sassyfrass

Well, it has certainlly been quite a while since I posted so I thought I would do so now. In reading the great results of some of the above posts, I'm left feeling both hopeful and somewhat discouraged. However....I'm trying not to feel discouraged. I am so happy for all you that have lost quite a bit of weight. That's awesome. My losses were because my sheer will to follow my good eating plan for weight loss, but I never really did get to my "sweet spot" green zone. I guess I must be one that would have finally reached that after my 6th fill or after, maybe. ? There were a couple of months that I had to miss going to the Doc altogether, but then I was having issues of throwing up and bad shoulder pain when I ate. It got worse. Finally I had another fill, only to return to have a little taken out, just to find later that day that it still wasn't working since I could not even drink Water without that "shoulder pain" I get. And, yes.....trying to throw up just to get the pain to go away. Same day, back to the doc to be told I may have a slipped band. Sure enough, xray revealed a slipped band. So.....I got stuck with that needle a 3rd time (all in one day) to remove all of the fill. I had to go 6 weeks with no fill. It was then, that I got too brave, and started eating bread again. I wish I had not done that, because I was good about mostly staying away from it in the beginning. Anyway....finally I got my first fill (after waiting it out for 6 weeks). I wasn't able to get to Doc in Nov, but in Dec, he didn't want to give me a fill. I had lost like 4 lbs., so he was taking it easy with me since I had to have some fill removed another time, as well. Obviously, I am gonna be one that can only have a little fill each time. Anyhow...I am only down 35 lbs. Seems like such a small number to others, but I am trying to be positive that now that I am going back in the right direction, that I will finally get there. Until then, I am just trying to follow my weight watchers plan. I will be so happy, at this point, to just make it to onederland. I am still 25 lbs away from that. I just need to stay focused and keep my eye on the prize. :0) CONTRATS to all of you.

not a problem. It could also be gas. I get those gas pains there from time to time and it usually is felt when I breath in deeply too. I have never had it from a fill, but I suppose it could be coming from that, but not sure why.

Hookieluv, I have to agree with 2muchfun. My surgeon has even told me that I need a fill, when I was on the fence about one, because he said "if you are losing just from sheer will, then the band isn't doing its job". He is right. If we could have done this and kept it off on our own, we wouldn't have needed a band. I hope you will start getting fills to help you along.

I love sweets! They are my weakness! Peanut Butter, I like, but it's not my fave. I use it sometimes, in a Protein Shake, but more often, I use the PB2 powder since it's less calories to use up. There is also a chocolate PB2 powder also. I am not much of a fan of it, by itself (after mixing it with water), but if definitely gives you that peanut butter fix when mixed it anything, like shakes, ice cream, cool whip, etc.....

Well I agree and disagree with the other posters...
The key to losing fat - (I say fat because even muscle loss = weight loss and who wants to lose muscle?) is understanding and applying the energy balance PLUS understanding how your body uses food as fuel and how those fuels differ (carbs, fats, Proteins, alcohol).
Your body has a strong will to survive. It will not voluntarily give up its' fat stores. You have to coax and burn them off. You do this by creating a calorie deficit created by BOTH exercise and reduced food intake. Creating this deficit by intake alone will not take an obese person down to a healthy body fat percentage - at best, it will create a skinny fat person.
Calories In Vs. Calories Out is a bit too simplistic. 1000 calories of cotton candy and 1000 calories of skinless chicken breast are profoundly different. The difference in insulin response alone (not to mention other body chemistry) is huge! All calories are not equal.
Ponder this... "Joe" eats 1000 calories a day, day after day. He needs to lose 100 pounds. This low calorie diet gives him a deficit of 2000 calories a day. By this calculation he should be able to completely lose his excess body weight in 175-200 days....(Bet he doesn't)... But what if he continues this trend for several years? Does he completely disappear? Of course not. Because it's not just about calories in/calories out - it's about managing your metabolism via your energy balance.
I eat 1000 calories some days - I eat over 3000 other days. I still have challenging food demons, but I manage them. If I'm going to eat cheat foods, I do so on planned high calorie days. By cycling calories this way - combined with a challenging exercise schedule consisting of both strength and cardiovascular training - I keep my metabolism white hot. My body fat percentage continues to fall, while the scale stays relatively stable (small lean muscle tissue gains). This lifestyle allows fat loss on calorie deficit days and muscle gains on calorie surplus days.
There are several scenarios of posts on LBT that leave me grumbling... One of them is very low calorie diets. People who eat very low calories (600-1000) love the weight loss they initially see. But how much of that weight is lost muscle? Your body is a machine. If it's being starved is it going to give up metabolically active lean muscle tissue which is high maintenance to keep - or fat stores which costs next to nothing to maintain? Some of both, but the ratio is going to tip toward the lean muscle tissue. As muscle tissues decline, your body adjusts it's metabolism in a fight to avoid starvation, the weight loss slows and then comes the unavoidable - yet easily predicted plateau. They havn't lost weight in months, but hey, plateau's are normal right? No... they aren't normal - they mean your body has adjusted your metabolism accordingly to try to stave off starvation. It won't give up without a fight. But their doctor prescribed the 800 calorie low carb diet, so that must not be it... :tt2:
Here's another one... I've read a lot of posts where people are eating 1000 calories and gaining weight and they try to suggest it's muscle gains... Not a chance... It is physiologically impossible to maintain that large of a calorie deficit and gain muscle tissue, which actually requires a calorie surplus. One person is starving themselves eating 800 low carb calories a day, while at the same time I sit here on a high calorie day snacking on Peanut M&M's dipped in Peanut Butter.
"So Brad, if your so damned smart and think this is so easy, then why did you get so fat you needed WLS?" Because I didn't understand the energy balance and how my body used fuel and how those fuel types differ - BUT now I do... And I want everyone else to know too... It may be simple - but it isn't easy... The band is a great tool to help you achieve your goals.
Your body is a wonderful efficient machine when properly understood. Fuel it appropriately and it will reward you!
Good Luck!
Brad

