jukebox81782

you know what? i've been doing the same thing! i pay attention to calories, protein, and carbs! it's become clear to me, however, that i got this band, so i wouldn't HAVE to watch my carbs or calories anymore...so, imho, your nutritionist has given you GREAT advice! i do plan to continue monitoring my calories pre-fill, though, because i don't want to gain while i have no restriction (and watching carbs and keep them low will, hopefully, promote a little loss before being filled), but i'm so excited to be able to just sit down and eat and not have to worry about over-eating because my band will tell me--JESSICA, YOU'RE FULL!!--when i've had just the right amount!!

i CANNOT WAIT to see my doctor on 5/14 for my first "potential fill," which i will most likely beg for! i've been sticking to less than 800 calories since being banded--i only went over once and had about 945. i'm not eating WHATEVER i want (because what i really want right now is a big combination pizza with extra cheeze), but i eat three meals a day and a vitamin shake. i get at least 60-80 grams of protein/day and TRY to stay under 30-40 grams of carbs. i feel no restriction, and it's really become difficult for me to stop myself, but i continually do. i feel like once i have found my "sweet spot" (as they call it), i will be able to eat my little meals and be so so so happy that i'm not longing for more. ) good luck to all with your first fills! keep us posted on the after-effects and what this whole "sliming" issue is like... i NEVER wanna experience that!

i was actually looking into it, and tamales and refried Beans are not tooooooo terrible. ):drool:

I've noticed throughout my browsing the forums that a lot of people choose to keep the fact they have had or are planning to have surgery a secret. Why? I don't consider it shameful in the least bit, and I haven't kept it a secret from anyone. Granted, I haven't worn a nametag that says, "Hi, I'm Jessica! Ask me about my lap band!" but why such secrecy?

i'm so afraid to stretch my pouch or pop a stitch, that i only eat really soft food or liquids; although, i'm really trying to eventually work out the Protein shakes and be eating three meals a day and still maintain the less than 1000 cals/80+grams protein/less than 30 grams carbs per day. the thing that SUCKS is that i weigh myself everday and have seen the number not change for like three days. that's why i've decided that i'm NOT going to weigh myself until i see my doctor for my fill appointment. i think we should all weigh ourselves less b/c it's that damn scale that makes ME feel like poopie. ) *sometimes i realllllllly wanna eat my signature meal: two cheese enchiladas, a chile rellano, and rice and Beans with lots and lots of chips and queso. oooooh god! i used to eat that like twice a week. sometimes i feel like driving to my favorite restaurants and just sitting outside in my car and crying. hAhA!

i think i was thinking too logically--i do now realize how hard the people (myself included) have to work to keep the weight loss going and going. it is really up to the person to use the band to help them lose (i guess i just still feel that without the band, my success wouldn't come because i've never had success in the past).

thank you so so so much! this is good to know and makes me feel a lot better. i'm so glad i've got this forum to come to!

:laugh: Bunny Banster's July 4th Challenge Bunny's name ------ Bunny's target loss --- Bunny's start weight --- Current date --- Bunny's Current weight --- Bunny's target July 4 weight PharmaGirl ----------------- 20lb --------------------- ? -------------------- 1 May --------------------- ? -------------------------- ? NY Lady -------------------- 20lb --------------------- ? -------------------- 1 May ----------------------? ------------------------- ? Lingling--------------------- 20lb --------------------- ? -------------------- 1 May --------------------- ? -------------------------- ? JayTee---------------------- 20lb --------------------- ? -------------------- 1 May --------------------- ? -------------------------- ? MrsMitch -------------------- 20lb --------------------- ? -------------------- 1 May --------------------- ? -------------------------- ? ALuv82---------------------- 30lb --------------------- ? -------------------- 1 May --------------------- ? -------------------------- ? Band_Groupie -------------- 15lb --------------------- ? -------------------- 1 May --------------------- ? -------------------------- ? Kaner ----------------------- 20lb --------------------- ? -------------------- 1 May --------------------- ? -------------------------- ? Scoobydoo ------------------ 25lb --------------------- ? -------------------- 1 May --------------------- ? -------------------------- ? TerriLynne ------------------ 20lb --------------------- ? -------------------- 1 May --------------------- ? -------------------------- ? Hopeful41411 --------------- 18lb --------------------- ? -------------------- 1 May --------------------- ? -------------------------- ? IsabellaP84 ----------------- 20lb --------------------- ? -------------------- 1 May --------------------- ? -------------------------- ? Hannah Jay ----------------- 20lb --------------------- ? -------------------- 1 May --------------------- ? -------------------------- ? JWL08 ---------------------- 18lb --------------------- ? -------------------- 1 May --------------------- ? -------------------------- ? Abbie-pie -------------------- 30lb --------------------- ? -------------------- 1 May --------------------- ? -------------------------- ? Poconomom ------------------20lb --------------------- ? -------------------- 1 May --------------------- ? -------------------------- ? myturn2Bhappy -------------- 20lb --------------------- ? -------------------- 1 May --------------------- ? -------------------------- ? DMChef ---------------------- 20lb --------------------- ? -------------------- 1 May --------------------- ? -------------------------- ? FutureSize10 ---------------- 25lb --------------------- ? -------------------- 1 May --------------------- ? -------------------------- ? Doodlebug11------------------20lb----------------------?----------------------1 May----------------------?----------------------------? tcbgirl -----------------------15lb----------------------?----------------------1 May----------------------?----------------------------? twinmamma1130---------- --20lb----------------------?----------------------1 May----------------------?----------------------------? mi_illusion_st--------------15lb------------------------?--------------------1 May----------------------?---------------------------? kittygirl---------------------22lb----------------?-------------1 May--------------?-------------------? JukeBox81782-------------40lb----------------?-------------1 May--------------?-------------------?

