JourneyGirl

I haven't been online for a while. Sorry to hear of the frusteration that you had gone through but am very glad to hear that it seems to be over. YEAH ON BEING DOWN 20!!! How awesome is that?!?! My weight loss is going backwards, lol, very slow, so I know that 20 is a huge marker!!! Keep it up!! Wendy

I am right with you on this one. I have had a few binge moments over the holidays and wish I didn't. My first fill really didn't do anything and I can eat anything and everything I want. I was doing very well, going to gym 5 days a week and doing just what I was supposed to eating wise and making great choices. Then I had a few days in a row that I was committed to volunteering at my childrens school and couldn't work out. Well when that happens it is so easy to not go to the gym and now it has been 1.5 weeks since I have been there. I got a free 3 month membership at the gym w/ my doctors office. It takes me 30 minutes to get there so between 5 hours of driving and the price of gas I just can't do it as much. I may just join the gym that is 1/2 a mile away. Makes so much more sense tome and it will be cheaper then the gas money I am using. Today too, starts the next chapter for me. I just got back from my second fill. I have 5cc's in a 10cc band. I had my Easter binge and now it is back to business. I am also going to make sure that I am here daily. It will help me to be accountable and encouraged. Hope everyone is doing well. Wendy

Congrats!!! How did it go?

I wish that I knew the answers for you but I don't. I just wanted to say good luck and I hope it all works out for you!! Keep us posted.

Great post!! 1. Jeans are falling off my buns!!! 2. Wearing jeans that I couldn't button 2 months ago! 3. Shirts are big and frumpy looking now. 4. Shoes fit better, no more croc's (I lived in them). 5. UNDIES ARE TO BIG!!!!! (personally my fav) 6. I work out 5 days a week now w/ out exhaustion. 7. I am running with my children. 8. No more carbonated bev's of any kind. Only Water and an occasional decaf tea or coffee. 9. Don't crave sweets. 10. Don't crave carbs and don't eat them very much. 11. No need for refux meds anymore! 12. Dont' watch much TV, I prefer moving. 13. Intimacy is so much better now. DH even says so. That alone melts my heart!! <3 And to think that this is only almost 20 pounds. What it will be like as more pounds fall off! I am excited to see! Congrats everyone! And good job!! Wendy

I, too, have told lots of people. I didn't discuss it with anyone but my best friend (she had the surgery) and my husband(and our kids) until almost surgery day. It was not my families business. I didn't want to feel I had to justify my decision. Good luck in your journey. For those who may say that you (we) should try harder . . . this is harder work then I thought! But so very worth every ounce of energy that I put into it!!! So they can chew that! If you don't want others to know just tell them you are doing slim fast or something. They don't need to know your business if you don't want them too! Wendy

I am not a smoker so I can't help you on that but good luck. As for being put under it is really no big deal. I do understand being nervous, I was as well my first time. Mine were all done through an IV. They administered the drug and honestly I tried to pay attention as to how long it would take. I wondered if I would go "out" when they were wheeling me into surgery, would I hear them talking, or would it be before.... How long would I stay awake. It sounds like I am a nut, it is just something that I do each time. For the band surgery I was talking to the nurse, blinked and that was it. That was the last thing I remember. Next thing you know I am waking up in recovery. I think it was about 10 seconds, if that, after giving me the drug. If you get real nervous, just tell them. They will give you something to calm your nerves. Don't worry, you will be fine!! Good luck, Wendy

It is so normal and you are not alone. I second guessed and then canceled my surgery the morning of my Pre-Op! 2 years later I had it! I don't recommend doing what I did!! I will say that when I got banded (2/22/11) there wasn't a doubt in my mind. I knew it was what I needed and wanted to do 2 years ago too, but chickened out. We can all play the "what if" game with any situation in life. What if we walk out side and get hit by a car, what if we walk and have a great stroll? What if we get in a car accident going to school or the supermarket? What if we don't and see someone who's life we affect by the simple smile we provide them? What if you don't have this surgery? Where will your health go from here? What about all the reasons why you do want this surgery? What will happen to them? BUT..... What if you do have the surgery? What if it works? What if you loose weight? What if you get healthy? What if you extend your life longer? What if you feel good about yourself? What if you enjoy life? What if you hike the Grand Canyon some day? What if, what if, what if? Look at your "what if's" one more time. Answer them firmly and from there on if doubts creep in your mind, go to the other "what if's". What if I don't do this, what will happen to me? You can do this. You are not alone! We have all been there at some point. We are here to help and encourage you. Good luck, you will be great!!! Wendy

I was instructed to walk for the first 2 weeks after surgery. I could walk as much as my body would take without being tired or sore. I also could use the exercise bands (when feeling good enough to do it, I was fortunate, I didn't have any pain). At my 2 week post-op appointment I was feeling great and ready to work out and was told NO! And I wanted to start crunches and that was an absolute NO! It was explained to me that even though I felt great I was not to do any core exercises or stomach exercises. The post is sewn to a muscle and needs to "scar down" so that it will remain in place. Doing these types of exercises could hinder that. So until the 6 week post op visit it was walking/gazelle/ elliptical and exercise bands only. Check with your doctor on what s/he says you can do. I know you want to get going, I did too, but we have to let our bodies heal and patiently wait, no matter how hard it is.

Thank you!! That was easy, yet I couldn't figure it out! lol

I understand the worry. My husband had the flu a few days before my surgery. I left the house with the kids and stayed at a friends! lol Not that your oncoming cold is funny, it isn't. I would just call your doctor like you said and tell him what is going on. It may not be a big deal at all, and you may be able to take something for it now. Good luck! Let us know how it goes. Praying for this cold to leave and you to become a bandster tomorrow!!!

