graymittens

After a zillion years of liquids (7 weeks total), I had my first real food today. I made two scrambled eggs with a teaspoon of butter and salt and pepper. They were a little dry, which was what I was aiming for today. I ate slowly and chewed. Well, after 3/4 of the plate, I felt my band working! I think my band is just in shock that something came down the chute slowly today, but I'll take it. I felt the "soft stop" that @toomuchfun described. One bite was fine, and on the next one, I could feel the food kind of sitting there. I could have kept going, but I knew the next bite would feel uncomfortable, so I stopped. I STOPPED! Wooo hoooo! My dog is happy too, because he got the rest. I'm bringing a small meat and cheese pack to work for lunch, and my water bottle. I am so excited. My band, whom I have named E.T., is really there and doing its job. In the time it took to type this, any residual hunger is gone. I also just hiccuped. Another "soft stop" signal. Lesson: eat slowly and listen to E.T. Have a great day, everyone! I will for sure!

I recommend a vasectomy -- best birth control ever!

Think I'll take a nap to stave off the hunger. Lol! Thanks everyone.

I didn't tell hardly anyone prior to my surgery. As the days got closer, I found the whole process to make me want to keep things incredibly private. Post surgery, different story! I will tell anyone who asks what the heck I have done. It was the best decision I ever made for my health. Diabetes - Gone. Severe knee pain - greatly reduced; sleep apnea and a CPAP Machine - don't need it!

So for me getting a full feels like getting a tune up. They feel for the port to be sure they have the right spot. It is usually under the largest incision. Then they clean the area, insert the odd looking needle apparatus into the port. There is a little pinch no more then giving blood would pinch.
I don't get any numbing cream or any of that though some docs will put that if you request it.
When the needle is in the port you can feel a little pressure. My doctor will draw some Fluid up into the syringe to ensure it is in the port properly and then they will push that bit and more back in.
After you will sit up and drink some Water. With no issue your all done.
liquid diet for a few days then mushy-soft and back to regular food.
It can take up to 2 weeks or more for the fill to settle in around the band so don't worry if you don't "feel" anything right away. Give it time follow the rules your doc gives you and that's a fill

I hit the 100 lbs down mark yesterday March 30, 2014! I am so happy & excited about it. My surgery date was July 18, 2013 & I weighed 321 lbs when I began my journey & recently found out the day of surgery I was 314 lbs but the day I came home from the hospital I was 321 lbs again so that is what I go by. Yesterday I weighed in at 221 LBS!!!
I had been praying that I would hit my biggest goal by my birthday & I made it a week early! My birthday is next sunday & i will be 34!!! This is the most awesome birthday gift I could ever give to myself!
I feel so much better in all areas of my life. I am healthier & down to a weight I have not seen since I was about 16 yrs old.
This weight loss journey not only changed my weight but my life! I have started going back to school to get my GED & then hoping to start a nursing program or something in the medical field after I accomplish my GED! I am more social & go out of my way to speak to people now as well! I have become more outgoing like I used to be when I was younger!
I have been struggling some mentally & emotionally. I have began to feel like a stranger is looking back at me in the mirror & have been told I am in a way grieving my "fatter" self. I know that it will pass & I have called & made an appointment with a therapist who specializes in the weight loss journey, so I know I will be ok & it will take time just as this whole journey does!
A friend of mine just passed away last week from cancer & her support motto was always one day at a time, one foot in front of the other & she would always say that to me as well when I began my weight loss journey & so I will continue to follow her advice & keep moving forward one step at a time!!!
In the pictures below I was 8 mths & 1 wk po & weighed 228 lbs so I have lost another 7 lbs since last tuesday which makes my total 100 LBS!

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I was banded yesterday morning (yay!). I was okay with getting my Water in and now I can barely get 1 ounce down/hour. I'm not thirsty or hungry at all. Does anyone have suggestions on how to get my 32oz of water down in a day. (I'll have to increase to at least 64oz/day soon!)

This is caused by the air that is pumped into you during surgery it is co2 and will be absorbed by your blood in about 3 to 4 days to speed up suggest marching in place while swinging your arms in great circles over your head, got rid of mine within 1 day!

I go in at 0600 (5.5hrs from now). Wish me luck!
I'll post again after surgery with updates!

I go in at 0600 (5.5hrs from now). Wish me luck!
I'll post again after surgery with updates!

Hi there and congratulations to you!

Hello exclusivestylistnyc, how are you feeling post op?

WLS is a super personal decision. My starting weight was 324 and six months out I've lost almost 100 lbs. I opted for the Lap Band. Some of the other surgeries may produce quicker results but require more drastic measures as far as your anatomy is concerned. None of the WLS's are cake walks they all require dedication to a new way of eating and the will power to stick to it and exercise.
Please take advantage of this site to look over all the pros and cons of each surgery. I would caution you to be weary of people telling you how one is so much better than the other. We all had our own personal reasons for choosing the surgery we did. Also, as with anything there are horror stories. Surgeries that have had complications or people who have regained the weight they lost initially.
This probably wasn't the answer you were looking for but being on this site and reading things on the internet has made me realize how uniformed people are prior to their surgeries and how often they fail because they didn't fully understand what they were going to be required to do after the surgery was complete. WLS is a tool. It doesn't cure our eating disorders whatever they may be, but WLS can definitely help you get a handle on your weight and help you work through those issues.
Best of luck to you. I look forward to hearing what decision you make!

