Sunta

I have read alot of accounts on here of women's periods being affected by the band. Most say they skip several months after surgery and then bleed heavily. If you do a search you should find some relevant threads. I would say, though, that if it doesn't clear up in the next month, to call your gyn.

What I'm hoping to say goodbye to: Chairs with arms that dig painfully into my thighs Booths at restaurants that press into my stomach Getting winded walking up a small flight of stairs Not being able to keep up with the rest of the office when we walk to get sushi and lagging two blocks behind Feeling like I am going to pass out from exhertion from walking with my boss to a client meeting Asking for a seatbelt extender on airplanes Traveling in Europe not being able to fit AT ALL into ANYTHING (bus seats, movie seats, theater seats, train seats!!!) Comments from strangers Exceeding the weight limit for a treadmill Not being able to take a bath because I can't fit into the tub Feeling like I'm choking when I lay on my back or side because the fat from my chest rolls onto my neck Swollen ankles Struggling to tie my shoes, paint my toenails, or put on socks Never being able to wear shorts in public Having to always wear stretch pants under my skirts so my inner thighs don't bleed from rubbing together Not giving a crap about my appearance because I'm so fat that who cares anyway Feeling like a sore thumb at parties Sweating in the winter Not being able to clean my house or wash dishes for an extended period of time Not being able to scrub the floor on my hands and knees, or thoroughly wash the tub because it's too tiring to bend over. Being hot in cold air conditioning And I'm sure I could think of a few more. Thanks for starting this thread!

Tammy, I can sympathize! What helped me the most was using Benefiber regularly. As a matter of fact, after just two days of use, my problem cleared up considerably. They make a non-thickening, no-flavor formula that you can mix into shakes or any drink. The most important thing is to drink alot of water during the day while you're taking it, like a minimum of 64 ounces. It works great!

I really think that many of us obese know more about health and nutrition than most nutritionists, dieticians, etc. I agree 100% I know the calorie counts of almost all foods by heart as well as the carb and fat counts. I know everything there is to know about almost every diet plan know to humankind! I often thought I could easily be a nutritionist and pass the test without even studying!

Thanks for the tip, I'm definitely going to check it out!

I needed a minimum of two weeks, and would have loved to have taken off three. There is no way I could have gone back any earlier than two weeks.

How about trying a supplement? I just bought a powdered supplement that claims to be the equivalent of 6 servings of vegetables in one scoop. Of course, there's nothing like the real thing, but if I could just make one ok-tasting shake a day and get all my veggies in, that would be great, just to ensure I'm getting proper nutrition. Otherwise, how about a delicious beef-vegetable soup? And don't forget that lettuce and tomatoe on sandwhiches is one serving of veggies. No need to serve plain veggies as a side-dish, why not try mixing them in with a meatloaf, making a low-fat zuchinni bread, or mashing some cauliflower with butter, salt and pepper? Mmmmm mmm! I also love Chinese chicken and veggies, and tons of ethnic foods that contain veggies. How about mushrooms and onions grilled in an omelet? Roasted pepper hummus, brocolli rabe with sharp provolone? There's no way these things taste gross! If you get creative there are so many ways to get veggies in.

I am not planning on giving up anything in moderation. I haven't had an adjustment yet though so I guess my band will tell me what I can and can't eat. But besides the actual demands of the band, I plan on having all my favorites that I can tolerate in much smaller portions. I believe in calories in, calories out. Just look at the French, they eat incredibly fatty pastries, cheese, cream sauces, and indulge in wine every single day, and yet they are thin. This is because they only ingest 1,200 per day on average! As their regular diet! Since I plan on counting calories, I see no reason why I should not have whatever I want as long as it fits into my daily calorie limit. As for exercise, I don't think I can lose weight without it, so I've been going to the gym every day. I hate it, but I see it as a necassary evil. The one thing I am trying to give up is carbonation, since it seems almost universally accepted that it has the potential to cause harm.

Tammy, no one knows how much I weigh except me and my doctors. My poor husband gave up on asking me years ago!

Should we do something after work one night instead? Could people make that?

Anyone? Anyone?

Hi Gang, Just checking in. Sigh. I lost NO weight this week. Ugh! I did just start on "soft solids" as per my nutritionist (chicken, turkey, fish, soft veggies, cheese, eggs, deli meats), so maybe that's why. I've been increasing my treadmill time at the gym every two days, and am up to burning 220 calories in 37 minutes. I am still sticking to around 1,200 calories a day and go for my first fill on April 5th. I can't wait! So far, the soft solids are heavenly! It's almost like being able to eat anything I want. I'm now in my sixth week and feeling just great aside from not losing any weight! Congratulations to everyone on their weight loss. JanetC, I am definitely going to take your advice and start measuring! Maybe that will make me feel better...

