A New New Dawn

It is so critical to follow up afterwards. The initial surgery doesn't do much, it is the fills you get (which may take several visits) to get to your green zone that will really help. You also need to do your part of exercise and keeping calories under 1200 per day, meals under a cup size serving, and protein around 60 grams per day. It is very important to eat your protein (3-4 ounces) first as that is what will keep you satiated and help you get back on track. Good luck... PLEEEEEEAAAAASSSSEEEEE follow up with your doctor for the fills. It's like buying a new car and not putting gas in it... it won't get you anywhere.

Okay I'm glad to hear that you have already done a lot of research. Reading your original post I wasn't sure if it sounded like you have just made this a quick decision. I wanted to make sure you knew what you were getting into. Knowing that you do rock on this will be awesome for you.

I am very happy for you. Please, please, please take time to do your homework too. This is a very big, life altering decision. Please make sure you are informed on what those changes will be. The band is only a tool and you will have to do a lot of work to be successful. It is not saying you won't be, I just want to make sure you know what you are signing up for. Some people, even with the band, cannot change their relationship with food. If you can do that, you too will be successful!

It really is the best way to measure, if you will. Many people reach weight plateaus, yet drop in inches. Plus, some people get obsessive w/ the scale weighing so frequently and getting distraught if it goes up a pound. Sounds like you have a healthy mindset for your future success.

I had that happen early on and was MISERABLE as well. Thankfully after that initial time, it hasn't been like that. You need to be sure you are drinking lots of liquids and I would recommend the prune juice too. I upped my liquids and that helped so it didn't happen again. Good luck.

Also ask if you will be given any fill during surgery, if not what should you expect post surgery. When will your first follow up be, how often after that. Also, what requirements does your surgeon have pre-surgery (diet, other requirements, etc.).

That is awesome news! Congrats!!! No Halloween candy for you, lol. Keep up with this forum for support along the way. It isn't an easy journey but definitely rewarding and worthwhile!!! Well to the "club" of us banders.

For me it is a great feeling when I am able to avoid that temptation. It is empowering to know you are stronger than that craving. I, too, was craving pizza post surgery. So recently I bought a pack of 7" premade crusts (about 100 cal.), pizza sauce (minimal cals.), added low fat cheese, veggies, etc and "induldged" all for only a couple hundred calories and it was YUMMY and best of all satisfied my craving for pizza.

I agree with all the previous posts. Your doctor misinformed you. It is about 40-60% of your excess weight they say you will typically lose (some more, some less). I think most of us lose that within the first few months.

Very well said!

I can imagine that may be a struggle; however, what are the repercussions of not having the procedure? Try to think back to the reasons you are doing this and not what you will be missing (unhealthy food) but all that you will be gaining - your health, confidence, a new lease on life, appearance, stamina, etc.... There is much more to be gained than losing the love affair w/ food. It has been much easier (I am 3 months post op) than I ever imagined. I haven't "dieted" in years because I couldn't even try to give up food. Since surgery, it has just come naturally to eat healthier and follow the rules. I have a small treat here and there and have found tasty ways to enjoy healthy food options. Maybe in your "new life" you could find some healthy cupcake recipes and that could be your new "drive". I bet there are some lowfat cupcakes that people would really enjoy, still look induldging, and maybe even be big business for you!

Also, there have been studies where the more successful people or people that are promoted are the tall, fit, attractive, etc. that present well (physically and professionally). Certainly, this isn't the rule in all cases but I see it a lot even in my office.

I firmly believe the weight is a hinderance for many prospective employers. I feel they view overweight candidates as a liability, expense and some feel they are going to be lazy. I will be in the market for a new job next year (have to move) and will be happy to be down many pounds before I have to embark on that journey. There are some employers that don't care and I know they aren't supposed to discriminate but if given two equal candidates, I feel the healthier looking one is more apt to in most cases. Not only that but I can do well on interviews but am very self-concious w/ my weight. I know I will present much better when I feel more confident about myself.

OOPS, at least you know what I meant

hbic40 thank you for having the courage to share your story. Also, I commend you for taking ownership of where you could have done better. It really sheds light on what OUR responsponsibility is as banders and that we cannot leave it up to the band itself. Many people want to blame the band (although I know the band can fail too) and are not able to see how their actions impacted it. I admire your courage to speak to that and not place blame elsewhere. This is a huge opportunity for all of us to learn from your experiences. More importantly than that, thank God for you, your children, family, etc. that you survived and are here to share your story. You may have just saved someone else's life today in doing so. I hope you are well and on the road to being "you" again. Cherish each day and best wishes to you and your continued strength and recovery.

What's done is done. Don't beat yourself up. Brush yourself off as that doesn't define you or your success and doesn't make you a failure. If you start feeling bad about it, it may make you get back into the emotional eating as well. So move on and do better the rest of the day. If you are still stressed or upset, try going for a walk or do something with a friend to distract you from going down that path again. Big hug!

You will.... it IS secret LBT code.

LOL, I had the same questions when I came on this forum... I had to ask what all the acronyms meant. I didn't know what NSV meant either (which is a non-scale victory).

Glad it is "nothing". It is amazing what gas can do to the body.

Generally, there should be a nurse in the office you could speak with. Don't ever feel like you are bothering the doctor. That's what they are there for. I know sometimes as newbies we feel like maybe we are making too much of something. I would call your doc, speak to the nurse and explain your symptoms they should be able to offer some guidance. It isn't that we don't want to offer suggestions, we just don't want to steer you down the wrong path and want to make sure you are ok. I hope this passes soon.

Thank you so much for sharing your success story. It is definitely encouraging for those of us still trying to "get there". Great job and you look amazing!! Congrats.

Pray it passes pretty quick. It can be agonizing. It isn't good to be throwing up as you can cause the band to slip; however, I had a couple stuck moments where that happened. My best advice aside from eating slow, waiting between bites, taking small bites and chew, chew, chew... is the second you feel some discomfort - stop eating and don't try to drink anything either. If it isn't bad it will pass. If you continue to eat thinking it was just that bite and you will be ok, piling more food on top may feel ok for a minute and then all of a sudden it hits you that you are very uncomfortable. Not that I am speaking from experience ~ ugh! I am doing much better now but it took some getting used to after my 2nd and most recent fill.

Congrats on your progress so far! Keep it going. You can restart now!

How are you doing? What did they end up doing for you? I hope you have found some relief finally.

It could also be the size of the bites you are taking and how well you are chewing them. I have done this to myself too and figure I will learn but 40 years of eating habits are hard to undo. I have found myself a few times eating "normal" without thinking and finding out real quick it was the wrong thing to do. Unfortunately, mine didn't always come up and instead caused agony/pain. Nonetheless, I get frustrated too as "I know better". We will get this band figured out!! One of my coworkers was banded a few years ago and when I told him about my incidents, he laughed stating "well, it's working". Let that be a reminder the band is alive and well. Good luck!