Bea1128

I lost three more pounds this week for a total of 18.5 since pre-op (first week in April)! I'll take that. While it's not a ton of weight, I'm actually loosing a lot of inches which is all I really care about anyway. I've lost a total of 6.5 inches (boobs, waist, and hips)! I actually have clothes that fit!! Congrats to all you other loosers! We're doing great!

WooHoo! Three pounds down this week! Way to go Molly! You are an inspiration to us all! Name................Current....Goal......Lost...Still to Lose by July 4th Bea1129.............231........200.......3......28(by 7/4) BigBandFan..........296........270.......0......26 Epm316..............235........200.......0......35 (by 7/4) faithmd.............305.5......300.......4.1....5.5(by6/21) Hastings............253........228.......0......25 KarenG..............174........160.......0......14 (by 7/4) kathystrick.........318........288.......0......30 legster.............193........180.......4......13 Leslie2Lose.........226........208.......7......18 (by 7/4) LessNLess...........149........140.......2.......9 Luu2008.............215........185.......0......30 (by 7/4) luvinke.............217........190.......4......23 Marissa's Mom.......388........358.......0......30 (by 7/4) MollyMolly..........199........188.......5......11 nancy52.............197........170.......0......27 Nettie..............193........170.......0......23 Newhope4me..........177........160.......0......17 NukeChik............235........222.......7......13 nurse7263...........244........150.......0......24 (by 7/4) renewedhope.........193........170.......4......23 Sades...............197........185.......0......12 Sunshine2...........179........160.......2......17 (by6/29) Tess415.............327........299.......5......30 TexasFire67.........170........145.......0......25 Wombat712...........135.8......120.......0......15.8 Lenore1890..........267.7......247.......0......20

No regrets, except I should have done it sooner. I'm 4 weeks post-op and I feel great. I thought I would miss Diet DP, but I don't. I eat well so that when I want something I have it (unless it doesn't agree with me). I don't deprive myself. I have whatever I want, just a lot less. At first I thought it was depressing that I couldn't eat all my favorite things in the quantities that I used to, but actually it is freeing to know that I can have just a small amount and be happy with that. I have a lot more energy than before and for the first time I am looking forward to summer. I love to play sports and have joined a summer softball league. I feel like doors are opening where before they were wedged shut. Good luck with your decision to have surgery. I was nervous too, but I'm so glad I went through with it!

Holy Cow! I've never been told not to eat popcorn either. I haven't simply because I'm still figuring out what I can and can't eat. I've been a little afraid of popcorn, but figured I'd eat some eventually. Maybe my fear is warranted. I'm sorry this happened to you. Thanks for telling your story. It might save someone else from that misery!

I was banded on the 16th. I had my first fill last Wednesday and will have another on June 4th.

Heather - Sorry to hear about your dinner party trouble. I almost did that a couple of weeks ago at game night. It was before I was filled so I tried to eat a bite of a taquito. Nope, didn't work. I had the deer in the headlights look as well. I'm new to the group and only know two of the women well (they know I've been banded). I really didn't want to PB in front of people I've never even seen before. I managed to fight it and it stayed down, but I was dying by the end of the night. I've also had a problem with burping without knowing it's coming. I'm terrified it's going to happen when I'm speaking in public. Nothing like burping while using a microphone! :thumbup:

I had my first fill this past Wednesday and while I can get down fluids, solids and even some mushies make me hurt and I've had the worst gassy feeling. I'm not sure if these foods just don't agree with me, if I'm not chewing well enough, or I'm just eating too much or too fast. I haven't thrown anything up, I just hurt. I measure everything out so I don't think I'm overeating. I've made a conscious effort to chew and eat slowly, so I'm not sure what I'm experiencing now. I was pretty tight the first day, but liquids were going down. Any thoughts or suggestions?

Okay, stupid question. I'm totally Wii illiterate, but here goes: Do you have to buy the Wii system that is like $250 and then the Wii fit is another add on, or is the Wii fit a completely seperate thing? A friend of mine bought his kids a Wii for Christmas and I know they play tennis and baseball on it. They were sore for a week after getting it. Sounds like a blast. It would be nice to have since it gets so hot here in Texas.

I wanted to share another Victoria's Secret story. A few years ago I was taking a speech class. For an assignment we had to observe some type of human behavior and then give a presentation. I had been aware for a long time that I was treated differently because of my weight. I noticed while at the mall one day that the skinny little sales girls at Victoria's Secret only offered samples of the perfume they were peddling to other skinny women. They had a display outside of their store and would ask women as they walked by. So, I sat where I could see them for a couple of hours and they never even once offered their sample to a women who would be considered overweight. It was a Saturday 6 weeks or so before Christmas and the mall was packed. They offered it to men for their girlfriends or wives, but never a heavy woman. They would actually step around the heavy women to get to a thinner version. It was deplorable! We might not be able to wear their bras, but we can't buy their perfume either? They would rather miss out on a commission than sell to an overweight woman! I wrote a paper and gave a presentation on it. I got an A+. My prof wanted me to send my results to the corporate office, but I never got around to it. I do however tell as many people as I can and hope they will not give them their business.

