MsButterKup23

Wow I could have written that!! I was 5'6' and 297 before I had my surgery. When I got pregnant with my daughter I was over 300lbs!! I did NOT have any complications during my pregnancy other than high blood pressure at 38wks that caused me to be induced. The induction failed and I ended up with a c-section. It wasn't that bad. If you are healthy in every other way then I would not let your weight discourage you from getting pregnant. Check out www.plus-size-pregnancy.org for more information. As far as surgery is concerned. The key is to find a doctor that you are comfortable with that has done many of these surgeries. My doctor did my surgery last August and banded my hubby in January. Needless to say we are very happy with him and his staff. One thing I do want to warn you about is the fact that most doctors say not to become pregnant for anywhere from 1-2 years after surgery (varies by doctor) in order to allow your weight to stabilize. Best of luck to you!

Very well said Paul!! I agree totally. After I got banded in August the Hubster lost 30lbs simply because we no longer bought junk food. I didn't want it in my face because I knew I physically couldn't eat most of it. I will admit though if I do have a craving I eat just enough of whatever it is to make the craving go away. Tonight I wanted a pretzel from Auntie Anne's, I knew I physically couldn't eat a pretzel so I settled for a pretzel stick. That was the first pretzel I've had in 7 months and it was good. I don't feel guilty in a bite here or there. My hope is that our lack of junk food will allow my 16 month old daughter to have healthier eating habits and avoid obesity.

If you haven't had anything solid since the first of Feb, then I will guess you are about 2 weeks out from surgery?? If that is the case then you are still healing. This is not the time to be losing weight, it's time to heal. Don't expect to lose weight until after your first fill. I've been there and my hubby is at that point right now between being banded and getting his first fill. I know it's frustrating. We have all been there. Stay away from the scales, they lie! Remember long term weight loss, you didn't gain the weight in 2 weeks, you need to be fair to the band and give it time to work AFTER a fill. Best wishes..

Thanks for reminding everyone. My hubby is in this stage right now and it's very frustrating to him. I try not to be too judgemental of what he eats because I am pretty well restricted and see portions as something that are HUGE.

I have 4 dogs, 2 are on low-cal food. 1 is underweight and the other is almost overweight. My mom is around 100lbs, she lives off coffee and cigarettes and rarely eats. My dad never got over 150lbs, when he passed away 10 years ago he weighed 80lbs (emphysema, cancer and renal failure took its toll). I have 2 older sisters. One was always thin growing up, all her weight now is in her butt. She has 3 kids and weighs about 160. The other sister made fun of me my entire childhood about being fat, even when I wasn't. Now she is bigger than me. One of the reasons I believe I became obese was because of my sister. From the time I was 7 I was told how worthless, fat and ugly I was. After many years of hearing that and my parents not making her stop, I just gave up and eat whatever I wanted. By the time I graduated high school I was morbidly obese. :cool: My daughter is 16 months old. She is in the top 90th percentile for her weight, but she is also tall. I don't consider her fat even though the doctor told me to watch her weight. With two banded parents I think her chance of being overweight has decreased.

I'm pretty much in the same shape. I've lost 20lbs since my last fill and for the past 2-3 days I've been hungry and able to eat a lot more than usual.

Sounds like a winning plan to me. Or you could just buy extra life insurance on them and wait for them to kill over. :omg: I don't think the payments on the extra life insurance would be as much as the payments on the loan. :heh: Seriously, I have a very "interesting" family as well, I don't have any advice for you on the family front, I just wanted to let you know we are here and to keep your head up high. ((((((HUGS))))))

Anyone else taking this? I was told by the guys at GNC that Papaya Enzyme is very helpful in digesting protein. I did some research online and apparently they were full of it. I'm just curious of anyone else takes it before eating their protein shake or bar?

