reverie

I still have mine! My doctor has me on meds for 6 months to avoid gall stones/any other gall bladder issues.

I believe the number they are throwing out now is 1 in 2,000 versus 1 in 250 for bypass. I've never heard of anyone directly dying because of the surgery. If anything people die from unlying conditions that are unknown/are left unvoiced before surgery. This is why it's important to tell your surgeon everything the day of surgery. If something doesn't feel right, let them know! I had the fear of dying too, seeing as it was my first surgery at 19, but, I trusted my doctors and kept positive thoughts!

I started off doing South Beach Diet. You may want to read up on it. Now I just cut out breads, rices, etc. Though at times I will have a thin slice of bread. I eat a lot of cheese, vegetables. Salads have become a wonder food for me, but if you have a fill you may have issues with salads. I usually eat about 30-40 carbs a day, but at times I stay below 30. I'd say no more than 45 a day, but you may want to consult your nutritionist. You'll find a lot of low carb recipes online.

Congrats! I got into onederland not too long ago, so I know the excitement. :bolt:

Gas-X Strips definitely! Comfortable PJ pants/comfy shirt. Slippers or flip flops. Maybe a book/iPod whatever if you're one who needs entertainment.

If you already have your surgeon picked out, maybe try to speak to him/her. Or definitely work with a counselor if possible. The only one who can be sure you are ready for surgery is yourself. If you're ready and willing to make the changes and follow the rules of the band, then you should keep that in mind. I had a lot of doubt before I got my band as well. I'd been overweight for years, probably since the end of elementary school, and I always thought maybe I'm not ready, maybe I can do it on my own, and being only 19, it was a pretty big decision to make. But it all came down to the fact that I knew I needed this, and no one was going to sway my decision. Maybe take some time, look at what you've done to lose weight in the past, and look at what the band can possibly help you do. If you believe you're ready for it, then go for it. Lots of people here will definitely be behind your decision either way.

Congrats on being banded and good luck on your journey! :bolt:

Thanks Jachut! You look awesome by the way!

I've been doing the Slim in 6 series, I'm on the last section of it. It says that it burns about 800 calories. However, I'm only eating about 650 a day, and I've noticed the scale slooowly creeping up. Is this probably because the workout is pretty high cardio + weights? I'm not an expert so I'm unsure if it's me not eating enough or if it's me possibly gaining lean muscle. I'm not lifting anything heavy, 5lb weights on each hand but I do see more definition. Any ideas/advice from the exercise geniuses?

Thanks guys for all your help! I've bumped up my calories a bit and the scale is moving again. I've upped my carbs a little as well. I don't think I'm losing muscle mass at all. Inches, yeah, muscle..I don't think so. But of course it's possible. Though I find it hard to believe that I've lost 50lbs of muscle. :smile2: I'll keep on trucking along. Eating 1500 calories a day is impossible for me though. Like I said I ate about 1000 one day and just felt miserable. Maybe eventually I can eat that many cals, but I don't know. Thanks again! :bolt:

Most people lose quite quickly in the first few weeks, then the weight-loss slows down or stops completely. Normally, you'll be losing 1-2lbs a week, sometimes more, sometimes less, but the rapid weightloss probably wont come back. If you're not exercising, you may want to try and see if it helps. Even walking for 30 minutes really makes a difference. Anything that gets your heartbeat up. Journal what you're eating to make sure you're getting in your protein and not eating more than you should. Good luck.

Congrats! That's an awesome goal. I've lost all of my weight with no fill, so if you don't need one, definitely don't force yourself! My surgeon was plenty fine with it.

Woo hooo! Congrats! Best of luck on your journey.

The strips worked great for me!

I'd keep the tags on and send them back. I got about 2 weeks of use out of my old clothes. I went from a size 20 to size 16 in 2 months, maybe 3, either way, maybe hold onto a few items, but I'd take a majority of them back.

Try to get in more protein.

More than a cup is considered a lot to me. My doctor focuses heavily on eating a cup of food each meal, no more. Usually I get about 3/4 in and I'm full for hours.

Nope, I'll be losing MUCH more. Thanks for your help, btw. :biggrin:

I'd say 3-4. It wasn't too bad, and it was my first surgery ever. The pain meds really help.

You probably won't find chewable B12. You need to look for sublingal ones.

I use myfitnesspal.com and sometimes fitday, which seems to be a lot more helpful. You can track calories as well as exercise and it'll tell you fat, Protein, and carb amounts as well. I've been stuck at 196.6 (went up :thumbup:) but I'm down to 196.2 this morning! I upped my calories a tiny tiny bit since I am burning more. Good luck!!

I'm not sure how to get 1200 calories a day. That is A LOT. I bumped it up to 800 yesterday and felt miserable, like I was forcing myself to eat more than I wanted. Yet, I was losing just fine eating 600 calories before I started this new exercise. Thanks for your help! I'll bump it up a little but 1200 calories is almost double of what I'm eating now. I don't see that happening!

You're doing awesome! That's a loss of 2lbs a week, and you really can't ask for more. You can try increasing the intensity level of your exercise as well as using weights and mixing up your calories, that may help. But really, you're right on track! Also remember that sometimes you'll lose inches and not weight. This has been happening to me a lot lately.

Wow that's awesome!! Great accomplishment.

I take Centrum chewables as well.