zil

I had my first fill one month after my surgery, and then I was able to get them every 2 weeks. To date I have had 4 fills. I have a 14cc band, and 4 cc's were put in it at the time of surgery. The first 3 fills I was able to get 1 cc and once I reached 7, I could only get .5 cc's every time. My last fill was yesterday, and I think I am feeling that restriction. woo hoo. The bl, as your dr how often you can get a fill. GOOD LUCK.

OMG, my 30 year old daughter has been dieting since she was 20. She has tried just about everything...she loses 20 pounds and gains it back. (we know how that is). Recently, after having taking HCG (but she won't admit it), and gaining the weight back, she joined weight watchers, and I admit she is doing well. She has tried on everal occassions to talk me into joining because, ash she puts it, "I think you need energy, a multi vitamin, more WATER, and you need to eat more fruits and veggies. If you're going to drop pounds and tone up then do it the right way. By you drinking a meal- duh, not healthy… Buy you not eating, your body is holding on to everything you do put in your mouth and in the long run you will not be successful with long term weight loss. when you finally do decide to eat properly you will gain weight. There should be no reason you couldn't of had 1 sticky bun the other day and when you weighed in for the week still showed weight loss. Trust me. You're body is just like mine. What we need is to fuel our bodies and then our bodies work for us buy burning off fat. Think of it this way, a car will not function properly and get you where you need to be unless you give it what it is designed to digest. God created your body to eat fruits, veggies, fish, and meats in moderation. Man created all the other crap.. " Well, why can't she understand that I am under my doctor's care and doing exactly what I have been told to do. Furthermore, I have done Weight Watchers in the past (the one with the point system) and I found it to offer too many choices...I would choose to use all my points on junk food. Now I have the LB tool, the willpower to stick to my conviction, along with my doctor's directions. I am eating much healthier than I have for 30 years, I am exercising now (even joined a gym today so I can go on my lunch hour), I take all my vitamins and drink water, and so on. She wants me to eat, eat, eat even if I am not hungry just because it is meal time and eating will help me to lose weight. I just don't get it. Yes, it is true that my weight loss is slow, like the DR says, 1-2 pounds every week, and I am holding steady at that. True, I wish I could be like some and lose 100 pounds in 6 months, but I am realistic enough to know that is not going to happen, and that is not good for me. I did not get to be a blimp overnight and I know it will not come off over night. ON THE GOOD SIDE, I have lost 44 pounds in 3 months, and I feel good about that. I am even starting to see a difference in my body. Thank you all for allowing me to vent and get this crap off my plate. I feel much more relaxed now. Have a happy weekend. Zil Why do people always think they know what is best for us???

Congrats!!! Way to go. I am a slow loser too, but like you said, at least the scale is moving in the right direction.

You are such an inspiration. I love reading your blog and having you be there for me. My positive entry about myself...I have managed to ride my bike for 4 days in a row and I will make it 5 days in a row tonight after work...whether I have a riding partner or not. I AM DETERMINED.

OMG, from the blogs I am reading, it seems as if everone is having difficulty. It is nice to know that I am not alone. I am not sure if it is the time of year (the holidays are quickly approaching) or just that I am wanting a little of the forbidden foods. Friday was a very stressful day for me at work, so I found I was snacking ... on nuts ,.,. on the fat content. Then I ate egg foo yung for lunch (just 1/3 of what was served) but decided to finish off the 2/3's for dinner. What a mistake. Then Saturday was no better...don't even ask about the french onion soup. Thankfully, I realized the error of my 2-days way and got back on track yesterday ... having protein shakes and some meat with plenty of water. Am feeling better. But, I am wondering if something is going on with just about everyone, because we all seem to be suffering some type of setback, be it weight gain, plateauing, not being able to stick to the rules, etc. JUST REMEMBER, WE ARE ON THE JOURNEY TOGETHER. Don't lose sight of the finish line. Even the longest journey starts with a small step. WE CAN DO IT.

I had my 3rd fill the other day. So, as those of you who have received fills know, it is liquids the first day, smooshies the second day, and onto regular food the 3rd day. I had a protein shake for breakfast,and about 2 hours later I ate a cheese stick. It didn't get stuck, but I felt like it was more difficult to move down. Is that what the green zone feels like? If so, woohoo for me. Looking for your feedback.

BEST OF LUCK TO YOU. You are to be commended of the decision you made. I love your motto -- slow and steady. Do you mind if I borrow it??? I think you hit the nail on the head -- are we afraid of failure or success??? I will be keeping good thoughts for you and all of us bandsters.

