transforming jlaroux

How much is your doc putting in each time? Some docs are aggressive, some are conservative. Welcome to bandster hell!

How did your fill go? I have an11cc realize band. I got 6cc on my first fill, 6 weeks after surgery, then 1cc 3 weeks later, then 1cc 2 weeks later. I didn't feel really any restriction til the 8th cc went in. Then it was like, oh this is what I wanted! Lol

good thinking! And keep as busy as you can.. good book, knitting, crotcheting, exercise... Did you feel the earthquake too? We felt it here in PA!

I wouldn't do it. give yourself time to heal. It is so important because you don't want to mess with what the docs just did for you. This is a gift, handle with care! Wait til tomorrow. You can do it! Stick with the doctors orders and you will be fine!

I hadn't eaten anything when I took them, because I usually wait to eat at work, because 7:00 is just too early for me to eat. I can't do the gummies because they get stuck. I'm looking into some liquids.

Good luck! For me, the third one was the charm. I have 8cc in an 11cc band, and I'm finally feeling some real restriction.

I had a carbonated wine cooler at a party. It has very little carbonation, so it wasn't so bad. I leave that for special ocassions, and only have one.

Dinners for me include steak, burgers, turkey burger, veggie burger, dark meat chicken, Dreamfields Pasta, which only has 5 g. of digestable carbs and lots of Protein ( love it!), shrimp, fish, etc. I may have a small salad, tomato salad, grilled veggies, cucumbers, whatever I cook for the family, ( I had celery yesterday and it didn't get stuck). I don't always eat my protein first, HOWEVER, I eat it mostly, with a few bites of veg in between. I can't eat only 1 thing at a time. Never could. And as much as I try, it doesn't ever happen. This is the only rule I don't follow. as far as carbs go, I may have a taste of someone elses, just not to be left out, but breads are out of the question,they burn going down and then I'm uncomfortable- which is totally not worth it! I have learned to ask myself and others, is it worth it ( In other words does it taste soooo good, that I'll be sorry if I don't try it?) lol, most people give me an honest, no, and then I don't want it anymore! sometimes they say yes, and I try a nibble of it, then to me, its not worth it- not so great!. When I go out to eat, I order whatever protein is tempting, and two veg, if it comes with 2 sides. or I share with someone else. I have ordered an app instead- like mozzerella sticks, if there is nothing else I can have. I've ordered a cheesesteak with no bun! lol. last night we had some chinese, we shared a pint of chicken chow mein between two people, and I didn't eat all of mine. I hope this is helpful, Its just what I do. I think it's trial and error. Like, I learned I can't eat white chicken. It's too dry and gets stuck, and did right from my first fill. Good luck, and enjoy your journey or rediscovery!

A lot of surgeons tell you how much you'll lose but they're only going by statistics. Be more than a statistic. My doctor told me that I was only going to get to 224. That's not okay to me. And I'm only talking for myself. I personally want to get a lower number than that. So I'm going to shoot for 170. I know I can do it. My surgery was May 18, 2011 and I've already lost 65 lbs. I'm going to keep going until I reach his goal. And then I'll keep going until I get into the 100's. And then I'll keep going until 170. And you know what? I'll keep going until I am comfortable. I do plan on losing more than 100 lbs. Because determination and hard work goes a lot longer than just a few statistics. Besides, you're young... you only get this life once so why not make it the best you can? But here is some truth: The band isn't going to lose the weight for you. If you've been going to the gym religiously and havne't had much success then the band isn't going to drop the weight. Eating veggies is going to be a way of life because most foods (starchy) aren't going to go down the "pipe." Fruit, veggies, and lean meats are my daily foods now. Maybe meet with the surgeon and your dietician and tell them about the situation. They'd love to hear about it. I wish you the best with whatever decision you make!! I told my surgeon I was about to prove him WRONG! He told me a lot of the same things he told you. I love that I am losing, and plan to get into the 100's as well. I don't have a number goal per se, I want to feel great, I want to be thin, and when my body tells me its done, then I'm done! However, my first goal is 75 pounds, because at my clinic they give a blue ribbon out at 75 pounds. There are not many band patients who get that ribbon, you better believe I will be one of them!!!!

I chose the band for several reasons. 1) I have seen so many rny patients gain back a lot of weight. I wanted something that I had control over. I knew that after hitting my goal, I would still have flexibility, if I lost some restriction, because of losing the fat, and noticed the scale going the wrong way, I could get a fill, and increase my restriction again. 2) I have no co-morbidities, so why do I need to lose the weight like speedy gonzalez? I don't. 3) I am almost 40. I don't need to be a size 4 (although if I want to, I just keep going until I get there!). I want to lose about 125-130 pounds. That will put me somewhere between 170 and 175. Most of all, I just want to be healthy though. If I keep losing, then so be it! 4) I did't believe what the doctors told me about the band not being as successful as the RNY. It's just slower, but if you have the right mind set, you can do it. My doctor was deifinitely pro-RNY. He, to this day, after I've lost 31 pounds from surgery, feels the RNY would have been a better choice. OK< so I'd be hitting 75 pounds now, but I'm so pleased with my total weight loss of 41 pounds since May 1, 2011. I feel amazing. I look better than I did, and best of all, after I've hit my sweet spot, I don't feel hungry after eating small portions! I love my band and wouldn't change it.

