JMinDallas

I would suggest a slight unfill. Better to gain a few lbs than have serious issues while there. And I think you'll be way to busy with meeting your new daughter than to overindulge in food! Congrats on the upcoming adoption! We too are adoptive parents of 3 beautiful children, so I know you're joy!!

Totally worth it!!! And like so many others wished I would have had it done sooner. I was wearing a size 22W. Now I just bought some jeans that are a 16. It's been years, like probably 7-8 yrs, since I've worn that size. I feel AMAZING!

I felt the same way as you. I was eating less, and I didn't know if it was me trying really hard, or the band at work. I think it was a mixture of both. I wanted to have a good mindset, and also my band had about 2cc's. I haven't fallen off the bandwagon yet, and I'm 4 months post-op. I've had my 4th fill on Monday, and feeling great. Keep up the great attitude and you'll continue to do well.

I notice there are foods I can have for dinner, but I can't have them for lunch. I think, like others, the band is still a little tight in the afternoons, and it's not until dinner we loosen up more. I notice I can do some pasta for dinner, but rarely for lunch.

Hey there! I'm June 29, and have lost 45 lbs. I'm feeling great!! I've had 4 fills, and I *think* I'm going to be at my good spot. I've been steadily losing weight each week since surgery, so I'm glad for that. Keep up the good work both of you!!

As others have said, exercise. But on another note, have you tried jotting down what you eat every day? I started it about 2 wks ago with an app on my phone. I feel it's made a big difference. So much so, that I realized I wasn't eating enough during the day, and needed to bump up the calories & Protein. I'd suggest even just walking 30 mins a day and keeping record of what you eat, and that you're drinking enough fluids.

I slept in my normal bed. It's pretty high up. I did sleep with a pillow (hugging it) next to my stomach while laying on my side. Seemed to help. I too wouldn't invest in anything special. Just have pillows & a heating pad ready, and you should be fine.

I ditto this one!! LOL! But crossing my legs is something I realized this weekend. I had forgotten that I couldn't do it, or it just wasn't comfortable, but not anymore!

You sound similar to me. I could eat very little during the weeks following surgery. I had my 1st fill appt 6 wks after surgery, and went in for a check-up and the NUT said I didn't need a fill since I had lost 10 lbs in the previous month, and couldn't eat too much. The feeling did wear off, and I had my 1st fill 2 wks later, at about 8 weeks post-op. They won't give you a fill if you don't need one. Even today they had debated about my fill since I had lost 6 lbs in the last 3 wks, but I told him I was hungry and just being very watchful as to how much I ate. I did get a small fill today. So be upfront as to how you feel, and they probably won't give you a fill. At the same time, that's 2 wks from now, and 2 wks makes a big difference, and you may start being more hungry.

I lost weight pre-op and have continued to lose, never gaining any back. It can be tough, especially once you're body heals after surgery, and before you get a fill, but if you stick it out and be strong, you can get through it and keep losing weight.

That was my fear, and why I steered clear of it. I can't eat warm soup. I did get the unflavored Protein from them and finally figured out to only mix it with Crystal Light Lemonade (don't mix with anything grape!). It tastes good. So if you're looking for something to go down easy, this could be an alternative.

I too work from home, and I think that's also why I haven't bought new clothes. My hubby keeps asking me when I'm throwing the old ugly too big shirts away! He wants to throw them away now! LOL! I did pick up a couple of shirts that actually fit from a local thrift store. I feel good wearing them!

I had decided to not shop for a while. I figured it had been summer, and why buy new capris/shorts, only for them to not fit me next summer. I've been using belts to cinch them up and keep from falling off! Anyways, I finally decided to go shopping yesterday to buy a new dress for a religious convention we have this weekend. I couldn't believe I fit into size 14 and 16's (without the W), when I had been wearing 22/24. That was a really good eye opener for me. I hadn't been losing as much these past few wks than I had previously, so I was not quite feeling down, but not really 'seeing' a difference in me. Boy oh boy did that change yesterday!! It felt so good to buy 2 cute dresses (they were on clearance!) and feel good in them. I tried them on for hubby last night, and he was like "wow!" I even bought a few new undies & much needed bra's. So everyone - go shopping! It can really help to show you the difference you've made, even if the scale isn't showing it as much. :wink2:

Your post is right on. We should be looking at how little we can eat, instead of trying to eat the most we can. If we start with a small serving, don't drink anything, let the food settle, and we're still hungry after 30 mins, eat a little more. It's a great lesson for us to 'learn' how to correctly portion ourselves too. I try this all the time now, and it really does work to lessen the amount of food it takes for you to be satisfied. OP - you're weight loss is great! You were banded a few wks before me, and have the same amount. Try not to be so hard on yourself. You're losing a good rate. Give your fills time to take affect and you'll start noticing a difference really soon.

