roziecakes

I keep hearing about chia seeds, and I saw them in the store and pondered getting some... so they're really as great as I keep hearing? I think I want to get some.

Another fun thing I've noticed is that now when I go shopping, I stop in the clothing department and look at things just for fun, and in sections I've never dared look before! And then the best part, is I say, "Well, I'd better not buy that now, because in a few months, it will just be way too big for me." Heh heh heh!

My doctor told me that the first six weeks are for healing and learning new techniques, and if I lose some weight, great! But the real work starts after the first fill. Just be real with yourself, do what you're supposed to do, and then your doctor will have a realistic idea of how much of a fill to give you, and then you can really start working from there! I think you're doing awesome already, and that you're on the right track. Seriously!

I make my protein shakes for the next day the day before, so then I just pour some out at breakfast time and I'm good to go!

I'm starting my second week tomorrow; I have never slimed, PB'd or stuck. I started out with 2ccs in my band. I can eat eggs just fine. I love having one egg scrambled for breakfast with my smoothie. Gives me fuel until late afternoon. What kinds of mushies are you eating that you are sliming? I am somewhat paranoid, so I eat really really slowly; I guess it's kept me from having problems though! I can drink water really fast, however.

I was back to work after 2 days, but I am a different case as I work from home and I work at a desk. I think that you'll probably hear a lot of different answers because it depends on the kind of job that you do. I think that a really physical job I would recommend at least a couple of weeks, maybe longer depending on what it is; but a desk job, I would say a few days to a week. It all depends on the person as well. We all have different healing times. What do you do for your job?

I just love everyone's pictures!!! You all look SO GREAT! I thought I'd post a before and during picture, just for fun. The 'before' picture on the left is me at my sister's wedding last year; and the picture on the right is me this morning! Totals are: 80 pounds down since the wedding... 32 pounds on my own 25 pounds down from pre-op diet 23 pounds down since surgery I feel awesome!

I think it's exciting anyway, even if it is just 1 week post op, good for you!

Me too... I think it was all the liquids. Liquids went in, and liquids went out (sorry, that's really gross, I'm sure). You and I are losing weight about the same rate, btw. I'm 23 pounds down and was banded almost 2 weeks ago. *edit I realize now I just quoted something from May... d'oh.

Oh my gosh! I'm so excited for you I just had my first experience like that this week. I went through my closet and got rid of all of the way too big clothes, and I went out and bought two shirts that are three sizes smaller than what I wore a year ago. It felt SO GREAT. I hope you have many more of these experiences!!

YES. This is what it's all about right here! We are the ones who make ourselves lose weight, the band just helps us eat less. YES YES YES! Anyhoo, I'm sorry you're frustrated, I would talk to your doctor, maybe you need a bit more of a fill. I know that some people get several fills before they hit their sweet spot; also, how much do you exercise? Maybe your exercise routine needs to be changed up?

Wow! I had never heard of this before, but I totally want one now. I think I'll check it out. Thanks for this thread!

Hi there! You and I are similar in height, but I weigh a little more; I'm 6ft tall. I weighed 352 on surgery day (June 8th), and I weigh 329 as of this morning. Anyhoo, my goal weight is 194, which I figured was decent for my height. I've had weight problems my whole life, and as an adult at my smallest I weighed 215; then had a back injury and couldn't exercise, and got up to over 400 pounds at my heaviest. Anyhoo, I'll be happy if I can get back to 215, but I'll keep striving towards 194. Hope that gives you some perspective.

I agree with what others have said above, my doctors plan is that after six weeks I get one, and then once a month after that, so yeah, yours doesn't seem too often. As for getting other doctors to do fills, I think it depends on your surgeon. I know that mine is okay with me doing it, especially since I'm an 8 hour drive away from his office.

