Jazzy4Health

Congrats on your loss thusfar. I do not usuallyfocus on that, but to what do you attribute your success? I have done well (25 lbs) but will admit wth all that I am doing, was hoping for more! Any tips, or just a general idea of what you do? Thanks

Congrats to you! Beng ready is the key..and support of loved ones is so encouraging! Best of success!

Hello everyone. I was banded on April 15th and felt great right from the start (for which I am thankful). I had my first fill 2 weeks ago today, but I must admit there is NO restrictive feeling (it was4 ccs). I am, however, trying to be patient and just continue what I am doing. I have lost 25 lbs, so should not even think about complaining. I have noticed, however, that I am quite tired over the last 2 weeks despite still eating my 50-60 grams of protein. I shall up my exercise over the upcoming weeks. My next fill and a nutrition follow-up are on July 9th. That is 4 weeks from today. I would like to lose another 5 by then, but will just take whatever comes. I have gone down a few clothes sizes, so that is encouraging. Looking forward to my next fill just to see how it feels and what signals my body gives me. If any of you noticed any particular signals or have any tips, let me know! Thanks a bunch. It was encouraging reading all of your comments. By the way, how do I adjust my information. I would like to update my stats and add a ticker. (I think it would be fun!) Best of good health to you all!

Congrats on your loss. I was wondering to what do you attribute the high weight loss success that you have had? Do you exercise a great deal? Any input would be appreciated. I see such varied losses. I was banded on the 15th and have lost 10 lbs (as of 1 wk post-op). Monday is my first follow-up, so I will wait to find out my official loss until then. It is a bit of a behavior issue I am working with myself not to give in to the "need" to hop on the scale on a daily basis. Just trying to limit it to once weekly. I would love to hear from you or anyone with their success strategies. I am exercising. In fact, back to the gym in the a.m. and cannot wait! Hope to hear from you when you have a chance. Enjoy the weekend.

Hey there. We are almost TWINS (ha, ha)..I was banded on the 15th. Yes, liquids for two weeks, so I am edging over a week, but my follow-up w/ doc is Mon and w/ nutritionist is Tues. Even if they don't let me begin mushies until Wed, it will almost be here by then. What about your support team? - friends, family, someone to go for a walk with you, get you away from a McDonald's eating family. Be careful not to let that sabotage you. Keep up your determination. We can do it...all of us. REMEMBER you want to be...

Congrats to you...34 lbs since March! That is awesome. I agree, you are not failing your band. One of the things that the classes at UMASS taught me is that each person is different. While it is great to get input from others, we cannot judge ourselves by the same standards. We were told that a fill is given when the person's system is ready. That can mean various things. For instance, there is not weight or shift in weight over a period of time, no full sensation or restrictive sensation, and/or time element. I had my surgery one week ago today and would not even expect that they would suggest a fill for another 3 weeks or so. I hopped on the scale today and lost quite a bit, but cannot wait for my first follow-up on Monday to get an "official" count. (Even though there is no real reason for me to think my scale is incorrect as to the loss amount.) Keep working on all the important habits that we have to learn, relearn, adopt, whatever is applicable to each of us. Best of success. Just keep yourself....

Actually, I weighed myself this morning since it was a week. My scale says a fairly big number down, so I am holding my enthusiasm until my visit to the doc's on Monday. It is probably right, but I don't want to get too excited. It is funny, though, I saw a friend of mine on the Saturday before Surgery and then the other day (Sunday) and they said they could tell I lost weight. They don't even know I had the surgery. So, perhaps. It is funny you should mention "hot flashes" I was really quite warm all day today. A few other people said it was as well, but I don't think it really compared with how I was feeling. Probably is a side effect. Keep me posted. By the way, when did you have your fill? I am not expecting to have one for at least another 3 weeks or more if I understood they way it works at UMASS. Have a great evening (or day if you get this tomorrow). Keep on your way to...

I definitely agree with Melliecat! Your system is merely cleansing itself of all the bad toxins, etc. Nothing to become alarmed about. Don't buy too much "new stuff" just stick to the basics for your own skin. Congrats on your steps thusfar. I had band surgery one week ago today and am so happy with my decision. Of course, I cannot wait for my follow-up appointment on Monday to see what the doc says. My last "meal" (2 eggs for lunch) was in Sunday, April 12th, but I can honestly say I have not been hungry. The Protein nutrient drinks (Carnation Instant Breakfast - No Sugar Added, of course) have satisfied me. Well, hope you all have a great week, if I do not get back before the weekend. Here's to your desire to be....

