luvmy2dogs

I know I should just tell everyone I had the band, but I guess I just don't think it's everyones business. I don't want to hear "Oh, you took the easy way out" because this is certainly NOT the easy way. I have struggled eating the right things, and giving up the bad things I love. I certainly have not found it easy. So, I'm afraid if someone said that, I might punch them out. hehheeee

Hi Pat, Great to hear from you. Do you not eat steak because you can't or because you choose not to. So far, I don't have any problem eating anything. Nothing gets stuck. As far as telling the hostess I'm dieting, I did that. Sometimes that doesn't work. They said "Oh, you can cheat one day, etc" I just ignored it and ate the amount I should have. Also, I do eat breat, but only whole grain. I have one piece of wheat bread with Peanut Butter for Breakfast every single morning. I think everyone is different. I also think the new realize band is a little more forgiving with that. I hear things don't get stuck quite as much. But.. who knows, just what I hear. I think everyone is just different. I try to never eat white breads, Pasta, etc... I really try to stick to the food I should eat, and avoid the ones I shouldn't. I do also have wine now and again, so... :-) Oh, I do have a question. I had a fellow bandster tell me we shouldnt' drink milk, because it's a liquid calorie. What are your thoughts on this? I drink a glass of milk every evening. Skim of course, but I drink it. Dr. T never told me I couldn't have milk. What do you guys think?

There... I fixed it. Just one ticker. lol

GREAT JOB GINA!! Geez, why the heck can't I get rid of one of these tickers. I'm showing two. I'm always having issues with these things. hahahahha:tongue2:

HI, You MUST go in to this thinking that this IS just a tool. It IS NOT a miracle worker. It's very different from gastric bypass. Suzie explains all of this in your 3 hour food meeting. She explains it well, by saying that with gastric you WILL pretty much lose all your weight. If you eat the sweets surgar, etc... you will get sick. Therefore, most don't eat it. We, with the band CAN eat it if we choose. She says with gastric you have to make good food choices later, not at first, cause you will lose it. With the band, you have to make good food choices right from the start, because we CAN eat the bad stuff. We don't have as much restriction from the start as the gastric folks do. I always wondered what they meant by this being just a tool, and I have now seen it. You MUST make the food choices. The deiting IS much easier with the band, as you don't get as hungry, and you fill up sooner. It is a tool that helps you in that way. A great one if I might say. Think about how difficult it was dieting with no band, and always feeling hungry. If you ate 1000 calories a day without the band, you would feel hungry constantly, therefore falling off the wagon much easier. But.. with the restriction of the band, it makes it much easier, but you still have to diet and eat the right foods, and exercise. It's NOT going to take the weight off without doing that. You can eat all the crap you want on the band, and you're not going to lose the weight, or you're going to put it back on later if you go back to your regular eating habits. Not to sound harsh, but it will happen. I've seen it happen with so many of my friends. I've also seen it happen with many gastric bypass patients. You have to make the commitment to not let it happen. Otherwise, don't have the surgery. I know that sounds harsh, but it's the truth. I met a guy at one of my fills that said "If I could only stay away from the Milkshakes" EEEEEEK! You can eat candy and milkshakes with the band, just like you can without it. It doesn't limit the items you eat. But... if you do, you will not lose the weight, or you will gain it back. You have to make the decision from the start that you are willing to give these things up, or eat them in moderation. Not saying you'll never be able to have that milkshake again, but it you do it regularly like now, and eat the same things you do now, you wont lose the weight. I'm only 4 months out, so certainly not the pro., but have seen how this is just a tool, and you still have to make the right food choices. Just like a diet. Only you're not starving all the time while you're on it. That's the best way to describe it. A diet that you're not hungry on. Trust me, it does help. It's a great tool. But... the willpower also comes in to play. There is still cake, and candy, and milkshakes, and Pasta, etc... out there. You WILL want them. It doesn't take away your desire for them. You must push them away and say no. It's easier to do this if you're not starving. Sometimes I struggle. I love sweets. But.. I know if I eat them, this band will not work for me. I am petrified of gaining the weight back. I said this to Dr. T. He says it's good to feel scared. The more scared you are, the more you're willing to push the bad foods away, and the better care of yourself you'll take. But... if you go into this thinking it's a miracle and you're just going to lose weight automatically, its not going to happen. And.... I have seen, you may struggle for the first couple fills. I did. You may not. Everyone is different, and you may be hungry for awhile. You have to fight it. It does get better. Gina... sometimes I feel like I don't get full too, and just stop myself when I think I had enough. I think I've discussed this with you. People say this will change as I get to my so called "sweet spot" with my fills. But.. I just keep thinking back to my husband saying "Is this as hard as dieting on 1000 calories or less without the band" I say "NO" I would be starving. I'm not starving. Sometimes I don't even get hungry and it's like 2:00 and I say "Wow, I need to eat" hahahh Can you imagine that happening without the band? So.. It does hlep. My second fill helped a lot. I don't get hungry in between meals at all. You will stray and have a few things you're not supposed to. But.. you'll get right back on if you see the scale not moving. Dr. T also says that those that weigh themselves regularly, do better. They stay more disciplined. Anyway, the band is great. You will love it, and you will do great. But... you also have to go into this thinking you will have to diet. It definitely is just a tool. It's a great one. Good Luck! You'll do fine. Those that have gained their weight back, I'm sure will tell you, they eat bad things again, and have changed some of their eating habits back to the old ways. Hey, I'm not saying I'm always going to do great, I'm just saying I'm scared to gain it back, so I'm going to do my best not to, and follow the eating rules. :-) that's really all you can do. Sorry for the book girls! hee hee Hope everyone is doing well. Janice

