NJGirl32

Today I did something that I have been procrastinating on doing for a while. I am goingthrough all my clothes and donating or throwing them out. The size ranges are 12-22! Mostly 20s. I am a size 16 and it took a lot of determination to put all the clothes in the donation baf. I struggled with the what ifs...but ultimately decided that there is no turning back! I have these cute little skirts from 12 years ago when I married my hubby-They are too short for me now but I save a small space in the closet for them-I want to see if I can fit into them in June! My closets look pretty empty - time to go shopping!

If you read my blog you'll see my frustrations from the beginning. You are in Bandster Hell-the period between post surgery and finding your green zone. I really didn't start losing unitl 3 monthspost surgery. I would lose some, but nothingto write home about! Then with magic fill #4 at 4.5cc-well that did the trick! It's been 2.5 months since that fill and the wieght keeps going down. Today I tried on a pair of 14 jeans-and I bought them!! WooHoo! Hang in there-I was feeling SO discouraged those first couple of months. I thought -geeze maybe I will be one of the ones that it just doesn't work for! You will get there and it looks like you are going to have a decent fill (my doc only filled 1cc or .5 ccs ata time). Good luck-you'll get there!!!!!!!!!!!

Wow! Wow! Wow! Seriously-Wow! lol You look so much younger! Congrats on suck a big achievement !

My clothes weren't work related but if you have professional looking clothes to donate this organization really helps women: http://www.dressforsuccess.org/

I also ahted the Protein shakes-really disgusting except GNCs Total Lean pre-made shakes (choc.). I actually loved this shake because it was thinner and I didn't have to mix anything. They are pricey, but for me its worth it! After a certain point post op you will be needingto get your portions in solid form. Depending where you are along the process you can eat foods that have higher protein counts. Here are some guidelines: Shortcut: An ounce of meat or fish has approximately 7 grams of protein. Beef Hamburger patty, 4 oz – 28 grams protein Steak, 6 oz – 42 grams Most cuts of beef – 7 grams of protein per ounce chicken Chicken breast, 3.5 oz - 30 grams protein Chicken thigh – 10 grams (for average size) Drumstick – 11 grams Wing – 6 grams Chicken meat, cooked, 4 oz – 35 grams Fish Most fish fillets or steaks are about 22 grams of protein for 3 ½ oz (100 grams) of cooked fish, or 6 grams per ounce Tuna, 6 oz can - 40 grams of protein Pork Pork chop, average - 22 grams protein Pork loin or tenderloin, 4 oz – 29 grams Ham, 3 oz serving – 19 grams Ground pork, 1 oz raw – 5 grams; 3 oz cooked – 22 grams Bacon, 1 slice – 3 grams Canadian-style bacon (back bacon), slice – 5 – 6 grams eggs and Dairy Egg, large - 6 grams protein Milk, 1 cup - 8 grams Cottage cheese, ½ cup - 15 grams Yogurt, 1 cup – usually 8-12 grams, check label Soft cheeses (Mozzarella, Brie, Camembert) – 6 grams per oz Medium cheeses (Cheddar, Swiss) – 7 or 8 grams per oz Hard cheeses (Parmesan) – 10 grams per oz Beans (including soy) Tofu, ½ cup 20 grams protein Tofu, 1 oz, 2.3 grams Soy milk, 1 cup - 6 -10 grams Most beans (black, pinto, lentils, etc) about 7-10 grams protein per half cup of cooked beans Soy beans, ½ cup cooked – 14 grams protein Split peas, ½ cup cooked – 8 grams Nuts and Seeds Peanut Butter, 2 Tablespoons - 8 grams protein Almonds, ¼ cup – 8 grams Peanuts, ¼ cup – 9 grams Cashews, ¼ cup – 5 grams Pecans, ¼ cup – 2.5 grams Sunflower seeds, ¼ cup – 6 grams pumpkin seeds, ¼ cup – 8 grams Flax seeds – ¼ cup – 8 grams

Truthfully I would give it a weekor so. Try having something hot before eating-that always helps me. I can't eat scrambled eggs anymore-although I haven't tried in a while. The pain in the chest might be due to tryingto drink too much too fast. You are getting liquids and food down and aren't PBing so that's a good sign. Good luck!

