kirafiki

Welcome! These forums area wealth of information! Make use of them... we are all here to help!

I had the gas/shoulder pain for a lot longer than I want to tell you since it might scare you even more! (OK, mine lasted 5 weeks!!!) IT IS PAINFUL! BUT WORTH IT!!! Walking was the only thing, and deep breathing. Breathing will actually help your body remove the gas... respiration as it is. Walking, breathing and meditating is what worked for me. The day I realized the pains were gone were such a good day!!!! Good luck to you all! This is just the beginning of the best thing you have ever done for yourself.... and its ALL FOR YOU!

An old Weight Watchers trick my mom used to use... lowfat cottage cheese blended smooth in a blender or food processor. I have never tried it, but she swore by it. Just an idea!

I do. Does this indicate I have some sort of problem? I have tons of extra skin, so I know I am carrying at least 15 pounds of it, and if it weren't on me I would be in the "weight appropriate" range for my BMI, but I want the scale to reflect weight appropriate. Any one else?

Yup, ditto to everyone else. My schedule... breakfast (shake) at 6:30, spin at 7:00, small snack around 10, small snack around 12, proper lunch at 2, dinner around 7 and the occasional small snack in the evening if I feel I need it. I just make sure all Snacks and meals are nutrient dense, go for Proteins first, and if still hungry a bite or two of a veg or fruit. And in between I fill the void with Water, but of course not within an hour before or after a meal. It's nearly impossible if I don't meticulously plan every day. I made it through six months of self-imposed no restriction and still managed to lose 10 or 15 pounds while attempting to maintain. Worked for me, but I am sure it wouldn't work for everyone.

NOT the easy way out, my only way out. Its been difficult, and will continue to be. I am a food addict. Every day, hour, moment can be a struggle. But I keep at it, and I pick myself up and dust myself off when I fall off the wagon in the ways I have learned to without hurting my band.

I have always liked cinnamon on cottage cheese.

I too have a chocolate addiction. Even since being banded, since I know it slides right down I have had a few binges on the delightful stuff. When I do realize I am doing it, and when I am ready, I usually try to break the dependency, even for the time being, as I know I will be there again and again for the rest of my life, by doing the 5 day pouch test. It really helps me kick the simple carb cravings. I don't know how it does, but it does. It also resets my relationship with my band and we understand each other better after the pouch test. It usually jump starts my weight loss again as well. The pouch test also gives me time to revisit what is really fueling my binging. I am a food addict for life, and I fall off the wagon now and then. The important thing for me to remember about myself is that I now have the mental tools (and physical tools) to recognize it and deal with it when I slip up. Hang in there. It's a lifelong struggle, I know. It's hard. But its worth it. And I know that if I can finally control my eating/weight I can do anything!

Firstly, stress absolutely can affect things. In many different ways, as everyone id affected by it differently. It wasn't until my second or third fill that I really started loosing. Hang in there... it will happen. That you have lost a dress size is great! You must be keeping up with exercise. Which means that you are replacing fat with muscle, so you are losing weight. Muscle weighs more than fat though... so that could be it. Finally, sure, this may be a plateau. My longest one was about three months. It sure was hard to get through, but I just kept at it knowing if I did eventually the scale would reflect what was really going on inside me. You are doing fine... just keep your eyes on the prize and you will make it!

I am sure its just nerves... which are good! Without them you might find yourself eating too much regularly and actually stretching your pouch. The first few fills are confusing, since you don't usually get much restriction from them. At least most don't. It took me four fills to feel restriction, but I took that time to work on the new habits I needed to make the fill that gave me restriction totally great. As a side note, to this day when I start fearing I have stretched my pouch, it's the first sign I need a fill. I go through a few days of panic and then I realize that I just need a fill. Just hang in there... it all gets better, and then better than you could have ever imagined!

Thanks everyone! You have all done great! We are all in such good company!

It was just about my fourth fill when they poured 4cc's into me. Once things settled down, it was a magical moment. I rode that fill for about 8 months. I am at about 11 cc's in a 14 cc band. Now when I get fills, they are just little, tiny tweaks. Hang in there... Everything will work out just as it should! Keep up the hard work!

