samanthazzz

There is nothing you can do to help with the hair loss..sorry. While taking Biotin, Hair and Nail or eating more protein couldn't hurt, it won't affect hair's natural cycle if the problem is hair loss. hair is on a 3 month cycle and will continue to fall out till the cycle is done. Some people experience hair loss. It has squat to do with anything you did or didn't do, ate or didn't eat. It will stop after about 3 months or so. I did resemble woody woodpecker for a bit (new hair growth). It can be shocking I'll admit. I had hair falling out in clumps in the shower and my floor resembled the old west with tumble weeds. It will get better I promise.

Congratulations Karry.....from 280 to 140...you must feel like a million bucks!

Hi elcee, I don't know how much saline is in my band. DR's policy is not to tell. He says he has found that people obsess about how many ml are in band and feel that if they only get to a certain number they will be successful. He "puts in" what's needed at the time for each individual patient. He does say he is very conservative with fills and only puts in a small amount. My friend who goes to my DR says she has no restriction and as I stated is on her 7th or 8th fill. It's a highly individualized process. I have also never eaten a piece of pizza, slice of bread, dish of pasta or any kind of chips, cake etc. in the 10 mos since banding. I think that not trying to eat food I shouldn't or over-eating has also helped me. Why muck a good thing, I say! I am not adverse to getting fills when I need them, that would be foolish and a waste of having been banded. I think that the band has helped me tremendously. I also credit myself for not eating crap that I shouldn't and not whining about being able to eat 2 slices of pizza afterwards. I shouldn't have tried to eat the 2 slices of pizza to begin with, it is counter productive to losing weight. People need to take ownership of their choices and stop blaming the band for not losing weight. Everyone's sweet spot is different, and as you know that fluctuates as we lose the fat around our middle and require more fills. I do agree that how one can lose without any fill at all is also a mystery to me. But what do I know, I guess it happens. Samantha

On a personal note, I have only had 3 fills in 10 mos. My friend who was banded 2 weeks after me will be getting her 6th or 7th. I think it depends on the person. I have refused fills (with DR's approval of course) because I was losing fine. Slowly maybe for some folks, but I get stuck quite often as it is and didn't want an unfill. I am in competion with no one. Listen to your body, if usually tells you when and IF you need a fill. This is a journey, not a race.

Thank you Kim. Funny thing about being fat. I noticed that I settled for a lot of things I am no longer willing to do. I settled for less pay, less sex, less time and money spent on myself. Maybe others settled for friends that were always mean and spiteful, but never saw it or didn't wish to. I equate my friends, co workers, aquaintances as apples on my tree. Making the changes that comes with the band and losing weight have shaken the tree. The rotten apples have fallen off and only the nice, supportive and kind apples have remained. Whether the rotten apples have always have worms or developed them after me losing weight is mute now. I have spent enough time worrying about other people's motivation. All I know is I prefer the shiny red apples that make me healthier and happier....and red has always been my color! I have so enjoyed reading your posts as well as the others. This forum is one of the few places that I can relate to. Congrats on the size 10, can you believe it?????? Samantha

First off, the majority of people are threatened by change, good or bad. Having a "fat friend" is an ace in the hole. No matter how bad you are feeling about yourself that day, you know that your "fat friend" will look worse than you. Now imagine your "fat friend" is getting thinner. Holy, chit! Their safety net is gone. They are forced to look at themselves and resent the change in status quo. I try to downplay my weightloss to those most sensitive. I don't tell them how much I have actually lost. It does not diminish my success. It does not sabotage me to only tell an intimate few the actual numbers. I don't have to shout it off the rooftops..they can see it for themselves. They have eyes don't they? lol Yow will lose friends. Some of their husbands will now hit on you. That would piss me off too. People will talk to you, that never gave you the time of day. It's weird and at times uncomfortable. I try to be mindful of how insecure and unattractive I felt when I was fat. Now I have lose skin and do look older since the surgery. I have wrinkles I have never had before and I don't like it! But, people only see the weight loss, they don't know or care how I feel now. Imagine wanting plastic surgery..how selfish can I be? (sigh) Human nature and all that. By the way, I'm in a size 10 now..did I forget to tell you? lol Samantha

fullness and stuffed are two completely different feelings. We are used to being stuffed, not full..hard concept to wrap your head around.

