xavier

This is the best thing I ever did for myself...good luck!

You ARE losing weight its just not fast enough for you! Thats understandable and we all feel that way. Hang in there! I have 8cc in a 10cc band and that keeps me in easy maintenance..I lost my last 15 pounds after getting a 0.3 cc fill if you can believe it. Small fill adjustments can make a big difference!

I did the Chamilia bracelet which is similar to pandora. Each of the big beads is 10 pounds and there are 7 on there. I wear it and am reminded of what i have done and what I continue to do. I think the rewards are very important because we are trying to change our behavior. I have also see a cute set of two decorated glass jars labelled "lost pounds" and "pounds to go" with beautful colored beads of glass in them that you transfer over. It was a really cute craft project..I think its important to have a reward or rewards that will last forever.

Just tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth and let your doc make his or her recommendation...

usually its just that you are not chewing enough, not taking small enough bites, and not eating slowly enough. It took me a long time to learn and it can be variable on different days and throughout the day!

No pills unless chewable, no capsules ever...just eat the omega 3 fish!

get a fill...

ask your doc...

I eat any and all...

Also ( I hope I dont sound too negative but its good to be prepared) ask your doc about what their usual fill schedule is and what they cost. I suspect some docs give tiny fills at very long intervals for the money and to get you past the free first year into the paying zone...this can be costly, but more importantly, it can mean your band is doing NOTHING for you for many months! This time when your band has not got enough fill in it to help you is the worst but it doesnt need to be a year long!

2 very important questions in choosing your surgeon: 1. do you sew the band in place and have you ever had a slip? (my doc sews his down and has never had a slip and I have vomited a lot at first and been fine) 2. How is the port going to stay in place and not flip over requiring another surgery? My doc sews your port to a rectangular piece of mesh that scars down in place...he has never had a flip. I self paid and surely did not want to have to go back and have more surgery for more money, nor did I want any of those complications!

Why single incision? I have heard there is a lot more post op pain because they wrangle all the surgical instruments thru the one hole! I dont see why you are worried about your pretty tummy (the scars heal away to nothing) if you are obese...it seems like the least of your concern, the main one being to get healthy and find a good doc who knows what he is doing!

I have been banded 2.5 years and I still start every day with a Premier Protein from Costco...the GNC powders are good but I am lazy. I hated all the other prepared shakes (Muscle milk, etc) Best of luck!

Unflavored protein powder may be in the grocery store but will definitely be at GNC or similar store...you can even put it in soup. This is the best thing I ever did and I am excited for you guys! I had a big struggle to adjust to it at first (its a whole new life) but now it is super easy and I hardly think about it! I would do it over again in an instant!

go to a new doc...some are very biased about WLS! I think a good doc would refer you and let YOU have the consult and decide what is best between you and the bariatric doc!

My doc sews your band in place and he has never had a slip. I have thrown up a ton in the beginning and never had a problem...If I couldnt have a band I would look into the sleeve! Best of luck!

Have your blood pressure checked! You can maybe just go and use one of the BP machines in a drug store but maybe better to have a real nurse do it...some people who have high BP have it go down as they lose weight, if you are on BP meds, they might have to be reduced or eliminated...

I did it in a notebook back when I was first banded but people these days seem to love MyFitnessPal and I guess it links in to the Fitbit! Seems easy enough, plus you can see what your other banded friends are eating.

good for you, yes this is the start of really taking charge of your own health! I had my band in 2009 and it was a big struggle to get used to all the changes but these days I hardly think about it! I would do it all over again tomorrow even the self-pay! Best of luck!!!

well we women can always dig something up to feel guilty about! Seriously, you are eating less and moving more and the rest is personal medical information...I just watched the Star Jones interview and it made me sad that she was so viciously attacked for not telling about her WLS! She was very vulnerable and just trying to protect and take care of herself! Its a great interview I recommend it...I really never told anyone but huz and daughter and I am glad for it...

now I have to see if we have smoothie king! We do have Jamba Juice and I bet hey make something good...

I LOVE the Premier Protein shakes from Costco. They are 30 grams of protein and only 160 calories...I like all three flavors...they come ina n 18 pack carton. I have one every morning since I was banded (May of 09) because I am tight in the morning. I am a vegetarian d=so I eat a lot of beans (love the refried in a can) and nuts...

I still love food and actually more so. All of the negative self talk and shame about what I should or shouldnt be eating is gone and I can finally just enjoy really good food. Much smaller amounts but I can and do eat anything.

If you think even for a moment that your doc is deceiving you ...get a new doc! I have two lap band docs and both have told me if your band is half full or less (5cc in a 10cc band) it just cant really be doing anything for you...especially if you are paying for these fills (why do you think some docs give so little at a time?) go pay somebody else!