lea3277

Like many others, my regret is not having it done when I was younger. I'm only 28, but I could have had so much fun being healthier in my early 20's! I love the band, but you have to remember it is just a tool and you have to work with it. Yes, you will still have to diet and exercise, but after you lose a little weight you will be motivated and these things won't feel like a "chore" anymore! I am always here if you have questions, as well as the others on this site. These forums have been my lifesaver through my journey. I was just banded over a month ago. Good luck!

My feet are usualy the first indication that I have lost weight......followed my my fingers and boobs!

My doctor told me between 1000-1200, but it really differs from person to person I think.

For some reason today, I just can't get full. I have been avoiding eating bread for the most part due to carbs and the fact that I thought it would be hard to get down. Well, today got the best of me and I had to have something from Subway. I got a 6 inch flatbread roasted chicken and only ate 1/2 of it about 11 AM. I am getting hungry now and really want the other half now. I am still way below my calorie intake for today. I feel so guilty for eating this! I don't think I should be hungry this soon after lunch. Maybe I need a fill!

I have been really stressed this week and I'm sure that has a lot to do with it. I have always been a "stress" eater, but lately I have had a better handle on that. Even though I am more concious of it there will always be those "bad" days. I am not going to consider it cheating as long as I stay within my calorie range, which I have been doing. I think I just freak out and think, "I am the only one with a band trying to choke down a freakin sub sandwich?!?" I talk to so many people who are anti-bread and it had me worried!

Well, it looks like you have done good TKW!

Thanks for the adds on myfitnesspal.com!

I had my frst fill on Thursday and I was a NERVOUS WRECK! I had high blood pressure when I went in to the office that day and I don't ever remember having high blood pressure. ' The nurse took my basic vitals and what not and then the doctor came in. She performs all of the fills in her office, but I know a lot of places have nurses or assistants do them. She had me lay over a pillow and she quickly located the port. She deadened the area with a very small needle and some medicine and it was instantly numb. Next, she inserted the HUGE needle and I barely felt it. I had to ask her for sure if she was in yet. It was no time and she slapped a band aid on and gave me some Water to drink. It went down fine and I was free to go for a month! Needless to say, it was a PIECE OF CAKE! I was terrified for no reason at all! You will be fine.

My myfitnesspal.com account user name is Lea3277 Lakeshia. I just started logging yesterday because it was the first day that I actually ate enough to count. I logged a little bit in the past, but not very much at all. I just posted a topic under "nutrition and fitness" asking for peoples usernames so we could look.....hopefully we will be able to use this to help us eat better.

My doctor told me to start eating off of a salad plate. Fill 1/2 of plate with Protein and eat that first. Fill 1/4 with green veggies/no starch veggies and the 1/4 with carbohydrates. Eat the salad/no starch veggies second (if still hungry) and then the carbohydrates last (only if hungry though). This has really helped me to get an idea of portion sizes. You still get a good bit of protein from eating off of the smaller plate. As far as portions, she doesn't really have any other guidelines, but told me to listen to my body and I would know when I was "healthy full" and not "stuffed." You can feel the difference!

I have watched my mom fight cancer for the greater part of my life - 16 years and she is still fighting. They gave mom 6 months to live in '95 and she beat the odds...woohoo. I have had experiences with people who joke about cancer and it's just hard to deal with when it hits so close to home. There is a difference in an innocent child giggling and asking me why my mother is bald out of curiosity, but for an adult to openly joke about is a little much. Seeing the raw effects of cancer are sickening and no joking matter. Don't get me wrong, I can joke with the best of the best, but this is not a good lapband coverup joke excuse! Sorry I got a little lengthy, but I couldn't refrain. I'm just going to be open about my surgery in hopes that someone else can experience the life changing effects of lapband!

You took the words right out of my mouth Lakeshia. I have been struggling with this as well. I know I have to start eating more, but it's hard to when I'm not hungry. I am definitely on a plateau. I started preop 6/2 with surgery on 6/16. I have been stuck at a 24 pound loss for a few weeks! I need to figure out how to see what other people eat on myfitnesspal.com. Maybe I just need "meal ideas!" I am supposed to be getting in 1000- 1200 calories per day.

