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Way to go eveeryone!!!! I am soo excited! I don't think that Oprah is a fan of WLS but who cares if enough of us do it I am sure she will see how great and fabu we all are! My apt is 10:30 in the Brea Mall! I joined ediets too so we will see!

I'll be 10 weeks out on Monday & I track EVERYTHING on MyFitnessPal & haven't missed a day since my pre-op diet started 12 weeks ago. It helps me to keep tracking because I can see what I eat & make sure I get enough protein & fluid in each day. I like seeing how different things influence my body & tracking helps.

Yesterday I ate a soft muffin and tried to swallow a bite that was too big...I got it through with a drink and a little discomfort. Now I have the constant feeling that something is stuck. I have been able to eat and drink normally though since then. I have tried drinking warm cocoa in case something needs to be disolved in there. What does this mean and will it pass soon? I'm hopping that I just strained the tissue and it will heal without a trip to the Dr. I was banded Sept. 19 and have lost 40lbs and have gone from a 18W to a size 14 without much exercise so far. I know, I know I need to exercise!

my doc gave me a list, first 3 days after surgery = liquid diet days 4-7 full liquid days 8-10 = puree days 11-14 minced week 3 soft week 4 bariatric regular not a whole lot to choose from on the list, everything is fat free, sugar free, and you got the Protein first cottage cheese, mashed pototes, pureed meats, pureed veggies, sf yogurts, cream of wheat, oatmeal, then on week 4 you can pretty much eat anything just cut into tiny pieces, some things like raw veggies, tough fruit and hot peppers are to be avoided for like 6 months hope that helps good luck

My surgeon had me start the 2 protein meal replacements shakes and one meal a day. I can have small snack in between IF I feel hungry. Okay so first week was great I was on track doing fab. Now sometimes I feel like I'm starving. I've got 2 more months before surgery and feel like I'm failing more and more each day. I knew going into this it wasn't going to be easy. Hoping after the surgery I don't have that hunger. Side note.... Only need to lose 10 lbs. I have! I drink drink drink water thinking that would help with hunger and does a little but I'm struggling. Can anyone relate to this? Any suggestions for me?

Thanks everyone for the great advise! Specially for the article BenisaMartim! I'm going to make sure I warm up for at least 10 min before a hard work out and if that's not enough I will increase my carbs. Hope it works!

It is time to refocus! I am happy to have lost 52.6 pounds, I am happy to not have gained anything back, but I am not happy that I have become complacent. I have not lost a pound in months and I know I am not working my band properly. It is a wonder I have not gained anything back. I have let my busy, hectic life get in the way and I have lost control. I know that chips, ice cream, and those dreadful york peppermint patties go down easily and have no place in my diet. Especially when I may eat them in lieu of a healthy, balanced meal. This is something that has been nagging me for weeks and I am doing that before bed mental crap that I used to do back when I was 270+ pounds. Just as I am falling asleep I get that feeling of dread that I am still obese. I am ready to get this weight loss rolling again or in the very least start feeling like I ma working it properly and being more healthy. I have opted to try to incorporate South Beach principles into my diet because I truly believe this is a healthy way to live. I am doing Phase 1 as of yesterday to try to detox me from all the crap I was eating. I swear that helps with the craving and I hope it helps again.... Yesterday's Meal Plan B: 1 quiche cup 1 turkey sausage *I cooked 2 sausages and quiche cups but was full after 1. L: low sodium V8 3 slices ham rolled with cheese mustard coffee with 1/2&1/2 D: romaine lettuce (about 1 cup) 3oz chicken parmesan cheese light caeser dressing dessert: SF jello with cool whip snack later 2 Polly-O string cheese I figured out the calories to be 932 with 52grams fat and 82 grams protein. Per fitday. I also managed to drink more water than I have in months. I would estimate that I had 10 glasses! That was why I didn't really snack until later...no time with all that drinking and waiting after meals. I really wasn't ever hungry today though either. Yesterday was my busy day though so we will see how I do when I have more down time.

