want2lose

You need more solid food throughout the day. It looks like you don't eat anything to fill your pouch until dinner. That is why you are so hungry and end up eating too fast. My nutritionist requires 3 food meals / day and protein drinks are for between meal snacks. You are drinking over half of your calories, which aren't doing much to keep you full.

MOM, 206, down 1 this week, 2 total for the challenge.

2 days before being banded I was catching up on laundry so everything would be in order while I was out of commission. So I sat down to fold about 6 loads of laundry and tried to find a good, mindless movie on TV to help pass the time. Beaches was on, and I thought perfect, this will get me through my laundry task. How stupid could I be!!!! It's not like I haven't seen it (many times) before. I know how it is going to end. I ended up crying for an hour afterwards and second guessing having surgery. In the end I got over my panic attack by thinking logically. Having this surgery is not only for me, but a gift of life to my kids. It should extend my life, and significantly improve the quality of my life. Hang in there, use logic when your emotions take over, and everything will be great.

Good luck today. I still have 3 weeks to wait, so I can't wait to hear how it goes.

April, I see you have lost 31 lbs! That is so great :clap2: . No wonder people are noticing. Don't be discouraged. Weight loss should be 1 - 2 lbs/week. Slower is better for your body and skin elasticity. While it would be nice to lose it overnight, you are making great progress. I can relate to feeling ravenous. Last weekend it hit me hard. I'm trying to re-focus on just 3 meals / day, and using protein drinks (carb free) as between meal snacks, and the last few days have been better. Good luck!

Thanks for the advice. I know waiting is the right approach. I'm just worried about stretching my pouch. I'm definitely eating more and more often (but not as much as pre-banding). I was so good for the first 5 weeks, no slip ups at all. Now I have lost all will power.

I'm almost 5 weeks out, and have not been hungry at all...until this weekend. Talk about hitting me like a brick wall!! My surgeon said to scheule my first fill for 7 weeks, which would be 10/31. I leave on vacation 11/1, so I scheduled my first fill for 11/8, the day after we get back from our trip. I was nervous about flying right after my first fill. Here is my dilema...do I call and beg for an early fill (like NOW!)? Since it is my first fill, I will assume it will be pretty conservative. If I can do it this week, it will be 2 weeks until I fly. If I have to wait until next week (6 weeks post op), it will only be 1 week until my trip. Do you think that is enough time to "adjust" to the fill? Or am I just panicking and I should wait until after my trip? Any advice/opinions welcome. Thanks!

Welcome. Feel free to ask any questions, offer advice, or share your experience. I'm sure you will find things here that you can relate to, since we all have at least one thing in common...being banded last month.

Mom, Down 1 here, 207. 3 weeks until my fill :faint: , so it will be a snails pace until then.

Are you consuming some calories, especially protein?

The band is removeable, but you would need to undergo another surgery to have it removed. I wouldn't want to have mine removed, because if I started to regain, that would require a third surgery to place a new band. It will be nice to know that it is there and can be filled and unfilled as needed.

It is very common to not lose before you get filled. Remember that you are only expected to lose 1-2 lbs/week, even with a fill. It sounds like you are doing great. I don't get my first fill until 11/8. Hang in there and keep following your eating plan.

Congratulations on setting a date! Dr. Moazzez did my surgery 1 month ago today, and everything has gone smoothly so far. You have had amazing progress so far, and I'm sure you will do great with the band. Good luck with all your pre-op stuff over the next few weeks.

Just curious...since you haven't told your coworkers about being banded, how are you explaining isopure & jello for lunch? I'm a closet bandster too, but I just avoided any "social" eating situations until today (1 month post op). Congrats on skipping the chicken. That smell can be very tempting.

Em, I think this is the thread you are referring to. I agree that it had some great advise to follow. http://www.lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=22611

MOM, That had to be very surreal to see your own surgery. I can't even bring myself to watch to sample surgery on the internet, let alone my own. Although your comment about your pouch size is interesting. I might just have to see the online video. Thanks again for maintaining the Chrismas list.

I was told to leave them on until they fall off...BUT when I went in for my post op checkup (6 days out) they took them off since they were starting to come off on the corners anyway.

Welcome teachmath and lisalee. I hope your recoveries are going well. Teachmath, what grade do you teach?

MOM, My official starting Christmas Challenge weight is 208, goal 184. Thanks for coordinating!

On Monday (the official start date) I will update my target weight for 12/25. Then I won't have to update it again, and I can easily see how close I am coming to the 25lb target.

Glad to hear you are doing better. Congrats on the 18lbs. Are you on solid food yet?

Katt, first off, congratulations on your ticker! I live about 30 minutes outside DC. Fall has finally hit and it is quite chilly, so pack accordingly. Good luck with all the restaurants. That will probably be a bit challenging. Are you driving or flying here?

I feel great. The only other supplement is a daily multi vitamin. I take flintstones.

Probably because it is STONGLY advised for all women, but since our food intake is now so limited, especially alot of calcium rich foods (ie cheese, ice cream, etc), the best way to guarantee we maintain our calcium levels are to take supplements.

I was told to take 500mg 2 times per day, for a total of 1000.