travelgirl

Babygrl, I totally know what you mean about the mirror vs. pictures thing. I'd see myself without really SEEING myself in the mirror, and then be mortified by a picture, and think, my God. Is that what everyone else sees when they look at me? And I'd want to cry. I hate being fat and ugly. (Ok, I know I'm not UGLY, but being fat makes me FEEL ugly.)

OK, so Yes, I agree with you on this one. You're right, we can work our asses off and not lose anything. Been there, Done that, got the t-shirt, burned it. BUT I am still going to shoot for my above stated goals, but that's all they are, is goals, not part of a challenge. Sorry, Babygrl, but democracy rules on this one, and I believe that you're overruled on this one (unless Skinnyjeans wants to "weigh" in on the matter) :biggrin1:

My periods are like clockwork as far as timing goes, but that's only because I'm on NuvaRing. (once a month birth control)....However, I have noticed that they are significantly heavier and last at least a day longer than they used to. I'm shooting for 229 on Sunday, July 1, and 221 on Sunday, July 29. That is exactly 2 lbs/week, which is my goal...and it's the rate at which my doc wants me losing, and funny enough, it's exactly 7 lbs, which is what you were thinking, anyway! LOL

There have been MANY people who lose a significant amount of weight before their first fill. My doc said that as long as I'm losing about 2 lbs a week on AVERAGE, that I don't need a fill. The idea is, if you're hungry, eat until you're SATISFIED, not full. If you can do this and still lose weight, then Less restriction = more hunger = eating more = no weight loss = time for a fill. That make sense?

Thanks, Sarah, that makes me feel better. BTW, you were positively GLOWING in your wedding dress! Any more pics posted yet?

You said, and I quote: "When I stick to the band rules and limit the carbs I feel restriction and don't feel the least bit hungry." This means that you do not need a fill, you just need to eliminate the junk. You've lost 34 lbs since mid March. That's awesome! It seems to me like you're right on track. Good job!:clap2:

Everyone's surgeon has different requirements for pre and post op diets. Ask your surgeon for detailed instructions.

:clap2: That is SO awesome! Congratulations!

It is way too early for you to be focusing on weight loss. You need to just be following your surgeon's post-op instructions as far as what you're eating and or drinking, and just focus on HEALING right now. You may not actually have restriction until you go for your first fill. Talk to your doctor when you go in for your appointment. He really should have discussed all this with you already. AND be sure to ask about appropriate exercise right now, I don't think you should be in the gym just yet. So many new bandsters think of this as a "magic pill" and it isn't. It's work, and it's sometimes a lot slower than we hope, but 1-2 lbs a week is HEALTHY, and that's what our surgeons WANT us to lose. There are a couple of reasons for needing Protein....FIRST, it helps keep us feeling full longer. SECOND, many surgeons and nutritionists believe that it keeps us from losing our hair. There may be other reasons, but these are the two most talked about. My surgeon wants me getting a minimum of 60 grams of protein every day. I hope this helps!

<p> OMG! I think your MIL is my Step-Mother. And since she's not related to me by blood you'd think she'd be smart enough to realize that problems the run in HER family cannot be transferred to ME....but no. Every time family history health probs come up, she feels the need to tell me all the problems in HER family, and that I should be checked for this or that because it's inherited. WTF?:tired

The only time I felt weak was the first 3 or 4 days after surgery. Since then, I feel better than I've felt in YEARS. I haven't heard too many people on here say that they are weak or shaky. There have been a few, but it doesn't seem to be the norm.

HA! Yeah, that's a great motivator. Tell him, no more nookie until the pedal is fixed, or the damn bike is replaced, and you'll be riding again in no time flat!

MMmmmmm....When I quit smoking, I soaked toothpicks in straight peppermint oil....MY FAVORITE! It wasn't too strong for me, but I had a friend who couldn't touch them without feeling like she was getting some kind of burn.....on the flipside, she could do all things cinnamon, and even cinnamon gum makes my tongue feel like it's got blisters on it. AND a side note to that, there's a very good reason that cinnamon oil is available only from the pharmacy....that stuff WILL blister the skin and don't even think about getting it near your face if it's undiluted. I just got back from a 15 minute bike ride, and I have a stitch in my side. DAMMIT!

