BandedKitten

i survived 3 parties/BBQs this weekend, my intrepid band and I. I was SO good..but I'm kind of frustrated because since I went to mushies from liquids the scale has come to a screeching halt. I'm thinking about doing more liquids tomorrow...not complete liquids..but just to see if I can budge myself a bit. This is weird..because it's so much easier than I thought..and yet it's hard at times. I've watched a lot of cheesecake, chocolate chip cookies, burgers, dogs, go in people's mouths over the last 3 days and I tried to focus on the fact that most of that stuff really looks better than it is. I'm a bit of a food snob and when I have a dessert that looks Mad-good and I taste it and it's only okay...well waht a fucking waste of calories. So I sized up the offerings and they didn't look like top shelf goodies. Im sure I didn't miss much. My belly is flatter...this is soooo huge to me. I've felt like I looked pregnant for so long now...to lose some specifically in my belly is awesome. I'm thrilled. I am starting to see how people can screw up on this...i was baffled at first because I had no hunger. Now it's 18 days later and i guess the swelling has completely gone down because the hunger is kicking in a little. I had to be strong tonight when i got home. I ate a cup of veggies and a couple sugar free popsicles. My fill isn't for about 3 weeks. I think the next 3 weeks are gonna be a bit tough. Then my fill..and hopefully it will get easier all over again. I am trying to be SO freaking careful. I'm just glad the scale is heading in the right direction for the first time in a looooong time. thats all, folks. BandedKitten (Banded 5/12. highest 205, Surgery weight--197..current weight 181.

my mushy stage included cottage cheese, tuna salad, egg salad and i've had salmon with a lot of yogurt dill sauce on it yesterday and today. Mashed taters..i graduate to meats, etc. at the next stage in 3 weeks As long as you're folllowing guidance of your surgeon and nutritionist (assuming they are familiar with the band diet) then you should be fine. My preference is to take it slow rather than rush this cause we had freaking surgery! sounds like you're losing weight and doing well. BandedKitten

thanks. I am hoping it's not like this for the entire 3 weeks..is this what's called Bandster hell? I was never sure what it was. How does one get through it? I'm going to have a Protein shake before I got to bed. I think i've been drinking less fluids than I should as you mentioned. I'll make sure to get them in. I'm just wondering if there's any type of mushy that helps with hunger more than others. thanks Bandsters! hugs, BandedKitten

You know I confided in a couple of people about 2 years ago when I was thinking of having the band and they poo-pooed it saying I wasn't big enough, etc. So I thought maybe I wasn't. So then I gained another 20lbs. Ugh. Unintentionally...but even before that I knew I was on the path to heavier and heavier. It wasn't that I didn't have faith that I could lose 30 or maybe even 50 lbs on weight watchers...but I knew I couldn't lose all the weight..and for damn sure I knew I couldn't keep it off long-term. So I got the band and loving it and wishing I HAD done it years before. I am one of the smaller patients in my doctor's waiting room and I'm going to the group support for the first time on the 1st of June. Most of his patients did bypass, I think...I'm hoping enough did lapband so that I have some buddies to chat with. I'm just under 5 feet so my weight wasn't the number..it was the bmi and the early stage diabetes and my knees killing me on the stairs..it was my chins and my constant exhaustion...it was not wanting to do much socially because I was embarassed...it was getting depressed...it was hiding out from life. That's why I did it This is a journey to self, I think. I think it's a journey to who we really are. And only we can see that. hugs to you warm and friendly bandsters. Bandedkitten

So I started eating mushies. and it kind of scares me. The full liquids were a bitch but I felt like I completely had control. the mushies feel dangerously close to real food. I am actually nervous about taking back some of the reins and being able to eat closer and closer to "normal" I've been to a couple of parties and haven't eaten...just brought some iced tea with me--because they only had beer, soda and fully-caffeinated coffee. It was weird sitting there watching every one eat. But I dealt with it---it wasn't even as bad as I would imagine it would be. Even though I'm not filled yet..i feel like I can eat less. I dont get how that works...maybe it's the pouch...but I think my swelling is pretty much gone. Who knows. I swear the doctors don't even fully know how this works. I've lost 15 lbs in 12 days---absolutely unheard of--and yet i feel greedy to go faster. Silly. This isn't a race, it's a new lifetime lifestyle. I'm just anxious to feel comfortable walking around without a coat. It may seem I don't have much to lose but when you're 4'11.5 (don't forget that .5!) every pound shows up big time. I'm feeling good....a little alone on the journey...but not completely. My mother in law had this done too and she's been calling me every day which is nice.

