kcintx

Bandfan1 No, I'm not a guy.. I started this venture January 10th.. surgery was on the 17th.. I probably lost about 12-15 pounds that week before the surgery.. I've stuck with the rules, 1 cup of food, sipping Water, and walking.. I'm really sure that my dropping pounds will slow down very soon.. I have 200 to lose, I doubt I'll get it all this year!! I'm trying to get my head with my stomach... I struggled yesterday, BIG TIME :redface: but today, I'm better. Start walking now, start introducing yourself to the 1 cup food, Proteins, sipping that water.. it hitting you all at once is going to be overwhelming..... Good luck!!

of course the more expensive ones dissolve better, some of the powders are grainy.. I use Fortess from Wal Mart.. I went to GNC also, the unflavored is more expensive.. but then anything at GNC is expensive.. Fortess is about 14 bucks.. WHEY or Soy protein... just WHEY is my pref..

ok.. I went for a fill saturday.. got 1.3cc in a 5cc band. The doc tells me that I have a 4cc band. (no 5cc band) I get home, following the 48 rule of liquids, soft food.. At first I could feel something, but about 4 hours later, nothing... I did what I was suppose to do.. Sunday nite, I get a bite of hubby's steak.. chew it up, and swallow... goes down with no problems. Then I eat monday am, no problems at all.. not feeling anything.. hmmmm I panic, call doc and go back, I think I need more.. He has a 7 day adjustment rule.. well he is leaving town thursday and I worry... so in I go.. He explains that I have 1/4 of what I need and I've lost over 1/4 of my weight... DUH!! What goes thru my head... my plate has food on it, a cup of whatever.. I finish that and then I am done.. so my brain says I'm full, but my stomach is not sending me that message... I'm not getting any action from the physical part of me, just my thinking.. The doc was really good at explaining that the two(brain/stomach) are working together.. I guess I'm paranoid, I don't have problems with PB'ing or any of that.. I get pressure sometimes, but thats cuz I don't chew enough... He told me that next fill he will show me what capacity is, what half is and now.. for me to feel the difference.. His patience alone, was enough to convience me that my paranoia is out in left field.. I don't have problems eating, so don't expect any... DUH! <-- again!! LOL I've started walking and that helps with my energy and of course the pounds coming off... I got some liquid Vitamins and oils.. The Herb store owner in town told me that my body needs the nutrition of the minerals etc.. other wise, its slowing down on the weight loss, going into protection mode, so it doesn't starve.(I'm talking my body here).. and some other stuff about my liver needing to get rid of the fat in it, before my other fat is used up.. mostly the body will use the muscle for energy instead of the fat... it stores up... So gang.. here is a start.. I waited long enough for this fill-- I WANT THE 200 POUNDS OFF TEN DAYS AGO!!!!!! LOL... like I said.. somewhere in left field... hang in there fellow bandsters!! the scale batteries are new !!!

I added vanilla protein powder to anything, even if it had protein in it... pack it in, unflavored just adds.. I used both.. some were thicker, some more 'sudsy'.....

I got an appointment for a fill finally! April 5, my hubby's birthday!! I'm soo ready, my incision boo-boo is 99% gone.. I've been having problems eating chicken and meat.. weird at this point.. I call myself chewing the life out of it, but somethings not letting it go down.. and I've really paid attention to drinking/eating.. that makes a big difference. We just got back from the big Easter egg hunt at son's and I was able to nibble on some treats.. with all the food, I was glad to see potato salad, since everything else was to hard or bulky to eat, once again the hamburgers and chicken off the pit.. Looking forward to Soup tonite.. I'm down 53 pounds and then gain 2 pounds back.. I guess thats the normal for now.. FILL <-- here I come!! How is everyone?

thanks Dr. Garwood.. I found you on the internet and called, got the new number and talked with Janice.. Fill date set!! YEPPIE!!!

ok.. I've read all this.. and I was SOOOOO there just a few weeks back.. Girl, hang in there, you're gonna be fine.. Your decision is yours, but make it be the right one. Stay focused, review your own questions and find your answers... No matter what, support is here.. I read it daily, good or bad... remember to breathe!!!

ok.. oops.. thanks marivi... the fill doc in Bryan/College Station. does anyone know the address? Dr. Garwood?

