MaineJackie

I had a great post op visit today with the dietician. It was nice to receive a lot of positive reinforcement about all that I am doing!! Everyone at the bariatric center is impressed with my weight loss and the fact that my head is in the game. I am excited to continue my journey to a healthy weight! I am just about halfway there. The end result is actually a real possibility in my mind....not a pipe dream. For the first time in almost 18 years, the thought of the number on the scale starting with a "1" seems within my reach! I don't know where I will end up for a goal weight. I think the weight on the charts for me is too low....I will look emaciated. I want to get to someplace that I feel good, look good and can maintain with reasonable effort. I had another fill today---I am up to 5cc in my 10cc band, They really support small, frequent fills at this point. I have an appointment already set up for next month.....I can always cancel it if I am still in my green zone. Sorry for "bragging".......it just feels good to be succeeding! Jackie

I agree with TKW......I don't know if I would want the added empty calories! But I suppose as a treat once in a while, it would be okay. I don't think they are carbonated.....it is syrup on ice basically. Jackie

Initially, there was a lot of will power. You do get hungry---but hunger is NORMAL. I think most overweight folks don't really know what real hunger is.......and so it is new to them. I know a lot of what I did around eating was habit or related to some activity (watch football and eat snacks--hungry or not.) Learning to eat to live and not living to eat is a big part of the lifestyle changes needed to be successful. It does take time, and possibly several "fills" before your hunger is manageable. So, when you eat dense Protein, you feel satisfied and not hungry for 4 hours or so. Even though it was a lot of will power, it was different for me this time around.....because I knew that I have the awesome tool....that once everything was the way it should be, would enable me to be successful in losing weight and keeping it off! Jackie

I feel like a success!! I saw the doctor today......11 weeks since surgery......I am down 49 lbs !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Has it been easy??? No. Have I had to change the way I think about food? YES. Have I had to change the way I eat? YES Do I feel deprived? NO........I feel empowered! I feel like I have control over food now. I have embraced this tool....and I work it for all it is worth every day. I have had no complications. I have never slimed/PB'd or got stuck. Could I do better? Yes.....I am not the best with exercise and I realize that the next 50 won't come off as quickly if I don't get my butt in gear. My lapband has saved my life.

Well, I am not quite 3 months out...... I am down 47 lbs. I started at a size 26......now a 16 on top and 20 on the bottom.

No complications at all. I had the usual immediate post operative pain. But no issues at all!

Tomorrow I am going skiing for the first time in 2 years! I am a die hard skiier but stopped skiing 2 years ago due to my size. I had to get a new ski jacket (an XL for a change!) and the ski pants I used to wear are too big (but will have to do this year!!) I am so excited. I am only going to get a half day lift ticket so I don't over do it on my first venture back on the mountain.....but I am so so so happy. Jackie

Depending on your BMI, my surgeon requires some weight loss. My BMI had me in the "need to maintain" range....but if it were higher, I would have had to lose a certain amount. My friend how had the surgery as well, she had to lose 15 lbs by surgery---required by the surgeon not the insurance company,

Skiing was amazing! I took it slow.....stuck to my half day plan........and thoroughly enjoyed myself! It was perfect weather---bright sun, no wind and about 20 degrees. I packed food.....didn't have any snack shack food. (Greek yogurt, Kashi bar, cheese stick......) Now I am home, showered, resting......and yes, my legs are sore but it feels so good. Next year? I will be skinny enough to get new ski gear..........

I had surgery on a Weds and had every intention of returning to work the Monday after.....ended up not going back until the Weds.....needed a full week.

Just face it. Brownies are evil. So are Oreos. And warm, home made chocolate chip Cookies. and potato chips and dip But that is why I have a band! I can have a normal sized person serving and survive! I am in control now, not the food. (Okay, so I admit I haven't made any chocolate chip cookies since the band or bought Oreos but the others I have.......) It is tough with a family. Fortunately my daughter is 17 yrs old and understands. My 80 yr old father (who lives with me) doesn't always get why I am not eating smashed potatoes or Pasta.......but I do what I need to do to succeed,

I too had an issue with the pain post operatively. I have a very high pain tolerance.....I have had many surgeries and severe injuries, so I am no stanger to it all...... My doctor thinks that maybe a nerve was trapped when the port was sutured in place and that was causing the pain that I had---mine was all in the port area and was burning/searing pain. The one thing I can tell you is that it got better........it took several days for the pain to settle down to a tolerable level......so rest, take your pain meds, stay hydrated....it will get better....

I tell just about anyone! It is part of who I am.....I work in healthcare, so no one has questioned it.....they have been very supportive. I find it easier than explaining why I am eating different, or why during a meeting I may whip out a cheese stick LOL. Jackie

I think if you are having trouble breathing, all of a sudden like this, with pain, you should be checked out. I would rather go to the ER and be told I had gas than to stay home with a pulmonary embolus (bloot clot in lung).

There are no Red Lobsters in Maine so I wouldn't know the Cheddar Biscuits. Which sounds like a good thing! I know that I have made the decision not to eat bread products. I prefer to eat my Proteins now. I have detoxed from most carbs--havent had rice or bread or pasta---and no longer have any interest in them. I do miss eating french toast though :-)

Ohhh---I am so sorry this happened to you.... I haven't had a stuck episode YET........I know it is just a matter of time. I know, from what I have read here, that after a stuck episode your stomach is irritated. I am not sure a fill right away is a good idea, but again, I don't have any first hand knowledge. Good luck with your move!

I was initially grossed out at the thought of blending food and actually eating it. But, by the time I hit that stage---I wanted flavor!!! And it wasn't that bad! I pureed some chicken with gravy; meatballs---stuff like that.

One thing I have noticed is that my bras and panties are the articles of clothes that really don't fit well anymore. And I also realized that the "girls" have lost their fair share of weight and are now quite deflated. So, in my infinite wisdom, I decided to get an "utlimate push up" bra. Talk about bizarre! I feel as though I have two solid pillows on my chest. LOL. I feel like my chest enters the room about 5 seconds before the rest of me LOL LOL :rolleyes2:

I have never vomited or even come close........

I have had some angel hair pasta with lots of sauce....and did okay. But I have to tell you, I no longer really like it.

While I think it would be okay, I agree that it isn't heatlhy. Also, I have learned that things like that do not keep me satisfied. I am better off with dense Protein. But it is tough during the mushies.......choices can be a challenge.

Thanks Renee, It is nice to know that I am not the only one dealing with a teenaged daughter. And yes, it is nice to have a place to go to talk about these kinds of things.....

Okay, so I decided I needed to add Fiber to my diet, instead of relying on Mirilax. Started taking 2 chewable fiber tablets each day. Whoa..... Look out..... Stand clear........ And don't pull my finger.

I buy Water in the little lunch box sized 8 ounce bottles. I find it much easier to drink 8 of them then to have a big bottle of water that I need to get down. It just seems more do-able to to me. Jackie

Walk....walk.....walk......and gas-x. It does get better.