Well, it has certainlly been quite a while since I posted so I thought I would do so now. In reading the great results of some of the above posts, I'm left feeling both hopeful and somewhat discouraged. However....I'm trying not to feel discouraged. I am so happy for all you that have lost quite a bit of weight. That's awesome. My losses were because my sheer will to follow my good eating plan for weight loss, but I never really did get to my "sweet spot" green zone. I guess I must be one that would have finally reached that after my 6th fill or after, maybe. ? There were a couple of months that I had to miss going to the Doc altogether, but then I was having issues of throwing up and bad shoulder pain when I ate. It got worse. Finally I had another fill, only to return to have a little taken out, just to find later that day that it still wasn't working since I could not even drink Water without that "shoulder pain" I get. And, yes.....trying to throw up just to get the pain to go away. Same day, back to the doc to be told I may have a slipped band. Sure enough, xray revealed a slipped band. So.....I got stuck with that needle a 3rd time (all in one day) to remove all of the fill. I had to go 6 weeks with no fill. It was then, that I got too brave, and started eating bread again. I wish I had not done that, because I was good about mostly staying away from it in the beginning. Anyway....finally I got my first fill (after waiting it out for 6 weeks). I wasn't able to get to Doc in Nov, but in Dec, he didn't want to give me a fill. I had lost like 4 lbs., so he was taking it easy with me since I had to have some fill removed another time, as well. Obviously, I am gonna be one that can only have a little fill each time. Anyhow...I am only down 35 lbs. Seems like such a small number to others, but I am trying to be positive that now that I am going back in the right direction, that I will finally get there. Until then, I am just trying to follow my weight watchers plan. I will be so happy, at this point, to just make it to onederland. I am still 25 lbs away from that. I just need to stay focused and keep my eye on the prize. :0) CONTRATS to all of you.

This is a great post. I am still "looking" into getting banded, so all the info I can get, is better. Thank you for sharing, Alex, and other posters.

I have been on a salad kick. Like tuna salad, ham salad, chicken salad and egg salad. I just made some egg salad with cottage cheese mixed in with a bit of bacon bits and a little shredded low fat cheese added. It was very filling and was 15 Protein grams for my serving. Yum.

I have been on a salad kick. Like tuna salad, ham salad, chicken salad and egg salad. I just made some egg salad with cottage cheese mixed in with a bit of bacon bits and a little shredded low fat cheese added. It was very filling and was 15 Protein grams for my serving. Yum.

I was already in a zumba class once a week, before surgery 2/29, but I am thinking that, because of all the twisting, it may not be something my doc will want me to do right away. My instructions say to start out with things like walking, swimming or bike riding. I guess it gives that area plenty of healing time by not stressing that area. May be different for some others with their doc orders.
Anyone feel free to add me to your friend list also. :0) I am mostly using this site on my android so haven't seen where I have the option to add. I think it would be great to have a monthy titled thread started for Feb 2012 bandsters so we can follow all the way through and actually be able to go right to that months thread for info, chat, feedback.

I was already in a zumba class once a week, before surgery 2/29, but I am thinking that, because of all the twisting, it may not be something my doc will want me to do right away. My instructions say to start out with things like walking, swimming or bike riding. I guess it gives that area plenty of healing time by not stressing that area. May be different for some others with their doc orders.
Anyone feel free to add me to your friend list also. :0) I am mostly using this site on my android so haven't seen where I have the option to add. I think it would be great to have a monthy titled thread started for Feb 2012 bandsters so we can follow all the way through and actually be able to go right to that months thread for info, chat, feedback.

I have been using s heating pad on my shoulder. Not sure it is really helping but at the time I feel it is anyway. Lol.

Well I am at the hospital. In the waiting room. Waiting.....and getting a little more nervous about the unknowns with surgery but...having read all of these posts, at least I feel like I will have some idea. Still a bit nervous about the whole process, nonetheless. Especially anesthesia. Praying that all will go great. Praying I have it as good ad some of you.

Thank you everybody! So glad you all had such great success. You sure make me feel better! :0)

I hope you start feeling better, Greekie, and all others just out of surgery. I said a prayer for you all. Also said one for the rest of facing the same thing in these next 2 weeks or so. Mine is for Feb 29! My low carb pre op diet starts this Wednesday. Oh the nerves are already starting.

