crystal525

Well my initial reaction was PMS... :thumbup: but I don't think that fits now... But--if you weigh everyday, it could be just Water retention from too much salt...anything! Don't worry and just keep doin' what your doin'.

Grocery bills are more -- for all the reasons listed above. Going out--MUCH less. We never get fast food anymore and when we go out, I don't usually order anything...just eat part of the appetizer and a spoon of whatever my hubby and/or son ordered! They can't eat it all anyways. That said...in the beginning it was a challenge remembering that I couldn't eat like I used to. I would always order a meal when we went out and ended up barely touching it (even over a day or two).

Way to go!!! I too am a "slow-loser". It's hard and I get impatient, but it's so worth it! I think we slow-losers should consider ourself to be in the average category, not "slow" losers. Some people just lose really fast. I really do think we are the norm--I think the stats say bandsters lose only 60% of their weight in the first 2 years...

I remember a couple months back reading a post of yours and thinking "wow--he's being so hard on himself". You have lost ALOT of weight. You are almost at goal. Sometimes we put so much pressure on ourselves--knowing we can't keep that up forever--we end up falling off the wagon. Remember when we dieted pre-band, slipped up and got discouraged and binged until the next diet??? Remember that? At least we don't do that anymore! This is not a diet. It's a way of life and sometimes "life" gets in the way. Don't beat yourself up. Get back to exercising and eating the good stuff!!! Oh--I know what you mean about the peanut m&ms -- the lady at work keeps the mini packs in a candy dish... I usually stay away, but there are times... You have done BETTER than most of us on here. Consider the last month a vacation from being so hard on yourself!!! :frown: Take care. You are already a success story. Crystal

It's definitely gas--lots of gas pumped in for both surgeries! Pain was much worse that I expected, even thought I knew it was coming. Got better beginning the 4th night.

I have sure felt this way, many times since being banded. This is just a tool, as everyone says. I don't think ANYONE is truly prepared for life after the band, until you are banded. I'm happy for some people that get banded and are able to immediately live a strict, follow every band rule, life. I think if I had that kind of power, I would never been a food addict. We have to make a mental change along with the band. You've taken the first step. I (IN MY OPINION) think this takes time and does not automatically come with being banded--no matter how much counseling you have pre-band. One week/month I may do very well, and other times I struggle EVERY SINGLE DAY. No one is perfect, no matter what they say. Just make sure you start every day with positive thoughts. Journal your thoughts and every bite you put in your mouth (no matter good or bad). Eat right, exercise, get a fill. Don't let yourself spiral down--it gets very hard to pull yourself back up...just like waiting for Monday to start a diet. Monday never comes. You can do this. We all can.

Funny you ask this. See ... in the beginning, I decided to have the band because it was not too invasive and it was a slower loss than GB, so odds were good that I would not need excess skin removed. I told myself if I lost 100 pounds in 2 years, that would be fantastic. THEN...I was on here reading about people losing 20-30 pounds in the first month or two, and 10 pounds every month after that, and I got jealous. I was comparing my results too much to others' results and was becoming disappointed with myself--doubting myself...even though my results were still on track with my initial expectations. I had to stop reading the site for awhile. If I had read the POST-Operation posts PRE-Operation, maybe I would have been prepared for the aftermath of the actual surgery. I finally realized that my "new" expectations were too high and only based on what some others were experiencing. Eventually my fills started working and I started losing weight. I actually don't even think I'll be getting a fill at my appointment on Friday since I've lost 16 of my 34 pounds since April (yes...I only lost 18 pounds my first 4-5 months...). My 34 pounds (lost since surgery) is not alot, but where would I be without the Band? 10 pounds heavier? On another diet, only to gain 20 more over the next year? Now, I'm on my way to being 1/2 way to goal in my first year and AT goal in 2. My point here---don't let what you read here, and other people's successes make your expectations UNREALISTIC. Everyone is an individual so keep that in mind. This is NOT a fast and easy way to go. Exercise, eat right, and it'll work for you. I'm just happy that I can still eat most of what I like (it's harder, and I eat less of it, but can still enjoy most things except bread...). And -- I don't have to worry about how much heavier I'll be in the next year, or five years.... Good luck to you.

I am at 6.1 and most days I feel like I am there---others (like the last couple) I feel like I can eat a horse. Of course while I'm "on" I can hardly eat anything... So--is it my sweet spot? I think so, for now. It will change after losing weight though... I go next Friday -- I'll see what I'm eating next week, and how much I lose at my next visit. I have had a fill every month since January (small fills), and really just started losing well the last 3 months. Good luck!

For me, If I consume too few calories for too many days in a row, I will not lose. I lose best consuming 1100 to 1200 per day. I realized when I was eating 8-900 calories, I wasn't losing anything. So--consuming too few calories can put you in "starvation" mode--it depends on how many you expend per day. I know the pouch has nerves that signal the brain that you are full, but I haven't heard of the stomach signaling the brain not to go into starvation mode--I'd like to hear more about that. Hope this helps. Crystal

You may be too tight... But before you decide to unfill--are you absolutely sure you are chewing as well as you should? When the fills first start to work, it's hard to get used to chewing, chewing, chewing because you've gone so long without having to worry about it so much. I know for a fact that when I pb --usually on the first bite where I've eaten too fast/too big of a bite because I'm so hungry, or on the last bite that I should not have taken but ignored the signs because it was good.... Try egg salad, canned tuna or chicken (with light mayo of course) for foods that are good in Protein but may be easier to get down. Good luck and keep us posted. Crystal

I'm starving and just had fill number five 3 hours ago! I'm starving because I've had no real food today. broth is not doing it for me. You will not know about restriction until you eat real food...liquids pass thru the pouch. I know I already had some restriction, so I'm sure I'll be quite restricted when I finally can eat mushies tomorrow.... Hang in there. You may or not feel any restriction -- everyone is very different.

I did not meet my goal, but I did lose 6.5 pounds --I'll take it!

Honey Nut Cheerios... I've always been able to eat cereal until this last fill. Maybe I'll try very little milk and see how it goes. I love my cereal. It's always my standby when I want something sweet. Just a little 1/2 cup usually does it. Very painful right now though, unfortunately.

I'm at the point where I CANNOT drink too soon after eating or everything comes up. I guess that means my pouch is working and is full... I have not even tried steak yet--have a hard enough time with chicken. I only usually eat boneless skinless thighs now. I am a dark-meat eater anyway, thank goodness! I do love it and when I get up the nerve, will marinate overnight in Italian dressing and keep it medium. Surprisingly, I will pb on Cereal with milk now...I'm not happy about that. That was my favorite Meal Replacement... :thumbup:

I haven't had a really bad pb...just usually a quick reflex style pb when I've had 1 bite too many. I'm usually finished that meal. But--when it's time for my next meal, I eat a standard meal. When I have pb'd on my first bite after not chewing well, I usually wait a few and then re-start without problem.

Whenever I tell myself I can't have something, that's a sign that I'm going to crave it until I cave... pizza is not so easy for me and I can only eat one piece, so it's rare that I eat it, but I do love it and will have a piece once in a while. Pasta I eat whenever I serve it for my family. Goes down easy for me and I just limit my serving (which I have to do anyway!!!). And----If I wanted to do a diet for a lifetime, I wouldn't have had the band. So--if I want something I eat it, not all the time, but in moderation. Good luck!

I can't seem to shed anymore right now. On a positive note, I did lose 16.5 pounds since March 6... I'll update my grand total on Tuesday morning! Maybe I can get a few off in the next 4 days. Oh well. 15 pounds in 6 weeks is alot when I hadn't even lost 30 in 5 months! But I'm happy I've started to lose!!! Good luck everyone!

20 lbs in the first month is wonderful--you're ahead of the game, not behind! Keep us posted.

I love CURVES. I lost inches while not even adjusting my eating habits--pre-band. Very low impact, and only 20 minutes 3 times a week. It does work! Hey...maybe I should go back... :biggrin:

It's so easy to return to what we know is bad for us when our "assistant" is not assisting! I would like to tell you that it does get better. I was banded in November and had to wait until January for a fill. Lost 10 pounds first month, gained 6 in the second, only lost 3 or 4 in the third, and so on...you get my point. I finally felt restriction with my 3rd fill on March 6--it only lasted 2 weeks, but I got another on April 3 which is still working. Since my March 6 appointment I have lost about 15 pounds (+/-). I am so thankful that I now have restriction--I am at 6.1 ccs in a 10 cc band. My dr. was not worried, he said it takes some more fills than others. The average number of fills he gives before getting to the sweet spot is 4 to 6. He said I was doing great. BUT--I did increase my exercise--that is still a very important part. It's much easier with restriction though--even if you eat something you shouldn't, you don't eat very much! And seeing the pounds makes you want to exercise to get more off. Just keep track of EVERYTHING you eat--good and bad. For me, I also have to make sure I get at least 1000 calories...less than that I don't lose either. Good luck--we'll get there!

Oh--I'm so excited. Down another 3 lbs on my weigh in on Saturday!!! Total lost for challenge 5.5, 9.5 to go! Might not make the goal...but I'll be happy if I lose 10!

I totally agree. Make sure you pick the right surgeon. My dr. is the head of plastic surgery at Washington Hospital Center. I checked her out and looked at her results. She's been in ps magazines... I had to have my nipples completely removed and I still have no problems with sensation. And...she thought ahead--she said she had done a reduction and lift and the person lost 100 pounds and she then had to turn around and do implants. She made sure she left me with enough to "lose" if I lost 100 pounds! Although I've lost about 25 pounds -- none of that has been in the boobs! Now--I'm hoping that the lift portion stays!!! This was without a doubt the most painful thing I have ever experienced, but would do it again in a heartbeat! Mine too were VERY uneven. Actual breast size and nipple size. Now I feel like they are perfect-- Good luck with whatever you decide.

I'm down another .5 pound--total of 2.5 down (yep--counting every portion of a pound). 12.5 to go....

I too am ultra-sensitive now--they were so big before they "did nothing for me"... Now I love them!!! :sneaky: I just hope they stay up when I lose more weight... Mine was covered by insurance so I don't know what mine cost. But a friend of mine had a tummy tuck and a breast reduction/lift and for both it cost her $12,000 total (in Virginia).

I can feel my port right below my bra line under my right boob. You'll find that you'll feel it even more when you get your first fill -- the doc tells you to lift your head and tighten your stomach which makes it poke out even more. I think you should follow up with your doc about the throwing up (assume you were at home and it was the first day -- nausea happens with the meds), but you can almost always feel your port so I would not worry too much. I had serious belly pain for the first 4-5 days following surgery--that was gas. Good luck.