Julie*

I had alot of swelling in my stomach too and it did take about 3 weeks to go away as well. I was very surprised when I couldn't button my pants at first! Welcome to bandland and good luck!

So, what are you all eating for Proteins? I am trying to get more in the habit of proteins/veggies first b/c I am having the same problem of being hungry too soon. Also, the nutritionist I work with told me that whole grains are very filling too and that we need them for the Fiber. I start my day with a low sugar but high fiber oatmeal and that has worked pretty well for me. I seem to do well for lunch with a turkey sandwich or a chef salad but dinner and snacking in the early evening is killing me. The only good news is that I am on day 3 of 30 minutes of cardio and I am vowing to do it every day until we leave for Disney World in 12 days.

Hi Molly- It will get better. I was exhausted for the first 2 weeks and then really tired for about 3 more weeks after that. I think it was the food (or lack of) combined with recovering from surgery. Hang in there and just rest as much as you can.

I love Orlando too! We leave for Disney World on April 27th and I don't know who's more excited.... the kids or DH and me!!

Double Post!

Hi Everyone- Sorry I am such a bad buddy. I have been kind of ignoring my band this week and have to get back on track. It's hard not having much restriction but I am trying to keep the exercise up to counteract things. I use the regular fitday but was wondering if there is an advantage to buying the one for $20? Can you use that on more than one computer like you can the on-line one or is it something you download? I have just read all of the chocolate posts and have vowed to NOT have another piece. We even went really easy this year and then our neighbors came over with more chocolate for my kids than you need for a year. Sunta: I wouldn't go down to 1000 calories. Are you sure you're eating the right foods? I would probably make an appt with the nutritionist if you're exercising so much and eating properly and not losing weight. Hang in there- also, have you measured yourself? You're probably toning up very well. Michelle: I agree that the head hungers are SO nasty and my worst enemy. Have a good week everyone. I am committed to exercising every single day this week. Julie

Well, things are going pretty well except I don't have much restriction except for bread products. I find myself having a harder time recently and as usual it's because I am not taking the time for myself. It's been hard with Mark's new job b/c he doesn't get home until 6:30 BUT it's not his fault if I don't get on treadmill. I am working hard now trying to just do it and stop analyzing everything. I know that I feel better and I am starting to look better on the outside. It's time to start working on the inside.

Well, things are going pretty well except I don't have much restriction except for bread products. I find myself having a harder time recently and as usual it's because I am not taking the time for myself. It's been hard with Mark's new job b/c he doesn't get home until 6:30 BUT it's not his fault if I don't get on treadmill. I am working hard now trying to just do it and stop analyzing everything. I know that I feel better and I am starting to look better on the outside. It's time to start working on the inside.

Hi Everyone- I had a bad eating afternoon/evening yesterday too. I couldn't seem to stop and I think it's because I "could" do it. I am so sick of these head games I play with myself!! Anyway, I dusted myself off and today has been better. We are going to Boston for the weekend though to my in-laws and they a house full of junk food so it's going to be challenging. My surgeon also said that carbonation is fine as long as you don't overdo it. My fear is that I was addicted to diet coke and I don't know if I could drink just a little bit.... I may just continue to stay away though I really do love it. Stacey: Thanks for the encouragement about the 3rd fill being the charm. I won't get my first fill until May but I will try to remember what you said b/c it seems to be the norm. Have a great weekend everyone. Oh yeah, what is everyone doing for exercise? I am trying to walk right now about 3-4 times per week.

Hi Everyone- Sorry I haven't been around much. I find that if I spend too much time on the computer or watching tv that I want to eat so I've been limiting both. I had a check up with my surgeon 2 days ago and we decided to hold off on any fills until I am back from Disney World next month. I lost 5.2 pounds last month so he said I'm doing exactly what I should be doing. I'm alot hungrier though and more prone to snacking recently. I have some restriction though even without a fill and have to eat very slowly or I feel awful. Janet: I have felt angry alot too but it seems to be subsiding a bit now. The one thing I really miss is carbonation- I really loved diet coke. I have also had a candy bar from the machine twice this week so I've got to get back on track. Whoever said that this was an easy way out was nuts! It's hard work but at least I have HOPE now. Take care, Julie

That is great news!

