LosingItAll

It has been a long time since I have posted, but I know the struggle and how much hearing success helps. I am 2 years out and although I have had many ups and downs I am proud to say that I have lost 110 lbs. I have an 11cc Realize lap band with 9cc in it. Getting the lap band was the best decision I ever made. I went from a size 24-26 to a 10 (actually fit into an 8 the other day!!!). I was a 14 in 8th grade and NEVER recall being less than that. I weigh 160 and am 5'10"... My life has changed forever.thank you to the bandsters out there who shared success and failuresand helped motivate me along the way!

Never in a billion years thought I would ever be "normal" weight... But I did it! I am 5'11" and weigh 150 and wear a size 8/10 now (from a size 24). I lost 123 pounds in 2.5 years, been maintaining for the last 6-8 months. Just wanted to share so others know that it can be done. No more insulin or other medications, no worry about fitting in air plane seats or roller coasters. There have been ups and downs and I still don't always recognize the person in the mirror but I would do it again in a heartbeat! Good luck to everyone in their journey...

Woot Woot! Just wanted to share my victory -- I NEVER thought I would ever weigh less than 200 pounds (I weighed 200 pounds in high school)!! I am 196 as of this morning -- what a blessing the lap band has been. It is not always easy, but it is totally worth it. It changed my life. I started at 270 pounds 10 months ago, I was on all kinds of medicine and diabetic -- seriously insulin resistant (requiring insulin injections 3 times a day) but last week my doctor took me off ALL OF MY diabetes medicine! I was a size 24/26 and now I am a 14! 75 pounds down and counting...

Is anyone out there interested in doing a clothing exchange or know of a place where I could put some clothes on consignment? I was a size 24/26 when I started nmy journey and am currently about a 14/16 so I have a TON of casual and professional attire that is piling up (i have suit jackets/pants, jeans (probably 10-15 pairs), blouses, nice dresses and skirts etc.)-- i hate to throw them out and it would be nice to get something for them in lieu of donating (especially since i have few clothes in a 14 and NOTHING in less then a 14). Does anyone out there want/need size 18/20/22/24 clothes? Does anyone want to get rid of their 16/14/12 clothes? Maybe we could work something out to do a clothing exchange with a bunch of us, so we can "bring something and take something"??? Anyone interested?

Personally, and I know not all will agree, but as long as you stay at 800-1000 a day, you will lose. So you can eat/drink anything that your band will tolerate. Dense food (steak etc) and carbs (noodles, rice, bread) are very hard for me to eat. Try to get 60-80 grams of Protein a day, 60-80 ounces of Water and 1000 calories or less and 3 hours of exercise a week and it will really start to come off (300 calories or less per meal is my goal, usually less in the AM when I am tighter). In the morning I try to get my protein in so I drink a chocolate premier Protein shake (buy at costco, only one I can tolerate) with coffee (160 calories, 30g of protein). Then for lunch, I will have a bown of Soup, lunch meat, chicken (200-300 calories -- in the begining I ONLY ate stuff I could tell how many calories I was getting, look at labels or menus with calories counts), then for dinner a piece of meat and some veggies (300 calories plus 30+ grams of protein). For Snacks look for protein bars/shakes (or maybe a few nuts but be careful not to eat too many).. but try not to snack at all if you can help it. Drink your water all day to keep you feeling full. good luck. I hope this helps.

Perhaps you should get counseling and talk to someone BEFORE you go through surgery to remove the lapband. If you can work through your emotional issues, perhaps you can use the lap band properly and work with it - and not abuse it. That said, I have had the lap band 8 months and understand what you say - there have been times when I thought that the lap band was a huge "gate way drug" to bulemia. I could NEVER throw up pre-band, just couldnt. Now if I eat the wrong thing, or too much it literally forces me to throw up. I am learning to not over eat and not eat the wrong things but it is hard. I think that we all struggle in our own way. I am sorry you have developed an eating disorder, but over eating is a disorder too - I would get counseling before you go through surgery again. best of luck to you.

I struggled with my weight my WHOLE life. I had realize band/lap band surgery on January 17, 2011 at age 28. I was ready for it and had health problems and had tried everything. This truly helped me to lose 65lbs (so far) but it isnt a miracle - you will have to be patient and work hard at watching your calories etc. I am glad I did it, and wish I would have done it earlier. You have to make the decision for yourself, but if you have really tried and are still struggling then maybe this is the tool that can really help you lose. I wish you the best!

sometimes carbonation can make you throw up... also it expands your stomach, which is why you are suppose to avoid it. I dont know where you are at in your journey, but when yhou have a lot of restriction you may be more sensitive to it. I used to be a diet coke addict, now one drink makes me puke. Litterally. Dont stress it. Just do the best you can to avoid alcohol and carbonation so you dont stretch out your pouch or consume too many calories.

Many of the youtube girls I follow call this phenomena "weekend fatgirl" - many of us (including myself) struggle with over-eating on the weekends. Dont beat yourself up, just keep working at it. I have the "lap band 10 commandments" and photos/reminders on the fridge/kitchen so when i go to eat something I shouldnt - i remember how good it feels to fit into a smaller size, to go walking and bike riding with my kids - and how good I feel about myself when I feel lighter. Check out youtube for ispiration, it helps me (try bandedwendy or newtoy4kt - both have lost over 100 pounds and have many inspirational videos).

Hopefully you found "it". I am at 5.5cc's in an 11cc realize band and I have no restriction yet... hoping my next fill will get me there - good luck! Thanks for the encouragement (knowing that it takes others multiple fills too).