i think the whole purpose of this post--initially--was either mistaken or communicated poorly (most likely by my own fault). i am young. i'm also someone who has been fat ALL HER LIFE! i've worn my weight problems on me for the world to see for as long as i can remember. initially, i was confused as to why someone would have to hide the fact that they are having surgery from someone as close to them as their father. it was my lack of life experience with an unsupportive family that lead to this confusion, but after the first couple of posts explaning to me that not everyone has great relationships with their family like i do, i made a pretty clear mea culpa and even commended those people with unsupportive family members for going through something like this so alone. now, the fact that this whole thing spun was when i felt that luluc (i think that's her name) said that not admitting that the band helped her to lose her weight bothered me. again, yes, this may have been said irrationally and without adequate experience being banded. my doctor gave me permission to integrate food back into my diet, and i'm feeling no restriction (i haven't been filled yet), and i want to keep eating--i do--but i CHOOSE to stop eating and not go over 800-1000 calories a day. i'm hoping that once i'm filled i will not have to force myself to stop--that i will actually start feeling full and feel satisfied. okay. all that said, i guess i am apologizing for things being taken so far out of hand and out of context. i was a bit snarky, but i do not feel that i was the only one. two wrongs, however, don't make a right. just as my parting words from this post. i was in no way trying to scare people out of getting a lap band. all i'm saying is that if a obese person in my life (colleague, old friend, family member i haven't seen in a while/am not close to, someone from the gym, etc) sees my success and asks me how i do it...i will tell them that i had a lap band surgery, and i really had to evaluate what i eat and how much of it i eat, and it changed my life forever. the only reason i would tell them that is because they may chose to consider getting the lap band too, and it might save their life...that's how i came to get one. i ran into two people from my past when i moved back to my hometown after eight years--they'd both lost tons of weight and looked great, and they'd both had the band. they didn't tell me "maybe if you order fish/sushi to eat and get your a$$ to the gym, you'll lose weight too." good luck to all!

so, i'm having a bit of negativity problems. hahah. i was banded on the 14th (almost two weeks ago), and my doctor has given me the green light to start integrating food back into my diet...go slow and soft were his words. i'm eating scrambled eggs, lots and lots of soups, i'm still taking my protein shakes, i had some mashed potatoes, etc. i'm tracking everything i eat (and have been since my day of surgery). i either have absolutely NO restriction or very very very little because only occasionally do i feel "full" after i eat. i'm trying, however, to eat as if i have my band full and am experiencing restriction. i eat in small doses, and i never go over 1000 calories for the day. i'm keeping my protein intake in the 60-80 range. i also try to keep my carb intake below 30. i've decided that i will NOT weigh myself again until i see the doctor on the 14th of May (one month after surgery and time for a potential fill), but i feel like my weight loss is stopping. i'll start back at the gym after the 1st, so hopefully that will help. i have to keep telling myself that it's only been 13 days and that 18 pounds in 13 days is good, but i feel like it should be coming off faster. am i crazy?

You're right...I am an open book by nature. I'm very honest. I'm also very opinionated. It's up to the individual to disclose how/why they've lost their weight. All I'm saying is that it's--in my opinion--socially and morally reprehensible to mislead people into thinking that the success you've had was not at all in part due to the fact that you were banded. If you say, "I eat right, I work out everyday," and don't mention the band, it sets false expectations. For example, I have a friend who's overweight, and we've bonded over our overeating and self-loathing...hell, we've made it an art form...how could I look her in the face and watch her struggle with her unsuccessful diets and have her see me and my success and let her believe that I lost my weight all alone? There's no way. I guess I'm just a different kind of person than others...and that's ok! To each his/her own, right?

Exactly! So like when someone comes up to me and compliments me on how much weight I've lost and asks how I did it--I'd be honest...and tell them that with diet, exercise, and a little help from your local bariatric surgeon, you too could lose 20 lbs in eight days...

i plan to. you've done great with your experience as well, and i know i'll do just as well. i, too, have made lifestyle changes and am using the band as a TOOL--in addition to a healther diet and regular workouts--to reach my goals. i don't, however, have any misconceptions that the fast success i'm having would mirror that of the same success i would have EVENTUALLY had with the same healther diet and regular workouts and no banding. enjoy your insurance bank.

keeping the weight off long term and preventing regain will not take place due to the lifestyle changes you've made?

