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kimason - don't be so hard on yourself - you were only banded in August. You are still healing until your first fill, and maybe even for months beyond that. It may take many more fills after that to achieve good restriction. All you need to focus on for now is making sure your primary diet is providing you enough nutirents and calories to ensure you have great healing and wellbeing. Don't sweat too much about how much or how often you are eating at this stage, but do try and keep it within reason. Don't compare yourself or your progress with others - this is destructive when you feel like you're not moving along as fast as you'd like. From what I understand, having restriction in your band helps immensely to deal with many of the snack and head hunger issues. (I hope it does, because it's a worry point for me too). My wt loss counsellor suggested to me that I need to learn a whole new way of thinking about life and food - to lose the diet mentality. Maybe you could join me as I take some time out to relearn the things that provide a sense of wellbeing and inner peace. Take time to sit in the sun, read a book, get a massage, do you hair / nails etc - whatever makes you feel positive. Try and make it a habit. You'll soon find yourself seeing everything in a whole new, more mangeable way. It's a challenge, but an enjoyable one, and I find it's helping with the food thing! Big hugs to you!:welldoneclap: :biggrin1:

Love this - wish I could've seen it and wish more would!!! People have NO manners anymore. luluc - how in God's name can a child break a window - much less two!?! I haven't seen anyone say but is the mother not worried about her child + broken glass? Is the mother on the drugs or something? I am shocked at this whole story - gah! HOLLA! A co-worker friend did the whole "treat your child like a friend" business and is living to rue (sp) the day. Her son is 16 and she has been through hell with that child for the last two years. I'm seeing jail time for the neighbor's DD! Jillian, LOL. Pls add my name to the finicky band list. My story is too long to type out (but it does include telling a doctor off-snaps)!!! A lot of folks don't believe in chiropractic care but my experience this year has been top notch. I jacked up my back for the first time ever and was in excruciating pain. Not no mo! :smile: I also stretch before I get out of bed and did the ice therapy when it first happened. As I have said ad nauseum, that ice ROCKED!!! I clicked multi-quote on this but really have nothing to say but HUH!?! I know your man would love to hear that, haha.:drool: Hey, yer the one that continually mentions "happy endings" so I'm thinkin' maybe you did get one...or twelve!!! Bow chicka bow bow! Stay strong, sistah! The lady that sits next to me at work is always bringing in candy and I wanna strangle her! Not only is it sitting there all.the.time. but people come by to tell her of her the temptation and I can hear it. GRR!!! Anddddd I'm the only big person in our dept of 12 and they always describe people by their size. I also wanna strangle them for that. Our VP has recently lost a good bit of weight (her DH is obese) so she's like a reformed smoker/drinker....all 'holier than thou'. I guess my weight issues are showing in this post, huh? Hee! After numerous band issues and my laziness(!), I'm finally back on the program, so to speak. A couple of people have noticed the additional weight loss so I'm happy. My big thing right now is learning to STOP TALKING while I'm eating. I start shoveling like I used to and get stuck. Ouch!!!!! Oh and just because it made me laugh so, I got hit on at Sonic today by a customer. (shut up, lulu!) I worked from home today which means I had the hair in a ponytail, no makeup, and blah clothes. He actually said the words, "well I think you look good." I said, "aren't you sweet!" and kept on going! This has been an interesting year.... Have a great rest of your weeks!

