healthywoman

Wow, you look awesome-all that work and no real pain?? What a blessing. I hope you are able to post more pics soon. Ignore the negative people who commented. Keep up the good work. I am five months out from my LB surgery, have lost 30 pounds, and hoping my skin will rebound enuf to avoid TT. My body doesn't do well with anesthesia so don't want to go there again. Healthywoman

NCGG- You know you can do this! It's good you realized how many carbs you were consuming. When you track proteins, you will see with many foods that the calorie to protein ratio is also something to track. My doc said 60-80g of protein. Low fat greek yogurt has low cals and high prot, where crackers have high cals and low prot. When I read labels, some things are just not worth eating-this has helped me tremendoulsy. I chose not to have a fill today because I'm in the green zone now. Not sure how it happens but feel like the band has become tighter since the December fill, even though I've lost 3 lbs since. I'm happy with that and am expecting to need a fill by February. Congrats to Stroganoff!! Keep up the good work! Caryn-I'm addicted to sugar also, so let us know how it goes with quitting. I quit smoking 18 years ago, but at this time won't make the choice to quit sweets. I'm still under the illusion of "sweets in moderation". Maybe someday!! Healthywoman

You are only three weeks out from your surgery so you have about three more weeks of this on/off pain. Walking is the best way to get rid of the gas trapped in your abdominal cavity since the surgery. It really will subside, slowly but surely. I am 4 months out from my surgery. Like you, I thought that pain would never go away but it does. Walk as much as you can every day. Remember to eat slowly and chew very well. You are probably just getting to solids so chew,chew,chew!

Happy New Year to all! I am down to 179 so lost weight over the holidays! A first in my life!! Hope everyone is staying on track. We can do this together. I will have an appt Jan 10, but don't think I need a fill as I'm feeling the "green zone". I feel like the band has become tighter over time since my last fill Dec 13. Someone else posted about not eating til they felt hungry during the day so I started paying attention to my body and I don't get hungry til 12:00pm. I've stopped eating breakfast just because its 7:00am. I do drink a small protein shake however, so my body doesn't produce the ketones. Looking forward to reading how all of you are doing since the holidays. Healthywoman

I will pray for you GG! Congrats to the NSV's recently. I had one of my own yesterday, although it sounds kinda silly. After my shower, i realized the bathsize towel wrapped around me and covered everything, no gaps!!!! I was shocked ! I'm stuggling again between the 182- 180 lbs but will stick to the plan and watch what happens in 2012. I went to my PCP for a weight check and blood work to check my kidney function this week. She didn't want me to do the band cuz it's the "easy way" out and "won't solve the primary problem of overeating". I've lost 28 lbs, dropped my BMI from 37 to 32 and she said not ONE word about the loss!!! Not even a mention about the surgery or the great BMI drop!!! This gal is 4' 8 inches and weighs about 190-I think she was mad at me!! Oh well, can't wait to show her how this band can work!! Yea ME!!!! Merry Christmas to all! Healthywoman

Healthywoman here! I made it to 180 today-losing a full 30 pounds now!! So far no PB's or getting stuck. I go in for my next fill Dec 13 and will probably only get .5cc's. My doc reduces the amount over time. I feel healthy, no hair loss, no more reflux. I will see my PCP for blood work to check my vitamin and mineral levels in two weeks. Hope you are all doing well.

Kelly, Have you told your doc about the heartburn? This can indicate problems with band placement. I too had a hiatal hernia repaired which stopped completely any heartburn I had before. Maybe you have a sensitivity to certain foods ie spicy, vinegar, or sugar. I can't eat mustard- its a guaranteed heartburn for me. Caryn, Do you try any stress relieving techniques? Deep breathing, yoga, calming tea, primal screaming???? Might help you get thru the next three weeks. What are you studying? GG-Congrats on the twenty pound mark - did you do the happy dance?? I just made it back to the 184 mark again after the halloween candy. I'm back on track and will go in next week for another fill. Ms Lady-I'll pray for you to. Remind your mom if she gets sassy that you have lost 32 lbs, and this is just a minor problem. You have chosen to get healthy and she should be supporting you. We are all here for you. Trevebyn-Are you hounding your doc's office to get this port issue taken care of?? Are you still losing? Hope everyone has a good week. Healthywoman

