MaineJackie

Hi, I don't "force" myself to eat, but I do try and eat something every 4 or 5 hours. I find if I don't, then I get ravenously hungry and I am more likely to overeat. I may have a serving of almonds, or a kashi bar or something......just to keep from over doing it when I finally do get hungry. Jackie

I only weigh myself once a week. The scale hasn't really moved much these last two weeks....well today I am down 3.5 lbs. Woohoo......survived the holidays with a LOSS Life is good

Okay, now I know people who are in relationships during the weight loss surgery journey have their issues....good and bad .....to deal with. As a single woman, who is 45 years old (when did that happen?? Last I looked I was only 22!!!) and has not been in a relationship for almost 18 years.....I am actually thinking about dating again. But my self esteem is in the toilet from all these years of being morbidly obese. What guy would want to date me? I am still very overweight and have at least 60 to 75 lbs to lose. Naked I will look like a sharpei dog with all the excess skin.:myscared: Have any of you found that someone special after this journey?????

ask them to send you a copy of the policy on weight loss surgery, so you can read it yourself. also find out the greivance process for challenging this.

With a little over 40 lbs down....my girls are definitely deflated. Not that they would have been described as perky in the last 15 years or so....... I would love to get a boob job when I am done but I figure a good bra at victoria secret will accomplish the same thing.....I will spend my money on getting a panniculectomy first! Jackie

With all the food challenges during the holidays, I think I did very well. I am trying to look at life with a band as a LIFE. Not a diet......a diet implies that you can choose to follow it or not. So, I went into the holidays with the mindset of making good choices and not depriving myself. And I think I did very well. Did I have sweets? Yes--but just a taste....not several servings! And not 25 different tastes!! Just one or two. At Chrismas dinner (we did italian food --stuffed shells, meatballs, veggie lasagna) I had a little bit of what I liked. I didn't fill my plate with food I don't really like just to be polite. I had two stuffed shells and a meatball. I didn't have seconds (was full and didn't want any). I still beat myself up........I had some chips and dip.......but the difference....this year, I had a few chips on my plate and a spoonful of dip. Last year, it would have been most of a bag of chips and the container of dip!! I don't know how long before I stop the mind games and start thinking like a thin person. I do have to say, I had more carbs than I normally have and my GI tract didn't like it very much.....TMI...sorry. So, now I am back on track. I have a thing of chili in the crock pot (best thing to have during a blizzard!) My fill appointment for today was cancelled due to the blizzard. I need to call tomorrow and I am sure they will get me in tomorrow. I hope everyone had a good holiday.

My vote is on GallBladder! (Sorry...been an ER nurse for over 20 years....). Gallbladder problems are very common with significant weight loss. Go get it checked ASAP so you don't end up with a serious complication. Jackie

Well....last night, I went out to eat......we got delayed getting to the restaurant...and by the time my food arrived I was starving! And I ate too fast. Now, I ordered a baked tilapia and vegetables. But I ate too much before I knew it...... Fortunately there was no PBing involved......just an extraordinary feeling of being stuffed---it was uncomfortable. Pre-band I hated that feeling and now it is even worse. I am trying to figure out what I could have done differently.....I think I just need to tell myself, no matter what....to eat slow. I just love learning things about my band......

Hi, Congratulations on your surgery! I am about 8 weeks post op now....so still new at this..... I have never heard the band being touted for rapid weight loss.....more of a slow, steady 2 lbs per week. If you look at your total weight loss so far----it is AMAZING. There is nothing magical about the band. It is a tool to help us, but we still have to do the hard work. You are also entering Bandster Hell.....the point before you have any fills and have no restriction. Most people are very hungry during this phase. This is the time to let your body heal from surgery. It can take several fills before you achieve restriction. While I am down 40 lbs, I know the scale hasn't moved in a week or so......but I go for another fill on Monday, and that will help me. Stay focused on the positive---you have done amazing.... Jackie

My new best friend. Just wondering, what do you all take to prevent constipation???? I need to add a Fiber supplement but don't know what to take, Recommendations??? Jackie

Since being banded, I don't drink that often. But when I do, I make sure to make it worth my while. Since I will only be having one...I have premium spirits. I like Ketel One Vodka. I will get a cosmo, or a lemon drop martini.....Althought I like them, .I stay away from margaritas as I think it has too many calories. For a special occasion....select something non carbonated and enjoy. Congrats by the way.....

I have no advice......I am still in awe that your doctor would talk to you that way....hardass or not. Sorry, I just have no tolerance for people like that.

