Mary Kay Lady

Congratulations on getting your banding date!! (It happens to be my birthday too!!!) Good all around! Anyhow...I have been banded for just over 8 weeks now and an getting close to 40 pounds lost. I have had one fill already and my next appointment is on the 27th of this month. I am a 56 year old female who admits that I should have had this done a long time ago, but also in playing the hand I've been dealt! So I take one day at a time and follow my doctor and dietician's advice and have enjoyed success so far. If you're looking for a LBB (Lap Band Buddy) that has already been through it...then I'd be glad to share what I've already been through and to be supportive of you while you are on your journey.

Congratulations on getting this far!! I live in New England too...in Rhode Island...so I "hear you" about all of the snow we've gotten so far this winter! I am 56 and have been banded since December 17, 2008. I'm approaching the 40 pounds lost mark...hope to hit that this week! I work full time too...am a nurse as well as own my own business with Mary Kay. You are far better than I with the walking, although I am getting better now that my husband has put my treadmill in the living room...and not above my son's bedroom where it was! I would love to buddy up with you as you go through this exciting journey!

Welcome! Congratulations on getting the date for your surgery!! That is so exciting!! I have been banded since December 17, 2008, and have lost nearly 40 pounds so far. And while each surgeon has their own protocol that they'd like their patients to follow, I would be glad to support you through your journey!

I am nearly 8 weeks from being banded and find that when I think I am hungry, I get a big glass or water bottle (my new buddy) filled with Crystal Light Lemonade and start drinking it. It makes the hunger go away and helps to keep my hydrated as well...which helps in other areas! = ) I have not eaten any rice, pasta, or popcorn - my absolute facorite...all on the instructions of my dietician. I have eaten a bit of pork and steak - but only when cooked in the crock pot and nice and tender! I do NOT want to become a snacking/constantly "grazing" maniac again...so when I "think" I'm hungry - I drink some CL Lemonade OR I get a mug of Unjury Chicken broth and sip that until the cravings for "STUPID" food go away! So far it's worked for me...it just might work for you too. I WILL NOT CAVE INTO THE MUNCHIES AND LOSE CONTROL AGAIN!!! I am in control now...not my appetite!! Good luck with your journey!

LOL...my husband will be 59 this year..and basically carries most of his weight in his belly. He is just under 6 feet tall and weighs just over 220.....should be between 185 - 200. He and I would be thrilled if he were down to 200. I worry about his health too...I want BOTH of us to be healthy! And he did promise to exercise with me and to eat the same foods I did - not the same quantity of course! But so far ....he's got some catching up to do. We'll see.

Carrie...my husband continues to buy and cook (we have a deal - whoever gets home from work first starts dinner ) foods like home fries, french fries, sweet potato fries, etc...he says "Oh yeah - you can't have this can you?" I have asked him NOT to even bring it in the house - because frankly - he could stand to lose 25 - 30 pounds himself...and we are going on a cruise in 27 days....AND his suit is tight...so this morning he got up and while I was in the shower, he walked a mile on the treadmill! But I bet he buys and cooks the same stuff he always does.....and BTW...NO - I don't eat the stuff. I'm down 38 pounds and have less than 60 to go. It's been just over 8 weeks since I was banded. HAPPY I DID IT - WOULD DO IT AGAIN IN A HEARTBEAT!!

Good for you. Pre-planning IS the way to avoid slip-ups! Keep up the good work!

Hey - me too! I was banded on December 17th too! My entire family got together at my daughter's house on Christmas Eve...and I pureed some shrimp (just plain cooked shrimp) with my unjury chicken broth liquid Protein and it wasn't bad! Have been sticking to pureeing ground turkey since then, but will throw in a few shrimp for variety now and then. Made some fat free, sugar free Jello pudding last night for a bit more variety and had 2 ounces at one of my "hourly feedings"...not a bad change of pace! Good luck to you...and Happy New Year!

Hey Shelley! Congratulations on making the decision to change your life, and on your awesome progress so far!! I was banded on December 17, 2008. At my heaviest (the week after Thanksgiving) I was 242. At my last pre-op appointment, I was 238...at my first post-op appointment I was 227. Today I am down to 221. I can't really say that I am actually "hungry", so I have to remember to eat my 2 ounces of protein on the hour and drink my 2-4 ounces of liquid on the half hour. However, when my family sits down to eat - I have to remember that I cannot just sit down and "eat" with them. My husband does the shopping and most of the cooking, but he has been making better choices - like the ground turkey and cauliflower he bought for dinner - both of which I was easily able to puree in my blender. I have been blending more than I need and have been freezing my portion sized meals for when I return to work next week. Good Luck and keep us posted! MaryKayLady