littlebigfarms

December has been hard for me too. I have been losing alot slower this month as well. I haven't been on here in so long. I have certainly missed it. I now have a job in retail so as you can imagine I have been busy to say the least. I can give an update though since my ticker is not accurate. I now have 2.75cc in a 4cc band. That has helped tremendously. Although the candy that has been free flowing hasn't helped any help at all. Fortunately Christmas is over and I can move on and get myself back on track. Jeannie S. Dr. Floyd May 17, 2005 291/210/150 or less

Congrats!! The first 2 weeks were the hardest for me but it does get better everyday.

That all makes sense. Everyone notices it but me. But on the bright side I cleared out my closet and bought a couple new things and now I can see it more. I do drink alot of water and I increased the calorie intake a little the last couple days. I am still working out alot and now my hubby is starting to do it with me. Thanks to everyone for there thoughts and advice. i will keep everyone posted.

I was banded on May 17 of this year. I am down 48 pounds. I got a fill about 3 weeks ago and I have only lost 6 pounds since that visit since I was down 42 pounds then. My problem is that the scale isn't moving at all this week. I walk and/or ride an exercise bike 1 to an hour and a half a day as well as doing weights on my upper and lower body for 50-100 reps. I drink alot of water and I eat very sensibly, or at least I think so. For breakfast I eat 2 eggs scrambled with some fat free cottage cheese in them to keep them from getting dry. At lunch I eat a half of a chicken breast and a 1/2 a cup or so of vegetables or a lean cuisine. At dinner I eat the other half of the ckn. breast or a very small portion of something I cook for the family out of a Weight Watcher's cookbook. I also drink soy milk a couple times a day. I think my caloric intake is about 1000 a day. IS that the problem? Is that too low or too high? My clothes seem to be getting looser so my DH thinks I am gaining alot of muscle from the weights,exercise and all of the protein I am eating and drinking. What does everyone else think? I am getting really discouraged and I am afraid that I am one of the unlucky ones who won't lose anymore. I feel bad for thinking that since almost 50 pounds is alot of weight to lose. I really want so badly to lose the other 100 and get down to about 145 even though that is still considered overweight for me. The doctor thinks about 130 is what I should be. Any advice would be great. I feel like I am losing hope and I am failing again.

I do have a counselor/psychiatrist who did my pre-op assessment. My doctor and my insurance requires a pre-op assessment to see if you are an "acceptable risk". He said to call anytime. I will give him a call and make an appointment. I think it's like I am in some kind of shock. I was wearing a size 30 and now I am wearing a size 24. That's a big drop. I want more than anything for this to be successful. I don't want to sabotage myself by any means.

Thanks all. I know that I should be thrilled and really I am. My clothes don't fit at all anymore, and this time it's because they are too big and not the other way around. I knew I would plateau but I didn't think it would be so quickly. I know that I never lost this much weight before so I should stop my complaining and I also realize that some people don't lose 50 pounds in a year so i really should be greatful. Maybe my problem is that I don't "see" myself any thinner. I don't know if that makes sense or not. I know that my clothes are too big and people are always so impressed with how much I have lost but sometimes I can't "see" it. I am so used to being overweight and feeling bad that I don't know what to do with myself now that I am losing the weight and in reality feeling better than I have in years. Maybe I am a little afraid of what will happen when the next 100 comes off. I know that sounds silly but I don't know how to be thin. Wow, I sound like a real basket case. I know that I have to get it all worked out in my head before this will be totally successful in mind and body. That's what the band is about, mind and body. I really appreciate what everyone had to say to me. I was having a rough week and my period always makes it worse and everything always seems ten times worse that time of the month. (Sorry if that was too much info.) I feel that I can say pretty much anything and I won't be attacked and that someone will understand. And guess what I was right. Now I am going to get off my duff and go exercise and thank my lucky stars for what I have accomplised so far.

I have that fear of ripping something loose. I know that the odds of that are miniscule but it's like that first bite of real food, it's scary sometimes. See, I am really a big chicken at heart...lol. I will start the crunches tomorrow when I work out. I have done my exercise for the day today...lol. Thanks.

