Drake alp

Yesterday a conversation started with a couple of friends who noticed I have been losing weight. I mentioned that I wasn't sure how my stomach would (or not) recover. A couple of them mentioned that when they were losing a lot of weight they started wearing a 'girdle'. The theory is that it holds your gut in place, and helps the skin to attach itself to the stomach muscles. Makes some sense, since I've been told that plastic surgery should wait a year or two because they want to see if your skin will reshape around the muscles. My question before I go out and buy some of the undies with a strong and high waist....Has this worked for anyone here? Any other 'tips' for tightening the tummy and avoiding hanging skin during weight loss? If something similar worked for you, what support did you wear and where can I get it?

Wow - I can't believe it's been a month! I'm down 29# lbs (15 pre-op, 14 post-op). I'm 1# away from hitting my low recent weight in 2008. I'm 3# away from being my 2005 weight. When I look at the scale victories I can't deny what a life changer the band has been for me. I expect that continue. I've read others who have more experience than me and I know it won't be easy. So far I've had a lot more will power an determination than I knew I was capable of (a NSV!). Other NSVs include cleaning out my closet of any clothes bigger than 18's (I had some 22's in there, maybe a couple 24's). I also fit into my swimsuit and have been swimming each evening for exercise. I forgot how much I love the water - the fat and my self-consciousness have kept me from so many things I love. I hope this is the first of many new discoveries I will make as I take back my life! That's the sunny part of my feelings today. I also have another side that's a struggle. I am SO hungry. I go to my doc on Monday and I will probably get a fill from what I've been told. I've been wondering though, if I'm eating according to the plan, why has my weight loss slowed so much and how will a fill help because my caloric intake cannot be lowered. I chatted with the nutritionist yesterday because logically I couldn't make sense of all this. She wants me to have about 1,000 calories a day - up to 1200. I have a hard time getting there unless I do seafood, and I get really sick of seafood I eat so much of it. There are days that I get between 650 and 800 calories - many days a week. Plus, I'm exercising. She explained: right now my body is going through a metabolic change and once it adjusts to the lower caloric intake, I will lose again. the fill will help me not be hungry all of the time - I will be more 'satiated' she'll look at my food diary and give me some suggestions for how to get my calories to 1000 without increasing portion sizes (I'm at a loss right now with 4 oz servings!) Even though I've lost 3 lbs between July 11 and July 24, they usually expect me to lose nothing between my 2 week and 4 week visits. I'm 5# down total during that time, so I will take that. Today I will be grateful for the band and trusting of the folks I entrusted with my care. I cannot argue with the amazing results of so many on here ---- it will work for me to. I resolve to stay strong and reset my expectations to 1-2# a week. Thanks for listening and walking on this journey with me! The support means a lot. And no one can understand like the folks on this site. Have a great weekend.

I mixed mine with 10 oz of water so I had a plastic cup with a strainer in it - traditional protein shake glass. Good luck to you!!! You sound very excited and that strong positive attitude will take you far!

Exciting! I'm in to 18's also - even bought 16's last week that fit. Let's shrink together!

Wow - the first thing that comes to mind is You Are Courageous. You have faced that voice in your head and you are WINNING. You're winning against the voice AND against the weight. 60# - way to go!!!! Exhibiting self-control when you're a lb up and your mom is laughing - way to go!!! (I'm ashamed to admit I could hear my own mom laughing and feel myself hanging up the phone. And you're right - that's crazy.) Way to not 'assign stories' to reality in life - I can so appreciate what you said about the woman making everything about her and everyone's against her. Thanks for sharing all of this blog. I'm touched by how genuine it is. I'm touched by your courage. I'm touched by your success. And just wanted to say thanks.

I have hope. I think. Looked it up and it means - 1 : to desire with expectation of obtainment 2 : to expect with confidence. Yes, that's it - HOPE. Haven't had that for a long time. So thankful for my LAP-BAND® and my LBT friends - you're awesome support! I'm feeling so much better - getting my energy back, eating well now, and feeling good about the weight loss and weight shift (I get measured in a couple of weeks so am real sure there are NSV there.) Cleaned out my closet this weekend. Put the 'fattest' clothes together to the side - won't be wearing those ever again. Now everything in my closet fits. Also organized my shoes --- funny how my feet gained weight and I'm newly fitting into some of my old smaller shoes again. Fun!

Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Congratulations on all you have acccomplished! Enjoy today and ROCK that suit!

junibug - good to know another person that got banded so close to the same time. Sorry you're struggling with hunger too. Let's keep in touch as we figure this out ... and yes, count me in for skinny-minnie!

