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Omg I did the same exact thing. I was sleeved on 10/25 and when I was in preop I started crying After the nurse or maybe a tech said you getting sleeved. So I starting crying and ask myself was I doing the right thing. Then I calm down and my doctor came in after my sister chatted with me and said you will be fine. I hope and believe I made the right choice. I can't get enough fluids in. All the Protein or nasty maybe because it remind me of milk and Im lactose intolerance. Doctor said my tongue was white and I need to drink so other than that I will survive. I'm happy I went through with it but I just need liquids.

Hello, I have had my band for a few years now but have had various ups and downs so here is my journey............... As a teenager I was always a healthy but as I hit 19 my weight began to creep up and up and it was discovered I had polycystic ovarian syndrome which was the doctor said was the trigger for my weight gain, I carried on gaining weight and then I fell pregnant with my son at 23, I actually lost weight while I was pregnant, however after having my son my weight began to creep up again and after lots and lots of research I decided I would have a Gastric Band, so I flew to Brussels and had one fitted by the most amazing surgeon Dr Bruno Dillemans , this was back in January 2006, once back in the UK I had a first fill of 3ml which gave me a small restriction, however my partner and I had to move to Northern Scotland and at that time the nearest place I could get a fill done was a 5 hour drive away, at this point my band just got forgotten about, I kept saying I was going to go but just never got round to it due to various things and my weight then began to creep up again. I then moved back to my hometown of Torquay and went to see my G.P who advised me that she would put me forward to have further treatment through the NHS which I was not expecting but pleased about, it was a long process of visits with dieticians, specialist etc, and then the day of the band fill came, I was so excited, but it was not to be , my portal is in a funny position, so I was referred to have my fill under x-ray, I had 5mls my first fill and it was to tight, I couldn't swalow my own salivia without feeling like my chest was being crushed and being sick, I had 1ml taken out and went on to lose 2 stone, I then went back and had another fill up to 7mls which was tight and it took me a while to get used to it but once I learnt my do's and don't's I was ok with this and went on to lose 5 stone, I was over the moon I hadn't been that slim since I was 19 i'm now 31..!!, then I fell pregnant by mistake, I had to have my band totally deflated which was ok, I could of had a couple mls put back in but decided not to and was very careful with my eating during my pregnancy and ended up just gaining 7lb which I was over the moon about. My problems started once my daughter was born, she was born in November 2011 and with a cold winter I sat in most of the day on my own bored and eating...!!! my weight has shot right back up again so I begged for an earlier appointment with my specialist nurse, who tried to fill me but again I had to go under x-ray, I had 6ml put in and felt restriction for about a week then it seemed to slack off so I requested another appointment which I got 5 weeks after my 6ml fill and there was only 3ml still in, so it is thought I may have a small leak in my tubing...!!!!!!, I am now at the point where I was filled up to 7mls 10 days ago, which is a mega restriction, which I like, but i'm now just waiting to see if it slacks off to see if I have to have my tubing replaced....!!!! So there is my journey so far, I came so far but am backk where I started and my journey is just beginning again...!!! Wish me luck xxxxx

well, exercise has never been by problem. I actually work on increasing my speed rather than my time. So I started out at a 3.5 and every 10 minutes I increased by 0.1 for a full hour so that I finished at a 4.0 I would do that 2-3 times then start at 3.6 and do the same thing so that I worked my way up to a 4.1. The point is to do what your comfortable with. When I can finish the full hour at my current speed while feeling tired but not like I'm going to puke, I up the speed by another 0.1. If you're going for time, and you can manage 50 seconds without feeling horrible then go up to 55 the next time, then 60. But if once you get to 60 you're just barely able to eek it out, then stick there for a few ork-outs until you're more comfortable. You want to push yourself to get better, but you don't want to push so hard that you feel like you're going to pass out or you're having chest pain or anything. Just take it day by day and see how you feel.

Well my curiosity obviously wondered off to these men fourms. Okay well guys are always supposed to be the ones that always want sex correct? ... well that's not my case I always have to start of the sexual interaction I have to nthrope one that starts kissing and etc... my husband does nothing. I even put on sexy out fits and heels and do my hair and cook a meal for my husband so when he gets home from work he gets turned on and what not and all I get is a babe you look nice. I dontthink its my physical.... I'm 19 I don't want to sound cocky because I'm not at all but when I go anywhere people are always staring at me and blowing me kisses I have a veryy nice curvy body and I'm tall and I have nice hair and a cute face I don't know. What is up with guys ... help?

