Shelley64

I was so glad to read your post. I am in the exact same boat. I was banded on 1/11/11 and I've only lost 30 lbs but I've lost a lot in inches. I too was a 2x top (20/22) and now wear a rebular XL. My pant size was an 18/20 and now I'm a 14/16. It's weird. The scale just won't budge!!! I'm frustrated because I'm doing and hour of Zumba 4 days a week and I'm really working on keeping my calorie intake around 1200-1300 per day. I ate probably 2500-3000 calories a day before the band and the only exercise I got was walking to the refrigerator! I'm still so glad I had this done but I'm beginning to wonder if the scale is ever going to go down. I've had a few fills....I think I'm at 7 cc's and I go back again the middle of August. I know I have good restriction because I can get stuck easily if I'm not extremely careful on how fast I eat or swallow too big of a bite. Maybe I need an un-fill.............. I'm glad I'm not in this boat alone!

We are all afraid of failing because we've failed in the past. Any of us that have tried every diet in the world is hoping in the back of their mind that ...maybe this is the one thats going to work or this is the piece of exercise equipment that's giong to do the trick. It's normal to feel this way. Having the band is not a "miracle" cure, it takes time and effort but it's so worth it. I'm only 6months into the journey and I've only lost 30 lbs BUT I would have never been able to accomplish this on my own. i always said...if I could just eat less I know I could lose the weight. I'm eating less and I'm losing weight. I'd love to lose faster but that's just how my body works. You need to get the book titled Band Wagon. It was written by a lady that had the band and she breaks it down step by step. It's a great read, funny and very informative. I read it a month or so ago and wished I had read it before my surgery. I felt I was a very educated patient but I assumed that I would just start losing weight right away because I'm eating a fraction of the calories I consumed before the band. Well it doesn't necessarily work that way. Our bodies are really smart so it thinks you're starving. All those years of dieting and gaining gets you messed up. Another thing you have to consider are the non-scale victories. In just 3 months, my blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol and triglycerides were down by huge amounts. That in itself for me is an enormous victory! Get the book, you'll love it!

Oops....I meant frustrated BUT moving on....(slight typo)

I'm doing Zumba 3-4 nights a week but the stupid scale has not budged in weeks! I was a slow loser before the band BUT I ate like a cow and didn't exercise at all. It doesn't make sense that I'm not losing a ton of weight when I'm eating half of the calories I used to and I'm exercising 3-4 days a week. I know it's good for me and I know my lab numbers will improve again when I go back to my primary doc in a couple months but I want to lose weight on the scale!!! I've only lost 30 lbs in 6 months. My surgeon is very pleased with my progress but I'm not. I'm going to try to lower my calories to 1000 and see if that and the continued Zumba makes a difference. Frustrated by moving on..................

Congratulations on your wonderful success! I love going to the success story forum once in a while to see someones post who has reached their goal and are loving life! I'm almost 6 months out and have really learned alot about myself in the journey so far. I was a slow loser before the band and I'm still a slow loser. I guess I have an efficient metabolism even though it makes me mad! I've lost 30 lbs which isn't a ton but I look and feel so much better. My lab numbers have improved as well. I'm doing Zumba 3 times a week which I never thought I could accomplish. I have learned that the only way I'm going to lose weight successfully and keep it off is going to be based on the effort I am willing to put in. The band helps me eat less but it doesn't keep me from grazing or making poor food choices. Again, congratulations on your success. Keep posting from time to time to keep others motivated! Have an awesome summer!

Wow! Way to go girl!

On the big day I think this will be the least of your worries! I was a nervous, scared mess the morning of. I seriously almost bolted at the elevators to day surgery. Thank God my husband was there to calm me down. After I got in there and got my gown and they started doing iv lines, etc I got some happy juice and I don't remember anything after that. I barely remember the ride home. It's kinda like having a baby....nothing they haven't seen before!

