jlg

:cursing: Ladies, I have been taking the Biotin and taking my Multivitamin in hopes of prevneting this, but it's not working. I've been quiet about it, but I guess I shouldn't have been, but I had a fill on the 11th and I was overfilled. I knew it when I was trying to drink that damn Water in the lobby of the office and I started having gurgling noises. I figured that it was just tight right then and that it would eventually loosen up. But it hasn't. My next appointment is next week and I am going to tell them to take some out because I try to eat, but I can barely keep anything down. I know it was stupid, but I figured if I could deal with it for a couple of weeks (three weeks between fills now) that I would be able to lose more weight quicker. I'm a smart woman, but dumb logic got the best of me this time. I hadn't really noticed the hair loss myself until I combed my hair in the bathroom over the sink and I looked in the sink and freaked out. My husband noticed it and was just sweeping it up in our bathroom and never said anything. I've never had a weave, wig, ponytail or anything (hard to believe I know :huh2:). But a sista can't afford to be walking around with no hair at all. I have a cute face, but I wouldn't wanna rock a short style either. I need advice to be able to keep my do! In the morning I can only drink hot tea, because anything else that I eat always comes right back up, no matter how little I bite or how much I chew. Most of the time, since my fill on the 11th, I have hot tea in the morning, no lunch or either a small salad with chicken if I can keep it down and for dinner, usually chicken or seafood or a steak. I can usually keep down whatever I eat for dinner (not really sure why). I'm gonna have them take out some of the Fluid because I know better, but I need to work quickly to save my hair. I have the biotin, I have the multi-Vitamin and I have started on taking the Protein shakes again to make sure that I am getting in the necessary protein. Any advice to help me out?:confused2:

Sandra627, I am actually a Regional HR Manager and the previous post is correct. They cannot ask you what the procedure is that you are having and more importantly you are not obligated to tell them anything! The Principal should know better, because if you did her, even if you slipped up, and she told someone else, this would be a violation of your HIPPA rights and you could legally sue. Not that I would move in that direction. Just tell them that it's personal and you appreciate her concern, but it's not anything she needs to be concerned about. But thank you for being concerned enough to ask. And walk away. That needs to be the end of the conversation. Let me know if you have any questions. Jlg

I've only been banded since Jun 13, 2008 and I'm down 22lbs. I know that it doesnt' sound like a lot, but I have noticed a difference in my clothes and how they fit as well as how I feel. My husband was banded on June 6, 2008 and he's down almost 40lbs. He's not even working out, just going to work. I've noticed that when I hug him, we are so much closer together and his head has gotten smaller ! Seriously, he used to have a big head! I feel happier, maybe it's because the sex seems soo much better (I know TMI! I have so much more energy while I am at work, and when I'm at home playing with the kids. I want to play with them, not just send them to the game room to watch tv. Realizing that I will one day be soon will be one of those skinny bitches that I wanted to hit in the head with a baked potato (extra sour cream, bacon bits and cheese please :drool: ) ROFLMAO!!!! But seriously, who would have ever thought that I would hear the words come out of my mouth that I wasn't hungry, or better yet that I forgot to eat because I wasn't hungry :confused2:. Now that is some crazy shit! Just typing this, I feel like I am about to cry, because I am realizing that I took the first step in getting my life back. I used to hate getting up early in the morning, but I find myself getting up at 5am to make sure that I get my exercise in before I get the kids up and go to work :Banane34:. I find myself buying clothes sizes smaller now, knowing that I will eventually get into them. Not much smaller, but a size 16 to 14 vs. the 22 that I was wearing (I'm a 20 now). I feel like I am back in college, because I want to go out more and have drinks or go dancing. I still can't bring myself to buy shirts without a cap sleeve because I hate my arms, but I know that I will evenutally get there. My initial goal was to go back to my college Homecoming which is the week of my birthday in October, but then I figured that I was doing it for a group of people that I haven't seen in over 10 years (am I giving away my age now:biggrin:). I'm just realizing that I love me so much more, not because I had the surgery, but because I am realizing that this is the person that I should be. Someone who values herself and no longer hides when someone wants to take a picture. I see myself in a different light now. So ok, here it is................... Better sex :party: Cuter and smaller clothes :huh2: Closer hugs :thumbup: Going out more and having fun:thumbup: Being a skinny bitch :thumbup: Just loving me more :thumbup: P.S. A shout to all of the ladies who are feeling me right now, because I know this is hard, but it will definitely be worth it (correction, we're worth it).

MzReeda, I went to GNC and got the Isopure chocolate shake. I fot the really big container. It was about $28 dollars for the container, but it was totally worth it. Each shake is about 12oz with 50 grams of Protein and zero carbs. It's pretty good, just make sure that you use very cold water:thumbup:. The last thing you wanna be drinking is a warm chocolate shake:cursing:. Jen

Denise, Thank you very much. The only problem is when I get my fills it's not my doctor who does them. It's done at the fill center. I am going to leave work in about 10 minutes for my fill appointment, but when I talk to the girl that does it, I will just let her know that I need some restriction. I can't even lie to you I could eat a 160z steak and not even feel full (don't ask me how I know). But I need some help on this. My husband is dropping weight like crazy. He went from 312 pre-op, to 298 on his day of surgery and he is not 274 as of this morning. He is just now 8 weeks. He doesn't even work out!!! He has a physical job, but he's not running a marathon or anything. To make it worse, he is eating like crazy. He eats taco bell just about everyday. I'm just getting frustrated. I've never truly looked into going low carb, I know that it probably would be the best thing. I guess I need to buy the Atkins book and start highlighting some stuff. I am going to Homecoming in October and I would love to be below 200 at that point. Jen

Try the jeans at Lane Bryant. They are called Perfect Fit. The jeans come in various shapes based on the build of your body. They fit pretty good. Let me know how they work for you. Jen:thumbup:

Ladies, Ok, running is out for me unless I want a black eye :glare:! So I am working out on my elliptical machine and walk on my treadmill at home. I purchased the Biggest Loser DVD's (all four of them) and those are fantastic. Too many lunges for me, but I do them. I won't even try the jumping jacks (the girls are too big:ohmy:), but what are you doing for exercise. Just trying to get an idea of what is working for everyone else on there. I don't think I am losing as fast as I should be, I know I am just at 7 weeks out, but the majority of my weight loss was before I was banded. I have my second fill today, but I have never felt any restriction since I got banded. Even the day of the surgery. I came home and drunk a 12oz Protein shake without any issues. I feel tightness when I eat something dry (chicken or steak) but that is about it. Most of the time I stop eating because I know I shouldn't be eating that much. Are any of you doing low carb (Atkins or South Beach) and if so, is it helping. Also where are you buying your work out clothes from, particularly a sports bra? Ok, I know I snuck three topics in this one, but just looking for some answers. Thanks ladies

Actually yes, I used Dr. Frank Felts with True Results in Richardson, Texas. It's not that far. He is great. My husband and I both had the surgery done in July. Not sure if she is going through her insurance or not, but both my husband and I were self-pay. We met with Dr. Felts in May at the informational, made our first appointment with them and my hubby was banded on June 6th, and I was banded on June 13th. Other than residual pain in for two days we are both fine. He has a partner Dr. Benevides (sp?), but the are great. They get their approvals fast too. :thumbup:His assistant GiGi, also had the surgery. Tell her to look him up, she can google him. Jennifer

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc..........Skeeeee Weeee My Sorors Skee Wee My Soror, Skee Weeeeeeeeee!!!!!!! Jennifer

Good Morning Ladies, My name is Jennifer I live in Frisco, Texas (not that far from Dallas) I've been married 7 years to a great man I have two children and 4 year old daughter (going on 21) and a 6 year old son (who loves his Mommy) School: Central State University Graduated 1997 Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc, Beta Xi Chapter 1995 I work as a Regional Human Resources Manager for a Pathology Lab. I love to take care of my family, but it's time to take care of me now! After two kids, they took a toll on my body and it's time to be HOTT again!!! Can't wait to get back to the old me!

I am reading this thread and I am baffled!! :confused2: How are you losing this weight and not working out? Yes, I'm jealous, but I need to know what you are eat, or not eating so I can get on track. I was banded on June 13th, and I have lost 22 lbs, but I'm looking at everyone's numbers and they are fantastic:thumbup:! There are days that I go long periods of time without eating, like today, ate breakfast (two eggs scrambled, cheese and salsa) and that is about it. I had meetings so no lunch, just water. Oh yeah, had a 12oz protein shake and that was it. For dinner, it will probably be chicken breasts and veggies. What am I doing wrong. I work out about 3 times per week. Should be more, but I hate getting up early and with the kids in the evening it's a hassle. They want to jump on the ellipitical machine or treadmill with me. Advice please:crying:? I want to speed up this process and start loosing faster. Am I not eating often enough so my body thinks it's starving or what?

Congrats Ladies, I am scheduled to have my first fill with Dr. Felts on Monday the 14th, and will keep you in my prayers. I know you will be fine, sore but fine:thumbup:. I've just been trying to speed up my weight loss process. I had restriction for about three days and he put 5cc's in my band but I can eat just about anything. I didn't realize just how bad I ate until I wasn't able to eat any more breads or pastas. My co-workers eat candy consistenly and bring it to me. I just tell them that I don't want any and continue drinking my Protein shakes and trying to stick to small meals. I need to start planning my meals more, because going out for lunch and seeing the portion sizes makes me realize how bad I have been over the years. But I know I can do better, I will just have to work at it. Take care of yourself and remember it's time to want to be a loser :smile:!

