dmarv

09-25-2008, 03:25 PM #25 dmarv Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Age: 48 Posts: 15 Re: Any Central Iowa Bandsters? Want to start a Lap Band Support Team Group in Central Iowa Hi There, I was banded 12-21-07 and would like to start a group within central Iowa with others who have been banded within 2006 or are still waiting to be banded. Questions, answers, health issues, problems and or accomplishments will be shared, along w/food ideas, exercise tips and more! I am so excited! This group is to support each other on our journey to successful weight loss and to continue by staying within our successful feeling of weight range. I will start by seeing how many others are out there and are interested and we will go from there. I would like a survey filled out to help with how to involve more and a meeting place and such. Survey: Male or Female Age Single, married, divorced, separated or teen Banded date or expected banding date Weight before banding Your Town Where you plan to be or where were you banded and who was or will be your DR. What size is your band if you have been banded What would you like to know or share before or after the band? Do you work? FT or PT (Hr's of work? Days/Nights you work? You can also just address when the best days of the week and times you would be available to meet with others for this group. This is to provide the best times this interest group might be able to meet.?) What health problems did you or do you have before being banded? If you have been banded, has your health improved? What are you hoping to achieve after banding? If you have been banded have you achieved what you wanted before you were banded or do you have more expectations now? Hope there are lots of people here in Central Iowa just waiting for this type of group to get started. Hurry, The sooner I receive a reply, the sooner we can get this going. Also, if you just know of others contemplating or would like to know more information, ask them to sign on to this thread and join this group as well. I will start this group, as soon as I get enough for a group. Feel free to ask any other questions you may have. Deb Posted on the Thread of Lap Band Forum Poll for starting a Lap Band Support Group Poll Preview Are you interested in knowing more about Lap banding? If so, please answer the below. Options: 1. How to go about getting started? Yes/No 2. What does it take to be a candidate? Yes/No 3. How long does it take to be accepted as a candidate? Yes/No 4. Are you a smoker? Yes/No 5. Are you a drinker? Yes/No 6. How much caffeine do you consume in a day? _cups/_cans/_mg. 7. Do you take a multivitamin daily? Yes/No 8. Other vitamins or supplements? Name them___________ 9. Are you? Single/Married/Divorced/Separated 10. Age Group? Teen/20's/30's/40's/50's/60's/older 11. How much do you need to lose to be healthy? Les then 50lb's/51-75lbs/76-100lbs/101-150lbs/151-200lbs/more 12. Do you exercise? Never/Rarely/weekly/daily/sometimes? 13. What are your favorite types of Food groups? Meats/Vegetables/Fruits/Nuts and Grains/Dairy/Junk Food/Variety 14. List 3-6 favorite Foods/Drinks consumed daily? 15. Do you think there is a need for this type of group in this in Central Iowa? Yes/No 16. Would you sign up for this group? Yes/No 17. Would you like information on complications w/this procedure and post operative? Yes/No 18. What location in Central Iowa would be best for you to travel to? 19. How many miles would you be willing to travel to join this group? 10miles or less/up to 25 miles/up to 50 miles/or more? 20. Would you be willing to share your experiences with others? Yes/No 21. Would you be willing to share recipes/samples w/others? Yes/No 22. Would you like your group to be small-15 people or less, medium 30people or less or large-more than 30 people? 23. Would you prefer to be in the same age group type? Yes/No/Doesn't matter 24. Would you prefer to be in Men's only/Women's only/Teen's only/Doesn't matter? 25. Would you prefer to be in a single's group/married group/divorced group/separated group/doesn't matter? 26. Are you willing to pay to go to such a group to help cover costs of materials/start-up costs/speakers/food samples? Yes/No 27. How long would you like such a group to meet? 2hr's or less/3-4hr's/all day including lunch & breaks/other? 28. Do you need assistance w/daycare/familycare or transportation to attend such a group? Yes/No 29. Optional:If interested please list your name___________ 30. If you would like to be contacted about such, list a phone number you can be reached at__________________ Looking for real people looking for true support, that could lead to events, entertainment, recipe ideas, finding answers for both pre and post banding, making new friends!

