jhawkchick75

Good luck!!! Best advice I can give you is after the surgery is to walk as much as you can and get your liquids in. But also don't push it and try to do too much. Make sure and get on the computers at OCC and give us an update...I love the doped up messages from folks just after surgery! Looked back at mine afterwards and it was a riot! Good luck!!

Ditto to what Erica said....my fill dr won't do it until 4 weeks but follow the rules and if you are still hungry I say go in! I stayed on mine early and I think it helped. I haven't had one in a long time and I have been told that every year you can lose .5 to 1 cc so I need to get in and get it checked out cause my portions have been going up.

I also was able to do a lot of shopping in my own closet. Was actually upset I found a box from college that by the time I found it was too big. My goal was to just get into single digits and now i'm in a 4/6 depending on the pants. Never thought that would happen. I didn't buy much and didn't tell a lot of folks in fear I would fail again like I had many times, but finally I have found something that although a lot of work does work for me. Good luck!!

Totally understand....I booked in June or July and couldn't have surgery until Oct cause I couldn't take off work until then. But a good thing is that gave me lots of time to research. I spent hours reading stuff online and going back through threads in here and I even got a notebook and took tons of notes. So by the time it was my turn I felt beyond confident and ready to rock! Good luck!!!!

I personally do not believe in BMI - mine says at 135 that I am still borderline overweight and it says I need to be btw 119 and 124 to be considered a "healthy" weight and there is no way I will get to that weight in a healthy way. I agree i'd get to where you feel comfortable and also i'd get your body fat percentage measured. That also isn't 100 percent, but is a much better indicator

Thanks so so much that means a lot from each and every one of you!!!! I really really appreciate it!!! I am nervous to go back to class it is a lot to take in, but it is so interesting and I hope I can help others that have had weight problems like me. I know in the past when I've tried to go to the gym it was hard to have someone try to help me that never had a weight problem. So I hope I can be someone they can relate to. Thanks again!! You all have helped me so much even the folks that were banded way after me you still give me lots of inspiration!!!

Hi friends!! Sorry I have been MIA my life has been kinda crazy right now. I am finally able to say that I hit my goal weight!!! I am almost 2 years out (in Oct) and it look a long time to get that last bit off but I finally did it!! Now i'm gonna work on some more toning. To all those that are just starting your journey I sooo remember being in your shoes it feels like yesterday. Don't regret my decision one bit it has changed my life. One reason my life is so busy is becuase I started classes to become certified as a personal trainer. I'm so excited and can't wait to get started with it! Still running just did a race last weekend and am training for a 6 mile race in Oct. Sorry i've been out of the loop but will try to get in here more often. I do get in and read from time to time and love seeing everyone's progress!! Glad to see everyone is doing well!!

You are doing great!!! Keep up the good work!!!

I seemed to have more pain than others did, but it was not horrible. They sent me home with meds but they didn't seem to help much for me. I tried to go shopping the next day but didn't stay out long. Don't worry the pain is just more a lot of soreness than anything. Good luck! Best advice I can give is to get in here and read back in posts as much as you can. You will gain a lot of great info!

My biggest loss seemed to come after the 2nd and 3rd fills, but I know for everyone it is pretty different. Stick with it you will get there!!

Good to hear from you!!! I have been a little MIA as well work and life are keeping me busy, but i'm trying to poke my head in when I can. Stick with it girlie and i'm sure you will do just fine!!!

If you are able to eat that much on a regular basis then you might want to consider another fill. Also, keep in mind that you might not be getting enough calories in! That can send your body into starvation mode and you will not lose weight. I actually had my fill nurse get on to me about not eating enough and once I did get a few more calories in sure enough I started losing. So keep in mind less calories is not always better. I was in a plateau for months so I understand your frustration!!!!

For me personally the pre op diet was actually harder than the post. I agree definitely you can also do lean cuisine, weight watchers, etc...I also agree i'd stay away from the slim fast that is a lot of sugar. I like the EAS ones personally but everyone has different tastes. I also did the fiber choice tabs for quite some time and they did help a lot. Good luck to you all that are coming up on your surgery!!! You will not regret it!!!

