JustWatchMe

I love your enthusiasm. It lifts me up! You look great!

You look beautiful!

I didn't think I would do it, but now I am considering a panniculectomy. The reason is, when I lost weight once before many years ago, the one thing that saddened me was the fact that I still had sagging hanging skin. To think that I could actually get to a lower weight than that now with my band, but still have the sagging hanging skin to make me sad, is too depressing to contemplate. At first I dismissed a panniculectomy because it was so expensive and would require too much time off of work. But I can't get it out of my mind now. So I think I will plan to do it, and make the decision later. The reason it's important to plan that ahead of time, is that you need to have a paper trail with your primary physician showing a need, a medical need, for the surgery. Anyway, that may be my goal.

@@Nettyinlacey, that is a tremendous success! I'm so happy for you! Who cares if it's not the norm? Take it and run with it!

That includes pre-op and good habits started in February. But yes I have lost that much. I am so thrilled. For the people who are struggling with their first month postop, all I can say is hang in there, it will come off eventually. Just stick to the program!

Doing the happy dance for you!!

I despise exercise, but I'm despising it less the more weight I drop. Why? It's easier and I don't feel like I'm going to pass out. As suggested, start slow and manageable. Walk around your block two times a day. Walk your dog. Take a flight of stairs at work. I just started that one this week. Walk on your lunch break around the work neighborhood. Get a FitBit. I promise you'll want to move when you see it on a FitBit. Good luck.

Great analogy! Agree completely !!!!

Amazing! You're gorgeous! Thanks for all the support you give to all of us here by keeping it real.

@@gowalking, I know the feeling, sort of. I fit in a theater seat so much better now!

@@plopez, the jitters are all normal. So happy for you. Take good care of yourself and post when you can.

Yay!!! Doing happy dance for @@Bandista!!!

Sorry, I made it through my birthday on liquids and you can too. You know what? Best birthday ever because I was already invested in my new life. I'm so glad I didn't go off plan. Good luck and happy skinny healthy new-you birthday!!!!!

Okay three Protein shakes and Water is reeeeeally low calories. Can you ask the doc if he will allow a fourth shake? If not then try not to drink right after the shake. Sounds dumb but when I would drink my water before my liquid meal, wait about fifteen minutes, then drink the Protein Shake and nothing after it, it satisfied me longer than if I flushed it through with water too soon. Try it and see if that helps. And maybe just phone them to see if you understood the preop rules correctly. Sounds very low to me. Unless the shakes are over 200 calories each. Mine are more like 100 or 120. Good luck.

I never have a problem, since I'm a natural carnivore. Meat is my favorite food anyway. That and cheese.

Banded 12 weeks ago. Don't crave fast food anymore. Or soda, but I was an infrequent soda drinker.

_nursekjeffrey, consider this your kick in the butt! Pre-op is definitely not the hardest part. As others have said, you can do damage if you cheat after surgery. Also, some doctors won't operate if the patient has not adhered to the protocol and shrunk their liver before surgery. I've heard of one case where the doc opened up the patient and closed them right back up because the liver wasn't reduced in size. Consider the reasons you want this surgery. You deserve a healthy body and a new lease on life. But any WLS is only a tool, and none of them will work without discipline. So if you are serious and want to be a success, stop the cheating today and grit your teeth and hang on. It gets easier, but after the surgery, when the tool begins to work for you. Before then and for many weeks after your operation, you need good discipline. Truth!

Don't be a hero, take the pain meds and try to walk. Hydrate and try to get your liquid protein in. It should get a little better every day. Major surgery. Hope you're feeling better soon.

@@Averiex, grieve it. But then let it go. We will conquer this and find healthier ways to deal with life than checking out with food. Our lives depend on it.

@@lynz, it just gets better!

The only thing I slightly grieved, very early in the process, was giving up binge eating. Knowing I'd never have the crutch of eating my way into a food coma like I did before. Of course that was the entire purpose of the surgery, but it is still a loss and awareness that the old habit must die. Other than that few moments of sadness? I miss nothing. Oh, except knee pain, back pain, sleep apnea, sky high blood pressure, foot pain, sweating whenever I exerted myself, not fitting in the bathtub, embarrassment wherever I went, seatbelt extenders on air planes, eating in secret, several daily prescription meds, etc. I miss those SO much. NOT!

Good for you! Feels great, doesn't it?

I was on six weeks of full liquids post op with no fill. It was hard, but you know what? It's behind me now and I'm in the next phase. Two fills in and feeling good satiety on very little food. I'm so glad I followed directions and had those six weeks of tough discipline. It made a trip to Italy easier and now I am reaping the benefits. Definitely talk to your doc and nut and NP but follow what they recommend. Good luck. Before you know it you'll be in the next phase.

Stay the course. Keep following your food plan and get some exercise every day. It will drop off again soon. Really! I'm losing pretty quickly right now but I fully expect to hit more stalls in the coming months. Follow directions and it will work.