CHEZNOEL

None of us are alone anymore. We have tons of friends who understand without being told what it is we are going through. Welcome, I am glad you joined us!

It will come, just stay hydrated.

Good luck, but the "have a little fun" comment causes me to worry about your commitment. Stick to your eating plan even without the band. It is a lifestyle change, not a diet!

The goal is to eat until you are satisfied. Protein first, then veggie, then starch. Are you weighing and measuring your food? If eat to feel full, you will likely have overeaten. Try drinking something high protein in between, such as SF hot chocolate, sf apple cider, etc. If you are saying your first fill is not until Jan18th, then you may want to call for an earlier appointment. At this point you are in what we fondly call Bander Hell. At first, you are doing most of the work. The band will start to help after you start getting fills. In the meantime "Want Power," the desire to make this work is you best ally.

And... she lived to tell the story! LOL

Congratulations, you bust gave yourself the best present ever! Enjoy!

Wrong focus point. Everyone loses at a different pace. The lap band is not a guarantee that you will lose, it is a tool. The end game is always in the future. Focus on what you will eat for the next meal.

That foreign object is helping you lose weight. NO different from artificial hip, knees, etc. Nothing to freak about. Learn to use the tool you now have!

Get the biotin, 5000-10000 mcg daily, and I have also read that zinc will help.

I use a variety of protein mixes. I like the flavors of Unjury best. Everyone has different tastes. I mix my powders in unsweetened almond milk. I has extra calcium, very low carbs, and only 30 calories/cup. Nashua Nutrition online has a program where you can order samples of all kinds of mixes. I loved the peanut butter cookie! I have heard that many like Atkins, Shakes from Walmart, and Costco. Depends on whether you want ready to drink or are willing to shake your own. If you are advanced enough for a blender, you can add greek yogurt, fruit, etc to the shakes to mix up the flavors. Just watch the carbs/sugar on some of the protein stuff. Remember it is also used for those in weight training not just weight loss.

There is no need to "clear" out your system. It does that itself. A colonoscopy is not fun. Weight is a journey, not a destination. You will lose over a period of time. Now if you really medically NEED a colonoscopy that is different. I would wait at least 6 weeks for the banding to heal and give your body a rest. You have the rest of your life to lose weight, it is not a race, it is a lifestyle change!

You need to spread out your protein. You cannot expect to drink it all in the morning, and not to be hungry at night. Plan ahead. Drink 2-3 oz of protein per hour. That keeps your body knowing that more is coming.

Everyone has their tales of fear of failure. You have to WANT this for yourself, because it is still a lot of work, not a magic procedure or spell the doctor casts over you.

Welcome to banded life. Good News... this phase does not last too long! Just follow docs orders and soon you will be losing!

Yes.. start biotin now. Hair loss seems to stop about month 7 and it does come back in!

Everyone reacts to the surgery a little differently. If you have been following your post op diet, you will be fine. Give the body a chance to heal.

You should never vomit from a fill. The doctor will insert a needle into your port and add fluid to the band. He will then ask you to drink some water to ensure it passes freely. He may ask you to eat a cracker as well. Depending on your feedback about what you feel in your band, your are either done or they will remove a small amount. Most doctors ask that you go back to liquids for 24 hours before returning to solid food. Some add a second day of soft food or mushies. Then you go back to what you were eating, carefully focusing on small bites and chewing very carefully. Sip liquids slowly don't guzzle. That's it. You should feel extra restriction as you eat after that.

Stay the course. You need to create Want Power to see you through!

Amazing pics, thanks for sharing. You are going to look so wonderful! We are proud of you!

Congratulations, and hug that daughter for me! She is a rock, mine were not at all supportive, so you are indeed luck to have her! Best wishes!

Why can't your doctor or nurse remove the pump?

Just ask yourself which is worse? Loose skin or dieing from some co-morbidity.

Try using almond milk, unsweetened instead of regular milk products. Helped me a bunch and is very low calorie.

Try mixing your protein powder in Almond milk, unsweetened.