fool4dance

Hey Kay,

It is because you haven't had a fill. About 3-4 weeks out for me I noticed I could eat more than I thought I should. Further out I could eat anythign I wanted with no difficulty. The fill will change things. The thing I kept telling myself before the first fill was to use this time as practice for what's to come.

Try to keep your meal servings measured and less than I cup. I know that mine stayed between 4-6 ounces and I lost throughout the period some others maintained.

Good Luck!

Because you know it never really was about corn chips. The comfort that you are seeking isn't in the chips like they used to be. Grieve the loss of a friend. Find friends to share in a moment before you let all the joy seep in.

Corn chips won't fill the hole your feeling left by Fred and Rita. But the coming days of happines for your family will!

My office requires no food 1 hour before, but fluids throughout. I asked Dr. Perlman why? Her explanation was that they want food to have passed through so nothing gets stuck during the fill.

Our office isn't as strict though as most others. We do liquids for 6 hours after, softs that night and return to solids the next day. Giving the new restriction time to settle in.

To start.. If you weren't nervous then you haven't thought about this completely.

The decision to band or not to band is personal. I think to be succesfull you have to committ to the decision.

My preop consisted of an endoscopy, sleep study, psych eval, a visit to a hematologist, more "other" labs, and a letter signed off by my Rhuemaltologist. A psych eval is pretty standard insurance requirement. The rest is determined by your personal health assesment.

I recommend the lap band. I can't imagine going forward with out it at this point. The morning of surgery though I wasn't convinced and almost didn't go. Most people will have their "what am I doing" moment.

Read everything you can. Make an informed decision for your self. This isn't a quick fix but a tool for the REST OF YOUR LIFE!!!!

Bandit and I are living happily ever after.

"A Slipped Band is not a BIG Deal, quit your whining it can be fixed.

To who ever said this to you... BOO! That is such crud.

I so adore you for holding your head up and taking a stance for your self. Band slippage is a big deal. We discussed it in depth at a support group Monday night. Band slippage and self injury of our bands are the strongest fears shared by bandsters. That you actually experienced it is sad and dissapointing.

I'm only 2 months and 30 pounds out and if someone told me that my band slipped, and heavens to bessy, they had to take it away... My spirit would be crushed!

Stay positive. I love your posts, your attitude and your fortitude!!!!

1. My health. I was recently diagnosed with Rhuematoid Arthritis, my hips are a nightmare. Lucky me though I come from a family with a long history of OsteoArthritis as well. Yep active in my joints as well. Neither will be cured but I can slow down the deterioration.

2. Missing out on events and places with friends. I skipped some great Rockies baseball tickets this year, I just never get comforatble. There are bars and restraunts I avoid because of know chair issues.

3. Self esteem. I would love just once in my life to get a compliment that stops with your really pretty.... (for a big girl)

4. Role modeling. I would like to adopt someday. I would like to live an active life and teach my kids how to do the same.

5. Living not existing! Everyday!

Shonette, I am in the same boat as you. I was told that I had a $750 copay due before surgery. I paid it at my pre-op appointment. Imainge my surprise when I'm getting medical bills in the mail for 1,000's of dollars due in 90 days. I didn't know about these additional expenses, didn't plan for them. After draining my savings I still owe more than $2,500 in the next 3 weeks.I spoke with my clinic today. If I don't have it paid off prior to my 3 month post opp appointment they won't be able to do my checkup and fill.

Cause I just have an additional $2,500 in disposable funds at the moment!

Your lucky to know now. I was told that I had a $750 copay due before surgery. I paid it at my pre-op appointment. Imainge my surprise now when I'm getting medical bills in the mail for 1,000's of dollars due in 90 days. I didn't know about these additional expenses, didn't plan for them. After draining my savings I still owe more than $2,500 in the next 3 weeks.

Working on a plan myself. Still would have been banded.

And a different life awaits you! Welcome to the banded life.

