wannabthinagain

The band is to help you feel full quicker and longer, but eating MUCH MUCH smaller portions than you can currently eating. i remember the nurse saying that if you are JUST a big eater (meaning you don't really snack, or eat all the time, you just eat a LOT when you do eat) that this is a GREAT tool to help!

here's my update. I went for my 4 week appointment on Monday. I lost 3 more pounds! considering the day before my scale hadn't moved yet, i was excited for that! I got 3 cc's in my band. i have a few questions. Does your Dr's make you do liquids and or mushies for a day or 2? The nurse gave me a card that said liquids the rest of the day then mushies the next. then regular diet after that. BUT.... after the Dr. did my fill, he said liquids and mushies the rest of the day and regular diet the day after. was the difference that i had one of the first appointments of the day? as opposed to later in the day when i would have needed more time on soft stuff? I still don't have what i would consider restriction. i can drink Water like normal, i don't have to sip at all. I wanted a salad yesterday but didn't want to go buy all the stuff if i couldn't eat it, so we went to a place with a buffet. i fixed a small salad (with a couple of croutons) and was able to eat it with NO trouble. I also had a baked chicken leg (i was worried about doing chicken breast in public without knowing how dry and if it would go down ok, so i stuck with a more moist peice of meat) about a tablespoon of sweet potatoes, a couple of tiny bites of bread, a bite of mac n cheese (was feeding the babies and wanted to see if it was hot and NOT THINKING... tasted it!) and about a 1/2 cup of chili. when i gave the kids dessert, i had a couple of tiny bites of ice cream, pudding, cheesecake and choc cake. I only put about a tablespoon of each on a plate since i wasn't sure what they would eat, and that they could taste different things, and that I wouldn't overdo 'tasting' things. it wasn't a LOT compared to what i used to be able to eat, but i still thought i didn't REALLY have to worry about tiny bits and chewing REALLY good, and that it was more than i thought i would be able to eat that soon after a fill. i know not to go to buffets, but i wanted to have a salad with all the choices! the scale went down again this mornig, so i'm not concerned that i 'blew it' yesterday, just surprised that i was able to eat the stuff i did, and the amount without being sick. (truth be told, i would have thought the salad, or the chili would have made me FULL...i was definitely FULL after lunch, but shocked what it took to get there. i 'm sure i could have stopped sooner and been ok, but i didn't feel or get sick after) ok. another question. I got my fill monday. 3 cc's. the Dr. said i didn't have to schedule another appointment, but if in 4 weeks i felt i wanted/needed another fill to call and they could fit me in easily. Since i don't have restriction alreday, does that mean i won't in 4 weeks? i mean, i wouldn't get tighter as the weeks pass, right? should i call and tell him i don't have restriction at all right now...i mean would they do anything? or should i call and make an appointmet for 4 weeks out, now? or should i wait and see how i do like this and when it's closer to 4 weeks, call if i feel the need? Thanks ladies!!

HI! yes, pretty much back to normal here. i still have days that i want to nap, but i think that is because i wake so early now (and i think my period is right around the corner!) but other than that, i'm feeling wonderful!! My hubby took quite a bit of time off this month since my surgery to help with the littles AND....he was happy that it was during march madness too! LOL I haven't worn regular clothes in such a long time (back to back pregnancies... and i was in 6's before those 2 pregnancies...my lowest in a LONG time, there was NO way of fitting into those clothes, so i've worn elastic waisted things for quite a while now.... they do LOOK better though. even though i have no idea on what SIZE i would wear!) thanks for checking in on me. i took a bit of a break from the computer.... but i feel like i NEED to come hear for encouragement.

I'm sure the closer to goal the slower the weight will come off.. don't you just HATE that! oh well... it's still better than where we started right?! It IS wonderful to see those numbers go down!! i was at a standstill for a while, but it seems to be moving again!!!

This coming tuesday will be 3 weeks since i have been banded and i STILL have bruising around 3 of my incisions. they look A LOT better now...turning yellow and the purple is fading. I was concerned too, but the incisions themselves are doing great! i am sure they are going to fade to barely being noticable.

thanks for all the encouragement! i see you JUST had surgery again!! how are things? this is my goal for next year!! I can't wait to see the results and hear how everything went! you are a great inspiration!

THANKS for the support ALLIE! I'm learning my way around the boards and went to take a look at your profile. you have done AMAZING!! i hope i have the same success!! any words of wisdom for a newbie?

