JustDoIt130

bandster hell is the time after surgery but before you feel any restriction. It's called bandster hell because you're really doing it on your own because the band isn't in play yet. It usually lasts several months- first, you have to heal from the surgery, then depending on your fill schedule it will take a few months and a few fills to reach restriction. I was banded on 1/26, have had 2 fills, have 7 cc's in a 14 cc band, and feel very little restriction. However, I follow all the rules, count calories in myfitnesspal, and exercise. I've lost 42 lbs. It gets easier with each fill!

Hi All! I"m in NC, I think a couple of us are? Nicole- I'm proud of you too. Good for you for having a breakdown without stress eating! They're going to happen, so way to go handling it well! That was a funny story about your bathing suit N2animals- you mean you went from 5 cc’s to 7 cc’s so your fill was 2 cc’s, right? I think 5 lbs in 6 weeks is still great- almost 1 lb a week!! Mags- I think joining a gym with your family is a great idea! If they’re going you’ll feel “peer pressure” to go to, LOL. I know when I have DH’s support it way easier to be successful. ValAnn- it is so different for all of us, isn’t it? I think that’s one of the really great things about the lapband, is you can adjust it to each person. Amica- I think my biggest thing is just not knowing how I’m going to be after a fill, ya know? Like, I still eat way too fast! And I eat too big of bites, I’m sure. I am much better about the not drinking before and after I eat. Small steps! Erica- your plateau is going to break! Just keep doing the best you can, it will happen!! My 3rd fill is on Monday, and I can't wait! Another good workout yesterday. Good and sweaty! I know it’s been one of the things that has helped me along. I can’t wait until I get to the 50 lb mark.

Hi Meredith- yay for you blasting that plateau! I will definitely keep my LB card until I've lost more weight, for sure. Can't go around nekkid!!! Why did you have a spinal block (if I can ask?). I too look at the amt of food at the Red Robin where we often go and what I used to eat!

They mean the same thing- where you feel like you have adequate restriction. To most, this means able to eat everything (or with few exceptions like bread or rice) in small amounts, taking small bites and chewing thoroughly, and feeling satisfied on about 1/2 to 1 c food. Not feeling hungry for 4-5 hours between meals. Unable to overeat. It's what all the fills are designed to get you to- the sweet spot where it's not hard to eat like a bandster should. IMVHO

Hi everyone! ChrissyLu, I made- exceeded- my goal! I wanted to be 244 by 4/25- well, the scale this morning said 241.5!! YAY!! Otaknam- that sounds like a lot of vomiting- you may need a slight unfill? Or try taking really small bites, chewing well, and wait between- but you're probably doing that. You just don't want to be throwing up that much- it's not good for your esophagus. I wish I had gone down as many sizes as you in jeans, I've been in 26 for sooooo long, finally went down last week to a 24- would love to have a chance to wear all the other smaller sizes in my closet! LOL So that is my big news- a 4.5 lb drop last week. I actually did see 5 lbs lost this morning, but it flickered, so I went with the smaller loss. This probably means I'll lose less next week, but so what!! I can't wait to be in the 230's, haven't been there for a loooong time!! In about 11.5 lbs, I will have less than 100 lbs to lose. Yay!! Slow and steady- and it's not even that slow now! By the way, what have (or have you) named your band? My band is named Magic. I think Mags, isn't yours Prudence? Anyone else?

Kymie- Yay, smaller booty! I hear it on the smaller bosoms, really didn't want ALL my weight to come off there, LOL. NJ2NC- yay on smaller bra's- and only 12 lbs til onederland!!!! That's awesome!! And you can always get back on the exercise bandwagon!! n2animals- it is definitely a process, and sometimes a struggle. When I decided to do the surgery I decided that I was worth it- sometimes my family would have to plan around me instead of vice versa. Head hunger is hard- if we could just stop we wouldn't need surgery! So it will take time to get the bad habits out. You do just need to stop eating, though, as hard as it is- you don't want to defeat the purpose! The journaling in myfitnesspal will really keep you on track and honest- no way do I want to honestly enter 1/2 gallon of ice cream into that thing!! LOL How do I get my head in the right frame? Honestly, sometimes I"m just not, BIDIA- but I do it anyway. Sometimes, like brushing your teeth or cleaning the toilet- you do it because it needs to be done. Keep moving forward (from my favorite Disney movie, Meet the Robinsons).

I can't wait til I get my next fill. I do think that I have some level of restriction, it's not hard to eat less now- and I do know some of it's psychosomatic, LOL. Like, tonight I will for sure exercise, as WID is tomorrow! Nicole- thanks for the kind words- I was on eDiets back in the day, and have some experience with posting encouraging words! I too will see my ex husband in a month or so, and though I'm not at the weight I was when I last saw him, I'm lighter than I have been in a LOOOOONG time! Kymie- I agree, it is a process and you may just be on the edge of green, and a super small fill gets you solidly there. But I agree with you, sit where you are and then tweak it as needed! Hoping for another lb- I think it's 2 more will meet my ChrissyLu goal! Maybe 3- can't remember, need to write these things down. I also do Larry's monthly challenges here- I think I have 4 more lbs to lose to meet that goal by the end of the month. I like these shorter goals, it's motivating to me. I have 12 more lbs to meet my 50 lbs lost by my birthday goal- birthday is in July, so hopefully I will be able to revise my goal and have more lost! I'll check back in later, everyone have a great day!

They did a quick exam, and discussed my decision about lapband vs. Gastric bypass. I also got to ask a lot of questions- so write them all down!!! I have a notepad app on my phone that I wrote down my questions as they came to me.