Glad to hear all is well with surgeries! Good wishes going to the remaining Februaries.

Support is ALWAYS welcome. :0)

I hope you start feeling better, Greekie, and all others just out of surgery. I said a prayer for you all. Also said one for the rest of facing the same thing in these next 2 weeks or so. Mine is for Feb 29! My low carb pre op diet starts this Wednesday. Oh the nerves are already starting.

I hope you start feeling better, Greekie, and all others just out of surgery. I said a prayer for you all. Also said one for the rest of facing the same thing in these next 2 weeks or so. Mine is for Feb 29! My low carb pre op diet starts this Wednesday. Oh the nerves are already starting.

I am just curious since there are "last supper" topics for pre banded days, it would be interesting to hear the same for after banding. After your surgery, once you were past the liquid, mushies stages, when you were finally cleared to try a "normal" meal, what did you try first?

I am just curious since there are "last supper" topics for pre banded days, it would be interesting to hear the same for after banding. After your surgery, once you were past the liquid, mushies stages, when you were finally cleared to try a "normal" meal, what did you try first?

I just had an appointment with the surgeon on Friday! I barely made the FEB bandster club with Feb 29th date! My Grandma was born on this day so many years ago. (She is in Heaven now . She passed away 12 yrs ago) I will always remember by banding day every year as I think of it being my Grandma's Birthday also, although I will have to Celebrate it a day earlier or a day late except every four years when leap year rolls around! I wish everyone well with your surgeries. May we all be blessed with a great surgery and a great journey. It's great to have support on here!!
I do have to say I am so nervous now that I do have a date. It just makes it more real!! I don't have to start a low carb diet until Feb 15. Until then I will continue to follow my weight watchers plan. Some days, it's actually quite low carb, in itself, but not always. I do love my carbs, so I will have to do better on that during my 2 weeks pre op for sure. And after. I have been following my weight watchers plan the past few weeks and started losing a little weight with that. Because over Christmas, but mainly a bit after it, I started gaining some weight, so I have lost 9 so far. At my appt on Friday, I was still 1 lb. up from my first consult with the doc in September. They had no clue I had gained 9 lbs and lost it before they saw me again. It's scary how quick I can gain weight. That's why I know the band is definite must for me. I NEED that tool to keep me in check.
I will love to read up on all of you Feb bandsters! May we all do well with this!

Thank you all for posting your experiences with lband and plication. I am almost done with all of my pre op visits so that my surgery can be scheduled. I have been thinking seriously about adding plication with band because if will help even a little with less chance of band slippage, or needing less fills, perhaps, it is well worth it to me. I don't look forward to extra days of nausea, like the Dr. says he has noticed with plication patients. Also, I hope I never have to have to band removed for erosion, etc, but if something does happen like that, at least I will still have the plication that will be left untouched and surely that will help me with eating less.

Well, I am divorced so have no dh to tell, but my dear mom knows and she is actually the one who suggested I think about it as she knows how unhappy I am with my roller coaster of weight loss/gains over and over. I get so depressed about it. My sisters and brother know I'm looking into it. My brother's mother in law had it and he is very supportive in me getting it. ..and surely my dad will know eventually. I just know that at first he will be one that's not too supportive of it.... He just doesn't understand how I can't just make up my mind and lose it and keep it off. He just doesn't get that. ..and more than that....I fear he will blab it to others. That's what I don't like about him knowing, but he will have to know before hand. Other than them, just a few of my friends know that I'm planning on it, if all works out with my insurance and they are supportive, except my very best friend has some issues with it, because she has heard negative things, but she KNOWS my weight issues as we've been friends for many years. I think in the end, if I choose to tell her before hand, she will be supportive. There is one gal at my work that had it a few years ago, although she did not have the funds to continue getting fills so she hasn't done much to help herself lose anything more than the first 20 lbs or so. She knows that I'm looking into it because I have asked questions over and over, but she also knows that I'm not putting it out there for the whole office to hear.
I am NOT ashamed of it, but like some others, I just don't want to hear the opinions of those who DO NOT understand the emotional eating/binge eating roller coaster of weight gain all their life. They DO NOT understand what it's like to be a thinner/healthier person inside of a fat and unhealthy body. I do not need them critiquing everything they see me eat.....as they sometimes do now . I don't do well with "food police". I would be under less stress with them not knowing. And I really do not plan on telling the manager/supervisor. I will just tell them I have a dr. appt. for each of the appts. It's none of their business why. And as for the sugery....I have vacation time to take still, so I'll plan it at least 30 days out if all possible. Also, after being banded.....you are not lying when you tell people that you are eating healthier, lesser amounts...etc. That is true. From what I understand, YOU are still the one making the food choices and how much....so even though you have a tool to help you, YOU are the one making the choices that lead to the weight loss, so I won't just automatically tell people I'm banded if my weight loss comes up. Most people I know, also know that I have been a follower of weight watchers for years. I have lost over and over to gain over and over. Now if they flat out ask if I'm banded, I cannot lie, so I will tell them...but also point out that it's all about the food choices I make, just as before. Educate them.