yellowtopaz

Hi, The problem with drinking during and after meals is that no only does it wash what you've eaten, it then makes it possible for you to get HUNGRY sooner than you would have had you not drank. My doc suggest not drinking 15 minutes prior to eating and for 2 hours after eating. When I heard this at the seminar I gasped. However, after almost a year, I can say that I adapted the habit and still use it. It really does work. The nurse at my office suggest the ice trick that Blue_Eyes mentioned for those who just have to have something to drink. You have to commit to yourself! I'm sure that when you decided to have surgery you were planning on following the rules. This is a rule that will make a lot of difference. Is it possible that you have a medical condition that makes you feel thirsty often? Take care and good luck!

On November 16th, 2009 I celebrated my 50th birthday! Wow! I made it. When I attended the LAP-BAND® seminar in 2008, I knew that my goal was to weigh less on my 50th. I was determined. I was banded on January 26, 2009. (2008)on my birthday I weighed approx 315 lbs. (2009) on my birthday, 187 lbs,(Yes)!! For sure I'm no expert on lapbanding. However, I have made ME a priority. I've tried to make the best of my partnership with my band thus far. I've tried to do My part(better food choices and exercise). When I got notice of approval in November 2008, I started preparing myself for the road ahead. It is an emotional and physical ride. Giving up french fries(omg), shrimp po-boys & roast beef, ham and swiss po-boys, rice and pasta dishes, crispy fried chicken, chips, candy, nachos, soda, snowballs and beignets was going to be devastating. Especially living here in New Orleans. Whew! On the other hand, escalating blood pressure, fatigue, increasing clothes sizes and my lack of satisfaction with myself wasn't a party either. I know I made the right choice. I don't feel deprived. I'm grateful every day for the opportunity to have been banded! I've got about 25lbs to go and I know I'll get there ...

On November 16th, 2009 I celebrated my 50th birthday! Wow! I made it. When I attended the LAP-BAND® seminar in 2008, I knew that my goal was to weigh less on my 50th. I was determined. I was banded on January 26, 2009. (2008)on my birthday I weighed approx 315 lbs. (2009) on my birthday, 187 lbs,(Yes)!! For sure I'm no expert on lapbanding. However, I have made ME a priority. I've tried to make the best of my partnership with my band thus far. I've tried to do My part(better food choices and exercise). When I got notice of approval in November 2008, I started preparing myself for the road ahead. It is an emotional and physical ride. Giving up french fries(omg), shrimp po-boys & roast beef, ham and swiss po-boys, rice and pasta dishes, crispy fried chicken, chips, candy, nachos, soda, snowballs and beignets was going to be devastating. Especially living here in New Orleans. Whew! On the other hand, escalating blood pressure, fatigue, increasing clothes sizes and my lack of satisfaction with myself wasn't a party either. I know I made the right choice. I don't feel deprived. I'm grateful every day for the opportunity to have been banded! I've got about 25lbs to go and I know I'll get there ...

Cool. Well definitely count me in. I need to work on my arms too. They're weak!

I want in. I'm a treadmill walker. 4 miles per day (2 in a.m. and 2 in p.m.). Is there a certain criteria to be met?

Congratulations! It's a great feeling!

Hi, I gave up the scrambled eggs too. Yuck!! I can handle it boiled, the white without the yellow that is. As for tight, I notice that I'm tighter for lunch than any other meal of the day. I'm kinda strange I guess. Take care.

Hi bobbalou, Find comfort in knowing that most of us have been in the stages you are now. I know that doesn't do a lot of good when you're hungry and everything looks good except the things you're supposed to eat(omg). I know the feeling about not wanting to exercise. I have to stay at it daily cause if I miss a couple it's real easy for me to miss more. I'm trying to make exercise a habit but occasionally I'm tempted to fall off the wagon(sm). When I get hungry and it's not "time" to eat, I drink water or lemonade. I use those crystal light single packets and add to a bottle of water. Most of the time it helps. Take care.

Dark_lovely, You've already started taking control. Best wishes! Do you have to do a pre-op diet?

