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nothing to worry about, its not as bad as it may seem at first. I had all the same worries. Myself being a fat man that craves sweets, its wierd because I dont get the same cravings for sugar like I used to. Dont get me wrong, I still do a little but I save that for saturdays. I still watch my calories but I have one dessert scheduled for every saturday so I will have something to look forward to, something I can work hard for all week and reward myself. Yes its only a weight watchers desert, but still. I do have an appetite still but its useless when you can only eat a few bites and get full so quick. Kind of wierd for me and Im still learning but ive had to change my whole mindset. I used to worry about not getting enough food when I ate out. Now I have to worry about buying too much because of how little I eat. Picture the whole thing like this, when you get on semi solid foods, you will probably only be able to eat as much as a 2 year old at one time. Its a trade off, yeah you cant eat finish a full meal anymore, but the compliments I get outweigh that issue any day of the week. You'll do fine. Stay on this site and you will recieve nothing but support. This site is a Godsend for us losers lol!!!!!

Hey BariatricPal Members! Happy Independence Day from BariatricPal! It’s a chance to show off your national pride if you tend to be patriotic. Otherwise, it’s a chance for a three-day weekend, some relaxation, and hopefully some celebrations and family time. And, of course, a chance to keep chasing your weight loss surgery goals. As always, we hope to help, so here’s what you’ll find in this newsletter. Independence Day: Celebrate Your Freedom Taking a Look at Those Summer Goals Red, White, and Blue Bariatric food Ideas Hope you love the newsletter and then take advantage of the long weekend and a little down time to logon to the BariatricPal forums to catch up on all the discussions. Thanks for all of your support, and Happy Independence Day! Sincerely, Alex Brecher Founder, BariatricPal Independence Day: Celebrate Your Freedom July 4 celebrates the freedoms we all cherish. Each of us can do what we wish, and that’s not something to be taken lightly. So as you go through these next few days, why not pay a little extra attention to the choices you are making each and every minute, and remember to be grateful that those choices are in your hands? The Freedom to Eat What You Want It may not be what the Founding Fathers had in mind when they signed the Declaration of Independence, but being free includes being free to eat what you want. So what’ll it be for you? pizza, chips, and a soda? Or tuna, yogurt, and strawberries? Nobody but you has the right to decide, so make the decision that would make the Founding Fathers proud – the decision that will make you the strongest and healthiest citizen possible. Land of Opportunity…and Options What’s another great thing about the freedom we have in this country? How about seeing how easy it is to get your hands on delicious, high-Protein foods? At The BariatricPal Store, you can get high-protein, low-carb meals, Snacks, and beverages for every occasion and every time of day. Our low-carb cereals, pastas, protein bars and protein powders, and instant entrees can be yours with the click of a button. The store promises the lowest prices available online, and we back our products with a satisfaction guarantee. Taking a Look at Those Summer Goals Summer has a habit of slipping away. At the beginning, it seems like it will last forever, with the long days stretching out endlessly. Then all of a sudden, the nights get crisp and autumn arrives before you know it. Don’t let your summer goals slip away with the summer! July 4 is a great time to refocus on those goals – or set them, if you haven’t already. So, here are a few steps you can take to be sure you can look back at Summer 2016 as one that did wonders for your health and weight. Remind yourself – or set – your goals. Keep them realistic, measurable, and under your control. There’s no point in setting a goal that depends on factors outside of your control. Examples of possible goals include getting in five servings of fruits and vegetables a day by summer’s end, walking a September 5k, and getting WLS in the fall. Figure out what you need to do to hit your goals. For example, what kind of diet do you need to follow? Do you need to train a certain way if you have a fitness goal? Do you need more information if your goal is to get surgery? Get working! Make any necessary changes to your diet if your goals are related to weight or eating habits. Write out your workout schedule, and stick to it. Make any phone calls to potential surgeons to gather more information about getting weight loss surgery if that’s your end-of-summer goal. Slow and steady effort is one of the biggest tricks to hitting your goals. Be patient and persistent; love yourself, and be confident that you can do it. With renewed focus and daily commitment, your efforts will add up to big things by the end of summer. Red, White, and Blue Bariatric Food Ideas A festive July 4 picnic or cookout can spell trouble if it involves the usual barbecue fare (slaw, burgers, and baked Beans come to mind) along with berry cheesecake, Cookies and cake decorated like the American flag, and brownies (just because they’re American!). You may already know how to handle a traditional barbecue (chicken breast and veggies, anyone?), but as for the red, white, and blue? There must be a better way to celebrate Old Glory than with fat and sugar! Instead of the high-calorie culprits, you can find weight loss surgery-friendly red, white, and blue food options to stay in the holiday spirit and to stay within your calorie goals. When you choose naturally colored foods, you’re almost sure to end up with nutritious, satisfying, and diet-friendly choices that actually are as Starting the Day Red, White, and Blue Get in the mood from the get-go with a bowl of protein oatmeal, whitened up with a swirl of fat-free ricotta cheese or Greek yogurt. Stir in some sliced strawberries and blueberries, and you’re on your way to a fiber and protein-filled day. The amount of sugar and calories in your breakfast doesn’t even compare to the load you’d get from a stack of pancakes with whipped cream and blueberry and strawberry syrup. Red, White, and Blue Cheese Dip Blue cheese contributes both the blue and the white colors, and it’s easy to add the red. Whip up your favorite blue cheese dip and serve it with red bell pepper strips, or, for a bit of a fancy twist, some baked beet chips. For the non-WLS patients at the party, serve some blue corn chips for an even more festive presentation. Red, White, and Blue Skewers If you’re planning to do a little July 4 grilling, keep it healthy while making it patriotic with red, white, and blue skewers. Use cherry tomatoes or red bell peppers, and add blue from eggplant slices. Then take your pick of white options, from button mushrooms or, for some protein, chicken breast or tofu. Drizzle your kebabs with olive oil and seasonings of your choice. Patriotic Dessert to Live For Granted, it may not be as decadent as a frosted cupcake with a candy flag it in, but a fresh fruit salad can do just as much for your patriotism and far more for your longevity. Watermelon, white nectarines, and fresh blueberries can be just the beginning, with plenty more choices like strawberries, grated coconut, and blackberries waiting in the wings. With these ideas for treats and tricks, have a wonderful and safe Independence Day! Thanks for reading the newsletter and continuing to support BariatricPal. We couldn’t do it without you!

