ginger12/26

So I hit goal, had an unfill (no restriction) and then 1.5 wks later had a gallbladder attack! I am also extremely bloated (like painfully so) and I have gained like 15lbs in less than two weeks. I have really been watching my diet, counting calories and everything. Anyone else been through this? I have an appt with my surgeon on Wed and possible gallbladder surgery on Friday. Fun times!

So my surgeon and I decided that since I have lost ~150lbs, and I am almost to goal, and I have been having a lot of issues with getting solid food down we would unfill me to almost nothing (I now have 1.1cc's) and see how I do. I have no restriction what-so-ever and I for some reason am worried. I am worried that I don't know how to eat like a "skinny person". I still have the mind and appitite of a 300lb person. This is the biggest mental paradox I have ever encountered. I have considered joining weight watchers just to see what I need to do to maintain this lovely new me. Has anyone else experienced this or mastered this unique situation? Any advice is appreciated! Ginger

My mom and I actually had the band about three months apart, and several members of my extended family had it during the same year. We tell everyone. Once you lose a certain amount of weight people want to know how you did and I guess I feel weird saying anything but the truth! We all use each other for support and advice, it has actually turned out really well!

I love the chocolate royal and delight shakes. They are the creamiest. I haven't tried the vinilla or strawberry just b/c I usually don't like those flavors.

I have lost a little over 120lbs and I feel great. However my belly, arms, and boobs sag like crazy. I really want to have plastic surgery, however my family and friends say that because I am young (26) that with enought exercise they will all shrink up and my skin will tighten. I don't believe this. I am not wanting to walk into a tummytuck or boob job right away because I want to start having kids in the near future. I would love to get my arms done. They are one thing that I have always been embarrassed about and I would love to have them "normal looking." Does anyone believe that exercise will shrink them or is plastic surgery the answer for this. I still have many more years before the band is paid for, but I am just wonder if this is next step and how do you go about even getting plastic surgery?

What I did was start small. I started the pre-op diet by drinking proteins shakes for one meal. Then I would drink them for two. I would park in spots further from the door to make myself walk. I bought the walk away the pounds video and did that at least twice a week. After the band the protein drinks are a must so start with them now and develop your taste for them (kinda like finding you favorite beer). Try and be active as much as you can. Not necessarly going to the gym but walking around the mall one more time or doing housework a little faster. Then cut out some bad foods from your diet. Like real soda or fast food. These things alone will cause b/w 10-25lb weight loss and they will kick start your new band life. Weight watchers is an awesome motivational tool for dieting. Whatever changes you make, little or small, are a step in the right direction. Pride yourself on these, and when you are ready make another change.

I guess that is true. I am mostly a salty savory eater. I can go without the sweets. It is pasta and meats and potatoes I crave. That stuff wouldn't go down even if I prayed for it!!! In this respect the band does the work. As far a sodas, and popcorns and Ice cream, I just don't buy it. When the band is allowing me to eat I usuall think protein and go for that first and then I usually get full. SO I guess it is part band part me. Go me?!

I have to say the band helps me the most when I need it the most. The more stressed I am the tighter the band so nothing goes down. As one would have it, stressed times used to be my eating times. Therefore the band does the work for me. On relaxed days I just enjoy myself and eat what little the band will allow. Usually I can eat pretty good for 2 days a week and the rest of the time I drink shakes and eat very little. It works out because it keeps my metabolism in check and allows me to continue to lose weight. I don't really worry about cutting calories where I used to. I don't skip on butter, I drink my coffee with real milk and sugar, and I use real oil not cooking spray. So on days my band is lose I eat to make up for the days that I am stressed and it is tight. I am a very "stressy" person so each day is unique with my band. This is like the 2 days on and 2 days off diet. Some say it "trains your metabolism". I don't know, all I know is that it has worked for me. has anyone else had this experience? Oh and the hardest week of the month is menstration. That week nothing goes down. It is a struggle, but it calms down eventually.

I actually deal with this constantly. I am in my last semester in Medical school (I graduate in 1 1/2 months!!!!) and I spend most of my time in the hospital. As a resident you have to eat very fast because you always have work to do. You are also very rarely alone. You also have to keep your strength up because the days are busy and long. I have found it extremely awkard eating with people I work with. Most of the time I just take a shake and drink it and eat when I get home. It is hard to eat fast with the band and people (esp strangers) don't have the patience. It is also weird when something doesn't go down and you have to PB in a cup or run to the bathroom. I have actually found this as one of the more challenging situations to deal with after the band. However, with my friends and family it took only a couple of months for them to understand the struggle and now they are completely understanding. You do hear a lot of "is that going down" or " you don' want anything else?" but all of this is out of love and you learn to get used to it. Today I bought a size 10 jeans and that pretty much made every "weird" meal worth it. So eat slow and enjoy because it's great to feel good, it's great to look good, and it's great to be moving on!

Does anyone else love the atkins advantage shakes? I love them very much. I would of never thought that I would find a protein shake that I love as much as this. They are creamy, thick and delicious! If anyone is looking for tasty shakes might I suggest these!

I agree with this concern. I see myself in pictures today and I still see the "flat-tire" and arm flap, and the double chin. I weight less now than I did in 6th grade and I still feel fat and flabby. I feel much better, and the response from people is amazing, but the self image thing is much harder to manage than I originally thought!

Dear Sparkette, Sorry to hear that you are having issues with the band. I went through that for about 6 months (in fact I gained about 5 pounds through the process!). However, once I finally reached restriction everything changed. My last fill was in July of 2007, and my doctor used the OMNIPACQUE. Since then I have had good restriction and I have not lost any of the tightness since then. My band is pretty tight, and I can only eat very little at a time-chew chew chew!. I pretty much rely on protein drinks and vitamins for nutrition, but the weight is melting off and I feel really healthy. The omnipacque was the solution for me, and I hope it works the same for you! Good luck!

Don't even worry about the scales. Everyone loses differently. Take this time to prepare for the way your life is going to change with the fills. You are just in the beginning of a long process. The weightloss will come. I know how frustrating it is not to have restriction, but with the 1st or 2nd fill it will happen. In the meantime enjoy your place in this process (because there is no turning back) and don't worry about weight, we let it controll our lives before, don't let it control you now. Good luck, Ginger

Dr. Collier did my surgery. I think he is wonderful. His staff are great, and his post-op care is great. He requires that you have an office visit every month (with or without a fill) and he really listens to you. He also likes you to meet with a nutritionist and he hooks you up with support groups. Several of my family members have also had this surgery with Dr. Collier and they all feel the same. Hope it helps, Ginger

I had sx with Dr. Collier--- I think Dr. Collier worked with Dr. W.