Sula

Sounds like you have quite a decision to make. For me, I could not wrap my head around permanently altering my stomach and the food issues were so big with it, I just felt that wasn't the route for me. When I learned about the band last November, I light bulb went off and said...this is it...I can do this. For me, this was the right decision and I'm glad with the weight loss I've had so far...still more to go. I also considered that by losing slower, maybe my skin wouldn't sag as bad and it seems to be true so far. I like that idea of eating normally, but having help in managing portions. I know that certain foods are off limits and cause problems, but I really haven't found any that I absolutely can't eat, but choose to not have them for the most part. I am soo sorry about your injuries and the chronic pain. If I have a headache for two days I'm whining...so I have a lot of admiration for those who deal with chronic conditions. I think that you will find losing weight will help some. It certainly helps with more energy and flexibility. Good luck to you.

I was banded on a Tuesday and back to work full time on Monday. I don't do heavy lifting but I have horses to feed so I did a few flakes at a time and did just fine. Weight loss in the beginning was about 2 pounds a week but I have not lost much in the past two months...same 5 pounds over and over. We are all different!! It does seem like Christmas break would be wonderful time to do it though.

Audree, wonderful news. You are an inspiration!! And I've toyed around with getting the quickslim since you first mentioned it...but the loss was coming without it. But I've been on this plateau for a couple of months now and would like to get a boost!! Maybe its time to order some.

Just keep in mind that you are important and this is something that will help you. I have read that some people feel like they had made a mistake right after they had the surgery, but I've never read that anyone said that a few weeks out. Recovery, for the most part, isn't difficult. There is a little pain and it is tolerable. You will be soooo glad that you did this and you will feel anxious with anticipation about the journey you have started. Best of luck!

Walking feels good and doesn't hurt for the most part. Sometime the jarring of the step will jar a jiggly stomach so that is just a twing of pain. I sometimes used to hold my stomach still (sad fact but true). I think it is good to get a mindset about this as well...you have to do it. It is important. It helps with a bigger pain...the GAS!! Now, not to scare you, because the gas pain is tolerable...but it is worse that the incision pain. And walking helps.

I'm in the mindset already. I wasn't looking quite so far out as my 1 year anniversary, but what the hey! I am having a tough morning as I'm not seeing the scale moving and I feel like I've made the changes necessary to see some shift...so now I'm obsessed again with the gol-darn scale. I do need to kick up the exercise but I'm swamped at work and doing some things to get ready for a hot tub!! So I'm not getting the elipital time. Next week should smooth out!! But I'm going to be a bit further sighted!! I do so want to achieve some more weight loss on a consistent basis. I don't need another fill so I just need to get with it.

I haven't deer hunted for several years and in my area...it was shooting, not hunting. But my husband and I bird hunt. Either on foot with a couple of dogs or via horseback (American Field Trial type). I am very active and have had no trouble running out of energy. This summer I was walking (inconsistently) four miles a day. I have more leg strength and energy than I've had in years. I think if you are through "healing" you will have a great hunt! I suggestions of food and water are important. Think and plan ahead.

I hear you about the PB...I get to eating to fast for those first two or three bites and I'm in trouble. I can eat the same thing on another day and just because I'm going slower, I think, I do fine. But I do feel a bit more tightness in my "chest" or stomach. Like in the middle of the night last night...I can feel it. I don't feel I'm too tight, but definately would not want another fill until I lose some more weight and shrink the stomach more. I say that as I just downed two brownies...sheesh..I'm so undisciplined!! Shawn

Some people ingest air when they drink from straws, so straws are a no-no. But you may be using that as a reference point to say, if it has the consistency to go through a straw. I would talk to the Dr. He/she should be your first visit or phone call for any complications.

Hey all, I have a hard time going to the other thread.... Talking about clothing sizes. I am wearing a size 18. Was in a 20 when I started this journey. I would have thought that losing 45-47 pounds would put me down further in sizes, but alas, no. That kinda bums me out!! But I shall keep plugging away.

Hi Susan, I'm hit and miss on my exercise. I gotta get with it...I did better last week, but this week may not be so good...lots going on. I think your solutions to reflux sound pretty solid. I can't think of a thing I'd add. TTYL Shawn

I am almost 10 months post-op and rarely am hungry. I remember one time last month when my stomach actually growled...I was so surprised.

