thughes113

I have given away my fat clothes at www.freecycle.com. There probably is that service where you live too.

Isn't it a great feeling?!

I feel bad for you...if you're doing everything right, this has to be extremely frustrating. Do you track what you eat on www.thedailyplate.com? That may really help you to pinpoint where you may need improvement. Moving more is a definite...even if it's just a walk every day. Good luck.

Fantastic Job. You're inspiring. Congratulations.

Though I've come a long way, I'm starting to lose my way. I haven't been going to the gym, I have not been tracking what I eat on-line (www.thedailyplate.com), I've been drinking more wine than I should, I've been eating things I shouldn't. Like double-churned ice cream with whipped cream on top...very easy to get through the band. I'm just not feeling very motivated. I also feel like I miss so many foods. Like pizza. I have tried to eat it and just can't. And, I'm sure that's a good thing. But I also think I resent it. I realize that the lap-band is a great tool, but I also realize that I need to do my part. If you've gone through this, what have you done to get back on track, to get motivated again?

You can swallow those big pills and don't have any problem with blockage?

If you mean the Benefiber...we are talking about the powder.

I've had trouble, not necessarily with Constipation, but with just not being regular at all and with being "uncomfortable". Talk about TMI, but we're all talking about it! I've tried benefiber in my coffee every single day and I'm still not my usual self. I am going to try this apricot thing starting tomorrow a.m.!

I've really hesitated in creating this post because it does sound crazy to me. I notice that if I'm extra emotional...fighting with the 18 year old, crying over something, just emotionally drained, etc. that my tendancy to not be able to keep my food down is heightened. Has anyone else experienced this?

I've only been able to have one fill. I had 2 cc's in August (the 13th). I've had episodes of vomiting and the doctor advised me against another fill which should have been done by the end of August. Here it is October, and I still have not had another fill. I just can't see it happening. I feel so much restriction with what I already have. Plus, I'm 100% more disciplined than I've ever been in my whole dieting life! So, maybe this tool, with very little "lubricating" is all that I need!

within the first 2 weeks, I was so regretful of having the operation. I was in such pain, trying to learn everything over again. It sucked!!! But, once that 2 weeks was over, I felt entirely different. I have had such success and feel so wonderful, look so much better...it's temporary, I promise it is. Just go day to day...you'll be OK. Keep us posted!!

restlessmonkeys answer is right on. That's how my dietician explained it. Also, if you are having a problem with food being stuck, drinking something will not be the answer. Just so you know...

I think I'm being successful in a slightly similar way. I do have the lap band, and have had one fill...2 cc's. I have not been able to get another fill because the restriction is so great. So, I've stepped up the exercise, document everything I eat and I am just so careful in my choices.

What I don't miss is spilling out through the arms of a chair ~ I don't miss buying a size 22 pair of pants ~ I don't miss fearing the way back seat of the mini-van ~ I don't miss Lane Bryant ~ I don't miss feeling like I was going to die while climbing one flight of stairs ~ I don't miss hitting my hand on the steering wheel while stretching the seat-belt far enough out to go around me ~ I don't miss blood pressure medication ~

What I am enjoying is buying clothes in a size 16 and a Large ~ I am loving that I can go into the trendy stores again ~ I love that my big comfy chair at home now can fit two of us ~ I love getting on the scale ~ I love the compliments and people using the "s" word with me (skinny) ~ I love a great work-out at the gym; it makes me feel so accomplished ~ I am enjoying cooking healthier foods ~ I am enjoying dancing ~ I love the other colors out there besides black ~

I could go on and on...and I will go on and on with this weight loss. Lap-band is a fantastic tool and right now is the best I have felt in 15+ years!

You are right, it is a tool. For me, it's been a great tool, it keeps me so honest! I also record everything I eat at thedailyplate.com and that free website is a fantastic help. I'm still adjusting to my first fill and haven't had another one yet. I also joined a gym and work out at least 5 days per week. I see the results of my determination in how I look and how my clothes fit. Don't get me wrong, if I wanted to eat potato chips and french onion dip, I can! But, I won't. I don't even bring the stuff into the house.

You have to do your part and 1-2 pounds per week is pretty great.

I have stopped weighing myself...I only weigh myself once a week, or less. It is so much more fun to put on a pair of pants you have not worn in a while and they fit! You're doing good.

