auntlucy

Good luck jazzly! I know what an exciting time this is.

In the past, I've always given myself a free pass on vacations to eat what I wanted. Well, that was before the band. Now, I must continue making changes in my life, and that includes vacation time. I'm leaving for a week-long vacation Monday, and I'm determined to lose weight while I'm gone. I'm going to set my goal for 2 pounds while I'm away. I'm hoping to hold myself accountable by putting it here. Any tips or encouragement are appreciated! How have you all done with your weight loss on vacation?

Hi wstone! I am in McKinney too and was banded in March! I hope your surgery went well! Let us know.

While I've only lost 50 pounds so far, I'm happy to say that my cycle is regular again without medication! So, for me, it was only a few months before I was normal aain.

I had a very similar experience. The doctor suggested benefiber. If you are still having a problem Monday, I would definitely call your doctor. Call over the weekend if it will make you more comfortable.

I was on solid foods for a few weeks before my first fill. My doctor wouldn't do the first fill until 8 weeks after surgery.

After each fill, my doctor requires us to sit in his office and drink a full cup of water to make sure it all goes down. That way, if there is a problem with not being able to hold the water down, he can take out a little of the fill before you leave the office. I assumed every doctor does this, but from your post, it leads me to believe yours didn't. I think it's a great practice!

I shared some of your same feelings. Sometimes I still feel like, "why can't I do this on my own?" But, since I have struggled with my weight my whole life (first diet at age 3!), I finally just had to give in to the fact that I needed a tool. Even with the tool, I have to be very conscious about what I eat and have to exercise. It's still completely up to me! So, I take a lot of satisfaction and pride in the fact that I'm now succeeding. And now, I have zero guilt about getting the band because I know I'm still making the choices that are helping me to lose weight. The band isn't doing it for me...I'm doing it for me and I chose the band to help me. I finally got to the point after considering the band for more than 3 years that by not doing it I wasn't taking full advantage of the tools in front of me. At work, when we need a new tool to help us be more efficient, we get it! It would be irresponsible not to take advantage of all of the tools available. I have always loved food too. I have found that my tastes have changed a lot. I went to a Mexican restaurant last night, and everyone I was with ordered greasy plates of enchiladas smothered with sauces. I didn't even want a bite. I ordered a broth-based tortilla Soup and had them leave off the tortilla strips. It was so flavorful! I sat there while they chowed down on chips and salsa, and I was content not even having one. Even though my 2 year old nephew (and reason for my screen name) kept holding chips up to me and saying, "Eat it!" While there are some trade-offs, they have all been well worth it for me. Before the surgery, I thought the hardest thing for me would be not being able to drink while I eat. While it has proved to be challenging for me, after 50 pounds lost, my back no longer hurts! You will have some decisions to make, and I wish you clarity as you go down this journey. Feel free to ask us anything!

Good for you, Paulette! I too have battled my weight all my life. I remember being on my first diet at age 3! My grandmother told me recently that when I was about 4 and spent the night with her, she asked me if I wanted a roll with my dinner. I told her that I didn't want one because I could only have a roll with dinner or a dip of ice cream after dinner, and I would rather have the ice cream. My grandmother thought that was so good of me. My thought was a pained one...how sad that a 4 year old had to think about that at all! So, I guess I tell you that to say that I completely understand. I love the band, and I'm so glad that I finally decided to get it. It still takes a lot of discipline and hard work, but it's the tool I needed to be successful.

tairyn, good for you for taking control of your situation! I have battled my weight for years, and you will be happy that you are taking care of this while you are still young! Good luck with your massage therapy program and good luck as you start this journey!

The funny thing is that my hair had never been healthier before it started falling out...probably b/c of all of the protein. My stylist even commented on how healthy it seemed the last time I went for a cut and color. Oh well...I'm trying not to obsess about it. Even with some of my hair coming out, I think the trade-off is worth it!

Here are a few ideas: Yoplait light yogurt has 5 or 6 g of protein. Campbell's tomato soup made with skim milk instead of water (some brands of milk have more protein than others...if you have a Braum's near you, I would get my milk there, b/c it's higher in protein than any other I've found) Soft cheeses Sugar free pudding -- only has 2 g per 1/2 cup serving, but it's a little bit I got most of my protein during this stage from protein supplements. I used the protein bullets.

It hasn't been a financial burden for me, but my insurance covered it this time around. I would ask yourself this: do you want it badly enough to deal with a financial burden. This second time around (before I knew if my insurance would cover it), I was willing to find a way to pay for it if they wouldn't cover it and had already prepared myself for that possibility. I was willing to make financial sacrifices in order to get it b/c I wanted it that badly. Doubts are normal...don't let the fact that you have doubts and questions make the decision for you.

Congratulations! I know how exciting it is to get that approval!

Biotin comes in different sized capsules...the ones I got are small. I haven't had a problem with them, and I just had a fill Tuesday. I'm not sure if it will help or not, but I figured it was worth a try. It might actually be better to help my hair grow back instead of helping to stop it. But, at least I feel like I'm doing something to help it.

My hair started coming out about a month ago. I've been getting plenty of protein and eating a really balanced diet. My surgeon said it's the stress that my body has gone through. He assured me it would grow back. Fortunately I also have a very thick head of hair so no one has noticed. But there are times when I'm losing it in small clumps of maybe 20 strands or so. I also started taking biotin (haven't noticed it helping yet).

babbs, I definitely have empathy for you...I had that when I was in middle school after having bronchial pneumonia. It is extremely painful! Hang in there and get some rest.

About 3 years or so ago I went down the path of getting the band, and a week before my surgery I backed out. A big part of the reason was that my insurance wouldn't cover it and I was terrified that I might have complications as a self-pay patient that could end up being very costly financially. But, looking back, I don't really think I was ready then. I had to get to a place where I was ready emotionally, physically, spiritually, and mentally. I wanted to lose weight, but I still felt like I could do it on my own without the tool. This time has been very different for me. I knew without a shadow of a doubt that I needed the tool. I've spent the time getting ready for it from an emotional, physical, spiritual, and mental standpoint. So, I tell you all of this so that you can ask yourself if you are ready emotionally, physically, spiritually, and mentally. Do you believe you need the tool to help you be successful? If you answered yes to all of that, why not have the surgery? If you answered no, I would argue that you might not be ready yet. Good luck in your decision!

You are doing great TXdiva! Keep up the good work and let us know how your visit goes. Russ, I was still on low fat creamed Soups, sugar free pudding, yogurt, etc. during my 3rd week.

pineapple (speaking of pineapple, can any of you eat it? it was one of the foods they told me bandsters have a lot of problems with it, and it happens to be my favorite!)

Greasy.......................................

Congratulations! I know how excited I was when I got the call, but I also had some mixed emotions. The reality of it all was a little harder than I thought it would be, but I think that's normal. I'm still so glad I got the band. The trade-offs have been a small sacrifice for what I'm getting in return. So what if I can't drink Perrier or club soda anymore...my back no longer hurts! So what if I can't drink while I eat...I have more energy!

(I hope so...I'm not a Feb bander either)

Russost, yes, I do believe it's normal to hit small plateaus. You recently had the surgery and have lost almost 21 pounds! That's great...your body is just trying to catch up. Just keep doing what you should be doing and you will start losing again. I hit a plateau about 3 weeks after surgery. My doctor told me to not focus on losing weight but to focus on letting my body heal and changing eating habits...I did that and didn't get frustrated about the lack of weight loss. Before I knew it, the weight started coming off again. When you do get under 300, we'll celebrate with you!

inspiration!