LollyMoe

The band is not a magic weight lost wand. It's a TOOL for you to use in connection with good food management and exercise. You still have to work hard everyday, make appropriate food choices and burn up those calories with exercise. I am somewhat of a rut eater, therefore I came up with a menu that I can live with everyday and still stay within the guidelines of what I am suppose to consume. On the weekends, I try to get in something different. You have lost weight and you know how to do it. Why don't you try starting over as if you were just out of surgery a few days? Or go talk with your doctor and see where you can improve. Don't just give up! You can do it.

I know these are older posts and may no longer matter but I wanted to put in my two cents worth. Years ago and I mean years, WW had a program where you could actually lose weight & reach lifetime membership. THEN, they changed the diet and kept changing it every year for quite few years. Weight loss was slower, people didn't reach life-time membership as easily (which was free-no dues) and now they have the points system. It all boils down to a money-making process for WW. It isn't really a diet per se, it's a way to try to train you to eat better and give them your money. If it was a diet, you wouldn't be able to eat anything as long as you stayed within your points. It's behavior modification just as the band is doing for you now. Go to your meetings and don't tell anyone that you have the band. It's not any of their business. By the same token, don't brag on the weight loss and make them think it's all due to WW either. find a happy middle ground.

Try Fiber One cereal, some Benefiber Water packs that you add to you water, fruits & veggies. Should do the trick. If necessary, use s stool softner and MOM every once in awhile.

Sarabrent: The reason you can eat pizza w/o problems right now is that you don't have a fill yet. As you get your fills, you'll see a huge difference in what you can eat. Be careful with bread unless it's toasted.

I could feel my port, so I knew in my head I had the band but still didn't really believe it. Well, last week I had my first fill of 4ccs and I went to Taco Bell for some refried beans. Oh my gosh, that first bite was a killer! It hurt so bad.... I thought I was going to pass out right at the table. It finally passed but I now know I have the band and some restriction. I have to eat very slowly and take small bites. I wouldn't trade it for anything however.

1) My scars are already fading away into white streaks. However, since I was mainly interested in being healthy again, I don't care about scars. 2) As for eating out, I usually order a small bowl of Soup or small salad and play around with it until the others are finished. 3) My quality of life is already improving with only almost 30 pounds gone in five weeks. My energy is up, my joints aren't hurting as much, I'm sleeping better. I think a lot of this is because of the weight loss but it's also because I don't gorge myself when eating anymore. I'm eating better foods instead of a lot of sweet junk nothings. I think you have to decide WHAT is the most important things for you. For me, it's better health. The weight loss is just a nice side effect.

Well I know I couldn't go swimming for 6 weeks. Call your doctor's office and ask.

I hope everyone gets to walk and will tell us all about it later. I'm off to take my 89 year old mother to a family reunion in Greenville, Al. Next year, if my legs allow, I'm walking!! Good luck everyone.

I am six weeks out and have already noticed a huge difference in my energy level. I can't wait until I can sleep at night w/o my hips/leg hurting. Hubby says I'm already snoring less.

CONGRATS! Isn't it wonderful to feel in control again? I know you will be successful and the first thing you know, you'll be in size 36 jeans.

Wonderful news! You worked hard for it and deserve it. Give yourself a big hug!!!!

Click on someone's ticker and it will take you to the right site. Fill out the info and the enxt time you post, it will come up. Good luck.

Try some Boudreaux's Butt Paste. It's where they sell baby things since it's used for diaper rash. It works!

Yep, it's gas alright. You will think you are having a heart-attack. Take some Gas-X strips and walk, walk, walk. It will pass in a few days.

Hubby and I are joining the YMCA tomorrow. I am looking forward to it since I can't walk very well yet. I figure a little is better than nothing.

This was the topic of discussion today when I was at the Nutritioinist. She suggested Benefiber water packets, Fiber -One cereal, and fresh fruit..especially a peeled apple. She also suggested Lite PlumSmart juice. It's fairly new but good. I sure hope all of this helps b/c I am not used to having dry painful movements once a week.