I agree-if you are not hungry between meals do not getthe fill. Some people do not need a fill for quite a long time and some never need a fill. Talk to your doctor about it and make a decision. I was getting fills and eating less and really didn't start losing weight until 2-3 months post op. Then it came off in spurts, everyone is different. Good luck to you!

Cindy I was thinking the same thing-I was 20 pounds thinner than I am right now when I fit into them.!

I am 1-2 pounds away from Onderland too! Would love to be there by the end of this month or sooner! I am not scared at all-I can't wait!! What a sweet husband you have! lol Girl, you can do this-absolutely!! Try preplanning all your meals this week. I know if you go to Myfit.com (I forget the exact site so that may not be it) it will tell you exactly how many calories you'll need to eat to reach that goal. Maybe bump up the walking for the next 3 weeks too. Good luck!

One hot Mama!! You go girl!! That'll keep your hubby on his toes !

Girl, you will get through this and you will be better off for it! You have lost yourself through this marriage and now it's time to recapture the essence of who you really are and what you can be! I went through a divorce years ago and it wasn't easy-never is. Stay strong and focused. To me, you sound like an amazingly strong person. Deciding to get a divorce and turning your life around atthis point take a tremendous amount of courage-good for you! And deciding to have the lapband was another life-changing decision! You just capapulted your life into a new direction and it will be difficult and scary at first, but then you will land on your feet and realize that life can be a happy and you deserved to be loved and cherished. I love this quote: "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.' We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There's nothing Enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we're liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

Oh I have definitely been in your shoes! I had my surgery on May 25th and a week or 2 after surgery I lost some weight but then I barely lost anything-a very slow process! I started all this self-doubt thinking that maybe this surgery wouldn't work for me. I still could eat pretty much anything and was becoming discoraged. Slowly after each fill I could sense myself inching towards the "Green Zone" and out of the stage they calle "Bandster Hell" (<--the period of time that weight lost is low and hunger is high). Then my 4th fill did the trick -3 months after surgery! I still get hungry but I simply can not eat normal sized portions and my weight loss keeps going down (slowly-but steady). Yesterday I was trying on coats-last year I was a 20/22 or 2x and yesterday I stood in front of the Macy's mirror with a size 14 coat on!! A friggen 14!! I LOVE to go clothes shopping now! I actually feel sexy now and I haven't felt that in many, many years. My point is-you are still in the very beginning stages and you don't have the correct fill to get you into the green zone. With each fill you recieve it will get you closer. Before you know it you will be looking in the mirror and thinking "Wow, I look good!" Keep summer in mind-by summer time you'll be looking fabulous and feeling so much healthier! Meanwhile try to eat healthy foods and get out and take walks, drink plenty of Water, vitiamins, get your Proteins in so you don't feel the hunger monster as much. You will get there son enough!

I didn't tell anyone other than my hubby and 1 co-worker. I saw it happen to a friend who had GBS people just said mean things behind her back and I certainly didn't want to be the object of conversation. My weight loss is slow but steady so people think I am dieting and I like it that way. It is a little difficult sometimes because I eat so little when dining out with others. I am happy that I didn't tell everyone-I might tell some others down the road (like my mother). Plus no one ever told me that it would be a slow process. I focused on people who had lapband and lost weight quickly-who knew that 3 months after surgery my weight loss would be so modest? But after the right fill things started happening. I just hope it continues that way!

People just don't understand unless they struggled with weight issues themselevs. My hubby said the same thing to me before surgery-I think he was getting a little scared about me getting an operation. I think it stems from concern. The other day on the Today show they had a woman who lost a lot of weight on-the whole before and after pictures. Kathie Lee says "Oh I am so glad to hear you did it the natural way." I am thinking WTH ! I am proud of my weight loss and I am damn proud that I was brave enough and determined enough to get the lapband surgery. It takes real strength to go through all the stages of banding. Ultimately it's your life, your decision, your health.

