VegasGrace

I was out and about the next day, but tired easily. 3-4 days later I was driving - big mistake. Almost fell asleep at the red light. You'll know when you start to drive...pay attention to your alertness and all. Good luck!

Being a single parent is hard. And I mean parenting alone...married or not. Good luck to what you decide. But many single parents have the surgery and do just fine. Me included.

Hmmm...good question. The fat is what makes the consistancy. I've used other low fat dairy in recipies and they didn't turn out good. Fat isn't that bad...and a dessert every once in a while isn't going to hurt anything. A while back I switched from sugar to fat...as in go natural w/ fat and avoid things that have fat taken out and sugar replaced. Butter, whipped cream, etc. My body processes fat better than sugar.

15 pounds from goal and need a mentor.... you need a medal! Congrats!

You are so sweet to care about your mom. I have three teens, 18, 17, and 13...and they HATE it when I do what your mom does. My 18 year old pouts....my 17 year old is amazed I can do it in a restraunt without anyone noticing...(I do it in a takeout cup- take a napkin to cover it)... and my 13 year old just avoids me...she walks away. Just know your mom is brave...very brave. This hasn't been easy for her and she knows what it's done to you guys. But it's the price that must be paid. Just pat her on the back, offer a wet washcloth. And know that she loves you so much and doesn't want you to suffer the same fate as her. She is the adult and will get to the doctor. She's not going to die or anything like that, so don't worry. She really could stop eating today and as long as she gets Water down...be fine for a long time. (don't recommend it though) Just ask her what she wants you to do.

Hmmmmm.... I'm like you. Restriction (inability to eat too much) was how I lost the weight. If you can eat alot of food- even junk... you may not be as restricted as you think. Meaning, what you think is restriction may not be to someone else. I was banded the day before you, last year. I started at over 200 and am at 137. No exercising either. Get a check on your restriction. How many bites can you eat?

Alice, counting calories? Don't know what to tell ya- but....the lapband system is not implemented until you have restriction. Dieting....didn't you try that before and it didn't work? Let the band do it's job. Take the first 6-10 weeks and heal...don't diet. Once you get restriction (and it will happen soon enough) you are going to wish you didn't spend all that time and energy dieting. Conserve it now. You will need it when you get restriction. My success was based on modifying the quantity of food I eat...plain and simple. I got fat because I ate too much. Not because I didn't move enough...not because of medication....not because of a health problem. So, to answer your question...Alice, I don't exercise - as far as going to a gym or putting on special clothing to do an activity. For me, walking up the stairs to get to my apartment....walking the mile from the parking lot all the way to the back of Walmart for a gallon of milk.....that's my exercise. I'm a disabled vet from Desert Storm and lost the use of my legs...I went from a wheelchair to a walker...yep...seat/basket...the works. How grateful I was to use a cane..but now...I take it easy and can walk freely. Exercise is not for me. But for most people...play.....literally PLAY! Go out for a jog with the kids...race to the end of the road. Go for a stroll...go on a treasure hunt. Play sports...coach- what a great way to get exercise and help others at the same time. McDonalds wasn't in the hamburger business...they are in real estate. Golds Gym (Curves/LA fitness/Bally's/ 24 hr Fitness, etc) aren't in the fitness business...they are in the contracts business.

Well, is he selling them to you? If so, that could be a motivator. If not...well, you'll find many docs who swear by Protein drinks. My sister had RnY and had to promise to do the shakes. Meat isn't the only source of protein, thank goodness! I love steaks and hamburgers...but find they often get me into trouble so I avoid them...hurts when something gets stuck! Beans, eggs, cheese, nuts and seeds, and even this stuff called Tofu. I ate it once...it's like spongy and you can cook it with anything and it takes on the shared foods flavor...has none on it's own. Don't give up. You may have to work awhile to find you 3 good sources of protein...so that you can go from one to another. And remember, it's not forever....just while you are losing the weight...get on maintenace and get loosened up a tad and eat chicken again! Come back and share with us what you found! [when we go in for a snack at the 7-11...I get a piece of cheese instead of my old candy bar!]

