hopefloats

I was aware of my port for about 3 months after surgery....not everyday was painful, some days better than others. Somewhere in the 3-4 month range I didn't notice it at all.

I was banded on Oct. 12, 2011 and have lost 85 lbs.

Nothing wrong with grilled meats and veggies... I think 1/4 cup is too little an amount. I would weigh out your protein to make sure you get your 4 ounces and then eat up to 4 ounces of veggies...preferably green. The drinking is tough but just try to remind yourself that it will either push your food too fast past the band or make you feel full before you have actually had enough to eat...so really try hard to wait 30 minutes after you have eaten. I love my cocktails too and have found the margarita's by Skinny Girl to be nice...maybe give that brand a look to see if there is something you might like. Even with the band you have to focus on mindful eating...it can help with over eating but the food choices are up to us.

You will be fine with that much time. I was back to work after a week and I am a nanny for 4 children...the youngest was a newborn and had a 2 and 4 year old as well...fortunately the oldest had started school so that was a little bit of a break.

I will drink a glass of wine, red or white and I like the Skinny Girl cocktails

Can you go online and check your new policy details? If not, call them before you proceed...I think most PPO's pay differently for in and out of network....could be as low as 50% and that could be from what they consider "reasonable and customary". I would postpone your visit until you are absolutely sure about costs.....

I would ditch the bacon,rice and corn. The rice and corn may actually be stimulating your appetite. Try adding veggies to your omelette like spinach,broccolii,onions,etc. Try some plain Greek yogurt mix ed( withfresh berries..add an artificial sweetener if you need it. Make sure you are getting 4 oz of Protein at each meal then add green leafy veggies..you could add a small baked sweet potato.

I had 2 c-sections and they were much easier than the lapband for me. Quite honestly I thought the lapband was going to be a cakewalk because of going through the sections but was I wrong! I was up and running within 2 weeks of the sections and the lapband took me at least 6-7 weeks to feel good again.

Im 5' 8" and my goal is to be 150. I was about 135 when I was younger, so I think the extra 15 will be a fair amount now that I am older. I really just want to be a healthy BMI and for my height that would be anything under 164.

The only person that knows, outside of my doctors, is my husband. I am a very private person by nature and don't share much of my medical history with anyone. I also knew that this would be a journey that I needed to feel positive and good about to be successful and negative remarks were certainly going to have me feeling bad about myself and would affect me. Fortunately for me I have lost about 100 lbs in the past (of course gained it all back plus some) so family and friends know I can get it off....so I haven't had any questions about my weight loss....only difference this time is that I will never regain it. Unfortunately people who do not have weight issues have no idea what we go through. I am always amazed when I hear that wls is a cheat....a cheat at what? Losing weight to stay healthy? Better quality of life? Cocobean said it all very well.

I ate prunes daily for about 4-6 weeks....after that time I pretty much went back to my normal self.

are you allergic to the soy? Maybe you can try one with whey?

Had my surgery on October 12th 2011 and I am down 67 lbs....

I highlighted in red the exact reason why dieting didn't work for me either. I also took Phen-fen and was able to get most of the weight off, but as soon as it went off the market my appetite returned and so did all of the weight plus some. I am an "excellent" dieter too..lol...I can get it off, but I can never keep it off. The wonderful thing about the band for me is that it has taken my appetite away, the same way the phen-fen did. I find that small meals truly satisfy me and I no longer have the desire to overeat. I can actually watch the food network and not get hungry! For me, this band has been the answer to my prayers. I always told family and friends that if I could find something that would stop my ravenous hunger I knew I could get back to a healthy weight. I still have a way to go on this journey but I know I will make it this time.

How wonderful for you!!!! You are an inspiration to me.