident when for the hundreth time in the past 2 years my husband said... lets go out to dinner... where do you want to go? I was like I don't care.... I got the typical eye roll action .... so I said... its not because I do not want to decide...but because the food just isnt important so pick a place you would like to eat and I will find something on the menu for me. He finally got it.... For me this has been a key factor is becoming a thin person...

Wonderful news!!! Keep up the good work!!

Thank you all for your kind words. I am getting VERY excited to see what the new me will look like.

I had an appointment this morning for an unfill prior to my Tuesday's tt and breast lift surgery... I had called my lapband surgeon's office and was told I needed to come in for an unfill. SO I left work... shlepped over to his office, waited for 15 minutes and did the normal weigh in...vitals etc... I had lost 15 lbs since October (my last fill appt). I knew this but always nice to see on his charts. Anyway the Dr comes in and of course is happy with my progrees and we chat about my upcoming TT and he said...so why are you here? I tell him and he said...we do not need to do an unfill for surgery.... I am so sorry my nurse gave you the wrong info. I was like...um ok... but it was nice to see you... and he said to the nurse...no charge for today, gave me a hug and told me to stop in to show him the results but that unless I need him he doesnt need to see me for 4 months. I felt like we were breaking up....LOL

My BMI was 55.... I weighed 377 lbs. I am now 157 lbs and my BMI is 23. I have lost 220 lbs. I believe the amount of weight you need to lose doesn't matter...my dr never told me I wasn't a good candidate.

but he did say if I drop below 145 we will discuss an unfill..... can you imagine?

Considering my Dr has done thousands of bands and very few removals... yes that does sound crazy.

If you discuss your fears with your Dr I bet he would tell you if used properly you should have none of those issues with the band. The only time I have thrown up was when I was sick... I have "brought up" food if I didnt take a small enough bite, if I accidentially ingested fatty meat or if I ate too fast or drank water while eating. But I cannot blame the band. That was my own fault.

Some really good advice my Dr gave me pre banding was that the band will only do 70% of the work. I had to do the other 30%. I specifically asked what that entailed and he said... measure food portions, count calories (1000 each day) and drink Water water water. Stay away from ALL carbonation, keep every monthly Dr appointment and take 20-30 minutes to eat. I have lost 220 lbs in 2 years so I am a firm believer that his advise works.

It upsets me to think about people getting banded who did not realize they would need to watch calories, measure postions and work with the band to get into the green zone I am sorry you have to have the band removed and you feel it didnt work for you. It sounds like you and your Dr have made a good choice based on your personal situation.

If your Dr isnt restricting coffee or caffine then it wouldnt hurt the composition of the added Protein I wouldnt think. Always best to check with the NUT. Might be a simple as an email. But if you are on day 4... are you supposed to be adding protein or having coffee? I was allowed only Clear liquids the first week. ALways best to check with your Dr.