Bea1128

I too was a mess pre-band. My poor family. :redface: I would have these huge mood swings. One minute I would be so angry I would swear my head was spinning around and the next I was sobbing. It was awful! But you know what? We all lived through it and I'm so glad I did. My family survived and so will yours. I would apologize and tell them I wasn't myself. I'm so much happier now than I have ever been. Once you're body adjusts to the change in nutrition, it will get better. And I don't remember ever having that problem once banded. Also keep in mind that fat cells store hormones and if you're loosing weight those hormones are probably being released. I would get horrible migraine headaches during that time as well that I usually only get occassionally during TOM. Your body doesn't know what's going on. Try to keep your blood sugar up and not wait too long between eating or drinking your shakes. I was wondering if the liquid diet was suggested by your doc or are you just trying to get a jump on things? If permitted by your doc, try eating a healthy meal at dinner time high in Protein and veggies. That will help. Good luck!!

Don't beat yourself up. You did, it's over, move on. A slice or two of pizza isn't going to kill you or ruin your chances of having surgery. I would just recommend staying on track for the next week. You certainly don't want your surgeon to cancel your surgery because your liver's too big. With that said, you are not alone. I think most of us probably cheated somewhat during the horrible liquid diet phase before surgery. YOu are not a bad person or a failure, you are just human and getting used to this new life. It takes work and one slip doesn't mean you are defeated. It just means you have to remember what you are doing this for and remember that it will be over soon. One more week! You can do it!!! It's not easy, we can all relate, but it is doable and you'll be so glad you did!! Good luck and keep us posted. If you have any questions don't hesitate to ask. Come here often if you need support or information. We've all been there and it's nice to know you are not alone! Good luck!!!!

You might not be loosing on the slow side, you may just be loosing at the pace that is right for you. The band is a lifestyle change, not a magic bullet. I'm a little over a year out and am just under 70 pounds lost. I have hit a couple of plateaus during that time. I am currently at a stand still and have been for a couple of months. I am now shaking things up a bit with my diet and exercise to get these last pounds off. You might have to do the same. The important thing is that you are loosing and doing it at a healthy rate. Don't compare yourself to others. Everyone is different. There is an especially big difference between men and women. I do understand your frustration because I too wish the weight would just go away. Keep at it and you'll get there. I would ask the questions the others have posted and then go from there. Good luck and try not to get discouraged. This is a journey.

Congrats on your sooner date! I'm one year out. I'm happy to answer your questions. Everyone's experience is so different so keep that in mind. For me, the worst part of the whole post-op period was the gas pain. I've always had trouble with that after abdominal surgery and seem to be sensitive to it. The only thing that helped was walking and riding in the car. I would walk around and around the house and up and down in the backyard as much as I could. I started right away. Other than gas pain, the post-op pain was minimal. I think I only took a couple of doses of pain meds that first day. After that I was good. I was even able to sleep in my bed propped on pillows. Some people find it easier to sleep in a recliner or such. Just follow your doc's post-op instructions and you'll do great. Let me just say that the whole thing was so worth it! I love, love my band and would do it again 100 times if I had to. It's been the best thing I've ever done. Feel free to ask questions and let us know how it goes. Good luck!!!!

Awww! Thanks so much! That was really nice of you to say. That's pretty much the nicest thing anyone has said to me in a while! :-) I'm struggling a little bit with this last 30. I think I probably need a fill, but I'm doing the pouch test to make sure. My restriction is really strange. Sometimes I'm so tight I can hardly get anything down and then other times I can eat the kitchen sink, it all depends on the time of month and the weather. Weird!! Right now it's a tight day, so I'm going to wait until after TOM visits and see where I am. Also I'm just about done with this semester and I'll be less stressed and able to get back into a good exercise routine for a while. Thanks again! Hope you are doing well and completely over the flu. Carol - Hang in there! I hope you feel better soon. We all get discouraged from time to time, it's not just you. You're not alone. It's a journey. I wish you well.

