MandaMom23

Nothing's wrong with you! I didn't have any struggles with my pre op or post op diet. I followed them to the letter. I guess I was just lucky that I never really dealt with 'bandster hell', or feeling miserable due to hunger. Congrats to you, and your loss so far!

It's very common for people to gain a little after surgery, and before their first fill. No need to beat yourself up! Just continue to follow the band rules, record what you eat, etc., and that 4lbs will be gone in no time! You've got this!!

I had a small fill monthly until I reached my green zone. My dr only did .5-1cc at a time on me since I've been losing weight continuously, even when I wasn't in the green zone. Now that I'm in the green zone, he wants to see me every other month.

Yay for smaller jeans! CONGRATS!! I do notice I'm cold all.the.time. now, but we're losing our 'insulation' so I guess that's to be expected!

I'm so very sorry for your loss. Cancer is such an evil disease that can sadly strike anyone at anytime, no matter how healthy they seem, or how well they take care of themselves. My thoughts are with you and your family.

I'm 8 months out, and I still struggle with this. I'm really trying hard to pay attention to soft stops (sometimes I'll get a little hiccup, or I find myself taking a deep breath), and when I hit that soft stop I know I'm 'full'. As far as what it feels like, the best way I can describe it is that I'm just not hungry anymore. If I kept eating, it's not because I physically need more food, but I'd be eating just to eat. I find when I get a true full feeling, I've had too much, and am uncomfortable. It's a learning process, that's for sure.

That's awesome!! CONGRATS!!

Whenever possible, I preplan what to order, and avoid the menu altogether. I LOVE salads, so my go to meal is some kind of salad with grilled chicken, or shrimp, and I ALWAYS get the dressing on the side. I also ask for a box right away, because I know I'll have leftovers. I do enjoy dessert if I budget it into my calories for the day (hello, pumpkin cheesecake from Olive Garden!), but now I get one dessert and share with my family of 5.

I think the scale can be your best friend or your worst enemy. For me, in my dieting days before the band, I would allow the scale to dictate my day and my life. If the scale was down from the previous day, I'd be happy as a clam, eat well, do all the right things. If the scale was up, I was done. I'd eat like crap since the scale was up anyway, I'd be done with that weeks diet, and not step on the scale again for days, weeks, and sometimes months until I began the next one. I did this for years and years. I told myself before I got my band that I was NOT going to do this to myself anymore. While my goal was/is to obviously lose weight, the biggest thing is to be healthy. As long as I eat right, and follow the rules, I'm doing good regardless of what the scale says. I DO weigh myself every morning, but I do it to keep myself accountable, and remind myself what I'm working towards. I no longer get angry when the scale moves the wrong way, I only record when I have a loss...sometimes I have one 3 days in a row, sometimes it's 2 weeks in between losses. I'm ok with that! No need to live and die by what the scale says! There's so much greatness that comes with this journey...I've said this many times, but it's the way that I feel, and the NSV's that I truly love most!!

Awesome! Congrats!

Awesome! Congrats!

I haven't had this issue.

I battle night time hunger a lot, but I work a part time 3rd shift job which doesn't help! I always make sure to keep things handy for my late night cravings! I snack on some string cheese, or a few pieces of turkey pepperoni. If I'm craving something sweet, I'll have an apple. For a late night chocolate fix, I'll take 5 or 6 raspberries and 'stuff' each one with a semi sweet chocolate chip.

I'm so sorry I know how hard it is to lose a fur baby. My thoughts are with you and Chester.

That moment you look at a cute pair of jeans, pick up a size you never thought you'd fit in to again and think... "There is NO way these are going to fit!!"......and then they do!!! :) On my surgery day (February 1st), I was comfortably wearing size 26W jeans. Not quite 8 months out, and I just bought a size 14 from American Eagle! I have to admit, while I love seeing the number on the scale drop, I love all the NSV's that come with this journey so much more!

Awesome!!! Great job!

Happy to hear things are better! Hopefully, all will be smooth sailing from here on out!

I'd be calling your surgeon ASAP, Or go to the ER, especially if you can't even keep liquids down!

I don't mind people sharing negative experiences. I like to hear it all, I believe it helps keep us informed. HOWEVER, what I don't like is people who post these experiences, and pretty much say because it happened to them it'll happen to everyone. I also don't like it when people don't specify what may have lead up to a complication...not saying that things can't go wrong on their own (I personally had to have a port replacement that was of no fault of my own)...but I have noticed that many times people were not living by the band rules, neglected to get follow up care, etc. It's important to share the good, and the bad, but let's make sure we're sharing everything accurately.

I wouldn't focus on 'accelerating' your weightloss. That's just setting yourself up for unnecessary frustration. You have a year to lose, so just focus on keeping yourself healthy, following the band rules, and you'll succeed! For toning, do some strength training (I REALLY wish I would have started this early on). I also recommend the couch to 5K program if you think running is something you'd like to try. I honestly never thought I'd lose as much as I have this soon, but I'm doing it by keeping everything realistic. No timelines, no due dates. I have the rest of my life to reach my goal weight!

Gaining a little bit of weight is totally normal after starting solids, and before getting your first fill. 3lbs in 3 days is probably due to retaining water, than actual weight. Track your calories, and drink lots of fluids, and those 3lbs will be gone in no time. As far as the port site discomfort, the port takes the longest to heal. Mine seemed to take FOR EVER to heal! You can always call your surgeon if you need to.

Congrats on your weightloss so far!! 22lbs in less than 2 months is pretty amazing!! Just keep following the rules, track your calories/protein, and drink lots of water. The weight will come off.

I'm about 8 months out and I STILL struggle with eating too fast. I can't eat with any distractions (watching TV, or eating while on the computer, etc.), and have to really focus on the size of bite I'm taking, chewing it well, then waiting in between bites. It's a learning process for sure!

Thanks everyone! Love having so many great people to share this journey with! <3

YAY!!! Welcome to ONEderland!! Congrats!!!