Catherine55

Oh well -- you know what? You are going to lose the weight regardless of how much they watch your food and figure, and a year from today, you will have come light years. It's all about the baby steps. If I do the math, I've lost slightly less than a pound a week over the last year (mainly b/c my loss has slowed in the past few months). Yet I'm less than 10 pounds from my goal. So, keep that in mind when people say annoying things or look at your food choices. You're going to need to think about how you are going to handle their comments (both thinking up responses and how you will deal with the annoyance internally), but you'll be fine! And, maybe you will find that you have support from unexpected sources. But the bottom line is that this was YOUR news and no one should have taken that away from you. :thumbup: Sorry about the giant photo below. . I was experimenting with including it today and haven't taken it out yet!! Best wishes for your success, Catherine

What he did is ILLEGAL and could subject the school to liability (if you sued). What a JERK!!!!!!!!!!! As someone who has been very glad that she kept her decision private from work people, I am very upset for you. You deserve to be able to have privacy and for your food choices and weight loss rate not to be scrutinized -- and now he has taken that away from you without your consent. That is just so wrong. I am sorry that happened to you. I would absolutely complain about it, whether to him or to his supervisor. You might mention to a colleague who is a bit of a blabbermouth that people lose SLOWLY with the band and don't really start losing until after the healing phase (read: Bandster Hell). Maybe that person will pass it on so that people won't have gastric bypass-loss expectations and say annoying things like "Why aren't you losing more weight?" at the beginning. GRRRRRR!!!!! I am so upset for you!!! Catherine

Um, yeah. . that may be a bit BIG!!! LOL Oh well -- posting it one time is probably enough!! Catherine

I just put my most recent comparison photo in my signature line. . . this is a test to see if it worked & how it looks. Hopefully will show up & not be too distracting! Catherine

Hang in there! It gets better pretty quickly! Here are my answers to your questions: In one week I have lost 10 lbs. Is that average? I think that's great -- it's more than I lost for sure! Which are the best Vitamins to take and what dosage? I take 2 Flintstone vitamins every day (I love the flavor. . so I actually take these, as opposed to other vitamins that might be better but that I'm not going to take regularly! What are the best supplements (calcium citrate or the other, etc) Not sure -- I defer to the other posters. Best chocolate Protein drinks or powder without chalky taste? Not sure about chocolate -- I hated every Protein shake I had -- so gross. Only drink I liked are the Gatoraid-like ISOPURE drinks that GNC sells. My doctor turned me on to them, and once that happened, I never had another shake again. Best tasting clear liquids protein drinks? See above -- Isopure. Any lotions or tricks to prevent saggy skin? Use lotion every single day. Consider buying something for pregnant women that promotes elastin in the skin. When will I feel normal again? Pretty soon. It may take a month to feel 100%, but you'll be at 80 or 90% within a few more days. Any good blogs or website that could be helpful now that I have the band? This site is great. Feel free to check out my blog (link below). I have a bunch of links to other blogs that I like posted in there as well. The blogger community has been a huge source of support for me. Consider setting up a blog for yourself. It's a great way to keep track of your fills, losses, and your whole year of change in general! Any other good tip you think I should know? TAKE YOUR MEASUREMENTS RIGHT NOW, if you haven't already. You will want to be able to compare stats later on! Best wishes, Catherine

