Chickie

Thanks so much! I wasn't totally happy with that story.. But you can't have everything you want, right? Size 6 (my size was one of the details they got wrong) is anywhere from a 0 to a 2 US. If you have a look at the before (that was really 3 or 4 days post op) you can see I carried the majority of my weight around the middle, so while my arms and legs are a little saggy,they are not so bad that I want to have anything done to them.

Thank you! Don't stress too much. Little to nothing going in usually = little to nothing coming out. If you really are worried, give your surgeon's office or your GP a call to put your mind at ease.

Peek's right. It's more uncomfortable than painful (well, it was for me anyway!) Best wishes for your surgery!

So you don't want me here then ::cry:: Shouldn't that be PB? (yeah, and I figured out what you all were talking about... The failure of my Mac's HD this morning has stressed me out so badly that I forgot how to tie my shoelaces for a while there!)

Ok now someone needs to PM me.

I am sorry I have offended you. I was talking about myself. Whatever weight you are comfortable with is your business, and yours only.

I didn't get into this to do a half job. Perhaps it's a flaw in my personality, but I would rather not do a half job of something I know I can do properly. Unless I was a bodybuilder, 7'10, and built like a brick shithouse, I am unlikely to fall outside of the BMI charts. The reason the range is so broad is to allow for the differing frames. Speaking of frames... I would have sworn black and blue that not only did I have a large frame, I have a very large frame. It turns out the methods for working out one's frame size is really only accurate if you are at a healthy weight. It turns out I have a very small frame.

1. Are there foods you liked before but now cannot eat- do they taste different. Nothing tastes different, but I like different things now. Things that sounded just delish before don't sound as appealing. 2. Do you watch every calorie you intake? Still? Is this easier to maintain than before? Personally, I don't count calories. I was never very good at it anyway. But I do make sure I eat from all the food groups, and that I am eating organic, whole foods as often as I can. 3. Did you tell people you were having surgery - friends, coworkers? I said I had wisdom teeth pulled. I shouted it from the roof tops. I am not sorry that I told anyone. It made it a lot easier to deal with things in the long run. My kids (teens) think I am a failure at will power as I have tried every diet. So far, this bad has not been easy and I don't expect easy. It's not easy. But to be perfectly honest, it's not the hardest thing I have ever done either.

The bloating will go down. Some people say gas-eze (I think that's it) helps, but I found the best thing for me was to walk around.

None of the above (although they are all great). Keeping it off & maintaining my lifestyle.

What sort of pain Carol? If it is of a real concern, or bad pain, perhaps you should call your surgeon or at least his/her office. We are here to help, but some questions are better aimed at medical professionals.

Thank you!! I am glad that I was able to help! And congrats on the big decision!

Yeah, I was down to roughly 130lbs when I had my tuck. They took off less than 2lbs during the surgery (skin weighs surprisingly little) then I lost a further 20-21lbs or so before we could stop me losing. It took a total unfill for that to happen. My arms and thighs are saggy, but nothing I can't live with. I carried a lot of my weight in my midsection, so that is why the skin on my stomach was so badly streched.

I am not Julie, but I will help out if I can.... (my reply in blue) question 1: does the port interfere with anything? (swimming, tanning, sex, exercise, etc.) The port doesn't bother me at all. I have a fairly low BMI at this stage, and I can feel it quite easily but it doesn't stop me from doing anything. question 2: a friend told me that eating bread was basically out. Does that mean I won't be able to eat bread again? His reason was because it kinda clumps together and won't pass through. I am totally unfilled (by choice, I didn't want to lose anymore weight) and I eat bread on a daily basis. Brown, never white, but it's still bread. I have no problems, but some people do. It's very individual. question 3: what about steak? Is that a possibility after being banded? I know of people who do eat steak. question 4: I guess this kinda hits the whole food issue...what do you do when you eat out? I was on weight watchers for a while and I could eat out if I was careful. How 'bout with a band? I eat anything I like really. I just make sensible choices. question 5: is the surgery an outpatient thing? Do you spend the night in the hospital? Is the stomach/abdomen swollen after surgery? If so, for how long? I was in hospital for 2 nights, 3 days. But I am in Australia, and we do do things a little differently. question 6: how often do you get fills? What determines when you get a fill? I had fills as often as I needed them for the fist six months. On average every 4 weeks. Afetr that, I had one here and there. But again, that is something that is individual. Usually the determination is, if you are hungry after meals, are exercising, eating right and not losing. But that does vary from doctor to doctor.

I don't normally advocate protein drinks, but during the first few weeks, paticularly when one is on liquids, we need the extra protein and vitamins that such drinks contain. They are usually not high calorie so won't affect your weight loss in any great way. Perhaps you could try throwing a protein drink or two in a day. And if you haven't already, talk to your doctor regarding the loose stools. He/She might have some suggestion than none of us have thought of.

So, you did 4 weeks of liquids Julie? Wow! That must have been tough!!

Personally I had Resource for the first two weeks, then mushies were healthy foods, mushed up! Naturally, it has been quite some time since my post op diet, so perhaps Julie would be better qualified to answer.

I second that.

I wore heels at less than a week post op.

If I was to eat chips, chocolate, and other crap on a daily basis, and not exercise, I am fairly confident that I would gain weight. The band wouldn't stop that. I have to make the choice every day not to eat garbage and to exercise. The band is only a tool to cut down my portion sizes, it's not a tool that will motivate me to eat right and exercise.

Actually, provided they did indeed at some point get a band, yes, I would prefer to see a "big hairy pre band person". I highly doubt "boob grabbing apple girl" has a band at all.

Congrats Pete! What an accomplishment! I have Nike+ and it rocks. You have a sensor that goes into your shoe, and a receiver that goes onto your ipod. I am pretty sure you can get keepers to attach to the laces of other shoes to hold the sensor in. You hit the centre button on the ipod, and it tells you your current pace, distance run, and calories burned. I couldn't live without it. Edit to add, it also sends your total for that run to nikeplus.com, and it tracks your totals. You can create and set goals for yourself. You can compare your best runs to your current run, and it tracks all sorts of other neat stuff.

When I wear a pair of pants that are 6 sizes too small, I look fat. Should I get a fill?

Being unfilled isn't as scary as it sounds, trust me! Just exercise and continue to make good choices when eating, and everything will be ok.

If I were you I would see my surgeon ASAP. Best of luck.