My skin so far is seeming to work with me and not sag too much. I work out an hour a day by walking, biking and doing weights. I am crossing my fingers that I won't need a tummy tuck. We should all share our piercings....lol. Well, the "G" rated ones anyway...lol. Thanks for the advice. BTW, I am about 8 weeks post op, do you think crunches or sit ups would be okay now? I am too afraid to try. I have 21 piercings but I am afraid of an exercise, go figure....lol.

Does anyone know if navel piercing is okay to with the band? When I get to goal I want to get my navel pierced but I didn't know if that would cause problems. I know it won't hit the band or anything like that I just worry about complications. I have had my nose done 2 differnt times ( I don't have either anymore), I have had my tongue done once (I don't have that either) and my left ear has 18 and my right has 3 in it but I don't wear them all the time like I used to when I was younger. I thought I woudl aski ehre before I called my doctor. I feel kinda of silly calling him and asking this when I know he has more important things to worry about than a navel ring...lol.

I had a water experience myself. We were at Chili's and the waiter was asking what we wanted to drink. My son and husband said Sprite and I of course said "nothing, thanks". He asked if I was sure and he said "well, i can just bring you water". I told him that wasn't necessary but a few mintes later he came back with the 2 sprites and the water. We all said thank you and I moved the water to the side. A couple minutes later he came back to take our meal order and he once again asked about me not drinking my water. My 5 year old son chimes in and says "Mom can't have water with food. She has a rubber band in her stomach." My husband and I both cracked up even though we tried not to. The poor waiter was at a loss for words and he never again asked about my drink. As they say, from the mouths of babes.

Making a meal plan helps me tremendously. I need the extra control. At first I thought it was silly and that I didn't need to do it. But I was wrong. I wasn't getting the protein I needed and I also was feeling a little lost and overwhelmed when it came to food. And to make matters worse I was making myself feel guilty when I did have something "bad" like a couple bites of pizza or a spoon or two of ice cream. As I have read on here time and again, there are no bad foods, they are just food choices, some good and some not so good. But if you keep them in perspective you will do fine. Making myself feel guilty that way was no good at all. So to make a longer story short, get in more protein, ditch the cokes, eat for a shorter amount of time and take a walk. I amke myself exercise at least 30 minutes a day, an hour if I can. I hope that helps.

I now have to participate. Orange soda instead of milk in fruity pebbles (I was 18 at the time). Fried bologna sandwiches with cheese, miracle whip and doritos. I love bananas and peanut butter together as much as I love chocolate and peanut butter together. How about biscuits and gravy with shredded sharp cheddar on top? I love(d) that. No more though. When I was pregnant I loved sprite with green olive brine in it...why I don't know. I only did that once in a while because of the massive amounts of salt. That's all I can think of for now. If I think of anything else gross I will share.

I did a search for this but I couldn't find what I was looking for so if it is out there somebody please tell me where. I am at 4 weeks post-op and I am allowed mushies with small amounts of baked fish and things of that nature. As I start to progress to the "real food" stage what should my caloric intake be at the stage I am now and the 5 week stage to 1st fill? What should it be in general after being banded? The dietician I was sent to talked about amounts and quantities but never calorie counts or the amount of fat grams "allowed". Everything in the house is the light or fat free version. I want so much for this to work. I have lost 22 pounds so far and I am riding my exercise bike at least 30 minutes a day as well as drinking lots of water. Am I making this harder than it needs to be? I freak out about the calories in everything but I am still losing although slower as I was told would happen at this point. Any helpful hints or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

BTW, my ticker is all wrong. My doc confirmed that my weight of 291 was correct the day of surgery and not the 274 I was at the consult visit. And now I am down to 249 in 6 weeks!!! I always like to hear how much people are losing since that inspires me. My mother in law pointed out something to me when I had lost 20lbs. If you ever think that 20 pounds isn't alot when you get there just think of carrying a thanksgiving turkey around. KInda of a gross visual but it helps.

Congrats on the life change you have made. It is a scary thing you have done and you are so very brave for doing it. The first few weeks are by far the hardest. I have been banded just over 6 weeks and I am glad I did it. I will be honest ad say that in the very beginning that I was like "what the hell have I done?" and I even thought about calling my doctor and asking if I cold go back and get it out. Boy am I glad I didn't do that. It really does turn around. It just seems like forever. but think how much life you have left and all the things (and the awesome clothes) that you have to look forward to. I got my first fill on Tuesday and now I am really on my way. Feel free to email me anytime and I will gladly be a support person to you. Here's a big hug just for you. ((( )))

Congrats!!!!