Hello fellow Bandsters, I don't so much count my success with the numbers on the scale, as I do my clothes. The scale may not always move, but the way my clothes fit or don't(OMG! can you imagine now having clothes that are too big for you..it blows my mind). I am a work in progress, so that's why I put current size, not goal size. For the first time in ages, I am actually in jeans that are in style and it makes me feel amazing(and amazing beats depressed anyday)!!!!!!!!!!! Let's celebrate our progress!!!!!!!!!!!! STARTING SIZE... a tight 18/20 CURRENT SIZE..... 10 I FEEL......sexy and modern, did I mention sexy? lol NEED TO WORK ON....exercising, toning and confidence

I am glad you like the thread. I am enjoying reading about everybody's progress & stats. I was just thinking that in the past I have never willingly shared my real size. How empowering to be able to do it for the first time and in such esteemed company. Thank you! Samantha

Weird, same thing happened to me. I got it in the hospital that night. Not fun. It compounded the pains I already had from surgery. Bummer!

"silly wabbit" ..(in my best Trix rabbit impression) get the band!" it will be the smartest move you do Good luck:smile:

"silly wabbit" ..(in my best Trix rabbit impression) get the band!" it will be the smartest move you do Good luck:smile:

I guess I'm wondering why some of you are even eating pizza, chips and Cookies to begin with. It seems counter productive and could fill u up with useless fat calories, that would cause you to gain weight. Just because you can eat it, doesn't mean you should. if you are too tight, drink warm liquids in the mornings to lossen band. Band tightens while we sleep because of lack of hydration. this was the best tip I have ever rec'd online. It is amazing how much this helps.

hair is on a 3 mo growth cycle. nothing you can take will change it if it is falling out. you will have to wait it out. whether or not anything will help after the 3 mos is iffy. doesn't hurt to take Biotin, Vitamins and have enough Protein anyway. I have new growth (more and more each day). So it will grow back, one of lifes ironic twists and turns with the band. happens to some and not to others.

I find it goes both ways with friends. Most are happy but, some have turned quite jealous. I get the back handed compliments, which make me very uncomfortable. These are usually my more chubbier friends. I never mention how much wt I have lost or bring up my new & improved food habits, but the conversation never fails to arrive there. In fact, I usually take the opposite tact and try to take the focus off me. I guess they think (and maybe I am) not as much fun because i don't indulge in desserts or alcohol. I can't discuss the best dessert at the party or get buzzed off drinks like the rest of the crowd. I am amazed how much of our conversations & social interactions have revolved around food. If truth were told, I find myself getting bored going out. Of course I am not complaining. The best part of losing weight is having to decide what to wear beforehand and having many choices. I used to have my "go to" dress (aka tent) and this is so much nicer.

I also like the pre made EAS shakes..they come in 3 different formulas with different protein grams. I like the 17 g chocolate. I buy it by the case at BJ's for $26 for 28 shakes.

FYI for those of you drinking Slim Fast shakes in USA and Canada. There is a bacteria found in cans of Slim Fast, all varities, prompting a recall. Please check out article on AOL today.

Hello fellow bandster! :biggrin: Take your pain meds, :sad: use a heating pad for sore muscles :hurt: and don't over do.:couch2: No lifting..driving :car: or housework:washing: take advantage of online support Merry Christmas, :biggrin: your journey begins :biggrin: Samantha :biggrin:

McDonald's arch? lol

I have 4 kids, so I can relate. But guess what? Now I'm a thin mom with 4 kids...hip hip hooray! Pre jitter nerves is all you've got. Get your stuff ready for hospital. Take a good shower or better yet a long soak in the tub after the kids go to sleep. I love the band and by this time tomorrow you'll be a fellow bandster too! Good luck and much success on your journey! Samantha :-)