Caryn, I know what you mean about those clothes. I'm having the same problem. My 20's are bagging around my legs, bottom and waist but I don't fit into my 18's. How can that be???? I am walking more than I have in my life and feel this is helping with losing inches. I want to get into my 18's!!! I'm glad to hear you are losing and feeling better GG. Too bad about that salad, but only a hundred calories over- you can burn that off by washing the floor on your hands and knees!! Or maybe some arobic vacuuming! Kristen I battled the candy and lost too-working now to get rid of the weight I gained. Back down to 185 (again) and walking more. Jess its good to hear you are feeling better with the papaya enzyme. I don't have issues with feeling stuck, but wonder if they are beneficial to use "just because". Are you all using chewable vitamins? I don't like the ones I have and see that alot of it is being flushed away in my urine. Makes me wonder how much is being absorbed by my body. Heaalthywoman

Sorry to hear about your port Ms. Lady. I will pray for you also. Let us know what happens. Healthywoman

Good Morning all, I enjoyed all your posts-Caryn you're sooo funny! I also was bummed out when I went to my closet- I was down to 184.6 and didn't fit into my 18's !! Crazy- but I fit into them on my way up to 210!!! Confession- I must've eaten a pound or more of the halloween candy too!! Knew I shouldn't have had it in the house. Just one bite and I'm hooked again-don't understand why people get hooked on expensive drugs when chocolate is sooo much cheaper and tasty too!!! Bummed again when I weighed in at 186 today-my punishment for not staying away from the candy! My next fill is on the 18th of November-so I don't expect to have a rough time during the holidays. We can eat small amounts of everything so just cut your pie into smaller portions and eat slow to savor the flavor. I will walk more to burn off the extra candy calories. Have a good week, Healthywoman

Thanks chich, when is your appt for your unfill? Let us know how it goes! Have a great weekend Healthywoman

Congrats again to all of you hitting your new low's. I hit 184.6 today!!!! I weigh every day in the AM, no clothes. I can handle the daily fluctuations and know it's part of the routine for the body to do that. Hope everyone has a good week end. Blessings, Healthywoman

Congrats to Jess and Chich on reaching onederland!!!!! It's a great feeling and such a motivator. I reached another goal this week by getting down to 185 ! My next goal is 180. I'm really having trouble drinking the water. I am only finishing about 22 oz per day. I carry a bottle with me but don't drink it. I'm not feeling thirsty so maybe that's the problem. I'll keep trying though everyday. How's it going with the snacking issues? Kristen did you try the strawberry greek yogurt-I buy Oikos- it's the least like sour cream. Have a great day! Healthywoman

My surgeon always places the port just to the right of midline, just below the ribcage. I was a bit surprised at how close to the surface it was, but it makes sense to be accesible for fills. I too, wonder how evident it will be once I lose weight, cuz my upper half isn't nearly as large as my lower half. Just have to see how the clothing fits as I lose the weight. I'm down 25 pounds, had surgery Aug 18th, have 60 more to lose.

Thanks for all the info about "getting stuck". Kristen I was wondering if your episode was a bread food? I have read and heard that breads and pasta are the usual problem foods. As for the snacking ideas in the evening, maybe you could save some of your protien alottment for the day and have it at night. I love the whey protien shakes I use and they provide a full feeling longer than some solids! I use the chocolate which is yummy and only 140 calories. How about 1/2 a serving of greek yogurt- you could pretend it's ice cream. High in protien and low in cals- a girls best friend. I've noticed that a lot of the posts mention that they are able to eat anything they want and as much as they want. Try to stay focused on the sensation of the food entering your stomach, remember to chew the food til its nearly liquid, and make good protien choices. The band is not majic, it won't work unless you feed your body good protien sources and fewer calories. We must always be following the "rules" because when we finally get to the " green zone" we must eat slowly, chew, chew, chew, or our " stuck " episodes will increase. We don't want to continue bad habits til we get to the zone. Sorry to sound preachy but we might as well stay focused since we made the choice to get the band. We are all in this together, as GG says. We'll have good times and bad, platueas and losses. Thanks again to everyone for sharing. When you all go in for your next fill, notice what they use to clean your abdomen. I'm still pondering this issue about my nurse using hand sanitizer to swab my tummy. Can't wait til my next visit in November to ask. Blessings, Healthywoman