You are not alone. I had my surgery 8/19/11 and have had 2 fills. Still no restriction. I had doubts after about 2 weeks after I started solids because I could not figure out the eating thing. Fiinally, it dawned on me...stick to what the dr tells me, and be sure to pick healthy foods. I also found that I needed to exercise (if I had picked healthy foods and exercised in the past, I would not have needed to be banded probably) so I ride a bike. I start out with water in the morning, then have a protein drink for breakfast, was doing yogurt mid morning with salad and grilled chicken for lunch. String cheese for mid afternoon snack and a sensible dinner. As time has moved on, I realize I was not listening to my body, but insread listening to my former eating habits. I kept thinking that I needed to eat because it was mid morning, or lunch, or mid afternoon or dinner time. When I realized I was not really hungry, I felt a lot better. So, I only eat 3 times a day now and my portions are getting smaller, believe it or not. and I don't have restriction yet. The one thing the band has done for me, is to make me more conscious of my eating and food choices. I was a big carbohydrate and sweets person, but I am proud to say I have not had sweets (cake, pie, candy, etc) or carbs since 7/26/11. Never thought I could go without bread, potatoes, chips, pasta, etc. but I have done it. Now when I think about sweets and carbs, I am like "Yuck", give me protein or maybe a little fruit. WYP, you can do this. It will take some mental adjustment but you can succeed. We are all pulling for you. BEST OF LUCK.

Those darned messages in a fortune cookie really don't make much sense about 99% of the time. So I decided to make one just for me and I carry it with me all the time. It says... I am NOT Hungry!!! Hunger is a figment of my imagination. WATER WATER WATER WATER ride / walk / ride / walk / ride The flip side says... I AM ON THE WAGON I am a food-a-holic Please do NOT offer to feed me The funny thing is, it works for me. I have been drinking more water, eating smaller portions and not as much eating in between meals, plus I am riding my bike more and walking. My co-workers, friends and family are so supportive. And this blog is the BEST. I get so much inspiration from everyone. There is a girl I work with and when she found out I had been banded, she immediately wanted to know more information. She attended a seminar (based on what her insurance covers) and came back feeling that her only option was gastric bypass, since she was told "the band really did not work" and that "people would probably only lose about 50#s". She was further told at the seminar that a lot of the patients who come in for bastric bypass do so after having been banded. At first I was a little discouraged, but then I realized my fate was in my hands and the band. The band is what we make of it, so I am going to forge ahead, following the guidelines (although I do have a hard time eating slower...I am sure that will change once I reach the green zone) as well as MY FORTUNE COOKIE. Good luck to my fellow bandsters. Keep up the good work.

OMG, I can totally understand where you are coming from. I made excuses for years and years, and the pounds just get coming. I had been researching gastric bypass and lapband for about 10 years, and each time the door was slammed in my face. Finally, about 4 months ago, my husband (who has had gastric bypass 10 years ago) said he wanted me to do something about my weight, and he did not care even if we had to pay for it. That was the sign I was waiting for...had it does in August and have lost a little more than 40 pounds since starting my pre-op diet. SABOTAGE - it seems like every where I turn people are trying to sabotage me. Telling me I am not eating enough, or to eat something else than what I am supposed to have, or saying just one won't hurt, etc. I finally figured out what works for me. I just stick to the rules and have cut way back in my portions even though I have not yet reached the green zone. My reward is the numbers on the scale moving backwards. I am so proud of you. You have done an awesome job in losing weight, and in sharing your story. I love reading your posts. You are an inspiration. Keep it up!!! Zil

FINALLY, when I weighted myself this morning, there was a new middle #. I know it might not seem like much to anyone else, but I have been struggling to get out of the 260's. Finally made it to 259 this moring. I was so happy. I have been lucky enough to find a walking/biking partner in my neighborhood. We have decided to bike 3 days a week and walk the other 2 days. That will be good for me (and her). One thing I finally had to do was make a sign for my desk that says, 'I am NOT hungry!!!' ' HUNGER IS A FIGMENT OF MY IMAGINATION' Worked for me all day yesterday. Working on reading it numerous times today, too. OK, so off to my daily routine. GOOD LUCK FELLOW BANDSTERS AND SOON TO BE BANDSTERS.

Yeppers, my dr said to take multivitamin (I do the adult gummies) and caltrate (2 a day)...I also have yogurt (usually 1 a day) and I use fat free milk with my protein drinks. good luck on your journey.

I agree , those who are talking trash are jealous of the willpower you are showing and the courage you have taken to start your journey. Not everyone is a like...I was banded 8/19 and have lost about 18 pounds since my banding. I wish it was more, but everyday I just keep thinking how I did not put the weight on overnight so it won't come off overnight. You just stick to your guns and think how envious they will all be when you are lean and healthy. Those who can have the lapband, those who can't, criticize.

