enjoythetime

enuf, I'm glad you're loving your new tool and congrats on your lose, thats awesome!! Can I ask you a question? What did your doctor say when you told him you weren't sticking with the post-op diet phases? Please don't take this the wrong way but there's a very important reason why they have you on that post-op diet so I'm just curious what his response was. My surgeon told me absolutely no veering from the plan they provided me. He told me the reason is because you're still very swelled and your body is still healing from major surgery and even though you're able to eat these things with no pain, stucks, etc. doesn't meant it's ok to do so. If you were to get stuck or if you were to PB or anything at this point you could cause your band to slip or various other things and even if you didn't have one of these episodes you can have side effects you may not be aware of until later. You're just doing such a great job I just don't want you to experience any set backs. Best of luck to you!!

This is completely normal. I remember going in for my first fill and feeling good restriction for a couple of weeks and then after that feel hungrier than I was before my fill. I went back to the Dr. for my next monthly check up and he told me this was completely normal. What happens is when they fill the band you do get some restriction because your stomach is swelled and then once that swelling is gone you're back to no restriction. He gave me another fill and since then I haven't needed another. There are times when I wonder if I couldn't use a little more but then I remind myself that there is a thin line between great restriction and miserableness (which no one wants and this can acutally make you gain if you're too tight), so instead what I've done is learned how to make healthy choices when I do get hungry in between meals, like 1-2oz of cheese, or maybe some veggies dipped in okios greek yogurt french onion dip etc. We've all been told the band is just a tool but if not properly filled it really is just a ring until you reach that "sweet" spot but even then you have to make the right choices you have to strengthen your mind, find something to do when that head hunger kicks in. I find that head hunger typically only lasts for about 5 min once you find something to occupy yourself so go outside and walk, clean the house, do the dishes anything..... You will do just great once you find your "sweet" spot and the weight that you've gained will come right back off so don't get discouraged just keep pushing on and whatever you do tell yourself that giving up is not an option. Wishing you all the best!

I haven't tried those but that sound yummy. Do you get them in the health food side of the grocery store?

Awe! Thank you JustWatchMe! You're tearin' it up yourself!! Great job! Wow 45lbs down since march is amazing!

You're going to be just fine! 3lbs isn't anything to throw the towel in for!!! I agree it's always best to be honest with your NUT, Dr. etc, after all most of us have been lying about what we put in our mouths for years if not a life time which is how I feel we got to where we are now. Be honest first and foremost with yourself and with those trying to help you. WE're all human afterall and I can't imagine they're going to revoke your surgery because you had a bad weekend! Like others have said it could be Water weight. Do a water flush which is 88oz of water the first day, 96oz of water the second and 88oz the third, along with lemon in the water and that will take care of the water retention. You've worked way too hard to give up! Like Carolinagirl said, KEEP BUSY! When you get an urge to eat, vaccum, clean the house, go for a walk, ANYTHING!! I find that head hunger will go away in about 5 min. if you find something to keep you busy. You can stand on your head that long:-) You've got this! Wishing you the best!

Congrats on your surgery! This is so exciting! Can I ask what Doctor you used? I've been contemplating this and went to a couple of consultations but haven't taken it any further. If possible can you please send me a message with some of the details. Congrats on your fabulous weight loss and new life!!

You're too sweet!!!Thank you!

Thank you so much!!

Bettys, thank you girl! You're off to a wonderful start yourself!!! Keep up the great work;)

2muchfun, you're such an inspiration!!! I've learned sooo much from you by just reading your posts and comments, you give genuine and solid advice and I just appreciate you so much!!! THANK YOU!!

Yay!!!! Glad you liked it!! This is exactly how i eat mine on Veggies and lunch meat. Yes the Okios is similar to a sour cream/mayo consistancy. I'm a big texture person too so grainy, bitter, thick just doesn't work for me. Not sure where you live but I buy mine at Hy Vee, Price Chopper, and Dillions/Kroger. Ill ship you some;)

This is so awesome! I love how you say: And I guess the ability comes because of the willingness just to go for it -- I have missed that kind of spontaneity in my life and can tell that it has returned with my weight loss this winter. So happy!