It's a shake recipe- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder, 1 c trop 50 orange juice, 4-5 frozen strawberries and 1/2 c crushed ice. I mix with an immersion blender. Lots of protein, 100% vitamin c, some fiber from the strawberries. I do this almost every morning.

LOL, ChrissyLu, I am going on Monday- 2 days before my 90 days are up!!! Get everything I can for "free"!!!

Oh Kganous! It will be okay. May 7 will come quickly, then if it's still an issue he can go in and correct it. Repeat after me- it's a process, it's a process, it's a process. You are still doing well. You are in my thoughts/prayers. Kymie- good for you feeling restriction! Planning is important, it's tough to be in the groove of it. ChrissyLu!! Congratulations!!!! Definitely revise your goal . I have 2 more lbs by 4/25 to meet your birthday goal, LOL. Mags- I know just what you mean by enough restriction in my own mind!! I think I have ~some~ but not what I want. It's still a white knuckle situation sometimes. I have I think 7cc's in a 14cc band. I have a fill on Monday, can't wait! Meredith- good luck with the fill! Don't "blame" yourself for only exercising 1 day- just make a goal to increase it!! I'm feeling okay, plugging along. A long day at work today, but that's okay. I'll get home and go work out right away while watching Dancing with the Stars!

I am at 246 as of last weigh in day! Still 4 more to go for the month.

Welcome Lady Penelope! This is a good, motivating place to be. I hear you on the swimsuit issue, not my favorite! Remember, it is a process, and until you're at restriction your in bandster hell! So just keep trying to build good habits, eat right, get an exercise routine!!! It will get better. I was on my elliptical last night and it made an awful noise and kind of stuck- then it was okay. It had better not be broken, now that I'm finally in an exercise routine and kicking butt! We don't have $$ for a new elliptical, that's for sure!

Consider them sent. And here's some tough love- ever seen the movie Moonstruck? Snap out of it! Get back on the wagon, pull yourself up by your bootstraps, pick yourself, dust yourself off- whatever cliche you choose. LOL.

Shingles is a virus- I think they'd postpone if the shingles aren't resolved by the surgery date.

Hi Nicole- glad you found a circuit class! Sounds like fun. Bummer about your fill, but at least you got it! I mean heck, you've already lost 54 lbs!! You're doing great!! Mags- that is awesome what the PA said about exceeding weight loss expectations. I agree that we're all doing well- and doing it by a lot of willpower. But we're worth it for sure! Had a good day yesterday food wise- under calories, good sweaty workout, feelin' good!

This forum is a great resource and place to get encouragement and in turn encourage others. Also, a great app that I use for food and exercise tracking is my fitness pal. I don't leave home without it, its on my phone.

I say start over, focus on you for awhile, and keep yourself accountable. Get fills, don't eat around the band. You did it once, you can do it again- that's the beauty of the band!!!

I think that is true- the closer you get to goal, the harder those last pounds are to get rid of. SO just be consistent! You're doing everything right. One thing that helps me is that I up my calories once or twice a week to 10 days- I am usually right around 1000-1100, but once in awhile I get to 1300-1500, with more Protein (Peanut Butter, another Protein shake, etc). So shake it up!

NJ2NC- yay that your fill is scheduled- don't worry! Just know it's a process! You will do fine, and you'll get to restriction. Also- could it be near ttotm? I know I really start getting hungry then... Yay ChrissieLu! BIDIA!! my workout last night was much better, hope your allergies get better. I lost 3 lbs last week, so down 38 lbs. I had some awesome strawberries with a little whipped cream for a treat yesterday. Feeling pretty good about things, but will be vigilant and diligent!!!

Hi Kim- slow and steady is good! You've lost 23 lbs, so that's awesome! I agree, if I don't have my protein shake in the morning it's harder to get all my protein in. And my hair was falling out, so I really need that protein!!! Nicole- hope the fill does it for you! Worked out last night, wasn't the best workout I've ever had- you know, one of those where I just wasn't really in the mood, BIDIA- but I did it anyway. So good just for the fact that I did it, LOL. Good on calories and water, etc. Hope for a little more of a drop this week than I had last week. Tomorrow is WID.

I would think cream of wheat would be better

I love essay questions! I have several iPod playlists that just have great beats- everything from 80's hits to today's rock and roll, LOL. But usually I just watch the things I have dvr'ed. I am the only one in my house that loves Antiques Roadshow (I know, crazy right??). I also watch Person of Interest- sigh, Jim Caviezel......all the things my DH and/or kids don't like! It makes it easier to go longer on my elliptical- if I want to watch the whole show I"m motivated!!!!

Horsegirl and amica- My doctor said that a shake in the morning is fine, as it does help get in all the protein I need. I mix up my calories- usually staying around 1100 but sometimes as much as 1400-1500 depending. I also exercise 30-45 minutes 5-6 days a week. It's a process- and yesterday I did have 2 pieces of Easter chocolate. But so what, before it would have been 2 BAGS of Easter candy!!! Horsegirl- this is a lifestyle, not a diet, so do the best you can and as we all reach restriction it's easier. I say, hit the protein goal and feel good about it! The rest will come. And I think that the increased protein will help you feel more full longer. Kymie- I agree, you're doing super great! All weight loss is awesome weight loss. I think that we want it fast- we've had the surgery so it should be all downhill from there, LOL. But it's still a process, ya know? We'll get there!!!!

And I think stress from just the surgery itself was part of mine. My hair also broke off weirdly.