vlp1968

I never had trouble swallowing pills either. Congrats on your surgery!

Well- everyone is different. It does seem unusual that your surgeon isn't prescribing anything for pain. I have a pretty high pain tolerance but I took percecet for the first 2 or 3 days. Beware if you have a long ride in the car, that's what bothered me the most. Good luck!

Well... I don't know what else to tell you, but you need to drink, thirsty or not. I love to drink water so it's never been a problem for me. Staying hydrated is really important. All you can do is try your best to get the 64 oz reccomended in each day.

My doc. told me that if the band slips you suddenly can't keep anything down, not even water.

So... 43 pounds in 3 months? That sure is a lofty goal. When I was loosing- eating low carb/low fat and working out almost every day I lost an average of 10 pounds per month. I would focus on staying on your program until the event, and I am sure you will look great. You don't want to set yourself up for dissapointment by focusing so much on a number.

I have heard of drs unfilling for major surgeries- however, I had 2 plastic surgeries and did not get unfilled. Neither my bariatric dr. or the plastic surgeon even mentioned it. I was fine. Of course, you should do what your particular dr. reccomends, everyone is different. I hope you are successful in maintaining your weight loss with an unfill. I am sure you will look great after the TT!

Hi, I am a bit north of you- port st. lucie. Probably too far for a workout buddy, but maybe we could keep in touch and get together once in a while. Let me know, you can PM me and i'll give email, phone number. Thanks!

It seems perfectly normal that you now need a fill, you have lost 12 pounds and it's been 2 months. I don't think it means you were wrong about the unfill at all. Go in! You have nothing to be ashamed or feel bad about. Keep up the good work!

Only 15 pounds? That's 5 pounds a week! Your body is probably adjusting to what I see as tremendous weight loss. You are also right that it could be because you haven't gone to the bathroom. MOM works for me. Keep up the good work, it will happen!

Thanks for the post! I was not aware of carb cycling at all. I am going to get the book for sure. I have been struggling and really feel this could be my answer.

I had my first fill 6 weeks post-op. My doctor always based the fills/unfills on how I was feeling; hungry, getting sick et... I think that's better than going by weight loss. Their were deffiinately long stretches of time I lost weight but was very hungry. The weight loss didn't mean I didn't need a fill.

I went to the dermatologist when I starting loosing lots of hair 4-5 months post-op. He said it was from the shock to the body from rapid weight loss. He assured me I wouldn't go bald. It stopped a few months later and my hair grew back. Try not to worry, seems to happen a lot.

Congrats!

A lot of people seem to think they need to decide how much of a fill to get before they go to the doctor. I would not even worry about that, just go in and tell your surgeon exactly what's been going on. That is, what your eating when and what the hunger situation is. Then let him use his expertise to decide how much a fill to give you. The first fill several people mentioned is going to be the biggest- the tubing that leads from the port to the band needs to be filled. Good luck and keep on track until you get that fill- you seem like you are doing great.

Only 6 pounds in 2 weeks???? That's 3 pounds a week- awsome weight loss. Of course you can't expect to loose 11 every 2 weeks. That was initial weight loss- probably lots of fluid (still awsome). I think you need to just know you are doing all the right things- you don't need a number on the scale every day. That being said, I think if you own a scale and weigh in once a week or so that might work. Otherwise, just keep track by what the doc's scale says at each visit. Keep up the great work!

I admit to have fallen off the wagon well.. completely but including carbonated drinks. Beer and diet soda. I knew it might stretch the pouch- but i was telling myself my band was loose enough that wouldn't happen. I am glad a few months ago I said- no more carbonation, you are not suppossed to have it. Didn't realize it could cause a slip- will never drink it again. I am lucky I had no problems, although I supposse my pouch may be stretched.

1. Eat low carb/ low fat 2. Excersise at least 5 days a week 3. Try a zumba class 4. No alchohol

Personally, I eat cheese for a snack just about every day. I eat low-fat cheese. I think the calcium is important. As already said, compared to lean meats, protien shakes or bars, eggs it's not that high in protein.

Well- unfortunately I can't say I am back on track, but I sympathize with you. I too have totally fallen off the wagon. I was banded 3 years ago- almost to the day. I lost 107 pounds in 10 months, reaching goal. I have gained back about 50 of it. Can't even believe I let it happen. I am excited to see family over the holiday, but kind of dreading it too. Over the last year, I have steadily put on weight. All I can say is I am not giving up, and you shouldn't either. We can do this, lets go back to the habits that allowed us to loose the weight in the first place.

You are worried about it. And unfortunately it might come true. It depends on lots of things- genetics, weight loss and regain, pregnancy. Don't fall for any of those creams or whatever. If needed, find a good plastic surgeon if your lucky enough to be able to afford it. Or, like said, if it's for medical reasons insurance just may cover it. Relax for now and just concentrate on getting healthy.

Since being banded I have learned to love fish. Publix has flavored catfish sometimes- cajun or lemmon pepper. When they don't have that I get plain catfish and put old bay on it- I just cook it up in a pan on the stove with olive oil spray.

Hair loss is normal! When it happened to me- about 5 months post op I went to the dermatologist. He said it was from rapid weightloss- your body goes into kind of a shock. He assured me I wouldn't go bald. I was lucky to start with a thick head of hair. It should stop in a few months. Try not to worry.

Seems like you need to supply yourself with what you need to eat for the day. Don't plan on eating what is provided at the parties- it probably won't be acceptal at your stage in the game. I at lots of cottage cheese and applesauce when I was on mushies. Protein shakes are still a good idea too. Mashed potatoes is an option. Have fun at the parties, socialize and try don't to focus on the food.

It's scary, but normal. I started loosing a bunch of hair about 5 months post op- it lasted about 3 months. I went to the dermatologist and much to my relief he told me I wouldn't go bald. His answer was that your body goes into kind of a shock after rapid weight loss and that's why I was loosing hair. I didn't take any supplements or use a special shampoo and it stopped. In my opinion, save your money.

That is awsome! Keep up the good work!