Patriceaa

_{Went to my dr today and let some out and I instantly felt better! I was able to eat a piece of salmon for lunch and some asparagus with no problem...I forgot what it felt like to be able to actually eat more than a bite or two ~ it felt great. I am satisfied and not sick. I am going to try not to freak out when I start gaining a little weight... I think I will be ok with 10 lbs. We'll see}

Ok, this is for those who have met their goals.

When do you know you have lost enough weight? Do you simply stop loosing and hit a permanent plateau? Do you get a slight unfill?

I have a friend at work who I have known well for over 25 years. She now lives in kansas, but still comes back to our home office every 3-4 months.

Saw her the other day and after she complimented me, she said "You need to stop loosing..I think you've done enough" I laughed and said thanks, to which she said "Seriously...You need to stop"

I was in a resturant with my wife last week, and at another table was a old friend who did not recognize me even though I was staring right at him. I told my wife, and she said he does not recognize you because you look like this....She held up her pinky finger!

There comes a time when BMI's mean absolutley nothing! When you get close to your goal weight, body types are very different. Especially men...you can have a lean and thin person, and you can have a muscular build. Both with very little body fat but 20-25 lbs different weight.

There is a NFL Running back for the NE Patriots, who is the exact same height as me, but weighs 10-15 lbs more! I would not call him fat or unfit. I'm not comparing myself to a NFL Athlete, but you get the idea.

I have access to a Body Fat % scale, and according to that, I am less than 19% now, which for my age, is very good.

My Surgeon is not much help, he does not know me. First time we met was 2 weeks prior to surgery and when asked how much I would like to loose, we both shrugged our shoulders. I had no idea. What was your weight in High School, 40 years ago? Weight when you first got maried? What do you think your best weight was? Make an educated guess and we'll start there.

I see my PCP next week and need to talk to him about it.

I wish I would have read your post prior to making mine... it is good to know that I am not that unusual. It is an issue you don't really think about in the beginning stages...as a matter of fact, had I heard this problem in the beginning, I most likely would have said "wow, I want that problem!" ...until it's here, it's very tricky to maintain and stop losing to a certain extent. I am not losing as quickly, but I am still losing ~ it is difficult to maintain. I just called my doctor and made an appointment for a possible unfill and a consultation with the nutritionist again on 02/28. I really want to get a handle on this.

Thank you! I know it's a mental thing and its something I have to force myself to do, but it's very scary to me. I can totally relate to you lellow...I am at the point now where you can see my bones in my chest...it's not cute! It went from one extreme to the other... although, I am not unhealthly looking, just very thin for me, I want to stop before I start looking unhealthy..and I think 135 would be the perfect weight for me. Thank you again!

I had my surgery in October 2010 and have been very successful in my weight loss and for the most part am very happy. BUT I am at a weird place with it. The goal my Doctor set for me was 150 lbs, my personal goal was to reach 140 lbs. I have surpassed those goals and am now 125 lbs. The problem is I know I need to stop. I have been told I am starting not to look good, that I am too skinny (something I have never heard in my entire life)...when I was at 130 and hearing it, I didn't mind it so much. I was trying to maintain the 130-133 range, but instead I keep losing. In my mind, I know that I probably need to have my band loosened a bit, because I literally cannot eat what I know I should be able to eat. I am literally full after 2 bites and at times just the thought of food sounds like a chore and is very unappetizing. I havent had a fill in almost 8 months and it is still as tight as it was back then. In my mind I know I need to gain a little weight back but I am terrified at the thought of the scale moving in the opposite direction. I am starting to think I might need professional help ~ psychological. I don't feel like I have an eating disorder because I still like food, but it just doesnt make me feel good. If I could gain 10 lbs and not a lb more, I THINK I would be ok... even though its scary. I honestly don't want to lose more and it scares me when it goes that way too now ~ although not as scary as the other way. Have any of you been here? What did you do? What do you think I should do? People are always trying to force food down me, but I literally cannot do it or I wont feel good. I am confused and starting to get depressed.

its Protein

My dr said once a week is enough....BUT I weigh myself every morning and every night. I don't know why I feel the need to do it, i think I am so paranoid that I will gain that if I know I can nip it in the butt right away.

...funny how things change, prior to my band I refused to get on a scale... i lived in denial, now i am the complete opposite

I still eat sweets... mostly milkshakes. I dont follow a 'diet' but I do pay attention and I still work out ~ and with my band I literally cannot eat alot so its forced Portion Control. I truly think if you always pay attention and are aware of everything you are doing you will succeed without depriving yourself of things you enjoy.

The only problem with candy bars is all the sugar. I am not saying you are 'wrong' I think everyone does things a little differently. I think it might be wiser to maybe add some more fruit, it has more calories and healthy carbs...and veggies & cheese ~ and a treat here and there. I do think you might want to try upping your calories to stimulate weight loss though, your body is probably in starvation mode so it is hanging on to what you intake and storing it.

