jllybean1982

I haven't eaten at Subway since my surgery because I'm too afraid of bread (5 weeks post op), but I think it's a much better decision than getting a Big Mac at McDonald's with a heaping pile of fries along side of it. Some fast food joints are attempting to implement healthier food options which is nice for ppl like us who are trying to lose weight. I'm with HummingBird on having a Wendy's chili once in awhile. :smile2: We have an addiction that is food. Unlike a smoker/drinker/drug addict, we can never completely give food up. We need food to live and it can be a challenge to make the right food choices. I think Subway is a decent place to eat.

btrieger sorry if I offended you or something. I associate "bandster hell" as a weight loss plateau which is a normal part of weight loss for MOST people. You're lucky that that has never happened to you because plateaus are a nightmare! I have gotten frustrated along the way, but have plowed through. I'm exercising regularly and eating healthier. This isn't just about the five holes they put in you to insert a foreign object...this is how you use that foreign object to change your lifestyle. I think ppl come here to help them get through the tough times. I too get kind of discouraged when I see the negative posts, but I try not to let them get me down. Elcee, if we knew what was best for our bodies then we wouldn't have needed major surgery in the first place. I do agree that some of the posts are just plain dumb because common sense is all you need sometimes.

I was one of those "complainers" about not losing weight and being in "bandster hell". It's really frustrating when you go through something like this to lose weight, follow the diet plan, and STILL no weight comes off. I was kind of surprised to see this kind of post because I felt pretty safe talking to ppl on this forum because they understood what I was going through. Everyone on this forum has went through "bandster hell". Agiudice, you are only ten days post op. I hope that you never have to go through "bandster hell" , but you probably will. It was comforting for me to read the posts and know that I was not alone in my plateau. When I came on this site for advice, it wasn't to "bitch". It was to make sure that what I was going through was normal. My doctor did educate me on what to expect post op. I also work in the medical field as a nurse. This didn't stop my me from becoming frustrated. It's only normal to feel as though you're working really hard at something and get frustrated cuz you don't see results. Good luck on your journey Agiudice!

I hope you feel better Allie!!!!

If you're seeing him tomorrow, that'll be fine! If he's not to worried about the temp, then you're probably okay! The fact that there is no drainage or odor is definitely a good thing! Some swelling is normal during healing. I don't think the incisions look bad at all..I was just worried about your temp. Good luck at your doctors appt!

I don't think the sites look too bad, but I do see the redness around the port site. Is the skin around the incisions hot to touch? It's kind of hard to see the swelling in the pic. The bruising is a normal part of healing. Is there any drainage? If there is, what color? Does it have an odor? I'm a nurse, but it's hard to tell from the pics if they are draining. The fact that you are spiking a temp does worry me. Especially 101.7. have you called your surgeon's office? I would definitely contact them. Anytime you have a temp means that there is probably an infection somewhere in your body. Keep us posted!!!

I lost 13 pounds the first week of surgery. Be prepared to plateau when you introduce mushies into you diet. I didn't start losing anymore for two weeks. I'm not almost 4 weeks post op and down 16 pounds, so the scale is moving again! Just make sure you're staying hydrated! Good luck in your journey!

Hi! For those of you who are in a plateau a few weeks into surgery...exercise really helps!!! I lost 13 pounds the first week after surgery and then plateaued for a little over two weeks. A little over a week ago, I started walking. I've been walking every day, two miles a day and have lost another 3 pounds in five days! It is so nice to see the scale going down again! :eek: I'm just sharing this because I know how frustrated I was during my plateau! Don't give up guys! We can do this! :tongue2:

First of all kpdgal..I LOVE bunnies too! LOL I have seven of them! :thumbup: Juliansmom, I know that weight loss may not be important during the first 6 weeks or so, but for me, psychologically, it's very important. There's nothing I can do about that. I got very depressed when I wasn't losing weight..I was working really hard to lose and nothing was happening. This was like mental torture. The doctors may tell you that weight loss isn't important during the first few weeks, but they are thrilled when you do lose the weight. I wish it didn't get me down, but it really did. I ended up getting rid of my scale..which did help me feel better. I get weighed at work every week. :smile:

