vlp1968

Wow, you have been through a rough time. I bet the antibiotics will work and you will heal, I hope it's quickly. My thoughts are with you!

Once you have restriction I reccomend that you eat until your not hungry. I have found since banded that I don't get the same "full" feeling. I have to admit I miss it. For me it's an uncomfortable feeling if I eat even a little too much. Until you have restriction I suggest you focus on eating the right foods, even if your portions are bigger than they will be when you have restriction.

Get rid of the oversized clothes! However you do it, I think it's really important. You will never need those clothes again! Keep up the good work!

I think you are fine. If your worried about stretching your pouch, don't be. It takes months of really overeating to do that. Right now your band is not tight around your stomach. The food you eat is going right into your big stomach. Remember the first weeks are for healing, not weight loss. That's good you called the dr. just to be sure, but I don't think you have anything to worry about.

If it's been over 2 weeks, any swelling has probably gone away. I would make an appt. and talk to the doc. The 2 of you can decide about an unfill. Even a small unfill can make a world of difference. Good luck!

My advice is to up your excersise. That's great you kept up your workouts even though you weren't always making good food choices. I think you are right that that is what kept you from gaining. You don't say what exactly your doing. I would increase the intensity and/or duration of what you are doing. Another piece of advice is to simply not keep the "bad foods" in the house. I know it may be difficult if you have a family and they wan't that stuff. Maybe find things they like, that you don't care for. It's important to reduce temptation as much as possible. As far as outings such as a bbq, bringing your own food may be a solution.

That is fantastic! I know how excited I was to get off my meds. Keep up the good work!

Thinking it would be nice to hear some non-scale victories. Lets look at what we've gained as we've lost. Mine are: 4 garbage bags of clothes for my sister. Off all my weight related meds (diebetes, high cholesteral, high blood pressure). Able to run/walk on the treadmill Lots more energy across the day- no more naps! More self-confidence Buying new clothes Getting compliments left and right Lets hear yours!

Good for you! I am jealous- my insurance didn't cover mine. However the money was so worth it. I love my band!

I looked in the mirror one day and my face had drooped. I am going to have plastic surgery and may add a facelift to the agenda.

Good advice above. I would add that you should start working out if you havn't already. It helps so much with weightloss. I have stalled- and when I increased the intensity on the treadmill the scale started moving again. It's tough to get started but eventually it becomes second nature. You can do this!

Does your doc. use a local? If he hasn't, I would ask for one. That way if they need a few tries to get at the port you won't feel it.

As far as the tuna goes- low fat mayo only has 20 cals a tablespoon. I buy mini cans of tuna- 80 cals each. I eat it on Kavili garlic crackers- in the bread isle at publix. 3 good size crackers has 50 cals and 10 grams of carbs.

I hear ya- I never had much of a but and now it's way flatter. I plan on doing surgery, thinking about a butt implant.

Your doc. should be listening to you more. I would say get a new doc. but you explained why you don't want to. I would go in with specific "data". Tell the doc. exactly what your eating and how long you stay full (if you get full at all. Don't let the doc. make you feel wierd for asking questions, it is a very legitament one. My doc. is totally upfront about the size of my band and always tells me how much he's going to put in and what that brings me up to. Don't be afraid to stick up for yourself! Good luck.

I drink a protien shake for breakfast- I'm too tight in the morning for anything else. How about a protein bar? They have a few different ones at Walmart. I get the Atkins ones, high in protein and low in carbs.

I burp a lot. Usually when I am eating or drinking a protien shake. When I feel like I have to burp but can't I walk around and that often helps.

I agree with the above post that music may help the boredom quite a bit. I hope you enjoy the karate!

Seems like things are going very well for you. Congrats on your weightloss. You are off to a good start! Keep up the good work.

I read somewhere to bring a small pillow to put between you and the seatbelt for the ride home. I did it and was comfortable in the car.

I'm not sure what to tell you except if it's that painful I would call your doctor. Maybe they can prescribe some pain medicine to get you through until Monday.

I had my Mom around for a few days, although it probably wasn't neccessary. I agree with the above post, ask your mom to spend a little time with you. It can't hurt.

You are doing great! If your not excersising already, it will help those last 20 pounds fade away. If you are, you may want to up the intensity. It has worked for me in getting those last 10 pounds off.

You clearly know exactly what to do. Now it's just a matter of focusing and doing it. Excersise is key for sure. When I have had stalls in weightloss, I have uped the intensity of my workouts and the scale starts moving again. You can do this! Getting the band was a huge step toward getting healthy, now you just need to put the good food choices and excersise into play.

I keep meaning to ask the doc. about this. However, it's my understanding the stomach has lots of give to it. I think it would take lots of overeating for months to significanly stretch the pouch. Also, if you can eat lots at one time, you are probably loose enough that it is all going quickly to your big stomach.