cruisemissile

anyone know of any support groups in North Tampa? The only one I know of is at Tampa General once/month (its actually a long drive from where I live). I live in New Tampa, almost in Pasco County. Does anyone know if University Community Hospital provides post op support groups?

many psych meds actually physically slow down your metabolism. (lithium, etc...) that's why many people gain weight. in addition, many mellow you out so much that they kill your motivation. many cause apathy, sleepiness, etc...(many antidepressants). even worse, many cause changes in appetite and sugar cravings. I got to a point before I was banded where I no longer needed an antidepressant, and was on a steady minimal dose of mood stabilizer. work closely with your drs.

most protein powders have 25g/protein per scoop. so I use 2 scoops in 8 oz milk. milk itself has 9g per 8oz. so that gives me 59 g per shake, i'm a guy, so I need more protein.

as much as I wanted to share the change in my life, because there is weight/appearance discrimination in this world, I have not told anyone at work. luckily they had seen me start to lose weight and drink protein shakes pre-op, so they were used to my new habits. i did'nt want to tell anyone at work because i didn't want them to take credit away from the hard work i've done. they assume fat people are lazy, so they become fat, now they look for an easy/lazy way to get rid of the weight. if the comments are bad enough, you can go to HR and it can be considered a "hostile environment" (people leering, making comments that make you uncomfortable, etc..)

i just had my first fill, 1cc this week, I got banded 4/2 and am down 21 lbs. I am bummed because I have plateaud. part of it I think because I needed a fill, was feeling more hungry. the other part because I got "brave" in what I found out I could eat, and need to get back on track with better choices. I have been exercising and graduated up to jogging. unfortunately heavy exercise seems to really stimulate my hunger.

i don't live too far from lutz, i'm also looking for a closeby support group. feel free to pm me if any questions or support. i got banded 4/2.

hang in there, sounds like you've been through alot. the sun always comes out after the rain and clouds.

i got banded 4/2 and I've lost 16 lbs. lately I've really felt more hungry and have transitioned to solid foods. I really think I'm needing my first fill because i'm feeling more hungry. my activity level is through the roof and so is my appetite. did anyone else feel like this before your first fill? i was doing so good, but lately it seems like lack of restriction may be surfacing.

you don't think I have a shoe fetish or anything???! I hope not, I just know hot women's shoes when I see em

thanks for the kind words

oh yeah, here's a pic of the awesome heels that ladies should consider when they get sexy

everybody loves stripper shoes. gotta get at least 6" stiletto heel, platform, open toe wooo baby!

hi all, I'm new from Tampa, FL, i got banded 4/2 at Tampa General (Dr Murr) so far I've lost 13 lbs since banded. looking forward to really having success along with others on the boards. best regards, Jay B

my experience was very good. dr murr is very well known.

good luck and keep in touch. maybe we can start our own group here in tampa

sounds like a good book. there's also a program on tv by some psychologist, who helps people overcome and redirect "cravings", etc... I agree, you have to deal with what's in your head and motivation, to help you reduce/change what goes in your mouth.

i live in FLA and I'm cold in the evening too. i think you're right, may be fewer calories, etc... if I look back at when I was heavier, I tended to be warm and sweat more frequently. so now i think my body is under a bit less pressure.

congrats on how smoothly things are going. for me, I just took 1 pain pill the evening after my surgery, but otherwise, I took some advil here and there for a bit of soreness. I took up walking about 40 minutes right away. congrats and hope things keep going well for you.

basically, on a regular basis, no. they just provide lots of empty calories, stimulate appetite, irrirate your stomach, and depress your mood and willpower. once in a while a couple ounces is okay though. except if it has carbonation, most doctors would tell you to still stay away from it. good luck

very true. definitely have to change the way you eat. lap band is only a tool to help. most of it is up to you to change your eating habits, and exercise. I didn't go through all this trouble to get surgery only to screw it up by keeping my sloppy habits. I even bothered to visit a nutrionist, etc... I wish you long term success!

its amazing how different each doctors orders are. I didn't have a pre-op diet, mainly because I didn't have any fatty liver issues. some people are on Clear Liquids post op for weeks, others like you get to get solid foods right away. I'm supposed to be on full liquids for the first 30 days, but I've "cheated" here and there just out of sheer hunger. i've not had any vomiting at all luckily. congrats on your "nice' diet..! good luck.

sounds like you're going through alot. stress really spikes your appetite. many times we eat to calm down. its hard enough trying to deal with the hunger and new habits that come with a new band, without lots of other emotional stress and trauma.