Mommy2Ps

I've been using MyFitnessPal and it's been GREAT!!! It has a huge variety of food choices, even off the wall places I didn't expect and it lists all the dietary info about them! It's great for keeping tabs on your calories AND especially your protein. Did I mention it's FREE?!?! I LOVE it and finding it very helpful to look at the big picture of what I'm eating!!!

Do you need to be getting stuck and throwing up to consider your band too tight??? I got a third fill a week ago Wednesday, and I haven't thrown up or gotten stuck on anything...but I can barely eat or drink. I'm at 6.2cc in a 10cc band. I'm barely consuming 600 calories a day since I get full SOOOOO quick. I was home yesterday with a sick kid and by 8pm at night, I realized I hadn't used the facilities since the early morning!! I'm worried about becoming dehydrated. Any advice?? Is this healthy?? I mean, it's great that I'm not hungry and I'm full so quickly (ie, the band is FINALLY working!!), but I don't want to be doing damage at the same time. KWIM?! PS- I do go in next Wed for a checkup.

I'm going out on a limb, but I'm in for 24lbs. I've joined a gym so this will force me to go!!!!! I love competitions! hahaha Good luck everyone!!!!!!

I think it's absurd that your doctor forced you to sign a contract NOT to get pregnant for two years. I'm assuming it was for the band, and if so, that's insane. No, the band or any other surgery won't make you fertile, it's the process of losing weight (any way you do it) and like the others have said, regulating your cycles which in turn can help you conceive. I was TTC my second child for almost a year with no success. I was even on fertility drugs and nothing. We stopped trying and I lost about 15lbs on my own (this was all pre-op) and found out I was pregnant the day before our Reproductive Endocrinologist appt! Losing just that little amount of weight seemed to do the trick, IMO. It could have been anything really (drugs still in my system, HSG test, perfect timing etc...), but I really think the weight loss helped a lot. For some reason, the excess fat in your body messes with the chemicals that control ovulation, hence the reason why most obese women have irregular cycles (and PCOS). It's all chemical/hormonal that causes the irregularities. Anyway, sounds like your doctor is just CHOA by having you sign a contract. That's insane to me, but maybe it's a common practice that I just didn't know about. Although, I'm still in my child-bearing years and was never told anything like that by my doctor.

I hear ya. I'm at 5.6cc also at my second fill and I thought I could start eating the next day. Ummm, WRONG! I tried to choke down a steak fajita and thought I was going to die. I didn't throw up, but the stabbing pain in my mid back was enough to make me rethink my food options! OMG!!! Although, I was able to eat a piece of french bread last night with dinner...so maybe it's loosening up a bit. I'm still feeling pretty tight though. IDK, this band thing has such a learning curve!! Good luck!

Mine is below!! Once I'm home, I'll add everyone elses!!! Also- RACH....urban wasteland.... your blog doesn't have a follow button, so I'm not sure how to add it to my blogroll!! :>

Congrats on your loss! That's freakin awesome!!!!!!!! You should be super proud of your accomplishments!!! As for Six Flags, I've been there at my heaviest and you should be fine. I'm not sure how tall you are, but my DH is 6'1", 250 and had no problems on any of the rides. The only thing he kind of complained about was the lack of leg room. Other than that, have fun and enjoy yourself!!!! Since it's hotter than Hades out now (I'm in N TX too), you'll probably lose more when you're there!!! Have fun!!

I just got it for my cat's large vet bill. It was not by choice, but it was either that or have him put to sleep. :thumbup: So far, so good. It's no interest if I pay it off in a year. No biggie! GL! PS- Maybe when the vet bill is paid, I will use it for ME!!

Good for you on your success!!! I'm about 7wks out and haven't lost much. I'm getting discouraged, but trying hard to stay positive. I think exercise is the key for me (unfortunately, haha) so I've started going to a gym with a friend. How many fills do you have?? I go in next week for #2, and I'm currently at 4.4cc in a 10cc band.

I just went in for my 2wk post-op checkup and was informed that my first fill will be in 4wks AND I will more than likely get 4-5cc in my 10cc band. HOLY HUGE FILL, BATMAN!!!!!! Does anyone else think that's a little on the aggressive side???? :grouphug: I'm scared.

Wow you've lost 116lbs! That's freakin awesome!! Congrats!!! Well, my big day is tomorrow. It should be interesting to see how much I get and to see what his scale says. Actually, I'm not thrilled about that last part. I've been eating like semi-normal so I'll be happy if I maintained. Wish me luck!

