threebeauties

I did 10 days of full liquids. They say in as little as 10 days a liquid diet can really shrink your liver making it easier for the dr. to operate. I only told my hubby and 2 friends. I chose not to tell for so many reasons and embarassment was certainly one of them. Part of me feels like a "failure" for not being able to do this on my own. Also, I don't like to talk about my weight and if people knew about the surgery it would end up being a regular part of conversation, I'm sure. Sooooo many people on this site have said they wish they never told anyone about it. They say people expect them to lose a clothing size every week and that's not the way it works. Also, people have said that others comment of their eating, asking "should you be eating that with the band?" On the other hand, many people said they wanted and needed the support of others. Its up to you. I chose to keep it hush hush and have no regrets so far. I think that once I have been successful, I will likely share my "little secret" but not until them.! Good luck, I hope all goes smooth for you.

I hate excercise! The only time in my life I seriously stuck to a program was when I made a commitment with a neighbor to meet at 6 a.m. to walk 2 miles. first, she wasn't a close friend so I would feel very bad saying "I don't feel like it today". Second, I have very little ones so I knew if I didn't meet her outside she would come banging on my door and wake the whole house. I had everything I needed to walk right next to my bed so I had to step on them to get out of bed. Sneakers, clothes, bottle of Water right there, no excuses! My neighbor moved and I've never walked the neighborhood again. Sad, huh

Jodi I am so sorry that you have been having such a rough patch. I wish you well and hope this crappy stuff soon passes so that you can move ahead. I hope 2007 is good for you. Take care and good luck

I'll throw in my two cents i was banded in Oct by a "newbie". I have had ZERO complications, never used any pain meds and didn't have any of the problems that I read about (gas pain, pb's, etc). Of course, everyone is different and I am not saying that my experience is soley due to my surgeon. What I will say is that sometimes when a dr. is a "newbie" at something they are also up do date on the newest research. Sometimes, they can also be more "thorough" with their exams. Please don't give up, I don't know where you are from but ask the dr. for references, thats what I did and I would refer my dr. to anyone. I am thrilled I chose him. Best of luck

Hi my Oct Friends Just chiming in to say I just got back from getting my haircut short and I feel great. I have been wearing my hair long but always putting it up in a clippy thing, no style whatsoever. I have always had these fantasies about losing all this weight and having a complete makeover like on t.v. Well, I decided I didn't want to wait to start feeling better about myself and start taking pride in my appearance. I also had a jewelry party and bought all kinds of stuff. I normally only wear my wedding rings. So, now I have funky jewelry and a funky haircut. Hopefully by the summer I will have some funky, smaller clothes. Have a good day all. Every day when I put my kids on the bus I tell them "do your best and have fun". I think I will add that to my signature!

I always say that WW could build a new wing on their corp headquarters with the $$ they've got from me over the years. It is so true, the longer you go to them the more $$ they make, interesting business model!

Wow Jim, so sorry to hear you haven't been treated well by fellow bandsters. We are all struggling, it certainly doesn't matter if you're a man or a woman. I DEFINATELy think you should call your doctor. I don't know how much you've lost or what size band you have but I don't think you should have to fight so hard to lose. My advice is to call your dr., sounds like your fill wasn't enough for you. We are all different with different needs and experiences. good luck! btw- keep your eye on this thread, everyone is awesome and supportive!!

I will just add that I see you were banded 10/9. Why do you think you should be past the point of...............anything. Your band is still new and bad habits are hard to break. You've had those bad habits WAY longer than you've had the band. Keep trying, you'll get there. You are definately heading in the right direction MOST of the time. good job with the cake, giving it the old heave ho. Next time, the pizza will follow it down the drain. Don't beat yourself up! You are doing great!

As far as being treated differently goes I wonder how much of it IS that some of us are being treated differently (better) and how much of it is our perception. I am guessing its a little of both. I know that for me, I am always thinking that people are judging or being critical of me. I walk into a room and think people are judging me and making assumptions about me based on my weight.

Boars Head is the only cold cuts I will eat. My favoriate is the pastrami seasoned turkey breask. Yummy!!

7 1/2 weeks banded. Never

As far as switching up the calories go.......I had never heard of that but I can tell you I was at a 3 week plateau when I decided to have some chinese food, not the good, low calorie kind but the junk. I didn't eat a ton but certainly more than I usually eat. The next day I was down 2 lbs after 3 weeks of no change. I don't suggest eating crap but I think there is something to it

