aubrie

Hormones are stored in fat cells. The more fat, the more hormones. When you burn fat, the hormones are left and become out of balance. It takes a while for all to restabilize. It will happen, it just takes time.

11 months out and no problems. I did have a gallbladder removed, but I don't consider that a Lap Band complication. I'm healthy, happy and down 68 pounds. Can't beat that with a stick. I'm slowing way down on my loss, but that was due to the complete unfill for the gallbladder and having to start over with fills. It will happen. I dont regret it for a minute.

I had a supervisor once who told me I HAD to put the type of surgery I was having on my leave request. I had never heard such a thing and put my hysterechtomy on there. She even went so far as to tell me I had to put whether I was having it vaginally or abdominally since one would require more leave time..... I was flabbergasted. I worked for a school district. I later had problems with her, and when I was in the superintendents office discussing these problems, that topic came up. He became purple with rage and said that was in no way true. He asked for my file, and there it all was, big as Dallas!! She got in SO MUCH trouble...... According to him the word surgery was all that was required. At the job I'm at now, I didn't tell ANYONE what surgery I was having done. When asked, I just said I had to correct some stomach problems. Months later when I had lost a lot of weight, I got invited to an office party for another department. It was a "good luck" party.... I didn't know the honoree, and had no intention of going. I kept getting pressured to go, and was puzzled by it. After several people encouraged me to go, I went. It turned out they were having a luncheon for a guy having bypass surgery the next day. (???? luncheon???) Anyway, they take me over to him and introduce us. Fine. Then one of them interrupts the party and announces to the ENTIRE ROOM that since I had the surgery, they thought it would be nice if I talked to him to calm his fears, and answer any questions he might have, and maybe act as a buddy for him when he returned. I was dumbfounded. Speechless. Everyone was staring at me. So much for privacy!!!! I was so angry I couldn't move. I pulled the man over to the conrner, congratulated him, explained I didn't have bypass, I had a lap band and apologized for the idiots that had invited me. He was very aware how uncomfortable I was, and apologized to me. He was actually mortified. I left immediately. He's been a nice friend ever since, but I still want to knock the teeth out of the bimbos that set that whole scene up!!

I had these the first day after surgery, but haven't had them since. It DOES hurt.

I get that sometimes. I have a larger sized band, and I swear, it's my band bumping up against my ribs. That's what it feels like, but my surgeon says that's unlikely. I asked him what it is, and he didn't know, but says it happens not to worry. He poked around and examined me and everything was in the right place. He said that with foreing objects in the body, that it just happens. As long as it's not severe and lasts a long time, he's not concerned.

Beef, barley, mushroom soup......cream of wheat......mashed potatoes and gravey......pumpkin pie with hot coffee on the side........watermelon on a hot summer day......stew.....roast leg of lamb with mint jelly.......corn on the cob.....

Remember too..... all that fat you are burning off has been there for a LONG time..... Old, rancid, fetid, fat. UGH.....

I agree totally with Jachut. I don't do low carb either. But I do pay particular attention to the type of carbs I eat. I try to stay away from white flour. I also agree with the lettuce wrap. They are AWESOME. I order those when I go to Thai restaurants now. They are so low calorie and so delicious. I put chicken salad or sliced turkey and avocado in the lettuce and season it with somethiing I like. Try it.

I had my surgeon tell me that at 5 weeks. I'm not allowed shakes or protein bars. He wants me to eat real food, like a normal person. He does not believe in weighing every day, (I do anyway), he does not beleive in countiing calories, fat, carbs, etc. I have good, clear guidelines on the healthy foods he would "prefer" that I eat, but I have strict rules. I'm to eat a balanced diet, and only eat one cup at a time. Period. He said that food was an obsession, and that was why I got fat. To count calories, count carbs, log into a food journal every day, etc. was just trading one obsession for another surrounding food, and he wanted to break that habit. He wanted me to enjoy life and find OTHER things to do and "obsess" about. I liked his philosophy and his style, and that's why I went with him as a surgeon. Personally, I agree with him totally. I make good food choices, I try to eat a balanced diet, I avoid certain foods, but don't eliminate them from my vocabulary or my world. If I have a special ocassion, I enjoy it with my family and friends, just not to excess. Not fretting over everything has really been a freeing experience. It may not work for everyone, but it works for me.

