Chrisann

Ang, everyone loses it at different rates, so don't worry about it. Slow means your skin can retract, and any weight loss is great.

JoMarie, I am single and live alone, granted, I spent the week after surgery with my parents, who then went back to Florida. I was in hell for almost 3 weeks after surgery, between the gas, pain, itching, body reactions, inability to swallow, couldn't sleep or roll over in bed. My best friends became the heating pad, and the pain pills. I had a reaction that happens to less than 5% of lap band people, and I would still do it all over again. This is the best thing I have ever done to help me lose the weight.

Just had my 3rd fill this past Thursday, .6cc's, giving me 5.60 cc's in my 10cc band. So far, the restriction is great, and I am on mushies today, so have to see when I hit the solids on Monday..

If you were on pre surgical liquid diet, and liquids since the surgery, you have nothing in your intestines to pass as solids. The gas you are passing is both the gas from the surgery and gas from the Protein in the liquids. When you are ready to go though, you will know, because it will hit you like a ton of bricks and you have to practically run to the bathroom.:cheers2:

I was a mess for a week after the surgery, and then had complications like itching, swelling, body reaction, etc, for several weeks after. But now, just over 2 months after surgery, I wouldn't change what I did. My doc suggested I stay on Clear liquids for 10 after surgery because of the pain, I used the heating pad all the time, and took advantage of the pain pills at night. I was miserable, but its so worth it.:cheers2:

Got my 3rd fill yesterday, .6cc's bringing me to 5.60 cc's in my 10cc band. She said I am close to my optimal restriction, but wants to do it slowly at this point. I am happy with the weight loss so far, can't complain. Down two sizes in clothes. I used to fear something called Easter Pie at my house. Its ricotta, eggs, mozzarella cheese, grated Italian cheese, fried Italian sausage and ham, baked in a pie shell. Since I will be on mushy foods until Sunday, I can actually eat a small portion of this. In the past, I would eat huge amounts.

I was in hell the first week after being banded, and then had complications for a few weeks afterwards. I used to sit in the recliner with my knees up to my chest with a heating pad on my abdomen and a pillow on top of the that. I also had the hernia repaired, and never even knew I had one. The gas was painful, and I couldn't get it out, not from walking, the gas x, or the heating pad. I was miserable I took the serious pain pills at night and I was knocked out for 15 hours!! That was the only serious rest I got. My doc had me on Clear liquids for longer than most, and I couldn't get those down cleanly either, I was a mess. But, it does eventually improve, ever so slowly. Now I am almost 3 months out and would do it all over again.:shades_smile:

Leather, I flew after my second fill in February. I was fine on the plane. Had decaf tea, and a South Beach Protein bar that I dipped in the tea to soften it up. I was gone only 12 days though, and had my third fill yesterday. With you being banded only over 8 weeks when you get that fill, I would also see if there is a doc in Alaska in the event you need a fill because I think it takes a few fills to get the sweet spot and if you aren't filled enough it might cause you some eating problems. I am still on liquids after my 3rd fill, and I am feeling that tightness after sipping Propel. I am kind of afraid to move onto to mushies tomorrow.

Well its nice to see Brooklyn people here. I was trying to find a support group in Brooklyn and haven't had any luck. Maribel, I think you were next to me in the room, because I was the one sick all night and with the TV on until after midnight, and you were the one who never got out of bed.....

Well congratulations, its well worth the journey!!!

I burp more than I ever did, but haven't noticed any difference in the other direction. I hear my body rumbling more though when I am laying down.

Wow, isn't it amazing how fast it hits?? I know the time I did that I felt better instantly afterwards. Was it that way for you?

Carry a small pad with you and write down what you eat, as close to size as possible, worry about the calories later if you don't know them. That way you will see what is going in your mouth when you are feeling the way you do. Make sure there are none of your triggers in the house. Portion size the meat and fish before you freeze it so you take out the right size, even if you don't feel like measuring that night. Your brain will eventually kick in. I lost 6 pounds on vacation, and nothing in the 10 days I have been home, so I started charting the food again.

Boy do I agree with you. I have the magic mirror in my house. I look at it, and look fine. Once out in the world, I look again and wow, I am fat!!:thumbup: Then took the photos for the doctor too. The front shot wasn't too bad, but the shot from the side? OMG, I never realized how big my arms were. Right then and there, took the weight loss Quest seriously.

I get nauseous in the evening if I don't have a good protein lunch. Then I force myself to get some protein based food down and it goes away. But its an ugly feeling to get, especially when I am on the subway.....

Wow, that sucks. Me, I am a crazy bitch, I would have gone down there, because I was scheduled and those around me sacrificed their time and had it approved. I wouldn't go through surgery alone some other day and I would demand they work around my schedule. I am crazy like that, because I hate being inconvenienced because of someone else. Good luck and hang in there. I hope you will have your family with you.:biggrin:

I am not spending money on "good" clothes, meaning, I am not buying the work suits, and dresses that I used to buy in Lord and Taylors. I went on vacation in Florida and went to Bealls Outlet and Ross. Found great designer stuff for little $$. I can get away with the larger sized tops, but my pants have been falling off so had to buy them.

I started the process, in September 2007. Met with the psychologist in Brooklyn, had my first office appt, end of September with Dr. Ren, and had my surgery scheduled for January 21. Went back for another appt in October. On December 14th, got a call that my surgery was being cancelled on January 21st, and they moved me to December 31st. So, from my initial contact with Dr. Ren's office to my surgery, it was alittle over 3 months. When I consulted with Dr. Ren, she even called my parents while I was in the office so we could all discuss the surgery. My doctors files showed several years of weight loss attempts, so I didn't need the 6 months. I have been very happy so far.

I was regular 28 days on the money for as long as I can remember, and on the day of my surgery I got it, 4 days early. I wore a pad and the hospital stretchy undies for the surgery. It was fine. Now, since then, my period is coming regularly every 24 days. Go figure....

I was told no caffeine immediately after surgery, and during the first several weeks, but now I get in about 18oz a day, or two larger cups. IN reality for me, I actually don't get hungry when I am drinking coffee. I know that for every coffee I drink, I also drink an equal amount of extra water.

I realized this morning that my next fill is next Thursday, and I will be on a liquid diet for my nephew's birthday party on Saturday and on mush for Easter Sunday. I was on liquid for all the Christmas parties, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day, and had my surgery on New Years Eve. So, I am missing another holiday....:angry_smile:. I am cooking for both the party and Easter.:cursing:

Been on solids since the first week of February. I get in 5-7oz of fish, 5-8oz meat, cottage cheese, yogurt, grapefruit, or other antioxident fruits, slimfast in the AM, vegetables, Protein shakes here and there, stuff like that. For example, I get Smart Ones frozen dinners with only meat and veggies. My favorite is Turkey medallions w/Mushroom Gravy and veggies, 200 cal, 10g fat, 18g protein. I get the greek yogurt, so that is 180 cal, 0g fat, 15g protein. You know full bodied Proteins. I try to keep my fat to 35-40g a day. I am losing about a pound a week, so I am happy with my progress.

I was scheduled for January 21, 2008 and I was moved up to December 31, 2007. I resisted it for about an hour, and then just accepted it. It turned out to be a good move.

Went through JFK, Tampa, Orlando, Newark, in last two weeks and had no problems.

Isn't it just the best feeling?:grouphug::eek: I went through my research mourning the food that I wouldn't be able to eat, and thought I would be under 1000 calories for the rest of my life. Just doing 1200 a day has done wonders to my psyche.