First of all, congratulations on the start of your journey. I am glad you did not take no for an answer, and kept forging ahead. BTW, you have a beautiful family. I was banded 8/19/2011 - favorite thing, that I will finally lose weight (from the start of my pre-op diet until today I have lost about 38 pounds). Least favorite thing - that I keep getting stalled...the scale will move for about a week, then stall for about 2 weeks. that does discourage me, but I keep focused on the big picture--I will be around to grow old with my husband of 34 years and to see our granddaughter marry (providing she does not wait until she is 40---I don't think I will make to 90+ years). What I really like is that even though I have not lost that much weight (I have another 120 to go), I feel so much better. I have a spring in my step, I don't get winded walking up the steps, and picking stuff up from the floor is a whole lot easier. Plus, I am learning how strong I really am. My husband loves his salty snacks, chocolates and chewy cookies, and just loves to eat in general - in fact, he eats everything that does not bite him first - but I have managed to keep on track. So, there you have it...for me at least. Good luck on your journey. Keep us posted.

CONGRATULATIONS THAT IS THE GREATEST NEWS. I know how you feel. I had been researching lapband and gastric bypass for about 10 years and every time there was a big roadblock. Finally in July, my husband said we will just pay for it if necessary. I bless him everyday for helping me. He is so supportive. GOOD LUCK ON THIS NEW JOURNEY.

i AM SO HAPPY FOR YOU. I know this has been a long road. PAIN, well, I only too the pain meds the day off and day after, then switched to liquid tylenol which I took the second day after surgery. I dont know which was worse, the pain or the meds...I think the meds...they tasted A-W-F-U-L. yuk. I had my surgery on Friday at 0900, was out at 0940 and released from hospital at 1030. Home by 1135. Went back to work on Monday. Keep positive, and you will do wonderful. Good luck.

Do not despair about your brother...my doctor informed me that men lose weight faster than woman, but that women have better results of keeping it off. Don't consider yourself a cheater as long as you are following the diet guidelines and doing everything your doctor tells you to do. As for the exercise, I find it hard to fit it into my schedule most days (I live in AZ and it just too damned hot to go out and walk or ride a bike until after the sun goes down, and then I am deathly afraid of snakes). So, get a WII and a just dance game, it will get you up and moving. Or get an exercise DVD and do that in your family/living room. Yea, I can talk all I want but I really like riding my bike. BEST OF LUCK

I can sympathise with both of you..food was my life too. Then my husband said something that made a lot of sense...we need to eat to live and not live to eat. So that is my new motto as it pertains to my best friend, the band. I had to do the pre-op diet for 3 weeks because my MBI was so out of wack. Fortunately, my doctor said I needed to have 2 - 3 protein shakes a day and 1 or 2 healthy meals. I chose to have a shake for breakfast and one for dinner, and eat a healthy sensible lunch. I ended up losing 20 pounds by the day of surgery and since have lost another 18. I started my shakes on July 29 and had surgery Aug 19, 2011. My advice, and I know you did not ask, is to not give up. You took the hardest step when you decided to get the band. It will work out smoothly. Keep the faith, and take one day at a time. GOOD LUCK. AND KEEP US POSTED.

Had a visit on Monday for my first fill. I was surprised when I learned the dr put 4ccs in at surgery time. Another cc was added for a total of 5 now. The dr said I could have one again in 2 weeks so I am scheduled to get the second one on 10/3. Still not feeling any restriction (that I can notice) but am managing to keep my intake down and am making healthy choices. Even better news, when I weighed in, I had lost 29.6 pounds since my very first appt...not too shabby for 2 months, and 10 of those pounds were in the month since I was banded. YEA ME! To all of you that are experiences setbacks and doubts, keep with it. It will get easier. He hardest choice was to make the decision to get the band. If I can do it, anyone can. Good luck to you all and keep up posted on your progress.

I had my surger 4 weeks ago to, and it sounds to me that you are having the same experiences I did. I did not feel gas until day 4, and then it hit me in the left shoulder...oooooohhhhhhh, but some pain meds and it went away. Best advice I can give you is, keep doing what your dr sez. good luck and congrats

I am very excited for you. You were so disappointed in one of your last posts. I am glad things turned the other way. CONGRATS AND GOOD LUCK!!! Keep us posted.

I had my surger on 8/19/11...I felt much the same way as you did. About the 3rd day I felt as if I was beat up, then I went back to work on Monday after my surgery which was Friday before. The gas hit my shoulder about 2 pm and I thought I was going to die. I had gas pains in my shoulder all week. Finally, tho it disipated after about 4 days. I can tell you it does get better. Just go slow, and follow your doctor's directions. Is the fact that you can't sit up due to the incisions or something else. If you think it is something else, I agree, call your doc. Good luck. Hang in there. Remember, this is a journey, and every journey starts with small steps.