luvs2laff

Hey Amanda! I really was hoping my 1st fill would get me to the elusive "sweet spot". First few days I was on liquids/soft foods and it seemed fine, but then I realized, I still had no restriction. Doc is booked until 12/5 and that's frustrating. I'm trying really hard to make healthy choices but I do still backslide. I try and make up for it at the gym and really love my workouts. I even started belly dancing classes! OMG, that is serious soreness the day after! My abs are aching! I'm not sure if it's from the moves, or from me keeping my laughter suppressed!! Anyway....how are you? Is bandster hell going well for you? Are your friends piling on the compliments? Have you bought any clothes a size smaller yet? That feels great when you realize your clothes are too big! I sold a ton of stuff on ebay and bought a few things in a smaller size...not too much though...I don't plan on wearing them long!!! Take care sweetie and keep in touch!!!

Sandy

Hi again! Sorry to hear about the thyroid issues. That doesn't sound like fun! Hope all is well....at least you got through the banding surgery and before long, you'll be eating mushies!!! Who ever thought the mushy stage would be something to get so excited about...but my first bite into food was heaven!!! It is my 2 month bandiversary and a bit uneventful. I've lost 35 lbs. total (15 since banding). I had my first fill on 11/5 but do not feel any restriction...dr. is booked till 12/5 so I have to wait till then and am hoping to hit my "sweet spot" before my sweet tooth gets busy on holiday goodies! Healthwise, I no longer have sleep apnea and the arthiritis in my knees has all but disappeared. I thrilled! I am going to compete in my first 5K next weekend (I'm walking it!). I even enjoy working out....I've made it a part of my routine and I feel bad if I miss a class! Best of luck on your journey...I'm here if you have any questions (or complaints!!!) Take care!

Hi! Thought I'd check in and see how post op was treating you! How is your recovery going? Keep in touch!

Now that's what I'm talking about! Gorgeous!!!! You are such an inspiration! You look so toned! How often do you work out and what words of advice would you give to other newly banded people, like myself?

Hi Maria! Good luck with fill.....my first fill is beyond disappointing and I feel myself sliding into bad habits. Dr. said I could come in this week for 2nd fill...his staff said no availability until January!!!! They were able to squeeze me in on 12/3 but I'm still upset with having to wait that long without any restriction during the most difficult time to diet! Let me know how it goes today!

Sandy

Hey!!! Good luck tomorrow - that's exciting news! Fill was easy, but not enough restriction. Dr. is busy until 12/3 so I'm stuck until after Thanksgiving with no restriction and waning willpower! If you have any questions about post op, let me know...I'm happy to help! Sandy

Hi Meredith!

Wow! it actually made my adreneline jump reading how your life changed! I'm at the beginning of my journey with 30 lbs. down and 60+ to go. I've made exercise a part of my lifestyle, and like you, I love it - even when it hurts!! I'm able to accept a compliment without thinking they are just being polite,and the most important thing to me is that I feel like I am participating in life with my active family instead of watching them enjoy theirs! My daughter and I take kickboxing classes and tomorrow are running/walking in our first 5K. My confidence is definitely improving and my energy level is borderline manic! I'm learning to cook healthy alternate foods that are actually pretty impressive. (Thai, Indian, Moroccan and Vegetarian). I've lost a little and gained so much more in other areas of my life! (o:

Hi Garry! I agree completely! I actually love working with weights and strength training. I never have to contend with other women because so many believe they will bulk up in a manly way!!! I am terrified of the saggy skin - very unflattering! Are you finding that it is working? Is your skin tightening up as you lose the weight? I'm currently working out 5 days a week - kickboxing, treadmill, pilates, and today I have my first bellydancing class!!! It's really a blast trying new things outside my comfort zone! I have my first 5K (I'll be walking it) on Saturday. How has your life changed since surgery & weight loss?

Just curious....how has your life changed since being banded?

