Kittycat

Okay, I will finish this bantering once and for all. Although alot of useful "food for thought" has come from this posting. Do what you have to do to get through the day! What ever works for you, may not work for everyone, but that's okay. Make choices based on the results you want! You only live once, so live! Best of luck to everyone! Cathy

Working out and building muscle weighs more than fat....do what Jena said, put the scale away and get out the tape measure, I bet you will be surprised!! Best of luck and don't give up!!! Cathy

Thinking of you both for his safe journey and for your strength while he's gone! Cathy XO

I totally agree, if you can eat what you like and still lose weight, you have the best of both and that terrific! For the times when restriction is not happening and the weight is not coming off, better food choices will help! It's all about getting healthy, losing weight and getting all the vitamins and nutrients your body needs! I would love a peice of chocolate cake right now, but I will have to settle for a chocolate Optifast shake....soon though! Thanks for sharing! Cathy

Sounds yummy, thanks! Cathy

Kimmie, You have done awesome! Maybe changing up your diet a little will boost a few more lbs to drop! Don't give up and venting is healthy! Take care Cathy

Good for you!!! I imagine it must taste heavenly! Enjoy! Cathy

Hi there, I have heard that is normal to have tight restriction in the morning and drinking something warm will help. Try some tea or warm soup. Good luck! Cathy

This soup sounds great Cheryl, do you know approximately how many calories per bowl? Cathy

Good for you, glad you are feeling better! Gas and water retention is normal post-op. The lbs will drop once you body settles. Have a great day! Cathy

Lisa is right. I spoke my mind, I hurt and stirred up thoughts and feelings. I have apologized for offending anyone. Now let's get back to supporting one another! Cathy

As I said previously, I did not mean any disrespect at all....I have been seeing alot of postings lately, where there is over eating because the restriction is not there yet and they still wonder why there is no weight loss. I do understand that, because I am on my pre-op diet right now and I am feeling hungry and headachy all the time. I would love to just eat whatever I want, but I chose not to. I would not want to feel this way for a very long period of time, and I guess that's where the frustration of those who are venting come from. I get that! I feel that! I have been told by my surgeon and by other bandsters that the band is a tool, when it works it should make me feel full after a small amount of food, if it doesn't, due to various reasons, hopefully temporarily, I need to make healthier food choices when I eat so that if I have to eat more to feel satisfied the calories don't jump through the roof. I ended up at this weight from eating out alot and making unhealthy food choices. The band is not going to stop me from continuing to do this....only I can do that. I guess that's the point I was trying make. I am not saying that I will never have a cookie, ice cream or a taste of diet coke again, I have a long life to live to deprive myself of the good things in life. But while I have set a goal to lose weight, and I have alot of weight to lose, I am going to make a conscious effort to make healthy choices most of the time...and if I don't, I can't be mad at myself for not losing weight. I love hearing all of the stories on this forum, good and bad, frustrated or elated...it's all part of life with the band. I will be there in one week and will certainly need support and I willing to give it as well. You are the greatest group of ladies, I have never met. My apologies if I offended anyone. Cathy

Thanks Jena, I appreciate your support. No one said this was going to be easy, infact I expect it to be much harder than any other diet plan I have tried in the past. I am determined to make it work. With restriction would be a bonus, but those times where I am not experiencing much or any restriction, I have to be conscious of what I am eating so that I can make this entire lifestyle change work for me. Best of luck to you....Cathy

I would talk to your doctor....if you feel pulling in your abdomen, don't do it! Congrats!! Keep up the good work! Cathy

Mona-Camille, I did not mean any disrespect at all....I have been seeing alot of postings lately, where there is over eating because the restriction is not there yet and they still wonder why there is no weight loss. I do understand that, because I am on my pre-op diet right now and I am feeling hungry and headachy all the time. I would love to just eat whatever I want, but I chose not to. I would not want to feel this way for a very long period of time, and I guess that's where the frustration of those who are venting come from. I get that! I have been told by my surgeon and by other bandsters that the band is a tool, when it works it should make me feel full after a small amount of food, if it doesn't, due to various reasons, hopefully temporarily, I need to make healthier food choices when I eat so that if I have to eat more to feel satisfied the calories don't jump through the roof. I ended up at this weight from eating out alot and making unhealthy food choices. The band is not going to stop me from continuing to do this....only I can do that. I guess that's the point I was trying make. I love hearing all of the stories on this forum, good and bad, frustrated or elated...it's all part of life with the band. I will be there in one week and will certainly need support and I willing to give it as well. You are the greatest group of ladies, I have never met. My apologies if I offended anyone. Cathy

Absolutely, I was floored by the amount of food consumed at breakfast by another bandster, I couldn't eat that now!! It has been said over and over, the band is a tool to assist in a life style change. Has Lisa confirmed, you cannot eat whatever you want and go back to the old ways of eating fatty foods and cookies and expect to lose weight, band or no band. If you eat right, you will lose weight, band or no band. I have not been banded yet and I am struggling to keep on track during this pre-op diet phase...but I am doing it and be damned if I am going to go through all of this, be banded only to go back to my old eating habits and have it all fail. I have heard many comments over the past two months about no restriction and not losing, or even gaining. I guess some people think that the band means you don't have to diet anymore? The feedback on this forum is immeasurable, but there is also alot of struggling and negativity that in my opinion is self-induced. Cathy

My son had stitches in his knee, and when they were removed, the area was not quite closed and healed. The doctor put a few butterfly bandaids on it for a few days and it healed up fine. I am sure if you keep it covered and clean, it will be fine. Good luck, Cathy

Well it's a good thing you had the nice big breakfast after your fill, I can't imagine you being able to have all that again! LOL!!! All the best, Cathy

Hi Ladies, I was thinking last night, after surgery the banded area of your stomach is much much smaller than before it was banded. Although I will be on liquid and mushy diet for quiet awhile, when I finally eat solid food, prior to my first fill, would I not feel some restriction? I have the feeling of being full after eating a meal? Would I not have this feeling after eating with the band on solid food? Even before my fill? I hope this question doesn't sound silly. I have read about the ladies who struggle with restriction after surgery and after their fills and was just wondering why? Could it be that they are not eating solid food enough? Thanks ladies! Cathy

Water is ok before bloodwork and before surgery.

Congrats!!! Keep us up to date on how your doing! Cathy

Congratulations on both accounts! On having the surgery and your upcoming marriage!! Are you getting married before or after your surgery? You may be a little sore and tired afterwards, anesthetic takes it's toll. You must have the most supportive guy ever!! Good for you!! You can always consemate your marriage another time! LOL!! All the best, Cathy

When I was filling out my pre-surgical consult forms, I put down my goal weight at 140 lbs. I am 5 feet tall, so my ideal is between 110-125 lbs, however I am also 45 years old and getting down that low may not be possible, let alone healthy. The surgeon said 140 lbs was even low...and I told him I would be happy with 150 lbs...but I will still shoot for 140 lbs. At 150 lbs my thigh don't rub together, so when I get there I will know!!! LOL!! Best of luck everyone! Cathy

CONGRATULATIONS!!! Let us know how you are doing!!! Take care, Cathy

That's great, good for you! Just think you are halfway to a healthier, happier and thinner life....and so soon!! Keep up the good work! Cathy