jukebox81782

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'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, 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...).

wow! i thought i had gotten the supreme screw over. i'm so sorry! i can't believe how insurance companies treat some people. it's like, we pay so much money to have this coverage, and all they want to do is like deny us our right to medical care! urgh! it's frustrating indeed! give em the big stick! i think we'd ALL support you in that!

well, i called my insurance company early this morning and got the final word--i was denied, but my surgeon's office called and disputed and it was overturned the very same day! that's why i received three letters with the same date. in four and a half hours, i'll be in surgery! ) i had a little bit of sad emotion come up when i sent my "just in case" wishes to my sister and parents... that was tough! but i'm showered, shaved (hAhA!), and ready for surgery. thanks to all for the amazing stories and support, good luck to those being banded today, and WAHOOOO!!!! we're going to have a wonderfully amazing and totally worth-it journey!

yeah...i always joke that i only like shopping for purses and earrings...those are the only things that always fit...no matter what!

Thank you, k! I'm really starting to get more comfortable with the idea of accepting the body I will have after I reach my goal (but I'm still saving plastic surgery money just in case :cursing:) I've actually seen people who REALLY commit to the diet and add hardcore exercise routines into their daily life have weight loss that mirrors that of someone w/the bypass--this is what i'm hoping for because I'm ready to be at least 2/3 to my goal by christmas!! (we shall see...) Thank you for the compliments. I've been actually getting more comfortable (totally ironic I know) with appreciating my larger body for some of its larger ass-sets...hahahah! I'm hoping I can still have the donka and rack I've got now...just on a smaller scale! I'm right there with you on the shopping thing. I HATE shopping! Lane Bryant, Fashion Bug, Torrid...those will be names of the past, honey, for you and for me!! :tt2:

The more I read everyone's words of encouragement, the more I realize that I am worrying too much about something I cannot fully control. I have abused my body for 26 years, and I will have to deal with how my body reacts when I finally try to be good to it by losing weight. Hopefully, I will not have too much penance to pay, but I'll jump that bridge when I come to it. Thank you so much for all of the encouragement and wise words! I'm so happy I found this site (thanks, Jaclyn!). We are all going to do GREAT!! :tt1:)

I'm scared of dying on the table, but at this point, I have to trust that my doctor knows what he's doing and wouldn't put me in danger/risk of surgery if he didn't think my body could handle it. The biggest thing I'm scared of (and I've talked about this in my "post-goal weight anxiety" thread) is what the aftermath of rapid weight loss has in store for my body. I don't want to look like a deflated balloon... I've already started saving for full-body contouring and a boob job, but if ANYONE has heard any workout tricks or magical potions or lotions, please let me know!

It is great to know that there are so many women (and men!) going through the same things I am. I'm ready for this. I really am. I just wish I could say, "I'm doing it. This is the date, and it's not gonna change!" It seems like my mind keeps telling me to GO GO GO! one minute. Then, it's NO NO NO! the next. I dunno... <3

ThinWithin, I competely understand what you mean. It's not that I enjoy being fat--I don't. In fact, I really hate it. It's just that being fat is all I know. It's like... what's it going to be like to be able to put shoes and socks on sitting down? what's it going to be like to be able to sit on the ground indian-style? what's it going to be like to put on jeans without having to suck in so much or use a friggen pair of nail clippers to get the zipper up? what's my face going to look like without all this extra fat hanging from the chin? are my cheeks going to be as puffy-cute? what's it going to be like to walk into a room and know that people are looking at me because i'm gorgeous instead of fat? what's it going to be like to be in a relationship with a guy and not constantly wonder why he's even with me? it's like... i'm entering a completely new world without any of the walls i've been able to build so securely because of my fat. all i can do is hope that the person i've become because of my weight--the funny, friendly, not really happy but can sure as hell pretend person--i just hope she doesn't change too much because i feel like she will. and sometimes i don't feel like i'll like her all that much. :rolleyes2:

You are so right about that! A fat person could be the most beautiful person--inside and out--but because they are fat, they are considered an untouchable or something. A thin person, however, who has all sorts of body issues (but fat layers under his/her skin) is perfectly accepted by society for the most part. :rolleyes2:

Bethany-- Thank you so much! This is a great response! I, like you, feel very confident that this is the best way to go about losing weight, and I have already joined a gym and begun working with a personal trainer who understands that I'm having this surgery. He is going to work with me post-op to ensure the best workout routine possible to keep skin elasticity and muscle mass while losing the weight. I guess I'm just freaking out because I've seen how my mothers skin looks, and I know that she's twenty years older than I am and wasn't ever athletic, but I just fear that I will look like a deflated balloon. It's like...right now, the fat keeps me from getting into a serious physical relationship with a guy. I don't want to have lose skin keep me from enjoying relationships with men once I'm happy with my general appearance. It's just SO much to wrap your mind around, you know? Well...I'm sure you know. :frown: I wish you good luck. Let's keep in touch while we're going through our weight-loss journey! I think we'll be getting banded around the same time. Thanks for responding! And Kaitlyn--thanks for letting me know that I'm not alone. If I learn anything that helps ease the anxiety...like any workout tips or lotions to use for skin elasticity, I'll let you know. <3