gowalking

First off, don't compare yourself to others. This is your journey and it will happen however it's meant to happen for you. Second....don't worry about the weight loss. The preop diet is to shrink the liver and if you are following the plan, you're liver will shrink enough for the doctor to band you. The weight loss is secondary here. Good luck...I'm sure you'll do well.

glad you're doing well. I'm keeping an eye on the bandsters who are having these types of surgery as I am sure that it will be in my future as well. Between carrying two children to term, weight fluctuations, and having lost more than 70 lbs. so far on this journey, I am sagging all over the place. I sortof got used to it seeing my body on a daily basis but I'm reminded how much I sag when I see other women in the locker room of the Y.

You are doing great. Congrats on sticking to the preop diet. You'll do great post op!

Most of us weren't able to sleep flat on our backs. Some slept in recliners...I slept with pillows to keep me partially sitting up for about a week post-op.

Terrific Mark, just terrific. Very proud of you. Glad you posted your picture. Now I can keep an eye out for you when I go to the office for my followups.

I too have not had any fills. I've been banded since January 14th and have lost 72 lbs. I consume around 1,000 calories a day, make good food choices, and have enough restriction to feel satiated most of the time. I also do the Water trick. Glad to see I'm not the only one. I drink cold water and it often helps me to distinguish between the head hunger and real hunger. I did it again this evening. A couple of hours ago I was thinking how much I wanted some sugar free pudding and I could have eaten it and still stayed within my calorie count but I wasn't sure how much I wanted it or needed it and here it is 11:30, and I'm no longer craving anything. I agree completely with LadyDiva...not having fills is not a bad thing if you are not starving and/or overeating.

Hi Chloe. Sure...we've all had people able to tell there's a difference in our appearances if we've lost weight. There's no way someone can't notice especially if the weight loss is significant. I can tell you that 38 lbs. is pretty significant and your classmates and teachers will surely notice. I suspect you have already started your transformation and as you say, you still have another month. Congrats on your success so far and good luck with the rest or your weight loss journey.

Buffets are bad bad places for many of us. I only will go once or twice a year to a Japanese buffet my family really enjoys. I stick with sashimi which is very low in calories and I do OK. But a steakhouse buffet is like stepping on a landmine and I'd be afraid to even walk into one of those joints. If you can do that, kudos to you..you're a braver person than I am for sure.

Wonderful to be in control, isn't it? Keep it up!!

Welcome Megan. Good luck with your upcoming surgery. Are you wondering what to eat right after the procedure or are you talking about what you can/can't eat long term? In the short term, follow your doctor's instructions...liquids first, then mushies, soft foods, and lastly, regular food a few weeks out. Long term....it's whatever your band can tolerate. I have no fills so I can eat anything. I stick to 1000 or so calories daily....protein, veggies, carbs and it's working for me. Down 71 lbs. in 6 months.

I'd rather walk away from most of my meal rather than show a card like that. I know that's probably silly but I'll be damned if I advertise to a server that I'm banded.

Good luck!!

I'm not that far from you...New York City. Five hours by Amtrak

Wishing you much success this time around. Just one thing....don't set unrealistic weight loss goals for yourself. You won't lose 15-20 lbs. in three weeks. No one loses that fast. If you lose between 1-2 lbs. a week, you're doing really well.

what a difference in just a month. congrats on your success.

too bad you can't call it Fat F**ks. Hahahaha!!

Nope. kina hurra? sp? is when you're bragging or boasting and want to make sure not to invoke the evil eye. I must have heard my Nana say that phrase a million times.

I'm Jewish so I believe the word you are describing is 'zaftig'. Yes?

Oh Arlene...I just burst out laughing at that remark. Thanks!

Depends on what you mean by work out. You can walk right away but running or spinning, or more strenuous activity usually takes a while....like around six weeks or so. I swim and had to wait for the incisions to completely heal so as not to wind up with infections.

I went to the seminar a year ago. I was approved and my surgery set for early November. Then Hurricane Sandy came through New York and damaged the hospital so badly that it was closed for more than two months. I was finally banded on January 14th of this year. Just be aware that the insurance companies all have differing criteria for approval so it can take as little as a couple of months, or more than six months depending on what tests and documentation you need. Good luck, and don't be discouraged if it takes a while. In hindsight, it's a good thing so you can get used to the idea of this life changing procedure you'll be going through.

Are you post or pre-op? I've said it before...and I'll say it again. I have such respect for those of you who are trying to do this while feeding others. I live alone and that means I eat only what I need to...and I don't have to worry about anyone else. Good luck to you and stay strong!!

If I waited 5 minutes between bites, it would take me two hours to eat. One minute is usually plenty of time...even less if the food is small bites and well chewed.

The tricks for me are being in the bedroom rather than the living room...same idea as being on another floor. And I have to be doing something while the TV is on....a crossword puzzle, being on the computer, reading...anything besides just watching TV....and all those darn food commercials....oh lord, they are the worst.... If I really have nothing else to occupy me, I stream a movie. It keeps me engrossed, and there are no commercials. As Missy said, try some of the suggestions on this thread till you find what works for you. Believe me, as you can see, you are not alone with this particular struggle.

A banded friend of mine suggested I try hypnosis before actually going through with the surgery as an atempt to trick my mind into thinking I was banded. I decided not to do it just because I think I'm too cynical to believe something that isn't true. Having said that, I think ii's certainly worth exploring this tool if you think it can help. Good luck..let us know how it works for you.