Sharpie

not sure about the sleeve did not even consider it once I saw how it was done... I do have a few bypass people in my support group.. they look sickly..one lady was saying how she had pain evrytime she ate.. her hair and skin looked bad.. I think the band is safe even with some of the complications , but each person needs to determine what he/she can live with .. I am personally happy with the band and hope I continue to be successful ...

I believe Carnie Wilson had a band over her bypass.. she is going to be a guest speaker at a weight loss convention in Las Vegas in May... I think you can look it up on google... she apparently put her weight back on after by pass and has gotten a band ...

The scale keeps me focused... I weigh every morning , I believe it either motivates me or makes me mad.. either way I stay on track... sometimes it surprises me.. I had a little birthday cake Sat for my grandaughters birthday and I thought I would gain or surely not lose.. surprise..I lost 1 lb. so the scale has to stay in my bathroom.. probably will be for life now.

congratulations .... you look way too young to have grandbabies .. I am at the beginning of my journey but understand your psychological struggles.. I have another 50 lbs to lose and I already feel better... I decided it was time for me.. it was time to quit worrying about everyone else.. we alway had Sunday family dinners, I would cook all day, nibbling along the way of course, then eat a big dinner.. I thought my family would miss that, but surprisingly they have all started doing their own Sunday dinners, I eat my alotted amount of food and go home happy... my husband who does not have a weight issue eats whatever he wants but he has started eating out or cooking for himself if I don't feel like cooking.. for me after 37 years I feel like I am on vacation.. but it will be worth it in the long run for me to stay healthy.... good luck to you and yours.. you have done a great thing for you and your family.

I found that re-fried beans with some melted cheese or even a little sour cream on it was really good.. lots of protein and I also ate cream of tomatoe soup a lot... experimenting can be fun also. I really was not super hungry at that stage so, I ate a small amount and was done.

Congratulations on your upcoming surgery... You will be so happy you did this.. I wondered at first if it was a good decision and had real second thoughts right before but I reasoned that if I didn't do it I would still be struggling a year from now with health issues and being miserable... keep up with this group, there are some long time bandsters on here with a world of information and support. Being a nurse will help you deal with the after effects of the surgery.. God Bless you on your journey.

I used to eat at night , especially after my husband went to bed, so he couldn't see what I was eating.. I would eat huge bowls of ice cream or peanut butter and crackers, chips, anything junky.. always went to bed with a full stomach.. since getting ready to be banded and after being banded if I feel hunger at night I drink something, then go to bed... my eating at night habit has stopped and I am truly sleeping better for the first time in years... I think it;s like any bad habit and can be broken.. mind over matter.

very well said B52, I decided to let people know if they asked... my best friend was the first person I told besides my daughter and husband she was 100% on board... she has seen my struggle for years. Otherwise when people ask that notice my loss, I tell them I had lapband surgery. I am sure they might comment behind my back, but so far none have been brave enough to say anything negative to my face... I dont care what anyone else thinks.. I know this will be a way for me to live a healthier , longer life.

that was one of the first signs for me that I had enough to eat.. a little hiccup or burp.. says You're done.. quite eating.. it's actually pretty neat... mine isn't painful though...

Hopefully you discussed the surgery with your husband before you made the decision to proceed.. however, as an old married lady (37 years) I have learned a thing or two about men.. my husband used to be insanely jelous when I was young and 93 lbs.. so, he wasn't happy about me getting too much attention. I think part of my weight problem was because I wanted to not worry about him being jelous.. then I realized he would have to be the one to change not me.. I of course got older and more mature but I now have to lose weight for my health and he is very supportive.. you have to do what is good for you honey not what is good for him.. maybe he is afraid he will lose you if you get thin.. but that is his insecurity and hopefully he will realize that he will have to stop feeling afraid. good luck to you and I know you will do great....

muscle milk has 20 gm protein... no sugar... good taste.. GNC has good protein drinks too, 25 gms protein.. I think there is one called premium or something I think it sells at Sam's or Walmart it's like 30 gms protein.. so far I like the muscle milk the best....

losinlg a family member or loved one can be stressful and emotionally difficult.. However, I believe that the lost family member would want you to remain strong and keep your eye on the prize.. we lost 2 children in the past 10 years and there is no loss like that ... I know if they were here they would be happy that I am taking charge of my health... prayers to you and yours.

don't worry too much right now about protein.. it's all about healing for awhile. my Dr. said to not even worry about losing, just healing.. stay hydrated and rest....you will feel much better by next week....

