NJGirl32

Great job!!!! Congrats!

Although that's a VERY personal decision that only you can make I know you want some input. I would say go with the band. When you are banded you are not getting your stomach cut and re-routed. My I went for my nutrion meeting there was a woman there that had Gastrict by-pass 7 yrs. ago and gained everything back and now she wanted the band. But I am sure there has been banded people who wentto gastric bypass. Personally, I would try a less invasive procedure first and especially since your BMI is not that high. The band take a big committment and it's only a tool. You won't lode as quickly as with gastric bypass-but for me that's okay. There are diffently pros and cons to both but I know I really didn't want to undergo major surgery if I could avoid it. Good luck with whatever you decide!!

I am consciencously planning any of my snack foods. If it's not planned I don't eat it. SF pudding with a teaspoon of PB 1/2 sliced banna and a dollop of cool whip is sinfully delicious! If you are going to have this I'd make my other snacks that day SF jello or a SF popcicle. I try to buy snacks that my family likes, but I don't like enough to have one. I bough SF choc. syrup and it says on the directions you can add it to coffee-that sounds good! I will also pour a chocolate protein shake into the blender with ice and a 1/2 banana. I have an exact time that I eat my snacks-even if I get hungry earlier I will wait until that time comes around.The secret to avoid binge eating is not to have the triggers in your house and to plan for your snacks. Also fill up on water. Remember you can't let food have that much power inyour life anymore.

Congrats on such a great achievement and thanks for sharing a snapshot of your day!!

PS- you look smaller than a size 12 and 180 pounds-you look so tiny! That gives me SO much encouragement! I remember when I weighed 185 (when I met my hubby) and I looked great. I can't wait to get there! Thanks for sharing!

Sexy Moma!!! Wow!! A completely different girl! Awesome job!!

Thanks for the detailed experience! Love yr. blog!

I was banded on May 25th and my appetite is as strong as ever. I really feel like I could go out to a restuarant and order hatever I wanted. I have to think of this time period as "dieting on my own" I am sort of sticking to weight watchers (maybe a little less). I know I need a good fill and when I see my surgeon in 2 weeks I am going to request one asap. I agree that you should tell your doctor that you feel no restriction and your appetite hasn't change. We, as women, don't like to sound pushy but we didn'tgo through surgery to still feel hungry all the time.. It might take some time ( a few fills) until the band acts as the tool it was meant to be. Until then you need to diet on your own by counting calories and exercising until you reach the Promised Land! BTW-congrats on such an awesome weight loss thus far!!!!

My doc said 3 weeks

Awesome!! That has got tobe a great feeling! I wentthrough my summer/winter clothes yesterday and made a drawer of clthes that are oo small-I can't wait to go to that drawer and try thinhs on down the road

You will do great!! Don't worry!! I agree, you will have such great years ahead of you being skinny and happy! I struggled with my weight all through my teens all the way up to my 40;s on and off. You have such an amazing futrue ahead of you! Keep positive thoughts in your head and good luck to you! The first week you will feel sore, but after that you will be fine!

Gas x strips and try to walk alittle every hour. I think everything you wrote sound normal. Gas pains are very difficult to deal with. As far as eating so little-just make sure you are getting as much protein in as possible because it does help with healing. I had the same appetite the first week after surgery-I could barley get anything down. On my second week my appetite came back full force (after the swelling went down). Hope you feel better!! PS- you might get more responses if you posted this on the post-op site rather then the Intro site

Thanks!! On a happier note we just came back from the movies and I highly recommend "Bridesmaids" it was So funny!!!

OMG! That doesn't sound good at all That's a lonnng time. I agree water, water, water and maybe a glass of prune juice.

Thanks! those are words I really needed to here. I will just have to start eating like a skinny person does! You are both right too that eating is not something that goes on all night so I can just make a plate and that's that. It's just really difficult now without a fill yet. Thanks!!

Okay, he only stayed 1 hour -but I know he would have loved to stay longer. You are right-sometimes I'll have to bite the bullet and go with him...but it's hard right at this point. I know he's only seeing Bridesmaids tonight because I want to see it so I guess I can compromise too. Although I did compromise last weekend by going to the BBQ. It's going to be a lonnnng summer!

