Swan56

My goal is actually set at about 80% of my excess weight. Due to my build and muscle mass - I think the extra 20-30 lbs may leave me a bit sick looking. But I have already said I will reevaluate when I get there and see how much more I want to lose. My goal is to be healthy and comfortable in my body - no number on the scale can define that for me.

I have a pair of the Reebok and really like them. I couldn't tell you if they really work but I find them very comfortable.

Rachel - all of the things you are feeling or thinking are normal. I'm pretty sure that most people that have had surgery thought all these things at some point. I, too, was scared to death. I had never had surgery before and that part worried me. And I don't know of anyone that is a fan of needles - but trust me, fills aren't bad. They're easy to work yourself up about but are over pretty quickly. The first time my stepdad mentioned surgery to me I was appauled. I didn't think that i needed surgery. I thought I was young enough that I should be able to do it on my own. But truth is, I have been trying on my own since I was about 13 (I'm 30 now). The idea grew on me over the years and finally I decided to check it out on my own. But that's the point... it is your life, your decision. You have to decide if making changes for your health is worth it. Is giving up beer (even temporarily) worth it to make a better life for yourself? I, too, enjoyed having beer (& wings) with my friends. I wasn't much into liquor or wine. I also really liked caffienated drinks. I work nights and questioned being about to survive (or stay awake lol) without them. I had surgery the end of December... I haven't had a beer in 4 months. I haven't had a soda in 4 months. Sure, sometimes I still want one but I haven't chosen that route yet. I have had a mixed drink here or there, or maybe a glass of wine but I haven't figured out that my weight loss really slows when I do so I pretty much avoid it. That's not to say that I won't ever have a beer again - I may try one when i get much closer to goal. But for now, i'm sticking to the plan. For me, giving up these things were far less important that being able to live a long, healthy life. If you're not willing to make the sacrifices as part of it, maybe it's not a good time for the band for you. Many people lose weight on the own, successfully. I didn't. I want to live - to be able to shop anywhere, to cross my legs, to see my collar bones, simple things... all of these things motivate me. If you're a prayer - pray about it. If you're not, then just be honest with yourself. Are you really contemplating not having the surgery because you're afraid or because you really believe you don't need it? Go to the meeting, see what the doctor has to say. A consultation visit never hurt anyone. This decision has to be yours. It has to be one you're willing to work for. One you're willing to sacrifice for... because it will change your life. I'm four months in and I'm very happy with my decision. My family and friends that know about it are very supportive. The band isn't a cure all... it won't just fix you. It's work and it's not you saying you're a failure. Just make sure that your decision is your own. And if you decide this isn't right for you, you'll make that work for you as well. Good luck in your decision.

I was told the point of the preop diet is to make sure that your liver is small enough to perform the surgery laproscopically. Basically, if your liver is too large and they can't safely move it, temporarily, out of the way during surgery there is a possibility that they will have to make a larger cut(s) and it not be done laproscopically. That was a big deal to me so I was pretty strict on mine. But i've seen tons of people on here that haven't had to do a preop diet at all so... who knows really. I would listen to your doctor as much as you can. Good lucK!

You're so right. My 7 year old niece will run her hand down my stomach and say, "Yep, it's getting skinny." Or she'll see me in something and be like, "Lala, you look so pretty. You are definately losing weight." It's really cute. Although kids can be brutal too, it's nice to get noticed for the good stuff now.

Thank you for the encouragment! I know she didn't mean it like that but her snotty comment just bothered me. And you're absolutely right, the band isn't working for "E" because she isn't using it as a tool. She thought it would just make her skinny LOL. By the way, saw your stats on your signature - great job!

I'm tighter during my TOM. I actually am waiting to see how I feel after I'm off on whether I may need a slight unfill as well. Best of luck to you!

I chose not to tell many people as well. I have a good friend who, every time we go eat somewhere, asks, "What are you getting?" I think she's asking because she wants to know what works (she has about 30-40 lbs she wants to lose) but it still places some pressure. Also, after my MIL found out she said, "Well I hope you don't do like so-and-so did. She didn't lose a bit and still eats at TON!" I didn't find that encouraging at all. Plus my in-laws (MIL mostly) have a tendency to talk about everyone's business with everyone else and that's just not how I chose to start this journey. I wish you luck dealing with your family. It can be very frustrating and unsettling.

I just wanted to chime in a bit. Someone mentioned it above and it's so true. I have found out that I don't really ever get to the "full" feeling either. If I get there, I usually end up being uncomfortable. I had to train myself to eat until I wasn't hungry anymore. I think that most people don't really know what full is. The full feeling most people know is being overly full and at times, miserable. That is obviously most true for most of us... afterall, that's probably how a lot of us because overweight to begin with. And like someone else said, it is a mental battle as well. I have been craving chocolate for days... days... lol, but I will have my sugar free or fat free pudding and that has to tide me over because I refuse to waste that many empty calories (and carbs) on things that have no benefit. I'm only about 3 weeks ahead of you so I'm still learning as well. But it's getting easier.