Name................Current....Goal......Lost...Still to Lose Bea1129.............231........200.......0......31(by 7/4) BigBandFan..........296........270.......0......26 Epm316..............235........200.......0......35 (by 7/4) faithmd.............305.5......300.......4.1....5.5(by6/21) Hastings............253........228.......0......25 KarenG..............174........160.......0......14 (by 7/4) kathystrick.........318........288.......0......30 legster.............193........180.......0......13 Leslie2Lose.........226........208.......7......18 (by 7/4) LessNLess...........149........140.......2.......9 Luu2008.............215........185.......0......30 (by 7/4) luvinke.............217........190.......4......23 Marissa's Mom.......388........358.......0......30 (by 7/4) MollyMolly..........201........188.......3......13 nancy52.............197........170.......0......27 Nettie..............193........170.......0......23 Newhope4me..........177........160.......0......17 NukeChik............237........222.......5......15 nurse7263...........244........150.......0......24 (by 7/4) renewedhope.........195........170.......2......25 Sades...............197........185.......0......12 Sunshine2...........179........160.......1......18 (by 6/29) Tess415.............327........299.......2......30 TexasFire67.........170........145.......0......25 Wombat712...........135.8......120.......0......15.8 Lenore1890..........267.7......247.......0......20

I'm three weeks PO today and I'm down 15.5! YeeHaw! I'll take it. I had my first fill today, so we'll see what happens now. I'm even more excited that I've dropped almost 2 pant sizes! Good job everyone! It's so exciting to see it coming off!

I had terrible gas pain for almost 10 days! The only thing that relieved it was walking or riding in the car. I also used the heating pad a lot. Also, I drank Isopure over crushed ice and just sipped on it all day. So I was getting the protein, but it has more of a watery consistency. I craved something hot, so I also sipped on broth quite a bit those first few days. Don't worry about caloric intake right now, just heal for a few days. And just know that it does get better. I've felt great since getting rid of the gas!

I had my first fill this morning and as soon as I stood up, I felt a little twinge of pain in my left shoulder. I'm on liquids as well. I must be pretty tight because it's taking me a while to get my Protein shake down. If I drink it too fast, I feel the shoulder pain. Connie - About a week after surgery I thought I was getting restless leg syndrome or something. My left leg felt so weird like it was going to sleep, but it never did. I did that for a couple of nights and then it went away. It was driving me crazy. I didn't occur to me that it might be my band pressing a nerve or something. Weird! Thank goodness for this site because we'd all be sitting alone wondering if things were normal or not! I feel better too, Linda, when I know I'm not alone.

I had my first fill today as well. It was easy. My surgeon's office has a fluoro machine and I layed back the whole time. I feel a lot of restriction right now. It's taking me a while to get down a protein shake, but I think that's just the way I am. I've felt some restriction since surgery. The liquids are really gurgling, but everything is going down. I'm excited to have had a fill. I'm ready to start dropping the pounds!! :biggrin2:

I know when I've eaten too much because my left shoulder hurts. I'm assuming my stomach presses on the nerves that run through there or it presses on the port which then presses on nerves. I had really bad gas after surgery and that's where it hurt too. I have my first fill today and I'm wondering if I will have L shoulder pain again since hearing it from you. I'll let you know. I posted a thread called "gas pain or something else?", I think. I don't know how to send it to you, but you might look for it. I can't remember right off if I did it in the April section or the post-op section. There were several people who had the L shoulder pain too. I hope you feel better soon. Let us know how long after your fill that you experienced L shoulder pain, I would be very interested.

Thanks kbinaz! I'll have to try that. I've heard Greek yogurt is delicious, but have never gotten any mostly because it's so pricey. I'll get some though especially for that much protein. It's a bargain! I always get my protein quota for the day. I make it a priority. I eat veggies too, but just can't get much down most of the time. I'm full so fast and I haven't had a fill yet. I can eat almost anything, but just not very much. I think I'll try the two bites, one bite thing. Thanks again!!

Helen, Anytime you post at all you will get e-mails every time there is activity on that thread unless you change it in your profile options.

Thanks so much for all of your suggestions and advice. This is still new to me and I'm sure I'll eventually figure out what works for me. I try to have a small thing of applesauce with other fruit added like blueberries, mango, etc. I'm just tired of it already and want to branch out. I'll try some of the things you all have suggested. It's just going to take some time to get used to this and I now know I have to make an effort to get a variety of foods. Thanks again!

I like to play sports. My doc told me I could do whatever I wanted (excepted crunches and treadmill until 4 weeks post-op) when I felt ready. I walk, but I've also been playing tennis. I start softball next week. I play basketball in the driveway with my kids. Going to the gym (unless to play a game) bores me to death. However, I do plan to get a few personal training sessions at some point. I have a treadmill, but would rather be outside. I garden almost every day. I'll swim quite a bit with my kids this summer as well. It feels good to move again and have the energy to do it!

