angelsvoice

HI all, It's been a while since I've posted and I hope everyone is doing well. I am in major stall mode. I was banded in March of 2008 and for the last 6-9 months I have been having to get unfills after a fill. When I do I get hungry too frequently and with the small fills I can't even swallow my spit. I am on my way now to have an unfill. Has anyone had this problem and succesfully overcame it? Are there any suggestions on what I can do to get to that sweet spot? Thanks

Good morning All, Just wanted to give a quick update on my progress. I had surgery March 27th and I am happy to report that I am down to 295lbs; a loss of 43lbs. The first time I have been this weight in FOREVER!!!!!! I love my band!! It is not a quick fix and I have to work at it, but for me a lot of it is mental. When I started my journey with Dr. Malley I was 338lbs and a size 28/30. I am now 22/24 with growing bagginess. I will post pics soon. Good luck to everyone, and keep up the good work. If you are struggling just pick yourself up and start again. the only shame is in falling and staying down!

Thanks Ladies!!! Right now I am not working out per say. I am however working a lot of overtime at work, redecorating my guest bedroom, and I was finishing some classes before graduation. That kept me very busy, and too tired to just sit and unconsciously eat in front of the TV. Also since my first fill, I have been at my sweet spot so far. I cannot eat anything before 9:00 in the morning, and when I do, I make sure it is a half a banana, Cereal and a cup of skim milk, and that holds me til lunch. I lost 8lbs in 2 weeks after that first fill. We decided not to do a fill last Monday because I was doing so well at where I was. So I mostly work hard at making sure that I eat when I'm really hungry and not when my mind is bored.

Day 10 preop diet- Still free from cheating and can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. Doctoring up the shakes really help a lot. The unjury chicken soup if off the cha-heezee so it definitely helps balance all the sweet stuff. Don't know an exact amount that I've lost but I've been able to fit into an outfit that I was saving for graduation day. Now I will have to shop again because by then I know I will have lost more weight, and it won't fit at all. So it has been a very worthwile effort to stick to the preop for me.

Day one of preop diet and I am struggling terribly!!!!!!!!!! The Body Fortress protein shakes SUCK!!!! But I drank it anyway. I can't tell if I'm hungry or nausious. Anyone else feel like this? Is it all in my mind because I know I just can't go to the cafeteria and get some food? I am staying true to this diet though so I guess I'll eat some more Jello. Anything else you eat that is liquid and not sweet besides chicken and beef broth? Thanks for all who have gone before me who will help me get through this and pay it forward.

Day 8 and I am still hangin' in there! Have not cheated so I am actually getting used to the shakes. I just smoothie them to death!!!But it's all good. Sherry I'm a day after you so I cannot wait to this part is over for you, belliemae and I. Everyone else too of course. Happy drinking!!!!

Well Stacy my highest weight was 358 at one about 2 years ago. I lost about 55lbs by changing a lot of my eating habits, but then I gained over half back. When I started the 6 month preop program I tipped at 335. When I weighed at Dr. Malley's office last week I was 318. When I weighed yesterday morning I was at 309. That has to be this liquid diet and the metformin. Metformin helps you lose weight too. So the 49lbs is an accumulative loss from my highest. I'll email you my phone number so we can talk. Sonya P.S. I was EVIL my first day of the diet. But I live alone so I had peace and quiet at home. Work was a whole nother story. LOL!!

Sherry, thank GOD my metformin troubles have subsided. I pray that one day I will not have to take it. It did help me lose some weight though.

Hey Stacey!!! I am the 9:00 slot. How cool is that? Yes we will win in this diet so hang in there too. What time will you leave for the hospital? I have to be there at 7:00. I already did my preop stuff this past Friday, so I will pretty much be chillin' while I wait my turn. Lets chat sometime. I would LOVE to have a "same day band buddy" for continued encouragement.

I am on preop diet day 4 and although I have wanted to jump through the TV and grab every food item that shows up, I have been a good girl. I am determined to drop at least 40 pounds before I graduate May 10th. So I am dreaming of the day when I can have some mashed potatoes!!!! Are grits and cream of wheat allowed as mushies post op?

I have made it to the start of day 3. Day 2 was much better than the first day. I have really been keeping busy and focused so I won't be tempted by anything. I am happy to report that the only solid food that has passed through these lips has been SF Jello. I chew Extra gum to help with my need to chew something. Saturdays are usually my movie and junk food days so instead I am going to work for overtime so that I can build up extra cash for the new clothes I will need later on. :thumbup: Is there anyone else being banded by Dr. Malley on the 27th at Menorah Medical Center? If so let's talk.

