TulipStar

You'll be fine...I had to have the surgery twice, plus I have had 3 other surgeris, so I have been under many times. Remember the dr would not do the surgery if he didnt think you were healthy enough. Good luck!

I very much believe in the setpoint theory,although i wish it weren't true. When I was 9 years old I weighed 200 lbs, about the same weight i weigh now. I have NOT been able to really get below this weigh -- ever. Even with the band ( I did get to 198 for 1 day over a year ago). I actually went to doctors about this, because i am restricted, I work out obsessively 6 days a week for 1-2 hours a day, but my weight doesn't budge. The doctor told me that setpoint is true and that my body has it and that's why I can't lose more weight. I wish it wasn't true, I hope it isn't true, bc I think I "deserve" to see what life is like in the lower part of onderland.

I wonder if it works too! My PCP doctor has recommended that I try it because he says it resets your setpoint weight and it will help me get over the plateau. I am really skeptical. The diet is really restrictive, so i figure I could just try to do the diet, without the HCG hormone and see what happens.

The New Me Updated at least once a week!

Before I was banded, I heard that many people could not eat salad. I was THRILLED at the thought of never having to eat salad again bc I thought it was a diet food. Alas, I can eat salad just fine. I tolerate more than anything else. meat is difficult, especially if its really dry. I have to have some kind of juices or sauce to help it. As for bread, the first year into the band, I couldn't eat bread. Now, I can tolerate it in small amounts if I eat slowly and take small bites. However, I prefer to avoid the bread all together because it makes me bloat up quickly.

I actually talked to my primary care dr about this... he said that he believes in the "setpoint" theory. I have been plateaued for a year. its sucks.

it depends on how much restriction you have. I like to give myself 2 hours.

I would just tell her that you aren't worried about the extra skin and neither should she be. A little extra skin is the least of your worries of the consequences of carrying around the extra weight! As for extra skin, some people have it, some don't and you will have time to worry about that later (if you choose)!

Hey there. I have been where you are and the platueau is my worst enemy!!! Try to do some really intense workouts like bootcamp type activities, jumping jacks, burpees and add some more weight training to gain muscle which will burn more calories. I was plateaued for almost a year and did some really agressive changes to my workout and the scale started moving again. Also, try to eat some more solid Protein like chicken, eggs, meat and that will prevent high calorie absorption of the liquid Proteins you are getting. My Dr is very strict not to have anything liquid except for Water (except for right after fill). Congrats on the periods, thats a great accomplishment and shows you that your body is responding in a very positive way! :tongue_smilie:

I almost always feel the saline go in and out and I have had at least 20 fills. It's a bizarre feeling! My 2nd fill they couldn't acces my port and it turned out that my port flipped. So, it could be that --and don't freak out because sometimes ports just shift a little, but he may be able to access it next time. If you feel restriction, that is the important part --then you know its not a leak.

congrats on finally feeling it. I know how frustrating waiting for restriction can be!

it happens to the best of us. the key is recognizing it and picking yourself back up :smile2:

I don't drink beer, but I know a woman who is banded who always has beer at happy hour. it doesn't seem to bother her. Some say it streches your pouch, etc. My dr actually told me that I could have carbonated drinks IF it was on a empty stomach. Now, I haven't tried to though and I never did drink beer...

I try to avoid the white stuff. I eat brown rice, lots of beans and fruit. They all have carbs. also, sweets have carbs and I do that ocassionally as well. Otherwise, everything in moderation!

There is definitely a stress associated with it. A big part of it is shame. The events of not fitting in a booth, seat or getting health insurance causes us shame and then it sets us up for the vicious cycle of eating to make us feel better. Even after losing so much weight, I sometimes am still so self conscious about fitting in places. Like last week in a group dinner, I just stood there for 5 seconds judging if I could fit in the booth...I thought no way. I did, with plenty of extra room. The first step is realizing how you feel...so congratulations on recognizing that!

It's part of the whole process. It's hard to let go and become the new person you will become. You'll snap out of it. Everyone goes up and down.

My band is so finicky...it goes through periods of morning/afternoon tightness. Sometimes I am tight all day until about 7pm when I can eat anything. I don't really have any advice, but I would like to know what your Dr. says. Keep us posted...

Hi Shawn, I am also a road warrior and was so especially during my 1st year being banded. I found it very difficult to tolerate foods when traveling, especially when in Europe. You didn't say how long you have been banded, or if you have restriction, so I will assume you have normal restriction. At first I found it hard to get over the "someone else is paying for this meal mentality". Here are some things that I do to make traveling easier: -I always have Snacks with me like a Protein bar or granola bar. This is often a Meal Replacement when I can't eat. -I bring oatmeal packets with me. It is easy to get hot Water to add and eat this for Breakfast. -At restaurants if you are with other people and self-conscious about your eating, order something you know will be easy, like Soup or a baked sweet potato and veggies. - I also bring Protein powder with me in a ziploc bag. I add this to water/milk when I need to get my protein in.

I was planning on doing a 5k in November (this month) but I have to be out of town for work over the weekend of the event. Anyway, I will set an official date for my 5 k, maybe when it gets warmer. I have been having some exercise-induced asthma from running, which is something that's never happened to me before and is kinda scary.

Update: I also used whole grain tortillas..not as good, but the filling was still so yum!

This will be my 2nd holiday season with the band. Last year was really tough because I still had the mentality of filling up my plate to the fullest with all the food I love. At a table with 12 people I was so self-conscious (they don't know). One, two bites of turkey and I was done. It was quite embarrassing and I had to excuse myself to go PB. I have learned after dealing with Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, and many family dinners and brunches that I just take a tiny tiny bit of food. I do tricks to make it look like my plate is fuller (like put a ramekin on my plate), then I push food around a lot and I even push some off onto my husband's plate. If I want more, I can go back, but I should not overload it because it is so obvious. Also, the experience is no longer about the food, but spending time with family and friends, having a good time.

my hair thinned out in the first 6 months, but then it started to grow back. It is back now to its original thickness.

I haven't had this problem, but think you should tell your mom that you are doing this for your health. For once, you are doing something for YOU. What you need from her is her support through this experience. My DH was not supportive at the first thought, but I told him something similar and he backed me 100%.

I just read the "Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes". Great read!

I don't agree. My dr said that PCOS patients have 3x harder when trying to lose weight because of the hormone imbalance.I have lost 100lbs before on my own, only to gain it back. The lapband will stop me from yo-yo'ing which is not good for your body!