Never thought about that, but it's a GREAT idea. There are so many songs that would be appropriate. I will have to think on this. Good food for thought. Thanks for bringing it up. I'll let you know if I decide on one.

Yes, restriction is fickle. It comes and goes when it feels like it. I never know when mine will hit. It is notorious to get real tight when I'm due for a fill, so I cancel my appointment, and a week later I could eat a buffalo!! Damn thing drives me nuts, but I wouldn't trade it for the world.

I lost about 17 pounds, but I would have to say about 5 of that was water retention. I used to have very puffy and swollen lower legs, ankles and feet. After two weeks, the puffiness started to go down. I think it was all the water I was drinking, staying away from alcohol and not eating salty or fried foods.

The plan works MUCH better when you mix it up. You also ate a lot of protein. That puts you in ketosis. You dont want to do that all the time, but it helps when you mix it up occasionally.

HI!! I lived in Spring many moons ago. I graduated from Klein High School and married my high school sweetheart YEARS later. My MIL lives in the Woodlands. Welcome to the board!!

I've found myself doing this more as time passes. Don't get me wrong. I still enjoy my food, but not to the extreme that I did. Most times I can take it or leave it. When I do enjoy it, I REALLY enjoy it. The taste is so much more intense. I guess because I've slowed down, and actually chew instead of wolf it down.

I'm curious about a few things.... The pre-op diet is two weeks? How about the diet afterwards? How long is that.... and how long is it about until you actually eat solid foods? (Steak, chicken, etc) What do you eat during pre-op? My pre-op diet was low fat, low carb for 5 days, and the last two days was liquid. The first three days after surgery were Clear liquids. The next two weeks were full liquids, and the next two weeks past that were mushies, then one week of soft, and then I was on a full diet. How long does the pain last from the surgery? I had my gall bladder removed... is it similar to that pain? I just had my gallbladder out the first week of August. The pain was similar, but with the WLS you will have the added discomfort of the port area, and trying to get used to having that. The port is stitched to your muscle, so it's tender for a while. Ab work, straining, etc. will be a bit of a challenge for a month or so, but you should be able to return to work in a week or so. I took two weeks off. I was able to sleep on my side after about 6 days. What does a psych evaluation consist of? Is it just a bunch of questions they ask? What kind? How long is the evaluation usually last? Mine lasted about an hour. They ask questions about how long have you been large, what is your diet like, what are your plans for sticking to it, what support systems do you have in place, your attitude about your self and your self image, etc. Pretty basic stuff. It was easy. Did you vomit any? Do you feel like vomiting? I didn't vomit at all. The surgeon put an anti nausea patch behind my ear just before surgery. It was good for about 5 days. He gave me an extra one to take home with me, to switch out, so I didn't have any problem at all. You DO NOT want to vomit. If you do, call your surgeon immediately. You could rip up a lot of fresh stitches. I'm sure I will think of more questions....... just help me out. I'm just curious is all. Miscellaneous things to consider. Your incisions will itch a lot. I also had the unpleasant situation where my body spit the sutures. The doc had to keep trimming them. Some people just do that. DON"T pull them. You will have a lot of gas after surgery and it can be quite painful. Mine wasn't to bad, thank God. It sometimes settles in the shoulders. The anesthesia will also cause some horrendous constipation. Be prepared. The drastic change in diet will perpetuate this. Don't let it go more than 3 days. You'll be miserable. For whatever reason you will also get VERY cold. Shivering cold. Not sure why, but a lot of people mention it. It was very strange. Lasts several weeks.

