julie.ann

Hey Smartie,

I don't really remember being scared of food. What are you afraid of? I was afraid of hurting myself. I was afraid that I wouldn't have restriction. Being worried is normal. I was so happy to start soft food. Ask me anything you want. It wasn't that long ago I was in your place.....Exactly 6 months ago.

BG....Take care. You'll do fabulous! Let us know how you are when you are feeling up to it!!!

Thanks tig!

You are sweet. I hope that other people benefit from my blog as much as I do. I love your attitude! Keep up the awesome job!!!!

mymy, Can I ask how much your vaneers are goiong to cost? I was thinking braces or vaneers. I know....I'm in my thirty's too!

Sarah,

Honey don't EVER cancel because you haven't lost much weight. That is one of the biggest and most important reasons to get a fill. Remember you doctor has seen it all. It seems that they will jump all over you and you story is very personal, but not unique. Remember one of the best things about the band is that it is adjustable for those times that you do fall off the wagon. Bypass isn't and this is one of the best reasons to have the band.

Hang in there. Jump back on the wagon. Walk for 30 minutes if you don't feel like working hard. That is better than no exercise and it will make you feel better about doing something for your health. Starting up is ALWAYS the hardest part.

Thanks. I don't like the idea of bypass because of the malapsorptive issues and it is not adjustable or reversible. I have a friend that had it done 4 years ago and although she dropped a lot of weight she is starting to regain and she says she can eat anything and everything she wants just as before with no change in how she feels except ice cream.

I like the fact that if I fall off the wagon I can get an adjustment and jump back on and over time when the effects wear off I can get a fresh start with an adjustment. So far I can eat anything I want...I chose not to. I haven

t tried much bread and no pasta, rice or potatoes. I love my band. It is awesome. I hope you found my blog and checked it out. I'm so glad I started to keep my journal. It is great to go back and read and remind me of how far I have come and the drive I have found.

Good luck!!!

Sarah,

How are things going? I haven't heard from you in a while. Guess what!?!? I told people at work about surgery. They were very supportive and happy for me. Whew....We will see what tomorrow holds!

Ugh...1.5 lbs away. So close and the first mini goal I missed, but that is okay. By this time next week I will have hit my goal. I just got my 4th fill today.

Nope I can't feel the band at all. I can feel the port pretty easily now and it is much better than feeling fat! I think eventually I will have a tummy tuck and they might be able to reposition the port, but again it is so much better than feeling a spare tire.

I can't feel the band around my stomach. I don't feel a thing.

MyMy,

Hey I have the guidelines posted in my blog. You can find it Here. My Bandster Guidelines..... - Lap Band Surgery and Lap Band Discussion Forum

Liquid caloried just run right through the band. If you eat solid food you stay satisfied longer without being hungry. That is how the band worked. That is why you should drink with your meals. It washes the food out of the pouch and you hungry faster. You should wait at least 30 minutes before you drink. I started getting lazy with that rule and I noticed that my hunger was coming much sooner. I will occasionally have a protein drink for a snack to tide me over an hour or so until supper. It is very rare that I have a protein drink and I can expect to be hungery in a few hours.

Food early in the moring gets your metabolism started early in the day.

Hang in there and you might need a fill. Just listen to your stomach to find out. Some days are just harder than others.

I think all of my main pointers can really be found in my blog. The best thing I do for my weight loss is to keep track of everything I eat in an on-line journal. It breaks down my calories, protein, carbs, fiber. I use www.sparkpeople.com but there are others out there that are also free. You can look at my food journal by finding me on there. My name is nursemom5. That is about all I use their website for now, but they have great articles and such!

I also have worked very hard to know the difference between head hunger and real hunger. I think that is what gets most bandsters in trouble if they aren't seeing results. And the difference can be VERY TRICKY to figure out. Even now I have problems with this. Measure/weigh your food at least until you become accustum to the serving sizes. It took about 3 months for my changes to becoem a lifestyle. When I travel I carry a small bag cooler with me with chicken salad and cottage cheese, or turkey breast for when I get hungry. I am rarely or never caught away from my house when hunger sets in without having a plan. Even if it is just taking a little serving of string cheese with me.

Don't drink with meals. I started getting lax about this and I have noticed a difference, so it is back to basics of eating and drinking. Wait at least 30min before and after.

I posted my guidelines in my blog. Good luck. Keep me posted! I really go more low carb/high protein, but when you eat solid protein first that happens.

I don't eat bread, pasta, rice or potatoes except for a very occasional splurg on thin crust pizza.

Trust me...if I can do this then so can you!!!

I just saw your post on the Dr K group. Sorry. I don't emials when someone posts there.

Things went great! Dr. K is really kind and understanding! His staff is great. I have had 3 fills. Banded life can be GREAT!!! Learn the difference between head hunger and real hunger. Start that process now. I think that it has been one of the top reasons I have done so well.

If you aren't hungry....don't eat. It sounds simple and obvious, but when Dr. K said it, well, It just kind of finally sunk in.

Good luck. Let us know how things go!

How is it going? Working out? Just thought I would check in.

Well, I postponed it from the beginning of this month until March 6th. Just a week from Friday. Hubby is off work for a month because of a broken bone in his foot and recovering from surgery. I am hoping to be able to afford a trip to Denver. The fill only costs me $15 so it is just the gas and overnight fees I have to pay for.

I've had my Wii fit since November. I love it. I haven't played online with anyone yet. I usually don't really wok would much on the wii because I go to the gym 3-5 days a week. We'll have to see how it works out. Carefull iwth the the hoola hoop. It killed my hip for about a month!

Yep I get on my wii fit EVERY morning and weigh myself. Even if I don't do a lot of working out on it (because I go to the gym all the time) but keeping track and weighing in really helps me alot!

Hey Sarah,

Where have you been? How's it going? I haven't heard from you in a while. Let me know.

JA

Thanks spud! That is sweet! I love this site. What would we do without it?

I was banded October 29, 2008. It seems like a lifetime ago instead of just over 3 months!

Right back at you! Your are a hottie! I can't wait to be in onderland!!!

I saw your post in the blogs about four fills without change. Did they ever check the level in your band to be sure that you aren't losing any from a leak? Are you going in for more fills. Did your doctor have a set amount to fill? My doctors actually fills until I feel restriction swallowing water and them pulls back a little.

Good luck with surgery. It is an AWESOME thing to do! Good luck and keep me posted on how you are doing.

Sarah,

I couldn't put a comment on your blog. You changed the settings.

Hey I just wanted to warn you. I have found a couple of people with streched pouches. They said they don't over eat. Their doctor has said it is from carbonated drinks. I've heard the same thing. Please be careful with that Code Red Mountain Dew!!!