carol422

Way to go Leslie! I too am a newbie and I did my research before I got my band. I knew there was going to be pitfalls. I knew that it was not going to be easy. What in life that is worth having is? I knew there would be ups and downs with my bands. I do not complain when I've "only" lost a pound. It's a pound and it's a loss and I celebrate! Some people are complainers. I try to be positive about everything. I find positive energy is better. It makes people around you more positive. Good things happen with a positive attitude! Good luck with your journey! I know mine is off to a great start!

Hi Andy! The good news is that you have taken control of your life. Congratulations on the 48 pounds lost and gone forever! Your blood pressure looks so much better too! Within 3 weeks I was off my blood pressure meds and the doctor also had to adjust my thyroid medication. It is most wonderful that the weight loss has made me feel better. When you need support or have a question check in here and ask away. We are all in this together and we are here for each other.

My doctor advises a high protein diet. No vegetables for two months, fruit after three months. When we can eat all of these things it will be 2 bites protein, 1 bite veggie, 2 bites protein, 1 bite of fruit. If your not already full. Pasta, rice, and bread cannot be added til I lose 75% of excess weight. I may not be able to tolerate it anyway. In my paperwork it says," protein, protein, protein"...a high protein diet encourages a quicker weight loss in a quicker period of time.

I was told for mushies: 3 TBSP 3x a day protein. 3 TBS = 1/4 cup. Soft protein is like tilapia, salmon,cottage cheese, eggs. Soft protein is any protein you can cut with your fork.

Surgery date was 4-8-08. I had my first fill on 5-9-08. I was told to make my next appointment for 4-6 weeks.

Hi Danielle! Sometimes your weight will plateau when your changing the type of food you eat, such as going from mushies to soft Protein, or soft protein to protein. Another reason you plateau can be your not getting enough protein. Hope this helps. It is also not unusual to not lose for a week and then lose more. Have you checked your measurements? Sometimes you can stop losing but your body is trying to keep up with the weight loss and you may habe lost inches. Good luck with this journey! We are in this together!

Hi Carol from OH! My husbands cardiologist told us that your blood pressure is constantly changing. Did you know that you can take your bp on your left arm and get a different reading on your right? Glad to see things are improving for you too!

Surgery was 4-8-08...Today I weighed in at the doctors office...and I'm proud to say I lost 11 pounds since surgery for a total of 52 pounds. I'm now able to cross my legs and not just at the ankle, I'm no longer on bp meds and my thyroid med has been changed too. Just these things alone make me soo glad to have had my surgery. I only wish I had done it years ago. I'm feeling terrific! I get my first fill in 2 days.

I went to the doctor today for my one month check up. I lost 11 pounds since surgery on 4-8-08. Total loss is now at 52 pounds. We are a GREAT bunch of LOSERS!

Since surgery I had not felt hungry, but that is starting to change. After I ate I felt very full, but now I feel like I could eat a little more. I do not know if he put any cc's in the band during surgery. I'm scheduled for a fill on Friday.

I had surgery 4-8-08. My doctor uses the Realize band. He has been using it since 10-2007 and said his patients are doing much better with it. There have been no complaints, and a lot less problems.

Carol it sounds like a pb. I've gagged on hot mozzerella cheese from a pizza before I was banded. You were brave to try it. I'm good with cheddar and muenster. I've had sauce with ricotta cheese and didn't have a problem. Next weekend I want to try the resale shop in a nearby town. My husbands boss bought Nike sweatpants there for a dollar. He said they still had tags on them. Our sizes are changing too quickly to not shop at resale or GW. Maybe Cindy and Cora will post soon. Have a great week and don't work too hard!

Hi Carol from OH, glad to see your post. I haven't pb'd yet, but I have slimed. That isn't a good feeling either. I can't eat vegetables til the end of this month. I'm dying for a salad. It won't be long and you'll be off your bp meds. Getting off the IBS meds is a start. I'm off bp meds and my pcp lowed the dosage for my thyroid meds. All of these changes make me know I have done the right thing. I really do feel so much better. I weighed in this morning..down to 235. I haven't seen this weight in years. I've also gone from a size 24 to a size 18. I can't wait to go to WV and see my grandsons. I don't want to change too much and then Ian won't know who I am........that shouldn't happen because I've sent new pictures via email. Hope things continue to get better for you! Have a great day!

I was banded 3 weeks ago. Before being banded they told us to expect a 1-2# loss per week. They also said not to expect to lose any weight the first month. Do not fret...the weight loss will show up. You may be losing inches and your body is adjusting to your new way of eating. DO NOT GET DISCOURAGED! Keep doing what your doctor has told you to do. Do not compare yourself with others. Every doctor does things a little different then others. Good luck!

Okay...I weighed in this morning and it was....236.6. I was right , I didn't do as well this week. So now I'm down 49.4 pounds...gone forever...I will not let them come back. So that is 8.4 pounds off in three weeks. Better than none! How is it going with the rest of you?

Hi Cindy, I'm on 1 1/2 - 2 oz. soft Protein now. I'm still not hungry, which really helps. I lost 41 pounds pre-surgery. (14.5 pounds on the 2 week pre-op) I weigh myself on Tuesday mornings. So I have a new weigh in tomorrow and I don't think this week is going well. The morning of surgery I weighed 245....4/15..I weighed 241....on 4/22..I weighed..237.4...will let you know what I weigh tomorrow....:wink2:......I feel good and am glad that I do not have an appetite. I get my first fill on 5/9. I try to get in a 30 minute walk at least 5 days a week. Don't stress over the scale...you could be losing inches. Did you get the Realize band? If yes, do you go to the website and enter your data? I try to enter it once a week. My clothing size has changed a lot. I have gone from a womans 24 down to a womans 18. My head is still reeling from that transformation...I was so excited when I found out they fit! This week I'm taking a few tops to my aunt's house to take them in. She has a sewing machine I can use. I thought I'd be able to get to fall before buying a new wardrobe, but I don't think that is going to happen. :tt2: Keep doing what your doctor recommends and the pounds will start to drop. Keep in touch.:tt2:

How are the April 8th people doing? I no longer need my blood pressure medicine. My blood pressure is now what it used to be on the medication. I feel great!

Glad to hear the recent surgery people are doing well. I'm 18 days out and no longer need my blood pressure medicine. My blood pressure is now the same as it was with the medicine. Two less pill a day is great!

Thanks Carol! I'm wearing my granddaughter's princess crown! She doesn't usually let anyone try it on! I guess I'm special! at least for today! I'm doing good too! I've lost 7.6 pounds since surgery. I'm so thrilled...I've been walking everyday at least a half hour...I'm glad the weather has been good.

I did the same thing...I would have had plenty of clothes to see me thru this summer and into the fall...I could kick myself.

Good luck Vikki! Hope your recovery is quick!

Glad your home and on your way to recovery. Remember to walk,walk,walk,sip,sip,sip,rest,rest,rest!

The other day I was sitting in the recliner and all of a sudden I realized I was sitting with my legs crossed, not at the ankle but at the knee. I was overjoyed, it has been forever since I was able to do that comfortably. These are the little things that will keep us from missing food....and eating more than we know we should. Little things like this make me very happy.

My Dr. said no driving til your off pain meds. I had surgery 4-8, drove to Dr. office on 4-10 for staple removal. I was not on pain meds.

May you have an uneventful surgery and a quick recovery!