I'm also questioning if I'm too full or not. I felt pretty good (most days) with 4 cc's in my band. Then my last visit, about 2.5 weeks ago, she added .8 cc's. The first few days were liquids so I didn't notice too much, except that smaller amounts of Protein shakes were good. But eggs and FISH (of all things!) caused a problem a few days in. Then everything felt fine and I thought I was good. Then comes mother nature and I think i'm tighter now because of my period. So I'm waiting a bit to see if I have any more issues. If I have anymore episodes of food not staying down or going down period I'll be back in to get .3-.4 cc's taken out. It's a thin line and unfortunately I'm pretty new and am still unsure. Good luck with your unfill. I hope that leaves you where you need to be!

I took off a week - my jobs not terribly physically demanding but I didn't have a good experience the day of surgery. I ended up taking a few extra days and was so glad I did (1.5 weeks total). Good luck!

Hey Britt - just wanted to add another gas relief tip. Someone recommended the gas x strips to me and they seemed to help. Walking helps as well. Hang in there though, the gas doesn't last forever. I was banded on 12/27/10. I've still got a long way on my journey but it gets easier. You learn what you can and can't do. You learn to work with your band. You learn to eat until you're not hungry anymore - NOT until you're full. It's a weird concept because I think as "fat" people, we don't understand that. I'm not addicted to food. I never have been. My weight was always a defense mechanism gone wrong. But I did have a lot of bad habits - not eating but 1-2 times a day and when I did they were large meals. So despite my activity levels, my metabolism was non-existant lol. The band is truly a tool. The more you learn about it - the better it will work for you. You will have frustrating weeks, plateaus, stuck episodes... all part of learning. Everyone here is here to help. It's great to hear from another perspective. I didn't know anyone that was banded going into this and now I have made friends locally. Check to see if your doctor/surgery center participates in support groups of meetings. Sometimes it's just nice to have someone to call and ask a question. Been there. You can email me anytime if you'd like sanderson_laura@yahoo.com Best of luck to you!

Thank you ladies so much! Nice to know I'm not alone in this craziness. I actually ate yesterday (went easy) and so far things seem to be pretty normal. I haven't attempted chicken or anything yet but tuna is doing fine.

Thank you

I have read somewhere that some people are tighter when they're only their monthly cycle... anyone experience this? Reason being - I was given my 2nd fill 11 days ago. The first week felt really good - what I would think was ideal. Eating early morning was a little rough but I hear that's normal. Well now on my period, day 2, and I couldn't even eat fish. FISH - baked fish, like the easiest protein in the world to eat LOL. This morning I didn't feel like eating (my period does that to me a lot) so I hit Smoothy King and got a gladiator proteinshake (a small fills me up). So when I went to eat my lunch (actually tonight - I work nights), I started eating my fish and didn't get more than a few bites in and it just didn't feel right. And before you ask, yes small bites and lots of chewing. I quit eating - figured I would just try again when my stomach felt better. Well 5-10 minutes go by and my food comes back up. It wasn't like I even threw up - it's like I opened my mouth and it was coming out. It wasn't even really after a burp. It was the weirdest feeling. Has anyone experienced this? I'm a little nervous...

Thank you Dave and Hank! Karen - you're the one that has done an excellent job! 124 lbs gone - wow, that's phenomenal! Thank you for the encouragment!

I made a discovery a few days ago and I wanted to share. I noticed that for months (before surgery), I was getting headaches daily. Most the time they would last most of the day - varying in degree. The other day I realized I haven't had much of a headache at all (the first a few days ago) since surgery. The only thing I can think that's changed is my eating habits. I guess all the crap I was eating was upsetting my body. It feels good to know what my changes aren't just affecting my size, they're also making me feel better!

Also try to switch up on your cardio. Maybe the elliptical some days, the bike others, the treatmill. Mix in some weight training... Your body gets used to the same thing and it becomes less effective on weight loss. Good luck!

I, too, LOVE ZUMBA!!! I've always been a fan of dancing and it just looked fun so I tried. I thought I would get lost and feel out of place. Not true at all. I started in the Zumba for beginners class at the Y. The instructor actually told me after class that she thought I would do great in the regular class. While I may have natural rhythm, I'm not a small girl by any means. I was probaby about 285 lbs in my first zumba class and noone stared or looked at me like I was out of place. In fact, some of the women in class actually encouraged me and invited me to other classes with them. Don't be embarassed to go try it out. I'm telling you, it is so fun! I sweat so much more in a 50 minute Zumba class than the same amount of time on the treadmill, bike, or elliptical. And, it works your muscles a LOT so that will help you continue to burn calories even after you're done. Zumba is a great thing!

