Babiecaykes

Hi All, I was hoping that since we all share the same "Bandday" I was hoping we could share stories and support. I had my first follow up on 5/2 and have lost 25 lbs since my pre op on 4/2. I have hypothyroidism so I was/am very concerned about that affecting my journey because it has been a hell of a journey on its own, I wish it on no one. I also didn't have the best eating habits before (i was an undereater) I would often go all day without eating. I have mostly always eaten healthy so overheating, binging, or snacking on unhealthy foods wasn't a major issue for me my psyche find is difficult to eat when I am not hungry. I had to promise my doctor that I would put all of my effort into eating several times a day. I set reminders on my phone now and I really try to follow through because I know the thyroid is already a great challenge to my metabolism. Right now my typical diet is a Protein shake smoothie I make at home in the morning and sip on all day until its finished. I believe it has enough protein to take me through the daily requirement. I drink Water consistently through the day which I always did so that's easy! About 10 am I have cream of wheat, 12 - pudding, 3 - instant grits, then when I get home I flux ( to give myself some variety) between another cream of wheat, grits, chicken salad, or a few slices of thin sliced deli turkey and about 7:30 I have another pudding and I don't have a habit of eating late or normally after 8 unless I'm traveling for work or at a social function so I'm usually done after my 7:30 pudding. I will continue to drink water though until I go to sleep because I am usually more thirsty than hungry anyway. The only variation in my time may be traveling for work for example I went on a work trip the past three days and I took everything with me except the protein but I did purchase pre-made shakes because after one day without it I felt the difference. I think with my medications the protein really makes a difference in my energy levels. My dr still has me on the post-op light duty and I figured out why the conference was in Atlantic city and I'm not much of a gambler(would much rather spend my money on shoes) so I tested myself and walked the boardwalk and that is the first time in since about day 4 post op that I have felt pain so I am taking it easy!! The most difficult part for me so far has been the constipation I also have to take Iron because I am anemic (side effect of thyroid) so that makes it that much worse!!! So please share how your doing I would love to know?? My first fill is scheduled for 6/6

Congrats my thyroid sister i felt the same way last week when i hit Onederland its an excellent feeling isn't it? Especially when the thyroid has you so messed up for so long..I'm sharing in this celebration right along with you!!

Just checking in to see how everyone is doing at te 1 year mark??

Anyone in or near this area interested in a group outside of the hospital group?

I have been wondering since getting banded what the Green Zone would feel like and today I realized that I may be knocking on the door. I was banded 4/20/12 and got my second fill on 8/9/12 for a total of 6cc's. Since I got the fill on Thursday I felt normal (felt light restriction since being banded) but today I have not been hungry and have pretty much had to force myself to eat. When I did eat, I could only eat close to a full cup before feeling like the desire was just gone. Since I have no valid experinece with the Green Zone (only what I have read here) I don't think I am quite there but I may be by my next fill in September. I want to Celebrate but not prematurely..I know the band is fickle. I know each individaul is different but after a fill, how long does it take for the fill to actually kick in?? Is there a standard?

I have hypothyroid as well, however my daughter is 18 and I am done. Wishing the rest of you ladies luck!!

Hey 4/20's...checking in again..so here is where I am as of 7/4..At my first fill appt on 6/6/12 i could nit get a fill because the dr. said I had not completely healed. I was dissapointed not because my appetite had changed because thank GOD I was still losing i was just looking forward to the process. So finally because of travel and scheduling i got my fill (4cc's) on 6/28/12. I am down 40lbs and just joined the gym to begin the toning and shaping process. I worked with a trainer because i want to shape my body how its supposed to be as a I continue to loose. I notice the difference with this fill because i dont feel very hungry at all almost like before the surgery but I make sure to keep up with a diet of eating. Here is a typical days diet for me: Breakfast: Protien shake (this probably curbs 60% of my appetite) 1 med size salmon cake Snack: 1 handful of lil squares graham crackers (they melt in your mouth) Lunch: 1 cup or less of chicken salad or 6 thin slice peices of deli turkey (hillshire farms is the thinest with the least calories for the great taste) Snack: 1 pudding cup Dinner: Here is where i try to fit in some variety but most times it is a sole Protein like a grilled chhicken breast, broiled fish or pork Depending on how I feel I may substitute any of the above meals for cream of wheat or instant grits (mushies) because I have grown accustomed to having them in my diet. Also since the heat wave I may add an extra snack of Water ice to cool down..... .....so this is how I am doing.. I try not to obsess over the scale because i can tell in my clothes that i am constantly loosing. There was one week when i was checking about a month ago when it didn't move so i promised myself to wait a week, when i checked again it was down 6 lbs. So I decided to use my scale once every 2 weeks and only record my weight at my drs. appointments. My next fill is 8/9 my dr is very conservative with the fills (every 6 weeks) which is okay because I am still loosing. I was almost scared he was going to give me the fill test the last time so I told myseld not to make too much fuss and go with his timeline because that will guarantee me a fill each time. I have also downloaded a few cool apps on my iphone there is one call my band fill which shows you the size of the fill if you put the cc's in, it even lets you pick the band that you actually have...so cool!! Well that's my check-in..hope everyone is doing well and for those of you struggling a little --->hold on-be patient- you will be fine...

Hey team, Haven't checked-in in a while but i am doing good. Week 3 for me was a steady week not much loss after the initial but in the last week I have lost 8 mor lbs and I am doing nothing different. I guess it does begin to balance out. I have the same appetite (not really hungry) but I am trying hard to stay on the schedule and eat in intervals throughout the day. I find it really hard when I am work. Although I take my food with me just tqking the time to stop and eat gets tough. I hope everyone else is doing well!!

Hey team, Haven't checked-in in a while but i am doing good. Week 3 for me was a steady week not much loss after the initial but in the last week I have lost 8 mor lbs and I am doing nothing different. I guess it does begin to balance out. I have the same appetite (not really hungry) but I am trying hard to stay on the schedule and eat in intervals throughout the day. I find it really hard when I am work. Although I take my food with me just tqking the time to stop and eat gets tough. I hope everyone else is doing well!!

Hi all I just wanted to checking in and see where my fello 4/20's are since we share the same bandday. I have a thread entitled 4/20 surgeries if you would like to keep in touch.

Hi all of you 4/20/12 bandsters I'd like to know how your doing since we share the same "banddate". Please see my thread 4/20 surgeries on the post op forum...

Myshel I am not a vet but I do offer encouragement. Just by your post your guilt is punishment enough take that experience and move forward. Read through some of the post and you will find you are not even close to being alone there are a lot of people who fell but girl get up and stop felling sorry for yourself! When you know better you do better and no one is perfect. Forgive yourself and keep pushing forward because we have forgiven you already!!

Hi Tawan, I think a lot of people's numbers factor in the pre-op diet as well and are not just reflective of the post op loss so do not feel bad. Be proud for any loss because it means you are on your way. The glass must be half full (literally) so be positive. Also remember that each of us unless we went to the same dr all have varied instructions and plans to follow. My suggestion follow your dr's instructions, stay positive because your attitude will be a large part of your success!

Banded yesterday

Hello Everyone, I am new to the site and the experience and my surgery is scheduled for April 20, 2012!! I am beginning my 2 week pre-op diet a week early.