daisychains7

I have a chihuahua too! Now I know how he never clocks in over 7lbs. LOL

The bariatrician I had at my very first appointment was the rudest woman I've ever met in my life. She basically told me I would fail because I was 22, said I "already thought I knew everything", and that I would need to "prove myself" to her. The ironic thing is... she was FAT!!! LOL. Do your research, weigh the options, and don't let that person's comments get to you.

You're going to be doing just as much work as people who do it the "natural way". you'll be working out regularly and eating healthy. The band will just be an extra tool in your back pocket. Maybe your husband is afraid once you will change or that he'll get left behind. Is there a way you could include him in this lifestyle change? Exercising together, cooking together, bringing him on the appointments so he gets more info? I hope he comes around and I applaud you for doing what's necessary for your health.

Love this one. I think after I lose my weight I will get a new drivers license. I want a new photo... and for once, I won't lie about my weight on there. ha!

Thats awesome. You described it perfectly! Honestly, I dreaded fills more than I dreaded the pain of surgery. I am terrified of needles but the fill didn't hurt. It definitely felt weird, and uncomfortable, but not painful. I could feel the fluid going into my band. I had to be on liquids for 2 days post fill, had a teeny bit of soreness at the port. Overall, no big deal. How big is your band Manda? I have 1cc in an 8cc band. She originally put 3cc in but took 2cc out because she said (after I sipped water) that I was too full. I am comfortable with my 1cc so far. No trouble getting things down but I am careful to eat slower and chew more. I stay full a little bit longer than before. I have lost 16lbs since my surgery and the doctor was thrilled with that.

Measuring is a huge help to me as well. I rarely EVER go beyond 3/4cup per meal. My doctor says I can have 3/4-1 cup. Since my fill, I get that "stuffed" feeling a little quicker and am not pushing it.

I was a fast food addict too. I've saved a lot of money so far by cooking the majority of my meals. When I go out, I look and the menu ahead of time and eat healthy (fish/chicken/veggies) but have also allowed myself a couple bites of dessert or a glass of juice here or there. Not sure when i will be able to handle eating my former favorite foods. I'm trying rewire my brain and not think of treating myself as "cheating" or "failure" cuz that just makes me want to eat MORE. so for me.. That's where it starts.

Mine was a week late the month after surgery.

At this point it's about sheer willpower. You can and you will do this! I'll be honest, day 4 and 5 was the worst (I had to do a 10 day)... But it does get easier once you are only a couple days from surgery. Needless to say watched A LOT of sports and Espn to distract myself. lol! Cry, allow yourself to get frustrated, call the doctor if you need suggestions. Drink water constantly so you're hydrated. Exercise if you have enough energy to, make a list of your motivators, clean your house, look at clothes from non plus size stores online.

Are you exercising regularly?

Hi Johnathan! Congrats on starting your journey towards a healthier you! I was banded a little under 6 weeks ago. Its hard sometimes but I have no regrets. I believe from my seminar to surgery day was 10 months. That's because my insurance co required me to do a 6 month supervised diet to qualify. If you are doing self pay, it will be a lot faster. Whenever you meet with the nutritionist (they will have you schedule that stuff after the seminar) ask what your eating and exercise habits will need to be like after surgery. If possible, starting doing some light exercise now. I was honest about my issues (emotional eating, getting take out daily, being a pop addict) because I wanted a realistic idea of what life would be like on the other side. I would also ask the doctor about potential risks and side effects, recovery, and band adjustments (fills). Wish you all the best!

I can't lie, it's awful. As for the 10lbs, the weight flies off on the liquids. Remember your end goal... It will be worth it!

Wow, 95 lbs. That's a dream come true. Thank you for the encouragement.

I don't think I could survive on that little. I have 6oz-8oz meals, 3x a day. Also 2-3 glasses of skim milk a day (my doctors recommendation). If I want a snack I will have 4 or 6oz of Greek yogurt and don't feel guilty about it. That being said, I only have 1cc in my band, so that may change.

I agree, finding exercise you enjoy helps. Try Zumba, a dance class, swimming, walking outdoors, or a workout DVD at home if that's more comfortable. Buy yourself some cute new running shoes and activewear!

Same thing happening to me. It's only when I try to bend over to that side, or sleep in the fetal position on that side where my port is. It doesn't hurt but feels like a pull.

I just finished my first month! I would say grocery shopping for your Clear Liquids, full liquids, and mushies ahead of time is a good idea. Use a heating pad and take your pain meds/anti nausea those first few days. Do as much walking as you can without overdoing it to help with gas pains and healing. Stay hydrated. follow your doctors orders and do not try progressing to solid foods quicker than they say you can. The #1 hardest thing for me the first month was keeping a positive attitude. My emotions are starting to stabilize now. Lol. If youre like me, you will get so frustrated with those liquids and mushies you'll want to scream. Have family and friends around you and post on here for support! Will be over before you know it.

Congrats! It's a great feeling. Wish you all the best on your journey.

It's not a matter of being ashamed or in denial of where you came from. I think many of us feel like who we are on the outside does not match who we are on the inside. So when the outside finally matches the inside, it would be disappointing to have people still view you how they did before. But at the end of the day its not something we can control. Just my take on it anyway.

Aww, I love this question. I have not decided how to reward myself along the way. But when I get to my ultimate goal weight I want to go on vacation to Australia, New Zealand, or Hawaii. Gotta go somewhere with a beach to show off my new body

4 weeks after surgery.

I started a regular exercise routine about 7 months before my surgery. I was 326 when I started and could barely do 10 minutes on an elliptical. Now at 257 i can do 30 or 40 minutes. I can't wait to see what exercise is like at my goal weight.

Interesting question. I hope people will not see me as who I was in the past. I am starting to change not only externally, but Internally. I have lost 70lbs in the past 9 months (16 of that was post surgery) and I do get very uncomfortable when people who haven't seen me in a while react shocked by how I look. I know it will only get worse when I lose the remaining 90lbs. lol.

Totally normal. I gained 7.5lbs when I switched to soft foods. I am on regular foods now and have lost that 7.5 plus a few more. Keep sticking to the plan and things will stabilize.