Woodslass

That's a big NSV I still have knees and feet that hurt. It will be a great day when I can run around Sam's Club and haul everything home without wanting to lay down and die!

Today has been a GREAT day! Total NSV day I had my 2nd fill today, and got yelled at by Dr. K a little bit because I didn't come in when I knew I had lost restriction. So now I'm going every two weeks until we are sure I'm at restriction, which I thought was awesome. But here's the NSV... I've been going back to my bad habits and last night talked to Hubby about it. Basically I think because I've wanted to make sure that my surgery didn't impact him, I've still been making dinner and then eating with him, in front of the TV (very bad for me) and after 7pm, sometimes as late as 9pm, which we all know is a no no. So I really haven't been losing much weight. So I told him last night this is it, you have to fend for yourself, I need to get back on track and right now it's all about me, sorry He's fine with it and told me that since I was stopping by the mall to pick up my glasses today after my doctor's appointment, I should go into Lane Bryant and get a new outfit to Celebrate the fact that I've lost 28 lbs. I wasn't going to do it, because even though my clothes are loose right now it didn't feel like I went down a size. But anyway, I went and got my glasses and thought what the heck. Went into Lane Bryant, which I have not been able to buy clothes from for over 10 years because they only go up to 28 and I've been a 30/32 for a long time. They had just opened, and two of the salesgirls said hi, so I told them I'd had surgery and how I hadn't been able to shop there in lots of years. So they get excited too, and help me choose a pair of black dress pants and a pretty blue blouse. The pants were a 28 and the blouse was a 26/28. I went into the dressing room, pulled on the pants, and literally shrieked. I could not believe it....they were TOO BIG! I pull on the top....TOO BIG. I run out of the dressing room and the two girls are jumping up and down with me, and I had the biggest grin on my face...I look in the mirror and I'm just floored. The waist of the pants is not even touching me and the hips are too big. The blouse is falling off my shoulder. So the girls each go get a smaller size of each one - 26 pants and a 22/24 shirt. I change...and they fit. I can't even tell you how big of a deal this is for me. It was pure motivation, total justification for my surgery, real proof that I can do this <happy sigh>

That's great, I love camping - haven't been this year though. Too much going on at work. I have my 2nd fill on Thursday, I am SO ready for it. It's like the first fill never happened. I had restriction for 2 weeks and then it left, or disappeared or something. I can eat bread and all kinds of stuff again and I hate being able to do that! The only time I PB is when I eat too big of a bite or too fast. I admit I've been bad during the last week and that's probably why I haven't lost any weight. With having that cold and then Memorial Day weekend, I did a lot of stuff around the house and yard - planted my garden finally, sweated like a pig - and stuffed my face. Potato salad and barbeque sauce, very bad. I'm back on track today and really downing the Water, I think I've been drinking too much diet Snapple and my body is thinking the sweetener in it is sugar and everything has stopped. I didn't get on the treadmill today, was too sore from working like a fiend this weekend, but I'm back on it tomorrow! Time to stop eating like I never had the band and get back with the program.

WOOHOO! That's awesome. I'm not there yet, but someday..... One of my major things was that if I sat too long for any reason without my legs up, my ankles would swell. And getting on an airplane - I would have cankles by the time we landed, and it wouldn't go down for days. I can honestly say that for the last 4 weeks, I haven't had swollen ankles once...amazing what just a little weight can do for you!

Now that's a true NSV! Congratulations

Hi Shavona - how are you doing? Did everything go all right? I'm in the Denver/Aurora area, by the airport. It's been nearly 2 months since my surgery and I'm still trying to get to that sweet spot.

I'm looking forward to getting my fill next week. For 2 weeks after my 1st fill, I had restriction and gradually it wore off. Weight loss has slowed and I've only lost 8 lbs this past month. I've been sick the last four days and I wonder if that has something to do with it, but at any rate, I am really looking forward to my Thursday appointment! Have fun camping, Spot, I'll be thinking about you as I clean out the garage!

Ditto - most child's menus have hot dogs, grilled cheese, macaroni and cheese....egads I can't even think about eating that stuff. I too just order whatever I want, eat what I need to eat and either take it home or let them take it back to the kitchen. For instance, today at work we went to have mexican food - I ordered chicken fajitas with corn tortillas instead of the flour. I gave my guacamole away, didn't touch the salsa or cheese, but had a little dollop of sour cream and some Beans on the tortilla and covered it with chicken and some onions. Ate two of those and was done. I'm finding just during the last week that I'm still only eating the same portions, but I'm getting hungry quicker now, and catch myself wandering into the pantry. I'm glad I'm a week away from getting my second fill.