I've had a lot of time to think this one through. I am 15 months post-band and am less than 10 pounds from goal. Truth be told? This was so so so so much easier than trying to lose this weight on my own and keep it off. For me, that would have been an impossible endeavor. But, with the band, my hunger was satisfied, and I have had results that inspired me to keep going. Could I have stayed on a traditional diet for 15 months (including 7 months of a hard core boot camp workout program)? Honestly, it's highly unlikely. I don't think most of my diets pre-band lasted 15 weeks! Do I feel like my band was a miracle cure to a life-long struggle with my weight? You bet your bippie I do. Did I have to put in the time and effort to make my weight loss happen? ABSOLUTELY. I have worked my @$$ off in the gym and have been very good about making the right food choices 99% of the time. Does the band give me some guarantee that I won't gain the weight back, whereas traditional weight loss does not? YES. Statistically speaking, I am not gaining this weight back, whereas if I'd lost it on a diet, I'd -- statistically speaking -- be gaining all of it back and more. If we are all going to be totally honest, the band is EASIER than traditional weight loss. But, it's by no means EASY. All of us work hard for every pound lost, but they do come off, and the band has given me a level of optimism, hope and confidence in my ability to live my life as a thin person that I never had before. I wouldn't worry too much about your friend's perception. Take a look at my before/current photos (link below) that I just posted and let me know if you could deal with a few ignorant haters in exchange for getting your weight under control and feeling good about yourself! Best wishes for your success, Catherine

Here are my suggested questions (none of which I knew to ask before surgery. .): 1. What size band will you have (in other words, how many ccs (cubic centiliters) of saline will it hold? 2. What is your doctor's philosophy on fills -- will s/he give you a decent fill to start, then adjust as needed, or make you suffer through a series of tiny fills . . where you have to pay for each appointment and wait a few months to get to restriction? 3. What surgery technique will s/he use on you? Will you have 5 scars, 2 or another number? 4. What is his/her pre-op diet? 5. How soon after surgery can you get a fill? 6. Does your doctor have a set waiting period between fills? OR, can you come in the next week if the last fill didn't get you to decent restriction? 7. Is there a support group at the doctor's office (if you're interested. . honestly, between this site, my blog and my wonderful therapist, I was fine). 8. Do your doctor's patients do a clothing exchange? 9. What results can you realistically expect during the first year (and beyond)? 10. Where does your doctor plan to place your port (just out of curiosity . . not such a biggie)? I hope that helps!! Best wishes, Catherine

Don't worry . . the post-op pain isn't that bad. . and you'll have painkillers so it really won't be a big deal. You can read my post-op account on my blog if you like (it's at the beginning). A few pointers. . . 1. Take your measurements TODAY if you haven't already! 2. Take a "before" photo or 10 to have later on -- you will want this for sure! 3. Bring lip balm to the hospital (I was so happy I had mine. . was a bit thirsty and had slightly chapped lips after surgery). 4. WALK AROUND AFTER SURGERY. . it gets the gas moving out. 5. Your worst pain after surgery (and it was so nothing compared to what I had expected) is from the gas they use during surgery. My shoulder hurt on and off for a while, but the pain faded quite a bit each day. And, it was nothing compared to the pros of finally -- for the first time ever, getting my weight under control and feeling great about how I look (instead of beating myself up mentally every single day about my weight). Best wishes for your success! Catherine

You'll be fine. . just take it easy at first! And, as you start feeling better and better about your body. . and have less body holding you back, you'll be surprised by how great things can be! Have fun! Best wishes, Catherine

Welcome to Band Land!! The weight loss will start happening in earnest after you get filled to decent restriction. You are going to go through something called "Bandster Hell" before that happens, but don't stress about it! Basically, you'll be able to eat and will be hungry before you get to restriction. I gained 5 lbs during that time. . but cut to today and I'm less than 10 pounds from goal. Those pesky Bandster Hell pounds are loooong gone! Just posted a comparison shot on my blog -- take a look if you want! I have a lot of info on there that might be helpful to you as well! Congratulations on your surgery! Best, Catherine

I'm with the crew who says to just get what you want and enjoy it. Don't buy a big quantity, but you can certainly have a piece of chocolate or two once in a while! No need to feel deprived or have some poor substitute that's not going to do the trick! Enjoy! Catherine

I have had zero problems with spicy foods since being banded. It's just the same as it was before surgery for me. In fact, I had some pretty spicy guacamole earlier today and it was dee-lish! Catherine

