Leepers

That's weird. Usually the anesthesia person puts those patches on. They have them at the hospital. Maybe you could just get it there during preop.

My advice is not to buy too much of anything. You'll find that some things you won't eat much of. Like, I went crazy buying a bunch of jello then realized I really don't care for it that much. You can always make a run to the store. Especially after surgery, it'll give you a reason to get up and move.

I have posted a few pics as I got closer to my goal weight but I have not advertised that I've had WLS. If someone asked me what I've been doing I usually would private message them and tell them.

Yesterday, I stopped by the bariatric nurses office at the hospital where I had my band put in. A couple of weeks before my surgery we had to go in for some tests and education. While there, they took all of my measurements, got me on the Tanita scale for analysis, and took a before pic. So I stopped by yesterday to see if they could do the Tanita scale for me. I'm always interested in my BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate) which is how many calories your body burns just to live. Attached is my before and after pic they took and also a pic of the paper showing my measurement changes and the print out from the Tanita scale. I was floored at the pics. It still amazes me to see before pics. I don't have a lot of them because, like many others, I hid from the camera. I love my band. And I am loving life!

Ha ha! Things do bounce around more than they used to. Lol. I love it that you are exercising and running. I was mostly doing the elliptical and not very seriously doing C25K back in September when a friend asked me to do a 5K in October. I figured I'd better get serious and started running outside regularly. Not only did I run that 5K, I've kept running since and now I can run 6 miles! I'm slow as hell, but I love it! I'm planning on doing the Kentucky Derby Mini Marathon in April (in my hometown of Louisville). My advice is to do the 5K. Pace yourself slowly. If your friend is a runner, you most likely will not be able to keep up with him. I would tell him ahead of time that you'd like to go at your own pace and that you'll see him at the finish line. If you have to walk some, then so be it! What an achievement just to finish. And it's fun to participate in an organized event where everyone is doing something healthy. For shorts, I'd see if you can find some tighter biker style shorts and then wear regular loose running shorts over those. It'll help hold ya in and not show all your parts. Hydrate and eat something small about 30 minutes before the race. Like a protein bar. Best wishes to you!

As you lose weight and break the carb/sugar cycle of addiction, sleep will definitely change. I need much less now than I did before. But, 2-3 is not enough for anyone. Hopefully it's just a phase that will end soon. Best wishes.

I get up, go pee, and then weigh naked before my shower. Every morning. If you are rational, you will realize that not every day will be a loss and some days may show a gain. The body is an intricate machine. Weight changes due to many factors including hormones, hydration, and pooping. I officially record my weight on Mondays. That's a hard day to record because I can get a little loose with my eating over the weekend. But, I've stuck with it. It all depends on how you can deal with the ups and downs. If it's difficult, then don't do every day. Do once a week, or once a month.

My surgeon is different. He didn't care how much I was eating as long as I was losing. I ate low calorie, low carb and made sure to stop eating when I was no longer hungry.

My dad used to say, "There is no such thing as 'I can't' for adults. There is only 'I won't' or 'I don't know how.'" So maybe it's a little of both. Sugar IS addictive. When you get into a habit of feeding it to your body then your body wants it. Could you try replacing it with sugar free candies for a while to wean yourself off the real thing, then maybe wean yourself off those? Otherwise, it's probably like smoking. You just quit. It will probably be discomforting for a week, but it should get better. Don't let this hold you back from your goal. When I was trying to quit smoking, I used to say to myself, "You are a human being. The most intelligent creature on earth. How are you letting your life be ruled by a piece of paper wrapped around some leaves?" Likewise, for you, it's just a food. But it gives some sort of reward. It's hard, but you really can do it!

I've haven't been thin since high school but I always had confidence. Somewhere along the way I crossed a fat threshold and lost my self esteem. I couldn't continue to live that way. Plus I had high blood pressure, pre diabetes, and felt like I was on my way to a heart attack. I wasn't living the life I felt I wanted and was meant to live. So I did something about it. It took me a long time of suffering to get to that point but I did and I hope I never look back.

Gallbladder. Do you still have yours? Something like 30% of all WLS patients have to get theirs out. I was having "attacks." Horrible stomach pain and nausea that would last anywhere from 10 minutes to 2 hours. The risk factors are the four F's. Female, over Forty, Familial, and Fast Fat loss. Hope it's not that for you. I'm having mine out in January.

