laralen02

3/7/12 and 48lbs gone!

I get manicures, pedicures, and massages fairly regularly...spoiled I guess! I really do need new clothes, but I don't want to get much cause hopefully they won't fit for very long! I'm thinking about doing "Painting with a Twist" with some friends. You bring your own wine and have an artist help you paint some awesome picture. I'm at 48lbs down now, and my birthday is in 2 weeks, so I'm pretty sure my 50lbs and 28th birthday will coincide!

I was banded 3/7/12, and I'm down 47lbs (including preop). My husband said this morning that we should do something to celebrate when I hit 50lbs. I've been thinking that too...but no idea what! We used to go have fancy dinners (and still do sometimes), but that seems a strange thing to do to celebrate weight loss! And I don't want to buy a bunch of clothes--I still have 95lb to goal! What have you guys done to celebrate small victories?

1. Banded 3/7/12 2. I want to lose 145lbs total to reach a normal BMI 3. I have lost 43lbs, and 18.5in from various places. I feel so much healthier, and I'm actually enjoying the exercise--building alot of muscle to stimulate my metabolism! 4. I would rate the band a 10 so far. I feel like my weigh loss is slow, but when I really think about it, it's pretty fast!

My surgeon allows me to drink while I eat, as long as it has been 1 min since I have swallowed a bite of food. I can feel the food go through my band, so I wait for that feeling. It's usually only sips during a meal, but 60 seconds after I'm done eating, I drink a ton! Anyway, the point is, he is a very experienced surgeon who agrees with the modern research.

My surgeon and dietician both said that I can drink as much as I want before and after a meal. As long as it has been 60 seconds since my last bite. It should take 60 seconds for a bite of food to pass through the band from your pouch to your stomach and send the satiety signals to your brain. And drinking water will not flush the food from your stomach--there is the pyloric sphincter between your stomach and your intestines. It's all anatomy.

I'm an RN in San Antonio, banded 3/7. 32lbs down so far.

Sadness-- I was banded 3/7. I had some Fluid taken out 2 weeks afterward due to being sick, and I have had one fill since. Definitely not in the "green zone" because right now I have less in my band than I did at surgery time. Also remember to take small bites, 60 seconds apart and chew until mush. One meal should take you 20-30 min to eat You asked what I eat: Breakfast is usually eggs, maybe a little fruit. When I work, I have premade these little things I call "egg muffins". It's beaten eggs poured into a muffin tin over sausage and vegetables. They freeze well, and I can eat them slowly on the way to work. I dont have time at work to eat over 20 min, so I do it on the way. lunch is 3-4 oz of chicken, pork, steak, or fish. And 4 oz of veggies. Like asparagus, sautéed peppers, green Beans, Brussel sprouts, etc. dinner is the same. Snack is string cheese, or lunch meat, or strawberries and yogurt. Try to keep the snack less than 100 cal. Avoid sugary drinks and anything that will go quickly through the band (aka sliders). Maybe you need a talk with the surgeons office to review eating habits with the band. Get a food scale and weigh your food. You will be surprised at how your brain thinks you need more than you actually do!

Don't eat pasta! It goes easily through the band. Every once in a while is okay, but your meals need to be 3 oz of firm protein (lean steak, chicken, firm fish like salmon), and 1/2 cup firm vegetables (not easily squished with a fork). Measure your food so you aren't eating too much. Anything that goes slowly through the band will keep you fuller longer. Always eat protein first, it will also keep you fuller longer. Veggies second, then whatever carbs or starches (aka pasta!). Aim for at least 60gm protein a day.

Out of pocket here was $9800. I'm sure your bill was alot more than that. They always bill the insurance companies a ton more than if you pay cash. Not sure why.

Absolutely! 3 weeks out I had awful shoulder and gas pain during an allergy attack, to the point where I had to have all of the fluid that they put in the band during surgery removed (3cc). I now diligently take my allergy meds and use the Neti pot when there is alot of drainage. (So it doesn't reach my stomach!).

My Dr. And dietician said I can have soda, but pour it over ice and let it sit. I'm a diet mt dew addict, but I have had very little since being banded. Once or twice. I do coffee and water with mio in it, or tea with truvia.

You order it like the coffee! It's very refreshing.

If you want to go to Starbucks on the preop diet, you can always get the iced black passionfruit tea with Splenda. It's not coffee, but it's yummy and you don't feel left out when everybody goes!

I have my surgery scheduled for 3/7 with true results in San Antonio. I know 3 people who have used them with good results. We are all ICU nurses, and so far I feel comfortable with the care I have received. I'm not going to say I'm not a little nervous, but I'm confident it will be ok!