09-25-2008, 03:25 PM #25 dmarv Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Age: 48 Posts: 15 Re: Any Central Iowa Bandsters? Want to start a Lap Band Support Team Group in Central Iowa Hi There, I was banded 12-21-07 and would like to start a group within central Iowa with others who have been banded within 2006 or are still waiting to be banded. Questions, answers, health issues, problems and or accomplishments will be shared, along w/food ideas, exercise tips and more! I am so excited! This group is to support each other on our journey to successful weight loss and to continue by staying within our successful feeling of weight range. I will start by seeing how many others are out there and are interested and we will go from there. I would like a survey filled out to help with how to involve more and a meeting place and such. Survey: Male or Female Age Single, married, divorced, separated or teen Banded date or expected banding date Weight before banding Your Town Where you plan to be or where were you banded and who was or will be your DR. What size is your band if you have been banded What would you like to know or share before or after the band? Do you work? FT or PT (Hr's of work? Days/Nights you work? You can also just address when the best days of the week and times you would be available to meet with others for this group. This is to provide the best times this interest group might be able to meet.?) What health problems did you or do you have before being banded? If you have been banded, has your health improved? What are you hoping to achieve after banding? If you have been banded have you achieved what you wanted before you were banded or do you have more expectations now? Hope there are lots of people here in Central Iowa just waiting for this type of group to get started. Hurry, The sooner I receive a reply, the sooner we can get this going. Also, if you just know of others contemplating or would like to know more information, ask them to sign on to this thread and join this group as well. I will start this group, as soon as I get enough for a group. Feel free to ask any other questions you may have. Deb Posted on the Thread of Lap Band Forum Poll for starting a Lap Band Support Group Poll Preview Are you interested in knowing more about Lap banding? If so, please answer the below. Options: 1. How to go about getting started? Yes/No 2. What does it take to be a candidate? Yes/No 3. How long does it take to be accepted as a candidate? Yes/No 4. Are you a smoker? Yes/No 5. Are you a drinker? Yes/No 6. How much caffeine do you consume in a day? _cups/_cans/_mg. 7. Do you take a multivitamin daily? Yes/No 8. Other vitamins or supplements? Name them___________ 9. Are you? Single/Married/Divorced/Separated 10. Age Group? Teen/20's/30's/40's/50's/60's/older 11. How much do you need to lose to be healthy? Les then 50lb's/51-75lbs/76-100lbs/101-150lbs/151-200lbs/more 12. Do you exercise? Never/Rarely/weekly/daily/sometimes? 13. What are your favorite types of Food groups? Meats/Vegetables/Fruits/Nuts and Grains/Dairy/Junk Food/Variety 14. List 3-6 favorite Foods/Drinks consumed daily? 15. Do you think there is a need for this type of group in this in Central Iowa? Yes/No 16. Would you sign up for this group? Yes/No 17. Would you like information on complications w/this procedure and post operative? Yes/No 18. What location in Central Iowa would be best for you to travel to? 19. How many miles would you be willing to travel to join this group? 10miles or less/up to 25 miles/up to 50 miles/or more? 20. Would you be willing to share your experiences with others? Yes/No 21. Would you be willing to share recipes/samples w/others? Yes/No 22. Would you like your group to be small-15 people or less, medium 30people or less or large-more than 30 people? 23. Would you prefer to be in the same age group type? Yes/No/Doesn't matter 24. Would you prefer to be in Men's only/Women's only/Teen's only/Doesn't matter? 25. Would you prefer to be in a single's group/married group/divorced group/separated group/doesn't matter? 26. Are you willing to pay to go to such a group to help cover costs of materials/start-up costs/speakers/food samples? Yes/No 27. How long would you like such a group to meet? 2hr's or less/3-4hr's/all day including lunch & breaks/other? 28. Do you need assistance w/daycare/familycare or transportation to attend such a group? Yes/No 29. Optional:If interested please list your name___________ 30. If you would like to be contacted about such, list a phone number you can be reached at__________________ Looking for real people looking for true support, that could lead to events, entertainment, recipe ideas, finding answers for both pre and post banding, making new friends!

