onthego317

The thing that motivates me the most is visualizing saggy, hanging skin! It will help tone your muscles AND help get the weight off!

I am by no means a doctor but here's my thinking. Why not schedule the injection? Whats the worse that could happen? I would do it and see it if relieves you pain. If it doesn't, then I would probably go for a second opinion. You have come way too far in your Quest for a healthier life to only have pain drag you down. Pain killers just mask the problem. I would want it fixed! I hope you get some answers and relief soon!

Its funny you say that you feel like yopu paid $5400 for another diet, I jokingly made the comment that I paid $15,000 which equals out to around $800 per lb lost so far! I dont know that over my lifetime that I've spent a total of $15k before the band but I would bet I've definitely spent $5400! Hang in there girl, IT WILL GET BETTER!

MSDV (Dee), You say your port "is so close to the skin"....can you see it? Mine is obvious! You can see right where it is and it sticks out. I find myself holding pressure on it too and it seems to help with the tenderness. I wonder if I wore something that fit tight during exercise if that would ease the pain...maybe a cami under my shirt. I have teetered up and down with the same 2-3lbs since mid September and have been really frustrated but I now see that I'm not alone. Girls, we're going to have to kick it up a notch to be in those sexy lil dresses by new years eve!! :thumbup: Today I worked out for 1 1/2 hrs and plan on doing the same tomorrow. Its too bad we all dont live close to one another, I could use a workout buddy! Good night all and have sweet dreams!

Honestly I havent been keeping my food journal like I should but I am almost positive that I'm getting between 1200-1300 calories daily. I walk at least 30 minutes a day. I REALLY want to be able to do aerobic activities but every time I do something that involves running, jumping, bouncing or dancing, my port is sore for a few days afterwards and it scares me. I sent my Dr's nurse an email about this earlier today and she hasn't responded yet. My port is not stitched on, it has these little metal teeth that clamp onto the muscle and I'm scared that I'm pulling it with the exercise. I went for my first fill on Sept 27. My Dr made it a point to tell me that the average bandster loses 1-2 lbs a week and that my weight loss would be a slower due to my lower weight already. I'm anxiously awaiting my next fill in 6 weeks and hopefully then I will have restriction.

Congratulations! I remember how happy I was the day I got my surgery date!! I know you are thirilled and excited to begin your journey. BEST WISHES!!! :thumbup:

Hey Yall! I'm just curious how much you are eating now. I don't mean calories.....I mean volume. My weight has stalled and I'm guessing I'm eating too much. I know I need to start my food journal again. I eat about 1.5 cups of food at a time. Sometimes I feel full and sometimes I don't. Also, does anyone have port soreness after exercising? I can walk without pain but anything that requires jumping, bouncing, or running leaves me sore for a couple days.

Soulsista and Boston, Let me know how yall are doing. I am curious because there isn't a lot of lower BMI people on here from what I can tell. My weight loss is REALLY slow and my Dr told me it would be that way. I guess I'm just a lil impatient.:thumbup: WELCOME to the club!

I know what you are talking about! I had the same exact pain. It went away on its own at about 5 weeks out. It was really bad pain in my back that almost felt like my band was around my spine or that my band was pushing on nerves in my back. It also felt like the weirdest and strongest hunger pains I have ever felt. This pain would wake me up at night. Once I started eating "normal" foods, it went away. Just remember to eat very slowly and chew really good. I hope this goes away soon for you!

Tonight was a bowl of chili. Tomorrow I am cooking a pork roast in the crockpot all day so I will have pulled pork. This will be my first time trying it since surgery.

My Dr will not fill sooner than 6 week intervals. On Monday he told me that he would see me no sooner than 6 weeks unless I had a problem. I actually called his office at 4 weeks out and asked if they would fill me and was told no because my body needed proper time to heal. He's very cautious and I guess thats a good thing. I hope all goes well today! :drool:

Mine is still like that some days.

Laurie, I'm curious how your fill goes tomorrow. We were banded the same day and I feel the same as I did before my fill 2 days ago.

Hello everyone! I just got my first fill on Monday, 9/27. Its been 6 weeks since surgery. I've lost 17lbs so far. My Dr put 3cc in my 10cc band and I cannot tell at all. Anyone else out there in this situation? My weight loss has been at a standstill for over a week now and I was hoping this fill would make a difference. I'm getting a lil discouraged but I know this is a slow process.

Just wanted to let you know that at 5 weeks I started "real" food. I could eat just about anything as long as I chewed until it was liquid. I didnt eat any thick breads and have not vomited. Taco bell's pintos & cheese is my favorite treat....I also get a taco and mix the meat in the pinto beans! (Throw the taco shell away) About 300 calories of tasty Protein that goes down easily for me and it feels like I'm cheating! It also makes me feel "normal". I eat 3 meals a day, each one being between 1-1.5 cups. I do not snack, only drink my protein shot between meals. Actually once I started eating, the scale started moving. I think I needed those extra calories. I get between 1000-1200 daily. When I was gettig 600 is when the scale stalled. I got a fill yesterday, 3cc in a 10cc band. I have to admit I was a lil nervous but it wasn't even as bad as a shot! My Dr told me to do liquids for 2 days and pureeds for a couple days. I'm starving again and broke down and had 4 oz applesauce. It went down fine and I do not notice a difference in my restriction yet. He said it may take a couple fills to get good restiction. He was also very pleased with 17lbs in 6 weeks and reminded me that this is a slow progress. They also stressed the importance of exercise to prevent skin sagging. Keep me posted on your progress and send me any great tips you may come across!