Mrs. Bubba and Qtpie... remember the reason you did this. remember where you came from and all the RIGHT things you have donesince then! look at your intake. what is your output? are you eating more/exercising less? need to turn that around? try a new HEALTHY recipe, ask a friend to walk with your (or work-out if that's what you do)... change things up, making it feel new. Mrs. Bubba, is it time for another fill? i have read that some people take a lot of fills before they get to their sweet spot. what does your Dr. think? you did this to become healthier, thinner, happier... you are still better off than you were BEFORE this decision.... You CAN get back on track!! i know i'm in the beginning of all of this, but i would love to help motivate y'all too!

Well, i had my follow up appointment and the Dr. was pleased. 16 pounds down (it is actually 17 because i am so anal, i weighed my clothes and they were a pound of it! heehee) he gave me the ok to start on regular foods (i'm still following his guidelines as to when to add what regular foods). i had fish, veggies, chicken breast...all went down fine. I have another appointment in 2 weeks and can get my first fill. they nurse said she could definitely see in my face that i have lost! (i notice that too...can't wait for my mom to see me tomorrow. She hasn't seen me since the weekend after having surgery when i was still so puffy. that will be the test...if she can see a difference) thanks for all the encouragment!! I'm sure things will get tougher and i will need it more and more!!

I didn't realize how many days it has been since an entry. I guess there really wasn't anything new to report. I was able to add a few new things to my food list, i also saw the scale going down, but didn't want to get too exctied over that since i was going to wait to see what if Dr's office scale said the same loss.... SO, today was my appointment. the first thing she did was weigh me. sure enough...I am down 17 pounds. they said 16, but i weight my clothes...I know, i'm anal! the Dr. said i am doing VERY GOOD...that usually people don't lose and sometimes gain during the healing phase. He ok'd me to start on food now. I had talipia for lunch with a lil green beans on the side. my back started hurting yesterday. i think it was because i drove to Lafyette and back yesterday. sitting upright i guess? I took liquid tyenol to see if it would help. i didn't want to take a 'pill. Yesterday i took a Zyrtec and it felt like it stayed in my throat all day. I was able to take off the steri-strips today. I am pleasantly surprised at the look of things!! i don't think they will show much at all after they are healed for a few months!! i wanna wear that bikini one day, so i don't want scaring all over my belly! :thumbup: My next appointment is in 2 weeks. I will possibly get a fill that day. it just depends on how well i am doing on regurlar food and my weightloss. if things continue as they are, i won't have problems with food getting stuck (i'm still empty right now). I hope adding regular food won't make me gain. i would even be happy if i don't lose...ok, no i wouldn't, but that would be better than gaining!! my hopes is that i still lose more!! I would love for family to 'notice' when we go visit the 2nd weekend in April. that's still 3 1/2 weeks away....

I didn't realize how many days it has been since an entry. I guess there really wasn't anything new to report. I was able to add a few new things to my food list, i also saw the scale going down, but didn't want to get too exctied over that since i was going to wait to see what if Dr's office scale said the same loss.... SO, today was my appointment. the first thing she did was weigh me. sure enough...I am down 17 pounds. they said 16, but i weight my clothes...I know, i'm anal! the Dr. said i am doing VERY GOOD...that usually people don't lose and sometimes gain during the healing phase. He ok'd me to start on food now. I had talipia for lunch with a lil green beans on the side. my back started hurting yesterday. i think it was because i drove to Lafyette and back yesterday. sitting upright i guess? I took liquid tyenol to see if it would help. i didn't want to take a 'pill. Yesterday i took a Zyrtec and it felt like it stayed in my throat all day. I was able to take off the steri-strips today. I am pleasantly surprised at the look of things!! i don't think they will show much at all after they are healed for a few months!! i wanna wear that bikini one day, so i don't want scaring all over my belly! My next appointment is in 2 weeks. I will possibly get a fill that day. it just depends on how well i am doing on regurlar food and my weightloss. if things continue as they are, i won't have problems with food getting stuck (i'm still empty right now). I hope adding regular food won't make me gain. i would even be happy if i don't lose...ok, no i wouldn't, but that would be better than gaining!! my hopes is that i still lose more!! I would love for family to 'notice' when we go visit the 2nd weekend in April. that's still 3 1/2 weeks away....

the nurse warned me, and reminded me SEVERAL times before she put it there, when she put it there, after surgery and before going home to WASH MY HANDS VERY GOOD if i happened to touch it, and after taking it off because it can cause your pupils to dialate if you touch your eyes after touching the patch. Sorry you had to go through that!!