I have the vangard 10cc band. I was banded in January. When I got the band, the Dr put in 2 ccs at the time of surgery. After surgery, your stomach is swollen and that is why they usually don't put any saline in because basically you have restriction. I think there is a waiting time of about 6 weeks before a fill is considered. My impression is that the 10 cc band is used based on the stomach size or weight to be lost or something like that. I have had four fills. The first was 6 weeks or so after for 1 cc...the second was about another 6 weeks or so for 1cc's and the third was 2cc's and the last was 1. The intervals have been further in between. I think I am set where I am for a while as I do have restriction. With this fill, I have occasional PB's. I suspect when I lose more weight (I'm down 48 pounds) I will just need to add more saline as my stomach shrinks. At first I was dismayed at having this larger band..I was seeing dollar signs and a boat load of fills. However, I have come to think that my band is perfect for me because of the leeway I have in fills. When I need more help I can add some saline. I don't think that two months is bad, but maybe you can do one at 6 weeks or discuss it. You can still do well if the Dr. only fills every two months. You will have time to exercise your new eating habits.

What in the world are you doing posting at 2:41 am? Shift work? eeewww. Great job on the fitting in the old scrubs. I finally found some pants on Wednesday that I like. I have nothing of my old wardrobe that fits. We moved two years ago and I got rid of all my smaller sizes...guess I had given up at that time. Now I'm kicking myself.

Jeez Angyl...are you nutz? I wonder if you are even eating enough calories. Also, have you tried counting calories. If you're running that hard, I can't imagine that you're not losing some, but then again, you might be putting on muscle pounds so holding steady. The only time in my past life that I've lost weight is through running which I HATE! And I'm not gonna do it. I'm going to have to break the habit of coming here if we move to the monthly support group site. HOpefully I'm up to it.

Oh, one more thing...food choices. What I'm going to try to do, is the night(s) that my DH is on the road and I'm doing my own thing for dinner, I'm going to try to make it a very low calorie meal or just have a protein shake. He is only gone one night a week usually but this week its two. I was thinking that would shake up my calorie intake a during the week and maybe fool that darn ol' scale.

Angyl, when I was able to eat solids after banding, I did a small can of tuna packed in water and a half cup of soup. That was my mid-day meal. Dinners have always been a challenge, but I find that if I pay attention and plan ahead, AND use a salad plate instead of a dinner plate, it goes better for me. If I go home and am in a hurry and haven't thought ahead, I get into trouble. I don't know why for me this time, I'm able to get motivated again....I've never really, since banding, been without a measure of determination. I think that I feel an obligation that I've spent so much money on me, I'd better do my part as well. I also do a lot of self-talk...I remind myself how good I feel after a work out. I remind myself, when I haven't been good, how a pound down feels and I need to get with it. You know, I don't think you have to do a cardio blast to do cardio...go for a walk, walk stairs twice a day for 10 minutes, break it up....park farther away from the door. Try little things. I'm no where perfect on the exercise thing at all. I really struggle with it. I know, that when I get down further in weight tho, I will probably have to really get that part of this journey down. I can't think it will work otherwise for me. I have to say, tho, from your pictures, you're looking pretty terrific. I hesitate to say that because for me, a few compliments means I don't have to work as hard...but I think it needs to be said.

Hey there!! Sunshine, welcome back and sooo very sorry for your rough time. It seems to always dump in threes so maybe you will have clear sailing ahead. And I wouldn't worry about the 8 pounds...it will probably just fall off Sheri--everyone has their own journey in this lapband odessey. I know I've had to really work on my self-talk when I've not lost as fast as others, but..I've lost, so I hold onto that. It isn't a RACE!! I look at the longer it takes me gives me more time to address my eating issues and balance in healthy habits. Please, come here and share with us. We all can learn from each other. Sheila, I'm 13-14 pounds from onederland. I wonder if I can get that off by November as well? Then I still have 30-40 more to go...haven't truly decided where my "goal" weight will be. But it seems like you have the right attitude and you can do it. We just need to change our mindset!! I've done well the past three days....well, today is just starting. One thing I've pondered,....do you think alcohol relaxes the band or some part down there. I've had more PB issues yesterday..whew....on salad of all things, as squash. I think I was eating to fast, but the other idea just floated through. Lets Keep GOING