Hello all- I had my lap band done on 10/27/03, and have yet to get a fill. I have lost 60 lbs, and still have quite a bit of restriction. There are days when I can eat whatever I want, and days where I can eat very little. Has anyone else passed on the fills thorugh 4 months or more? I'm beginning to wonder if I will ever need one!! Thanks. 363/303/219

Ok, my question is... I was banded on 10/24. By the 3rd day I was fine with drinking fluids. It's now been, 2.5 and I'm already eating. yes I know I'm not suppose to, but I stay so hungry! I'm, afraid I'll strech my stomach, is this possible? I'm not eating anywhere near wha i use to, but I'm already eating "soft foods". I'm afraid I'll gain weight before my 1st fill in 3 weeks. Anyone else have this problem?

I have the same concerns for my sons (7&10). It is something we work for everyday. We discuss the importance of healthy food choices and exercise. Treats aren't labelled as bad, but as something we have occasionally. My youngest has life threatening food allergies which has made us read ingredient labels for every item we buy. We have turned label reading into a teachable moment and they are learning the difference between natural food and chemical "food". I also use their school lessons in our house to broaden their understanding. All we can do is try. Nobody is perfect but the fact that you worry about their nutrition says a lot! Hang in their and know that just by trying to find out how to help them is the biggest and most difficult first step!

I have not posted in a while. I have been pretty depressed with my weight lose. I know part was my fault because I was not exercising, but I have been so tired with no energy! I finally forced myself this week to join the gym. I have my best friend and my sister join with me so if one is unable to go the other will be there sooooooooo that makes me have to go!!! I am only able to do 1.25 miles right now but that is better then nothing and OMG the elliptical is WAY!!!!!!! out of my league right now. I was only able to do 2 minutes on that. I went out and bought 5 new shirts (1x size) WOOHOOO.... because my best friend told me I was starting to look like dumpy because they were getting to big on me LOL...... so I found some good sales! and teased her when I lose some more weight she will have some new shirts! I just hate to buy items when I wont be wearing them very long ( I hope!!!!!) We have planned a trip in January for 10 days to Kauai!!! I am so excited to go to Kauai, but I sit here and worry about clothes and what I will have to order because there will not be any stores that will be carrying shorts and swim suits in Dec. I dont know what size I will be and if I order items off the web will they fit, will I have to return them or what??? I don't like to order off the web much because unless you try them on you dont know how they will look or feel. Crossing fingers my goal is to be under 200 by then! All I have to say, don't give up! All the other post and blogs from people about how much they lose and how fast! I think as long as I am losing even 5lbs a month is better then nothing!

Thank Gawd its Friday!!!!!!!!! I love Friday and today is even Payday, its my year end at work, I made my goal which means I get a 10% of my yearly salary bonus!! Yehaw!!!! I won't get it until February 22nd, but thats okay, I am spending it on our next cruise that leaves June 29th, 2008 to the Virgin Islands. I'm hoping to be at goal by then. Wt this morning 168.6 - starting to drop the water weight!

I am eating about 1000 calories and I have lost 10 lbs. I am having protein shakes for breakfast and lunch. I have lost a total of 10 lbs.