I surely will miss him. Never met him, only know him by his work. He has touched my life and the world has lost a great artist. From: Biggest Movie Buff

Hate that! The 3 things people don't tell you before losing weight are: Your hair will fall out Your gall bladder will go out of order You will get lethargic/confused/light headed/hostile/irritable, etc. I found out the hard way on all accounts. But just know this isn't band related...it's weightloss. Had this happen to me back when I was on Atkins. A nurse told me that the only type of fuel the brain can utilize is CARBOHYDRATES, not Proteins. So, anyone wanting to lose weight should ensure they have the time, actually dedicate a period of time, to do this. Their job can suffer, their relationships can suffer. But it is only for a time. Hang in there! It's much much better from this side of the fence.

Oh, before someone makes a bad comment about my sodapop.... sometimes things happen in life. Death, divorce, moving...you name the stressor! You gotta do whatcha gotta do. I don't live off sodapop as a rule. But driving trucks, getting 3 kids settled...oh, I'm a single parent so I have absolutely no help from anyone except the Lord...but that makes the difference. If something tragic happens, you go ahead and eat. But the best part about the band is while you feel like you are binging....take a peak at that bag of potatoe chips when you are done....you didn't eat but a third.....not the entire bag. Yet you feel you binged. But did you? Really? Nope, not a bit. Got tragedies all the time, get a therapist! That once in a blue moon binge won't hurt anything but this is about nutrition, and relearning how to eat. Old bad habits can sneak up on you and rob you of your life. Don't let them!

I just KNEW I was going to get banned from the forum for saying that. Whew! Thanks guys....you made my day. Now getting to change the ticker to 137 lbs. (in the process of moving and haven't had a chance to eat a decent meal...living off sodapop to keep my calories and energy up) But we all know that everyone is different. And sometimes it isn't easy saying goodbye to food, afterall....it's been with us 10/20 or even 30+ years. It was always reliable...and now we have to turn our back on it....hard to do! And from time to time problems can arise...your doc is your best ally. So, post questions- I'll answer, or if you want to check on your game plan- I'll help you tweak it. I'll share with you what I've learned. But frankly, I learned a long time ago if you want to achieve something...find someone else who did....copy what they did. May not work, but find someone else....eventually you will succeed!

Well, this topic has been touched on several times. But .... I'm a year out and still losing hair. I'm on maintenance, ...not supposed to be happening now. But- it doesn't look bad yet. I don't comb my hair but 2x a week. I know, I know...but I wash it, condition well, and then put it in a bun. I went to the hairshop for a trim and she combed it for the first time in a week...tons of hair in the comb. oh well.

I've been flamed many times in chat or with a post....some just feel that me saying I don't use Protein powders....or diet foods....or go to a gym....or count calories....or go on a diet....is so wrong. Look, it's simple. Get the band. Get the adjustments. Get restriction. Get a reality check. Get smaller clothes. Get real. Get the band. Won't work if you don't have it. Plus, the band makes the most common sense. Cut off the pipes and you'll lose the weight...not a maybe...but will. Get the adjustments. Won't work if you don't get adjustments. Decide on a fill doc before surgery. Make sure you see 'em at 6 weeks and every 4 weeks after. Don't need a followup...cancel. But always make sure you have the appointment every 4 weeks til YOU decide you've got restriction. Get restriction. Don't be a baby! You are going to have to cut down on the quantity of food - that's the point of the lapband system. Don't want to cut down on the amount of food - don't get the lapband. So what if you slime from time to time....it's all a learning process and you need to allow yourself time to re-learn how to eat. But this isn't saying that if you vomit that you shouldn't see your doc, quite the contrary. Vomiting isn't good. But sliming, as long as you are in the process of re-learning how to eat...it's a tool. Get a reality check. This time to relearn how to eat is crucial. Eat a few bites and walk away from your food - it will always be there...you don't need it all now. Want something sweet- have it. But only a bite or two. If you can say..."nah, I'll skip that"...you are already on the right track. This is about choices. It's not easy during this time. I remember thinking I was going to DIE because I was so weak from not eating (massive amounts of food). Your body will go through withdrawal symptoms....you can bet on that. But you prevail! And remember, it's not forever. If you are hungry...eat! Get smaller clothes when you reach goal....it's a motivator as well when you walk around in potatoe sacks...makes you want to go faster. Get real. You know how you got fat, you now KNOW it doesn't take much food to fuel the human body. You now are amazed at the difference in the amount of foods you eat. You go to a buffet with your family, you get a teaspoon of everything...a sampling if you will. And you are so satisfied to finally 'taste' something...instead of inhailing. Keep your scales, pay attention to your new clothing. Weigh weekly, then every two weeks. But step on those scales at least 2x a month. And if you see weight gain, or your clothing getting tighter.... modify your diet. Maybe that soda pop put you over the edge...or you found you ate 2 pieces of your mom's sweetpotatoe pie. No worries, just modify things. Your new life is about nutrition, not dieting. Ensure you get the fuel to run your body like a well oiled machine.

