SoccerMomma73

Hey eddieb! Good luck on your search. As a word of caution they THINK the omentum is part of your immune system, no one is really sure what the long term impact of removal may be. In general, decreasing the amount of fat/weight (particularly abdominal fat) will improve insulin resistance so any significant amount of weight loss should improve your IR. I like Dr. Oz but he's not always right and sometimes jumps on the bandwagon a little early. I'm not saying don't do it, just saying do a lot or research before. Good luck!

Very freaking carefully! But keep doing it, helps clear out the crap and keep you from getting pneumonia. I did the teddybear trick and it helps, but still hurts like heck.

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

As I was changing into my bathing suit this weekend my son patted me on the belly and said "you've got a nice 8 pack mom" I think it was a compliment? But then again, I can almost promise he has no idea what a 6 pack is.

250 calories for the day????? Really??? How long are you supposed to be at that calorie level? You can't possibly get more protein without more calories. The fact that you're getting 30 grams on a 250 calorie diet is actually amazing.

Oh Shad, that sucks. I am so sorry!! How soon will you be able to get 'er done? I love Steve and Steve loves me. He is my best friend and has my back at all times. I have nothing bad to say about my dear Steve. (I say this because I'm fairly sure he has learned to read and when I say bad things about him gets his feelings hurt and then gets even). Oh yes, I love you dear steve.

I've had 4 fills and 2 unfills, blind, each on 1 stick without any problems. I'm perfectly fine with them doing it way as long as it is working. If she can't find it they either need someone else to give it a shot or do something so they can visualize things a bit better....a normal port is not that hard to access. You may be twisted/flipped/etc, it may have just been fluke luck, or she may not be that great at fills. I'd at least call and ask, waiting 2 months doesn't seem productive. Good luck!

I'm curious what they expect to change in 2 months. Did she do it under fluoscopy or blind? If no fluoro I think I'd be requesting it instead. Good luck, I'm sorry you're starting off with so much trouble.

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!!!

I gained like 7 the day I was in the hospital having surgery...all from the IV fluids. Give it a few days, it should come off! Don't get discouraged yet! You've got a long way to go! Good luck!

The only flavor of greek yogurt I can stand is the honey...still isn't great, but I'm starting to get used to it. I found strawberry and blueberry repulsive.

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. You are doing great, and no, not losing too fast. Get of the booty and move move move...that, eventually, helps the gas. As far as the next few weeks...expect to start feeling like you, only skinnier, and hungry Sorry, it happens to the best of us! Expect the weight loss to really slow down for a bit and expect the hunger to pick up. It's not terrible, but can really get to ya. Go slow, follow your doctors rules, and you'll do great. Good luck!

Bob, no, however, I've started growing out my nails in anticipation of his next prostate exam

Just when I start thinking I look GOOD damn it, someone asks me when the baby is due? What the hell??? Almost 80 pounds down in 8 months and they ask me when the baby is due. Excuse me while I go sit in the corner and eat chocolate.

So, just when I start thinking I'm looking pretty damn good life slaps me upside the head. My first patient this morning, who has known me for 2.5 years, walked up and asked when my little one was due....uh, err, uhhh, umm...yeah. He meant no harm, but, well, DAMN.

You pretty much just have to suck it up and start making changes. No one is holding you down and cramming brownies down your throat (I hope!). Step by step, small changes. It's great that you are exercising and swimming, are you doing any cardio to work with it? What's the easiest thing to give up? I'd start with the pepsi, trade it for sugar free, OR water/flavored water/crystal light.... It doesn't sound like your amounts are too outrageous or you're eating all day long, you're just going for the high calorie, higher fat foods that won't help you lose weight. Take it one day at a time. You CAN do this, but no one can do it for you...it's all up to you. Do something to fill the loneliness. Don't set at home and hurt yourself with junk it only makes things worse. Good luck! You CAN do this, you just have to redirect yourself down the right path.

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!

Leigha-you are gorgeous and perfect just as you are. Stay healthy, be happy, and CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!

Stacie, nope, never heard of it Mine gets a little achy anytime I do something different physically mine gets a little sore for a day or two but nothing like you're describing. Sorry! Denise-I've always agreed, when I lose someone else is gaining somewhere, when I gain, someone else is losing... Somewhere on the flip side of this are a whole lot of people putting on a whole lot of weight that we (collectively) as kicking butt losing. From the looks of things, it's a bunch of teenagers in arkansas, sadly enough.

When you're having 4 million cravings and you end up eating greek yogurt with a hand full of crushed almonds on it....

Cocoa-it's Leigha...she gave up wine and is losing your share of the weight! Steve is behaving decently. Days are pretty good, I can actually eat Breakfast (which typically is the first thing to go when I get a fill) and evenings are tough. I'm sitting here right now contemplating what I won't eat this evening. Of course horones are in full swing and all I can think of is chocolate covered pretzels, thank God there are none anywhere near. We went to a roller skating party today and I won't be able to walk tomorrow. :: why are weekends so short????

I'm sorry this has been hard for you. I do wish we knew more so maybe we could help. That said, banded life isn't a walk in the park. I was fairly well educated on the process but it still isn't really what I expected (I don't really think you can know until you've done it yourself and seen how your body handles it). I love my band, even when it's being a pain in my ass. It allows me to eat in moderation, like a "normal" person which allows me to feel good enough I can get out and be much more physically active. But that's just me. You are now banded. My advice would be to make the best of it and give it some time, maybe it'll work out in the end? Take advantage of the tool you've been given, and, this was said above, do your best to work on the attitude. A huge component of the obesity battle (for most of us) is mental and emotional and looking at it the way you are, you will never like it, you're setting yourself up for failure. Good luck.

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!