Nancy33

Most of the time you won't have any restriction before you have a fill or a couple of fills, you'll have to grin and bare it until then. Sounds like you are able to cut back onyour own so keep it up. It took me 7 fills to reach what I consider my sweet spot so hang in there!

There are protein "shots" where the protein in mixed into a clear liquid $3.50 for one shot. The powder is much cheaper. Have you tried the unflavored power in a smoothy- I just mix the power, frozen fruit and what ever juice I have and mix it in the blender. I can't taste the protein powder at all. Also people tend to mix to much powder in at a time. Try a half a scoop instead of a whole scoop.

I have a lot of problems with cole slaw-same cabbage right? Have you tried to make the sauerkraut in rebeun soup? I can eat it in that.

only allows you to have a period every so often? I am on of you who goes through the hard time of trying to get anything down during my PMS time. Having fewer periods would help there...but... I don't need the pill (tied tubes) and I am worried about side effects and weight gain (I gained weight on the regular pill) at least I blame it on that!!!:thumbup: Anyon have updated infor?

This comes and goes with me. As long as your blood pressure is OK, I'd just ride it out ofr a while.

yeah, it's something most of us go through. With me it's the week before my period. I call it my big losing week! lol My doctor says it's OK. Some people have said that it bothers them so much they have to have unfills at that time. That seems extreme to me. And yes that is what restriction feels like only it's a bit to tight.

Sounds like you are going to do what you want anyway so good luck. I've been a rebel, too, BUT I didn't lose any weight and have been miserable. Recently I decided to follow all the rules and weight is falling off. If you can't play by the rules, don't get the band. It's to frustrating and then you'll be back here telling us all how much pain you are in and how little results you are seeing.

You and I started at the same height and same BMI we also have lost about the same amount and are wearing about the same size clothes. Let me tell you that it is not you who are playing head games but rather your friends. I am going through the exact same thing! Luckily I wasnt the frist of my friends to lose weight, another one lost before me. I hadn't seen her for a long time and I didn't get a chance to talk with her directly, but when I mentioned her weight lost to my other friends, they all were nothing but bitter!!! I couldn't believe their response to something that I thought was a positive. Based on that I knew they would never support my decision to get the band or make postive commments and I haven't gotten any. Even the skinny people don't like it when other people lose weight...not sure why. Your husband is the only one who counts and it sounds like he is noticing!!!! Congrats on your weight lost- Isn't it great to say goodbye to the size 20's and some of the 18's? I love trying on clothes I haven't been able to wear for years.. Pity Party on me anytime- I understand where you are at!

Thanks for the info! I feel better!

It took about 30 lbs and I still notice most people don't really want to comment. Jealous? I am just now really noticing for myself, mostly when I try on old clothes that didn't fit before. I didn't keep my surgery a secret so I guess that most people are just thinking it's not happening fast enough. Lot's of people expect the by-pass results. My husband always comments though and that's what counts!

Happens to me every month, doctor says it perfectly normal- some people have said its so bad they have to get an unfill every month, sounded extreme to me. It only lasts about 3 days and since I am not really hungry during that time, I love the weight lost. Just make sure you get your protein or you feel weak.

I think you'll be surprised at the the Bariatic Doctor says, they do this surgery all the time. You should be glad for the referral. I remember once I had a very painful knee and my GP recommended everything under the sun ( working out more, working out less, PT,pain medicine) I went to a knee surgeon and had it fixed the next week. They will be able to help you - might take a little work on your part to make the surgery safe- but it's worth it in the long run. Word of advice- Just do what your doctor requires of you. I read on here all the time where the doctor required 2 weeks of a liquid diet to get your liver size down but the person got so excited that they started the diet a month out. That is a lonnng time to be on a liquid diet so they cheat. Well duh, It's not like we are known for our willpower! lol

At walmart I found this stuff in the frozen fish section called U-Stuff-It. It's made with real crabmeat, shrimp and Lobster ( some imitations stuff too) and it tastes great. It goes down really well and has 11 grams of Protein in a 3 oz serving. The calories are 160 for a 3 oz serving but I am always full after that much so 160 is great for me. Super easy to prepare and the best part is the price is only $3.89 for five 3 oz servings. I've been worried about getting my protein and I don't like fishy fish but this stuff is really good.:thumbup: Just had to share!

