Cindy C

Totally normal. Just keep following the program. Your body will adjust.

Sheer determination. I didn't make my journey my number one priority...I made it my ONLY priority. When I had my surgery, my kids were 17 and 19. The youngest had just graduated from high school and the oldest was just finishing college. When my son said he wanted to go to a college 600 miles away, I was all for it. It meant I wouldn't have to cook or grocery shop for anything I wasn't going to eat. It was great...no temptations in the house and no one but me to focus on. I did absolutely everything that my surgeon and his staff told me to do. I never cheated on my liquid diets, watched every bite that went into my mouth, exercised like crazy. I faithfully went for my after care appointments every 4 weeks whether I needed a fill or not. The support I got from him was great and really helped me stay focused. I kept my band as tight as possible without pbing (many) issues. I didn't set a long term goal. My only goals were to lose 100 pounds and then to get to Onderland. I hit the first one in 10 months and the second in 15.

Do you have a chiropractor? I found that mid back adjustments worked wonders. I see you live in Keshena. My aunt and uncle live in Shawano. It's beautiful up there!

I never heard of Slimband but you might want to try the lap band center at Port Huron Hospital. Dr. Bhesania has been doing lapband since about 2003 and was actually born and raised in Toronto. It can't hurt to ask.

Fresh fruits and veggies are in season now so they are very inexpensive. Go to a farmers' market or a road side stand. You can get a whole turkey breast of $6.00. Buy one and cook it in the crock pot. It stays juicy that way. Freeze it in small servings and take them out as you need them. It's alot cheaper than easy mac and actually has some nutritional value. You need to expand your horizons and try things you may only think you don't like. I always thought that I didn't like cream soups until I was in the mushie stage. My aunt passed away and my cousin took everybody out to her favorite Italian restaurant after the funeral. The only thing on the menu I could eat was cream of chicken soup so I ordered it and discovered it was awesome! You have to leave that "picky eater" mindset behind you or you aren't going to be successful in your journey. You need to start eating to live instead of the other way around. Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels.

Good luck, David.

When I switched from my clear liquid diet to mushies I gained 5 pounds. When I went from mushies to solids, I gained 5 again. Don't worry. Your body needs to adjust to the changes. It's normal.

Sophia, I think it's great that you are putting your daughter first. I hope your insurances will pay for both of you. You are still very young with a long life ahead of you too.

Here is a list of surgeons in Orange, CA. Click on each one and scroll down to the bottom and it tells what insurance they take. Good Luck. And yes. $3500 is nuts!!!! http://www.lapbandtalk.com/forum/432-orange/

You don't have to eat meat to get your protein. I eat very little of it. Try alternatives....eggs, almonds, cheese, yogurt, refried Beans, protein powder....there are many things to choose from.

Sounds like you are too tight. There is no magic number on visits or amount of saline in your band. You just have to keep going back until you find your green zone.

When I went for my first fill, 8 weeks post op, I had lost 45 pounds since surgery. He still gave me a fill. Obviously, I was eating very little, not hungry and satisfied easily. It's not the green zone....your body is responding to the band being there and the changes in diet (liquids, softs etc.). You're doing great, BTW.

PBing is the regurgitation of non-acidic swallowed food from the upper pouch.

I was the exact same way in the beginning and pretty much ever since. Make sure you are getting protein and take a really good vitamin. I took pre natals. You are probably going to start losing hair in a few months. There's really no way to avoid it. Its partly because of a lack of protein but rapid weight loss plays a part in it as well. Don't freak out when it happens. Its not falling out, its breaking. It will grow back.

If you're burning that many calories per workout then you need to up your intake.

You're not a failure. You've lost 50 pounds in a year and a half! Your calories consumed need to be less than your calories burned. Shoot for 1000-1200 and exercise. You could probably use a fill too.

Get rid of the pasta and bread at lunch time. Switch it for something high in protein...soup, refried beans, tuna...and maybe a fruit or veggie. Skip the slim fast bar too. I can't eat much in the morning either. Have a protein shake. No wonder all you want to do is sleep. You aren't getting the proper nutrition. And if you aren't exercising....start. That will help energize you too.

Good Luck, Brandi. Relax. Everything will be fine and you will soon be on your way to a new healthier you.

Lorraine and the rest of you...Welcome and congrats on joining the land of the banded. Trust me, the pain and hunger get better with each passing day. Just be hang in there. Keep yourselves hydrated and try to stay focused on something else.

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/surgeon/viewprofile/943

The only stupid question is the one that goes unasked! Before I had my TT I did my best to wear things that drew attention to other parts of my body. I would wear "skinny jeans" or leggings with a shirt that was blousey and maybe showed off a little cleavage. That way the eye was drawn to the boobs and thighs and the middle was hidden.

WOW! That's crazy. If I get a fill the doctor charges $110 and the hospital charge is $80. For a follow up with no fill the doctor charges $50 and the hospital doesn't charge anything!

I'm sure you'll be fine. Just try to lift him as little as possible. At 18 months old he can probably do more for himself than you like to think. Let him climb into the car seat on his own. Feed him on the couch or let him kneel on a big chair while you're healing.

WTG! Keep up the good work!

Salad is NOT a mushy. I hardly ever eat it anymore. If you don't chew well enough the lettuce acts like a piece of Saran Wrap over the opening!