Big Bang Theory, Biggest Loser, except Jillian, I would punch her in the face... hate honey boo boo, insulting to Southerners... Amazing Race, Hate most reality shows they are all fake.. like history channel , like Blue Bloods, cause Tom Selleck is still hot.. but I'm old so ..... quit watching the news after election, it's depressing...

I did not think we were supposed to eat bread? 2 sandwiches is a lot of bread...not sure since I have only had 1 fill but I know even before I had my fill I could not have been able to eat 1 sandwich much less 2.. I agree that you need to tell your Dr. to make sure nothing is wrong.

good job. yes I always equate 50 lbs to a sack of feed... we have horses so it is natural to relate to that.. you are on your way to a healthier life... keep up the good work....

I have to wonder why sleeve people are on a lapband chat forum... my dr. told me about the sleeve, did not recommend it for me.. said it's still relatively new and like the bypass it has dumping issues and is not reversible... I know a lady who got cancer after being banded thank God she did not have a sleeve or bypass, the band was unfilled , she got her chemo and did not have to worry about losing too much weight during the process.. I have another friend who had bypass, had years of malnutrition and was hospitalized at deaths door a few times.. he has never looked healthy and I wish he had a band....

I know it seems like a long time to not eat anything of ...substance but I wanted to make sure that my liver was shrunk I did not want any complications with my surgery... I also wanted to prove to myself that I could do something as instructed and not whimp out.. it was really hard but so worth it..I had my surgery with no problems and am losing at a regular rate... hang in there it will be so much easier on you if you do...

wheat thins or triscuits are what my nut advised... but she also says if you can tolerate regular saltines you can try them.. I am going to walmart tomorrow and will be getting some laughing cow...

that is funny... love kids that age.. I have two teenage grandaughters.. they make me laugh all the time...

yes I had my first fill on Monday. it is quite different than not having any fill... I can eat my required amount (actually less than 1 cup) and feel satisfied.. not really what I knew as full before the band.. but feel good.. I am still working on getting my head in the game.. my head says aren't you hungry? but my body says nope you are fine... right before I had my fill I was quite hungry,, so it can make a difference...listen to your body not your brain....

it does get better each day .the first week I was thinking I had done the worst thing ever to my body... keep ahead of the pain take your meds every 4 hours ...also milk of mag works like a charm to get things moving.... use your heating pad for the shoulder pain..get up and walk every hour...get plenty of rest...you will be happy you did this I promise ...

Nicole it is difficult to change the way people treat you however, if you enable them to treat you poorly that is what you will get... kids that age and your husband need to take care of themselves..My husband of 37 years has learned that I am focusing on myself for a change..and he has started cooking his own meals or going out.. I am no longer the chief cook and bottle washer,, it is liberating not to have to worry about what we are eating.. I cook sometimes but not like I did for all of our married life... your husband the kids are being selfish and I would get myself a small apt and let him stay in the house til it sells....take care of yourself first...they will survive...

I look at before/after photo's to get inspiration and motivation...all I can say girl is awesome...you look like a different person and I know you feel that way.. it's worth all the hard work and you will be so happy that you did the band... I am so thrilled that I have lost weight and am keeping it off.. by this time on any other diet I would have fell off the wagon and ate the wagon by now... keep up the great work and please do a new photo when you meet your goal...

before I had my surgery I also saw a lot of horror stories.. however, you need to write down the advantage of lapband and possible disadvantage. my advantages outweighed the disadvantages. I tried every diet and gimmick out there.. the main problem for me was hunger.. constant hunger no matter what I tried.. even diet pills would wear off and I'd be starving.. since being banded that issue is better.. I get hungry but not every minute.. it takes me about 4 hours from my meal to start feeling hungry and then it only takes a small portion to make me happy... I still believe the band was my best choice.. I know people who had gastric bypass, they don;t look healthy.. hang in there and remember that everyone is different.. do what is best for you..