Katy Castro

AWESOME! Congratulations. 100% coverage is amazing... my insurance was 80/20 and every penny of that $3,000 has been worth it.

I would think that the rule to no milk products would mean that you shouldn't mix your Protein shakes with milk and avoid the use of yogurts and powdered milk when making a protein drink/smoothie. You are right though, whey is dairy. So, to be on the safe side, I'd certainly call and check with your surgeon. But I'd bet that if your surgeon has recommended whey protein powders to you, the statement of avoiding dairy applies to what you're adding to your Protein drinks.

I entered pre-K as the fat kid. Every picture of me is fat after my toddler years. I have always struggled with my weight. Prior to surgery (I was banded 6 mo ago) I couldn't picture me thin. I wanted to be back to my "normal" weight and surprisingly I'm already there. I had no idea what my normal weight was as I avoided scales my entire life. Come to find out, it's about the 290 lbs mark that's normal for me. Forget that! In the last 6 months I have lost 98 lbs and have about 114 more lbs to get to my goal weight. And the more it comes off, the more I picture it because I'm seeing the results and so fast. And the more that I lose, the more my mind set is changing to boost myself to lose more. I push myself harder and really spend a lot of time focused on me to get to goal weight. But the picture in your head slowly changes. I'm sorry to hear about your BFF. Insecurity of someone overweight is strong; you remember feeling that way a time or two, right? Try to talk her through it. Friendships should be based on a lot more than what the other weighs, try to focus on some of the other things you guys have in common to keep the friendship alive. It's my best advise.... after seeing my success thus far, my BFF is pre-op sleeve. I'm SO thrilled for her.

I was banded 6/8/10, 6 months ago and have lost 98 lbs. I have another 114 lbs to my goal weight. My band is 14 cc and I've had 5 fills and am 4.2 cc -- it's perfect!

I started a video blog at the beginning of my journey. Since then I've added text blogging to it as well. My blog is http://www.thebandinme.com

I'm 4 months post-op and I have settled into what I feel will be normal for the rest of my life.... No one pays any attention to how I eat. Especially being out with a group of friends. I spend time talking, enjoying the conversation, and laughing that no one notices I've barely picked at my food and will be taking most of it home. Those that know that I've got my band are always complimentary at my "self-control" and the ability to handle "portion control." I'm very open about my surgery. Friends and family know exactly what's going on, look forward to my "weigh-in days" and want to know about my progress. I have MANY cheerleaders. My Mom being my Mom wants to know about any mental struggles, what I'm doing, and worries that I may be "pushing myself too far with the workouts." I'm very careful about fills. I don't want a tight band, that doesn't do anyone good. There's nothing I CAN'T eat only things I SHOULDN'T eat and then of course the foods that I WILL eat once I get to goal. There are not any foods that I miss. Because if I want something, I go for it. I've visited Dariy Queen and there's a Marie Calendars pie in my fridge as I type this. That might not be right for everyone but I am able to allow myself to indulge and move on. I'm not hungry, ever. I was lucky enough to have restriction from the moment I left the operating table. I didn't go through the "bandster hell" period. I'm more than satisfied with 4 oz of food and at times find even that much to be slightly too much for me. Since surgery I have taken my docs words to heart "if it's white, it ain't right." So because of that I avoid simple carbs, white Pasta, white bread, white flour, and sugar. And those things don't even taste good to me anymore. I enjoy my coffee every morning with Splenda. When I visited my Mom and had nothing for my coffee but sugar, after a single sip I'd would have rather gone without my coffee than drink it with sugar. It's funny, when you're eating healthy, changing your life, and doing what you can to get yourself healthy, a lot of cravings go away. The late night TV snack is replaced with a huge cup of Crystal Light. Pepsi is now Water or Propel. And the desire to be a couch potato has been replaced with making plans and deciding to MOVE and spend time being the Mom I want to be! Well, I hope that helps. Remember this is your journey. Do what is best for you and not what is best for someone else. If this is something you can do and live with, you've love every moment of the roller coaster. If it's not for you, find something that is and go at it! Good luck!!

I have gone to my surgeon's support group every month since I've been banded. My primary reason for going though is because my surgeon heads it up so it's a great opportunity to ask questions from him and others who have been through it. It's not as much about accountability for me as it is learning what others have gone through and meeting new people. Also, it's all banded people there, other surgeries have their own support groups. As far as 8 tablespoons, I've always eaten 4 oz post-op. I weigh my food each time and I was told to never eat more than those 4 oz. Try squeezing a balanced meal into those 4 oz! LOL

Amazing loss! Congratulations!!

Just remember that everyone loses at a different rate. I'm 16 weeks (3.5 months) post-op and down 72 lbs. At first I lost fast and now it's slowing down to an average of 2 to 3 lbs per week. I worked graveyard for a few weeks and that threw me off my game. Now that I'm no longer working I'm really glad to be back in the game (so to speak).

