grizzlyrider

I had my surgery in Duluth on 8/31/09. I've tried for some time to find people from "up north" but have been unsuccessful. Glad to see people other than those down in the cities are around!

Fantastic!

Do normal people eat pizza and chips? Yes, you only had one piece. This is normal. Dieting and eating protein bars instead of food is how we all got this way in the first place. Don't be so hard on yourself, this is a new way of thinking and eating, not the old unsuccessful way of deprevation and self hatred. Good luck!

Absolutely! I had my surgery Aug 31 and have lost almost 60 lbs so far. Not a day goes by that I am not grateful that I had this done - it feels like a miracle!

Congratulations! Seventy five pounds is amazing. I realized just how much even 20 lbs is while I was in PA. My grandson is about 20 lbs and he feels veryheavywhen you are lifting him, very, very heavy! I've lost just about 60 and cannot even imagine how in the world I was able to carry all of that around!

I just returned from a trip and I can vouch for the fact that every seat has a different length of seat belt. Happily, where I used to have to squeeze myself into any and all of them, this trip I had no problems at all. Yea! It is embarrassing to have to get an extension but so very sweet when you no longer have to! It will happen!

Tomorrow we fly off to see our girls. I am so excited! Today I was trying to explain to a coworker why I wasn't a big Christmas junkie but I realized tonight that I had just surpressed it because of not being with my kids. Didn't even let myself listen to Christmas music for a couple years. Anyway, that's neither here nor there, we're going to see them tomorrow! I'm leaving here with a great weight loss of 58 lbs, not really worried anymore that nobody will notice because that is becoming a silly thought. It seems like overnight my clothes became even baggier than they were yesterday. Very strange. The pants I took in last weekend are still quite baggy and I guess I'll have to buy new ones soon but gee they feel good baggy! Anyway, I'll miss coming to this site every day. It keeps me sane to know there are others out there going through the same thing I am. I'm hoping for another loss when I get back - it will be torture not being able to jump on my scale every day but probably good for me too. Anyway, Merry Christmas everyone - keep up the good work and have fun!

Tomorrow we fly off to see our girls. I am so excited! Today I was trying to explain to a coworker why I wasn't a big Christmas junkie but I realized tonight that I had just surpressed it because of not being with my kids. Didn't even let myself listen to Christmas music for a couple years. Anyway, that's neither here nor there, we're going to see them tomorrow! I'm leaving here with a great weight loss of 58 lbs, not really worried anymore that nobody will notice because that is becoming a silly thought. It seems like overnight my clothes became even baggier than they were yesterday. Very strange. The pants I took in last weekend are still quite baggy and I guess I'll have to buy new ones soon but gee they feel good baggy! Anyway, I'll miss coming to this site every day. It keeps me sane to know there are others out there going through the same thing I am. I'm hoping for another loss when I get back - it will be torture not being able to jump on my scale every day but probably good for me too. Anyway, Merry Christmas everyone - keep up the good work and have fun!

Instead of l/2 pill, how about 1 pill every other day for a while. That's what I had planned on doing when I taper off.

Well, I think I've found my sweet spot. Had my 4th fill last week and really can tell a big difference. Not only do I get the burp signal when I'm done but I'm satisfied well over 4 hours! An exciting milestone. Spent the afternoon taking in my pants. I really don't feel like buying new ones quite yet so this will do for now. My shirts are hanging like bags but I have enough smaller ones to switch to until I'm ready to buy. It's so very exciting. We leave for PA on Thursday. I'm so excited to see my girls and my baby grandson. I keep wondering if they will see a difference in me and my husband just laughs at me because he says I am withering away. I just hope they're not expecting too much of a difference, I have a long way to go yet! So, things are still going good, another week that I am grateful for my band!

I did not lose any weight at all the first 2 weeks after surgery, don't stress about that at all. Also, I ALWAYS feel like I have eaten to much no matter how little it is. I think it is part of the whole guilt thing we have been living with all our lives. Eat, feel guilty, eat more, feel even more guilty. Hopefully, with time, that will go away!

