SoonToBeTheRealMe

Everyone's diet will differ, it all depends on what your Doctor thinks is right for you. What your doctor tells you overrides everything you read online or on a forum. You will be on a liquid diet for a few days to a month after surgery (once again depending on your doctors recommendations) I was only on a clear liquid diet for about a week, and by the time I hit puree foods my body was just starting to feel hungry....prior to that liquids did fill me up and kept my satisfied. Now as far as your skin, it all depends on age, how long the weight has been on, how much you exercise, the natural elasticity in your skin....but it is easier find excess skin in a pair of pants then 200lbs of fat! Good luck!!

Congrats....a great accomplishment in which no one can ever take away from you!!

I lost almost 50lbs prior to my surgery. So it can be done. Mind you I was not required to do so prior to the surgery, but I was at the point for real change. Surgery was just another tool that was going to get me to my end game, not my entire plan. You need to decide if you are truly committed to making the change needed. Because if you think getting band is a cure-all you are going to be in for a BIG surprise! I was 465lb at my heaviest, I was able to move and did start walking about 1/2 a mile daily, that was built up to around 3 miles by the time surgery hit. It's a marathon and not a race any extra you can do will help. As big as you are (sorry if I offend....just stating) cutting of calories and extra exercise is going to make a huge impact on your weight lose. Yes it is hard, yes you might feel hungry, yes it takes dedication...but guess what all those things are applied after banding. If you think once you are banded you are going to miraculously be able to exercise? You're wrong it takes time to build up stamina....if you think you won't be hungry after having the surgery.....wrong.....it can take 6+ months until the doctor and you find your sweet spot....and most of all it takes DEDICATION..Because it's a daily battle on making healthy choices! So while I hope you find the courage to do what needs to be done to save your life. I also hope you realize with or without this surgery you need to lose weight, and while 40 lbs seems like a lot it is only 10% of your body weight. Think of how much you need to lose and if you can't even imagine getting 40 off without the band how would you plan taking 250lb off????

They give you a few different codes, make sure you are using the one specified for message boards. Also, your signature can only be 10 lines long, so make sure that isn't messing you up as well! If you need any more help, please feel free to PM me!

Congrats on your anniversary!! I think 2/3 loss :wub::thumbup:of your goal is a huge success and you should proud!!

Good luck Fresh, sounds like you are finally ready to change your life! I started walking on 1/2 a mile and now walk/jog 5 miles 4 times a week. So it is totally possible and do-able!

Neither....you need to realize the new way your body feels full, and by the sound of it you are not there yet. I don't feel full in my lower stomach, like I did before. Now I feel it in my chest area. There is no pain just a feeling that I know if I eat one more bite it might not stay down. Some people say they never feel that before BP's, to them I say they eat to fast! Also, I am not able to eat anything I want regardless how much I chew it. Breads, some meats, pastas and a handful of other things I was able to eat until my 3rd fill, not any more. I don't even try, there is plenty of other foods I can eat...that are healthy choices...that I stick to now. Good luck! Hopefully you find your "sweet spot" soon!

For me, I have waited until I drop at least two sizes. I know how to sew, so I would do minor adjustments on them, so I wouldn't walk out of my pants. Drawstrings are now my best friend!!! Try not to buy clothes with a lot of stretch in them, especially the pants/jeans otherwise they will not last that long. Buy basics when doing pants (tans, blacks, and jeans, navy) and keep the color to the shirts that way you can mix and match and stretch your wardrobe. Shirts I think you are able to get away with longer. Also, my support group does a clothing swap once a month, might check-in to see if yours does if not suggest it!

I think everyones goal is different, and it should be a personal choice. When I first got banded my only goal was to get under 300lbs, and I am sure for many here that would be an unthinkable goal. But being as overweight as I was and being 6ft tall, 300lbs sounded skinny to me. But as my success has surpassed my expectations I have set new goals and I am sure I will amend them again through my journey. When I first made the choice to get the band, I knew I was going to have to change more then my food portions. I knew I had to change the foods I did eat, the way I cook, and most importantly I knew I had to exercise. Going to the gym was scary for me, but I found a wonderful personal trainer and my success is half hers. When I kept saying I can't do it, she said yes I can...and when I really couldn't she made modifications so I could! So what I guess I am saying, is make goals that are realistic and remember they can and will change as you lose weight and become healthier. Good luck!

I drink about 96oz of water/crystal light a day. I exercise everyday....3 days a week I see a personal trainer for about 1 1/2 to 2 hour training sessions...the other four days I walk/jog 3-5 miles a day. I don't count calories, I try to eat clean, and eat small meals every three hours...which my dr totally recommends!

Drinking water is extremely important to your weight loss success. Tea is a diuretic, which will help flush excess water out of your body. However, if you are not taking enough in you could become dehydrated. Plus drinking the 8 glasses helps with appetite control.

Congrats!! What an awesome accomplishment!! I know I can not wait until I drop another 3 lbs so I can FINAL weigh in on those old fashion scales that only go to 350! Let alone the day I only need 200!!

Everything you are experiencing is normal! We have all have been there and understand how emotional hard it is before your first real fill. Good news is it gets better. When you go for your first fill, your doctor will know how much to give you, remember he is the expert. Your doctor can't put in to much at any one given time because there can be complications. First everyone one has a different "sweet spot" you won't know where yours is until you hit it. Second, some people tend to swell after a fill (me included) which could make you so tight you can't even swallow your own spit....been there and you don't want to be. Third, the band works best by small little fills that tighten gradually over time until you hit your sweet spot. All you can do know is eat clean, workout and know the weight will come off on its own time table not yours. Good luck:thumbup:

Congrats you are doing great!!! Super hot goal, here you come!