Congratulations!!! Here is my advice: 1. TAKE YOUR MEASUREMENTS NOW, if you haven't already! You are definitely going to want this info later!! 2. TAKE A BUNCH OF BEFORE PHOTOS! You don't have to look at them now if you don't want, but you will for sure want them for comparison's sake later on! 3. Pack lip balm for your hospital stay. You'll probably be thirsty and your lips may feel dry after surgery. 4. Walk after surgery (great advice from the earlier poster) to help move out the gas. 5. If this kind of thing is helpful to you, write out a post-op plan for success (i.e. what you are going to do to make it work). Here is a link to the one I made, in case you're interested! Chronicles from Band Land: Reflections on Pre-op Journal II I hope that helps! You are in for a wonderful year of amazing changes! I hope it goes very well and am sending best wishes for your success! All the best, Catherine

You can take Biotin, which is supposed to help stop hair loss. My hair fell out much more than usual for a while, and it freaked me out. But, it wasn't enough that anyone would notice. If you have reasonably thick hair, it probably won't show at all if you go through a bit of a hair loss phase. I wouldn't worry about it too much. People will be so busy staring at your cuter, smaller bee-hind to notice! Hee hee Best, Catherine

I was afraid of all of those things too. But ultimately, none of them turned out to be a big deal at all. I am very glad that I went forward with my surgery. This past year has been wonderful, and I'm finally done with feeling terrible about myself every day because of my weight. I just posted a before/present comparison shot on my blog. Why not take a look? (Link below.) It's amazing to me how far I've been able to come with my band, and honestly, it hasn't been that hard. Best wishes for your success, Catherine

Productive Burp

Amy described it perfectly!! That's just what it's like. I don't PB very often (maybe once a month, if that), but when I do, I know far enough in advance to calmly excuse myself and get to the restroom. I was scared about this too -- but I've only gotten stuck twice in restaurants and it was fine both times. Normally, when I go out (espec. with people who don't know about the surgery, I order foods that are low-risk for getting me stuck (e.g., fish instead of beef or chicken -- which is fine b/c I love fish) and I chew relatively carefully. So, the chances of getting stuck are pretty slim. Hope that helps! Catherine

Weight Loss Surgery with the Adjustable Gastric Band is my favorite of the ones I bought (I also got Fighting Weight by Khalia Ali and the Lap Band Companion). It's a really good one to read before surgery and right after. I definitely recommend it! Also, reading blogs is very helpful too. Best, Catherine

It is so normal that there's even a name for it! You are in "Bandster Hell," my friend! :smile2: Do a search for it -- you'll find tons of information. Basically, your band doesn't start doing its job until you get to restriction, so it is normal that you will be hungrier now and able to eat more. Don't worry about it -- once you get to restriction, the weight will come off slowly and surely! Best, Catherine

I never went to a seminar pre-op. I just did my research, talked to the Dr.'s office, flew to MX and met with the doctors, then had my surgery. It seems like a lot of US doctors require them, but it's probably so that they can cut down on initial consultation meetings. I wouldn't worry about it. Hope that helps! Catherine

I've been banded for 15 months and am now less than 10 pounds from goal. The band has been an amazing tool for me, and I love it. I've kept a blog through the last 15 months -- feel free to check it out (link in signature line). There are some people who don't lose with the band, and it's usually due to them having an issue (whether it is a complication or to the bandster not being proactive about getting proper fills) with getting to restriction. I wouldn't worry about only losing 30 pounds with the band. It is rare that someone would lose so little over the course of an entire year. Best wishes, Catherine

