Cindi2014

Finally, it's happened to me........199 on the scale this morning. My surgery was seven months ago and I'm very happy to have broken through this barrier. I've been hovering at the gate for a little while now. So happy! I can't thank you all enough for the support and encouragement I've found here. Now on to 198, 197, etc. -- it's a pound at a time.

I hit the weight goal my doctor suggested back in March. So at this point, I just weigh myself on the first day of each month. It's part of my transition to maintenance. No more myfitnesspal and no more weighing daily or weekly. I'm really trying to do this without the crutches of tracking everything I eat or every ounce I gain/lose.
I looked down at the scale and saw it said 139.6 and was dumbfounded. I haven't been in the 130's since I was a very young woman. Even when I dropped alot of weight in the early 90's, I never got below 150 lbs.
I felt like I was walking on air today just running around doing my errands, going to the Y, just regular stuff. I swear, even with the back pain, and the other crap going on, I am happier than I've been in years. Thank you lap band.

Had my 3 week follow-up today! Nurse practitioner was really happy with my results so far. Got moved to solid foods, still no restriction on calories, just making sure I'm getting my Protein in. Still at 30 lbs lost. And I'm allowed to lift weights! I've been doing cardio since last monday, but i really hate it. I'm happy i can start building some tone back that i lost while recovering!
She said, the average band patient loses 1/2 lb a week.. but that seems really low to me, especially starting out. I'm working for 2-3 lbs a week, but I'm not going to beat myself up if i don't make it every week. Right now I'm 273, and instead of focusing on losing 98 more lbs, i'm going to focus on getting to 260's. After that, i'll focus on 250's and so on.

243 for me. Finally got to 25 lbs. lost. Only wish the next 25 would go just as fast, lol

243 for me. Finally got to 25 lbs. lost. Only wish the next 25 would go just as fast, lol

Quest bars! Peanut Butter and jelly and Cookies and cream are my fav and they have 21 g of Protein. I really think the Cookies n cream taste like the real thing. And they have very few ingredients, all of which I can pronounce, which I can't say for many other Protein bars.
If you put the cookie dough in the oven for a few mins or microwave, they taste like a fresh baked cookie!
I eat them even when I'm not "watching what I eat" which says a lot for me! Vitamin shoppe and GNC sell them!

Better still karina...don't focus on the numbers. Focus on the NSVs. They are infinitely more satisfying than a number on a scale.< /p>

Hello everyone! I was banded 5/6 and yesterday had my 1st nsv! My mom and dad have been telling me they could tell I've been losing the weight but honestly I hadn't been able to tell yet. I've been working hard though this past week when I started feeling better from surgery. (19 lbs lost) Well yesterday was my nephews bday and usually I hate getting dressed up to go places bc I've felt no matter what I wear I look awful.(might I add both of my sisters put together weigh as much as me by myself) Well I pulled out some old clothes I haven't worn in a yr or longer. Clothes actually fit!!!! And we're loose!!!!!I actually thought I looked really pretty and when I got there my sister told me how great I looked. I'm so excited! Great motivation! !!! I will be working really hard this summer to keep this up!! What was your 1st Nsv story?!

21.8 lbs gone as of Monday. Yay!!!!!!

I am only eating around 700-800 calories a day. I log everything into MFP which is very helpful.

http://imperfectlife.net/ilovemyuglybody/
Love it!!!!!!

That is great! Me too. It sure feel a good doesn't it?

Wore the same outfit today that I wore the day of my surgery, only 7 lbs but seeing a difference!
284 vs 277

I was in the EXACT SAME position as you were about 3 months ago. I had decided in jan of last year I wanted the band. Did the 12 month insurance required health coaching, then when I met up with my surgeon again, he refused to give me the lap band. He said I was way too big (5'7" 295ish) to be successful.
He rescheduled me with the other surgeon in his office later that day. I left the office BAWLING. I knew in my gut that the lap band was right for me. I'm still young, 26, and I didn't want to removed 80% of my stomach.
Luckily, the next surgeon was SUPER supportive. Said since I was young and already active, I should be successful. Yes, it might take some more work than the sleeve, but I'm happy with my decision.
I was banded 11 days ago and have lost 21 lbs since the pre op diet about 3.5 weeks ago.
Do what you want to do, don't let anyone away your opinion.

