pink dahlia

um , you've "only" lost 33 lbs in 3.5 months , and you're not happy ???? ...................you might want to rethink this, because you probably did;nt gain 33 lbs in 3.5 months, so doubtful you would lose it quicker. a slow and healthy weight loss equals a healthy body that keeps the weight off. You are doing very well, and your Dr is happy. count your blessings, because some people take forever to lose anything. Hope your successful weight loss continues ! Good luck !!

Hey, its no shame to have a bit of cake ! lots of people do ! i have a little treat everyday and include it in my daily log on myfitnesspal.com. ( Chocolate should be one of the 4 basic food groups ) As far as breakfast goes, i have to have breakfast everday or im horribly cranky with low blood sugar. since i dont have time to sit down and eat a proper breakfast, i fill up several baggies each week with raw almonds, turkey jerky and a half a protein bar. that way when i run out the door i can just grab a baggie, and maybe a yogurt or a Boost protein drink too. (I also keep a baggie in my purse ) It saves me from a Mcdonalds breakfast etc. Try making up some baggies or tupperware with your favorite healthy snacks for those rushed mornings. Celery and pb, apples and almonds, protein bars, breakfast cookies (from Taste of Home website) etc....... good luck !!!

You were banded on my birthday, July 27th, so im sending extra good karma your way ! I was banded Dec 13,2011 and had hopes of losing 50 lbs by my birthday. Well , im close but not there yet , im at 47 lbs ! Soon ill be there ! Six months from now you wont reconize yourself. Just follow your Drs orders on food and exercise, take it ONE DAY AT A TIME, and you'll do fine. Good luck !!!!

If you dont mind me asking , why do they think you would become bulimic after being banded ? Sorry , need more info ! if you are comfortable with sharing more info about your reasons maybe we can help you more . good luck !

Hey ! you are not a failure just because your body isnt cooperating ! it may take time to get your body on the right page. I didnt get alot of restriction until my 3rd fill , and then it only lasted a few weeks. Then not alot for the 4th, 5th or 6th, but just had my 7th and so far, so good. Every body is different. Also, i think you might want to look into exercising more, I looked at your profile and while i cant tell how old you are , by your screen name im assuming you're 50 or older. Well, im 54 and my metabolism has been SLOWWWWWWW since early 30's. A year on weight watchers and i only lost 12 lbs !!! Seriously ???? A Year !!! Im thinking you might need more exercise than what you're doing, but i know the joints might be a problem so i encourage you to swim and/or walk at least 3x a week. It has done wonders for my weight loss ! hope this helps, hang in there ! you can do this !!!!!

My doc said no pre op diet either. he just said dont gain any weight, but if you lose a few lbs thats fine. i lost 5 lbs preop.

Knew i had to do something but had no idea as to what, so thought i would be overweight forever as Weight Watchers didnt work. watched 2 relatives become sucessful with a lapband, so i started looking into it. i was banded Dec 2011 (Best decision ever !!!) knew it was right for me as soon as i started my research. No more old lady clothes, lots more energy, like what i see in the mirror, more self confidence, nice compliments.

Ive had Blue Cross/BlueShield forever, they paid 100% of the surgery because i had some of the co morbidities they required like high blood pressure, sleep apnea and a proven try at weight loss. ( 6 months at weight watchers). get your self a good surgeon who is reccommended, you going to have to put yourself in his/ her hands so you need to like and trust that Dr. and their team. Ive been banded since last December, down from 225 to 180, very happy with my results so far. Im living, not just existing ! Good luck, you can do this !

i attend a water fitness class at the Y 3x a week. Great work out but very easy on my joints. A definite help for my weight loss. Love it !

I have'nt tried Morning Star but i do get a yummy one at Costco, just dont get the Dr. Praguers brand, it was horrible ! A good veggie burger just hits the spot !

i get almost all of my protein from food, and only have a homemade protein shake maybe once a week. I drink a "Boost protein drink" almost every A.M. then add in a during the day more protein sources like peanut butter, chicken teriyaki meatballs, beans , nuts, hard boiled eggs, turkey burger, fish etc. Every little bit helps . Good luck !

Honey,............. if youre eating "too much " and have "no control " could it be because you need a fill ? Make an appt with your Dr. , NOW........... Once you have the proper amt of restriction you wont be thinking of or eating the wrong foods, because you literaly wont be able to ! Im getting my 7th fill tomorrow (im singing), tommorrow !!!!!!!!!!!! Get back on track so you can talk about being a success story ! Good luck, you can SO do this !!

Honey, stop waffling already ! Sounds like you've done ENOUGH research ! As far as complications go, well i ve had more "complications " with a root canal than i did the band ! i was misreable, overweight , out of shape and could not get the scale to go down more than 12 lbs even with a year of Weight Watchers ! I thought i would be obese for the rest of my life ! The kicker came when my hubby mentioned one night that his sister and her hubby were going to get Lapbands in the next few weeks ? (June 2011) I thought " Lap band ? Oh yeah, i kinda remember seeing ads in the magizines for lapbands !" But it literaly NEVER crossed my mind that I would get one ! So the inlaws answered my questions, i did ALL my research and got banded In December because I knew this was the answer to my obesity ! BEST. DECISION. EVER.

