SoccerMomma73

I did it too. In a full length pink princess gown and tiara...and was amazed that I wasn't exhausted. Congratulations on your success. It is such a moving experience. Next year I'm running it!

Oh shuddup, you don't know what you're talking about, you've only been banded 6 months, you're just a newby! Is that better than "don't listen to him, he's not even banded?"

You never fail to make me laugh. I love that you're doing so well without taking yourself too seriously. Tell 'em to take a picture of your gut before they throw it away...you'll be totally grossed out and it makes for a great show and tell at parties!

I have the option of seeing my doc or his nurse practitioner. I vote for the nurse practitioner every time. They are both excellent at what they do but when I see the doc the wait is much longer and he doesn't give me the warm fuzzy feelings that the NP does. It's really up to the individual practice and doc whether he does the post op/fills etc but you can always ask the next time you call. Good luck!

My band is Steve, Steve is fickle and tempermental.

My port is Eileen, Eileen is nice and sweet and never causes me any problems.

All my problems come from men

I have even had people grab my tummy looking for a baby to kick.

I kinda wish you'd just blow out a big nasty fart when they do that and say "oops! It's the baby!!!" but i'm sorta warped like that

Thanks for the support guys. I feel great about where I am. And really, other than the dehydration/emergency unfill scenario it's not been a big deal. I have to work to get it off but I no longer have to starve and deprive myself to get it off. It makes all the difference in the world. For those of you just starting, stick with it, it is a magic little piece of plastic. I'm anxious to hit my 1 year anniversary and see how far I've come. My original 1 year goal was 75 pounds so I've reset to 100....won't break my heart if I don't make it but would be nice since it'll put me in the 190's for the first time since I was, oh 16 or so.

You'd be crazy not to doubt it honey! You're voluntarily under going major surgery. If you're like me, you're trying to figure out why you're such a failure at weight loss that you have to resort to this. Trust your instincts you've worked on this for months and months, you've likely researched every inch of the procedure. Don't push yourself if you truly don't feel ready but don't give up just because of cold feet either. Good luck!!!

Oh it's fine, it didn't really offend me (considering the source) just left me baffled more than anything. I am THRILLED with where I am at this point. I weigh less than I have weighed in my entire adult life....I have no complaints at all It was just, well, funny, sorta, in a sick and twisted way.

Welcome to the party...some days it's a pain in the butt, but it is so worth it! Good luck, you'll both do great!

I would not go more than a couple hours not being able to swallow clear liquids/saliva or you will get dehydrated, as you get dehydrated you band gets tighter and it is all downhill from there (been there, done that). I'd try sipping warm tea or taking a break for a little bit, if neither of those help or you start getting weak/dizzy/stop peeing etc go to the ER. You might try calling your doc, he may have other arrangements for emergencies...ERs are typically not real band friendly.

Good luck and keep us updated!

You are such an inspiration. Congrats on your success so far, you are doing great! Keep up the good work and keep us up to date! Come on 210's!!!!

My band does not like snot! Anytime I'm congested or stuffy I'm tight. I'm one of the freaks that had an unfill months after a fill. My last fill was in March, kept getting tighter until I had a little taken out in June, then totally obstructed and got dehydrated in July and had to have an emergency partial unfill....the doc is still not real sure what happened. y first fill since March is tomorrow, we're gonna go slow but I'm a tad bit anxious after the whole dehydration incident. Good luck!

FYI, check on the potassium, a lot of them are slow release and shouldn't be crushed....yours may be fine but just wanted to warn ya! Congrats on the loss too!!

When I gurgle (wow that's a weird word to spell) I'm too tight....I'd take the zofran and try sipping, very slowly, liquids, but if you're not keeping fluids down with the zofran for an extended period I'd get help.... Good luck! (and keep us updated when you can)

Welcome to bandster hell. The point where your swelling and such goes down and you don't have any or much of a fill and you're hungry hungry hungry and have no restriction. Just so you know, you're normal and it does get better! As far as eating more often what did your doc say? If I remember correctly my doc wanted me to go 4+ hours between meals but I was averaging about every 2 because, like you, was starving. Good luck, just rmember it does get better and it is so worth it!

The things we do to ourselves, sheesh. Congrats on the success you've had so far. You attitude combined with your band sound like a recipe for great success. Keep up the good work!

Yay for you!!! I just graduated from the women's section to the "normal" section last weekend and about killed myself trying to try everything on. It was beyond awesome!!

You are my hero...

Or you're crazy....

Or you're my crazy hero, but whatever, YOU GO GIRL!!!

My band likes spring rolls, even when I'm tight tight....USUALLY mexican isn't an issue (except rice)...I was never a big soda drinker so can't help ya there....the trade offs are worth it. You'll do great!

I'm sure people will yell at me for this but I say bravo! As far as I'm concerned you should still be able to go out and celebrate with your family and enjoy something you like on occasion...just not often, and hopefully not as big of a splurge as you would have pre-op. Glad you had a good time and kinda sorta behaved!

Change it all up. Eat more or eat less, exercise more or differently...I've discovered that if I stick with the same thing for too long I just sort of get stuck there...If I increase my calories for a few weeks (assuming I was geing really really good to start with) and mix up the exercise things seem to start back up....

Good luck!!!

About 6 weeks post-op I suddenly felt like I'd lost my best friend. I was SO caught off guard! I sat down and had some long talks with myself before I figured it all out but basically food WAS my best friend. When I was sad, mad, in love, happy, pissed, lonely...whatever it was, throughout my life, food had always been there for me. I went to bed thinking about what I'd have for breakfast, and wake up planning lunch and dinner.

And then, suddenly, it was gone. Sure I could have a bite or two of something but I could no longer plan my day around eating. For a while I felt lonely, almost empty. I had a nice little pity party for a day or two then woke up one day feeling almost free. I still love good food but instead of focusing on quantity I focus on quality. I cook a fair amount and still spend a lot of time planning out what I'm making but it's all in the details now.

Life is good! Congrats on breaking off the affair and maintaining your friendship...it's a tough thing to do.

No sugar problems but I was on a water pill and blood pressure pill, we've slowly weaned me down and I'm officially off the blood pressure pill and on 1/4 strength of the water pill. I'll be 6 months post-op next week...72 pounds down. I'll take it! Good luck!

Sandra-the body is an amazing conservationist. It's ALMOST impossible to lose 10 pounds in a week and pretty unrealistic to expect to do so. The band average is 1-2 pounds a week, 3.8 is great, wonderful, and fabulous! Over a year 2 pounds a week is over 100 pounds...How long did it take you to put on the extra weight? If you're like most of us, it's much longer than a year, don't expect it to just disappear over night.

Keep up the good work but stop being so hard on yourself! You're doing great!

A lot of variety from place to place. I have the option of seeing my nurse practitioner or the doc..I like the NP better so I only see the doc when they make me You likely can request the doctor if you have a preference.

Good to check, a lot of insurances have exclusions and under no circumstances will cover any type of obesity surgery or treatment...fingers are crossed you can find a way around this!