Holly Dolly

I had protein shakes, protein soup (terrible tasting I may add!) and sugar free popsicles. I did like to freeze the shakes because I am an eater not a drinker! Other than that, I think I was good to go. I did like wearing the support band they gave me, I know others who had lapband and didn't get one. I had a postop dr visit on day 12 and she let me start eating soft foods that day. I made it through the 12 days, but I was dying for some food!

She sounds like she will be in for a rude awakening! I too loved my bread, thought that was going to be the hardest to go without. But I really don't miss it, and I am actually one person with the band that can tolerate bread pretty well too! For the most part, I follow the rules and stick to my protein, veggies and only 1/4 cup starch. This band is a tool, it wont do all the work for her.

I know the feeling when it comes to chocolate! I write down all that I eat and keep track of calories. If I am having a bad craving I will eat 1, 2 or a few hershey kisses. Just all depends on how much calories I am at. I do try and keep on hand TigerMilk protein bars that are good. Also at Target I found a new Luna Bar that has peanuts, honey, and pretzels. Wow, do I wish I had bought more! As long as I am keeping track of what I eat and I am accountable for it, I don't have a problem with it. For me, life is too short. I am a good bandster, not a perfect one!

I am a week away from my year anniversary and I still don't think my fill is at the right spot. So to answer your question if you made a mistake, NO WAY! I have followed the rules and hoping my visit on the 7th will get me to the green zone. Hang in there, some people take longer than others.

Welcome Shawnte! Good for you for getting the ball rolling! I can tell you this has been the best thing I have done for myself. This will be my last weightloss journey! I was self paid, so it took a month from my first seminar to the day of surgery. I wish you a speedy process!

I've had things get stuck and kept to soup for the next couple of days. Sometimes when you get something stuck, the stomach around the band gets irritated and swells up. Hopefully it will pass. I had something get stuck, and couldn't even keep saliva down. Had to have a slight unfill and it was instant relief!

Wow, you are doing awesome! Nice to hear your story! I understand the clothing situation, that's for sure. But I go to Marshall's, Ross and TJ MAxx. My friend came over yesterday and I unloaded alot of clothes to her. She asked me why do I have so many clothes if I am going down in size. Well, for 1, those stores aren't too expensive. And secondly, I'm gonna look cute in whatever size I may be!! I don't want anything frumpy anymore!

I have complete faith that THIS is my last weightloss journey. Like you girls said, for most people that fail with the band, it isn't the band. I eat my measured and weighed portions and I stick to that. Sure, in the beginning sometimes I would eat a handful of chips while making dinner, get that pouch stuffed, then come dinner time and the meat would get stuck and up it came. But after 20 or so times doing that I finally learned! Yes, I am a slow learner! People ask me all the time if I will get the band removed once I get to my goal. I don't know what the heck they are thinking! This has been a godsend for me. No longer can I have a huge plate of food, 3 iced teas and roll out of a restaurant! Sure, I could prob eat twice the amount of food that I put on my plate, but do I really want to sit there for an hour and half to eat it?? NOPE!

I had shakes that I mixed up from my dr's office. They were larger than one fluid cup once blended. Didn't your dr give you any post op info? I had a booklet to take home with info regarding what to do after surgery.

Way to go NYdad! You are doing awesome! And honk, 8 hours between lunch and dinner is way too long for anyone to eat! Why don't you bring a piece of string cheese and maybe a couple slices of lunchmeat to have on the way to the gym. I wasn't making it from breakfast to lunch, and that's what the PA recommended for me.

Regret getting the band???? NO WAY! So what are you implying with your post of , "Bla"????

There was a earlier post that I read today about someone who had their surgery in Mexico and can't find someone to do her fills. Well, she had someone who she didn't like and was considering doing her own fills! There are a lot of people on here who had their surgery in Mexico and are happy with that. I was self paid as well, $13,900. But in that fee included the nutrionist and pyschologist appts for the first 6 months, 3 months of fills and the ongoing weekly support meetings that the office offers and I fully take advantage of. For me, the ongoing support is a huge part of my success with the lapband. If I ever have a problem, I know they are close and always available. I had an emergency one time while camping. My physician asst. came into the office that night at 9:30 for me. For those reasons, I would reconsider having your surgery close to home. You don't just get the band and it does it thing! I am almost a year out and still waiting for my sweet spot. I have had many fills, on the other hand my brother had 2 fills in the very beginning and he has been good since. You just never know how the band will work for you. Everyone is different. But why take the chance?

I am one person who never drank my calories! Even when I was chubs, I still preferred to drink iced tea or water. I guess rationed that I could eat more food that way! If I could make it through the 2 weeks, I'm sure you will be just fine! I only had the shakes from the doctor's office and had a couple slimfast low carb drinks too. The whole time I was on the liquid diet, all I kept waiting for was to eat some salmon! Let me tell you, I think I may enjoy the taste of food more now that measure out what I am supposed to eat and stick to just that.

My doctor has the same philosphy. If you eat mainly soft foods, the band wont work like it is supposed to. By eating meat, your stomach has to squeeze numerous times to get the food down. This squeezing is what sends impulses to your brain to tell you that you are full. I am still waiting for that to happen for me!! I eat my protein first, veggies and 1/4 cup starch at dinner. I still get hungry about 2-2.5 hours after eating though.

I'm excited for you Chastndeb! You will be amazed how fast this year will go for you and where you will be!