Wow! I would have never guessed you had once been an overweight person---you look amazing! I love these inspirational photos. i hope to be a gym bunny again when I am cleared for working out again. I used to work out ages ago when i was slim. I like the feeling of lifting weights. Keep up the great work....you're a success story!

i wore some very lose elastic band pants so nothing would be tight against my stomach. I wore a loose, flowing gauzy top and brought a hoodie with me. the hospital provided daily sock with traction on the bottoms. You don't wear anything under the gown when you go into the OR. I didn't wear my bra home after surgery because I had a hiatal hernia repair and the bra was too close to that wound for my liking. So I just zipped up the hoodie over my blouse and nobody knew the difference. comfort is key. I was very cold when i came out of the OR but the nurses put blankets on me. Unexpectedly I wound up staying over night and I just kept the gown on and wore my same clothes home the next day. I was too tired to take a shower till the next day at home so it didn't matter. Everyone is in the same boat in the hospital--wearing those ghastly gowns..but you don't care when you're there. Good luck and don't worry--it will be over quickly and you'll be on the other side!

I agree. My mother in law did the lapband as well as my sister in law and they both were hugely successful in losing weight. I watch as they cut their food in small pieces on their plates. They choose how much they're going to eat ahead of time, cut it up small and then chew slowly. I plan on doing the same thing when i move from mushies into full food. I do find myself having food dreams, though! lol

I don't mean to sound like a geeky goody two shoes...but I want to know if anyone else is terrified of breaking any of the "rules" your doctor laid down and is following them completely? I just feel like this is the chance I've been waiting for and I don't want to blow it. I know I won't be perfect on this journey. I know i will have my missteps and falls. I know I'll have challenges. But I really am trying to be as close to 100% as I can in being compliant on this journey. I feel like I deserve this opportunity and I'm really blessed to have it and maybe I'm too freaking serious but I want this to work SO bad that I am willing to be a bit hungry or inconvenienced. I failed WW so many times, I failed EVERY diet so many times...and this is the chance I've wanted and now I've got it and I'm not messing with it. And hell..besides health (main important mission) I want to look cute for the summer...and my goal is to be a certified hottie for new year's eve! Thanks for listening to me rant. Hugs, BandedKitten Highest/surgery date/current/goal 205/197/182/135 Banded: May 12th

Wow. i never heard about the no gum thing either. I'm glad I read it here before trying it after being banded. I really wish there was a central place all the information was posted on that surgeons agreed upon. it's so different from surgeon to surgeon. Now that i think of it, I'd Hate to swallow gum while banded! These boards are damn helpful. xoxoxox

I feel like this is my last chance, too. And even if I do "ease" up in the future when I have only 10-15 lbs to lose near the end...but i want to stay tough on myself for now. I eat healthy and this is the first time in YEARS that I feel determined and motivated because with the band's help i think I can do this. I had really lost hope. I finally have hope back again...and it feels so good that I'm just not testing it. I'm sure once I become a seasoned bandster I'll ease up...but it's too early for that for me.

I haven't done this through medicare..but i bet you'll find someone who did! good luck!

I love your response, Fran. i'm usually the rebel, too. But wiht my band, i'm gonna be a geeky nerd. A band nerd! I'm learning a lot from the forum, too. Thanks for responding. hugs, bandedkitten highest/surgery/current/goal 205/197/182/135

Nerds unite! We have nothing to lose but our Butts! and rolls..and chins....ROFLMAO Let's keep in touch. hugs, bandedkitten highest/surgery/current/goal 205/197/182/135

Thanks, I look that you've lost over 40 lbs and I'm inspired!

Absolutely hang in there! Don't give up! Your doctor did sound a bit harsh and not helpful. My questions is---is there a way you can hold yourself to the bariatric diet AND be kind to yourself? You're going through SO much--Good Lord. Be kind to yourself AND know that you'll be imperfect---but don't throw in the towel and eat regularly. You are a super strong woman to be able to handle all this----no doubt you can do it. Think of your husband's face when he gets home and sees his hot wife? ! hugs, BandedKitten

Hey There! I had Dr Piotr Gorecki at Methodist Hospital in Park Slope, Brooklyn. He's got a flawless record of no serious complications after doing this for a very long time. My internist said in many years of her sending patients to him not once has anyone had a problem----and most have lost serious medical issues like diabetes, blood pressure, etc. His Physician's assistant Krystyna is wonderful and his insurance coordinater Jessie is relentless in pursuing them to get cleared pre-op. I'd recommend this group! All the best, Banded Kitten

So I have major sneezes--it's always been something that people laugh at about me..because they are super loud and they shake my whole body. I felt a sneeze coming on yesterday afternoon and I tried to hold it in. I didn't and it came out loud and hard. Since then I have a pain in my left side (feels deep, not superficial) when I breathe in like a sign or I cough or sneeze. I had my lapband a week ago today. My port feels fine, no pain there and other than gas pain still setting up residence in my left shoulder I'm really in no pain. Do you think I just pulled a muscle trying to hold in the sneeze? I don't want to be one of those pain in the butt patients who calls every time an eyelash falls off..but I can only think the worse case scenario is that my band slipped? But wouldn't that hurt all the time? not just when I cough or sneeze? Is this call the doctor worthy? Maybe some of your bandsters who have been around awhile have some experience or know about this? Do bands slip easily? I gotta think it's in there tighter than that because people then do aerobics and skiiing and sports etc... Anyone ever heard of this? or had it? BandedKitten Banded 5/12/11 started 205 (i'm tres short) Day of surgery 197 Today...........................185!

Brooklyn in Da House here too. Park Slope Nice to see another Brooklynite on the forum. I was banded on May 12th and am really loving it. No regrets---very happy i did it! Feel free to email me. BandedKitten

So it's Day 8 on my Merry Journey. I'm still on what my doctor calls "full liquids" I'm really really tired on thin, pureed soups and protein shakes and crystal light. But I'm SO happy to be losing. You know I really feel hopeful for the first time in a very very long time about losing weight...and really about life in general. I've suffered from depression over this and a couple of other things going on. For once, I feel the darkness lifting..I feel light in my life. I felt spiritual today. Grateful for this opportunity---grateful my husband has insurance that covered this. Grateful I live in a country where I can access this. Just plain grateful. I know 6 people pretty well who have done this---4/6 have done very well. 2, not so much. But I am one determined woman and when I put my mind to something...i am like a dog with a bone. My husband and son were out of town for the last 3 days---my husband chaperoned our son's 8th grade class trip to D.C.--in the past this would have been the green light for me to eat all kinds of crap. I didn't cheat at all. I'm so determined I tell you! Even though I've only lost 13 lbs so far (not bad for 8 days)--I already feel lighter in my body. I can FEEL the weight coming off. I have one more loooooong week on full liquids before I go to soft food. I will be counting the days. But I really can't complain because even though I'm fantasizing a lot about food--I know that I'm going to keep this freakign weight off this time. Sure the last 15=20lbs may be up and down. But this first 50 are going for good. Mark my words! I can't figure out how to put my signature on my posts. I have my signature all set up with the ticker, etc. in my profile but i can't seem to attach it---even If I click on the blue circle and "enable signature" it doesn't show up. Any clues? Thanks for "listening"! :0 BandedKitten

This is the kind of story that makes me grin ear from ear. CONGRATULATIONS. I can't believe how different you look..not just the body..but you look Younger! Congrats! e

Hey There I only know about week one...lol. But I will say that from three days before surgery to day 8 i have lost 13 lbs. It may not sound like much..but what's more important is how great I feel. I can FEEL the 13lbs gone and what's absolutely the best feeling in the world is for the first time in YEARS I feel very hopeful. I really had lost hope about losing weight--truthfully I had just given up. And now I am losing and feel certain I'll make it to my goal including all the ups and downs and plateaus and stucks..I'll get there. So even though you may not be exactly the size you want to be by the end of the summer---if you follow the instructions..you'll likely to feel great about your progress. Good luck!

Thanks so much for the replies...I was on the ledge yesterday! I woke up with less pain and it's still there but about 40% better so I know it's nothing serious. I feel a little silly for having such a huge reaction---but HEY I'm new to having a piece of plastic in my belly! thanks bebbes!

You rock..I may call his PA just to hear what I kinda know already..it's a dumb pulled muscle. Thanks for taking time to respond. Banded Kitten Banded 5/12/11 started 205 (i'm tres short) Day of surgery 197 Today...........................185!