YngGram

Most of us seem to be able to live without really seeing ourselves; I now know I did. I knew I was overweight, and I was very offened when the chart listed morbidly obese. REALLLLLY! I had been thinking I would be fine if I got below 200 all would be well. I could shop anywhere and I would feel better. Wrong, very wrong. I stay away from camaras if possible, but to look back on pictures now I really want to cry. It hurts me for all the years I have felt as badly about myself as I did; and to know that I lied to me about how I felt.

There is a young woman that I have talked to about surgery, she has so many health issues; but says her doctors haven't said anything about getting the weight off. People watch her eat, not that she has huge amounts, but as large as she is it seems like she shouldn't eat. It makes me cringe because I know all the problems she has ahead of her. I don't think we're hypocrites, we are just identifying with our own lives. What it was, what it has become and all the possiblites we think are ahead for us. We want to share the joy, not just on this forum with those who might not realize that there are options for a better/healthier tomorrow.

Great job. Now to get on with it, drink Water all day between meals. If your doc allows 2 Snacks then use em. The water really helps, some of what you have is head hunger. I was told 65 grams of Protein, and 60 odd oz of water daily and I found it very hard to do at first. If you can have coffee, it helps some. For me, it is almost like a chocolate treat, at least to my taste buds. Follow your instructions and hang tight.

The others are right, 40 gone is 40 gone. Don't feel down, it is different for us all and it's hard not to want the weight to just get the crap off and stay off. I was a quick drop without much work. Now here I am three years out and I'm not only not where I thought I would be, but I'm going backwards. Slow and easy is the best for us, it helps with the extra skin. As long as you are following the rules, not drinking when you eat, things should be fine. Also, some docs put some saline in at surgery (mine did) and that helps to get things going faster. Remember, 1/3 of what you did eat might still be more than you should have now. Keep working you are on the right track.

Hey there, I had my surgery the day before you did (4/26). I have had 3 fills, and am up to 6cc. I don't think I am at the green zone yet, but I definatiely do feel some restriction. I have an apt this week for my 4th fill and am hoping will have full restriction after that. I definately can't eat like I used to. I have to eat slow and less or the food will get stuck and that hurts.

Most of the weight I have lost was due to the pre op and post op diet. But, I must confess, I do not measure my food. I eat until I am full, but eat whatever I want just less. I just think that if I wanted to be on a diet, I wouldn't have paid all that money and put myself through surgery. I know that I probably won't loose as much as if I did follow their diet rules, but I'm ok with that. If I could follow a diet I wouldn't have had surgery. I know that doesn't sound right, but that's how I feel.

Good luck and keep in touch!

This is me, this is why I chose this surgery because I don't want to be on a diet and I don't want to not be able to lead a normal life. I knew that I would never be able to be so restricted for the rest of my life. I got off 60 lbs. without to much heartache, and I felt so good that I got lazy. There are many stressers in my life and I have a really crazy lifestyle. I have never measured my food, I learned the things I just can't eat like hard boiled eggs; and I try to listen to my body when I eat. My band reacts to everything from stress to temp changes. I am at 5.5cc in a 10cc band and I really don't feel restriction. At least not the way others say it is, yet hunger has not been an issue for me. I am really tight in the morning, sipping something hot is the best I can do. My doc says I need to eat more regularly, but even yogurt won't go in before 11. I am trying to get my Water intake back up and to get back to making better choices again. I am not overeating just eating some bad things to often and coffee Creamers and kicking my butt.

Trust me this is an ongoing learning experience. At three years it seems I learn something new daily. The knoweldge I have and the research I've done has made this so much easier for me. Many things will happen throughout that can make you loose your mind if you aren't informed. I think that many of those who have problems with the band may not have had as much info as they needed to meet the issue of this "tool". If ice cream is his best friend and he can't make a break, he will just be wasting his time with this. I understand your feelings and they are justified. Please keep in mind...KNOWLEDGE IS POWER!! You will be dropping pounds and getting healthier while he is getting stuck and pb'ing daily. So let him "toddle on", you will be fine.

OUTSTANDING!!!