Hi Gina, Great to see you! Good to see this thread is finally picking back up for the New Year. This must be our year!!GOOD FOR YOU doing the 5 day pouch test. It does look intense. I don't know if I could go back to those liquids. Hi all, welcome to the new year! EEEK! I still don't have full restriction. I keep thinking something is wrong with me. I'm at 7cc in my 9cc band, and 3 1/2 months out. I feel like I'll be to my max fill in my band by 6 months, and not have lost my weight. Does anyone else feel like that. That is my biggest fear. I still don't have full restriction at 7cc. Or to the "Sweet Spot" as everyone talks about. I still feel like a lot of this is will power and obsessive exercise. I did great over the Holidays. Didn't cheat much food wise, but did have some wine with family a few days. Never made those Christmas Cookies, so I didn't graze on that stuff. I had my first challenge this past Sat. night with eating, when a friend invited us to dinner. I haven't told anyone I was banded other than a couple immediate family members, and one friend. This friend has us over and couldn't have made the worst possible food for being banded. UGH! For starters was Italian wedding Soup. The bowl was enourmous!!! Full of meatballs. I ate the soup, and was incredibly stuffed. It was a full meal sized bowl. Then she brought these Adult Grilled cheese sandwiches made of Italain bread and all kinds of bad stuff. She got the recipe off the family channel. I saw them come to the table and about croaked, thinking... I can't eat ANY of that. Plus, I was stuffed from the soup. Then... that's not all... She brought out these Italian sausages wrapped in pizza dough. She called them pigs in a blanket. I think she made everything she saw on the food network that day. Oh, and to top it all off.... I had brought a bottle of wine, and she didn't open it, but made these Kaluah heavy cream chocolate liquor drinks. OK.... How in the world do you get around a situation like this when you haven't told anyone you were banded. I did say I was dieting, ate the soup, and picked at a tiny bit of sausage from the pigs in a blanket, and pushed the grilled cheese around on my plate before my husband finally came to the rescue saying "I'll help you with some of that, I'm still hungry" THANK HEAVENS FOR HUSBANDS! Anyway. I want to know how to handle this situation next time. I don't want to be rude and not eat what they make, but.... I felt like she thought I didn't like it. I WAS JUST STUFFED! OMG. The bowl of soup was enormous! Any advice for next time? Again, food could not have been much worse than that for a dieter. EEK! Also, how many calories should we actually be eating in a day? Sorry for the book! ha ha Welcome back everyone and to the newbies. Let's keep this thread alive this year! It's great support. Terri, I exercise every day as well. Either on my elliptical, or my Turbo jam aerobic tape. It's an awesome tape by the way if anyone is interested. It's by Beach Body. beachbody.com They are awesome!