The gas pain was so awful for me that, yes, I did regret it. However, once 2 1/2 to 3 weeks was over, I was quite fine and today have no regrets at all. This lap band has given me the incentive and drive that I've never ever had. I work out at least 5 days a week, track every piece of food I eat or drink and it is working! You will be fine soon and will not regret it. Good luck.

My doctor told me to get the right amount of Protein in, and watch the carbs. I SWEAR by www.thedailyplate.com to keep track of my calories, carbs, protein, etc. I put in my info and wanted to lose two pounds per week, and the website does the calculations for me.

As others have said, your health is number 1. If it were ME, with all the work I've done, and you know, this isn't easy...it isn't a quick fix, but the lap-band is a VITAL tool in "our" success. I would have the surgery to re-affix the lap-band. IF it were me. All the best to you. Take good care. Breath in, breath out.

First off, you won't regret it at all. I have gone from a size 22 to a loose 18 in 2 months. It is SO wonderful to get rid of the fat girl clothes. It's not a quick fix, it's not SO easy. You still have to be disciplined and follow your doctors instructions to the letter. After surgery you will feel REALLY tired. Don't plan to have company, play a board game, watch a movie...you won't be able to do it. You may feel nausea. If you don't, you'll feel "the tired" because the nurses gave you a great amount of anti-nausea medicine. Be sure to give yourself at least 4 days to feel better and do nothing. You may experience gas pains, which for me was the worse part of it all. But, keep in mind, during any surgery you can experience those. They really do suck and you have to walk, walk, walk. Don't bother with medicines like Gas-X, they don't work. For me, the gas pains lasted for just over a week and now, I hardly remember them. I've had children, and this procedure, with the gas pains, was not a big deal.

GREAT luck to you tomorrow. You are adding a tremendous tool to your weight loss, but you still need to do your part. Again, do exactly what your doctors, nurses and dietician tell you to and you will have success and be so grateful.

So, I had my fill on August 13, 2 cc's. I had to cancel today's appointment for a fill because I've had trouble with food getting stuck, and with vomiting. The culprit? chicken. Can you believe it?! I chew and chew and chew, and this is after cutting it pretty small! I had stip steak last night with no trouble at all. But, tried to eat chicken again today...and just started feeling crappy. Has anyone else had trouble with, of all things, chicken? This kind of sucks. I can't afford other meats.< /p>

First off, I personally think your doctor is a butt-head. Any weight loss is commendable! And, 15 pounds in less than a month I think is fantastic. You have yet to get your first fill, right?

Keep up the good work.

Slime is like a "spit snake". It's thicker than regular spit and you could practically pull it out of your throat. Ewwwwwwwww. It's like egg white coming out of your throat. I guess this is the "super spit" that your body produces to help get something through that is stuck or when you irritate your pouch.

Good luck. Hopefully you'll never have a visit from the "spit snake"!

Sue

wow, kind of gross, but right on!

UPDATE...things are much better. I do feel restriction, but can eat a reasonable amount and it's going well. I've lost more weight, gone from a 22 to an 18 (and the 18's aren't tight at all). I put together a HUGE box of clothes that are all too big on me. I joined a gym. I have an appointment on Tuesday for my 2nd fill, but I am still not sure I will get one. Love reporting this good stories!!

I think I have food stuck. I ate some beef Jerky bits earlier this afternoon. I was traveling and it was all I could find that was somewhat healthy. Well, apparently, I did not chew well enough. I tried to drink Water and that just came back up. At 9:30pm I tried to eat some Lean Cuisine macaroni and cheese and barely got 3 spoonfuls in. It feels awful, like a big rock between my breast bone. I know I've read about pineapple juice, but the stores are closed. Will it eventually stop? After a good night's sleep? I'm so miserable. Hungry, uncomfortable and miserable. Help?

It is difficult to get in all the Protein your doctor suggests, stay low on the carbs and still get enough of the right food to make you poop! I am not nearly as regular as I used to be, but one thing that works whenever I drink it is an herbal tea called "Get Regular". I found it at Whole Foods, but I know there are plenty of grocery stores that carry some form of it. I am faithful on the 64 oz of Water per day and that doesn't even help! But, the tea, does the trick! I'm sure our bodies have to just get used to what we are putting them through. Changes. Good changes.

If it were me, I would not travel...you'll still be sore and too tired. I would not postpone the surgery either...we postpone what is good for ourselves way too much!