koryrkor

Ladies…Ladies …Ladies, I can’t stress enough how important it Is or will be to have a bra fitting done and get new underwear when you have dropped a significant amount of weight. 80 percent of Women don’t wear the correct bra size and trust me it makes a big difference in how you will look and feel in your new clothes. Now that we are smaller don’t be afraid to check out your local Victoria’s Secret (they even have clearance racks for those of us on budgets lol) . My point is SAGGY UNDERGARMENTS is not a cute look on anyone.
 
Amanda Out!

Today i took the first step of a whole new lifestyle or at least i hope so, I have been reading a lot of different post on here and im starting to get a little scared of getting banded, So many ppl seem to throw up a lot and i dont want to do that all the time,, I go on wed for my consultation and i am excited but also scared,,Any advise out there for this old 56 yr old woman?? And another big question is HOW DO U TAKE PILLS ? will i have to crush my meds every night ,, see now im getting more and more worried about this,, i really need some encouragement about this decision im about to make

I've heard a lot of people talking about "getting stuck". I've had that happen before with food or liquid (I'm not banded yet) and it hurts really bad but only last for a few seconds. Is that what it feels like when you get stuck after you are banded???

These protein shakes are so awful. I only got two down yesterday and something is making me sick, stomach ache and diareha, I think it is the shake. The thought of choking another down today is making me queasy. Anyone have a good tasting one?? This is only day 2 of pre diet. I have 13 days to go!

My surgery has been scheduled for Oct 29th. FINALLY! I start my pre-op diet on the 15th. I am scared. I keep trying to talk myself out of it.

I just found out today I have been approved for my lapband. Now I am really terrified and keep thinking "is this what you really want?" The thought of giving up my beloved food and having to be healthy is scary. Anyone else been there? Is this normal?
Then I think "oh I can just go back on my Atkins diet and drop some weigh"t but I know I would put it right back on.
This is a huge lifestye change! What if I fail?

I WAS JUST WONDERING WHERE IS THE PORT AT IN YOUR STOMACH,,,IS IT ABOVE BELLY BUTTON,,ON THE SIDE OR UNDER BELLY BUTTON,,, JUST NOW THOUGHT TO ASK THAT QUESTION ANY ANSWERS WOULD BE APPRECIATED,,, AND IS IT CLOSE TO THE SKIN???

I am going to write down every day one thing that I am very thankful for.
So here goes.
 
I am thankful for both my girls. I consider them both my greatest achievement in life. They are the two best things I have ever done.
They are the reason I am wanting to lose weight, so they will be proud of me. So that I can do more things with them and enjoy it instead of being tired and just wanting to sit.

I keep getting pain in my esphogus like I drank or ate to fast when I'm not even drinking. I wonder if its like a spasm. Anyone else have this?

You can look great in no matter what you wear as long as you dress for your body shape, Having this information is the key to the key to looking great no matter what size or weight you are. The four basic bady shapes are;
 
Ruler (Rectangle/Banana Shape)
Shoulders, hips, waist are almost the same size.
Very little indentation at the waist (<10) inches
Well-proportioned upper and lower body

Hourglass
Well-proportioned upper and lower body
Shoulders and hips almost the same size
Dramatic indentation (>10) inches at the waistline

Spoon (Pear Shape)
Larger lower body and smaller upper body
Shoulders narrower than the hips
Tend to gain weight below your waist.

Cone (Apple Shape)
Bigger on the top half of their bodies than on the bottom half.
Slim hips and legs
Tend to gain waist above the waist.

This is just a general overview of the basic body types. You can take your measurements and find tons of calculators online that will not only tell you your body shape, but give you amazing tips on how to dress for your shape so that you look great everyday.
 
 
 
 
FYI I'm a (RULER) Do you know yours?
 
Amanda Out!!!

Have you ever gone into your closet and said " I have nothing to wear"? If you are a woman I'm sure you have lol. Anyway I had this great idea that I wanted to share with all of you. If you have a phone with a camera on it, take a picture of yourself everyday in a different outfit everyday try to only include your favorite ones. (The ones where you say "hey I really look great in this") before you know it you will have a outfit catalog to go to on the days you just don't know what to wear :-)
 
 
Amanda Out!!!!