So glad to hear you are feeling better! Sounds like you are giving yourself a break. That's good news. I found my body didn't do as much as I wanted right away either. I was on the pain meds 5 days I think. Sleeping really helped too. I was bored by the time I could move around the way I wanted to. Hang in there!!

Thanks Bklynike. I'll be anxious to hear how to goes Thursday and if you get a fill or not. Also maybe we can help each other through as we go through the process to find the 'green zone.' It's so nice to know someone who had surgery so close to mine and we can really relate to one another. I haven't gotten sick or felt over-indulged. My main struggle is hunger, but I'm holding strong. Nope - not gym yet. Am not allowed to do anything strenuous before my 4 week appt. I'm doing walking and resistance bands for my arms right now. Some stretching too. I met with a trainer (works with my drs office) before surgery and he gave me the exercises. You keep up the great work too! Go "US"

I'm tooting your horn as well --- very impressive!! Thank you so much for sharing. I was banded 6/24 and my goal is to lose 102#, putting me at 140. Your results and attitude are very motivating! It's great to have folks like you share results - the road ahead of me is long and your story brings optimism and purpose when I get low once in awhile. Thank you and congrats!!!

I was banded 6/24. My dr said I'd lose about 10 more lbs before my next appt on 7/26. That would be quite a slowdown for me, I thought. I had lost 15# on the 19 day pre-op diet. I'm a little over 3 weeks post-op and have lost 13#. Eight of them came off quickly at the end of the first week following surgery. Last week I lost 2 and this week it was 3 (almost 4 but I don't round the decimals up or down on my scale). I am happy with 3 because I had 2 nights away from home due to a work function, so for 3 days I had to eat the food provided -- without a scale or planning. I did great and it built my confidence. I also increased my calories this week. Prior to this week I couldn't get over 800 calories on dr's orders of 4 oz of food 3x daily, plus 2 protein shakes. Every day this week I was between 900-1000 calories, averaging about 90 grams of protein. This is also an increase from 45-60 grams a day. What did I deduce from this? It's ok to have some calories, and to be sure and get my protein. I think those are key for me going forward. I am getting curious about the fill. My dr doesn't put anything into it during surgery so 7/26 will be our first discussion. I do get hungry between meals but I can't tell if it's head hunger. When I'm distracted, like during work, I don't think about eating as much as it's not as hard to control. The evenings and weekends are challenging. I am curious about the 'sweet spot' that others have found, and what the right balance is between will power (the band still requires work!) and fills (the band is a tool that is ok to leverage for help).

Dana - congratulations and best of luck to you!

I wish you much success! Keep up the positive attitude - that will carry you far. I had Diabetes II. I had surgery 6/24 and it is in remission now. I wasn't checking my blood sugars during the pre-op diet, and they checked it during the surgery prep and it was 76 fasting. I've been checking since surgery and am running 74-76 fasting each morning. I wish you the same good health!

You are almost there - congratulations! As far as what to have after the liquids, I've learned that there are many programs depending on who your doctor is. Your doctor or nutritionist should give you that information. My nutritionist stopped by the hospital to check on me and gave me the lquid, soft and normal diet instructions. I have them all even though I was banded 6/24 and won't be on normal diet until around 7/24. Good luck!

No it didn't. My insurance covers BMI of 40 or higher, or BMI of 35 with a co-morbidity (I had diabetes II). I was approved for pre-certification in 24 hours --- definitely not the norm from the stories others have shared with me. Good luck!

Glad you enjoyed it. Never doubted others would be moved by your message. Keep sharing!

Just dropping by to say hello! Keep up the great attitude and the hard work!! You are doing great.