Hi BeagleLover! I'm getting banded by Dr. B. the same day! He did my EGD and everything was perfect, I felt no pain, no recovery time at all. Best of luck. You're in good hands!

Hi guys,
Just wondering if there were any resources for the DC/MD/VA area. I'm in DC and have gone to a couple of thrift stores but things seem so dated. Any help would be appreciated!

Love you all! You guys give me strength and I feel I've gained a family!
I agree that the majority of this is a reality shock, which made the first day so depressing. Today I'm better than I was yesterday, and I hope that each day I grow stronger!
I feel that fasting is helping me focus my mind of all the junk I've cluttered it with. We are moving May 1st, so today I did a lot of packing and cleaning. I felt like Wonder Woman, and wondered how I could be so energetic off of Water and Protein lol

This was me one year ago at a company event:

This is me the other day at the same company event, one year later:

I had lapband surgery on September 11, 2013; about 6 months after that first picture was taken. In that picture, you see the person who had made the decision and was waiting for the first visit with her surgeon/hero.
I was miserable. I hated that camera pointed at me. But, I "smiled" and did my part. I hated what I had let happen to my body. I was in constant pain. I could barely move. As my journey progressed and I went through the approval process, my sense of hope began to return. It was possible. I could do it.
I started making a list of goals. Of course the first one was lose weight...duh. But, I started realizing I was putting things on this list that had nothing to do with the scales. I started realizing just how much of my LIFE I had given up while packing on the pounds.
I've lost over 110 lbs since September 11. I never imagined that I would lose so much so fast. My doc grins like the cheshire cat at every appointment. He told me today "You are FANTASTIC. You are RARE. I see you being so DETERMINED and FOCUSED. You are FABULOUS." You know what...he's absolutely correct.
He gave me a plan with a list of rules. I've followed them as best as I can. I'm human. I slip. I eat ice cream on occasion...and I'm allergic to it. I still like chocolate candy. I just don't eat the entire bag in one sitting anymore.
My journey hasn't been all butterflies and rainbows. It's been full of ups and downs. But, I have zero regrets.
Look at the person in the second picture. That smile is genuine. I was happy to be there and pose for that picture. That is the smile of a person who has their LIFE back.
I'm not done on my journey. My scales tell me I have a ways to go before I meet my weight goal. But, one year ago, I was planning how to avoid my life. I was always looking for a reason to not join my friends or family. Now, 12 months after that first picture, I'm planning roller coasters, family vacations, snorkeling, boxing classes, bike rides....new adventures.
I've discovered that my most important goal on my list was to get my life back. GOAL MET.

yes I saw some people last night at a meeting that hadn't seen me since I had my surgery.. They were raving about how good I looked. Several asked how I did it, I told them I had lapband. One lady even said wow I would never do that. Is said well if you had diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol and couldn't walk from your car to the store you might.. She was not small and I must have hit a nerve because she disappeared. Honestly I think we spend so much time trying not to be noticed when we are obese that is overwhelming to be noticed so much. It will subside once people get used to the new you. Then we will feel a little sad. I think as time goes on and everyone gets used to your new appearance you will feel more normal also.
take the compliments, ignore the rudeness and keep on doing what is best for you.

I confessed the other day to having taken an embarrassingly huge number of selfie pictures.
While normally something teenagers are hounded about, I found myself snapping away because I am still shocked by how different I look.
I am trying to get used to a new face. I don't recognize ME yet in this different version that is 66 lbs lighter.
I can only imagine the changes after another 50 lbs!
And then I thought.."I can't be the only one!" So...don't leave me hanging...revel a little in your new you look and show me your selfie!

Totally agree parisshel. but I have to give food a big farewell! I start Friday so I guess tonight is steak night tomorrow is pizza, Wednesday is Fried chicken and gravy and the big farewell is Fattah which is an Egyptian dish that my mom masters!

I can't believe it, I am down 100 pounds since mid-September when I started my pre-op liquid diet! I saw the doctor this morning and everything is going well, I had blood work recently and my levels are good, my A1C has continued to go down so I am staying off the metformin. I just cleaned out my closet of stuff that was to big again, and I feel amazing. So happy I did this. I am adjusting to eating and life in general after the sleeve well and I am just happy! About half way to my goal weight but I can't believe the difference in just the little everyday life things like being able to comfortable sit in a booth at a restaurant and have space or a seat at the movies. Just wanted to share this somewhere, thanks for reading this

Two weeks of parades, parties, and fun. Two weeks of ALCOHOL and food shoved in your face at every turn...... But, this year will be different. I won't be partaking in King Cakes, fried chicken, snack foods, and lots of adult beverages.... I will be able to march parade routes 6-7 miles long as a chaperone for my son's high school band (that's a first bc i couldnt do that 100+ pounds ago). And I may be partaking in sugar free Jell-O shots the night I'll be riding in a parade..... If you're coming to New Orleans, remember to yell, "Throw Me Something, Mister!"

This is gonna be great for all of us!!!! The end of searching for what works!! Let's stay positive and keep each other motivated!! My surgeon says to give the first year all you've got!!(since that's usually when the majority of weight comes off) Cheers to the beginning of the end of our weight struggle. My pre-op diet officially starts on March 12th but I've began incorporating some things into my diet now! Monday I will start 100% Monday. I figure why wait till then to start. Hoping I can get at least 20-25 gone before surgery date.