Platinum

I was banded on Feb. 9, 2007 and weighed 265. I am now under the 200 pound mark!!! That is a huge accomplishment I set for myself. I would like to loose another 10 pounds before my bandiversary. That would put me at a 75 pound loss for the 1st year. I think that is pretty good. I would still like to loose another 40 to 50 pounds. EXERCISE!!! I love my band and the restriction it gives me. My lifestyle has changed tremendously but I am embracing it every step of the way. Yes, food gets stuck sometimes and I PB or slime but I am glad that my band is working. I don't eat bread anymore and that eliminates pizza, hamburgers and several other foods from my diet that made me fat to begin with. I don't mind that I can't eat those foods anymore. I now think about the foods that I am about to eat. Don't get me wrong, I still have some weaknesses. Ice cream is one but I try to eat this in moderation. Good luck to you all!!:clap2:

Julie, I've followed your entries for a while now and first I want to tell you congratulation for all your success. I was banded in February 07 and have lost 65 pounds so far. I feel good about it but need to loose 50 more pounds. I am increasing my exercise program but wanted to know what a typical daily diet for you consist of. I sometimes find it hard to eat the healthier foods so I wanted to know which foods you have had success with. You are an inspiration to us all so please provide us with some daily diet tips. I appreciate any advice you can offer. Thank you.

Here's my update: I've lost 6 pounds since my fill on April 14th. My fill is pretty tight but I am able to eat if I really chew small bites. So far, I am down 26 pounds since my band date of 2-9-07. Good luck!!

I am being banded on Feb 9th by Dr. Ortiz in Mexico. I have read that he is one of the best in this industry. He has a book out called Lap Band For Life. I am 37 year old mother of three. I am 5'4' and weight 265. This is getting ridiculous!!! I am really excited and a little bit nervous. I have tried to loose weight so many times and always fail. It is almost sureal to think that I have an opportunity to shed this weight once and for all!! It almost too hard to believe. I've bought my broth and Jello for the post op diet. I haven't been doing so well on the pre op diet. I hope I don't get into much trouble over it. It's been really hard to diet knowing that you will be giving up so much after the surgery. It's all a mind game. Three days away from surgery date!! Wish me luck. More later.

I must say that I really love my band. I have struggled to loose 5 pounds and then to keep it off was another struggle. This is the first time in a very long time that I am finally loosing weight and keeping it off. I know that I couldn't do it without my band or I would have already done it. It might be a struggle to get the right fill amount but I don't know much about that yet as I have only had one fill so far and it seems to be working really well. Now, I need to motivate myself to get to the gym 3 or 4 days per week. It's not that I don't enjoy going but I am pretty busy in the evenings but I just need to start making the time. Once I get this part implemented in my daily routine, it's all gravy baby!!!!! My body should really see improvements. I hope my journey will give you some insight so that you can make the right decision for yourself. To be banded or not? In my case, YES!!!!

I think 1200 calories and 20 grams of fat is where I am trying to stay. I also want to eat 60g of protein per day. I guess it all depends on your current weight and activity level.

I think your doing fine but watch your calories. I'm still hungry too but I've only been drinking full liquids and the band doesn't really restrict against that. I feel good about everything and hope the restriction will last a few months. My fills cost $250 each. Good luck to you.

Good to hear from you Mary. Keep up the good work! Hopefully this fill works for me for a few months. I guess time will tell.

Hey everyone, I had my band surgery on 2-9-07 and went for my first fill on Saturday the 14th of April. I drove to Dallas from Okc to get the fill. The doctor decided to give me a good fill so that I would not have to drive back so soon for a 2nd fill. He gave me 2.25cc in my 4cc band. He told me to stick with protein shakes and other full liquids for a week. So far, everything is going well. I was also happy to see that I was still down 20 pounds from surgery date. I had no restriction and felt like I was eating too much so I thought I might have gained some weight. Anyway, my first fill has been great so far! Good luck to you all!!!

I had my first fill on April 14th and he made me pretty tight (I think). He gave me 2.25cc's in my 4cc band. I've been drinking full liquids like Protein shakes and creamy Soups and I've been doing fine with them. I will start eating solids in the next day or so. I was still down 20 pounds when I got my first fill so I was happy with that. I hope to lose some more now that I have my fill. Good luck everyone!!!!

Julie, The results are fantastic! I am so happy for you! Congratulations on your new improved body! :clap2:

I NEED RESTRICTION!!! My first fill is scheduled for this Saturday and I wonder how much they will give me. I have the 4cc band and I hope they give me enough but not too much. I hope they know what they are doing because I am driving 3 hours away to get this fill. I had my band done in Mexico and it is hard to find local doctors that will see you. Anyway, it sounds like some of you are getting pretty good restriction with your first fill so I will keep my fingers crossed.

I've been following this thread and Julie is amazing! Wow, 173 pounds in one year!!! I was banded on Feb 9th and I am going for my first fill this Saturday. Right now I don't have any restriction but I hope that all changes this weekend!!!!! I can't wait to see the pictures also. It sounds like you are in great hands with your Dad watching over you. Thanks for being such an inspiration!!!:clap2:

Wow, you are almost through the roughest part of recovery. I am so excited for you. I can't wait to see pictures!

