adagray

I think at 25 you have a really really good chance of your skin snapping back. I know when I lost weight in my 20s, I went from 170 to 120 and there were absolutely no signs that I had ever weighed more. I also hadn't had kids, though. But, my younger friends who have had kids in their 20s, have flat bellies after losing the weight too. Definitely exercise as much as you can while losing weight, though. I've heard that the process of exercise releases something in your body that also helps your skin shrink (regenerate) and snap back. I think maybe collagen. I don't remember the specifics from the article I read, but I just remember that exercise is key for helping you skin snap back so I am exercising like a mad woman on this journey. I'm 41 so I will still need surgery, but I'm just hoping I can get away w/only needing a mini tummy tuck and a boob lift instead of the whole body lift. The whole body lift really freaks me out and I don't think I could come up w/the nerve (or the funds) for that much plastic surgery.

I bet you will get to your goal within a year. You have age on your side and that helps tremendously. When I was your age, I could lose 2+ per week on Weight Watchers. Now, I can hardly lose anything on WW and have to be starving all the time (hence the band). You are lucky to be getting it so young because your skin will snap back too. Just follow the rules, exercise, and don't stress about the rest. My port really doesn't bother me. I even do a lot of crunches and ab exercises and although I am aware of it, it doesn't bother me. And, even if it is annoying to you during pregnancy, just remember that is only 9 months out of your life. The band will help you so much that it will be worth it. As for PBing, it is a lot different from throwing up. I am also one that has never been a puker. It just grosses me out so much. Now, I do occasionally PB, but its really not gross to me. I can always keep it down if I have to, but when you're stuck, it does hurt and you do want it out. I just excuse myself to the bathroom, force myself to cough, it comes up, and instant relief. There is not stomach acid so it tastes the same coming up as it did going down. Best of luck to you!

I wouldn't jump to the conclusion that it has anything to do w/your band. Complications are extremeley rare. I've been on this site for almost two years and never heard anyone talk about their tube disconnecting until the same lady you are talking about that was on here recently. Its not a common complication at all. In fact, its so rare that its not normally even mentioned as a possible complication before surgery. So, I would stop worrying about that right away. I'm no doctor, but lower left abdomen pain sounds like it could be something to do w/your left ovary. I get pains in my ovaries when I ovulate. It is pretty pronounced and lasts about a day. But, you could also get more persistent pains like this if you have developed fibroids. Three out of four women will get fibroids. They are really common and don't normally require surgery. But, that may be another possible explanation for the discomfort you are experiencing. In any case, I would recommend going to your PCP to investigate. In all likelihood, it has nothing to do w/the band.

Have any of you tried scallops since being banded and how did it go? I have been eating shrimp, crab, and hard boiled eggs w/no problem (thinking of things w/a similar texture). I've been craving scallops and my husband and I are going out for a fancy dinner on Friday. I saw scallops on the menu. I'm sure they'll be the big tender ones. I'm just hesitating because I don't normally try anything 'new' when I'm out. What do you think?

Yay! So glad to hear scallops are not a problem food. I thought they should be good since I can eat shrimp and crab. I'm looking forward to having them tonight. I never make scallops at home because my husband doesn't like them.

I was denied twice by Aetna, but finally approved on my second appeal. I had lost weight below the required BMI on WW during the past two years so that is why I had a lot of trouble getting mine approved.

Just want to add, stick to COLD clear fluids until you know the swelling is down. Anything hot or warm will make it worse.

My surgeon's definition is when you get to the point where you are satisfied on 3 meals per day (no snacking). I started out making this my goal, but have since realized that I prefer two mini meals in the morning (something before exercise and something after). And, I often eat something small (a healthy snack like fruit or yogurt) late in the evening so that I don't go to bed feeling hungry (we eat dinner around 6:30ish and I don't go to bed until 11:30ish). I know this is not the 'ideal' per my surgeon, but this is what works for me and I am losing weight well. The other thing I feel is key to my sweet spot is I still want to be able to eat in the morning and I still want to be able to eat most foods (including red meat occasionally). Right now, I feel I am there. I can eat just one small lamb chop if I chew it really well. Or, 2 oz of filet mignon. I can eat all fruits and vegies too as long as I chew them up really well. I can eat a really big salad which I love! I have 7.0 is a 10cc band. I was overfilled at 7.5 and had to take 0.5cc out after my last fill (couldn't swallow my own saliva). Now that the swelling has gone down, I probably could go up to 7.25, but I choose not to. I would prefer to keep my band a little looser, use a little self control, and exercise more. I'm losing about 2 pounds per week now which I'm ecstatic with. And, I love that I have a reasonable amount of freedom w/my foods.