If it makes you feel any better, I didn't have any gas pains whatsoever. I never used any pain meds at all and believe me, I'm no hero, I would have used them if I needed them. I am 7 weeks out and have no complications at all. I have lost 33 lbs and feel great. I eat normally. I eat healthier and have much smaller portions. I eat out. Only a couple of people know I had the surgery and the rest don't suspect a thing! Good luck

a really good sleeping pill LOL

Yes, I too had the same fears. I am almost 2 months out and down 33 lbs (need to update my ticker). I have nad ZERO complications. There is no food that is off limits for me, I have had pizza, chinese, etc. This is so different than anything else I've done, and believe me, I've done them all. I am satisfied with small amounts. I don't get too hungry between meals and I feel soooo good. I eat out and sometimes eat things I know I shouldn't. I eat much less of it and I get back to healthy eating right away. I guess I would say that this is the first time in my life I have lost weight and thought "I can live like this" Hope it helps

You have been dealing with a very stressful situation. Best of luck to your husband! So what, you fell off the "bandwagon". You obviously own your actions, otherwise you wouldn't have posted. I am very sure you are a different person than before you were banded. I am willing to bet, if you are like me, the old you would have continued the bad behavior for days, weeks or months. You messed up and I know you will get back on track before too much damage is done. Best of luck to you. I know you will get back on track!!

Please let me just say that you are NOT worring for nothing. These are legitimate concerns and these are great questions. You should be as informed as possible about this, its a big deal. I know try to walk on the treadmill 1/2 a few times a week and do a couple of arm excercises with light weights. For me its a good cycle, the more I lose, the more I want to lose so the more I make better choices. The holidays were fine, I ate a small amount of dinner and a few bites of dessert. I was only about 5 weeks banded so I wasn't too tempted to go overboard. For me, the band just helps me to do what I know I should have been doing all along! It is not a miracle, you are still in control of what you eat, the band helps you stay in control.

I totally agree with Lisah. I basically started a diet about 52 times a year (every Monday). Of course, I know what I should and shouldn't be eating. I've always said I could write a best selling diet book, I just couldn't be on the cover, ha ha! Seriously, the band has given me the opportunity to put my meals, food, hunger, and eating on the back burner. I eat healthier and smaller portions,MOST of the time. I slip up but I don't have the insatiable hunger gnawing at me all the time like I used to when I dieted. I am new to this but at 7 weeks I feel like I could live my life like this. Also, you are right, the band does not do what years of dieting couldn't do, but it helps IMMENSELY!!!!

I do like that show and try to watch it when i can. Has anyone seen the show called "I Lost It" on Discovery Health Channel. Its a 1/2 show that talks about 2 people who have lost a significant amount of weight. Its not terribly entertaining but it is inspiring. I TiVo it and start my day off every day watching it while I have my cofee. I think its a good way to start the day. The couple did lo

I agree, the band does wonders for physical hunger but the head hunger is something I have to deal with all by myself!! I also go for almonds, I count out 15-20 and put the canister AWAY. Also, yesterday I bought a large bar of very dark chocolate. Dark chocolate is supposed to be very beneficial to your health, loaded with antioxidents. Anyway, the bar is still in a bag in the car because I am not sure I can only take one or two squares and be satisfied. I've always wanted to be one of those people who could actually have a big candybar last a week, that is totally out of my realm of understanding;) ha ha

Hey Ohiogal I had the same worries and concerns as you. before I got the band I posted a similar thread because I too was sick of my weight and food being such a major focus of my life. I was sick of getting invitations to weddings and my first thought being that I dont want to go because of my weight or oh crap, now I have to buy something that fits. Anyway, I am 7 weeks banded and feel great, down 32 lbs as of this a.m. My children don't even know I have a band, they just know mom is eating healthier. Everyone is very different but there is nothing I can't eat. I have had pizza and chinese food. I have eaten out several times with people who don't know "my secret" and they never suspected a thing. I make good, healthy food choices MOST times and eat much less of everything. I often share a meal with my 7 year old. I choose to avoid Pasta and bread because they are my "trigger" foods, meaning I just want more and more. I don't eat junk food simply because I don't want to. I feel full faster and longer. What a tool! Again, everyone is different and I know the majority of people it seems have certain foods they can't tolerate.

Soniacan Are they hiring;)

OK - here is something I was raised never to talk about but............is anyone else late for TOM? I had mine the week after surgery and haven't had it since. I am usually very regular. I had my tubes tied in Apr but took a preggers test today just to be positive. Any thougths?????

I had my first glass of wine at Thanksgiving and just a few sips made me feel a little lightheaded. Haven't had anything since. My dr. told me no carbonation too. Not only can it cause a lot of gas discomfort, he told me it erodes the band. I am pretty sick of Crystal Light, really want a soda. I tried to defizz it but it takes forever. Good luck, have fun..............but not too much fun ha ha

I will throw my two cents in. I have a vague goal of 150 (I am 5; 4 1/2"). HOWEVER, I do believe the scale is such a small part of my goal. I want to look good in my clothes, not even sure what size I want them to be. What I don't want, is to struggle to be a certain weight and fight that battle vigorously. I guess when my body says "this is good" then I will do my best to accept that. Finally, I have a friend who wears a size 8 and I can honestly tell you that she is chubby. I have another friend who wears a 10 and she looks lean and trim. Go figure!