MandiMand

If anyone has anything in this range, please let me know. I'm 5'6, but my legs are kinda on the short side, so regular length is usually a tad bit long on me, and I don't have any seamstresses that I know of! Also if anyone has any 1x shirts, I'd be interested

This is really helpful to read, I'm going to try it this week. I've not lost as much as I would have liked (banded December 30th, 2011, lost roughly 14lbs since), but I do feel the difference in how my clothes fit, so that's a good thing :-)

I remember when I went in for my first post-op appt. I was seated next to three people. One was a woman who had come in to check out the available options for WLS, one was a woman who had WLS (sleeve) when it first became available and then the third, a young girl who was getting sleeve in two weeks. The girl kept blabbering on and on about how she chose the sleeve because "it works fast!" and how she didn't want to take her time to lose weight, she wanted it gone NOW. The other woman who already had surgery was telling everyone how she lost a lot of weight, and how she could keep drinking and partying her butt off, which naturally, made the young girl VERY happy. When they got called back, the other woman asked me what I had, and I told her lapband, and how I would much rather lose the weight slowly but surely (sometimes I question this, lol), and that the girl seemed to be taking the easy way out, and the other woman seemed downright insane, lol.

Had another fill on Thursday. Down 2 pounds, so just under 20 since December. Doctor is happy with this, mentioned my incisions are healing nicely, and would like to me to start eating in the mornings. I usually go with a protein shake first thing, because I do not like to eat when I first get up, and I have to be to work BY six, so any earlier, and I would need to be in bed fairly early in the evening to be up earlier. I told him about this, but he stood firm that I should be avoiding protein shakes and focusing on food. I know other WLS patients (non-banded) still use them, so why are bandsters being steered away from them after the initial phase? Anyone else in my boat?

Quick but silly question: how do you blanch veggies? I think I would like to try to make this recipe, it sounds so yummy!

I was in the same boat as you. I think some of it is in part to the fact that I am an overly emotional eater. I have a therapist I am working with to try and rid myself of this pattern. Don't know if it would work for you, but I would certainly look into it, if you think that is why you're out of control right now.

I started off at 220, and am 5'6. I have seen my weight go from 160 (9th grade) to 235 (during my pregnancy in '09), to 215 the day of surgery, which was 12/30/11. I am now almost 3 months post-op, and am fluxuating between 205-207, which frustrate the living daylights out of me. Now, I know I am an emotional eater, and I am fairly sure I have allowed that to push me in the wrong direction sometimes, but this is absolutely crazy! 199 is so damn close, I can smell it... yet it eludes me

I belong to other WLS sites in addition to this one. It seems that most of them are pretty harsh on us bandsters, and I can't imagine why! I mean, aren't we all in this together?

This is my third post-op, and I'm hoping I get my second fill today! I feel restriction only in small amounts, and usually depending on what I've ate, nothing else. I haven't lost anything other than what I lost my first week, which is 12 pounds. My surgery was 12/30/11, and now people are always asking how much I've lost, and I admit, I look thinner, but I am beyond exasperated at the lack of losing!

I'm very glad this site exists. It can be difficult for me on other sites that include all forms of WLS, because so many of them are populated with people who have had GB, and some people aren't always so nice to us bandsters. Here, I feel welcomed and among friends. I like reading other's stories, and seeing their success is very motivational to me.

Hi all, I'm six weeks post-op, and have only had one fill. I'm pleased to report I have lost 12 pounds. But that's about it. My weight had not budged from 206 since. Ok, I'm lying... it has gone UP, but not BELOW 206. I can see Onederland just waving at me now, but I can't seem to meet her face-to-face. I haven't felt a lot of restriction, so naturally I'm wondering what to do until I get to that. Any suggestions? Thoughts? Smacks upside the head? Anything, to calm me down?!

I like that, Bandster Hell! I know one day I will probably look back at myself and laugh, but until then... ack. Thanks everyone for reminding me, I really needed it

Hi everyone, I'm Mandi :-) I'm 37 and live in Delaware with my husband and son, who is two and a half. I was banded on December 30th, and to date have lost 11 pounds. I still have another 74 pounds to go. I find myself getting frustrated sometimes because other than someone I met through a lifeskills class I attended, I really don't have anyone who can encourage me on my down days. Anything else you would like to know, please ask!

I am having the hardest time with my portion control! I just had my first fill a week ago, and it was 3 cc's in my band. I felt a little bit of restriction initially, but then it went away. I know I need to be patient and really utilize this time to learn portion sizes, but it's so hard when I feel hungry! And I really need to wrap my head around this thing. I think THAT makes it difficult as well.

Not sure why, since I kept thinking it would never get here! An intro to me: I'm 37, married and currently living in Newark Delaware with my husband and son. My surgery date is December 14th. I've been overweight almost my entire life. I'm sick and tired of the effects my added weight has caused, not to mention rude strangers reaching out to pat my belly and asking, "when are you due?" Ergh! I tend to cary most of my weight in my belly, which is another bone of contention, but I digress :-) Any advice, suggestions, thoughts, etc, are welcomed!

Your story is very inspiring. That is one of my goals, to be able to not have to shop at LB anymore. My body shape is so weird that I usually have to wear size 22 jeans, but then it's really baggy (apparently they think heavy girls have long legs!), and the butt droops, so I look like I have a load in there. Not cool! lol.