NJGirl32

You can do this girl!! Congrats on taking the first step! The high protein drinks help curb the hunger. I used to use Carnation instant breakfast mix with skim milk, some Splenda (it wasn't sweet enough for me), a little protein powder (Unjury to boost the protein) , a half of a banana and lots of ice. Blend it into a shake. It made me feel like I was having a chocolate shake and it was so yummy and satisfying. I also made lots of broth soups with veggies for times I was really hungry. Good luck on your journey!

Good Luck-this is the beginning of a new you!

That is excatly what I was wondering yesterday! My surgery was 2 months ago and my scars are still red. I wonder if and when they'll fade to white!

That must be SO aggravating!! My doctor's office has been so wonderful and helpful. I understand you not wantingto switch at this time. Just hang in there the worse is almost over!!

At 6 fills you should feel something! Do you know how much you have in your band? Did they ever do a fill with the xray? There's a small possibility that you may have a leak and the fills aren't taking. I would have your doc do a fill under fluoroscope just to rule it out. If your doc. is being conservation discuss your concerns or seek another doctor; A lot would depend on the size oR your band and the size of your fills.

I am planning a trip to Italy for 2013! That should be plenty of time! My goal is to go to Italy to celebrate my 50th and fabulous birthday with my family!

Did anyone go on a cruise while banded? How did it work out and what did you eat? I have 2 days in New Orleans and 4 nights on a cruise next month. Any suggestions? There will be tons of food available! Also, I was goingto get a fill the week before-is that a good idea or no? Thanks!

You did awesome! I call it controlled splurging-you might step outside the boundary but you aren't diving off a cliff, plus you are able to get right back in the groove once the event is over. This is productive and in-control behavior. Simply thinking about what you are eating and limiting the indulgence is such a new concept and a great feat! I remember days that once I "cheated" I would throw all caution to the wind and that would be the end of the diet. Now, there is "no end of the diet." Now there are no "I'll start on Mondays." This is it- the real thing, real life, and a new way of life. Yesterday I had too much Chinese food and didn't feel good the rest of the evening. Instead of saying "I blew my diet." I said to myself "Now what would have been a better way to handle that?" I actually said those words! Then I thought it would have been much better to divide the meal right away and put half inthe refridgerator. I should have had 1 wonton with broth or not ordered the Soup all together. I also thought that I was SO hungry when I came home from work that I probably should have had a snack between lunch and dinner. So when we take opportunities to attend parties and special events in life it's not about "cheating" on our diets, it's about looking at these events with thoughtful minds. Congrats on all the good decisions you made!!

You have to look at each fill as a stepping stone that gets you closer and closer to the green xone. The first fill is your first step. I felt restriction for a few days but then nothing, but I did notice some small changes in my body. I experienced getting stuck once and never experienced that before my first fill. That was my body's way of telling me that something has changed and something is different. My appetite came back big time, but I still managed to lose something. I had my second fill-another stepping stone...I feel different now then I did with the first fill. I have trouble eating more foods then I did with my first fill. So I view each fill gets you closer and closer. The band require a lot of patience but it gives your body a chance to slowly adapt.

Wow!!!! Congrats on such a wonderful achievement!!!

Honestly, when you get home you'll be able to do pretty much everything you were able to do before the surgery-except drive. The small pillow tip is something I found very useful. I never needed Gas-x or a heating pad, but everyone is different. The pill crusher is a great idea-I wish I would have thought of that because they want all meds crushed to powder form. Good luck!!

Congratulations on your weight loss!! I think we do obess with our weight and we do get a distorted view of our bodies at times. Even when I was 40 pounds lighter than I am now I can remember not being totally happy with my weight and still feeling the need to hide parts of my body. As I lose weight I tend to lose it in my waistline first - which I love! People lose weight in all different area-some lose from the top down first. If you are a size 14 and you were a size 18 you should be feeling amazing!! You need to get out the Spanx and buy a sexy new outfit to get your groove on! lol Get out of your funk girl-you are doing a great job!! Our bodies don't need to look perfect! Just think how happy your heart is that you aren't lugging around the extra 40 pounds!! The chart below is worth repeating-you lost a human leg!! lol Your weight loss = 1 pound = a Guinea Pig 1.5 pounds = a dozen Krispy Kreme glazed donuts 2 pounds = a rack of baby back ribs 3 pounds = an average human brain 4 pounds = an ostrich egg 5 pounds = a Chihuahua 6 pounds = a human's skin 7.5 pounds = an average newborn 8 pounds = a human head 10 pounds= chemical additives an American consumes each year 11 pounds = an average housecat 12 pounds = a Bald Eagle 15 pounds = 10 dozen large eggs 16 pounds = a sperm whale's brain 20 pounds = an automobile tire 23 pounds = amount of pizza an average American eats in a year 24 pounds = a 3-gallon tub of super premium ice cream 30 pounds = amount of cheese an average American eats in a year 33 pounds = a cinder block 36 pounds = a mid-size microwave 40 pounds = a 5-gallon bottle of Water or an average human leg 44 pounds = an elephant's heart 50 pounds = a small bale of hay 55 pounds = a 5000 BTU air conditioner 60 pounds = an elephant's penis (yep, weights more than his heart!) 66 pounds = fats and oils an average American eats in a year 70 pounds = an Irish Setter 77 pounds = a gold brick 80 pounds = the World's Largest Ball of Tape 90 pounds = a newborn calf 100 pounds = a 2 month old horse 111 pounds = red meat an average American eats in a year 117 pounds = an average fashion model (and she's 5'11") 118 pounds = the complete Encyclopedia Britannica 120 pounds = amount of trash you throw away in a month 130 pounds = a newborn giraffe 138 pounds = potatoes an average American eats in a year 140 pounds = refined sugar an average American eats in a year 144 pounds = an average adult woman (and she's '4") 150 pounds = the complete Oxford English Dictionary 187 pounds = an average adult man 200 pounds = 2 Bloodhounds 235 pounds = Arnold Schwarzenegger 300 pounds = an average football lineman 400 pounds = a Welsh pony

