Cfowler23

I have been in a rut of fashion diets, etc. for almost 14 years and nothing ever worked because I was too lazy to make it work. I tried all kinds of diets ... anyway, I decided that I need assistance with the feeling of being full in order to lose weight because I can eat a LOT of bad food when I get emotional about something ... this could even include happy thoughts ... but the anxiety about all of it is what makes it hard to deal with up until now.

I was banded yesterday, I am extremely sore and tender ... but this should be expected. I have not eaten any substance in 3 days and it's actually getting better ... I am getting full off of liquids (flavored water, fruit pops, and other sugar free drinks). I have lost over 9 lbs in 7 days from the high protein diet/low carbs/low to no dairy. Lean meats and protein drinks help curb the hunger ... remember this when you are beginning ... also in a couple of days past your surgery. It will continue to help. You will want to have plenty of protein a week or two before your surgery to help reduce the soft feel of your liver. Your liver is wrapped around your stomach and they will have to move things around to fit the band in correctly. They ask for the high protein diet so the liver will not bleed as bad and will be firm if they need to move it.

So, this is my week one. I can't wait to get to know some people from this group ... I am proud of all of us for caring about our needs. One of the biggest problems I had was not putting myself first. Ever since I was preg over 13 years ago, I have been over weight. Back then and up to the last couple of years I didn't want the attention from others because I thought everyone had a motive ... later I met my husband and I began to truly love myself ... after being in a less than perfect home growing up ... meeting him helped me want to move past it. So then came the diets ... I wanted the outside of my body to feel as great as I do toward myself. Even though I have known I was overweight since my preg, I had the ultimate shocker ... I looked (and I mean REALLY looked) in the mirror and felt horrible. I kept hearing about the lap-band but then I decided, yes, this is what I want to do. I researched it, learned my chances of risks (which is low) and felt reassured that the procedure is reversable and I can have children again later if I choose to ... but I don't think anymore are in our forcast at this time.

Well, I wish everyone a great amount of success!!!