HELLLLOOOOO! Anybody out there hahahahah where in the world is the Hampton Roads Peninsula people? Well, I have my 2nd fill today, and I'm soooo ready for it. I'm down just about 40 lbs. How is everyone doing! Does everyone have their shopping done?

Hi Harley, Great to hear from you. Thanksgiving went well for me. I had a bunch of family here, so the eating was a little hard. Overall, I did really good. I did have one small piece of pumpkin pie, and did my elliptical for 40 minutes after to try and burn it off. hahahahha I ended up losing 3 lbs over Thanksgiving!!! I'm certainly ready for my next fill. It's on the 18th. My first one really didn't do much to give me restriction. I'm beginning to thing someone is wrong with me. I feel like right now it's more about will power than band power. I guess we'll see how it goes on my next fill. I'm certainly going to tell Dr. T. I started putting my tree up last night, but got tired and didn't finish. I usually do it the day after Thanksgiving, but with the family here and all. Anyway, great to hear from you. PM me sometime. Hello to all you missing in action Hampton Roads/Peninsula people. HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!

Hello Hampton Roads People!!! Just checking in to see how everyone is doing after the food filled Holiday!!! Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!!

GOOD LUCK BRIDGETTE! YOUR SO CLOSE TOO!!! You'll both do GREAT!!

EBONIE, You're getting so close . GOOD LUCK TO YOU!!!!!

Also things like cottage cheese, yogurt in between help a lot. Oh, and cheese. Everyone loves cheese.

Also things like cottage cheese, yogurt in between help a lot. Oh, and cheese. Everyone loves cheese.

Hi, Go to "The Vitamin Shoppe" buy the New Whey liquid protein bullets. They are only 3 oz, and have 42 grams of protein in them. They are very sweet, but because they are only 3 oz they are very easy to get down. One first thing in the morning, and BAM 1/2 your protein for the day. If you drink 2 it's your protein for the whole day. They are a little pricey though. I have a hard time drinking a lot of the protein stuff, as I don't like the taste. That is why I love these. I can suffer through 3 oz. and they really don't taste bad, just very sweet. Like liquid jello! Good Luck!

Christi's: NO, there is nothing wrong with you. Everyone is different. That's excellent weight loss for 3 weeks out. A lot depends, how much you weigh to begin with, etc.... Genetics.... You are doing great! I'm sure your Dr. is thrilled with the weight you have lost in 3 weeks.

EBONIE! Congrats!! You'll soon be in band world. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Amanda. It probably depends on his surgery schedule. It was about 3 weeks for me from approval to surgery. Also, when reading all that stuff about those band revisions, keep in mind that many of them may have been several years ago. The realize band doesn't have the slippage issues, etc... that some of the others did. Plus, they do things differently now, they suture the stomach over it to keep it from slipping. Dr. T is great. You'll do fine. :-)

Amanda, Cat will schedule you right away as soon as you're approved. She wont schedule until then. Once you're approved, you can get scheduled the same day. She called me the same day of approval. It's quick! :-)

Ebonie, WELCOME ABOARD! You'll do great! :-) GINA, You're dogs are adorable! I'm going to send mine as well. Thanks for everything! Amanda, I'm going to PM you my number so you can call me. We'll defiinitely need to get together to scrapbook. I have a scrapbook pal, but she lives in DC. She's my best friend. She just came down this past weekend to have a scrapbook day with me. We can't get together much though because she lives so far. I would love to have another scrap pal. And a band pal to boot. How perfect :-) Harley, As usual, thanks for all the great advice and support. I hope your beach house is fairing ok to all this nasty weather. YUK! I'm so happy to be on mushys!!!! :confused: EEK! Trying to figure out how to attach my doggie pics.