Mine hit me about day 3 as well, hunger headache. It lasted about a day or two if I remember correctly. It will go away. I too took some tylenol (which doesn't work very well...)

I bought the protein powder unflavored from unjury.com. I finally found what to mix it with (SF Lemonade Crystal Light). It tastes pretty good. 20 grams of protein per scoop. I try to drink one a day to give me just a little more protein. The other thing I eat every day is premier protein bars. They have 30 grams of protein and 280 calories. They taste pretty good too. I have one for breakfast each morning. Those two things alone get me 50 grams of protein, plus whatever else I eat for meals.

Congrats! Welcome to the starting of the new you! I was banded almost 4 months ago. I am 35 and have 3 kiddos. It's amazing how much better we feel with some weight gone! I actually want to play with the kids and have fun doing it! Yeah for the mushies! So much better than drinking your food! And good for you on the scale. I too didn't own one, and didn't get on it except for dr appts. I liked to be pleasantly surprised each time, and I was. I did buy a Wii balance board and now weigh myself once a week on it. Keep up the good work!

We were told 10 to 1. So if it has 100 calories, it should have 10 grams of Protein, or pretty close. I am now preferring Protein Bars, and found the premier brand that is 280 calories and 30 grams of protein. The Protein shakes I use are still the ones from the dr, Optifast, which I like. I haven't paid too much attn to fat or carbs.

I'm almost 4 months post op and haven't yet had a PB or have I thrown up (as mentioned before except once when I ate too much ice cream 2 wks post op). I think you have to really listen to the way you're feeling and know what you can or can't handle. I've read a lot on here about others experiences over certain foods, so I then take it easy when I try those (like Pasta or bread). I've learned I can't do bread very well, and pasta is so-so. Sometimes I can other times I can't. I have been lodged/stuck before. It can be very painful and usually occurs when I've taken too big of a bite without chewing it enough. It hasn't lasted more than a few seconds or maybe a minute, but then it finally unlodges itself. I too was scared initially to throw up, so I've tried to be really mindful of what I eat, and also not get to big of a fill that I can't eat anything without throwing up.

Make sure you have lots of time to devote to shopping and trying things on! :thumbup:

No regrets at all! I had almost no pain, besides the gas pains, that do get almost all of us. I too would say about one week after surgery and I was back to normal completely. I haven't felt deprived at all either. I'm actually excited each time I go to the dr to be weighed. When would I ever have loved the scale before!!

You describe almost exactly how I felt yesterday! I was shopping in the 'normal' size clothes (looking for XL or baggy L) when I felt like people were staring at me wondering what this big ol girl was doing shopping in their sizes! I then told myself to stop imagining things! I was almost overwhelmed with the selection of clothes. In the bigger sizes, there is usually just one small section, but in the misses clothes, OMG too many sections to go into. I stayed close to the clearances too. I can't believe I fit into a size 12 shirt down from an 18/20. It was snug and I probably wouldn't wear it yet, but to actually fit into it and button it up was so awesome! Keep up the good work!!

I've been on a steady weight loss of 1-2 or more lbs a wk. I definitely noticed the help when I had my 2nd then 3rd fill. I think I might need a pinch more fill (go in another 1 wk) to reach the good spot. But I must agree with everyone else. I started journaling last week on my phone w/myfitnesspal, and I've really been able to get a good look at how much or how little I was eating. I didn't realize I really wasn't getting enough Protein, only abou 30-40 g, when I assumed I was getting a lot more. So that has really helped me to focus better. And too before I eat something I check my app to see how many calories it is and do I really want to 'waste' that many on this item. You mentioned you've had one fill...I myself noticed I was hungrier after the 1st fill. It really did takethe 2nd fill to notice more of a difference in not being as hungry. Keep up the good work! You've done great on ur weightloss so far!

The rules loosen a little as you get further along. I can drink all the way up until it's time to eat. Once I eat, I can't drink during or for 30 mins after. Personally, I hurt really bad if I try to drink while I'm eating. I rarely do it, but once in a while I forget while we're out to dinner. I also can guzzle liquids with no problem, unless I have just had a fill. Best advice is to keep following the rules, so when you get fills you're already in the right mindset.

Any suggestions? I tried mixing it with grape juice and it has a weird smell to it. It doesn't taste too much different, but I think the smell is grossing me out. And how should I mix it? In a blender with ice? I just stirred it with a spoon...maybe that's the problem... I know the website said SF drinks, so maybe I'll try SF kool aid next. Thanks for any suggestions!