mrsto

It sounds like you've got it all covered :-) They will probably give you a booklet/folder with LOTS of information. I didn't give them any insurance information at the seminar, but they gave out the person's name and direct phone number; the person who handles checking out your coverage, pre-authorizations, etc. I think I was the FIRST one on the phone with her the next morning I was VERY excited about moving forward and getting the ball rolling. Good luck - and congrats on taking the first step!

During the weight loss phase, drinking any alcohol will slow it down. There are conflicting schools of thought on this, but I found it to be true for me. Our bodies do not recognize alcohol as any type of food source, and given that, can only store it as fat. The other issue is the food cravings alcohol brings on, and the tendency to eat more when alcohol is involved. Now that I've said ALL of that, I'm going to a BBQ on Memorial Day weekend, and plan to drink. I haven't had wine or anything else in three months, and I'm looking forward to that first (and maybe 2nd) glass of wine. I'm guessing it will slow down my loss for that week, but I'm willing to suffer the consequences. I miss wine too, even though I don't drink it every night. More like once a week, but then I can drink a good 1/2 to 2/3 bottle. I love it, and getting a little loopy is totally fine with me

I have an appointment with the nurse at my doctor's office this morning. I'm not sure if I should have her do a small fill, as I'm not clear about the "green zone", and what it's supposed to feel like. Right now, I'm able to take pretty normal size bites. Not snarfing size bites, but.....regular. I chew pretty well, and haven't had any problems. I may have had a tiny stuck sensation, but I'm not sure what that feels like, either. What I think MAY have been a little stuck, lasts for only a few seconds. I'll feel a little jab in my sternum, right above where the band is. Most of the time, I'm clear when it's time to stop eating, but sometimes I push it a bit. I don't get hungry for about 3-4 hours, which seems okay. Right now, I have 6.4 cc's in a 10cc band. I was thinking that I might ask her to bring it up to a full 7cc's and see how that goes. I'm just not sure about the all elusive "green zone", and if I may already be there?

Thanks tmf. I don't know what happened today, but my notifications weren't sent to my email, and haven't been appearing in the notification box. Odd.... I think I fixed it, but it was very quiet today from LBT :-) The nurse didn't think that I needed a fill today. It sounded to her like I'm doing well without it; satisfied after half to one cup of food, and satiated for a good 3-4 hours. I guess I question it because I'm able to take normal bites, don't get stuck, etc. She said that's a good thing! I'm consistently losing weight, and have no negative issues with the band. What she DOES think, is some of my issues are behavioral, which the band cannot fix. I like to eat something after dinner, whether I have stomach hunger or not. That's been my biggest hurdle. So she gave me the lecture on behavior modification, but told me that I'm doing well. So - off I went; no fill today :-)

It's totally normal......I had it too, and so did many others. You're on liquids only, so there isn't much of anything to bind. Mine did not last more than a couple of days, and I would suggest that if you find that you're having an issue for several days, call your doctor. In a few weeks from now, you may find yourself posting about the reverse problem

YES - once you make the decision that this is what you want to do for yourself, every step along the way is very exciting The best of luck to both of you!!

When I got totally sick of strained soup and sweet Protein drinks, I blended unflavored protein into V8 juice. LOVED that. I use nectar unflavored Protein powder. I also went to the Vitamin Shoppe (you can pick up at any health food store), and picked up some clear fruit flavored protein drinks; similar to what Jackie mentions above. I didn't care much for those, but found that when I was going crazy out of my mind SICK of everything, they added another source of variety.

OMG - this is so offensive.....especially the remark about your arms! Aside from the fact that she doesn't listen, and doesn't care enough about you to REMEMBER what she's been told time and time again, to make ANY type of remark, other than how great you look, is unconscionable to me. How old is this woman? When my (now deceased) mother was "losing it", she would ask me the same questions all the time; sometimes within the same conversation. Even knowing that she was on the decline, I would still get annoyed. But for your MIL to start picking on parts of your body.....AACK! I don't know if I could have kept my mouth shut. Unless, she is mentally declining......

PS: It will take significant others a bit to fully understand what's involved with their banded partner. As much as I kept telling my husband that I can't have this or that, he kept offering up suggestions "ooh, you're on soft food, you can have X-Y-Z". I had to KEEP telling him, no.....I can't. He was only trying to help, but it was annoying. We worked this out over the weeks since being banded, and now, if he sees me eating a little too fast, he'll mention that I should probably slow down.....he doesn't want me to get sick. It's an adjustment not only for us, but those we live with. It may take a little time, but if they truly have your best interest at heart, they'll catch on

I hate when I hear that husbands/boyfriends aren't supportive. To hear that some can't put it on hold for a (relatively) short period of time, seems really selfish and self indulgent. Maybe I'm just spoiled, being married to a man who holds my best interests at heart (as I do his). The reality is, restaurant eating is only an issue in the beginning. After you move to the soft food phase, you can pick things off the menus that work with your plan. My husband and I support each other fully, on all of our endeavors. But if I felt that we could NEVER eat out again, I myself wouldn't like it. Maybe your husband isn't clear that the eating out part is only temporary? Just a thought.....

