Bree99

Hi everyone, Thanks for the warm welcomes. I am with you on the boob shrinkage thing. I'm down a cup size already! I, too, have been closet shopping and it is a thrill. I probably have clothes in the next 4 sizes down. I've just reached my first goal of being under 250 and it feels wonderful to know I will keep losing. It's seems like a miracle. I am so happy with my band.

I was approved having had thyroid cancer and my thyroid removed. I take synthroid daily. You should start it immediately. Appropriate synthroid levels are necessary for every metabolic function in the body. With the proper levels you will have more energy in a few weeks and lose weight easier. You will only stop taking the med. on the day of the surgery. Take it an hour before you eat and remember synthroid is very heat sensitive. It must not be exposed to higher than room temp. or it is "cooked" and you will need new med. Good luck.

What sounds good to me right now?! I've been where you are and I understand. But what really sounds good to me is-- not being the fattest person in the room, wearing great clothes, being fitter and feeling good, having lots of energy and all the other things that come from sticking to your doctor's orders! I know it's hard, but you can do it. Try and distract yourself from your cravings.

Hi everyone, I'd love to join in as well. Great support is hard to come by. I've told very few people I was banded (on 1/13/10) and so I don't have many people to share my little victories with. I'm in Ky. and though it's cold and gray today I am happier every day since I have the band. For the first time I am beginning to believe I can lose this weight AND keep it off. Amazing!

I asked my surgeon about band slips last week. I specifically asked if a lot of coughing would cause a slip and he said "no". He said that a slip is never caused by anything a patient does and can not be anticipated.

A cousin of mine came to visit. I hadn't seen her in a year and instead of her usual fat self, she looked fantastic. She was at a perfect, healthy weight. She'd been banded. I had always said WLS was not for me. But now I began to seriously consider the possibility. My cousin is 8 years younger than me and I thought of what it would have been like to lived the last eight years looking and feeling my best. My husband and I soon left on a long vacation and I spent all of that time deciding if I should have the surgery. In the end I had to honestly say that I could lose the weight on my own, but I had no confidence I would ever keep it off. When I got home I began my 6 month insurance required supervised diet. I am 2 months post-op and thrilled with my decision.

I am 2 months post-op and had my second full today. The surgeon was pleased with my progress and although he said he usually only gives 2cc(s) as a second fill, he occasionally will give 2.5cc(s). I had restriction for a week after the first fill then it faded away. He gave me the 2.5cc fill and called it the 'mother' of all fills! Lol! I was instructed that I should be very cautious when I start solids again in 48 hours. This fill was also virtually painless with no numbing agent. I am so thankful for my band and still shocked by the steady weight loss. I am hopeful for the first time in many years. I am also very appreciative of this board and all the information and support.

I got 6cc on my first fill as well. I had some restriction for the first week and then it gradually faded. You're off and running now. Congrats.

I use Dr. Lessman's Hair, Skin and Nails too. It is excellent.

Go to the General Lap Band Discussion Board and there is a sticky there with pictures.

Cottage cheese (all cheeses) and Greek yogurt have lots of protein. But the easiest way to add protein is to use Special K's Protein water mix in your water. 5 calories and 5 grams of protein in each pack. I get about 20 grams of protein a day this way.

I do try to chew well, but I do not have to take small bites...yet.

It's probably under the largest incision. You won't be seeing it until you lose a great deal of weight and maybe not then.

From the date of surgery until the first fill I lost 22 pounds. My second fill is this Thursday and it looks like I will have lost another 9 pounds.

Hi All, This is my first challenge since I was only banded in Jan. I am revising my goal since I already met my original goal!! I under estimated the effectiveness of this tool. I have no idea how much I can lose by Easter, but I can't wait to find out.

Let's say it is the easy way out. So what. Do you really believe obesity is a medical condition? A disease? If you do then why not treat that disease with the most effective treatment known? If you had cancer and had the options of chemo or an effective treatment that would not make you sick and bald, would your friends and family expect you to take the chemo? Would they tell you that taking the other treatment was "taking the easy way out"? Would you see them for the asses they are if they did? If those around you see being fat as a moral failing and not a medical issue, then I suppose they would view your choosing an effective treatment as "cheating". After all, you should stay fat and unhappy as punishment for your poor character. An inner deficiency made visible and public would seem just to them. This debate should not even exist. If there is an easy way out (and I don't think WLS is easy), wouldn't you be a fool not to take it?

I will be having my second fill in one week. I don't have restriction and am limiting my daily calories to about 1100 a day. I exercise regularly. Even at 1100 calories a day I sometimes have trouble getting the required 70 grams of protein in. I can't imagine how I will get the protein in when I have restriction. And what about some veggies? I know I need to re-imagine my diet but I'm really having trouble. I would appreciate hearing from those of you with restriction. What does a healthy diet at restriction look like?

Wow! You have an amazing accomplishment! Please tell me how you maintained a positive attitude on your journey or dealt with days when you were discouraged or tempted to go off your plan.

Thanks everyone, You've given me lots to think about and some great food suggestions. I will definitely take your advice.

I loved your post. This is what we are all working toward. Congrats!

I like that very much. Thanks!

Sea Assassin, The easiest and most sure way to spice up a relationship is to do/learn something new together, especially something physical (and I don't mean sex, although, that's good too). Four years ago my hubby and I took up motorcycle riding and it's been great for our marriage. You might try that or white water rafting, something with a tinge of adventure. You'll be pleasantly surprised at the results!

Hello Heidi, It's normal to be a little nervous. I can tell you that I am so glad I did this. I was banded six weeks ago and I've lost 29 pounds. It's the fastest and easiest weight loss I've ever had. I haven't felt hungry since the surgery. You are assuming you won't be able to eat certain foods, but most people seem to be able to eat the things they like. All surgery has risks, but this is a minimally invasive surgery and takes very little time to accomplish. I think you will be very pleased with your decision.

Every marriage has it's up and down times, sometimes they last for years. It is a committment and that means a choice you make again every day. I'm glad you've lost the weight and can really "feel" yourself. That doesn't mean you should abandon your commitment to your wife. Life is hard and you have a wife who has proven her loyalty and commitment to you. That is a rare and precious thing. You won't always be "hot". A marriage can be re-imagined and rejuvinated. I know. I've been married 25 years and some were blah and some were bad, but I decided to find out what part I played in our marital condition. It turned out that when my attitude changed, he was right there with me in the quest to make things better. And things have never been better. I now find it hard to imagine that things _can_ get better! But I'm willing to find out! The grass may look greener on the other side, but it still needs to be mowed. You better think long and hard about this and examine your own part in the state of your relationship.

Everyone has the same fears, but the odds are hugely in your favor. If you have never had anesthesia, it is an interesting experience, almost like magic. Stop worrying about not solving this problem on your own, almost no one does. These concerns will all fade away in your happiness and new success post-surgery. I was banded six weeks ago. I have lost 28 pounds and I feel great and so excited that the future will look the way I have imagined it for so long.