I believe it's people like us (I too am a healthy eater) that the band really works for. (no offense to those who were not healthy eaters prior to surgery please!)We already have the basics under control, just need to tweak it. My problem is/was portion control. I ate chicken and fish, no Pasta, little bread, mostly eggs for breakfast, and the occassional junk food. Now I pretty much eat the same, just smaller portions. i'm still trying to find my "sweet spot". I had surgery at the end of may, and have lost 30 pounds since then. I know my fill is not adequate because I can still stomach the occassional sandwich (with white bread). However, I no longer eat seconds and my portions, while not at 1/2 cup to a cup at a meal, or drastically reduced from pre-surgery. I hope this helps. Remember... they do surgery on your stomach, not your brain!

Ugh, I've been noticing some extra hair coming out in the shower lately. I really don't like it! I really was under the impression that I was getting enough Protein. I usually have an egg with cheese and sometimes a sausage link. lunch is usually tuna, a greek yogurt, or some leftover protein from the night before and maybe a veggie or fruit. dinner is protein based, usually turkey, chicken, or beef. I can eat about 1 cup of food still. I don't typically do any Protein shakes during the day. Sometimes I'll have some low fat, sugar free ice cream for a snack later in the evening. Any thoughts? I've heard Nioxin shampoo works... any ideas on that or any other supplements I can take to stop this. I have really thick hair, and want to keep it that way!

Thanks for the info! I knew to expect it, I thought I was doing well with protein, but the above article was especially helpful! I'll increase my protein and iron and go from there!

yup! I would do it all the same way! I love my band. I am restricted, but I can still eat! I don't allow food to run my life anymore. I know what I can eat, and what I can't . I've learned how to stop before I'm full. Heck, I've learned what it feels like to be comfortably full. It's one of the best decisions I've made for myself. Good luck with your decision!

I was banded in May, and I still have some pulling or tugging at the port site. I talked to my surgeon on Friday about it at my fill appointment and he said it was normal because the port is implanted into the fascia and will pull for a while. He said not to worry about it.

I love the sweet tea and the strawberry watermelon!

Hi there! I was banded at st. Lukes in may. Love to chat with ya sometime! I go to their groups but they're mostly rny, once a quarter is band. Sigh.

Hi everone! I'm checkin in! May 24th is my rebirthday! So far I've lost 40 pounds, 11 of them were preop.

I was banded on 4/24/11. I started at 310, lost 11 pounds for a pre-op weight of 299. this monring I weighed in at 272! 38 pounds total! I go for my second fill on Friday, and I know I need it. I'm eating too much and can eat to quickly. I can't wait to be consistently losing! Looking at all your posts has been so motviating. I hear so many negatives, from the doctor telling me that I should do the Gastric Bypass, to oh, you're eating too much! (just so you know the dr. is now 100% behind me because I told him, beyond a shadow of a doubt this was going to work for me!) but the biggest problem is that where I had my surgery done, they have a huge amount of support for rny, but really, I am learning, know very little about the band! I'm so glad I found this forum! Jenn

I was banded on May 24. Before my preop diet I was 310. At the hospital I was 299. This morning I was 278. I have lost 21 pounds since surgery. I have 6cc in a 9cc band. I am definitely not @ my sweet spot yet. I have very little restriction. I can't wait til Friday when I go for my nect fill!

I have a 9cc band and have 6cc's and have very little restriction. I go next Friday for another fill and I am hoping that I get that feeling back! I love feeling full. It's so liberating!

I've lost 24. Pounds since 5/24. A friend who hasn't seen me in 35 pounds told me just last night I was a skinny b***h! It felt awesome! The look on her face was priceless. Ill never forget it. That look made me feel amazing! I still have 100 pounds to go, but I was totally pumped after our visit!

I just wanted to introduce myself, gee imagine that on the introduction forum! Lol. Anyway, I was banded with a realize 9cc band on may 24th. I have 6ccs in it right now after my first fill. Next Friday I have my second fill, and definitely need it. I love my band, especially when I have that feeling of fullness immediately following a fill and I cannot wait to hit my sweet spot. I have lost 24 pounds since being banded and am feeling better now than I have in a long time. I still have a wasys to go until I can keep up with my 7 year old daughter, but I am more dedicated to this than anything else I have tried. I follow the rules and take 1 meal at a time. I'm looking forward to making some friends on here and learning more about myself through this amazing journey I have just embarked on! Jenn