Arthemise

Here's the thought that decided me: The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. I knew that I was doomed to failure every time I tried a diet. What was different? This time it's the Lap-Band. We'll see!

My goal is to walk five days a week, at least 15 minutes. It doesn't sound like much, but sometimes the biggest hurdle is actually getting moving! I'll have to see how 15 minutes translates into miles.

I was a B when I was thin, a D now. I'm wondering if I'm even going to have anything left after I lose my weight. DH says I can get a boob job if I want, but I don't want another surgery. Neither do I want pancakes on my chest. Incidentally, I was unsuccessful breast feeding even without a boob job.

5 calories...

I did hear about removing cucumber seeds.

How neat! I just got the band. My jeans were excruciating and now they're just a little tight. I am so looking forward to digging into my closet!

I've just gotten banded, so I'm usually thinking, I wish I could eat that! I know I used to wolf food down, so it's a little weird to still be eating after everyone else is done. My two-year-old and I are eating about the same amount of food, but he's still slower than me. I guess I need to run around the room after every bite! :frown:

My belly is dry and flaky too. It could be from all the manipulation during surgery. I also have a lot of marks from the bandaids (they took some skin off and bled in one place), but at least all the steristrips are gone now. I'm thinking I need to get a good moisturizer.

I've told just about everyone. How to deal with negativity...I've only had one person be negative. He was losing weight on his own and was of the opinion everyone should be able to do what he did. Wrong! I disagreed with him and ultimately unfriended him on Facebook. Fortunately he's not someone I see. If he were, I would avoid talking about the subject, and if he continued, I'd tell him I didn't want to talk about it. Usually my solution for negative people is to cut them out of my life. If they can't support me, I don't need them. I know that's not always an option, but I'm pretty blunt when it comes to things I cannot tolerate. My family has been super supportive because they know what I've gone through. As long as I have a few key people helping me along the way, I can do this.

Congrats! That's awesome!

Happymom, I lost nothing for three days after surgery. Then I lost three pounds a day for four days. Then almost nothing for the past week. Had I been on a diet normally, I would have given up and binged from failure. But I've been tracking everything I eat and know my body will eventually give up the weight. I know how annoying it is, I really do! Stick to the diet. That's your victory for now--not the numbers on the scale. Easier said than done, I know! I keep trying to tell myself this. Incidentally, I was supposed to start my period on the day of the surgery. My body was kind enough to hold off until about a week after. I know that's probably affecting my weight.

I'm not keen on pureed food either, but I'm looking forward to chicken salad. I think that could be appetizing. I also bought deviled ham. I'm going to try it for lunch. I'm three days early, but I can't take liquids anymore.

I'm having chest pains from gas too. I'm almost two weeks out of surgery. The nurse told me my Nexium will help...so I'm back to taking it. We'll see. I've always been fairly gassy anyway.

I had a hiatal hernia and was on Nexium for bad heartburn. Of course, my doctor fixed the hiatal hernia during surgery. I don't know if your problem is similar. The last pill I took was the day before surgery, and I have had absolutely no heartburn. Of course I had just paid $50 for a new 90-day supply. :thumbup: I have a friend who had the sleeve, and he had a lot of heartburn. I guess each has its pluses and minuses.

I had my band done March 18. After I drink, I feel like I have to burp and can't. It causes some pain in my chest -- not unbearable but uncomfortable. Is there a way to stop this? Will this go away? It doesn't seem to matter how slowly I sip.

I had my band March 18. I lost 5 pounds on my own, 10 pounds on the pre-op diet, and 13 pounds since the surgery, for a total of 28 pounds. I'm having a little gas pain in my chest still, but I'm hoping that will go away. I'm almost done with the liquid diet and am so looking forward to mushies. My stomach has been cramping, and I've been having cravings for burgers. The Protein shakes help with the hunger, but I'm getting a little sick of them. It may be time to try a different one. I have my first post-op appointment this afternoon. The doctor may do a slight fill then.

I had my son at 37, before the band. Let me tell you, it is rough being fat and pregnant. I had gestational diabetes and just about every uncomfortable side effect there is, other than nausea past the first trimester. My OB/GYN was of the opinion that it was better to be older than heavy. I wish I had listened to him! I have the band now so that I can actually do things with my two-year-old. It's very sad for your son to prefer your husband or your mother because they can do the things you can't. Do invest in ovulation tests when you're trying to get pregnant. We tried for a year before I used an ovulation test. Apparently I am not on the same schedule most women are. The first time we tried an ovulation test, I got pregnant! Good luck.

What exactly is a Bullet?

It's on my doctor's list as a part of the liquid diet. I had it a few days after my surgery, and it was just fine, as was watery oatmeal, which is also on my list. For the grits, I use a packet of instant grits, a tablespoon of butter, and 3/4 cup of Water. It tastes so good! I find the oatmeal more filling, but I'm craving salty right now and can't stand broth. Of course, grits disgust my Yankee husband.

I had a grandfather who always made comments about my body and who made me self-conscious (though he was wonderful in every other way). Though I wanted men to notice me, I was always scared of it too. That may be why I gained weight (in addition to my body going haywire and telling me I'm hungry all the time). No men (other than my husband) pay attention to me now, and that's safe. I think if you lose weight and dress modestly, the comments should not be offensive. If they are, you can tell the person they've crossed the line. You're a different person now and have control of your sexuality. You can say no. Somehow you're going to have to reclaim your sexuality and not be afraid of it. Maybe a counselor can help. Personally, I have a loving husband, and though I'm an independent woman who can take care of herself, it helps me to know I have some backup if a guy ever goes too far. I'm looking forward to losing weight and looking good. I'm 40, so I shouldn't have too many men gawking at this point in my life.

How much can you eat in a normal meal? Half a cup?

That's good to hear. Last night I had bad stomach pains. Tonight I had watered oatmeal, which my doctor allows and which helped the pains. Now if my back would stop hurting.

I was banded 3/18/10, and I'm just starting to get that strong hunger and stomach cramping. Only another week until mushies...I can do this.

Congratulations! I am on the start of my journey, and I have a two-year-old. It's very painful not to be able to do things with my son and to have him prefer my husband or my mother to me because they can do things with him.

Two weeks liquids, two weeks mushies, and then add in soft foods. I'm at the end of my first week of liquids, and though I'm craving real food, I'd be afraid to go too fast. I have Carnation Instant Breakfast, protein shakes, watery grits, fruit juice, jello, broth, etc. I'm getting a little alarmed at my rapid weight loss. Literally three pounds a day for the last four days cannot be healthy.