MelodyJ

I was banded 3/20/06 ....a little over 4mos ago. I am now down 75lbs!! My starting weight was 335lbs! This am I was down to 260lbs!!! I still have around 100lbs too lose.... :Banane27: but at least I am on my way!!!! It can be done....if you go on the thread w/ BMI's over 50....there are plenty of examples of people doing GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Our stats are VERY similar to bypass after 5ys! It truly is about choices....I believe that it can be done!!!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -75lbs

You are NORMAL!!!!! I was freaking out the first week on and off and I had a LOT of pain....but felt like a wimp since so many didn't say much online that I had read...they raved about their successes! We tend to do that when we're happy with something....and you will get happy w/ the results of your band!!!! Before surgery your life revolved around eating....it is boring when you don't have that center....but when you feel better and can do things then you'll feel SO WONDERFUL that your life does NOT revolve around food and you find other things to do!!!!! If I got in 200 cal the first week that was alot!!!! But you need to push as much as you can.....the calories are necessary for healing!! YOU CAN DO THIS....IT DOES GET BETTER!!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -75lbs :Banane27:

Paulax....go for someone losing more than me!!! Set your goals HIGHER!!!! :scared: My day varies ....I just went through 3 wks of liquids and just starting to get back to eating somewhat "normal". I cannot eat in the morning for Breakfast....but can warm up 2 oz prune/cranberry juice to loosen that band. Around 10am I eat a cheese stick in between patients (hate the cheese breath....but gotta do what I gotta do )....if my band allows I eat something mushy for lunch....like chicken salad or tuna ....around 2-4oz and I'm no longer hungry. Then for supper I have a "hard" Protein....this week made a roast (must eat moist meat) and sweet potatoes (healthier than white potatoes), onions and carrots....it was yummy (don't drool...not much longer :cool: ). I can only eat about 1/2 cup and I am no longer hungry and somewhat full!! I also take a One Source chewable (Walmart brand of Flinstones) and I take Juice Plus chewables....2 fruits chewed up in the morning and 2 veggies in the evening....kept my hair and feel great! Lots of Water and trying to walk at least 2 mi/day..... Hope this helps!!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -74lbs

Poodles.... I LOVE YOU!!!! You do not sound like a hussy...anything but!!! I am so happy God gave you a husband that loves you for you!!! He did the same for me!!!!!!!!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -74lbs

You go woman!!!!!!!! You are so close!!!! I am impressed!!!!!!!!!!!! I am down 74lbs....since March 20th....still have lots to go!! But down is good!!!! So glad your just incognito....not MIA!!!!!!!!!!!!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -74lbs :scared:

Tanya--- cheese is my friend around 10am (up for 3hrs) and I can eat a cheese stick over about 15-20min....that takes the cravings off....it doesn't get stuck if I go slow....but may wanna try some turkey bacon soon!! Your doing GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Keep up the GOOD WORK!!!!!!!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -74lbs :scared:

Brenda, Share away......but Wheetsin is the smart one!!! ANd you have done AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -74lbs :scared:

Sleepy Jean What you say makes sense too me!!!! We all have to do what works for us!!!!! We are so unique and individual!! I think your wise to use the scale as a tool!!!! I still do once a week....seems to be working for me....although I do sneak an extra one in once in awhile!!! God bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -74lbs :scared:

JOsette---- Don't beat yourself up....at least you stuck w/ liquids!!!! I cheated a bit w/ a sesame stick!!! I wanted something salty so bad....but then I stopped!!!! You're DOING GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GOd Bless, MElody Banded 3/20/06 -74lbs

Paulax---- WOOOHOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PHENOMENAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YOu are doing GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My prayer was just don't let me gain back anything Lord...and I haven't....I kept all my Water weight loss off and kept going!!!! YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! God Bless, Melody banded 3/20/06 -74lbs

Gilbert--- 16lbs in 13days is AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NOTHING to sneeze at or be frustrated with....I AM IMPRESSED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You'll get more energy as you take more Protein....hang in there!!!! You can do it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -74lbs

Sheryl---- Don't feel alone!!!!!!!!!!!!! We're here for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Those aggressive fills can be rough...done that been there!!! But survived and now it's slowly allowing me to eat more!! But LOVING RIDING THE WEIGHT LOSS WAVE (that's my dr's phrase)!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -74lbs :scared:

Wooooooohooooooooooooooo Cootie!!! Such an exciting time....praying for a QUICK approval!!!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -74lbs

Wheetsin said she quit asking "am I full?" and started asking "Am I still hungry?"....this spoke VOLUMES too me!!! Don't eat so much you stretch your pouch....it's a tiny pouch and just like when we started getting overweight....we kept overfilling!! IT's SUCH a learning process.....I hiccup when I go past full!? Odd, huh?!? I am trying to avoid hiccuping.....I eat less than 1/2 cup for lunch and same for dinner!!! MY mind wants MORE...but my stomach is TRULY satisfied....FIGHT the head hunger woman!!!! YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -74lbs

Hope's Place, My doc has me eat Clear liquids for 2 days then full liquids for 2 days then on to mushies....it's so individual and your doc will tell you I'm sure!!! YOU CAN DO THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GOd Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -74lbs

Sounds normal too me....I am NOT tolerant of a lot of heat....get white around the mouth and hurl if it's good enough!!!! Hydration is VERY important.....ice packs sometimes help cool you off faster. As I lose weight I seem to not get AS hot.....I'm thinking it's less padding that's helping?!!? God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -74lbs

Telly--- WHERE ARE YOU WOMAN!?!???!? Am I just running on different threads or are you incognito!?!?! Did you reach goal yet.....your so close!!!!!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -74lbs

I am a self pay as well....no insurance help AT ALL....totally excluded for me!! But.........I am losing well and it's been very helpful for me!!!! I am so sorry you are struggling!! I don't have any magic....will pray for you and maybe suggest you re-look at what your doing and see if there is truly room for improvement!! This is NOT easy....NOT magic ....I wish it were....but the bypass isn't either. I have a friend that did the bypass and she must follow similiar rules and also has other things to deal w/ that banded patients don't. It's AWFUL when we look to something as being the "answer" and it seemingly fails...HANG IN THERE!!!! Don't give up!!! YOu can do this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -74lbs

Dr Grossbard does my fills in Zephyrhills, FL....I believe that's close to Dade City?! It's $200 a fill. He accepts people case by case if they did not have surgery with him. He is with Pasco Surgical Associates if that helps to google..... God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -74lbs

Grab your hankie girl for those tears....you are on your way!!!!!!!!!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -74lbs

Sparkling and Dana..... I'll keep being your cheerleaders.....just remember me when I'm "struggling" w/ pregnancy.....SOMEDAY! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -74lbs

Paul....LOVE your 2cents worth!!!! VERY true in this ladies opinion!!!! God Bless, MElody Banded 3/20/06 -74lbs

Thank you Photonut....very good "food" for thought!!!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -74lbs

Any juice that you can see through....I warm up my cranberry and it's like a cider....tastes very good. Broths are all allowed....I even cooked the ramen noodle broth because it seemed to have more flavor and gave my husband the noodles. Popsicles are clear liquid..... Keep hanging inthere!!!!!!!!!! You accomplished more than you have left!!!!!!!!!!!! WOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -74lbs

Ok you two.....I am a bit jealous!!! I know the pregancies weren't planned by you...but God obviously has a plan for those little ones!! I am hoping to try around Christmas if I get enough weight off to be more healthy!!! I LOVE your attitudes....honest and sincere!!! God Bless, Melody banded 3/20/06 -74lbs