gingerjane

Thank You for this post! I'm a new bandster (was banded in March) and I've lost 27 lbs but a lot of that loss has been because of willpower right now. I'm not getting the restriction even with 5ccs in my band and I know it's going to take a while. I didn't put on the weight overnight (although boy - it sometimes feels like I did!) and I'm not going to lose it in less than 2 months. It takes time. I do agree that it can be frustrating at times because everyone around you that knows thinks that it should be coming off like crazy. Just in the past 24 hours, I've had FOUR people ask how much weight I have lost so far. Not because they've seen me or anything - they're asking about the surgery and if it's working. I keep telling them that it TAKES TIME and that I don't have restriction, yet. I have to explain the entire process to them and then I get the "oh - I thought it would be FASTER". I think there are so many misconceptions to this surgery, especially for those outside of bandland. So, I thank you for this thread! :redface: It just reaffirms what I keep trying to tell myself. Do I have days when I get down? Yes - but you know - it's a process and a life change and it's not overnight. It's not a magic pill. We're all in this together. One day at a time and one pound at a time! :thumbup:

My daughter went through really terrible constipation to the point where she would bleed when she'd have a BM. We went with Miralax and let me tell you - it's a saving grace. That stuff is amazing! It also didn't make her too lose. I'd try that with a lot of water or in your protein shakes. I've been having a little constipation myself - went almost FOUR days this week. YIKES! So, I will probably be adding a little bit to my shakes in the morning, now.

I'm down another 1.7 lbs which I am happy about but this weekend was rough. It's the TOM, so I'm sort of at a bloated stall for a few days. :eek:

Ok - so I'm still fairly early in this journey and had my first fill yesterday but I thought it would be good for us to list NSVs as inspiration for everyone. I haven't lost a large amount of weight, yet, but am already noticing some things. 1) My wedding band goes on and off without issues. It used to be so tight, I'd have to soap it up to get it off. LOL! 2) I had to fly this weekend and FIT in the seat decently and didn't have to suck in to get the seat belt to click. My butt didn't lift up the armrest between me and the next guy. :ohmy: 3) I have on pants today that are fitting comfortably and they were too tight just weeks ago. I was also able to get on a pair of jeans that I haven't worn since last year. And they zipped and I could BREATHE. 4) When I sit down, I don't feel this big stomach resting on my thighs. I know - terrible, right? I used to feel my big belly on my legs and now it's not as noticeable. 5) Had some "fun" with the hubby and didn't have any problems "reaching" because my belly wasn't in the way.

I just had my first fill on Monday and I had been drinking Muscle Milk Protein shakes every morning for Breakfast, but I swear since my first fill, they're not holding me over as long. So, today I branched out with two slices of whole grain toast with 2 tblsp of Peanut Butter. (Well, it wasn't quite 2 because I go light on the PNB) The bread was 35 calories per slice and double protein, so altogether my breakfast had 15 grams of protein and less than 20 grams of carbs. Total calories were 210. I ate almost both slices. Is that too much? They weren't large slices of toast (I'd say slightly smaller than the average loaf) but still I ate BOTH. Of course, I do feel full now. But, I want to make sure that I'm not overeating. What do you normally eat for breakfast. I am not an egg person and I can't stand yogurt, either. I'm just curious to see how other bandsters handle this meal. And - I'm a breakfast person. I always eat heavier in the morning and at lunch than I do at night.

I've never read about this so I thought I'd check. I had my first fill on Monday and I'm REALLY bruised at the port site. It's about a 3" bruise all the way around and it looks like someone punched me there. I know she poked me more than once and moved the needle around a bit. Anyone else bruise? I just want to make sure that something didn't go wrong. The site is tender now, but otherwise everything else seems fine. (Although, I SWEAR I'm hungrier now than before the fill!)

Whoo Hoo on everyone's NSVs! I got one today! I ran over to Macy's during lunch and had just ate, so I was a bit full, but tried on these pants that were a size 20. I have them in a 24, which is what I wore not just a month ago. Anyway, the 20's FIT. Zipped right up and buttoned!!! So, I bought them! I about fell over. I can't wait until I can say "Oh - these are a 14".

