LoneStarLoser

I found it easier to drink warm liquids, like decaf coffee or tea. Cold things go down slow, but the warm liquids are soothing. Plus I have been so cold, it warms me up. Lone Star Loser

Yes, I feel colder than usual also. I am usually the hot natured one in my family. But since surgery I am wearing socks, long sweat pants and long sleeves shirts. I am even sleeping with one of those little warm up blankets because my husband is not cold. He sleeps with the fan on. I know I have lost some insulation (fat) but I am miserably cold. Is this a side effect? Lone Star Loser

Penny, have you tried whole wheat tortillas? I made breakfast taco yesterday and it was really good. The whole wheat are not as "doughy". And they are lower in carbohydrates. Lone Star Loser

Hello All. Well, I 'm not sure how my December Challenge will go. I went my dermatologist today to have a "growth" removed from my face, really close to my eye and she doesn't want me exercising for 1 week. She doesn't want me to get sweat in the wound, (I have about 8 stitches). I want to go workout anyway and just be careful or walk more. It is cold out now, so maybe that would work. I can't just do nothing. I really think it has helped me lose. Any suggestions? Happy Holidays, Lone Star Loser :wink2:

:thumbup:Hello everyone. I have been going to Curves for 4 weeks now and I have lost 11 lbs. Total 51 now. I was disappointed in only 11 lbs, but the good thing is that I have lost 21.5 inches in a month. The lady kept checking my file because she couldn't believe it. I can tell because my cloths are fitting really lose. I go to my support meeting tonight. This is our Christmas Party. The hospital is paying for the meal and we will be exchanging gifts, "White Elephant Gifts". I really enjoy the support group. I can to talk to people, we share recipes, trade cloths, and talk about things we do to stay motivated. Good Luck to everyone. Happy Holidays Lone Star Loser:lol::wink:

I found some "Soy Nog". It takes just like Egg Nog, but of course it is not as thick. I usually only drink about 1/2 a cup. It satisfies my "want" for egg nog. I am (was) a beer drinker. Since I have quit, I feel so much better, not just because I am losing weight, but I don't feel bad the next morning. I am still losing, so I think I will just stay away from alcohol all together. It is hard this time a year when everyone else is drinking. But I can do it. We need to remember our goals. Lone Star Loser

Hello Everyone. China, I'd like to join the new years weightloss challenge too. I was banded October 3, 2008. I have lost 49.5 lbs. But I am stuck there. :girl_hug: And I am getting discouraged. I would like to lose 10 lbs before Jan. 1, 2009. I was reading another thread and it seems like most people eat like birds. I have had 2 fills, currently at 3.5 cc's. But I am losing my restriction. I am going to the doctor 12-11-08 and I hope she gives me another fill. Especially before Christmas. Maybe this challenge will help me get a little more motivated. I am working out at Curves, and we have a competition going, "Maintain, not Gain". I just need to get that needle on the scale moving again. Good Luck everyone. And Happy Holidays. Lone Star Loser (Dorothy):thumbup:

Don't give up. It took me almost a year to finally get the insurance to approve the surgery. I was so surprise when I got the call it had been approved. I rushed the surgery just in case they decided to change their minds. The weight was worth it. I was banded on Oct. 3, 2008 and I have lost 49.5 lbs. Don't give up. It will happen. Just try and not gain anymore until you have been approved. I'll be praying for you and that the insurance company approves you soon. Lone Star Loser

Ewiedbingcott..I was banded on Oct. 3, 2008. I lost 16 lbs on the 2 week pre-op diet. I will lose good for about 1 week and then nothing for a week. Then I start to lose again. I just happy that I don't gain anything back, even over the Thanksgiving holiday. Karen...My support group that meets once a month has a "clothes exchange" about every 3 months. People take in clothes they can't wear anymore and trade for ones they can. Or, I went to Goodwill and bought a couple of tops that were brand new, still had the tags on them for only $4.99 a piece. Look for garage sales in your area. I have even just borrowed a couple of things from my sister until I get to a stable size. Good Luck everyone. Lose Star Loser :smile2:

Hello Everyone. It does seem that the October Bandsters/Smashing Pumpkins are not posting as much as before surgery. I hope that everyone is still as excited about the Lab Band as I am. I have lost 49.5 lbs. It has slowed down but I am still losing. I have been going to Curves everyday and I can tell the difference in the way I feel and my body shape is changing. I am so glad I had the surgery. I am wearing closes that I got for gifts for the last few years and they didn't fit. So it is like having new clothes. I finally had to buy some new jeans because the old ones were falling off. I looked like an old bag lady. I only bought one cheap pair because I am waiting until I lose a lot more to invest in clothes. I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. We did. Now we are gearing up for Christmas. Take care and Happy Holidays. Lone Star Loser :smile2:

:smile:Hello everyone. It has been awhile since I posted. I have been reading though. I had my surgery 10-03-08 and got my first fill on 10-30-08. After the fill, I did not have any restriction. I was already starving and was hoping that with the fill I would feel better. Since I did not feel any restriction, I went back the next week for another. The first fill was only 2cc and the 2nd one she added 1.5 cc. That one seemed to help alot. I was at a stand still and not losing any weight, but after that 2nd fill, I started losing again. The real test is Thanksgiving. But I just had a birthday and my Mom made a hugh dinner for the family and I did very good. And my whole family was very supportive and not offering any BAD stuff. Good luck to everyone. Remember, we are all on our way to a thinner and healthier life. Lone Star Loser

I'm starving too. I was banded 10-03-08 and I am losing, but I get hungry about 2 hours after I eat. I don't really feel any restriction like I did after surgery. I had my first fill last week and I can't tell the difference. I have an appointment Thursday for another one. I am losing weight, but I am very hungry. I know everyone is different, but how many fills does it take to get good restriction? Lone Star Loser:tongue2:

KarenK. No I did not have to go back to liquids. She only put 2mm in. I can't really tell the difference. She, the doctor, told me if that was not enough to feel the restriction, to come back in two weeks and she would add more. And I think I am going to go back. I don't feel the restrictions at all like I did the first week after surgery. And I get hungry about 2 hours after I eat. But you should be fine for the dinner Friday night. Lone Star Loser

I had my first fill last Thursday. I was scared too. I hate needles. But it was not bad. It was over before I knew it. I'll bet it didn't take more than 30 seconds and that might be too long. Some people complain about it being sore afterwards, but I didn't have any discomfort. You'll do great. Lone Star Loser

Why did your doctor make you stop taking Omega 3? Every doctor is different but both my nutrionist and doctor agree on taking Omega 3. And as I mentioned early in this thread, they suggested Coromega. I can tell if I don't take it for a couple of days because my skin starts getting real dry. Lone Star Loser

I'm not sure how true this is but I read a statement by Susan Marie Leach, author of "Before and After" - Living & Eating Well After Weight Loss Surgery, and this is what she had to say "Your body takes in what it needs for what is going on. No one knows how much you need for any given minute... and the needs vary. You float it on by and it gets sucked through the walls of the intestine... better to float by plenty so that you can make sure you get in what your body needs. There is an old internet tale that we only take in 30 grams at a time but it is not based on medical facts or studies. It is better to take in small amounts several times during the day... for example three 25 grams portions of shake rather than 75 grams all at once.... so that you are more likely to take it all in as you need it." I use the "New Whey" Protein bullets with 42 grams of protien, but I mix it with 32 oz of Water and sip on it for about 4 hours. Lone Star Loser

LongHornMom. I'm glad that you are doing better. Sorry you had to have an IV. I hate those things. I am doing well also. I had my first visit on Oct. 16 and the doctor said everything looks good. My incisions are healing nicely. I get my first fill next Thursday, 10/30. I can't wait. I am on the mushies now and I am getting hungry between meals. I get hungry about 2 hours after I eat. So I just drink my water and that helps. Since the beginning with my pre-op diet, up to now I have lost 30 lbs. I lost 16 on the pre-op diet. Hopefully after I get the fill I will do better. I know 30 lbs is good, but I want to lose more before Christmas when I see all my family. Good luck and get those fluids down. Carry a water bottle around with you everywhere and just sip it all day long. LoneStarLoser