Wore the same thing today that I wore the day of my surgery. May 8th to today, only 7 lbs diff but seeing changes!
284 vs 277

Glad you are doing well dlamp Betty - you're not the only one having tenderness around the port area. I am still quite swollen around the area and getting concerned but people have mentioned that it could take up to 2 months before it's healed and the swelling is gone. Occasionally I get really sharp pains there. I have lost maybe 2 lbs. since my first post-op appt. which was last Monday. It's discouraging to see the weight slow down but I'm sure we will at least lose the 1-2 lbs. a week. I wish we could drop 21 or 22 lbs. every month like during pre-op and right after.

I am only eating around 700-800 calories a day. I log everything into MFP which is very helpful.

Glad you are doing well dlamp Betty - you're not the only one having tenderness around the port area. I am still quite swollen around the area and getting concerned but people have mentioned that it could take up to 2 months before it's healed and the swelling is gone. Occasionally I get really sharp pains there. I have lost maybe 2 lbs. since my first post-op appt. which was last Monday. It's discouraging to see the weight slow down but I'm sure we will at least lose the 1-2 lbs. a week. I wish we could drop 21 or 22 lbs. every month like during pre-op and right after.

Hi there and congratulations both of you. It's a nerve-wracking time, this lead-up to the big day. I had never been an overnight patient in a hospital before and it was all so much more pleasant than I thought it would be. I took my sense of humor with me and that was good. Every one took such great care of me. I compared the surgery to other things like dentistry, which I hate, or the recovery discomfort to cramps, etc. and I found that helped me not get all wrapped up in the mind-game of how we receive pain information. I got my prescription for pain medication filled but did not use it as I find narcotics to be very constipating. I actually had that problem even from just the anesthesia -- it's something to look out for and to talk over with your medical professionals so you're not on here at day four or so saying help! The walking cannot be over-emphasized. It's just the best -- kicks the body into healing mode. When I woke up from the surgery and felt like I needed to pee I took a walk up and down the hallway with the IV pole. By morning I was doing good laps and then I continued once home around our driving circle. There were a few people who came to visit and I had them walk around with me. It not only helps with shaking off the anesthesia and releasing any trapped gas, it also will help with everything inside going back into place. Water, walking, sleep all so good for healing. Oh, the other thing that helped me was sheer excitement. It's not like being in the hospital as a result of an accident or illness -- this was something I was choosing. Choosing myself and my healthy future! So I felt very excited and empowered. It's a tremendous step and I'm so happy I did it. Six months out now and I can't recall those early days of incisional pain or the difficulty getting up and down from bed, etc. Just take it easy, keep thanking yourself for what you're doing and know that you're not alone. And come tell us how you're doing! Best wishes for a great day tomorrow -- it will be one that you'll be marking in the years to come. New Chapter!

@@cfryer03 Tomorrow is my big day too! I'm nervous and really on edge. I'm trying to keep in mind all the reasons why I wanted this in the first place. I'm sure any one facing any sort of surgery feels some apprehension, so I need to relax.
I've been reading the posts here for several weeks and it looks like the great majority of bandsters do well. Even those who report some problems help me to know what to expect and how to cope, so stick around and we'll get though this! Good luck!

Hi all!!! I am schedule to be banded tomorrow and wanted to get my first post out so that I can hopefully get some support from the veterans that are on here. . I have to admit that I am starting to get a little nervous now!! I have been excited since I made the decision to do this, but today I am worried about the recovery and pain I may have after. Any post op surgery advice or words of encouragement would greatly appreciated! . I look forward to getting to know many of you. I am sticking to my belief that being on a site such as this can only be yet another "tool" to help me succeed!

Did you have to say Pop Tarts? strawberry Pop Tarts are my favorite, UGH, lol

Dlamp112 yep! Doing good! Had my one week follow up yesterday and got moved to mushies. 21 lbs down from the start of pre op diet. Pain is only present if I toss and turn in my sleep.

I had surgery on May 5th. Port pain will be the last pain to go away. Mine still hurts and is still swollen but have seen my doctor for follow-up and this is normal. Each day will get a little better. Sirena, you should probably still be taking your pain medication. I took it for almost a week.

well I know I've just lost 20 lbs. so far however I just had a NSV. My neighbor, whom I haven't seen since I started the pre-op diet two weeks ago, just saw me outside and said I looked great and looked like I had lost a little weight. I beamed and said yes, I'm trying to watch what I eat, lol. Just made me feel good so I thought I'd share. happy moment, can't wait for more moments like that