Pattypoo1

So far I haven't counted calories. I am focused on making better choices right now, and breaking old habits. Since this is for life, I want to be able to figure out what I can eat and what I can't. If my eating plan allows me to lose 1-2 pounds a week, than I know I am eating correctly.

Use one of theose thermacare wraps on it. That worked for me

I had my first fill Monday. He used the lidocaine to numb it thank God. After that I felt nothing. He got right in. There was only 1ml in my APS band, and so he put in 4ml. After the lido wore off a few hours later, I was a little sore, notbad. I did have the gurgling after drinking, but gone now. Can still eat pretty good. Nothing getting stuck, but I an cautious. The fill itself was very easy, and painless...

Welcome Sonya, and thank you for sharing your story. This is the place for you! A lot of support here and much helpful info. My highest was 263 I am 5'4". I went on Nutrisystem last Jan thru Apr. I lost 40 poundsl I then gained back 15. I was 237 when I had my consult, and now I am at about 203. I have been banded for 6 weeks. Just this small amount of weight lost so far has made a tremendous difference. My back pain is GONE. I hope to get down to 130, but I am a very small boned person. I was meant to be little, I can tell by ny bone structure. If I look Ok at 140, then that will be my goal. You just have to get to a weight that is healthy for you. Numbers don't matter. If you look good and feel good, then that is your goal weight. The whole banding process has been great, I am one of the lucky ones with virtually no pain at all. Your goal for now is to lose what you can to make surgery easier for you. By the way, your surgery is on my birthday! Good Luck...

I just had my first fill Mon and I am gurgling like crazy, I was burping like crazy before. I am still on liquids from the fill, and everythihng I drink gurgles. It's really loud too.

Wow, those jeans really make a difference. I just saw a bunch on eBay..much cheaper than the price Dillards wants for them. It's hard for me to spend that much money on clothes that I will only fit into for a few months. I will probably get one pair..thanks so much for the pictures..you look great in them.

I insisted on the AP band and got it. I just had my first fill on Monday, and when he withdrew the fluid, there was only 1ml in the band, it was supposed to be 3. Anyway, he put in 4ml so my current level is 4. Boy am I restricted. I have to stay on fluids for 2 days, then soft for 2 days, so I haven't tried to eat yet, but I made a protein shake this morning and could only drink 4 ounces. I was stuffed...I have no hunger yet. I hope this feeling lasts forever, this is great! I love the APS band.

OMG I was banded 11/1. I have always been a burper. But now, it's constant. When I drink water I burp like crazy. When I eat it is constant. And Loud!

I insisted on the AP band. They special ordered it in for me. When I was wheeled into the OR, I made them show me the box to make sure they had the right one...

Good luck on your surgery. I agree 100% with Sades, and we were banded the same day. I have lost 13 pounds since surgery day almost 5 weeks ago. Yes, I get hungry, but it's nothing like it used to be, and a few bites and the hunger is gone. Even something to drink quells the hunger. It's really nice..I feel like I will never have to diet again. I pretty much eat what I want (within reason of course) just much less, so I feel like for once in my life I will be eating like a normal person. It's a great feeling. Life no longer focusus around food, it's wonderful.

I take Flintstones Chewable Complete. I also take Citracal creamy chews...works for me and I get to pick Barney, Betty, Fred, Wilma, or Dino every day..,.

Congrats on your date. Everyone is different and heals differently. I usually have a very LOW tolerance for pain, but I was out of pain in 2 days, however I felt very weak for 7-8 days. It really takes a lot out of you, so you may need to wait a week. Some people have a problem sitting up, I didn't. It was the weakness that held me back. After about 8 days, I felt pretty good...but who knows how people will react, it's hard to say. Good luck...I will be getting my first fill as you are having surgery

Definately small sips of pineapple juice at room temp....that gave me immediate relief...

Went to Cracker Barrel on Sat. I had the vegetable plate. It's 4 vegetables. I ate about 1/3 of the carrots, they were very soft. I had about 3 bites of the hash brown casserole, and a couple of bites of cottage cheese. I was then done and took the rest home. My friend had a meat loaf dinner, and she finished before I did! I just didn't feel like eating any more!

Surgery was 11/1 and first fill is 12/10. That's 3 days shy of 6 weeks (he does surgery on Thurs only, and so the only appt I could get that week was on Mon). I am getting slightly humgry at this point, but I eat very small amounts at a time and try to eat 5-6 times a day. So the hunger isn't rerally that bad. I also have no pain at all. I consider myself extremely lucky.

I got that stuck feeling ONCE. I have the little 6oz cans of pineapple juice at Room temp. I took maybe 2 small sips and within a couple of minutes, the feeling was gone. It worked for me...

Hey Renee, Good. I hope you start losing now. I have lost 3 pounds since Thurs so it has really worked for me

I hope that if I develop a gambling addiction, that at least I will be successful at that!

Listen to me, I am a pharmacist. The following is an excerpt from the manufacturer's insert... DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Effexor XR should be administered in a single dose with food either in the morning or in the evening at approximately the same time each day. Each capsule should be swallowed whole with Fluid and not divided, crushed, chewed, or placed in Water, or it may be administered by carefully opening the capsule and sprinkling the entire contents on a spoonful of applesauce. This drug/food mixture should be swallowed immediately without chewing and followed with a glass of water to ensure complete swallowing of the pellets. SO THERE IS YOUR ANSWER DIRECTLY FROM THE MANUFACTURER!!!!!!!

I have the choc, vanilla, unflavored, and chicken. The chicken is good, but WAY to salty for me, I only use 1/2 scoop and it is tolerable. I love the Choc, very good. The vanilla is a little sweet, but OK. I have tried using the unflavored in jello and pudding, I guess I am the only one who can taste it.. I am probably not doing it right. I still plan to use it...It doesn't mess up the stomach at all.

Renee, I lost the first week, but the second week, nothing. How can you not lose weight on a little juice and water?? I decided that I wasn't getting enough calories, so for week three I have bumped up the calories, and what do you know, over 2 pounds lost since increasing caloric intake!

It's funny you should ask that. I did Optifast fron 10/11 thru 10/31, lost about 12 pounds. Then I had surgery on 11/1 and did the clear liquids for 2 weeks, The frist week post op I lost 7 pounds. The second wee, NOTHING. This is on clear liquids. I had read a post on here that said the same thing, and when she increased her calories, she started losing again. So I went on to full liquids, and what do you know, I have lost almost 2 pounds after 2 days! My suggestion is that you get enough calories and don't worry about it. You have to have adequate intake to lose, so your body doesn't go into starvation mode!

Oh, and I hired a driver to take me to the hospital and pick me up. It worked out great.

My husband is paralyzed and bed bound, I had to do everything myself. I still had to feed him too. You will be tired and sore for a few ays, but it will pass. I am glad I did this around the holidays, no more 10 pound weight gain!!! I just went to a dinner that my surgeon had for his patients. I was only 2 weeks out from surgery, so I had only a couple spoonfuls...no meat either. He said something that might help...if the family gives you grief about what you are eating, or not eating, tell them that you are here for the company, not the food. That sounds like a wonderful answer. Make the holiday about the family, the people, not the food.

I had trouble drinking my protein as well. Hang in there, you will be able to drink more in a day or two