kjeter

I've had several this week! First time the number on the scale started with a "1" instead of a "2", I'm down another size (from 20 to 16 now!) and this week was the first time that someone at work said, "Wow, you're really losing weight!" Only one person at work knows about my band. I don't know why, but my metabolism is really turned on this week. I've been losing almost a pound a day since Monday!

Thanks for the congrats. I just realized, too, that I'm now almost 1/3 of the way to my goal!

I had no idea that there was any possibility that insurance would cover any kind of PS. What kind of conditions must be met for it to be covered? My band wasn't covered at all, so I doubt PS will be.

Don't get discouraged yet, Cindy. After I went for my first fill two weeks ago, I didn't notice ANY difference in how hungry I am between meals. I went for fill #2 yesterday, and told them how disappointed I was. They agreed to give me a larger fill, and low and behold, today I don't feel hungry at all. In fact, I got half way through a protein bar this morning and put it down, because I just didn't want the rest. After about two hours I ate the rest, but it took a while to finish. Now it's lunch time, and I'm not the slightest bit interested in eating anything. This is what the band is all about... making food a necessity and not an obsession. I expect that it will take another fill or two to make this feeling last long term. They say that the next day after a fill is always the tightest, but I'm really encouraged today. If I can feel like this long term, I'm confident I can meet my goal. I, too, lost a lot of weight in the first week or two after surgery, then it's been slow going since. And I've been getting hungry between meals, too, making the process more difficult. I know it's going to get better from now on, though. Don't even count on the band helping too much for the first two or three months. You're pretty much on your own until you've had three or four fills. It will work it's magic after that.

Does drinking lots of water aid in weight loss, or is it only to help bandsters avoid dehydration? On past diets, 64 ounces of water daily was required. That much always leaves me feeling bloated. Plus, how in the world are you supposed to get in that much water without washing all of your meals right through your band? My doctor has said to only drink when I'm thirsty, but I don't want to do anything to slow down my weight loss. Anyone have any words of wisdom?

I prefer to imagine that there are all SORTS of foods that I won't be able to tolerate... pizza, pasta, rice, bread... It's a lot easier not to eat those things when I imagine that I'm going to feel sicker than a dog if I do. Pretty strong motivation! I'm terrified of having a "stuck attack" while at work or at a restaurant, so I'm very careful of what I choose to eat. I get my first fill in two days and can't wait!

Fish and cottage cheese are my proteins of choice. Both very good sources, and so yummy!

I was banded Feb. 1. I haven't had any issues with my scars, in fact they're healing quite well. I started putting neosporin on them the minute the steri-tapes came off, and now I'm using a scar revision cream. They're fading quite nicely, and mostly flat. I go for my first fill in two days. I'm a little nervous, but excited because I am having problems with hunger for the first time since surgery. I hope it will make a big difference.

Yes, I think it is. I had my surgery on Friday, February 1, and went back to work on the following Tuesday. I did lay around quite a bit over the weekend, but still managed to get up everyday and shower and such. The one thing I would NOT recommend is trying to drive yourself home immediately after the surgery. Some clinics offer rides to and from. If transportation is a problem for you, you should discuss that with the doctor or clinic. Good luck to you. It's worth it!

I am two and a half weeks post op, and am having frequent diarhea. Not daily, nor several times a day, but pretty frequently. I am eating only protein and green vegetables, plus the occassional protein shake. Absolutely no cheating going on! Has anyone else experienced this? Do I need to make a change in my diet, such as adding carbs? The only carbs I'm getting now is the occassional glass of white wine, which my doctor says is okay.

I'm nearly three weeks out, and on the "mushie" stage. I've been having grilled fish and "steamed til they're mushie" green vegetables for lunch and dinner. Fish includes tuna steak, salmon and tilapia, all which are very flakey and soft when grilled. I'm not putting anything through a blender, and not having any problems with anything getting stuck, either. Am I blowing the mushie stage? I don't go in for a fill until Feb 28, and follow up with surgeon on Mar 3.

Have you tried Lipton's diet green tea with mixed berry? YUMMY! Even my skinny little size 2 sister drinks it because it tastes so good. And green tea is very good for you, too. Oh, and Snapple peach is very good, but so is the raspberry. I can never find the raspberry by itself. It comes in the mixed flavor case.