I was lortab free for two days before going back to work. I only took it twice - day of surgery and day after. After that, I just switched over to basic Aleve. I also didn't have staples. I had sutures under the skin and taped sutures on top. So, my pain level was not too bad. I think it various for everyone. My biggest incision was in my belly button and my others were really small. I do agree - if you're on Lortab or something heavy for the pain, do not drive. I didn't go anywhere while taking mine. But, then by Wednesday I was moving around well and Thursday went in to work.

I had surgery on Monday and was back to work on Thursday. I have a desk job, so it wasn't too bad but I do have quite a commute. However, I was able to manage just fine. I can honestly say that the surgery wasn't as terrible as I thought it was going to be. My incisions are all healed and look good, too. (I'm a month out) I can't even tell I had anything done.

I have the 10 cc allergan band - so it's essentially 1/2 full. When she did the barium fluro, you could tell that the liquid wasn't moving through as easily as she wanted it. So, she pulled a bit out. But, I swear, I'm more hungry now than before. And my hunger is worse in the morning than at night. But, it's still there. For instance, this morning I drank a 100 calorie muscle milk light shake and it's 11:15 and I'm STARVING. Usually lunch (very small) holds me over til 3 or so, then I eat 4 slices of turkey. (50 calories) Then, I'll eat dinner around 6. (Which holds me over for the night) I eat probably around 800-1000 calories/day.

AWESOME!!!! :thumbup: That is SUCH an accomplishment!

AWESOME! What an inspiration!!!! :thumbup: I'm hoping to lose about 124 lbs total. I can't wait to even imagine the "after". I haven't been that small since my freshman year of college.

Mine uses a spray that freezes the skin. I didn't even feel her put the needle in and she had to poke me more than once, plus move it around a little bit. Does anyone get really bruised in their port area after a fill? Mine was - looks like someone punched me hard in the gut. :thumbup:

I didn't lose ANYTHING the first two weeks post-op. I went in at 279 pre-op. Day of surgery, I was 265. Day at post-op - 265. I was devastated. But, since then, it's like all of the sudden, my body is starting to let go of some of the weight. Since my 2 week post-op (and I just had my 1st fill and 4 week appt on Monday), I've dropped about another 9 lbs. So, it will happen. Don't worry. Just keep doing what you're doing. Or, as Dori says..."Just keep swimming". LOL!

I hope you're feeling better this morning! I also just wanted to say "WOW!" on your weight loss. I can only pray that I see a higher number in that time frame. How did you do it? Please share because I'm dying to know! :smile:

Whoo hoo! That is awesome!!! :drool: Eat a lot of lean chicken and turkey. I eat a lot of the Sara Lee deli turkey - you can buy it at the grocery. It's like 50 calories for four slices and 10 grams of Protein. Plus, you could do Turkey Bacon (watch the sodium) and you could have chicken in a low-carb tortilla. :smile: I also drink a TON of muscle milk. Very low carb ad 15 grams of protein. It was good for breakfast and I still drink it. Also - watch your sugars when you're looking at everything to eat. Those are hidden carbs sometimes. Good luck - you'll LOVE your band! Trust me!

I had my first fill on Monday and I was worried about the regurgitating, etc., but truthfully - it hasn't been bad at all. The experience of the fill was not that bad and I haven't had issues. I was on pureed last night and no problems. My stomach has been growling because it wants some REAL food and today I get my mushies, but the biggest thing is to remember to CHEW CHEW CHEW. I put my fork down after every single bite. I read somewhere that you should use a knife and a fork to eat EVERYTHING now. Even a candy bar. (I think of George Costanza and giggle at that one) But, I do use it with everything I eat - even pizza. I find that it really does help you control your bites, chewing and portions. :drool: You'll do great! Only you can tell what your body wants/needs. :smile:

It's a Non-Scale Victory. Took me a while to figure it out, too. Basically, it's the things that happen while you're losing weight that you notice but are separate from the numbers on a scale. Although, I could see where you'd think it was a chick thing. LOL!