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I waited until I was 50 to get banded. If I knew how great it would be, I would not have put it off. I kept thinking I could lose weight if I just tried hard enough. Well, I did try. I lost weight, only to gain more and more and more. The band is a wonderful tool. Its not the entire answer, but, it works:)

I hear you. I am 5'1" and was at 208 when I went for my first lap band consult. I had done Weight Watchers (twice in the last 5 years), I joined a gym, I tried Adkins, I gave up and just decided this is my life. But, my life was miserable. When I told my friends I was going to have the surgery, they just didn't understand. Some said "how do you qualify?" Well, at 208, I was morbidly obese. I have terrible high blood pressure and arthritis. My feet, knees and hip hurt. I was facing surgery on my feet. Lap band surgery is very personal. I literally made a list of pros and cons of having the surgery. I too, had to do a six month diet, documented. I had done WW for exactly six months last year. The insurance company fought me on it because I didn't have a record of weight loss, only a letter saying I was a member. I appealed BCBS's denial, stating I that I AM going to have this surgery, I meet the criteria, so, tell me what I need to do. They approved me within 72 hours. Two weeks later, I had the surgery. I love my band. I am happier and healthier. All that said, no one can really tell you what to do. Its not the easy way out. I truly believe it is safe and practical. Good Luck!

That sounds good! I need some new recipes!

I can hardly tollerate scrambled eggs! I think everyone is different. One thing is for sure, you learn pretty quick what foods will give you trouble . To Valerie, yes, you can comment on posts or post a question/subject for others to comment on. Welcome to lapbandtalk.

The first six weeks you are healing. Its SO important. My advice would be to be good to yourself and give it time. Eat healthy, exercise and rest. It takes a while to get your head wrapped around the changes you are going through. That was one of the hardest things for me to do. I can only weigh once a week, or I'll drive myself crazy. I weigh only in the morning:) Do all the things the nutritionist says: Drink water; Do not drink when you eat; Begin your day with protein; Exercise; Lean meats and veggies. Its not easy, but, I know you can do it!

My biggest fear was failure. I was banded September 29, 2011. For the first few months I only lost about two pounds a month. Sometime this spring, my band (10cc) was half full. For the first time, I felt real restriction. I started losing one and a half to two pounds a week. Now, I'm forty pounds down and its still not easy. Its not as scary as it was. I drag my butt down to the little gym in my building at work for 30 minutes, 5 days a week. I got rid of my riding mower and now have to walk to cut grass. Its hard to go from being out of control to being in control. My brain just didn't get it. Growing up, I was subject to verbal abuse. I was told I would always be a failure and that I was stupid. I carried that with me into my adult life. I went to a counselor to try and understand the abuse and control issues. I'm here to tell you that you can do this. You deserve the great changes coming your way. Never, ever give up. Lastly, please remember this: Its not how you fall down, but how you get back up that really matters.

It really opens your eyes when you can't eat the super-size servings any longer. I just get a to-go box and eat leftovers 2 or 3 times.

Sounds like you are just eating too fast. It was one of the hardest habits I had to break. Good Luck!

Its weird how you can eat one food one day and then the next, you cannot tolerate it. Yesterday I had spaghetti (made with ground turkey breast and whole wheat noodles). I had no problem whatsoever. I just ate some for supper tonight (about half the amount I ate yesterday). It feels like a rock in my stomach. After 30-40 minutes I begin drinking Water. Eventually it washes it down and I get my fluids in.

I am so glad to see this post. I have a 10cc band and I am at 6cc's. I have an appointment tomorrow and am wondering what the criteria is for getting a fill. I've had good restriction, but, I don't know if I'm in the green zone or not. I am losing close to 2lbs. a week. I feel really good. I have learned to slow down, chew more and stay away from foods that get stuck. I guess everyone is different, right? Wish me luck tomorrow:)

I was banded September 29, 2011. I have a 10cc band and have had several fills. I'm at 6cc's and have good restriction. My weightloss did not really begin until my band was half full. I have began going to the nutritionist (where I get my fills) every other month. I go this Tuesday and am curious to see what they recommend. For those of you that have only had a couple of fills, try to be patient. **Its Hard to be Patient" I did not get good restriction for months. But, once it begins, you will know it. I love, love, love my band.

My doctor required only the Sugar Buster's diet so that my liver would be smaller. Its not a bad diet whatsoever, you might want to check it out. Sooner or later, your eating habits are going to change. Good luck to you!!!

