TracyNYC

My guidelines are: Three 1/2 cup meals a day with most being Protein. No Snacks (yeah right)-lite laughing cow cheeses or cheese stick will do. and Protein Shakes in between. Don't drink 1/2 hour before or after eating. Be patient and let the fills work. It is a slow process and I reached really good restriction after 6 months and 3 fills. Hang in there....

My PCP was of limited knowledge, but very open and did her own research and even asked around about my surgeon. Kristen, ultimately you have to do what is best for you. I can say that I am soooooo glad I did this. It is odd how many people in the medical field are ignorant about the band.

I agree.

Amazing! What the heck have you been wearing since the 26? Keep up the good work.

I changed my pic to one of me and my BF to honor how amazing he was this past week. I had revision surgery on Monday and without his help, it would have been so much more difficult. We are long distance now and as soon as I mentioned the revision he said he was coming up from Florida. I never knew he had such a fear of hospitals and still really did not get it until my sis told me how freaked out he was at times during and after my surgery. He is such a rock in a crisis that this really blew me away. Our past is a very loooong and rocky one. During the time apart there has been lots of therapy, time and a failed marriage (his) and we have reunited more mature and ready for this. He told me last night that he really was afraid of losing me on the table. I was so taken aback by this. He was amazing. He tries to understand the addiction I have with food and never criticizes and has been my #1 cheering section all along. We were not together when I did 1st surgery, but was supportive. I see so many people on here who have some very negative SO experiences, that I know I am that I am lucky to have him. We truly have been through the "Thick" and "Thin".

Hang in there. It is hard when the routine gets disrupted. Look at this as learning experience. Next time you will know the traps and pitfalls ahead of time and can plan accordingly. Maybe line up a helper so you can exercise. My friend has a teen from her church come over sometimes to occupy the kids while she is exercising or cleaning. The teen loves it, and my friend throws her a few bucks (nothing crazy) and she has a little 'me time'. The 5 pounds seems a lot. Once back on schedule, it will come off.

WOW-I totally hate you....LOL That is so awesome! No fills? I did not realize people did that. I was just "revised" this week and am at no fill (or whatever they put in at surgery). I don't know if I could stay this way and still lose. Congrats!

I never know what to say when people make a statement: Oh, you've lost so much weight. If they say You look great at the end, at least I can say Thank you. But with just the blanket statement, I never now how to respond: Yeah, Duh-Yes-Yep....I do think people mean well, but it can be annoying. One rude woman at work constantly makes comments. After I lost about 40 lbs, she said to me,"Too bad the surgery didn't work. You are bigger than ever." This is the same one who handed me a diet plan in front of colleagues and said she had been saving it all summer to give to me. The kicker is that she is overweight herself. Probably medically obese herself. At first I thought it was cultural or age. Now I know she is just freakin rude.

I never know what to say when people make a statement: Oh, you've lost so much weight. If they say You look great at the end, at least I can say Thank you. But with just the blanket statement, I never now how to respond: Yeah, Duh-Yes-Yep....I do think people mean well, but it can be annoying. One rude woman at work constantly makes comments. After I lost about 40 lbs, she said to me,"Too bad the surgery didn't work. You are bigger than ever." This is the same one who handed me a diet plan in front of colleagues and said she had been saving it all summer to give to me. The kicker is that she is overweight herself. Probably medically obese herself. At first I thought it was cultural or age. Now I know she is just freakin rude.

I use the Crystal Lite drop ins, Vitamin water and protein shakes. I have tea w/ splenda, but put Almond Breeze Unsweetened Vanilla in it. It is 40 cal a cup, but don't use a cup for my tea.

Just made a new mushy! It is a variation on chicken salad... I bought a large can of Bumblee Bee Chicken packed in Water. Drained it well. Threw it in food processor w/ FF sour cream and BBQ sauce. Sort of a south western taste. Almost a little too mushy. Might really dry the chicken or use the pre-cut chicken selects that will be drier. I have also been playing w/ cottage cheese....(ick face) FF Cottage Cheese/splenda/vanilla/ cinnamon. I put it in Food processor to smooth it out. It is the curd texture that grosses me out. I am trying though since it is great for Protein and low prep..

Sometimes it is easier than others. I think if they miss it does not do damage as it is only saline. Sometimes she gets it 1-2-3, others times a little harder.

