jhawkchick75

I had soreness for quite some time. Just stop when you are feeling discomfort and you will be fine. I was doing some raking of my yard about a month or so out and it started to hurt so I quit. Don't push yourself - just go until you are feeling uncomfortable and stop

I do the protein bullets daily. I do 1/2 of it around 10am and the other 1/2 around 3pm which helps around the time of day I get really hungry! I get mine from the following site: http://wholesalesupplementstore.com/newwhey.html They aren't cheap, but they do me well. I purchase several boxes at a time to save on shipping.

Same here on the pills! I caught walking pneumonia and they gave me so massive pills! But luckily so far mine have been going down, which is odd considering since i've been sick my band has been really fickle. At the ER they asked me about any recent surgeries and I said none and then was like ohhh...wait yes I have!!!

Definitely agree you need to mix it up as much as possible so you don't get bored. I went to the store and if it said creamy on the soup can I bought 1 of each! I tried so many types of soups and really mixed it up. I tried to do danactive as much as I could, but I am one of those rare breeds that doesn't like sweets and so I really didn't like them. Protein shakes and bullets really helped me through that time as well. I didn't do this, but I agree with Jude about adding spices and what not to change up your soup. I'm not domesticated at all so just adding milk is like making meal to me! Keep up the good work!

If something has changed correct me, but this is what I was told: If you are hungry drink! You should not be counting calories during the 21 days so if you are feeling hungry have some danactive, soup, whatever. Unless you are seriously chugging, you are not going to stretch your pouch during the 21 days. So if you are just having spoonfulls or sipping it like you normally would soup then you will be just fine. I was in the same boat - I wanted to chew so bad! But those 21 days went by much faster for me than I thought they would. You can do it!

You will not regret your decision! Take lots of time to read through old threads on here. I also encourage everyone to get a notebook and take notes regarding things you read in here. I did that and read up on Dr. O and by the time I was ready to go I felt really prepared and confident that I had made a great choice. I wasn't nervous at all, just ancy to get it done! I would recommend anyone to OCC!!

Just relax and enjoy! Be sure and don't push yourself and take time to relax afterwards and be sure and WALK a LOT!!!!1 Please let us know when you are done...good luck although you won't need it everything will go great!!!!

Thanks mam! Those pants are starting to get loose already which is exciting since that pic was only a week ago. I'm going through that no weight loss but losing inches phase which i'm fine with!

My understanding is you can claim all of it...flight, fills, all that. I might take my receipts with me and have her run it just to see. Heck, even if it's only say $150 bucks that is something! Yeah Kristy I am pretty jazzed about the house thing. For some reason my girl said it is for anyone that has bought a house after April 1st of 08 and I closed on April 14th! I am getting my taxes done tomorrow and hoping for a good amount. I have a few things around the house i'd like to get done and I am gonna put a good chunk on my credit cards.

Ditto to everything that was on the other ladies' lists. I tried to take as little as possible and still over packed! Trust me, you will look back in a couple of weeks and laugh about how nervous you were. By the time I got there I was like alright....let's do this! Wish I could have done it months before but due to work I just couldn't take time off. Let us know when you are done and how it went!

OK, I basically just wrote this in the thread before but i'll note it again. This procedure is a process and it will not happen overnight. Those first few months you aren't going to lose as much and that is something that is really important for those that are supporting you need to understand - they need to be educated as much as we do. This band is a tool and is not a magic pill that will fix everything with no work. Anyone that is reading these and considering the band needs to know that and needs to know what they are getting into and have realistic expectations. Cindy, you have been banded for 2 months and have already lost almost 25 lbs - that is something to be proud of! I was banded in Oct and have lost a bit over 30 lbs. Would I love to have more off - hell yes! But have I ever lost this much this quickly - never! You have to keep a positive attitude and see the pros of this. However, everyone needs to be realistic about the capabilities of this band. I know I haven't been completely 100% following the program and I take complete responsibility for that. Carrie, I agree with others - that last 20 is gonna be the hardest to get off. That is gonna take a lot of work for all of us when we get to that place. But what great motivation to be that close! Once i'm that close I will be like freakin' Rocky out punching big pieces of meat and running through the snow if I have to I will be so pumped to get there! It's gonna be a tough stretch, but you will get there! I don't even want to count how many pounds i've lost over my lifetime and how much money I spent on pills, WW, and every other fad diet in the world. But i've never been able to keep it off and that is where the band comes in. As long as you have realistic expectations on what this band can do and what is expected of you - in time you will be successful. Keep your chin up - you are doing a great job!