Everyone has given you great advise. I felt I was a very educated patient going into this and I assumed that just by having the band on my stomach that I would magically start losing weight. Well.....this is a slow process. I'm 5 months out and I've only lost 30 lbs but my doctor is tickled pink with my progressive. I just went in yesterday and I lost 5 lbs since my last fill (end of May) and they couldn't be more pleased with my results. I was feeling a bit down because I think I should be losing more weight. I started with a bmi just under 40 and I was an extremely slow loser before the surgery. Now, my clothes and how they fit....totally different story. I've gone from a pant size 20w to a 14w or 16w depending on the garment. I've gone from a 2x top to a 0x. My shoes are too big (not really where I wanted to lose it...ha ha) My lab numbers in just 3 months we so much improved...blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar. Slow journey but well worth the trip. Don't get caught up on the number on the scale. It will take a couple fills before you get into a real zone of steady weight loss. Get the book titled Bandwagon. Excellent read for new bandsters!

I drink 1-2 of coffee each morning. There are 2 doctors that perform the surgery at the hospital I went to. I went to two separate education classes that each of them put on. I liked both of them but the one guy is not a coffee drinker himself so he pretty much bans coffee. The doc I chose doesn't have a hang up about coffee so he was the guy for me. I love everything about coffee....the smell, the sound of it brewing, the taste!!! I did wean myself off pre-op because I figured I probably wouldn't feel like coffee post op and I know what a terrible headache I get when I don't have it. I eased myself back into 1-2 cups in the am.

[I would highly recommend the book "Bandwagon". You can get it on Amazon.com for like $25 and it's an excellent book. The lady who wrote it had lap band surgery and she really give you a step by step of everything from deciding on surgery to life after the band. She talks about fills, how much, how little.....how to eat, getting stuck, not getting stuck, results/no results. It's an easy read and it's full of great info. I'm 5 1/2 months out and I've only lost 30 lbs. I've got 6 or 7 cc's in a 14cc band but it's different for everyone. I will take a while for you to get to the right spot and then you'll still have to have adjustments as you lose weight and your body (stomach) changes. I thought I had researched the band in great detail but this book has taught me so much and I'm not half way through yet. Good Luck!

It's going to take some time to get the right fill. Don't get too discouraged. I just got the book "Bandwagon" and it has been so helpful. It's really a map for lab band. The lady who wrote the book had it done and she shares her trials and tribulations. I'd really recommend it. I considered myself a person who really did a lot of research but there are things in this book that I didn't know but are really making sense to me. Good Luck going forward!

The big stinker! Makes you wonder why people say stuff sometimes...... You should just totally forget father's day this weekend (I'm hoping you guys have kids) and then when he asks why you didn't get him a card/gift just say "I was too flabby to go out and get one!" Hopefully he realizes what he said and give you a genuine apology. Keep your chin up!

I cheated during the first week of my pre-op diet. That is when I was the most hungry. I cheated with protein so I didn't feel as bad. I had some cottage cheese once and I had some greek yogurt another time. The second week and the final days of clear liquids actually got easier. The morning I checked in to the hospital, the nurse asked me if I was starving. At that point I was so nervous and anxious that I couldn't think straight but I told her that it hadn't been as bad as I thought. She said she hears that more often than not. Something happens when you're kind of in starvation mode and it must turn those hunger signals off. Strange. Anyway, move forward and dont' look back. Do they best you can between now and surgery and you'll be fine. I myself will NEVER EAT JELLO AGAIN!!!! ha ha