I was once told about this 'snack' that i don't really recall the EXACT recipe now, but in pre-op and now post, i have modified it and it still taste good. the original recipe was cottage cheese, cool whip and jello...just the powder, do not make it. i don't recall the exact amount of everything, but you would blend the CC and the jello together in a food processor and then add the cool whip. it made a mouse type dessert. i couldn't think of the exacts, and didn't want to have to go buy cool whip, so i just used the cottage cheese and the jello(whatever flavor you like...i like strawberry, you can also add strawberries to it). put it in the food processor and mix well. you can eat it right away, save it for later in the fridge... whatever you want. i also added a bit of egg white to add more protein to it. it's very high protein AND taste like a dessert!!

HI! thanks for asking! i'm doing good! I'm still seeing the scale go DOWN DOWN! that's always a great thing! I was wondering if my scale was right, so i weighed a weight that i have. goofy scale wouldn't register it! SO...i weighed myself HOLDING it, then without it. it is only off by .1 pound! so....it's pretty darn accurate! if the Dr's scale was right, and is the same as mine, i'm now 19 pounds lost! I have a follow up appointment on Monday, so i will see then, what the scale there says. Yesterday i was suppose to be able to try fresh fruit, but i haven't done it yet. I plan to do that today. other than cottage cheese, and scrambled eggs with some cheese added, everything else i have eaten so far has been liquid or yogurt/pudding consistancy. I'm not having ANY trouble with things going down. I have found that i if i forget and not sip my drink, i don't notice anything either. I'm not really worried about that though, since i'm not yet experiencing bandster hell...i fill up VERY QUICK. i cannot eat more than 1/2 cup of anything without filling full now. a few days ago, i ate 2 cups (not 2 actual cups...but 2 servings..) of pudding...couldn't decide between vanilla or chocolate, so after i ate one, i decided to eat the other! for the next few hours i didn't feel very good... not pain, but uncomfortable. not gonna do that again!! I was invited to a crawfish boil...i live in SOUTH LOUISIANA... (which i wouldn't be able to go to anyhow...it's 2 1/2 hours a way and i can't make that trip during the week) and realized that i probably won't be able to do that anymore!! if most people have trouble with shrimp, crawfish is a lot like that texture. then, to eat without drinking...yikes....i like my crawfish HOT...very spicy! hard to not drink with that! I have made the decision to not tell anyone about my surgery and if i lived closer to home, that would make it very hard for people to notice i'm not eating crawfish! they KNOW i love it!! I guess after i am able to try more things, i can try it at home and see how i do. i can just tell them i'm eating less and taking my time to chew and really enjoy my food (and that that is helping me to lose weight also) for the reason i don't eat as much of it as i used to and eating so slow...that's IF i CAN still eat that! whew...i rambled! again, thanks for checking on me!! I'm SO happy with my decision! i cannot wait to see how my journey goes!!!

I don't use a real Protein drink. Instead, i use the carnation essential Breakfast drink and add 2 servings of egg white(it comes in a carton in the cold section, next to egg beaters). with 8 oz. of skim milk, there is 23 grams of protein in it. 3 a day would be all of your Vitamins and protein you need and it is 200 calories (with the powder, milk and egg whites) and it taste JUST like chocolate milk. no after taste. Edited to add: i cannot have aritificial sweetners, so the carnation is best for me and my DR. said it was fine.

Congrats on the weightloss SDMama! my period came too...and doesn't wanna go away!! I'm not feeling hungry or when i'm full, since i don't really feel hungry! i was banded on 3/3/09. i got a call from the support person at the hospital yesterday asking how i was doing. she said to try to not go under 1000 calories a day or our bodies would stop losing as well as it should. i have been getting about 800, so she suggested i up that. i was afraid of eating too often or too much at once. i really wasn't hungry to begin with, so it seemed hard to push myself to eat more. between the carnation drinks and Water, i felt like i was constantly making myself feel full. Yesterday, i was able to add well cooked Beans and veggies, so i added about 1/4 cup of refried beans, about a tablespoon of salsa, and some shredded cheese (like pintos and cheese from tacobell). it was a great change from the 'liquids' i was only able to have before! I have lost (according to my scale) 14 pounds so far. even my mom said she noticed my face didn't have that swollen look anymore!