Very easy. Took maybe 10 minutes. Sent from my SM-N920T using the BariatricPal App

I never thought I would say this either but you are correct. I had to have a unfill 2 weeks ago due to gall bladder surg. During that week before getting filled again, I thought I would have sm amounts of all the food I couldn't have before (anything with bread) and I found 9 out of 10 times I didn't enjoy having it.:clap2:

goal 1st week of lap band. lose 10 goal with lapband after that..lose 16-20 lbs a month. be sure to hit 100lbs down by august 1st then.

Congrats OCBreeze Congratulations. You're right you CAN do this. I applaud you for your perseverance and all the hard work you have put in to get here... That's definetly a mix for success. I don't get the diet thing either with shrinking the liver and such because my surgeon told me if I lost 5-10 pounds and kept it off before surgery that he didn't care if I did the pre op diet. So I lost 8 pounds and had Italian as my last dinner before surgery at my favorite restraunt.... I just had to have eaten it before 7 pm the night before LOL Good luck!

Hello, My name is JJ. This week I have taken the first step in getting my health together. My insurance covers weight loss surgery after 6 months of supervised dieting. Today I saw my GP and she is completely supportive of this journey, and was genuinely honest about it being a tool, not a cure all. I appreciate the honesty. I have chosen a Dr. and will attend his seminar in a few days. At that point I will fill out the paperwork and go from there. About a year ago I had a major surgery that improved my health by 75%. Since then I realize how great I can feel, and the immense pleasure of being a part of life without pain. My BMI is 41. I am 5'1" and 219lbs @ 39 yrs of age. I have thyroid disease (hypo), high triglycerides, mild sleep apnea, depression (after losing a child) and am pre-diabetic. Around 10 years ago all self-esteem issues vanished for me after the birth of our child. I finally started living life as much as possible, only being held back by pain. I buy clothes that fit, and look nice, and never agonize about what I am wearing or how it fits. I take care to look up to date, and presentable for me. I like looking nice and feeling good. My husband is FABULOUS. When we met I was around 150 and as I grew through the years his devotion and commitment to me grew even deeper. He's not a chubby chaser, but loves me and respects me. He looks like a male model still, and I have grown obese. I know I have a good, good man. My goal is to feel as great as I can, be 100% a part of life, and come off of all my meds. I am ready for this change. Thank you to everyone that is so forthcoming on this site. Just what I have read in the last few days has helped with questions and curiousness!

My surgery was Friday, October 10th. 2 days ago. Surgery was at 4:00pm. I came home yesterday at 3:00. Here's my schedule for last night until now at 10:00pm. Got home, drank water, must sip!! Walked 10 minutes. Sat with the family. Took a pain pill at 9:30pm slept until 6 this morning. Got up at 6. Took vitamin, drank water and broth (don't want to get dehydrated). It's uncomfortable, but possible. Went for a walk. Sat with family. Took a pill and napped. Woke up and went to the theater to see Dracula with a pillow to put over my stomach. Drank a glass of water during the movie. Afterwards, stopped at a restaurant, my mom had lunch and we listened to music. Not hungry at all. Came home at 2 and napped. Woke up, drank some more protein drink and water. Sugar free Popsicles are the best. Went for a walk with the dog. Then went and rented two movies to watch with my mom. After this, will take a pill and go to bed for the night. Since last Monday, 7 days ago, I've lost 16 pounds. So thankful for this 2nd chance at getting my life together. No looking back.

Hi, I hope your doing better. Any of the protein powder's or premade protein drinks gave me the "steadies" with the bathroom, so I'm sorry, I can't help you. I just can't help. My Dr suggested Colase to all of us that needed help. I am 10 days out today (Oct 27th, surgery was the 17th) and feeling fairly good. In fact, I just might live! My blood pressure meds have already been cut in half and Mon I get to move on to the next diet level.