I was very emotional and scared the last 2 weeks. i was thrilled when I was given a surgery date but as the days crept by I was down right terrified by the end of the second week. I creid alot. I did do the "last supper" thing about 20 times. We ate in every restaurant in town that I loved. I guess I had to say goodbye. LOL. My jeans ended up not fitting(too tight!) between the day i was scheduled til the day before surgery!!! Now those jeans still don't fit, they fall off!! I am 4 week post op and have lost 22 pounds!!! I think what you are feeling is normal. The first 2 weeks or so post op are the worst then it improves dramatically. I cried some the first week or so after and I was told that was normal for up to 8 weeks or so. During the first and second week I was even thinking my dogs and cats food smelled good and was a bit jealous, no kidding. Type in Alpo in the search box, I am not the only one....lol. Everyone reacts differently and I hope I didn't scare you. It really is worth it, at least I think so.

I was told no bread, dried fruit, popcorn (but I heard alot of people still eat it), coconut, soda or tortillas as well as no broccoli stems or asparagus. Are you here in Oklahoma too? Who's your doctor? I would love to have a fellow bandster buddy here at home.

Now I don't feel so weird. When I was on the liquid stage everytime I fed the dogs and cats it smelled really good. I was jealous of the pets!!! Now that I am upgraded to the mushy phase with some fish and things like that I don't envy the dogs or cats. It's funny how when we can't have something like food even a cheap imitation seems appealing. I can't even imagine what that nasty stuff tastes like and who knows what's in it? (Beaks, feet, hooves feathers?....lol) Sorry I couldn't resist. I would pass on the Alpo and look forward to "people food" soon....lol.

Thanks so much for all of the advice. It is really helpful. I will go check out those links.

I was told not to use Neosporin at all because it keeps the wound from granulating properly. The nurse recommended Preporation H of all things. yes, I am serious. I asked if she was kidding and she said to think of what it does to a hemmoroid. But she did say to make sure you weren't open anywhere you were applying it. My mother in law is a nurse and she said to go to discount stores (Family Dollar, Dollar General etc.) or Walmart and get Vitamin E capsules and pulled them apart and put a thin coat on the scars after they are closed. It is usually cheaper this way than buying the oil in a bottle. I myself have been using Jergen's Vitamin E lotion. My skin tends to get really dry so I had it anyway and I put it on my scars while I am at it. They seem to be getting lighter in color all the time. So, those are my suggestions. Hopefully that will help some.

Thanks everyone for you advice. I guess it's what I already knew I just wanted to know what others that have been on this journey longer than I have would do. I think unfortunately that things won't change and it will come down to us parting ways. But maybe I will be surprised and it won't be lke that.

I was banded on the 17th of May and so far have lost 21 pounds (gotta update that ticker...lol). The problem is my husband and I have a friend that is well, less than supportive about what I have done. My husband is great about it. He asks how I am doing and even has heard me ramble on enough that he can explain the band and the basic workings of it to anyone that asks. Bless his heart. But this guy we know goes back and forth from "I want to have that done" to "I can't give up what I love." The guy is on SSI and disability and was told that if he would loose some weight he would most likely be able to work. Anytime I have a tired day, or a little pain he says "see what that surgery has done to you?". I have explained it all the ways I can think of. And right or wrong I sometimes just see him as lazy and unwilling to change as well as determined to sabotage someone else's happiness. My husband has told him to lay off that I am fine and that this was a great decision we made. (Yes, we made the decision. My husband and I talked about what I wanted to have done a long time before I had it done.) What do you do when you have friends that just can't accept it or maybe are jealous? I know this may sound heartless but does there come a time when you just have to say goodbye and leave them behind?

Congrats to Hanna! You are doing fabulous!!

I was wondering how all the May Bansters were doing. I am now down 20 pounds but that's not "official per the doctor" but our scales measure the same so I will count it...lol. I don't go back til the 28th so I will have to keeping drinking the water, eating the protein and riding the exercise bike. Congrats May bandsters!!!!! Keep us all posted.