PuraVida37

I was told 60-80 per day, and yes I get that. I've lost almost 50 lbs in 3 months---I'm not surprised I'm losing hair.

My hair is starting to fall out. I guess 50 lbs in 3 months can do that....but it sucks!!!!!!! It happened to me after my daughter was born, luckily it grew back. I asked the nutritionist about biotin and she said it's not proven to do anything. I'm going to try it anyway.

My husband had the same ideas. He doubted me so much. But that's the thing--the band CAN give you some will power...at least more than what you have on your own, because it keeps you on the wagon, so to speak. That hunger that side tracks you and makes you want to cheat is what kills a diet. And if you were able to lose weight easily, then you'd have done it by now, right? Ultimately, I decided that it is MY body and MY decision. Hubby could decide to support me or hit the highway. He chose to support me and he's even lost about 35 lbs along with me. What made him decide to support me was that he asked me to prove I was serious by dieting/exercising for at least 3 weeks without cheating (he thought I would cheat on the band)---well, my doctor asked the very same thing in the pre-op diet. So as soon as I told my stubborn old hubby that the doc agreed with him, he was on board!! LOL Good luck, let us know how things turn out.

My #1 workout favorite is "Right Now" by Van Halen! Other faves are Gloria Estefan's "Turn the Beat Around", ABBA's "Dancing Queen" and Kelly Clarkson's "Stronger".

No candy for me!! I've been sugar free since Aug 1st and I'm not going back! Besides, I know what all the candies taste like. I don't need them or want them in my life!!! I plan to give all the leftovers to my students. Til then I will stick to my "candies": two caramel Calcium chews a day. Good enough for me!

Hello hourglass!!! Definitely looking great!

It is normal to feel nervous! I did for sure. About a 2 weeks beforehand I got a panicked, OMG what am I doing feeling. Remember, you can always back out...but you won't want to. Once surgery is over, it will hurt, but trust when I say each day gets much better. And you'll be on major pain meds when you get out. I was banded on a Monday, back to work by Friday (but I'll be honest, it was too soon. I should have waited at least a week or maybe 10 days, but I am a teacher and move around a lot). My c-section was far worse.

I called the doc today because I don't know what I did, but now I have pretty horrible left shoulder pain. It comes every time I enhale deeply, burp, or swallow too hard. Doc says it's referred pain from diaphragm. IT HURTS as bad as post surgery at some points. So doc gave me an rx and I came home to eat. I think it feels a lot better after I have a fuller tummy. He says it should go away. Let's hope. Tomorrow is my 1 month bandaversary! I will celebrate by NOT eating any Halloween candy. LOL!!!!!

This!!!!! I was in excruciating pain today. I took Tylenol, called the doc, and he just said "This is a common thing." Great. Then he prescribed some Ultracet. Well, I came home and ate, and now I feel TONS better. I made the connection on the way home...I was nearly writhing in pain, and my stomach had made this HUGE gurgle from emptiness and then all of a sudden it felt better. SO Weird!!! I hope this pain stays away. I didn't have it before today.

What did you yesterday? I want to know if I'm on track, plus I need some ideas. Please post food/amount/time of day. Thanks in advance!

I have this cool scale and an app that goes with it called Weight Gurus. After you weigh yourself, you press a button and a scanner code comes up. You take a pic with your phone and it will automatically download the weight, muscle mass and body fat. I do it every day just cos it's cool.

Initially, I was going to do a bypass, but the surgeon talked me out of it. I had a lot in common with you, a bmi of 48, pre-diabetes and pcos symptoms, he said that since my problem is just over eating, (not just junk food, but ALL food) that the band would be better for me. Perhaps you should go for a 2nd opinion?

I've been having a Protein shake. It's easy and I can take my time with it. Since it's Saturday, I made a mini omlette. I put some ground up turkey ham and some cheese over a scramble egg. LOVED it! Now, about 45 min later I am sipping some sugar free hot chocolate. ...I love Saturdays. *sigh*

I was thinking about Kale/apple or kale/cucumber/beet. I see what you all mean about the carbs and insulin spike. I have a bug tub of Isopure unflavored that I could add to it for protein. I just am so focused on protein that I miss veggies. I thought adding a little juice could be a good thing, just a couple times a week. Somehow I feel like I'm going to get scurvy after having such little vitamin C! lol

Pre-banding I used to drink a lot of juice that I made with my juicer. Since I'm not getting very many veggies in (focusing on protein!), would it be a good idea to make some juice? I know I'd have to limit it to a much smaller amount than before. My juicer takes out ALL the pulp. Any comments from long time banders?

Hey, I found a really good site! http://www.bandfriendlyrecipes.com/2009/05/recipes.html

I am having my monthaversary next week, and yes, I've 99% forgotten the pain (still feel the portal ouch a bit when I'm on my side in bed) and I'm still learning to eat slowly. I can eat just about anything, and slowing down is a tough thing to learn. I've felt stuck a couple times, but it was just momentary. The goal I am really working on is getting enough liquids in. Tough for me. Protein is a breeze for me. I will get a fill on the 5th, I wonder what that will be like. Congrats on getting off the meds!! Major victory there!

So funny! I was actually going to write a similar post just now! I just tonight moved my wedding set to my right hand because on the left the ring keeps spinning around between the 2 outside bands, and it's annoying!!

Can you please share the doctor's name and contact info? It must be frustrating to not have support there. Please come here in the mean time, though!!

So I today I was super hungry today, so I tried my old low carb favorite, a whole wheat pita with turkey and cheese (went down just fine but I only wanted half) for dinner and after about an hour and a half, I tried an ice cream cone from McDonalds. (Why, you ask? Because I'm stupid, obviously!!) Well, about 10 small licks into it, I was done. I barely could eat any, even though it melted and went down like milk. That was surprising to me, but also it made me happy that I didn't want it and couldn't really eat it. Definitely learned my lesson. I will stick to sugar free popsicles, my new favorite.

Debbie, I can't believe you have grandchildren?! Am I reading that right? To me, in your pic you look like you just got out of college?? I am a little disappointed because I'm not losing as fast as I was before banding on the low carb diet. That was super fast and now things are slowing down til I get my first fill. I am finding it hard to eat so little. I want more still! Is that bad?

Anybody home? How are we doing this week?

Jimi, how you doing this week?

I had a doc appt yesterday and I guess my port is NOT where I thought it was! LOL It's in my belly button. I guess it's my muscles or something that I thought I felt. Now I feel kinda stupid. LOL Anyhoo, I got the green lights for the gym, but only walking the treadmill, no jogging for 4 weeks, and no weightlifting for who knows how long. I also saw nutrition and she said I sound like I am right on target, even though I feel like I'm not getting enough. I hate how they say don't worry about calories. Just tell me if 800 is enough! jeesh! I am getting my Protein, though. She said no more than 100-120 carbs. I can't wait to get out of Stage 3 and on to 4 because I need some more substantial foods than what I am allowed currently. 3 more days. My first fill will be Nov 5th.

Today I'm having a lot of soreness near my port. I finally figured out where it is! LOL I didn't know exactly. Now I am sure I know. It's about 3 inches up from my belly button. My tummy is a B shape, and it's right at the bend in between, and I hope I haven't done anything to flip it or hurt it.