CONSISTENCY *If the food you are eating is keeping you full for 3 or less hours you must increase the consistency/thickness of your food. (Generally when you are on clear liquids and ready to move to full liquids, full liquid to mushy, etc) *If the food you are eating is keeping you full for 4 or more hours your food is at a good consistency/thickness. *As soon as you feel full (this may feel like discomfort in your chest) STOP EATING. If you ever feel like something is stuck STOP! Do not drink or eat. Typically, in 30 minutes the food will come up or go down. · Special note: If all you can eat is soft/mushy foods, you are too tight and need fluid out of the band. ADJUSTMENTS · You are ready for an adjustment when you are eating good solid nutritious food (the highest consistency) and it is no longer keeping you full for 4 hours and/or your portions are increasing, and/or you are not losing weight. DAILY ROUTINE · Upon waking drink 20 oz of water (anything 1 calorie or less, no caffeine, no carbonation). The first 8 oz may need to be hot clear liquid. This is also a good rule to apply when preparing your meals. (If you feel pressure/tightness, you need to loosen your band before you eat with hot clear liquids and deep breaths, then repeat water process) · Wait 10 minutes. No eating or drinking (let the fluid drain out of the pouch). When dining out, this would be when you are waiting on your food. At home this will be the time you take cutting meat, moistening meat, and getting it ready to eat) · Breakfast: Protein 1st (use fork and knife and cut up food well), Fruit 2nd (Sample breakfast: ½ cup low fat, low sugar yogurt, 2 T of almonds, ¼ piece of fruit w/ no skin OR 1 very soft, moist scrambled egg, 1 crisp piece of bacon, ¼ piece of fruit w/ no skin · Wait 1 ½ hours (no eating or drinking) · Drink 20 oz of water up until time for lunch. · Wait 10 minutes. No eating or drinking (let the fluid drain out of pouch) · Lunch: Protein 1st (use fork and knife and cut up your food well), vegetable 2nd, carbohydrate 3rd (sample lunch: ½ cup chili (beef or turkey and beans), 4 whole grain crackers OR 1/3 cup chicken salad, ½ seedless cucumber, 4 whole grain crackers OR 1-2 oz grilled chicken on 1 cup garden salad w/ low fat dressing, 4 whole grain crackers · Wait 1 ½ hours (no eating, drinking) · Drink 20 oz of water up until time for supper. · Wait 10 minutes. No eating or drinking (let fluid drain out of pouch) · Supper: Protein 1st (use a fork and knife and cut up food well), vegetable 2nd, carbohydrate 3rd (sample supper: ½ cup stew (beef and vegetable), 4 whole grain crackers OR 1-2 oz meatloaf, ¼ cup green beans, ¼ cup mashed potatoes OR 1-2 oz bake or grilled fish, 2-3 tops of broccoli (steamed and very tender), very small baked potato w/ no skin · Wait 1 ½ hours (no eating or drinking) · If you are getting hungry between meals, you are waiting for an adjustment and you feel you must eat a snack, it should be a protein snack. (low fat chunk cheese, T of peanut butter, nuts, turkey jerky) · Once you get close to your ideal body weight you may have to pay closer attention to your calories. You should not have more than 1200 calories a day. They also recommend when drinking right before your meal to drink/gulp to see if it moves smoothly. This will let you know if you are ready to eat yet. Also, my doctor's office does not recommend snacks.

Last night I ventured into the world of real food again. According to my post-op diet I can have fish and cooked vegetables...so I went to Luby's and ate about 1-1/2 oz. of baked fish, maybe 12 green beans, and 2 tbsp. of mashed potatoes. Yes, I was a little scared to swallow. But I chewed the tar out of that food and I had little problem. And I sure didn't eat very much. In the hours that followed I did have 4-5 short bursts of pain in my sternum area but it was no big deal. It did, however, give me a glimpse of what it feels like to get something stuck. Motivation enough to chew, chew, chew let me tell you! The most amazing thing was how this little bit of food kept me satisfied all night long!!! :omg: I realize it won't always be this way, but it was an interesting view of things to come. I dropped another 2 lbs. This is the coolest thing ever. Slept really well last night but had the STRANGEST dreams of my life. OMG!! And they just went on and on and on and on. Can't go into details in a public forum but let me just say they involved everything from bugs in my poop, to working with the FBI to nab a former neighbor, to being unable to properly care for a baby, to being named an executive in a new corporate merger. Hey, they're just dreams, right??? :rolleyes This morning have a good deal of pain at port incision and lots of pulling sensations when I cough or sneeze (OMG!!!), etc. Also, still constipated after taking two rounds of milk of magnesia :puke:. Gas is better this morning. Much better. Will try to move around more today....go for a longer 30 minute walk....maybe even 2x!! That would be really good. counts for yesterday: Total 638 Fat:21 190 30% Sat:10 93 15% Poly:3 29 5% Mono:6 54 9% Carbs:71 272 43% Fiber:3 0 0% Protein:43 171 27%

Just for the records.... After a 7 week plateau, scale finally moved to 183.8 today, 10/16. Started using Body Bugg on 10/13. I don't think the two events are related, it just happend that way.

