Purpleshell

I can't wait to have this problem congratulations!

My Dr. gave me a cuppa in hospital after I burst into tears. It was heaven! I've been drinking it every morning ever since and it hasn't affected me at all. I'm down over 60 lbs in 16 weeks! I'm sticking to my morning coffee!

I've just heard about the Lotte Berk Technique and how it apparently burns fat and shapes muscles during the workout to get "the body of a dancer" Has anyone tried this? Its meant to be like Madonna's new fitness regime Barre 3- which I'd never heard about before either. There's a lot of abdominal exercises involved and I am wondering how that goes with the lap band. I've had the band now for just over 3 months and haven't done much exercise other than walking. Any info would be appreciated.

So it looks like I'm going to answer my own post I've just got back from the Lotte Berk workout and I feel exhausted! It was amazing and there was no sweat involved! I feel like every muscle in my body has been worked on. I guess that's what happens when you haven't exercised properly for years. lol I will go again (once I'm able to walk properly) and hopefully see a difference soon and start seeing those long lean thighs that Lotte Berk or the Barre methods talk about

I voted for you! Good Luck and let us know if you win.

I'm finding that the numbers on the scale going down don't match my size in clothes going down. I've just gone down another size however the scales didn't move. Also that same week everyone noticed I had lost more weight-even though I hadn't on the scale! It seems like my body shapes changes a few weeks later. Well done on your loss so far and you'll notice a big difference in your clothes soon.

How did you know you had reached your sweet spot? I've had 2 fills. I'm now at 5.5 in a 10 cc band. The last fill has been quite challenging for me. It seemed fine the first week. I noticed the restriction but coped well and lost a few pounds quickly, but then the second week was so much harder as I was sliming and threw my food back up quite often. I seem to be better now and make sure I chew, chew, chew but can only eat small amounts at one time eg: 1/2 - 1 cup of food, can't eat a full apple and depending what I eat get hungry again 2-3 hours later. I'm losing weight still which is fantastic but I feel dizzy after bending down and then standing back up and not sure if I'm getting enough calories. Maybe my body is just adjusting to the limited amount of food- I don't know?! What are your experiences and how did you know you had reached your sweet spot?

That is wonderful Vicki! I'm exactly the same. I never saw myself as the huge person I had become. I never looked at myself in a full length mirror and avoided cameras. When i did see a photo of myself I cringed and couldn't believe it was me. Now I look forward to seeing the changes and braving the camera shots I know I still have a long way to go, but I'm enjoying myself and my new lease on life and can't believe that it was only 3 months ago that I was banded and a different person. Even my boss at work commented on the new me- my attitude and my regained confidence. I love it! Keep up the great work!

That is fantastic news Loralee! I can't wait to be only overweight I'm nearly there with only about 17 pounds to go! I'm loving the band and so happy I made the decision to get it. I'm self pay and my husband mentioned to me the other day that it was a great investment for the family as I'm back to my old self! I didn't realize how much of a grumpy person I'd become! Go and buy those jeans and enjoy your anniversary!

Hello Everyone! Just a quick check in. I haven't had time to be online or read everyones comments but what I have read is fantastic. Everyone is doing a great job. After my first fill back in Jan, I lost 5 kilos almost immediately and then nothing for the next month-6weeks. My Dr agreed to a second fill and added another 2cc's. I was in so much pain in my back and couldn't even sip Water. So he removed .5cc's and I was fine again. (I'm at 5.5cc's in total now) I have really good restriction now and have had many stuck episodes like others from eating too fast . I've lost nearly another 5 kilos with this fill and this time it feels different and much tighter so I am hopeful that I will continue to lose the recommended .5-1 kg per week and not need another fill for a long time. I'm really happy with my weight loss so far and so is the Dr. but of course I want MORE! I need to start exercising properly. I'm only exercising by walking to the local Mall to buy smaller clothes- I need to join the gym! Keep up the great work and I'll try to get online more often to see everyones great results and to remember I'm not alone in this journey.