How long ago did you receive you band? One week ago today for me. I am feeling fairly well, although for the last 12 hours this is the worse I have felt since 36 hours after the surgery. I think it is just the movement, etc. A wild headache...again, I think just BP off a little, etc. I have my first follow-up on Monday, so I am excited. Very happy with my choice, though, and looking forward to returning to the gym to kick some serious butt...not too much my husband says (Ha, ha..). He is my biggest supporter. So grateful too. Have a great day.

Congrats to all of you! It is nice to hear people being positive. I know during the preparation phase all types of things can happen, but I too believe the key is to do what your own particular doctor and staff advise. My surgery is scheduled for WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15 and I can hardly wait. This morning I had my last meal of eggs, an hour later some skim milk). For the remainder of the day I will stick with some greek non-fat yogurt and possibly a CIB protein shake. Tomorrow again just yogurt and protein drinks. Then, of course, clear liquids on Tuesday. I just want to be certain that my stomach, etc. is the way it should be for surgery. I do not want to be one of those people that go for surgery and the doc discovers food still there and cancels the patient. Well, thank you all for your encouragement by example. I am certain of my success because of my determination.

First of all, CONGRATS on you quitting smoking. I have never smoked, but can only imagine the difficulty. I will tell you, though, there were a few people in our classes that were "in the process of" quitting. One even started again and was working toward quitting. Do not let that discourage you too much. Two months is a relatively short period of time when you look at the entire picture of your life! Use the two months to strengthen your resolve to become healthier. Any steps you take prior to surgery will only benefit your continued success! Keep smiling.

Congratulations to you both! On Tuesday of this week I received my surgery date: WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15TH!! So, it is three days away and I am truly excited for it to come. It is definitely a life-altering decision, but one which I am certain you both have considered seriously, so any nervousness is just natural. I hope that you both will just enjoy the journey together. And, with the rest of us as well. :cool2:

This is to Finallyready@51, but for anyone in a similar situation whether with a doctor, family member, or whomever. One thing I would suggest, if you are concerned about the communication lines with your doctor, YOU need to address it with them and correct it. It will not get better on its own. This is an important aspect of your health and it really necessitates your taking charge. You will feel better, more confident, in control and responsible. Control is a huge part of this entire process.

This is a question about the fatty liver matter. What was the 3 week diet you were on to shrink it? I am told that a person's weight and size actually have nothing to do with it. I am curious, however, as to the method used to normalize it somewhat? Thanks!

Hello Mary Petunia! Glad to know all is well with you. I have not really seen too many on this thread for sometime and was wondering about everyone. Sounds as if you have truly been one busy chica! Wow, some transformations have been in the works for you, I see. Congrats. I am happy that you are feeling well. At my end, things are progressing well. I just (the 19th) completed the PSS Group at UMASS and have my next appt. on the 17th of Dec. Hurray. It is my hope that it will show another 10lb loss. In any case, if all is going well, my letter will be written at that time. So, I am hoping that I will know what my tentative date for surgery is before the end of the year. My exercise routine is going quite well as are my eating modifications. There is still the question of band or bypass which will be discussed at my next meeting, but I am fairly certain that it is banding for me. If they are correct, and I am only able to lose another 25lbs after the banding, that will be that. I will simply continue with my healthy style and accept whatever the results are at that time. The bottom line is: I am sooo much more like my old self now. For the first time since the hysterectomy. Therefore, I feel WHATEVER I have to face with reference to my healthy life goals will work out just fine. I am feeling very much back in control. Not exactly where I was pre-hyst, but close. I do not know if I shall be at the next meeting or not. I have another meeting at UMASS and I believe it is the day before the group and two days in a row is a bit heavy on my schedule. Continued success to you. And, see you next year!!

You are all so very encouraging. I am enjoying reading the posts. This week I finished my skills group sessions and have scheduled my follow up behavoirist appt for Dec. 17th. Thusfar in my journey I have lost 21lbs so I am not complaining Looking forward to losing more b4 that appt. I would love 10 off because that would put me in another category, but whatever it is, I will relish it. Congrats to you all. I look forward to loving my banding as well!

