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I've become a Goodwill JUNKIE! I go there every Sunday and spend about $20 on clothes. Some of them I can wear now and some are clothes I expect to wear sometime in the next 3 months. When I get back I sort them out. Every couple of weeks I try on the clothes that didn't quite fit me yet & it is so exciting when they suddenly fit & I can add them in to my regular clothes rotation.

I am almost 2 weeks post op and have gone 27 days without a bite of food. I am most proud to say I haven't cheated once in 27 days. The only way to survive this pre and post op period is to drink protein. Atkins, EAS Advantage, low carb high protein drinks. Even try www.pwlc.com and click on nutritional supplements. check out the drinks, orange and strawberry they are great. the hot chocolate is fabulous. low carbs and high protein and very filling. expensive but healthy and worth it. you will not be hungry!! Good luck and, again, don't cheat. This is the time to practice compliance. Get in the right mindset. If you can do this, you can certainly be complaint when you are living with the band. Start right and end right doing exactly what you are told to do. This is my big chance to finally accomplish a goal that has been a burden all my life. Stick with it and good luck

And the Band Plays on… DAY 1: Today isn’t really Day 1. It took me 2 years to decide to have gastric band (lap-band) surgery. I’m well into the process, too. I’ve attended Dr. Teng’s (surgeon) seminar, which was like a cattle call of the morbidly obese, plus some folks who looked just plump to me. I had my first consultation with the very pleasant and to-the-point doctor, who says I can get down to 165 (!!!!). I had a very intrusive but enlightening psychological profile. I’ve met with a very slim dietician, who says he thinks I’ll get into the 180-190 range and told me losing weight before the surgery reduces the size of your liver and makes the surgery easier. I have created a chronological diet history (a real walk down memory lane) and assembled all required medical proof of obesity for Aetna EXCEPT for 2004. (I have 2003, but not 04.) I need medical records for 5 years and in 2004 I was out of work and living on Ramen. A doctor’s visit was a luxury, with no insurance. But I recall a visit to my oby-gyn for anti-depressants, and I have requested my records in writing, since she has retired without passing on her records. So far, no reply. I’m trying not to stress since everything else is falling into place like dominos. If I don’t have the records this week, I may knock on the doctor’s door this Friday (yes, I have her address). Or perhaps a certified letter would be less obnoxious. I’ve learned to trust Dr. Teng’s staff for help when I think I’ve hit a roadblock, like the $2,000 deposit. They told me about getting a CareCredit Card (geonlineservice.com) for medical expenses. I was approved for $2,000, no problem (even without perfect credit) and I almost wish I’d asked for more. I’m not sure how much the hospital will be after insurance. A little history: Chubby kid who was fed a nutritious diet and had plenty of exercise. Can anyone say “Genetics played a role” in this body? I was introduced to diet pills in high school by my boyfriend’s doctor and starved to the 150-160 range. In college, pizza and a new awareness of the evils of amphetamines took me to 180-190. For my wedding day after graduation, I starved into a Size 14, the best I could do. I started overeating BEFORE the honeymoon started. We stopped for food AFTER the reception. I’m surprised the wedding dress didn’t burst! My husband was chunky, too. I yo-yo’d for 9 years and got way up into the 200s. I even did the binge/purge thing to try to stay at an acceptable weight. I worked out. I fought the good fight. Once, I went on an 800 calorie a day diet and worked out for an hour a day. I lost a ton of weight but then hurt myself at the gym and spent the next 3 months with my leg in a cast and Nacho pity parties at night. After my first divorce, I went on the Divorce Diet Diet Coke, coffee, alcohol) and looked pretty good. I met my second husband, fell in love, got married, ended up with two great kids and eventually, another divorce. I packed on plenty of weight before, during, and after the pregnancies, but