Kate rules

You go, girl! I'm so thrilled for you!

I have NO restriction but I am doing better with willpower. Had an unfortunate lunch today (pizza) but had only two small slices instead of eating the whole dang thing! That takes willpower for me, so I am pleased! I am coming up on the monthly water retention experience myself so I am hoping for a lower number on the scale this time next week. I'm not putting any pressure on myself because I would rather lose slower and make it stick this time!

3 weeks out from banding. No fill. Haven't found anything I can't eat yet. I've kind of strayed from my mushie diet and can eat anything I want. I had thin crust pizza earlier. Now have to go for a walk to get it off my hips and thighs.

I would take measurements and look at size charts on the clothing manufacturer website to find a size chart. Also, when is the last time you were professionally fitted for a bra? I noticed yesterday that my clothing appears quite different when you have proper support. I took off the sports bra and put on my 38DDD, which is a change from the 40DDD I was a month ago. I just happened to have the right size at home in the drawer. But shazam! As soon as I put on everything looked better.

I'm just getting back into my size 14 pants and skirts. I have quite a few sizes of pants right now for work and tons of jeans, but my nice stuff is all too small still. I'm buying new workout t-shirts at walmart for 5 bucks a pop. I plan to take some of my business attire to the tailor and have them insert darts or whatever they do to make you look good. I once heard Jackie O had a fashion philosophy that clothes look best when they fit properly, so I'm going to emphasize my new, smaller waistline! It's like getting a whole new wardrobe!

BUT... I held a fashion show for my hubby today and I got my favorite jeans pulled all the way up. I couldn't get them past my calves when I first started this process. I have to lose another 4 inches off hips to get them buttoned. I know my pattern of weight loss, so I'm thinking another 15 pounds and it is gonna be easy slipping into my jeans. No wiggling, sucking in needed or muffin top problems. I can't wait! I can't wait!

Oh no! I just looked at the carefirst website and they say I owe my surgeons office 8000! I'm sure it will get straightened out but in the mean time I am freaking out. I already emailed the insurance coordinator and asked her for help. I met all the insurance requirements but who knows what the problem is? Hate this! Totally stressing. Can't wait to see what they do with the 23000 hospital bill. Meanwhile, they are holding over 800 of my money they owe me! I'm so t-d off! Ugh! Sorry for rant! On a happy note, just bought airline tickets for my cruise. Everyone: its 137 days until I leave and I have 23 pounds to lose! Hope I can do!

I was able to pull my size 10 abercrombie and fitch jeans all the way up - still have 4 inches to lose off hips before they get buttoned. But before you feel sorry for me: I couldn't pull them up past my knees when I started May 17. 15 pounds and I will be a sexy mama in my favorite super soft jeans. Banded July 5. On my way... Sounds like everyone else too! Congrats on your awesome accomplishments!

Shauna, in what area (state) do you live? Maybe we can all network... what are band buddies for? I'm in DC area.

I'm so sorry! what can we do to help?

Forgot to say good luck MissMay! Let us know how it goes/how you're doing. Kate

That is so awesome Amy! I wanna smash my glucose meter. Anyone else have medical goals?

I overdid it today and lifted my 4 year-old up when he fell and hit his head. He is 40 pounds and I'm not supposed to lift over 10 pounds. I'm a little sore but nothing major. I feel better that I got off the three pounds I put on post-op but worried my first goal won't be met when I hoped it would be. Really wanted to get 9 pounds off in next six weeks but fill isn't for another 4 weeks and I feel almost no restriction. I feel that 1.5 pounds per week isn't an unreasonable goal - 5200 calories per week, 800 calories per day calorie deficit. I'm scared that I've plateaued because I lost weight before surgery. I know I'm not the only one freaking out - I just needed to get all that out. Why am I so insecure?

I'm with the others on this: find another doctor. I will see my PA for fills. But the office staff is wonderful and patient.

You can eat pizza? I miss pizza...

Well, you won't be the first to not lose weight in preop phase. Your banding is a new start. I'm sure your doc will not be thrilled but he wants you to succeed. You'll be fine but start cleaning up act now.