That's fantastic! Good for you

Yay!! You did it!! Congratulations

So I've been trying not to freak out, but I am a little. I'm losing weight scary fast. I had my band in on the 8th, and I've lost 20 pounds. That seems really fast to me. Could it be just Water weight? I'm trying really hard to get enough calories in, I have been tracking them, and writing everything down, and I've been able to get between 900-1000 in each day. I'd like to get 1200, but I feel full after I eat (just started mushies). My plan is to add some more Protein powder into the shakes that I blend up, and maybe have full fat cottage cheese instead of low fat. I think I can get to 1200 that way. If anyone else has some more good suggestions, I would love to hear them! I'm going to peruse the threads for some good mushie recipes. I never thought I'd have to fight to get in enough calories, lol. I assume that the weightloss will slow down soon? The reason I got the band was so that it would be more gradual and in my opinion healthy. This is kind of freaking me out. BUT I do feel really healthy and have tons of energy. Maybe it's just what my body is supposed to do right now. Thanks for all advice ahead of time.

My partner is LOVING it, but honestly, he and I have always had a really good sex life, and I weighed almost 100 pounds more than I do now when I met him. He just loves me for me no matter what size I am, but I think he's secretly happy that I feel more confident and that I am more limber and able to be more active. (Sorry for the TMI)

I have PCOS. I got diagnosed 12 years ago, and I have struggled with my weight pretty much my whole life. My doctor told me that yes, having the lap band WILL help with PCOS; because the deal with PCOS is it's a vicious cycle in that we need to lose weight to be healthy, but we can't lose weight easily, and the band does help. He told me that I may become fertile after having the band long enough and losing enough weight. Since starting on this journey a couple of years ago, I have lost some weight before I started my pre-op diet. I've lost a total of 60-ish pounds since last Christmas, and I have had much more regularity in my cycle, and not as may of the secondary symptoms. I no longer take meds for PCOS anymore. I haven't had the band long enough to really tell for myself, but I do trust my surgeon. Hope this has helped you somewhat!

I think you'll do great too!! It's really not as difficult as I thought (at least for me, we're all different). But honestly, the only real *pain* I had was from the gas, and it was relieved by walking and the heating pad. I did take pain medicine at night before bed, and that really helped. I got banded on the 8th and I have no pain whatsoever, except for a very small amount of port pain if I lie on my stomach too long. I've been doing yard work and I have been back into my yoga routine for the last two days. Don't worry too much! You'll most likely be just fine.

I had some wonderful chinese food at a restaurant in Vancouver that I love; but I suspect that I will eventually eat Chinese food again, just a lot less of it.

I lost 25 pounds on my pre-op diet, but it was also for a whole month, which would make mine about average. if the diet were only 2 weeks, I would have lost between 12-13 pounds.

By the way, I have another exercise suggestion for you. I have recently discovered that on hulu.com if you type 'Health and Fitness' into the search bar, they have tons of exercise shows with a lot of variety, and you can watch and do them right next to your computer. I've been having a lot of fun trying different ones. Something new every day, and you don't have to go outside. I HATE when it gets too hot too, part of why I live in Oregon.

I have to say that this is actually my favorite thread that I've read so far on this board, and I'll tell you why... Tanksmama, I have SO much respect for you for coming on here, venting like you needed to and being HONEST about how you were feeling, and what was going on with you. That is freaking amazing, and I totally have admiration and respect for that. I love getting as many perspectives on this surgery as possible, and I truly appreciate it. I think you said what a lot of people are thinking or feeling, but they may not have been brave enough to say so. I also love that you took everyone's comments to heart and you're making changes that work for you. That is really incredibly cool, and I think you are going to do well. Also, I hear ya about Mc Donald's / junk food, etc. I love burgers and nachos and Taco bell, etc etc. I think I'll probably always love that stuff, but I'm realizing that I love being healthy and energetic, and I love having the possibility of living a long time in a healthy way. I realized that when I saw my stepdad in tears after I got my surgery because he was so happy that I was making changes in my life. I realized that now that I can run a whole mile. I realize that every time a friend makes a comment that I look happier and less tired. I have found that in the over two years I've worked towards getting the band, and now the week and a half that I've had it, that the reward of meeting my goals and my increasing health is much more addicting than a burger ever will be. I truly wish you the best of luck, and I really do think you're going to do well. Congratulations on the 40 pounds!!