the divorce diet and exercise took a lot of it off. Then my health started going to hell. Eventually, I was diabetic and 315 lbs. But there has to be a Day 1, so I am proclaiming this day as Numero Uno because I am following the dietician’s pre-op diet for the first time. Before I started this process, I lost 6 lbs and was up and down until settling at 298. Meeting the dietician made me throw a “Nobody can make me do this!” tantrum of eating for a few days. I realized last night that it was entirely up to me. So today, I’m following the diet. You may find some recipes in this blog. I make no claims at being a great cook. I do love to “invent” recipes, so I will be trying to create edible meals. I bought tiny bowls, a small food processor, and will use my children’s old baby spoons to eat. I am using Andrew Lessman’s Secure shakes (powder) because it’s in my cabinet. Once it’s gone, I’ll buy the ones recommended by Brandon, the dietician. I am checking off days on the diet sheet because I have 7 days until my appointment with Dr. Teng when all the paperwork is submitted to Aetna. Then, we see if I get approval or a fight. They supposedly approve this surgery. Food so far today: Brkfast: 8 oz choc soy milk 2 scoops protein powder 4 oz OJ 8 oz V8 1 cup coffee Lunch: 2 scoops protein powder in water Handful broccoli florets, ground up in food processor and microwaved with 2 oz shredded parmesan cheese, 1 tsp diet margarine, garlic powder. (not bad) Dinner: OK, dinner didn’t go so well. I was hungry at 3 pm so I ate a banana. At dinner, I had a cup of rice, a T diet margarine, an entire pork chop, and a large serving or asparagus. Any other night, that would be OK, but it’s more than twice what I was supposed to eat. This will be easier when I am banded and get full easily! I’m determined to do better tomorrow! Day 2 Today went better and I followed my diet except for two of the 100 cal snacks and some sunflower seeds at night. I find that the whole ordeal of shelling the seeds and chewing them to pulp keeps my mind off other treats. I am upset today about a couple of things but I can deal with them. I think another long, hot bath tonight and submerged (except face) meditation is in order. It felt good last night until the A/C came on with a whoosh and broke my focus. Food today: Breakfast: 8 oz soy mile and two scoops protein powder 1 small banana 4 oz berry Cheerios Snack: 100 cal Sun chips Lunch: Broccoli with lemon pepper 4 oz shrimp 2 scoops protein powder in water Snack: Coffee and 100 cal cookies Dinner: 3 oz turkey burger with mustard and onions (no bun) Green beans 2 oz frozen defrosted berries Snack: sunflower seeds I still haven’t received the medical records from 2004. I guess I need to send a registered letter but am a little short on cash. I’ll call Dr. Teng’s office tomorrow to get Tina’s advice. The weirdest thing happened recently. I met a guy for coffee from an on-line dating site. He sounded OK on the phone and I said I was heavyset. He was nice enough and intelligent but no chemistry for me. I think he liked me, though, which is awkward. I even told him about the upcoming (I hope) lapband surgery and he was very negative and full of misinformation that “a friend” had given him. I told him he was misinformed. Although we did meet later and walked our dogs in a nearby park (very public) and I enjoyed talking to him, I just don’t have time for someone right now who has to be convinced that this is the right decision for me. It took me 2 years of research and soul searching before I made this decision. I think I’d better hold off on dating until after the surgery. Then the deed is done. Of course, then if I meet someone I’ll always wonder if he would still like me as a fat woman… Day 3 I do not feel well today. I didn’t sleep well last night and today I feel like my blood sugar is all over the place. I ate the same breakfast as yesterday but felt really light-headed at 9:30, so I ate another 2 oz of cheerios. I was starving at noon and had half a turkey bacon sandwich and skipped the shake. Now I feel dizzy … like I ate at a buffet. I may go lie down for a bit. Met a possible “band buddy” on-line last night. Her name is Mary and she is a retired nurse. She sounds close to the same stage in the process and I know I could use some moral support.

