jfran

If this is the "easy" way then why do I have to spend 2 hours everyday at the gym and watch every morsel that goes in my mouth??? I have lost this weight NOT the band. The band only helps motivate me and keep me accountable, but this is definitely ALL me and there is NOTHING easy about it.

try steve and barry's- everything under $20, thrift stores, raid your friends closets

I lost a little prior to banding but it was mostly because i gave up soda and fastfood. other than that i didn't change my diet or start exercising until after surgery. I have consciously made the choice to eat healthy foods instead of crap and i avoid it 98% of the time. I exercise like crazy and I self motivate. I just got to a point where i said enough is enough and i am going to lose this weight and the band has been a major source of motivation for me and I know it is going to help me keep the weight off. Don't beat yourself up. I know you can do this if you want it bad enough. Good luck!

That is awesome! I am trying to be more outgoing now to. Keep up the good work!

I have had 4 fills and I am just now filling any kind of restriction, but I am not losing 1-2lbs a week. I am kind of on a plateau, sucks!

I would do it a million times over!

you should be able to drive by tuesday no problem. The only pain I had was gas pain in my shoulders. The heating pad helped to relief that.

Congrats on your date! In the meantime stock up on Soup, broth, Jello, pudding, etc. liquid tylenol, heating pad, comfy pjs, robe, slippers, magazines and movies for your first week or so post op. Biggest Advice: after 4-6 week post op (and you are on solid food) eat 5-6 small meals a day watching your calories try not to exceed 1500 calories a day. Exercise everyday for at least an hour if you are able and if not exercise as long as you can. Stay positive. Avoid empty calories like sugary drinks and alcohol and icecream. Don't deprive yourself, but eat what you want in moderation. Make sure to eat/be healthy 90% of the time and it is okay to indulge the other 10%. Enjoy your journey. Make sure you take before pictures, weights, and measurements, and keep up with regular pictures and measurements to show yourself and others your progress. This will help a lot when you find yourself down because you "think" you aren't making progress. But YOU ARE! Be Patient. I know it is hard and I am the worlds worst, but try because with a little will and a lot of determination, this band will be the tool that allows you to lose all of your weight and maintain it. Good luck!

Is anyone planning on getting a tummy tuck pre-kids??? I don't think I am going to be happy until I get some of my problem areas taken care of with PS, but I just don't have the money and I hear there is a debate about whether PS should be done before kids. I am at least 7-10 years away from having kids so I would like to enjoy my body and my success in the mean time. What are your thoughts???

How many fills have you had? I would probably get a partial unfill so you can eat foods that are more solid and healthy for you. In the meantime drink your Protein shakes and take your Vitamins. Are you exercising? I exercise 6-7 days a week for an hour to 2 hours at a time. I also eat 5-6 small meals a day at regular 3-4 hour intervals. You may be in starvation mode because you can't eat enough calories, or you may be getting too many calories from those "easy" foods that go down well. Reassess what you are eating now and see if you need to increase or decrease. Remember protein first, then fruits and veggies and grains last. Good luck! Also, is there any chance you may be insulin resistant? If you are untreated(not on metformin) it may explain why you aren't able to lose weight.I know of a lady that was on a 9 month plateau and couldn't lose even though she was exercising and getting fills. She got so many fills that she couldn't even swallow her spit. She eventually went to the doctor and found out she was Insulin Resistant. They put her on metformin and she has finally started losing again. I have been on metformin before and during my "weight loss" phase after banding and I truly believe that it has helped me to lose this weight. Good LUCK!

my bmi has gone from 46 to 29. i still have 20-25lbs to go

muscle milk light made with milk and ice is not too bad. post op- make sure you have a heating pad. i had terrible shoulder/gas pain and heat was the only relief i could get.

BCBS denied me the first go around and then I wrote a personal letter pouring my heart out describing how my weight had a effected my life and I was approved. Good luck with your appeal!

Congrats Julie on your 1yr anniversary. Mine is coming up in 3 months. I think I am a "closet" extrovert too because I am a lot more outgoing now then I ever was, but now I have to work on being extroverted around guys.

I have had similar problems but no bleeding. I am getting plenty of fiber (maybe too much??) and I drink a gallon+ of water a day so it is not dehydration. I am taking a daily laxative but it doesn't help that much. Let us know what the doctor says.

Thanks Sue! You are doing great as well. Keep up the good work!

I did a "miracle" juice detox that was a combo of cranberry juice, orange juice, lemon juice, cinnamon, splenda, nutmeg, and clove. You drink 2 quarts of it alternating it with water(over 24hr) and you don't eat. The next day you eat yogurt, chicken, veggies, and fruit no white carbs. I lost 5lbs over 3 days.

sorry about the double post

That is awesome! I joined you this week too. Next stop "healthy, normal" weight.

That is so great! I joined you this week too! Next step "Normal" "Healthy" weight.

Awesome! you are a third of the way there and you will meet that go sooner rather than later.

I had a cathedar but it was put in and taken out while I was unconscious, but when I woke up I knew they had put it in. Man did it burn to pee for several days. Like the others I was in a gown when I went to the OR and also when I woke up

Wow! Everyone Looks Amazing Here Are Some Progress Pics For Me.

Here is a typical menu plan for me.... B: slim fast or oatmeal S: south beach Meal Replacement bar L: Lil'lunchable (turkey) for toddlers (140 cal and 10 g Protein grapes S: 4 Peanut Butter and crackers and a Jello cup D: 3-4oz salmon and half of a baked potato S: pudding cup with granola or Weight Watchers icecream bar I range between 1200-1500 calories a day and I exercise 6-7 times a week for 1-2 hours.

An acquaintance used the word "skinny" to describe me today. Weird.