gowalking

That made me laugh. Not only did I stop watching the Food Network while I was on the preop diet, I found that it was better if I didn't watch it at all. I'm 8 1/2 months banded and it's no longer a channel I watch.

Can't wait to hear your exiting news Deb. You have touched many of us with your story...I think we've all felt what you feel in one way or another and have much empathy for your struggles. Really looking forward to your next post.

Excellent gilda. I was banded just around the same time as you...on the 14th. And I've also lost around the same as you. I am very happy with my weight loss as well and am just hoping I can maintain once I hit goal.

Faaantaastic!!

So great! Well done, well done.

I'm glad you are doing better and horrified that you did not receive a call back. Dr. Ren was my surgeon and I would hope and expect to receive a response to your phone calls. And if not a response from her, how about one of the other surgeons in the group. Yes, shame on them. One more thing. I am having surgery in two weeks. I saw Dr. Ren last week for a regular follow up. When I told her about the surgery, the first thing she said was that if I had fluid in the band, she would remove it. So...something must have stuck related to your experience.

remember...the goal is to be healthy, not skinny.

Hang in there Sylvia. You never know what will get thrown at you to derail the process. Believe it or not, Superstorm Sandy delayed my surgery for three months. I was supposed to be banded in October of last year and then Sandy hit. My hospital was flooded and closed for three months. Imagine being all ready to move forward on this life changing event only to have Mother Nature throw a monkey wrench into it. Of course it's now eight months since the surgery and that three month delay doesn't even matter anymore.

keeping my fingers crossed for you that all goes smoothly and you have the surgery as scheduled.

thanks for the info ladies. I am also on the cusp of regular sizes and am finding it difficult to find clothes that fit well these days. So...I'm making due with the few items I have until I can go down another size. In fact, I was looking for some sweats in JC Penney last week and didn't like the way lots of the XL sizes were looking. I too have excess skin on my upper legs so I need a roomier fit. So..I went into the women's section and couldn't find any 1X sizes so I figured I'd try a 2X because again, size is secondary depending on the manufacturer. Well...those 2X sweats were so big that after I pulled them up, they proceeded to fall down around my knees...lol. Wound up going home with nothing...

Hi anna. I'm one of those folks you are referring to. I was banded on January 14th and have had no fills and as you can see by my ticker, have been very successful with the weight loss. I can't really explain it except to say that band sized portions satisfy me. While I feel hungry before meals, I'm never ravenous and at times, I can go hours without eating if I'm busy with something else. While I do make choices all the time about what I eat and how much I eat, I can tell you this is not just willpower. I truly find that 1,000 or so calories daily are enough for me. My surgeon can't explain it either. She said I'm totally off the charts and my experience is very atypical. Hope that helps some.

same here. the only things I don't eat are those things I choose not to eat. otherwise, I eat what I want...just a lot less of it. don't worry about mourning food. many of us go through that stage. but when we see the results, who cares about what we don't eat anymore. like I've said before, there isn't a food on the planet that tastes as good as seeing myself go from a size 26/28 pants to a size 14/16.

Spectacular!!

Northern Jersey...lol. I'm a Central Jersey gal.

Maybe a little bit of a pity party but I suspect it has more to do with you just needing to recuperate from surgery. People think that because it's laproscopic and you are home the same day it's not a big deal. Well..it is a big deal and you need time to feel normal again. And yes, just consuming liquids is tough. You will feel more satisfied with actual food..this is just the time where you have to tough it out unfortunately. Hang in there...you will feel better and all this will become a distant memory.

Where in Jersey are you? I used to live in Middlesex County. Still work there but I live across the river in NYC now.

Don't say anything. If someone other than a doctor spoke to me about weight loss options, I'd punch out their lights. If someone comes to you asking about it, that's fine. But otherwise...not a good idea.

As Missy said, welcome, welcome, welcome. Sounds like you are off to a great start and not to worry, there's quite a few men on this site who post regularly...and likely lots more who just lurk without posting at all.

You may be fine after surgery or you may have gas pains, and other general pain and discomfort. Walking, heating pads, and time will take care of it. The band doesn't feel like anything. You can feel the port when you run your hand over it and the more you lose, the more you will feel it. I don't have any fills so I can only tell you of my experience. I feel nothing when I eat. Meaning I don't feel restriction and no stuck episodes or throwing up fortunately. Once in a while I am uncomfortable if I've eaten a little too much but most of the time, I stick to band sized portions and either feel satisfied after eating or within a half hour of that. I do get hungry but I never feel like I'm starving or ravenous. I have to always be aware of what I am eating and how much. I stay compliant and make good choices and have had great success so far. Good luck to you and welcome to banded life.

Just remember, you're not that person anymore. Go out and celebrate...replace all those clothes with new and smaller items. Don't buy expensive..you'll keep losing and will need to replace everything. Be proud of your accomplishments!

recovery time is very individualized. I was off for three days but worked from home for the remainder of that week and the following week. I was very fortunate to have an understanding manager who allowed me to work remotely. After two weeks out of the office, I was fine and able to go back no problem.

don't lose this battle. you are three days out and it would not be good for you to each food unless your doctor allows it. hang in there...go out, do something to get your mind off food. this is no not the time to make a bad decision. good luck and stay strong!

I can't say it enough. Don't fear hunger. You should be hungry, it's normal to be hungry. As long as you are satisfied on your band sized portions, you're good to go. If you are not, then time for a fill. In time, you will also be able to distinguish real hunger from head hunger. Also...don't know if anyone else feels this way, but being hungry is a good feeling for me. And I mean real hunger. It's not something I was used to what with my eating all the damn time. But now, I look forward to it because I know it's a signal which I listen to, act on, and then move forward. I don't know how to explain it other than to say that being in control is such a high..and a way better feeling than losing control and overeating or eating poorly.

Don't assume you will have buyer's remorse. Not once did I say to myslef, what did I do? I knew going in why I was doing this and understood the pain was temporary. Plus I stayed overnight and the pain meds they give you in the hospital are pretty darn good. Good luck Pura..you'll do great.

Perfectly normal. This is surgery...life changing surgery and you will feel happy, sad, scared, excited, all of it. Just hang on tight for the ride ahead and know that you will be fine and have a healthy life ahead of you. Keep us posted and let us know when you've made it to the other side.