I was the same way, but I'm a month post op now and things are getting better. I don't feel guilty eating as long as I eat healthy foods. I think the band plays "tricks" with our minds.

I have been banded going on 4 weeks. It seems like my stomach growls a whole lot. It's weird to me. I know my doctor jokingly said my stomach would "talk" to me so I guess it's nomal. Does it mean it's hungry or what I wonder?? Another thing I have noticed is that I belch a lot with the band. I only drink Water, but sometimes as soon as I take a drink I have to belch. Am I drinking to fast or something? I get the hiccups sometimes. Also, my chest feels tight after I eat....anyone else experience this? Overall, I haven't had any problems with the band. I eat small portions and I'm satisfied. I do worry about strethcing out my pouch, but I don't think it's possible with the small amounts I eat....hope not anyways!

We would make for one noisy room. I haven't mentioned my stomach noises to anyone, but today at work a coworker came and wanted to know if everything was okay. I confused because I had been happy and cutting up all day, but come to find out she had heard my stomach! It was hillarious and I had to explain the "new" sound effects I now have.

I know through the first 3 weeks I have been eating too many carbs because my diet has consisted of a lot of mashed potatoes. This week I have added more Protein and I'm trying to get a grasp on healthier meal options. It's just easy to each carbs through the first few weeks because a lot of them are soft (potatoes, noodles, etc.) My doc started allowing them the second and third week, but did tell me not to get "used" to this because I couldn't live on them and expect to lose. I understand that completely. Good luck!

I needed to read your post tonight! I am nearly 4 weeks out and haven't been exercising. The strange this is that I walked for months up until the day I had surgery and for some reason I didn't get back in the groove. I know I have got to start some fitness program and it needs to be soon! I always feel sooooo much better and you're right, the weight will come off much quicker.

I have pain, but I think mine is from my port. It is on my left side and I'm also about 4 weeks post op. I can't tell where my band is at.

My friend ate a ribeye two days before surgery and drank a beer. He told the doc and still had his surgery. Another friend of mine didn't even have to do a preop diet. Myself, on the otherhand, had to do a 2 week all liquid preop diet. I think they overreacted, but I'm not doctor. Just don't beat yourself up over this. You have come clean and now you just need to move on. I admire your honesty! Good luck on your journey.

Thanks so much for your feedback. I think the chest tightness might be because I have been eating too fast. I'm having trouble slowing it down!

They applied dermabond over my incisions, so I didn't have to deal with the bandages. I did have to deal with #2 issues though! I found that drinkig Mirilax once per day does the trick. Within 2-3 days of starting the Mirilax regimen I was regular. Even though it is supposed to be "tasteless" I can still taste it. I mix it with a bottle of Water and a crystal light packet.....works for me!

I was banded on the 16th and also had a problem getting my Water in and still do. I have found that sugar free kool-aid does the trick for me. Crystal Light is good too, but I think I burnt myself out on it through the preop diet. I also drink a lot of Propel flavored water. Good luck!

i agree with Elie.....the sign made me just as mad as the person who commented. This band is harder than any regular diet I have ever been on, but I'm willing to continue the journey because I believe it works. If people only knew what we had to go through each day to make this successful!

I'm a little over 3 weeks post op today and think I might have overdone it. I did tons of yard work and I know I shouldn't have, but I haven't been sore and I thougt it would be okay. I should have known I was still healing! Tonight when I got in, I noticed that my port site was really swollen and sore. Also, I can feel my port perfectly right beneath my skin. I don't remember ever feeling it this close to the skin before. I'm sure I'm just swollen from the activity and that my port hasn't moved or anything, but I'm a worrier! I don't feel nauseated and I have eaten and all is fine there. From what I have read, everyone that has "messed" something up has had severe pain or nausea. I wouldn't call my pain severe at all. Anyone had this happen after lifting, bending, etc?