NJGirl32

They say the 3rd time is a charm! You should begin to start seeing results with the true helpof the band + portion control! Can't waitto see those after pics the end of the summer!!!

Today I just read in the book Bandwagon that as you ose fat estrogen is release into your system and if your estrogen levels supercede your testerone levels (or something like that) your libedo can decrease. I would discuss it with your doctor if it becomes a real issue-maybe even your GYN.

I have 35 pounds till I reached the promise land! lol I promised myself I would get my nails completely done when I reach it! You are so close!! Congrats!

I am glad you posted this! This week the port area was feeling sore and tender. I thought this was odd because I didn't have that soreness before. Today I got my period and the soreness is much better. I would never have associated the two!

I cab go between meals without thinking about food (and I don't have a fill yet). I have set times I eat so that heps regulate my body-it works for me. I eat at 8am (usually a shake) at 1pm and again at 6pm. I canhave ight snacks in between like yogurt, SF applesauce, etc. but I save my snacking for 9pm and have something yummy and I canhave a ittle more since I didn't snack throughout the day (usually 1/2 banana on top of SF choc. pudding, cool whip. I also have water throughout the day. I do think the band helped with with snacking. Have a veggies tray set up for quick muchies. Good luck!

I had 2 tacos from Chipotle -yum! Then a cinnabon . Then I wasn't evenhungry but made my hubbytake me to a Portuguese Restaurant for Paella and sangria! Little did I know that I probably could still eat all that 1 month later!!

I have read quite a bit on this forum and have also watched several YouTube video on people who kept a video diary of their experience with the band. Amost in all cases people begin to feel discouraged and worry why they are not losing weight. This is a normal process and you really need to keep your eye on the prize and not be discouraged by this period of "Bandster Hell." With each doctor visit and each week that passes you are getting closer to having the band being an active and helpful part of losing weight. It is frustrating I know!! But one day the weight will start to come off and you'll be so glad they you stuck it out!

I always have something to drink with me-everyday! I would suggest asking for clarification on that one!

Let us know how it feels restriction-wise after a couple of days-I am dying to know !! I hear most people need a few fills-I go for my 1st next week!

Don't do it...ther will be other concerts and other events, why risk it? This is surgery and you need to think about recovering. My nurse even advised me againt going to malls the first few days because she didn't want to risk infection. Truthfully, even if you can sit down during the entire concert-you still with feel uncomfortable-a recliner is they way to go. If the concert was a lot closer and you had the option of quickly getting home-that would be different. Some people have horrible gas pains the first week or so too. Skip the concert and take care of your body!

We have a store in Jersey caled Trader' Joe's - it's a quirky store with fresh unique organic type items. Wegman's is another place that has yummy choices. I feel renewed engery buying some interesting foods. I ordered a Bento Lunchbox as seen on : http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/ It wasn't cheap, but I thought it could make packing a lunch fun!! Some things I bought at Trader Joes:' A tub of Greek yogurt/dressing the kind they put on Gyros. (it had low calories) I picked up a lonnng skinny cucumber that I plan on chopping up and mixing with some organic tomatoes for a cucumber/tomato salad. I bought a fish stew-had it for dinner-yummy. I bought an Eggplant and Garlic spread that I can using for dipping or mixing with something. I bought mozz balls in olive oil and spices (I know I can ony have 1 or 2 of these do to calories, but they will go good in my Bento box! So hopefully this will make eating a little more interesting by trying new things. If you are stuck in a rut try going to one of these stores and experiment with different foods. Go to eggface's website to get some ideas. I had to really watch the calories because a lot of the things in the store are healthy, but not necessarily ow in calories. On a separate note , I had my very first NSV today!! Even though the scale hasn't budged in 2 weeks, I feel thinner and I notice it when I wear tops. Today a secretary at my job looked stunned and said "You are losing weight!!" I said "Yep, I lost a little" of course she asked what I was doing and I said watching what I am eating. So that felt good!!

http://drsimpson.net/fills/Lap-band-eating/lap-band-not-restriction/lap-band-and-restriction.html

Awesome!! That email really says it all! I wantto check out the Dr. Oz inks!