The walking helped with the gas, but to me it seemed like it was going to leave when it was good and ready I was completely rid of it after about 2 1/2 weeks.

Good post..... There is SO much psychology wrapped up in a lifetime of obesity. After going around in circles with this my entire life, I still feel like "what will I do without my protective layer". Weight isn't JUST a manifestation of overeating. It serves another purpose.....and THAT is where a lot of the mental work comes in. You have to be ready to "let go" of the weight, and be prepared to deal with all the reasons for holding onto it.

Ja-Nai - if all you are on is liquids at this point, you should probably increase your protein shakes to 3 or 4. If that is your only source of protein, 2 is not enough (in my opinion).

You go girl!!! I love it

I got fat when I was 6 as well. I was a fat kid with all the hangs ups that go with it. When I was 9, my mother took me to a diet doctor. He put my on amphetamines and Water pills. Mind you, this was 1964, and they didn't know what they know now about amphetamines. I lost some weight, but didn't maintain it. It wasn't until high school that I dropped 50 pounds without drugs. I got all kinds of attention; wonderful, and confusing. I've taken diet pills on and off (what seems like) my entire life. The 90 pounds I lost 14 years ago was with drugs, and when I was 25, I lost a ton of weight with them as well. I actually got a bit too thin, but in the mirror, I still saw more weight to lose. It got to the point where the pills could no longer hold back the wild horse inside of me, and back came the weight. Up and down UP and down.......ya'll know the story. I've gone to those pills at so many different times, but like with anything else, many times I just ate right through them. I feel that this surgery is my last chance; one that I can live with for the rest of my days.

LOL - I totally relate! If you're still on liquids, drink a LOT of water & other allowed liquids, and make sure you have PLENTY of protein. Protein is key with the band, because it helps keep you satiated for longer periods.

What phase are you at with your diet progression? Are you on mushy food or still on liquids?

Yeah - Karen is right on the mark. After surgery, not only isn't your band filled to where it will end up, but once the swelling goes down from the actual surgery, you end up (what feels like) back to your old self; hungry and able to eat much more. This is what's known as "banded hell". It's the period between surgery and your first fill. Once everything from surgery settles down, you're right where you are today. I think everything is fine, and nothing is broken :-) I would call your doctor's office tomorrow & find out when you can have that first fill.

PS: Though I hope some people surface from SD, you will find a tremendous amount of support from people all over the country (and some out of the country)....on this site. I wanted to find some people in SoCal at first, but the reality is, no matter where any of us are located, we ALL share the same issue. There is a common thread that runs through all of us, and the sharing and support that I've found here is Great

Tomorrow will be 7 weeks for me. I got the band with further curvature gastric plication. I've lost 20 pounds so far, and I'm thrilled. I'm doing very well with the band; no band related issues of pain, getting stuck, throwing up, etc. But I can't say that it's been easy. I STILL want to eat more than I should, and I want to eat things that I shouldn't. It's hard work, but the band is the first thing I've done in years, that's actually helped me lose a chunk of weight. I still have a way to go, but I'm on my way (thank God). How are you feeling, now that you're 4 days from surgery? Are you on clear or full liquids?

Good luck on your journey.... I've been on this site for about 10 weeks, and haven't seen many Californians in the forums. There are some, but not a whole lot. I hope some surface for you from SD. I'm north of you, in Thousand Oaks :-)

BRAVO! I know how good you feel!! About 3 years ago I bought a couple pairs of jeans that were on sale. They were really tight, but I figured that I'd drop a few pounds and they'd be fine. Well, THAT never happened & I forgot that I even had them; gained more weight blah blah. Tomorrow will be 7 weeks out for me, and last week I saw those jeans hanging in the closet & decided to try them on. They fit perfectly, and they are ALSO as size 18 - yeah! Like you, I will continue to shop in my own closet, as I have everything from a size 22 down to a size 6. Although, it is not my goal to get back into a 6 anymore. I'll be perfectly happy at an 8-10. Good for you.... I LOVE reading these stories!

Wow - what a difference! Thank you so much for posting these. You look absolutely fabulous!

PS: I think having steak at home for the first time is a good idea. Enjoy every bite, and please let me know how it goes. I'm a long way off from it, but look forward to having it again.

Donna - good for you! You so SO well, and really stuck to your program. I know how difficult it is, but you came through with flying colors :-) I'm so sorry to hear about your brother, and I'm glad he was well enough to spend the time with family. It's horrible to go through (I went through it with my mother), and it's so important to cherish every minute you're able to spend together. Happy Mother's Day