ctarantino

I'm so sorry that you had to go through all this pain and suffering. Reading what you wrote it must be really hard to look forward but I agree, if there are so many complications in 14 months, I would have it removed. For whatever reason you body is not liking your band. You lost 50lbs how much more do you want to lose? Can you weigh and measure your food and exercise and lose the rest, we'll support you! good luck and let us know what you decide

I can't do wraps either, most carby stuff won't go down without getting stuck. I take to work Morningstar veggie burger or Morningstar turkey griller, I usually have chobani Greek yogurt with it. Homemade chili, salad with chicken, meatloaf muffins, or mushroom pizza

So funny how taste is subjective. I look forward to my isopure shake every morning. I switch it up between the vanilla isopure, jay Robb chocolate, EAS, or muscle milk. Like all and add a packet of Splenda , Ice and blend sooo yummy!

Hello! I'm on Long Island but understand how you feel. I have had one fill and know its not enough, going for second fill on Friday. I have never regretted my band, I'm sorry you are having regrets. I've realized though the band is a tool. Yes we have all heard that before but you have to diet and exercise and use the band to guide you. I changed what I eat since being banded I pack my lunch every day! I go to the gym, I try for 3 x's per week. It's hard, not easy, but I have lost 30lbs since being banded on 8/11/11 I'm not done losing and pushing myself to keep losing. I hope to be in onederland in a week or 2! My day is usually muscle milk or protein shake for bfast. Lunch is usually Morningstar turkey griller and chobani yogurt, dinner some sort of protein veg and maybe carb. I'm not always good, I treat myself when I want, and like a glass of wine occasionally. Good luck and don't regret anything! Use it to guide you and it will help you more than you know! Message me if you need a buddy or wanna chat!

We all heal differently. I went back to treadmill increasing as I went. Took a class after a month. I just did abs class 2 weeks ago and felt Great!!! Definitly get back to routine and what makes you happy. Healing from the band is different for all, I'm usually active and was at the gym pre band so getting back to the gym was faster for me. Listen to your body and enjoy!!!

I just started myfitnesspal and needs support. Add me too, I'm Ctarantino512 thanks so much! :-)

Anyone still looking for a buddy??????

South shore, Long Island, NY

Great work!!! Congratulations, we all know it's not easy! Keep it up :-)

I'm BAAACCCKK!!! Whew, what a week. I JUST got my power back on at 7:30pm this evening. No damage to the house and no flooding, as we live on the south shore of long island, 1 block away from the water, but the trees in my neighborhood knocked every other power line down. It been a nightmare but survived almost a WEEK of no power. we had no fridge so chobani's were out after tuesday. It was rough and I either picked up a muscle milk at 7-11 or brought a chobani 1 at a time. I ate out for the first time for my son's first bday..we went to friendly's I had less than half of a bowl of chili. I ate slow and YUMMM it was sooo good! LOVED IT! going to start food shopping and cooking this week. I will be planning my meals ahead of time. Hope everyone is well and what have I missed? how is everyone doing????? Be in touch and im back on now so will be here usually every day!

Hey Dawn!! Glad to hear all went well and your feeling good. I know what you mean about working yourself up before the surgery and now 2 weeks later I feel great! Minus this hurricane situation. I actually am under mandatory evacuation right now and already packed. Im going to the north shore of Long island to my friends. Please be safe in Queens. Wishing the best for all of us and definitly know God will guide us through not only our lap band journey, this storm, and in life. HELLO AGNES!!! Welcome to the group. We are similar in dates! How are you feeling? I started yogurt, cottage cheese stuff on Wed. I definitly still feel very hungry, I tried eating meat and it hurt. Makes me not want anything like that again. I go for my fill on sept 16th, I cant wait!! Stay safe all from this hurricane, it is affecting so many East Coasters. Im leaving my house in 2 hours and not sure when i will be back, no power, no water...may be days. Stay strong and more importantly stay safe!!!!!!!!!! Cara

Hey Neighbors!!! I'm in Amity Harbor and will be evacuating tomorrow. It is mandatory evacs so goo dluck to us all and everyone on the East Coast and all us NYers!!! Im only 2 weeks post op so Im on yogurt and will be packing my chobani on ice LOL BE SAFE & GOOD LUCK!!!! Cara

I just went back to the gym and did crunches today, no pain, had I felt some pain would've stopped. Take it easy and light going back but I'm 12 days post op and jumped right back in! Good luck

im on youtube too!! I go by.... TheLIBandit! I LOVE Bandedwendy, she is an inspiration and sooo helpful. I'll look you all up and subscribe

This was a MAJOR concern for me before my sugery. My son is 20lbs and my daughter is 35lbs. Honestly, I didnt pick him up for a good week. I then was alone with the kids on 9 days post op, and took him out of crib, no pain. Put him in highchair no pain. I let him crawl up my leg onto my lap but didnt pick him up. I am now 12 days and feel great. I picked him up on and off the last 2 days with no pain. Even picked up my daughter and gave her a big hug with no pain or issues. Good luck! hope this helps

Hey Catson!! Sure, would love to help! Thats why we are all here right? Whats your name? where ya from? Your date is closing in!!! Are you on a pre op liquid diet?