I ate things like yogurt and cottage cheese 10-12 days post op as well as my protein shakes. I think your mouth just wants something with some texture. You proably don't have any fluid in your band yet or if you do, it's probably only a couple cc's. At this point, don't be concerned with the scale moving. I was banded on 1/11/11 so I'm just 5 months out. I assumed that I would automatically start losing 1-2 lbs a week just by having the band put on. I did a ton of research prior but you just don't know what to really expect until it's happening to you. I didn't lose more than a pound or two from my surgery date to my first fill. My doctor was totally ok with that because you really do have to heal up on the inside. After my first fill, I lost a few pounds but nothing monumental. This fill process is really about finding what is right for you individually so it's somewhat of a trial and error thing. You also have to experiment with foods so you know what things you can tolorate and what you can't. Each fill brings new challenges. Don't get caught up seeing the scale move. It's frustrating but you will get there. Make sure you take your measurements! This is where I've seen the majority of my results as well as my blood panel numbers. I've lost 31 lbs in 5 months but I've gone from a pant size 20w to a 14/16w. Top size 2x to a 0x in a fashion bug/dress barn type store. My fasting blood sugar went from 176 to 134 so it's all good. Another thing is exercise. Let me say, I truly hate exercise but walking is something I could do. I tried to get out 3-4 times a week for at least a 1/2 hour but with a rainy spring, it made it a challenge. I wasn't ready to join a gym and have to work out in front of all the hard bodies, not to mention my fitness level was really low. Walking helped build up my stamina a little and gave me some confidence. Last month, I decided to try a Zumba class. The class has lots of different shapes, sizes, ages and fitness levels so I felt really comfortable. I didn't die but I was sweating like crazy. I now know what an endorphine feels like....I didn't think I had any endorphines. We all want results right now and I'm no different. I keep thinking I should have 50 lbs off by now but I have to remember I was a slow loser before the band so that's just how my system works. At the same time though, I'm getting constant compliments of how good I'm looking so that's a nice reward too. Good Luck!

Let's face it, we're all food addicts or we wouldn't be in this boat! First of all, this really is a journey and it's kinda slow. I was banded on 1/11/11 and I figured that I would just start losing 1-2 lbs a week right off the bat. I didn't really grasp the whole "fill" thing and finding the right amount. I couldn't figure out why I wasn't losing tons of weight because I was eating considerably less than before. The scale didn't move a lot but the inches did. It's not as easy to self sabotage because the stuck feeling just isn't worth it for me. But, I've been in a mood or had pms or whatever and just wanted to stuff myself silly with food but simply couldn't do it because it hurts and I don't want to ruin my band. I've learned alot about myself this past few months but I still struggle with food issues. Just because you get the band doesn't mean "you're cured". I think that's what non-banded people think so they don't get it. I've only told my immediate family and 1 friend who lives in another state. I don't want people judging or watching my every move. This is the best thing I've ever done for myself but it's not easy. I think about food pretty much all of the time but I'm making exellent healthy choices and I'm eating less. I always said, "if I could just eat less and be happy" I know I could lose weight. I'm down about 30 lbs which I could have never done on my own. I also started doing Zumba 2 nights a week. I'm terribly out of shape from a cardivascular standpoint but I can do it! When you lose some weight, your clothes get smaller, people start to comment on how you look....the pieces just start falling into place and you want to do better. One day at a time...... Shelley

I have Federal BCBS and my surgery was about $21,000. They paid all but about $3000. I am so fortunate that insurance covered this as so many carriers don't.

That is awesome! I hope to be posting a similiar email next week. I'm just hovering around 202-204 but am so excited to get a number with a 1 at the beginning! My birthday is next Tuesday and I couldn't ask for a better present than to step on my scale on Tuesday morning and have it be 199 or less!!!! Keep up the excellent work!

I am so happy this went well for you. That has to be such a relief and weight off your shoulders....no pun intended! Good luck moving forward. Shelley Okay-the house was emaply and I took down the newspaper advertisment for the Lapband seminar that my doctor advertises. I went down to his office and said do you have a minute I'd like to talk to you about something (I guess he thought it would be the fight). I handed him the newspaper and said I would like to get this. He studied it and said "I didn't know you were interested in this" and I said I am would you support me if I did it and he said sure. Then I told him the surgery was in 2 weeks and he blocked out the day from work. He was very calm and asked a few questions. I went over to him and pointed to the before and after pic in the newpaper ad and he said -they are going to want you to model for the doctor. I thought that was very sweet. 100% total support!! I went over and gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek. I am SO happy!! I told him I wanted to keep it just between else for now and I would prefer to decide who I'd like to tell and he agreed to keep request private. Then he asked if I was going to tell my daughters and I said probably after the surgery and I'll tell my mom once I start losing some weight too. Thank you all for your support through all this drama-You all are AWESOME!!! I love this site

Thank you for your awesome post! It is so encouraging. I love the 15 things you learned and will print them off for daily inspiration. It must feel so good to have successfully reached your goal. I'm sure you learned alot about yourself along the way. Thanks for sharing your story!