I really appreciate everyone who responded. I feel much better now. I guess I feel like I'm eating "normal" food instead of mushies because I was eating grilled fish a lot before the band. I think probably anything that I can cut/mash with a fork is probably going to be okay. I just saw so many people talking about putting stuff in the blender and went, "Uh-Oh!" I thought I had really messed up!

We Texas girls would definately be adding some yellow mustard to that potato salad, 4jin!

J Mac, yes, the 18 pounds I lost includes 5 from the pre-op diet, which I was on for a week and a half. I tend to lose weight pretty easily. It's keeping it off that has been impossible, which is why I chose lap band this time. A few years ago, I lost 74 pounds on Medifast, then went through some hard personal stuff, and it all came back, plus five pounds. That's the story of my life. I'm confident that with the lap band I'll be able to maintain it this time. I think it's so cool that just the tiniest meal makes me feel like I've just had Thanksgiving dinner! I haven't had my first fill yet, so it's getting easier to eat more, but I'm making sure to keep the portions small and eat only very healthy foods.

When I went in for my pre-op, there was a woman there for her four week post op check up, and she had already lost 35 pounds! I lost 5 pounds on the pre-diet and 13 in the 2 1/2 weeks since, but I don't expect that it will be anywhere near that fast going forward. I'll be thrilled with 10 pounds a month! That's 120 pounds a year!!!

Most likely it's your port. I'm only 2 1/2 weeks out, and still having port pain. I know that's what it is because I can feel it under my skin when I press in that area. You wouldn't be able to feel the band itself. I've heard it can take anywhere from 3 to 6 weeks for port pain to disappear.

I guess you would call what I'm eating "mushies." Grilled fish and very soft green vegetables, cottage cheese and canned fruit. I can certainly "mush" them up with a fork. No problems with anything going down, either. I did try some smoked chicken while I was out of town because that was all that was available at the time. It was a little difficult to get down, and I ended up washing it through with some water. I haven't thrown up or anything. Do you think I've done any damage?

Pre-op my doctor suggested a daily dose of Metamucil, but since I've had all of these problems, that sounds like adding fuel to the fire. I love shredded wheat, but I always feel hungry very quickly after I eat it. I haven't had my first fill yet, so maybe that would get better with time. Thanks for the reply.

Everything I've read says soups are discouraged except when you are on liquids only. I guess that's for the same reason that you aren't supposed to drink with your meals. All that liquid just washes the food right through.

I've been thinking of trying an energy shot called 5-Hour Energy. They're only 8 calories, and not much caffeine. I think they are even available without caffeine. It's loaded with B vitamins. I read lots of online reviews, and most agree they make a huge difference. I'm not having a lot of problems with low energy, but I figure they might come in handy when cleaning house or other tiring physical activity.

Adkins Advantage shakes have 17 grams of protein versus 10 grams in Slimfast, and I really like both of the flavors I tried.

Yes, definately try tilapia, grilled and seasoned well. It's yummy! Also, grilled Ahi tuna steak tastes just about like red meat to me. I don't think it tastes like fish at all. I also love grilled salmon. My sister told me that she saw a doctor on TV saying that if you eat three oily fishes a week (tilapia, tuna, salmon and haddock were mentioned) that it greatly reduces your stress levels. Guess I'm gonna be CHILLIN'! I've had hair loss on diets before, and both times it was lack of PROTEIN! As soon as I stepped up the protein, the hair loss stopped, like immediately, and now my hair is as thick as ever. Remember that fat free dairy products also have good protein (cottage cheese is yummy) and avacados are another source. If you want to know more foods high in protein, try googling "high protein food list." I'm sure you'll find something. Oh, and my nutritionist told me about an unflavored protein powder that you can add to almost anything. You can only get it online, as far as I know. It's called "Unjury." I'm on day 13 after banding, no hair loss yet. I don't anticipate having that problem because I love fish so much, but if I do, I'm going straight to my computer to order some.

I thought about going the Mexico option, but was scared. I ended up biting the bullet and getting a loan, since my insurance didn't cover the band. I worried about post-op care, though, and fills. Do you go to a doctor in your hometown for fills and follow ups? Just wondering how that works...

Good heavens, that's scary! I can certainly understand not wanting that doctor cutting on you again. Is it possible for you to use another surgeon? By all means, still go through with your lap-band surgery! It will be so worth it. After all, this is about your health, not just your dress size.