A New New Dawn

He sounds unique! I love my surgeon but he doesn't go to that length. Glad he is taking great care of you!

Keep in mind too that if you are anywhere near your TOM, that can have a big impact on Water retention, etc. I weigh daily (not obsessed about it but just to watch that I am not trending upward). Some days I can get on the scale and it is up 2 lbs, the next day it is gone again and I did nothing different. Just try to focus on the average. You may weigh yourself tomorrow and be down 4 lbs. It can really fluctuate from day to day. I am down 1.5 lbs this a.m. from yesterday. I know I didn't lose 1.5 lbs of fat from yesterday to today... it just "is what it is". If you are doing the right thing w/ eating and drinking, it will come off. In the beginning we are so eager hoping it will fall off week to week but the reality is not that way for most of us. When I have hit plateaus, I went back to how much water I was drinking and how much Protein I was taking in. If you are under on those, it makes a big difference. Lastly, know that this is a huge emotional journey, not just physical. Around 4-6 weeks for me I was very sensitive and very emotional. Not only are we changing our physical eating habits but our emotional ones. It is hard but we get through it. I appreciated that you apologized to CG above as I know she just wants the best for you. Since you are also new to this, sometimes a PM will help clear things up or if you really are offended by someone, you can block them so you don't see their posts and vice versa. I hope it doesn't ever come to that as I do believe that most people on this site really do want the best for our fellow banders. I just ignore the posts that I don't find value in and read the ones that do. Best wishes to you on this journey!

Ah, and you probably haven't gotten to ketosis yet (though you may have during pre-op)... You get to add rancid breath to the mix! It's hell getting beautiful and healthy, LOL. It does get better. It is funny though that I notice just how "fat" our society is and why now. I used to enjoy (way tooo much) all the food commercials and now I notice how much unhealthy crap we shove down society's throats (literally). Then they offered me the lapband card (id card showing I have the band and have restricted eating). They said, many places will allow you to order from the kids' menu by showing this card. Heck no, I never really paid attention but most kids' menus are chicken fingers, pizza, mac&cheese, etc... No wonder kids are overweight too. Last but not least, many restaurants now post caloric content of menu items. I took my teenage daughter to Applebees and once in a while she will splurge and have a burger but usually opts for healthier choices. I ordered from the under 500 calorie menu and she opted for a burger. Later that night we looked online at her burger.. it was 1000 calories!!!! I asked her if she would have ordered it knowing that and she said no way! Granted we knew it wasn't healthy, but certainly didn't expect it was 1000+ calories! Lastly, be glad your plumbing IS working and I recommend you do continue sipping Water and fluids. Not enough water and the limited Fiber you are getting now can cause for a VERY PAINFUL, AGONIZING, EXCRUTIATING, OH MY LORD pain you don't want to experience (or so I am told, lol). Best wishes to you in your journey! It's all worth it!!

I agree with the posts above. I would also add that if you are drunk right now, perhaps you should go sleep it off and come back for support when you are in a sober state of mind. There's not much we can do for you or offer when you are not. Not trying to be mean, just keeping it "real".

Since it has been a while since you were banded, perhaps a visit with the NUT would be helpful to get some meal plans and to talk about how to work around the issues you are having.

I made her lasagna cupcakes before too and loved them!

I chose it because I did not like the idea of having my stomach permanently altered and have it not be reversible. There is a big learning curve w/ the band but there will be with any WLS. Also, to Jean's point, do factor in that you will need follow up care for fills, etc. If it may pose an issue for you (working, etc), find out the hours their office is open. My surgeon only has Tues. a.m. hours so I have to miss work for appts or go late. He will see me other times if there is an urgent need though. With my surgeon, I had a follow up at 1 week, 6 weeks, then monthly for 6 months. Make sure the team you choose (regardless of what type of wls) is very informative, makes you feel comfortable and answers any questions you have. At my clinic, they have a nutritionist that I meet with at each appt. There is no extra charge, they just want to ensure I have the tools to succeed and makes sure I am doing what's in my best interest. I am about 7 months out and down 75 lbs. I don't regret it for one second. Once you learn how to eat slower, and smaller quantities, it becomes second nature and I don't even think about it being there. Best wishes in your decision. Keep in mind there will be naysayers of all procedures so do your research, talk to your surgeon and if there are support groups in your area it may help to go and talk to others that have been through it.

