Kime-lou

I feel the same!! Getting to work at 6:30 isn't so great, but getting off at 3 is darn nice!!

My doc did/does both. When I first went in I told him I wanted band with plication. We discussed my life style, my eating habits, my current and past weight issues. After the discussion he said if it were up to him, his recommendation would be straight banding. My highest weight was 244, I had no co-morbids- all labs were still in good ranges. He said that he saw no reason for me to put my body through a more stress procedure, when I could do just as well with dedication to the band. But, he said if I wanted to do the plication as well he would do it. After thinking about it and talking to the hubs, I opted for straight banding. I've lost 60lbs in 1 year. Maybe if I would have had plication it would have been more, maybe not. I think with or with out people can be successful, it is more about dedication than anything else. My advice would be to talk to the surgeon, have a frank conversation about you. See what he advises, think about it- research. Then make up your mind and commit to it. Good luck with which ever way you go!!

I wore comfy yoga pants (loose) and a t-shirt and my trusty flip-flops.

I find that it does better than a blind fill, but that is me. I have less problems when I get a floro fill.

Each day is a different story. The band tightness for some people is effected by the time of the month. flying, weather, having a cold, ect. As long as you are taking small bites and not eating fast you are doing all you can do to prevent getting stuck.

I questioned my doc about this. He said your weight at the intake exam (the intial meeting) with the doc is what is turned in to the insurance. Just check with you doctors office.

I having been looking for alternatives for things I love that will be healthier and here are somethings I have found: Spagetti Squash instead of pasta. You can cook it in the mircowave and then stread with a fork and you have pasta, with LESS carbs. Plus it's really tasty. Couscous instead of rice. I do eat brown rice sometimes, but I get tired of it. Some times I want something that taste good and decatant, but won't kill the "diet". If you use a little olive oil in a sauce pan, heat it up add a chopped onion and 3-4 garlic cloves. Cook until the onions are done, add 1 cup of water and bring to a boil. Once it is boling take it off the heat add one cup of coucous and let it sit. Once it as sat about 4 min, take a fork and fluff- add a little parm cheese for a little extra something. While couscous does have carbs it also had more protein and fiber. If you get stuck on rice, you likely won't get stuck on this because the grains are so fine. Veggie chip instead of potato chips. I make my own chips. I purchased a Pampered Chef chip maker. I use zucchini, yellow squash, sweet potato, apples to make my own chips. Plus I can season like I want using less salt. You can make a bunch and put in plastic bags and save for later. Greek yogurt instead of sour cream in recipes. There is a slight difference, but you like will not notice. I use the 0% Fage. Bullion instead of oil in veggies. If you are from the south, your mama likely put a little grease in her veggies (like steamed cabbage or string beans). To perk of the flavor just add a teaspoon of beef bullion to veggies. This will give you flavor and all the salt you'll want. Fruit parfait rather than a sundae. When I want a dessert type food this is my go to. Cut up one large strawberry in the bottom of a bowl top with a Table spoon of Fage 0% greek yogurt, put a few blue berries on top. Sprinkle a teaspoon or organic granola or flax seed on top. Another good treat is to cut a fresh peach in half, place on a hot grill and flip about 2 min later cook 2 more min, remove top with a small spoon of greek yogurt- this is really yummy. These are just a few I have found- what healthy swaps have you found?

Awesome!!! Onward and Downward Congrats!

Make a list of questions and take them- this always helps me.

Some great things to try to get protein in and still get yummy things is use Greek Yogurt for a fruit dip. Dip apples in PB. Each a Weight Watchers Cheese stick with a few grapes. Fruit is good for you and give you fiber, adding a little protein in gives you a nice balance. These were ideas my NUT gave me.

I go through ebbs and flows of this. Sometimes exercise easy peazy and then sometimes it kicks my butt. I always attributed it to my asthma and the things that trigger it. Granted, with the weight loss my breathing is better, but when allergy season rolls around - nothing helps.

Welcome and congrats. You will learn quick. But, remember if you have a question- ASK!! Make sure you have a good line of communication with your doctor- he/she can be your BFF in this process. One last bit of advice- don't stress. Every thing will be fine- the journey should be taken one day at a time, or it can be over whelming.

The only guidelines I got were: 1 cup of food or less per meal (eating more could put the band at risk) 5 meals a day (breakfast,snack,lunch,snack,dinner) 50-70 grams of Protein per day 64 oz of Water at the least a day My doc told me yesterday to make sure I was doing the following: Bites should be a peanut m&m size and chewed well. No more than 3 bites per min. This eating slowly will trigger your brain it is satisfied quicker and it also prevents you from getting stuck as easy. Do not drink with meals, as it washed down your food and you will get hungry quicker. Make sure I am getting the water in. Try to avoid heavy laden sodium items. Eat protein first, in case you get full that is in you. Cut back on carb (no out, but down). A carb should be the last thing eaten- then IF you have room eat a bite.

I found that it gets gooey and stuck. If I eat bread I toast whole grain oat slice or I a toated whole grade english muffin.

If possible google the place you are going or look up the places you go to most often and see if they have nutrtion info on their website. I have done this to help myself. When eating out there are general rules of thumb. Don't go for fried (Genral Tso's while yummy is fried the drench is a calorie layden sauce- avoid this). Most asian places have things like chicken and brocolli or mooshu chicken- just don't get the rice and egg role. Google is your friend- use it.

Such a wonderful feeling when you finally see a 1 at the start of your weight!!! Congrats!!

With any odd feeling check with the doc. It is likely just irritation inside from the line running from your port to your band. In a few weeks it should go away, but it is always best to check with the doc. You are not very far out from surgery so don't worry about the loss yet. You are healing and retaining Fluid. Make sure you are drinking enough Water, add lemon which is a natural diuretic and they should help. The weight loss will come, just give you body time to heal, this was a major surgery.

Ok, I just went in for my 1 year post-op. June 22 will be my one year, but due to scheduling I went early. Good news- I have lost 60 lbs since pre-op. I was down 7 lbs from my last fill in Feb (even though it doesn't feel like it). Every thing looks great- had floro fill done. I would like to share a few things my doc stressed to me while I was there that painted a good picture of how life should be now.... 1- I MUST see him at least once a year for a floro check of my band, to make sure I am not having any problems. 2- Eat 5 meals a day. This will keep my metabolism going and give me enough calories. 3- Eat only a cup at a time. His picture was: you use to have a 4 lane highway, now you have a one lane pig path- no more tractor trailers. 4- Small bites. A bite is the size of a peanut M&M and only 3 per min. 5- Sips of water. A sip is half a cough syrup cup - again only 3 per min. 6- Protein first then fiber. Going in today I kinda felt like I did at the start of the journey, excited and waiting to get going. Not sure why I lost that fire before, but glad I found it again.

You want a doctor with Bariatic certification. My doctor holds a miminally invasive general surgery and bariatic sugery certification. I read up my docs in my area and he seemed to have the most experience and the most publications- meaning he is still learning and on the for front. Once you get some names in the area- google them. You could be surprised what you can find.

Thanks CG- I haven't lost as much as I had hoped for in a year, but with this ignition of the fire again, I think I can get rid of the next 47 lbs by next bandversary.

I appreciate you sharing this. It's good to know I am not alone in faltering from time to time, but the key is getting back up and getting back to it.

I have learned it's a balance. Not eating enough is just as bad as eating to much. We each have to find out "happy" place, and that seems to change as we change. It's an ever evolving story.