i did great yesterday. I even went with my mom to the education store for probably 2 hours walking around. I forgot my water bottle and i need to make that a habit to bring it everywhere with me. i wasn't hungry while gone, but was thirsty. I did great all night, didn't take meds at all, slept good, was able to turn over with no pain. THEN...this morning, i sneezed! OMG, it felt like knives in my side. only at my port site. now, it is more sore than yesterday. my period decided to come too, it's been here since Thursday i think. i guess it's making up for lost time because i think it's been since January that it had made a visit! i wish it would go away SOON and without leaving with a headache on the way out! i'm really tired today...time change....long day yesterday (mom and andy were here, late to bed the night before and last night) period...?? i don't know. I guess it's good that we have someone coming to help with the kiddos this evening since hubby has to work 4-12 this evening. it seems i've lost 12 pounds so far. i know that's a good number, some say they even gain at this time, but boy do i like stepping on that scale seeing the numbers drop! I still seem swollen, wonder if it's because i'm not going to the bathroom too easy. still some gas in there from surgery? i kinda notice my face, hands and feet don't look so swollen, but my belly, YUCK! it looks big and swollen, bruised and gross! i wish i could fast forward a month! i can't wait to see what the next month will bring!

i did great yesterday. I even went with my mom to the education store for probably 2 hours walking around. I forgot my water bottle and i need to make that a habit to bring it everywhere with me. i wasn't hungry while gone, but was thirsty. I did great all night, didn't take meds at all, slept good, was able to turn over with no pain. THEN...this morning, i sneezed! OMG, it felt like knives in my side. only at my port site. now, it is more sore than yesterday. my period decided to come too, it's been here since Thursday i think. i guess it's making up for lost time because i think it's been since January that it had made a visit! i wish it would go away SOON and without leaving with a headache on the way out! i'm really tired today...time change....long day yesterday (mom and andy were here, late to bed the night before and last night) period...?? i don't know. I guess it's good that we have someone coming to help with the kiddos this evening since hubby has to work 4-12 this evening. it seems i've lost 12 pounds so far. i know that's a good number, some say they even gain at this time, but boy do i like stepping on that scale seeing the numbers drop! I still seem swollen, wonder if it's because i'm not going to the bathroom too easy. still some gas in there from surgery? i kinda notice my face, hands and feet don't look so swollen, but my belly, YUCK! it looks big and swollen, bruised and gross! i wish i could fast forward a month! i can't wait to see what the next month will bring!

with a cup of skim milk and the mix, it's 13 grams in the 8 oz. if you are looking for something higher, I found egg whites, it's right next to the egg beaters in the refridgerated section of the grocery. it's in a carton just like egg beaters. for every 3 tablespoons, it is 5 grams of protein. i have been adding 6 tablespoons to my milk and caranation mix, making each drink 23 grams of protein. you CANNOT taste the eggwhite at all! it still taste like chocolate milk!

as of this morning on MY scale, i am down 12 pounds!!! the day after surgery, I was up 6!I'm still swollen though, so it will be nice to see the numbers once all of that is gone! I am following Dr's orders because i don't want to screw this up! I haven't had anything remotely solid to eat, so i'm not sure about my resriction. i've had yogurt and Soup (the liquid of it) so far, beside the carnation drink and Water. thanks for all the support!! i know i'll need it!

Well, i said i wasn't in much pain at all the other day. That evening things got worse. I'm sure now that it was just gas, but boy was i scared. i couldn't lay down, or sit...i had to walk around the house over and over. it felt like some serious contractions going on! I tried to go to bed and it was worse. got up and finally called the Dr. he let me take 1 alieve and i took my pain meds. within a hour, things were normal again and i was able to sleep! thank goodness! Yesterday was a good day. I ate a lil bit of yogurt for breakfast, a carnation breakfast drink for lunch, and more yogurt for supper. i drank my water throughout the day. i did have the same right side pain again, but not nearly like the day before. I'm getting up from sitting much easier and even rolling over and getting out of bed isn't as bad. I stepped on the scale and according to it, i have lost 11 pounds so far. that is including the pre-op. the day after surgery i was actually UP 6 pounds! i guess it was all the swelling! i was happy to see that go! the babies are coming home today! i miss the lil boogers! My and dad will be bringing them this evening. I will get to visit with mom a little too. they are leaving Saturday though. Saturday night i will be on my own with all the kids. thank goodness i can count on my oldest to help with the littles! My 2 week appointment is march 16th. would it be too much to ask to have lost 20 pounds by then? I'll hope for it, but won't be dissapointed if i don't! we have quite a few concerts we are going to in the next several months. i am hoping that i can tell a difference in my weight so i don't have much anxiety about getting out around crowds!! off to make my breakfast........