If you hang around here more, you will bump into many many bandsters who have lost 100+. My mom has lost over 100 w/her band and I've lost just over 50 in 6 months. My goals is 100 and there's no way I'm not makin it! I think if you have your mind made up and you follow the rules, there's no way you can't succeed w/the band. My weightloss did start to slow dramatically about two months ago. I did some soul searching and decided I didn't have surgery just to get halfway to my goal. So, I gave up alcohol and increased my exercise A LOT! Yes, there are challenges for everyone and everyone's challenges are different. But, if you have your mind made up that you are gonna get to goal and this great tool to help you, you will achieve your goal. Best of luck to you!

I do tend to lose more on days that I take a moment to praise God before I step on the scale. It can't hurt! More Protein and Water would help if you are low in those areas. Sounds like you have stepped it up on the exercise already which is good. You might not see results immediately w/the extra exercise, but hang in there because it really does make a difference in the long run. The only other thing you might consider is if you are getting any empty calories any other ways. For me, I was still drinking alcohol when my weightloss started to slow. It was pretty obvious I had to give it up. Since giving it up (a month ago) and upping my exercise, I am losing a lot better now.

When I feel tighter, it helps me to actually count the number of times I am chewing each bite. You want to chew at least 20 times per bite. And, more if it still doesn't feel like mush in your mouth. Another thing that's helpful is to eat your Protein in combination w/a sauce or eat a bite of watery vegetable (like zuchini, salad, tomato) in between bites of protein. And, eat SLOWLY. If you feel any discomfort at all, put your fork down and STOP for awhile. I am using some caps here because this was the hardest one for me to learn. I thought I could eat through the discomfort. Big mistake! As you sit there, you may realize that you cannot eat another bite or you may realize that you do have room for more. But, give your body some time to give you the signal. It still drives me crazy to leave a tiny bit on my plate, but I have learned that even just a tiny bit more can push me over the edge from satisfaction to pain.

My restriction varies a bit from day to day. I think mine is tighter when I'm dehydrated. Usually I keep up w/my water really well, but the few times I haven't, I have definitely noticed being tighter. Also, alcohol dehydrates you and can make you feel tighter the next day.

I generally don't eat soup because it doesn't keep me satisfied like a solid meal does. But, I do really like chicken chili and beef stew (made in the crockpot) and they keep me full even though they have liquid. So, I guess you just have to experiment and see what works for you. If I'm eating out, I love to order soup and salad because those are two things I know never get stuck for me. And, I can actually enjoy more than one course without feeling overstuffed.

I take a normal size bite, but chew it really well (at least 20 times). Eggs (especially the white) are a problem for a lot of bandsters. I think cause the egg white is kind of rubbery which means it can get compacted down and then expand while going through your stoma. I've found that as long as I chew eggs up really well, I don't have a problem. The only problem is eggs are one of those things that you never would have chewed up well pre-band because they are so slippery. So, it feels weird to chew chew chew them. But, really that's what you need to do if you still want to eat eggs. On the plus side, they are really filling for the same reason. I can eat two hard boiled eggs and it fills me up.

It should be OK. I would check w/your surgeon to see if they can refer you to someone who provides this as a service. I noticed when I went for my pre-op testing at the hospital that there was a car outside advertising 'rent-a-nurse' or something like that. Basically, it said it was a service to take you to the hospital, wait for you, take you home, get you situated back at home, etc. I remember thinking that was pretty cool. I'm sure there is a great need for this. Just think of the elderly who may not have family closeby. And, there are so many procedures that require you have someone to accompany you home. So, I'm sure you will not be the first person who asks your surgeon about this. And, if you are having insurance pay for the surgery, then you will probably be required to spend the first night at the hospital.

My nutritionists also say at least 60g per day. I typically get 80-100g just because that is my preference. I have heard that you cannot absorb more than 25g at once, but I don't know whether or not to believe that. I tend to think your body would absorb more if it needs more. In any case, rather than going for 60g per day, I tend to think in terms of 20g+ per meal. So, either way, I am getting what I need and then some.

Its been awhile since I did a challenge. I'm gonna go for 20 pounds! My starting weight is 199 so that would take me to 179. Wish me luck!!!

When I had my surgery and spent the night at the hospital, they brought me my regular Rx pills the next morning to swallow whole (three pills). I was a little apprehensive, but they all went down fine. I asked my doctor about it later and she said even a larger pill will not get stuck... that basically it will just sit in your pouch and dissolve if it can't fit through your stoma. I was still a bit apprehensive about taking larger pills for a long time. But, the last time I ran out of my Calcium citrate pills, I decided to try Citracal petites (which are still pretty large despite being called 'petite'. And, I am able to take them fine. I can feel them sitting in my pouch, but it doesn't hurt. A little warm liquid helps to dissolve them faster so I often have them right before some tea.

