Rachel412

You look amazing! Do you still have your band? If so, did they move your port during your TT?

Wow!! Congrats!

There's nothing I can't eat. Or if there is, I haven't found it yet. Never been stuck or anything. I CHOOSE to stay away from popcorn because I'm scared of getting a kernel husk stuck in my stoma but that's my choice. I CHOOSE not to eat cereal because that would open all the food floodgates for me! Wraps/tortillas are my chosen type of "bread" and I have them all the time.

I agree with you that it seems they never should have done the surgery for you in the first place. I'm sorry you're so miserable!

I really don't have restriction. Not the way people talk about it, anyway. I do feel satisfied with smaller portions of food, but it's not like "oh my, I ate 6 bites and I'm simply stuffed!" I eat less, and maybe I feel satisfied sooner because I've been eating smaller portions the past 5 months. I've never been stuck, never slimed, never PB'd. I'm almost up to 8 cc's and if I want to, I sure can still over eat. So for me, at this point, it's behavior modification and the fact that I went to GREAT lengths to have this surgery and change my life, and it's not like I can just say "well I tried that diet and now I'm bored with it". I can't just forget I had surgery.

You're not lying. You're telling the truth. The band is a helping tool like a lot of different tools people use to help them lose weight. Don't give yourself a hard time!! I haven't told people either, other than my immediate family. When people ask what I'm doing, I tell them I'm low carbing, eating less, exercising more. And it's true.

I buy the big tubs of vanilla Chobani. mmm.

Mine is on my right, about an inch under where my ribs end. My ribcage pushes against it and causes almost constant discomfort. Like right now as I'm sitting on a couch, upright, it hurts. I'm not thrilled about the placement.

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/forum/227-lap-band-success-stories/

If I were you I'd be looking for a different doctor. Slow & steady is fine, but that's not slow, that's S L O W.

Yes, some medical offices offer financing. Your best bet is to call the doctors closest to you and see what they offer.

We went to a 50s party this weekend and I'm really psyched about how I looked. Sounds conceited but it's true! And my before, the day of surgery...

GO PATS!! (hiya )

I think it looks sort of silly, but if you think it'll be helpful to you, go for it!

I tried to go primal in the past. I thought that the diet was great and I could certainly see myself losing weight with it. My problem was it was too expensive to buy all of the types of foods I'd need to eat. I'm so glad it's working so well for you!

It is so SO important to deal with an office that is focused on aftercare, especially with the band. You'll see the office a lot, and you really need to make sure that they have multiple levels of support in place in order to help you do your best. It's not like other surgeries, where you go to the hospital, get your surgery, and that's it. the adjustments/fills are key! Yes, OH is very negative towards the band. As time goes on they seem to have fewer and fewer posters who are happy with their bands. I do like to read there to keep myself aware of the "what-ifs", as it's never smart to bury your head in the sand about complications... just remember to take everything (here AND there!) with a grain of salt! the people who are most successful with the band are those who researched the living daylights out of it. Buy a book or two, read every website you can find, GO TO THE SUPPORT GROUPS, and make sure you really know what you're getting yourself into.

4? 5? I'm at 7.75cc's and to be honesty I'm not convinced I'm there yet. But the PA at my practice said if I have any more fills I have to meet with their nutritionist first because I'm getting "close to the capacity" of my band. With an 11cc band I doubt that, but I'm not thrilled about having to meet with this nutritionist since my original nutritionist just left the practice and this girl doesn't know me at all.

You lost over 100 pounds in 5 months?!?!?

I think it's probably true. I'm hearing more & more about surgeons who are reluctant to band patients because their previous patients are having too many problems with the band. I figure the sleeve will be the next big thing, and after 5 years there'll be a NEW surgery that is all the rage, and so on and so on. However I don't think we're going to have problems finding doctors to help us with the band. There are too many of us out here

I only use straws in iced coffee that I get when I'm out... honestly I don't find any difference in the amount of air I'm taking in. Also, I chew gum. I've even swallowed it a few times. OH THE HORRORS. Hasn't been a problem for me. Yet.

If someone takes a good picture of me every day, I just might! Thank you everyone!

It's working. It's controlling your appetite and hunger. But it can't control what you put in your mouth, and it can't make your body burn more calories. I don't think you can really blame the band. I think the band thing is like being in love. In the beginning it's fun and "easy" and the weight come off and we feel rewarded and motivated. Then real life comes back into play and the day to day business of eating correctly and following band rules stops being fun. It becomes hard work and it's not like many of us have a track record of working hard when it comes to controlling what we eat The band is hard. It really is. I just don't think enough people fully realize it when they get the surgery done.

You're right!

Thanks everyone!! And to be fair, my husband said he hated how he looked in this picture so it's not like I cropped him out of it out of spite LOL

If you can only eat 3 bites of protein for a meal, yes, you're too tight. Even a tiny unfill can make a big difference! The weight loss is thrilling now, but it won't always be that way, and you WILL get sick of not eating.