LapBandit

I'm back! I did OK. I think I have 9 lbs to go. I won't make it for my appointment this friday but I think I can do it by the end of the month. How's everyone doing??

Yikes everyone! I made my first HUGE mistake at dinner. My sister and I went out to a local restaurant...fried chicken strips and beer battered onion rings. I know, I know...it was a tough day, TOM and my eating schedule was all messed up today because of a busy day at work. Darn it...now I feel so guilty. UGH. I guess that's why we have to plan ahead and keep on a schedule so that we don't make dumb mistakes.

I hope everyone else had a better day!! I've got to go out of town for work for a couple days so hang in there everyone! Wish me luck...I'll be at a hotel with 5 restaurants. YIKES!!

10 to go here. We're getting closer!

Thanks for the quick reply!

I was filled with 4cc's in my VG band at the time of surgery then my first post-op fill was 2cc's. You may be on to something with the TOM thought! It hasn't been a full month since that fill so we'll see what happens. I have another appointment on Friday and my doc said we'll discuss wether or not to have another fill then.

It just seems strange how restriction seems to come and go! I'm still happy that I finally know what it feels like...now I just gotta find out how to keep it!!

What a journey so far!

I just had my first "official" fill since surgery about 3 1/2 weeks ago. The first week or so I thought "wow, I actually know what restriction feels like now" and I LOVED it! But, now I kinda feel like I did before the fill--is this common? It's almost like I never had a fill. Everyone talks about the "Sweet Spot" but how do you maintain that if you can lose restriction? I know fills are part of being banded but it seems weird that my fill has seemed to vanish into thin air. Do you have similar experiences? Thanks for any input.

:angry :angry :angry :angry

I specifically told my mother not to tell anyone about it, and now I find out that she told a relative, who briefed her about my surgery. To make matters worse, when I asked her about it she denied it and became very defensive. I am hurt and very angry because I trusted my mother and now everyone in town knows I'm having sugery even before I've had it done. Now I feel like I'm going to be under a magnifying glass. Any comments on this? I don't think I'm wrong for feeling this way.

The same thing happened to me. The cat is out of the bag and there's nothing I can do about it. That's my philosophy now.

I figure I have enough just to stay concentrated on myself that I can't be worried about who knows and much less be concerned about their opinion.

I feel for ya...good luck.

Welcome! 24 lbs in 6 weeks is awesome. I believe the average is 1-3 lbs per week and you are averaging 4. You should be able to find lots of posts with more info and tips for you. There are a lot of great people on this site! Good luck!

You're not a baby...I agree that the shoulder pain was way worse than any other part of the surgery!!! I took gas-x and used a hot water bottle. Similar to the rice bag idea...I felt the pressure of the weight of the hot Water bottle helped as much as the temp. (It was hard to keep on my shoulder...I strapped it on with an old scarf!!) Luckily the shoulder pain went away within the first week but it was rough. Good luck and I hope you feel better soon!

I'm in the club as well! I'm 32. I agree that I don't want to lose weight to meet a guy who wouldn't give me the time of day right now. So, I hope that by me feeling better about myself that I'll be able to find someone nice one day. I can't wait to have a family, that's my goal. But, for this next year at least I am going to focus on me. Good luck everyone!

waterlilly...I thought "restriction" was this magical thing that I was destined to never feel!!! But, after my first fill I felt it but now I'm losing it again. I think I need another little fill.

Geez guys...having company and the holiday was ROUGH!!! I didn't do bad but I didn't do great either. Hopefully, I can get back on track. I know I won't be moving into Twoterville by the 14th (my next appointment) which is a bummer. But...I've got 13 lbs to go so I think I can do it this month.

Keep up the good work!

I've got 11 more to go! I've got company this weekend...it's hard keeping on my routine with company. I haven't had this "challenge" since surgery. I'm doing OK but not perfect. If I want to try to get into Twoterville soon I better start concentrating!!

GOOD LUCK ALL!

HAPPY FOURTH!:usa2:

When one partner make a life-altering change it can feel scary to the other partner. I think your wife is probably well-aware that you're life is changing and that is probably pretty darn scary. She may be feeling insecure. Perhaps you can try to *nicely* encourage her to join you in your new health habits that way you two are doing it together for your futures together. Just a thought.

Good luck! Telling my employer was a hurdle too!

First of all, I never thought that "I" would ever be able to comment on an exercise thread so that's a NSV for me but anyway...my bariatric center built a special gym for their patients. They even provide a trainer! I love it and I really enjoy strength training. I use a little of everything then I do alternating days of cardio (walking mainly). I've recently been able to increase my weights on most of the machines...cool! I have to work on my endurance though...when I go to the gym I workout with the machines for close to an hour but cardio days are only about half an hour. I guess it's better than nothing, right?

I am NO medical professional so like you said you definately need to make sure your medical team knows about your past...but...in my case, I wasn't under for very long and then I was up and walking around within an hour of coming out of anesthesia so I'm not sure that the risk of clotting would be that high. You can and should be pretty darn active immediately following surgery so it's not like a procedure that requires official "bed rest" afterward. Plus, I know my hospital gave me anti-clotting drugs and made me wear those special stockings just to be safe. I hope all works out well for you! Good luck!

Just curious...has anyone tried Relacore? Did it work? Were you under 40 when you used it? The bottle says not meant for people under 40 but it didn't explain why. I heard it can really boost your mood so I am curious if anyone knows anything about it. Thanks.

Hey Lana!

Twoterville is what we call being back into the 200's. Onederland would be back into the 100's. Onderland is really where I want to live but I'll have to spend quite some time in Twoterville first...as long as I actually make it to Twoterville!!

Yes, I had to give a sample. It wasn't much but that's all I could give 'em. I know...how can you "go" if you haven't had anything to drink in 12 hours?!!! If they ask, just give 'em whatever you got!

7 months???? That is fantastic! Do you have any tips for the rest of us still working on it?? Congratulations!

Congratulations! Great news...you should be very proud!!

I'm STUCK, STUCK, STUCK. Stuck at 312 for a solid week now. My calories, Water intake and exercise are perfect, so I guess it's just a plateau. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for some downward movement within a couple of days!

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

I feel your pain!! I wouldn't say my excersise is perfect but I'm doing my best. I really thought summer would make things go faster but so far that's not the case. I don't know if I've lost in the past couple days...I need to check but I'm scared!!!

Good luck all! Don't overdo the bbq's this weekend. I've got company coming and I think it's gonna be HARD to stay focused.

My doc says 6 meals per day, no exceptions. Every practice seems to have a different "plan".

I agree, I would think that it's safe to dye your hair. Just don't swallow any of it and you should be OK!

I've been banded since May 8th, 2006, and all together including my pre-op liquids Ive only lost 17lbs, but there is someone there banded the same day as me who's lost 43lbs. It sometimes does discourage you, but Ive met some great support ppl at my meetings.

Please don't get discouraged. You're doing great. My group doesn't "allow" us to discuss our losses for this exact reason. It's impossible to gauge your own progress from other's because we're all different. I guess that's why we don't talk about it. You're doing fine!

Yeah, I just thought of it...I've always wanted to go to Vegas. I'm gonna go to Vegas baby!!