FLORIDAYS

Thanks it just occurred to me when I read your post....people who are successful are sure their way is the right way because...well it worked... And since we are dealing with people from all different walks of life and schools of manners... They may passionately express their opinions in ways others may misunderstand. Something to keep in mind as we go through this journey together.. However I still go back to my original post that if someone is going to throw out a question...they need to be prepared to hear all sorts of answers and take what they need and leave the rest....

Lol Good for you..... I think the hardest part of the band is the not knowing and the what ifs. It's second nature to those of us who have had it a while but I do recall all those questions I needed answers too early on... Congrats for asking!!

I think it is.... But I also think its a place for successfull people to come together . Maybe that's the problem..successful people read and post in struggling peoples threads and their support and advice is mistaken for sounding like being a know it all when all they trying to do is help... Just a thought..

You must really feel badly about it to post it..... But whats done is dne. Why not take a long walk to offset the calories? The time before restriction is tough but it's also a good opportunity to learn to track your calories if you aren't already. Depending on the size of the fudge you ate...1 cubic inch of chocolate fudge with no nuts is about 100 calories.... That's not awful. If it were me I would enter it in my daily food diary and cut corners with the rest of the days food so I didn't go over my calories. Good luck

If they haven't mentioned it it's most likely not required. I had a 2 week liquid diet of protien shakes my dr supplied. Optifast. 5 per day (800 calories) and all the caffeine free tea, coffee or water I wanted. Sugar free Popsicles and sodium free broth was also allowed. I lost 22 lbs... Shrunk my liver down to nothing and had a very successfull surgery. It also prepared me for the 2 weeks of liquids which followed the surgery

I never make them although I respect the tradition and those who do. But when I do decide to change something in my life... I do it no matter what time of year.

Very clever....

If your dr said its ok to drink alcohol this early on... Then I would follow his advice. I am not the one to ask about bending the rules because I was super strict with myself so weight would come off sooner than later. 2 years out at goal and I still barely trust myself with a cheese stick or a boneless wing....lol. I didn't drink until I lost the first 100 lbs... And then it's rare but I will enjoy a non carbonated adult beverage every once in awhile... And this from someone who dines out a lot and entertains frequently. For me the calories just aren't worth it.

Darn double post

I feel the same way as your hubby.. I only saw boob jobs that looked like boob jobs...until I started really researching.... And I picked a dr who knows his stuff. My husband thought we should go to a strip club and find out what drs the girls used. I negated that idea and started with friends, online reviews and then asked my surgeon in a moment of realization he just may know who is the best in the biz and not a boobs r us guy.... And turns out he did. If you look at the pic in my gallery . I know it's all covered up but I think they look pretty natural. Well none that I have ever had but some do I suppose. .

It worked.

You are very kind and I appreciate it. I could have lived with the skin...but it was a constant reminder of being fat and was interfering in my marital life ..on my side...not hubbys.... So figured...it just money. I will make more tomorrow... Well Wednesday but you get the idea...lol

I know the walking seems like it doesn't work but it does eventually....hang in there and take gas x if you can for some temporary relief.

Thanks for sharing... It's always interesting to me to hear how people got to the point of making the drastic decision for surgery. There is always an ahh ha moment... So glad you had yours and will be around a longer time to see your family prosper and enjoy each other. Happy holidays.

Do you know how many nights I took a bath went to bed early just so I didn't eat? Plenty !!! You are staying strong and I am so proud of you. Hang in there!

Actually I wasn't pointing fingers... I was saying it in general terms. I am always up for a good discussion...

you make valid points.... but i just think people need to have thicker skin. Seriously this is an open forum...not a members only invited type of "club" so you are going to have a melting pot of people who were not schooled in manners as much as the next person. I can pick those people out right away and I tend to breeze through their postings because i don't think anyone can force their opinions on anyone else unless the person is open to accepting them... As for people selling books or telling me it's their way or the highway... I pretty much read and move on. I paid my dr a lot of money to guide me and at the end if the day I will follow his advice. But I can tell you there were many times I would tell him about something I read and would ask his opinion on it. There are basics every bandster should follow... Chew, Liquids after fills, eat small portions and drink lots of water. After that you will start seeing thousands of posts on what worked for others... That's where you need to pick and chose and if need be...ignore.

How does the dr say to treat them? Mine suggested a daily swab of hydrogen peroxide.

Not sure what you define as rude but when I post in a thread I am giving someone an answer. Based on what works for me...no one else. I try to be consise, direct and compassionate but you need to understand that when people post things like... Why isn't it working, I am not losing, is it wrong to cheat.....people who have been around a while have a hard time wrapping their heads around people sabatoging their success and then coming on here to say its all the band, the doctors, their dogs ...anyone but themselves are at fault. So all they can do is tell them what worked for them and what didn't. Sometimes it's tough love. Sometimes it's compassionate but one thing you can always count on is a lot of similar and more often a lot of varied replies because each person is different...and each dr's instruction is different. One thing I have learned is that if I post a question or ask and opinion...I may not like all the replies but I will never get upset at someone for offering their opinion. And if I do I shouldn't have asked the question in the first place. Many people on this site are at goal and just trying to give back to those struggling to get there. I have never been offended at an opinion. I just take what I need and move on.

Pray it doesn't sag to much then find a good plastic surgeon if it does.... Seriously... Whether or not your have lots of skin left over is a crap shoot.... It depends on age, amount you need to lose, how long you have carried the weight....genetics.... So many things. Exercise may work so it's worth a try.... But I am 3 days post op from my tummy tuck.... They removed 4" of skin from my tummy on Tuesday...... Problem solved.

Not sure what you mean.... Did you stretch it on purpose?

If you eat a balanced varied diet your shouldn't need to be cleaned out... Your body will do that one it's own and I bet if you asked....most bandsters living a good bandster life will tell you that part of their life has changed dramatically since being banded.... I am regular, more frequent, and have very normal looking movements because I am not eating fatty foods, drinking alcohol and have an overall balanced diet.

I didn't care for the tracking in mfp either... I use calorie counter on my ipad and droid phone. It's hooked into the fat secret website so you can get it online too. It allows you to customize the calorie count you want then it won't mess with your numbers. Also it had a bar code scanner on it which I happen to think is pretty cool...

I live in Florida so that two piece could be next week if this current cold spell would hurry up and move out of here....lol. Oh wait... The bruising took full effect today.... Maybe I will wait awhile....

You maybe have always been able to handle pain...but don't forget you are dealing with a whole new set if issues. You cannot eat like you have your entire life, you just had surgery where your chest cavity was filled with air...you are realizing that life as a bandster isn't a walk in the park....your emotions are raw...... Give yourself a break and rest and walk.... Sip everything and don't try to rush it.... Your body needs to heal.