I am almost 3 months post-op and I have 5cc's in an 11cc realize band - and I still have no restriction at all. I have been dieting and working out and working really hard am down about 45 pounds, but for the last month I seem to be gaining and losing the same 5 pounds and feel stagnant. I really look forward to finding restriction so I am not tempted and able to eat too many calories- how long did it take you to find good restriction and really start losing?? I could really use some motivation that this is actually going to happen/work as I am not sure I can do it on my own (without the band to help) and keep it off. Thanks in advance!

Thanks for all of the responses. I definately have NO restriction - just will power. I am sticking to my diet (including protein, water and calories count) as well as working out - I just wanted to hear from others on when you found restriction. Thanks for responding!

Nope. You gotta heal first. Then you go in for a fill. Some surgeons will add one or two cc's in the operating room but that doesnt seem too common. You are currently in what we refer to as bandster hell... because you are banded and on a strict diet but will feel hungry (and are technically capable of eating more than you should). Stick to your diet as much as possible, get your Protein (shakes are a great way to get added protein on your liquid/mushy diet - i still drink one every day for breakfast). Also, it may take months to find restriction even after you start getting fills. I have 5cc's in an 11cc Realize band and I have NO restriction - so I diet and get my protein and drink tons of Water (if I dont the scale doesnt move). Keep it up, it is worth it - but it will NOT always be easy.

I eat burgers occasionally (usually without bread) but now and then it is ok. Just make sure to chew well and take your time. I dont have restriction, so it is not that hard for me.. .but I still try. Good Luck!

I just watch calories... I aim for 1200 calories a day, 60 grams of protein and at least 60 ounces of water. I have 5cc's in an 11cc band, but still have NO restriction

Congrats! I hope to be there one day... We started at about the same weight, so it is ver motivational! Good job... keep us posted on your progress.

I am almost 3 months out - so not a pro by any means, but, my post op diet was only for 2 weeks. You want to follow the doctor the best you can - and make sure you are not eating out of boredom or head hunger (which is a big part of the transition period). But you are in "bandster hell" - no restriction and full hunger. It will get better, and youw will not ruin your band if you eat something with a little substance (oatmeal etc.) - also at this point I was able to move on to soft solids (not all doctors allow this). Here is the deal - you will need to diet until you get enough fills to find restriction (i have 5cc's in an 11cc band with NO restrictions); try to get your protein first (at least 60 grams per day), get all of your water in (at least 60 ounces) and stay under 1200 calories - and you WILL lose weight and you wont be hungry. I know that when I dont get enough protein or water the weight does not come off, and I am more hungry. Do the best you can - eventually it gets better, but it is not a miracle, you will always have to watch what goes into your mouth. Good Luck and best wishes!

I agree with some of the other comments - you need to find restriction before the band will really be working for you. I have 5 cc's in an 11cc band and NO restriction yet - so i diet and I work out, and the scale has moved, but it is slow. I really watch calories (no more than 1200 per day -- after restriction I hope to be at 8-900), I eat 60 grams of protein a day and at least 60 ounces of water. I have NEVER been able to lose weight before, so i am happy that I am going down - and not up. Keep working hard, drink your water and get your protein and watch your calories (i used my fitnesspal.com on my smart phone to track my cal/protein etc.). Also I get extra motivation from youtube (I like bandedwendy and newtoy4kt) and knowing other people have done it, getting their tips and knowing that everyone struggles and has ups and downs. You can do it. Keep up the good work, it WILL pay off...

Any tips or lessons learned that you can share? How many calories per day do you eat? How many grams of protein? How much water etc.? I am 2 months out and doing alright - but things have really slowed down. I have had one fill- but still no restriction - would love any tips.

I think head hunger is part physical, part mental -- really over eating for many is a habit. You eat bigger portions often and your body gets used to it and wants more and more food to "satisfy" you. Then you get used to the "full" filling and keep doing it as your routine. With the band it is important to slow down and start listening to your body, hear your body telling you that you are satisfied or full -- even if you want/can eat more or desire to have more. I am only 2.5 months post op (down about 43 lbs) and I still struggle a bit. The lapband is not a miracle - you have to be dedicated and work hard (watch your calories, fat, carbs, protein, water intake etc.) and until you reach restriction (i have no restriction yet) you have to do it on your own will power (that is why it is often referred to as "bandsters hell"). Also, I know bypass and some of the other procedures are supposedly (according to my doctors) at helping with the "head hunger" - do some research to figure out what procedure is best for you. Good luck to you and congrats on your decision to have a better life.

You should be able to wet them, just not submerge them. Call your doc to double check - but I have had several surgeries in the past few years and that is always the case. Those strips could take a month or more to come off (depending on the type) - you can NOT go that long without a shower.

congrats! Thats really amazing, any tips on how you lost so much so quickly? How much fill do you have? Did you lose much more quickly when you found restriction? I am 9 weeks post op and down 40 pounds so far, but I am strictly dieting (1200 calories, 60+ grams of Protein, and 70+ ounces of Water per day) it has been tough -- I am hoping after my next fill I get some restriction to make it easier. I lost the first 30 pounds very quickly and the last 10 has been very tough - I am hoping the next 70 isnt so hard. Any tips or advice? Thanks!

Reverie...No need to be rude. Your arrogance is offensive... not sure what makes you smarter than my doctors, nutritionists and dieticians - I just added it as something to consider - not dictating.

Congrats on your success on getting over your plateau - way to work through it and follow your doctors advice! I just wanted to mention that I have been told eating more than about 60-70 grams of Protein a day can cause you to HOLD onto the pounds. My doctor and nutritionist say that too much protein can trick your body into thinking you are trying to gain weight (as in body builders etc.), I think the formula is your weight divided by 2.2 -- and that is your "goal" of protein intake. You may want to ask your doctor about this - or just try it and see if it helps you lose more.