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Oooo Skinny Fingers!! Keep up the good work!! Someday maybe I will get to wear the ring I was actually married in, again. I love my 10 yr anniversary ring - but gee, the first band has serious sentimental value. Congrats!!

I had my surgery on 8/28/06. I know that I don’t and won’t have any restriction until my first fill. But right now I am eating just as I normally would pre-surgery, which is NOT healthy eating at ALL. And Ive gained back the 10 lbs I lost in the liquid phase. I’ve had no vomiting or uncomfortable feelings at all. (Which I kind of wish I had so that I could stop eating) <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p> </o:p> How much of a difference does a filled band make verses an unfilled band? I understand that its not a cake walk but it has to be easier than this or I would have just dieted without the band to lose weight. It certainly would have been cheaper. I’m really starting to wonder if they even put a band in there, lol. <o:p> </o:p> I am really disappointed in myself but am mainly curious to know if this eating like this now could cause some type of problem when I actually get the fill. Am I setting myself up for failure? <o:p> </o:p> I guess what I am really asking is, how many of you pigged out when you found that solid foods were okay? And was it easier when your band was filled? Am I abnormal? I’m really depressed about this, no more’Yay, happy I’m going to lose weight’ feeling. :help:

Hi everyone! I was banded on 2/19 and everything went smoothly. The thing is, I was prepared to experience problems drinking, and I haven't. I can still gulp down water( I know this because I awoke thirsty in the night and guzzled water before I remembered my band!) I am also experiencing pain in the port incision( which my nurses said is larger than normal,) I also have bruising around the incision. I tried to go to work yesterday but it was too uncomfortable. I'm on liquids for three weeks and the store bought broth is disgusting to me. Has anyone made their own? I tried it and it was delicious but it sent me right to the bathroom. Any advice/thoughts are appreciated!

Who is up for a Spring Renewal??? I know I am!!!! The weather on the East Coast this Winter has been pretty brutal, and even though Elsa is my all-time favorite Disney Princess….I’m ready for some Sunflowers, and Daffodils! The next NYC/LI chapter is meeting is going to be on April 11th from 2PM till 4 PM We will be meeting at The Atrium at 805 Third Avenue. The building is on Third Ave between 49th and 50th Streets. The Atrium is at the back of the space on the lower level past the shops. We are looking forward to seeing many of our forum friends there for a fun filled afternoon. We hope to share a bit of information, education, and ultimately support with our friends!!! So mark your calendars today forum friends and make plans to spend a beautiful Spring afternoon in NYC. If any Jersey friends want to attend, please feel free to cross the Hudson and join us. 10 Tips for Spring Cleansing and Renewal Feel the power of Nature all around you and within you. Know that this awesome force is available to you, and allow it to influence the course of your life and health. Identify the areas of your life that need some work and plan specific improvements that incorporate the changing seasons. Allow yourself to visualize your Perfect Life, and nourish that vision through your cleansing and renewal process. Spring is the time for renewing your life - letting go of what you don't need (physical, mental, and emotional habits that undermine your health) and bringing in what you need anew (accepting positive health habits that will satisfy your soul). Take a break from the TV to be more creative, or read by candlelight without the electrical vibrations at night, or just sit quiet to meditate and listen. Get more outside exercise and spend more time in Nature. Take hikes, plant a garden, or work in a community garden. Create a balanced fitness program or modify the one you are already following that will support your healthy, body/mind happiness. Working up a sweat helps you dump toxins; this will improve your health and lead to fewer doctor's visits. Also add some reflective practices such as stretching, yoga, or chi gong; these help support renewal by giving your body time to gently de-stress and deepen the changes you are making in your life. Consider a special and specific detoxification program. This could include substance avoidance (off sugar and caffeine, for example), Renew all aspects of your Life. Go through your piles of papers, your clothes, and the corners of rooms in areas that haven't seen light for years. Don't be afraid to let go and let things flow. Give things away, have a garage sale, and recycle or re-circulate what you can. "Being simple, simply being." Begin to gently, yet seriously, re-evaluate the key areas of your life - work (career), relationships, and health. Again, look at what undermines your potential in these worlds and allow clear guidance, suggestions, and actions to arise in your being. Try to be more aware of the subtle areas of life and the effects of foods. How does the food you eat make you feel. Increased vitality and improved health will change how you view your life and how much energy you have to create positive change for yourself. It is your healthy body that lets your Spirit fly more freely. Nutritional supplements (as the raw materials--vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and fatty acids) nourish and support your body and mind. The cleansing process de-stresses your body and lets your energy rise and awaken your psyche. Freshly squeezed juices and herbal teas are vitalizing, high-vibration nourishment. Sprouts from seeds and grains are live, vital food. Aromatherapy and smelling the beautiful sweetness of the spring flowers will soother your soul as well. Be Earth-aware and Earth-friendly. Be conscious of where things come from and where they go - and the real cost of products you use - such as plastics and chemical products. Re-use and Re-cycle. Support more earth-conscious businesses and products. How do you vote with your dollar? Cleansing habits to incorporate include deep and relaxed breathing, yoga-type stretching, dry skin brushing, and wonderful walks in Nature. When was the last time you de-stressed, downloaded and digested your life experiences to catch up to the present? Do something that uplifts your Spirit, such as caring for a loved one or an elderly neighbor. Trust your heart and feed it joyful experiences. Put your Spirit on the line for what you believe. Doing for another is key to completing the circle of life, called Love. Building community is a positive change for Earth as well as for our Spirit.

Hi everyone, I'm from Atlantic City and I'm getting sleeved on 6/24/13. I'm so excited. I'm stating my two week pre o diet on Monday 6/10. Got everything I need I'm starting at 272. Staying focused I want to see how this works. Pray for a sister y'all. I wish everyone the best of luck and a speedy recovery, keep in contact with me. I love this forum. I'm new at this and every question I thought to ask, someone asked it and I love it

1. To be able to go to weddings and funerals without trying to hide from people I haven't seen in years. 2. When I hear that someone has died, to react appropriately to the situation, and not with, "Oh shit! How do I get out of going to this?" 3. To willingly have my picture taken, and to stop saying to people who've taken my picture, "Don't you dare post that on the internet!" 4. To shop for clothes in real stores, and not just online. 5. To wear clothes that aren't fat lady clothes. 6. To feel good! 7. Cute shoes. 8. It's too late for me to ever expect to wear swimsuits in public, but maybe in my own backyard swimming pool? 9. To be able to sit in a booth, comfortably. 10. To be able to be seated in any chair in the room.

There are so many things that I am looking forward to! 1 -Weighing less than my husband! 2 -Feeling good about myself in a pair of shorts 3 - Buying jeans in a size 10.... I am aiming for that one to happen by summer! My journey begins January 6th!

You know how people who were one thing, and then reformed themselves all of a sudden become fanatical about that thing they used to be? Ex smokers are one of the best examples, policing the ranks of those who continue to smoke, evangelizing them to save them from that particular sin. They are especially known for their zeal. I sort of felt that way today. After my post op check up (which went very well), I drove up to visit my parents and help my Dad with a few chores around the house. While we were working, my Mom declared that we needed to go to the store to get some things she had been wanting for a while. Now "we" translates and "Dad and I". As for the store, she did not care, as long as it had everything she wanted on her list. It was that discussion that led to the circumstances where I found myself a short while later. We wound up in the mecca for fat people. There were more fat people there than at the Golden Corral on 10% off day. Yes. I am talking about Walmart. I hate going to Walmart. I don't like having to walk for what seems like miles just to discover they really don't have what I want. What's even worse sometimes IS finding what I want. Then I have to stand in line to check out - a line that stretches into the hazy distance like people lined up waiting for Judgment Day. And today was even worse. We were at a Walmart in a popular vacation spot for people from a very large city whose initials are N.Y.C. So it was fat people with an attitude. I also made the mistake of texting Mrs. LittleBill to tell her I was at Walmart, thinking she would at least sympathize. I received an LOL and a list of stuff to look for. So now I had two missions. We had to park so far away from the building that all we could see was the top, peeking over the horizon. I am pretty sure we were in a different zip code. The parking lot was solid with vehicles. In the distance I could see people dodging back and forth between the city drivers zooming around looking for the best spot. I said to Dad, "Maybe today isn't such a good day to try and go in there." He turned to me and said, "It's not worth my life to come home empty handed! We're going in!" We eventually made it to the door. I grabbed a cart, and waded into the mêlée, calling out to Dad that we could split up and cover more territory more quickly. It was like a cross between bumper cars and the demolition derby. People were smacking into one another left and right, coming out of the ends of the aisles like they had been fired out of a cannon. Baleful glares and insincere apologies were exchanged with abandon. And in all of this, there was a huge number of human juggernauts, cruising through slowly, yet unstoppable. They drew my attention with fascination. Like the ex smoker described above, I looked from person to person, thinking: "You need bariatric surgery. You need bariatric surgery. You REALLY need bariatric surgery! I can't believe I used to look like that! Did I really look like that!?! This place is a GOLD MINE for my surgeon!" It was actually kind of weird. On one hand, I felt something of a kinship with these people while on the other hand I was repulsed. I think a lot of the latter had to do with attitude though. I really get impatient with rude people. In one sense it was something of an NSV for me. I am still fat, but I am not the land yacht I used to be, and to a degree, I felt a whole lot slimmer as I negotiated the killing fields of the retail environment. It was also something of a wake up call, to learn that I do not perceive myself in the same way that I used to. I am going to have to work on that one for a while. It kind of snuck up on me and grabbed me by the throat. But at least I made it out of there alive.

I just had it done for the first time 10 days ago. I'm 45 and noticed the frown lines between my eyebrows always made me look mad, and the wrinkles on my forehead really bothered me. So I took the plunge, and I have to say overall that I like it. I also had around my eyes done and am not so keen on that, I think when I smile it doesn't look the same...a little droopy perhaps. I don't know, nobody else notices but me. I like the fact that I can still move my eyebrows and still frown ever so slightly, and the wrinkles are not totally gone, because at 45 you're going to have some wrinkles! But I don't look mad anymore and look more relaxed. So, yes I like it, it does help and I can still move my forehead, but alot depends on your physician and how they inject. I don't think I'll get my eyes done anymore. My doc said the results are more "iffy" around the eye area and I don't think it made alot of difference for me. If you decide to have it done, communicate with your doctor your intentions on the outcome so they know what you expect afterwards. It takes up to 2 weeks to see the results. I'm not going to judge your decision, it's your face. You have to be happy with it. After 4-6 months, it's pretty much gone anyway.

old habits died a hard hard death tonight. i've been banded 4 months and tonight was my first PB.. we went for pizza. i wasnt too hungry, but i had some bread. just a tad bit of tightness in my chest. i was fine... waited about 10 mins for the pizza. first piece, no problem. i commented to DH that i get sooo hungry later in the evening that i am just going to eat 1 more piece. less than half way thru that piece, i get more of a tightness... hmmm ... better slow down a bit. i take a nice big gulp of tea (i normally do not drink with my meals but since i worked out right before dinner i was SO thirsty).. major tightness ... MAJOR tightness. i put my arms up (read that somewhere)... still tight in the chest. burp a little bit. rush to the bathroom, cannot even think about even closing the door and or locking it ... it wasnt THAT bad but i dont want it to happen again ... so now what? am i on liquids for a day or so??

Dr. John baker is a great doctor and his office is full of patients where are all the people that are in his office??? Don't want to let other people what a great service they got in the office. I was very happy with my appointment and i am looking forward to my surgery 10/20/10. Would like to hear from others that have used dr. Baker.

I know exactly what you mean about emotional eating and working on behavioral modifications. I have been dealing with weight since my teens and I have been trying to figure out why my brain (what I know I need to do) and my behaviors don't work together. I know what it takes to lose weight but there is some sort of disconnect. It has to be emotions, my relationship with food, etc. I am scheduled for surgery March 10, I'm not 350+ (I started at 275...need to lose about 125 lbs) but I do have issues and would like to connect with others. I am so worried that I won't be successful in the long term. I don't like telling people I'm getting banded...I just don't want them to think of me as a failure if it doesn't work.

The thing I have loved about the liquid diet is that it is showing me that I can eat in a very restricted way without going nuts and keep to the program. That is giving me TONS of confidence that I will be able to do this after the surgery as well. I feel so good about losing 12 pounds in 10 days. I have everything in the house that I will need for the first month after surgery so I feel prepared and hopeful. Now I just have to get through 3 1/2 more days until my surgery day and then get up on my feet and start walking!

I am scheduled for surgery on 08/17 as well! My nutritionist had me start my pre-op diet on Friday. Lucky you! Oh man has it been tough! I'm not going to lie! Today is day 4 and overall it's better. Days 1 and 2 were awful and I cried. My nurse had me do a bucket list of the things I want to do as a skinnier and healthier me and while I was crying to my husband, he had me pull out the list and we went over it. That actually helped. I'm still hungry here and there and crave something to bite into, besides jello or a popsicle. LOL I do notice that the shakes take away the hunger better now. I have had to take Tylenol twice for headaches, but my biggest issue has been the emotions. I feel like crying when I see people eat. I know this is temporary, so like others have said previously, I'm taking it one shake at a time. I've seriously thought of cheating, but remind myself that this is to help the Doctor be more successful with surgery and that helps a little. Days 1 and 2 are the worst, but it does get better! STAY STRONG! YOU CAN DO THIS! Oh and the plus side is I am down 10 pounds as of this morning!

I am up and sooooooo thirsty!!! I'm ready to get there and get this show on the road. :confused: I can't believe after all the waiting it's finally here. :cool: I'm up at 10 A.M. Wish me luck! Kelly :tired :clap2:

It’s my first week banded, I think am doing well I have lost 10 pounds since last Monday the 4 august my band – anniversary and I am happy about it. Tomorrow will be my first day going to the gym since I got banded. Am not expecting to be back to my to my old self before I got banded but I will go and try to exercise for 30 minutes and see how it goes. I am happy so far, I currently have no big pain. Except the fact that my surgeon out my port right underneath my breast so needless to say wearing a bra for now hurt like hell. To honest it’s sometimes hard even at one week after the band I find myself having cravings. Like today I decided I was going to grill a little BBQ for my fiancé. Everything went very well until I started craving hot dogs and hamburger. It just became clear to me at that time that I would struggle all my like with my food addiction and I have to take it day by day. :biggrin2:

After trying numerous times to fill my band the second time my dr decided it was twisted so I had to go in and have port revision surgery. It went pretty well except that they gave me some pain meds on an empty stomach so I threw up ALOT!! That sucked but after a few days of being extremely sore I was fine. Things are going much better now. I've lost another 10 pounds and am on my way! Thank goodness. The doctor said that the band was empty when he filled it during surgery. I have really noticed a difference in eating now! I can't eat very much at all now and I've learned what sliming is too...YUCK!! Oh well, I've started working out again and things are on the right track so I guess we'll see how it goes from now on...to be continued!

So bright and early this morning I am up organizing my kitchen into his and hers. Anything I am not allowed to have out of sight out of mind. Went shopping last night after my pre op class. Thankfully my nut let it out of the bag on everything I was allowed to have during this process. I really feel like I am not going to suffer. I continue to remind myself that others have to do liquid diets. I bought my pre op foods from the Robard diet. I will be allowed to have four choices a day. Decided on Tomato soup, Dark chocolate smore bars, Fudge graham bar, Peanut butter bar, Strawberry shake, and Chocolate pudding. Each have about 200Cal 27grams protein and around 13 carbs a piece. In addition I am allowed one lean meat and green salad with wishbone salad spritzer. The Italian dressing is actually good. I can also have 10 calorie no sugar added Jello and pops. Crystal light actually makes a Popsicle. Dill pickles have no carbs depending on the brand and no calories. Mrs. Dash spices. Mustard no calories or less then 10 depends on the brand. Plenty of water and crystal light to go flavors. I have my handy dandy notebook to keep track so I stay on the 1100 cal a day allowance I have set for myself. So today I will try a few choices of my robard diet meal replacements and pray they taste something like food and not chalk. I have my foods ready and my husbands foods ready. I pray I am prepared to start this journey. I feel I have done all the planning that I can possibly do and it is now time to follow through.

I waited 3 months. I actually didn't like coffee after SVG surgery. But I now enjoy 10 to 20 oz each day. Yes, irs caffeinated, but ad long as my urine is clear and my weight loss doesn't stall, I assume I'm not dehydrated. Sent from my SM-G930V using BariatricPal mobile app

My surgeon said I could have 1 cup of coffee or tea a day starting the day after surgery. I'm 10 weeks out and drink a cup of coffee a day with no problems.