I am scheduled for my first fill on Monday. I will be 6 weeks out and do not have anything in my band yet. Since a friend of mine had her band slip due to vomiting, I'm terrified of throwing up and have been thinking about not having a fill yet. I am losing 2-3 lbs a week and have been satisfied with what I can eat. I am wondering if there is anyone else who also waited to have a fill. Any advice would be appreciated!

I felt EXACTLY like you do. I was completely miserable and regretted the decision for the first 4 weeks! I promise it will get better. I will be 6 weeks out tomorrow and will get my first fill. I felt like I was starving the first 4 weeks! Mashed potatoes was my favorite, I also loved soft scrambled eggs with cheese...you just have to chew till its liquid. Now I'm eating real food and am completely happy with my decision. The 1st 2 weeks I lost 11 lbs and then didnt lose anything for the next 10 days. I actually gained a pound! Hang in there.........the weight will come off in due time. At 6 weeks Ive lost 17lbs. I have to keep in mind that without the band I would still be carrying those pounds and maybe a couple more. My Dr wants me to lose 2lbs a week which doesnt seem like a lot but adds up fast when I thin how long I've been carrying this weight around. My port site was really sore for 5 weeks. Its still a little bit tender. I had 4 small incisions and one larger incision...its the bigger one and is under my left breast. My gas pains lasted about 2 weeks. GasX chewables really helped me. Keep in mind all of your feelings are normal and hang in there....there is a bright shiny light at the end of this tunnel!

I also had a really hard time the 1st week. I lived on crushed ice from Sonic and sugar free popsicles. Water hurt to drink it. I ate ice with a spoon like ice cream. Gas X chewables helps a lot!!! Good Luck!

I use these as well. They are only 2.9 oz so it doesnt take long to get it down and it's only 110 calories. They are my favorite! I do not like the "milky" ones at all. The seem to leave a film in your mouth but I also have never been a milk drinker unless it came along with Oreos or chips Ahoy! I've spent a small fortune on Protein drinks and these are by far the best to me!

My husband weighed 403 and it was taking a toll on him physically and mentally. I completely know where you are and how you feel. In January of 2008 he had gastric bypass. He had been conmsidering it for a while but was scared. My daughter, who was 16 then, told him one night that she knew he probably wouldn't be able to walk her down the aisle one day. It hit home with him and his decision was made. It was complete hell for him in the beginning. He had lost his best friend (FOOD) and was depressed for a couple months until he saw the changes taking place. He got down to 260 lbs and got comfortable with himself. He started snacking and has maintained his weight. I know he still needs to lose more BUT he's happy and our life together is 1000% better. I was banded almost 6 weeks ago. I started with a low BMI of 32 and made the decision to do it for me. I have played with 50 lbs for years and understand the ups and downs. Hopefully that cycle is now broken. With all that being said, surgery has changed our lives for the better. We will live longer, happier and most importantly healthy. I wish you the best!!!

Once again, I am not alone! I am addicted to weighing daily too. I use the wii fit to weigh. ITS AWESOME because it keeps track of your weight and BMI. I have had it for almost 2 years and can see the rollercoaster I was on before the band 5 1/2 weeks ago. There is a graph and I love looking at it. You can also set goals for yourself and it tells you how many pounds you have until you reach your goal. I dont think I'll ever give up my love for the wii fit. It definitely keeps me grounded and on track.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!! I'm happy for you.

Thanks to all of you for the advice! I truly believe we are all very different and have different experiences so I listen to each opinion. I'm happy to hear others are also content without a fill. I am extremely satisfied with what I am able to eat. I eat 3 small meals a day.............about a cup....but I can eat just about anything. I havent tried thick breads and do not miss it. I do not snack between meals. I do drink one Protein shot daily. The fear of vomiting combined with the fear of not being able to eat is what has me scared. I have 2 very close friends who both vomit on a weekly basis. I would rather take the weight loss a lil more slowly than go through what I've seen them go through. I started this journey with a low BMI and do not have as much to lose as the average bandster. My Dr will only put up to 1cc at a time. I have a 10cc band so I'm thinking I may get this 1st fill and not get another one until I hit a plateau. I cant imagine that 1cc will be that much of a difference. Best Wishes to ALL!

My vote is 8. I was totally miserable for about 10 days and did not take pain meds because they make me sick if taken on an empty stomach. The gas pains were intense and my port really hurt....guess it didnt help that I got dehydrated and developed a UTI. 5 1/2 weeks later and I feel great now.