What stood out to me is that you are not eating during the day. If you do not eat during the day your brain thinks its starving so it tells your body to over eat at night. Start eating on a schedule. Breakfast 9 am 250 calories, snack 10:30 am 150 calories, lunch at noon 250 calories, snack at 3:30 150 calories and then dinner at 7 pm 250 calories. If your out during the day, fix a small cooler with these things in it and at those times. Eat on schedule, come hell or high water! (I'm in Texas too!) It will help you at night. Let us know how it goes.

Okey dokey! Buffalo chicken potato skins - recipe is here: http://jeanslapbandjourney.blogspot.com/2012/10/buffalo-chicken-potato-skins.html Baked shrimp w/ tomatillos - recipe is here: http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/baked_shrimp_with_tomatillos/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+elise%2Fsimplyrecipes+%28Simply+Recipes%29&utm_content=Google+Feedfetcher Baked oatmeal w/ fruit & nuts - recipe is here: http://jeanslapbandjourney.blogspot.com/2012/10/baked-oatmeal.html

Hi everyone, I am relatively new here. I signed on a few times but haven't really gotten involved. I wanted to wait until my date was closer. Soooo....Insurance has authorized, I have pretesting on 12/30, start stage 2 diet on 1/5/09 and am having surgery on 1/19/09. I am so excited!! I would love to hear from anyone in pre or post stages. Happy New Year To all!!!!:tongue_smilie:

i weigh myself today and saw that i dropped 10 lb in 7 days! so that's giving me the motivation i need.

Has anyone tried 10 minute trainer? If so, does it work?

Let's see. My name is Amanda. I have been married for 8 1/2 years, and during that time we have had 4 wonderful kids! My hubby is a pastor, and I stay at home with the babies. I first realized that I had a weight problem when I was about 11 years old. Since then I have pretty much been preoccupied with what size I was. As you know this is rather stressful, and what is my favorite thing when I am stressed? Yeah, chocolate! Oh who are we kidding it doesn't have to be chocolate, any food that's full of salt, sugar, or (and) fat will do:laugh:! Seriously though, it is time that I do something. I have tried every diet under the sun, including chewing for the flavor and then spitting the food out:thumbdown:(it didn't work to well!). I lose weight during most of my diet tries, but then my hunger takes over and I fail and gain, gain, gain. I have been following these posts but not really saying anything for about a year and a half, and now I really think this is the right choice for me. I go for the imformation seminar on 10-21-08 and I am so excited. I hope my insurance accepts me as I will definitely not be able to self pay, but I am handing this to the Lord. If it is His will for me to have this surgery He will pave the way. If any of you have BCBS of North Carolina, did it go well with you? Anyway, I am so excited! I am ready to start my new life!

I'm 41 married and father of 2 boys .. used to be athletic but stopped after graduated from Univ. and started career I started gaining weight each month .. bounced through diet sometimes but always maintained way up on scale .. studied for a year or more what to do and decided it's surgery my solution .. At first I decided wd my wife and a famous doctor here in Cairo the gastric bypass .. we made the pre op analysis and checkups All was clear and set the op last year's May 7th.. I'm from Alexandria it's 220 km far from Cairo so I drove my car early dawn reached hospital, parked front of entrance and never was able to open door and jump inside hospital .. I freezed!! Something told me Go back don't do it don know why?? So I turned to my wife who kept encouraging me all the way and to her eyes told her straight I'll not do this bypass surgery!! She started to cry I dropped inside hospital front desk to tell them I'm not doing it and asked them to inform Dr. as soon as they can. I returned back took my time to study All and gave myself one year to sort it out if not I'll return doing bypass again!! 3 months back I was in a mall in Cairo met a fellow that I don't know who stopped me and told me you are 180 kgs!!! He is normal size, not obese so he struck me telling me he was like me one year back!! Told me about Plication and how it turned his life way better and how he committed himself to advise everyone who was like him to do it. I got his Surgeon details in another city 180 km from us went there and met him and liked it All. Only problem it's away from my hometown not very comfortable I started to search in my hometown and found a v good surgeon a brother of one of my best colleagues in Faculty who made it frequently and got v good results and decided he's the one! Today I completed one month post op .. feeling gr8 .. eating good .. lost 20 KG (44 pounds) 10 days pre op + 1 month post op .. feeling more normal now .. small portions fill it in wd satisfaction and can stay long without craving if ever as before!! No craving no bad mood without eating nor drinking problem is it goes to Water as well so water intake at first dropped dramatically now begin to increase it so it's vital and so imp. Best of luck in yours did the right choice and you'll begin a new you a much better self confident You .. post op only 2 days of disorder and some mild to normal pain then way better ev day .. best luck and best wishes

