newlifekp

I have been so bad since November in checking in with any support groups. The good news is, I guess, I didn't gain anything. But like others, I haved been hovering around the same 5 pounds for 3 months. Grr...I have had a hard time getting back into the exercise routine. Before December, I faithfully went every day during my lunch at work. Now, I am averaging once a week. I am sure that is not helping my case! I am pretty tight - almost banded at the max. Things for sure do not stay down most of the time, unless it is a slider food. I am so torn between getting an unfill, so I can eat my protein (chicken was my go-to before) and staying tight so I can try to lose. I am going to Vegas next week. That should interesting since I can't eat anything until evening for the most part...and then lucky if I keep it down. I guess that leaves more time and money for shows and slots :-) I am down abut 70 lbs, and keep flirting with 199, but then go up 2 or 3 lbs. So ready to get that goal!

I am down 65 lbs., another 60-70 to go. I really want to be under 200 by Thanksgiving. My surgeon gave me the goal of under 200 by next appointment in early Feb. I don't think so!! I want to be at least 25 lbs less!! No real problems to speak of, normal some-days-I-can-eat-anything and some-days-I-can-eat-nothing. I am close to being filled fully, so I don't really want to think about that.... I love buying clothes in the regular department and sexy boots!

I was banded on Dec. 27, 2010 and I have lost 65 lbs.

I was banded on Dec. 27, 2010 and I have lost 65 lbs.

7 days and I felt fine!

Hallelujah!

I use Calorieking.com religiously. Everything I put in my mouth gets logged. Also track exercise. My surgeon (who is not a bariatric patient) uses it as well...which I did not know when I started using it. Love it!

Dave, I know what you mean. I find myself thinking 'I wonder if they know about the lap-band?'. It almost feels evangalical - like I want to preach to them.

This is exactly where I am!!! The whole bouncing around in those10 lb ranges is so frustrating. I don't know if it is so noticable because the '10's' are easy to frame goals around, or what. I can still wear my size 18 pants (and still wear 20 dress pants to work, because I don't want to buy any other sizes yet). I just roll the waist bands a couple of times and hike them up every once in a while. I have bought a few L regular womens shirts and I am so happy - cheaper too!

I see there are a lot of views, but no one has replied to your question. I suspect it is because there was not very much information provided about why your doctor said 'bad idea'. There could be a lot of reasons a surgeon would be hesitant to re-band you - Were non-compliant the first time? Is there physical damage to your stomach or other area? Any other specific reasons he gave? I would always recommend a second opinion if you don't agree with ANY docotor (or, sometimes, even if you do agree). But you will have to provide your medical history and the reasons why the first doctor made whatever recommendation he did. Good luck with whatever path you choose!

I love reading all of your posts! I have stayed away (subconsciously, at first) because I was feeling so depressed that my scale is not moving. Or to be more exactl, it is moving - up and down with the same 3-4 pounds). I am so sick of it, but I know that I am going over the 1200 calories I know I need to keep it to daily. I am happy (not for you, but for me) to know that I am not the only one 5 months out that is having the same struggles. And it is a good reminder that because someone has a great victory, like losing 50 lbs, it is not reflective of my goals, because they may have had more to lose. My BMI is down, I bought my first pair of Buckle jeans that makes my teenage daughter crazy because her mom is wearing 'trendy' jeans. But then this weekend, I was wearing an older pair of plain jeans that are too big for me, but of course are super-comfortable and she asked me why wasn't I wearing my Buckle jeans that look nice! I am at 8cc in my 14cc band. I don't want another fill - I am so afraid of being at the max fill level and not losing -soooo scary! I get stuck every 3 days or so, I know when I eat too fast. I have discovered that I can't eat grilled food - not chicken, hamburger, turkeyburgers. Just too dry. That was disappointing. I was hoping I would be able to eat anything, in small portions! Thanks again to everyone for sharing your ups and downs. It is so helpful and I have to remember that and not be afraid to come on to the board because I am frustrated. Good luck and great job to EVERYONE! Kristen

I am not from Western Nebraska, but I live in south central Nebraska and had my surgery in Kearney. It was the first one at Good Sam, and the first one for Dr. Merz in Kearney. I am so glad he started doing surgeries here, so we don't have to go to Scottbluff or Omaha/Lincoln. Not so much for the surgery, but for follow up. I know part of the reason he decided to start doing lapband procedures is because of the lack of follow up for banders in this area. So, Hi from a fellow Nebraskan anyway!

I have a couple of comments: You said you have not found a single food you can't eat - but your tag said you should still be on a restricted diet for another couple of weeks at least. Are you eating what is on your diet? That really has nothing to do so with your question, but caught my eye. Second, I agree with the above poster. Your expectations are unrealistic in the long run. You will lose weight much more quickly the month or so after surgery. After stabilization, you should strive for the 1-2 pounds. That is the amount shown to be consistent with good long term results. I normally can eat 1 egg and 1 or 2 pieces of bacon once in a while. But for breakfast, I usually have a Carnation no-sugar added drink. Makes my morning choice much easier. Good luck!

