LollyMoe

They can say what they want about the Gas-X strips but my doctor recommended them. I used them and they helped me get rid of the gas pain. I got a respiratory virus two days after surgery and was so sick that I was unable to walk, so I know that walking didn't help the gas. I still use the strips ocassionally. For me, they work...it's that simple.

I was able to shower two days after surgery as long as I didn't scrub over the bandages. Pat the bandages when drying.

I set a overall goal of 150 but my mini goals are 1-2 pounds a week. As long as I am doing that I feel I'll reach the overall goal eventually. I weigh each Wednesday morning on my scale and don't weigh on any other scale. So far it's good.

This has not happened to me but I do understand about your depression. To have surgery and to lose a position all at the same time can be depressing. In order to overcome the depression you are going to have to get off that couch (or whatever) and get to moving. Take some walks, go swimming if you have YMCA, do some armchair exercises, climb stairs. Anything to change your routine. As for foods, follow your doctor's orders and leave the rest alone. You can do it and you owe it to yourself. You don't want to get so down in depression that it requires medications if you can help it. Come on now, buck up...you can at least try.

First of all, have a talk with your mom and explain how it makes you feel when she does things like that and you don't plan to tell everyone. Do it in a polite manner and help her to understand that this is very personal to you. Hopefully she will refrain from doing it again. The first time my daughter & I went out to eat, I ordered a bowl of Soup. When the waitress ask me more than once if I was sure that that was all I wanted, my daughter looked at her and said" she has had surgery (didn't mention what kind) and if you would like to pay for what she can't eat, then she will be glad to order more". The waitress left the table to turn in my order. My daughter was very polite and the soup was wonderful. As for your hubby. Have a talk with him and let him know how it makes you feel when he keeps asking. Ask him if he is really interested or is he just asking to seem interested in what is happening to you in order to please you. Maybe he is really interested. I weigh every Wednesday and post the loss on a chart I have on the side of my filing cabinet next to my computer. I've seen hubby checking it quietly and then I usually get a hug or something a few minutes later. I know he proud of my loss and how I am doing b/c he has begun to tell other people how well I'm doing. So hang in there and don't be too upset when others are watching you. Sooner or later they will forget you have it and think the small amounts you eat is normal for you.

I buy MATRIX Vanilla Powder from the hospital where I had my surgery. The pharmacy carries it. It's $45.00 a bag but has about 400 shakes and the Protein count is 26gms per scoop. Don't know if it can be purchased online or not. I can add anything I want to it and I love it. I put it all in my blender.

YES..you need to refocus. Remember what it took to get to the surgery date. Why would you want to eat fast foods just because you don't have restriction yet. Re-set your mind & goals and get back on schedule. Stay away from the drive thru of fast food places. They are poison to you. Also, you need to know that it may take several fills before your band is closed enough to get to the sweet spot of regular losing. I am on my second fill and I can't tell I even have the band until I eat too fast or swallow big bites. It lets me know then and omg..the pain is terrible. So don't think that it's going to be okay at the first fill b/c it probably won't be. Now, forgive yourself and refocus tonight. You can do it and you're not alone in this journey. Oh BTW, don't worry about your coworkers watching you....."YOU" watch you and take care of yourself.

Hey City, we're not doctors but we have traveled this road and can offer good advice for you that some doctors aren't even aware of at all. So take as much advice as you can, use your own judgement, cheer up, and stay on your journey. One last thing. I weigh every Wednesday morning, same time, and I am pleased with my success so far. Just don't get too involved with the scale. Everyone is different.

Oh I'm sure he's eating too and that's what had stretched out the pouch but it's the 2 six-packs of Beer he consumes each night that is also putting on the weight. I was curious as to "How" he could get back on program and if it would involve another surgery. Could all the fills be removed, let the stomach relax, and start with the fills again? Or does he have to have another surgery? He won't go back to his doctor and I was just curious.

He said that his doctor was very mad at him and told him that he had probably stretched it out but he didn't go get it checked out. I don't think he cares....doesn't want to give up his alcohol enough. Oh well, I was just curious.

Hey Creed, I just wanted to say that from your pictures I can see the weight loss you have already obtained. Good for you! You seem to be a very busy person and I know it must be hard for you to keep on track. Try to find other ways of exercise. Park your car further away and walk. Take the stairs whenever possible. You would be surprised how much "armchair" exercises will help you. Instead of watching TV, walk your dog just a tiny bit further each day. You can do it...just find a way. As for eating...I'm no help. I have been so determined to stay on my doctor's approved eating program that I haven't cheated yet. My PCP said I wouldn't make it to age 70 if I didn't lose the weight and I am determined to get to better health. NO food is going to get in my way now. Good luck and keep on track. You have done really good up to now and you can do it. Be kind to yourself and keep losing.

