gabi311b

Thank you so much!!! I feel a little better!

I started losing my hair also at month three. I get enough Protein and I have been taking Biotin and a Multivitamin. I always prided myself on my thick hair and now my ponytail is sooooo small and it's scaring me too! EmmaWang, I don't think the pill has anything to do with the hair loss...I think it's some other cause.

I don't know, but I hope someone answers soon! :rolleyes2:

I have had the hardest time not eating and drinking at the same time. I don't do it consciously and if I do drink during my eating time it's only a sip at a time. Is this going to stretch my pouch quickly? I was told not to do this because you are taking up precious room for your food but could this cause long term effects? I'm so afraid to do something wrong that I'm not going to be able to fix it. Also, do y'all sip liquids only, or are you sometimes taking larger gulps or continued sips without breathing? Am I over-reacting? Help!

I want to join...I will do the elliptical/bike/walk combo! YAY I needed something like this to motivate me to go a little further. I usually just get in a rut and don't change things up so distance will be the focus this month!

I have been banded almost 4 months and I've lost slightly over 30 lbs since surgery. I know that is about 2 pounds a week and I should be happy, but I still feel like I can eat too much. I have had 2 fills and I now have about 5cc's in a 9cc band. I can't get another fill until the middle of July and I am just wondering if I'm doing myself harm with the amount of food I can eat. I'm also afraid that I'm going to get to 9cc's and still have this feeling (or lack there of). For example, today for lunch I ate an entire 6-inch Subway sandwich (Turkey on wheat, no mayo). That is all I ate but I didn't feel FULL, I felt satisfied. I know that is more than a cup of food and I'm really afraid I'm stretching out my pouch. How easy is it to stretch out my pouch? I have never PB'd nor gotten anything stuck. I am working my ass off at the gym and I'm making good choices, I just feel like I can eat too much of those things. I am so frustrated and really really scared I'm doing long term damage. Am I over-reacting?

I use straws (only when I'm out to eat) and have had no problems.

My number is 42, plus Donnainva's number of 31 Total is 73! Next...

So, we haven't done this in awhile...I went to the dr today and I'm down 42lbs since I started this journey! Woohoo!!! Where is everyone at since this is the 3 month mark for us??

I was banded on 3/8/09 and I have lost a total of 27lbs. I've had one fill of 3.5cc's and I'm getting a 2nd this weekend.

I am so surprised that none of this has happened to me at all. I can pretty much eat anything and I have never gotten stuck... I have had one fill of 3.5cc's and I'm going back for my 2nd fill this week but I haven't had the restriction I hoped for, or thought it would be. I did alot of reading for at least 6 months prior to my surgery and I thought I would have more problems than I'm having...is there something wrong with me?

I am down 2 more...slowly but surely. I have now lost a total of 6...guess I should have made my goal 10, I could have made that! I finally have a little restriction...I got 3.5cc's in a 9cc band.

I just had my first fill on Sunday with the Realize Band. It was pretty painless also. I initially got 4cc's but couldn't swallow so he took it down to 3.5. I seem to be doing ok. I am getting fuller faster and am way tighter in the morning. I haven't had any PB'ing experience (yet...knock on wood) so that's good.I already want more though as I haven't seen the scale move yet.

I am on my last week of 'soft' foods and it's been 5 weeks since my surgery. I'm down 22lbs but the scale hasn't moved for 2.5 weeks. I'm going for my first fill on the 19th and hopefully that will kick it into gear. I'm working on will power alone but I will say I'm not all that hungry so 3/4 to 1c of food is good for me. I've been exercising somewhat but nothing regular yet and only walking. I know I need to kick it up. Good job to everyone!

I've lost 4lbs already. Only 11lbs to go!!!!!

WOW I can't believe the month is almost over! I'm kinda sad it's not going to be "OUR" month anymore! I am so proud of us all, we are off to such a great start! For those who had some unfortunate events and couldn't get banded this month, you will be our honorary members! We wish you all the luck in the world and please keep us updated on your progress. According to the poll we took weeks ago we are officially the Let me know if you need help doing your signature or you can just click on mine and create your own. YAY! I know that this is the best decision I ever made and I'm so glad to be able to share my experience, strength and hope with all of you wonderful friends! :thumbup:

When I first was banded I slept with 2 pillows under my head, one under my knees and one under each hip as cushion. It was pretty comfortable. On night 4 I was able to sleep on my non-port side just fine. I can just now sleep on my port side but not for very long as it's still sore. I now only have the pillow under my knees and I'm sleeping just fine. I slept in my bed every night and didn't have too much of an issue with standing straight. I pushed through the uncomfortableness and took my liquid Vicodin if I needed it. I also took my pain med every night right before bed and that really helped.

Can I change mine to 15? I think I WAY overestimated. I haven't gotten a fill yet and I'm stuck on the scale. I don't want to make my goal to unattainable so is there any way i can change it? Thanks.

I made this Soup last night for my puree stage of post-banding. It was SOOO easy and sooo good. I calculated the nutrition facts so we have that as well for tracking. This recipe makes about 8 cups and you could totally cut the recipe in half if you don't want so much. I have a non-bandster roommate and I wanted lunch for this coming week. 4 cans of Bush Black Beans (regular flavor) 3tbsp olive oil (extra virgin) 2 medium onion, chopped 4 cups of Progresso Low Sodium Chicked broth 3 medium stalks of celery 4 cloves of garlic, minced 1 cup 2% lowfat milk 1 tsp cumin Salt, pepper, cayenne, tabasco to taste (if wanted) In saucepan sautee the onion, garlic and celery for about 5 minutes until soft. Add beans, broth, salt, pepper and cumin and let come to a boil. Once boiling turn down to simmer and let simmer partially covered for about 30 minutes. Let cool slightly and transfer small bits at a time to the blender and puree. Once all is pureed transfer back to pot and add the 1 cup of milk to make cream! Serve, refrigerate or freeze. Tip - I found it didn't need extra salt and I did add pepper and a small amount (1tsp) of Tapatio (it's like tabasco). It's sooo good! 8 servings at 1 cup Calories = 193.3 Fat = 5.125g Protein = 12.2g Let me know if you like it.

Count me in too!!!!! I'd like to lose 35lbs by Cinco de Mayo. I am so recently banded I'm losing pretty fast and I hope that continues. By that time I should have had my first fill and I will be able to restart my normal workouts. I am currently just walking on the treadmill for 45 min 3-4 times a week. YAY I'm excited to have a smaller goal to look forward to!

Welcome Sita, I definitely think you will blow their minds and make your goal! Don't let them tell you what your goal will be...hence why it's called a PERSONAL goal!

Good! I'm so glad. I needed somewhere we could all talk where all of us were going through the same things.

I can't believe you are already able to eat chili too. I am still on clear liquid until the 22nd then I can have pureed foods. So if I wanted that chili I'd have to put it in the blender. I am going to make some soups this weekend and puree them so I have lunches. I am also still not that hungry. I get hunger pains kind of at night but I can't tell sometimes whether it's gas or actual hunger. Does anyone know how to tell? I am a little scared because I've been tracking my calories and I'm only intaking about 250 minimum and 350 max per day. I know that is sooooo little which is why I'm losing like no tomorrow but is that really how it's supposed to be? I even ate about 1/4 cup of full fat pudding today just to up my caloric intake. Should I be worried? I'm getting all my protein in with bullets and shakes so I'm good there.