chriper

OK all I had my annual Christmas visit home to Michigan. I don't know what I was expecting, but what I wasn't expecting was for no one to mention my weight loss! Maybe its becuase over the years I made such a fuss about someone always asking me about my weight that now they just don't approach the subject. My brother casually said I can tell you've lost a lot of weight but that's about it. My sister (always my champion) told me i was looking good, and my mother didn't say a word. But I gather she said a lot to my grandmother whose down in Memphis. When I talked to Granny she said oh I hear you're still coming down, your face is slimmer, etc, etc...Amazing they couldn't say it to me but they said it to her. Anyhoo I did good on the food front. Even though I was looking forward to an authentic chilli dog I didn't have one. Nor did I go to greek town, or any other of good eating in Detroit. I guess knowing its always there helps me to overcome the "need" to have it. And with my grandma out of town I didn't have to worry about peach cobbler and sweet potatoe pies. How did you all do over the holiday?

I am very sorry for your loss. I hear that the first holiday season is the worse hump to get over and it gets easier from there. You mentioned that you talked to God about. I would like to encourage you to continue to talk to Him about it. He's the only one that can grant you the peace and understanding that you need to press forward. Thank Him for the extra time that He gave your mom (not the alkaline diet) and for the pleasure of haivng known her at all. Thank Him for relieving her pain and for the great memories, and I gurantee you'll feel better. Then get up, get dressed and LIVE! I believe that's what your mom would have wanted. I'll be praying for you.

You have an excellent view on things. Keep up the work on you and never, ever settle!

HI All I have a question that I hope you don't think is too silly. I know we're not supposed to eat and drink. Wait 30 minutes after drinking to eat and 30 minutes after eating to drink again. Well I just had lunch and i soup and a half sandwich. It was a veggie soup with broth which made me wonder, is that the same as eating and drinking? Thanks

Good Morning All I was wondering does anyone know of a fish oil pill that is small in size? I've been taking fish oil for three months prior to my banding, but now since having my 2nd fill, its a little harder to swallow the large pill. I'm looking for a smaller option. Thanks!

Thanks for all the answers!

OK I knew that as the fills increased it would affect the way I eat, I never guessed that it would affect my water intake. I'm use to being able to drink 8-10 ounces without a blink, but not anymore. I have to take water slowly just like everybody else. I guess this is what restriction feels like!

Absoultely inspiring! Congratulations.

Its like that in the beginning. The doctor only gives you so many cc's so your body has time to adjust (and you). I was the same way, but I just had my 2nd fill and I definitely feel the restriction. Just hang in there, its a process.

1. how many cc's you have in your band -4ccs in 10cc band. 2. do you feel you have restriction- what does that mean for you? yes I feel restriction now. don't know if its sweet spot yet but we'll see. 3. are your calories tending to stay below like 1600 (or what are your calories generally.) Haven't counted in weeks but need to go back to it. 4. what is your weight loss like: I've lost 31lbs including preop diet.. Its coming slow but surely. 5. are you hungry between meals. Sometimes. most between breakfast and lunch. sometimes at night. 6. are you exercising, and how much. I typically work out 5 days a week. Lately I'm working 2nd job for holidays so its more like 2-3 depending on schedule. Jan I'll be back to 5. 7. how much Water are you drinking? at keast 64 ounces per day...more if i'm working out.

Hello All Well last week was a busy one for me. On Wed I attended the local lap band support group sponsored by my surgeon's office and it was interesting. I met a young lady whose very close to her goal weight, even with a thyroid problem, and its taken her just about 2 year. With it being resolution time, i also met a lot of people who are still "considering" the band and were still weighing their options...all in all it was a good session. If you are not a part of a support group, you should consider joining one. We only meet once a month and its just for the band (bypass has their own session) the info and comraderie you obtain is great. The next day I had my second fill. This one was done by the nurse practitioner and I must say she was much more gentle than the surgeon was. Heck I guess he's use to people being under anesthesia so he's rougher. Anyway I got 2 more cc's for a total of 4 in a 10cc band. I must say i can feel the difference. I don't know if I'm at my sweet spot or not, but I eat less and have to slow down. I was rushing on Sunday and took a few bites out of a McGriddle from McDonald's and the pain the ensued was scary. Once the food finally passed down, i threw the rest away and drank a protein shake for breakfast instead. What can I say its all a learning process.

OK I know we are all in this to lose weight, but I must admit I am a little concerned. Thanks to the tonsillitis I am taking antibiotics which is taking away my appetite and ability to reatin food. That coupled with the fill and I am seeing a very dramatic weight loss. I weighed myself this morning and I am 11lbs lighter than I was on Thursday! Should I be concerned? Just want to be sure I'm healthy.

thanks Pablo. I'm trying to be very cautious to maintain good health. I think you're right, once I'm off the meds my appetite will return and i may see a little increase, we'll see.

