iamworthit

If you eat oatmeal for breakfast, make sure to make it with milk because you need your protein!

Great job, Paula! I am waiting with baited breath to get to the 50 lbs lost mark. I am at 47 right now; I was weighed in "officially" at my post op follow up on Thursday. I go back to work on Monday and I am hoping by the middle of the week I can be at the 50 lb's although, I know that is pretty aggressive for me. A girl can dream though, right? My dr. told me I could start swimming again too which made me really happy because I think I burn so many more calories swimming than walking. I am up to walking / running 3 miles in 50 minutes which makes me really happy. I too go to the Y, every day, and without it I don't think I would be doing as well as I have. I have a goal of getting under 200 lbs by September 20th. My husband and I are going to the Grand Canyon and touring Utah and parts of Arizona for 2 weeks. I am looking forward to the trip, but I hope to be under 200 because it will have been since our honeymoon that I have been that "low". Again, congratulations!

As always, great information!

What a great idea! Boy, I wish I would have known about this in the liquid phase.... Still, it is useful because I eat jello as a snack from time to time. Great post!

I don't think it is truly a colon cleanser, but I did feel really light afterward. I lost 1.5 pounds from one day to the next when I did it, but a lot of that may be fluids because it is really strong... I think my problem is not getting enough fiber. I focus on my protein and very rarely even get to the veg and never to the bread... I am going to try and start eating some fiber soon though. For instance today, I met my protein requirements and didn't come anywhere near meeting carb and fat requirements...

Don't get frustrated Jessica. The pre-op diet is very hard and having the band isn't easy either. You have to be committed to the lifestyle change. You will lose the weight. It is physically impossible for you not to. There isn't one human being on earth who cannot lose weight - and that is a fact. Sure, a lot of us (me included) lose really slow and it takes a lot of work, but it will come off. I started this journey last October (my insurance company required a 6 month diet period). I was on 1200 calories a day, worked out for an hour every morning from 6:00 - 7:00 (I am not a morning person) and it worked. I was able to take off 34 pounds prior to being banded. That sounds great, right? Well if you figure out how long I dieted for and how faithful I was I averaged about 1 pound per week. There were some weeks when I lost weight and some that I didn't. The moral of the story is don't get frustrated - get committed and believe positively that you can do it. We didn't become fat overnight and it won't come off overnight either. You are doing great so just keep at it. I agree with the other ladies too, you need to up your calories and get my protein in. 60-70 grams of protein a day minimum and LOTS of water. Without it your body is going to shut down and you won't drop fat. You may drop some muscle, but not fat and that is what we want, right? I will keep you in my prayers; I believe in you and know you can do it!!! :)

I took it prior to surgery, my surgeon requires it. It took almost 6 hours before things started to 'happen'. But boy, when it did - it did. They have a cherry flavoured one that wasn't too terrible. I have had the lemon lime one before and I can say the cherry one was MUCH better.

FANTASTIC! You look wonderful and truly happy. You should truly be proud of what you have accomplished. I hope to be in your place soon. The band is such a wonderful tool and empowers us, doesn't it? I went to dinner with my husband tonight. I ordered the grilled grouper and grilled shrimp with baked potatoe side. I ate about 3 oz of my fish and 2 shrimps and one bite of my potatoe and I was so full. I felt so good leaving the restaurant, empowered... For the first time in my life, I feel control and I love it. Congratulations on your weight loss - you truly are a beautiful woman and the results of your loss are showing really well. Kudos! :)

Oh man! I never thought to do that! I am going to have to try that tonight... I put my key lime yogurt in the freezer and then eat it and call it "key lime pie" (yep - southern girl all the way), but I hadn't thought about the pudding... Yummo....

I have been wondering what to do as a reward. I am almost to a total weight loss of 50 lbs. I told myself I would treat myself to something when I got to 50 lbs. I thought a mani / pedi would be nice, or maybe a new workout outfit. I am so sick of my old workout clothes. My pants are hanging off of my butt, and I would love to get something new, but don't want to spend the money. I am in a 1x now after hitting an all time high of 3x which is really nice. Like most women, I have clothes in every size but sizes 18 - 24 seem to be the majority of my stuff. I am now in a solid 20 and leaning more towards an 18 every day... I am going to have to think about this a bit more so I can come up with something good. Maybe new makeup?