Hi Guys, Well, after reviewing my calendar, the first weekend I have open is May 20th!!! But, at least it's far enough in advance that maybe everyone will be available? It's a Saturday. Let me know! I think it would be really fun!

In order to try to ward off sagging skin, I'm following a regimine of: 1. Oil skin from inside: flax oil every day (1 tablespoon) 2. Oil skin from outside: firming lotion designed specifically for weight loss, and coconut oil (oily skin sags less than dry skin) 3. At least 64 ounces of Water every day for good hydration 4. Multivitamin designed specifically for skin (Olay Vitamins) 5. Exercise 6 days a week I have no idea whether or not this will work, but it's what I'm trying! I've lost 21 so far, and so far, no sagging skin LOL!

Hi Weight Watchers online is awesome! It's sooo easy to track points and it's only $16.95 per month! I used this during my pre-op diet to lose four pounds. I think it's a fantastic program. The Website is www.weightwatchersonline.com

Oh my! This weekend didn't go so well for me food-wise! I am just finishing up my fifth week post op (week six begins tomorrow) and am supposed to be on all mushies still. Well, I ended up eating (very small amounts of) cake, cold sesame noodles, and biscotti. None of these are mushy foods!!! Argh! I hope I didn't slip my band!!!!!!!!!! I am not proud of myself...

If only I could go in yet avoid the evil, evil lure of the munchkins...

Hi Everyone! Congrats to everyone on your fills! Everyone sounds like you're all doing fantastic! JerseyTammy: They make an adult strength liquid Tylenol you can get at your local pharmacy. I love it! I also love liquid Tylenol PM. I'm so glad it's Friday! I have a great weekend planned! Only thing is, I'm starving, starving, starving!!! Ooooh I wish mushies were over! I'm sooo tempted to cheat and eat some solids! I'm in my fifth week so I feel like I would be fine. Being hungry is the pits! I've been keeping myself strictly to 1,200 calories a day, but it's sooo hard. Well, I'm off to the gym, guys!

Ooooh whoops! Sorry about that everyone!!! That's a big whoops! Umm... Let me look at my calendar and find another date...

How about Sunday April 16th for lunch? Ooooh I'll be on solids by then! I know lots of restaurants around the city. Any particular cuisine you all like? I like everything. There's a fabulous Vietnamese place on Washington Avenue with great parking. Or if we wanted to go more basic we could hit American Diner at 5th and Spring Garden. If we do that we should go a bit later because it gets crowded for breakfast. Let me know what sounds good...

My doctor says 1/2 hour before and one hour after, but I have not followed the 1/2 hour before rule, because to me it does not make any sense. Usually I drink until a few minutes before. I have been very good about the one hour after rule though.

Hi Jeff, I have read alot of posts on the board saying that fills often take anywhere from 1-4 weeks to "kick in". I know it's frustrating, but there are many people on here who report getting their fill and then not having any restriction until a few weeks later. My advice is to wait two weeks, then if you're still not feeling anything, call Dr. Peters and tell him what's going on. So far, he's been super responsive to me whenever I have called. In the meantime while you're waiting, maybe you could try sticking to Weight Watchers? You can do it online and it's only $16.95 per month and is a great program. Keep me posted!

I'm so sorry to hear about your slip. At the same time, I am glad that it was fixed so quickly. I wonder if all doctors would fix it at the same time they remove the slipped band, or if it varies doctor to doctor. I think it's great you were able to have it fixed so quickly. Here's to a speedy and painless recovery!

What a huge relief! I am so happy for you! I definitely thought it was a slip based on the description and I'm so glad it wasn't! One question: how did the Dr. unblock the blockage? Did it just slip on through when he unfilled the band? Also, how are you feeling today?

Mmmm mmm Pat's and Gino's... Mmmmmmm mmmm mmmmm cheese...steak... roll.....onions....ketchup.......mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm What were we talking about? Oh yeah! Philly people! Let's get together! DAA, where do you work? Center city? I work in Northern Liberties, two blocks north of Spring Garden. JulieK, Collegeville isn't too far, is it? How about we get together one of these nice spring weekends on a Saturday or Sunday? We can have a bandster meal somewhere. I like diners because they have a good selection of mushies which I'm still on. Although if we wait two weeks or so I wil be on solids. What do you guys think?