lovekatz1975

My appointment with the nutritionist was about 4 weeks after my psychologist appointment. And then my appointment with Dr. Ren was another 2 weeks later. And surgery was 4 weeks after that.

Dr. Ren is my surgeon. I had my banding done 10/1/07. To date I've lost 71 pounds. The whole team is amazing!

5 months out, a bunch of fills and 1 unfill, I'm down 71 pounds. I'm also down 4 sizes in pants, 2 sizes in shirts and a whole cup in my bra. I am no longer a risk for diabetes, my numbers are back in normal range. And I feel FABULOUS!!

I also was going to suggest thinning it out. After surgery I would thin mine out 1 part slimfast to 1 part milk. After I get my fills, I still thin it out, 1 part slimfast to 1/2 part milk.

My 52 pound loss has brought me from a 44DD to a 42D. :tongue2:

I've basically cut out all bread type items - bread, bagels, english muffins, regular muffins, pancakes, etc. I do eat rice (when I have sushi) and I do eat Pasta. I also eat all the other garbage, Cookies, cake, pie, ice cream, chips. I guess I just got scared when I went to the seminar and they said bread will get stuck. I had a bad experience with broccoli bread, I got sick 5 times. After that I decided never again. Honestly, I really don't miss the bread.

I never measure my food. It depends on what I'm eating. I've learned about how much of a particular food I can eat. For instance, I can eat 3/4 of a chicken breast, 3/4 of a pork chop... Last night I had a large wendy's chili with cheese in it. I ate 3/4 of it was was STUFFED.

I personally wouldn't eat them because of the carb content. I like to eat a breakfast of either eggs or the weight control oatmeal.

Depends on if the rice is cooked the right way. When it is nice and firm, I have no problems. If it is too mushy, it gets stuck. My surgeon recommended eating sushi because of the high Protein content.

The one thing that really changed for me, I've been breaking out REALLY BAD during my TOM. Up until 1 year ago, I never got my cycle. Sounds crazy, but after I left my husband, 3 weeks later I started getting it again on a 4-6 schedule. Since I got the band I've been on a 4 week schedule. Oh yeah, I've also been getting REALLY moody when I'm ovulating. I get very depressed, crying all the time, then I get really nasty...I should talk to my doctor about this.

Honestly, I wouldn't worry about it if you didn't lose anything or even gained a few pounds while you are quitting smoking. The weight will come off and you will be healthier because you quit. When I quit, I lost one pound that month. I was upset, but my doctor pointed out, I QUIT SMOKING! She told me most people gain at least 10 pounds from quitting. And I lost a pound!! That made me feel better and I moved on.

I've never had a problem eating pasta. I eat it all, rigatone, ravioli, whatever I want! Pasta e Fagioli is my favorite, I eat that a few days after I have a fill done.

When I quit I was hungry all the time. I quit 1 1/2 months after my surgery. I had basically no restriction. I ate. Eventually that "hunger" feeling went away. I haven't had a cigarette in almost 3 months now, and I've lost about 30 pounds since I quit smoking. Good luck. It's hard but you'll get through it.

My band feels loose as anything and I crave sweets the week before and the week of my period. Mine just ended yesterday, I have no appetite today.

I used to drink diet pepsi every day with lunch. I've had soda 3 times since surgery. I just let it go flat. You lose that craving after not having it. Honestly, being thin and healthy is a lot more important to me than drinking soda.

Mix up some ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese and tomato sauce in a bowl, microwave it for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Delicious!!

Spinach gives me a problem too, unless I'm close to my next fill. Doctor's office said that this is because spinach is "stringy".

Absolutely use the NYU team. Dr. Ren did my surgery. They are the leaders in lap banding.

I forgot to add, I still have problems with constipation. Just drink as much fluids as you possibly can. And move your body. This is what the doctor's office told me to do.

I also had a high BMI. I was able to sleep on my right side right away, but it bothered me to sleep on my left side. Now, 4 months out, I have no problem at all, I even sleep on my stomach. By the way, Dr. Fielding is awesome. Dr. Ren did my surgery.

Any updates yet? I'm sitting on the edge of my chair waiting!! LOL

I went for my 4th fill this past Wednesday and lost 10 pounds in 4 weeks. My new grand total is 52 pounds since September 17, 2007.

I went in for my 4th fill today. I lost 10 pounds bringing my grand total to 52 pounds lost since September 17th!

I'm definitely not regretting it. I would do it all over again 500 times if I had to. I'm 3 1/2 months out and I've lost 52 pounds.

I tend to cut my meat into smaller pieces than I used to, but anything else I eat is the same as before surgery.