nomorejellybelly

I just recently bought some more vitamins (store-brand gummy) after not taking them for awhile. They are better tasting than the ones I used when I first had the band. I did notice that they have a little biotin in them, which I think I need to start getting some of. I also have packets of Emergen-C that I take about every other day or when I remember to. It helps me feel like I'm getting more of what I need.

I have 3 meals a day (normally about 4 1/2 to 5 hours apart) and have a few bites of something if I feel like I need it. Sometimes I don't get to feeling hungry even at 5 hours. There are times recently though when I've felt hungry at only 3hours. What is up with that?

I'm able to eat pretty much anything I want, but I use common sense. I eat a cup of food at meals and wonder if I need more fluid in my band. I drink skim milk and one of my favorite things is low-fat/fat free cottage cheese with some low-sugar peach/strawberry preserves.

Debora Y - I'm sortof in the same boat. I've been able to eat pretty much anything. I really don't like to eat salad any longer. I try to eat healthy, but I do eat carbs: rice, but not much bread and rarely any potatoes. I try to limit the amount of carbs (rice), but it is hard sometimes. I eat a cup of food at a meal, no matter what kind of food it is. The lady at the center where I get fills, says I should start doing the 3/4 cup of food. I struggle with that. 3/4 cup of food. It barely seems like anything and you want to be able to enjoy what you are eating and if you can only have that amount of food, it is hard. I do way better with a full cup of food. Maybe I need more fill, in order to be comfortable with 3/4 cup of food. Anyhow, it is something I am working on. I struggle with my idea of wanting more food. It is tough, but I didn't get the band for nothing, so I'm sticking with it. Good luck to you all.

Howdybooth - You look really good in your pics. I've only had my band since 09/08/10 and my weight loss has been decent. I'm guessing that maybe you do need a fill. I'm curious to know if you are going to have any Fluid removed when you reach your goal? That is something I've wondered about. Good luck to you. I'd be interested to know what you do.

I got my band through TrueResults and when I've gone for fill appointments, the lady that does the fills is very conservative. I've only had 3 fills (out of 4 appointments). The way she's told me how much I have in the band is confusing. Like, I don't know if I'm getting a full 1cc each fill. It doesn't sound like it, because she'll say how some of the Fluid stays in the tubing from the port to the band. I see some people say how much fluid they have in their bands and it just floors me. I have a 10cc band and only have maybe 3cc in it. I have however had pretty good restriction and my weight loss is pretty good (I'm about a 1lb a week right now), but after this last fill, it seems like I'm getting hungry quicker. Don't know what that's about!

My favorites are cottage cheese w/a spoon of peach/strawberry preserves or jelly and scrambled egg with bits of ham and veggies in it. Today for lunch I did scrambled egg with 1/2 cup of ranch beans I had made and put it on two tostada shells and a sprinkle of cheese. It sounds like a lot of food, but really isn't.

I chose the lapband, because it seemed so much safer and because it is reversible. I love my band. It is quite an adjustment (obviously), but totally worth it. Everytime I get depressed because I'd like to eat more than what I can, I just remember why I got the band in the first place. Remember that it is your choice. I say get the band. Good luck to you.

I have meds for PCOS, that I'm not taking, because the pills are so huge. I checked with the pharmacist, who said I could crush them and take it with applesauce. Call your pharmacist and ask them about your medication, if it is okay to crush. I have two other meds that are small enough, that I don't have any problem with them. Good luck to you.

I had a big meeting at my office the week after my surgery and I went back the day before. I had surgery on 09/08/10 and went back on 09/15/10. I had a weekend in there, so that helped.

That's alot. Congratulations to you.

Kierstyn: You're doing great with your weight loss. To be honest, I don't always make good food choices, but I try to not make bad choices at every meal. Sometimes it is hard to eat a healthy meal. Sometimes you're in a hurry or maybe you don't have the healthy groceries at home. You really should cut back on the bad choices though. You did get surgery after all and it'll be a waste of time to keep eating and not exercising. That's what I remind myself, that I didn't get the band for no reason. You definitely need to exercise. I go to the gym, but don't worry about doing weights all the time and I don't run or anything. I definitely do cardio every day. Usually walking or bike riding for a total of at least 30 minutes. Remember you want to exercise to work your muscles. Muscle weights more, but it will also help you lose more weight. Good luck to you.