I say hold onto support, release all negativity.

Note: A size 12 wedding dress is in the 135-148 pound range. Wedding dresses run small! Don't kill yourself for a number on a dress. Depending on your height 199 will be between a 14-18 and BEAUTIFUL!

I'm 5'7 and at 194 still wore a tight 16!

Guilt is what probably helped you get to where you are today.

Letting go and getting on with it will lead to change.

You did what you had to. There is no shame in lifes mistakes. The best lessons are from falling... and getting back up.

Right your wagon and onward with you.

It doesn't hurt. As far as surgeries go at least. Seriously it's not that big a deal.

I had nuesea after but it was short term. I only took the pain meds the first 48 hours.

Work to recover and you will recover.

I've popped stitches in my port and didn't even notice. My port is starting to flip and were watching it to see if it continues towards my nose.

It's easy sneezy. I'm a terrible slimmer. That's my complaint. I throw up a lot. Any emotional change, period, altitude change and everything sticks. Still wouldnt' change having the band for nothing.

I like how you think.

Mind if I employ that strategy. I am trying not to grieve for what is no longer but to be mindful of the joys of new accomplishments and discoveries.

Maria,

You will have doubts up until the moment that you actually do have surgery. Heck I had doubts as they were willing me back. I even tried to get out of the morning of when a panic attack loomed. Lucky me I had the patience of a loving older sister and an experience and understanding nurse.

Don't let doubt be the decision maker for you. Choose you. Do you as successfully as you can!

Holy crap. I', not sure I would have made it with some of your doctors.

Keep doing what your doing! Belief is half the battle.

There are several reasons.

The bubbles from carbonation are painful. Not uncomfortable, extremely painful. You aren't able to burp like you did pre-band so no way for the bubbles to clear. It hurts. It causes a pressure against your diagphram that causes a shot of pain into your shoulder.

Secondly caffeine is an appetite stimulant causing hunger. Caffeine also helps to stretch the stomach faster.

Just some fuel for thought!

As opposed to head bashing, completely opposed of self infliction of pain myself, get yourself in.

Though we all want to lose we have to do it the smart and healthy way!

Don't go back to liquids. Your body needs to learn to work with solids as well. You will drop it again when you get your fill naturally. Bodies fluctuate. Who knows why on any given day you weigh heavier or lighter. As a woman our cycle can play tricks with the scale. Drinking lots of water can too.

Follow your doctors program. It is the professionals that know what is good for us. Going back to liquids is unfairly starving your body of what it needs.

Just my $.02

And my doctor does liquids for 6 hours after, softs that night. Normal the next day.

Someone on here has to do liquids for 2 weeks after every fill. I'm often surprised by the HUGE differences between doctors.

As you should be. I checked out the photo, woo hoo. You look fantastic. Keep working it.

Congratulations on your succesful journey.

Don't go crazy and get too much liquid protein. It's only good for a certain window. Maybe your doctor is different but my doctor advises against the use of it after a certain point, placing emphasis on dense food proteins for keeping full.

I know that I did just that and now I'm stuck with at least a hundred dollars of different liquid proteins. They will now only come in handy on fill days.

If you feel good it will show. Happiness is always a good look for everybody!

Smile and show the world that your already a winner.

That is what friends are for. Ask for what you need and you shall be rewarded with what you deserve!

You give others the power to feel less about yourself. Never feel shame or embarrassment for doing what is good and healthy for your self. Shoot maybe you inspired someone else at costco to tend to their own need.

Hold your head high. Celebrate the changes you are making and the future possibilities.

Hunger comes. This time it's physical hunger, not head hunger. It really is an odd concept.

Keep persevering! Strive for your own personal excellence.

My team wants us off liquids and onto solid dense protein. At this point, post first fill, they actually don't want us doing any protein shakes at all. Strictly solid foods. Preference for dense sustainable proteins: animal derived.