hely88

For a long time I fought this journey and possibly I was not ready. I am very lucky my band didn't slip with what i ate. I got a fill and got recommitted and I follow my doctors plan. I measure everything I put in my mouth and I don't eat crap because all it does is make me crave more and more bad stuff. At the end of the day I had to accept this is a change forever and that is it. With support from these wonderful people and my family and friends I was able to start over. Trust me if I can do it anybody can!

I just wanted to say don't just rely on what the scale says. Check your measurements from time to time and also be tuned in to how your clothes fit. Sometimes you lose inches and it takes time for the lbs to catch up. Also I try really hard not to be too hard on myself. I know this is for the long haul and I have to stick with it.

Well stated!!! I am tired of shopping in "plus size" stores too! Of course I still want to be healthy. Good to have lots of goals!

My tongue is dry and irritated. I am not dehydrated. It started after I tried a New whey Protein shot, but I havent had any in about a week. I am wondering if it is that I am drinking too much Crystal Light. I dont know and the nutrionist didn't know. Please if you have any ideas or solutions please share. I really appreciate it! I also put a humidifier in my bedroom because I had been waking up several times a night and I think that has helped some but not enough. Thank you

Thank you all for your advice and well wishes.

I so feel your pain and I am sorry. I would take it one step at a time. FIrst find out if you are covered by insurance or if you can afford the surgery. Read through the Forrum and continue asking questions. The band is not a quick fix but a tool. You eat small meals to feel satisfied something that often has to be learned. it wont stop you from overeating. That you have to learn. You also have to learn to make good choices and fight through head hunger. I would suggest once you find out about coverage either see a doctor or see if there is a group in our area for people who have been banded. It is hard at first till you get the hang of it and it is a life time commitment not a diet. Best of luck to you! I would suggest the success stories on the forrum. There are some very inspirational stories.

I drink 2-3 cups a day with sf coffee mate, but if you are not sure you may want to talk to your doctor.

Yeah that is what the nutrionist said. Doesnt look like a yeast infection but maybe.

I just saw nutrionist today and she said there was a study done and the group that tracked everything lost twice as much as the group that didnt.

I have the exact same thing. I sleep on my tummy and my band is always sore in the morning and sometimes during the day. I had the nurse check it and she said something about it being placed close to my ribs and there is no danger with it. Just knowing it was ok made me feel better. Be sure to ask your Dr.

Omg that sucks so bad. Stay strong and figure out what your options are. Dont let this beat you!

Sorry I cant help you and I am being selfish. If you have a good recipe can you please send to me? I eat a lot of Beans and always looking for good ideas. I have tried using my fitness pal but can not figure out how to enter the amounts I eat because they are alway smaller then the options. Take Care!

i dont own a scale for that very reason. I would be weighing myself every day. Instead I go somewhere else once a week. Dont worry about the fill. The worst part for me is the liquid for 24 hours after. I hate being on liquids I like to eat my calories. Congrats for making it to your first fill!!

That sounds a little crazy to me like she is giving you a diet for someone not banded. Please dont eat all that food without getting the ok from your doctor. I am going to nutrionist tomorrow and now I am even more curious about what she is going to say then i was before. I eat 3 half cup meals and sometime eat a snack. Please be careful and let us know what happens.

I just wanted to say hang in there! in my opinion being on just liquids suck however it is sort of a rights of passage. Stay strong and you will get through this. Then you will realize you can do anything!

If your doctor didnt give you details I would suggest you call him or speak to the nurse. it is really important to know what you doctor allows and doesnt allow. We all can give you suggestion and are glad to, but what matters most is you follow your doctor's rules. Stay strong!

Do we ever get to a point where we dont need any more fills? Thanks in advance for your comments.

You guys give such awesome advice! I love to see you all post and it helps me so much. In short I got the band about 4 years ago. I was probably not ready and I did everything wrong. Now I am back on track knowing how much I want this and I just dont eat the crap anymore. I take advice from those who have been successful, I track every bite, and I have a meeting with a nutrionist who works with my doctor's office tomorow to see what I am doing wrong and what I can do better. When I need something sweet I have Jello, sf pudding or decaf with coffee mate flavors. I measure everything even if that means taking my measuring cups with me. I want this too much and I am not going to fail. Plane and simple. You HAVE to want this. I wish you the best of luck and know if you want you can be as successful as the others who have given you advice.

Do you all get numbing stuff when they fill you? I never have.

i dont have that problem because I cant even begin to picture what I might look like. As far as the skin I only know what my doctor told me and that is you wont know until you get there and there is nothing you can do to prevent it. In saying that I saw some people who posted things you can do if you look back in the posts or maybe they will contribute here. The best advice I think I can give you is try to live each day at a time. Focus on what you need to do and they rest will happen. I do agree with when you get there you may want to see a counselor. Sometimes we need help with our body image. Best of luck to you!

A lot of people feel the way you do. It is your buisness and you should be able to tell who you want. Do what feels best for you. I dont really have any suggestions because i dont feel i could hide it. For starters I eat really small meals and measure out everything even if I go out. Plus it takes me forever to eat everything. I have always been wide open about things and sometimes they are not received well but they are only opinons. The people who love me support me and that is all that matters to me. Sometimes you just have to get thick skin. Best of luck on your wonderfull new journey. Be true to yoursef. This is for you. Be selfish!

I think it is important at least for me to really understand that the band is just a tool and not a fix. The band will not stop you from cheating. Also congrats on your weight loss and good luck and well wishes on your journey.

All I know i s my doctor doesnt accept Medicare. You might want to call your doctor's office or check your benefits. Good luck

I think you will be fine. Just drink a lot of water. If you are interested Blu has a great electronic cig and they have several flavors with 0 nicotine. I love the vanilla, cherry and cofee flavored. Best of luck on your surgery. You are starting an exciting journey!

I am just learning to understand when I am satisfied. I try not to eat immediately when I feel hungry. I fight tons of head hunger. Hope things get better for you soon. Oh also I eat really really slow and t break for 5 minutes half way.