PrettyThick1

Oh, please...don't let that scare you! You won't be hungry that often and what you will consume will be enough to keep your sugar levels in check. It's only been six weeks for me, but my levels were back to normal before I was done with the preop diet. What's more exciting is that I don't even need my medication anymore and it's only been 6 weeks! You might take a bit longer to get to that point, but trust me you will get there, too! No worries...diabetes is about to be a thing of history for you!

Congratulations! It's nothing better than getting the date and knowing that your life is about to change for the wonderful!!!

Classic case of gas. No worries...

Starting out, I had so many questions, concerns, fears, anxiety...you name it, felt it. Worried I would be one of those unfortunate few who didn't let the band do what it was designed to do because I wasn't sure that I was disceplined enough. Let's face it, I've tried EVERYTHING in the past to lose the weight, only to gain it back so my track record wasn't so great heading into this. Sitting on pins and needles to get appointments and my surgery date, only to experience minor set backs and feel discouraged that it might never happen - I was impatient, the whole process was just over 2 months, but it felt like an eternity. Here I am today, six weeks out of surgery and I already feel brand new - even though I haven't reached my goal weight yet...which by the way I have increased because I'm losing inches as fast as the pounds. I'm sleeping better, I'm off of my diabetes medications, I look much younger, my waistline is shaping up VERY nicely and I'm starting to turn some heads again. To say I'm happy with my decision is an understatement! Yes, there are challenges and I have new concerns: am I getting enough nutrition, can I eat this without it causing a problem, sometimes I just don't want to eat and it is often a challenge to get enough Water and Protein, but so far I am not experiencing any adverse effects. I am going to post pics soon, I am just not the most photogenic person in the world and I always hate the way they turn out - because even with the weight loss, I still look 10lbs. heavier on photos - argh! So good luck to all of you new bandsters! You had other options, but you chose the band and I am confident that made the right decision. I have friends with the sleeve and the REY and things were much rougher on them than they are on me and I'm losing my weight just as fast as they lost theirs - without the complications and near-death experiences. Cheers everyone...I am already 1/2 way to goal, far ahead of schedule. I look forward to reading your success stories, believe me when I say I am so inspired by many of you and appreciate all of the input I get from experienced bandsters. I attribute most of my success to what I have learned from others. If you're just starting out, this is the place you need to be. Listen to the "Guru's" and the "Evangelists" they truly are your friends and are happy to help you work through your tough times and they are your biggest cheerleaders when things are going well. Gwen

I chewed on ice chips. If you don't have a store like Sonic or a place that sells tiny ice, chop yours up in a blender and eat that. It's soothing and it helps with the urge to chew. I have to confess, I didn't want anything the first few days, but I forced myself to sip on protein shots - I couldn't handle shakes at first, but the shots are great.

I have 4.5 in a 10cc and I'm a bit tight. Not going for an unfill, just being very careful until it loosens up. Not getting any additional fills for a while - I've had 2 since being banded and that was more than enough for me but everybody and every band is different. Just drink Water and eat SF Jello to get full until you can get in the green zone with your fills. After my first fill, I was still hungry and my surgeon gave me an additional fill a week after the first one. They will do that if you let them know you need it. If you're hungry, you run the risk of putting your weight back on and no one wants that to happen. You don't have to wait a whole month for another fill, just give your doctor a call and request a bit more.

WOW!!! You look great honey!!!!!! Keep up the good work!!!!

True Results Downtown Houston. They are awesome and I'm happy I made that phone call in April...this band is the best thing I could have done for myself! They are very caring and supportive, I don't know of anyone that has gone through them that isn't satisfied with their care.

Sounds like you have a nasty gas bubble to me, try walking and drinking more Water to get it to move. If it's still like that in a couple of days you should call your doctor.

I think I've read somewhere that nutritionists are about $200 - $250. I'm not sure, it was all billed with my consultation through True Results, I used insurance so my copay was $35.00 and I was done with them.