Thank you GG for sharing about your first PB. I've been wondering about that and have aimed to never have it happen to me. I've read that when it comes up it's not the same as an actual vomit in that the stomach isn't suddenly squeezing to move the food up. Did that feel different to you than a "normal" vomit and was it painful when it finally came back up? Sorry to be so specific but I think all of us should be aware of the realities in our new banded life. I did find out what it feels like to swallow too large a bite-achy all the way down- and started the "fear" of the foaming and PB. Nothing else happened but the achiness. Yea! Congrats on your NSV- I love that phrase. I'm so happy for you that you had such a positive experience in a clothing store. I was dreading the next trip shopping but have now changed my attitude to see what adventure I can find. I'm currently wearing size 20's that are way too baggy- I was sooo happy to notice that when I pulled them down they didn't stop around my thighs- they just fall to the floor now! I'm celebrating every little victory too, so maybe thats my first NSV! I went to the back of my closet yesterday and don't have the next size down, but it's two sizes- at first I was bummed out cuz they didn't go up past the thigh-then I looked at the size and saw it was a 16 and just laughed!! Thats my next goal- to get those brand new black jeans on -size 16. I kept most of my sizes from the last 2 years so I'm good down to the 12's for now. It's like I have a clothing store in my closet! Kauai-welcome to the group. I was shocked that you've lost 30 pounds since your surgery-congrats girl! It will continue again once you get your fills. You say you can eat whatever you want-stay focused on the good for you protien choices so when you begin losing again it won't be muscle but fat. My surgery was 8-18, and I have lost altogether pre and post 25 lbs with a six week plateau hovering at 20 lost. It was discouraging to be stuck there, but I also marveled at the fact I wasn't gaining either!! Take some extra walks to rev up your metabolism so when you get your next fill, you'll start dropping right away. We are all in this together. It's sunny and about 40 degrees here today so will set a goal to walk the dog twice around the neighborhood. Walk and Water , walk and water, my new mantra for today. Love the rubberband idea for the water bottle-thanks!! Blessings to all, Healthywoman

Caryn are you still out there? You started this thread for us august bandsters and I haven't seen you post in a while. Hope all is going well for you. Blessings, Healthywoman

Caryn are you still out there? You started this thread for us august bandsters and I haven't seen you post in a while. Hope all is going well for you. Blessings, Healthywoman

Hi to budapatti and jess- we have all been at a plateau so far and felt frustrated about that. what I've done to help myself is to realize that I was making healthy food choices following the program and celebrating the fact that I wasn't gaining either. I'll admit that a few times I chose to eat a DQ Blizzard for lunch instead of protien, but before the band it would have been lunch and LG blizzard after!!! So I know the band was working even if it didn't feel like it at the time and I didn't gain. I didn't tell anyone about my band except very specific people-I didn;t even tell my family cuz they all would have had opinions that wouldn't necessarily have supported me. However, my son spilled the Beans so had to do some explaining after the fact. Most of them have decided to support me. Try to remember that your "green zone" is coming-and you'll know when you hit it. I knew immediately with my second fill as the nurse added the 1cc-I felt the tightening around my stomach. You have to drink Water before you leave to make sure its not too tight. I was elated and have been dropping about a half a pound a day all this week. I'm assuming it will slow to 1-2 pounds per week like all the info says. I'm really focusing on the feeling in my stomach as I eat and stop as soon as I feel satisfied-not full-so my hunger is coming on about 3 and a half or 4 hours later. And its really true that protien stays with you longer so I try hard to get my 60-80 grams per day. GG how are you today? I think I am also one of the older individuals on this board and know that it's not as easy to lose at this age as when we were 20 or 30.I have been "dieting since I was 15 years old I am soooooo happy to have this band to help me achieve a healthy weight for the last time. I truly believe that the band was the best choice for me. Still pondering over this hand sanitizer issue on my tummy-does anyone know if it's the same cleansing power as the alcohol they used to swab us down with??? What do all your doc's do for the fill procedure. I have nothing to compare it to as the only person I know with a band went to this same doc. I haven't seen my doc since surgery day 8-18!!!!

