Leepers

Prune juice.

I have been very disciplined since my surgery. I'm lucky that I lost 70 pounds once before and I know I have the power to lose, I just worry about the power to keep it off. One big truth I have found this time around is that you really NEED/HAVE to cleanse your body of the addictive foods. The sugar. The carbs. The fatty and delicious convenient foods. The processed ed foods. The longer you stay away from those foods, the less you want them and the easier it is to pass them up. I found that since then, when I do eat healthy food, it tastes so delicious. I'm not perfect. I crave sweets. Especially once a month. One night, I ate a banana with 2 tablespoons of peanut butter and then dumped a sugar free chocolate jello pudding on top. Was it the healthiest choice? Probably not. But it quenched my desire and the next day, I was back on track. And, I put it all in My Fitness Pal app. My Fitness Pal is a good way to open your eyes about what you're really putting in your body. But you have to be honest with your entries. Eat protein first, but it really all boils down to calories in vs calories out. Be proud of your weight loss so far. It's better than gaining 27 pounds. Maybe you're just gonna be someone who loses slowly. That's Ok. But think of what you could do with a little more effort! Change is hard, but you CAN do it!

Hi mrse! I am about 7.5 weeks since surgery. Like you, I've had one fill. Strangely, after the fill, I felt like I had less restriction than before. I too, am being very disciplined. Watching calories. Going to the gym. I'm losing around 3 pounds per week. I'm very happy with that and I feel good about the food I'm putting in my body. Lately I'm wondering what exactly am I/should I be looking for from my band? I would like to not be hungry between meals. At this point, I have learned to ignore hunger and try to stick to my three meals a day. Sometimes not successfully. I'm nervous my doc won't want to give me a fill because I'm losing so well. And I know I would be ok because right now I have willpower. I worry about down the road... Sorry to hear about your pains. Could it be exercise related? When I started running I would always get what they call a "stitch in my side."

I'm curious, why are you being rebanded? Did you have a slip? Also, does your insurance pay for the new surgery? Even if your bmi is lower than 30/40 now?

It's hard! Now is the time to dig deep and find the strength inside. You will love yourself for making it through. You can do it.

Mine is full liquids the rest of the day and the next day then back to regular the third day. Seems a little weird so I do mushies the evening of the second day and then just be careful from then on.

My surgeon wants three meals a day with no snacks. Four days of my week this is easy. But the three days I work? Not so easy. I'm a nurse, I work long shifts, go long hours between meals, and expend a lot of energy. I have to have something quick to tide me over. I usually have one of those string cheese sticks or some nuts. Protein bars are good but I'm also trying to watch my sugar and my carbs.

Girrrlll! You are smokin' hot! What an inspiration!

Yes, Bandista, we need a pic!

It sounds like you're doing a great job and that you really get it. Congrats on your success so far! I'll send you a MFP request, I've been wanting more friends. If anyone else reads this and wants to friend me to my user id is lleepers.

I have two. The first one is from an episode of Keeping Up with the Kardashians. Don't you judge me! It's my guilty pleasure. I think about this first one when I'm at the gym and I'm the fattest person there. "The ability to grow is directly related to the amount of insecurity you can take in your life. Basically, stepping out and doing things you're not secure with. But when you get out the other side, you'll be a better person. " --Bruce Jenner. The second quote is one I saw on this forum. I'm ad libbing a little bit because I can't find the oringinal quote. "That band isn't gonna jump up out of your abdomen and smack that cookie out of your hand."

My psych evaluation literally lasted five minutes. It was a joke. He asked me family history, my history, was I ever depressed, and did I ever consider suicide. And then I was done. He did all the evals for my surgeon. It was like an assembly line.

I used to always run hot. It was quite embarrassing. I have noticed since surgery that I get cold very easily too.

I don't know you or anything about your marriage so I'm not saying this is your situation but I just wanted to point out that sometimes a spouse or partner can subconsciously sabotage the other's success because they're afraid of changes in the relationship. Wether it be the relationship between the two or the food relationship they have together. I would sit down and have a serious conversation about your need for support from him. But ultimately, this is your journey and you have to find the power within. To quote some people on this forum, "Nothing tastes as good as thin feels." YOU CAN SUCCEED and you are worth it.

Thank you, Katy, for the wonderful and inspiring story!

I feel you on the gas thing. Since the surgery I toot alot. But they seem to not smell as much since I'm eating healthy. As far as your friends band slip. That's terrible for her, but you can't spend your life worrying about things that might not happen. Just focus on yourself and keep doing what you've been doing. Congrats on your success!

I'm a daily weigher. If I'm up a pound or two, I use it as motivation to stay on track or be better. If I'm down a pound or two, I use it as motivation to keep doin what I'm doin. But if it's bothering you that much then just weigh once a week. And don't forget how hormones can affect the scale. Best wishes!

I had Labs, chest xray, ekg, and barium swallow. But all docs are different. Best wishes!

I totally had the same problem. That feeling goes away. I will say though, that I really never burp at all anymore. Sometimes little ones when I'm eating. I think the band doesn't allow the air to come back up. So it can only go down. You know what that means....toots! And lots of them! Lol.

The gas is from the surgery. The surgeon pumps your abdominal cavity full of gas to create a dome so he/she will have room to work. They say they try to suck it out when they're done but not all of it is taken out. The gas then gets absorbed eventually by your body. But sometimes a pocket of gas can sit up by your diaphragm where there are a bunch of nerve endings. This manifests itself as shoulder pain. Sometimes very painful shoulder pain. The rest of the gas comes out as "wind." It is temporary and the surgery is worth the discomfort!

Stop by the doctors house and bring him to the hotel too! Don't let anything stand in your way! Lol. Best wishes!

I made this recently and it was delish! Zucchini Parmesan Buy a few zucchini, wash, cut off ends and cut in half lengthwise. Lay in 9x13, cut/flat side up. Lightly brush with olive oil. Sprinkle with crushed red pepper, sprinkle with a tablespoon or two of shredded parmesan. Cook on 350 until parmesan is melted and golden brown. I estimate that two pieces is about 180 calories and about 14g of protein. Yummy!

Do you live here in the States or are you having your surgery in Egypt? Best wishes to you on your journey.

Fruit Loop, I thought the same thing about my first fill. Its almost as if I lost some of the restriction I felt when it was first put in. Like, I can definitely eat faster. Not sure if the doc will give me a second one because I'm losing so well due to diet and exercise.

I think you'll be able to function. Just remember to take your gas ex regularly, any pain meds will help. If you don't want to be stoned on narcotics, ask your MD what OTC meds you can take. I was allowed Tylenol. Drink fluids.