NSV = Non-scale Victory: When your body changes, even though your weight stays the same. Your clothing fits looser, you've lost inches, you sleep better, get off of any meds you required before you started the process. Sugery lasts only about 45 minutes, feeling almost normal starts to happen around day 3 or 4. Bloating and your incisions are healed around week 3. Day 1 will be the worst, be prepared by having one point of contact for people who want to check on you. You won't feel much like talking or being bothered by anybody or anything, so be prepared before you go for your procedure. Good luck!

Hi Ladies: Aunt Flow is visiting me for the second time since I've been banded and it seems she's come with a vengeneance this go-round. If you are prone to cramping, did you notice that yours was worse? It feels like a crane is operating in my uterous this time. Also, it's very little being produced. Does that indicate anemia? Thanks for your advice, Gwen

Thrift stores and the clothing exchange on this website are perfect. Don't invest a lot of money in clothing right now! If you go to the mall, check the clearance racks first, your size will be changing at least monthly and you don't want to throw away money on things you'll only get to wear a couple of times. I've only spent about $50 on clothes but that was enough for 15 pieces. Shop wisely and buy interchangeable pieces, you'll look fine - no one knows that it didn't come out of your own closet.

Congratulations on your weight loss so far! Yes, this community is so valuable to me, I don't know how I would cope without it. Welcome and keep sharing your stories and asking questions, we are all happy to help!!! The bloating will go away by week 3, it's normal and if that's your only concern right now you are doing great!!!

I have BCBSTX and my out of pocket was: $525 for the surgeon ($300 was my deductible, which I had not met for the year) and $1,200 for the hospital. The total cost for the surgery was $7,000 at West Houston Medical Center, Dr. Christopher Reilly.

I just looked at your before and after photos and I am in awe. YOU ARE SMOKIN' HOT NOW!!!!!!!! I'm so serious...you are yummier than the bad food I use to eat!!!! Ooooo weeeeeee!!! :wub: Thanks for your uplifting post, you have made my day!

I've been there and yes it sucks - big time! But there is a reason for everything, so you must take it in stride. The time will go faster than you think and before you know it, you'll be at day 1 after your surgery moaning "what the HE- - did I do to myself!" LOL Day 1 is the worst - after your first week you'll be VERY happy about your decision.

I will not likely get another fill on my next appointment though. That would be asking for serious trouble.

I'm like that, too. I can't eat a thing and sometimes it's hard to even choke down a Protein shake. I deal with it by having a cup of coffee and a protein shot, then I have something to eat after 12 noon. I think I'm a bit tight, too but I don't want an unfill because the weight is coming off well and I don't seem to have any other adverse effects.

I am also a True Results Houston patient!!! I have BCBS and they took a whopping 2 days to approve me. You can find out faster by calling them directly, since TR doesn't know until they get the letter in the mail - which will take about a week to happen. After I was approved the soonest they could get me in was 3 weeks later, because my surgeon (Dr. Christopher Reilly) was going on a 2 week vacation! It felt like an eternity, but it flew by so quickly! So I would say you will go for your preop appointment in another week or so and you should have your surgry by mid August at the latest. Good luck...keep us posted!!!

Not so glum chum...this is the tough part and we know that this too shall pass. You're going to look and feel amazing very soon!!! Your family and coworkers understand that you aren't a slacker, there are times when we have to do what will make us happy - you've done that, now let's just look forward to the end result!

Noticing the frequency of your fills...was that doctor recommended??? It seems a bit aggressive. I'm only scheduled for fills once a month.

Yes, you are nearing your time for a fill - 3 weeks is optimal. Don't worry about the slower weight loss, that happened to me but after a few days and a fill it kicked back in. Try to get a few more calories in, I think it makes a difference if you get at least 1000.

My doctor had me schedule my first fill the day after surgery and it was 3 weeks to the day of my procedure. I think he nailed the timing because it was at that stage that I started feeling hunger again. What's more is that my weight is on a steady decline (3+ lbs. per week) and I can only think that getting the fill at the right time had a lot to do with it.

I'd rather not follow a diet whose creator is dead because he followed his own plan. High fat? Who does that?!?