Love it and what courage to share your story with 3000 people! You are a superstar!!

Happy for you! You will do great!!!

I agree with Missy, I would inquire why he no longer does it. That may give you further insight towards making a decision.

Awesome!!! You are doing awesome too, btw!!

It's not easy in the beginning but as all the others have said, IT DOES GET EASIER. Recovering from any surgery has a physical and emotional toll. You are going through that and a major lifestyle and lifelong change in habits you have had for years. For me the physical recovery was easy but changing my emotional relationship with food was difficult. I am not a perfect bandster but I try to stick to the guidelines most of the time. In doing so, I am down 75 lbs in 7 months. I could've never done that on my own before. Not eating junk for so long I don't really crave it anymore. Long story short, this is a huge life change. The first weeks can be trying physically and emotionally. You will get out of it what you put in to it. Try to keep a positive attitude and know that you have a large support system here and we have all been there, survived and are thriving.

Congrats, CG woooo hooo

Best wishes on your surgery!

I say we Celebrate with churros and beer... Ok, maybe not!!! So happy for you!

So glad you had this revelation!! I have sleep apnea and before looking into WLS used my machine "here and there". When I went for my pre-op evaluation, the pulmonologist made it very clear that I had SEVERE sleep apnea and needed to not treat it lightly. From that day forward, I use it faithfully, bringing it with on trips too. Every once in a while, I will be up too late and fall asleep without it on and I SURE notice a difference in how I feel the next day. Good for you and very innovative way to exercise too!

You can ask your surgeon for the card. It isn't a restaurant card but more a card that says you have had lapband surgery. I have one but have never used it, for two reasons. The kids menu tends to be unhealthy items, sad but true for sit down restaurants and also, because I don't want to explain and advertise to the server about my surgery and have them potentially call a manager over for approval, etc. Now, for a buffet, I have heard of people using it. A woman at my support group was going to a Brazilian steakhouse for a party, which is costly and HUGE portions. She called ahead to the manager and explained and they allowed her to order at the kid's price withthout the embarassment.

Of course it would happen when hubby is away. So glad you made it to the doc and he was able to help you w/ the nausea. Feel better soon.

Some docs give a fill during surgery, others do not. Mine didn't until 6 weeks out after the swelling subsided. Plenty others have a fill at time of surgery w/ no issue. We are all so different on this journey so do what feels right to you and what your doctor suggests. Glad you are feeling better. It is very discouraging and frustrating when you don't feel well. I recently had to get an unfill (and I am 7 mos out). I have been doing very well w/ no discomfort and only a couple foods I could no longer handle. I prolonged getting unfilled as I kept feeling like I wasn't doing something right. It became so frustrating and emotionally wearing on me when everything made me miserable. I tried liquids for several days w/ no improvement. So we are starting over. I am fighting my head hunger every day but staying w/ my guidelines and eating as I did before the unfill. Taking it slow and easing into the fills can help a lot.

That is a great NSV Dee! You are doing a great job and I hope I can be as successful as you one day. This is also a great example of one bad day doesn't have to mean failure... every day is a new day to start anew.

Woo hooooo..... No matter what tomorrow's visit brings, you are doing fabulous!!! Congrats!! Tell hubby the flowers just aren't his color, perhaps he should go with more fall tones, lol.

I used to wear those chunky heels (wedge shoes) and as I got heavier, I think my ankles got weaker. I can't begin to tell you how many parking lots I face planted in before decided I needed to give them up. The worst two, was at a high school parking lot picking my kids up after a track meet and face planting in the parking lot. My kids were so used to it that as I laid face down they were laughing and so was I. It was humiliating and a woman walked by and scolded my kids for laughing and not helping me up. We told her it happens all the time. So up I got. I also did this in a Bob Evans parking lot after a meal on New Years Day. I fell and had to go back in the restaurant all scraped up and bleeding. The staff was like "what happened"... A coworker (who is heavy as well) was wearing the same type of shoes in our dept and her ankle gave way just standing at the printer and she fell in the middle of our cubes and was so embarrassed. Oh, the joy of being overweight. We won't even talk about the turnstyles I had to squeeze through sideways and pray I wouldn't get stuck... I can laugh at all this now. So you are sooo not alone.

It's awesome to know that in moderation, we can still enjoy outings like these. I am glad you and your hubby had a great time and what a great picture!