I think it's time to set some goals for myself. I've been thinking about what they would be and how much weight I need to lose a lot lately (duh). I think the hardest part is coming up with realistic rewards for myself.
 
First Goal: 25 pounds
Reward: Mani/Pedi
Progress: Achieved! Mani/Pedi scheduled for today!
 
Second Goal: 50 pounds
Reward: Spa Day! Massage, Facial, Mani and Pedi
Progress: 25 pounds to go!
 
Third Goal: 75 pounds
Reward: NEW CLOTHES!
Progress: 50 pounds to go!
 
Fourth Goal: 100 pounds
Reward: Vacation! Kidless. Just the hubs and I. Mexico?
Progress: 75 pounds to go!
 
Fifth Goal: 125 pounds
Reward: Bikini
Progress: 100 pounds to go!
 
ULTIMATE GOAL: 150 POUNDS
Reward: Whatever the hell I want! haha
Progress: 125 pounds to go!

Never thought I'd say this but I'M BANDED!
 
I went in on 10/11/12 and everything went great. Surgery took about an hour and doc said it was completely text book. My nurses were wonderful. Absolutely amazing. I am so lucky to have had such an amazing team to take care of me. Doc gave me clearance to go home same day but I decided to stay overnight because I needed the rest (and pain meds). Now I'm just resting and taking advantage of the hubby and kids taking care of me. They've been really great and helpful. I am so lucky.
 
So here are my stats.... figure I may as well start keeping track, huh?
 
Starting Weight: 313
Surgery Date (after pre-op diet): 300
4 days Post-Op: 293
 
I'd say that is some good progress! Of course, right now I am not focused on weight loss, I am more focused on healing. But I won't complain about any weight loss during the healing process! Not to mention I can barely eat anything.
 
I feel pretty good overall right now. The main thing that I've been struggling with is the gas pains. Oh, the gas pains. My chest and shoulders are so tight and the only relief is burping, which is far and few between. Walking seems to be the only thing to help, so I'm doing as much of that as possible. I'm pretty hungry but I think it is less tummy hungry and more craving hungry. Sitting in front of the TV watching Red Robin advertisements is def not helping! LOL
 
I am just glad that it's over and now the real journey begins. Here is a pic of me the day after surgery!
 

Just scheduled my surgery - it is official now - I'm getting banded! My surgery date is scheduled for 10/11/12 (hmmm, something feels lucky about that date) and I'm really excited. I start my pre-op diet tomorrow and I'm anxious with anticipation.... more so just wondering how I'm going to manage a liquid diet for 15 days! I know I can do it, just have to think of the bigger picture.
 
I have to get my bloodwork, EKG and chest x-ray done before surgery. I was told by the hospital admissions department that I will get a call sometime next week with further instructions on when to complete that. Then it is sit and wait until 10/11, which is right around the corner. Ahhh!
 
I plan on taking a before shot of myself tomorrow, and then once a month going forward to track my progress. I am dreading that but I think it's important.
 
Eeek!

It's funny because you read all about Bandster Hell when you're a newbie and think about how awful it sounds, but never really think it will happen to you because well, you are hopeful.
 
I am three weeks post-op today and I think I can officially say I am in Bandster Hell.
 
I'm definitely hungry and I'm definitely eating. Not as much as pre-surgery obviously, but I'm sure if I wanted to push the boundaries, I could. I have been getting by the last two weeks with sheer willpower. It's been tough, but I've been somehow managing to control myself. That is something I've frankly never been able to do before. I thank god for the 25 pounds from my pre-surg and post-surg diet because it has given me something to hold on to. I think about those 25 pounds, and how impossible it felt for me to even lose a pound prior to surgery, and that is what holds me back.
 
So, with that being said, I think I'm doing pretty good. I am officially eating whatever I want to eat which is kind of cool but kind of scary. I had some Talapia for lunch today and it went down just fine. It's kind of exciting to be able to eat normal foods again and not mush. I'm exercising as much as I can (walking) and it feels good. I'm making progress!
 
Starting Weight: 313
Surgery Date (after pre-op diet): 300
4 days Post-Op: 293
3 weeks Post-Op: 283
 
I'm down a total of 30 pounds since I first embarked on this journey and I am really proud of myself! There is no better feeling!!!!! I think I can take a couple more weeks of Bandster Hell if I keep it up.