SunD1

I was self pay and I kinda regret the big hole of debt I got myself into. I used a lower interest card but still. . . has been a big burden financially and frankly. . I'm doing kinda crappy! (My own fault, I'm an emotional eater and sadly the band doesn't fix that!) Be wise financially and good luck to you!

I also take Provigil as I have CFS and I work shift work. I take weekly prescription Vitamin D, have been trying to excercise 4 days a week (so far so good) and I'm STILL tired & depressed. If it makes you feel better. . Provigil w/my insurance is $275.00 a month!! I only take it a couple times during the week. I wish you luck! Being tired is depressing. :thumbup:

I think this is it: Good luck! https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0Ak2Ill9eR_EidG1WRTUyU0FXVkNqSXZPcnloVUtvSGc&hl=en&authkey=CJGdlIUD#gid=0

My first time doing a challenge too and have not be eating very good so this is a fun little incentive. Thanks for setting it up!

Of course you can do w/out the band! YOU did it, not the band. You made the food choices, you chose what to eat and when/how to excercise. Enjoy not having some artificial piece of equipment in your body and not having to worry about puking and pbing and whether it's slipped or not. You can live normally! You CAN do it! I mean. . you've done it!

I had BA surgery (and a lift) 3 years ago this month. Of course I was 100 lbs thinner! I went w/a size D cup. I'm 5'4 but have a medium sized frame and they turned out great. I love them! But now I'm worried when I lose the 100 plus lbs if they'll sag!) For me, erring on the side of being bigger was my prefence but my Dr. told me the same thing as yours that nobody ever wished they would have gone smaller. I have a friend who is quite petite and she only went up to a B cup but LOVES them. She wanted to err on the smaller side and she looks great & is very happy with them. Good luck!

I had surgery back in June. I wish I would have only told close family...because everyone is "expecting" to see how much weight I'm loosing. Plus, you always have those people who are "frenemies" that you have to watch out for. Ahh well!

Now that I have been banded since June, and am getting my eating habits under control...I am seeing VERY clearly how much time I have spent focusing on food. I don't have to focus so much anymore but. . there's a hole left where my friend, food was. I have to fill this hole with something but I don't know what! I can only clean the house and excercise for so long. I am somewhat embarrased by how much extra time I have now that food isn't my main focus in life (pretty much)! Thanks for listening...

It's good to know we're not alone, even though we feel like it! :thumbup: Thanks for all the feedback peeps. Eadreel: You're soo right, it's hard to ask for emotional support but that's part of getting healthy I think! Jalomum: Forget it my friend! No cleaning. . LOL! Happymom: Sooo very true. . .it's really process not a one time event. Hbrhonda: That sounds soo fun! One day, I hope to be part of a running club. . . ahhh. . one day!

Thanks guys! I can't imagine quitting smoking AND giving up food. UGH, way to go! Eadreel, I'm no good at asking for help when I truly need it (which is probably why I'm in this predicament in the first place!) I think I might pick up the guitar again! Keep my hand busy!

Was banded on 6/14 and had my 3rd fill today. I go in every 2 weeks. Not sure how much fluid was added today but I had to sip water very slowly after my fill. My Dr. likes you to be on liquids for a day and then on to mushies after a fill. So. . today I just did liquids. I was able to drink a protein shake when I got home. . and later a 16 oz bottle of water. Nothing came back up and all was well. Later this evening, I had about 1 cup of tomato soup (made w/water) and geez-o. . slim-o-rama! :smile2: I didn't vomit, but slimed for about 40 min. I'm wondering if I ate it too fast, or perhaps I'm overfilled? I have no problem going back and getting an unfill...I'm just not sure if this is normal. Perhaps I should wait a day or two. .. eat much slower (I'm used to being able to shovel). Any thoughts or words of wisdom? Thanks!!

Hi Annie, Well, I just went back to the dr. today. It's gotten a little better. I felt like the nurse wasn't really listening to me and just rushed me through the appointment. Hindsight..I would have stayed and MADE her answer my questions but I just sat there like a passive bump on a log. So..my plan is to really be cautious of how fast I'm eating and how well I'm chewing (which is never enough!). If that doesn't work..I'm going back for an unfill. Sliming everyday is NOO good. Thanks for asking!

Congrats on your weight loss! I understand your discouragement and lack of enthusiastic exercising! But don't be so hard on yourself. Be kind to yourself. You have done something very good. Now that you have it. . .think positive about it. I'm a big believer that our thoughts create a lot in our lives. Easier said than done, I know. Sometimes, I wonder. . WTH did I do? But. . then I figure. .well . .I got it and I'm gonna use it. You don't have to excercise every day for an hour. Start out slow and easy. There have been times, when I've made myself go for a walk and I am ornery about it and bitter :smile2: but by the time I'm done I feel so much better and it helps my depression. The trick is just doing it. Sometimes, I don't want to..then I say to myself, "DO IT ANYWAY!". Then I pout but I do it.. Hang in there. . you are doing fine. Treat yourself w/the same kindness you would your bestfriend and be patient. As others have said..you are worth it. YOU just need to know that.

