sHeLLaBee

Yes, my doc says 24 hours as well. I do liquids 24 hours and then soft foods 24 hours just to be sure. Haha. Even with soft foods I can totally tell a difference. I heart my band.

Good luck!

Most LapBanders hair only thins a little during the first 6 months or so after surgery because of the drastic change in diet and extreme weight loss, your body goes into shock. It usually goes back to normal after that. If you do have excessive hair loss after that time frame you should talk to your doc before taking Biotin. You may not be getting the nutrients you need and may have to add a few more supplements to your daily routine. ...but BEWARE! Biotin will make you grow hair in places you don't want it! For example, your chin and neck, and between your belly button and pubic area are the most common, but people have grown mustaches and hair on the top of their hands and feet. Make sure you are healthy and that isn't the reason for your hair loss! I have done EXTENSIVE research and talked to multiple specialists about this issue because I was one of you and already had hirsutism because of PCOS. Good luck!

So, my fill definitely worked! I also found a feed on here for "Soft Stops" and realized that I have one and am just not listening! I am much more comfortable with the amount I am eating and am expecting amazing things this month. =)

My port is just below my scar. As you lose weight it shifts around like crazy, so in a few months it will be somewhere else anyway. Haha.

Wow, I get a few of those and never realized it meant STOP! Lol! By the time I get the shoulder pain it's too late though. I have noticed the runny nose and a minor hiccup. I usually stop after the hiccup because I figure that means I'm topped off. My problem is not being able to push the plate away. Ugh. Thanks for the info!

For whatever reason, I never thought of that. Haha. Thanks!

The problem is my band is so tight in the AM that I can't get anything solid down. Maybe I can do my Protein Shake and then wait an hour or so and eat something? That's an idea. It just makes me feel like I'm snacking and I don't want to snack! =) I guess it could be considered part of my breakfast though. Thanks!

Yay! Congrats!

Oh no! That is a horrible feeling. =( I've been on a plateau since October and it's killing me! First things first; do you need a fill? Are you able to only eat 1 cup of food per meal and it keep you satisfied for 4-5 hours? If your answer is no, go get a fill!! If your answer is yes, here are some suggestions that work for me... No snacking, no liquid calories, no sweets, very little (if any) bread, Pasta, rice, etc. Carbs are bad for me. No fast food. Make sure you are eating 3 meals a day and getting enough Protein. Are you drinking a Protein shake? Make sure you are taking all your Vitamins. 1000mg of Calcium and 500mg of magnesium a day helps with weight loss as well. Make sure you are getting a minimum of 64oz of Fluid in everyday, but make sure not to drink within an hour after eating. Working out 3x a week for 30 min is proven to only maintain your weight. Make sure you are working out at least 4x a week and try to bump it up to an hour! Get a pedometer. It helps motivate me to take at least 6500 steps a day and to try and bump it up weekly. Here is a sample of my daily routine. 7am - Protein shake 7am-12pm - Drink 16oz of Water 12pm - Lean Cuisine meal with less than 300 calories 1pm-5pm - Drink 16oz of water 5pm - 30 min Curves work out (Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat) 5pm-bedtime - 32oz of water/sugar free juice 530pm - 1hour of Zumba (Mon and Wed) 5-7pm (depending on the day) - Cup of veggies and a small chicken breast (which I never finish) I'm sure this may be more of what you already know and have probably heard it over and over and over... but if even one thing is new and helps make a difference I am happy I saw your post. =) Good luck and keep motivated!

Love, love, love my FitBit! Hubby and I have been using them for close to a year and it is so motivating! I actually go out of my way to go upstairs at work, even when I don't need to! Lol! It also tracks sleep pattern, but I only used that for a few months. Fortunately, I sleep just fine. =) I try to average 6,500 steps a day, but have gotten to 15,000 on Zumba days. Also, love MFP for calorie tracking.