Buckle up ...it's going to be a lonng ride! This is normal. Your band empty and your body is healing. It's true what they say-the first 6 weeks is all about healing. It might take a couple of fills before your band is truely working for you...welcome to what we call "Bandster Hell." Try to drink your shakes and really make sure they are high in protein becuase it's helps a ot with hunger. When I have a shake (25grams of protein) it fill me up for 4 hours. Eat a little snack in between (like SF applesauce). Good luck-hang in there!

That's the book my nutritionist recommended. I think the recipes make 4 portions so you can freeze them. Let me know how you like the book!

Definitelly get the book Bandwagon -it's a great resource and wil answer all of your questions completely. http://www.amazon.com/Bandwagon-Strategies-Success-Adjustable-Gastric/dp/0578061236 You'll neeed to take vitamins-plus they are always a good idea! You can bathe in 2 days My doctor said I could drive in 5 days (but that varies from doctor to doctor) You can't see the port I really think the most important thing to remember is that for the first 2 months or so you will be dieting pretty much on your own unless your one of the rare lucky ones who never needed a fill! Good luck!!

Here is a link for one cookbook with sample pages to read: http://www.amazon.com/Eating-Well-After-Weight-Surgery/dp/1569244537#reader_1569244537 and another http://www.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-0470640189.html

I had the same feeling when I ate a hard boiled egg (although I didn't chew it well). I thought this was a false 'stuck" sort of like fase labor pains! lol Not sure-but I thought it could be relatted to being stuck. I had it happen this weekend with coleslaw-it felt ike a knot in the middle of my chest.

Sounds like a support group meeting might help! Does your doctor's office offer them or is there one nearby? Try looking into it. Maybe purchase a book to keep you motivated, even a cookbook? Take up a new hobby !! When you go to events arrive late and leave early-bring low cal treats. When you go to a BBQ have a time that you will eat so you don't mucj throughout the day. Look up walking paths in your area and buy a good pair of sneakers and an ipod-go for 20 minutes walks 2-3 times a week and then each week add on to it a little more. I feel the same way-what if I have this surgery and I fail??!! Anytime negative thoughts enter yor mind redirect yourself!! Have a reward system in place for short erm goals. For example: When I lose 10 pounds I am treating myself to a massage, nails, facial, etc. Goodluck!

So I was so worried about going to the racetrack and to an irish festival today, but I did really good!! I planned ahead and drank a shake on the drive there so I wouldn't be starving-good idea. NExt, it was BYOB so I opted out and just had water throughout the day. I had a little coleslaw because it didn't have hardly any mayo-but it got stuck-but went down after a minute-but that was scary! Then I had 1 spoonful of chile (minus the dog) and just a tasting of some other stuff (small taste) and I order a cheeseburger from the grill (minus the roll) and ate half of it. A really good day!! I drank lots of water throughoutthe day. I walked throughout the day as well. I am home eating egg drop soup. That wasn't so bad afterall!! As I reflect what I could have done differently I would say I would have brought different drinks than water (it got old after a while). I would have packed some veggies to munch on while they were dipping chips. I have maybe 5 chips and sat away from them. Much better then I though I would do-I don't feel like I cheated that much at all.

Hi Karon-nopulled pork! The food wasn't all that great so it made it easier!! How have you been?

You can never be too skinny or too rich! lol That seems like a loss that is definitely on the higher end-but it's great!!! Congrats!

My first marriage we were a lot like that-I was very outgoing and always doing something. He was more of a homebody and had very little social outlets and friends. It didn't work as we grew older. My current hubby is much more aligned to me-he is very outgoing and enjoys doing lots of things. Personally, I don't think you'll have a problem...maybe you'll even inspire him to want to do more! But if not, you can still do a lot of things independently or with a friend. If it seems to become a problem, maybe some counseling to help with the adjustment. Can your love withstand the weight loss? Yes, it should, it really should-in fact it should make you stronger. Good luck!

My first week out we went to eat-I just had the soup and asked them you bring it as my meal and I had a virgin strawberry diaquari. You can eat out you just have to plan for it. When you are are on mushies you have more options. A lot depends on what stage you are on the diet. A lot of restuarants have Vegan options, Chines restuarants have a 'diet 'menu, I think mexican has some options that might work-minus the bread. There are a few cookbooks for bandsters and they might give you some ideas of things to order. Good luck!