Thanks everyone! Today I do feel a little different with my fill. I could eat watermelon after my first fill, now it sounds like a garbage disposal when I eat watermelon and I had to stop because it felt like the beginning o=stage of being stuck. I could only et 1/3 of a hot dog and threw the roll away. Had a very small piece of chicken. My stomach felt a little upset today foodwise. So I feel my 2nd fill has done something different and I feel uneasy and a little sick if I eat too much. I'll give it some more time! Each fill gets me a little closer to where I should be!

I am jealous!! I don't think this fill did a damn thing- I wish my doc was more aggressive with fills like yours! I mean come'on it's been 2 months-give a girl a break with the fills! I am going back in 2 weeks if things don't improve! They didn't even say anything about liquids but I know from last time I was on liquids for 24 hours. I hope corona lights count as liquids because I had 2 tonight! I still feel hungry too, but I barely ate anything today.

I just had my 2nd fill today. My doc says liquids (including shakes) the first 24 hours and then back to regular food.

3 inches for brunch and then another 3 inches? I don't see the problem either! The band doesn't promise you'll nevr feel hungry-although it does help! I find when it's really hot out I get hungry for some reason. Are you stressed about anything?

I hope you don't mind if a vent a little...so here it goes! I am SO sick of stores putting their women's clothes right next to the friggen maternity clothes! I find it so insulting! I went to Target and they are set up like this Juniors, Ladies, Maternity, Womans. WTH?! I found myself looking at clothes only to realize that I crossed over to maternity. Kmart is the same way. Why don't they just put maternity clothes near the baby clothes-seriously! I just get so mad! And the woman's sections at these stores just keeps getting smaller and smaller! I would love to know what thoughless A** decided that would be a lovely idea!

That had to feel good!!

Now I am in my late forties and I was married 7 years ago. I would say the last 6 years the sex had been on a decline. Now it's almost nonexisitent more or less. When we were dating my hubby said he wasn't attracted to heavy set women. I was 190 at the time and I said "Well I am not exactly skinny" and he said I was perfect. SInce then I have gained anywhere from 50-70 pounds-slowly but surely. He also gained around 40 pounds (but he's 6'4). He also is on back pain mes so I think that effects him too. I am really hoping that once my weight comes off our sex life will get a lot better. If not, then we will have to find out what medical issues there are.

LOL-thanks for explaining that!!

Now that IS good news!! Yep, you're just a sneeze or two away from Onederland!!

First off let me back track by saying what an AMAZING job you have done thus far with the weight loss!! You didn't mention when you were banded in your signiture but 66 pounds doesn't seem slow to me!! Okay, now I HAVE to ask what toitle is? I just assumed you misspelled turtle? I am blonde so please enlighten me! LOL

I didn't tell my BF either. Weeks prior to surgery I told her it was something I was seriously considering. SHe didn't know what the lapband was and I gave her some ino. She never ever mentioned another word about it and neither did I. Will I tell her someday? Probably. Dod we have to tell our BFs everything? Maybe that;s something we did when we were in our teens, but I don't think it's necessary as we grow older. Does that make us lesss close? Absolutely not! I think her son is on meds for ADHD and she opted notto tell anyone, but I understand. I don't think you owe her an apology especially since she was so negative. With that being said, I do think it would be good to clear the air and move on. Friends are hard to come by and perhaps through your surgery she will have a completely different outlook on being banded. Maybe you'll even inspire her to get the band!!! Next time she wants to borrow something or needs something simply say "Before I say yes I need to make sure we are good about the surgery. It was never ever my intention to make you feel hurt. I was ready to share my choice back then, but I am now. Can we move forward?" See what her response is.

That must feel SO good!!!! Congrats on all your hard work and enjoy being skinny and all it has to offer!

I agree, you are an inspiration and I have been following you since you were banded-it was right around the time that I joined this sight. You are almost there girl!! Keep up the awesome work !