Love NSVs!!!!

Ended up at Boulder Creek last night. I was at a loss as to what to get. I was going to get soup. Then saw the meatloaf. I explained to the server my dietary needs and she had the chef make it very soft and moist. I had that with a potato and brought most of it home. It was good!

Hi Everyone, My revision surgery was on Monday and I came home yesterday. All went very well. My surgeon (Shawn Garber) was able to do my revision staying within my 1 belly button cut from last time. Apparently, this was the first time he did a revision this way and it went very well. I am starting from scratch here and have to un-do my bad band habits. #1 is eating too quickly. By forcing myself to slow down, I realize I was VERY lax in my chew, chew, chewing and the speed at which I was eating. #2 is that I need more solid Proteins. I was relying on mushies too much, thus hindering my full feeling. I also was snacking waaaay too much under the guise of "but it's protein", with cheeses and such. The dear boyfriend has been a godsend and we had some frank talk about my food issues. As we are long distance, he has promised to check in more about my food and exercise than he has in the past. He has been supportive, but seeing the whole process and hearing from doc and nutritionist gave him a better understanding of what I should be doing and how he can help. I also need to check in here more often and do some challenges and keep myself honest. Thanks for listening..... Tracy

Thanks everyone. I tried to update my ticker last night, but have to figure it out. In full disclosure I went back on the table at 216.6 after being unfilled for a month.

I joined. Had revision on Monday, so will use this to keep me honest, though I know I am concentrating on healing first and loss second! Thanks for doing this...

Walk, walk, walk. This helps the gas build up. Move your legs even when in the recovery bed. My nurses reminded me of this regularly. Make sure you have chewable Gas-X (or whatever doc recommends) at home and move, move, move. It breaks the gas and helps 'other things" move, move move too". LOL BEST OF LUCK Chick!

I am back on mush (revision surgery) and made egg and chicken salad before surgery on Monday. I put the eggs/chicken through the food processor and mixed with Olive Oil mayo and then some FF ranch to moisten it but keep the Mayo use down. I added salt and pepper and had egg salad for lunch and the chicken salad for dinner. I also make ham salad. I but low sodium ham from deli counter and have them cut it thick and also run that through processor with relish or the FF ranch. I also make the baked ricotta, refried Beans and chili too., Try not to get in a rut. It is tough though. Pot roast run through food chopper is good too.

I know I packed on a lot after being on Depo, but was off it for 2 years and did not lose much. I am back on it and BOTH the surgeon and Gyno said it has very little to do with weight gain/retention. My loss has been good with band, but I wonder if it would be better without it. I want to switch BC methods, but neither doc wants me on the pill because I am 42. The Gyno and I have discussed some permanent things, but I don't know about going that route either. I have no kids, and probably won't have any, but am just unsure about taking a permanent step. Good job to stop the Depo now and let it cycle out. It takes a long time to regulate after wards. Best of luck,

I had a small unfill when those same symptoms began to happen. (My gurgling was very bad one time when my class was taking an exam. The kids in the first few rows started to laugh. I told them it was from "a surgery" I had had and laughed with them. ) Unfortunately, the unfil did not do the trick and I have slipped. I let it go too long I think before dealing with it properly. See your surgeon ASAP.

I am infilled. My band has slipped too. I am having it fixed on March 14th. Mine did not fix itself as they hoped. Hope yours repositions itself....Good luck

Just looking for some moral support and encouragement: I am unfilled and awaiting my revision surgery on March 14. I was unfilled on February 3 and have gained 13 pounds. I know how I did it. EAT EAT EAT...... However, The last week before the unfill I lost 10 pounds in about 6 days due to keeping nothing down. I know that is a very bad, unhealthy loss. shakes and Water were coming back up. I start each day with the best intentions, (LOL) but fall off the wagon in the evenings. It is like Bandster hell. Only I know it will last for quite awhile as it took me over 6 months and 5 fills to have restriction last time. I am worried and have stepped up my physical activity a bit. My friend said I should look at it as only a 3pound gain since the last 10 were a crazy loss. Is that making excuses?

Feels great. I too moved into regular size pants.....I still need 1 or 2x tops and then take them in b/c my arms are SO FREAKING HUUUUUGE! LOL GREAT JOB!

Thanks guys!