I'm going to deviate from our comrades and say that it takes a lot of maturity to admit that we are not necessarily ready to commit to something. 18 is young for those of us who have seen years come and go. But 18 is old for you, I recognize that. I would work with a counselor in reference to your concerns and your perception that you are not "the beautiful girl" but maybe the band isn't for you. You may be ready in a year or never at all. Either way, best of luck and health to you.

Hi Janette, I definitely understand why you're so scared. My biggest fear is failing the band (the band can't fail me!) after all the hard work and time I put into getting the band. If you've read all the posts on here, you know that the first few weeks post-band varies greatly, as does the diet prescribed by our different doctors. I've gone off the wagon twice since I was banded, but I got back on the "band wagon" and have lost a total of 5 pounds since I was banded two weeks ago, but a total of 33 pounds since May 17, so no complaints here. The best advice I can give (as a newly banded person) is to not be hard on yourself. One thing I have found myself doing for the first time in my life is reading nutrition labels on food. I'm trying to weigh what my body needs vs. what my brain wants. I have found that I no longer have ANY taste for bread. Bread was my number 1 food mourning item. For some reason I no longer want it, thank goodness! So, one day at a time, one food choice at a time, one choice to exercise at a time. If you fall short on one decision, don't throw the baby out with the bath water, just make a better decision the next time. Will be thinking about you, good luck and speedy recovery. Kate

Check your measurements. I was banded two weeks ago, lost a LOT of weight before surgery, and only lost 3 pounds after surgery. But lost 2 INCHES OFF MY WAIST AND HIPS!!! 4 inches in two weeks. If you're hitting gym and eating right, you probably are losing inches in your thighs, hips, arms, legs, but may not necessarily see impact right away. Take measurements today and do again in one week. If you haven't lost pounds, maybe you will have lost inches.

Thanks everyone. MissMay, you and I could be twins for weight loss! LOL. I'm shooting for 120, but I'm going to see how I look/feel at 140. I'm well endowed in chest so not sure super skinny is best look for me. I'm only 5'3" but have athletic build. How is everyone else determining their goal weight? Maybe I'm not being realistic...

Finally dropped back down to 172! Yea! Alright, now I'm on a mission to drop 9 pounds by Sept. 27. My hubby's birthday and 163 puts me at a bmi of 29! I have a LBD (little black dress) that is elegant and should fit with that weight. Or, maybe I should go for my hot pink calvin klein... I love having options! Either way it will be a happy birthday for my hubby!

Have a bit of discomfort still in the midline. Kind of weird since no incisions or port there. I am eating 2 eggs (cooked with olive oil) for Breakfast, trying for 2 shakes per day, having chicken with a tiny bit of broth for lunch with very well cooked lima Beans, and been having ham for dinner. I was eating mashed potatoes, but think that they contributed to a lower rate of weight loss. I still do some popsicles, but fewer because the cold seems to bug the band. Maybe 1000 calories per day, but I do work 10 hours per day and commute 2 hours. Been walking around neighborhood and playing with kids for exercise. I've also been using my dear husband as part of my exercise routine (if you know what I mean!). LOL I love my boobs! I love saying that. Seriously, I am loving the changes I am seeing in my body. I'm totally learning a new sense of love for my body. I think I might be plateaued on weight loss for now, but I can live with losing inches instead. Either way, I'm winning because I am losing.

I'm eating more than I thought I would be able to, but way less than I used and way differently than I used to. Before I started pre-op diet I had a lot of bread, butter, fries, cheese, pasta, all stuff I can't do now. I tried eating a piece of a tortilla the other day and spit it out. Was proud. Just ate fajitas naked with a little cheese. Big step for me. I've had ice cream twice, child portions, as opposed to a 5 scoop monster with peanut butter, whipped cream, heath bar and chocolate fudge. I felt guilty both times! I would have felt hog happy before for managing to demolish such a monster! So I feel some physical restriction but mentally I impose restrictions because I want this to work.

No regrets here. I found the courage to get banded and to take control of my body after years of struggling. It has only been two weeks and I've lost really only 3 pounds with band, but the hope I felt going into the surgery gave me strength to lose 27 on my own, how cool is that? Now I know, for the first time, that I CAN lose weight without drugs that could hurt my body. I just have a little friend inside me who reminds me when enough is enough. If/how much I lose from here is still entirely under my control.