akstinnett

Hi everyone. I am set for surgery 4-21-11. I am glad I joined this site. I was feeling discouraged and nervous about being banded and not being successful. However, I've learned from this site that the band is only a tool and I have to use it correctly to "build a house." I've noticed that the people that are successful have used it as a tool and followed the rules and are where they want to be. I think I am ready to do the same thing. I bought some exercise equipment and ready to get started even before surgery. I have about 150 lbs to go till a normal BMI. I can't wait. Anyone out there 5-6 years out? How is it going for you now?

I am 2 days shy of my 1 year anniversary, and I've lost a total of 92 lbs. Although it isn't the 100 I hoped, for 92 is pretty dang good and feels even better. I had some issues along the way. A fill that was too tight and I didn't say anything which lead to vomiting, which lead to a slip. That has all resolved and I am doing pretty dang well. The weight loss has slowed a bit, but my band is a tad loose and I'm ok with that. I don't have to be tortured over what I eat and if I want a half a piece of toast or some milk, I can do that with where my band is at today. The exercise is great. I can not believe how good of shape I am in. I plan on hiking Mt. Elbert this summer. I'm flying through clothes and there isn't a day someone doesn't comment on how good I look. And I feel good. Best decision I have ever made. Here if anyone has questions for their first year. Love my band.

daisychains7- yes i deal with head hunger and believe i always will. however it is much easier when you feel fuller, longer, with lesser. the issue is getting your head to agree with your stomach. i've learned really be in tune with my stomach when i am eating. if i even feel remotely full, i put down whatever i'm eating, wait 1-2 minutes, look down at my food and if i want more, it looks appetizing, then i have another bite. if it looks bad or non appetizing, i know i'm done. another thing i learned that i hope everyone reads is that if you have allergies or a cold, the mucus that you swallow tends to mess with your band as well. sometimes an unfill when you are sick or taking allergy pills during allergy season helps. i had this issue a few weeks back.

@lawannalynn- This is definetly a hard thing to overcome. I would suggest trying new things, like greek yogurt, humus, things like that. I know that if I eat poorly, I can eat a ton of food, however if I try to eat mostly protein, I fill up fast and stay full for a long time. I had just a quarter of a bean burrito for dinner last night and it lasted me all night. Then this a.m. 2/3 of a container of greek yogurt and that kept me full for a long time also. However, I had a handfull of gardettos and was able to go back 10 minutes later for another handful. You really have to concentrate on eating protein. There are nights that all I have for dinner is meat. No veggies because its just too much food. I know that eating healthy is a whole new lifestyle and its epxensive as well. But if you start experimenting and trying new things, it becomes fun and you want to do it more. The biggest thing I do when shopping is when I go into a grocery store, I never go down an aisle. If you stay around the outskirts of the store, you will find everything you need. Think about it, every store has veggies, dairy, and meat on the outskirts. Everything else in the aisles is probably not worth your time a lot of the time. Also, for me I should never be allowed to eat mashed potatos. If I eat those, I can eat so much more food with them because of the starch content and rapid sugar break down, same with soda. PROTEIN PROTEIN PROTEIN. I also found these little almonds that are bbq habenero. They have so much protein in them, low cal and super yummy. Start looking for things like that. Take care and good luck. You can do this, but the band is a tool, not the solution. You have to make it work.

I exercise 4-5 times a week. 20-30 minutes on the bike and some free weights and reisistance training. I'm really trying to focus more on cardio training right now and will tone up more later. I have a 14 cc band and am at 6.0. 7 was just a little to much but I think 6.5 would be perfect, but I'm happy with how it I feel now. It took me almost 10 months to get to what I believe you are referring to the green zone, or a place to where I am happy with my band. Its been wonderful. I still don't see myself as skinny and can not believe the sizes that I am actually in. I went from a 3 xl scrub top (I'm a nurse) and am now in a L and it is kind of baggy on me. I'm at 1 xl or L for pants too. Its crazy. I haven't been this thin since middle school. I started at 304 and am at 212 today. Its awesome but it takes work. Remember its just a tool, it won't do the work for you. Good luck out there.

I am down 13 lbs and surgery was 4/21. I feel great! Although I am far from my goal, I am loving this. I've had a couple ups and downs, with moods etc, but I'm sure it is normal. I realized that I was retaining some water, and that was messing with my weight. However, I've resolved that issue, and down 13 lbs today. So glad I did this. To those who are expereiening fluctuating moods, its ok. Its normal. Be positive. You did the right thing.

DOING GREAT! Not even 2 weeks out and I'm down 13 lbs. LOVE IT and FEEL GREAT!