Manda87

Exactly a week after my surgery, I went for a 3 mile hike. I wouldn't recommend it though! I would ask your doctor. Every doctor is different. :huh2:

You realize that 5 pounds in two weeks is above average, right? That's 2.5 pounds a week. Don't say *only.* It makes it sound so negative...

Congrats! Before my pre-op diet, I quit McDonald's cold turkey, and I ended up losing 5 pounds. :blushing:

I was on a two week liquid diet for my pre-op diet. I lost 16 pounds. A month after my surgery I lost like 1.5 lbs, but I never gained it back. Don't worry about gaining it back. I don't think you can gain a lot of weight back unless you go hog wild with bad food choices, but I could be wrong... :blushing:

I can feel my collar bones! You can't really see them, well you can if you go looking for them. I can't wait until the public will be able to see them! I like touching my collar bones. Also! I enjoy crossing my legs. Isn't losing weight wonderful? :blushing:

Whenever I get my "monthly visit" I can notice a difference in tightness in my band. Also, I've got a cold, and that is another reason my band is pretty tight right now. Are you feeling sick? It's so funny how our bands have a mind of their own. One minute they love us, the next they are yelling at us!

My last fill took about a week to kick in. I think I've had around 4-5 fills. With my first fill, I can remember not feeling hungry afterwards. With my second fill, I didn't feel anything. So, I guess it differs each time.

There is a cherry flavor that isn't too bad. The reason why you shouldn't take pills is because they are a solid, and you shouldn't have any solids after surgery. That is why most doctors will give you a liquid form of a pain killer...

People say mean comments whether they are meant for us to hear or not. For example, yesterday I told a co-worker that I had lost 71 pounds. Another person over heard that statement and said "She needs to lose more" (refering to me). I really wanted to cry, but I didn't. I'm not really sure how to respond to these types of people besides not saying anything. You did a good job with how you reacted though.

Gas X Strips for the gas Bring a pillow for the ride home chicken broth liquid Tylenol Sports bra if you don't already have one I can't think of anything else.

Are you drinking any protein shakes? Sometimes protein shakes give me gas. lol

I have a personal trainer! Getting him was the best thing I've ever done besides getting the band. Cardio is important, but also strength training just as important. They teach you how to work out. They don't come cheap, but they are well worth it.

We should take away all of those food channels because I'm sure most of those shows make unhealthy food. They should also ban those birth control commericals because they are teaching are children sex!!!!! Seriously. This is so silly. Commericials didn't make you fat.

I still have to disagree with you. There is a cure for obesity: lose weight. The basic definition of obesity or obese it being extremely overweight or having an extreme amount of excess body fat. How do you get rid of an extreme amount of excess body fat? You remove it. Once you remove it, you're cured of your excess body fat. Most of my family is overweight except my little sister. My little sister is 14 and in a size 4. I was probably in a size 20 at 14. My little sister doesn't eat a lot. I think she only eats when she's hungry. Yes, she does eat junk food, but she doesn't over eat it. For example, she she can have a cookie and be okay with it. However, if I eat a cookie I'll want another one and another one and another one. That is why I don't eat Cookies anymore. I think there is a lot of excuses that people make to justify their obesity. I use to weigh 327 pounds. I use to blame my family and my genes, but it was mostly my behavior. My genes didn't make me go to McDonalds and they certainly didn't make me eat 12 chocolate chip cookies. I believe I was already depressed before I ate those 12 cookies. Yes, depression does get worse with weight gain, but I do think it is a major cause of weight gain. (HOWEVER, depression can be a major cause of weight LOSS. Many people who become depress stop eating and lose weight. It's amazing...) It's all about attitude. If you think you won't ever get healthy or you aren't meant to be healthy (which is probably the stupidest thing I've ever herad) then you won't become healthy because you set yourself up for failure. Those "I can't" attitudes are what brings people to failure. Simply, people need to stop making excuses and do something like getting weight loss surgery, a therapist, a nutritionist, a doctor, etc. You CAN lose weight. It's about wanting to do it and realizing it's going to take awhile. You certainly didn't get this way overnight.

Sorry, but I have to respectfully disagree with you. Yes, obesity is a disease, but it is cureable. Genes have been linked to obesity, but also mental issues have been linked to it too. If you eat because you're depressed, then that's a mental issue. One may ask how does one cure obesity? It's rather a simple answer: lose weight. Once you lose weight you won't be considered obese anymore. Losing weight is hard even with the Lap Band, but you have to make the effort to change your lifestyle. The band won't help you make right food choices. If one is very serious about losing weight they will consult doctors and other health professionals to guide them through their journey.

Being approved is awesome. Looks like you got yourself and early Christmas present. :smile2:

She wasn't being rude. There is a thread called titled bitching/moaning in the General Lap Band Surgery board. If you go and read her response, it is very helpful. Go ahead and take a quick trip over there and then you'll realize she wasn't being rude. :tt2: As for your hunger, that is normal. Pre-Band you're probably used to eating all of the time. Now, that you can't your body has created the need for food - whether it be physical or mental. It will get easier with time.

No idea. You'd probably have to take it up with your doctor and/or the makers of the Realize Band. I'm really glad that I went with the Lap Band. It's been around for 10 years, and it's had several improvements.

Make sense to me. This is a pretty recent recall.

Yeah. It's a voluntary recall. I tried to do a google search, but came up with nothing.

I'm sorry you're having a rare bad experience with the band. Luckily, it doesn't happen to many people, but it sucks when it happens to you. I hope you get things worked out.

It can work without fills. I knew a lady that didn't get a fill. She had the original Fluid from surgery, but didn't get another fill. That's rare, but it can be done. :laugh:

Exactly. I agree. I have no idea what is inside my band. Of course my doctor knows, and that's really what matters. As long as I'm doing my part, the number of cc's in my band doesn't matter.

Will this be your first fill? Remember the importance of exercise. It will speed up your weight loss.

I've tried oatmeal. It will only last 2-3 hours, and I become hungry again.