Well, I think I've found my sweet spot. Had my 4th fill last week and really can tell a big difference. Not only do I get the burp signal when I'm done but I'm satisfied well over 4 hours! An exciting milestone. Spent the afternoon taking in my pants. I really don't feel like buying new ones quite yet so this will do for now. My shirts are hanging like bags but I have enough smaller ones to switch to until I'm ready to buy. It's so very exciting. We leave for PA on Thursday. I'm so excited to see my girls and my baby grandson. I keep wondering if they will see a difference in me and my husband just laughs at me because he says I am withering away. I just hope they're not expecting too much of a difference, I have a long way to go yet! So, things are still going good, another week that I am grateful for my band!

Good to know abou the Chinese food. I hadn't tried it yet and I dont think I will!

I think the extended liquid diet also puts your mind where it needs to be to change your life. I hear a lot of the self pay people (do not need to do liq diet) really shocked and upset after surgery because they are not ready for it. It is really hard but it gives you a sense of accomplishment and good attitude for what comes next. As far as the liver thing goes, I have no idea if it is really true or not that it shrinks it. Who knows!?

I was nervous before too but not as nervous as I was when I thought of being this overweight for the rest of my life. I refuse to be the lady in the mall riding the scooter (nothing against ladies in scooters, I just wasnt going to be one because of my weight) I was (am) sick and tired of food, tired of eating it and regreting it, tired of beating myself up over it, tired of hating myself for it. I don't miss it at all. I eat normal food and am shocked in restaurants when I see how much everyone is getting their plates. Funny it didn't seem shocking to me 4 months ago! I'm tired of that old fat life and am ready for something new. I picture myself running through a meadow light as a feather like an old tv commercial. Miss food - not when the alternative is so inviting!

I used to read those negative posts also but quit once I had the band. You know there are always some people that will have a bad experience and if they do they want to vent about it. BUT there are a lot more that have a great experience - best thing they have ever done in their life! I think some people get too tight but it is by choice, you don't HAVE to get more fills. A good attitude is what will get you through. Restriction is not supposed to stop you when you are eating more than you know you should although it will. It should remind you to eat slowly and keep you satisfied for a long time after. It will do that and really, that feels like magic to me! It can make you feel NORMAL!! Don't dispair, once you have it done you will not regret it. Just stop reading the negative posts!

Wow, size 8. Ive never even looked at a size 8 - can't wait!!!!!!

I find I hold myself back from talking to family and friends about my band also. I mean I do talk about it but I WANT to talk about it continuously. Here you can do that. Oh, btw, my husband is retired Air Force. We're finally settled in one place (but once you were military, do you really settle anywhere permanently!?) so I can relate to the time raising the kids alone and the moving. It's a great life but sometimes lonely. Congratulations on your band, you'll never regret it

It's really not so bad, I was surprised that I was not in the least bit scared. They give you good drugs as soon as you are in the OR and when you wake up it's all over. Take the pain drugs they offer you, and get up and walk as soon as possible. You'll be tired and sore for a week or so, one thing they don't tell you about is the big pinch in your side where the sew your port to your abdominal muscles. But it all goes away after a while. Good luck tomorrow, you won't regret this decision!

You are ready! You know what you want and how to get. I think that the more prepared you are the more successful you will be!

You'll feel better in a few days. I went camping a few days after banding, crazy! I remember being pretty miserable but I made myself walk around the campground. Rest, drink my liquid, walk some more. It really does get better and once you heal and the band starts working for you --- woooo whoooo! It's the best!

Drinking while lying down does not make sense to me either. My doc makes me sit up with the needle still sticking in me when I drink my water. They sometimes put more in or take some out while I am drinking the water.

I drink pretty much up to the time I eat also and it doesn't seem to matter. I think the drinking during and after is the really important part. I don't drink anything for at least an hour after I eat and it seems to be working pretty well.

Don't try to get full. Just eat the protein and veg, however much your doc said you should and stop. It may not seem like you will be satisfied but soon after you will be fine. It's like a little miracle.

Have you been drinking your water? I noticed my stomach starts growling like a bear after 3 hours sometimes and if I drink water I'll forget about it and after a while realize I'm not hungry anymore.