I'm getting pretty frustrated. Today is my 4wk anniversary and even though I've lost 18lbs, I'm back up to 4, only making my total loss only 14lbs... 11 of which was from my two week liquid diet. :ohmy: I've been exercising and eating way less than normal, but I know I'm still able to eat more than I should. It's super frustrating and I'm beginning to feel like a failure for having the surgery and still not being able to lose it. Has anyone NOT lost any weight before your first fill??? I would love to hear from you and any words of encouragement would be awesome. TIA

Oh, I'm Trinity and I'm in TX!

Hiya! I was banded on 6/29 so not too far before you. Complain away!! It's one of my favorite hobbies!

Hey hon- Sorry you're still in pain. Boo-Hiss DK! Maybe try taking half or a third of your pain pill. It's better than nothing. Hope you feel better soon! *hugs*

Congrats on your journey to a new you!!! The only advice I have is to walk, walk, walk as soon as even a few hours after you get home!!! It really helps relieve the gas (as does the Gas-X, I did the strips). But walking every few hours, even around the house will help a bunch. I didn't get the horrible gas pains that everyone talks about and I think that's because I walked every few hours. GL!!!!!!

Yep, I cheated. Would I advise it, no. Would I condemn you, no. Do I think back and wish I wouldn't have done it, yes, sometimes. Am I losing weight now? Nope. Maybe I should have followed the rules. Maybe not. I'm 4wks out and should be just now starting solids. Ummm, ya, been doing that for a little over two weeks now. To me, it just seemed like there was soooo many different variances out there depending on who your doctor was. I figured it some reputable surgeons were giving the green light on day five, could it really be that bad? So I did. My band, my body, my consequences. The way I looked at it, if you chew your food to oblivion, isn't it a liquid by the time you swallow it anyway?!?!? Just sayin'....

BT- You said your dogs are 155 & 200lbs...then is the little dog their snack??? :scared2: Sorry that your daughter was bit. I'd find alternate care. She could promise to lock up the dog, but IMO, that might make the animal aggressive and worse yet, jealous. Dogs are funny that way. If you don't mind my asking, why isn't dad watching the girls while you're at school? Maybe you mentioned that before and I missed it. Just a thought! I don't think you can force your mom to get rid of the dog, but you can dictate how and when she gets to spend time with the girls. I have two girls myself, and my mom is a puppy raiser for Canine Companions. If one of her dogs ever bit my girls, it would be GAME over at Nannie's house until that dog was gone. Period. Plain and simple. GL!

Thanks everyone. I always heard the term 'bandster hell', but for some reason I never associated it with the scale and its lack of moving. I equated it to not being able to eat and generally feeling crappy. If bandster hell is staying the same or even gaining a little prior to a fill, then that's where I am and it's damn hot here!!! I'll try to stay positive and keep looking at the big picture. Thanks again!

Thanks for all the advice, everyone!! Right now I think I have ZERO restriction because, although I'm eating less than I was, I'm still eating more than I think I should! I've been exercising daily and I'm not losing ANYTHING, but my patience. Grrrrrrr

Oops, I just realized I posted this in the wrong forum. Since you're a mod, are you able to move it for me?! Thanks!

See, I'm glad I'm not the only one who thought that was a bit much for a first fill. I guess he's the type that bumps you up and then works backwards from there. Rather than starting slowly. I guess I could ask him to explain at my appt and go from there.

Hi! We're about the same age and I was where you are about 2 yrs ago. I talked myself out of it then with the same mentality: "I CAN do this on my own. I WILL walk. I will exercise daily (I spent $600 on an Elliptical). I will etc etc... Ya, that gung-ho attitude lasted for about a month and then it was back to where I was, plus about 20lbs in about 4mo following. When I had my second child, I decided enough was enough. I could not do this on my own. The weight I would lose would be great, but it would ALWAYS come back and bring its friends. I knew it was time when I became aware of all the signs in my life that were shouting at me to go for it. An aqaintance (sp?) had it done and looked great after about 6mo. A billboard for my doctor was put up right by my work. I stumbled across this board on accident while doing a Google search for something totally unrelated, etc etc... It was then that I made the call. I started the process in April, for real this time. I'm now two weeks out of surgery and even though I may P&M about the discomfort/change to my body....deep down I know I made the right choice. I NEED to be around for my kids. I need to not have a heart attack at 40 (or God forbid sooner). It was as simple as that. Like others have posted before me, only you will know when and IF the decision is right for you. Once you decide, it will be a relief to know you're making a huge sacrifice for the goal of good health. Really, think of the sacrifice to your health if you DON'T do anything about it. Know what I mean?! Best of luck to you for whatever you decide!

Good luck, Nancy!! I'm only two weeks out so I remember quite well what you're going through! You'll do great!!!!! :grouphug: