FLORIDAYS

Seafood...... Eat shrimp, oysters, clams.... Lobster... All make great low cal appetizers. Stay away from the cheese laden dips and fatty fried foods.... And drink lots of water.... You will be fine! have fun.

when you have more to lose I think it comes off faster in the beginning. I lost 40 lbs the first 5 weeks.....then it kept coming off and overall it actually averaged ten pounds per month... But the last 50 lbs actually took 6/7 months.... So enjoy the early part of your journey!!!!

thanks you very much....So am I.. Of course last night my husband was sure I was bleeding to death... But I told him no way would I die now... I need to enjoy my new bod.

You guys are so nice.....thanks for all the positive thoughts. The dr said pretty much what you did FAMOUS.... The Fluid needed to go somewhere...and thankfully it didn't find the incisions. The belly button was the weakest point and it decided to come out there. Not to be to graphic but the blood was very very dark. He said that was old blood and matter left over from the healing and the body didn't need it so pushed it out. This morning the dr pushed on my belly button and extracted almost 1/2 c of liquid.... The swelling went down immediately and the bleeding stopped for the most part. He packed the button with gauze, taped it up and had me put the panty girdle back on to keep the dressing in place and act as pressure to prevent more bleeding. While I was there he took off the sterietape that was covering all the incisions. Very impressive work I must say. I will have to take a pic once the button is healed up...you will be amazed! The breasts already are showing very little scarring. I dont have a point of reference but This guy is really good! So the ordeal is over. I need to keep the belly button covered and wear the panty girdle until Friday at which time if there is any blood he wants to see me again. And oh...today and any future post op visits are complimentary. Very cool!! Thanks for all your well wishes..

I think will power is infinite. I do not believe you run out of it.. You just may need to recharge and dig deep to surface it....

If you have an active 401k it may be smarter to take a loan against it instead of withdrawing it... Loans are usually no more then a few % for the interest and you avoid penalties.... Then the repay,ent comes right out of your chck. Check with your benefits administrator.

Well here is a new wrinkle.... Been doing great.... Then about 7 p sunday nite I noticed some blood on my shirt. Went to bathroom and it was gushing out of my belly button... Put a wad of paper towels on it to try to stop bleeding and every time I removed the pressure....bleeding started again. Called the dr at 9p...told me to put on a panty girdle or some kind of compression garment and put a sanitary pad over my belly button and lie down to see if it stopped the bleeding.....it Did. Sent daughter to store for supplies and used The panty Girdle as a binder basically.... Was able to sleep but this morning I woke up, removed the girdle and pad.... And blood is gushing out.... So I am heading to the dr first thing..... Ugh.... I was doing so well.....lol

Not to be a black cloud but it concerns me when I see post like... It will be impossible for me to avoid alcohol... I am young and want to party once a week with my friends.... No one says you cannot drink with the band. But nothing is impossible to avoid and say no to. So if you do and want to continue to lose weight please be mindful of the calories.....and the food choices you make after a few drinks... Before i was banded I drank socially 3/4 times a week entertaining for work and on social occasions.. Those occasions didn't change after I was banded, I just made a choice to drink Water instead. I had my first taste of alcohol after losing the first 100 lbs. I really didn't enjoy it. I just lost the taste for it and couldn't see the point of the empty calories. I will have wine now and again and on vacation I will have some fruity frozen drinks but that's pretty much it.... My weight loss has become to important to jeopardize .

Here is my 2 cents. I didn't have a BM for 5 days after lap band surgery and more recently 6 days after tummy tuck surgery so I think it's directly related to surgery, medication, anesthesia or a combination thereof My band dr had me start mixing Benefiber with my Water or tea on day 5 and everything started working just fine. I did the same last week after the tt and got the same results. When first banded I stayed on the Benefiber until I was through with mushies...

I too live in the Tampa bay area... I was banded December 2010 at memorial hospital by Dr Aguilla. I am at goal and wish all of you the same successes I have had. It's a wonderful new life!!! I am excited for you all to join me.

If you can suggest dates that do not involve food or if that isnt possible I wouldn't worry about it... Most men think women are always on a diet anyway so just make healthy choices while eating out and don't make an issue out of it.., doubtful he will even notice....

My husband doesn't have a weight issue. He stood behind me in my journey but didn't given up the foods he liked to eat. I still cooked his favorites and bought his chips and snack crap that he chooses to enjoy, I just made the choice not to eat any of it...

Not near you but i went to nursery school in CT if that counts....LOL Just wanted to wish you well!!! Congratulations on taking this step to change your life.

Start eating like a bandster now... That will take some of that weight off. That plus your liquid...you should have a nice jump on your losing...

Me too!!! I drank 4 or 5 cans of soda each and every day for more years than I can count....ok for so long diet coke was TAB!!!! But when my dr told me the effects carbonation had on the band... That was it. I quit it like a hit potato. I do miss it terribly. It's probably throne thing I really really miss...even more then French fries and hooters chicken wings!!!

You ate Because you didn't exercise the control not to.....to be completely honest. Until you get restriction we must be very strict with ourselves.... Counting calories and eating the proper portions. It's the only way you will lose during this time.

Awesome job!! Keep up the good work. I was banded in December 2010 and have basically reached my goal... This time next year you should be right here with me!!!

I ate 1000 Calories each and every day before and after I was in the green zone. It's more challenging when you aren't in the green zone however but that's where will power takes over. My portions remained the same as well.... 3 oz of Protein, 1/2 c veggies and 1/4 c starch three times a day. I would add usually 2 Snacks of fruit, sugar free sweets or grains....but I never went over 1000 calories. I did not formal exercise during my loss. Bad habits are hard to break!! However after I lost the first 100 lbs I started walking a mile a day.

Excellent post Mis... I would only add the band is a permanant tool and you must be willing to change your eating habits and lifestyle for it to be successfull. If you are willing to do that this might be a wonderful solution for you and your future. I wish you all the best as you move forward towards a decision.

Your body will not starve at 800-1200 calories. Especially if the are healthy calories. Your body will actually work more efficiently. I found 1000 to be the number I needed to lose weight at an average of 2 lbs per week. If I ate 1500 I wouldnt lose as,quickly and become frustrated and it wasn't pretty......LOL

I recall the first year post op My dr said if I nursed a glass of champagne all night long he was fine with it.... It gave it time to go flat!!! have a great time!

I think I lost 40 lbs the first 5 weeks or so.... Which of course was basically 4 weeks of liquids and of mushies.... And I had a lot of weight to lose so it just fell off. After that I averaged 10 lbs a month...meaning some months it was 5 and others it was 15 lbs... It slowed down when I was about 50 lbs from goal....as it took about 6 months to lose the remaining lbs. Quick lose isn't uncommon considering you go months and years or eating crappy then all of a sudden you change it up drastically. Your body is doing a happy dance!!!

Love it.... I would do the same.... Once I looked up the calories in a lemon slice...my husband was like....are you kidding me?????? Lol

It's never ending.... This is a good reminder.... Thanks

Madly you crack me up....I am celebrating your success!!!!