parisshel

This was my experience but I also held onto the mindset that I "could" get stuck so I never tested my band. Even with an empty band, I ate as if I had optimal restriction. That was the point of getting a band, for me, so I didn't want to push the envelope to see what I "could" eat safely. Believe me, if I had proof I could eat bread, Pasta, rice, cake, etc safely....well, I would eat those things. And it would be a quick trip back up the scale for me, of that I'm certain.

My first consult was Dec 11, 2012 and I had my surgery March 20, 2013. I spent the three months checking off the list of pre-op requirements (psych evaluations, sleep study, endoscopy, dietician, and eating what I thought I'd never be able to eat again. (That part was a mistake, of course. Don't do like me.)

Actually, you can lose weight inside. That is why diaphragm-wearers have to get a larger diaphragm when they lose weight...less fat up in there means more exposure for the cervix, which in turns needs larger coverage.

Hee hee. Tell your son if he doesn't buy a scale, he has to at least provide you with a belt!

Look at you! You look great and you sound so happy. Bravo!

You must have been a gorgeous bride because you are even more beautiful in that dress today! Well done!

This is the only site I put my weight and before and after pics on. 'Cause you are all my people!

I have 4 cc in a 10 cc band. It used to be enough but now I need another fill. Going back to get 1 more cc. My surgeon says most of his patients do very well at 5 cc in my size band; I'm trusting his advice. In any case, I know I need a fill because I'm not staying satisfied on my quantities as I was before.

Well done! You've lost an entire person!

I've had two friends say that to me, too!

You may be able to eat everything, just take small bites. Or, you may find (as I did) that you've lost the desire for red meat (due to the effort it would take to be able to eat it comfortably = negative feedback loop) but you won't care that you can't. This is something you'll likely understand once you are banded, recovered, and at a good restriction. I know it seems sad from where you are right now, preband, but once you get into your banded life and groove, it most likely won't be something you'll miss, at least constantly miss. You may have pangs of wishing you could eat a big ole' hamburger, but it won't be the nagging craving you'd have if you were merely dieting.

The first photo is one week before my surgery--I'm the one in the grey sweater and the black dress (obviously!). The second photo was shot today. I can really see a difference in my face!

Nothing to add to the above excellent comments, just wanted to say your baby is adorable!

Well done! I remember my apprehension with my first restaurant post band. I was so pleased that 1) I ate according to bandster rules and 2)Nothing got stuck. Obviously the two are related! Remember when restaurant experiences were so....awful? Because in front of that delicious menu, you felt so powerless? Either you stuck to your diet and felt empty and deprived, or you said to yourself "Oh heck, YOLO" and felt horrible the next day, as well as fatter. Grateful to my band for whispering to me each and every meal. My life is no longer like that. Eating at home or at a restaurant, I listen to my band and it keeps me on the straight and narrow.

I did fine with microwaved cod filet. Just make sure you prepare your fish to be very moist. (Don't overbake it.)

Love it! I never thought about using phyllo for bread but I'll bet this is wonderful with the crispy texture. Will try; thanks.

I think everybody has trouble burping right after the surgery. But eventually everything settles down and you will burp. It will be a proud moment!

Yes, mine started two weeks ago. I had excellent restriction up until then...now I know it's time for my second fill. Completely normal and thankfully fixable!

Yum! Now that I've had a root canal on the tooth that couldn't take anything cold--I'm going to try this! It will be my celebration drink!

My comment would be wrote B-52 wrote above. Health reasons, not moral reasons. I'm all about wearing leather and lipstick made from beeswax! Don't tell anyone but I have a fox-trimmed parka, too.

lunch today: hummus, 2 flatbread crackers, endive salad with some sliced olives and oil and vinegar dressing. Dinner: chicken with some baked vegetables: potato, green Beans and carrots, all cut up. My breakfasts are alway the same and really boring. Need new Breakfast inspiration.

I did this neat graph to show my surgeon when I went for my 4-month post-op appointment yesterday. It's interesting to see how my weight bounced around between my surgery date of Mar 20th and the date of my first fill (May 15th) at which point it starts a consistent descent. Not sure what happened on June 24th (there's a small peak at that point) but otherwise, I'm pleased. I'm getting a second fill next month and I'm sure the line will keep moving downward, perhaps even faster!

Thanks. I did this in Excel; I'll have to check out LoseIt.

I can't imagine any doctor that would not be thrilled to see a patient be proactive about taking back his/her health. Go in with this in mind and the words will come out just fine.

This is terrific. I thought I knew a lot about fills, and I was just about to schedule a fill for August, when I return from a vacation (and a 12 hour flight) then I read this! Thank you! I will schedule the fill for 2 weeks after I return, in case I experience band-tightening from the travel.