My gas/shoulder pain lasted a long time too. I feel for ya. After all the post surgery special diets, my doc wanted me to stick to three meals a day. But during that mushy phase, I say eat if you're hungry. I mean, don't go crazy, but you're body has been traumatized by surgery. It may need a few extra calories to heal. Just be as healthy as possible. And keep up the good work! I love seeing you on here and on My Fitness Pal. Do you use Facebook? There's a group I really like. It's closed and private so none of your friends will see your activity on the page. It's called Lapband Support (Private/Closed). If you get on there, I'm Leigh Patterson Clark.

Thanks, I've worked very hard to get where I am. @

I ran 6 miles yesterday! Then, today I went to this park that is a giant hill, and ran the whole way uphill for 2 miles! I'm not even that tired.

@, is your profile info still correct? Because 142 for a 5'6" person sounds about right for any size frame. But, I would be concerned if several different people have said something to you, especially your surgeon. You've done so well losing weight, now is just your time to learn how to maintain. That may mean eating a little more, or maybe adding some foods back into your diet. The slippery slope is scary and as an overweight person I feel that I will always be on that slope but I'm learning to deal with it. Best wishes to you, take care of yourself!

You're awesome Bandista! You're a great presence on this forum. I'm so proud of you and your success and commitment!

To me, I found that hunger is just a sensation. Like when your neck hurts because you slept wrong. Hunger is not am emergency that needs to be immediately fed. I found that once I was able to control my response to hunger out became much easier to manage.

I love this post! I used to always say I was the opposite of an anorexic. I would look on the mirror and I thought I was much thinner looking than I really was. Then, like you, I'd see a picture of myself and feel shocked. It is a constant mental battle. Thanks for talking about it. I've been coming to terms that I will never be able to let my guard down, that while it may get easier to live a healthy life, I won't ever be able to eat like a "normal person. " I must give consideration to everything that makes it into my mouth. Some may not agree with this, but I'm okay with it. How I was thinking and eating before is not how I want to live my life. But at this time I feel like I'm still walking on the slippery slope.

I went on a trip for work. I was so heavy I couldn't reach around my belly to get the seat belt on the airplane snapped. I had to have my coworker help me. Even then, it barely fit. Thankfully it was a female. I remember that moment with so much shame, but it has also been a very motivating memory, along with a few others. Best wishes on your journey.

I too felt something right away. I did however get one fill of about 2 cc six weeks after my surgery. I haven't needed one since. I think there are a lot of differing opinions on exactly what restriction is. For me, my band slows me down. I get backed up very easily so I have to eat slowly. This gives me time to make the decision for myself that I don't need to eat any more. If I really wanted to take the time, I could eat as much as I want. Now, I do say that my band is a fickle b****h. Sometimes she doesn't slow me down at all depending on what I'm eating. But she does it often enough that I'm okay with leaving my fill where it is. It's a personal decision to make along with your doc. If you're having success, you may want to wait until you feel you really need it.

It's different for everyone. Just focus on the plan. I suggest using that time to break the habit of bad carbs, sugar, and caffeine. It will greatly help for future weight loss. Best wishes!

I find hot drinks help me with that feeling. Hot tea or coffee.

I was banded in December 2013. For the first 5 months or so, I averaged 900 calories a day. For the next few months I averaged 1500 a day. Now, I eat around 2000 a day. Mostly healthy stuff. Like you, I exercise a lot. Took up running and ran a 10K last week! Yes, I think you probably should increase your calories. I'm still losing but only around 0.5 pounds a week (before I was averaging 3.5 a week). I'm okay with that as I am near my goal. With that much exercise, your body may burn muscle for energy and that's no good. Experiment with increasing, just don't get discouraged if you don't see a loss every week.

I've had my band for almost a year. I've exercised the whole time and just got into running. Ran a 10K last week! I love it! I don't have any problems drinking large mouthfuls of water. I think it will depend on how tight you keep your band. I'm looking to run the mini marathon in my city in April. It will be the day before my 42nd birthday. Keep at it!

Miss you most: Full, shapely boobs Don't miss you at all: size 26 pants, 46 DDD bras, not being able to keep up with others, staying home on the weekends, sensible shoes, eating until I'm miserable.