It's so true! I can't believe that I'm actually saying that I love it. I'm so glad I found something I'm actually looking forwar to! Zumba Rocks I go to the YMCA 4X a week for the class. I don"t know most of the moves but I don't care I think the class is awesome. I used to hate exercise in all forms but now u cant keep me away from the gym You don't have to be co-ordinated just move your body, work up a sweat and have loads of fun.

Let me say that I have always truly hated exercise. I don't think I got any endorphines when they were being handed out. I didn't play sports as a kid and I'm not very coordinated BUT I know that I have to get moving to make my band a success. I've been walking about 20-30 minutes 3 or 4 times a week but that's just not cuttin as far as speeding up my weight loss. I decided to try a Zumba class and it is the most fun I have ever had! I was so surprised that I could keep up for the most part and not drop dead of a heart attack. I certainly don't have all the steps down but I'm moving and sweating. The music if so fun and you leave on a complete high. I think I finally found out what endorphines feel like!!! If you haven't tired a class and you're looking for something fun, try Zumba. Remember this is coming from someone who HATES exercise!

I was banded 1/11/11 and I pretty much avoided eating out for a month or two because you're really learning what you can eat and what you can't. By can't I mean some foods can give you trouble especially if you take too big of a bit or swallow too fast. When you're out and visiting, it's easy to not be mindful of what you're putting in your mouth. I've only told my immediate family and one friend who lives in another state because it's really non of anybody's business. People who don't struggle with weight are sometimes very judgemental and just don't get why you can't simply eat less and exercise more! I am not hungry all the time but that doesn't mean your "head hunger" stops. Let's face it, your eating/food issues don't just disappear when you have surgery. You still have to make good decisions and work at it. The band for me just makes it easier. I feel like I have more control than I had before so it's a little easier to make good food choices and portion sizes. When you do go out with friends/family, pick something you know you won't have trouble with. For me, that is soup, cup of chili or a small salad. I can't do bread so sandwiches are simply out unless I just eat the meat/cheese. If bread is crisp, I tolerate it better but you just have to be mindful of bite size and chewing well. This is all a new learned behavior but it's SO WORTH IT!!!!

Awesome, congrats! I'm scared of Zumba. I'm pretty uncoordinated Don't be scared....It's a total blast and it doesn't matter if you don't get all the steps right. In fact, I'm so busy looking at the instructor or the person in front of me that I forget how much I'm huffing and puffing!

I'm dying to know.....have you told him yet?

I wore to the hospital what I wore home. Loose sweats, easy shirt to get on/off & slippers. I was so nervous & scared prior to the procedure that I wouldn't have had the ability to read a book or magazine to save my life. Once I got in my out-patient bay, things started rockin' & rollin. They weighed me, hooked up my IV, asked me a bunch of questions, gave me some happy juice and I don't remember much after that. They woke me up and I was very very groggy. I must have been snoring because the nurse told my husband she thought I had mild sleep apnea. I think it was due to the fact I was under anestesia and it takes a while to work out of your system. I just wanted to sleep. I think I had a popcicle because my mouth was really dry. I honestly don't even remember going out to the car and I slept all the way home. My husband stopped and got my pain medicine on the way home but that was all a blur to me. I didn't really feel like myself until about 9 or 10:00 that night after I had slept it off. Fortunately, my pain was managable. I only took the liquid pain medicine a couple times because I didn't want to be nauseaus. Trust me, throwing up is the last thing you want to do for the first few days because your belly is very tender. Each day got a little better and by day 4 or 5 my pain was minimal. Have a supply of gasX ready. They make one that is a strip that just melts on your tongue and it's a life saver. The gas pain that shows itself in your left shoulder is pretty painful and annoying. I think the gasX really helped along with walking. Very important to get up and walk every few hours even if it's just around your house. A few stairs up and down help too and is encouraged. GOOD LUCK!!!!!