carbgrl

My doctor said no sit ups or crunches type movements because it could f lip the port.

Like Humming Bird, I too have been a yo-yo dieter...skinny,fat,skinny fat... I'm 5'4 and felt the most comfortable in the past at 145 lbs. It's on the high side of the healthy range, for my height but, for me, if I go below that weight people say I look to skinny. I agree it's a personal decision and believe you should do what's best for you. I bet there are some who don't choose a goal weight at all. Their goal is to get to a healthy weight range.

I've only told a select few. No one at my job knows. I took a week off and said I was having work done on my house. It's true...my body is my temple. LOL It's been alittle challenging eating lunch with co-workers. Getting stuck or sliming.... So, you have to be careful what you choose to eat especially infront of ppl who don't know. Other than that, if anyone says anything about what or how I'm eating, I just say, I'm trying to eat healthy or on a diet. If anyone asks how/why I'm losing so much weight I tell them I'm working out like a mad woman. Which is TRUE. I've been exercising 5-6 days a week for over 6 mos. Really, my weightloss has been so slow (about a lb a week) that hardly anyone's notice but, I'm not shy about letting my friends and co-workers know how much I'm working out. I think my medical history is PRIVATE and I want to keep it that way.

That's gotta be tough! I do think sometimes it takes longer for the people closest to us to notice because they see you all the time so the gradual changes are harder to notice. That's why when you see someone you haven't seen in a long time they freak out because it seems like such a drastic change. Other than that, maybe he's having a hard time dealing with it. Jealousy, worried you'll be different.... I've also always thougt 40 lbs is the "magic" number when people really start to notice.

I'm sure he'll say something soon.

I know you can't spot reduce a specif ic area but, are there any exercises that help back Fat?

My doc's ofc said, no crutches EVER. They said it could cause the port to flip.

I've lost weight before; over 40 lbs. each time. Reaching my goal several times. I'm hoping the band will help me keep it off this time.

I don't doubt that it will because there are several foods I can't tolerate. I guess, it's like getting my mouth wired shut. people just can't see it. : )

Good luck.

Gez, I was self pay and only paid $10,000 total. That includes 1 year of fills!

I've only told my immediate family. It's hard not telling ppl at work especially when getting stuck, pbs or slimming happens but, I totally agree it's a private medical issue and no one's business.

Barbie Girl,

I think you're right. I think I can only have fine ground beef or turkey. I think we're very close in our fill levels. keep it up! Sounds like you're doing great!!!

Upper westside,

Stuck for eight hours? Yikes!!!

I'm having a hard time with meats. Seems like everything gets stuck except fine ground beef in like spaggetti sauce. chicken always gets stuck.

What kind of meats do you eat????

Since eating is not as fun as it used to be and we're not supposed to drink what do you do for fun?

Going out to dinner, and bars are out. What's left? Getting tired of going to the movies.

I think that's what I'll have to start doing is having frozen dinners or leftovers for lunch. I've been trying to continue going out to lunch with the girls but, usually end up at places w/ crappy food choices. I need more control over what I'm eating.

Keep the ideas coming!

I'm sorry to hear about your complications. Focus on healing, getting better and stronger. I'm not thrilled about my scars either, I understand yours are worse than mine but, there a very few people who see me completely naked. My husband, my doctor, spa techs.... The scars will fade and I know I will be much happier being healthy and lookin' hot & sexy in my new skinny clothes!!! You will too!

Wish you a speedy recovery and keep us posted!

I'm having a hard time figuring out what to have for lunch at work. Any suggestions?

I live in TX and paid $10K. It includes one year of f/u appts and fills under flouro as needed.

It's my understanding from the info I received from my doc's ofc before surgery, that the surgery itself can effect your hormones and therefore your emotions. It's my understanding it can even change your period. So, it's completely understandable you were on an emotional roller coaster. Add that to having some issues before surgery, it's no wonder you had a meltdown.

Take care of yourself. You're human. Nothing to be ashamed of.

Sometimes I feel the same way. This is very hard. I've been exercising 5-6 times wk for an 1 hr each day. It's not easy gettin' poked w/ a needle, PBing, sliming...trying not to overeat. The list goes on and on but, I chose the band because the downtime is less than bypass and to be honest, I was scared to have surgery and didn't want anymore cutting than necessary.

The thing that keeps me going is there are thousands of people who've been successful with the band and I know we can too.

Guess we have to work harder.

I've had three fills the last one was to much and I couldn't drink anything and was sliming all day / night so, I had to have a slight unfill. Now, feel like I'm hungry all the time... I guess, I need to try to get a very slight fill at my next appt. Hopefully it won't be to much.

I went from one extreme not being able to eat to almost the other, eating too much. I have been craving alot of sweets.

I have been exercising 5-6 days a week for at least an hour each.

Any ideas how to get re-motivated? I haven't lost anything this month and having trouble staying focused on eating right. It's starting to get me down. I understand the band is only a tool but, I didn't anticipate having to rely so much on willpower. Obiviously, I don't have much otherwise I wouldn't have been overweight to begin with.

Any tips?

Productive Burp... when food comes back up. Similar to vomiting but, the food doesn't come stomach.

Yeah, would love to hear what you're eating on a daily/regular basis and how much and what type of exercise you're doing.

Congrats on your sucess!

After losing 40 lbs, I finally got a compliment from someone who doesn't know I had surgery. She said it looks like I lost alot of weight. I told her I've working out alot, which is true.

I've always thought 40 lbs was the magic number. Whenever I've lost weight in the past, I had to lose 40lbs before anyone ever noticed.

Ya mean belching? Yes, it's loud but, I'd trade about 85 lbs for it.