I am sorry you feel so discouraged and disgruntled. Did you go through a series of sessions with informed Dr.'s, dietitians, surgeons and others? I did, cost free-it was a part of your decision making whether to go through this surgery or not. Answering any questions you may have. I believe you need a support system and more encouragement and knowledge of the before's and after these surgeries. I am attempting to start up a support group of bandsters in the central state of Iowa. Would you be interested? Look for my thread. It has many questions and a survey for serious individuals that truely would like to become personal instead of just an online answer quick buddy. There is HOPE, but you do have to want to follow the restrictions that the Dr. recommends! And talk to him/her about your concerns. They want their surgeries to be successful, not misleading or fail to meet your standards. Trust me and again check my thread. Good-Luck! Deb

Hey There, Yes, I have suggestions and my best one is to follow Dr's orders. With my health condition I ended up having to stay 3 days. Tghe 24th of Dec. is when I got released, our family Xmas meal was at Rube's steakhouse. It was a blizzardy night, my first night out of the hospital (I was in great pain and anxiety) but survived. Use a blender of some sort to puree or eat baby food everything you choose to put in that stomache that has just gone under major surgery, without causing yourself pain or your stomach to have major issues that could include more major surgeries. Then ween into soft types of food. One thing mainly to avoid to continue to lose weight is carb's. Keep them out of your diet completely! They will cont. to bring on more weight gain than any other food! Eat all the meat (Protein), Veg. and Fruits, plus drink some type of Protein drink which containds 60-80mg. a drink up to twice dailey. This will help your body and emotional level to becomew more stable, keep you from losing your hair, give you energy if taken in accordance w/your Dr.'s other recommendations. Always take Folic Acid, Elctra Vit. C, D, E and several of the B Vitamins., now I also add Bee Pollen, Calcium D, and Norwehian Cod Oil. You can follow this and see how it leads you, or let me kow what you are doing for yourself and how this is working. Deb

Thanks for your reply! I hope you will keep in contact, and we can all meet who respond to my bandster start-up information! Congrationlations on the major first round. It is a life changing event and I hope you had great Dr.'s that explained all of this to you! Any questions, email, I'll be there! Deb

You could have to go through many more testings and Dr's visit's before getting this done. I am not sure how the IL regulations of BCBS work, but here in Iowa, you will be excepted and it would be covered as long as you go along w/your Dr. and why you need this completed. A background of all of the diets you have tried, how it is affecting you emotionally and physically, any other medical concerns ( I would think by being overweight, you would be a candidate of pre mature heart attack, have you let them know all of your family history of medical issues? In Iowa they like you to be at least 100# overweight, have tried every diet imaginable and has to be recorded by a Dr., have other medical issues going on or could potentially start, due to the overweitness, why are you wanting this done, they want your body fat here to be at least 40%, which is extreme, but I was at 41%. I was 5'3", 257#, with alot of breathing issues and early heart diseaes in my family and so many other issues. A single woman that had been w/the same man for 24 yr's, who couldn't stand me fat and divorced me 7 yr's prior when I wasn't even this heavy. My children were grown, so that was ok, but our home belonged to his family, so I allowed him that and all of his personal property plus some of mine. Found an apt. and for the first time in my entire life I was independent and on my own-like it or not. I had a respectable job, I had just started almost 1 yr prior which has been my soul savior to independence and going from a few rentals, and even back to his place once, to another rental to buying my first home of choice ever in my life! You will be so proud of yourself after a period of time for following through.If there's anyway you can find a Dr. in your area or across the line to Iowa that will support you I would much rather see that then take that much of your family savings to pay for this during this rough recession. If money is no problem go for it, but if I could pay like $3400. vs. 17,000. I think that's worth doing a little more research. Remember, you can always have your Dr's information sent to whomever you wish for free! I wish you the best of luck and if you have other questions, please write. Keep in contact anyway, so I know how you are doing! Deb