Hello All I am sorry I haven't been around lately but as the title hints, I was stricken with tonsillitis. OMG that was worse than the surgery! To swallow took a prayer and a scream and a day after my diagnosis was my appointment for my first fill. I was going to reschedule at first becuase I didn't want to infect a surgeon and risk him passing it on, but he said it was OK and he went ahead with it (I voluntarily wore a mask during the apppointment). No one warned me about the needle. I hate needles as it is and that thing is huge. He had a little trouble finding the port but not too bad. Once he hit it the fill went nice and quick. Now I don't feel right about posting my new weight becuae I know a lot of it was from being sick and not being able to swallow/eat/drink, but I do know that I'm probably down another size! I feel the journey is beginning. Next fill appt is 4 weeks! New Years here I come!:bored:

OK I'm not sure how the progression has been for others, but for me I've been at a plateau for a few weeks now. I lost 16lbs during the preop diet then another 10 post op, but even though I was walking every day my weight loss stalled. I kept up with the walking and now that I'm back at work I've been in the gym; hard! My job has its own gym so its really easy to get to and the classes are phenomenal. I've gotten back into step aerobics, Zumba, and a strength class and I am happy to say the scale is moving again. So the bottom line is keep trucking along, your body will catch up to your hard work and weight loss will resume. The icing on the cake for me is I have on a pair of jeans today that my brother bought me for Christmas 2 years ago that I have never been able to fit, and now they fit perfect! Woo hoo!:thumbup:

Hi All Sorry I haven't been on the thread as often, but getting back to work has been time consuming to say the least. I am 4 weeks post op now and like others I have port tenderness when I wear tight jeans, or if I bend a certain way, but other than that no issues. I am back in the gym. I love attending the classes. I take sculpt, step, and Zumba and I must admit they are working. I've only lost 30lbs (including preop) but I am getting compliments every day on how I look. I am fitting into clothes that I haven't been able to wear in years and there's already a waiting list for my clothes as they get too big (lol). I am finding it hard to shop for new items though. I don't know what size to buy or when to buy. Do you wait until your 2 sizes down? 3? I am beginning to see how the mental change is just as big as the physical one.

OMG Kamsie01 my coworkers said the same thing to me. One actually said, you're already losing weight, why don't you just stay on this diet? I smiled and politely said becuase no one can survive forever on protein shakes alone. Its not a sustainable diet. MMJ Yes, food is everywhere. Especially on TV!

OK so I'm only a few weeks post op and I know I've received some crazy comments from people. 1 guy told me he can see me sliming and I will have a husband by July, my mom made a comment to my nursing staff that I was the 2nd person in my sisters wedding to opt for surgery (as if that was the reason) which got me to thinking, what are some of the crazy comments you've received about your weight loss so far? I know for several of my coworkers I am the guinny pig. They are watching me close as they decide what they want to do about their health and weight. :thumbup:

OK I got spoiled being on the preop and post op diet. I was used to losing 2lbs a day and I miss those days. I won't get a fill until 6 weeks preop and i'm actually looking forward to it (not the needle). As of now I can eat anything I want. I have yet to feel sick and I can tolerate fish, chicken, steak, pork, all of it and while its good it makes me nervous. Oh well a couple more weeks to go.

Hello All Well today's my last day of freedom. I return to work tomorrow. If it wasn't for short term disability paying only 70% I would stay off longer, but let's face it, we all need 100%. I had my 2 week appt on last week and I was told i'm healing fine and doing oK. I also attended my first post op support group, and I would recommend that everyone become a member of a local lap band specific support group...the info is phenomenal. Haven't lost much weight, but I was told I'll get my first fill at 6 weeks post op so I guess that's when all the fun will begin. My bariatric coordinator was suprised that I can eat anything. I haven't been sick once, and so far I can tolerate all meats including beef! So I guess I'm one of the lucky ones...hope you are too. The one drawback is that everyone's first question is how much weight have you lost. I chose to believe they are being supportive but it can become tiresome. I understand word has gotten around the office about my surgery so when I go back I'm sure all eyes will be on me. That's OK I can take it. Talk with you later.

OK I'm only 2 days away but I don't have time to be nervous. They finally hired a temp to replace me and I've been training her all day! I can't worry about work but I must admit the stress has caused me to slip on my diet, but I stuck to good food. I had a salad with dressing for lunch :smile:. I know, but I will do better this evening and tomorrow. by the way, my nutritionist recommended two cookbooks both by Margaret Furtado: Idiots Guide to Eating Well and Recipies for Life after Weight los.

So my nickname since i was about 5 years old is Cookie. I was named this by my father and so began my love affair with cookies. I can bake any kind, eat just about any kind, and love the smell of them cooking. So as I sit in Panera Bread typing this message all of the lucious smells that go hand in hand with cookies are surrounding me. Then it dawns on me, I haven't had a cookie in how long?! It doesn't even seem real. I honestly can't recall the last time I had a cookie...wow. I'm active again. Walking about 30-45 minutes a day (can't believe the great weather this time of year) and its helping. My energy is returning and I'm feeling the burn. I go see my surgeon on Thursday for my first preop and presumably my first fill. Wish me luck. I had a mishap with one of my wounds opening but I went into the ER and they took care of it. Hopefully a huge ugly scar won't result from it. Haven't gone back to work yet and I'm not looking forward to it....if you're pre-op do yourself the favor of taking the time off! It really helps!