Hey Kennedy! Whew! Aren't you glad that part is over?! It's been 7 weeks and I'm down 35 lbs. total. (15 since surgery). It was a little frustrating watching the lbs. burn off quickly in the beginning and then just slow down to nothing, but I learned at my last dr. visit that I gained 4 lbs. muscle mass and lost 8 lbs. fat! I'm trying things out of my comfort zone and feeling excited about life at a physically fit person! I have my first 5K (I'll be walking it) on Saturday and another one on Thanksgiving! You are just stunning and seem so nice, best of luck....you are going to look and feel fantastic!

Congratulations on getting halfway there! You are gorgeous!! Have fun with it!!!

Garry, you are a true inspiration!! 100 lbs.....amazing! Yes, I agree, nothing looks worse than a scrawny man who can't keep his kilt up!!! Keep a bit of the bulk, if not for the kilt, then to keep you warm on the cold winter nights! So how did you lose all the weight? Surely you must work out? I just started kick boxing and it is exhausting but fun! If I can't find a way to make exercise fun, I'm not going to do it!!

Hey there! So sorry to hear about the unsuccessful fills....you must be so frustrated! My first fill doesn't feel like it is giving me any restriction either. I just want to hit that elusive "sweet spot" before all the holiday temptations are thrown my way! I'll keep my fingers crossed that the 16th is a sweet day for you!! Sandy

Hail Queen! Yes, I was on liquids, then mushies then soft foods! It's a 3-5 day process after the fill. I was really surprised by that and had to back out of a gourmet dinner party hubby and I had committed to. Wow! 20 lbs.! That's fantastic! Next time you're out, take a look at 20 lbs. of sugar and get a real sense of accomplishment! I hit a stall at my 3rd week out of surgery but, since my fill, I am starting to lose again...I guess that's pretty typical. There are some great websites with recipes for bandsters. I found them really helpful because I can get myself into such a cooking rut...same old same old! Mexican, Thai, Indian, were all pretty easy. I whipped up turkey sloppy joes and ate over mashed potatoes last night. (ps...did you know they don't recommend salads anymore? I was floored by that!) Thanks for the compliment...it means alot and back at you! Keep up the good work superwoman!

Hey Vikki...so how's your fill working out for you? I still don't feel any restriction! Dr. said I could go back after 2 weeks and get my second fill. Started losing a little again. I was getting pissed staying at the same weight for so long! Can now sit down in the size 16 jeans I bought without fear of a button blowing off and killing someone! Take care! Sandy

Ok...you are my new best friend!!! I have plenty more to loose! I'm down 35 lbs. and have 60 more to go? What is that in stones? Where are you from? How long have you been banded...honestly you look fantastic! Doesn't it feel great!

Hi! Saw you were getting banded tomorrow....Congratulations!

Hey there! Yes, got my fill on Thursday...I'm not feeling the restriction I was hoping for but Dr. said to give it 2 weeks and they would give me another fill! How much longer till your big day? You must be getting really excited! Best advice I got on here was to get up and start moving! I'm straying outside of my comfort zone and doing things I didn't know I had in me. My daughter and I went to a self defense/kickboxing class tonite...I can barely move but it was really fun! Take care and keep my posted on what your up to!!!

Sandy

Hey there! How have you been doing? Are you onto the soft food stage yet? I found it to be pretty much the same as mushies! Just had my first fill on Thursday...not feeling that much restriction though. Hang in there, this part will be over for you soon and then we'll all be headed to that much talked about "sweet spot" of eating small portions of real food and be satisfied with that....I can't wait to get there!!! Take care!

Sandy

Hi Garry,

You look great! How much lost? You certainly look like you're having fun at any size! Good for you! Cheers!

Hey there! Congrats on the surgery date! I chose not to tell anyone as well except my husband and 2 brothers. One is a doctor, the other is my best friend. Sadly, best friend bro. told his awful wife and she took it upon herself to tell everyone!! It was a devastating betrayal and I am still hurt from this. It wasn't that I was ashamed for getting help, I just really don't like to discuss my weight with anyone! (It's easy here though!) Best of luck and know that your secret is safe here!!!

Sandy