I think we all know how you feel, and you're definitely on the right track, and in the right group. It's a great group here. They're very supportive! And... no questions are dumb questions. :cry_smile:

Bridgette, I bought the bullet. It's AWESOME! I love it. So much easier and less messy than a blender. It's worth the $60. Good luck on the high protein, low card. I'm sure you'll do great. I went on a cruise the week before my surgery, so I didn't diet at all. I just tried to really not go overboard. My last night of eating (2 days before surgery) I had my favorite meal, steak, and baked potato. It was great. I'm sure you'll be fine eating a dinner with your girlfriends at the retreat. have fun!

Good Morning Girls! Great to see this thread hopping! Harley and Gr8, great to see you. I've been getting your messages. Gr8. Congrats on the corgi. I love those dogs. I have two dogs too. I'm a big dog lover. Brigette: WELCOME ABOARD! Good Luck on your surgery! Enjoy your retreat. I think you'll be fine. Dr. T didn't sound too concerned about the pre op diet, just don't go overboard. I too am a die hard scrapbooker! Maybe we can scrap sometime! Harley: Hope your friend is doing well! I'm 15 lbs down, and so excited. 2 more days to mushys! HOORAY! The liquids are taking their toll. I'm hungry alot! One thing that concerned me: While reading my book that WLSC gave me (I've read it like 10 times) it says you should take an hour to drink 1 cup of liquid. GOOD GRIEF! I can drink normally like I did before the surgery? Is there something wrong with me? Is that after your fill or now? I seem to drink normal, and it doesn't bother me. Also, I can get more liquid in now then right after the surgery. I'm assuming that is because the swelling has gone down on the stomach. I seem to get hungry more. Is this normal? I'm looking forward to being able to have real food! Nice talking to you all! Have a great day!

Oh, and no, he does not require the pre surgery diet. He recommends it, but did not require it for me. I've talked with many others who did not have to do the pre surgery diet either. I was so happy about that, because I went on a cruise the week before my surgery. Needless to say, I ate a lot!

Hi, Welcome! Yes, I like Dr Terracina a lot. I don't think he's more of a fan of gastric bypass. I think he is very much for the lapband. That is mostly what he does. I think much of it depends on how much weight you have to lose too. He told me once, that a band is more for people that need to lose 100-115 lbs. People needing to lose substantially more are recommended to gastric. They say lap doesn't give you the same amt. of weight loss as gastric. But... I have seen otherwise. My dad was petrafied of doing gastric, and he had over 200 lbs to lose. He chose lapband, and lost 180 lbs. One of the biggest reasons people choose the band is because it is so safe and much easier to recover from. Gastric bypass scared the crap out of me. That's not to say it's not right for some, it just wasn't my choice. Good Luck. I know you'll do great. I'm still on liquids, and I'm starving. hahahhahhaa Looking forward to some mushys. Where are you from.

Hi All, I was banded 9/11 also. I was given a great tip by a fellow experienced bandster. Go to the Vitamin Shoppe, and get a product called New whey liquid Protein. It's made by IDS. It comes in these bullet looking containers. It's 3.5 oz. of pure protein. It is very sweet, and I'm not in love with the taste, but it's only 3.5 oz, and it gives you 42 grams of protein, so I just sip and swallow fast. I would say the punch and grape are the best. They taste like liquid Jello. I drink 1/2 of it first thing in the morning, and the other 1/2 in the afternoon. It's very easy to get the bullet in. My husband calls it dildo juice, as it does kind of look like the shape of a dildo. hahahahha Between that and one shake which pretty much takes me all day to drink, that's 88 grams of protein for the day. Anything else you get on top of that is a bonus. It's a great way to get in protein first thing in the am really fast. Since I started doing that, I have so much more energy. It beats trying to drink 3 shakes a day. Lack of protein means lack of energy. I am feeling so much better since I started that. Now that I'm getting my protein in, I'm getting back to normal. I even went to the gym and walked for 30 minutes (didn't want to overdo it) yesterday. I'm not sleeping all day, and life seems much better. I had a rough start too. I have to admit, that I'm able to drink more broth, etc.. and I'm getting very sick of the same thing every day. I am really looking forward to mushys. 8 more days to mushys. HOORAY! Good Luck All! Oh, this is what the Liquid Protein looks like. Hopefully the picture will come through.