I would suggest going to your surgeon and explaining all of the symptoms you are having, not to direct him to take some fill out. He wants you to be one of his successful patients, I'm sure, so he should be more than willing to listen and help you through this rough period.

Want to start a Lap Band Support Team Group in Central Iowa Hi There, I was banded 12-21-07 and would like to start a group within central Iowa with others who have been banded within 2006 or are still waiting to be banded. Questions, answers, health issues, problems and or accomplishments will be shared, along w/food ideas, exercise tips and more! I am so excited! This group is to support each other on our journey to successful weight loss and to continue by staying within our successful feeling of weight range. I will start by seeing how many others are out there and are interested and we will go from there. I would like a survey filled out to help with how to involve more and a meeting place and such. Survey: Male or Female Age Single, married, divorced, separated or teen Banded date or expected banding date Weight before banding Your Town Where you plan to be or where were you banded and who was or will be your DR. What size is your band if you have been banded What would you like to know or share before or after the band? Do you work? FT or PT (Hr's of work? Days/Nights you work? You can also just address when the best days of the week and times you would be available to meet with others for this group. This is to provide the best times this interest group might be able to meet.?) What health problems did you or do you have before being banded? If you have been banded, has your health improved? What are you hoping to achieve after banding? If you have been banded have you achieved what you wanted before you were banded or do you have more expectations now? Hope there are lots of people here in Central Iowa just waiting for this type of group to get started. Hurry, The sooner I receive a reply, the sooner we can get this going. Also, if you just know of others contemplating or would like to know more information, ask them to sign on to this thread and join this group as well. I will start this group, as soon as I get enough for a group. Feel free to ask any other questions you may have. Deb Posted on the Thread of Lapband Forum Poll for starting a Lap Band Support Group Poll Preview Are you interested in knowing more about Lap banding? If so, please answer the below. Options: 1. How to go about getting started? Yes/No 2. What does it take to be a candidate? Yes/No 3. How long does it take to be accepted as a candidate? Yes/No 4. Are you a smoker? Yes/No 5. Are you a drinker? Yes/No 6. How much caffeine do you consume in a day? _cups/_cans/_mg. 7. Do you take a Multivitamin daily? Yes/No 8. Other Vitamins or supplements? Name them___________ 9. Are you? Single/Married/Divorced/Separated 10. Age Group? Teen/20's/30's/40's/50's/60's/older 11. How much do you need to lose to be healthy? Les then 50lb's/51-75lbs/76-100lbs/101-150lbs/151-200lbs/more 12. Do you exercise? Never/Rarely/weekly/daily/sometimes? 13. What are your favorite types of food groups? Meats/Vegetables/Fruits/Nuts and Grains/Dairy/Junk Food/Variety 14. List 3-6 favorite Foods/Drinks consumed daily? 15. Do you think there is a need for this type of group in this in Central Iowa? Yes/No 16. Would you sign up for this group? Yes/No 17. Would you like information on complications w/this procedure and post operative? Yes/No 18. What location in Central Iowa would be best for you to travel to? 19. How many miles would you be willing to travel to join this group? 10miles or less/up to 25 miles/up to 50 miles/or more? 20. Would you be willing to share your experiences with others? Yes/No 21. Would you be willing to share recipes/samples w/others? Yes/No 22. Would you like your group to be small-15 people or less, medium 30people or less or large-more than 30 people? 23. Would you prefer to be in the same age group type? Yes/No/Doesn't matter 24. Would you prefer to be in Men's only/Women's only/Teen's only/Doesn't matter? 25. Would you prefer to be in a single's group/married group/divorced group/separated group/doesn't matter? 26. Are you willing to pay to go to such a group to help cover costs of materials/start-up costs/speakers/food samples? Yes/No 27. How long would you like such a group to meet? 2hr's or less/3-4hr's/all day including lunch & breaks/other? 28. Do you need assistance w/daycare/familycare or transportation to attend such a group? Yes/No 29. Optional:If interested please list your name___________ 30. If you would like to be contacted about such, list a phone number you can be reached at__________________

