gentlespirit

Congratulations! That was quick...hope everything continues to go smoothly! Emily

Congratulations!! It's exciting and a little scary all at the same time, isn't it? Hope everything goes well for you and that your recovery is smooth and gas free!! Emily

Hi~ I'm just 50 and was banded Jan. 24. I've lost 30 pounds so far and have not had any problems...knock on wood! I have had one fill but didn't notice an difference from it (1 cc in a 4cc band). I am careful to eat slowly and chew extremely well and am still measuring my food out because I tend to eat more than I probably should at one sitting...I avoid the worrying about it by just measuring. I started at 330 pounds and am hoping to get down to 200, so we're in the same situation. 200 sounds like a lot, but I'm a tall woman with a big frame, and I'd look good at that weight. I know there are people older than I am here , so hopefully some of them will respond to your question. Emily

I tried the Peanut Butter chocolate South Beach Protein bars and disliked them intensely! I thought they were like chewing on a mouthful of gravel, and I could only choke down about a third of one. I gave them to my soon-to-be-banded sister to try. Haven't heard her opinion. Wish I liked them, because they would be a nice switch from Protein drinks, but I'll have to give these a miss. Emily

Congratulations! Give yourself time to heal and take it easy...this is just the beginning of the journey... Emily

I have discovered that I can eat half of a turkey breast wrap at Subway...wouldn't try the bread, but thought I'd try the tortilla, and as long as I chewed really well, it went down fine. Other than that, I haven't eaten fast food since banding and don't eat Ramen noodles at all.

Jess, he's adorable!!! I can't have a dog where I live, but if I could I'd want one just like him. Enjoy~ Emily

At my first appointment with the dietician, I told her I was concentrating on getting in my Protein, and she told me not to do that...to put protein, veggie, and starch/carb on my plate and alternate bites. However, I am not really following her advice...I do what Susan does...protein first and then veggies. I find I don't usually have room for carbs in any significant amounts, so I suppose in a way I'm still doing Atkins. And I also allow myself a treat of some sort every few days. Good luck with your journey! Emily

Way to go! You should b e so proud...and I'm proud of you and can't wait to join you! Emily

Hi, Judy~ I'm only a couple of months out from surgery and have lost 25 pounds without feeling miserable or deprived or starved. I know I'm not far into it, but I would do it again in a heartbeat. I have hope that I'll be healthy and thinner now, and hope is a priceless thing! Good luck with your decision. Emily

Thanks for your post, Tommy...as someone out only 2 months from surgery, I need to be reminded that this really does work. And congratulations on the weight loss! You are doing fantastic. Emily

I can't wait until Kellie is gone...she really grates on me. No one could actually be that naive and innocent...I hope she'll go soon! I missed the performances this week (my mom is in the hospital) but watched the results show. I think Mandisa is gorgeous as well as having a spectacular voice. ANd I loved it that she stood up for herself when Simon made the comments about her size way in the beginning. I hope she wins... Emily

Sending you good thoughts...I'm so sorry you're having all this trouble. Hopefully things will sort themselves out. Emily

So sorry to hear about your problem, but I'm glad you're home and recuperating. Take care and be gentle with yourself~ Emily

What a fun NSV! You should feel terrific about it. I can't wait till I look that much different, too! Emily

I have BC/BS of Minnesota and have been wondering the same thing. Two fills are included in the surgery cost but after that they are billed. I'll have to find out, I guess, but I would think if they're going to pay the expensive surgery they would cover what's actually going to make the thing work. Emily

I've noticed that I don't cook much anymore (live alone)...it's just not worth the work when you can eat so little at one time anyway. I make a good healthy Soup once a week and use that for one meal a day and just do pick-up stuff for the other meals like refried Beans, salsa and cheese or cottge cheese and a little fruit...it satisfies me and I love not cooking! IF I could only be as indifferent to chocolate!! I need to stop the goodies entirely and after a few days the cravings just go away. Sounds easy, doesn't it ?! Emily

Since I started this at 330 pounds, it takes more weight loss to show, and I 've been wondering if/when anyone would notice a difference. I went into an antique shop on my lunch hour yesterday, and the first thing the proprietor said was "You've lost weight!" I could have hugged her! She was the first person who noticed...probably because we haven't seen each other for several months. What a lift to my spirits and determination that was!:clap2: I also noticed a couple of days ago that my watch, which would barely latch a couple of months ago, is actually loose enough to slide all the way around on my wrist on its own. Can't notice a difference in my clothes yet, but I have always worn looser clothing than many people. It will come, I know. But I just had to share my two NSVs with people who would understand! Emily

Crystal~ You are such a wise woman...your posts are always so insightful and thought provoking. Thanks for sharing your wisdom. Emily

Congratulations! Be gentle to yourself and allow time to heal. Emily

My family and dearest friends. And the thing I think about every morning when I get up...that I am not paralyzed. I was in a horrible car accident 11 years ago, and the spinal trauma surgeon at Mayo Clinic was absolutely amazed that I wasn't a quadraplegic...he said he had never seen that kind of injury where that wasn't the outcome. I KNOW it was a miracle and that God allowed me to walk so that I could finish raising my two sons on my own. That I have a job I like (most days!) that allows me to support myself. That I was able to get my band and that insurance paid for all but $2500 of it. So many things that I take for granted and don't even think of until someone asks a question like this. I am truly blessed. Emily

Doesn't matter how it went...it's GONE! Way to go! It helps our motivation to see results right away. Congratulations! Emily

I was wondering the same thing...I don't feel full where I think my pouch is, but lower down in my abdomen below where the pouch would be. I have only 1cc in a 4cc band, so maybe it goes through fairly quickly still... Emily

Being depressed has nothing to do with how good your life is...it's a chemical imbalance and, as others have said, it needs to be treated just like diabetes or any other disease. I have been on Lexapro for a couple of years, and it's been a lifesaver...I feel like I have myself back. I would encourage you to talk frankly with your doctor; the only thing I would caution you about is that if you have thoughts of hurting yourself, I wouldn't admit that because they can (if they feel it's warranted) have you put in a psych ward for evaluation. But do let your doc know that it's interfering with your ability to function normally. There are so many meds out there that might help, and sometimes it takes awhile to find the right one for you...but it is so worth it. Hugs to you and I hope yu're feeling better before too long! Emily

I think her actions were toally inappropriate...especially when she was speaking from a position of no experience with the band and apparently not even bothering to get the facts straight. I don't think a support group is supposed to "badger" attendees about their choice but support everyone in their weight loss journey. I wouldn't go back, if it were me. This site was and continues to be such a great resource for me, and I feel that I went into my surgery with very realistic expectations due to what I had found here. Hopefully your surgeon will accept this as your support group. Good luck! Emily