I am so excited!!! I am having this done. I am paying for this out of pocket due to my cheap ass company I work for.:sneaky: They want to give you the run around and if you are overweight they should be gladly to help you with that. I will be broke but looking good is ust fine with me. I look around here at work and see so many obese people and I need this is something my company should cover. They took this option off 3 years ago when people started getting it done. What a joke? I am glad to have found this site and I will post pictures me. So everyone will see the transformation. I am so proud of each and everyone of you all. Keep up the good work. YNFF(your new found friend), Pdburch

My NUT said the Camelbak was fine since the bite valve sucks the Water up itself. I have some Nalgene "on the fly" bottles that have a covered spout but no straw. I don't like to have my drinks open to the air (don't want them contaminated with dust....lol) http://www.amazon.com/Nalgene-Water-Bottle-Clear-Green/dp/B0043T9CVW/ref=sr_1_10?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1380476733&sr=1-10&keywords=nalgene

Leaving in 2 days, wish I was more excited about it. I really dread the drive. I will be long, driving from Missouri to Florida. I don't know why I dread the vacation, I know I will have a good time once I'm there. I don't know why I'm this way, but this is the way I always feel before we go somewhere. I worry about the house, cats, and of course my children and grandchildren. I just love being home. I don't every go anywhere except the to store and church. I really need to get involved in something else. I need to make more friends. I don't even go scrapbook anymore. I gave up the stamp club also. It worrys me that my husband is the same way. He never wants go anywhere, of course I blame myself for being so fat. He problem doesn't want to be seen with someone so big. At least he will go on vacation of course no one will know us. Oh well, just have fun. Diet is going better, except today I could eat a horse if it were in front of me. I just have to keep busy and drink my water. I know I can do this. It is just going to take time. Everyday is a new day and a new beginning.

I've been waiting for 2011 for insurance reasons and it's FINALLY here. I see my surgeon for a follow up Tuesday morning and they are resubmitting everything that day or Wednesday. I've been through the whole process for approval and everything was put on hold back in May 2010 bc the company I work for required 5 years CONSECUTIVE coverage under the health insurance......they didn't care that I've been employed there for 10 years! I changed insurance back in 2005 for like 3 months when I married my husband but went right back to my own coverage as soon as I could...but it wasn't effective until Jan 2006......SO here I am....the 5 year requirement is met, everything else is done. I'm so ready to get my tool strapped in and start changing my life for good! :-)

At 5 lbs in 6 - 7 weeks you're barely under the statistical 1 - 2 lbs/week average, but you're spot on for an overall average. You're doing great, and just think - those 20 lbs are 20 that you'll never see again. :ban: This is an aspect that interests me. From looking at various people's stats, the informal average seems to be about 10#/month. Thank goodness for the first 6 months, eh? :party:

I did NOT have the CSS like I thought I was going to, nor have I met Dr. D. There is a possiblilty that I will meet him tomorrow, but I'm not actually holding my breath. I don't know why I didn't have it after Dr. L said last Tuesday, and now I feel somewhat foolish for saying that Iwas going to have one. I've had a great visit with a couple of Cushies who were in town! One of the husband is a hoot and a half, and My husband and I had a good time geeking out with him at Lunch. But poor cushie-wife was in a Low while I was Sky High... I got really good at drawing my blood for the 32 hour draws, and my dear husband was ever so thankful he only had to play messenger service, not actually do the blood draws. One thing I figured out is to make up all the packets for the tests as soon as I got my orders and supplies. It was VERY anoying trying to dig out everything for the 4 am draw, especailly since I'd made the kits ahead for earlier draws. Hopefully I won't be doing another 32 hour test, but if I do, I'm prepaired. The other thing I learned was to bring an insulated no-drip coffee cup. Being from Seattle I only have about 8 or 10 of these things about the house, and it was so much easier for my hubby to just take the cup filled with ice to the ER than to try to worry about an ice bucket and random ice going around those really sharp corners up the hill to OHSU. I think next time I will bring small baggies to put the tubes in when they go inside the insulated coffee cup. Tuesday I had lunch with a cured Cushie and her cousin, and I could feel myself spinning up faster and faster. I know that I must have appeared to be a speed freak, or a coke-head as fast as I was talking, and as tangental as I was. They are absoluet dolls, and it was helpful for me to know that they had a darn good idea of what was happening. So, I go up early for my 2:30 appointment at the clinic and I'm suddenly spun WAY out of control. Patty at the front desk wanted me to fill out the "why are you here" paper work, and I couldn't figure out what the heck I was there for. I couldn't think, I couldn't concentrate, and I think I wrote down something like "I'm here for cushing's but my brian won't work anymore, help" So I get back to the room, and my blood pressure is the highest it has ever been in my entire life, I'm crying, and I can't stop moving! I couldn't stop pacing, shaking my hands and head at the same time. I was a freaking out, and not having a good time at all. Chris had me do an imediate draw, but I had to have her help because I was so frenetic. I explained that I've been like this before. Or at least I tried to explain that. Frenetic is the only word for how I felt for close to three terrible hours. Chris had me draw my blood at 3, 4 and 5 o'clock. I'd done one at Noon, and then the regularly scheduled one at 8. I can only hope and pray that they cought something. Chris wanted to know if I've ever done that before, and yes, all the gods and goddesses help me, I've been that way before. I finally started to calm down a few minutes to 5, but I was still mighty spun High. So, Wednesday, I started the Dex. Before I started, my back hurt so bad, I was pretty sure the crash was on it's way. My husband and I decided that we would kill some time by taking a drive up to Mount Hood, but by the time we got to the Village of Government Camp, an hour or so after I took the first dose of Dex, I crashed as hard as I was afraid I was going to. For about 4 hours I was completely out of it, with a few dips back to lucididy. Or what I thought was lucidity. My brain would work, but it was too much effort to say more than a few words. I don't think I've ever sat still that long before, not moving a muscle. He called Dr. L, but my symptoms were bad enough to need to go to the ER, but that I needed to be watched. Since I'm staying with my friend here, who's mom just happens to be a nurse, Mike make the call to go to their house early. He had to half carry me to the Mom's bed, where I slept for several more hours. Then Bing! I wake up! I'm alert and my entire body functions just like it is supposed to. But, being on the Dex, I don't have the BRUTAL headaches that normally accompany such a crash. That was significant, all by it's lonesome. Dr. L told my husband that the dex would make things better. Or make me feel better, anyway. I don't know if there is a difference there. I was really afraid that I was going to crash as hard as I ended up doing. I knew that as High as I was, my Low would be that low. But the amazing thing is that I didn't have the headaches or the back flank pain I normally get when I crash. I know I said that before, but I wanted to repeat myself because it was so significant. Since I've been on the Dex, I feel GREAT! I mean really wonderful. There have even been times where the washing-maching noise in my head has completely stopped! It's been amazing to have that noise shut off, even if it's only for a few hours at a time. I don't know what to expect tomorrow when Chris shoots me full of that stuff to see if I suppress or not. I don't know if it is going to call the head-aches that the Dex has been able to put off. I just don't know. But one thing I am going to do is ask for a prescription for Dex! It makes me feel.. like a normal person. Like I've been able to strike a wonderful balance between that High and Low. These last couple of days have felt nothing like when I Swing up High from my Low, because I know what those feel like. These last couple of days I have felt like I think Normal is supposed to feel like (except the part where I have to get up at 1 AM to take the dex or the 4 am Potty trips.... I'm pretty sure that Normal doesn't include those The last time I did the dex test, it didn't seem to have any affect on me. Nothing that I could detect anyway. But oh mamma! What a difference this time! I feel absolutely great on it. I think partly because I was headed for a land-me-in-the-ER crash, and this time, while I did have an extended period of "extreme weakness" I haven't had the terrible headacke that I normally do. How terrible to have a normal headache. Sorry, but that's just odd to say that. To be like that. After the Terrible High I was on Tuesday, this crash should have been just as bad, but since I've been on the Dex, no headache! No brutal back ache! I wonder if I'll be able to talk them into giving me a precription for it to take home. It is wonderful to not live on peracets for half the time. Just wonderful. Anyway, sorry for such a long post. I prolly won't post again until Saturday. I'm still in Portland at my friend's place. Hopefully I'll be able to leave mid-afternoon. If it gets much later than 3 pm I'll have to stay another night because I cannot see in the dark. When you can't see in the dark, you dont' get to drive in the dark. :faint:

I don't recognize the person in the pictures from 10 years ago. I am still surprised I was that big and really did not feel like I was. I am so thankful for Wls ... to just live life at a normal size. The world is easier to navigate in now. I will NOT go back! Keep going forward and know you have cyber friends here to help!! Best of luck!