Want to start a Lap Band Support Team Group in Central Iowa Hi There, I was banded 12-21-07 and would like to start a group within central Iowa with others who have been banded within 2006 or are still waiting to be banded. Questions, answers, health issues, problems and or accomplishments will be shared, along w/food ideas, exercise tips and more! I am so excited! This group is to support each other on our journey to successful weight loss and to continue by staying within our successful feeling of weight range. I will start by seeing how many others are out there and are interested and we will go from there. I would like a survey filled out to help with how to involve more and a meeting place and such. Survey: Male or Female Age Single, married, divorced, separated or teen Banded date or expected banding date Weight before banding Your Town Where you plan to be or where were you banded and who was or will be your DR. What size is your band if you have been banded What would you like to know or share before or after the band? Do you work? FT or PT (Hr's of work? Days/Nights you work? You can also just address when the best days of the week and times you would be available to meet with others for this group. This is to provide the best times this interest group might be able to meet.?) What health problems did you or do you have before being banded? If you have been banded, has your health improved? What are you hoping to achieve after banding? If you have been banded have you achieved what you wanted before you were banded or do you have more expectations now? Hope there are lots of people here in Central Iowa just waiting for this type of group to get started. Hurry, The sooner I receive a reply, the sooner we can get this going. Also, if you just know of others contemplating or would like to know more information, ask them to sign on to this thread and join this group as well. I will start this group, as soon as I get enough for a group. Feel free to ask any other questions you may have. Deb Posted on the Thread of Lapband Forum Poll for starting a Lap Band Support Group Poll Preview Are you interested in knowing more about Lap banding? If so, please answer the below. Options: 1. How to go about getting started? Yes/No 2. What does it take to be a candidate? Yes/No 3. How long does it take to be accepted as a candidate? Yes/No 4. Are you a smoker? Yes/No 5. Are you a drinker? Yes/No 6. How much caffeine do you consume in a day? _cups/_cans/_mg. 7. Do you take a Multivitamin daily? Yes/No 8. Other Vitamins or supplements? Name them___________ 9. Are you? Single/Married/Divorced/Separated 10. Age Group? Teen/20's/30's/40's/50's/60's/older 11. How much do you need to lose to be healthy? Les then 50lb's/51-75lbs/76-100lbs/101-150lbs/151-200lbs/more 12. Do you exercise? Never/Rarely/weekly/daily/sometimes? 13. What are your favorite types of food groups? Meats/Vegetables/Fruits/Nuts and Grains/Dairy/Junk Food/Variety 14. List 3-6 favorite Foods/Drinks consumed daily? 15. Do you think there is a need for this type of group in this in Central Iowa? Yes/No 16. Would you sign up for this group? Yes/No 17. Would you like information on complications w/this procedure and post operative? Yes/No 18. What location in Central Iowa would be best for you to travel to? 19. How many miles would you be willing to travel to join this group? 10miles or less/up to 25 miles/up to 50 miles/or more? 20. Would you be willing to share your experiences with others? Yes/No 21. Would you be willing to share recipes/samples w/others? Yes/No 22. Would you like your group to be small-15 people or less, medium 30people or less or large-more than 30 people? 23. Would you prefer to be in the same age group type? Yes/No/Doesn't matter 24. Would you prefer to be in Men's only/Women's only/Teen's only/Doesn't matter? 25. Would you prefer to be in a single's group/married group/divorced group/separated group/doesn't matter? 26. Are you willing to pay to go to such a group to help cover costs of materials/start-up costs/speakers/food samples? Yes/No 27. How long would you like such a group to meet? 2hr's or less/3-4hr's/all day including lunch & breaks/other? 28. Do you need assistance w/daycare/familycare or transportation to attend such a group? Yes/No 29. Optional:If interested please list your name___________ 30. If you would like to be contacted about such, list a phone number you can be reached at__________________