You'll get there! It's a journey. You had some setbacks. Now you're back on track. I just hope you get your reflux thing worked out. I know how miserable that is. I have actually aspirated on stomach contents before. I would wake up gasping for breath and it hurts so bad. It's awful. And if it makes you feel any better the 11/12's fit, but they aren't as comfortable as I would like them to be. :-) I like the jeans pic too. I wanted to do something that was a reminder of how far I'd come. I just thought it was funny. My hubby said I can't believe you ever wore those! Yeah and they were pretty snug too. I'm glad he's blocked it from his memory! LOL! Anyway, gotta run. I have a crazy, busy week. Hope yours is great! Talk to ya soon!

Let us know if that works. The last time I tried to have .5 cc put in and had to go back the next day and have it removed. So, I know it's frustrating. I know if I'm stressed, I get tighter too. I'm doing fine; however, I'm pretty much stuck. I haven't really lost anything in a couple of months. It's my own fault though. I've been so busy and stressed with school haven't cared to exercise, but I'm back on the exercise band wagon. I've signed up for a 5K and people I know will be there so that has been very motivating for me to get off my butt and run again! My pastor is running too and I can't let him beat me!! LOL! I have 30 more to lose and it's time to start doing something about it. I've just been enjoying the journey and haven't been too worried about it, but summer is coming and I want to be at goal for sure by my b-day in December. So, I'm pretending I'm just starting with only 30 lbs to lose. :-) Keep us posted!

Hey Mom! Glad you got your restriction back. To answer your question, the only time I have ever experienced this has been been when I'm still too tight. Food might go down because you are upright, but at night everything pushes upward. A while back I had an issue with reflux at night(haven't had a fill in months) because I was about to start my period plus my allergies were really bad. All of that together caused me to be so tight that I could hardly get liquid down. I started my allergy meds again and Mucinex, but at night I would take a dose of children's Motrin which reduced the inflammation. I eventually worked it out myself. Stayed on fluids etc. I knew what was causing mine and I could correct it. However, if you are not sure and this keeps happening, go back to your doc and have him look under flouro if possible. You'd rather be safe than sorry later. I hope it all works out for you. Good luck and glad to hear from you.

Thanks for the info. Just curious, why no dairy? Congrats on the half marathon! You are so awesome! I hope all else is well with you. I see you've been traveling a lot. Take care!

Hello all! I'm running my first 5K in a few weeks. I'm wondering what advice all of you might have for me especially the day before and the morning of. What do you recommend eating the day before? Do you eat the morning of and if so, what? I'd appreciate any input. Thanks!

Exactly!! I also didn't realize that all of the winners have been Jillian's peeps. I think Bob gets too involved in the "game play" instead of just trying to help them lose weight. Plus Jillian always tries to figure out the emotional/psychological part. I think everyone here knows what a huge part that plays.

Yeah, I'm cold a lot of the time too. My husband insists on taking my temp all the time because he's convinced I'm sick. LOL! I take a jacket with me even if it's hot outside. Make sure you are staying hydrated. Believe it or not, hydration is a big part of it. On the days when I've gotten poor hydration, those are the days I sit around in sweats, a jacket, and wrapped in a blanket. I also like to think it's because I am becoming a delicate flower! HeeHee! I hate being cold, but love, love my weight loss. I'll just buy more jackets! :-)

I didn't have to do the 6 month diet thing, but I did have to show documentation of being a certain BMI for I think 5 years. I just got records from my regular docs that showed my weight every time I went in. Unfortunately, every policy is different. Good luck!

About 5 days here. Good luck!

Brandy you look great! Today is one year for me! Hope everyone is well! I can't believe how fast this year has gone by! Good luck all!

Everyone looks so great! Congrats to you all! Today is my one year bandiversary! :crying: It's been a great year and I look forward to many more! Last year this site, particulary this thread, was so inspirational to me. Now, I get to do the same! For those of you who are to be banded soon or for the newly banded, you will get here too! My before was at 246. Those jeans were 24W and were getting a little snug. My jeans then and now (sizes 24W, 16, 14P, and 11/12P). I'm 66 pounds down and still have at least 30 more to loose. I'll get there eventually. It's coming off very slowly now and actually I haven't lost much at all in the last couple of months. I'm trying new things to break my plateau. Love my band!!! :rolleyes2:

I'm a nursing student and I have to admit that getting in enough liquid is an issue for me. I also usually do not have the time it takes to eat a meal or snack, so I usually bring a protein drink and take a drink when I can. I bring a yogurt and fruit, but have yet to have time to actually eat the whole thing because obviously with the band I can't scarf anything down. I have clinical two days a week and I usually feel dehydrated on those days. I just do the best I can and try to make up for it on the other days I'm not at the hospital. It's still worth it though because without the band and weight loss, I would not have the energy it requires to keep up with the fast pace of nursing school. I love, love my band!! Good luck with your approval!

