Shellybeans

My weight watchers instructor has said many times that we need to look at our food pyramid and make sure that we are balancing out everything. It could be just a matter of too little or a little to much of a fat. Sometimes not eating enough food can stall the weight loss. Shake it up and journel what you are eating to see if there is a pattern. Good luck!!

I had an endoscopy and it actually is not bad. You are sedated very heavily so you are not even aware of what is going on. A tube was placed down my throat and into my stomach. Not a real big deal. I did have to take the day off work because of the sedation. Good luck!!

I'm in for the Christmas challenge.

Carol, you should be eating proteins first. You need to start eating chicken, turkey (more tender parts). Potatoes are high in carbs and mashed will go thru faster and leave you with less of a full feeling. Remember not to drink anything 15 minutes before and 60 minutes after each meal. I had my first fill last Thursday 1.5cc and I feel a little restriction. However, I am trying to remember what my doctor said about proteins first, vegges, fruit next and carbs last. He also said 1/2 cup total per meal. I find that if I eat 5 to 6 smalls meals a day I don't feel hunger has much.

Raynie, when were you banded? If you are to be on liquids I would get back on and stay on liquid for the duration of the time. I think you will be ok, but remember this is a time that your stomach needs for healing and you are only putting yourself in jeopardy by eating too soon. The liquids are to help in the healing process and to keep your stomach from having to overwork. Good luck and don't beat yourself up!

I was just telling DH that my feet are getting smaller. My shoes are so loose that they are flopping off my feet. Guess I will need to go buy new shoes. Oh no, am I becoming addicted to shopping?

My main reason for the surgery was health. I have diabetes, high blood pressure and am on way too many meds. Although looking better is a benefit, my health and ability to get around was getting out of hand. I have been saying that I want to be fit at fifty. I turned 49 on September 30 and had surgery October 2. My gift to myself and I do plan on being fit at fifty.

OK, Crispygal & Klo, I am a commercial lines account manager (P&C Agents license). I have been in insurance since my senior year in high school. Now my daughter is in insurance. (Poor kid). We're STUCK!! Although, I do enjoy my job most of the time.

YEPPEE! This is most definately my favorite time of year. I have been playing my Christmas music since Monday. My goal is to lose 13 lbs by Christmas (total 50). Count me in!!!:clap2:

Hi Cjay, Good luck on your surgery. I had my done on October 2, 2006 and have my first fill on November 2. I live in San Leandro and my surgery was done by Dr. Morton at Stanford. It is the best decision I have made so far. I feel great and am actually not that hungry. It's amazing how little food a person actually needs to sustain themselves. Keep us posted on how you are doing.

Remember, that when you went for your first visit after surgery, you were just on Full liquid and I am sure the caloric intake was alot less. Now that you are on solids, your body needs to adjust to the change. I think the fill will help.

It was never mentioned to me about the A1C's had to be within a certain range, however, I had to have an EKG & Stress Echocardiagram as part of the pre surgery testing. Good Luck!

It's kinda like "Because I said so"!!!!!!!!!! Not really, I heard to that it was due to healing. My doctor requires 4 weeks of full liquid.

I have mainly done Weight Watchers for most of my life. It has been successful with respects to paying attention to labels. I got the lapband to help me understand what full feels like. I do plan to incorporate weight watchers with my lapband as I need the support and it will hold me accountable weekly. I think that Weight Watchers has alot of great ideas on how to deal with those moments when we feel weak.

I found that even though I hated walking, it actually helped heal me quicker. I went for a walk one day and was experiencing pain in my port area and thought to turn around, but I decided to continue and by the time I got back to the office, the pain was gone. I noticed that each day I walked even just a 1/10th of a mile, the pain became less and less. I am now nearly 3 weeks out and feel absolutely no pain and I know it is in part to my walking. Good luck to all new bandsters and to those who are having their banding done this next week.

If you have a local mall, you could walk the length of the mall. Alot of people do that in the morning before the stores open or after work. Especially when it rains and snows. I was in Ohio over the summer and people were even doing it during really HOT days.

Well, I just got back from my post op appointment. I have lost 13 lbs. since surgery date 10/2. Yepee!! My first fill is scheduled for November 2. I am so happy that I made this decision. I can honestly say that I have really not once felt really hungry. The cravings occur periodically, but I think the mind set is in place right now. Now, not sure how I will be once I get the green flag for regular food. Anyway, I just wanted to give my update and to give encouragement to all October bandbabies!!! To all those who are having surgery next week, Best Wishes and hope to hear about your journey! Shell

Kstar, I will be thinkin about ya tomorrow morning. You will do fine. This is truly the best decision I have made. I already feel better physically and emotionally. Keep us updated on your progress.

Derbygirl, congratulations on your banding. I am 6 days out now and I feel really good. I did experience pain and still do at times, but it is nothing like the first 2 days. My surgeon advised that you not drink 15 minutes before or 1 hour after each meal. Also, 4oz. but take up to 30 minutes to eat. This I think is pretty consistant with what I have seen in these threads. Good Luck to you and happy banding!!!!!!!!!:girl_hug:

I previously posted the use of nioxin hair products to help strengthen the hair shafts. This was a suggestion of my hairdresser. I went to GNC today and asked about a supplement and they suggested bioton. I noticed that someone posted their nutritionist suggested this as well. So, I am now taking bioton and using the hair products. Along with the recommended protein by my dr. I am hoping that hair loss will be minimal.

JWH, the best wishes are coming your way tomorrow. You will do fine. You will be in my thoughts and prayers. Threebeauties, I chose to tell only a few people. I know that when I was doing WW, every time I would eat anything, I would get the "can you have that" questions. Or, "how much weight have you lost so far". So, you can imagine the questions with the banding. It gets a little old after awhile. I wanted to keep my life as normal as possible. I only told the people that I thought would truly care.

:clap2: Hello to all. I am two days out and feeling really good right now. The pain is minimal. Never thought I would say this yesterday when the pain seemed to be at it's worst. I think the air inside hurts worse than the actual little incisions. I am having a little trouble getting all my proteins in, but I think it will get better each day. There is only so much cream of wheat, yogurt and protein shakes one can handle. I am gonna try strained cream of mushroom soup for dinner. Yumm!!! All in all, I am quite happy that I made the decision to have the banding done and am looking forward to a whole new life. Good luck to all those who are about to go on this journey and to those who have just started.

Chrispygal, best wishes tomorrow! What an exciting time. Remember, "Nothing tastes better than thin feels"!:rainbow:

KStar, thank you so much for the well wishes. I am about to drink that vile Fleet soda and am not looking forward to the rest of my day. I have gone thru a great range of emotions the past 2 days, but, I am looking forward to this new journey. Yesterday was my 49th birthday and I said that I wanted to be Fit at Fifty! So, here we go. :clap2:

I am so thankful to God for guiding me to this thread. I am so inspired by all of you and will lift you up in prayer daily. I have my surgery on Monday 10/2/06. I ask that you remember me in prayer for calm and strength. The anxiety and anticipation of this day is exhausting. God is Good!!!!!!!!