Hi There, I was banded 12-21-07 and would like to start a group within central Iowa with others who have been banded within 2006 or are still waiting to be banded. Questions, answers, health issues, problems and or accomplishments will be shared, along w/food ideas, exercise tips and more! I am so excited! This group is to support each other on our journey to successful weight loss and to continue by staying within our successful feeling of weight range. I will start by seeing how many others are out there and are interested and we will go from there. I would like a survey filled out to help with how to involve more and a meeting place and such. I have a poll listed in the forties forum, as well. Please take a few minutes to look this over and answer those questions too. The information will contribute to getting this Group off to a great start by keeping each of you in mind! Thank-You! Survey: Male or Female Age Single, married, divorced, separated or teen Banded date or expected banding date Weight before banding Your Town Where you plan to be or where were you banded and who was or will be your DR. What size is your band if you have been banded What would you like to know or share before or after the band? Do you work? FT or PT (Hr's of work? Days/Nights you work? You can also just address when the best days of the week and times you would be available to meet with others for this group. This is to provide the best times this interest group might be able to meet.?) What health problems did you or do you have before being banded? If you have been banded, has your health improved? What are you hoping to achieve after banding? If you have been banded have you achieved what you wanted before you were banded or do you have more expectations now? Hope there are lots of people here in Central Iowa just waiting for this type of group to get started. Hurry, The sooner I receive a reply, the sooner we can get this going. Also, if you just know of others contemplating or would like to know more information, ask them to sign on to this thread and join this group as well. I will start this group, as soon as I get enough for a group. Feel free to ask any other questions you may have. Deb

Yes, try a protein drink first thing in the morning. Caffeine can actually make you more hungry, so cut back on that. You might have 1 sweet cake a week as a treat to yourself for following your dietary rules. Another important food to watch out for is carbs. Those add up fast, also make you hungry, drive your insulin levels crazy and put on weight gain. I try to stay under 40 grams of carbs a day. Hope this helps. Good luck!

The burping is coming from the gas that was placed in your stomach to expand it during surgery. When they extract it out, it doesn't all get extracted and so you have air bubbles that cause some to burp. Some people can even feel them in their necks, I was told. Some people even have a lot of shoulder pain due to these bubbles being removed as you are healing. It's a good thing, so nothing to be worried about. Congrats. on your fast weight loss.

I heard from my surgeon this was common, although I didn't personally experience this.

Last time I wrote on this forum, I wasn't that pleased. Well, I hadn't given my surgery and body enough time for the healing process or my mentality. I am Very Greatfull for having this surgery and the results I have gotten so far. I am 6 month's out and have lost 50 lb's, I am breathing so much better and can walk much further distances without any breathing difficulty, it's amazing. I still need to lose another 40-60 lb's. I exercise more, take less medication, have more energy and move much more and faster than I have in the last 7 or so years! I would recommend this surgery to anyone who has attempted every other option available! Dr. Sundberg in Grinnell is a top notch surgeon, and does my follow up, even though Dr. Kermode (Once again a top notch surgeon) actually performed my surgery.Grinnell, will give you all of the information you need or request so you, your spouse and family can be well informed! If you are stuck in the middle of a loved one who disagrees with this surgery, be sure to have them visit with the surgeon, and go through the class you will have to attend before receiving the surgery and then they should understand fully why you need this and how much it will help you in your relationship, your total family life, and most important regain your self esteem and worth!:wink2:

Hi Peggy Sue, Yes, this is too bad you are feeling this way. I encourage you to do as the above postings have suggested about researching more on everything you can about the lapband surgery, results, variations of peoples' results, recipes and exercise. There is what is called head hunger (this is when you eat too much just because you can and not because you're really hungry) and I believe this is what I had for awhile and still get sometimes, but I definitly notice that I can't consume nearly the amount I used to. I commend the person who only eats 2 oz's, but I can not do this and my surgeon just recommends a handful at each meal and I eat a little more than that and am still losing. I am only out 41 days and have lost 27 lbs and am happy with that and my surgeon was as well. I have had 1 fill of 1cc and he also explained how at surgery they fill the band then released all but 2 cc's in my 10cc band. He explained I should only lose 1-2 lbs a week now to keep up my health and so I won't regain the weight. As the above postings have said the band is a tool, but you need to commit yourself to the diet restrictions this involves to make it work. Do you still drink your protein drinks? This helps to keep me full for a few hours when I first wake up. I also went through some depression, which I am told is normal, so this might be something you might discuss with your Dr. as well. I hope this gets easier and less stressful for you in the future, and if you hang in there and set your mind to the positive (you CAN do this) you will and be proud of yourself! As far as eating all carbs, not a good choice. Protein is what you need to work on eating first and foremost and watch portion control. Start a journal of your exercise routine daily (this can include all housework, and walking your pet, if you have one) and all that you eat and drink and of course the amounts. (This will help you to see exactly what you are doing to enhance this tool you now have to help you with your weight loss journey) The computer is a great source to research everything a person needs for themselves or others. Join a support group, if there is one available to you. Stay with this site for a great tool, as we are all here for encouragement to each other and not to condemn anyone. I wish you the best and stay in touch by writing back to the post to let us know how you are doing. You can reach me by dmarv5090@hotmail.com if you would like a support buddy or need to reply to this quickly.

I had my surgery Dec. 21st, 2007, I saw my surgeon post op on Jan. 17th and he explained when I had my surgery they filled my band then removed all but 2cc's, and I explained how I felt I was eating too much, so he gave me a 1cc fill. I have a 10cc band as well. He said if I felt nauseated or ill of any nature to come back and he would remove it. I felt fine except I still seem to eat more than I believe I should, but will be going back to see him Feb. 14th. All of us react different because our bodies and metabolism and emotional levels are all different. I had lost 22 lbs total at that checkup and felt great. Now the scales don't seem to be moving, but I have a cheap set of scales and they were 5 lbs heavier than the Dr.'s office scales, which pleased me. When I go back and if I have lost more and my scales are still off I will invest in a scale which is more accurate. (I will ask for advice and check online for consumer reports) Anyway, depression can keep weight on, so you may want to discuss this with your surgeon as well as have some filled removed as the last writer indicated. Sip LOTS of water to help so your not as hungry and you have your mouth and hands busy. Keep your mind busy by doing things you enjoy and keep yourself busy when commercials come on tv. Sometimes it helps to go back to liquids and baby food for a period of time. Are you still drinking your protein drinks? One first thing when I wake up keeps me full for 3-4 hours. Keep good communication with your surgeon or whoever is doing your fills and most important, be patient. You could be losing inches without the scales moving if you are walking and doing any exercises as they recommend. Good-Luck and hang in there, it will get easier!

I think you look great! My first surgery last thursday was postponed, now it is scheduled for this thursday Dec. 20th. My emotions are all over, I know what you are going through! I Love food, as well and this is a new challenge that I am hoping will help my health be much better! Hopefully you can feel this way too. And I think how I love my steak, Yes, and to get some of it I will suck on a couple bites later on through my recovery. Remember, you can do this, think positively! Wishing you the Best! Deb