CHEZNOEL

Making progress! KEEP THE FAITH! Lapband forever!

Can you believe it? Someone just posted pics of their scars to ask if we think they are infected. REALLY? What do these people think docs are for anyway? Sheesh. End of RANT!

Full site required I am afraid!

No problems here. Lose the jerk if he can't deal!

Cool idea! Loved it!

BB's forever! Don't lose faith! We are with you every step of the way. Lot of folks are pulling for you!

Best wishes to you. Walk as much as you are able, and keep sipping. Welcome to banded life! Keep us posted!

APES! SO sorry you had to put up with that. Good luck with surgery!

The PT eval could be to help design an exercise program for you. There are worse things. Keep the faith.

Come on people, we are not doctors! Ask these questions of a medical professional!

Is it the carbonation or the flavor of the drinks. I was craving ginger ale since it is my go to for queasy stomach. I found if I buy diet ginger ale, and keep shaking it up and releasing the carbs, eventually I can drink it no problems. So try that with you favorite soda.

Best wishes on your journey!

Be sure to drink before you eat, and wait 30 minutes after. Also, wine in moderation is no problem. It may even relax you and your band. Just don't burn up too many calories and save room for protein.

I use decaf coffee and tea when available, but no problems with regular. It will dehydrate you faster so be careful!

WooHoo! Best of luck on your journey. n We are here to help!

It is very easy to get dehydrated. Sip, sip, sip!

I count my heaviest weight from when I started the pre-op process. Then I looked at what my weight would need to be to get out of the Overweight and Obese categories. I chose to set mine such that the BMI falls in the normal range. Everyone is different. Ask your GP. I am very happy with my weight at 175, which was my original goal. I moved it 165 to get the lower BMI and to challenge myself. That said, at 5'9" I am 6 sizes smaller than when I started. Set intermediate goals too. I don't know your starting weight but things like under 300, under 200 aka "onederland". Do not stress about the perfect goal. DO what is right for your body! Good luck!

Great article! Hang in there all we can do it together!

Tell who you want and trust to be supportive. Many people will say the the band is the "easy" way. I am sure that many will join me is saying that IT AIN"T SO!!! Any form of weight loss is hard work and commitment. Best of luck to you!

Good luck to you! Little kids make life hectic!

I am a no straws person. I definitely take too much in at once with a straw. I just quit cold turkey. Now I am annoyed when the wait staff insists on giving me a straw and bringing me water I don't ask for! It is not hard to quit. Give it try and do check with your doctor.

What is MFP?

Hi Ren and welcome! We are here to help. My advice, buy the book "On the Bandwagon" by Jean McMillan. She is a contributor here and her book is fabulous. I recommend it to all LB candidates. I wish I had read it before surgery!. You will see ads for it on the forum from time to time. Best wishes and ask away with your questions!

Don't look at the needle! Think happy thoughts. Liquids only for 24 hours. Don't force it. But... don 't expect weight to fall off like it did in the post surgery liquid diet. Remember 1-2 pounds a week is a lot. Faster weight loss messes with your metabolism. Slow and steady. Weigh only once a week at MOST. You will drive yourself crazy with water weight fluctuations! Be strong and congrats on your first fill!

Hang in there! We have all been there with you. I like the distraction method. Usually I find that I was not really hungry, just bored. The initial phases are the toughest, because we need to re-learn good eating habits. You can do!