TylerK

I have lost from 388 to 305 since being banded in April of this year, and I can tell you sometimes I look in the mirror and can't see anything but who I used to be. But putting on my old jeans and having them slide all the way up to my underarms confirms that I am changing! Never let yourself get down.

I was worried about scarring, but yours are looking very good! I was banded by Dr. DeWitt in Birmingham, I wouldn't mind going to Anniston as I visit the Army Depot up there to buy rifles a good bit. Post more pics soon!

While having not officially named my port yet, I do often wear Wrangler flannel type shirts with jeans and have made the comment plenty of times about myself, that "I look like Luke Duke got stung by a bumblebee."

Somebody please reply to this, I'm having the exact same thing going on right now...and I know what you mean about the chips, unfortunately! Had to ban myself from buying any.

Banded on April the 1st, sitting at 318 today for a total of 70 pounds. It's funny that I get discouraged seeing everyone who's already lost around a hundred, but then I realize they've had theirs longer. I'm happy with 70 in almost 7 months, just so anxious about getting to 299. I swear if I can just get into the 2's then I will never be a 3 again. Really hoping to get there by Christmas. Haven't been working out or running as I should, but a friend told me about an app for my iPhone called Couch to 5k or something like that and he's doing very well with it so I'm going to give it a try. Maybe get me through these stubborn 3teens. Hope everyone is doing well.

Every doctor's diet requirements are different, mine said no noodles or pastas for 8 weeks. However the dietician said in the class a few days before surgery that I could puree the noodles in chicken noodle soup and it'd be okay. That was my third or fourth day post-op. Be careful with chewing, because last night I noticed while I was trying to really concentrate on chewing my scrambled eggs that I was unintentionally swallowing some good chunks of it. Luckilly I didn't have any issues but it's something to pay attention to. Hope all is well with your recovery!

What are your opinions on progress pictures? I have always been eager to take them when I've dieted and trained before. A close friend mentioned to me the other day that she wanted to take one a week, and for some reason it just feels funny to think about it now. I feel like I made the decision to have this surgery so that I can start a new life - one where I don't remember what it's like right now and has been as long as I can remember. Did anyone else have these feelings? She says I need to remember where I started, but I want to forget. Your thoughts?

Thank you all for the replies! I've got a hundred questions running through my head it seems like. I didn't realize how much time I spent eating, I couldn't tell until now that I've got all this free time. I'm really looking forward to eggs and oatmeal on Friday.

My question for the day - I was banded this past Friday. I'm still on liquids, just started my protein shakes. Getting to move up to mashed potatoes and such on Friday. I feel like I'm eating just to eat, like just to be able to have energy. I have no desire whatsoever to eat, I'm not feeling hungry, no cravings, nothing. Now this may all go away by the time I finish this post, but it's struck me as odd because I've seen so many people talking about how hungry they were. I almost forgot to eat yesterday. Is anyone else having this problem? Is it just because I've been on liquids for the last week, and I'll start getting hungry again when I get to where I can have fish and chicken and things like that next week?

Thank you! Lemme ask this...in my directions, it says to drink all day except 15 minutes before, during or one hour after I eat my meals. Since my meal was broth, does this rule count? Or is it meaning when I start eating mushies and such?

I just had a cans' worth of chicken broth for lunch, and was wondering if I was supposed to get a full feeling or anything? They said to sip as to keep from causing gurgling or pain, and while I don't want to guzzle anything I don't feel any different as far as how I can drink liquid. I haven't been hungry at all since surgery on Friday, but I know I need to get some nutrients in so I'm trying to eat (or drink rather.) So I guess my question is, do any of you have this happen, to where drinking something doesn't bother you? I'm so confused.

Thank you so much! Anything to help. Right side's killing me.

Thanks so much to all! The Gas-X is working wonders so far and doesn't taste bad. The pains when I lay down that I feel in my stomach aren't that bad, but in my shoulder, wow. I've only drank my Crystal Light and had about half a container of Jello, I got 3 cc's in my band during surgery and was scared about how much of it to eat.

I am sorry for asking, as I know if I searched for this I could probably find it but I'm needing help in a hurry. Can anyone give me an idea of what gas medicine worked best for you? I slept good last night, my surgery was yesterday morning. When I sat up I got the sharp balloon of gas that shot up into my shoulder and I feel like I've been in a knife fight with Rambo. Can anybody suggest what gas medicine to use? Thanks so much and God bless.

Got my approval letter from BCBS this morning and a call from Dr. DeWitt's office, I'm scheduled for April 1st.

