NewMeDebbie

I am only 5 weeks out from my lap band. I did a lot of research but my sister who has a master's degree in nursing and nursing education and the bypass 7 years ago. She is the one who recommended the lap band for me. The bypass is much more invasive and you do have to deal with mal-absorption of nutrients and loss of hair (she lost alot of hair) but she did reach her goal weight and has kept it off. I did not want something that invasive. Although the lap band does seem to make you lose it slower, it is healthier and safer in the long term. At least from what I read and researched. Also, I must add that I have the Realize band - not the original Allergan LapBand. Another contributing factor is cost. My insurance did not cover bariatric surgery so lap band is much cheaper because it is less invasive. Out-patient surgery. I was home within hours of my surgery and back to work within days. You ultimately have to make your own decision on what you think is best for you though...Good luck with your journey

You're welcome! We are all in this together!! Yes whole wheat is ALWAYS better than white anything! You sound like you are doing well so far. Once you get the fill, you will notice you can't eat as much and bread of any kind is very hard to eat...at least it is for me. I'm finding I eat more eggs and cottage cheese now and I make or order any sandwich protein style. Carl's Jr will let you order any of their sandwiches this way...The grilled chicken or fish protein style is pretty good and just the sandwich alone is a full meal!

This is my blog post explaining my 1st fill last week....http://www.debbieposton.com/my-1st-lap-band-fill/ check it out, let me know what you think

thank you so much

thank you, i appreciate that! Could I ask a favor? Could you also post this comment on my blog so others who follow me can see it? You would be surprised how much our words help others...yours included

After your 1st fill, how is your restriction?? This is how I feel so far...http://www.debbieposton.com/wow-restriction/ I would love if you would post your thoughts as comments to my blog...Thank you in advance!

After your 1st fill, how is your restriction?? This is how I feel so far...http://www.debbieposton.com/wow-restriction/ I would love if you would post your thoughts as comments to my blog...Thank you in advance!

You might want to re-think the waffles and buns after your fill. You really can't eat very much after the fill so if you focus on Protein, there is no room left for bread of any kind and it's kind of a pain to eat...just saying, that's been my experience so far...

You are so welcome!! It makes me feel great to know that I can help someone else with this journey! This was the reason I started my blog posts. I couldn't find anything out there that explained in detail the good, the bad and the ugly of the lap band lifestyle. I am hoping by sharing my experiences that along with helping me understand my thoughts and feelings, I can assist others with this great adventure we have chosen...lol If you are interested in my story, please subscribe to my blog and comment there also. You would be surprised how much our words, yours included, can help others!

You're welcome. I appreciate your comment. Could you go back to my blog and post your comment there for others who follow me? You would be surprised how much our words can help others...

You're welcome - all of you. I appreciate your comments. Could you go back to my blog and post your comment there for others who follow me? You would be surprised how much our words can help others...

You're welcome. I appreciate your comment. Could you go back to my blog and post your comment there for others who follow me? You would be surprised how much our words can help others...

I've written a new blog post about my fill today... check it out @ http://www.debbieposton.com/my-1st-lap-band-fill/ Tell me what you think?

I've written a new blog post about my fill today... check it out @ http://www.debbieposton.com/my-1st-lap-band-fill/ Tell me what you think??

I would suggest asking your doctor if you could try increasing your Protein to 80-100 gms a day? My doctor has told me not getting enough protein is what causes the hair loss. Just a suggestion... It is a very real concern for me also. My hair is the only thing I like about my looks...lol

Are you sure you are eating enough protein? 100 grams a day?

I just got back from my 1st fill...I got 3 cc's. It was really cool watching as the doctor put 5 cc's in my band then had me drink the barium and we watched as it went down and created the pouch then wouldn't trickle thru the band. he then removed enough liquid so it began trickling thru like is should. My next scheduled fill is for Nov 21st. Wonder if i will need it by then? Doctor says I am now part of the "Band Club". Now liquid diet for 24 hours...

ouch! did it hurt?

I'm with you - I feel the same way! My fill is Thursday. But isn't that why we need the fill?

Hi everyone!! Sorry I've been gone for a few days. I had a great time at the media shoot for the PBR this week! Took over 5,000 photos! However, I found it very hard to stick to any sort of controlled eating. They provide food for you throughout the the event for the whole 5 days in the media room and this is the only food you have available to you! So, although I tried to stick to Protein and veggies, I knew I would need the extra energy to stand on me feet for 5 hours straight each day so I indulged in the Cookies, or brownies, or cheesecake they provided each day. Just one each day for the extra sugar but I paid for it! I gained 1 lb this week and stayed the same last week. Now it's Monday and the start of a new week...Time to get back to reality and back on track!!! I get my fill on Thursday which I can't wait for since I have little restriction and can eat most anything! Come on Thursday!

Yes, I am a grandma, I am 48. I have 4 grandkids (9,6,3 & 2). My oldest son is 30 - he has 3 of the grandkids. My daughter is 26 she has a little girl who is almost 3. yes, if you do the math, I started young but these 4 little people are the biggest reason I want to get healthy! I love hanging out with them but boy are they exhausting...lol!! As far as the weight loss, I am with you! I only lost 1 lb last week and nothing the week before. And now I'm finding I want to eat more all the time, just will power is stopping me. I am hoping that fill will hurry and get here! I don't think it is bad that you want more...just choose healthy. I found a special k Protein bar and half an apple sliced thin and eaten slowly will satisfy me for longer than cottage cheese and yogurt. You should try it...

yes, i try to use it...i am DebPoston

I am also scheduled for my 1st fill on 10/31 - I can't wait! You should call your doctor about lifting your daughter. Yes, I had the hernia repair also and I've been lifting some things (groceries mostly), I did watch my 4 grandkids on Sunday and had to pick up the 2 yr old grandson when he slapped a cactus! Oh how he cried! He's fine now but I forgot about myself when the baby was hurt! however, I had no pain or irritation. Still I was worried about it so I called my clinic yesterday. They told me at this point, if I felt no pain, I was fine but to continue to take it easy for another week or so...

thank you!! sometimes my impatience gets the better of me...hence the reason diets never worked for me...but I did lose 1 lb this week with no fill in my band yet so i just have to keep reminding myself "slow and steady wins the race"!! my band will help me get there!

how do you use a timer? To limit how long you eat?