labwalker

The first thing that crossed my mind when I read this title was that someone was going to confession for cheating on the band diet LOL! That tiny wafer and a taste of wine shouldn't have any effect on your band or weight loss.

That feeling may subside after a few days. I actually got sick after eating following my first fill. I'm on the 3rd fill, and I may need one or two more. But, the band is helping my appetite control, even though the restrictive feeling has gone--I suspect the stomach may swell a bit after a fill.

I'd suggest that you might look into a support group like Weight Watchers. Being weighed, and having some peer pressure and a goal are important. Whenever I got careless, I always put lost weight back on, plus a few extra pounds I think you can do it, but it takes a LOT of willpower and commitment, and you can never allow yourself to become lax or careless in monitoring your food intake or weight.

Once you wake up in recovery, you will realize that the worst is behind you, and you can start making your life better... everyone has qualms about going into major surgery. You'll do fine!

Awesome! I'm down 50, and I've hit a plateau. I hope to do as well as you are!

Ditto! Good luck and good success with the band!

Congrats!!! Getting past the insurance hurdles is a relief!

We've been buying the mixed variety packs -- strawberry and blueberry, at costco. But, I just scoop out the yogurt, and leave the fruits on the bottom. The lab has her morning ritual where she gets to lick the container clean. I mix in blueberries on my own. I don't carry for the syrupy stuff they use.

Good link... it explains how the band should work for most of us.

It will be over before you know it. I was scared silly to be put under, but I figured my options were limited. If you had the requisite stress tests, EKG, etc. performed and were cleared for surgery, you should do fine. The worst part was the soreness for the first week or so. I didn't need the liquid pain medication after the first day, but I was very, very sore from the surgery. All major surgeries carry some risks, but it is your decision. To answer your questions, based on my experience... you will check into the hospital for preop. They will go over your insurance, etc. Before surgery you will meet with both your doctor and the anesthesiologist. If you have any health issues like asthma or sleep apnea, make damn sure he knows about it!! The anesthesiologist is your lifeline during surgery!!! Before you go into surgery they will start an IV. Once you hop over to the operating table (that in itself was the most scary part!!!) you will be chatting with the staff... the next thing you will know will be popping awake in recovery... the surgery will be behind you, and you will wonder if it ever happened. Once the soreness starts you will realize it did!!

I've been eating Danon "Light&Fit" Greek yogurt for Breakfast. Nutrition is listed as being 80 calories, 9 grams carbs, Protein is 12 grams.

Everyone's metabolism is different, and the amount of calories you need each day to lose, maintain, or gain weight is also going to depend on your body weight and muscle mass. If you're living a sedentary lifestyle at a desk job, and not exercising, you will need a lot less calories than an a person with an active lifestyle. Also, I'm finding it harder to lose weight as I get older. I could easily lose 50 pounds in a few months when I was younger, but now I need WLS to get the same results.

My wife and I, and a few of her friends, will occasionally eat out at a local, popular restaurant that serves only Breakfast and lunches. I should mention that three of us have the lap-band, and my wife just had VSG surgery. I usually order an omelet, and it is good for at least two meals. I divide it half, and take the rest home for another meal. The other day one of my wife's friends ordered a lunch special--stuffed peppers. They brought her two HUGE stuffed peppers to the table, and along with that came two large potato slices and Italian bread with butter! She also ordered the pea Soup special... But, she took the stuffed peppers to go. I decided to do the same thing.... when I got home I measured out single cup portions, and ended with SIX meals in my freezer--that will feed me a lunch or dinner for the next week! My wife's friend did the same thing. She ate half the soup, and took the rest home, along with 95% of the stuffed pepper special. The two peppers must have weighed at least four pounds! But, a lot of folks in the restaurant left with clean plates, and no plastic carryout boxes. I think I see why many folks have weight issues! Restaurant portions are out of control! Those two huge stuffed peppers were only eight bucks, and I was able to get several meals out of them. Yeah, I can tolerate rice at this point, so this works for me. Others felt obliged to clean their plates, since they paid for the meal wanted to get their monies worth. I can see why we have weight problems. Before the band I would I have been able to get an entire omelet down, and I could have made a big dent in those two, large stuffed peppers. Now I know how to portion, and control intake. If you eat out, and have a band, don't be embarrassed to measure your food, and to ask for a doggy bag! You'll save money, and have a few extra meals to boot!

Yeah, it happens... but surgeons who do elective surgery are usually very careful in screening potential clients. That's why they require the stress tests, EKG, upper GI, etc. I asked my doctor, point blank, if he ever lost a patient during or after surgery. I was very, very blunt with the anesthesiologist during our morning presurgical meeting before surgery. I made him well aware of my severe sleep apnea, and expressed my concerns. My doctor, from day one, always warned that all surgeries carry some risks, including death. Everyone here has weighed the options, risks, and benefits with the surgery.

Just look at all of the kids are having all sorts of cosmetic surgery just to soothe their insecurities! But, I think that someone should be at least 18 years old, and be required to undergo the pysch evaluations, etc. to be sure they understand the risks and that it is a lifetime commitment... and to ensure they are doing the surgery for the right reason! i.e. Not to impress a new boy or girlfriend.

Anesthesia has come a long way in the past several years! I have severe sleep apnea, and believe me I was very concerned and scared to undergo any surgeries!!! My doctor required blood work, a stress test, EKG, upper GI and several other tests before he would do my surgery. I remember going into the OR, chatting with the doctor, and next thing I knew I was awake in recovery--it was like it never happened! Good luck, it is normal to worry about any surgery, esp. major elective procedures!

Your life would be better if you unfriend and block her on your FB account. Life is too short to deal with callous individuals.

Congrats! It was great to see how you stuck with it, even with the plateaus and weight gain setbacks! Great job, awesome!!!!

Are you losing inches? Weight loss can be masked by water gain. If you are doing high protein, low calorie, the weight has to come off eventually. Esp. with exercise thrown in.

Some folks lose inches, some lose pounds... I'd say hang in there, you are seeing progress if the inches are melting first. The pounds will come off sooner than later.

My doctor told me alcohol would be absorbed into my system a lot faster after banded, so it might be best to start with careful moderation. I try to avoid the stuff, but there are social occasions when I do imbibe.

Good luck to you. I hope it all works out for you.

Don't get my motives wrong... I hope that one day ALL WLS surgeries will be looked upon as being barbaric due to developments that will provide the desired results, perhaps by as simply as taking a pill. I think the WLS industry learned pretty quickly from past mistakes, and that even a seven year timeframe is providing more concrete data. The failure rate for 4cc bands was realized, and US doctors won't use them.

That does seem a bit strange? My APRN would have done a fill, but based on my consistent weight loss he suggested it wouldn't lead to more weight loss. Now that I've hit a plateau, I am thinking of having a fill next time I visit if I am still in a rut. I notice my appetite is coming back slowly.

Ninety-Nine also has some sensible choices on their menu.