I did a little more research just to make sure. So, I was wrong to say you can't have sleep apnea without snoring, but it is REALLY REALLY rare to have sleep apnea without snoring. The statistic I found said that 95%+ people who have sleep apnea also snore. I have my tonsils and don't snore at all anymore (not even a light snore). I guess I'm still taking a small chance by assuming I don't have sleep apnea anymore. There is a chance I could be part of that <5% group. But, seeing as I never could get used to wearing the CPAP, I don't see any sense in going back to the sleep lab for another $2k test to confirm it is gone. So, for anyone reading this, of course don't take my advice as a medical recommendation. Its just my own personal experience and what I think is reasonable given my personal situation. I have chosen not to be retested because the chance that I still having sleep apnea (without snoring) is very small and even if I was diagnosed as still having sleep apnea, it wouldn't change my behavior (not wearing CPAP).

I don't think so. My mom's doctor actually recommends something he calls 'water loading' which is to drink as much water as you can when you think you are hungry. It can trick you into feeling full so you can postpone your next meal for awhile. Handy for when you can't eat right away or don't want to because you don't have any healthy options handy.

I had sleep apnea, but never got used to wearing the CPAP. I know, bad! But, my husband told me about two months ago (which was 4 months post-surgery) that I don't snore at all anymore. If you don't snore, you can't have sleep apnea. So, that is how I've confirmed that my sleep apnea is gone. My husband almost always goes to bed later than me so if I was still snoring, he would certainly hear it. But, you could always set up a tape recorder overnight to check it yourself. Of course, if you are still snoring, then its more complicated because just because you're snoring, does not mean you still have sleep apnea. My surgeon recommends going in for a follow-up sleep study after you've lost 50+ pounds.

There is a lady in my support group who lost over 400 pounds w/the band. Amazing! After her success, her husband got the band too. Didn't have quite the same success, but he took off a good portion of his weight and improved his health quite a bit. She has two son who weighed as much as yours. But, instead of getting banded, they became each others' support and totally changed their lifestyles in terms of diet and exercise. And, they've both lost over 100 pounds and kept it off without surgery. I'm just giving this example because you just never know if your sons might be able to overcome obesity on their own. Like a previous poster said, they aren't totally fixed in their 'lifestyle' yet. And, don't underestimate the power of a young metabolism. I have lost large amounts of weight before and it was way easier and faster when I was younger. So, I guess I'd encourage some lifestyle changes on them first. If I ever saw my child dieting, losing, regaining, and failing over and over and over like I did, though, I would do everything in my power to help them get a band (if they wanted it). I just wouldn't jump to that conclusion to begin with. For one thing, I think you have to have tried seriously dieting without it at least once to really respect what a powerful tool it really is.

I was so concerned about this too. I always had a really strong sense of hunger. It is what would ultimately do me in on any diet. I can honestly say I am NEVER hungry like I used to be... where my stomach would actually be sore and gnawing on itself. My definition of 'hungry' has changed now. Basically, what I feel now as 'hunger' is really just emptiness. It is not an urgent, gnawing, uncomfortable feeling that makes me moody. If I'm busy, its easy to put off eating for a long long time now. I can just drink some Water and I feel fine (if I don't have time to get food right then and there). I eat less calories than I ever did on Weight Watchers, but not because I am counting and agonizing over my points (I refuse to journal or count now), but just because I am satisfied w/so much less. And, I'm in a much better mood than I ever was on WW because I'm not hungry all the time and ready to rip someone's head off. LOL

Congrats to you!!! I love hearing about the NSVs. It just means so much more than a number on the scale. This journey just gets better and better along the way. :->

I recently bought the Tanita Ironman scale which gives a lot of the same measurements. I find it really motivating. My surgeon's office uses a professional version of this scale that provides a printout of the information. I was happy to see that the measurements are consistent between their scale and mine even though mine is not nearly as expensive as theirs. It may not be perfectly accurate (as another poster stated), but I figure if its close enough for my surgeon's office, its close enough for me. And, I do find it very motivating since I can see the numbers trend in the right direction when I adjust my workouts. I never did get into taking my measurements. I thought about it, but its just another number which doesn't mean a lot to me. I have kept a pair of jeans and blouse that I used to wear at my heaviest so if I really want to see the difference, I could put those on. The real cool thing I have noticed is that I am fitting into clothes that I used to wear at a lower weight, but at a slightlly higher weight this time. For example, pants that I used to wear at 185ish, I'm wearing now at 199, and they aren't any tighter. I'm sure its because I work out a lot now and have more muscle than I used to. So, even though I'm not 185 yet, my body is the same size as it used to be at 185. Very cool!