I am going to take Jason's advice about fluids for 24 hours. Maybe longer. That was a scary thing to have happen today. I was ready to go right back to the office and cry help but decided that maybe it was the choice I made and not the band. I was surprised that Lisa put in 4cc's for the first fill but she said that Dr Miles is a little more aggressive now. I ate some mashed potatoes tonight and managed a teaspoon full. Made my stomach feel better. When I saw the Nut today, Ashley said for me to get in more fruit, more Fiber, and to stick to about 1,000-1,200 cals a day. Good luck everyone on the walk. Next year, I'm walking!

I met Jason at doctor's office today. I embrassed myself because I called him Troy instead of Jason! I knew his face but his name slipped right by my poor old memory. Bet I don't forget it again. I got my first fill today, Lisa put in 4cc. After we left there we went to Taco Bell. I ordered a small container of beans and with the first bite, I started having severe chest pains and the saliva rose up in my throat like crazy. I thought I was going to throw up but it passed. Lisa didn't instruct me in any special diet so I thought the beans would be okay. I'm okay now but am afraid to eat again. I didn't like that feeling at all. Is my fill too much??????? Remember 4cc's for first fill.

Congrats on getting banded. Your journey has begun to a healthier life and a skinner one. I urge you to get up and walk as much as possible. The gas will pass easier and your joints won't hurt as much either. Take your pain meds when needed. Good luck on your journey. Don't become discouraged. It's worth it all.

Call your doctor and talk to his nurse. The cath shouldn't hurt unless they tried to pull it out w/o deflating the balloon first. That hurts!!!

I was banded on 8/11 and have lost 28 pounds so far. Tomorrow is my regular weigh day, so I'm hoping the scales say I've lost a tiny bit more. I'll take all I can get. Tomorrow is my first fill day! I am a little nervous about it. I have some friends that didn't get a fill when expected b/c they were losing weight. Our doctor wouldn't do it if we are steadily losing. I'll see how it goes tomorrow. Rottie69: My doctor wouldn't let me eat solids for first three weeks. Said the internal healing needed to take place and for the swelling to go down. Said that I could cause the band to slip if I ate solids too soon and internal stitches could come loose. At any rate, I have been following all the rules about eating so far.

I have a tall slim bottle that came with water in it. I got it from Walmart. It is 33.8 oz. I fill it each morning and carry it around with me where ever I go. By about 1p.m., I have managed to drink it all. I then fill it up again and try to get it in before 9pm. I have to admit that I don't always get in both bottles everday but I do most days.

I'm afraid that I'm what I call a "rut eater". I decided what I wanted to eat five days a week for each meal and I stick with that plan. Over the weekend, I will change it up somewhat. Since I'm retired and we don't eat out a lot, this is really easier for me to do. I have a small Protein shake about 6a.m. and about 9a.m., I have Raisen Brand Cereal with 1% milk. At lunch, I have tuna salad with 5 plain tricuit crackers (I need the fiber). Around 2p.m., I eat greek yogurt with blue berries. Around 6p.m., I eat grilled chicken, green Beans or peas. Around 9p.m., I have another small Protein Shake & take my meds with it. That's my eating life right now and I'm not having any problems with it. I don't have to go to a lot of trouble trying to figure out what to eat. It works for me. I get my flavored Water or tea in during the day and don't drink after 9pm.

I met Busdriver & Fordgal at group today! Had a very nice time. They are so helpful in advice and didn't think any question I had was silly. Thanks, ladies.

Eating Cookies instead of a proper diet!!!!!!!! No wonder you're not losing. Get a grip on yourself and re-motivate. Also, figure out what your surgery and fills cost you. Then divide how many cookies you eat to determine what each one of those cookies cost you....besides the weight you haven't lost. Seriously, you need to rethink all the WHYS of having the band to begin with. Go back to the beginning and start again. You deserve to be smaller and to be kind to yourself. A cookie isn't worth it. Also, call your doctor's office and speak to the nurse. They can help you and should not charge for a phone call. Good luck.