I force myself only to weigh myself about twice a week. I'm focusing on how my clothes fit (very loose now, almost time to go shopping!).

Once you are healed, you will be able to eat the same amount as before you had surgery. You're in what's called "Bandster Hell". Once you get your first fill, your appetite should decrease and you won't be able to eat as much. At least that's what's happened to me Everyone is different though. Some people don't feel any different after the first fill and it takes a few fills to feel satisfied when you eat a smaller portion. Right now, it's all about willpower and making the right choices, and not eating until you are stuffed. You would have to overeat to the point of pain for months in order to stretch out your pouch, so no worries there. Always eat your protien first, don't "drink" your calories (soda, Starbucks, etc) and measure your portions so you know how much is enough. You'll get there!

TOM = Time Of the Month I'm glad I've already gone through menopause (really early, age 41) so I don't have to deal with that on top of everything else!

I gained 4 lbs the first four weeks after surgery - that's normal, you are supposed to just heal for a while. It will come back off - mine did, and I'm losing about 1 lb every 3 - 4 days now. Don't worry, you will start losing again after your first fill. I also try to stay away from carbs, bread, sweets and I don't drink my calories - everything I drink is sugar free and non-carbonated. Are you exercising? I'm still only working out on the treadmill about 15 minutes 3x a week, I know I need to ramp that up. But I'm satisfied losing around 10 lbs a month. I didn't put the weight on fast, so I don't expect to lose fast, I want to enjoy the journey and give my body time to shrink around the weight loss.

I actually gained 4 lbs in April. I really started losing after my first fill on May 5th

I have *some* restriction, but I already have an appt to go in on June 2nd for another fill. I have PB'd, in fact I don't think a day has gone by that I haven't PB'd in some fashion - usually because I don't chew enough and I eat too fast. That's been a lifelong habit that is so freaking hard for me to break. Usually what makes me PB is either bread, Pasta or meat. Hamburgers in any form are completely out of the question now, I have to only eat the meat in small bites and throw the bun away. Which, considering I am a major carbaholic and bread was my downfall all these years, it's a good thing that I can only eat small bites of toast or it comes up! I have to consciously pay attention every time I take a bite of something, and sometimes I am distracted. I've stopped eating in front of the TV because that's a trigger for me to just mindlessly stuff my face, but I was also used to drinking a lot of whatever was in my glass while I ate, and now I try not to do that so I'm not washing everything through and not feeling satisfied. So things get stuck. Rarely is it more than once, and I find that after doing it I'm usually done with the meal, not because I'm in pain but it's like everything in the pouch moves and hits that "I'm full" button. Good news is that I've never had anything really stuck and I've never not been able to get it out of me within 30 seconds of feeling stuck. The weight loss is driving me crazy. One day I'm up 4 lbs, three days later I'm down 6 lbs - I'm just glad that I'm losing, albeit very very slowly. But my goal is to lose 10 lbs a month, and so far I'm still ahead since my surgery date. Since my fill two weeks ago I've noticed my portions at meals are slowly getting a little bit bigger, and I'm trying to keep on track with how much I put on my plate. I still use a salad plate instead of a dinner plate and I'm tracking my food on Fitday.com. I do cheat now and then, but nothing on the scale of what I used to be able to do. Lately my port area has been very tender, and my stomach dimples/creases where I have the scar from the surgery and it really bothers me to see that. Surgeon said that won't go away till I lose weight - but dang it's ugly. I actually have to be careful about wearing a clingy shirt that will outline that area because it would be noticable. Well, have a great Sunday all - I'm going downstairs to do my 15 minutes on the treadmill. I'm working my way to 30 and slowly gaining stamina, maybe today I can do 20!

Congratulations, that's awesome!!

Elizabeth, I was in the same exact spot as you were. 10 days after surgery, I was eating like a horse and gaining weight back. I was upset and felt like nothing had changed. I had my first fill last Thursday and got 5.5 cc's in my 14 cc band, and I have restriction. I'm eating MUCH less, and my weight loss had jumpstarted again - 6 lbs down from my weight on fill day. What you are experiencing is normal, don't let it get you down Just be patient, you will get there.

Spot, Dr. K. made me do that too - sit up with the needle sticking out. Totally gross, I could not look at it. I stared at the wall and tried to ignore what he was doing.