Oh beergut that's not fair! I'm watching everything I put in my mouth and not losing at the moment. I must start seriously exercising but just don't have the time at the moment. Working full time, two little ones and studying when I'm not chatting on here keeps me really busy. I don't have time to fit in a workout, but will try as soon as I send in my next assignment. I've been trying the eggs in the morning and have given up the protein shakes. I'm feeling fuller for a bit longer and not so hungry at work. I'm now taking my breakfast to work with me instead of trying to eat it so early. I'm not hungry in the mornings since getting the band which is great and really don't know why I was having that shake before leaving the house- habit I suppose. I am finding I have quite a bit of restriction and it hurts if I eat too quickly, but I'm still able to eat quite a bit of food before feeling satisfied. I always eat my protein first too. I'm a bit concerned about the second fill now. I want it so I can eat less, but scared that it will hurt when eating. I only have 2 weeks to go before the next fill. Time is flying by!

Thanks for the tips! I do not see a Nut or really get much support at all over here. I go for my fills, have a chat with the Dr and that's about it. So I'm really doing this on my own and with the help of all of you- so THANK YOU!! I will try and eat eggs in the morning. I was told by my Dr that eggs are hard to digest and that I should have scrambled eggs. I'm not fussed on them scrambled so haven't been bothered, but I will try them again. Is 2 eggs too many? I guess I should wait and see how I feel when eating them. Amyloveslou- I haven't had a problem with salad and lettuce seems to be one of the easier things to eat. I use it as a wrap for my deli meat. I'm no longer keen on tomatoes though. I used to eat at least 1 tomato a day and now I just eat cucumbers and lettuce- Yum!

I lost around 8 pounds in one week after my first fill and then nothing! I noticed a big difference after the fill for about a week and now I feel no difference. I'm being careful and watching what I eat as I feel I could eat a lot more than I should or need. I think I might be having too much liquid (protein shakes) and not enough real food too. I am really hungry (stomach growling) within 2 hours of eating. I don't have much time in the morning and rush to work. I grab a protein shake on my way out and usually hungry not long after (within a hour). I will try to have a proper breakfast this week and see if it makes a difference. I'm hoping that the length of time between feeling hungry is less with the next fill and will last longer than a week. I'm really happy with my weight loss- I just want MORE lol

I was given a week off. I had my gall bladder out at the same time and felt fine around day 4-5. I just made sure I didn't bend too much and stuck to my liquid diet. It was a bit hard trying to explain my liquid diet to work colleagues, however I told them my Dr wanted me to lose weight and had put me on a strict diet to kick start my weight loss. Christmas luncheons were a bit tricky too I survived though and have managed to keep it a secret from them all so far.

Mine was 1 calendar month exactly I go back for the second fill in another months time. I lost most of my weight in the first 2 weeks and stayed the same until my fill. I've started to lose again and hope it continues for the whole month this time and not just 2 weeks. My follow up visit was just to look at the incisions and to make sure they were healing properly.

I'm working through this one as well. I never realized how much my life revolved around food until being banded. My idea is to reward myself with clothes/shoes/accessories instead of food. Instead of meeting my friends for coffee and cake, I'll meet them to buy a new dress or something. I'm already enjoying clothes shopping so much more than before and I've only been banded for 6 weeks. I'm down a dress size or two and don't feel so embarrassed to walk into a normal size womens shop, even though I still need to go for the larger sizes. It feels good not be in the shop that only sells for the larger women I still have a long way to go, but its exciting and I'm enjoying the way I feel. I might end up with no money in my bank account by the end of each month but I'm going to look fantastic in my new wardrobe

I'm only using what works well for me based on previous diets. Protein first, little carbs (only wholegrain if any), vegetables, low sugar fruits and low fat /skim dairy No sugar or added sugar and no 'white products" like rice, bread, Pasta etc. Its working for me so far and I won't track anything formally until I'm at a standstill. I treat myself occasionally (glass of red, low gi cookie) and do not feel guilty about it either. I'm learning to keep my portions small and to keep track of how I feel when eating. Usually I just continue eating everything on my plate and then my kids, just for the sake of it. Its a huge learning curve for all of us and I think we need to use what works well for us individually and if that doesn't work try something else.

I lost 22 lb in the first 2 weeks and then it stopped and went up and down a lb until I had my first fill. After the fill I've now lost nearly another 9lb in one week. I'm loving it and can't believe its actually happening. I just hope it doesn't stop again and that I don't end up too flabby with all the extra skin! Well done on your weight loss- its fantastic!