Thank you so much Julie for your story. I was banded two months ago and have yet to have my first fill. I have been eating more than I should and I have been feeling guilty about it. I have lost 20 pounds and have been at a standstill for a couple of weeks. After reading your post, I realize that my feelings are pretty normal as I am waiting for my first fill. Again, thank you so much for telling your story and inspiring me in my journey to lose 120 pounds. I am so proud of you and now I am feeling like I can be that success story too. Thank you:clap2:

I was also a diet coke addict before the surgery. I was banded on Feb. 9th and gave up soda cold turkey. Recently, I have taken a sip of my husband's at dinner but nothing more. However, my doctor said that I can have soda six moths after surgery. I was excited about that. I just wonder why I can have it in 6 months if it can cause damage to my pouch. Strange??

Hey there! I was banded on Feb. 9th by Dr. Ortiz and I am down about 20 pounds. I am very pleased so far but also notice that I can eat more than I should. I guess most of us are experiencing the same thing so I don't feel so bad. My first fill is scheduled for April 14th in Dallas Texas. I am pretty excited about it. I have been trying to get to the gym at least 4 days per week. I am going to really amp my exercise program up starting on Monday! I just got back from a 10 day vacation to Florida and was able to maintain my weight loss. It was hard because I was eating more food than usual. I guess all the walking at Universal Studios and Seaworld really helped. Good luck to you all!!!

Hey Puddin, You are looking absolutely fabulous these days!!! I can't wait for big results on my end. I was banded on Feb. 9th and I am down 20 pounds so I am pretty excited! My first fill is scheduled for April 14th so I hope to continue loosing. As far as the dating issues, just be you and enjoy your life. Don't give these guys what they want. Make them work hard for you and leave some mystery about yourself. The don't need to know your past or how you truly feel unless you are wanting to get serious with someone. Just have fun and leave them hanging every once and while. Seth is use to getting any girl he wants so don't be another notch on his bed post. Make him sweat a little. Go for his bro because he seems better anyway. I know what you mean as far as it being hard to resist a "hot guy" but your way hotter so make em sweat!!! Some guys will make out with just about anyone who is cute or not cute for that matter. Be the one girl that doesn't give in so quick. Be the one that they really want to keep chasing. Make them respect you as a strong woman and not some cheap quickie. I know you have urges because we all do but try not to put yourself in a situation that is hard to say "no". At the same time, have fun because you are young and single but stay true to you! Good luck girl!!

Isn't this such a great feeling!!! I was banded on Feb. 9th and am down 17 or 18 pounds and it just feels amazing. My face is looking slimmer and my clothes are fitting looser. I am just so please with the whole experience thus far. :banana I am experiencing a little bit more hunger now that I have healed. My first fill is scheduled for April 14th. However, I still eat much less than before the band. I avoid breads as I tried to eat it once and it got stuck. This really helps me because I used to love to eat pizza. Now, I avoid it. So far, I am loving my band!!!:clap2:

It's my one month bandiversary!! I am feeling great and have lost 17 pounds total. It is getting a little bit harder because I don't have any or much restriction. My first fill is scheduled for April 14th and I can't wait!! However, I am using old fashioned will power and new eating habits that I have formed over the last month. I am eating much less than before the band but I don't feel full for long and I do notice more hunger. I hope to keeping dropping a few pounds before my fill. Stay away from bread and dry meat when you start eating solids. I learned the hard way. It get stuck going down and you feel like you have a frog in your throat. Not a good feeling! Good luck!!

Hello Metal Tigress, Today is both of our 1 month bandiversary!!! How do you feel so far and how much weight have you lost? I am feeling great except that I really need that first fil. I have lost 17 pounds to date. I was hoping for more but lately I have been able to eat more than I should. I have been really using will power and hope to continue loosing but I really need that fill. My fill appointment isn't until April 14th so I'll just have to be strong!! How are you doing????

I was banded on Feb. 9th and I feel no pain any longer. I only felt pain near my port site the first two weeks and no gas pain at all. As far as drinking full liquids too soon....My doctor told me to drink clear liquids the first 3 days and then I could have full liquids and then mushy food on day 9. I got to eat solids on day 21 so I doubt you have done any damage. I stay away from bread and still eat softer foods. I tried to eat some chicken but it didn't go down well. I guess I didn't take small enough bites. However, I don't have a lot of restriction and I don't get full fast enough or stay full long enough. I am using old fashioned will power until I can get my first fill. I do eat much less than before the band so that is making a difference!! It's strange how there are so many different post op diet instructions. I guess it just depends on your doctor. Tomorrow is my 1 month bandiversary so I am waiting to weigh myself. I can feel a difference in my clothes so I am hoping for good news. Good luck to you all!!!

I know of another doctor in the Dallas area that does fills with Fluro for $250.00. They also do fills on every other Saturday. They give you two weeks to come back for free if you need more or less of an adjustment after your fill. Check out www.texaslapband.com or call them at 972-566-2263.

I had my surgery on Feb 9th with Dr. Ortiz in Mexico. I am down 17 pounds to date.

I was banded on Feb.9th and recently started eating solid foods. It is tough because I feel that I can eat too much at one time. However, I am trying to stick with a healthy diet to continue to loose while waiting for my first fill. My fill is scheduled for April 14th and I have a week long vacation to Florida in two weeks. I know it will be a little bit of a struggle but I hope that I have formed some new better eating habits. Sometimes I feel trapped in a fat persons body because the weight loss isn't instant.:phanvan However, I am seeing some changes when I look in the mirror. :clap2: That gives me hope and motivation. Hang in there and be strong. You can do it!!!!