I know that it can get discouraging. Hang in there and try to be patient, even though I know that can be hard. I had gone a few weeks where the scale didn't move. I am not to my sweet spot yet, but this fill gave me some restriction, and am trying to eat less and really pay attention to what my body (stomach) is telling me. I have noticed that if my Protein intake isn't where it should be and my Fluid isn't then I don't loose, even 1 pound. Make sure those two things are where they should be and exercise and it will start to happen. Hang in there. You CAN do this!!

Congrats!! How exciting! I bet you are on cloud nine!! I too have a very hard time w/ Protein (meats). salad, however, goes down without a problem and I have one for lunch and dinner everyday! if you find something that works to get the protein down, please share. Again, congrats! Keep up the good work!! Wendy

Yes I had weak moments too. There were three or four nights in a row I was so hungry (or my head told me I was). I had low sodium sliced turkey breast and cucumber slices. It was so good!! lol I only had a slice of turkey and 1/4 cucumber each time. You will be fine. I even let my doctor know and he wasn't upset. There are so many variations to the LRD some may have food, some none, some 3 days of LRD, some 2 wks, etc... Just stick to it as best you can and don't beat yourself up over it. It happened. You can start from this moment again. You are almost there and it is so worth it! Good luck!

A friend gave me this recipe and I tweek it a little for more Protein. I will post the original recipe first. 2 1/2 C oatmeal (instant) 1/4 C cocoa powder 1/2 C honey 1/2 C Peanut Butter 1/2 C flax seed (ground) 1/2 - 1 C Water Mix all ingredients together. Add water to get the desired consistency you wish. Shape into balls or bars. Wrap in sran wrap and place in freezer to get hard then store in fridge or freezer. I also have eliminated the PB and use PB2 instead, add a whole banana and 1 scoop of chocolate protein powder (or which ever flavor or unflavored you like). I haven't figured out the nutritional information yet. But when I do I will post it. You can play with this recipe and add/omit whatever you like. I have one before my 1.5 hour workout daily and it really gives me the boost I need and I don't feel like I am dragging when I am done. Hope you enjoy it!!

Glad to hear your mom is on the mend!! Praying for a quick recovery and to be home before you know it! I got a fill 4/1. I didn't have any numbing anything. I was thinking it was the norm to get it because so many of the people on here did that I read. So when she didn't I was a bit surprised. But it didn't hurt anyway so all was good. I do have some restriction but will need more. I am enjoying what I have though. I have been cleared for working out!!! I have been chomping at the bit here waiting to start to work my buns off! So far things are going really good and I am hoping to see the scale - a - mov'en!! I don't know how to change my ticker weight. I have been trying but it won't work. Not that I have lost much more but I am down some. It's good do see you back! Wendy

It is completely normal. The pain in chest and upper body is probably gas pain. Try some GasX or Mylanta. That really helped me out. It seemed to linger for 1 week or so. Congratulations w/ your band! Wendy

Congrats!! Don't let yourself get to nervous. It really is an easy surgery! Good luck!! Wendy

I am sorry to hear of your disappointment. You have come this far, hang in there! Wendy

Finally I am here and had my first fill this morning! I have no trouble with the unknown, and have a high tolerance for pain so I wasn't stressed over it. But for those of you who are, don't be! I didn't even feel them stick me! It was such a breeze. I had 2 cc's left over from surgery and they added 2 more, for a total of 4cc's. They said that 9cc's is the fullest that they can go. I will say that is nice to finally feel the swirly feeling of your beverage when you swallow it! I have had no restriction at all so I will take any at this point, no matter how small. Just to be moving forward is great!! Hope everyone elsessexperience goes good too!

Great news!! Glad everything went good! It is encouraging to read you have lost 2 pounds since Tuesday. The scale, no matter what I do or eat, hasn't moved and it's bugg'en me! I had my first fill today and I am noticing a fullness that I haven't before. Hopefully that scale will get movin! That is great that you have a PT! Enjoy your visit with him. Sounds like things are really moving along well! Congrats! Wendy

I know how you feel. I had a really frustrating day myself this past week. I have only lost a few pounds since surgery myself. I just try to remember that this is the healing process and it will get to the point when we get fills and will start to feel restriction and not be able to eat as much. My first fill is 4/01. Keep your chin up! It takes longer to loose weight with the band and we have to keep moving (exercise) too! I haven't been cleared for anything buy walking and exercise bands. That frustrates me too since I have felt great since 2 weeks post op but have to listen to the doctors. I want to work out but can't, it bites! I honestly think that if I got my butt moving weight would be coming off. I just tell myself "soon enough". Have your bad day and complain but tomorrow get over it (saying w/ a giggle and a smile, not bitchy)! You spent this money, went this far, IT WILL WORK FOR YOU!! Hang in there. Fills will start soon and you will see the weight coming off I am sure. Hope you have a good night, Wendy

Just want to say congrats on your decision to get banded! Sometimes all the answers come to us clear as day out of worrisome news. Good for you for turning that around and seeing what can happen if you decide to change things! I honestly believe that we have to be head ready first. And from the sounds of it you are. Don't worry about DH. He is just expressing his thoughts and/or concerns. One thing that I learned is that the guys have a whole different set of emotions when it comes to this. We just have to listen, and try not to get upset with them when we may want to, and even if we don't understand, talk about it. He is probably more worried about you then loose skin. Guys just can't ever seem to find the words to say what they are really thinking! lol Good luck on your journey. Keep us posted and Welcome to the boards! Wendy

I am maulting too. lol I eat a very well balanced diet, take my vitamins and keep my protein up where it should be. It is just something that happens. It will end and will grow back. Don't worry.

LOVE IT! Happy Birthday!! Feels great to take back our lives doesn't it? Love the encouragement you bring!!