steph2012

At the age of 54, you've still have a lot of living to do! Age is just a number & I can tell you, losing this weight, will make you feel even younger. Congrats on your decision & Good luck on your journey!

I think the doubt is a normal part of this process. What you are about to do is a BIG step & I think evaluating & re-evaluting is a prudent thing to do. I have to admit, I did have a little bit of a breakdown a few days after surgery as well, questioning what I had done to myself. I am 2 years out now, down nearly 100 lbs & I can tell you it was the BEST decision I ever made. Just be realistic - the band is a tool and not a magic wand. As soon as you internalize this & accept that the band alone will not be enough, you have to do your part.. the better off you'll be. Follow the guidelines & the lbs will come off!

Congrats. Reaching Onderland is a big milestone. It feels great, doesn't it!?!

I can't tell from your description if it's the same as me but I sometimes find if I overeat, I feel a slight discomfort in that same area. Is it possible that you ate too much? To me, the discomfort is such that I think I can feel my port inside by body. I don't mean that I can touch it but I 'feel' it or feel like I am aware it is there without touching anything. Is it similiar to this?

You look fantastic & are an inspiration to those of us still trying to get there!

Heating pad is a must. You will want that as soon as you get home!

For some people, it can take up to a month to feel the effects of a fill. It has always taken a minimum of 2 weeks for me. Inability to tolerate food and heartburn is a definite sign that you are too tight. Your doc/surgeon will likely suggest a small unfill.

Oh the cold! I hate the cold! I have nothing other than my own personal experience but yes, I believe it is from the weight loss. I just passed the 2 Year mark of being banded. I thought my body would be 'climatized' by now but it hasn't. I wear a lot of sweaters & turtlenecks!

I was reading another post & it triggered some questions for me with regards to working out. I really wanted to post them on that particular thread but didn't want to hijack the thread as it was about something else. So, I'm really hoping some of the same people will see this post & respond. Questions: 1. Someone referenced that they workout in the morning because they want their body to burn stored fat and not the food they just ate. I workout after dinner, around 7-8 pm. Am I at a disadvantage for working out after a meal? Is there a more optimal time? 2. Should you eat after working out? Protein for instance. I don't as I am working out in the evening. 3. How many times (& for how long) should a person work out in week for it to be an effective tool for weight loss? I'm training using the Couch 2 5k app, 3 times a week, 30 minutes each time. I'm in week 3 and honestly, it hasn't had ANY effect on the scales. Maybe it's too early to be judging its effectiveness? I'm thinking I need to add another couple days a week, mix it up and do something different for those 2 days. 4. How much Water should one add to their daily consumption because of working out? A typical person should drink 8 - 8oz glasses a day. How many would you say you should drink when working out? I know some of these answers are "it depends on the individual" but I'd love to get some discussion going around your specifics & what you would suggest to someone else, like me.

Love the quote... It’s not a matter of seeing how much you can eat and get away with, but how little you can eat and be satisfied.”

41 lbs is a lot. You are doing great. Another thing to add to that list - I think you look younger too - you'll appreciate that one day.

Two years banded. So, I guess you'd call that a vet. I'm just shy of 100 lbs lost. Remember this quote... "A year from now, you'll be glad you were banded today!" (LOL, or in your case, tomorrow). I am a self-pay bandster. I forked out a lot of cash ($16K). I would do it again in a heartbeat. My life has changed in a million different ways... and I love it! So will you... Good luck tomorrow!

Congratulations! Such a wonderful NSV! I look forward to that moment myself...

Please, please tell me there are others out there like me... Whenever I am hungry, I get really b**chy. I was never like this pre-banding. When I am starting to get hungry, I always give hubby the heads up letting him know I'm getting hungry. But it takes so little time to get from starting to get hungry to hungry & I become a bitch. It's like I HAVE to eat. Maybe I just have 'issues'. LMAO Anyway, hubby is use to it by now & knows when I say I am getting hungry that we need to start preparing a meal OR head out to buy one.

Nana, I have a question for you. I understand why you have to be careful with portion sizes but why Pbing and sliming? I am so sorry to hear this! If you have pouch dilation it does not take that long for it to heal, usually the treatment is to empty the band and let it rest for about 6 weeks and then slowly restart filling, some people can get back to the green zone with no issues, but after a pouch dilation you have to be more careful with portion sizes and measure and careful with Pbing and sliming. You may want to seek another opinion with another surgeon and see if they can replace your band, if you have the older 4cc bands they were more prone to issues than with the newer bands, but all bands can have the same issues but the older bands were higher pressure which caused more issues. Hope you can find answers.

Your story, from beginner to (want to say end but this is only the middle, LOL) is very much like my own. Kudos on Onderland. It is a fantastic feeling. I made it to Onderland myself, just before Christmas. I'm looking forward to following the rest of your journey!

My friend has decided that her goal weight reward to herself would be sky diving. I think that's nuts but to each their own!

I know of others that have never Pb'ed or slimed. I think it's awesome & would love it if it never happened again to me. Like someone before me said, it's often just a reminder that we ate something too big or swallowed too much, too fast.

My surgeon recommended Gas X strips.

Good post Cheryl! Everything said is true ... from my experience too!

I have a smoothie every morning for Breakfast, made with Protein powder, milk, greek yogurt & an assortment of berries. We purchase our Protein Powder at costco. Up until now, I have always just purchased whey Protein Powder. This past week, it was time to restock & they had Whey Protein Isolates on sale for the same price as the regular protein powder I use. I've been told the Isolates are better. I'm just an average, ordinary person. I Googled it and still don't have a clear understanding.Can someone tell me the difference between the two & if Isolates is indeed better, why? I really appreciate some insight.

Christy Z - getting error message. Page not found.

Follow your doctors advice. The recovery stage is difficult. You will be hungry. You get through it by telling yourself that it doesn't last forever. Good luck!

Happy Bandiversary!

Your surgeon gave you good advice - liquids for a while until the swelling goes down, warm liquids are best as it relaxes your band. Bread is a difficult food for most bandsters. I have difficulty with certain types of rice, Pasta, uncooked veggies. I'm sure there are other things but these are the ones that come to mind. Hope you feel better soon!