I agree with ajtexas0, its normal to want to be noticed in a positive way by people. Who doesnt love a sincere, positive compliment ?? When i was heavier i sure as heck didnt get the compliments im getting now ! ( Pardon me, but Holy Crap ! ) Not a week goes by that somebody doesnt say something nice, so that makes me feel good about my hard work, and sticking with it even during the hard times. So far ive been called skinny, skinny butt, smokin' ( are you talking to me ??? ) and recently a manager who has barely spoken to me in 2 yrs stopped me last week and complimented me on my weight loss and asked how much ive lost, etc ... (45 lbs). Now he smiles at me and calls me Slim ! Hello ? I like to be noticed by others as much as the next girl, but you have to ask yourself if you're really happy or unhappy with your relationship and not base your answer on just the compliments you are getting from other men. good luck !

I went Christmas shopping 3 days after being banded, but it was only to 3 stores next to each other and for one hour. Just being outside for a little walking and fresh cool air did wonders for me , as did a hot shower. I went back to work feeling 100 % fine 7 days after i was banded.

I would not of told anyone, family, friends or co workers had i not been 100% sure i would of gotten a supportive reaction from most of them. I got nothing but support from all of them. my family knows my past history of weight struggles, and were behind me all the way. My co workers were mildly interested, asked a few normal healthy questions and basicaly said "good for you !" I get asked about it occasionly, answer the questions happily , and move on to the next subject. I think if you approach the subject with a positive attitude, lots of knowledge, and "can do " attitude people will respond in kind. If not, oh well ! thats their problem !!!

funnyface, i agree. i couldnt stand another liquid on the post op diet, so i cheated with a spoonful of tuna with a little mayo. Heaven !

that was hubby -US Marines- 1977-1981

Me- US Army 1977-1980, Husband- US Marines, 1977-198, Son 2.5 yrs Airforce

Hi and welcome ! I have BCBS too, and didnt have a waiting period either. I was approved very quickly after my paperwork was sent in and i jumped through all the insurance hoops .Im very grateful they paid 100 %. My paperwork was sent in end of last Sept and i think i was approved about 3-4 weeks later. I was banded last December, and its been a great journey so far . Down 45 lbs, going for my 7th fill on Monday, still have about 35-50 lbs to go. Hope all goes well for you ! Good luck !

I had the exact same problem. I was told this is normal, the nurse told me the saline settles in the nooks and crannys sometimes so thats why i suddenly was hungry after not being hungry for 2 weeks. ( 3rd fill) same prob now after my 6th fill so im going for a 7th next week. She said everybodys different, you just have to go with what YOUR body wants and needs.

You dont mention any exercise, are you doing anything like zumba, biking, running etc ?? I was banded last December, im down 46 lbs and its been slow but steady because of exercising ( Swim fitness class ) 3x a week plus occasional walking. Made a huge difference in my weight loss, and watching my clothes get looser and looser did wonders for my self esteem too. also , i temporarily reached the green zone at my 3rd fill, then it went away after about 2 weeks. The nurse said this was normal, sometimes the saline settles in the nooks and crannys. So i had a 4th, and a 5th and finally hit the green zone again on the 6th fill for about 4 weeks. Now im due for my 7th fill next week. You may or may not have these same issues but stick with it ! The band DOES work ! Talk to your Dr if you're still not getting anywhere in a few weeks . Good luck !

Be patient, you didnt gain that weight overnight and youre not going to lose it overnight either. It may take awhile to feel restriction, but thats normal. Once you do you'll only be able to eat a small portion of what you can eat now. That will help with the weight loss, but so will making healthy choices which you can start with NOW ! Fill up on protein 1st, then your fruits and veggies, and if there is any room left over, carbs. Once you're full, STOP EATING. You'll see the scale move when you add exercise. Something is better than nothing . You'll get out of the band what you put into it. Good protein sources- chicken, beef, turkey burger, beans, etc.. ... Im down 46 lbs in 7 months, the band DOES work ! Good luck !

If you try salmon make sure you buy only" fresh caught not" farmed" salmon. Farmed salmon is salmon that is raised in fish pens where the fish all swim around in the dirty water and absorb all their own body waste through their gills. It can taste "dirty." Fresh caught is just that, and taste 100 % better. We just barbq or broil ours with a mix on it of low fat mayo, a little brown sugar and a dash or two of no salt seasoning. Yum ! Also try for protein ideas- turkey jerky, raw nuts, hard boiled eggs, Bruce Aidells teriyaki chicken meatballs, or low fat peanut butter. Good luck !

i didnt want bypass because i didnt want my insides rerouted, so i only researched lapband. i was very comfy with my decision and was banded last December. Down 45 lbs with no complications. I love carbs too, but the less i eat them the less i crave them. I still eat a little everday, usually wheat thins . I still think getting banded was the best decision i ever made because my life has changed for the better 100 %. i have a co worker who had gastric bypass 2 yrs ago, all she talks about is what she can and cant eat. Its a never ending story . Me ? i still can eat about 95 % of what i ate before and it just keeps getting better and better. I have more energy, look and feel better and my recovery time was so quick ! Operation, recovery and time to get homewas 5 hrs. Back to work in 7 days ! Easy !!! Hope this helps ! good luck !