I just returned from seeing my surgeon and found out that I've EXCEED MY GOAL!!! The tears just won't stop flowing! I'm setting here in disbelief that this is actually happening. One year ago I was setting in this very chair with tears flowing because I was so miserably overweight that I could barely bend over to tie my shoes and even though I knew my surgery was a GO I sat here with that hopeless feeling wondering if this plastic little ring was really going to help me. As I reflect on the past 11 months it all just seems so unreal and hard for me to wrap my head around the fact that I'm where I am today. I go in every month to see my Dr. so of I course I knew I was 6lbs away from goal but to see those numbers and to hear someone say you made it, you passed it, is life changing!!! For anyone who's thinking about this surgery, or is in a rut wondering why you had the surgery, it's ALL worth it!!! The 2 week pre-op (or whatever your doctor orders), the discomfort from surgery, the 6 weeks of bandster hell because you're sick of liquids and mushies, the starving all the time until your first fill, the balancing act of how much Fluid is enough, I'm in the green zone or the yellow or red, It's ALL worth it! I NEVER truly thought when I had this surgery this would happen for me the way it has. I knew I was determined and that failure wasn't an option but I never thought the outcome would look like this! My life has changed in so many ways. First and foremost, I'm healthy!!! I can walk up a flight of stairs without being winded, play sports with my kids, buy whatever I want in the stores and no longer have to wonder if it comes in my size, I don't have to worry about flying and praying the seat belt fits around me. I'm so much happier, the small things in life just seem to make it all worth while and before I missed so many of them because I was so unhappy and self concious. One of the greatest feelings is not feeling like an embarassement to my husband and kids (not that they ever made me think I was), but when your mom is 34 years old and is as wide as she is tall, it's hard to be proud of that I'm sure. Don't get me wrong it's not all sunshine and roses, but it is what you make it and if you put 100% into it you're going to get a good return on your investment! Now it's time to move onto the next phase, life long maintenance which scares the hell out of me to be quite honest!!!! I know however that this time I've made a lifestyle change, unlike with past diets, where when once you've reached your goal you think you're "done" so you start raiding the pantry because "you've earned it", this time I know it's all about balance and doing things I know I can LIVE WITH AND WITHOUT for the REST OF MY LIFE. This group is an amazing source or support and information!!! Thank you!

Absolutely AMAAAAAZING! Congrats to the both of you! You both look so healthy and happy! Way to go!

It sounds to me that your Water to sodium balance coule be off. I had this happen more in my legs and the dr. said that sometimes your sodium to water balance could be off??? Sounds weird I know but now I get these when I don't consume enough Water, not fluids but good ol' H2O.

I'm going to try them thx!!!

Congrats to you on your success! You're rocking it! Buying new clothes has been one of the greatest pleasures for me throughout this journey. I now have so many clothes I have no where to put them:-)

You're almost there!!!! You're doing great!!!

Congrats on two years and your tremendous success!You have a great attitude and perspective and I believe that takes one farther than anything else! Congrats!!!

I do both. I guess it depends on what we're talking about. For instance if I'm having a sweet craving that I can't kick then I will do a 60 cal sugar free pudding or a skinny cow treat of some sort. I use greek yogurt in place of sour cream, I do use real butter and olive oil when roasting veggies. I also will do 2% cheese but will do regular too (if just depends on how many calories I have remaning for the day). I find that the things that are FF not only taste terrible but typically they're not good for you, they have hidden agendas so to speak, things that are FF tend to be higher in sugar and carbs so I elect to consume a few more calories instead.

I definitely agree with what everyone above has said. You should always strive do to do more fresh Protein from chicken etc. but occasionally a protein bar as a Meal Replacement just can't be helped:-) I eat a protein bar about once a week for lunch, typically because I'm in a hurry or if I know based on my menu for the day that I could be short on protein. Remember you should really only be looking at the net carbs. I think sometimes people look at the total and trip out. To find this you would subtract the Fiber grams and the sugar alcohol grams from the total carbs and this will give you the net. The net carbs are what affects your blood sugars etc. I buy the Low Sugar Detour Bars from the Vitamin Shoppe. They are 340 cal, 30g of protein, 2 g sugar and 5 net cabs But yes do try to add more protein in by consuming more meats, eggs and cheese.

Unfortunately this is very common. You're body is in shock from the sudden change, detoxing all of those bad things out of your system. My pre-op was a little different, I was drinking a shake for Breakfast with fruit for a snack a shake for lunch and then a fruit for a snack and then a weight watchers meal. My biggest complaint was that I was soooo tired. Just remember it's only for a short amount of time, you will get through it! Just think of all of the wonderful things that will come after this is all said and done. :-) Best of luck!

Mine definitely does. I think for must of us we become more bloated and retain more Water so is what makes our bands feel tighter.

If you're considering surgery to remove excess skin you should wait until you're within 20lbs of your goal weight. If you do it any sooner then you my not be satisfied with your results because if you lose 50lbs more or whatever the number is the likliness of excess skin redeveloping is high. Good Luck