kt_999

I am very sensitive about my weight and being a yo-yo dieter in the past (hopefully not any more!) I've had compliments that have turned bad in my head as I've regained weight... two that really stick out in my head are 1) a friend of mine who I met when I was 73kg (160lb and a healthy weight for my height)... I was telling her about my battles with weight over the years and she said "you'd be pretty no matter what weight your were..." fast forward to when I went up to 225lbs just before my surgery... fast forward to my current weight 175lbs, the other day we were discussing my journey (she is the only friend that knows about the surgery and has been so supportive) and she said (in the nicest possible way) you look great, when you put on all that weight you looked so thick around the face and neck, you finally look like you again!!! I know that I should take that as the compliment that she intended but all I could think as a yo-yo dieter was I guess I aint so pretty at any weight and I felt like sh*t!! 2) The to top it all off... the other day someone that I don't much care for but unfortunately through colleagues see often... said to me "funny, you look so much older now you've lost weight"... I promptly booked in for botox! K

Hi Janine I live in New Zealand... how about you? Are you enjoying the summer or winter? Great about the fill date... mine is 26th July and I also can't wait!! Since my doc told me he wouldn't do it any earlier I have been able to find some patience however which is great. I really do have to watch what I'm eating as all my good intentions seem to be going out the window as the plateau continues!!

Haze... woohooo keep it up, you sound like you are doing great!!! Yes the lack of energy is a little worrying in the first week or so but it does get better and the lack of calories is usually the culprit!!! Don't be surprised if you get a little hungry and maybe gain a few pounds during the mushies stage but I truly belive the choice we made to be banded was the best decision ever!!! Good luck and keep it up :-)

Hi Jen My port is quite high on the right hand side under my breast and stitched to my rib area so it can't be that deep. At first it was much larger (scar tissue/swelling I assume)... now you can't see it with your naked eye but I can definitely feel it!!! In fact I can make out sides vs top so I guess a fill will be easy for my doc!

Hi everyone At this point I must say I am just so jealous of all of you that are having fabulous weather!! It is winter here with snow predicted for the end of the week, and today it is raining heavily.... looks like it'll be treadmill only for me for quite some time yet!! Take care

Beckie, I am so pleased that you are OK... have been eagerly awaiting your reply :-) Take care of yourself, and hopefully everything will smooth sailing from here on in!

Lady Libra Thanks! I started on a pre-op diet 8 weeks before surgery and also started with a lower BMI so although I have done well to get 1/2 way there are others that have done much better but just have a longer journey. I have also only lost 4.5kg (10lbs) since my surgery on June 1st... and I lost most of that the first 2 weeks and since then I have struggled with little restriction on the mushies and now solid stages. I also think that after 3 months of dieting I have been a little bit over it for the last 2 weeks and had food options that I usually wouldn't even consider! However, today is the day I get back into the diet. The band needs my help to work and I am impatient and would like to have 75% of my weight off by my first fill at 8 weeks post-op. Hopefully then the band will really help with the last 18lbs which I'm sure will be the most difficult to shift! I'd like to be at my goal weight by the end of October. I lost the weight pre-op by doing 2 Optifast shakes a day and then one low fat, low carb, small dinner... and lots of walking!! Good luck to you... keep up the good work :-)

HottyToddy My doc is the same... no fill until 8 weeks, no exceptions! I did however get one day shy of 8 weeks as he was going to be away away for 2 weeks and I just couldn't bear the thought of waiting 10 weeks for my first fill!!! I too can eat anything it would seem and often wonder if I am doing any harm to my band. The weight loss has stopped and I am just managing to keep at the same level without putting any on with willpower and exercise. I have however decided today to go back onto Optifast for Breakfast, diet Soups for lunch and no more than 3/4 cup Protein and vege for dinner... I know that it will be very hard but actually it's hard already (and the guilt sucks!) and I'd rather it be hard and be losing weight at the same time!! I have set myself a goal that I want to have lost 10kgs (22lbs) by my first fill so I have some work to do!! Just try and hang in there... the time will pass, the fills will happen and the weight will come off once and for all. We are so similar in the fact that this just can't happen fast enough though! You are doing really well to be able to limit your portions as you do... better than I have been anyway so try and feel really good about that.

I made sure that the Soups were strained and as long as I drank them very slowly (I mean by 1/2 way through it needed reheating slow!!!) then I had no problems at all... they obviously just went right on through!! If I did drink them a little fast then I would get pressure in my chest and know that I needed to slow down, after about 2 weeks however I can drink like normal for the most part... obviously all the swelling from surgery has gone. Best to follow doctors advice though... all docs are different and I can only assume they base thier post-op diets on past experiences... my surgeon is quite conservative so I never told him about the soup!