Happy Birthday!!!! Just keep thinking how great you are going to look this time next year!! Don't give in for what you want right now (cake/steak) for what you always wanted (to be skinny). Don't let food have that much power in your life anymore! Get pleasure or treat yourself to things like pedicures, massages, an exercise class,a good book or some nonfood item. Enjoy your day in other ways and be proud that you are taking control of your life! You go girl!

Okay, my hubby has a lot of friends and he belongs to a club. The club always seems to have something going on. When I was on my liquid diet they had a big event with music/outdoors/food/drinks I told my hubby I did want to go since I was on liquids. I told him to go if he wanted. Then last week his friend had a BBQ- I went even though I couldn't eat or drink. So this weekend there's a pig roast -really-WTH? I am starting to get a little mad. My hubby asks when I'll be on regular food-I said not for 2 more weeks. So my hubby asks me if I want to go. I said "I am not going and I don't feel supported because you know I can't eat or drink" He was fine with me not going but he went (supposely to talk to a guy about work we need on our kitchen." He said he wouldn't be long-I think he sensed that I wasn't thrilled. Before he left he asked me if I wanted to go o the movies later -he knows I want to see Bridemaids. So I guess my real concern is that so much of our weekends revolve around eating out and food/drink events that this is going to be a really big change. I wish he didn't feel a need to go to every event-because I feel left behind. At the same time I do realize this is my burden to bear-not necessarily his. I guess it's worse now that I am in Bandster Hell and could eat anything. Just needing to vent-sorry!

The first week after surgery was great - I got filled with very little! This is week 2 and I am hungrier and can easily eat more. I am trying to stick to the diet and I do wait an hour after eating before drinking any water. This is what I would call Bandster Hell. I am not replying on the band to reduce my hunger. basically, I am dieting on my own. I'll get a fill in 4 weeks-that seems like such a long time, but I can do this!! Also, the first fill might not get me to that point-so BH might last a little longer. I think going into surgery you have to realize that for at least the first 55-6 weeks you will be dieting on your own (maybe longer) depending on when you reach that "sweet spot." This time period is all about patience and portion control.

Awesome! Congrats on taking controlof your life and putting you first! You will do great with your spirit! And you will be "One Hot Mama!" You go girl!!

Something doesn't sound right. You should be losing more I would think, especially of you are watching your diet. What did your doctor say? Do you have an appetite? Be an advocate for your Band! Do you have a NUT to goover your food choices? Good luck to you and I am sure things will turn around for you!

Use Carnation Instant Breakfats and mix in a blender with skim milk (I add 1/2 scoop of injury to boost the protein) You could add fruit to the shakes to increase protein-do your research. I also add a little Splenda to sweeten it up. Blend with some ice and it is delicious. GNC also has Totally Lean 8oz protein shakes (it's new) and it's 170 calories with 25 grams of protein. It is not think and doesn't have an after taste-the best I have found. GNC also has an excellent return policy. If you don't likeit-bring it back. For water-I advise you to purchase a contained that holds 32oz of liquid with a pop up top (like water bottles have). Fille 1/2 the container with ice cubes and the other hald with water. Leave a little room to add some of your favorite juice. Basically you are making a favored water. You can add pear juice, apple juice, etc. Also Crystal light is great in water and it's decaf! When you are done the bottle at least you have 32 ozs inyou and the rest should be easy! Good luck!

Glad to hear you are doing well! Wishing you a speedy recovery!!!

Make sure you are drinking enough water too-you could be getting dizzy from dehydration!

This stage is not about losing weight-it's about recovering!! Any weight loss should be considered a bonus! Your body is healing and adjusting to the new way of eating. The lump in your throat sinply means you drank too fat or too much at once or ate without chewing or ate to much too fast...slow down and listen to your body's signal. When you feel that sensation coming on you need to slow down or stop. I know when I drink something fast I getthe feeling. Good luck to you!