And the Band Plays on… DAY 1: Today isn’t really Day 1. It took me 2 years to decide to have gastric band (lap-band) surgery. I’m well into the process, too. I’ve attended Dr. Teng’s (surgeon) seminar, which was like a cattle call of the morbidly obese, plus some folks who looked just plump to me. I had my first consultation with the very pleasant and to-the-point doctor, who says I can get down to 165 (!!!!). I had a very intrusive but enlightening psychological profile. I’ve met with a very slim dietician, who says he thinks I’ll get into the 180-190 range and told me losing weight before the surgery reduces the size of your liver and makes the surgery easier. I have created a chronological diet history (a real walk down memory lane) and assembled all required medical proof of obesity for Aetna EXCEPT for 2004. (I have 2003, but not 04.) I need medical records for 5 years and in 2004 I was out of work and living on Ramen. A doctor’s visit was a luxury, with no insurance. But I recall a visit to my oby-gyn for anti-depressants, and I have requested my records in writing, since she has retired without passing on her records. So far, no reply. I’m trying not to stress since everything else is falling into place like dominos. If I don’t have the records this week, I may knock on the doctor’s door this Friday (yes, I have her address). Or perhaps a certified letter would be less obnoxious. I’ve learned to trust Dr. Teng’s staff for help when I think I’ve hit a roadblock, like the $2,000 deposit. They told me about getting a CareCredit Card (geonlineservice.com) for medical expenses. I was approved for $2,000, no problem (even without perfect credit) and I almost wish I’d asked for more. I’m not sure how much the hospital will be after insurance. A little history: Chubby kid who was fed a nutritious diet and had plenty of exercise. Can anyone say “Genetics played a role” in this body? I was introduced to diet pills in high school by my boyfriend’s doctor and starved to the 150-160 range. In college, pizza and a new awareness of the evils of amphetamines took me to 180-190. For my wedding day after graduation, I starved into a Size 14, the best I could do. I started overeating BEFORE the honeymoon started. We stopped for food AFTER the reception. I’m surprised the wedding dress didn’t burst! My husband was chunky, too. I yo-yo’d for 9 years and got way up into the 200s. I even did the binge/purge thing to try to stay at an acceptable weight. I worked out. I fought the good fight. Once, I went on an 800 calorie a day diet and worked out for an hour a day. I lost a ton of weight but then hurt myself at the gym and spent the next 3 months with my leg in a cast and Nacho pity parties at night. After my first divorce, I went on the Divorce Diet Diet Coke, coffee, alcohol) and looked pretty good. I met my second husband, fell in love, got married, ended up with two great kids and eventually, another divorce. I packed on plenty of weight before, during, and after the pregnancies, but the divorce diet and exercise took a lot of it off. Then my health started going to hell. Eventually, I was diabetic and 315 lbs. But there has to be a Day 1, so I am proclaiming this day as Numero Uno because I am following the dietician’s pre-op diet for the first time. Before I started this process, I lost 6 lbs and was up and down until settling at 298. Meeting the dietician made me throw a “Nobody can make me do this!” tantrum of eating for a few days. I realized last night that it was entirely up to me. So today, I’m following the diet. You may find some recipes in this blog. I make no claims at being a great cook. I do love to “invent” recipes, so I will be trying to create edible meals. I bought tiny bowls, a small food processor, and will use my children’s old baby spoons to eat. I am using Andrew Lessman’s Secure shakes (powder) because it’s in my cabinet. Once it’s gone, I’ll buy the ones recommended by Brandon, the dietician. I am checking off days on the diet sheet because I have 7 days until my appointment with Dr. Teng when all the paperwork is submitted to Aetna. Then, we see if I get approval or a fight. They supposedly approve this surgery. Food so far today: Brkfast: 8 oz choc soy milk 2 scoops protein powder 4 oz OJ 8 oz V8 1 cup coffee Lunch: 2 scoops protein powder in water Handful broccoli florets, ground up in food processor and microwaved with 2 oz shredded parmesan cheese, 1 tsp diet margarine, garlic powder. (not bad) Dinner: OK, dinner didn’t go so well. I was hungry at 3 pm so I ate a banana. At dinner, I had a cup of rice, a T diet margarine, an entire pork chop, and a large serving or asparagus. Any other night, that would be OK, but it’s more than twice what I was supposed to eat. This will be easier when I am banded and get full easily! I’m determined to do better tomorrow! Day 2 Today went better and I followed my diet except for two of the 100 cal snacks and some sunflower seeds at night. I find that the whole ordeal of shelling the seeds and chewing them to pulp keeps my mind off other treats. I am upset today about a couple of things but I can deal with them. I think another long, hot bath tonight and submerged (except face) meditation is in order. It felt good last night until the A/C came on with a whoosh and broke my focus. Food today: Breakfast: 8 oz soy mile and two scoops protein powder 1 small banana 4 oz berry Cheerios Snack: 100 cal Sun chips Lunch: Broccoli with lemon pepper 4 oz shrimp 2 scoops protein powder in water Snack: Coffee and 100 cal cookies Dinner: 3 oz turkey burger with mustard and onions (no bun) Green beans 2 oz frozen defrosted berries Snack: sunflower seeds I still haven’t received the medical records from 2004. I guess I need to send a registered letter but am a little short on cash. I’ll call Dr. Teng’s office tomorrow to get Tina’s advice. The weirdest thing happened recently. I met a guy for coffee from an on-line dating site. He sounded OK on the phone and I said I was heavyset. He was nice enough and intelligent but no chemistry for me. I think he liked me, though, which is awkward. I even told him about the upcoming (I hope) lapband surgery and he was very negative and full of misinformation that “a friend” had given him. I told him he was misinformed. Although we did meet later and walked our dogs in a nearby park (very public) and I enjoyed talking to him, I just don’t have time for someone right now who has to be convinced that this is the right decision for me. It took me 2 years of research and soul searching before I made this decision. I think I’d better hold off on dating until after the surgery. Then the deed is done. Of course, then if I meet someone I’ll always wonder if he would still like me as a fat woman… Day 3 I do not feel well today. I didn’t sleep well last night and today I feel like my blood sugar is all over the place. I ate the same breakfast as yesterday but felt really light-headed at 9:30, so I ate another 2 oz of cheerios. I was starving at noon and had half a turkey bacon sandwich and skipped the shake. Now I feel dizzy … like I ate at a buffet. I may go lie down for a bit. Met a possible “band buddy” on-line last night. Her name is Mary and she is a retired nurse. She sounds close to the same stage in the process and I know I could use some moral support.

OMG! We are twins!!! We always experience the same things at the same time. I could have written this blog myself. I am a teacher too, and I have gotten away from excercise since the 16th of this month. All the staff development and then actual classroom set up has wore me out. I have not been on spark people to log in my food but I have been doing well with breakfast and lunch. I pack my lunch and it is always salad and some kind of meat, usually tuna or baked fish. My problem is after I get off work....busy running the kids to dance, little league...then homework and cooking dinner, showers, class for myself.....clean up.....the list never stops. I've gone to Taco Bell three times this week after work for a taco....I am craving them somehow I was excercising at six in the morning but now I leave at 6:15 am so I can't fit a morning workout in. I'm too beat at night. Let both of us receive strength to endure.

Wow that's crazy. thats like 8 pounds a week, that can't be right..... but yea it's up to you. They aren't going to tell you how much weight to lose, you should know when you feel right.

Well I got laid off one week before my surgery but I was planning on two weeks. If I still had a job I would say I would be able to go back probly yesterday so 4 days. I'm still sore but its not unbearable. I heard the port incision can remain tender for up to a month.

Dr. Ponce is great! Now you should know that he is very serious during his initial consult. He just wants to make sure you understand everything and are a good candidate for the surgery. On my day of surgery he came to my pre-op room to see me and meet my family. He has a very nice manner. I saw him again post op and he was very supportive. I had my surgery in Dalton since I was lucky enough to twist my insurance's arm. The nurses are great at Weight Management! I had my first fill this week and again I saw Dr. Ponce. He was so pleased with my progress. Since my pre-op consult, pre-op liquid diet & surgery August 4th I've lost 35 lbs. I am now off my insulin which was 66 units a night and actos (another diabetic medication). I am still taking Riomet (the liquid version of Metformin). I wish you luck and if you have any other questions please feel free to email me.

Had my 1st fill yesterday and it did not go well. I went in very positive that I wasn't going to have those problems I've heard about but I did. I have some fluid behind my 2 large incisions so they tried to remove that. Then I wanted a fill because I have no resistance, the port has moved deeper so it took a while to find during that time they did a lot of poking on it. Thank goodness for numb drug!!! I don't think I could have handled it without because it was still painful. I don't want to scare anyone my doctor promised me this is unusual to have problems and even said a lot of times people with my very fair skin have more issues than others (in anything!!!) ahhh sometimes being a red head is not fun! Anyway I did like that his scale says I've lost 2 more pounds than mine did so I'll take it!!! I go back in two weeks, they were only able to do 3CC's so in two weeks they will try again and I'm sure it will be better!

Welcome to the loser's bench!! I'm sorry you've had a rough week, but it sounds like you are moving forward. Just keep trying to sip and worry about protein drinks after you're able to get some water in you. Walk a lot to help with the gas and it will help you recover quickly!

I think at one point or another we all have that moment. I am 4 weeks out and i went through it at 2 weeks at a family party everyone having a good time eating and all. And me with my water. But it will get better trust us.

Hi everyone I had my surgery a week ago today. At first it was hard to get in enough protein but I figured it was because I was healing. For the last 2 days it makes me nauseous and heave when I try to drink it so I haven't been. I will call my surgeon in the morning but any tips? I can't sleep it's bugging me so much.

So glad all is well! Before my slip I went through the same thing - fills suddenly becoming too tight several weeks after a fill then needing a series of unfills just to get liquids down again. IMHO, I think some people swell more than others due to different things - maybe something we're eating or I don't know - just something. It just seemed as though I was very swollen inside at times. Weird. I've heard of a few others that this has happened to, too. It's such good news that everything's ok and I hope you & your dr are able to figure out what's going on...

Well, after having to reschedule my EGD several times, it finally happened yesterday. Everything looked great. No hernia, erosion, or slippage. There is no explanation why I have had such a difficult time with my fills kicking in a month to a month and a half after I get them, making it impossible to eat or drink. I have a friend who was banded a month after me and she is experiencing the exact same issues that I am. Getting a fill and a month later she couln't eat or drink. Is anyone else having this same experience? I would be curious to know. I talked the doctor into letting me get another fill after my EGD and they added .2cc's giving me a total of 1.4 cc's. I was so hungry yesterday, I guess because I hadn't eaten all day. I had some very soft grits this morning with no problems. I hope now knowing I haven't slipped and have been filled at every possible level...1.5 too much...1.3 not enough...maybe 1.4 will be my magic number. I have been so frustrated with the fill thing and just don't want to have to ever get another one! Anyway, the doctor was pleased with my weight loss and said it is okay to lose it slow. One NSV for me was that a couple of weeks ago I went out with a group of people. Two of the girl thought my husband had a new wife! They couldn't believe how great I looked. I guess dropping about 30lbs has made a difference!

Hello everyone! So last week i had my first apmt with my dr and my BMI is a 63 which is way high since im only 23. I don't know how I ever got to be this big, but anyway I'm changing that now! My doctor was so nice, the whole staff was nice and made you feel super comfortable, I was not scared or nervous. The first thing i did was meet with the nutritionist and she was very nice and of course I cried (because I'm such a baby and I cry over everything) then I did my phyc eval which was more like her asking me why am I getting the lap bad in which i started to cry again because all i want is my life back and then she ended up crying with me and she showed me that she too had been banded! I did my blood work and Diane was soooo good she got in on the first try yay! and then finally I met with the handsome and very sweet Dr.Martinez he sure did make me feel very taken care of it almost felt as if i was talking to my dad! so I finally finshed up and went home to eat since i had to fast for my blood work. I got a call 2 hours later saying they wanted me to come back and do a sleep study which I knew would probably be coming since Ive been researching the lapband for the past 6 months, also i have to do an upper gi as well as get my gall bladder removed =[ so tomorrow tonight i go in for my sleep study to make sure i don't have sleep apnia and tomorrow morning i will do the upper gi and a week from then i will be going in to remove my gall bladder because i have stones. Hopefully after all this my insurance will have an answer for us, I know that alone could take a while. So wish me luck, Id love to hear from other people, I've been kinda scared for all this testing but it has to be done right?? I just really really hope my insurance comes back with a positive answer and will just say yes so i can get this done... thanks for reading

First, I am so jealous of those of you who have already been sleeved. I'm 3 weeks from my date and I am a total wreck - excited and then ready to back out and then excited again... Here's my question: I live alone. My sister has offered to give me rides to/from the hospital, but that's it - I'll pretty much be on my own. I have a friend who has offered to come and stay with me for a week. I'm wondering if I should take him up on it. Will I want/need someone around or am I going to be so miserable that I'd rather just sleep and be left alone? Any input is most appreciated!