This is a good thread.. I read all of it, and find I'm not the only one.. Thanks Ang!! I guess sometimes we need to hear from someone else whether we're doing good or not.. This morning, hubby called me skinny.. I smiled so hard!! He's never called me that, even when I truly was a size 8.. I cried on the way to work.. This is going to be the new me.. cravings for sugar, wanting that slice of bread, seeing donuts dancing in my dreams!! It's going to be ok.. I can do this.. Easier than before, I have support, I have all of you and I have this great band that is going to keep me in check.. My incision boo-boo is sooo much better today, every morning its getting closer to being closed.. So I'm looking at the calendar for a fill date. I can't wait.. I think at some point during the day, I eat something fast, big mouth full, just to see if it will hurt.. to remind me that its there.. Soooo, I work in a small medical dept of a large system.. I got the lady to xray me!! AND ITS SOOO AWESOME, I HAVE A PIC OF MY PORT AND BAND.. I brought it home and hung it in the bathroom, so I can see it!!!!!! Nukchik.. good the fill.. 6pounds works great!! way to go....

do you know the address of his office? I can't get Janice to call me back..

I see that I'm not the only one.. whew!! I've done good 48 pounds down, but I want the 100 NOW !! I've lost and regained the same 2 pounds every week.. then one week it will be 3 pounds gone. I can't get a fill until this incision place is healed.. So my will power is fueling me, but I can eat anything, as long as I chew the fun out of it.. It's discouraging at times.. and the mirror doesn't help.. I do feel the difference in my clothing.. but dangit I want it to show more.. I'm down a size plus.. inbetween, new panties, which was kinda fun.. bra getting loose.. inpatient?? yep... I'll drink some more water, that usually makes me feel better...

most folks just don't get it.. After a couple of times trying to share my knowledge of my choice, they don't get it.. I quit and just smile, nodding my head slowly.... I was taught to respect those that are 'touched'.... LOL I'm working on pure 'will power' right now, won't have a fill for another month or so due to opened area of incision, that needs to heal.. So I sure don't want some size 4 in my face about blah blah blah.. I've got the hard core will power that is going to help this band change my life..... LOL

Bless those who are STUPID!! I get so tired of the comments about this diet, that diet, have you tried exercising, you should do what I did, as they sit there and eat the 5th donut.. Plezzzzzz !! Do some folks REALLY think they are the weight guru's of the world? Most folks that give me their input, whether I want it or not, are those than HAVE ABSOLUTELY no idea whats it like being in my body, living my life, struggling with weight, cuz if they did... I get more high 5's and less lip from 'em!!! We ARE ON THE ROAD.. either travel with us, or get the hell out of the way!!!

I went to Mexico, Dr. Rumbaut.. its was a great experience. I do support the 'find a fill doctor first' route.. Any of the doctor's offices should be able to give you a fill doctor in your area. Good luck..

I snored like a train.. now its not as bad, so I've been told by hubby.. which I'm glad.. Its embarrassing to go off with a bunch and nobody can sleep, becuz the train is on the track !! LOL

You've eaten a cookie once a week? is that it? gezz I've done worse!! You will come into yourself with the band in time.. I've been preached to by some really interesting folks.. some heavier than I ever thought of being, some thinner that I'll ever want to be... The best part is getting together with yourself and finding just the space you need to be in.. I was banded in January.. I struggle, I want to eat, I want to drink a glass of water, not sip it, I want it all and be a size 8!! but I ain't stupid either.. I can dream, and those dreams are turning into distance clouds.. I've lost 44 pounds (before & after surgery).. I'm stuck I think. I won't have a fill for a couple more weeks. I have an incision sore that needs to heal, so my fill may be later.. I'm using pure will power to keep to my task.. So I've eaten chips, ice cream, some junk food <-- as I would call it.. So don't beat yourself up, you're doing good, you had the surgery, you're starting out.. NO ONE is perfect here, hang in there, find your space to get balanced with what is going on... you've had surgery.. nothing is perfect starting out.. I'm still trying to find that spot in the bed where I can sleep comfy.. and sometimes sitting (riding in a car) is difficult.. I understand that a pound a week is average.. I'm hoping for that. I didn't do that before the surgery.. I could gain a pound in a week, if not more.. I just started exercising, I haven't had the energy. I know it will all come to me, just like it will come to you.. Hang in there.. That sweet spot is coming.. be patience and just start tomorrow again and everyday after if you have to.. You'll get there...