You are right. I just have one question for you: If you've done it all yourself through lifestyle changes (which is awesome and fully respected by me), why did you have the surgery in the first place?

I want to make sure that I was in no way trying to imply that people should or shouldn't tell. I completely agree that it's a personal choice. I think the thing that was bothering me the most was that people online here would post something like, "I'm having dinner with my dad tomorrow, and I'm on a liquid diet, and he can't find out about my surgery...WHAT DO I DO?" Now, I know that some people do not have the support system and relationships with family/friends that I have. I've always been able to be open and honest with everyone in my life about everything I chose to be open and honest about. But you are all correct--it was MY CHOICE. On a side note, I think it's slightly irresponsible to allow people to encourage you and believe that you are having such success and weightloss simply by diet and exercise alone. If that were the true case, why have the surgery at all? In my opinion, it sets false expectations for other overweight/obese people. Just my two cents...

Cool!! Thanks for the tips and wisdom!! I'm still in the liquids phase, so I'm not sure that they were the result of overeating, but they have gone away, and now I know that they're common (oh joy...) And not gonna hurt me!

I guess I never stopped to think about those people out there with unsupportive (i.e. downright mean and terrible) family members. I've been fat since childhood, but I've NEVER had an issue w/an unsupportive family. I've also never had a hard time socializing and making friends since I entered junior high. The only aspect of my life that my weight caused issues for was my romantic life, and most of the time it was because I wouldn't accept male advances out of embarrassment. Wow...confession session...I guess the long story short is that my heart goes out to those who feel the need to go through this in secrecy because their family and friends and the people in their life suck!! On a funnier note, I was sure to make it VERY known at work because I work as a government contractor, and I didn't need my co-workers, boss, or customer thinking I'd developed a drug habit to lose weight...hAhA!!

I, too have the hiccups! RIGHT NOW! I was banded a week ago today, and it's really freaking me out. HELP!

Hello all, I went back to work yesterday, and it's SO MUCH EASIER to stick to the liquid diet when I'm working--which is nice. Although I smell someone's nuked lunch in the microwave and start feeling like I want to eat my own finger just to chew something. hAh! Right now, I'm dealing with the WORST case of hiccups I can ever remember having, and I can't help but go to my immediate fear that it will either hurt the band or means that I have already hurt the band in some way. I don't know what this is all about...but it SUCKS! Anyone else experiencing hiccups? I'm so glad that everyone is doing well, and I can't believe April is almost over--GOOD LUCK to those being banded this week and next!! lisaacb5--HOW WAS IT?! I hope all is well, truly. I, too, was very secretly scared. I did have some pretty rough days there after surgery, but it comes and goes. The day of, I was out of commission for the rest of the day. The day after, I actually got dressed and went to a restaurant with my parents--I, of course, had water-based Soup broth and Water...hAh! The third day, I didn't want to go anywhere! I stayed in all day... you know what I mean? Hang in there! :smile:)

I feel like I'm driving myself crazy with worry...am I drinking the right things? Is everything okay with my band? Why do I feel NO restriction? Have I already had some sort of problem and don't realize it? Why do I have this side-stitch pain on my left side? I must have an esophigial tear! Have I pushed myself too far? Have I not pushed myself enough? Do I have blood clots in my legs? I think I'm reading too many posts and can't get it into my head that everyone's band, body, and health restraints are different... I dunno!! I'm just freaking out about every little thing my body does now!!

Hello all... just checking in! it's day four post-op, and i was finally able to sleep through the night without waking up! yay! i was in a lot of port-pain, and a bit aggravated that i was given NO pain meds whatsoever, but i got through it. my parents left me this morning to go back to colorado. :tt1:( i came home from the hotel and did laundry and cleaned my room. i'm also really tracking my Fluid intake. i've already have 32 oz of Water and 16 oz of jamba juice green tea with two Protein boosts (roughly 20gr protein). for dinner, i'll be having some cheddar Soup. i've also been taking my Multivitamins everyday. things that have been worrying/bothering me since surgery: 1. i'm afraid to eat and feel like i'lll never be able to eat food again. 2. when i drink a lot of water, i feel like i have a side stitch on my left-side 3. people keep giving me contradicting tips on what to eat and how, etc. (get TONS of protein, drink soup broth, don't drink too much soup broth--sodium levels, don't drink too much water--it's boring, etc). IT'S DRIVING ME NUTS! on the plus side, i do not feel as weak as i'd expected, and i never feel hungry. also, i've lost 15 lbs. :smile2:) i hope everyone else is happy and doing well, also!

Hello! Just checking in...I had my banding today at noon and was home by 4PM. At first, I had a lot of soreness, but I walked a lot in between my time sleeping. I do have some light gassy pain, but walking helps with burping, and this provides relief. I have no yearning to eat or drink anything, but I'm forcing myself to drink Water...I know I didn't hit my 64oz today, but I will try hard tomorrow. Good luck to all you bunnies going in tomorrow!! It's a breeze compared to other surgeries (I've heard...).