gowalking

Really?? You want to lose another 100 lbs.? You already look wonderful. Congrats on your success!

Wow!! That's amazing. What a great jump start for you.

Nah...not weird. You sound alot like me. I can guzzle Water no problem...I have inadvertently eaten larger bites than I should and have no issues. The difference between before banding and after banding is the not hungry between meals, and satiety after eating a fraction of what I used to chow down. I'm hoping this lasts and I can do this without ever needing a fill.

Sorry Loretta, I'm not your dream guy...I'm a single female in my 50s living in New York, but I just had to comment on how funny this was...LOL!

great blog! I really enjoyed reading about your 'adventures with clothes'...LOL!

Oh sure. What you're feeling is very common. I knew I was losing weight because the scale said so but I couldn't see it. And then I tried on a blouse that I couldn't button when I started this journey and to my amazement, the darn thing buttoned up just fine. For a moment I actually thought the blouse had magically gotten bigger instead of just realizing that I had.gotten smaller. It's important for you to get that tangible evidence that you are losing weight until the realization kicks in.

Can I make a suggestion? Don't weigh yourself. It sounds like you are focused too much on the number and get disappointed when you don't hit what is basically an unrealistic goal. Even bandsters who do amazingly well do not lose a pound a day. The average is 1-2 lbs. a week. Remember...you didn't gain it overnight, and you won't lose it overnight either. Plus you are still healing as you note and you will absolutely fluctuate for some time until your body starts to regulate and your band starts to kick in. As you saw today, your band is working. Don't test it or you'll open yourself up for problems that make not losing any weight seem like a walk in the park. As so many successful bandsters on this site say, the band is a tool and you must work with it, it won't do the work for you'. Good luck on your journey!

I'm banded six months and have had no fills. I too can eat anything so I'm very careful to portion out my food accurately. After I eat, I am satisfied and don't look to eat more. Once I overate a little and was uncomfortably full for several hours afterwards so I really pay attention to portions. From what I've read on this forum, when bandsters get fills, they often have difficulty with foods that they could eat before fills but some people can still eat anything even with fills. My situation is not typical...71 lbs. down in 6 1/2 months (including 2 week preop diet) with no fills. If you are satisfied and not hungry...or looking to eat between meals, you might not need a fill.

What a great NSV. I'm able to wear rings again that I haven't worn in years. So satisfying!

my preop diet consisted of 3 protein shakes, a small salad with 2 tbs. FF dressing and clear broth with veggies allowed in the broth...like green beans, cauliflower, broccoli, etc. Was on the diet for two weeks prior to surgery and lost an astonishing 17 lbs. I'm now down 71 lbs. since the preop diet started on January 1st of this year.

I went to a wedding last night and was very aware after nibbling on a plate of food during the cocktail hour, that I had likely had enough. There was no soft stop, my band didn't object to anything I was eating...I just sorta figured it was time to stop so I could also partake of the dinner meal as well. At dinner, I treated myself to the filet mignon but had to cut a portion of it away so I'd know when I had enough. Same for the potatoes. I also made the choice to have one small taste of each of the dessert offerings....about four items in all. I did fine, and weighed in this morning as I do every Sunday and lost a pound this week. Now up to 71 lbs. lost..so I know I'm doing well. The question is....I have to be super diligent so as not to overindulge. Does it ever become second nature where I can be eating food, and just know when I'm done? I suspect not....because if I could do that, I wouldn't have gained so much weight to begin with. I just wonder if I'll always have to be so aware of what I'm eating...and more importantly...how much I'm eating. Opinions and feedback from veteran bandsters welcome.

Condolences on the loss of your mother. My understanding of the weight loss part of the process is not so much to lose weight as it is to document trying to lose weight. I think it's the one weight loss attempt where actual weight loss is not necessarily the goal. Having said that, I'd still check with your doctor. I just know that in my case, the insurance company just needed documentation from my PCP that I attempted weight loss under a doctor's care....and not that I had to be successful at it. And I wasn't. I stayed the same weight for the three months I was documented. Just as an FYI, the success came after banding. 71 lbs. down in 6 1/2 months...45 to go.

If you don't have any information regarding the pre-op diet, call the office first thing tomorrow and get detailed instructions as to what you can or cannot eat. And while you have them on the phone, get all the information you need for post-op as well. This is very important...as important as the surgery itself and shame on your doctor's office for not providing the specifics you need to be successful. Wishing you success on your weight loss journey.

you should probably double check to make sure, but if it is OK for you, enjoy it. I ate it about a week post op and it was the best egg drop soup ever!

As long as the scale goes down, how long it takes is secondary. Great job!,

I never thought about what to do with a a bill that low....not living in NYC...anyway...LOL!

Same here. The only time you take something into consideration is if your meal is discounted. You should tip off the regular price and not the discounted price. But otherwise, 20% of the meal regardless of how many people are eating said meal. I live in New York City and eat out alot. I often eat an appetizer or share a meal..or a few small plates and the tip is figured off the bill only.

All I can do is add my congratulations. The other posters said everything I feel. You are a true inspiration and your posts are on the money. Your advice is sound and you are both compassionate and have the wherewithall to kick ass if needed. And you are beautiful inside and out.

I think it's partly society's perception. Young people are supposed to be slim....if you're older, it's OK to have some extra meat. Obviously I don't agree, this is just an observation. Also...size is relative so to speak. I was at a wedding last night and saw folks that I haven't seen in six months or more. I got compliments galore which is understandable with 71 lbs. gone. I heard people say things that you hear when you reach goal. I have 45 lbs. more to go. So I know that I look great compared to what I looked like six months ago....but I still wore a size 18 dress...and that's not acceptable as a final size for me.

Well done. You are an inspiration. Congrats on your success!

This kind of post is just so frustrating. again...this is not a slam at George...it's a slam at the doctors who perform these surgeries and do not clearly explain to their patients just what to expect. I read posts all the time from people who have no clue what to expect. It's only when they read responses from other bandsters that they get an idea of what this surgery actually means. What is wrong with the doctors?? Even my bariatric group which is supposed to be one of the best...they were the ones who did Gov. Christie....did not give me a blow by blow of what being banded really means. Fortunately, I understood the concept....smaller portions and eating till satiated, not full but there are plenty of people out there who think they'll never be hungry again and will not have to deal with the head hunger...which never goes away. Ugh....OK, done with my rant. Thanks for letting me vent.

how about oatmeal and cream of wheat? You should be able to get those down easy enough. I keep the packets in my desk at work and it's an easy breakfast.

Congrats on your success.

Unfortunately it's very common...and can be a problem long after the surgery is a distant memory. Since you are newly banded, I would check with your doctor as to how to resolve this problem, but know that many of us use stool softeners, laxatives, Fiber related aids, and for myself, I take a prescription med to help with this issue. It seems to be a problem even if you are eating foods that normally keep you regular. Again, speak with your doctor for advice on how to take care of this before it becomes truly uncomfortable.

Thanks pink. I appreciate your professional input. I'm in terrible pain all the time and am OK with going through this surgery if I can come out the other side being able to walk without the cane. If it works, my sister and I head to Paris for a vacation. I've wanted to go for some years now but was always stopped because I have such limited mobility.