PrettyThick1

Yes, you should ask to be excused for medical reasons. You will not feel like sitting up that long or being bothered with strangers and if you are chosen...oh boy!

Lettuce is tricky, but I don't think you're stuck. Some foods you simply can no longer tolerate and you might have just discovered one of them. You could also still be gassy from your surgery, I know I had a bit of trapped gas at that point.

I haven't heard of a single person who has gone through this and didn't feel the same way you do right now. I know I did...for sure. The preop is probably the thing you have to be concerned with right now, once you've been banded you won't really crave things, you won't be inclined to overeat and you will lose weight. Having no restraint right now but living on a limited diet was trying for me...it got easier towards the end of it though. You just have to keep your eye on the prize and fill yourself up on water, you can do it. It's worth it in the end, trust me.

Thanks for the reminder Catfish!

I still enjoy pizza toppings (cheese, pepperoni, sausage, mushroom and onion)...the crust is a definite no-go. I can only eat the top of 1 slice, but it's better than nothing.

My preop diet was for 2 weeks. 2 - 3 Protein shakes per day and 2 high protein meals (60g protein minimum). No carbs. Snacks were okay - SF Jello and ice pops, 64 oz. Water. The name of the game from here on out is PROTEIN - chicken and fish are best. What I can eat differs depending on: How tight I am - the first 2 weeks after a fill are VERY restrictive and a lot of things just won't go down. Bread and doughy things are out completely - that's a good thing, you don't really want or need carbs anyway. Each fill is different...each week is different...sometimes each day is different! It is a learning process and an intimate connection between you and your band. No two people or bands are alike, through trial and error, you learn what works for you. When I was first banded, I could eat eggs and drink milk but after my 1st fill I could no longer eat eggs - scrambled, fried or hard boiled. After my 3rd fill I can no longer drink milk. My 4th fill is coming soon, so I wonder what I'm going to loose this go-round. There really is no exact science to this, you really just have to pay attention to your body and know what will work for you. I have no regrets, I am very happy with the decision I made to have this surgery. It has done exactly what I needed it to do - even though I doubted myself and feared that I would be one of the few people the band didn't work for...but alas! I am having a very successful journey and I'm very proud of myself.

Please don't beat yourself up over that...you haven't done anything most of us didn't do during the preop diet. I didn't get serious until the last few days and it didn't affect my outcome at all. I'm not saying this to be a negative influence, please do your best to control your cravings and follow the guidelines the doctor has set for you.

I have to admit, I cheated a bit over the Labor Day weekend...but not nearly as badly as I would have before my surgery. I still made decent food choices and the one indulgence I had to have was ice cream. I still made a great choice though - Blue Bell's No Sugar Added Dutch Chocolate is a dream come true! If you were to have it in a blind taste test, you wouldn't know that it wasn't regular ice cream and here's the kicker...it's low fat, 90 calories and 4g protein a serving! I hate I have a 1/2 gallon of it in the freezer though, I could honestly see myself polishing that off in a week's time. I will show some restraint but I have to admit that it is my new addiction - that stuff is amazing to say the least!

I've been reading your blog posts...not only are you funny, but I am so inspired by what you have shared. Some fears I've had are now gone thanks to your honesty. You are an amazing person and I'm happy for your success!!!! Bravo!

It's fill time dear...get after it.

Oh you must take your measurements! Sometimes the scale might not be moving, but your fat cells are shrinking and you need to be able to appreciate everything that's going on!

Dear Milk, you delicious dairy drink I use to love downing you All alone or with a treat Plain, chocolate or strawberry quick Now that I have a band It seems you make me sick I'm going to miss you old friend We've had a great run But I'm tired of you coming back up So I'm afraid this is the end Devastated

Houston, Texas

I use Body Fortress protein shots in Fruit Punch and Grape (WalMart). They are either 2 oz (26g protein) or 4 oz (42g protein) and if you mix them in water they taste like regular juice - I just down them from the bottle, since the band I have no appetite so the faster I can get through with something the better.

Welcome aboard David! Congratulations on your 3 sweet little ones, you are setting a great example for them and nothing could be better than you living a healthier life and being around to see them grow and flourish. Way to go! Please post pics of the twins when they arrive!

You poor thing! Thanks for the reality check, I'm far from considering reconstructive surgery right now but you have certainly given me something to think about. I hope everything goes well and that you are healed soon. Please stay in touch!

I've tried that, it's sold at my gym. It's okay, but I prefer Muscle Milk.

Since I've been banded, I don't really care for alchol anymore. The three times I've tried social drinking, I've ended up throwing away money because I don't want it after just a few sips. I've heard this from a few other people so far.

I say go for it, without hesitation or reservation. I tried for years to lose the weight: phentermine, Atkins, Slim Fast, Quick Weight Loss...you name it, I probably tried it. Yes, they were all successful for a while but I eventually gained the weight back. The band is different, unless you are a glutton for pain - it's hard to mess this up. Although it is good to have the support of your family and friends, sometimes you just have to keep things to yourself and do what you think is best for you. Good luck, don't look back!

I don't like the sound of those ingredients at all! Do you have to take that? Muscle Milk was perfect for me, it has a great taste, many varieties and it worked wonders on helping me to lose, reducing my blood sugar and giving me energy. They have so many varieties it's hard to get bored with it and you can do so much with them. For instance: Cake Batter flavor tastes just like yellow cake mix - I use to love licking the bowl and beaters when my mom made cakes as a kid. So I mix the Muscle Milk to that consistency and eat it like I was that little 6 year old on the stool in the kitchen while mom baked. Ahhhhh, it feels a bit nostaligic to say the least.

I'm happy to say that the clothes I've had in my closet that I couldnt' imagine wearing again are now too big for me! They fit perfectly 2 years ago during my phentermine weight loss days and slowly ended up becoming too small as I gradually packed the pounds back on once the pill became ineffective. Today, I am wearing a pair of jeans that use to fit like a glove a couple of years ago and they are hanging off of me.

I finally took my measurements last night to gauge my non-scale success and I'm happy to say that I've lost nearly as many inches as I have pounds! Since July 19, 2013 I've lost 38.75 inches - 10 from my waist alone! Ain't the band grand?

That was sweet!!!! I like it, too!

Hi Nana: Were you a pear before the weight loss?

Hi Ladies: I'm looking for input from everyone, but women of color in particular since stretch marks seem to be more visible on our skin. I have tons of stretch marks on my shoulders, arms and breasts. After you lost your weight, did those seem to go away or did you have to use a scar product on them? Thanks for your time!