I have neglected my journal and LBT to tell you the truth. I have been so busy that the computer has been off my radar at night once I am home and work is so busy that I haven't had surf time. LOL I had another check up yesterday and Dr. Forgione thinks I'm doing well. I lost 5.2 pounds last month and he wants to hold off on any fills until we're back from Florida. I am ok with that- I don't want to have any sudden emergencies with being overfilled or anything while I am on vacation. I have another appt in 1 month and I hope to be down another 5 pounds. He is fairly conservative and wants me to try and work with the band to see how much weight I can lose before a fill. He said no superhero stuff- just try to eat the right stuff and not starve yourself. I have restriction so I'm going to focus on 1500 calories per day and see what happens.

I have neglected my journal and LBT to tell you the truth. I have been so busy that the computer has been off my radar at night once I am home and work is so busy that I haven't had surf time. LOL I had another check up yesterday and Dr. Forgione thinks I'm doing well. I lost 5.2 pounds last month and he wants to hold off on any fills until we're back from Florida. I am ok with that- I don't want to have any sudden emergencies with being overfilled or anything while I am on vacation. I have another appt in 1 month and I hope to be down another 5 pounds. He is fairly conservative and wants me to try and work with the band to see how much weight I can lose before a fill. He said no superhero stuff- just try to eat the right stuff and not starve yourself. I have restriction so I'm going to focus on 1500 calories per day and see what happens.

Hi Tammy- I am so sorry that you are feeling so awful right now. I have had a few times too that I am just so angry that I have to even deal with this. It sounds like you need a break right now and some time to just relax. I am trying to focus on making smaller good choices and less on the "big picture" because when I think about the big picture I get very anxious and upset. Why don't you sit down with your husband and explain to him what you just wrote here? It would probably help and maybe he could become a cheerleader for you. He may just have no clue how to help. Hang in there, Julie

Hi Everyone, I can't believe I haven't even checked in for a few days now. Spring has come to Vermont (hopefully!) and we've been outside non-stop. I raked and raked today and just played with the kids. The best part was that I found that food was not even on my mind since I was so busy. I am stuck at the same weight right now. I'm eating pretty well but think I really need to start recording my food. I don't want to get into the trap of eating/snacking more than I think I am so it's better for me to just write it down. My husband does not know my weight. He would like to probably but for some reason it's hard for me to tell him. I have an appt on Tuesday. I'm quite anxious to see how I've done the past 4 weeks on their scale.

I don't know the answer to the fill question but I wanted to tell you gals that I seem to be able to eat anything I want all of a sudden. It's the strangest thing and now I am ready to see my surgeon next week and get a fill. There is no way I am going to wait until after vacation next month. Janet: That sounds like fun to meet other LBT'ers. I was the second person in the state of Vermont to be banded so I don't think I will meet anyone socially for awhile. LOL 2-3 people a week are starting to get banded though the nurse practitioner told me today. (I work at the University of Vermont right next to the hospital I was banded at so I run into my surgeon and others quite often on campus.) I'm hoping to start a local support group soon. Tammy: Did you end up calling your doctor?

We went away for an overnight to Albany, NY to look at a few properties and to rent an apt. I had to do 3 meals out and we even stopped at Mcdonalds. What a difference my life is now with the food. Mcdonalds: 1 cheeseburger and a water Breakfast: Low carb omelet with mushrooms and 1 piece of bacon Lunch: Artichoke and spinach dip Dinner: 98% fat free clam chowder Things have just changed so much and I am slowly feeling the addiction to eating all of the time starting to let go of me. I know it's a demon I will always fight but not being hungry all of the time is so liberating. I never used to feel satisfied until I stuffed myself but now I can't do it anymore. I've slowed down because I have to and even my worst choices now are better than my best choices were before! I exercised 2 times last week and plan to bump it up this week since my head cold is finally going away. Bandster life certainly gets better as the weeks go on. Amen.