Hi, Healthywoman here. I haven't had time to post since early Sept ,just read all the posts since and see we are all in this together. Some of the posts are so funny, some you can feel the frustration, others the joy. Thanks GG for your major support and encouragement to everyone here. I see a few people I recognise from other sites as well, pre surgery. I am 2 months post, hit a plateau at one month post, and took solace in the fact that i was hovering and not gaining for 4 weeks. I was down 20 lbs and stuck at that point. I had my first fill Sept 30, felt absolutely nothing, and continued to be hungry. So after 9 days I called to schedule another fill which I had two days ago. I immediately felt a tightening, and a small "fist" in my chest-I was soooo happy to know I would feel at least some restriction. I was given 3 cc's for my first fill, already had 4 cc's in from surgery, and was given 1 cc this week. All of our bodies are different, and the size of the fat pad around our stomach is really what determines how much restriction we feel. I am now losing again every day. Yes, I weigh every day.I know we aren't supposed to but it keeps me on track. I am seriously wondering about my surgeons office after hearing your stories. Do you know I haven't seen my surgeon since the day of surgury. I see the nurse who removed the staples one week post-op, and has also done the fills. My doc isn't even in the office when I go. The nurse used hand sanitizer to swab my tummy before she did the lidocaine, then the fill which was no problem. I didn't have any infection from it but really, hand sanitizer??? I'v e really had no support from this office either. I'm calling around to the local bariatric centers to see if I can join their support groups as I have to drive 40 minutes to my current office. Has anyone else switched offices midstream before? Thanks again to all of you who read and support on this site. We August bandsters are doing an awsome job so far. Yea to us!! Blessings for all today!

Hi Lynne, Has your doctor done an ultrasound or any other diagnostic tests to check the band/stomach area? Maybe you have an erosion or possibly the band has slipped. There are nerves in the abdominal cavity that originate up in the neck area and spinal cord that might be associated with producing headaches. I would be sure to ask your surgeon about the integrity of the band itself before going on to another doctor. Then maybe you could get the opinion of a chiropractor or neurologist. Let us know what you find out. HW

My name is Tari, married 21 years, 2 sons-high school and middle school. I was banded Aug 18, feel great now, am back to work and doing quite well. I,ve lost 17 pounds which makes me feel so happy. Already down one jean size! My only problem is constipation. I'm unsure if I can take something to blast it through. My nurse told me to go on to mushies last thursday after only one week of post-op liquids and I thought this would help move things on. No luck yet for one week!!! I;ve been using Benefiber in my protein drinks but still not helping. Any ideas? Thanx

Good Morning everyone, I am 9 days post -op and feel very well. An occasional pulling sensation at the port site when turning over -still sleeping on the couch tho- but overall things are healing nicely. Had my staples out Thursday, and was told to go on pureed foods instead of another week of liquids. Still doing some liquids as I'm a bit nervous about putting "real" food into my pouch. Is anyone else at this stage of pureed, and how does it feel in your stomach? I'm went back to work yesterday-I stand most of the day- and only felt extra tired last night. Even went to the first high school football game last night! My stomach muscles felt sore frome sitting on the bleachers but not a problem. To CHICHOLICIOUS: The best thing you can do to relieve the gas and shoulder pains is walk. Walk alot even if it is just laps around your living room. I didn't walk enuf and didn't get the gas moving so had gas pain for too many days. I felt like you at the last minute before surgery, thinking this really is extreme to lose weight. But I looked at my whole life since puberty and all the yo yo dieting and realized that it wouldn't change. That is my pattern, and I needed a more permanent solution. We come to this point in our lives when we are determined to make a change and we must go for it. You will be happy with your decision. I only told the people who absolutely needed to know- about 6 people. Everyone else really doesn't need to know your private medical info. I also had a hiatal hernia repaired and only give that info to the people who need to know about the fact that I had surgery and can't do some things because of it ie: lifting more than 10 lbs. So I suggest not to worry about it. Good luck to the rest of the "soon to be banded". I'll keep you in my prayers. HW

Hi all, I am four days post-op and feel prettywell. Drove to church yesterday and then attended a baby shower for the preacher in the afternoon. Today I feel even better. Have not needed even the tylenol today. Hang in there, those who are still waiting, it is so worth the temporary pain. I feel so much more in control of my health since I made the decision to research the band, and now, banded! Looking forward to seeing the scale tomorrow as the swelling is continuing to go down. Heads up to those still waiting- you will gain weight at the hospital, depending on how many fluids they give you. Just be aware and not discouraged-it's temporary. Since my initial visit to my surgeon, I have lost 13 pounds. I'm very satisfied with that. I'll check in later to see how you are all doing. HW

Good Morning all, I am BANDED!!! My date was the18th, all went well with the procedure, but the pain meds made me dizzy, nauseous and generally out of it. I ended up requesting them to stop the dilaudid, and just give me extra strenghth liquid tylenol. It took all night to get me back to normal, and then I actually felt better. Rested up all day and came home last night. I haven't had enyf pain for prescrition meds -that is amazing to me. I'm drinking my liquids-two week post op for my doc, and not having trouble. The port site is the most painful spot, keep a pillow handy to get up and down. I've been up folding laundry already today. I'm looking forward to feeling even better tomorrow. I'll check in later. HW