Oh how exciting! I didn't think I'd meet someone online who was also had the same surgeon, especially when living in this part of the world. They thought you were crazy going to Dubai hey?! I too would have been a bit nervous on my own but Dubai is great. The Dr's there seem to be great (much better there than out of town where I live) and Dr. Basha is very confident and has done many lapbands. We might not get the support that all the others are receiving in the US, like support groups, nutritionist etc. but at least the Dr. is only a phone call away and we have this forum to learn from others. I've learned so much from everyone here- its fantastic! How is it in Iraq? Who will give you your first fill? Dr. Basha did mine and it was not under x-ray (or whatever they call it) like many others have spoken about on here. He felt my stomach, located the port, have me push my tummy up so my muscles were clenched and injected the 2.5 cc's. It was all over in less than a couple of minutes and painless. He then made me drink 2 glasses of water and boy was it different. I noticed the restriction immediately. I wasn't allowed to leave until I had finished both glasses of water without any difficulties, otherwise he was going to remove .5cc's. By the second glass of water I was fine again and a week later I've started losing again which I'm happy about. I'm gathering there won't be any fancy equipment over there when doing your first fill either. How long will you be or have you been in Iraq? Are you back at work full time?

OK I tried to reply to Strategicblue but I obviously did something wrong! Hi Strategicblue, you were banded on my birthday and also in the same city as me! I had my surgery in Dubai too! I work and live nearby but from Australia. Who was your Dr? Mine was Dr. Basha. I haven't met anyone online that has been banded in Duabi or the UAE. My experience was good too, just the 3-4 days of gas pain. I ended up with a rash around my incisions, but I think it was from the vitamin e oil or plasters. Your rash could be from the anesthetic too?! I didn't even know where my port was until my first fill. I now notice it more and still have a red mark (small rash)over the top of the port since the fill. Its not causing pain, so I'm not worrying about it as this time. When do you go back to Iraq? Great to see another bandster on here from this part of the world!

Wow!! Its great that many of you aren't needing a fill. You're obviously doing a great job without it. I don't think my Dr would even consider not giving a fill. I get the impression he believes the "magic" starts after the fill and I guess it has for me, but now I'm concerned that I'm losing too fast. Already I feel like my arms are getting very flabby. My scales and the Dr's scales are always off a bit, and mine can read lighter if I stand a certain way , but from his scales to mine it says I've lost 4kg this week (8.8 pounds) after my first fill. I have a total of 4.5 cc's in my band. 2 at surgery plus 2.5 last week. Don't get me wrong, I love the fact that I'm losing but worried I'm going to end up in a pile of loose skin. My surgery was 6th Dec, so 6 weeks ago and I've already lost 15 kilos (33 pounds) plus the 3 kilos before surgery. I will see if it slows in the next couple of weeks as I'm due for another fill early Feb. I will just call my Dr and say I don't one if I keep losing at this rate. I'm eating very well, just small amounts and get really hungry about every 3 hours. I went out last night with friends and ordered grilled chicken with salad. I was starving by the time it arrived and ate my first piece of chicken too fast and it got stuck. It was so painful! I quickly made an excuse to go to the bathroom and walked around for a while. I then pretended that I had something go down the wrong way. No one knows I've been banded so it was hard making up excuses. It then took me nearly an hour to eat part of my meal whilst everyone else had finished well before me. I will be more careful next time that's for sure. Keep up the great work everyone! I love reading all our experiences especially our successes in finally losing weight!

I paid for my first fill and it cost me $150. I was annoyed as my Dr told me the price I paid for the lapband surgery would cover all my fills for the first year. Apparently he will give me the next one for free !?! I live overseas, so not sure how much you will end up paying. My surgery ended up costing over $8,000 and I was given the option to pay in 2 installments. I get the impression you only need around 3-4 fills to get to your sweet spot, but would love to hear from someone else regarding this who has experience. Thank goodness the band is working for me and I am losing as it has cost me a lot of $.

I have no idea if your port is infected, but for the outside incisions you could try tea tree oil. Tea tree oil kills bacteria and fungus on the skin especially those resistant to antibiotics. Its amazing stuff and all natural. I've used in on my incisions and they are healing very nicely. We us it for loads of thing in Australia.

No! Its painless. Just the prick at the beginning is like the normal shot and then no pain. I thought it would be like a normal shot too and was waiting to feel the liquid go in- but nothing! I heard or could feel the pressure of the needle tapping into the port but no pain. Afterwards is weird though. With my first sip of water I could feel the difference. It felt like I had a lump in my throat and very tight in the chest. It also felt like I was swallowing air bubbles. By the second cup of water it was fine. I'm noticing today the same thing. The first couple of sips are weird and then its fine. When is your first fill booked?