JULIEM81

Okay, that sound way better! Half the PB and less banana makes a huge difference! Thanks so much!

I started making myself a totally yummy protein shake this week and thought I was back on track. Until I actually figured out the nutritional data for my shake, that it. I'm using 8oz of ff milk, 2 tbsp of pb, 1 scoop of EAS protein, and 1 med. banana. This works out to 505 calories, 18 grams of fat, 50 carbs, and 39 grams of protein. Yikes!!! Any suggestions how to improve this recipe?? Thanks in advance!!!

I am so there with you!!! I had lost 85 pounds and have gained back just over 20 in the past 2.5 to 3 months and I hate myself for it! I miss my size 16's!!! Granted, I'm thankful to still be much smaller than I was this time last year, but when I think of where I could be it makes me sick. I went this morning for a fill and made the decision to start over. No more will I give in to this awful cycle of feeling bad about myself, eating for comfort, and then feeling even worse. I feel like I just set myself up to fail over the last few months. I actually thought more than once, well, a size 16 is about the best I can probably do so I guess this is it... at my lowest I was 204 and now that seems so far away again. No more though!!! My doctor said it well this morning as I was leaving - welcome back on the "band" wagon, lol. Good luck!!!

I am 5'4" and currently 205 and wearing between 16 and 18 pants (although the 18's are too big I just haven't bought new clothes yet) and a women's XL top.:biggrin:

Not yet, where do I find them? Thanks!

Hey all, I was banded October 3rd 2008 and have lost 84 lbs. One my one year bandiversary I'm getting married, lol!!!

Hi all, I'm 28 and was banded 10/03/08. I was 286 when banded and am 202 currently. I've had a great experience so far. A few minor bumps in the road but nothing major. I've been very open about my band so far. My 10 year hs reunion is in a few months though and not sure if I'm going to be open there...:thumbdown:

I've started taking body pump and body combat classes at my gym and many of the exercises involve running, scissor movements, and jumping. I'm having alot of trouble doing these movements because the jiggling of my tummy. I have alot of loose skin and the constant bouncing makes me uncomfortable in more ways than one. Any suggestions on how to reign in this area so I can jump and run without so much discomfort? Thanks!!!

Hey, congrats on the 58 pounds, I can't wait to hit that 50 mark! I didn't have much restriction until my 3rd fill either (I have 8cc's in a 9cc band) and now I have just enough. I know they say bread is one of the foods you're not supposed to have anyway so I rarely do but I can handle grilled cheese and I had half a dinner roll last night. Rice and pasta is still ok but by the time I eat a few bites of whatever meat I have I never get to have much of them. I would go ahead and try regular meats and veggies just chew them like crazy! I just ate a few bites of turkey for lunch and no lie, I cut it into pieces the size of half a postage stamp and then chewed forever. My 4th bite was cold, lol. But remember, the band is made to work best with solid food so even though it might feel weird eating them now with the restriction, you'll be ok. Just avoid taking too many bites too fast too - that's how I always get stuck! I think I forget that 5 tiny bites can ball up into a decent sized lump of food! Good luck!

I had my band surgery in Oct. 3rd of '08 and so far I've lost 45 pounds. I'm getting married on October 3rd of this year and I'm going on Thursday to order my gown. I had hoped to wait longer to order it but no such luck so how do I figure out what size to order? I am currently in an 18/20 and was told a dress can only be taken in so far. So do I order what fits now, order one size down, or even more? Any input would be so appreciated as I'm so afraid to order this dress and have it too big or too small. Thanks in advance.

I hope this helps. I have not been "working the band" 100% either. I try my best but I inevitably screw up. I got my first fill last month and yes it did help. I might still be eating some of the wrong foods but whereas I used to be able to eat alot, I can now only eat about half of that amount, sometimes less. And since the fill, I'm satisfied with that amount. What I eat keeps me from getting hungry again for at least 4 hours. I don't measure my food and I know I eat more than a cup. I still love Chinese food and pasta. But since the fill, I can be happy with 4 bites of general tso's or a small serving of pasta when I used to eat 2 platefuls. I think "working the band" is different for everyone. No, I'm not following all the rules on a daily basis but I've made changes in my eating habits that I never would have made without the band. Getting the band is a major step and everyone adjusts to that differently. As long as your girlfriend knows these things she's already on the right track. And she's lucky to have you supporting her. I may have only been banded a few months, but I've got the rest of my life to adjust to it. :angry_smile:

For me this started right after surgery and although I had prepared myself for it, I was devastated when it actually started happening! I ran out the first time I noticed it in the shower and bought biotin from rite aid (1000mg tablets). I noticed some improvement after about 3 weeks but I was still "shedding". Alot. I went and got a trim and then I found Frederic Fekkai's protein products (shampoo, comditioner, and treatment kit sold on QVC.com) and after 1 week it completely stopped falling out. It's been a lifesaver for me (lol, I'm a little vain where my hair is concerned!). Good luck!

Riane226, I have BC/BS of Nj also. They made me jump through alot of hoops and didn't send me my approval until 5 days before surgery but they did pay for everything in full. I think they just make you go through so much to make sure you're serious, lol. Let me know if you have any specific questions! Good luck! Julie

Hey, nope, no more pain or soreness. I'm still a little careful about not twisting or bending too fast and running down steps makes me hold my incision but I think that's just me and I'm weird. No regrets either. I'm not even 3 weeks out and I feel no different than I felt before (aside from being 15 pounds lighter). Pb'ing occurs when you get stuck. I haven't experienced the Pb'ing part but I did get a little stuck the other night. It didn't hurt but just felt like pressure in my chest until the piece of food passed through. Only took a minute or so. From what I understand though, sometimes when you eat too much or get stuck your stomach causes you to burp and pushes that bite back up, sometimes with some slime. EW!!! :cool2: I go next week for my first fill and I can't wait. I'm very hungry every few hours now so I'm hoping that will help. Also, since I have no restriction I can pretty much eat anything I want now. I'm glad for that but at the same time eating whatever I want got me to this point so I'm hoping the band will act as a reminder to eat less. Try not to stress or worry. I worked myself up before my surgery wondering everything and feeling like if I didn't have all my answers I'd be lost. But it's definitely a learning process and since everyone is different, what's happening to you will be your own unique experience. My best piece of advice is if you have children in your life, keep a pillow close by! My son still forgets and tries to climb on my stomach!! I try to keep a pillow between my stomach and him at all times! Take care!:thumbup:

Hello, I had tons of questions too and you're right for coming on here. I think it's easier to ask people who have been through this as opposed to asking the Dr.'s sometimes. I'm only 2 1/2 weeks post op but I'll try to answer any questions. Take care!

Hey fellow Eeyore lover! Lol, I might have well have been alone. DH was working 16 hour days. It wasn't too bad honestly. Aside from the fact that no laundry or housework got done since I couldn't carry stuff downstairs. But I was happy to be by myself. I think I got more rest and took better care of myself. And there wasn't really anything I thought I needed him to be there for. Good luck!

Lol, they told me 4 weeks too and I only lasted 1. I was careful and cautious but it was fine. Didn't hurt at all. Not sure why they tell you that. And hey, it does burn a few calories!:regular_smile: Good luck!

Has anyone figured out what to mix this with to alleviate the awful taste? I've tried applesauce, pudding, and yogurt and it's still disgusting. Help!

I was banded 10/3/08 so I'm just 11 days post op but I've lost 14 lbs. since the day of surgery. Congrats to everyone! :laugh:

I found it easier to be in bed but propped up on lots of pillows (kind of like I was sitting in the hospital bed). Just take your time getting up and if you can scootch to the edge of the bed you can use your arms to push up. I'm only 11 days out and have no problem getting out of bed but getting off the couch or out of the car still make me wince a bit. Just remember that tomorrow you'll feel twice as good as you do today and then tomorrow, tell yourself that again. I switched to liquid tylenol as soon as I got out of the hospital since it seemed easier on my stomach. Good luck to you!!

Lol, mashed potatoes have been my savior! Luckily for me I love them anyway and despite the funny looks from my family, I'm enjoying them runny. I had just added a bit too much liquid, didn't even think about gravy - Yum! Thanks so much for the suggestion. My other strategy at the moment has been eating at Applebees since they now have a soup of the day. It's a cheap meal for me now and since they change the soup daily, it keeps some variety in my week.

Hello everyone! Well, I'm 11 days out, feeling pretty much back to normal, and down 14.5 pounds. Awesome. I'm so glad I made this decision. Just to see the scale creeping back down makes me wanna sing, dance, laugh, and cry all at once. I'm still stuck on liquids (Yuck) for another 2 and a half weeks but I'm not feeling hunger so it's been more bearable day by day. Today I'm starting to walk for my 30 minute lunchtime with a friend so all the better. Hope everyone else is doing well! Take care, Julie

Hello all, I'm from Salem County as well. I was banded 10/3/08 by Dr. Irgau at Chrias in Wilmington, DE. Nice to see so many faces from this area! :smile2:

Lol, the fudgesicles have saved me too! MY DH and I always watch certain shows with ice cream so they've been my savior!

Hey, I'm on full liquids 30 days post op. I've made it through the last week on cream soups, protein drinks, and very thin mashed potatoes. But I feel like I need something with substance, Lol. I know it's only 30 days but if anyone has any good cream soup recipes?