I don't know about the others but I only remember being talked to as they wheeled me into the OR. Next was waking up. I only had 3 very small incesions and 1 a little larger. My insurance required me to stay overnight. I had ice chips in recovery, and was sipping Water soon after getting in my room. I had broth for lunch and carnation instant Breakfast for dinner. Doc put in a med delivery system so I had little pain. The gas started my first night home and was real bad for about three days. It would wake me at night and I would have to get up and walk around the house.

What did that PA weight, 87lbs? The other two replys might be right, but I travel a different road. When they haven't been there they don't understand. Most of us do lose on our own during preop time, but our motivation is excitement based. It is just a tool, but it works on many things at once. If we eat in the order we should, Protein first, we get what we need and don't have room for the bad stuff. It also helps with the mindless eatiing because food can become just fuel and not our comfort. I am able to eat most of the things they say we shouldn't be able to. And there are many that I just can't eat. A slice of pizza goes down fine, but I can't eat a hard boiled egg.

I got this because I suck at diets and I don't want to be on one the rest of my life. My band alows me to eat most of the things I want but only a little of it gives me what I need. You will learn what you can't eat and you will learn not to go to far.

Just because she works in that office she might not have a true understanding of our reasons for this. Many docs now put in a small fill during surgery (mine did) and pace out the fills slowly. This is a lifestyle change and you aren't doing anything wrong. You are right about what needs to happen in order for you to feel you made the right choice. I take it you didn't get a fill, you may need to speak to your doc. Good Luck.

First stop is good info. It isn't always here, but check out surgerons in your area for info. Also, check on your insurance coverage, many cover this but each one has different guidelines, No point in going to far into this without knowing cost and your presurgery requirements. I have had 3 good years, fight some with getting more off, but it's because I treat myself to often; when I do I just pull my mind back into it and get it moving again. I am not at "goal" but I am in a size 12 and not a 24.

Once I had my seminar, I started making changes in my food life. I was using smaller plates, cut out sweet tea and tried to make better choices and smaller portions. By the time I had to do my preop diet I had adjusted to the new thought plan.

Good Luck.

For me, no question. Storm came in on Wed. and I could almost feel it tighten. My first year I didn't notice it, but the next summer I got so tight I had to get an unfill. Now that I am aware I know how to deal with it.

I live in Powhatan! I was banded 5/31 ... hows it going for you so far? Who was your surgeon?

I am from Powhatan, now living in King George. Had my surgery in Richmond.

I'm in Fredericksburg...just banded yesterday.

Congrats! I am in King George.

3/9/09 Happy

Congrats! Not to rain on the fun but..........as long as it is moving off the feeling only gets better Follow the rules, drink that Water and things sould go your way. I got to feeling so good about how I looked, I got lazy. I am fighting to get my head back on in the right direction, I still look so much better and feel so much better than I did 3 yrs. ago. I have refused to count and measure, didn't want it to be another diet, so I am an eyeballer. I learned the foods that could cause issues and I love my band. Keep it going girl.

Congrats. chicken gave me the most meals at first; grilled, baked, seared and salad made with light mayo. My veggie was broccolli, these thaw and cook quickly. The Foreman grill kept me sane because it is quick and great for your smaller meals without adding fat. Seasoning was also important because you need to enjoy the food, and it helps when you are happy with what you are eating. My shopping list always had chicken tenders (1 or 2 for a meal), shrimp, stirfry beef or pork. With any of these I can go Asain, Italian or simple; stirfry veggies for a change. Funny but Water really does help to keep the hunger away, but don't drink with meals. I still don't and it's been 3 years. Greek yogurt with fruit is a good starter to the day if you are tight in the A.M. Get your Protein in (60-70g daily) first; this will keep you saisted longer. You also need to learn to understand what your body is telling you. Eat slowly to give your brain time to know you have had enough, and let mealtime be only that. Doing other things can cause you to overeat without being aware at the time. Hope this helps.

Yup, just wish it was the only "noise" I made.

I am also TriCare. Overnight was required for me and I am very glad it was. I was able to sleep, not only because I was comfortable, but because I didn't have to worry about possible problems during the night.