Hi Joy, Heritage Inn is at Fox Farm and 10th Avenue. Take the road from Havre into town and go straight across the river and continue (south) to 10th. Take a right and go till you cross another bridge (Warden Bridge). At the next light, take a left..and it's a block down on your right. Dr. Rohrer's office.. Go back out to 10th and take a right (you're headed east. After the first light (not at fox farm and 10th but the next one) get in the right hand lane and take the first right (it will be by Pro-lube) and go up the hill. About a quarter way up the hill (past the Holiday Inn on your left, will be the hospital and I think it is the first or second drive way in on your left. There is a sign with several names on it at the entrance. Shawn

I think, as with many of us, and most likely moreso with moms and NEW moms...it is hard to put yourselves first. I think it is time to balance life out and get your time in as well. I have struggled with this forever and this year...I've put myself and exercise first. I'm not terrific at it, but I just make it as much as I can. I get up early and just do it. I can't wait for someone to come with me or I have got to let some things go. You will have a lot more energy after you start working out. Probably will take a month. I drive my DH crazy...I get up at 5:30...so I can work out. There are no conflicts with things that HAVE to get done. You can do it!

Count me in!! I need some motivation and I'm reaching out. I hit the elipical for 30 minute of medium intensity and then did strength training, pushups/situps, etc. Goal...minimum of four times per week...formal exercise. More if my schedule allows it. No excuses. Goal #2...get more focused on eating properly and watch calories. Eliminate refined sugars (ahhh cookies) and more of the carbs I have been taking in.

Okay fellow January bandsters. I've been doing a bunch of self talk and hopefully that will get me going. Today, October 1...I'm changing my eating routine. I'm going to watch the carbs even more, stay away from refined suger, even more. I'm quitting alcohol except for special occasions...if then. I get a little to lax with my summer gin and tonics and now it is time for them to go. AND I'm kicking up the exercise. I've screwed around with these five pounds for WAY to long and it is time for them to go for good! I am going to make a decision about altering my clothes or donating them. I need to get something that fits one way or another. I have three pair of pants that fit and don't look dopey! I don't want to be one that will only lose 60%...I want to get to my goal and the only way I can do that is to get with it and not settle for what I've lost. It is a trap...I feel so good and can do so much more...but it isn't enough for me now. I have almost another 50 pounds to lose. So, I'd better get with it. How about you guys...are we gonna get that scale moving again? Are WE going to get moving again?

I was in law enforcement for 14 years then went back to college and became a social worker. Now I'm a clinical social worker with my own practice. I really enjoy it. And, it seems, I always have friends who are nurses!! Always. Sula

Since about a month after surgery, I haven't had those kind of gas pains. I do occasionally get a twinge of pain in my left shoulder but nothing like those darn gas pains..whew..those were rough. I do drink latte's out of straws and that is about it for me. I don't get much air in when I drink, but do get some and just burp away. And if I may be so crass...fart away in the afternoon. Thats my gas. I wonder if you're eating foods with more potential for gas...like broccoli or beans? Boy, was I stiff this morning from my strengh training!! How pathetic I've been hitting it hard today tho. Did all the yard work and been putting things away for the season. Dug up/pulled up my corn stalks..those things are buggers. Place looks nice, tho. HaVe you tried a heating pad on your shoulder? That worked for my other surgery gas.

Hey, we are almost a group now. I sometimes don't get the new posts but today I did and I had some reading to catch up with. Joy...did you get directions to Rohrer's office? Let me know and I'll get you there. I'm playing around with the same 3-4 pounds this month. I'm giving myself a talking to and going to get more serious starting tomorrow. I've been pretty active the past few days so that is good, but not eating quite right. I need to knuckle down. There is a girl/lady on the site who was banded in January and has lost almost 100 pounds and is almost at goal. She does "heavy cardio" and eats 600 calories a day. I understand the cardio part but I'm not that is enough calories. I'm probably cruising around 1500 and need to get it down to 1000. I hate counting calories, but I'm thinking that is the way to go.