The first question that pops in my mind are you getting your Protein in? As Jamie pointed out B12 is another common issue for those who are low on energy. Also are you taking a multi-Vitamin? I take Centrum chewables each night and some veggie pills because I hate green veggies. I have found that my energy has gone way up since I started doing this and religiously drinking my protein each day.

I have them too. I have red ones on my back and plenty of white ones on my stomach. Now all I need is a good (blue) bruise and I'm very patriotic. I had these way before I got pregnant with my daughter. I've always been overweight, I was a size 20 in 8th grade, so I can't blame it on my pregnancy.

I dunno what is going on with me. I've had 3 fills and the last one was on Jan. 3rd (so a month and a half ago). I've lost almost 20lbs in a month, but the last fill was a doosey and I got full really quick. Now I am able to eat almost twice as much as I could say 2 weeks ago. :hungry: I'm 6 months out and wondering what the heck is going on. Perhaps the 20lbs I lost loosened my band a bit? I haven't been hungry since my last fill, now I've been getting hungry 3-4 hours after my last meal. hmmmm

Welcome to the board, best of luck to you on your surgery. You will do great!

My ideas to normal have completely changed. I look at what people eat and can't believe how huge portions are at resturants. You learn real quick what you can and can't eat. I know that bread is a no-no in general for me. But I also know that I can tolerate a bite of just about anything to fulfill a craving. I've been on this ride for 6 months now and lost 70lbs, it's worth a little lifestyle adjustment to me. Best of luck to ya!

I can only speak for myself. Personally I've had no problems physically with my band. I did go through a depressed period when I figured out I could no longer be an emotional eater with the band. After losing 70lbs in 6 months I have made other things a priority other than food. Being as I haven't had any problems, no at the moment I would not consider having my band removed as a preventative measure. I do want to be tested at 18 months for erosion just as a precaution. IF for some reason I did lose my band I would definately have some other form of WLS, I refuse to be 300lbs again.

I've heard a lot of good things about Dr. B. You will be in good hands. Best of luck to ya!

Hubby and I have been very pleased with Dr. Robert Powell. He is in Richardson and does surgery mostly out of SCOR. I had mine in August and he just got banded almost a month ago.

Habits MUST change otherwise this surgery is pointless. I know that I see food totally different now than I did before. If I leave food on my plate now it doesn't hurt my feelings, I don't plan my whole day around what I am going to eat anymore. I know it's easy to say, but you got to let the food demons go. One can't expect to lose weight and not change what they are eating or how much they are eating. I can't say anything about exercise because I don't do anything but walk the mall every other day or so.

Mohammad Ali's daughter is banded.

Yeah Protein is filling... Just don't buy the junk, that works well for DH and me because we are both banded, but I know it's hard when you have an unbanded spouse/family. Good luck.

I am an unemployed Medical Assistant. I hope to find a job soon, if not I want to go to RN school, just have to find a way to afford it.

I got stuck at 242 around December. I got another fill and I'm down to 226. Just do the right things and it will come off.

Could you drink sodas with the band (Fizzy drinks)? I can but I drink VERY little because the air does get trapped and it makes me upcomfortable (very little = one small gulp). Could you eat a T-bone steak even if you chew well? I don't do well with solid red meat. I am fine with taco meat and chicken. Could you eat sweets? Chocolates? I had a problem with a dry brownie once. I don't really have a sweet tooth. I can just about have a bite of anything to satisfy the craving. I just have to know when to stop with things I know will hurt me. Best of luck to you!

I've been drinking Isopure. The milk chocolate or the chocolate and p'nut butter are my favorites. Before and after surgery my doc made us drink Myocel. Now that's some nasty stuff! We had to drink it in order to prepare our livers. Worth it, but nasty! Best of luck with your surgery!!

Sounds like you are having problem with food lube issues being as you had a problem with the left over chicken. It was probably too dry and just needed lube to go down. Best of luck to ya!

Wow it might be worth a call to Myra tomorrow to see what she thinks, so far I have vomited once, it's still all lower end issues. :eek: