aclubb

So before I got my band, I read posts about how people started eating crap and their weight loss slowed, stopped or reversed. I always thought "Loser! You just paid like $10k to get something installed into your body and your screwing it up!" And then, I fell off the wagon - hard.

I fell back to my old habits of emotional eating and drinking (wine, loaded with calories). I pushed the limits of my band and ate crappy stuff like thin crust pizza and cookies, even cake and bread.

As a result? In the last 7 weeks I've only lost like 7 pounds. Still weight loss, but when you're loosing 3 pounds a week before the fall, it makes a big difference. I went to court to finalize my divorce, I totalled my car and my house went into foreclosure. These are not excuses. It would have been better for me to stick to my plan. I stopped takeing protein supplements regularly and now I'm going bald, really. Not sure if it's the lack of protein or stress, or both. But, it sucks.

So, my point? Don't think it can't happen to you. See the warning signs early and don't ignore them. I got a fill yesterday, started running again last week and I am on my way! I REFUSE to weight more than 199 pounds when 2009 starts. REFUSE. So, I got 7 pounds to go. Time to hit it hard.

Thanks for the recipe - sounds yummy. Just waiting for it to get below the 90's here in Texas and I'll try it out!

Last time I went in for a fill they told me my port was facing my when I lay down instead of facing up. Is this what happened to you? I think I am close to my "sweet spot" and not sure if I need another fill. Are they going to have to do a whole other surgery to move it? Which way is your port facing?

If anyone is having a hard time sticking to an exercise routine, I would really suggest running. I know it sounds crazy - I never thought I could do it. Six weeks later I'm totally addicted to the endorphin rush I get from running. I ran 1.5 miles in 23 minutes today - without stopping! Go me!

If you've just had your surgery or are still in the process of getting approved - stick with it. I totally love my band and the opportunities it is affording me to a new, better healthier life! I hope to run my first 5k in October. And, I'm going to Las Vegas for my birthday in November. Man - life is great!

Also - I need some new friends. Can I get a friend request out there? Guys - where are you all?

The pre surgery appts are a pain, but they are totally worth it and really do prepare you mentally for "life after the band". Stick with it - it's totally worth it. Good Luck!

We all hated being fat - that's why we got the surgery. I am not a patient person (and sounds like you aren't either). But, you will be able to see a difference soon. I am right at 49 pounds lost and I can't really see a difference but I can feel it. Focus on what has changed and try not to obsess your look on a daily basis. Keep it up - 70 pounds in 12 weeks is not an easy thing to accomplish.

Getting the band was the best thing I ever did for myself. I was banded on July 16, 2008 and am doing great. The band doesn't make you weak - it still takes a lot of strength and perseverence to loose the weight. When I was deciding to get the band, I spent hours reading through the posts. Like anything else, there are people who take the band seriously and accomplish their goals. There are also people who are addicted to eating who aren't able to make the life changes required for the band to work.

No one can tell you what is right for you. You really just have to decide what you are willing to sacrifice to get you what you want. Once you have a decision (either way) then you can focus on the next step. I know that was the hardest part for me - making the decision to go for it. Good Luck!

I still have not done any type of noodles - but that's just my choice. I did do mashed potatoes and mashed sweet potatoes. I am about 6 weeks post op and just now getitng up to the 1200-1400 calories a day I need and my weight has been coming off great. So, don't over eat just to get the calories in. Just concentrate on healing and adjusting to the new way of eating. Once you can eat fish, chicken the calories will add up.

So, I just had my "oh, crap!" this is really happening moment. I have been so busy watching what I eat and making sure I exercise that I kinda hadn't noticed the changes in my body much. So, as proof that I have lost a whopping 44 pounds to date, I offer the following attachments. The Earth Day festival was April 08 and the tailgating party was this weekend. Man, I'm kinda hot!

So, over the long weekend I did my first closet clean out - woo hoo! There were 2 bags of clothes that no longer fit me. I'm just over 40 pounds lost in 2 months since I started my liquid diet. So, I'm stoked!

I am also doing the couch to 5k program and week 3 is kicking my ass! But, it feels good. Now, I get impatient from sitting at my desk all day cuz I want to be out and about. How cool is that?

Also, I'm proud to report that my long-time nemesis of the playground slide is nicer now. My ass fits on it and by next month I'm sure I'll have no problem sliding down it smoothly - HAHA

On another note, I'll also be filing divorce papers (hopefully next week). I read in a magazine that WLS doesn't change you. But, it does make a good marriage better and a bad marriage worse. Too true.

Buck - I agree. The band does not do it for you. I am always amazed by posts I read like "I can eat anything - I have no restriction!" Why are you trying to eat anything? I just got my first fill yesterday so I've had little "restriction" but I've kept to tuna, chicken, etc and kept my portions small and also started exercising.

For those of you out there researching, this is not the "easy way out". It still required a lot of work on your part. I also feel a healthy sense of fear is helpful - LOL.

Buck - what is that tat? Good reward for yourself tho. I have one I need covered. Maybe when I hit the 200 mark!

Ok, so I have been a little scared about feeling just like you feel in this post. I am only about a month out from surgery - so I still have a ways to go. But, a few things:

If you lost friends just because you lost weight then maybe they were never really good friends to begin with. Skinny people with no self esteem have fat friends to make them feel better. Sad, but true.

If you were not happy with your "inner self" when you were over weight then of course you're not going to be happy now. The band isn't a cure all to make you happier - this is why they put most of us through a psych eval. It's not a fix all - just a tool to help you reach a goal.

Keep in mind that those co-workers really do mean well. I'm starting to get a bit tired of it myself. But, they know it's something important to you and guess it's something you might be happy to talk about. Be honest, or stop answering. My answer has become "Oh, not sure. Haven't weighed myself lately." It's true, I only do that once every two weeks!

And, finally (excuse the psych 101 here) you are the only one that can make yourself happy. If you are waiting for someone else to do it you'll never have it. Time for introsepction - what do you really want? What is going to make you happy? Only you know that.

But, you have friends here who are always willing to give some "tough love" advice!

Take heart. It does get better. I'm 3 weeks out today and was finally able to take my 2 year old to the park last night. I was totally exhausted when I got home. But, it's my attempt at reincorporating exercise. One day you'll do something "normal" and go "wow, I just did that"!

CONGRATS! That is amazine news. I can't wait to say that. What do you think has helped you most along the way?

So, I'm about 3 weeks post op and feeling much better. The first week after the surgery was tough, but I'm very happy with the band overall. I've lost 28 pounds including the pounds I lost on the pre-op liquid diet. I am eating mushy foods now and trying to keep it "natural" like kiwi, bananas, etc. And, I've found a new love in avocado! I am feeling really good and now I know it's time to start implementing an exercise program. The only thing I'm having trouble with is getting in all of my calories. My doctor said to be getting 1400 calories a day and I think the closest I've gotten is around 900. I don't want to eat empty calories. But I'm having a hard time finding high calorie, low sugar foods. Any suggestions?

I used to take Celebrex a long time ago and it was for inflamation. I wonder if that's the same? After surgery I got liquid vicodin (hydrocodone is the generic). You may want to give your doc a call and ask for it.

It took about 8 business days for me to get my letter from UHC after I found out I was approved - I was calling every day! My doctor's office actually called UHC and had them fax over something or took something over the phone in order to schedule me before they had the letter. You may ask them if they'll do that for you.

That's funny. I thought I was the only one dreaming about food. The night before my surgery it was eggs, bacon and toast - a lot of toast. After the surgery though, it's been like I ate something and spit it out because I wasn't supposed to be eating yet. Funny how the mind works when it's at rest.

I am also on all liquids and I'll be one week postop tomorrow. Getting the protein shakes in is definitely important for me. And, drinking water. On my full liquid diet I'm allowed sugar free pudding and fat free yogurt. Those help.

I got banded on 7-16 and am experiencing the same thing but I am hungry. Still on my post-op liquid diet. I am having protein shakes about every 3 hours and still have tummy growling. I think it is a hunger response but you may feel differently now about what hungry feels like. Now that I do actually wait for my stomach to growl I think about how often I ate before when I wasn't even hungry.

I agree about the scale. I don't have one in my house and I only get my weight at the doctor. I don't want to go crazy and weigh myself every day. Besides, if you only get an update once a month then it seems like more loss. Hehe.

Congrats! My surgery went well also. I am also hungry today. All my post op stuff said liquid diet for 2-3 days but my doc said I could have a protein shake if I was really hungry so I may be hitting that soon. Let me know how you progress.

I had a little bit of a panic moment when I got home yesterday like "Oh, CRAP I really did it!" Now what? Anyway I some times can't believe I really went thru with it. But I'm glad I did.

Wow. Up until the last minute I thought I was going to change my mind or surely SOMETHING would happen that would not allow me to get banded.

But, everything went smoothly and now I am home and banded. I am not in too much pain. It's been about 5 hours since my last dose of liquid codene and I really don't feel like I need more yet. Doing about 1/4 of chicken broth and a lot of ice chips. GasX strips and walking about every hour also seem to be helping. I guess the OnQ is also working wonders since I am just a little sore. How did all the other July 16th bandsters make out? Good luck to everyone else scheduled for July - if you have any questions please feel free to ask!

So I finally stopped counting the days on my liquid diet and it just seems kinda normal now. I can feed my kid a burger or whatever she wants and am not too tempted. Actually, she has taken a liking to soup lately - "just like mommy" she says. Which just goes to show how much our kids learn from us when we're trying not to teach them.

I'm determined to create new habits for myself with this surgery and teach her how to have an active, healthy lifestyle. I don't want her to be a fat couch potato kid that gets teased at school, like I did.

I went in for my pre-op stuff on Friday and it is getting more and more real that this is a LIFE LONG decision - not just a diet. And, that's ok. Today I am at peace with myself and my decision. :thumbup:

Ok, so someone give me a reality check here. My family had fried chicken tonight and I was at the table feeding my 2 year old, drinking my vanilla shake. And really watching everyone eat grossed me out. Not because of the food, but the heavy breathing, loud chewing, burping, etc. My family (God love 'em) did not paint a pretty picture of eating.

Is this normal? Do I need to go back for another psych eval? :thumbup: Or maybe just I'm resentful that I'm not eating a greasy ass piece of chicken? Someone set me straight!:confused2: