Lucy54

Try gentle circular motions right on top of the scar almost like massage. These tiny circular motions will break up the scar tissue and allow it to be flatter. Do this 2-3 times a day. A dermatologist told me to do this for other scars and it worked.

I feel your pain. I've been stuck since Mid February. I blame it on working nights and eating too much. Yes, I've been depressed. I expected the weight to keep falling off at 10 pounds a month. Was I wrong!! I'm resolved to do better and push away the sweets. Only one more week of nights. I hope that helps alot. Best of luck to all of us in this boat.

I get the protein in by eating protein bars with 15- 20 gm of protein, but they also have 190 -200 calories. I pretty much stick to mushy foods or shakes. Is this what I have to look forward too? I think I could eat regular food and loose weight, although I couldn't loose weight before doing that. I'm going back to square one to protein shakes and mushies to see if that makes a difference. I think the hi protein and lo carb are the secret to not being hungry. Thanks for the input.

I'm very flustrated. I can eat all the sweets and bad stuff I want with no problem, but when it comes to Chicken or meat. I have a feeling of throwing up. Sometimes it will pass, but often I can't get by without throwing up. I had a 1 cc fill, the doctor took out .25 cc's and it is better, but I still can't eat most meat. I try to go slow with small bites. HELP! :eek:I'm stuck. I can't seem to loose. I've been stuck since Mid February. I'm working night shift and I know that is part of the problem. What is wrong? Do I need to take out all of the fill? I'm afraid I will gain weight. I'll be through with nights in 2 weeks. Maybe that will be better.

Yeah! people from Birmingham. I used Dr Touliatous. I was very pleased. I talked to Schmit and Miles first, but it didn't "feel" right. A year later I went to Dr. T. I had Surgery 12-11-07. I have lost 30 pounds. There is a seminar for help. They encourage you to come back for fills, etc. at anytime.

Hi, I had diabetes but was diet controlled. I was banded on 12-11-07 and am doing great. My sugars are much better. I don't take any medicine.

I'm getting band on 2/13/08. Dr. Cottingham is during my surgery. I'm a little scared but ready. How's it going? Did you do well? Thinking about you.:thumbup:

Just click on someone's ticker or go to Trying To Conceive Ticker and follow the instructions.

I was banded 12-11-07. I lost 8 pounds by 2 weeks. I went back at 4 weeks and had lost 4 more for a total of 12, I've been averaging about 12 pounds a month. Everyone is different, the more you have to loose the faster you loose. I've had to be careful to stick to calories I can count, like liquid, yogurt, Jello, pudding, Soups,etc. I was off for 4 weeks. I was really tired that first couple of days back. I'm a nurse in a busy unit. That was the most work I had done since surgery. I can eat out if I'm careful what I choose. Cream soups, verry runny potatoes or foods. I like Panera Bread, I get soup and eat the meat out of a sandwich, but very slowly. I had a fill at 4 weeks, (1cc), and felt like post surgery. It's better now. I have found Protein bars in chocolat and yogurt nut that help with the candy bar craving. I don't want those sugary Desserts any more. I do occasionally eat a small piece of mint, chocolate, or cookie. The best part is trying on clothes that use to be tight and hang on you! I can also go into regular XL clothes in some stores. What a Rush!! Good luck to you. I definately know this is what I needed to do. I don't relapse to the old size after a month of dieting, I see permanent progress.

Hi, Congratulations! Hope things go well for you. Are you asking about pre or post operation? I had to restrict to 1000 calories 1 mo prior. Post is mostly "full" liquids which include jello, pudding, cream soup without chunks, protein shakes, etc. All sugar free and fat free. Sugar free popsicles are great. They have the same good taste and are cool on your throat. After 10-14 days you can try other things that are thicker. You can buy protein at Wal-Mart near the Prescription drug side. Whey protein in either vanilla or chocolate. GNC has protein power. Campbells has soup at hand in tomato, cream of chicken, and others that are quick and easy. Carnation instant breakfast that is sugar-free is good to mix in milk with the protein power for a better flavor.

I'm a christian, I believe God answers prayers. I will pray for you. I tend to overspend too. I have a child in college and one who may start next January. It's hard to spend less than you would like to spend. Anyway enough lecture. God bless. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

Good for you!! Try water aerobics. It is easier on the joints. I love the water. You can have a trainer show you a good sequence for the weight room. My appointment is tomorrow. I just joined last week. I missed a couple of days this week, and I can't wait to go back tomorrow.

Try K-Mart, the clothes are cheaper, but, I don't want to spend too much while I loose. I am 215 pounds and can wear a 1X or XL. Target has bathing suits for 34.99. I needed a new one for water aerobics. Lane Bryant is too big for me. I'm 5' 2" tall. Good luck. Happy shopping.

I was slow to loose at first, too. I lost 8 pounds the week of surgery, and then went 3 weeks before loosing 4 more pounds. I think my metabolism was different. Just stick to the diet. I do a shake in the morning with 20-25 gm of protein, and a shake later in the day with protein. I eat yogurt or soft fish or whatever sounds good when I'm hungry but stay at 1000 cals or I don't loose weight. But, since my restriction at 4 weeks, I can't overeat. Good luck, hang in there.:biggrin:

I don't remember I ordered it in advance of surgery, but seems like it came pretty quick.

muscle milk is from GNC. But has a lot of fat and carbs.

After my 1 cc fill, I feet as tight as I did after surgery. That was 5 days ago. It is a little better tonight, but still tight. I get very hungry sometimes. I think my body is trying to hold on to the weight. Usually after a hungry night, I will lose weight in the next day or so. Hang in there. I was very flustrated because I lost 8 pounds the week of surgery and then bounced around 2-3 pounds, up and down for the next 3 weeks. I tried to be real strick on the liquid protein drinks which helped the hunger, and was able to loose 4 pounds more at the 4 week check in. I know it is hard and the weight seems like it will never come off. But, I can wear clothes 2 sizes smaller and that is incentive. My co-workers can tell I'm loosing, too. I've lost 3 more pounds at week 5. My doc says 1- 1 1/2 pounds a week is good. Angie

Congratulations! I live outside Birmingham in Clay, Alabama. I love the Gulf Coast and try to visit every summer.

I went to the Y today. They have water aerobics every morning at 9am. I really enjoyed the water, I feel so light and free to move. I hated to get out of the water!!! I can feel my muscles got a work out. We exercised for an hour. then I swam laps. I encourage you to go. You get to meet people and get out of the house. Angie:biggrin:

Way to Go! I've decided to join the Y. I don't want a lot of loose flabby skin. I don't think insurance willl pay to have it "fixed". I love to swim. I think I can make myself go swim. That is a good allover exercise. I'll be a buddy for encouragement. :eek: I live in Alabama. I'm 4 weeks post op and have lost 15 pounds. I get hungry, too. But my band is tight and when you get sick you don't want to eat. I hope exercise takes up part of my off days to keep me busy. Angie

A lady at the pre-admit tesing was 71. I don't think you are too old. Just realize it is life style change. I eat soo.. Much less now. I agree about finding a "Center of Excllence". That is what I used. I couldn't be happier. Good Luck!

Try the unflavored in soup. I put the chicken soup mix in regular soup for a better flavor.

Try protein in soups like tomato or cream of chicken. Add sugarfree ice cream to milk in the shakes. Mix carnation instant sugarfree breakfast to protein shakes. Lite yogurt, weight watchers yogurt with peaches. I like cherries. Fat free cottage cheese with peaches or other fruit. All of these have helped me get through. My weight loss was slow at first, but I love to step on the scale and see 2-3 pounds gone. I weigh almost every day. Good Luck to you.

I struggled with the decision myself for over a Year. I watched a friend who had bypass. She is healther, happier, and has so much more energy. The Lord kept on putting this option in "my face". I felt it was the thing to do. I've Dieted since I was Mid 20's and have always gained the weight back and more. My health was an issue now. Diabetic, arthritic, and hypertensive. Regardless of how much I loose, I know I already feel better!