PrettyThick1

I think we all worried about that. I didn't stick with anything I'd tried before, although I had success with phentermine there was a point where that stopped working and the doctor kept trying different combinations of pills to get the same effect...which did a number on my internal systems. I eventually gained back all but 15 of the 60 lbs, I'd lost on that. The band is a whole different ball game though. This was designed for people like us - please don't worry about failing, you'd have to do some pretty absurd things to do that, such as: drinking milkshakes, eating sliders and just not caring about what your body is telling you. I'm lucky in that I can no longer tolerate many sliders: chocolate, ice cream, cookies, cake...stuff that had kept me fat all along anyway. Yes, I miss being able to nibble on a Hershey's bar but the consequences of me doing that are so undesirable that I don't even think about it anymore.

I just saw your post about your surgeon being 2 hours away. Is there another facility you could get your fills done?

Traveling a week after surgery would have been a concern for me. Talk to your doctor about this, you might want to reschedule your procedure as I am sure that if your boss is making you use sick or vacation time, he or she isn't going to be happy if you ask to cancel the trip. You have to prioritize - no matter how badly you want your band, you need your job more at this time. Don't worry about the fills and after care visits, unless you have a long way to travel, there is no reason those can't be done on your lunch break. That's what I do. They aren't a big deal at all.

This is actually late, since I discovered this about 3 weeks ago. But for newbies this could be helpful - trial and error is not fun when it comes to the band and if I can avoid pain and aggrivation for at least one person, I'm happy. No matter how much you've measured your food, there are times when you don't need to eat what you have prepared for yourself. Knowing when you are satisfied on the band can be tricky and it only takes 1 or 2 bites over that amount to cause adverse affects. For me, my "soft stop" is an involuntary sigh or I take a deep breath. If I hiccough, I know I've eaten too much at that point and I can almost be certain that I'm going to be uncomfortable for a while. It is hard not to want to finish your food - it's often just a tiny bit left and you think to yourself "oh, it's only a couple of bites left - I'll just finish it" - don't do that, just let it go and be happy that you can't eat as much as you though you could.

Sigh. It is bitter sweet that I report that I've just found out my band HATES chocolate and refined sugar. I should be happy about this, but I have always been a chocoholic and I'm really craving it now. I tried drinking chocolate milk a couple of days ago and just nibbled on a milky way - both of those have made me so sick. I'm sitting here at my desk now with my trash can between my legs sliming up a storm. Oh well, I give up trying. This is a good thing in the end, I just have to accept the fact that this love affair is officially over. I'm sad.

Honestly, you just need a social life - get out there and have fun girl. You need to date, you need to travel and just find people with similar interests. I wouldn't advise you get WLS.

Positive thoughts flowing your way. Try to believe for the best - if you have to have a revision surgery, we're going to believe now that your insurance will cover it and you'll have even better results than you did with the band. Hugs

What a lovely story! Congratulations...I need to start trying to run, I'm the worlds biggest procrastinator and I like sleeping wayyyyy too much for my own good. I wish you could send me some of your enthusiasm and follow-through. Thanks for sharing your victory with us!

What can't you have anymore? Sure, for a while you won't be able to enjoy the foods that made you need the band in the first place, but you won't miss them as much as you think you will. I eat whatever I want, just in smaller quantities and much slower. That allows me to savor and truly enjoy what I'm eating. You have to be mindful of calories, fat, carbs and sugar...but for the most part, getting in the 1200 calories I need are a challenge every day. Not at all what you're thinking. Sure, I miss the occasional Coca-Cola and there are times I wish I could eat more of something but again, I eat whatever I want and I'm still losing very well.

Hooray for you! I hope cargo pants never go out of style...I love them and they compliment the feminine figure very well!

Awesome job! Congratulations and keep up the good work!!!

Considering you're not banded yet, you would still be hungry. A cup of yogurt takes me at least 15 -20 minutes to eat and it is quite filling. No worries!

Does your bariatric center have support groups? If not, post your city and state here and let people know you are interested in starting a group. Good Luck!