I've just got one thing to say on this subject. I was married-had them all time!! I mean all the time! Got a divorce got a different guy and haven't had one in 14 years! We blame our selves for this and sometimes I think it the guys giving it to us. My ex was a very clean guy but he was a runner and I think he always had a low grade infection going on (tight jock strap, etc.) Next time get him checked out before we start taking more drugs ourselves! You'll enjoy the sex more without having to worry about it!:thumbup:

This is going to make anything you try easier. That said, it's not a magic bullet. I've been banded for 8 months and I KNOW that during that 8 months I would have put on another 5-10 lbs, instead I lost almost 40. I certainly haven't deprived myself of much and I have only recently hit what I would call my sweet spot but I know that without the band I would have been bigger. Now if you are ready to put in 1/2 of the effort you put into other diets, you know cutting back on sweets, exercising, etc you will lose even bigger and keep it off. If it feels like the band isn't helping, you call for a fill instead of throwing up your hands and grabbing something fattening to eat. That's the difference.

Relax, you'll be amazed how quickly that six months will go. You'll have all your pre-op appointments and you'll have time to read everything you can before you go into surgery. I was suppose to wait 6 months and somehow it got moved up to 4 months. I didn't ask questions! LOL In fact mine moved so fast I didn't have but one week for the pre-op liquid diet. POOR ME! Good luck and keep checking back here. This site has great info.

Sorry, mushrooms are a thing of the past for me, too. But like my teenagers say they really don't have a whole lot of taste anyway. At least thats what I am telling myself.

Not sure but lucky you, I haven't been able to eat an orange since I was first banded!

Oh my Gosh! I just got married in Vegas on January 14th!~ If you haven't finalized anything at the little white chapel, let me recommend the Little chapel of flowers. www.littlechapel.com. They are located right down the street from the little white chapel. They were the best! I am 50 years old and they made me feel like a princess. We accidently pulled into the little white chapel by mistake when we got there and it was not as nice as the chapel of flowers. (It had faded plastic floral arrangements and wasn't the cleanest, I was glad we were in the wrong place, the people there did seem nice though) My vegas wedding experience was the greatest, fresh flowers, beautiful settings and the most wonderful pictures. I don't even mind how fat I look in them. LOL They gave us all the time we needed to make our day very special. No rush in and rush out. I honestly can't wait to go back there for our vow renewal!! How long DO I have to wait?! If you go on the above web site- go to the referrals for Jan.08 scan down-Our picture is there- Mike and Nancy from MN. Good luck, I am so jealous!!!

We all use this site to vent about how much weight we aren't losing or how much hassle the insurance companies are but let just reflect on what's going right for a change. I'll start- I am so grateful for my husband who has been so supportive and who at this point could be the spoke person for the lap band commericals even though he doesn't have one of his own. He even has people he works with coming to our house for to talk wth me about it. (So much for keeping it under wrap!):thumbup:

Forget the second wedding and have him take you on a cruise! You dress up for dinner and they take your picture in a formal setting. It's more fun than a wedding and cheaper in the long run. Might as well get right to the second honeymoon!!! LOL

My husband started blood pressure medicine and there went our love life. He recently lost about 30 lbs due to a stomach ulcer but he has been able to keep it off. My question is How much weight do you have to lose before your blood pressure goes down enough that you can get off the medicine? He is a typical male (no offense) and refuses to go back to the doctor until his prescription runs out. Our doctor won't discuss it with me. I want my love life back!!!!:thumbup: I am starting to feel like this just might be an excuse and he just isn't interested any more. Feed back please!!

Wow! Sounds like an easy question but ... I guess after 8 months the best thing is that I have found my sweet spot and I am losing weight! The worse part is that it has taken me that long to feel like I am accomplishing my goal. The surgery wasn't that bad, some people have problems, usually the ones who have had stomach problems in the past. The pre liquid diet is boring but you'll survive. The post diet is also boring and you'll be hungry quicker than you thought you would be. I made a game out of how many things I could puree! You just have to get your mind around the fact that it is not going to happen over night. The band is an aid to weight lost, not a miracle. I can eat just about anything but MUCH less of it than I use to. I don't feel deprived. Make sure you have people who support you, even just one. The stories about other people jealously are true. Most of my friends (and I still call them friends), would rather choke than say I look good and I do look GOOD! lol Hang in there- ask questions here, these are the people in the trenches who have the answers.

you should be OK- The pain you might have comes from the air they blow in to make your opening bigger leaving gas pouches in your body that need to be worked out. Sometimes they settle in your shoulders and that causes pain when you sit up. Usually by the 4th day if you get one you can wiggle around a bit and move it to a more comfortable area. I had my surgery on Thur and was back to work by Monday morning. A desk job but I could walk around if I needed to. The important thing is to get moving ASAP so that you have most of the air worked out by your first day back. Plan to bring small snacks too. Baby food or pudding packs work great and travel well. I'm a student also and I can say that there is NOTHING you can eat in the student lunch lines after you get a band. I am in search of the perfect lunch box!

How often can you get someone to eat celery?! lol