I haven't had a period since October 2007 until just yesterday.:confused2: I went to work and was like WTF. Didn't feel a thing, but yes she was there:thumbup:. I had to run to the store and get some supplies. Took a shower last night and went to sleep. I realized this morning when I woke up that I messed up my bedding set. Hubby was pissed, rightfully so, but he understands. He just figured that he had been blessed with a wife who no longer was "bitchy" once a month. We already have two beautiful kids and weren't planning on having anymore:mellow:. But the question is what do I do now. My ob/gyn had refused to put me on any kind of birth control periods because heart disease runs rampant in my family:crying:. So she put me on the provera but that didn't even work for me. I had my surgery this past month on June 13th, it will be a month next week and I have my first fill on the July 14th. I am so excited to be losing weight and even happier to say that I feel like a woman now since Aunt Flow is back, but does this mean that I am cured. I haven't lost an extreme amount, only 16lbs, but it's better than nothing. So am I cured from the PCOS or is this just a fluke or what:confused2:? Someone else told me that it might be fibroids and not to get happy, so I don't know what to think. Any advice.

I will try using Dailyplate.com and using that 1200 calorie count as my goal. I know my Protein drinks are about 110 calories each, and then the eggs in the morning are nothing at all. Then the salad, I try to keep that to about two cups and the chicken breasts and fish are usually grilled same thing with the steaks, so it might be that I'm not eating enough. I drink a lot of Water, about 4 20oz bottles at least a day, so that is over the amount. When it gets boring I add a crystal light packet to it to give it some flavor. I never thought that what I was eating was so low calorie that it may acutally cause me to stall my weight loss. Thanks for the ephiphany :thumbup:. Maybe I just need to add some more food of substance. I was continuing the Protein Drinks in fear that I wasn't getting the 60grams that was recommended. I just need to make sure that I am eating right and still working out. I plan on being hott by my birthday which is in October. So we will see. Wish me luck ladies! :biggrin2:

I need some help. Maybe I haven't been eating enough, I'm not really sure. But I lost three pounds after my surgery, and then stopped and then gained them back. I admit that I haven't been working out as much as I should have been in the beginning, but I am now. I am on the elliptical machine for at least 30 minutes and I also do the Biggest loser DVD in the morning before work. I'm trying to do that everyday, the dvd in the morning and the elliptical machine when I get off work. I'm at the exact weight that I was when I got the surgery. I'm eating more fish and salad, or a small steak and chicken. My husband says that I'm not eating enough, but how is that possible. :confused2: Breakfast either two or three eggs scrambled and a Protein shake when I get to work Lunch: Medium size salad from a resturant or grilled chicken breast or tuna salad. Protein Shake Dinner: Fish, deviled eggs, small steak, salad and veggies. What am I doing wrong. Please help!:thumbup:

I think like most of us, I bought the Biggest Loser Workout 1 and 2 DVD's with the best of intentions back in April saying that I was going to use them everyday or just about everyday. I started using them and I loved them, I would find myself out of breath and panting like crazy after about 10 minutes. I would push through them and try to visualize myself being alot healthier. Then I stopped. Can't really tell you why, but I will say that I regretted it. Since I was banded on the 13th, just last friday, HAHA. I have a renewed way of looking at exercise. I totally forgot that I had the videos until I saw this thread, and I was like "how could I have forgot about those videos". I didn't get the Power Sculpt and the Cardio Max, I got the Workouts 1 and 2, that you can actually tailor to Males/Female preferences and set your workout time. It looks like a stop watch and lets you decide which items you want to do. It's great. That way, you can do more or less and vary the routine based on your time and specific target areas. I would definitely recommend these DVD's to anyone who isn't quite ready to hit a gym, or financially cann't afford it. Or even better yet, need something more than a machine to get them into shape.:rolleyes2:

I have been reading through this thread and I am very eager to know how much exercise you are doing and what kind of exercise. I was just banded on the 13th, and I can't wait to start exercising. But like you I want to lose it as quickly as possible. I just figured, why hold on to it if I don't have to. I know that the weight loss process slows down, so I would like to get as much of an impact as possible as quickly as possible. I am at 238 right now, and would like to get to 150 like tomorrow. HAHA. But seriously, I want any advice that you can provide. I have an elliptical machine, treadmill and exercise bike at home. I'm not really in pain, just a bit sore for my surgery on friday, but want to know how I can get the best start on my weight loss. Right now, I'm at about 600 to 800 calories per day, mainly sugar free pudding, the Protein shakes until next week, then I will move to soft foods. But I'm not craving anything at all Thanks in advance, jlg