When I get too full I notice I will hiccup or burp. I have learned to stop eating when I don't feel hungry anymore - not when I feel full. I noticed as a fat person, I didn't really know what full felt like. I liked what I ate so I ate it until I thought I was full and sometimes ended up too full. If you stop when you're no longer hungry, you don't have to worry about those embarassing long weird band burps or an uncomfortable feeling. I actually have a new outlook on food. While, at times, I still crave some of the "bad" food - I often don't really want them. They normally don't get along well with my band and getting stuck is NOT WORTH IT! If you notice you're craving something bad - go eat something good and normally you will forget your "craving." I have a new found friendship with popsicles and pudding when I'm craving sweets. They do so much less damage. I don't drink sodas anymore and I haven't had a beer in months. I will settle for a glass of wine every now and then. It's nice to know that the choices I'm making will help me reach my goal - being thinner really makes me happy! Trying on smaller clothes and realizing they fit is a phenomenal feeling! Learn your body and learn to use your band to your benefit. You'll get the hang of it

12 pounds since surgery when you were only banded 5 weeks ago is very good!!! Please remember, no matter how hard it is, not to compare yourself to others. We all have different body types as well as different amounts of fat and muscle. I was really upset with myself when I had only lost 5 lbs in 4 weeks (UGH) but when I went for my next appointment, turns out I was actually down 14 lbs of fat and up in muscle. So remember that your body is changing and as long as you're losing pounds and inches, you're moving in the right direction. I'm about 10 weeks out from surgery and only down about 20 lbs since surgery - that's a good steady weight loss of an average of 2 lbs a week. While others have lost almost twice that in the same amount of time, I have to remind myself how much I working out. I chose to do that because I want as little excess skin as possible. Whatever your goal is -You'll get there. Hang in there and keep fighting

WOOHOO - way to go!!!

So I haven't been on in a while but I did go ahead and get a fill... 1.6 cc's added to my 2.4 so i'm at 4 cc's in a 10 cc band. Honestly, this feels good. I know the first week can be tighter so the real test is on now. I got my 2nd fill on Thursday, February 24th. It's been 10 days. After only losing 5 lbs in the 4 weeks after my 1st fill, I lost 5 lbs in the ONE WEEK after my 2nd. Five pounds in a week is a lot - my goal is about 10 lbs a month so I know this week may be slower but it was encouraging, nonetheless. And while I know muscle weighs more than fat (thanks for the reminder ) it's still hard to swallow fighting the same pounds week after week when you're working so hard. But, accoring to my TANITA printout - my fat was down like 14 lbs and my muscle was up 3 lbs. I was also holding on to more Water (probably a result of mother nature.. lol). So again guys -- thank you so much for your continued support and talking some sense in to me when I get down on myself. It all works out in the end, we just need reminders. Some short-term goals: 1. Down another 40 lbs by vacation (July) 2. Down 50 lbs by my husband's school reunion (August) How great would that be :-) And by the way -- I'm the weight now that I am when I met my husband. Another 10 lbs and we are heading into unchartered waters. LOL

@Amberakamom - I thought about that. Maybe I need to change my intake and see if that helps. @Cleo's mom - My doctor's office is very encouraging regardless of the scale. I have been measuring myself at home just because I figured that would help to encourage me when the scale is letting me down. I know I shouldn't be a "slave to the number" but when you work so hard you want to see something that shows you how well you're doing. I need to measure. I was going to try to start doing so every month but I think I may skip back down to every two weeks. That way if the numbers are letting me down on the scale the measurements can help. It's been a month since my last measurements and I was down 12.5 inches in 10 days from the time before. I'm excited to see what a month will be. I guess I should measure before I get frustrated with the scale. It's just hard not to be upset/frustrated when the scale's not moving like you wish it would. Thank you both for the encouragment!

I am scheduled to go in for my 2nd fill on Thursday but I'm questioning whether I want one or not. The first 4 weeks after surgery I lost about double what I have in the 3 weeks after my first fill. After the fill, I lost about 2 pounds within the first 2-3 days. Then I fought those same 2-3 pounds for 2 1/2 weeks... yoyoing with them on the scale. FINALLY Saturday night I weighed in 2 pounds lighter then the initial loss and then another 1 1/2 pounds the next morning (which I equate to an empty stomach). I just feel like I was losing better without a fill. I am strict on my diet and I exercise a LOT. The nurse at the doctors office told me I may not lose weight as fast as I would like to see it on the scale with weight training but... I don't want loose skin and I'm a fan of muscle so that's a choice I chose to stick with. Anyone else having issues after fills?