Got my approval letter from BCBS this morning in the mail, and a call from Dr. DeWitt's office this afternoon to set up my surgery. I go in on April 1st, I think at 6 am. I'm the first one of the day. Only have a five day or so diet, just cutting out carbs and sugars and then clear liquids only for the last two days I believe. Hoping maybe they send me something in the mail with directions, I was fired up on the phone and can't remember half of what they told me. Seems like it took forever to get here with the six months worth of doctor visits but now it seems like it came out of nowhere.

That's how mine is, I should've said 7 month. My initial visit was in July so January 27th-ish will be the end of my actual 6 months. I'm really excited about it. I've got BCBS too. Just hoping everything works out for me. I had to do the seminar, and visit with the nutritionist and do a psych eval (if you aren't depressed when you go in, you will be when you leave!). What bout you? Had to jump through many hoops?

I am using Dr. Andrew DeWitt, at Princeton. My 6 month diet will be finished up next month, so hopefully the end of January or the beginning of February I'll be able to have mine. Where is Dr. T at?

I just got a letter from Dr. DeWitt's office this morning with my next few dates. On 11/9 I have an appointment with the nutritionist and it says also a physical therapy appointment? Does anyone know what's involved with the last one, as I haven't heard mention of it before? And then on the 17th I have my psych eval. Dr. DeWitt said there wasn't anything to it and not to be nervous, so I'm trying not to think about it much. I guess things are starting to fall together, maybe.

Hey! This might not be how it works for everyone, but here is my experience for what its worth. The lowest I dropped my calories was around 16-1800 a day. Now for the first two or three weeks, I lost weight like crazy. Then around the middle of the third week my body went into major lockdown as far as losing goes and plateaued. It picked up after that again, but I lost very slowly but at a more healthy rate of 1-2 pounds a week. So if you have great success to begin with, and are losing rapidly, don't think that it will stay that way. It's all about how your body takes to the change in your diet and how it adapts. I wouldn't worry about losing too much for your insurance not to cover. I'd also suggest having a few mid-to-high days because 1300 calories isn't leaving much for energy. Shocking your body can reset your metabolism, so try that maybe once a week.

Thanks for all of the kind words and welcomes. I'm not sure if I had a visit with my doctor when I started WW, so that might possibly knock part of my six months out. I'm hoping that it doesn't. But, worst case scenario I'd have to count July as my first month instead of April so surgery could/would be in or around December. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Quick question, after your banded, how much can you drink at a time? I guess at a time, and then of a day? The reason I ask is that I've read that one needs 60-90 grams of Protein a day to keep from losing hair and muscle tissue. I've heard that folks have trouble getting this much in, but some protein that I've used before has as much as 50 grams for 12 oz. of liquid. Is it hard to drink that much?

Hey all. My name is Tyler, I'm 25 from Alabama. I was 367 at the doctor's office the other day, and 5'10", giving me a real sucky BMI of 52. I'm glad to have found this site, some of the folks I've met on here are very cool and all of the pictures I've seen and stories I've read are very inspiring. According to BCBS of AL, I've got to have the same 6 mos. pre-surgery diet that most of you need also. Mine also states that with a nutritionalist-led diet such as Weight Watchers that I only have to visit with my doctor three times during that 6 mos. I started WW in April of this year, so that gives me 5 months so far. I didn't decide to have the surgery until last month, however. It's been weighing on my mind here lately and I would like the next five years to be alot more exciting than the last five have. Anyhow, I had my initial visit in July to discuss the surgery with my doc. I went to the seminar this past Thursday night at Dr. DeWitt's office, so that's out of the way. Just waiting until the first of October so I can meet with him again for a visit. I'm hoping that somehow everything will fall into place and maybe I'll be able to have it in the next few months. One of his nurses at the seminar said she'd never had anyone to regret it, and was really excited and upbeat for me to have it done. The staff I met with were really nice and welcoming, I don't regret choosing Dr. DeWitt at all. Anyhow, just wanted to introduce myself and say hello. Looking forward to making progress with all of you.

This is my first post, I have a question about the six month pre-diet. I have been going to Weight Watchers since April, I've only lost about 20 pounds. From your experience, does a person have to go to some sort of weekly meeting for it to count? I've been a paying member since 4-10, but there have been some times where I had to miss my Monday night meeting for work or football practice. I didn't know about since I've had to miss a few and made it to every other meeting a couple times if that would null out my six months? Thanks for any help and God bless.