Is the honeymoon over? Okay folks, I need your help in dealing with this one... Things with the new BF are getting really really serious, he is wonderful, sexy and georgeous. He also really slim and fit and currently getting worried about putting on weight because he has crept over 155lb :cool2:. He is 5'8" and I am 5'3", which I thought was a pretty good match, however, all of his previous girlfriends/partners have been tiny slim women, he considers me tall! He has paid me some fabulous compliments, all of which have made me feel really good about myself - things such as "you have the sexiest mind of any woman I've met", "I love your eyes/smile/hair", "You are my every wet dream come true"... the one thing he hadn't ever said, however, was the basic "you're pretty/beautiful/etc". Foolishly, I was fishing for compliments last weekend and asked him flat out "Do you think I'm pretty?" erk... I should have known that I would get a totally honest answer... I got the dreaded "You have a very pretty face". Now as fatties, we all know what that means, don't we? What's more, it was followed up a while later with comments along the lines of "I'm really coming to realise that I've focussed way too much on the physical in the past and that what is really important to me is someone's mind, spirit, loving heart, that we are so compatible, etc, etc.." Double erk... Jeez, why didn't he just say "you have a great personality", which we all know is also code for "you're a big fatty". :cursing: Feeling sexy is such a matter of confidence. In the past, as a big fatty, I have made a point of going for men who specifically state that they are attracted to bigger women. With that knowledge, I'm usually happy to flaunt my curves and not too paranoid about the rolls. Now, however, even though I'm 80lb lighter, I'm getting paranoid about the sags and bags :tt2:. How do I deal with this? It is not his "fault" that he finds slim, fit women more physically attractive. Let's face it - they ARE. If they weren't, why would we so desperately want to be one of those women? I'm bisexual and I don't find my body physically attractive either, so why would he? He is wonderfully supportive about the weight loss and says he is happy to be patient about it, that what he cares about is that I am actively working to improve myself. He says he loves f***ing me - and we have the most amazingly mindblowing sex. However, I am less confident now about getting naked in front of him than I was before I so foolishly opened this can of worms. I love this man, I know he loves me, but my self-confidence took a beating with his honesty and I don't know how to recover it. Help!

Hello everyone I have been lurking around reading multiple post that have been EXTREMELY insightful. I have started taking notes in order to make sure I don't forget anything. I don't have a date for my sleeve as of yet but I am hoping around July or August. I CANT WAIT !!!! I am already buying clothes a lil to snug and calling them my TRANSFORMATION OUTFITS.......(yea I am a shopaholic).......... My biggest fear is the sagging loose skin that alot of people speak of. My doctor told me that it is a 50 -50 chance of having or not having it. I would hate to go this transformation and be unhappy with the end results because of my loose skin........ I have been reading a lot about hair loss and that doesn't worry me that much cause I am a true certified WIGGY !!! I was considering getting micros but after reading about the possible hair loss issues I may just stick with my wigs to avoid any other stress to my hair. I have started dabbling in drinking some protein shakes and still haven't found none that I really like. My nutritionist suggested EAS protein shakes and they are ok but I still be hungry afterwards. I thought I was doing good by drinking those Special K shakes but nutritionist nipped those in the bud real quick.( lol they were good too) I would love to know if there are any people in the Columbia SC area on here that i could buddy up with. Last question or issue for now.....I am a very social person that often go out and was wondering is drinking alcohol totally 100% off limits with the sleeve ???

While I don't wear a weave, I decided to chime in I was considering wearing a weave but chose to wear a wig instead. I found one for the immediate postop period so I wouldn't have to worry about my hair and love it so much I decided to wear it for 6 months postop (even though I don't plan on stopping wearing it). It's the hair I have in my pictures. As far as my own hair, when I wash it I definitely notice some shedding, but most definitely no significant loss or thinning, no bald spots or any loss of length (I'm bra strap length). Ive permed it once since surgery because my roots were out of control. I moisturize and seal and have it in 4 braids and could wear it in a braid out too but don't want to manipulate it too much. I don't wash it often right since it isn't hot. I don't think ill ever stop wearing this wig!!

This thread is very informational. Thanks for that. I will be going to some kaiser informational in like a week. I hear the process here in California is different than other places as far as getting approved. My doctor said i shouldnt have any approval issues. So thats good. The whole hair loss thing i am worried about. I have really thick hair and like it the way it is lol. Anyone else have the southern california kaiser that can tell me the process etc? Thanks.

Hello, my sistahs. Lord willing I will have my sleeve on September 23rd. Looking now for the best protein shakes that have over 30 grams of protein and is tolerably tasteful. The shots are an option but I guess I will have to try them for myself. I am already taking biotin because I too worry about hair loss. AND, I may purchase me some hair.