I'm afraid my friends are going to become the "Food Police".. which I truly don't need.. My hubby is very supportive, he helps with the cooking and tries to fix food I can have or at least I can get down. He walks with me and if I eat something that doesn't go down right, he's right there in case.. Now as for the friends.... they watch my intake, commenting the whole time, counting the chews and bites.. gezzz I try to stay positive with them,, but dang... I didn't do this, to be dogged.. I can handle it.. I'm learning to restructure my eating.. so to my friends... SHUT UP!! IF I WANT YOUR NOSE IN MY PLATE, I'LL ASK YOU... LOL

ok pangs?? yep, as I watch my coworkers eat pizza and Subway sandwiches.. pangs? oh hell yea!! I visualize myself reaching across the table, giving them a jack slap, taking a bite.. and act like nothing happened.. but then the smile creeps back and I think.... in the months to come.. Also, someone here mentioned.. losing 20 pounds and can't see it in the mirror. I have that problem to, I've lost over 40, and I don't see it.. I do feel it, moving around, clothes are looser, but in the mirror is still that same ol' fat person... I know I'm doing good, but the mirror is not showing me that yet... I know this will get better, I eat my cup of food, I won't have a fill till next month.. sometimes, I wonder if the band is really there.. I don't feel anything, but then some meals I can't finish, and sometimes in the morning I have to make myself eat/drink that Protein.. I want to see it, I want to know its there... my hubby laughs and tells me.. " Of course, its there, I've got the cancelled check to prove it!!!" I can do this, I can do this... it works it works...

hey all... banded 17th.. I'm down #39 and pretty much staying with that.. I don't feel any restriction, but I do notice after I eat, say 30mins.. I feel yuck.. like its all right there between my boobs!! I've had a hard time with the protein, yuck.. today I got to move to mushies, so I'm looking forward to biting into something soft instead of drinking it!!

my port area and one other place hurts.. like a burning/stinging feeling? does anyone else have this. today I did my Protein shake and Jello at lunch.. fought all afternoon not to puke.. over did it.. tonite I did 1/4 cup of milk by sipping.. ugh.. duh! like I didn't know better.. gas pains are easing up, but not completely gone yet.. ugh again!! tomorrow will be better.. and yes I'm like you.. Protein shakes gag me now.. hmmm

HEY HEY HEY !! ITS DONE!! YEPPIE !! The 17th flew by, I didn't have any problems with nausea. A little light headed but that passes quickly. I got up and walked that evening and again that night. Lots of soreness, some little pain at the puncture areas, but today that's a whole bunch better. I was given a binder to wear, with high BMI, Dr. Rumbaut suggested it, to help with Fluid that accumilated in the tissue area around the port. Accually it fills pretty good to wear. Bending over seem to be the challenge at this moment! LOL Dear friend earned her gold star for being my baby sitter during the stay.. I'm glad that is behind.. No restriction feeling, but it doesn't take much to fill full. doing the one cup drinking or meal as instructed.. sipping on fluids. Arrived in Monterrey on Wednesday at noon, was delayed due to fog, panic set in, but made calls and was assured they would wait on me, regardless the time I arrived. The taxi drive was wild!! They have one rule: "GO" !! LOL... was dehydrated at the office, which they recognized very quickly.. did all the test quickly and then sat me down with liquids.. I didn't get a chance for fuilds while waiting to land and nothing for 4 hours before testing, which had passed 5 hours prior!! flights were early am, so by the time I got to the office late afternoon, I was pretty much walking on air.. LOL The staff was wonderful.. The hospital was beautiful, staff great. I stayed at the Hampton Inn, very nice and safe... I can't say enough about how great everything went.. I'm ready for whats next.. !! oh! I've gotten another 10pounds off.. !! WOOHOOOOOO !!!

I'm on the 17th too!! I'm really excited and nervous.. It can only get better !! YEPPIE !!

Glad you're back and all went so well. I'm even more glad to hear about Dr. Rumbaut and staff...I'm really nervous, getting packed.. Will start clear liquids tomorrow.. so far I've dropped 23 pounds since I weighed 12/21/07..

I got the ult. fortress from Wal Mart. chocolate and Vanilla.. (over 40g of protein) mixes well. Then went to GNC and got an unflavored one, 17g protein to use in soups, broth.. not great, but very do-able..

I'm throwing in a book ... I didn't finish either!! a deck of cards.. lots of lip balm.. I heard that your lips are extremely dry thru all this.. a warm pair of socks..