Yes this happens to me. Also, early morning eating is out, I must always wait for my tummy to put out the open sign. Wheather changes hit me hard, from hot to cold, or cold to hot.

Sorry to tell ya, but you might be to tight now.

WOW!

OK, I am here in the strange place with you. 3/09, got about 65lbs. off and was very happy to be in a size 12. I got lazy and careless, I have never had what I thought restriction was for most people. I didn't get hungry, I had to work very hard to get in the 65g of portein. I eat fast and get unhappy real quick. I have never really exercised with regulariity, but the weight was coming off. My band is fickle, I never know from day to day what it wants. Something that went fine at lunch won't work for dinner. Some mornings the thought of food makes me run away, other days no problem and I eat easily. Today, a simple 1 egg omlete took me 20 min. to get down. Changes in weather mean change what I eat. My current problem is a liquid one, I don't drink with meals; but I started drinking to much coffee. I can take it without sugar, but the Creamers have been kicking my butt. The only thought I can give you is this, Don't do a fill. I have been to tight and it really is hard on you. If you are getting hungry check some of these things. Don't drink when you eat. What are you eating? The Protein in the right amounts should hold you. Greek yogurt is a good source of protein and it can hold you over as well as help with keeping you "regular". Drink plenty of Water during the day, it helps with hunger. If possible, don't keep things in the house that you really shouldn't have. It is a lot easier to not eat it if it isn't there. And lastly, step away from the fried foods. When you add the coating and oil to a skinless chicken breast it is no longer a friendly food. Good luck, you can do this; just have to think about what your choices are.

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Get EXCITED!!! The band, with your efforts will give you a new life. I just hit the 3yr mark and I can't tell you the difference it has made in my life. At 54 I can shop where I didn't before, enjoy a size 10 and not a 24. There have been some bad moments, due to me not listening to my body or not following the guidelines that I know work for me. I had my surgery on Mon. went home on Tues and went out that night and the next 3. Some soreness and CRAZY gas, but I have had colds that made me feel worse. Hunger has not be a problem for me, which is almost a problem because we must get our portein. I never have exercised like many do (might have lost more), also I have never really measured my food. I just made sure I stayed within the guidielines I set for myself which were within the ones the doctor gave me and I lost. My life is to hetic (4 nights of pool), a husband that loves to eat out and really bad time management for me to

This is a lifestyle change, not a diet. You will learn what works for you and as long as you get your fills, drink your Water and get your Protein you will do just fine. My body just feels better, my legs and ankles don't hurt, my overall mood is better. I feel better about me because I really feel this was the best decision I have made for myself in years. The best thing is that this can add years to your life.

Now think of the pain you feel and know that it will get better. I can't tell you that there won't be any problems, but your medical team will instruct you how handle them.

Hit me up anytime you need to vent, discuss or just ask a question.

Best of luck. :wub:

it does change you, and you might not like all of it . but since health is a big part, I don't think it's bad. also I think it's different if you walked the same path and now understand about bad choices and other reasons to be fat rather than one who has never had to deal with it. you will even wonder how you allowed yourself "get.like that".

I did this back in 09 and didn't have to do the 6 months, but............The first dr. I was considering told me it was required by TriCare (I am in VA with Standard), and that it had to be the program that the office offered. I think it was Medifast (?) to the tune of about 800 bucks!!! Which I was told would be out of pocket as well as another 300 for the trainer. I researched and learned that it was NOT TriCare, but the doctor. The only reason I even questioned it was because I didn't understand that if TriCare approved the surgery why wouldn't they cover the "required" elements. It was ugly, doc's office had to own up to the fact that it was them. I went south and found great care and no BS! I don't think it has changed, so do as Dave said and push if need be. Good Luck.

GAS-X is the thing. Gas was really bad of me, it woke me at night for a few days like somebody kicked me. I walked through the house like a ghost in the middle of the night. Keep moving, get up and walk a little every 20min. or so just to keep things moving. It does get better, but....gas and tummy rumbles will now be a real part of your life.