I live alone too. I didn't have any problems. Mom wanted to stay with me but she had a trip to go on. I was afraid I'd be waited on and not get the excersise i should get getting my own drinks. I dropped my pop cycle too and my dog ate it! It's good to laugh at situations that come up. My dog got quite a few treats the first couple weeks because I couldn't bend over! You might get cold feet... But don't give up your dream. Maybe your friend could stop be each day to check on you. And then there's always the phone.

I went in for my 4th fill last week, but I'm apparently losing "too well", and they asked me to take at least a week and log my food intake, try for protein from a meat at every meal, and evaluate when I'm hungry by logging the times of day I'm hungry, and try to make changes. I hadnt realized it, because I've been messing with the same 2 lbs for the last 3 weeks, but I've lost 24 lbs in 2 months, and they prefer 7 lbs per month. So if you're not feeling restricted, etc, I'd recommend what they asked me to do. They will give me a fill, they just want me try this first, and you know, I've already realized I'm not always using real hunger as indictator, but head hunger instead. I'm actually going to put off my fill for more then they asked me to, as I really dont want to be overfilled if I can do this as the fill point I'm at. Tina

I know we all want the weight to just disappear, but it's unhealthy to lose more than 1 1/2 to 2 pounds a week. Sounds to me like you're doing fine. I have a friend who are banded in November, and he eats what I thought was a lot. A lot. But he's losing 1.5 a week and his doctor was thrilled and cancelled giving him another fill. Why do people think that they have to be super tight and starve? The purpose of the band is to make us NORMAL. Normal portions. Normal rate of weight loss. Normal expectations of ourselves because before we all just wanted instant gratification, whether it was getting in the food, or the crazy dieting we did. Relax. Enjoy the 1.5 a week. Add exercise not only for weight, but also for your heart.

:redface:Okay some times we get into a little TMI on these blogs but I dont know where else to turn for these kind of odd questions.But here I go...... Before I had my band I had IBS. I lived in the bathroom, my husband joked and would tell me to save time instead of eating I might as well just throw the food in the toilet. I would often go four or five times a day. Now after the band, I go days and days (sometimes even a week or more) without going to the bathroom. Obviously I am eating less now and I am also ttying to eat healthier (less grease) but this is crazy. Does any one have any suggestions other than starting laxitives I would rather not go there. HELP?!:confused:

White after Labor Day...Oh My! My Mother would cringe..lol My Mom brings out her Winter White after Labor Day...Gotta Love it:) My first fill last week hurt a little too. I think our port area is still a little tender. Good Luck with your fill:)

So happy for you, khelm, and you, too, Secret. Yippee! It's very exciting tracking with people over time -- the pre-op and now here you both are on the other side. I am three months out and we are all new together. This is going to be our year of healthy change.

Ok. First month of pre- open diet went ok. Lost 5#. Second month gained back 2 because I got lazy. It was SO HARD around Christmas. I had family here for two weeks, did all the cooking. Went out to eat a couple of times, tried so hard to be good. This diet is kinda like a modified Atkins. Basically I can have everything except added sugar, milk, bread or starchy vegetables. I can eat fruit with the exception of a few. I got really constipated, felt icky from all the meat and eggs and when I wasn't constipated from the meat, I got diarrhea from all be the salad I switched to. My gut is all messed up and I feel awful that I have done so badly this last month. How do I change 42 years of eating habits in three months? Despite the high protein. I still have horrible food cravings. I'm so frustrated with myself and I'm afraid my insurance won't approve me if they feel I'm not even trying. On top of it all, I have Lupus, and I think I'm having a flare up and I feel exhausted all the time and I'm sleeping a lot more than usual. No amount of sleep I get will help until this flare I'm having goes away. I did order samples of Syntrax nectar and protein shakes. I how that helps.