Uggg..gained 7 lbs on vacation. Down 3 lbs in the 3 days I have been home, so I am hoping by the end of the weekend I will be back where I was before I left! I am starting to panic about the whole "40% of your excess weight" and "50 lbs lost is the norm" generalizations. That is where I am now almost after only 4 months and I am not willing to let it be only this much. The weight gain on vacation really scared me. I know why I gained it - eating bread (for the first time since surgery) and ice cream twice. I KNOW BETTER. I keep repeating to myself "it's done, nothing you can do about it now, move on to today, it's a fresh start". I didn't get a fill at my last visit a week and a half ago because I was down 10 lbs., and getting stuck once a week or so. Now, I am thinking it is time...good thing I anticipated it and made my appointment for 3 weeks out. So I get to go next week and maybe get a .5 or 1cc fill. BTW...great job Jess - 100 pounds is AMAZING no matter how you slice it!!!!!

Usually means I have eated too fast, eaten something that is going to disagree with my band that day or just plain too much!

I hope it goes well tomorrow, either way. I feel for you and what a tough position you must be in.

Hi all! Just had my dr. appt this morning - down another 10 lbs (well really 13, except it is that TOM and add 3 lbs back from a couple of days ago!). But I am happy and my surgeon is happy - so no fill for me this time! How many fills have you all had? 3 How many cc's are in your band? 7 What kind of band & what size is it? Realize, 11CC Do you feel like you are at your sweet spot? Yes, for now. Possbily could use .25 or .5cc fill in 3 weeks or so, we'll see!

Breakfast Carnation Instant Breakfast lunch Blackened chicken salad (greens, 5 oz blackened chicken, parmesan cheese, ranch dressing), may add some croutons as a treat Snack (only if I feel hungry) 1 Babybel cheese dinner (running kids, so likely fast food) Cup of chili (Fiber, protein) yogurt parfait (w/ fruit and granola) possibly chicken strip (if I feel lucky)

That kind of brought tears to my eyes! Awesome!!!

I can repeat several of the others NSV's! 1. Went shopping this weekend and bought several things in the regular women's department, not 'woman'. Wearing XL shirts now, all the dresses in the plus sizes were too big. 2. Clothes are cheaper in the regular department - saved $4 at Kohl's on the same exact shrug, only in a smaller size (and it fits better!) 3. Feel better all around. 4. Haven't had soda since surgery and feel most proud of that. 5. Smile a lot more, because I know I look better. 6. Easier to make good food choices when it doesn't look so hopeless. Kristen

Congratulations on the first step for the rest of your life! Pre-surgery: Follow your doctors pre-surgery orders (diet, etc.). It helps him during the actual operation. Post-surgery: Remember that the liquid diet doesn't last forever (even though it feels like it!). That was the hardest part for me. Weight-loss: Really good the first couple of weeks after surgery, of course. I personally stabilized to 1 - 1.5 pounds a week after the first month. It feels slow after the inital 'big bang', but it is the best for long term success. Good luck!

Wow..I didn't know that some doctors kept the needle in while you drank the liquid. Mine doesn't -- and I think I am happy about that! Good luck! It sounds like the right thing to do now to check the band under flouroscopy to make sure everything is where it is supposed to be. I hope it goes well for you!

Chloe, I am so excited and proud of you! What a great job. I also find if I plan out my food ahead of time and journal everything that goes into my mouth, I can keep the calories down. (I really resisted journaling in the pre-band, diet world, but go figure....it really works!) I had plateaued pretty much all of Feb, but I got some extra motivation at a support group meeting last Thursday and have lost 4 or so pounds in the last few days. I am a very competitive person by nature, and meeting 2 other patients that my surgeon has done in the last few weeks (I was his first lapband) made me super competitive suddenly. That, and he threw in the comment that the patient he did the same day as me came in that day and lost 10 lbs....I think he was trying to motivate me and it worked. He's only done 4 procedures now, so I will need to stay focused :-). I want to be the poster child Great job!! Kristen

I also have it (only I also had constant UTI's). My urologist did a cystoscopy last year. It did help, but omg, it hurt more than my lapband surgery! The cystoscopy is where the dr. takes 3 progressively larger tubes and stretches out the urinary tract to ensure the bladder empties completely every time. It only takes about 60 seconds, but ouch! He asked me at my 6-month follow up how I felt - I said good (even though I didn't feel as good as a couple of months before) because I was afraid he would do it again, and I was right. He said he was suprised because most women need to have it done twice to get permanent relief. I know I should have it done again (because I really did feel so much better for about 4-5 months) and I have had a couple of UTI's in the last 4 months, but the constant pressure and uncomfortableness hasn't quite changed my mind yet. AND if I do it again, I am getting pain killers and relaxants first!

I feel a tenderness or hardening of my port site, especially after: I have a 'stuck' episode (whether it comes back up or not) Sometimes when I sleep on my left side When I slouch Whenever it feels like it From what I read, it seems like this will be a fairly common occurance for the duration. After all, it is a foreign body attached to muscle. I would only be concerned if the pain level jumps from 'uncomfortable' to 'really hurts'!