Well, i said i wasn't in much pain at all the other day. That evening things got worse. I'm sure now that it was just gas, but boy was i scared. i couldn't lay down, or sit...i had to walk around the house over and over. it felt like some serious contractions going on! I tried to go to bed and it was worse. got up and finally called the Dr. he let me take 1 alieve and i took my pain meds. within a hour, things were normal again and i was able to sleep! thank goodness! Yesterday was a good day. I ate a lil bit of yogurt for breakfast, a carnation breakfast drink for lunch, and more yogurt for supper. i drank my water throughout the day. i did have the same right side pain again, but not nearly like the day before. I'm getting up from sitting much easier and even rolling over and getting out of bed isn't as bad. I stepped on the scale and according to it, i have lost 11 pounds so far. that is including the pre-op. the day after surgery i was actually UP 6 pounds! i guess it was all the swelling! i was happy to see that go! the babies are coming home today! i miss the lil boogers! My and dad will be bringing them this evening. I will get to visit with mom a little too. they are leaving Saturday though. Saturday night i will be on my own with all the kids. thank goodness i can count on my oldest to help with the littles! My 2 week appointment is march 16th. would it be too much to ask to have lost 20 pounds by then? I'll hope for it, but won't be dissapointed if i don't! we have quite a few concerts we are going to in the next several months. i am hoping that i can tell a difference in my weight so i don't have much anxiety about getting out around crowds!! off to make my breakfast........

I bought things hubby could cook (hotdogs, burgers, beans, pizza). I also made meals ahead of time and put them in the freezer (roast, enchaldas, spaghetti, chili). If i feel it's making me crazy to smell it while he's warming things up or while they are eating, i would go take a bath. now that i'm banded, and still not allowed to eat solids yet, i go take a shower (since i'm not allowed a bath for 2 weeks...to keep the steri strips on as long as possible)

Thanks to all of you for checking in on me! My surgery went great. I was home before NOON yesterday! I was able to get up and walk (just around the house) my night wasn't bad at all. i was even able to lay on my side! this morning, the only times i feel any discomfort is when i stand from sitting, or when i go to sit down. Also, when i try to take deep breaths. even then, it's not bad! i feel no restriction...is that normal until my first fill? of course the only thing beside medicines (they are pills not liquid) that i have had is Water. I kinda feel like the pills are in my throat, but way up there, like i didn't have enough water to make it go down. today i can add a carnation istant Breakfast. i'm pretty sure tomorrow i can start a full liquid diet (yogurt, cream Soups thinned with milk, etc) i remember the nurse telling me i probably wouldn't be able to get even much water down, and i'm not having trouble at all. every one and again, i feel pressure in my chest and i'm burp a little and it goes away for a while. I'm so excited to start this journey!! again, thanks to all of you for the cheers and well wishes!!

I was concerned yesterday with how well i would be able to sleep. I have to say that it wasn't bad. i started out on my back but i hate sleeping on my back, so i tried my right side. it was a little scary trying to get there, because it hurt a bit, but once i was all the way on my side, i had no problems. I did have to switch to my other side early this morning. this morning i'm feeling pretty good. i can feel where my port is the most. it's really swollen there more than anywhere else. I had weighed myself yesterday before leaving for the hospital and again last night...i had GAINED 6 pounds! i guess it was from the surgery, being swollen, and the fluids they pumped in my before, during and after surgery because by this morning, i had lost those 6 again plus 1! when sitting, the only time i'm feeling anything is when i try taking really deep breaths. I was watching something that was sad, and started to cry, and THAT hurt..... all across my chest, both left and right sides. Getting up from sitting or sitting from standing has a bit of pain too. I keep getting up and walking around so the gas will pass. i also took Gas-X just incase. today, i can have water and a carnation instant breakfast drink.