Well, that may be a disclaimer...you know so they won't get sued. I've lost ALL my excess body weight and 'normal' on the bmi chart...not even slightly overweight. Decide for yourself.

1 year ago this June I underwent the lapband procedure. I was morbidly obese and my children were from chunky to obese, like 25 + overweight. I had the band...they didn't. Today...my chubbiest child stepped on the scales after a year.... 138 lbs !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My other two are not even obese. My college kid is a little plump...but still wears a size 8/10. OMGoodness! Can you believe it! I am so greatful to the makers of lapband! And my surgeon- who knew that it would have an effect like this!

I allowed the band to do what it was supposed to do. I was obese because I overate...period. The band wouldn't allow me to eat as much...way less. Thus I lost weight. It's not fun, it wasn't pleasant, it hurt, I cried, was fatigued, etc. But I knew this before I was banded and was mentally prepared to handle it. I stopped going out to eat as much, I slimed up crap in the sink. The band for me was like methadone for druggies. If I do what I should, no worries, no sliming or anything. But...if I eat too much or the wrong thing...I pay for it. Didn't exercise, didn't diet, I let the band do what I paid for it to do.

I, too, paid out of pocket. June of 07, yes 1 year now. Mine was all inclusive at $7,000.

For me, it's when after 5 bites I slime...but if I would have stopped at 4 it would have been fine. Today was one of a handful of times that I felt my stop signal...didn't slime a bit. Was at pizza Hut. My daughter got the buffet, I got one to take home...just in case. I had soda, 2 bites of pizza and 3 bites of salad. I stopped and didn't have to go to the bathroom once. It was a victory for me!

Good idea except my stretch band jeans are size 6 and my tshirts a size small. I did get rid of all my fat clothes. Thing is...I've not changed a bit since loosing weight. guess my weight never defined who I am. Oh, don't get me wrong, if I go somewhere important I look like Milania Trump. But for the most part, I just have 1 pair of jeans and 3 tshirts I rotate thru. I have a georgeous wardrobe. Pant suits, casual best, dresses, coordinates, scarves, jewelry....but I just don't wear them! And I don't feel less than either, I go to church w/ a simple skirt and Tshirt with my hair in a pony tail, no makeup and some slip on shoes...I think I look as good as those caked with makeup and pantyhose smelling all pretty.

I made the decision based on price and efficiency. Found a great doctor, the price was right, recommendations were great, googled his name with complaints/problems...nothing came up. A month later I was banded. I saw a local doc for fills. 2 fills is all it took. Then 2 unfills to stablize my weight. I'm done! All in all...the money I spent including transportation, surgery, fills, even gas for getting there and back, and my new wardrobe....still cost me way less than going to a local doc for just the procedure. Would do it all over again!

I'm struggling with this one. After I hit goal I was watching tv and fashion experts...got a list of must have's for a wardrobe. Headed for Vegas to shop the SHOPS - Macy's, Bloomys, Nordys, you name it! I spent several thousand dollars (shoes were most expensive) I still find myself in my stretch band jeans and tshirt. What is wrong with me!

Let me rephrase before I get flamed, I'm disabled and can't move large muscle groups.... does that mean I'm doomed? Of course not! I do some walking when I can, I 'move'...but not a gym, personal trainer, or equipment.

Don't let it get you down. Sure, diet and exercise will boost weightloss and even make for a better body and lifestyle...however, the lapband system was designed to work without diet and exercise. You are not alone! Just tinker around with different types of exercises, walk if nothing else. I've not ever exercised and don't plan on it either. (everyone is different)

reply, "Don't get out much, do you?" or "You should get out more often" or "Well, you will soon. As your practice grows you'll see more than that"