I can't add to what everyone has said except to say that you can't do this to yourself. You have worked too hard to get to a surgery date, had the surgery, and are now on a life's journey to better health & weight loss. Be kinder to your self! Don't give up. Rethink what you're eating and the "whys" of what you're eating. Don't you realize that a snickers & chicken skin isn't worth it? Now start again and be strong!

Hey sweetie, this is your hardest time. Until you start getting fills it's up to you to remain strong and only eat what you're suppose too. It's called Bandster's Hell. Forgive yourself for eating the chocolate, get it out of your house, and stick to your good foods. You are only hurting yourself in the long run. You paid too much for all of this to let it defeat you. You can do it! Just have courage. Now about the exercising. You can walk, walk, walk. It won't hurt you or your band. It's good for you too. The other types of exercise can wait until your doctor give the okay. So get to walking! Please don't give up yet. You have only just begun and this is a long journey. You'll be dealing with all of this for quite awhile. You can do it. So go back to eating what you are suppose to and throw out that chocolate!

I learned about my brother's friend the other day. He was banded and has lost 85 pounds and gained back 40 pounds. He has stretched out his pouch. What will have to be done for him to start losing again? Just curious!!!:thumbup:

Click on my ticker and it will take you to the site where you can design your own ticker. It will show up the next time you post something. Remember to go back and change it each time you have weight loss.

Make yourself a Peanut Butter Protein shake. Here's the recipe: 1/2 cup 1% milk 1 c. crushed ice 1 scoop of vanilla Protein powder (I use Matrix powder) 1 pkg of Swiss Miss SF chocolate 1 TBSP Peanut Butter 3 pkgs of Splenda Tastes just like a Reese's Cup!

I sprinkle rosemary & paprika all over a whole chicken (some inside too). Place in a pyrex dish, cover with Saran Wrap, and cook for 30 minutes in your microwave. It tender, moist & delicious.

I'm a lucky one. I didn't have trouble with hunger until AFTER my first fill. Then I could have eaten the dog if I had one. Now that I've had my second fill, it's much better. I'm headed for my sweet spot! Good luck.

You may think this is a silly thing to do but the reality orientation classes use to teach that you stand in front of a mirror twice a day and say ONLY good things about yourself. Also, wear a rubber band around your wrist and each time you have a negative thought about yourself, give that band a pop. Soon you teach the brain to accept only positive thoughts about yourself. The third thing is to write in a journal as much as you can. YOU deserve to love yourself!

I am one of the lucky ones. I didn't need pain meds at all after leaving the hospital. My meds are still unopened in my medicine cabinet. It does get better everyday and soon your pain will be a faint memory. Congrats on being banded. Hang in there and enjoy your journey into a new you land.

I only hope that I do as well as you are doing. 1-2 pounds a week is what my doctor wants me to do. He says that it's healthier and my skin won't be as loose. I'm not an expert, but it doesn't seem to me that your are eating enough protein and that's what will help you the most. So buck up and be proud of your weight loss. Don't give up!

The reason you are required to be on special diets is so all the healing can take place according to my doctor. You now have a foreign object inside of you and your body has to get use to it. Also, my doctor placed a couple of stitches inside to hold the band in place. They don't want your stomach to work too much to digest harder foods like chicken, hamburger, salads. I suggest you tell your doctor so he will be alerted if you have done any damage to your band. BTW, you probably won't have a lot of trouble with passing foods until you start to get your fills. In fact, it's this time that it is mostly up to you to refrain from overeating. Until you get enough fills and get to your sweet spot, it is going to take a lot of hard work. Now forgive yourself for not following your doctor's instructions and go forward. You paid too much for all of this to play around with it. You want to lose the weight and it's going to take a long hard road to get there. Good luck.

I am not diabetic but when I go to group, there are quite a few banders there that report no meds anymore and some even say no c-pap machine. I think that's great. I hope that if you're diabetic you too will be able to say that someday.

Can't help with your question but wanted to say "Don't give up". Get another opinion if your doctor can't solve the problem but don't give up on yourself.

Cruzlady: A PB is a productive burp. Karkies: You probably have gas and you may have swallow too fast. Walking is the way to get rid of the gas plus some Gas-X strips. It will go away soon.