Ah, I'm so sorry to hear about your job searching. I went from an office mgr, to a secretary and now I'm working in a school cafeteria. (ugh) The economy is awful. I keep telling myself I'm lucky to have a job, but... My point is, I can relate to the depression. Swallowing ones pride isn't easy. Everyday I feel like I am better than this. On the otherside of the coin, at least I go to work everyday. Staying home plays havoc with your emotional eating. All day to think about food wasn't good for me, all day to be able to eat food wasn't either. Maybe (and of course I don't know you, you could be a Harvard Grad) anyway, maybe you could take a part time job just to get you at of your funk and out of the house. I don't do carbs. I never had a piece of bread, plate of pasta or dish of rice since being banded. I will have pasta or rice in soups, but try to take more broth or meat. I do notice that if I have taken moe carbs in the soup than normal, I feel bloated and heavy. Which makes me feel terrible about myself yet again. If you are overeating or making bad choices (not sure what you mean here exactly) that makes us bloated and grumpy and then makes our bodies believe that this is how we're supposed to feel. One of the hardest things to learn for me is that stuffed and bloated is not normal. Limiting your carbs is a smart idea. They fill up your pouch and take the room that protein, fruit & veggies should have. Are you still taking vitamins? I was out of vitamins for about 2 weeks. Boy did it make a difference. You said you gained 2 lbs. Are you weighing yourself daily, weekly, monthly? Your period will bring on wt gain. Stress will bring on wt gain for some people. Don't stress the 2 lbs. I wouldn't weigh myself everyday because your wt fluctuates and that would mess with my head. My biggest advice is to get out of the house. It is cold in NJ, but your in Cali, so you could probably go for walks (free) and it will get your body and brain moving. If you go to the gym, or have an alternate exercise routine, then increase your frequency. Also, I like to chat online here from time to time. Especially, when I'm waiting out my 45 minutes from drinking to eating. Also, I have 4 cups of tea to loosen band and chatting or reading posts helps to distract me in the mornings. Do you need an anti-depressant to help you get through this hump. Not advocating, just posing this to you. As for the sweets. I have a sf fudgesicle everyday. Also, sf choc pudding. Drinking the EAS pre made choc shakes once a day helps as well. (you can see I have a choc theme going here) lol The band is forgiving, we are not. Don't beat yourself up. Get right back on track. Just think how much worse it would be if you weren't banded. Good luck. I hope this helps some. Merry Christmas!!!! Sammi PS- drop me a line whenever, no worries there.

Was I irritable? Was I starving? Did I feel weak? Did it suck? yes, yes, yes and yes Did I cheat? Heck no! Did I die from the diet? ummm, no Have I been successful with the band? heck yeah! Stop making excuses, no one, including the DR's said it would be easy. You'll be more successful with the band if you learn to follow the "rules" from the get go. Sorry to sound harsh, but it's honest advice. Good luck and much success!

Hair is on a 3 month cycle, so nothing to eat or drink will help if it is falling out (sorry) It grows back on it's own, usually after about 3 months. I take Biotin, had enough protein, took my vitamins and still lost hair. My friend who was banded had vitamin deficencies (blood work results) and didn't lose hair..go figure! I have new tufts of hair all over my head now. Looks kind of funky, but I'm excited. It was pretty depressing while it was falling out. Hang tough!

My first 3 days weren't fun. I needed the pain meds, and when I didn't get them in time, I felt awfully sore. If you weren't prescribed pain meds, then call DR and request them. I was only given tylenol w/codeine, but other folks were given stronger meds to take home. I did have the morphine drip in hospital (thank God) My DR also prescribed 4 days of sleeping pills(they gave them to me in hospital). That really helped, at least it didn't hurt when I was sleeping. lol Heating pad and walking, as previous posters said. .....and don't do too much. Avoid lifting and housework. Feel better...the surgery is over and thin times ahead!

computer monitor? I try and use mine for entertainment, not work lol and thank you all. I am just glad my guess put us out of our misery on that last one lol