Sounds like you need an unfill. You should be able to eat........

HI, I have never been stuck so I don't have a lot of insight in that however, I do know that a nice flaky fish (like haddock) is easy to eat. I have that frequently when I go out. I haven't yet dared to try a steak but I have really wanted to..... Jackie PS Have a great time!!

Hurray!!! It is so inspiring to see such success. May I ask how long it took you? I know we can't compare....it is more curiousity than anything. Thanks

I am an old pro at lovenox. I have a clotting disorder and have been on coumadin since 1989. I cannot go even one day without being anticoagulated, so I bridge with lovenox very frequently. After my banding, I was on lovenox for several weeks because we weren't sure how the band would impact my coumadin absorption. I recommend injecting it slow but steady....trying not to move the needle.....the wait about 10-20 seconds before removing the needle. Do not rub the site!!!!! Good luck! Jackie

I try to stick as close to 800 per day as possible. On a "bad" day I don't exceed 1200. Jackie

We are going out tonight to Celebrate my daughter's acceptance at the college of her choice with a 4 year academic scholarship..... Of course, her favorite place to go is Olive Garden. I have been reviewing the nutrition information and haven't found much that is "healthy". So I decided....since I am now banded---work the band! I am going to order a luncheon portion of my favorite (chicken scampi) and eat the chicken and veggies. I will let the band tell me when I am satisfied....and stop. I won't have bread or Pasta. I will have just a little salad. But the main thing I will do is enjoy myself. I can eat like a thin person. I know I can.

Well, I survived going out to dinner. I followed my plan. I had a little bit of salad. NO bread. I ordered a lunch portion of the chicken scampi. I ate only the chicken and the veggies. I didn't touch the Pasta. I felt full but not overstuffed. It was a good night! Jackie

I lived in Vegas for 6 years..... These are the centers I know about --UMC (affiliated with the medical school) 1707 West Charleston Boulevard, Suite 160, Las Vegas Another one....I used to work with one of the docs...he was very good..... http://www.bandandbypass.com/ Another one: http://www.lasvegasbariatrics.com/home/

Okay....went to see the surgeon about the pain I have been having. good news.....I don't have a hernia and the pain isn't related to the band. Need to see PCP for a work up but at least my band is good. good news....down 6 more pounds :bananajump: good news....got a fill today too....up to 4 cc now.:thumbup: So...I think it has been a 5 star day today! Jackie

Hi, Usually, this time of the year, I would be baking on weekends......several types of Cookies, cheesecakes etc. and making holiday treats like chocolate dipped pretzels and home made chex mix. This year, I am not doing any of it. Having those foods in my house would not be good! They would be hard for me to resist or to limit myself to a small serving. I feel bad about this however. My family is very supportive but I know my daughter misses the treats. She is almost 18 so she understands. But I have that "mom guilt" going on right now. Also, my 80 year old father lives with me---and I am sure he will be wondering where his butter cookies are.....but again, he is very supportive and understands. I am sticking to my guns because this is too important to me. But it still isn't easy. I am sending my daughter to my brother's to bake cookies with his family. There really isn't much purpose of this post other than to talk about one of my big challenges this holiday season.

I was wondering how long before everything I do revolves around my band? I am new to all this, only banded in October. So, everything that I am doing, I am thinking about my band. Not in a bad way..... Does it ever become less of a conscious thought?? This may not be making sense...... Jackie

Well, I called my surgeon today and go see her on Thursday. About two weeks ago I thought I pulled a muscle in my stomach. It hurts to the left and a bit lower than my port. Well, I realized this weekend that it was hurting, even without doing anything. I am not constipated/nauseous/feverish/diarrhea etc. I am worried. In May, I had a very similar pain on the right side, that I tolerated for a few weeks until I was so sick that I ended up needing emergency surgery. I had an incisional hernia that I didn't know about and it ended up incarcerated. The surgery was complicated by the development of three intra-abdominal abscesses.....and I spent most of the month of May in the hospital. I am probably over reacting given this history, but I am going in to be evaluated anyways. I just wanted to share.... I am due for a fill next Weds---maybe they will give it to me early if I check out okay. Trying to look at a positive

I do a little of both. I go to thedailyplate.com and track what I eat--to make sure I keep the appropriate nutrient balance and try to keep my calories right around 900. But if I am hungry, I eat a high Protein snack. I am trying to move to portion size and I think when I finally get some restriction, that will be easier. My goal is to utlimately move toward portion size for the long term.