So, the Goodwill thrift store is my favorite place to shop now. I wish I had thought to shop there years ago. You can find really good stuff, really cheap. I go every few weeks. I went this morning, because I wanted to find another pair or two of jeans. I need more pants that fit my smaller body!!!! I loaded up with tops to try on and then hunted the racks for jeans. Added a few pairs to try on and even one that is a size way lower than anything I've worn in 20 years. I only liked how two of the pairs fit, but that one pair, was a size 12 (Gloria Vanderbilt). I thought I'd try them just for giggles, but they were pulling up really nicely and then they actually pulled up over my butt and then I just about fell over when they buttoned and felt comfortable!!!!! The other size I got was a size 14 (Cato). The pair I was wearing when I went shopping were size 16 (Ralph Lauren). I am adding the brand names, just to show the way that different companies size things. All three pairs fit very, comfortably. All are sizes that I couldn't wear when I started my pre-op diet in August. I've also recently gotten tops that are in Large not X-Large. More and more people are noticing that I've lost a lot of weight. I am definitely glad I got the band. I am turning 40 this year and by the time the next holiday season (Thanksgiving/Christmas/Hanukah) rolls around, I'm going to be a 40 year old hottie!!!!!

Congrats on your progress. I am so happy for you. Myself, I am almost half-way to my own goal and I believe my bmi is down about 10 points.

I got pretty nervous before my surgery also. Pain after surgery, but not really any worse than when I had emergency gall-bladder surgery. The surgery is well worth it. For me, the potential benefits were too great not to have it. Good luck to you.

My surgeon gave me copies of pictures they took from my surgery. They were gross!! But then again, I don't like any surgery pics. I did email to my sister (who lives several states away), who wanted to see them. I am really glad I got the band. I've done pretty well, since being banded on 09/08/10 and no problems w/food, but everyone is different. Good luck to you.

Hang in there. I know I constantly think about how much time I have between meals. Not because I'm hungry, but because I am concentrating on not eating too early. I have medication that I have to take an hour before I eat in the morning and then meds I take when I go to bed. I have a medication for PCOS, that I don't take, because the pills are too big. I called the pharmacy and they said it would be okay to crush these pills, but I keep forgetting and besides, I'd have to add it to applesauce. I guess a little applesauce in the afternoon between meals wouldn't hurt. By the way, I know I didn't think a lot about how my husband was going to deal with our difference in eating. It's gone pretty good. He eats the same amount as he normally does and doesn't give me a hard time about how I have to eat. He actually feels bad that I have to chew so much and he finds himself unconsciously chewing his foor more also! Anyhow, like I said. hang in there. Feel free to message me, if you'd like.

Awesome. Thank you for sharing your story.

Sorry you haven't had a good experience.

My center says 1 day of liquids, 1 day of mushies and then regular food.

I didn't have regular bm's for a little while after my surgery and when I did (TMI ALERT), it was usually just tiny bits.

Hang in there catblueluvsyou. You can do it. You definitely need to drink water and be hydrated. It bothers me a little when I want to eat more than I know I should or when I can only have a bite or two of something (I'm like why even bother). That is a real pain, but it's so totally worth it. Slowly try different foods that you liked and see if you can tolerate them. I've not had a problem with any foods. I can still eat everything I did before (except I don't like eating lettuce anymore). I just can only eat that very little bit. You are not a failure. It is a big change. Please keep in touch on the forum. We're all here for each other.

Tyler - Hi. You're a little bit taller than me! I'm about 4'8 or so. I used alot of Muscle Milk and a Protein supplement called Protein Bullet. It tasted totally gross, but making sure to get enough protein along with taking Vitamins, helped. Good luck to you.

Wow. You really have alot of fluid in your band. I've got a 10cc band and only have bout 2cc or so in it. I'm doing pretty good with that much. I can't imagine having as much fluid in my band as you have in yours. If you're having problems with food, maybe you should have some taken out? How much are you able to eat?

That is awesome. I too have noticed that some people lose alot quickly and for some, it comes off a little slower. But, as long as everyone is happy with their weight loss, that is all that matters. ...and 18 pounds in less than 2 months is really pretty good. Good luck to you!