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I am really really glad I found a post to share my lap-band surgery experience. I thought about creating a personal blog, but felt it would lack the support from other lap-band patients. So here goes everything: I had my surgery on 10/31/2011. Halloween. Barely had time to grab halloween costumes for my boys-who have been super supportive of mommies post surgery needs-as supportive as 7 and 9 years olds can be:) Surgery went great, post 3-4 days was as painful as abdominal surgery is expcted to be and by day 6-7, I was feeling much much better. I took a three week leave from work which was great to get rest, adjust to the eating routine and just be stress-free to truly focus on recovering. I hated being on the liquid diet for what...4 weeks? That was hard as hell. But by my 3 week appt I had dropped 11 pounds. I started at 256lbs. Im currently at 239 which is a little frustrating for me. But I defintely notice what many weightloss surgery folks notice....my clothes are all big. I was wearing an 18-20 pre surgery and purchased my first size 14 pants a couple of weeks ago. All of my old pants, whether jeans or dress pants, are big on me. I'm wearing my old bra's and buying size large sweats versus extra large. So I'm not too concerned about the scale, but it's frustrating and that's maybe because 256 and even at 239, it's the heaviest I have ever been. I've had one fill and can't recall how many cc's I received, but I have another fill coming on 4/25/2012-which will be 4 months after my last fill. I can certainly feel the restriction. But I do get hungry in between. Now I have a hard time eating the following foods (which is not a bad thing): rice, bread, eggs, pasta, and grilled chicken unless it's extremely tender. Can't eat fast even if I want too! It will come right back up and keeps me in constant control of how I eat which is fantastic. I buy less groceries, I order less when I go out. If I do eat too fast, the pain is a good reminder to not do it again. I was advised during my last nutrion visit to not count calories. They want to know how I do and how I feel just by eating and go about my daily routine. So that's what I've been doing. One constant that I still deal with? Finding time to exercise! The size of my stomach changed (the little band anyway), but my normal every day schedule has not! I'm determined to make this work for me and again, I can physically see that results are possible so I'm not giving up my fight to use this tool I've been given. Especially since the post surgery pain is still fresh in my mind:)

“Most people fail, not because of lack of desire, but, because of lack of commitment.” ~Vince Lombardi

Reading your blog was almost like I wrote it myself. I feel your pain, anxiety and self doubt. On the outside I may seem like I have it together, but inside I'm a wreck. I'm constantly scrutinizing myself and wondering what others are thinking of me...how I look, what I'm wearing, and if I'm out eating, I'm wondering what they are thinking as they are looking at me eat. not that I'm eating giant plates of terrible food, but I'm always wondering what they are thinking of me. I'm 7 days post op and have lost 15 pounds since I began the liquid diet. I feel good. It's not a noticeable difference yet, but seeing the numbers on the scale decrease gives me a good feeling. I hope it does for you too. I'm 36 and the proud mom of 2 young boys. I want to be healthy for them and be around to see them grow up and have fun with them. One of my greatest fears is that they will be ashamed of me. I don't want that to happen. I'm hoping this will give me the motivation not to "cheat" and actually stick with this. I'm thinking of you and wishing you lots of luck. You CAN do this. You are stronger than you think. You've already gone 4 days!!!

I am so excited!!! I found a friend that started her lap band journey last month!!! And we live in the same town and our kids play sports together! I know that sounds crazy but i live in a very small town and i have yet to meet anyone that has lap band. Not only that but we have the same doctor and her first fill and my like seventh is on the same day at almost the same time. Its so nice to know that i don't have to go alone any more. Now i am no longer shy about telling people that i have had lap band and everyone ask me about it but they cant really understand everything until you have had it and are pretty much going through the same thing. My favorite thing about lap band is that people ask me questions but to someone who has never had it done they cant always understand what you go through on a daily basis. Like right now i am having to fight myself to stay way from food, and drink more protein that is just icky. Any what i mean by staying away from food is that i have to stop myself from just snacking on everything like when i cook i want to snack but then when the meal is done im not hungry any more and if i eat well my tummy says NO! so that for me is my biggest problem right now. Every day is something new. I have pretty much everything but snacking under control so far. i have awesome blood pressure, haven't had heart burn in a while, i haven't been sick in a while, And im not feeling sleepy all day long any more. I got all my lab work done and everything was wonderful! That can make anyone day better when you hear that your vitamins are wonderful. I have knowtist that my tast in food has changed. Like i used to love chicken nuggets and french fry's. now not so much. I like more fish now and i like lots of veggies now and just things that before i liked but never really wanted. French fry's are my least favorite food and bread. But i find that i really don't miss them that much any more. I do still eat pasta from time to time and Ramon noodles lol but i found that i can eat them when i cant eat anything else. Chips are becoming a problem and they weren't before my last fill. I can eat them but it hurts and i do the little furby sounds. so i guess maybe i should stay way from all chips, and tacos. Before its all said and done im starting to wonder if there will be anything that i can eat lol. the only veggies that i have found that i just cant do is broccoli, and sometimes asparagus but to be honest i don't really like asparagus that much. I hate when its in a can! And they are not easy to eat when steamed. Oh and raw veggies, they are not good going down. pretty much i have found that anything cold isnt easy to go down and usually wont. But again i don't really seem to mind it so much. Now don't be crazy there are tons of things that i would just LOVE to eat like a burger, or stake, or turkey, and Chicken but i look at all the ways that i used to fix this stuff and i realize that its really wasn't that good for me to start with. Any ways i know this is all scattered and nuts but oh well.

