thetxdiva

A popsicle actually sounds really intriguing! I like the sugar free dreyers fruit bars.... Mmmm :-)

Thanks guys! Refreshing to have support from people who understand what I'm going through!

I needed this desperately! My mirrors are my worst nightmares at times, they have been known to defeat me and make me feel less than beautiful. It is a constant struggle. Daily I tell myself, ” Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is ”the present.” What happened yesterday cannot affect my outcome for tomorrow. I have to keep trying. Keep my goal in my head. Those numbers are haunting me. Again thank you so much! Inspiration is always beneficial.

Smoothie King actually makes a fantastic protein powder! 45 grams of protein, 180 calories, less than 1 gram of carbs, less than a gram of sugar. Good flavor. Chocolate, strawberry, or vanilla. Although I use vanilla because it is the most versatile. Awesome with almond milk and some frozen coffee cubes which I make at night! delicious.

First fill is tomorrow! I was banded and plicated April 24, 2012. I have lost a total of 66 pounds since February when I began my journey. I've read so many positive and negative things alike, I am nervous for my first fill tomorrow. Does anyone have any words of encouragement? Is it truthfully painful? Eeeekkk!

Surgery in any form is scary. You need to look at the lap band as a tool. It is not the easy way out by any means. I started out my journey at 342 pounds. I am now down to 279. That big number was a hell of a lot scarier than the thoughts of having surgery to help me correct it. Having a support system, such as this website is a necessity to work through your issues and concerns. It makes you aware that things can happen, but it is also a place where EVERY SINGLE PERSON relates to your situation. The lap band has its pros and cons, just as everything in life does. Just know that in the end, all of the pain and struggles you will endure, are so with it. You're worth it. There will be hurdles. You will overcome them. And when you hit your goal weight, nothing will bring you down. You at that point in time will know, how worth it your life changing decision really was! Good luck!

My burps are short and tiny. Its literally just air. But it if all the time! I have not consumed anything yet, as I just woke up, and I'm burping like crazy. I know its just air, because sometimes I get this long burp, but its not a burp. I just have air releasing from my diaphragm for what seems like forever. Its just odd. Not painful, not gross, just annoying and odd.

I did horrible things this weekend! My friend was in town and we went out for a lovely dinner. Dinner was good. Of course he ordered spinach and artichoke dip. I ate a few forkfuls, then pushed it towards him. I ordered baked tilapia with grilled seasonal veggies. That alone lasted me 3 meals. But then he wanted to get the Volcano. A giant mountain of brownie with ice cream and whipped cream and caramel and chocolate sauce.... We took most of it home, minus the ice cream and whipped cream because he didn't want his brownie mushy. I feel so guilty having eaten it. I've stayed away from it. So today I started off my day with a protein bar and a liter of water. For lunch I am having some soup, Progresso is awesome. Dinner will be scrambled eggs. I know we have set backs, but I feel so guilty. Egh...

Totally facebooked that! Its awesome!

Wow! You nailed it! I could smell the pizza yesterday. I finally went into our break room and put it in the fridge because I was caving into it quickly. I had to get it out of sight and out of mind. Most of the time I'm ok. I have given up bread and bread like items. So pizza is a big no no for me. I still consume carbs, Quinoa, and occasionally cous cous.I just eat a lot of protein and veggies. Bread items don't go down easily for me. And I'm not going to force something if its not a necessity. Sometimes I talk to myself, ”no Meg, you don't need that.” An internal argument over food. Its ridiculous. I'm actually ashamed of myself. That I allow food to be that important to me. That it had that kind of role in my life. But I guess that's why I look the way I do and got to the weight I was at. Never again! Progress, progress, progress.

Ok well that makes me feel more at ease... I'm constantly excusing myself...., kind of embarrassing sometimes, but all my friends and Co-workers are aware and supportive. So I'm good! Lol

I don't even have to eat or drink anything. I just burp.... All the time. Its insane.

Everywhere I turn I see food todayx in and out burgers with French fries. Papa johns pizza....,I want some so bad.... Its like a constant calling in my head. Ridiculous. I'm not all that hungry. Haven't eaten much today either. But its because its there... I want it because its available to me. Kind of a nightmare. Make it go away!

Recovery for me was ok. The first week I just stuck to my broth. When week 2 came around I couldn't change phases like I was supposed to... I not only had the plication, and the lap band, but I also had a hiatal hernia repair. It was trying, and honestly I second guessed my decision to have the surgery because I was nervous that I would always feel that poorly. Thank goodness everything turned itself around entering into week 3. Just remember it takes time to heal. And look to your support system for reassurance. Definitely worth it!

I am also a plication or imbrication patient. Best decision i could have ever made. I had my surgery April 24, 2012 and I am now down 63 pounds. I have not had a fill yet, but I feel that my first one might be fast approaching. I did not pay anymore than what I would have with just the lap band. I have been very successful up to this point. I am also in the U.S.

If she is your true best friend, tell her what you are doing. Let her know that this is your personal decision, but do not let the guilt overrule you. It's not your friend you would be letting down, you would only be letting yourself down! This is a big life change. You can't go into it with that kind of worry on your shoulders. You need to feel like this can be shared with people. You will be a success story. Don't let anyone influence your life, your success, your changes. try and see if she will Celebrate with you before her birthday! She should be understanding. Just don't harm yourself trying to appease everyone else. Good luck! I hope all goes well for you!