Depending on how I stand on mine, I can weight up to three pounds differently.

For many (not all...but myself included) they do get very restricted after the change in cabin pressure of a long, high altitude flight. It usually lasts a day or two after flying time. Short commuter flights don't usually cause a problem. I carry slim fast and mushie stuff in my suitcase now when I travel. Or look for soup until the tightness passes.

I initially told my mom and dad. they were okay at first, and then mom started doing "research" and got it all confused with bypass. No matter what I said, she was scared half to death. I finally had to tell her I changed my mind and decided against it. she's old, and I didn't want to stress her unnecessarily. After I lost some, I went home. They were stunned and delighted with the results. I looked very healthy and happy, so they were okay with it. I didn't tell my MIL right away, as she has been hyper critical of me in the past. When I did finally let the cat out of the bag, she totally ignored me, and never metioned it positively or negatively. She simply kept her trap shut and didn't say a word. It was wonderful. Almost a year later, she still has never once even mentioned it. She doesn't ask, so I don't tell. She has no idea of the amount of weight I've lost. For ONCE she has minded her own business.

I have Bariatric Advantage watermelon chewables. DISGUSTING!!! I gag and get goose pimples every time I chew one. I hate to throw them away as they were expensive, but of course I had to go and buy the large bottle...... Damn....... My doctor gave them the stamp of approval, and they ARE a good vitamin, but I can't get past the chalky taste. I'll do a Flintstones vitamin any day..... Haven't tried Centrum. They are next on my list if I EVER finish the Bariatric Advantage.

It IS isn't it???? Thanks Donna!

My sexual appetite has DEFINATELY increased. My husband has all kinds of pet names for me now....... A tart, a shameless hussy, a schlut, etc. All in good fun of course, but the change is remarkable. He's loving it, but there are times when he just throws his hands up and says, "I'm tired. NO!" I pout, and usually end up getting my way. I fantasize about other men, but I'm to much of a chicken to actually try and initiate anything. It's not my style. But our marriage has definately gotten a shot in the arm. We are enjoying eachother immensely, and having the time of our lives. We feel 25 again!! I'm buying lingerie again. I'm joining him naked in the hot tub. I'm adding sexy clothes to my wardrobe. I dyed my hair blonde. I'm willing to experiement with new "toys". My son just moved out of the house two weeks ago. My God!!! We're trying out every room in the house. Just sit back and enjoy it. I think after the years of "dry spell" we've all suffered, we deserve it! Right?

Mine is changing shape too, but for the better! It used to be a bubbly blob sticking out in back and would bounce around when I walked. Now it's firm, shapely and a little flatter than I would like, but I'm happy. I bought my first pair of jeans without any elastic in the waistband last week. I was so excited!!! I wore them with a black sweater and a pair of HEELS!! Can you imagine??? My DH came by my work to pick up the checkbook and I met him in the parking lot. It's a busy place. When I walked away, he shouted out the car window across the lot......."NICE ASS!" I was so happy I wanted to cry. I never thought I would hear that again in my lifetime. I thought those days were long past.......

Listen to the surgeon. A fitness coach has no business telliing you what you need to do pre or post surgery, until your doctor has concurred. I am especially concerned with that level of extreme exercise with a torn miniscus. 5 hours three times a week???? You won't be able to do any of that for several weeks after surgery. Only you can make this decision. I suggest you keep researching until you are totally comfortable with your decision. Keep asking questions and don't get discouraged. We've all been where you are. Keep your chin up and visit us here often.

For the most part I can eat what I want. Certain things I can only do two or three bites, but that usually satisfies me. Things like pizza, bread, dry chicken breast... I have to be careful. I have PB'd on it a few times, but nothing consistant. But I eat most anything. I can eat rice and pasta, but on the rare occasion that I do, it's brown or wild rice and multi-grain pasta.