Stay positive! This time will be different ~ you will see! I NEVER in a million years thought I would be where I am today. I weigh less now than I did in high school and even when I got my surgery I had no expectations of being at this weight. You can do it... I know you will

^{My dating has increased about 110% . Prior to surgery I wasnt dating at all. I started dating again about 10 months ago and am having a good time. It's a strange feeling ~ it doesnt even feel like my life sometimes. It's different getting out there again. I don't feel comfortable telling everyone I had surgery, I think thats a personal choice, and I dont feel I know them well enough to share that yet. And it seems every date seems to involve food, so that can be tricky. I usually just say that I am a nibbler and go with just an appetizer or soup....and then not drinking with dinner is also something that they ask about if they notice. It's a whole new world.}

_{I dont see why you couldnt, as long as its mushy and you don't over-do it. I would make sure that whatever you choose isnt too fattening...as a habit I look up every restaurant online and see if they have nutritional values so I can know before I get there what I will get ~ I usually stick to an appetizer.}

I remember feeling run down and moody post op. I was mostly tired and when I am I tend to get emotional. I think the lack of food which gives your body energy takes a toll at first. My dr only had me on liquids for the first 72 hrs, then mushies, which helped, and then at day 5 I was back on food with substance, and I insantly felt better. Hang in there, once your body gets fuel you will start to feel better. Good luck!

How long will you be gone? Are you sure you want to get your first fill one day prior to your trip? Personally I have never had problems after a fill, hopefully you wont either, although I do know a few ppl who have and need their fill tweeked a little bit. I know my dr doesn't like to give fills on Friday for that very reason.

With that being said you might just want to get through security and go have a bowl of Soup in a restaurant or get a smoothie before boarding and then just bring some bottled Water & crystal light or some tea for your flight... maybe some instant oatmeal that you can get hot Water for. More than likely you wont be all that hungry on the plane if you get something prior.

Good luck and have a safe flight!

Tomorrow I will be taking my first trip via airplane since pre-op. I am actually excited to see what it feels like to sit in a plane seat, in economy, and actually pull that seatbelt strap and not worry if there is another big person sitting next to me . I used to hate trying to fasten that belt, sitting with my arms crossed the whole trip and not not getting anything to drink because I couldnt get the tray all the way down.

It's the little things I look forward too now.

Congratulations!!! It's the best feeling! Enjoy!

I was very scared before I was banded. I heard all of the horror stories and I also knew that my whole lifestyle would change...its forced discipline frankly. I dieted pre-band but if I got weak and decided to go off I would, hence never losing weight the way I wanted. I was scared of the unknown and of change. But with the diagnosis of Type II Diabetes and high blood pressure I knew I had to do something.

Diabetes was a blessing in disguise for me because I really did something.. finally. Sure there have been bumps in the road... food sticking, acid reflux from time to time...but nothing major. It's a learning experience and you adjust. Getting banded was the single best decision I have ever made in my life. Yes, I miss some of the things from my old life, like going to a restaurant from time to time and over-doing it, but the good by far out-weighs the bad. I feel like I have a whole new lease on life.

That's insane! It sounds like they have eating disorders and need psychological help!

Are you sure you are getting enough calories? If not your body goes into starvation mode and stores fat, and the weight loss slows down. You need to make sure you are getting enough. Don't be discouraged though, once you start eating again it will come off. Good luck!

really? i have never heard this either. i drink with straws all the time and have never had a problem. i drink slowly though, maybe thats why

I'm 9 days post-op and down 17lbs. I've been living on sf pudding/ sf jello/ chicken broth/ and cream of wheat. While I don't find myself hungry, I do find myself needing some sort of substance. If you've been banded, what were you eating after 9 days post op? I was told to wait 2 full weeks for mushies, but I need substance! Is it safe to introduce cottage cheese to my diet? Maybe mashed potatoes? I saw a lot of people posting about the tuna salad and chicken salad pureed, how many days/weeks post-op did you incorporate that!?

I have noticed that every dr is different. I was on liquids for only the first two days, then onto mushies, by day 7 I was able to eat foods with substance. I never had any problems

I hate my loose skin! My next step is a Tummy Tuck and boob job, but I have to save a little money first, until then, clothes do wonders

I had my first mammogram a couple of weeks ago and when the lab tech had to pick up my boob & place it on the mammogram machine, she instantly said "how much weight have you lost?" She said she can always tell!

I was hoping I would appear long and skinny post surgery ~ not just my boobs!

I went from an 8w to a 7 medium width

I think everyone experiences getting 'stuck' from time to time...its a learning experience for sure! It's so uncomfortable and I hate it when it happens, but when it does happen I know its my own fault; I just take too big of bites or dont chew enough ~ or I decide to try to eat something I know I probably shouldnt. My 'stuck' episodes have made me completely give up bread and certain meats. Kinda like when I was young and decided to get drunk and now will never touch brown alcohol . It's all a learning experience. It was all worth it to me.

My lifesaver was my heating pad! I couldnt have done it without it. It helped ease gas pains and the soreness from surgery. Over a year later that's the only thing I can think of that I couldnt have lived without.

It is tough at first because once your swelling from surgery goes down you have no restriction, so you really have to be disciplined and continue watching your portions and what you are eating. I know everyone is different but even after my first fill I did not feel any restriction ~ I didn't really feel any real restriction until my 3rd fill. The beginning of your journey is tough, just be strong, stick to your diet and just know there is light at the end of the tunnel. You did all this work don't go back to fast food and junk, you came too far! Nothing is wrong with a treat now and then, just hang in there!