I was banded this past friday, June 13, 2008 and I am at work now Monday June 16, 2008. Still feeling like I am full of gas, but watching tv was starting to drive me crazy. I feel good to be at work now. I know I should be working, but I'm addicted to this site ! I feel ok, just making sure that I am drinking a shake and eating pudding, if I get the urge. I think I am on less than 600 calories per day as well. Not that the doctor described it that way, but the shakes are 110 each, and the puddings are 60 calories each. So I drink three shakes, three puddings, Water, juice (100% grape juice is best. Helps with gas :biggrin: Sorry:lol:!) I have also been chewing gum to give my mouth something to do. I know that some people say not to chew it because you swallow air, but that is exactly why I am doing it, the more air in my stomach, plus the gum is making me burp more. Just worried about my body going into ketosis and then will start to have bad breath. Anyone having the bad breath problem:huh2:? I keep a toothbrush and toothpaste at work, just in case. Don't want to run anyone away because of it. Keep up the good work, jlg

:biggrin: You have got me laughing and crying right about now. I hope that I do get to lose "the girls" as my husband so affectionally calls them, but they need to be put on a shape up plan themselves. I was just banded on the 13th, so yeah, 3 days ago, but I am a 44F. My bras are hurting my incisions because it sits right on top of them, not sure why my incisions are up that high, but oh well. Any way, I would be totally happy at a DD or a D cup. I was wearing a D cup back in high school, but I was hot back then . All boobs and butt, I miss those days:crying:! I just don't want them to continue their race to the floor. A boob job, might be in order, to keep them where they need to be. Has anyone had one yet?:confused2: jlg

Thank you very much for the quick responses. I am looking at everyone's weight loss and I am so optimistic that my husband and I will do great. I am going to start exercising today, I know it's only 3 days after my surgery, but I am so anxious to get started. My husband has just been walking and is doing great. Since the 6th, he's lost 17lbs, I just hopes that it keeps up at this rate. I know that he will lose weight faster than me, but that is why I am anxious to start now. I don't want to have any excess skin and start looking frumpy:lol:! I will let everyone know how we are doing on a weekly basis, hopefully the weight will be coming off everyweek from now on. Thanks for everything, Jlg:cool2:

I was just banded on 6/13/08, and I know that it sounds early to be complaining and all, but I have no restriction. It felt really tight when I left the surgery center, I think it was more of the pain of the surgery than anything, but I can eat what I want. I was able to drink the 8oz. Protein drink the following day with no problem. My husband was banded on the 6th of June, just one week before me and he had trouble drinking or eating anything. His band was filled with 1.5cc, and mine was filled with 5cc. I asked my doctor that when I was at the surgery center and called back and confirmed it. I haven't started eating everything in sight, but I just drink my drinks and eat pudding as I please. Right about now, I think it's more mind over matter, but I am afraid that since I don't feel any restriction, one of those darn commercials will cause me to succumb to temptation and eat some chicken strips from Popeye's or pizza or something. I'm not hungry, but I think it's just the excitement from having it, plus having to pay cash $15k each that is keeping me from eating. Let me know your thoughts. Thanks, jlg

I wanted to know if there are a lot of individuals out there who have done the lapband with their spouses and how are you doing together. My husband was banded on the 6th of June and is doing great. I was just banded on June 13th, and I am feeling great, still a little sore, but I wanted to know if you discussed this with other family members, or just kept it to yourselves. My husband and I decided to tell only a few people, but we are totally happy with our decisions to have the lapband. He has been so supportive of me and our journey together and it has definitely bought us together. But I have read other threads where people are lacking support, or have done it with a spouse or relative and been envious of the other person's weight loss and I just wanted some feedback. :biggrin2: Thanks in advance, jlg

I am getting banded this Friday, June 13th (Friday the 13th), but couldn't be happier. My husband and I both are using Dr. Felts. My husband was banded this past friday on June 6th and just called me happy about his weight loss. He was at 312 two weeks before his pre-op, was 302 the day of his pre-op 6/5/06 and was 301.8 the following day 6/6/08 and in less than a week is already down to 294.6 as of today 6/10/08. He was complaining at first about the pain (like a baby, hahaha:lol:). But now is loving it. He just started walking on the treadmill today. He was just laying around the house complaining before. I can't wait til friday to have my surgery. I hope my weight loss happens as quickly as his. I know he's a guy and guys lose weight quicker, but we will see. I have been walking everyday, and Dr. Felts says I need to be down 8lbs by Friday. I am already down 7 this week alone.:behindsofa: Wish me luck!:grouphug:

Hey, are you sure your appointment is with Dr. Frank Felts on the 13th? The reason that I ask is that I have my surgery scheduled for that morning with Dr. Felts. I was going to change my date but figured that I needed to make that day a positive one for me. My surgery is at 8:30 in the morning, unless he is flying out after my surgery, that sounds funny. Jen