gingerjane

I would call to see if you can get the liquid lortab. That is what they sent me home with and it was a lot easier than trying to figure out how to swallow a pill - especially with the swelling. It will get better. Trust me. Just try to rest, keep your Water flowing (little sips) and get some sleep. The best time for your body to repair itself is while sleeping.

I will be completely honest here - I LOVE my band. I cannot imagine life without it. I was a total carb-addict. I love bread (still do), Cookies, pastries, etc. But, I don't crave them like I used to because I can't eat them with the band. For instance, if we were to go to a steakhouse before where they had bread, I'd easily eat 1/2 the loaf. (or more!) Now, I might have a tiny slice off of the end (crust) and am completely satisfied with that. I haven't had a soda since March 7th and it hasn't really bothered me at all. I do know plenty of bandsters that drink diet sodas. For me, I'm just not a big soda drinker anyway, so it's not as big of an issue. My husband is considering the band but that is one of the things that is holding him back but I swear - you will grow to love how the band helps you make choices. At least, that is how I feel. I pick Proteins and pick better foods but do I do that every day? Honestly - no. There are some days where I'll have a small piece of brownie but the band helps me stay with 1 piece versus 5 or 6. That's the difference. I have lost weight before with weight watchers only to give up and start gaining it back. I don't feel like I'm on a "diet" with the band. It's more of a new lifestyle that doesn't even really bother me. It's so different how my mindset is. I would talk to other bandsters, check out some blogs, etc. I did a lot of research before getting mine and going into it completely knowledgeable is huge. You're doing the right thing by checking it all out. Good luck to you and I'm always available if you have any questions.

I was going to join but it looks like the spreadsheet is missing a bunch of people? Is there an updated one somewhere?

Don't beat yourself up. We all have those issues - and trust me - that TOM is a real PITA. I always find myself wanting to hit up something sweet in a BAD way. (usually it's ice cream!)

I think I would have had to strangle him. I've had my hubby screw up and say the wrong thing, too. Kind of sucks because you want to slug them but you realize that they didn't mean it like you took it.

Sadly - I don't remember. I do remember talking about how it's a tool and not a magic pill or button that will make the weight disappear. Truthfully - if you say 1-2 lbs a week, you should be safe. That's a safe amount of weight to lose and a realistic amount. Sure, you'll lose more in the beginning but as I'm slowly finding out, it does taper off. But, it's worth it. WORTH EVERY PENNY AND POUND. :wink2:

I wish I could give you advice but I've never been that tight. I'm holding at 7.3 and doing pretty well - although my doctor wanted to tweak me last week and I told him no. I am tighter in the mornings and usually have a Protein shake but then open up as the day goes on. I do agree that the warmer liquids help. On days when I'm tight or after I've just flown, the warmer drinks help.

I work with someone who's wife had the sleeve and she is very happy with it. I think it's all a matter of personal preference. :smile: And Protein Shakes - I have one that I like - it's my go-to all the time. The cauliflower pizza looks interesting but I'm still not sure about it. Ha!

I am inching closer! I know I won't hit 210 by Halloween but just to be in the 2-teens is something that I never thought I'd see ever again! I am just so darn excited! I keep thinking that this next wave will start up again. Hoping so! Everyone is doing great! Are we going to have a Thanksgiving challenge or is Christmas the next one?

I chalk it up to some people are A$$holes. That's about it. They will probably think twice before commenting like that again. I almost feel sorry for people who feel the need to degrade others. Notice I said ALMOST.

Thanks everybody. I talked to my nutritionist and she basically said it was no big deal unless I was drinking 3 a day, 7 days a week. I'm not so I'm not going to worry about it. I have a feeling regular soda is probably worse than Muscle Milk. LOL!

Ok - so I'm a little freaked out right now. I drink muscle milk almost every day for Breakfast. Been doing that for a while now. Well, someone said that there are warnings against muscle milk due to metals content, etc. My nutritionist knows I drink it and has never said anything. (She's a good nutritionist) I had never heard ANYTHING about it and did look it up and seems that Consumer Reports did a study but they based it on 3 servings. I only drink 1 per day. Does anyone have any opinions, experience, etc? I've been totally fine with it, but am sort of worried. If you have been warned against it or on the other hand, told it's fine, please let me know.

Truthfully, I think if you up your lean protein calories, that will help a bit. Check your carbs versus protein ratio, too. I did find that my mini-plateau was a combo of carbs and calories, I was using the wrong calories. I also think if you switch up your exercise routine that helps. It's like that P90X - they do have some points about muscle confusion. :smile: But, it's more "body confusion". LOL!