DO NOT GIVE UP!! This was a life change! Don't think of the band as miserable. I know it can be difficult at times, but think about how far you have come!! You have lost 80 pounds! That is amazing! You need to re-invent your diet.... liven it up! But keep in mind your rules. They are there for a reason! Eating the same thing sover and over again can get boring. Be creative. Savor your food. Use different flavors. JUST DON'T GIVE UP!!!

Hmmm.... first forum post... But i was just curious.... is anyone else out there suffering from burping?? I can't stop!! And while my doctor has thrown several possibilities out there at me, I am baffled because I am definitely listening when my body tells me I am full... No overeating. Not eating anything I shouldnt! Not drinking too much too quickly... Just wondering if i am the only one.... Anyone else have any insight????

Increase your protein intake! My surgeon told me if you don't intake the proper amount of nutrients you will lose hair! I was told I should be intaking 60-80 grams of protein a day. Protein and vitamins are extremely important!! Just monitor your intake! I drink Gladiator by Smoothie King! 45 grams of protein!!! 180 calories, less than a gram of carb, less than 2 grams of sugar. Great flavor! very filling and over half of my daily necessity in my morning shake!!!!

I had my surgery April 24, 2012. My first week was actually ok. I didn't feel like eating. I just sipped on broth and Gatorade to ensure I was getting in enough Fluid. My second week was miserable, which was due to the fact that I not only had the lab band done, but also a hiatal hernia repaired while getting my lap band placed. My hernia repair was tremendously swollen and everything I consumed wanted to come back up. I had to increase my anti nausea medcine in order to get anything consumed. I did not go on my pureed diet until about 3 weeks after my surgery. Everyones journey is different... And we are all in this together! I love this website, even though I am virtually new to sharing my story. Great place to share struggles and triumphs. I can't wait to see how much better things get for you!! Keep your chin up and remind yourself that you just had major abdominal surgery! Your body might not want anything yet.... you need to listen to your body. if you're full, don't eat!! That is the purpose of the band. To learn how to listen to your bodies wants and needs.

Hi! My name is Megan I am 26 years old and started out my journey at 342 pounds. It was a very scary reality check to come to the realization that I was as big as I was, when I finally got on a scale to face my dreaded number. SCARY SCARY! I have lost 62 pounds, and my surgery was April 24th. I am glad to hear you are having such great luck with your diet. I however do stay away from all things fried, and I really do watch my carbohydrate intake. I eat a lot of Quinoa (as a carby item), and some Cous Cous as it is a much starchier side dish. I am not scared to go out to eat with my friends. As tempting as the fried food choices are, I always go for baked or steamed foods. You can always find extremely flavorful foods, but they are much better for you and your goals. I know as a young woman, I also fear for the "skin sagging". I actually find myself becoming more fearful of this when I read other peoples struggles throughout their journeys. I am constantly reminding myself that everyone's journey is different. My mom has been a major factor in the back of my head. When she was in her 30s she weighed about 255 pounds. She 105 pounds naturally and has kept it off for 20 years now. She is an inspiration to my journey (although I could never readily admit that to her as my weight has been a dreadful issue in regards to our relationship since I was a young girl.) Regardless, she lost her weight through diet and portion changes, and she worked out like a HORSE!!! She has done Jazzersize, then taught Jazzersize, owned her own Jazzercise center... and to this day you would not think she was the mother of 3 girls. She has no skin issues, and I highly believe that this is due to her intense need for working out. It is something I am desperately trying to motivate myself to do at least 4 days a week. Motivation, motivation, motivation. I am slowly seeing changes in my body. My face has definitely changed. I am seeing my abdomen shrink. As much as I love seeing the weight fall off (such a relief), it is also scary for me. Almost as much as being obese is scary. My outer protective shell is melting away. Now it's just me. I have a goal to reach 155 pounds, as this is the middle range of my healthy weight at my height. So total goal would have been to lose 187 pounds. It's a large goal. So I have broken it down to 50 pound increments. I just want to say i am excited to see someone with relatively the same stats as me. And I hope you don't mind that I follow your weight loss story. I hope to see more from you! Meg

Hi All! I'm fairly new to this... I was reading about your issues and I was intrigued to read through the entire string. I was banded April 24, 2012. Prior to my surgery, I was 342 pounds. It was scary to come to the realization that I had allowed myself to become that obese. I was diagnosed with PCOS 6 years ago. Today is August 2nd, I currently weigh 280.8 pounds. I have lost over 60 pounds since the beginning of my journey in February. The lap band is a great procedure that I believe in whole heartedly. Even though it is a bit intimidating, due to the fact that it is a life altering decision. You have to learn to love yourself more than you love the food. My biggest dream has been to have children. My PCOS has been life altering as well. My symptoms are hard hitters and definitely have a serious effect on my self esteem. I have a goal to lose another 120 pounds. Seeing that other women have had positive outcomes in the child department is definitely positive for me. Just wanted to say thank you all for being brave enough to share your stories and frustrations. It surely doesn't make me feel near as alone in my own.