Stewy929.. I had my first post-opt appointment last week and I am doing well. The incisions are healing nicely. The first three days were the worst I think. They were not really bad, I was just sore. The 3rd day I had gas really bad, but I used the Gas-X strips and walked and it all went away. I took two weeks off of work and just came back this past Monday. I have lost 30lbs. since I started my pre-op diet. Last week I didn't lose anything but Dr. Brady said that is normal and she was happy with the weight loss so far. I am ready for my fill. I am really starting to get hungry in between meals, so I just drink a lot of water. Good luck. Lone Star Loser

Stewy929, I'm in Austin too. I was banded on October 3,2008. My doctor is Dr. Brady also. Don't you just lover her? I took a list of questions I had, because I always forget to ask something, and she was just as patient as good be. And really made me feel good. I plan on going to the support group on Nov. 13th. I really enjoy this forum and I want to actually meet people that either have been banded or are waiting for the surgery. I go in next week for my first fill. Good Luck with your surgery and I hope you have a speedy recovery. Lone Star Loser

Just one dose a daily. And it really doesn't taste bad. I get the orange. There is an orange with a hint of chocolate and that one is good too. Lone Star Loser

My doctor and nutritionist have me taking Coromega. Coromega is an Omega-3 dietary supplement from fish oil, with DHA and EPA, and provides health benefits for the heart, joints, skin, and brain. It has an orange taste. It really isn't bad tasting. At first I put it in my protein shakes, but now I just put it on a teaspoon and take it that way. It comes in pre-measured packets so you can take it anywhere. A little pricey, but it's worth the results. I did get some on Ebay that was pretty reasonable. Lone Star Loser

ARA. I usually mix my bullets with my water. That way I am getting my water in as well as my protein. And it's not so strong, just kinda' flavors the water. My favorite is the fruit punch one. Lone Star Loser

I was baned on Oct. 3. I have 4 small 1/2 inch incisions and one (the port one) that is about 1 1/2 inches. Mine never did get red around them. And they are all closed up and most of the scab is gone around the port incision, the others just look like a little pink line. I would definately call you surgeon and let him/her know you are concerned. Better safe than sorry. But remember, everyone heals a little different and at different speeds. Lone Star Loser.

No, I can't wait until my first fill. Scared, but ready. I have talked to some people at work that have actually been banded and had their first fill and they said the worst part is worring about it. One told me the hard part was lifting your legs up off the table so the doctor could find the correct location of the port. Oh well, it's all worth it. Lone Star Loser

I call them Protein bullets. They come in a container that looks like a huge test tube. The correct name is New Whey Bullets. There are two kinds, 1 with 42 grams of protein and one with 27 grams. I get the one with 42. The one with 27 grams is a little cheaper. I got some at HEB grocery, but I don't know if you have HEB's up where you live. I also just bought some at GNC. They come in 3 different flavors, grape, orange, and fruit punch. My favorite is fruint punch, grape is good and orange is not bad. They range in price. HEB had them for $2.99, GNC was $3.49 but I just ordered some online from www.allstarhealth.com. That comes out to about $2.41. And the shipping was only $5.95. I ordered some other stuff too so I didn't think that was bad for shipping. There is another website that has all kinds of protein products. My surgeon and nutritionist recommened BariatricEating.com - BE, Inc. The number one bariatric website for protein, vitamins, and success. and www.ProteinFirst.com. It think they are owned by the same company, but I prefered www.bariatricEating.com. But you can shop around on the web like I did. Let me know if you find a more reasonable price somewhere for the bullets. Well, it's time for a protein shake. Good luck Lone Star Loser