WOW! That is amazing. I was still all swollen a week out. It's taken me 6 months to lose 60 lbs but it's been worth it.

You look great!!! :smile2: Congrats!

I've been hitting up the thrift stores and have been checking to see if there is anyone that I can swamp clothes with. I do know that there is a group of bandsters with blogs and they will pass on their clothes to other bandsters. Sort of like the sisterhood of the traveling pants. I'm getting ready to put some photos up of some of my stuff this week. I have mostly 22/24's and 3Xs that I'm getting rid of. (I now need an XL/1X or 16/18) I was looking for a thread on here but didn't find one. I also did notice that you can get some great deals at Macy's. I have bought a few pieces there for less than $20 each and they're things I can wear to work, etc. I did "splurge" on a pair of jeans only for them to already be a bit loose. Oh well...

Welcome! :puke: Wow! 129 lbs is AWESOME! You're doing great. I think you'll love it here. Everyone is so supportive and it's a great group of people. Following the blogs is also very helpful.

Seems like I keep holding steady at the 1 - 1.5 lbs per week. This week was 1.6 although the scale at one point gave me a bigger number (I weigh myself like four times) I settled on one that was more conservative. I keep trying to figure out how to get it to really move so that I can see 210 by Halloween. We're talking 3 lbs/week plus! Let me know if someone is starting a Turkey Day challenge. I definitely want in. :puke:

WOW! That is amazing, Kathy! Such an inspiration! :thumbup:

My biggest incision was in my belly button and my port is just to the right of it. The other ones are 1/2 inch if that. They were SUPER small. I know a girl that had bypass like 7 years ago and she has a HUGE scar all the way down her chest and stomach.

These are the exact reasons why I haven't shared it with a lot of people. You have those that judge weight-loss surgery. They have their opinions and most of the time are all-to-willing to share them. The decision to be banded is a personal one. I had a girl tell me I'd be miserable. She was totally against it. Now, she doesn't acknowledge that I've had it. Only 1 time has she made a positive comment about my weight loss. But, I know she's miserable. She munches on carrots all day and spends her lunch hours running around so that she can keep off her weight. I'm sure there is an element of jealousy there. (Not saying I don't watch what I eat or exercise, but she's pretty much on the obsessive end of it) Let them think what they want. I think that some of the other posters are right - here comes a little jealousy thrown your way.

Hands down mine is regular muscle milk, chocolate. If they ever quit making it, I might have a heart attack. I drink it every single morning for breakfast and LOVE it. (My band is always tighter in the mornings) An 11 oz serving has 22 grams of protein in it and it doesn't have the funky aftertaste that I find a lot of other protein shakes have. (I've tried about 4 other varieties and GAG on them - this one is literally like drinking a shake. It's not milk based, either)

I'll try to answer some questions for you. I'm not at goal weight but I'm 6 months out and started out at 5' 8" and 280, so we're pretty close in size. 1) I don't think you can avoid loose skin. At all. I have some but it's not as bad as I thought. Of course, I'm also not at goal but I have had two kids so I was a bit stretched out anyway. I fully anticipate a tummy tuck at the end of this journey. 2) The best way to figure this out is to find a doctor and have them submit the paperwork. Your HSA will qualify to cover the out of pocket outside aside from what your insurance pays but it's all based on individual doctors. For me, I ended up paying about $600 out of pocket. 3) I've lost almost 60 lbs and I cannot see my port. I still have a hard time feeling it. It's on my right side next to my belly button and it's not noticeable at all. My husband can't even feel it really, unless I show him where it is. 4) Still working on that goal weight but I have been very pleased with my weight loss so far. I still eat foods that I love but a lot less of them. I don't crave sweets like I used to and I did give up caffeine and soda. I hope by my one year bandiversary that I've lost at least 90 - 100 lbs. My goal overall was about 110 lbs. 5) I do not regret it AT ALL. Not one bit. Every day that goes by, I am so thankful for my band. It has been such a blessing for me. My life has changed in so many ways and in good ways. I'm able to shop in a regular department now, I feel better in my clothes, I'm more active, etc. I can't even begin to describe how great it is. Hope my answers help. I know a lot of people on here hit goal within 1-2 years - so I'm hoping for the same. I feel like I'm on the right track. If you follow your band rules, you'll be successful. If I had to go back and pay full price for it, I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

I've been through airport metal detectors with my band and nothing has gone off but I have the Allergan band. Not sure if you might have the Realize Band but I know it has hooks that hold your port into place.