libra

Mine likes my hip bones! I tend to feel around to all my new found body parts! It's exciting, isn't it? This is kinda funny, I kept rubbing the "lump" between my breasts and finally had the nerve to ask my husband to feel it. I said, "Honey, I think something's wrong. I have this lump here." He put his hand there and laughed...."Honey, that's your breast bone!" LMAO! I hadn't felt that there in so long that I forgot all about it!

It's funny because most of the time, you don't realize there's a band in there until something like that happens. Fills are a pretty weird experience.

Congrats on the one year anniversary and for being able to complete a 5K. That's awesome. I share the sentiment of feeling grateful for having another chance with my life and health. But you also need to take some pride in the fact that you did this. This is a great accomplishment for you and you should feel very proud of that.

You'll go through a lot of "lessons learned" moments. The process is different for everyone and only you can really know what works for you and what doesn't. To this day, my mother can't eat yogurt and it's a daily food for me. It's good that you're being cautious and taking things slowly. Congrats on getting banded.

Glad you're feeling better. It's good that you see the true prize, which is a longer, healthier life. That's what we should all want. Best to you.

Yep, the Gas X strips are especially helpful. The world of bandland is like no place else. What's odd elsewhere is perfectly normal here. LOL!

I assume you were able to get it down? The ingredients really shouldn't affect you, the recommendation is based more on the consistency. It's good that you were able to get the protein, so I can't really see a problem.

Stay positive, follows the surgeons instructions and you will succeed. Congrats!

Each surgeon has a different program that you need to follow but typically you do need to stick with clear liquids for a few days, then gradually transition to thicker liquids, to mushies to solids. It's not as bad as it sounds. I really didn't feel much like eating as it was a struggle just getting enough liquids in right after surgery. It's worth it so don't be discouraged by that.

When I was teaching at one school, I was told I wasn't allowed to sit at my desk at all. Not even to take attendance. I was told that sitting at my desk made me look lazy. The teacher two doors down was thin and actually sat on her desk while doing lessons with her class and nothing was said to her. It frustrated me enough that I gave up teaching for years, never had the nerve to go back, until just recently. I prefer to think that people don't realize how hurtful their actions are rather than to assume all of these people are just heartless.

The week before my TOM...I'm ravenous! I do the whole salty, then sweet thing. I can't seem to get out of that...I also tend to put on a couple of pounds (just Water retention because it comes right off) I get really tight during my TOM too. Oh and if I feel stressed I get tight too, which I suppose is a good thing since that's when I'd usually want to gorge on junk. Strange how our bodies react to the band.

I've always been self conscious about my weight. Now, finally at a size where I'm finally feeling good about myself...I've been receiving a few comments. Several people who haven't seen me in a while have asked if I broke my nose. I asked my husband about this and he said that since my face is thinner, my nose looks a litter bigger on my face!!! Now I have a complex about my nose!!! It never ends!!!:wink_smile:

I had a reaction to the anesthesia and ended up vomiting and dehydrated...and back in the hospital. But that started immediately. I would certainly keep and eye on it and contact your doctor if you're not feeling better soon.

When I eat out I don't typically worry about the calories or fat actually. I just make sure it's a high protein item. I don't really eat that much of the meal for it to be too damaging. I usually only eat the protein, skip the carb (the potato or pasta) and nibble on a little salad. It's scary how we've become accustomed to such enormous portions though.

I'll try and answer what I can based on my experience so far. Please hang in there...it's a lifelong process. 1. Did you stall at any time? For how long? I've had several stalls along the way...my longest was for almost 3 months. 2. What did you do to kick start the weight loss? I'd try and change up my diet a bit, figuring my body became complacent with what I was eating. For example, if my usual breakfast was a protein bar, I'd have a yogurt for a few mornings and a protein shake for a few instead. Just slight changes in diet can kick start weight loss. You can also change up your exercise routine as well. 3. Have you settled for a year loss and quit? No way! I'm in this for the long haul. I'm not giving up just because a year's gone by. If it takes me 5 years to get to my goal, so be it. I know I'll get there. 4. What have you done right? For the most part, I make healthy food choices, which in turn, means I make them for my family as well. I also started exercising regularly and being more active. 5. What would you change? I'd like to change everytime I pop a cookie or piece of chocolate in my mouth without thinking! LOL! Actually, I'd like to change the fact that I've let my exercise lapse when I started my new job. I'm trying to get back in gear but it's tough when you stop. 6. This is my greatest fear...have you gone back to old eating habits after the new of the band life wore off? Regain your weight? I think as long as I'm at a proper fill, it's impossible for me to go back to my old habits completely. Not to say that I can't make the wrong choices and eat and entire Valentine Heart full of chocolate! Yes, I've done that! The point it to keep reminding yourself that this is a life change and you will mess up. (We wouldn't be overweight if we had great willpower, would we?) The point is to accept the occasional splurge and get back to the program. In the past, I would beat myself up after a cheat...consider myself a failure and gorge myself out of frusteration. I don't do that anymore. I know I can't spend the rest of my life without my favorite foods. I allow myself those "splurges" knowing that I can get it together and keep losing. I think the point is to not this of the band as a "diet" because that's just a set up for failure. You took a step to change your life forever and it's up to you to make it happen. You have the power to make your life better...and that empowerment should make you feel great.

I can't imagine anything too serious stemming from the band, years down the road. Of course, we won't know for years...but I can't imagine that the potential risks can be worse than the health issues we've avoided by not being obese.

Can't say I've ever regretted it. I've had my cranky moments....usually hunched over the toilet, kicking myself for eating bread or pasta....but I know that this was one of the smartest choices I've ever made. I've lost 124 pounds so far. Now I can play with my son, and I've gotten my life back. No regrets at all.

I'd be on time every day if I didn't have to get my four year old dressed and out the door with me. He's not exactly a morning person. So let's just say I average about ten minutes late....daily. YIKES!

I haven't had to take any regular meds but my mom, who also had the surgery is no longer diabetic. Her cholesterol's gone down and her physician's said she's the healthiest she's been in years. Losing the weight certainly helps.

The band will certainly help but you need to remember that it is a tool, not a miracle cure. You will need to control your mental desire to overeat and you'll need to make the right food choices and exercise. It's a wonderful experience though and I wish you the best.

The surgery doesn't stop the cravings unfortunately. You still need to show some willpower to make the right food choices. AND WE ALL SLIP UP, so don't stress about it. Just take it day by day. I don't even want to tell you how much chocolate I ate on Valentine's Day! As for noises, I always have weird gurgles and grumbles coming from me. I've gotten used to it. LOL!

My surgeon swears by it but they are closed the hours I can go. They close between 1 and 3 pm and I wanted to go on my lunch hour. Hope you can get more input.

I usually have a hard time being a little tight when I'm congested but I can usually work through it. Never had to have an unfill from it though. Sorry to hear it got that bad.

I'm not thrilled with my middle at all right now. I suppose if I get to the gym again, it might get a bit better.

Wow, I haven't been here in ages. I'm 30 pounds from goal and lost 124 so far. I've been lazy with my exercise and need to get back on track with it. Once you stop exercising, it's just to hard to get back to it, you know?