Poodlelover56

Yes, most definitely! Getting under 210 will be my first major victory because in three years of getting as close as 212, I couldn't get there. I would give up, then bounce up to the 220's or 230's. 237 is my all time high this past summer. So, this time there is no turning back! I can't even imagine the feeling of saying good bye to the 200's. FOREVER! Lol. Arlene

I wish him the best.

Sorry, I didn't think my first response went through . Sorry to have repeated myself!

I echo your sentiments completely. Well stated! How can any of us foodies have a lifestyle change forever, when all we can think about is our next meal? That is, until we are banded. If I ever write about this experience, I think the title would be : "Finally released from the bondage of my appetite. My experience with lap band surgery". Arlene from Boston

Dibleydawn. That was so well stated. You echo my sentiments exactly. It IS impossible to have a lifestyle change forever if you are constantly thinking about your next meal, which was me. And most people who have been banded. This is not the easy way out either. I am one month banded and still getting to know my band. I have no fills yet, and am losing steadily so opted for no fill at my appt yesterday. But there are times that I have eaten something I always had before, like almonds, but they don't settle right. So now, having tried them twice, I will stay away from them. But I am very happy to be banded. If I write a book (haha), I think I would title it: "finally released from the bondage of my appetite: memoir of a lap band patient"

Breakfast: oatmeal w almonds, fat free half and half and skim milk. Lunch : 3 oz chicken w roasted red pepper, prosciutto and melted cheese. ( left over from a restaurant) Dinner: 1/2 cup low fat cottage cheese with small can diced peaches Snacks: weight watchers giant fudge bar Carnation sf protein drink w skim milk.

I am 4 1/2 weeks post band. I rejoined my WW group 1 1/2 weeks ago. My nutritionist from my bariatric center thought it was a good idea. She just advised to eat protein , fruits and veggies. She advised me to stay away from snackie type stuff, though i do enjoy the weightvwatchers giant fudge bars! My WW leader was very supportive. She said she has had other members who have had WLS. Most days I am not able to eat all the 29 points. It's hard to do when fruits and veggies are now zero points. But it is keeping me on track. I lost two lbs at my weigh in last Wednesday. I've lost 23 total since pre op liquid started on 9/28. I was banded 10/12. I don't plan to tell the other members though. But I was happy my leader could be supportive. It's amazing to me that I can't eat all my points! And I have no fills yet. I would love to hear from others. Arlene from north shore of Boston.

Congratulations!

Congrats! That's an awesome weight loss! The lap band rocks!

And, most importantly, good luck! You can do this!

Dewron, you said in jest that you need a brain band. But the truth is, and I'm sure you know this, that being banded is as much, if not more, about changing your relationship with food. The band is just a tool to curb the appetite, but you have to put in the tough emotional work, and it's not easy. Do you have a nutritionist or support group that you attend? I actually started to go to Weight Watchers again, just for the weekly accountability and the support. My leader knows I have a band, but i likely wont tell the other members. She told me she has had many weight loss surgery people in her group im not pushing WW at all but i encourage you to find some kind of support system It could help get you on the path to happiness.

Well, here is my two cents, for what it's worth. First of all, trying to pass off pringles as even remotely healthy is a complete joke. I think that most of the folks here are honestly trying to change their mind set about eating and are really trying to make healthy choices. So to read about you eating pringles in your immediate post op phase makes most of us cringe. As my surgeon says, he operates on your stomach, not your head. I, personally would have been terrified to eat solids before I was allowed to. And i am an RN so I know a little bit about healing the body. This is an open forum for lapbanders, everyone approaches this slightly differently but we all have opinions. So take the good with he bad and do what you want with it. Good luck.

I feel like I am in the exAct same place as you. I am 41/2 weeks post op. Saw surgeon yesterday and we decided i do not need a fill yet. My weight has been steadily dropping, and my appetite is being controlled by the band. So why mess with success, as the saying goes. I am sure I will need a fill at some point, just not yet. And I am also 13-14 lbs from onederland. Cheers, Arlene

Went for my first fill yesterday. Didn't need it. My weight loss is going in the right direction. Next visit is in 6 weeks, sooner if need it.

Not drinking with meals.

My support group said tobtake biotin for hair loss prevention.

I saw my surgeon today for my first fill, but he and I agreed that i am doing well with just the restriction from the band, so no fill today. I am down 23 lbs from start of pre op diet on 9/28. Banded on 10/12. I am following the nutritionist's recommendation to fill up on the protein and veggies, then have a little bit of carb if I have room. But honestly, I haven't really wanted much in the way of carbs. I made scrambled eggs with fat free mozzarella for breakfast. I though I'd try a piece of wheat toast. I took one bite and didn't like the way it went down, so I threw it away. I'm happy to have restriction at this point with no fill. So I see the surgeon in 6 weeks, or less if I need to. So I am... Arlene, a happy loser!

Good to hear! My first fill is this afternoon!

Hi Kll, wow. One hundred lbs. That's so awesome. I was banded 10/12 and go for my first fill today. I think I'm excited. I've been losing steadily. Started at 237 and am 214 now. My question for you is: when did you start drinking coffee again? I would love that one cup in the morning! But I've been obeying the rules. But I know people do have coffee. So that's my big question! . Thanks, Arlene.

When is your surgery ? I read a few good books about lapband surgery that really helped prepare me. One of them was by dr Robert Sewall. . Very informative. I also read Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies. I would also say don't expect too much of yourself the first several days. Be prepared to let your body recover by resting, walking, and staying on your post op diet. Everyone recovers at a different rate. But it's a real jolt to your digestive system. Take the time That your body needs. Good luck! Arlene

I'm not a dietician , but that seems like a lot of food , lots of carbs Try going to myfitnesspal.com and track your food for a week. Do you have a nutritionist at your surgeon's office that could help you. I met with the nutritionist right before she advanced me to solid food. I had brought her print outs from "myfitnesspal " , so she was able to see what I had been eating , even though I was still in the mushy stage. She was big in to healthy foods and staying away from what she called "fluff", foods with poor nutritional value. It was helpful for me. But you gotta put in the work.