I track my food and exercise on <http://www.myfitnesspal.com> It is a free site that lets you set up your calorie, carbohydrate, protein, fat and exercise goals. I have to log what I eat, if not, I get into trouble and think I am doing ok, etc... Anyway, according to their calculator, for someone following 1400 calories a day I should be getting about 193 carbohydrates a day, 47 fat grams a day and 53 grams of protein. Prior to surgery, I would hit the Carb quotient daily. I may hit the fat and I would always go way over on protein. Since having surgery, my carbs are WAY down... Today, I had 33 grams of carbohydrate (typical since surgery) and 68 grams of protein and 28 grams of fat (I had salmon for dinner - pretty high in fat but the good kind). I am not sure if this is what we should be striving for or not, but I can say I haven't really been hungry since I started eating this way. I am only 3 weeks out from surgery so I know I still have some restriction, but I can honestly say before surgery I only ate maybe 300 - 400 calories more than I am now. Today I have eaten 761 calories and I am done for the day with food. That is one of my higher days. Typically, I run between 600 - 700 calories daily. I am not weighing myself and have only done so once, since surgery (lost 10 pounds!!!) so I am not sure if what I am doing is good or not. Only time will tell. Well, that plus my dietician I see next week. I didn't have my surgery at OCC so I have to see a dietician monthly for the year following surgery as part of my follow up plan. It really helped me in the months building up to the surgery because it made me accountable. I know this is long, but I thought some detail may be interesting and help with comparisons. I am always curious to know how much people eat post surgery and have often wondered if I am lower, or higher than someone else at the same stage as me? Good luck with your plan and share any successes you have! I am always willing to change course if this doesn't work. Although, I saw someone I knew today, on the street who hadn't seen me in a couple months and she commented on how much weight I had lost. That felt great!

1. I want to fly on a plane and be able to put the tray down for a drink. I always have to act like I don't want anything because I am too embarrassed that the tray won't go down. 2. I want to go on a cruise with my husband and wear gorgeous dresses and strappy heels and not feel like 10 lbs of potatoes in a 5 lb bag. 3. I want to wear a bathing suit and not feel self conscience. 4. I want to not have to worry about weight limits for anything. Rides at Disney World, Zip Lines in Costa Rica, Taking a mule down the grand canyon. I want it all! Mostly, I just want to be healthy and feel like my old self again... I am 1/3 of the way there!

Yeah Mona! =D> I am so happy for you!!! I know you have been very frustrated. I am happy your last fill is working for you and you are seeing results. Keep up the great work!

Yes, I have kept it a secret. I only told my immediate family. I am a really private person anyway, but I really wanted to keep this private because I know how people can be. I work with a lot of women and they can be very catty, so for me, it was a better decision to keep it secret. It didn't hurt that I lost 34 pounds before being banded. Everyone knew I was watching what I ate and working out regularly before I went out on "medical leave".

Hmm... I wonder why I can't see them. Weird... How are you shy? We had surgery on the same day. I think of you all the time wondering if you are going through the same thing as me. I am doing really well now. I still have 2 more weeks of work off which is great because now I feel like my old self. Tomorrow is clean closet day!

How do I get my sparkles back? They are not showing up in my signature anymore, I just see a box with an x where my "44lbs Lost" used to be. I like my sparkles and want them back!

I didn't have my surgery at OCC, but here is one of my favorites for when I am in Mexico on vacation... "Donde esta el bano?" Just kidding!

Hey Julie, It works by lowering the blood glucose in the PCOS woman. Most women who have PCOS have high blood glucose, but are not diagnosed with diabetes. Metformin lowers the blood glucose, thereby normalizing the endocrinology system of the woman attempting to get pregnant. High blood glucose has effects on ovulation and that is why many PCOS women do not have regular periods. Great question though! I know I questioned it the first time too! It has been a miracle for many women, but unfortunately, did not work for me. I was sick to my tummy the whole time I was on it too.