Well I'm meting away according to my family and friends, but that's a good thing. I,m still trying to readjust to eating solids but them seem to get right in the middle of my chest. Also having problems with learning how to swallow correctly as my stomach is not big or deep any more so this is a new feeling and i have to get used to it. Planning on heading to Clearwater beach this weekend to hang with the wife and family. I hope all the new sleevers are taking it easy and being patient. God Bless! P.S. I am creating a website www.fiftynotfat.com, where the goal is to help those who are 50 and over learn how to get in shape, eat right and get health, so I'm looking for people who write, give advice on health, lifestyle and fitness. www.ffiftynotfat.com

i found that carrots helped me to stay full i would make up a pack of carrot sticks and snack on them when i feel hungry

I think your lifestyle of eating should be directed at "the most bang for your 2 oz" lol...protiens first. Really focus on the protiens. Seek them out in animal form, and do not be afraid of a small amount of fat. Avoid processed meats once you can. brown turkey meat has slightly higher fat than white, chicken with a little evoo, bison over cow, etc...look to alternate forms of getting in your veggies (I said look, you decide) - I have found jucing and soups that are cold -veggie medlies, etc. are excellent for me. I use it to help supplement my fluids through the day, leaving meals for protien. I do suggest avoiding carbs in the forms of breads and crackers and dumplings, etc. They just do not pack enough nutritional punch. Eventually maybe barley or oameal in the morning or teffa (am I saying it right??). If you are referring to the paleo diet in reference to the caveman diet, i call it bunk! If you really want to know what is best for you - it takes a lot of real knowledge - get away from the books promoting diets - read the anatomy texts, the biochem references, the articles posted as studies and papers...alot of knowledge will go a long way (no i did not mean a little, I meant a lot). Some basics to keep in mind with food, and I am just mentioning a few, please feel free to add to the list: Allergies - food allergies!!! this affects soooo much, even very dangerous inflamation you may not even realize is going on inside of your body - that feeling in your sinuses? You get that elsewhere too when you expose yourself to a daily onslaught of food you are allergic too. Medications - some medications need to be taken with food or without, avoiding certain foods or types of food, naturally raise or lower blood pressure or affect glucose levels - which you may need to counter with timing your food, food choices (avoiding sodium if you take a med that already is a potential to raise blood pressure, etc - fiber and additional good oil in diet if prone to constipation. Probiotic foods if you have been recently exposed to antibiotics. Do a blood panel every 3 months to begin with - and pay attention to what that says about your food needs...platelets going down? You may need more red meats, or beans and lentils, etc...or perhaps you need to avoid donating blood for a little while? Like I said sooo much to consider. I say this only if you are really considering adopting a "lifestyle" food choice...there is not a need for that, in my opinion. Good luck. if you do choose one please let us know and how it worked!

WELL TODAY I WAS DOING LAUNDRY AND DID NOT FEEL LIKE PUTTING ON CLOTHES TO PICK UP MY LIL GIRL FRM DAY CAMP SO I OPENED UP MY DRAWER AN ROOTED AROUND ON THE BOTTOM OF THE DRAWER WAS A OLD PAIR OF TOMMY HILFIGER JEANS USED TO BE MY FAV.......SO I SLIPPED THEM ON AND HELD MY BREATH YEP OVER MY HIPS,YEP AROUND MY WAIST,BUTTONED WITHOUT SUCKING IT IN LOL...NOT MUCH BELLY HANG EITHER YEAH ME A SIZE 16R NOT A 16W EITHER JUMPING UP AN DOWN !!!!!!

80 pounds is awesome!! I know you want it gone now, but it looks like you are doing a great job! Congrats! I know lovethenewme said to keep your calories at 1200, but I actually will gain at 1200 calories.....of course I was just banded so I haven't worked up to 60 mins of cardio yet. If I could, I would probably need those extra calories.--hahah Until then, I have been sticking to a very strict 800 calories/60 protein/ 30carbs....and I have been having great sucess. about 26 pounds in 4 weeks

Shelie, Honestly there is not quick fix to this. Have you looked at your intake vs what you burn in calories everyday. In order to lose one pound a week you need to take in 3500 calories less than your body needs, and this still does not guarantee you will lose at that rate. I do understand the frustration, but you are doing well with 80 lbs lost. I do understand this is not what you want to hear but once we lose the initial weight it becomes harder and harder for some of us. if you are not already doing it I suggest you increase your exercise to at least 60 minutes a day. To lose weight you have to do at least 60 minutes of cardio with your heart rate in your target zone for fat burning. You can also add weight training several times a week, working muscles will help you to burn fat and lose inches. Make sure you are getting all your protein in and eating at least 1200 calories aday. If you are eating less than 1200 you can not get your daily nutrients and you also can not get all your protein in. I struggle with the calories thing and have to work hard on getting all my protein in, I started working with a trainer 2 weeks ago and he has helped me tremendously, I actually am eating healthier thanks to him and getting closer to my intake goals. It was an additional expenses but I decided that I waste 75 dollars a week and I was stalled and was struggling to get to my goal. I stalled for better than 7 months last year, never gained but never lost. There are a lot of us on myfitnesspal.com who support each other with exercise and maintaining our food dairies if you want to join my sign on is the same as my name here. Support helps and it also motivates. Good luck to you and I hope you can find your sweet spot to start losing again to reach your goals.