I workout nearly every day but I have to keep my mind off of the whole idea that I'm working out while I do it. Typically that I means I'm listening to my favorite songs or songs that take me "back" so that my mind is going through many many years as the songs play. When I go to the gym (not every time I workout do I go to the gym) I usually do it when one of my favorite shows is on TV and while it at the gym while I walk on the treadmill. I agree that it's about finding something you like to do. Not required I suppose but this is about health, not just weight loss. I workout for my health, not for weight loss. So for me, it's also about changing the point of view.

Ha! Thanks for the nice compliment. I'm 6' which is why I'm sure I didn't look my starting weight. ;o) Just look at the pics on my site or at the end of some of the videos... there's a HUGE difference and you might be able to see that starting weight in those "before" pics.

Thanks Jessica. :thumbup: My YouTube name is KRawsonCastro. I'll be posting a video today. :thumbup:

My doc says liquids for 24 hours and then move on to normal food, just "take it slow."

You probably have a combination of both things going on. Not all of us (myself included) go through "bandster hell." My first fill was at 8 weeks post-op (instead of the 5 weeks I was scheduled for). I had just started to get hungry about 2 hours after eating a 4 oz meal so I went in. I only have 2 cc (.5 cc from surgery) in my band and it brought me back to the same feeling I had post-op and I am content with just 4 oz of food. When you do decide to go in for your first fill, I'd ask how much you have in your band. In addition to the the primer fill that I had there was also air which was taken out with my first fill. Also, with being tight in the morning, I've heard that a lot and experience it myself. I start my morning with (decaf) coffee and that really seems to help (warm tea also). I don't usually have Breakfast until 3 hours after I wake up. Usually around noon I start eating. LOL Take advantage of not being hungry while you can. Move and exercise!

30 is definitely not too old to conceive. Many women are waiting later and later to have babies. If you were pushing 40, that'd be another story but I really don't think it's too old. As long as you don't have any underlying fertility issues, there's no reason why you can't have a baby. And just think by then, you'll be healthy!!

My doctor recommended nothing but walking for the first 2 weeks. And walking at that was more like a stroll. I walked around the block once every few hours. Seriously helped with the pain. After the 2 weeks was up we were free to start any exercise we wanted. The advice was to start slowly and stop if something doesn't feel right. I haven't stopped moving since surgery... LOL

I have heard A LOT that with prednisone it's hard to feel full, ever. Hang in there until after you're done with your meds and then re-evaluate your level of restriction.

Awww that's awesome, congrats!!

I wouldn't be worried and what you're describing I've heard several times with a fill. And remember that sometimes it takes a few days; even a week before you may feel any restriction.

I had both on the same day and the shoulder pain and the ability to take a deep breath came back about 6 days post-op. I used my heating pad A LOT though to help ease the discomfort... it worked.

Everyone will have days of not being perfect. It's not about how you overate today but what you will do about it tomorrow. It's a new day. So don't stress over it, because the more upset you make yourself the more likely you are to continue to over eat. Pick yourself up, jump up, and remember that changes happen gradually.

I have a video blog that I update weekly. Life After Weight Loss Surgery | The Band In Me

I'm not sure that there's anything you can do to make it better (other than the comment about laying on your left side). But what I can tell you is that it gets better as time goes on. However, it doesn't seem to completely go away (at least for me).

Don't worry about it! I moved through each stage without a problem and like you, was excited to go to soft foods. Remember to weigh everything you eat and to stick with high Protein foods. To answer your question, I didn't gain either (haven't gained at all since being banded). Take your time with your food, taking a full 20 minutes to eat, chew well, and enjoy!

Wow! I'm in shock. Sounds to me (because I don't know your exact surgery date) that you're losing with the average of 1-2 lbs per week. If that really is the case, I would point that out to your doctor. Have you given him a break down of what you're eating or is he guessing at what you're eating? If you really are working the band rules that he gave you and are doing things right, point that out to him. Remind him that he works for you, not the other way around. I'd also point out that 25 lbs is a good amount of weight and right on target with what bandsters lose. Also, if you feel like you MUST, I'd go to that appointment but I'd also pay the $250 to break free of this doc. And see if you can't find someone who goes to the new doc and can give you their opinion on how he works. It'd be really devastating to go from really bad to worse with doctors. Oh be sure to grab your medical records while you're there or you may have problems trying to obtain them for the new doc. I'm sorry you're going through this. But again, if you're doing all that you should, stand up to him. Don't take that abuse. As over weight people, we've been abused enough and certainly don't need that from the very people who are supposed to be supporting us on this journey. Good luck! *hugs*