brenda62

My Dr explained the process to me and told me what to expect. The size of the band is determined by the size of your stomach and fat around it. I have a 14cc band and she came in and told me after surgery what I had. I am glad to have the larger band because I have been able to have it tweaked a little more and know I still have plenty of room left if I need another fill in years to come. Good luck in your decision

There are a lot of us the band has work wonders for and I would recommend it to anyone that is willing to work hard. Everyone I have met with the band has done well and has lost weight at different rates depending on there activity level and commitment to the healthy eating involved with it. It does not stop you from eating the bad foods, that comes from your own self control. I picked the band because I did not want to be cut open again and I knew there was less down time. I also liked the fact that I did not have to have any part of me removed or rerouted. I went through that with colon cancer and a long hospital stay and that was enough for me. I think though which ever route your friend should chose to go is her choice and the end result is better health then she can't go wrong either way.

If I do not get my protein in and make sure I am exercising my energy level drops so I make sure both are right and I feel great!

I started losing weight from day 1. I was down 100 pounds by six months and 130 at 9 months now it is just a matter of time till I reach my goal. As for reaching the Green Zone everyone is different, a lot of the band has to due with you. How much you exercise, how much water you drink and yourself control. You can still eat garbage with the band. It will not keep you from the bad foods or stop you from stuffing yourself, it is a tool to help you along the way and when used right is a wonderful aid. That being said, I do not believe I have reach the green zone yet, I am hungry about every 21/2 hours so I eat six small meals a day and that keeps my body happy. I am though happy with my band and would do it all over again.

I eat steak, I got stuck on it once because I did not chew it enough but otherwise no problems with it.

Love your post! I feel like that some days about exercise, but I know if I do not drag myself out to the gym I will return to old habits and being down 130 pounds makes it all worth it! @ formerly fluffy I am yet to be at good restriction, it takes will power to say no to foods we should not eat and knowing when to stop eating what we do. I have learned the difference between being satisfied and being full.

Average is supose to be 2 pounds a week. Some of us lose more, some of us lose less. It is all up to you and how you eat, how much exercise you get and if you are drinking enough water. I hit my 100 pound mark at my 6 month mark, and now at 9 months I am down 130 but it has slowed way down These last 12 pounds are making me work harder to get off, but I knew that would happen so I was prepared for the slow down. Don't sweat it, it will happen and the weight will come off.

Sweater and wool socks have become my new best friend!

You can do the same at myfitnesspal.com also

All dr have different programs. Mine had me on liquids for a week,soft for a week and then on to normal food on week three. I did though move slowly into it not knowing how my band would react to new foods. Follow you drs orders they do know what they are doing most the time!

I always retain the week before my tom. The week of my tom I usually drop 3 pounds. Our bodies are all different but as you get thinner you notice it more. I was overweight for 25 years and it has just been in the last 4 months I have noticed how much I swell before my tom. It is amazing the changes with the weight loss.

There is a reason we are told to stay away from them, first of all they can get stuck in our band, but it could be if you are watching your carbs and then eat them it is effecting you more then just getting stuck. I eat rice if it is mixed in something I am eating otherwise it gets stuck and I never eat bread or pasta and believe it or not I do not miss them anymore!

I went through the just one more bite also. I have learned to get up and dump what I am eating! I also eat 6 times a day. It works for me and keeps that angry growl noise down! I was not into exercise when I started either but you can do this, just walk and keeping on walking. The scale will start moving and you will do more to keep it going down. Good luck

You can do this, look how much you have already lost! My guess is you will be down more than another 70 by next Christmas. I have lost 132 since my surgery 4/4/11 and plan on being at goal by my 1 year. Just remember it is about portion control and quality of food. I eat 6 small meals a day because I get hungry and I have 8.5ccs in my 14cc band. Good luck and you can do this.

My Dr. did not set mine, the nutritionist did. She said I should plan on 180 that my goal of 160 was pushing it. Well, I am now 170 and yes it has slowed down, but I know I will hit 160 or lower. Set your own goal and let your body tell you when you are done.

I went back on day four, was just tired at the end of my day! I am a grocery checker so I am moving all day, I just did not lift anything heavy. Good luck

I took off Monday thru Thursday and was back to work on Friday with no problem. I also have a high pain threshold so I was just a little tired by the end of the day.

I work for Fred Meyer and have Kroger insurance. I did not even have to wait a month from my first appointment to have my lap band surgery, good luck

I also had some sweet treats this week and the funny thing is that I have been at a stand still with my weight (I am down 132 with 12 left till goal) for about a month, I got on the scale at the gym the next day and was down 1 1/2 pounds! I guess my body wanted more calories! Anyway don't beat yourself up you can and will do this. Things will get easier in a few weeks and all these temptations will be gone. I normally treat myself daily to a skinny cow ice-cream or a 100 cal nabisco snack bag, it keeps me on track and I do not feel deprived. Smiles Brenda

I have had tastes of things because I would rather do that then overdue it later. I lost weight over thanksgiving and I had a little of everything. The lab band does not have to make your holidays different, you just have a little less

Been through the same battle and have the same scars and yes I kicked it in the butt also! Would love to have the same surgery done! Last month I went in and had my stoma hernia and incisional hernia repaired and enjoyed my five day hospital stay! I now have enough tummy scars to have a road map! Hope everything goes well

keep up the great work, I guess mens underwear don't come with spandex in them like some of the womens, they stay up better! Keep up the great work, wonderful things are happening for you.

Time flies by when you have the band and it will for you. Since 4/4/11 I have lost 132 pounds. I have gone from a size 26 to a size 10 (me a size 10, I have never been a size 10!). My rings have gone from an 11 1/2 to an 8 1/2 my feet have also gone down a size! It is such an amazing journey and so worth it. You can do it and you are already off to a good start.