Perfect!! Just think how great you'll look come summer time!!

Congrats!! I am right behind you-still a 16 but a loose 16! It feels great doesn't it!!

It's been 5 months since my surgery I lost almost 50 pounds. Everyone at work has been commenting on how good I look. I have been buying lots of clothes because I am a lot smaller and I love it! Last night I wentto dinner and I put on a pair of jean jeggings (before these same jeggings gave me a muffin top and now they were loose on me). I wore boots and a cute long top with my daughter's black belt-I looked in the mirror and thought "Damn I look good!" lol It feels SO good feeling sexy again (even if I am 48 yrs. old). For all of you struggling through bandster hell I will tell you that it's totally worth it! I wentthrough all the self doubt and worrying if I would be one of the ones that just doesn't lose much with lapband and things really didn't start to get moving until 3 months after my surgery. I am 4.5 in a 10cc band and I am rocking the band! Am I perfect-no way, but it's not about being perfect it's about constantly reflecting, readjusting, and moving forward! I can't wait to buy a Christmas dress for my husband's Christmas party! Life is good!!!!!!!!!

I had my surgery on May 25th and from that date till August 23rd I pretty much could eat normal food (I would need to stay a little away from bread). I could easily go out to dinner and eat a meal. I could eat pizza. With each fill things got a little different. Then on August 23rd I got the fill that did it for me. It was a huge learning curve becuase my mind wanted to eat but the band would say "Oh no you don't." I usually have a granola bar or a yogurt for Breakfast. I drink coffee-I like it and I only drink 2 cups. At lunch-well that's a tough one because I really can't eat a lot at lunch. I am going to try a Protein shake next week for lunch. If I don't eat lunch I will come home and have a snack (nuts/raisen mix or cheese on a cracker-something like that). For dinner I will either eat a small portion of what I am serving my family or eat 2/3s of a lean cusiene. Then I like my night time snack so that will vary-maybe SF pudding wih whipped cream or a granola bar (I love them) or popcorn-it depends. With that being said it it very easy to eat around the band. Ice cream goes down fine, so does chocolate, and alchol too! I find that if I eat solid Proteins first then I am not hungry for crap. I also found if I skip lunch I get very hungry -so I am working on that. Last night I went out to dinner and I had a small flounder stuffed with crabmeat (the size of a deck of cards)and 2 tablespoons of spinach- it was perfect-except for the Toostie Roll Martini and beers. I don't drink that often and I am losing so a little indulgence is okay for me. I hope things work out for you-you might just be 1 or 2 fills away from the perfect zone.

What a great post! You have really done amazingly well-congratualtions! I think it's so great that you are open to being a resource for people consideringthe surgery. Someone I work with helped me make my decision and helped give me the confidence to go with the doctor she went to. She is not open about her surgery, but will help thoses considering it. Someday I hope to do the same for someone.

He may have missed the port OR you may have a leak. Next time have him take out the fluid and see what's in there. If you have insurance I would insist on a fluro fill-absolutely. Something just doesn'r seem right. Before you give up make sure you don't have a leak and if all in fine then you just need a ltlle more-you're almost there girl-don't give up yet-you CAN do this! I simply cannot overeat-can't do it withthe fill I have now or I will get sick. Sometimes I really want to eat a lot, but I can't. Good luck to you-I wish you the best! Be an advocate for your band!

That seems VERY extreme! And it really doesn't make sense-a month? What is his reasoning? I can see 24 hours (that what my doc says) but after that the swelling should go down if there is any.

All weekedn people were telling me I looked thinner so today I did it-I stepped on the scale! When I started this journey I was 248 and as of today I was 202.6!!!! 3 pounds away from Onderland!!! WooHoo! Tomorrow will be 5 months since my surgery and I am so glad I did it! I am losing slower than some but at least the scale is moving in the right direction!

Thanks everyone!! This forum has been a true life saver. I learned more on here than from my doctor. I will treat meself once I am in Onederland. Although I have been treating myself to new clothes-I finally like how I look in clothes!

Love Trader Joe's -lots of yummy stuff!