Dear heart, I am so sorry for all that you have been through - especially the loss of your baby. However, do not be dismayed! You already have the device that can help turn the obesity problem around. Start with the 5 day pouch test (liquids) and then go for a check up and a fill. You are here amongst friends, we are happy to help support you through your trying times and to encourage you that you can do this! It's good that you've made this post, the responses you will receive will show you that you are not alone in this battle - and you should never feel like you are. Start today by re-educating yourself, the same way you did before you were initially banded. Ask questions and seek feedback. You are not a lost cause, by far! You fell down, we are here to lift you back up...but you have to want to write that success story as bad as we want to hear it from you. Good luck and blessings! You can do this, I believe in you.

Not quite sure what the dumping syndrome is - but it's likely PB'ing or drinking after a meal, forcing food into your lower stomach much faster and creating hunger. You will be able to sleep normally after a few weeks with the band. I am a stomach sleeper and was able to go back to that sometime around week 4. As soon as your soreness is gone and you feel no pressure at the port sight, it's safe to sleep any way that is comfortable for you. I hope this helps!

I don't think getting fills affected my cycle, but my cramps are much more severe since getting the band and my periods are extremely light for the first couple of days - then they are normal. But the cramps don't go away until a day or two after my period is over.

You have a nice budget to work with! I wish you the best of luck!!!

I didn't take a full shower for about 1 week after my surgery and the strips should not be peeled off, let them come off on their own. If they are still there in week 3, then call your doctor. If you take them off too soon you risk infection and your incisions not healing as neatly as they could have if you'd left them alone. Mine have all but disappeared on their own - with the exception of the port incision. That one will likely need mederma, but I'm still giving it time before I do that,

I make it sound like I've been through this a lot..l've only had 3 fills - 2 at the WL center and one at my surgeon's office because the first fill wasn't quite enough...

I have check ups once per month, when I come in they do a questionnaire to determine if I need a fill or not and how much I need. I attribute my success with the band to my doctor having me get my first fill three weeks to the day of my surgery and having my appointments on a monthly basis timed exactly to the date of the first fill I got. I don't understand how surgeons are allowing people to go months without getting checked and or getting fills done. It seems like that would be a serious hold up in your progress. I know I start to feel hunger about 3 days before my next visit and they often give me a fill and it works every time.

BTW - your boyfriend may not be with you forever. This is about a positive change for your future, don't worry about what he or anybody else thinks girl!

The beauty of the band is that the weight comes off gradually enough that your skin is able to keep up with the reduction. Without knowing your stats, it's kind of hard to tell you what to expect though. I've lost 40lbs. in 2 months, I don't exercise and I don't have any excess skin at all. I have about 30lbs to get to my goal and I really don't see having a problem at that point either. I will be getting a TT, because I had a pooch after having my daughter - 14 years ago. Since it's covered by insurance, I'm going for it to complete my transformation - but not because my tummy is unsightly. In fact, now that I'm getting smaller, my stretch marks (arms and shoulders) are far less visible before. You should create your tickers so that people can have a better idea of your situation and provide better advice. Good luck! I wouldn't trade my band for anything in the world...except maybe a Powerball jackpot - that I'd win all by myself. LOL

I would honestly say give yourself a solid week, I have a pretty laid back job - I'm at a desk all day and work at my own pace. I was banded on a Wednesday and tried to go back the following Monday, after a few hours I realized I was not ready yet and went back home around lunch time - sitting up after a couple of hours was very uncomfortable. I stayed home the following day and went back on Wednesday, I was a bit tired but I made it through the entire day. I don't know why doctors tell people 3-4 days, that isn't realistic because it isn't until day 4 that you start feeling somewhat normal, definitely not well enough for work though.

It sounds like you're doing fine to me, just make sure you're getting in your 60g of protein. I didn't do MM Light, I did regular - it has more protein. But go with what feels right for you.

Honey, you look amazing and I would go for the TT now. It's probably going to take off the remaining 7lbs. the doctor set as your goal. I don't know you...but I know the camera adds 10lbs. so I would say you are perfect where you are now. You're gorgeous!