JustWatchMe

I only have trouble with pork chops for some reason. Not sure why but after two stuck episodes I'm not trying again. That's the only troublesome food so far. Weight loss was fast in the beginning and moderate now. I exercised more rigorously in the beginning but I walk a lot more now.

Not Spanx. I was looking for that one but Catherine's didn't have that brand. Not sure what brand this is. I'd check but I'd have to wiggle out and back in. I'll check later. Lol.

Congratulations!!! How exciting. Life is good. You look beautiful and your joy comes through in your post as well. I'm narrowing in on my green zone and it gets better each day.

Loving it. Lumps and bumps and fat rolls be gone! Holds in my belly roll too. Glad I'm 90 pounds down and I'm not too hot wearing it under my clothes. Correction. I AM hot. The good kind.

Saving so much on meds and junk food. Spending on clothes but right now using Goodwill for my losing period. Restaurant eating is way cheaper because I order off the appetizer menu or just get sides a lot. And no soft drinks in the restaurant. I go to the grocery store much less frequently which also staves off other impulse buying of stuff I don't need.

Yay @@sylvia45!

Post op is a turbulent time. If you made it this far, pat yourself on the back. This site is the place for support whether we're feeling great or crappy. Haha. Autocorrect changed "support" to "supper". Guess what I type about a lot.

Pre op was five days Clear liquids. That was hard but short. Post op was six weeks full liquids. That was long but not too bad. Only got weary of it in the last two weeks. Post op I could have cream Soups so I had lobster bisque and other soups I loved. Bottom line is that if you are motivated you will do it. It is so incredibly worth it. Don't freak yourself out. You are capable of this and it will change your life. Good luck!

Just saw this post today. I am in awe. You are amazing. Let's hear it for living our lives!

Sorry to hear you've had trouble. Three of my four fills were done under X-ray and I like it that way. I watch the swallow test and then I actually take my arthritis Tylenol caplets after the fill while we watch the monitor to make sure they don't get stuck. I love my nurse. The one time I didn't have the xray was because the room was in use for another surgical patient, not WLS. I will insist on waiting for the fluoroscope from now on. If I were you I'd ask for it each time and demand to know why not if they say no. You paid for this. Get the best care you can.

When you wake up you will be in Bandland!

Little to none. My daughter drove me home. My husband wasn't involved. Don't lift or carry heavy stuff for a week. If your kids need lifting enlist a babysitter for a few days. Don't wait for him to help you. There is never a perfect time for WLS but you are worth it.

If it is gas, karate chops to the neck and shoulders will give temporary relief.

Good luck!

Pro tip: don't eat the pit. You're welcome.

Oh, pish posh. Vacation is just that. It's over and now you're back to the daily routine. You're entitled to a vacation. Just get back on plan today and it will even out. I went to Italy and came back four pounds heavier but lost it in days. If you need a kick start, pretend you had a band fill and have to go on liquids for 48 hours. Be kind to yourself. And guess what. Vacation after WLS can still be enjoyable without the guilt. Our tool lets us get right back to basics without sliding into despair like we did before. You're going to be fine. You know how I know? Because you're here posting about it. Congratulations on your continued success!

You're embarking on a process that is so life changing that you will need all your energies on it from now going forward. It has to be for you and what you want and what you are committed to do. Now is the time to set boundaries about it with family. They cannot decide for you what you should or shouldn't do. I had the dubious advantage in that my husband was not supportive, so I didn't even seek his approval or advice. My kids were supportive but again, this is my process and I knew the eating rules were different from what they were familiar with. I laid out what I had to do and even if they made suggestions I still did what my surgical team told me. Here's what I think. Your post sounds like their interference is already irritating you. That's a sign to nip it in the bud. Figure out what your bariatric team's pre op eating protocol is and start it. If you feel the need to explain it to your family go ahead. But you don't have to. This is YOUR life, your body, your surgery, your decision. If they want to diet while you do your thing, God bless em. But keep the peanut gallery under control and out of your brain. Keep coming here for support. You can do this!

"I've hit a new low" is something to celebrate!

I just came from a gastric band/sleeve support group over an hour from my home. I try to attend this meeting every month because of the unbelievable success stories in that room and being able to listen to WLS patients who are 10 and 15 years out. I don't talk because it's not for LapBand (they have their own meeting but I can't get there on time) but I don't have to talk. I just sit there and soak up the success. You will be amazed at the changes in your life only a few short weeks after surgery. Once the pounds start coming off, everything improves. I think that the nervousness shows that you really have thought this through and are going in with realistic expectations. You will be fine. We do grieve our former life and coping mechanisms even though we desperately want to give them up. No matter what hiccups or bumps in the road we each encounter, the big picture is what is important. My LapBand saved my life. Not just physically, but mentally and emotionally as well. I'm a new person and I'm just starting to discover what I can do. Be nervous but do it anyway! It's all good!

You get a lap band adjustment and are grateful for two days of liquids because it will move the scale down.

@@RedStorm, "Personal goal for September~ embrace turning 40!" Happy birthday!

I spoke to BCBS today and it was only the "routine" category (exams, blood panels) that I maxed out until December 31. I can live with that. My mammogram is due in February which is a new year anyway and my LapBand visits are billed differently than routine so I'm good. Whew! Going for a fill today. Thanks everybody!

Banded in March. Hair loss started in June and still going. Trying not to worry. There are several threads here about it. Good luck.

@@serenity55, I like the term reprogramming. Our habits are not only physical but mental. Change the brain and the body will follow. You mentioned arthritis and walking. I rode a bike today. Just a few months ago it hurt way too much to ride. Back in the spring the up bend on my right knee brought me to tears. I was talking to my best friend today and wondering aloud why the knee didn't hurt as much today. The weight loss from a few months ago to now is of course a nice thing, but the pain in my knee was not from bearing weight. It was from bending it up. She mentioned all the walking I do now. I walk every single day. Sometimes just a little but most days a moderate amount. She reminded me of what my rheumatologist told me years ago but what I chose to ignore. Exercising my leg muscles helps relieve stress in the arthritic joint. The more work the surrounding strong muscles can do, the less work the joint itself has to bear. I was so happy to make this connection today. It only took me ten years to follow his advice. I'm hoping that I can live without my cortisone injections now. We will see. Thanks for your post!

@@Bandista, my dad had dementia too. I remember the feeling of being in the moment with him. As heartbreaking as it was, there was something utterly pure about our relationship near the end.