When I started this process in October 2008 I weighed 313 lbs. After numerous visits to the doctor that year and a blood pressure that needed medication(just to name a few), I knew it was time for me to do something...for me. Silly as it sounds, I did not want to turn 50 at my then current weight. I felt as if it was "now or never". My mind was finally made up and I had determination to spare. As I went about the process of meeting the criteria for approval, I couldn't rationalize WHY I let my weight get to this point. The list wasn't that long. In my case, I kept saying I was going to change and did so for a little while but soon reverted to my bad habits. We all have our reasons but the good thing is the point of taking control. Deciding to have bariatric surgery is one of the steps of taking control. I had lapband surgery on January 26th 2009. I'm now down to 248 lbs after 3 months. I've had 2 fills. My second one didn't go so well so I had to have an unfill of that portion. I'm scheduled for another fill later this month(May). The lapband is the greatest tool. It could probably be called a "power tool". :sad: If someone had told me than within 3-4 months I would have lost 57 lbs,:thumbup: I would have known they were crazy. But here I am and it's all true. Never give up. Be willing to work hard for what you want. There's hope for all of US. I've got a long way to go but I'm really happy about my progress to date.

When I started this process in October 2008 I weighed 313 lbs. After numerous visits to the doctor that year and a blood pressure that needed medication(just to name a few), I knew it was time for me to do something...for me. Silly as it sounds, I did not want to turn 50 at my then current weight. I felt as if it was "now or never". My mind was finally made up and I had determination to spare. As I went about the process of meeting the criteria for approval, I couldn't rationalize WHY I let my weight get to this point. The list wasn't that long. In my case, I kept saying I was going to change and did so for a little while but soon reverted to my bad habits. We all have our reasons but the good thing is the point of taking control. Deciding to have bariatric surgery is one of the steps of taking control. I had lapband surgery on January 26th 2009. I'm now down to 248 lbs after 3 months. I've had 2 fills. My second one didn't go so well so I had to have an unfill of that portion. I'm scheduled for another fill later this month(May). The lapband is the greatest tool. It could probably be called a "power tool". :wub: If someone had told me than within 3-4 months I would have lost 57 lbs,:wink: I would have known they were crazy. But here I am and it's all true. Never give up. Be willing to work hard for what you want. There's hope for all of US. I've got a long way to go but I'm really happy about my progress to date.

Congratulations on your approval! To get banded was the best decision ever for me.

Hey Abby, Funny you should mention this. Women are....unpredictable. OMG!! It would have been nice to hear a "How's it going, you look great". It wouldn't have caused a need for any further talk on the subject unless you wanted to. I choose not to think that all women are envious and that all people are hurtful. 35 pounds, inches, etc. is definitely worth celebrating. I'm sending a big southern CONGRATULATIONS your way cause you deserve it. Instead of worrying about these "friends/girls" I suggest that you draw your support from the people most willing to give it. Your DH is one of them along with the wonderful people here on this site. Never feel bad about celebrating your hard earned successes. Best of everything to ya!

Tawandabee, You know what they say, something so good is worth waiting for. It does seem like a lengthy process but all I can say is that once I reached my surgery date, nothing else mattered and I forgot about all the changes I went through prior to. This really is a life changing event. It's worth all the hassle. Hang in there.

Thanks Tammya5, That sounds like a decent price. I'm hoping my friend chooses to stay a little closer to home. Thanks for the response. Have a great Tuesday!!

Hi, Congrats on your band. I have a friend who wants to self pay the surgery and was considering Mexico. I was banded here in Louisiana. If you're banded in Mexico, is it easy to find a Doc in your home state for fills and other maintenance issues? Thanks in advance for your response. I love being banded. Best thing ever for me.

SLinderella2b, OMG! I tried the Fruit Punch Protein bullet from Walmart and mixed it with the Crystal Light fruit punch. You were so right, it was really good. Thanks for the tip. I got the 26g bullet for about $1.97. Thanks again.

Hi, I'm currently using CHIKE Protein shake mix but I'm not crazy about it. I'll have to try some of the ones that you guys have recommended.

I'm side sleeper too. I'm 10 days post op and started about 7 days post-op to be able to sleep on my non-port side semi-comfortably. It gets better as the days go by.

Hi lovely creation, I'm 9 days post op and it gets so much better. Just hang in there. You're probably so accustomed to providing those encouraging words to others but not used to hearing and truly accepting them when it's your turn. Stop, and let this be your turn. You're going to do great and YES you need this. We all did/do. There's so much life out there for you to live and enjoy. Take a deep breath and exhale! You are so worth this surgery. In a few days it'll all be a distant memory and you'll look back and smile. You can do this. I did it. You can too! I had some crazy dreams after I got home. Stuff that didn't even make sense once I explained it(ha). Often we're afraid of change, even if we need it and want it. When is your surgery scheduled for? Mine was on January 26th. Take care.

Hi aivey, Although I did not have to write a letter, I really like yours. If I were a doctor I'd sign off on it for ya. Best of everything....

Morning Summertime, I'm in Louisiana, so don't feel alone down near the bottom(omg)!