Oh Marylou... hope you are feeling better soon? That is very low blood pressure, no wonder you passed out! I saw my surgeon yesterday and he convinced me that waiting for a fill is best.. I am just so impatient (definate character flaw!), anyway I booked in for my first fill on July 26... 8 weeks post op :-)

MM... I am so hearing you!! I have only lost 8lbs since my surgery date... however a week ago I had lost 11lbs... mushies suck!!!

Hi Beckie I would definitely call someone for advice or maybe post to the general discussion board here to get advice from more expericenced bandsters. I was banded 1st June and have had no swelling, bruising or anything so unfortunately I can only offer moral support... I'm sure that if it isn't hot to touch and you have no fever then it will be OK, but if it were me I'd want a doc to reassure me!! Good luck :-)

YeeHa!!! My mum is banded on that day too... best of luck to you, look foward to hearing how it goes :-)

Congrats on being banded :-) I was banded June 1st and feel great... that first week post-op isn't that much fun but you will be feeling great in no time! When does your doc allow you to have mushies? I was allowed mushies after 2 weeks but started drinking creamy Soups (strained) earlier than that as I just had no energy and was so sick of Optifast!! Keep up the good work and welcome to bandland!!

SimplyMe Thanks, I am very pleased with my weight loss but I did start dieting 8 weeks pre-op so it has definitely slowed considerably! I can't wait to reach my goal... I'd like to get there by my birthday (Nov) and buy something really sexy to wear :-) You are doing great too... how are feeling? You area lower BMI bandster as well... what made you decide to go ahead with the band? I'm a chronic yo-yo dieter and had just had enough really... I looked at my future and saw a life long battle with it and just thought NO WAY!!!!

Hi MM You are doing great with the exercise... I am impressed :-) I am still having quite a lot of Soup but really can eat just about anything including egg omellete, tinned tuna and salmon, fish, prawns, any meat (so long as it is cut small and I chew a lot!), steamed vege and coleslaw. I am trying to keep calories down but do like the occassional bit of blue cheese! I also have the occassional glass of wine! I am looking forward to getting back into the exercise and can't wait until I can go running again but I think I'll wait until 6 weeks post op to try running... stick with the walking until then.

MM Yes I feel better thanks... I'm taking it a little easier on the exercise front now though! Unfortunatley my weight loss has slowed right down but it is still going the right direction so that's good! What exercise are you doing? What are you eating? Is your weight loss still as consistent?

SimplyMe No, my doc doesn't use x-ray for fills... shame as I'd love to see what it all looks like in there, and psycologically I think it would be good to see just how small stomach and opening are!! Does your doc use x-ray?

Simplyme... that is sooo exciting!!! I am definitely going to talk to my Doc on Monday... I just want to continue on my journey and this "no restriction" thing is kinda depressing!!! Good luck :-)

Edie... you are amazing! Congrats, you should be proud of yourself :-) Thanks also for the great support and advice you offer everyday to others on this board... I really appreciate your comments.

MM Yes I feel good... except I went for an 8km walk today around the block and I've "done" something not so good... have pain/uncomfortable feeling on the left side of stomach where band is... like I've pullled stitches out!! Husband is angry that I've overdone it and hurt my new stomach, I said to him that I would never do anything purposefully to hurt my surgery but I am just trying to be dedicated to the cause.. now feel upset and depressed!!! You have done/are doing awesomely you will succeed I can feel it and also... I love the beach and boogy boarding so am completely jealous!! LOL!!! You will have a ball :-)

MM From what I've read here 6 weeks seems to be the norm so I may try for that :-) You are doing so well with your weight loss I bet you feel absolutely fantastic... and must be looking forward to your vacation?

Hi everyone Loving the new group... this should make it a lot easier to keep track! I was banded June 1st and am already ready for my first fill but my doctor likes to wait 3 months!! He can be persuaded to do it earlier (8 weeks) if weight loss has stopped however my weight loss hasn't stopped and hopefully it wont, but I am finding that my hunger has returned and my willpower needs some help therefore I would like a fill as soon a as is safe! I was wondering when everyone else is allowed a fill? Maybe if I get some numbers behind me I can persuade him to do it earlier?? I am happy to saty on liquids/mushies if this helps healing??? Cheers

Hi I'm pleased that you are doing so well... keep up the good work :-) There is a thread for June 2007 Bansters in the General area if you're interested... loads of June Bansters post there and the support is fantastic! http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f17/june-2007-bandsters-33199/

Hi Crystal I can understand how you feel but unfortunately with a BMI of 28 you may well struggle to find a surgeon to do it! I also know someone who gained 10kgs (22lbs) just so they could have the surgery (self pay) and haven't regretted their decision for one second but it does seem very extreme and sad that one would have to go to these measures... personally with the way I've struggled with yo-yo dieting all my life I just don't think I could do that... luckily I was fat enough :-) Good luck