Morning Everyone, Well day 2 of the diet is off to a much better start. No nausea, and I'm not feeling hungry right now. I mixed my first shake with a banana, and a few frozen strawberries. Not bad tasting and a little more filling. I have found the cure to the horrible taste of the Body Fortress Protein shake. I found a sugar free chocolate milk mix that is only 8 calories per serving. I mixed one packet of that with the shake and it is DELICIOUS!!!!!!!! I found the 10 pack box of Moo Magic at Walmart for 98 cents. I think I will go and stock up on more of them. They will be life savers before and after surgery!!!. How's everyone else so far?

You all are great!!!!! I survived day number one. Not one morsel of food touched these hungry lips. Day 2 should be a little better as I will make sure I have plenty of goodies with me. Good luck all. I will continue to keep you posted.

I also ordered the Unjury sample pack. They will be here Monday. I hope they do not taste like this body fortress. I bought it because i read a couple of posts that said it tastes like unjury without the cost. I think I will be experimenting this weekend.

You all are so awesome to give me this fantastic advice and encouragement. It is really helping. They are having a special lunch in the cafeteria today to celebrate the Big Twelve Basketball Tournement, but I am good. I am not even going to look at the food. Two weeks is not to much to ask to help change the rest of my life and get my health back. So I am doing ok right now. I've only been diagnosed with diabetes since July of 2007. I have been on metformin since then. It has always made me sick if I did not take it after my meals. So its possible that with no food on my tummy it's working me over bigtime. But still a small sacrifice for what I will be gaining (no weight of course). Okitsme, I think you may very well be right. I will keep watch on my sugar levels. Glad I have this board!!!!

Thanks so much. I am going to stick it out. I'm wondering if the metformin that I take for diabetes is causing me to feel like this. I figured that I would go through a physical and mental food withdrawal. I am so glad to know it will not last the entire 14 days. If I remain nauseous I will call my PCP about an alternative med.

Hello All, Well tomorrow is the first day of my 2 week preop diet. I have my lunch bag ready to get me through the day and I pray that I can be victorious during this time. So, please pray for me, or if you're not religious please send best wishes and good thoughts my way. I will need it to change 42 years of habit. Warm wishes to all the Shrinking Shamrocks, and everyone else on the journey.:drool:

Good morning, I'm a Shrinking Shamrock too. March 27th is my date. How do I get the cool signs in my signature? I start my preop diet on Friday and I am starting to get a little nervous. But I am getting great tips from all of you. THANKS!!!!

Hello All, Been a while since I posted. I was so discouraged with the long wait for surgery. I was approved the first week of December, but my surgeon was booked until March 27th. Other surgeons required me to start over so I decided to wait it out. Lo' and behold I can actually see hope. I am posting now because I need to go to the grocery store this weekend to stock up on "skinny food". Can you please share the things you bought to get you through the pre-op and post op diets? I am really worried about the Protein shakes. What do you recommend and what is the easiest to purchase? I start my pre op diet on the 13th. I have told my coworkers that I am going on vacation for 2 1/2 weeks so they will be shocked when I come back to work a few pounds lighter. I told a few of them at first and then regretted telling them, so since the date took so long they think I decided against it. So I let them think so. Anyway, please pass on any ideas, suggestions, grocery lists, love or support you can give me, for now I begin the fight for a new and healthier me!!! I'll take HOT me too!!!! :rolleyes2:

Thanks for the good info. Please keep it coming.

Hi Dr. JLo, LOVE the show! My questions are, why do so many patients lose their butts after weight loss and then more after the LBL? Is their something that can be done during weight loss to "plump" or firm it to keep it from going too flat? Is there something that could be done surgically to help if I am deflated, besides butt implants (can't do that one)? I'm an African American woman and I can't drop it like it's hot if I have no junk in the trunk!:tongue: Second question: I have had a breast reduction almost 20 years ago. Viewing pictures of after photos of weight loss patients I have noticed that the breasts shrink and/or sag. I am afraid also that the girls are going to deflate too. What I have now is pretty much breast tissue as I have not gained weight up there and they have remained the same size for years. What other options are available besides implants in the event my girls decide they don't want to sit at attention anymore?

Hi, I was approved through Aetna and fairly quickly I might add. I would definitely keep trying before you spend the money as a self pay. Good luck and keep the faith.

WOW Tann, You are my new hero. We are almost the same height. Your weightloss is amazing!!!!! May I ask what size you started out and what you currently wear now? That has been freaking me out not knowing what size I will be with how much weight lost I will have.

Hi, I am scheduled with Dr. Malley for March 27th as well. It will be performed at Menorah Medical. BUT. I am looking for another option to see if I can get the surgery done sooner through another surgeon. I will go to his seminar on Jan. 2nd then have a consult within a couple of days. He is scheduling surgeries in February. So we'll see what happens.

I'm tired too!!!! I think we are all on the road to a new life. Healthy and free from the fat that weighs us down holds us back. I am inspired!!!