This morning I made it to my original goal weight, the one I set when the doc asked me "what is your goal?" Not having been this weight since JUNIOR HIGH, I had no idea what it would look like, and as I have gotten closer and closer to it, I knew it needed adjusting, and now I am planning on another 15 pounds, but I do think I will get there and want to go a little lower. My BMI still says I am in the overweight range, but five more pounds and I will be on the upper edge of normal. My new goal is to settle in somewhere comfortably in the normal range, so that I have a little wiggle room for normal weight fluctuations. My band saved my life. In so many ways. Congratulations to all of us for making this amazing decision and then following through. You have all been an inspiration to me, and ear to complain to, and a rooting section. I thank you all for your part in my journey!!

One thing I found really helpful in the beginning were what are referred to as Protein bullets. They are REALLY sweet, but one made called New whey has 42 grams of protein in it. They make one that has half that too. Very little carbs, about 170 calories (for the 42g one) but tons of protein. I tend to keep my protein higher, in the 80 to 100g a day range, or at least try to. Only three ounces to a serving. Kind of expensive, but I found them very worth it. Also, in the beginning, I relied heavily on fish. Its a great source of protein, and omega-3's. To this day, I start every day with a Protein shake that contains about 32g of protein... my band doesn't like solid food in the morning. Its natural to be worried... its a sign that you are taking this as seriously as you should. Keep up the good work!

Thanks everyone! Maybe I will splurge and have lobster. Of course once I get there I am really just going to order fish grilled no butter. The bread will stay FAR away from me!

I haven't eaten there in at least 10 years, and certainly not since I have been banded. I looked at their online menu, but nothing jumped out at me as particularly healthy. Has anyone eaten there lately? Are they good about making your own meal out of things on their menu? Do they tend to allow a person to order off the kids menu with a band? Its my sister's b-day dinner, and I don't want to miss the whole thing. They are having cake at the house afterwards, but will skip that.

I have spent the last six months just hovering at the same weight. At first, I was angry that the scale wasn't moving, and then I got real with myself and realized it was because I was getting out more... dating, having dinners out, wine here and there. It wasn't until the other day that I realized that even though I haven't lost anything, I haven't gained. I managed to maintain for six months, with very little restriction. More importantly, the last six months were important for the head work I had been neglecting. I am starting to see my body for what it is now, and not what it was before. My head has begun to accept that I am nearly half the person I was, in volume, but I am easliy twice the person I was emotionally. Going in for a second fill next Monday... the conservative one I got two weeks ago wasn't enough. The bottom line is I needed that time to work through some of the head things. I apologize for not having any tips, since the process was so organic and I didn't realize it was happening at the time. Good luck with finding peace with the head stuff... I am not there yet, but am on my way!

I have been the same weight since October. I still have about 25 to go to my new goal weight. Do you know what is nice about that? I have maintained the same weight since October! I was so afraid I wouldn't be able to do that! Thank you band. And you have taught me so much about me. Thank you, thank you, thank you from my whole being. Now back to work. Just 25 to go. That's nothing! Continued success to all!

Sometimes when I am craving something like that I make a modified version... in this case I would make a salad with hot ground beef, a little low fat shredded cheese, and a small amount of 'dressing' made from the condiments I like to add to a burger. I know, I know, old diet trick, but it really helps me. I satisfied a craving for fried cheese sticks by melting a little low fat cheese in some marinara sauce... I have to say, it really did the trick!

Well, I would say that if going to another state is convenient, and by that I mean follow-up would be easy for you to do, then go for it. Otherwise, try to lose the weight in the meantime, as you will have to go on a pre-surgery diet anyway to shrink your liver... if you have been losing weight before the pre-surgery diet, then you may not have to be on the pre-surgery diet as long. Good luck! And I hope you get banded soon!!!

Spot on!! Well said. The exercise suggestion is just right.

I was finally banded in 2008. I had wanted gastric bypass since I was like 14, and couldn't afford it. Then when the band was approved in the US, I knew it was the answer for me. But I couldn't afford it. Finally, at 38, I found a way to get it done. It is the absolutely one best thing I have ever done for myself. I really, really, really, really wish I had found a way to do something earlier. If you can, I suggest doing it if you do think its right for you. Good luck!!

Completely normal for lots of people. At four weeks I completely stopped losing anything and stayed like that for weeks longer. Then I had my first fill, and it just started dropping. Your first fill should be done on the timeline your doctor suggests. Your body has just lost a ton of weight at one time and it is adjusting. Mine did that all along... drop a lot then stall for months, then drop, then stall. It was annoying sometimes, but now looking back I realize how important the stalls were for my self-awareness and knowledge. Congratulations on doing wonderful things for yourself!

Yeah, same thing here.... should be going back next Monday I hope!