I'm so happy to find this thread. I was sleeved Feb 11th. I have lost 50 lbs and I am loving all of the changes in my life. I have been really lucky so far. I threw up once because I swallowed a pill too hard, but otherwise I have had no issues. As I approach the three month mark, I am getting more concerned about hair loss. I so far haven't noticed anything worse than normal and I have pretty thick hair, but as summer gets closer & it is time to touch up my perm I worry. What have been other people's experience?

I think the people that are posting now are doing the challenge but back posts talked a lot about this journey and the specifics with being Black on this journey. But to get back on track. I'm officially four months out. I have not lost hair thank you Lord(still crossing my fingers). I decided not to get a relaxer after I had surgery because I was so worried about hair loss. My hair is thick and this new growth is still coming in thick. I really want to get my Senegalese Twist but I'm still nervous so will probably wait another month. The last two weeks haven't been taking my vitamins like I should. I notice my nails are growing but they are weak will break easy. I don't get on the scale on a regular but last I checked I was 40lbs down which is great for me because I am a revised band to sleeve. I was able to buy regular jeans from Old Navy which is a first because they would never go over the hips and booty so small victory. All in all very happy with my results thus far.

Hello Everyone ..I'm in Cleveland and just completed my 3 month diet and all preop testing. I see the surgeon on 6/27 and then my paperwork will be sent to Medical Mutual for approval. I am really hoping to be sleeved by the end of July. I am worried about hair loss as well. I also have MS so I am a little concerned about how my body will adjust after surgery. I have been reading on this site and it has really given me some good insight. I just wanted to thank you all for sharing your journeys. If anyone lives close inbox my I would love to have a buddy that shares this experience.

Hello, I am 57, turning 58 in a few days, and I am in the process leading up to surgery, I would like to talk with someone who is about where I am, I have had my appt. with the surgeon and my appt. is scheduled with the therapist, I figure surgery will be in june sometime. I am not worried about the surgery itself, I worry about the long term effects of the band being in my body for years, I am not to concerned about the Hair Loss, I have my pretty wig in place , just in case I should need it. I am excited , nervous and scared , I am hoping I don't back out. My son-in-law had the banding feb 28 , and it hasn't been all smooth sailing. The after surgery depression also scares me. I am on wellbutrin and have been for a long time, and once in a while I have to take anxiety medicine, but not every day. I hope to hear from anyone . Good luck to everyone.