Awesome attitude I love it when you encouraged the others by saying "you can do it". You are well on your way, have a great journey.

Getting your brain wrapped around the band is harder, in my opinion, than the band itself. None of us are perfect. Its not easy. But, it is definitely do-able. You CAN do this. One thing I do is stick to the basics. Start your day with Protein. There are many great Protein drinks. Make exercise a regular part of your life. You don't have to do an extreme workout, try 30 minutes a day. (10 min. cardio/ 10 min weights/ 10 minutes stretching....very do-able. Focus on what you do need to eat. Remember to eat slowly and chew, chew, chew. That way you will rarely get stuck or throw up. Water...drink a lot of it, at least two liters a day. The flavored waters are great, just read the label and pick one with little or no sugar. It takes about three weeks to develop a good habit. The longer you practice the good habits, the more likely you are to stick with it. Weigh yourself at least once a week. At first you may hate it. But, when the scale begins to go down, and it WILL, you will get the momentum to continue. I'm sure it was a big decision to have lap band. You deserve to be happy. Don't beat yourself up, it makes things worse. Remember, its not how you fall down, but how you get up. Good Luck!

I love wine. I have a few glasses a few times a week. There have been times when I decided to eat something, usually cheese. But, I always regret it. So, I've become better about it all. I eat before (30 min) I have a glass of wine. I have found I do have the will-power to stay out of the kitchen. I've been pretty dedicated about the don't eat when you drink and visa versa. I have given up diet coke, beef, (any dense meat), biscuits, and most bread. I walk away from cake and doughnuts at the office. But, I do indulge in a few glasses of wine (Merlot-which is on the Sugar Busters Diet) and an occasional piece of chocolate. mmmmmmmmm

My family has been very supportive of me since I had lap band surgery. I'm a single mom, with two (daughter 24 and son 16) at home. We all have been over weight. Here is what I need help with. My son has been exercising like crazy and has lost 25lbs. My daughter has gone the other way and gained more weight. Of course they see my weight coming off and hear me talk about the dietary and exercise changes happening in my life. I've been encouraging them both to be healthier. I have talked about the sugary drinks and the fast food. I have had a heart to heart with my daughter about her health. I don't know if I just need to shut up and lead by example or to keep encouraging them. She says I'm nagging. She has also told me that while she is happy for me, she is jealous of my weightloss. I think she is being self destructive. (I haven't said that to her) I don't expect my kids to whip themselves into shape because I am working on it. I want them to be happy and healthy. Have any of you experienced this? I need some good advice from someone that has been there.

What a great post :wub: ...you really got to the "Heart of the Matter". (song by the Eagles)

Its normal to be nervous. The lap band journey is slow and thats okay. You are healing right now and need to take it easy. As long as you eat healthy, get your rest and walk, you are doing great. Soon you will be in the groove of things! Good Luck!

Thanks for the input . I do not bring junk or sugary drinks into the house. They both love fast food and usually go out when I'm at work. If we all go out, they drink coke. I feel like I cannot and should not force them to drink diet coke or Water. I just hope one day they will choose for themselves. I know nagging doesn't work. Still, I feel distressed because I know how hard it is to lose weight. I asked her what she thought about lap band and if she thought it would ever be an option for her. She said, no, she definitely does not want to go that route. I've only mentioned it one time. Lap Band has been the only thing that has worked for me. But, she is an adult and has a mind of her own. I guess I just have to love and respect her and try to keep my mouth shut. Its hard because I have been overweight all my life and truly understand how she feels. Argh...frustrating.

The only time I have ever felt the band is when something gets stuck. It takes a while to adjust to eating smaller bites and chewing your food until its mush. I think weightloss is different for everyone. Some lose fast, some slow. I lost very slow the first few months and now my weightloss has picked up. Its hard to be patient, but, very important. Like the others have said, its a tool, and how you use it will determine your success. Head hunger can drive you crazy, especially if you are a stress eater, like me. But, you can manage that too. Even if you fall off the wagon, jump right back on.

I run by the thrift store almost once a week. I don't get too much, but, its a real treat to buy smaller clothes! I have run across some high end brands and that just makes it better. Now, I take a bag of the clothes I can no longer wear back to them. I love it!

Whoo Hoo.....the journey begins

Congratulations! Its a new day...a new beginning...

I love my band too. I got it September 29, 2011.

You did it!!! The hard part is over, its time for the good stuff now With your great attitude, you are going to do great on this journey!