Good Luck today Dawn!! I was thinking of you this morning. i started to type but my son woke screaming and had to close out. Well lots of luck and prayers to you with speedy recovery thoughts. be in touch soon and hope to hear from you post op when you can.

I'm almost 2 weeks out and had no shoulder pain, no gas pain and no regrets! I asked about the hair falling out and my dr said that is usually with the sleeve. So far it's been great! Good luck!

seems excessive and more like a punishment to me. I cheated here and there last week and had a nice send off dinner to my tummy the night before the surgery of a Chinese food dinner. No one asked and I never told a thing LOL Sorry to hear about the reschedule Good luck soon though

I was soo excited for the surgery. The last 3 days before the surgery I was a mess. Nerves, couldnt concentrate (prolly lack of food) i was doubting my decision and questioned what I was doing. couldnt sleep the night before. The morning of the surgery I was fine then laying there on the OR table I began to say "what am I doing" I was thinking of getting up and walking away. It was not as bad as I thought thus far the whole experience. I think it is only natural and you wouldnt be human if you didnt think about it and then over think it doubt it or get scared, nervous, excited. You are taking a risk, a surgery that you dont know what the results will be. I can say that as a working mom of 2...You are stronger than anything. You must be one tough mama to care so much for your children, work a full day with little ones and still have time for you. i bet you dont but this surgery is all about you and starting a new. making a new and healthier happier you. You will be a better mom, active teacher, happier self and definitely hotter looking you! I had gestational diabetes with my son and that scared me. i wanted to do something about my weight. It did kinda suck to commit to the surgery but I know plenty of people (my cousin, neighbor, 2 coworkers, friends mom) who have all had the surgery and NONE of them regret it and all look terrific and HAPPIER! Which is what you will be. The fist 3 days is kinda rough but after that piece of cake. You got it!!!! Im here to vent to or ease your nerves. I will be thinking of you Tuesday. What time do you go in???

Honestly, I love it!! I enjoy it every morning. I like it in the blender, I put in 3 cubes, one scoop, and I have it with Water cause I am 11 days post op liquid but I was great with skim milk too. I also add one splenda (i like swet). It vanilla so you can put it in pudding too. 2 scoops are 200 calories, 0 fat, 0 carbs, and 50 grams protein. I like to use one scoop so that cuts down on how much you will use. Check it out in stores, or online. Its in GNC, Vit shoppe, online or health food stores like vitamine/shake shops. GOOD LUCK! I think Protein shakes are all preference too. It is pricey to try them out at such an expensive price but see if you can get samples to test the ones you like and dont. Enjoy! Cara

thanks so much!! Definitley trying this!!

I like to drink my protein. I love Isopure in the morning. A large container is cheap compared to how many servings you get. ALSO to get your protein in I would only use ONE SCOOP as opposed to two. I like the Jay Robb but it is pricey..I just use one scoop, that one scoop still gives me 25g of protein!! That's a lot and you save by not using 2 scoops.

You are all the best!!! Thanks so much!! Keep em coming!!!!!

I have so much energy lately. I have to admit I'm barely eating since my dr has me on a 2 week liquid diet, but I'm down 14 lbs since the surgery. I'm 10 days post op tmrw and feel great. The first 3 days were rough but after that I have mo regrets about the band. I went to a party today tons of food, drink, did I say tons of food? Lol yes it would've been nice to have a bite but I feel in the 9 days I have changed my life so much. No pressure with the food, there was pizza for the kids and yeah it looked good but with the band I don't have a desire to eat the carbs and junk I used to. It will be very hard for us going back to school. My friends and I go out to eat every Friday ( see my post in post op) and Im unsure about lunch with the girls. What to get? Will they critic my choice, will I be strong enough to get the "right thing" for lunch. I will plan all my meals and take lunch for Fridays for the first month and see how it goes. You know were so busy anyway the first month. I struggle with 2 kids alone the days my husband works he is out all day 7-7 gets home at 8pm, so I'm usually trying to keep busy so I dont go nanas with the kids alone. How old are your kids? When do u report for school? Set up classroom? I have 2 kids boy, Frank who will be one on 9/1 and my daughter was 3 in June, so my kids are babies lol I go back on 8/29 for staff development keep in touch!!! I will check in and talk to u before your surgery.