That's awesome. Thanks for the positive boost. Week 2 has been really rough on me so I'm hoping next week will be better. I haven't lost any weight since being banded but my nurse said that is probably from not having enough calories and the reduced activity. Thanks for the reply

Yes like how far out ... I'm a week out .. Wow that's big . I'm sorry for your loss . I'm sure it's beautiful [emoji170]

I am going to join WW this week, so it's good to find other people i can chat with here...

I am on my 4th fill and can't do breakfast. I do protein shakes and if I want to eat have to wait aleast 2hrs after being awake. And those day I try to eat even mush like oatmeal I struggle the whole day with eating and barely get my 1200 calories in. I really don't get it. Who else has hard time eating breakfast? I miss it sometimes what some healthy eggs or oatmeal. It blows. I also haven't seen any weight lose in 2 weeks. I bugs what is up with my body. I work out I eat healthy what is up?

​I just started the Neutrogena one about a week ago. My doctor told me to try it. I did try the CVS one a few months ago and it made me itchie around the eyes so I returned it. If I ever have the money, face lift, body lift and arms get done. So you have pain for a few weeks but you come out looking great, or I hope you do.

Hello, I was banded June 2013. I've lost 55lbs so far. :-) I exercise at least 3 days a week. I've been in a plateau for a while now. I'm always interested in trying new things. Today I went to a nutritional shake shop in my town. I found out they use herbalife for their shakes. First you take a shot of aloe, then natural zero calorie,zero caffein tea, then the shake. All in all 250 cal,30 grams Protein, Vitamins, minerals and low sugar, low sodium etc. The shake was delicious!! Tasted like ice cream. I am wondering if anyone else has tried herbalife shakes only. I'm not interested in the vitamins/supplements etc. Just a shake as a Meal Replacement or to get the weight loss started again.

Hi Liza, I'm only 4 1/2 weeks out post op and I was told no heavy lifting over 10 lbs for the first 6 weeks, please be careful I'd hate to see your band slip or your port flip, don't forget this is the healing period. Congrats on your weight loss, that's fantastic!!

Ok baby step #2 Ive gotten my orientation date... Drumroll please!!! October 20th!!! is my date, and today is only September 4th!!! Could it have been any further:cursing: But hey whatever, at least I got one:smile2:. Now you know Ill be callin in every week to see if they have any cancellations,but when I asked, that too had a waiting list. Go figure. Boop

Depending on your profession, a 4 week notice is not unheard of.

Next Monday is my day......Looking forward to being healthy!!!

I'm on Long Island and have been banded since 3/30. My surgeon waits a full 8 weeks before giving a first fill so I got that a week ago. For some reason, it can take 1-2 weeks before a restriction "kicks-in" and you become aware of the band. I only had 1 cc put in and have a follow-up appointment on July 6. It appears I will need a second fill at that time. It's natural to be nervous about the surgery but I'm sure you'll do fine. It can be frustrating waiting for the surgery and then waiting for a fill and then waiting for the feeling of restriction to occur but eventually, it all works out. Unlike other forms of weight loss surgery, banding requires a lot more patience. :-)

For some people it is instant but for others, it can take 1-2 weeks. Many people here also shared that they did not feel restriction until after a 2nd fill or more. So, it seems to be quite variable as to when patients finally find their "optimal level" of restriction. You'll learn a lot more as you read through the posts.

I am two weeks post-op, and time to go back to work! I work in an inbound call center for a telecommunications company, so my job is not physically demanding. I walk in the door and realize that the whole office is having a baby shower for one of my co-workers, which means FOOD is everywhere! You name it, it was there...meatballs, baked ziti, salad, baked ham,red beans and rice, chips, and desserts galore! Oh dear.....to top it off, it's a full moon, and we all know that the full moon brings out the best in us all (LOL) and we were so busy today. I was happy I had brought in all my own food for the day, as well as my heating pad - I am not used to sitting for such long periods without moving around! However, I made it through the day, although I am really ready for bed! What an exhausting day! But I will say, that getting back into my routine is good for me!

I still have some pain around my port - on the inside, which my doctor says is normal, since there are stitches holding it in place. I ended up going back to the surgeon today, because one of my incisions was not healing well, and they wanted to take a look at it. After a swab of the area (it was still "weeping" yucky stuff) and a quick test, it seems that I am having an allegic reaction to the dissolving sutures! Who knew!?! So, I am on an antibiotic, just in case, and have to put warm compresses and ointment on my incisions 3 times a day. Not a bad outcome - I was so worried that there was something really wrong with my incision! Today, I have to say that I feel like myself - I feel like I did before surgery. I know that sounds strange, but I do. I am so happy to finally feel "normal". I have to be honest, returning to work was exhausting, but, now, 4 days into it, I am better. I sleep very well at night, and I have just made this committment to myself that I NEED this, I need to be thinner, and I WILL be successful. I am scheduled for my first fill on 12/2 - the week after Thanksgiving - which means just under a month more in "Bandster Hell" - Hang in there my friends. It's all good!

Hey Ebony it is next week and maybe you are banded already. Stop back by and let us know what's up with you. Take care. Dee Dee

Hi all!!! This is the beginning of my Journey....Well I started this path back in March although I've been thinking about wls for a couple years. I never had considered it before. I thought it wasn't for me, it was too risky. I was that fat girl for so long that didn't feel fat. I had energy, I was fairly active. But then I got high blood pressure, diabetes and now my cholesterol is high too. With my sleep study I had to have for wls of course I was told I had apnea too. Let's not forget the aches and pains in my hips, knees, back, etc. Plus my energy level has dropped. I could literally nap anywhere! And to top it all off, I just don't FIT in this world. Everywhere I go is a thought process, frustration, worry, embarrassment. My surgery was originally scheduled for October 2nd. In the meantime, I was dealing with "feminine issues." I had to have an ultrasound which determined I had a "mass" that needed to be surgically removed. The plan was to do this a few weeks after my gastric by-pass and I set it all up. So I started my liquid diet and reached day 12. Then I had my pre-op appointment. I told my doctor that I needed to have this other surgery afterwards. He said No, it has to be done first, in case the mass were cancerous, I couldn't be in a malnourished state that gastric by-pass puts you into. I had a feeling going in that I would hear something like that. Well I was happy because I could eat again for awhile. I had the mass removed about a week and a half later. No cancer! I think that surgery really helped mentally prepare me for the "big one" and it's not hanging over my head anymore. So now I'm back on my 2 week pre-op liquid diet. It's just as miserable as it was the first time. But I'm glad to be back on track and am sooo ready for this!!

I don't mean to scare you at all - but someone posted on here a few weeks ago about their dear friend who just went to get the lapband - and died from a heart attack while undergoing anesteisa - again - just wanted to be honest with what I know - I will try to find the link - it was very sad.

The countdown is on....11 days to surgery! I have my pre-op appointment tomorrow~it can't come soon enough! I am so excited! I was instructed to do the "slim fast" shake diet or drink two shakes a day and eat one meal. I have found a chocolate shake that I actually like. I mix it with skim milk and ice. Tomorrow I have decided to add a little bit of vanilla yogurt. We will see how that goes. I have been a little emotional today. I am not quite sure why. I think I spent tooooo much time worrying and thinking about the surgery. I have my fears but its a very important step that I have to take. I am so sick of being unhappy with my weight. This is a step in the right direction. Thank you for all the blogs. I really enjoy reading everyone's views and everyone's experiences. Thank you for sharing. I appreciate your support and positive words!

I am not sure how many sleeves he has done but he is doing more of these I think then bypass and bands now. I was only in the hospital for one day-insurance approved one day. I was at the hospital 5:30 am for surgery and left the next morning by around 10 am. I was off work for one week-I have a sit down customer service job working from home. They have a website http://www.alabamawls.com/ you can check out. If you want to send me a private message you can email me at kelly.stricker@att.net.

Hi: You may want to post your question on makemeheal.com There are alot more plastic surgery patients there. Personally, when I had my tummy tuck I had some lipo too. I had to wear a compression garment for a long time. I'm pretty sure that is standard practice with a tummy tuck, not sure about with just lipo. When my surgeon did the lipo she did it in the mons area too and that part was very painful for a couple of weeks. Hope all is well with you. Sue

Hi Dar and welcome to LBT..you have come to the right place for support. We are like on big extended happy family here. Lots of love around this place. As for me I felt great the day after surgery but as others have said we all are different. I was able to feel my port under my skin if I was to push down on it..it did not stick out or anything. Every doctor has their own post op diet they want you to follow so when you are able to eat solids is up to your doctor but I can not imagine it being longet then 3 weeks. Most have 1-2 weeks of liquids then a week of mushy foods then onto solid foods. Best of luck to you

Every doctor seems to have a different protocol. Mine calls for NO milk products for the two weeks leading up to it. Crazy how they are all different. Good luck with your journey!

Hi there, I am newly-banded -- it will be two weeks tomorrow. I am 52 and spent two decades seriously struggling with weight issues. So debilitating in every way! I was 248 and am down 20 pounds, some from the pre-op diet. A pound or so a week is not slow to me, that seems very healthy. I'm in this for the long run. Chose the band because I need assistance I dimming my appetite. Did not want something as drastic as a sleeve, etc. -- I like the idea that if it is ever necessary my band can be removed. And it's adjustable so I can keep working with my surgeon to get it tweaked so it's just right for me at a given time. Very happy! Good luck on your journey. I learned so much here reading posts, asking questions, etc. Best wishes for your healthy future!