So the first overnight is almost complete - other than I have a stack of business information to read in preparation for a team meeting at 6 am (did I mention I am not a morning person?) I wanted to post and let you know how I did at the restaurant tonight. We went to Mo's in downtown Indy - nice fine dining with great food. My gut instinct was right -- I wanted to drop my face into that wonderful food and just chow down --no hands, napkins or utensils required! Instead I started by choosing 3 shrimp with a tad of sauce for an appetizer. They had lobster bisque soup or salad (I love the wedge with bleu cheese dressing) and I told the waiter I could have neither. He recommended Tomato Basil (wasn't included on the pre-selected menu as a choice so really appreciated this). I accepted so I would have something in front of me. I had about a soup spoon total. Next came the salmon. That was an easy choice, although I love red wine and red meat I had neither. I had what I guess-timate to be about 3 oz. For dessert I declined and he recommended sorbet so I accepted - again to have something in front of me while everyone else was eating so I could avoid all the questions. I had about a spoonful of that. I drank water and tea. I did forget in the beginning and started drinking while I was eating shrimp. I also realized I was doing that with a straw -- egad!! I calmly recollected myself, moved the tea out of reach and removed the straw completely. Not too bad for the first time - not perfect but not too bad. I also had my spirits lift right away when I arrvied at the hotel. One of my co-workers who lives out of state saw me and said I looked great - he had to do a double take. That made me feel real good - just sayin' I've been here since 3 so only had to deal with 1 meal. Tomorrow is a new day and I've got 3 meals to make it through and 2 shakes to somehow sneak in. I generally don't like talking about myself so the hardest part today was when folks asked me what I'm doing to lose weight. I followed what I've read others have done - protein first, watching portions, etc. I'm not embarrassed it's just not the setting to engage in what I'm sure will be deep discussions on the pros, cons, my feelings, why I did it, etc. of WLS. I know some will agree with me and some won't and that's ok - because I'm being me and that's who God created, like it or not. :laugh: Enjoy the evening and have a great Wednesday!

Congratulations! Looking good!

Yay for "shopping" in your own closet! Great progress!!!

I lost 2 lbs last week. I know that's the norm and I should feel lucky to be losing; I will admit that it's a huge slowdown and was tough to keep believing that there wasn't something wrong with me. I did struggle with those fears coming back that I am the only one this won't work for. I am happy to say that despite those struggles, I made it through! I stuck to the program and while I weakened in belief at times, I leaned on the support here to "keep believing!" The stories here are inarguable -- I am so impressed by the successes that folks have had and how they are grounded and still here to help new folks like me. Thank you to everyone who provided encouragement - some I knew because you posted on the blog or sent me a note, others that motivated me have no idea -- I read posts and success stories and I'm equally as grateful for those. I was gone today over 12 hours for work. I haven't put a day that long in since before surgery (2 wks post op last Thurs). I don't have all my stamina back yet, but I am getting there! And I am so much more calm and at peace. I also had a couple of victories today. I crossed my legs during an all day meeting -- without having to use my hands to lift my leg up. Doesn't sound like a big deal but I love that my stomach is not inhibiting my movement anymore. I also went shopping because I needed clothes that fit better for the work commitment I have this week. I bought size 16 for the first time in at least 5 years! And definitely the first time I've been happy about it - last time I was on the way up and way out of control. Wishing you a very good week. Keep the faith - you are doing great because you are here; nothing beats the support that banders share!

Bklynike - just tried this recipe and it's wonderful! Made pasta for the guys to add and they liked it also. Thanks again for sharing!

I just recently went through being approved and the surgery, and you're right - there are a lot of decisions to make about who you are choosing to care for you as well as the financial impact of the options. I have Anthem BC/BS and they pay $0 for out of network. I ended up finding a doctor that was in-network because I wanted to get maximum benefits. Turns out I work with someone who went to this surgeon so it increased my confidence. I found a win-win with the financial option and the quality of care. I've seen a few posts about patients having to wait in their doctor's office for an hour or more. I really don't understand that and I personally would be concerned. One of the reasons I chose my doctor was because they treat me like an individual - not a number. This is a major event in my life and I didn't want to be treated like I was in a cattle-call. I wish you the best. You will find the right solution; it make take a little work but it will be worth it!

I agree not much is needed at the hospital. I had a 23 hour stay and I didn't do the puzzles, games, computer or anything I took with me. I napped or was in bed a lot the first couple of days so fresh sheets, new jammies (shorts type with elastic waist), and a tidy room/house made me feel better. As far as what you need for after discharge, it depends on your doctor's program. I could only have clear liquids for 2 days, and then full liquids until day 9. It helped to have different choices of drinks --- tea for when I wanted something a little sweet (artificial sweetner of course), crystal light for when I was craving sodium, Jello (sugar free), 50 cal orange juice (careful on the servings - I was limited to no more than 4 oz a day), and sugar free popsicles. Once I went to full liquid, I was able to substitute the Bariatric Advantage Protein shakes with Instant Carnation Breakfast mix (blue box with lower sugar) and skim milk. I didn't think I would do it, but the first sip I had of the ICB, I was hooked! Haven't had another BA Protein shake since. 3 weeks was enough for me! :confused: One thing I would encourage you to think about. I had to measure everything for the first couple of weeks -- only 1 oz of liquid for 30 mins at one phase for example. If you need to do this also, they should give you little measuring cups at the hospital. If they don't, ask for them. We ended up taking several home and they really helped with measuring the liquids the first several days. Good luck!