PrettyThick1

Are you strictly liquid? Not to be a bad influence, but a small salad (using fat free dressing!!!) will help you get through and the crunch of the lettuce can replace the crunch of the chips. Just use your imagination and remember you're sacrificing for the greater good. You won't be craving bad things after your surgery, just keep that in mind as a happy thought.

Good luck! Don't worry about the jitters, we all had them - you'll do fine!

I didn't have to go through the hassle, True Results only contacted my PCP and that satisfied BCBS.

I'm gonna Pop Some Tags with $20 in my pocket...hit the thrift store. Not spending $$$ on clothes for a while, you'll be buying a new wardrobe every month.

Okay, I love hard boiled eggs but have come to the conclusion that my band hates them. Don't try this at home boys and girls.

My doctor only wants me to weigh when I come in for fills once a month. Watching the scale every day can drive you crazy. I still do though...

I would say 6-8 weeks after your surgery. You can start with pure cocoa butter in about another week though. I used cocoa butter for two weeks before my procedure to give my skin a head start. As you lose weight, your scars are going to get smaller anyway. Some people's scars are hardly visible a year out, one of my friends got rid of her surgical scars and stretch marks in about 7 months, but she was very diligent about using mederma, cocoa and shea butter on her tummy 2 -3x a day.

Nothing to fear! Enjoy the moment...the surgery is nothing to worry about, it's the day after that will have you in tears. LOL Don't let me scare you, I wouldn't trade my Band-Day for anything in the world, I remember everything except getting knocked out. They put a little bag on my IV and the next thing I know I was waking up in a room. Sweet memories of La-La land...hahahaha. Congrats and enjoy, you've come a long way and you'll be so happy that you had it done. I know I am. I have a lot to learn, its like every day is a new experience with my band, but I love it nonetheless and I'm happy with my results so far. You will be too! Keep us posted!

Please tell me you did not remove your steri-strips!!! They usually don't fall off on their own until about 2 weeks after your surgery. It's hard to speculate what could be going on now - I don't know what my incisions looked like at that stage of the game. You should call your doctor and see how safe it is for you to use neosporin or some other antibiotic ointment. I'm 4 weeks and 1 day out today, but plan on using mederma or anther scar gel in about a week. I had one tiny little bump that looked like a pimple near my port site, I popped it and it didn't come back so I'm not concerned. I really think your strips came off too soon though.

GET IT MISSY!!!!! You are my girl!!!

Big time. My preop was supposed to be for 2 weeks, I didn't get serious until the last 4 or 5 days. Some people don't even have a preop diet. It's designed to defat your liver, not necessarilly to lose weight - perhaps to also prepare you for the changes in your eating habits. But 1) how do they know how fat your liver was to begin with 2) once banded, you won't have a choice but to change your eating habits. To say it is your food police is an understatement. I'm almost afraid to eat sometimes, especially at night. You'll be fine.

I went swimming during my second week. Enjoy!!!

One minute is the rule, True Results even gave me a neat little sand timer to be sure I stayed on track.

Seriously. I think you need a psych evaluation before you proceed with any subsequent surgeries. I am far from feeble minded and sarcasm has no place on this site. We are real people, helping each other with real issues with weight loss. If you're here to play games, you should definitely find another outlet.

Furthermore - you're not very bright to try something a third time if you almost died twice before. Didn't your mommy tell you never to be a follower? Why on earth would you allow complete strangers to "talk you into" doing something you know is bad for you? There's a ton of guys in the third and fifth wards of Houston that would love to sell you some of their lovely pharmaceuticals if you're that easilly pursuaded. Gee whiz. Get a grip. I think you need another psych eval before you do ANYTHING else.

You don't need a deactivation button, just don't login to the site. Problem solved! I truly don't believe your story though.

You're kidding, right? Your post is completely off the mark. Do you even have the band?

One of my coworkers has had it for 11 years with one complication - a port replacement. She looks AMAZING! 250lbs. lost and now she's a living barbie doll, you'd never know she once had a weight problem. Meanwhile...I have 3 friends who have the sleeve, 2 had complications almost immediately. One was life-threatening and she was hospitalized for well over a month. When she returned to work she looked like a cancer patient with a flat tire around her waist. Not a pretty picture. She looks great now, but she says she wishes she had gone with the band first. Try the least invasive procedure first!

I asked about plication but my surgeon does not do the procedure, it's too new.

I am almost a month out and I'm a mother and have 1 daughter, I'm single but work full time as a Training Coordinator for a major oil and gas company in Houston, TX.

Wow! You only have 1cc...I don't think there's anything you can't tolerate with that. I was banded with 3cc's and had 1cc added last week. I feel no restriction, I really wish I did but I know that will come with more fills. You are doing great, keep up the good work!!!

First, I love my band - it's one of the best things I've done for myself! I know enough about it that I will need a few more fills to get to the Green Zone, but I can deal with the slight hunger I'm experiencing in the meantime. What I'm overjoyed about is the variety of foods I can enjoy...and I do mean enjoy! Today I had 8 grilled shrimp and a salad for lunch - man was that tasty! Being on liquids for a long time has given me a new appreciation for food, I don't have any cravings anymore and that allows me to make better food choices. I'd also like to add that my mother was nearly in tears seeing how much I've lost already and when she saw I could eat the dinner she cooked, she wanted to scream - LOL. Baked chicken (dark meat, skinless), fresh collard greens from her garden - POWER PACKED!, fresh corn on the cob and a few black eyed peasfrom the farmer's market. Yum - my! I know that I may not be able to enjoy these foods after more fills, but for the time being, I am happy at the variety I have in my diet - all while staying under 1,200 cals a day - YEAH! I'm still learning a lot, but I am overjoyed that I am not nearly as restricted as I thought I'd be.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!!!!! Congratulations on your success and all that the band has done for you and your S/O, we are delighted for you!!! Keep up the good work, I love stories like this.

I'm sorry you lack the support of those closest to you, but I think that is the reason this forum was created. We are our own community of supporters for those who don't have it otherwise. Although we can't reach out and touch you, please know that we are rooting for your success. Find a support group in your area and attend meetings just so you have that person-to-person contact with people that have the same goal as you and likely the same issue of not having the support of their loved ones. I am fortunate in that many people who know me said that "you don't need that surgery" but they still support me and are proud of my progress. Still others became very curious about having the procedure done themselves. Once they see how well you are doing they will sing a different tune. Regardless, this is your life, this is your health and you only get one go-around so you owe it to yourself to do whatever is in your power to ensure the best quality of life that you can. The band is by far the best thing I've done for myself next to earning my degree and becoming a mother. You are not alone...you have the entire LBT community behind you, use us!

I wasn't aware that I had 3cc's put in my band during surgery, but I am convinced that is the reason I started losing right away. I'm glad you're starting to see results...it's going to start melting away quickly now!