I totally agree! There are people who have had the band for years and never needed a fill because the band itself gave them enough restriction. There are also people who have had to have fill after unfill after fill to be successful. We are all on this journey to learn to be healthier and to learn to eat better FOR LIFE, but if it was that easy we would have never been over weight to begin with. Use the tool that was granted you by this drastic measure that was needed to be a healthier you. Don't suffer through feeling hungry all the time. I know that, even with the band, I have to learn when to stop, but in case I am having "one of those days" I know my band has my back and if it isn't adjusted correctly for me, then the surgery was for not. Be patient. You will get where you need to be successful. It is different for all of us, so we can't compare, but hearing other peoples experiences sometimes gives us another outlook and makes getting through the wait easier because we know there is hope. People have survived all scenarios and been successful! Good luck!

You shouldn't feel hunger! Well, at least not within 4-5 hours of eating a 1 cup serving of any meal. If you do then ask for a fill! You don't want to get discouraged and it shouldn't feel like a diet. Good luck!

I like Muscle Milk Light. Also, the Premier brand is pretty good and they are inexpensive and easy to find (Walmart, Costco, Sams Club). You will get through it and it will be worth it! Good luck!

Hi all! I am at 7cc's in a 10cc band and have been since 07/12. It took me 9 months and 5 fills to get there, but I was consistantly losing along the way. In October 2012, at my one year, I got down to 191 (85lbs lost). Unfortunately, I haven't budged since then! I kicked up my work outs and am trying different foods, but I think it's time... I'm going to get a small fill today and see if it makes a difference. I've heard that as you lose your stuff shifts and shrinks, etc. It looks like that has happened and I need a little tightening. Hope this helps!

189.6! It's only a pound and a half, but I'm getting a fill today. Hoping for more next week.

Mine is 3" to the left of my belly button and about 3" up. I have heard some people got them under their arm pit or to the outside of their boob? Anyone have that?

I have no side effect to my regular 30g protein drink, but if I try to add more protein (via powder) to kick up my protein intake, my stomach is not happy and the bathroom becomes my contant companion for the next few hours. =/

For anyone in the San Gabriel Valley area of Southern California: Check out these links! http://www.lightenupsgv.com/ http://www.cvhp.org/Events_Calendar/Lighten_Up_SGV.aspx This starts next Saturday, 01/19/13. We hang out for the day on the Queen of the Valley campus getting free classes on how to eat healthier and weighing/measuring. You can join as a group or as an individual. Round one ends first week of June, round two in November. You can do one or both and win prizes! You are only required to attend 3 days during the year, the rest is on you! Top prizes are awarded based on percentage of weight lost and everyone that loses 10% of weight or more automatically receives a prize! Only catch is you have to be at least a year out from any WLS. If you're going to sign up, let me know! Maybe we can hook up while we are there and support each other through the challenge!

I was there and my band seems to have loosened? ...or my stomach shrank? All I know is I want to be there again! Going in for a small fill tomorrow. Hopefully, that will make the difference. I know it's my responsibility, but it's nice to know that my band has my back. =)

It's unanimous! That was the worst part. Mine last nearly 2 weeks! I am over a year out and was still getting random shoulder pains, so I looked further into it. There is a nerve that runs through your abdomen up into your left shoulder. It can be damaged during surgery, or after, depending on where your port is and how you lose weight. It is nothing major, but you could continue to have that shoulder pain on and off through the years. Coincidentally enough, I seem to have it if I over eat. =/

Wow, I would def request your appts with the other doctor in the practice and I would even tell them why so that it is listed in your chart that you refuse to see him again, I have always see the PA's in my office for fills. I've only, honestly, seen my doc twice. Once for the consult and then at the surgery. Haha. He was great and I love all the PA's. I have an appt for a fill tomorrow. Pretty much same issues as you have been having. Getting hungry too fast mainly, but I am also able to eat way more than I should be able to. I hope venting made you feel better! Don't stress him. You know your body and you were right. Good job!

I have had then band since 10/07/11, about 15 months. I love it!

I will say it did help me to get used to the lesser amount of food when I started eating again after surgery. It was so drastic of a change going from normal plates of steak and burgers and spaghetti to liquids. Haha. Listen to your doctor and listen to your heart, then decide. Good luck!