Well, I haven't done one minute of exercise today, so I'm off on a bike ride..... Good to have you back, Babygrl! Skinnyjeans, you shouldn't feel bad about not having lost as much as the 3 of us...you weighed less at your HIGHEST weight than we weigh NOW, after a 50# loss. Typically, people with less to lose will lose slower anyway, so you're doing great! Hang in there. It may take some time, but we'll all get there!

Just an extra "shot" of protein. Ewww! Sorry I went there....

This happens to me when I'm dehydrated. How much water are you drinking? Potassium helps, but the very first thing I'd do is make sure I'm getting enough water.

Maybe go to a bike dealer, (one that sells many different varieties of bicycle) and tell them what you want in a bike. They may be able to help you select the right one, or at least steer you in the right direction.

Yes, please let us know how you're doing, and what your decision was. Did you get banded after all, or did you decide to wait?

Oh, hon, I'm 70 miles away from Tallgrass, and they're pretty good about working with you to schedule your follow up appointments and fills... You have to do what you feel is best for you, though. If your LB experience was that horrible, then you might just need some time to heal, before you even think about re-banding. You're in my prayers for a removal surgery very soon, and a speedy recovery. (((((hugs)))))

Walking at this point is probably the very best thing you can do for yourself. It will help you heal faster!

I don't know how much you have left to lose, but you might discuss your options with Dr. Dunshee (I LOVED MY TALLGRASS EXPERIENCE, BTW) about being re-banded after you've healed. Alexandra, one of the moderators on this site is in the process of getting insurance approval to be re-banded after having it removed due to a slip. This must have been awful for you, not knowing what was going on, and having the doctors stringing you along, with no answers. I'm glad Dr. Dunshee was able to help you, and know that you are in good hands at Tallgrass. They are truly wonderful people. Good luck, and let us know how you're doing!

Ok, I didn't want to start a new thread for this, but I wanted to put it out there to get it off my chest..... I'VE LOST ABOUT 40% OF MY EXCESS WEIGHT, OVER 50 POUNDS, AND MY BMI WOULD STILL QUALIFY ME FOR LAP-BAND SURGERY! I'm disgusted about that. But I'm so happy I did it, and have lost as much as I have. Now for the other 75 lbs.......ONWARD!

I told pretty much everyone about being banded. One of the men I work with is fascinated by the process, and is pretty supportive, and positive about it. BUT, he makes these comments that are meant to be compliments.... How would you take it? "Wow, you can really tell how much you've lost in your face/neck/shoulder/upper chest area...." To me, that means that "oh, you can't tell you've lost anything below your boobs" even though I've gone down from a VERY VERY tight 24 stretch jean to a loose 20, or sometimes 18, depending on the cut. I still have a spare tire around my tummy that just won't go away, so I'm sure that's what people see when they look for my weight loss. Makes me crazy.

Sometimes it's hard to know the right thing to say. I was a total wreck the day before my surgery, and I cried my eyes out wondering if I was doing the right thing. Well, I did go through with it, and it's turned out to be the best thing I think I've ever done for myself. I can't emphasize that enough. That being said, are you ready for the changes that this surgery will impose on you? You said that you weren't very good on your pre-op diet...you'll have to commit yourself whole heartedly to your post op diet instructions to allow your band to heal in place. We aren't given the pre- and post-op diets just because the doctor wants to torture us. There is a reason for them. You just have to tell yourself, IT'S ONLY TEMPORARY, and you will be able to eat solid food again, just not right away. If you're not ready, then you're not ready. The choice is yours, you have to do what's best for you. Good luck, and let us know about your decision. I'm praying for you!

I can't do dry or rubbery chicken. Gets stuck every time. That's the only food that I consistently have problems with, no matter how much I chew, or how small a bite I take, or how careful I am. NO dry or rubbery chicken for me. Not even dripping in gravy or sauce.