I'm finally posting!!

[Cinderella 121 0]

Hi - I have been reading posts for months and have felt blessed to have found this website. I am able to find the help I need for what ever issue I'm having in regard to my band and weight loss.

Here's a little about myself -- I have been overweight my entire life (well from age 7 or 8). From the time I got married 14 years ago, the scale has been going up and up. I peaked last year at 337 and decided to have gastric bypass surgery. I started the process in July 2007 with a consult with my surgeon. On Aug 1 2007, I started my 6 month pre op weight loss program through the surgeon's office. I did really well and lost 40 pounds by Jan 2008. I felt so good about myself because I had never been able to lose that much weight before. I decided to change my surgery plan to LapBand. I felt confident that I could lose the weight in a much healthier way with the band as opposed to bypass. I will never regret that decision.

I was banded on 1-21-08 and have lost 58 more pounds. I am so happy with the weight loss but I have much more to go. It feels great to see the scale going down now. I'm also enjoying exploring smaller clothing sizes. Life is so much better in a smaller body!

Overall, this has been a great experience but I have experienced some difficulty at times. I have had issues after fills and have needed 2 unfills so far. Some days the band feels tighter than others - this is definately a day by day adventure.

I love getting advice from others and if there is any advice I would give to anyone it would be -- 1. keep track of what you are eatting in a food diary, 2. do not drink liquids right after eatting, 3. chew your food until your jaw hurts and 4. eat slowly. I have the most problems when I am so hungry that I don't chew my food enough and before I know it - it's stuck and I'm in pain.

Thank you all for your posts and good advice throughout the last few months. I know that I can come here and get the support I need and I look forward to more posting.

[Laurinda 1]

Hey there and welcome I had to laugh when you said chew till your jaw hurts < Can I get an amen?> I always say "chew to a paste" It makes life easier huh?

Congrats on your weight that you have lost and keep up the GREAT work!!!

[real deal 0]

Hi my name is yvonne i am listed as real deal. Just wanted to sya great job i am having my banding on the 20th and as i am happy about a little fearful hwo has you diet returned as for as the foods you really liked before surgery because fried chicken and turnip greens are my thing and it just doesn't seem like my life can be without those two things so what do you do . Once agin congrats

[DallasDi 0]

Hello!

I too am participating for only the 2nd time, although I get online and read others comments, questions, and advice regularly. Congratulations on your success! I was banded on May 28th by Dr. Benavides in Richardson. I've lost 44lbs since surgery--lots more to lose. I'm trying not to think about the weight....just living healthy.

Question: I am really enjoying Water jogging and water aerobics (backyard). I am concerned about activities to enjoy at still a heavy weight this winter.....anyone have any advise?

[odizzydori 0]

Congrats on being banding. Early morning you will usually tight. I try not to eat bread for that reason, cause bread swells up. Fried chicken is okay to eat, as long as you dont eat the skin or the crust. Dark meat is easier to swallow than white meat. I am going tuesday for my 3rd fill. I have now lost 76lbs Good luck on your weight loss.

[Cinderella 121 0]

Unfortunately, I am able to eat most of the foods now that I ate before banding -- only in very small amounts now. I have alot of problem with chicken (white meat), lunch meat, bread, corn, and any other type of doughy food. I have found that I can eat something for a few days with little problem and then suddenly I can't eat that food with out have an issue. Weird! I have tried fried chicken since banding and I end up having maybe 3 or 4 bites of it and then I'm done.

I completely avoid bread (I don't need it anyway), soft pretzels and doughnuts. Grant it-I shouldn't eat pretzels or doughnuts, but I tried them both at separate times since I was banded and after just a few bites (and I really thought I chewed well) it was stuck and I was spitting up for an hour afterward. That was enough to get me off of those foods for good. I can't stand the stuck feeling when the food gets caught and won't go down. I also have found that I can't eat much of anything in the morning. Your right, Odizzydori, my stomache definately swells up in the morning (not outside, but inside). I'm lucky if I can get much liquid in or some yogurt. I feel more restricted in the morning until about 10:00am.

It goes without saying that I can't eat cake -- however, ice cream goes down without a fight. I still have to be very careful about my food choices and the band definately keeps me from eatting all of the food (and amounts of food) that I used to eat. That is the best part about being banded (aside from the being smaller part).

Oh yeah - I have become a crystal light drinking fool since being banded. My favorite drink is to mix a tub of ice tea and a tub of lemonade together with a gallon of Water. This mixture is so yummy. I also love the fruit juice drinks -Fuze. If you get the right ones they have only 20 calories per bottle - and they are very tasty.

Edited August 16, 2008 by Cinderella 121