I started walking almost immediately to reduce the gas pain and pressure. I steadily increased it everyday. Last Sunday (11 days after surgery) I was jogging small stretches while walking. Today, 2 1/2 weeks post-op, I played tennis. (Well, actually it's been so long, I spent most of the time chasing the balls ) My point is that it depends on how you feel and how quickly you have recovered. I just know that I have so much more energy now and I want to be up and moving. I also work in my garden almost everyday. I start softball in a few weeks. I love to play sports and would rather do that than go to the gym or aerobics classes. That's what's fun to me. If I have to, I'll do the treadmill, but would much rather play something.

Personally, I do believe that food can be an addiction. It took me years to realize it. I eat for the same reasons alcoholics drink or drug addicts get high. It's no different. I'm medicating myself instead of dealing with my "issues". I don't believe I'm powerless over food, but there are moments of weakness. It's a struggle every day for me as well. Once I'm off of my "trigger" foods (so to speak), I don't really want them. If I ever start back up again, it's hell trying to get back off. There are some foods that cause an actual physiological reaction that I have a hard time controlling. Now that I'm banded, I'm having to deal with my issues in a different way. I've been very stressed the last few days and I couldn't figure out what was wrong with me. I was irritable, felt exhausted, and just basically wanted to climb the walls. In the days following my surgery I had felt great. I finally realized my problem was that I couldn't eat away my stress. I couldn't turn to food in the way I used to. I really haven't been that hungry yet, but I want something. I've basically been "white knuckling" it through my stress. As I get stronger and fully healed, I plan to use exercise as my stress reliever. I love to play sports and have already signed up for a summer softball league at church. I want to run again. Staying active is the only thing that keeps me from binging some days. I love what someone said about the doc can add a band to your stomach, but you have to add it to your head. That is so true! Thanks for all of your posts. It's reassuring to know there are others who have the same struggles. Some of the posts were very personal and that took guts. Just know that you are helping others when you share. Good luck to all on this amazing journey!

I agree. I never once felt weak. I felt tired if I would move around a lot right after surgery, but never weak. And that tired feeling passed within a few days. As a matter of fact, I've never had more energy than I do right now. I made sure I was getting in all of my protein from shakes, protein water (Isopure), and broth. In the days following surgery I wasn't hungry, but I still had my protein. And of course my vitamins. If you're feeling that bad, call your doctor.

Thanks so much for your responses. Gas-X doesn't help me much, walking and moving around does. I'm glad to know that I'm not crazy and that it will get better. I was also interested to see someone else say that being hungry or not eating made their's worse. Mine too. I finally realized that was happening and it seems to be the precursor to actually feeling hunger pains. Weird! Of course if I eat too fast or too much, it hurts as well. It does seem to be getting better, of course I'm also getting better at listening to my body and the band. Sitting up really straight, like when driving, can also bother my shoulder. I also go to school and sitting for 1 1/2 hours in a desk kills me. So, maybe it's the port hitting a nerve in that position or maybe it's just because I'm still healing. I sure hope so, I have a lot more time to sit in a desk over the next couple of years. Anyway, thanks again!

I have to know if anyone else is experiencing any wierd side-effects from their pre-op diet. I started my pre-op diet two weeks ago (I started a week early because I thought I had to). It's just a low carb diet, I didn't think it would be a big deal. This has been the hardest week ever. I'm really not hungry, but I don't feel satisfied either. I just don't feel, right. I've been so irritated and well, bitchy for a few days now. I'm so weepy. Also, my T.O.M. was a week late. I know that might account for some of my moodiness, but it's not generally like this. It's been very painful and I've had headaches for days. I feel like my blood sugar is extremely low most of the time. Has anyone else felt like this after starting the diet? I feel like I'm going to go crazy if I don't have a cup of brown rice. I'm not missing the sodas or sugar, I just want a piece of bread! I know lots of people who do low-carb diets and don't feel weird. I've done low-carb before and don't remember feeling so edgy. Honestly, this was easier the first week than it is now. Just for background: My surgeon prescribed low-carb diet consists of meat and eggs, any veggie except peas, corn and potatoes. No alcohol, bread, Pasta, rice or fried foods. I can have sugar free Jello and popsicles and skim milk. I can have Protein shakes as long as they are less than 200 cal, at least 15 g of protein, and less than 10 g carbs. I've been pretty much eating all of these things. I eat 3 meals per day as suggested. I drink lots of Water. I can also have any sugar free drink as long as it's not carbonated. I also take a Vitamin everyday as well as a Calcium supplement. I hope those of you who are doing an all liquid diet don't hold this against me. I know an all liquid diet is extremely hard to do and I know I sound like a cry baby. I'm really not. I've been perfectly happy to do whatever it takes to get this done, but I really feel like I'm loosing it. I'm also getting really bad muscle cramps especially in my sides and stomach. I'm also not sleeping very well. I only have a week left and I will suck it up and do what I have to do, but I'm going crazy. Any suggestions or ideas? Thanks in advance for your help.

My favorite crockpot chicken recipe is to take frozen chicken breasts right from the bag, drop them in the crockpot and cover with a can of green chili enchilada sauce. Turn on low for 6-8 hours. I like to shred the chicken and serve them in burritos with a little f/f sour cream or on top of a salad. Very good!