1. Would you do it over again? Absolutely. The band has changed my life in countless positive ways, and the things about it that I thought would be hard have not been a big deal at all. 2. How long post-op until you feel normal again? Do you ever "forget" you had the surgery done? This is a really interesting question. For me, I was only obese for 6 or so years. So, it's only been since I lost about 30-50 pounds (and beyond) that I felt like had rediscovered my "normal" self once again. It has been the best feeling in the world. No, I don't think you ever forget completely that you were banded because it forces you to think out your food choices. That said, I no longer stress when going to a restaurant or to dinner at someone's house. I know how to eat without getting stuck, what to order, etc. 3. Are there any foods you CAN'T eat post-op? )I heard veggie and fruit skins, pastas, popcorn?) I can eat all of the above, but the type of bread that gets soft and gummy when you eat it is totally out of the question. Toast or the crust of a hard roll is fine though. 4. Do I need to give up coffee and soda? Doctors' instructions vary on this. I still drink coffee every day, but I did give up diet soda and sparkling Water. I do still have sparkling wine on occasion, and it's never been a problem. 5. Do you deal with heartburn or reflux regularly? No. 6. Can you have this surgery and NOT tell your whole family, friends, and co-workers? Hell yes. It's harder at the very beginning if you have to eat with people . . but if you have your surgery in winter, you can just have Soup all of the time when you are post-op. I was VERY selective about who I told (and am glad about that in retrospect) and I eat normally enough that people don't tend to question it. I've posted about this a bunch on my blog -- feel free to check it out (link below). 7. How is it you DONT lose weight immediately after surgery? You have to go through a "healing" phase before your doctor will fill you to good restriction. During that time, your band is (generally) wide open and you can eat as you did before. Many people gain during this phase -- it's called "Bandster Hell" for that reason. But, the weight comes right off soon enough. As for me, I put on about 5 pounds during Bandster Hell. Cut to today, and I'm less than 10 pounds from goal, wearing a size 10. So, don't stress about it! 8. What type of band do you have and are there any differences in the manufacturers? I have an Inamed 5 cc band and my sweet spot (which has remained good for me through the past 9 months) is 2.85 ccs. I don't know about differences between mfrs. 9. No liquids with meals, whatsoever? Whatever -- this is the one bandster rule that I've never been able to follow. I probably would have lost faster if I did, but I'm OK with my rate of loss. 10. Post op diet consisted of? 2 weeks of full liquids, 2 weeks of mushies, then regular food. (Posts about this at the beginning of my blog.) It was like heaven to be on full liquids after my 3-day clear liquid pre-op diet! There are plenty of good things to eat during this time, and it wasn't very hard at all. Just required a few advance calls to restaurants when I had plans to eat out! 11. Anyone have a doctor they can recommend in the LA, Ventura area? No, sorry! Best wishes to you! This has been an incredible solution for me, and I hope that you find the right solution for yourself! All the best, Catherine

Hi, Manda! Congratulations on your appointment! I'm 15 months post-band and was really worried about the lifestyle change aspect of this before I had surgery. At that point, a good friend said to me "Catherine, you need to come to terms with the fact that you are either going to have to make a radical lifestyle change [whether with the band or with diet], or accept that you are going to be overweight for the rest of your life." That really drove the point home for me. Having the band has required me to make some significant changes, but none of them have been difficult for me. The fact that my band controls my feelings of being hungry and prevents me from overeating has been a tremendous help. Honestly, I love it and feel that this is one of the very best decisions I've ever made! I've been keeping a blog regularly through the last 15 or so months -- link is below. Feel free to check it out if you're interested. Best wishes for your success, Catherine

Hi, Laura! This was one of my big concerns before I got banded as well. I was worried that I'd feel like I was in some kind of stomach-prison and never be able to eat what I wanted. But, in retrospect, that wasn't such a big deal. Truth is that if you don't have a fill, you can eat pretty much how you did before you were banded. That's what creates the time period called "Bandster Hell" (do a word search on this site if you aren't familiar with this term). Anyway, if you hate being banded (which you won't), you can just get your band un-filled and you will be able to eat the way you have been doing. That said, with all of the great results you are going to see, and with how little you feel hungry, you probably won't want to go off the rails like that. But, I did find it reassuring to know that I had that option. Best wishes for your success! I'm about 15 months out -- feel free to check out my blog if you're curious about how being banded has worked for me! Best wishes, Catherine

WOO-HOOO!!!!! Congratulations!!! Best wishes for your success!! Catherine