FLORIDAYS

I am having a tt and breast lift w no implants on 12/18.... I share your excitement!

You can always come on here if you don't find the person you are looking for in your area. There are some lovely experienced bandsters willing to answer questions and if you stick around you will find it to be a great source of inspiration. Safe travels

Great job...what a nice way to start the holiday season!

I didn't lose slowly but I don't think it was lightening fast either. I have averaged a monthly 10 lb loss. But I worked hard at it... I tracked every calorie I ate and never went over 1000 for a day. I also measured my portions and made sure to use a scale. This all worked for me... Maybe try to incorporate some of mine or others suggestions to get you on track even before you are in the green zone...

How nice you have been banded together and are sharing the journey. Personally my dr wanted me not to drop below 1000 calories... But there were times early on that I had a hard time eating that amount... But as I learned to live with the band I would tweak it every once in a while to move the scales... But overall I did 1000 calories a day because I felt good with that number. I would check with the dr to be sure but I would think 1000 - 1200 calories might suit you both

It's always a few bad apples that ruin it for others... But there is so much positive information posted I find it to be valuable, inspirational and a constant reminder to keep my band in the forefront of my day. I confess I don't coddle. Some people on here are wonderful about it so I will leave it to them.... I know sometimes thats what people want to hear. I on the other hand shoot straight...will tell you what I did to be successful with my band and if you want to use my suggestions that's great. If you don't that's fine too... I think there is room for everyone.

I dont have any scars that you can see.... mine were pretty non visable by 5 months

I have been where you are. I was appalled at myself for having let my weight get so out of control that I needed to think about surgery. In fact I remember 5 years ago my PCP mentioned the band to me... I was at 295!! I poo poo'd the idea thinking it was only for desperate people. Fast forward 5 years I was 377 and decided maybe I was one of those desperate people! I found this site when I was considering the lap band 2 years ago. It was a wonderful source of information and aided me in making a solid decision to get banded. While I knew the choice to succed was mine alone I became active in the forums I found out it was a great way to keep my band on the forefront of my mind. Best wishes as you consider your options.

Huge difference! COngrats!

I am older and live in Tampa.... but at least its the same state! If you have any questions I would be happy to help.

Pre Op weight 377 Surgery Day weight 352 lost 25 lbs 1 month 329 lost 23 lbs First fill 8 weeks post op At 23 months I have 5.7cc in my band and am in the green zone

Yes please take it easy. This is a time to heal. Obviously you need to meet your childs needs but the housework and everyhting else will be there next week when you feel better. My Dr isnt an advocate of protien shakes the first week. The second week I used Optifast that he provided. Then no more protien shakes.... On a side note....I know all Drs are different but you are on mushies after 2 days? Most people are on liquids for 1-2 weeks. My Dr is very cautious I think as I was on Clear Liquids for a week, then a week of creamy liquids, then a week of chunky liquids and finally mushies at week 4.

But all those other times you didnt have the band to help you. The band will do 70% of the work. You need to do the other 30% by measuring your portions, tracking your calories and making good food choices. If you dont think you can do that I would rethink the band if you havent been banded already. If you have been banded... you need to do it or stay fat. It sounds like tough love.... but its honest.

On my Droid phone and Ipad I use calorie counter by fatsecret.com I havent looked at the others because its the one i started with 2 years ago... I like it because it had lots of chain restaurant's nutritional info and for home use you can scan a bar code of a box of whatever and it will give oyu the info thats printed on the box. I used mine religiously when I was losing. Now the Dr tells me not obsess with it as I maintain but I will use it for checking calorie counts if I am eating unfamiliar foods. It helps me make wise choices..For example I was at Hooters and wanted to know how many calories were in Buffalo Shrimp.... I just looked it up and saw that 6 pieces had 555 calories. I skipped that and had the steamed shrimp instead since they had 230 calories in a 1/2 lb which of course I couldnt eat all of.

On the day after a fill I have 3 carnation sugar free instant breakfast made with skim milk.... And soup for dinner. I don't go over my calories and get a good start on the fill. My dr demands mushies for the 2nd day

Truth be told.. I had the last supper I posted but the week before hubby and I went on a road trip up the gulf coast and spent 4 days grazing on everything I thought I would never eat or drink again. Turn out I can still eat seafood which is a HUGE deal to me. I haven't induldged in the adult beverages... They are just empty calories,

Cool....

Are you using a phone app to track your food? It not hard at all. Every time you put something in your mouth you enter it. Your dr is right.. You are doing fine and when you reach the green zone life will. Be easier... I promise. But in the mean time you need to track your calories and portion and measure your food of the chance of loss is very slim. Congratulations on making this work!!

Band or no band counting calories and sticking to the number the NUT or dr gave you is the only way to lose weight. If you don't remember the caloric intake you are supposed to have give them a call. I am betting its somewhere between 1200 and 1500 calories a day.

I was 50 and still having regular cycles....but the lap band surgery kicked my hormones into a frenzy and sent me into early menopause overdrive. I haven't had a period since I was banded. My GYN said it was my bands gift to me... So the answer is yes... Surgery can effect your hormones

My surgery was also on a thursday. I had planned to do that... But on Monday there was no way I could.. I was still exausted. I went back Tuesday and made it 1/2 day ...Same for Wednesday ... Back for a full day on Thursday

Ketchup mustard and I sprinkle no fat shredded cheese

I decided to get the breast lift and tummy tuck! Hopefully Dec 18 if my boss works with me on the schedule ... I am waiting on his blessing.... Now the wait begins......

There ya go!

I will preface by saying I am not meaning to be self promoting or in any way rude... but one of the reasons I was so successful in my opinion is because I saw my Dr every single month. We worked together decided on calorie counts, fills and anything else that was going on. In fact last spring the Dr said I was doing so well we could make it every 2 months and I about had a panic attack thinking I would fail with out the monthly visit..... but I didnt. Because I had a good foundation of 15 months of visits I knew what to do. Now I am on quarterly visits and I am ok with it... but I also know that if I need a fill or anything else in the meantime my Dr is a phone call away. Glad you are going to see the Dr. I really believe it makes all the difference.