I have PCOS as well. I am in my mid-30's and have tried to get pregnant for years. I am hoping and praying that losing weight through bariatric surgery will help me normalize my endocrinology system and allow for me to get pregnant. I have done multiple rounds of IVF and still have not ever conceived. I took Metformin for several years, but it never worked for me. I wish you luck and hope it works for you too! The good news is I got my period after 3 days of being banded. It was the first time, in years where I got my period and it was a normal length - 7 days. Usually, when I do get my period, it lasts for months (literally) then I don't get it again for months and months. As a side note, I am in the process of doing research for my Master's thesis. I am doing it on the effect bariatric surgery has on fetility specifically in those suffering from PCOS. So far, based on the research I have done there is a positive correlation. Meaning, people who have PCOS and then lose weight following any form of bariatric surgery have a better chance of getting pregnant than if they did not lose the weight. I have read tons of reputable studies and consensus is the same. The good news for we banders is that we do not have the masabsorptive issues RNY'ers do and that helps with getting pregnant and more importantly, staying pregnant. In my mind, that gives me a lot of hope! Good luck with your banding! I was banded on 07/01/08. The first week was really rough - I cried a lot, not because of the pain but psychologically it was different. I am almost to 3 weeks now and I feel fantastic. In fact, I just got done cleaning the house and realized I don't feel any different than I did prior to the surgery. The first week I was really weak and had to take a lot of naps and for me that was tough because I work full time, exercise every day, work on my Master's, am married and very active in my community. Glad you asked this question because it is nice knowing there are other PCOS women on this forum.

Hey Cathy, I am almost 3 weeks post op and I still have restriction as well. My dr. told me that he has some patients that keep it for months. I think it is all dependent on the individual, ya know? I am happy I have restriction. Why rush the fill process if you don't need it? Are you still losing weight at 6 weeks without a fill? I haven't weighed myself in a week so I don't know if it is still coming off or not.

4 lbs in a month is pretty good, don't you think? My dr. told me to expect between 1-2 lbs per week. Did you experience better weight loss in the months previously? If so, how much? I am newly banded and trying to get a feel for reality as opposed to what they tell you in the dr.'s office....

This has nothing to do with your post, but I thought I would say anyway. I grew up in Pocatello, Idaho. I hadn't heard that city mentioned in a long time. I have fond memories of Pocatello, but I haven't been back in over 25 years.... Anyway, I agree with your assessment as to why dr.'s in the U.S. do not perform fills on patients who got their surgery in Mexico. There is money to be made in the fills, that is for sure; I have a feeling the number of physicians willing to fill patients will increase, not decrease as time goes on. Congratulations on your weight loss. You have done really well. I hope to be in the same boat over the next couple of months. Have a great one!

Walk, walk, walk. I had the gas terribly as well. I walked a lot and rested when I needed to - all helped with the gas. I also suffered with dizzyness and lethargy the first 1 or so. I can say this, I am almost 3 weeks out and I feel like my old self again. This morning, my phone rang and I jumped out of bed to answer it. I didn't even feel sore in my tummy or anyplace else. Good luck, bandedchef! I know you will do well. Just remember to walk, walk, walk..

I am sorry, I know this has been answered several times, but I am making myself crazy and I trust you all and want some feedback. I am wondering how many calories they recommend you have after surgery when you get the surgery at OCC? My dietician has me "working up" to 1400 calories. I am almost 3 weeks post op and I am only getting between 750 - 800 a day now. I lost 10 pounds my first 2 weeks and now I am afraid to up the calories (I know, I know, the old dieter is coming back). It is tough because I want to be successful, and I am desperately afraid to not eat enough and to eat too much. Ugh.... I had the "MedGem" test done prior to surgery and based on the results of that test I should be able to lose if I eat less than 1400 calories a day. I am curious though - what did the OCC recommend for calories directly after surgery and after you get on "real" food? Is it a standard plan for everyone, or is it based on results from a "MedGem" test like the one I described? Please be kind... I know I am crazy when it comes to this stuff. I just want to succeed so badly and I don't want to mess anything up as I have tried so many diets through the years. I am working on Master's and have been working on my dissertation for several weeks (what's new, right?). Anyway, I find myself obsessing about this lap band and not working so I figured I better ask the question so I can get back to work! I appreciate everyones feedback!

Welcome to the forum! I was banded on 07/01 in the States as well. Most on this forum were banded by the OCC, in Mexico with fabulous results. Glad to have you join. I too have gotten a lot of valuable information from this site and the members are really nice. As for your gassy problems, that is perfectly normal. I am 16 days out and it was only like 5 days ago before I started feeling 'normal' again. Just remember to keep walking and follow your diet. You will be great! Good luck with your weight loss!