Jenn1214

Can you post a menu of what you eat in a typical day, so we can get an idea? Also, are you exercising? Getting enough water and protein? When was your last fill? (I know it's tough without insurance)

Thanks everyone :-) I needed that!

I'm just starting to exercise again so I walk a couple of miles or do a workout video at home (I like Leslie Sansone).

I know how you feel...the first few weeks after surgery I fantasized about food like most people fantasize about, well, never mind. You get the idea. I was depressed and convinced that I had made a huge mistake and wanted to run back to the doctor to remove the band. It was kind of like detoxing from food for me, since I was such a food addict. It gets better, don't worry. As for weight loss, don't worry about that right now. Your body is still recovering from the stress of surgery and not getting the calories it was used to. Focus on getting better, staying hydrated, and learning to eat with the band, and the weight loss will come. Keep on keepin' on!

Congratulations on your awesome weight loss! You must feel great!

Last week I was doing really great. I exercised six days a week, burning around 220 calories each time (according to myfitnesspal.com), ate about 1100 calories a day, drank at least 64 oz of water a day, and got my protein. Yesterday was a rest day, but I still took a leisurely walk with my fiance. Then we went to my in-laws for dinner. I wasn't too bad, although I did eat my first jelly donut in about 7 months (I told myself I was just going to have a piece, ha ha). That was really my worst indiscretion for the whole week., and surely didn't undo all of my hard work. I stepped on the scale today expecting to lose at least 2 pounds. What did I lose? 1 measly pound. Now, I should be pretty proud of myself for losing and not gaining or plateauing, but I'm just MAD! Why am I mad at myself? Now I'm starting to feel the old habits creeping in: "Oh well, you did all that hard work and only lost 1 pound. Here, eat this bag of cookies, you'll feel better." There is NO way I'm going down that road again, but why can't I just be happy with my progress so far? Maybe PMS has something to do with it? Is my body rebelling against me for trying to take away its precious fat? Or am I doing something wrong and I really should have lost two pounds? Thoughts? Comments? Am I just being a whiner for no reason?

My doctor tells me that fills can take up to two weeks to take affect, and I always do full liquids for 24-48 hours and mushies for 24-48 hours after a fill until the swelling goes down. I'm not sure if every doctor recommends it but it always helps me. Make sure you take small bites and chew everything to death. If literally everything gets stuck, not just trouble foods like bread and steak, I would give your doctor's office a call and ask their advice.

I used to hate exercise. I mean really HATE it, like I would go to any lengths to avoid it. Once my weight loss started stalling, however, I knew I just had to grit my teeth and do it. I have so much more energy now and I literally have to force myself to take a rest day during the week. It's now just a part of my daily routine and I love it!

I used to be a huge soda addict and drank almost nothing else. My surgeon put such a fear of carbonation into me that I avoid it at all costs. The few times I have drank anything carbonated was accidentally and I definitely paid for it...ouch! It's just not worth it for me.

I stayed away from coffee for two months after surgery in case the caffeine irritated my stomach...I also didn't want to get dehydrated since it was still hard to drink a lot of liquids. Now almost 8 months later I have 1-2 cups a day with no problems. I just make sure to watch the creamer I put in...those calories add up quick! I only use a tablespoon of fat free french vanilla, so each cup is about 30 calories. I also make sure to make up for it in my water intake. My PA's eyes kind of widen when I tell her that I drink coffee, but it hasn't affected my weight loss at all so I don't know what the big deal is.

I keep a water bottle with me at all times. At first I had to force myself to drink enough water but now if I don't get enough my body tells me! I'm not sure if it helps with my weight loss but I find that I have more energy if I'm hydrated, so in turn I have the energy to work out and do what I need to do.

The first month is probably the hardest time for bandsters. I was so depressed the first two weeks after surgery, thinking "Oh my God, what have I done to myself? I'll never be able to eat again! I made such a huge mistake!" So not true. I'm down almost 60 pounds, and I look at feel so much better. It's not an easy road but if I can do it, ANYONE can! Things will get better. Hang in there, you can do this!

It will pass. Definitely move around as much as you can (but don't overdo it, you're still recovering). People say Gas-X strips helped them but they did nothing for me. You may not be able to yet, but I found lying on my left side kind of helped push the gas out. Feel better!

Your body is just recovering from the trauma of surgery. I remember being terrified to burp because I thought it would mess up the band, but I feel like I needed to burp all the time (you won't mess up the band if you burp, I was just a paranoid idiot). The gas pains and hiccups are totally normal too. I know it sucks but it will pass and then you'll be feeling great!

Nice! Keep up the great work!

I've been looking at the descriptions of P90X and Insanity and they sound pretty scary to be honest. Is Power 90 just as insane or is a little more geared towards people like me? I'm in no rush since I just started exercising again recently, but in a few months I'll probably want a challenge. Any opinions? Thanks!

It's a awesome feeling, isn't it? Great job!

It took me five fills before I got to a good place with my eating. Don't forget that fills sometimes take a week or two to kick in. Also, you're still healing from surgery and learning how to eat with the band, so don't beat yourself up! Concentrate on getting enough water and eating right...the weight loss will follow. You can do it!

Unfortunately gas seems to be part of life for me now! It's a lot better now, but in the few months after surgery I belched louder than my fiance and the gas didn't know which end to come out of (TMI I know, sorry). It should get better, so hang in there!

I will be 8 months post op on the 14th. When I first had the surgery I couldn't feel my port at all, but now that I've lost almost 60 pounds it will bug me if I lean up against a hard surface, like the kitchen counter (my surgeon placed it a few inches below my belly button). The band feels a little tight in the morning but otherwise I forget it's there (except when I'm eating of course!). You should never be able to feel the band under your skin.

I think sometimes people don't want to comment on someone's weight loss because they are afraid of hurting their feelings somehow. If they say "Wow, you look great!" maybe you'll think "Well gee, I must have looked horrible before". That's the way I am, anyway. People started commenting on my weight loss at around 30 pounds because I had lost a lot of weight in my face. I no longer look like a chipmunk storing nuts for the winter

I am often shocked at how fast and how much people eat. I sit there and think "Holy crap, did I used to eat like that too?" It actually makes me nauseous thinking about it!

I need to start working on my abdominals...they are so weak! My port is about an inch or so below my belly button, so I'm a little nervous about doing damage to it. Anyone have any exercises that are comfy on the port?

I had the same problem and got discouraged, but the weight started to drop off after a little while. Like everyone said, hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!

I have never had a fill under floro, but I thought it was cool when I did my barium swallow the day after surgery. I could really see the band slowing down the flow of the contrast...I was pretty impressed (it could have just been the anesthesia scrambling my brains though!).