Has anyone else used the kitchenaid spiralizer? I saw the posts about the zoodles, which prompted the search for a spiralizer. I tried one of the plastic cheapy ones with little success. I have a kitchenaid, but not sure about the $100 price tag. HW 385 SW 359 Sleeved 10/5/16

Mpope There are many factors that go into the whole saggy skin - Your age - how long you have been over weight - DNA (this is the biggest factor) Think of a garbage bag put in a ten pound weight - leave it there for a short time then take it out - the bag goes back into shape Now take 80 lbs and leave the weights in the garbage back for a few years - take it out the bag will not go back into shape. Exercise works your muscles not your skin - building more muscle fills the space where the fat was and your skin - but it's not going to firm your skin, What's more important - saggy skin - or your health?? Saggy skin is not going to kill you but that fat will - put it into perspective.. I have grandma boobs (I am a Grandma :scared2:) but with proper bra they look good - I have a little flap on my tummy nothing spanxs doesn't take care of. My arms - will that's another story - but I just don't go sleeveless. Heck we don't live in Eden where we would be walking around naked - (thanks Eve :blushing:) We walk around clothed - so most of the flabby skin is covered up.. I feel 10 yrs younger - Look 100% better - and God willing have extended my life span - and this was the whole purpose of my getting the band. The better looks is secondary to me. There are always plastic surgeons - but insurance will not cover them unless it's medically necessary - (rashes under your apron if you have one) So the real question should be - What's Important to you... Your health or a little flabby skin??

There are several factors that will determine whether or not you might have sagging skin. The more weight you have to lose, the longer you have been overweight and the faster you lose will contribute to sagging or non sagging skin. I know that I will have extra skin because I have been this weight for about 10 years and I have 150 lbs to lose. I can tell that my tummy already sags even though I haven't lost a lot. For a long time I thought I couldn't handle the sag but I would rather have it than the fat. Exercise will help some people. Insurance will normally pay for the surgery to remove it if there is a medical reason. If it is for purely cosmetic reasons, they won't cover it.

Hi there... well I'm back, with an extra 20kgs (of luggage). Perhaps my shopping kept the calorie intake evened out. I did manage to gain 3kgs in 10 days in the US. No doubt a lot is just excess food in my system, and Water weight - and it will come off quickly now I'm back to healthy food options. No doubt there are good places to eat - I suppose you just need to know where to go, and I didn't really have the resources to find those (and don't drive when in the US). I guess it also depends on where you are. Had a fab time though - I love my friends over there - makes business a lot of fun.

Hi folks, I'm current in the USA on business for 2 weeks...... first week in Florida, now in Boston. I'm struggling. I had my first fill just 1 week before I left, and much to my surprise, seem to have some good degree of restriction. I'm struggling for 2 reasons: 1. I haven't learned yet what I can eat without problem, how much and when to stop. Its hard to get into a good routine, because the food I'm eating here is very different to what I would eat at home in Australia. I'm spending a lot of time with that dull pain radiating from around my pouch, which I'm sure means I've eating too quickly, too much, or not chewed well enough. 2. The second problem is the food. With all due respect to my american friends, the food here in the US is just diabolical (especially when you are living out of a hotel). I hate to say it but the food is just so unhealthy and processed. Of course, we have junk food in Australia too, but it seems even the junk food in america is more unhealthy than the junk food in Australia. On the plus side - I'm having a ball in my free time hitting the clearance racks. I'm coming home with 20 kgs of extra luggage. Great clothes in 1X (14-16) for the coming Sydney summer, and great clothes in 2X for the current Sydney winter. Last time I was in US, some 3X clothes didn't fit me, so I'm pretty happy - so very very cheap compared to what we pay. I got 3 great jackets for winter at $15, $20 and $30, and some really cute argyle cardigans for $12 each... woohooo. Several shirts for $10 a piece. Basically, I spent less than $350 for complete winter and summer wardrobes, that will see me through as I drop sizes. Plus sized clothes are so plentiful and inexpesive here in US.