Hello there! In our discussion group last week. The nutritionist mentioned baby food as a great addition. The key is to season it as you like. If you are a bland eater, you probably won't have too much of a problem. That is definitely on my list of additions after surgery. I want to be certain to have plenty of things so that I do not allow my mind to convince me that I am "bored" with the foods! Best of success. Keep us posted.

Jodi: Thanks for the input. Yes, I too really have considered the band for the same reason. Less invasive procedure. I have been reminded that there is more involved in that you have to get filled and adjusted periodically until it is just right, but it is worth it to me. How long ago were you banded? How many fills have you had? Are you satisfied with the rate of loss? The bypass is far more "augmentation" than I am comfortable with personally. (By the way, it apparently is reversible, but again, another major procedure.) It really is individual. One of the nutritionists mentioned some that had the band and later the bypass because of insufficient weight loss. Well, I have decided that if for some reason another 25 or so pounds come off, I will live with that fact. Then, I will just continue to eat healthy and enjoy my exercise. My husband is very supportive and he is certain that I will be successful. He is so sweet. It is true what they say in life, your sphere of associates is very important in your success and, also, in your failure. I am excited about weighing in tonite. I am uncertain what my loss will be, but it is a milestone because it represents moving on to another phase. No matter what that is! Have another healthy and happy day.:rolleyes2:

Similar thoughts to RestlessMonkey. Each individual has to weigh out how important their new lifestyle is to success. One comment at a discussion group I attended revolved around the fact that sometimes you have to simply look at things as black or white. Not giving oneself a grey area because for many of us that is where the trouble comes. Deciding what one is willing to do for one's health and overall wellbeing is worth the sacrifice of caffeine or sweets or carbonation. It is only food. Not saying it is not difficult when it is an addition, and that is what it can become, but it is still simply just food. Getting all the feedback is great, but one still has to look at our indivdual circumstance. Sometimes we request all the feedback because we just want someone to agree with what we want to do. Whether that is best for us or not. This surgery is huge, but it is still just a tool and we will have to make decisions all the time. Well, I look forward to reading again in the week. Wed. I have another weigh in. It will be my last pre-surgery skills group. The following day I can call for my last behaviorist appt and a couple of weeks later the last doc consult. So, if all continues forward, I should know my surgery date by mid-late December. Hurray! I think I may be getting a little nervous because I am starting to think about bypass surgery instead. I have no idea why. Oh well, I have time to decide. Any thoughts from anyone on that? What made you decide on banding v. bypass? Any input welcome!

This issue came up recently in our pre-surg skills group. Another reason which was explained when I initially went to the informational seminar is that it can promote gas and reflux issue. Without passing judgment on ourselves, one of thought which I find helpful is: When we make our choice to care for our health sometimes we need to put things in a black and white category. For many with varying "addictions" there are too many gray areas. Such areas allow us to convince ourselves that it is okay too have or do something even when it is not in our best interest. For me a question I ask myself at times is: Is having or doing this really in harmony with what is truly best for my health and the commitment I have made to myself? Figuring out a question or statement which suits your personal circumstances can become your own check and balance. I think the key is, as many others have mentioned is to follow the advice of your healthcare staff. All the input from the rest of us via our research or medical staff is just a guideline. Ask all the questions you need from your support staff, that is their job. Asking out here is helpful, but sometimes we may just keep asking in hopes of getting the answer we want, not necessarily what is best for us. Hope that helps someone out there! Keep healthy!

In addition to the CC and Gr Yogurt (yum), ricotta cheese is a whopper in the protein department. It is whey protein so people who normally have difficulty with lactose may have better success with it. I eat it paired with fruit slices, or just a touch of splenda, or even SF jello. If it is part of a meal rather than a sweet, I put veggies, particularly cukes and/or broccoli, but a couple of my friends - not even on diets - now love it too and say they put it with whatever they love. By the way, the Gr yogurt is good w/ a touch of splenda or a fruit as well. They are all awesome for calcium too, so it is a double bonus to me!