Congrats on surviving your first 21 days!!!! I know it is rough but what a great feeling huh!!!!!! Here are some things I have for breakfast - everyone is different and can handle certain things but these work for me. Good luck!! Cereal (I eat it dry out of a baggie) - my fave is fiber choice flakes w/ rasins Eggbeaters with cheese (sometimes mushrooms if I have time) Instant oatmeal Sonic value menu breakfast burrito (no cheese) if I need to eat on the go Protein shakes

I agree don't let it get to ya! You don't have a ton to lose so it is gonna come off slower. Although it is a tool and helps to track, I have finally learned that I should not be so focused on the number on the scale especially if you are working out. This is a process so just stick with it and you will be fine!!

If I am really thirsty or eat spicy food I do the ice cube trick as well. I've slipped up a couple times on the drinking rule, but for the most part I try to stick to it all the time. In terms of food I can still do tortilias most of the time but they do come back up from time to time. If bread is crispy (thin crust pizza, croutons, etc... I can have it so toast might be OK but I just avoid it just in case. You just have to experiment and see what works for you. Good luck!!

Ditto to what everyone has said! You have done a fantastic job and have nothing to be ashamed about. Always come to this board if you need a boost it is what it is for and know you have a ton of support here. You have done a great job and we all have slips ups just don't let it ruin it and get right back on that horse. I mess up all the time but don't let me say, OK I messed that up so the rest of the week is screwed. I just get back up and next meal make good choices. If it were that easy and this would change our brains that sure would be sweet huh!? Keep up the good work!!!

I didn't gain on the full liquids, but I did gain about half my lost weight back when I went on solids but my aftercare doctor said that was normal and that I was doing fine. Once I got a fill in I lost again and especially after the 2nd fill that is when I really started seeing the loss of weight. So just keep with it you will lose!

Thanks again everyone it means a lot!!!!!!

You will be in good hands! I had my mom go with me, but if I needed to could have totally done it by myself. You are making a good choice best advice I can give you is to read back as far as you can in these forums and take as many notes as you can. I told very few people but as the weight has come off I have been much more open about it to those who I know will be supportive. Good luck!!!

Yeah it isn't fun, but it is a part of the band. You try though to do it as few times as possible. It is like the band covers the food with this nasty slime to get it back out of you. I never understood it until the first time it happened to me, but I went straight to PB I rarely slime mine is usually full on PB. Everyone is different though.

Sounds like you are on the right track with some great motivation!! I sure hope this is the kick you need i can't wait to see your progress!!!

Thanks so much everyone I really appreciate the comments! It is amazing to me that I could be helpful to folks on here....I remember when I first got on here and was just praying this was the answer. It has been such a ride and i'm so happy I had it done. Just know if I can do it anyone can! I know a lot of folks say that but I mean it. My whole life revolved around food and it is so great to not have that burden anymore. Now i'm not gonna lie it is still a day to day struggle but i'm starting to win the battle. Another great update for tonight, like I said I went for a run tonight and I was so pumped I beat my best distance and ran 7.5 miles tonight! Still kind of amazed that I even run - I used to joke that I would only run if someone was chasing me with a knife so this is quite a change for me. Thanks again everyone!!!

Hi there...first off I agree the best way to sabatoge your weight loss is by only eating once a day. Even if it is protein shakes get those calories and nutrients in!!! I am almost 2 years out and have great restriction and I still eat pizza from time to time. I only do that crispy thin crust and I have no problems. I've also seen recipes where people will make a "pizza" or sorts on a tortilia and things like that. Just experiement and find what works for you. I have always been a picky eater too, but i've recently been forcing myself to try some new things and am finding I like more than I think! So don't be afraid to experiment and mix it up. Eating the same thing all the time will stall your weight loss as well. So get out there online and find recipes to test out. You can do it!!!