We went away for an overnight to Albany, NY to look at a few properties and to rent an apt. I had to do 3 meals out and we even stopped at Mcdonalds. What a difference my life is now with the food. Mcdonalds: 1 cheeseburger and a water Breakfast: Low carb omelet with mushrooms and 1 piece of bacon Lunch: Artichoke and spinach dip Dinner: 98% fat free clam chowder Things have just changed so much and I am slowly feeling the addiction to eating all of the time starting to let go of me. I know it's a demon I will always fight but not being hungry all of the time is so liberating. I never used to feel satisfied until I stuffed myself but now I can't do it anymore. I've slowed down because I have to and even my worst choices now are better than my best choices were before! I exercised 2 times last week and plan to bump it up this week since my head cold is finally going away. Bandster life certainly gets better as the weeks go on. Amen.

Hi Amy- I'm so happy to hear that your Emily is home and that the rest of your family is doing better as well. I worked at home for 5 years and it was great- though I did go a bit stir crazy at times. Take care,

Hi Friends- It sure is nice being on real food again. I am finding that as long as I chew and chew and chew that things are going down well. I have an appt on 4/4 to talk about my first fill. I need some advice about it from all of you- We are going to Walt Disney World with our kids April 29-May 6 and part of me is thinking that I should just wait until we get back for my first fill. I have lost 3 pounds (on average) per week since my surgery and feel like I am managing things pretty well right now. I am scared about being on vacation and having too much restriction. I also don't want to go and gain 5 pounds b/c I don't have any restriction. Any words of advice? Janet: Glad that Mikey is finally feeling some restriction. Does it help that both of you are going through this together? My DH is only about 15 pounds overweight now, he lost 50 on his own 2 years ago, and he is incredibly supportive. But, he doesn't understand what a learning curve this all is so it's hard to keep explaining to him about some stuff. We are heading to Albany, NY this weekend to do some work on our rental properties. Have a great weekend everyone.

My surgeon had only done 40 lapbands before and I had complete confidence in him. I would go for it myself. Good luck!

I had my 2 kids at 29 and 32 and thought it was a great time. I had fertility issues though so I didn't want to wait until I was older. I suggest that you make an appt with your gynocologist and see what he/she thinks based on your medical history and PCOS. Fertility decreases drastically as you age and you want to make sure that waiting doesn't equal issues. Good luck!

Yay- journals are back! Today is the beginning of week 4 since the surgery. It's hard to believe that the time has gone so quickly. I am still at 254 and think I will be stuck here until I get my rear in gear and begin to exercise consistently. Eating real food is good but I find that I want to keep eating even after I am "full." It's been a weird couple of days with that sensation and I just have to work through it. I am still very happy that I got the band. My goal now that I really feel healed and back to normal is to maximize the band for me. I am ready to DO IT.

Yay- journals are back! Today is the beginning of week 4 since the surgery. It's hard to believe that the time has gone so quickly. I am still at 254 and think I will be stuck here until I get my rear in gear and begin to exercise consistently. Eating real food is good but I find that I want to keep eating even after I am "full." It's been a weird couple of days with that sensation and I just have to work through it. I am still very happy that I got the band. My goal now that I really feel healed and back to normal is to maximize the band for me. I am ready to DO IT.

This is a huge fear of mine as I see me in my 5 year old daughter. She is slightly overweight now but always wants to eat. We keep no junk in the house- none of us need it and I don't want want her to think that junk food is an acceptable snack. We have also started "exercising" together and I talk alot about how the foods you in your body are really important. Now she asks alot of questions about what foods do in your body. I hope that I can be a good role model to her and she doesn't have to fight the same battle as I have.