You definitely have the right mindset - this is a TOOL and is not a fix all. There is still a lot of work that needs to be done on our part, but it is a huge help and without it I would not be able to lose the weight and keep it off. With that positive attitude, you WILL be successful! Great job! And for those that are concerned, please know this is a process and is not going to happen overnight. It will take you a couple of fills before you get any restriction and you must use willpower. Even after you have restriction, it is up to you still to make the right food choices and make the most out of the little bit of food you can have. I've lost weight in the past, but to keep it off this band is the only thing that is going to help me. So it is worth every penny.

Congrats! Now the fun really begins! You have done such a great job thus far so I have no fears - you will do great!! Welcome to the other side!!! Don't push yourself too hard too fast - take time to relax!!!

Yeah...what Jude said! No, I was gonna say really pay attention to what you are eating. I also write down what I eat every day and if there is a week that I did much better than others, sometimes I will repeat what I ate that week. Usually it is high protein and veggies and I am working to get as close to 1200 calories a day. Water is also a huge factor in my weight loss in a given week. Our bodies are such weird things. Your body very well could just be catching up with your weight loss and needs a plateau. Unfortunately plateaus can last for months. I would recommend not canceling your appt and go ask some questions and get some tips. Hang in there!

Thank you for posting that. You are making wonderful progress and with your mindset i'm sure it will continue! and you are very lucky to have a wonderful supportive wife. It is always tough to go this alone so you are very fortunate. Congratulations on your success thus far!!!

Agreed, you are so very lucky to have your procedure covered! Look around and find a doctor you really trust and then go from there. Also, I encourage you to take a good chunk of time and just start reading pasts posts on here. I spent hours when I first decided and read through here - even got a notebook and took lots of notes. I read back months past and got lots of information. Good luck!

I say definitely check it out, but when I ran it by the girl doing my taxes she said it really won't make any difference on mine. If you make a pretty decent salary or have joint incomes from what I understand it really won't be worth the filing. But everyone's situation is very different so make sure and ask! Also, total sidebar but for any of you that have bought a house for the first time this year there are some pretty significant perks for you!

I know there are several on here, so hopefully you will hear from them soon. Congrats on your band!

I really have nothing scientific to back it up, but here is my 2 cents: You need to keep in mind that if you were on the usual pre-op you were doing 2 protein shakes a day. Then, you went on liquids for 21 days. You have had surgery which puts your body into shock as is, then you are doing it a 2nd time by the liquid diet. Then, when you go back on solids your body is like screw you....you give me nothing so i'm holding on to every calorie you give me! I think your body needs time to get used to you having solids again. I encourage you to eat as close to 1200 as you can. I had a friend that went on a really strict diet and did well, but the second she would even splurge just a tiny bit she would gain like 5lbs in a couple days. YOu have to give your body time to heal and this band is a huge shock to your body so it's gonna take time. This is a process so give it time - it will come around!

I've been told that most people don't feel anything after their first. After mine that was the case. Since my 2nd breads are out the door, but otherwise feel no restriction unless i'm sick or stressed. Even if I eat too fast or don't take small enough bites. But know everyone is so different - i've heard of real lucky ducks that get restriction after 1 fill. I have a 3rd fill coming up soon and i'm hopeful that this will be the one. Stick to the plan and know that it will come eventually.

My weight is by no means flying off, but I have seen when I wasn't eating enough that I did not lose. I know it is hard to hit that 1200 - especially when you have hit your spot, but do your best. My protein bullets help compensate some of that a bit so if I don't hit it, i'm at least getting that protein in. The closer I get to that 1200 mark the more I lose.

They will definitely give you a packet of stuff, but I still asked a bunch of questions. I had a list that I took with me and I made sure and asked them before surgery so I wasn't doped up and wouldn't forget! You are paying the money, so take your time and ask any questions you have. That is what the doctors and staff are there for. I had a ton of questions for Dr. Miranda.

Unless something has changed, I was told to never drink anything if you are stuck it just makes things worse. You just have to let it pass - walk around i've been told that helps. Not sure if it does, but when stuff gets stuck I always walk around.

There are several financing options that the OCC refers you to, but watch out the interest rates on those are off the charts. I'd opt for seeing if you can get a loan through your bank or like has been said use one of your credit cards where the interest rate is lower. I was fortunate my dad took out a loan and I am paying him back. Like everyone said I would do it again in less than a heartbeat! And i'm even saying that after PB'ing today! Still the best decision i've ever made in my life. It's made me really reconsider a lot of things in other areas of my life as well. Has been a real life changer!

You will do great! I spent so much time in this forum as well as reading up on the procedure in general, that by the time I got there I was ready to rock and roll! I didn't sleep much the night before, but that was more excitement and anticipation. The only thing I got nervous about was being away from work for a week. I arrived and everything was as advertised and even better than I expected. I was able to get in a day early which was great...less time I had to wait! You will look back as a veteran and laugh at how worried you were. All will be great! Be sure and let us know when you are done.