Yes my dear chewing is very important!!! If you are just getting some frothy saliva, it sounds like it was mild, and now you have a reminder! Before banding I thought of myself as one whole unit. Not so anymore. I now think of my stomach, and the eating and digersting processes as a separate function. Capable of thought, and reasoning on its own! Actually I think of my entire body, outside of my head, as a separate part of me now!!! I do NOT think about food, or what I can eat, or any of that anymore. Eating smaller amounts, and deciding what to eat is once again second nature. But I still find myself separating my body!!! All of yours as well!!! I tell you that your band is telling you to slow down....or that your stomach is trying to help you pass that fruity yogurt by producing extra saliva----slime. Did I develop multiple personality disorder when I got banded???? Mdrai, another reason you read more stories on here about problems both large and small, is for the same reason you come here for support. Some DH's, or SO's are against it, waiting for a problem....so even the minor discomforts come here. We do tend to obssess about our bands! My friend called me like 4 days after I got home from being banded, she was almost a year out, and she was crying, thought she had eroded, and was hurting and sick. Had been trying to hide it from her DH who is also banded. She didn't want to lose hers, and go back up in weight, while his stayed down. They neither one are interested nor have time (in their opinion) to come to an online support group---their loss!!! Anyway, eventually the pain did send her to the ER---where 2 hours later, they removed her appendix! I kept telling her that her pain would be higher with the band, but her port is realllllllly low....so she was convinced it was band related. Pre banding, we all ate something occasionally that did not agree with us, but now, we always blame the band! I agree, that was an awesome thing to do, showing her how supportive she is for everyone but her. I remember so well the day you were denied, I felt so badly for you! Now off you go, the liquid diet is more than half over!!! Now for myself. I do not have a cup next to my bed for spitting in! I did for a couple of weeks keep some crackers next to the bed, I was having issues with reflux again----but that has eased. I eat whenever I want to eat. I do have to eat smaller amounts. That is what has helped me lose over 90 pounds. I have not done it as fast as some. But I do not count calories, or points, I eat the same things I did before being banded...just less of them. I was happy with my pre band life, except for the weight. So I pretty much live the same life, and share a meal with my Grandkids now----no big deal! If I have to order a full meal, I have leftovers---not going to stop me from going. I would have gone pre band, and ate it all, and paid for it, so I go now, and ask for a to go box!!! In the last 13 months, I have PB'd twice. Both times, I knew it was happening, it was not sudden and in public---I just fell into old eating habits, and had not chewed well. I eat small amounts of most anything. I will admit, after throwing up (PB'ing...whatever) what seemed like no less than a dozen donuts, after eating only 2 bites...I have no real desire to eat another so I avoid glazed donuts completely. Those 2 bites expanded in my stomach like I cannot tell you!!! I eat small amounts of bread, no problem. I know none of us are exactly alike, and I would never expect you to make your choices based on my experiences. But I can tell you I am so fully happy with my banding choice, that if it become necessary, I would suggest it to, and accompany, my own Mom or daughter, to be banded. I have recommended it to friends who have ask, and 2 have actually had it done, and are doing well. I am lucky in the way that everyone around me here was and continues to be supportive---but while they support---they do not understand---in the same way someone who has been there does. My LBT-ers do. Back when I was banded, I complained to my DH that my incision hurt because it wasn't healing well, my boob laid right on it, kept it from getting air, and healing. He looked at me like "....and you want me to fix it how???" I come on here, complained, and had numerous people tell me how they dealt with it, and just knowing they were healed, and had the same problem, relaxed me, and sure enough a week later it was fine. When I had my chemo treatments, some of the people complained about having to go to the oncologists office for the infusion. I welcomed it, I saw others going through similar things, I saw people in the office who were re growing their hair...it gave me hope----it gave me the affirmation that I could do it if they could!!! We will all be here for you. On another thread I am active on, I have a friend who has chatted with us for over a year, closer to 18 months, as she battled with insurance to get banded, she has been there for all of us. Insurance failed her. She finally managed a self pay, and is almost a week out from surgery now. She feels where you are at!! Come here and vent, worry, ask for support----whatever you need whenever you need it. These people in this room, are so great---you will never lack for understanding...or a kick in the pants if you need it! Hang in there!!! Well I will catch the rest of you later---I need to get going, I am meeting Rick in town to get his blood work taken care of. BBL Kat

Hi Everyone, I have been keeping up with all of your news but life has been a bit hectic so I haven't been posting much anywhere. Welcome Back Sarahjp, I hope 'Dr Grumpy' is as happy with your loss as you are? Congratulations on your determination to make this surgery work for you. I am still seeing him and I actually got a hug and a smile out of him at my last visit, when I showed him the pictures of me on the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge which I climbed on 5th October. Sueoco, I have never liked exercise and at 7 months post op, I still can't/don't want to make it part of my life. So, well done on joining the Gym. Merry, I know that lots of people lose their hair post op, however, I am 7 months post op and my hair is healthier, thicker and looking better than ever. So don't count on losing your hair because it may not happen. Misty, I am sorry that you are unwell after your surgery and I hope that the antibiotics do the trick before you travel back to India. I have now lost 30 kgs and have done something very impulsive, which I would never have done 7 months ago. I have booked myself a very quick trip to Sydney for the Sydney 500 V8 Supercars Final Round which is on over the weekend of 6,7,8 December. My favourite driver Craig Lowndes has a chance of winning the 2013 Championship and I have a Grandstand ticket at the finish line to see him win. I just a bit excited *in case you didn't already get that,lol*. I am a little anxious that I won't fit in the airplane seat, but I'll worry about that when I'm on the plane on Thursday. lol If there are any Sydneysiders who would like to get together for coffee or dinner over the weekend, I'd love to catch up. I'm staying in Parramatta and I won't have a car but I can do taxi's if necessary. Keep up the great work everyone and have a wonderful Thursday. Michele