dk4k

I gained about 3 last month. Thank God it went away quite quickly afterward.

My favorite is refried beans with cheese and salsa! i also love hummus (easy recipe online), eat it with a spoon and not chips. And cottage cheese. Just chew up the cottage cheese more than you think you have to...

My primary doctor actually recommended Dr. Smith to me, as someone in his office had gone through WLS with Dr. Smith and was very happy with the outcome. Dr. Smith has the LapBand too, so I think his greatest strength is that he can understand exactly what you are going through, more than most doctors can.

That's FANTASTIC!!! Enjoy your success! I'm still trying to figure out how to celebrate milestones without food...

I think you can do it! I had started eating more than I needed to, and had to go back and retrain myself to take the smaller portion on my plate. What is on the plate is what I will eat. Just another lesson that I have to do the work, not the band.

Mandy I'm very sorry to hear that your band was removed, but what a blessing that they were able to find your infection and treat it.

Good for you--the number is NOT everything!

It just sucks in every way, doesn't it? I don't have the usual food cravings this month, but I'm up 3 pounds for no reason at all! I was *THIS CLOSE* to a major milestone, then up 3!! grrrrrr

Protein, vitamins, and lots of water! You will also be surprised that taking walks can actually give you energy. I exercise and I still don't believe it!

Congratulations on entering Band Land! Pretty soon you'll just be "Muscles"!

I'm a scout Mom and I'm sure that doing the cooking lesson is going to max you out, not to mention all the rest. You are going to be sore and moving VERY slowly, and probably still needing to take pain meds on day 2. If you are being driven out to camp, you MIGHT be able to get away with visiting for a while. But no more. You will even have trouble getting into and out of your regular bed for the first few days. I'm so sorry, but you will be miserable if you try this! If you are doing dutch oven cooking, you won't even be able to move the thing. We're all so adamant because we know you how you will feel the first few days!!!

I made sure my dr. knew that I can't take codeine, so he prescribed Lortab. No problems. After a few days, I switched to liquid Tylenol.

Congratulations! Keep up that positive attitude!

I use an adult chewable gummy Vitamin, usually the CVS brand. I also take the Caltrate Calcium + vit D chews. After a few days, they started to taste like Tootsie Rolls, and I looked forward to my 2nd one in the evening when I felt like having something sweet. Bonus! I take Biotin daily (good for skin and hair), the brand from Walmart is a small tablet and easy to swallow. I also do the sublingual B12. I am not a fan of liquid meds either. I take liquid Tylenol when I have to. The only antibiotic I have been prescribed since surgery, I asked for liquid because the pills are usually big. It was awful. Then my son was prescribed an antibiotic soon after and the pills were pretty tiny, and he only had to take one a day for like 5 days. So next time I'm sick, I will ask the dr. if that particular one is appropriate for me. The liquid painkiller prescribed after surgery, while not great, has tasted better than any med I have tasted since. My incisions were glued shut and I had no problems with them. I haven't used a scar cream, but they are looking pretty good after 5 months. I didn't use anything like a belly band, but I'd be interested to know how that feels! Best of luck to you!

A thousand times YES, it was worth it! I did a 5K three months after surgery. Ask me when was the last time I did that??? I can move so much better, my joints almost never hurt (used to hurt daily), I'm in smaller clothes, I can tie my shoes and paint my toenails without discomfort, and I'm a cheaper date! I am looking so forward to being at my goal weight, but I already feel so much healthier. I have never PB'd so can't help you with your question, other than to say that not everybody does. I have felt uncomfortable pressure from taking a too big bite or not chewing enough, and you learn when you get that feeling, to SLOW down or stop eating altogether. It is scary to do something so life-changing, and I think you are doing the right thing by getting as much information as you can.

That's quite a compliment coming from a teenager!

We survived, and you will too! I can't eat Pasta or most bread but I am so happy to say that I mostly don't miss it! I do eat toast though. When you get to solids, if you find that you can't eat bread, try it toasted. Of course that leaves out some of the yummier kinds of breads, like french bread, but still it's something you can have. Those are the only 2 food items that I have found that I can't eat. Not so bad! I can do steak if it is very tender and I take small bites. So just take your time experimenting with things, and stay positive. The mental aspect is the biggest part of the weight loss challenge. The band helps a lot. Good luck!

Congratulations! Doesn't it feel good to be outside and moving? This morning it is cool after a hot day yesterday, and I thought maybe I would go walk at the park instead of on the treadmill. I don't think that thought has EVER crossed my mind before today!

Way to go!!

That's a little soon to drive. You will be sore and moving slowly too, so take that into account when getting ready. I hope you can make arrangements for someone to take you. Good luck!

If I went for the statistics, I'd be done after 9 more pounds, and I am still in the "obese" BMI range! I am aiming for the high end of "normal" BMI. Healthy and active. A different way of life, instead of a diet.

Congratulations on your surgery! You will be feeling better soon. I slept propped about 45 degrees in the bed with pillows. After a few days it still hurts to get into bed, but once you lie down you should be able to get comfortable. I think the right side was better than the left. Where the port is attached to your ab muscles will be tender for a while longer. Birth control pills, obesity, and being immobile after surgery are the 3 greatest causes of blood clots. I had 3 blood clots travel to my lungs about 17 months ago, right after a different surgery. I am lucky to be alive. The lovenox injections are to prevent blood clots. Your doctor must have been concerned about this being an issue with you, especially if you smoke, that is another huge factor. I'm really surprised he didn't give you more information though. They can also do a blood test for genetic clotting risk factors (I didn't have any), but again I would expect him to have shared that info with you. Get up and get moving as is recommended after lapband surgery anyway. Don't sit for long periods. I hope I didn't scare you! With the injections you are limiting the risk. Talk to your doctor about it when you see him again.

I wish I had more experience to share in this area! I had my 2nd fill about 2 months ago and haven't had another since I've been losing so well. I am much tighter during my TOM, but even after it was over this week, I noticed that I was still having to be more careful with food than I ever had before. That's what I call a delay! I am beginning to wonder if other factors like weather affect the band?

Major NSV!! Something like that is more concrete than a number on a scale. Especially when you realize than in a few months, you have erased 9 years of unhealthy living from your body. When are you going to take that big suit OUT of your closet forever?

A lot of it is emotional hunger, Kristin. It's what you're used to. My doctor recommends 2 high-protein snacks to keep hunger away, and that really helps me out. Try to stay busy away from food. The first few weeks are the hardest, but you will get through it.