Hi Pickles! I was so afraid when I first got banded. I was so scared that I would never be able to eat "normal" again. Then I think of how unhappy I am with my body. I was 257 at my heaviest weight. When I went for surgery, I was 249. I'm not happy with how I look. I felt self conscious everytime I was in public. I'm down 16 pounds so far (banded May 13,2010) and I am starting to feel so much better! People notice that I have lost weight and that, to me, is better than any food! I still treat myself occasoinally and eat food that I like, I just eat much smaller amounts of it. Girl55's story sounds EXACTLY like mine. Every year putting on more and more weight. I was getting scared cuz I was losing control. I was skeptical that the band could even help me. I still get scared that I will be a failure. I take it day by day. One thing I do know, is that having the band has changed my life. I am more conscious of what/how much I am eating. I am exercising almost daily. It feels really good! I have control! In the past, I always felt better coming home with a McDonald's crispy chicken value meal, sitting down and being nervous cuz I was still hungry after I finished it. NOW I can still eat what I enjoy, but in moderation and smaller portions. Haven't tried a chicken sandwich, but did have french fries (small) once and they were awesome! It was nice to have them, but to have the willpower to stop after only a few of them. Pickles, whatever decision you decide to make I wish you LOTS of luck! It's not an easy decision. I just know that I wish I had made this decision a few years ago!

Thanks for the replies guys! The scale will start moving for those of you who are going through a plateau. I was so frustrated when the scale wasn't moving that I almost regretted having the surgery. I know that the weight isn't going to come off overnight, but it's nice to see the number on the scale dropping instead of climbing. Palmtreegirl, trust me when I say that if you are exercising and eating right, the scale will start moving. Just hang in there! I appreciate the suggestion Rose, but I don't know how to swim..very embarrassing! LOL Kim, you may have plateaued right now, but congrats on your 37 pound weight loss! :tongue2: That's awesome! Butterfly and Laura..thanks for the positive words! Good luck to all of you!!! :eek:

I wish you the best on recovering! I'm glad you were able to keep your band!!! Hang in there!

That stuff is awesome! Couldn't really tell the difference between the powdered PB and real PB!

You guys have all done such a good job! I am just going to be more aware of what kind of food I put in my body, especially while I don't have restriction (hadn't had a fill) yet. I do think I wasn't eating enough..since I have increased my calories to 900-1000, the pound I gained back plus another half pound is gone. Thank you so much for your input..it REALLY helps those of us who are still fairly new at being banded!

I was wondering how many carbs you guys eat in a day? I was thinking that by cutting my carbs down, maybe my weight loss would pick up instead of me being at a stand still. :Dancing_biggrin:

Thanks for your help! You guys are making this plateau much easier to handle! :thumbup:

LapNYC you made me feel so much better by telling me that you plateaued for a month. I was getting nervous! I want to lose weight "freakishly quickly"!!! LOL The bodybugg sounds neat crazydaisy! I may have to get one! :thumbup: Reverie, that sounds about right..50g a day. I'm going to start there! :tt2: Momto3redheads I know all about the body getting stuck and holding onto the weight! LOL Thank you guys for your help. I really appreciate it! Have a great weekend!

Hi! I have started a walking regimen. Today I went on a 40 minute walk that I think was around 2 1/2 miles. It felt really nice to be moving! I was wondering what kinds of things you guys do to help you lose weight? The scale has been stuck for me and I was hoping that getting moving picks it back up!

Thanks crazydaisy! I do measure my food..actually I'm kind of OCD about it! lol What's a bodybugg? I may have to look that up! :Dancing_biggrin: I was eating 600-900 calories a day, but am trying to up them a little thinking I"m eating too little. Today I had about 1000 calories. Thanks so much for your help! I really appreciate it! :ohmy:

I had my surgery May 13, 2010 and my first fill is scheduled July 8 which is a little less than eight weeks.

Teach, I needed cardiac clearance because my EKG was abnormal and everything was fine. I was so nervous that something would show up and I wouldn't be able to have the surgery, but that wasn't the case. It'll be okay! :Dancing_biggrin:

Hi Mary! I too am going through the same thing. I got banded three weeks ago today. I lost 13 pounds the first week and nothing since. It is so frustrating! I am doing everything I'm supposed to be doing, including exercise and nothing is happening. I am starting to feel more hungry, but I think it's because I am alot more active. Everyone keeps telling me, the weight loss will pick up, so I have to hold onto that or I'll go nuts! I have been really obsessed with the numbers on the scale, so I am making my parents take it out of the house. I will weigh myself at work once a week. I'm hoping that helps me stop feeling so discouraged. We'll get there Mary!!! Just hang in there cuz you're not alone!

Thanks guys! What is this couch to 5K I keep seeing?

Thanks guys for all of your posts! I'm only three weeks off, so my doctor told me to start with walking. What is this couch to 5K I keep seeing? You guys do ALOT of exercising! That's awesome! :Dancing_biggrin:

Congratulations! You look really good! Keep it up!