It's been 5 days since my fill, and boy, what a difference! I finally feel like the band is working for me. I have to admit that I was getting a little worried about my appetite when I was going through bandster hell. I got 5.5 cc's in my 14 cc band, and I definitely have restriction. It's been interesting to see what I can't tolerate anymore. Before the fill, I had no problem with bread - now, lots of problems. Flour tortillas don't do well, nor does white puffy bread like hamburger buns. I can eat toast as long as it's thin, like rye bread, and I eat it slowly and make sure I eat it with something else. Pasta is another issue, I tried just eating some ramen yesterday and that all came back up. Couldn't get it down - but again, I wasn't eating it with something else that would prevent it from getting stuck. Last night hubby made some pork tenderloin kabobs on the grill, with some cabbage and mashed potatoes. Everything went down fine, but I'm definitely listening to my body now and stopping when I get that satisfied feeling. I had about 10 small bites of cabbage, 2 pieces of kabob and about 4 bites of potato before I was full. Best of all, I'm losing steadily and now back on the exercise program. I have no stamina at this point, I've found - I was on the treadmill for 15 minutes yesterday and had to stop. But I'll keep increasing it every day and getting to that 30 minute point. I've now lost the 5 lbs I gained during my Bandster Hell period and am well on my way to my goal - being under 300 by September 8th, when I have a family reunion. Of course, if I lose more by that time I won't complain Have a great week everyone! I'm off on a business trip for three days. Carlene

I just had my first fill today too. I got 5.5 cc's in my 14 cc band. I was on liquids for the first few hours, and I plan on eating some scrambled eggs and oatmeal for dinner, but I can eat normal food again by tomorrow morning. Eating tonight will be the true test of how much restriction I have. Doc had me sipping Water, then he would put more in, then sipping water, etc until I felt it backing up. He then took out 0.2 cc's and had me try again. I'll go back in 4 weeks to see how it's going. The good news is that I've only gained 4 lbs during Bandster Hell, and that will be easy to get off now that I've got some fill in. I didn't get on the treadmill today but I did walk all over Sam's Club and then the mall, so I think I got some exercise in anyway I am going to be more strict with myself and make a goal to exercise at least 30 minutes a day 5 days a week from now on. I bought two new low-carb cookbooks and I'm going to try a few things out. Doc did emphasize that I need to count calories and also keep carbs down but he stressed I was NOT to follow Atkins. I now have a short term goal - lose 50 lbs and make it under 300 by September 8th, when I will be going to a huge family reunion. It's time to get to work!

I'm still here Terri. One week post op went fine, but as of week 2 I've been eating regular food and I've gained weight. Plus after talking with my husband, I think the reason I started gobbling everything was that I read this forum too much, and I've been freaking myself out. I subconsciously started reasoning that I needed to eat because when I go in for my fill on May 5th, if the surgeon sees I'm still losing weight, he won't give me a fill. And I'm hungry! So I've been trying to keep a low profile. I try to stay away from the other topics and just come here, but it's hard to comment when most of you are still on liquids and mushies and I'm eating pizza and chinese food! Spot, you had me tearing my hair out with worry, I am really glad you are okay now. I'll let you all know how the first fill goes.

I started eating regular foods 2 weeks after surgery. I've had no issues with BP'ing or getting stuck, and I've been eating everything in sight. Completely not following any sort of diet. I hate Protein shakes and I don't think that will ever change. I've spent over $300 trying different ones and I just can't stand them. I'm not eating complete junk, don't get me wrong, but I've had pizza and chinese food and even some cake. I can say my portions are still smaller than they were before surgery but not 7 or 8 bites of food and I'm full. I talked about it with my husband and I think the reason is that I've been reading too much on this forum. I keep reading about people who want a fill but they are still losing weight so the surgeon won't give them a fill. I read about people who are dieting and still aren't losing weight. I read and read and read...and psych myself out. That's why I'm rarely posting anymore and trying not to come here often. It's freaking me out. I have my old appetite back, I haven't denied myself a thing, because I keep telling myself that I'm in the "healing" stage and I'm not supposed to be losing weight. I've regained 5 lbs but I'm okay with that. I have my first fill a week from today - and I'm going to use that as my jumping off point to get back into the program. My surgeon should release me to start exercising when I have my appointment and I just bought some new workout running shoes and some new workout clothes. The treadmill downstairs is set up and ready to go, and I need to get off the carbs again and get back to a low carb lifestyle - it seems like it works the best for me.

Spot, we have been so worried about you - what in the world happened?