Hi Kris! I too thought about the band for a year and I too was afraid of what I would have to give up. I too loved soda and drank Diet Dr. Pepper like crazy. However, I can now proudly say that I have gone over a year without a single drop of soda. I gave it up three weeks before my surgery date which was April 16, 2008. It was hard the first few days, but I survived. Honestly, I don't miss them at all. Every now and then I'll think how good it would be to have a Dr. Pepper, but then I get over it right away. Honestly, the most annoying thing is when you go somewhere that only serves carbonated beverages. I'm here to say it can be done. It's not easy at first, but it does get easier as time goes on. My health and happiness were worth more than a soda. Getting the band was the best thing I have ever done. I only wish I had done it sooner! Good luck!

Hi all! I'm still alive, just don't post much anymore. I'm doing well and still loosing; although a lot slower now. I'm excited to say that I now wear a 12/14, down from a 22/24. I'll take it! I'm ready to get the rest of my weight off, but don't see me doing that by bandiversary. Well, who am I kidding, it's really not even possible but I'm okay with that. I really need to regroup a little. Kind of gotten away from some of the bandster rules or at least gotten lax about them. I gave up sugar for Lent which was the first step to breaking the old bad habits that keep trying to sneak back in. Way to go Brandy on your progress! Gwenn, I did see where you were asking if anyone still got hungry. I really don't have physical hunger pains anymore. I know I'm hungry when my blood sugar drops and I get shaky and/or a headache. I try really hard not to let that happen, but because I don't feel the physical signals, it happens sometimes when I'm really busy. I try to eat every few hours whether I'm "hungry" or not. I hope everyone else is doing well. Haven't had the time to catch up...sorry. I plan to post bandiversary pics next month. If I don't talk to ya'll before then, good luck and keep up the good work!!

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Yes, the pouch test helped a lot. I thought maybe I needed a fill, but after the liquids, etc I'm feeling my normal restriction again. I'm back to being full on a smaller amount. I hadn't ever done the pouch test before, but I'm thinking it was a good thing for me. It really helped get me back on track as I was eating too many empty carbs as well. I'm not weighing myself until next week though because of TOM. The first day on liquids was horrible, but the 2nd was easier. I just had to "white-knuckle" it on that day! :tongue:

I don't know that much about the sleeve; however I did just read an article in Nursing 2009 about several different weight loss surgeries and that was one. I think there is a thread on LBT regarding the sleeve. From what I hear you don't need as many follow-up appts because there is no further maintenance like with the band. I'm sure just like all WLS there are pros and cons. Good luck to you on Wed! I'll be thinking of you.

Carol, I'm so happy for you and I'm glad you feel better. I'm sitting here dumbfounded that they didn't unfill you immediately to at least relieve the pressure and discomfort. I had just assumed they had done that. That's crazy! I'm so glad you found a doc you like and can trust. You'll be in my thoughts and prayers this week.

It's going okay. It's not as bad as I thought it was going to be. This is day two. I'm starting to get tired of liquids. Protein shakes have a tendency to bother my stomach so having several a day is really bothering me. I didn't have any meds with me today at school and I felt so bloated after 6 hours of sitting. Ready for a little soft protein tomorrow. However, I do feel better already. I think I was retaining water and not getting enough fluids in, so this is certainly helping. How are you doing? I haven't been on a scale in weeks. I'm waiting until the end of next week. TOM is due any time and I always gain water weight. So I'm saving myself the anguish and waiting. :thumbup: Carol - Good luck with the new doc tomorrow. You'll be in my thoughts and prayers.