I can't wait for my brain to flip that switch! It's done it before. . just hoping I can do it again.

Good to know I'm not the only one who is worried about it. I was banded 6/14, lost 19 lbs so far. When I "dieted" w/out the band, I could drop 10 lbs a week easy, so by now I should be down much more by that rate. But. . I don't want to live my life "on a diet", so I'm trying to be patient and do the best I can but there's always that fear. Thanks for sharing you're thoughts peeps!

Today I had my 2nd fill. The nurse asked me before the fill if I was able to eat more than half a chicken breast and 1/2 cup of veggies. I said, "uhhh YAH!!". I don't even want to write what I ate last night. So, she filled me up. I sat up and tried to drink some Water and it just sat there. What a funny feeling! She looked at and me and said, "is it going down"? I lied. . "umm. . yah"... she made me get back on the table and then I really did almost vomit when I laid down as the water was sloshing around what felt like my chest. .LOL! She took some out and I felt mucho better. Anywhoo. . for today I've got some good restriction going on. I was getting a bit discouraged as I've been eating badly. My nurse was really nice and encouraging. I just love people like that. I hope everyone is doing well. .

Hi Swirl, so sorry to hear about all the stuff! But I think it's great that you have lost 25! I understand the discouragement. Boy do I! Seriously. . I don't know how much research you could do to prepare for surgery. I thought I was "all ready" but. . it's been a rude awakening but . . I've got the band and gosh dang it. .I'm gonna make it work for me! LOL! Best of luck to you in your journey and I think you're pretty great for responding to the "other" posts in a proactive manner. Very cool ! You hang in there!

Thanks so much for the kind words of wisdom! It's like you know me. .ehehehe. . ! I've had to get brutally honest with myself. I think I "wanted" the band to be my magic pill and I'm finding out that it isn't. I've lost 100 lbs on my own before so I know I can do it, but I'm having a hard time getting the momentum. It's building. . albeit slowly! This time around I'm not torturing myself by eating a totally lo-carb diet although it works quickly. It's not sustainable for me in the long run but I am keeping my Protein up and choosing better carbs. Thanks so much for sharing your experience with me, that means a lot. And what a success you are too so you obviously know something about something! I'm so glad you shared your experience with me. Good luck on those last 10 lbs. . !

What a great compliment...not just that you've lost weight, but you're "tiny". Nice goin!

Amy, you have given me hope! Banded on June 14th and living in bandster hell. Fill coming up next week!

So sorry to hear about your situation. I understand..it's hard to dig yourself out of the hole! I too, have gained and lost over 100 lbs each time w/out the band. This is my 3rd and FINAL time & I knew I just didn't have it in me to do it again, hence the band. (I'm in bandster hell at the moment so it better get better!) And I'm at that horrific number of 300 lbs. too. I understand it all too well my friend. I agree w/Brad. I think it's a good idea to get started w/your band progress. Physically, it will help you feel better and I think that also carries over into the emotional side. In my opinon it's allllll related. . emotional/physical. :thumbup:

I found a great protein water made by Designer Whey. They have two kinds: 1 has 12 grams of protein, the other has 30 grams. And. . they're clear liquids, it was a life saver to get in my protein reqirements right after surgery. Heck, I still use them and I'm 3 weeks out. Bandster Hell my friend. :thumbup: Take Care!

I'm in the same place. I'm about 2.5 weeks post op and tonight for the first time, I had angel hair Pasta w/sauteed mushrooms & artichoke hearts. Went down just fine. I also work 12 hour graveyard shifts (7pm-7am) and it DOES make it hard. My first fill isn't until July 14th. AGHHH! I can eat quite a bit too but I'm also afraid. Hope I haven't screwed anything up. Hang in there, we'll get there. My doc gave me a cool analogy. He said, "it's like driving a car, and now you're only in first gear". So, I figure we'll get going. These are some powerful, deep cravings that you don't just turn off overnight. Patience, Smatience. . . :tt1:

Hey there, I'm about 2 weeks out too (banded on 6/14) and don't worry. . I can eat a ton! I've been eating refried beans, soups, mashed potatoes and I can eat A LOT. Not as much as I used to, but it is disconcerting. My follow up appt. is tomorrow. I'm ready for the first fill! Don't beat yourself up. . be kind to yourself.

Well. .that sucks. I've lost 100 lbs on my own but gained it back. Losing is not the hard part, keep it off is (for me). Hoping the lapband will help w/that. Hope you can find a better Dr. !