Hi there everyone! Just reading through your messages and was really boosted up this morning. Yesterday I went for a skills group meeting and weigh-in. Nothing lost (again) and was truly divided inside over that fact. I know I have stuck with my eating plan and exercise daily, but nada. My husband measured me and yes, I have lost several inches and even am in another size, but no movement in the numbers. Normally that does not even effect me much, but I have to have something off by the time I meet with the last doctor. The nutitionist etc. says to just keep doing it as I have been (1300-1400 cals) because she is certain that the scale will "POP" soon. I am not discouraged in that I want to give up by any means. It is just a bit disappointing. Especially hearing others who have been eating candy, cake, smoking, etc. and losing. I am still convinced that I am doing the best things for my body and soul, but just would like that scale to budge. I do not want to do anything drastic, but I think I will do a couple of Meal Replacements with the drinks suggested for after surgery and see if that "kicks" my metabolism a bit. Thanks for listening and continue on your wonderfully successful journeys. Your commonality of the restricted diet has helped me immensely. I will give that a try for the week and see if it helps too. Thanks again. We all are attempting to find the same thing - a more healthy lifestyle!

Hello again Amanda, I understand how you feel (REALLY). However, the nutritionist, etc. are all appointments which are scheduled through UMASS and the order in which it all takes place is concrete. You meet with Dr. Gitkind then all of the other appointments are set in place. There is no deviation with that. What I would suggest is that you simply begin your improved eating. You know the basics, they just enhance all of that and put the WHY our weight issues are there in clearer forcus. The more good habits you can get into (i.e. exercise and eating), the easier all of the rest will be. Now that I am at the stage I am it is unreal how quickly it is going by. I to in August thought - six months! But now I see how it goes by. If you can begin getting those habits in check, it will aid you greatly. I know that from the time you meet with Dr. Gitkind until the schduling of your surgery, they do require a pattern of some kind of weight loss. From the time that I first went to UMASS until I met with Dr. Gitkind I lost 13 pounds, BUT since that time, nothing. So, I am actually behind in what they like to see. Hopefully, when I go today for my first weigh-in in the skills group phase (last Wed. was my start), I will be down a few pounds. That would make me really happy since I have become a bit frustrated at the scale. I have also done what the nutritionist suggested and been cognizant of NSVs (non-scale victories). For instance, how my clothes fit, my added stamina, etc. I know I have lost inches and other people have noticed. My husband has made several comments about it. I had him measure me and will have him do so again on Friday. So, just hang in there. REMEMBER: NOTHING CAN OR SHOULD ECLIPSE YOUR WEDDING PREPARATIONS. While it can be stressful, it is the most wonderful time. Your surgery plans and goals are about you and your future life and health. Not just about your wedding day. Talk to you again soon. I will let you know how I make out at today's weigh-in.

Congratulations Amanda! Believe me the time will fly. I met with Dr. Gitkind and was told to be looking at a Feb surgical date. It sounded so far away, but the time has been good. It actually is going quite quickly. My suggestions would be to do your research, put your questions down, get to any of the discussion groups that are held once a month, and if you have not, begin to work toward your health goals. I am at the stage where I have my skills group appointments. I had the first on Wed and the other three are over the next three weeks. It was made perfectly clear that some weight loss is expected - and not a 3 or 5 lb loss over the couple of months prior to your "last" appt. when they schedule your surgery. Now is the time to work on any habits you need to break or begin. i.e., quiting smoking, giving up carbonated drinks, caffeine, etc. You do not want to find yourself staring like a deer in the headlights when they mention all of that to you with only a few weeks left in your preparation stage. I live in Rhode Island, so it is about a 30-40 min ride, but well worth it. Best of success to you. Maybe we shall meet in the future!

Hello there. My thoughts are just from what I have read and patients to whom I have spoken. The banding apparently is the first choice for sweet eaters. Is there a reason that you are not mentioning the gastric bypass? I will tell you a bit of my story, if you will. I realized that one of the main reasons for not considering surgery originally was that I thought it meant I had been a failure. No one else's opinions really came into my thought process. I had lost over 100lbs on my own in 2004. Healthy means - diet and exercise. It was not actually that difficult for me. I was just in that zone, I guess. Well, after having the weight off for about a year I ended up having a hysterectomy. I was laid up for several months and gained the majority of my weight back and the remaining portion of over the last couple of years. All but 25 lbs of it! Since 2006 it has seemed virtually impossible to lose anything substantial. The discussion groups, meetings with the various staff, etc. have been invaluable. So, sit down with yourself, keep a clear head and figure things out. Ask all the questions you need. The WLS is just a tool, a means to aid you to your goal. That is another important factor: what is your goal? why do you want to lose weight? and how important is it to you? Hope I helped a bit. Keep us up to date. I will be at the discussion group in November, I believe. Take care of your health!