Fabulous Sasha

I think it's best to eat prior to going to a party to be safe. My band is soo unpredictable and sometimes I push it to the limit just to see what I can eat. Unfortunately, more often than not - it works. I can go days with eating any type of food I want, in moderation; however, I may hit one day I can only eat safe foods. As previously mentioned - it you don't want to slime all night - its better to be safe.

Yes, I would do it again.

I agree. There will be pros and cons to any procedure. As we all know, with the lap band - it can be difficult to adjust to if you do not change your eating habits. The lapband is more difficult for those that love to eat vs. those that just make bad and/or lazy food choices.

See below!

My cycle was weird the first 3 month following surgery - however, afterwards it was normal.

Yeeepeee!!

That's Awesome!! Good to hear happy endings from ole timers!

Everyone is apparently different and I think it depends on your level of restriction - I can't see how I can stuff myself now. If I eat too much I will start pbing. When I do that - I can't take another bite. I have not had a total full filing for the last 2-3 months. I just stop myself from eating usually because I don't want to pb. On the other hand. I have a friend that pb throughout the time she is eating and is able to eat all of her food - it's weird eating with her.

I agree, sometimes PBing is resulting from eating too fast and not chewing your food correctly - it's not always because you have too much restriction. I usually PB when I am hungry and start eating. Deep down - you know if you need a fill or not. If you are eating more than usualy - I think you could probably use a little one.

Oh, that's funny. Gas is the only side effect I have and I have just learned to live with it. My family and I were laughing about all the Gas I have last night. It can be horrible.

I think you are in an AWESOME position. It's all about restrictions. Just continue to eat right and get in your protein and vegetables - I wouldn't be concerned about the calorie in take as long as it is not too many. You shouldn't start any bad habits just to get in calories. As you loose weight your band will loosen up some which will allow you to eat a little more.

Take it one day at a time. You will go through phases where you do not loose at all; however, in a few weeks the weight may start following off you. This is not a race but a journey. Make good food choices, count your calories and exercise and you will definitely see results eventually. I've only lost 35 pounds in 6 months; however, I don't exercise and I don't always make good food choices coupled with the fact people are telling me I don't need to loose any more which decreases my motivation to loose. Good Luck on your lifetime journey.

Have you been having the same restrictions since you got your fill; or did it change? I find certain times of the month I am tighter than other times. When my cycle is approaching and during my cycle, I can not eat much at all; however, a few days after everything goes back to normal.

If you are in the green zone - the change is soo drastic you will definetly know. I can eat 2 bites of food and feel full. I have mostly head hunger vs. real hunger. And after a eat about 1/2 cup of food (if that), I am not hungry for 3-4 hours.

With my current restrictions - I am eating about 800 calories a day. I didn't think that was good - I will try it for a few weeks and see what happens. Thank you for posting that article.

I had my surgery on a Friday. Saturday morning he went to work and I was sick with a cold - slept on the couch that entire weekend because I really was sick. By Monday I was as good as new :: a lot of drugs - but good as new. I had to hide it so I could not walk in front of him nor my daughter for 2 days. It was difficult; but I pulled it off and they have no clue to this day.

I only told one person that had a lapband. My husband doesn't even know. Mainly because I know my family and friends wouldn't understand my struggle. I was obese but even my friend that knows thinks that I am crazy for getting it done because she fels the surgery is for he morbide obese. I feel I would have been morBidely obese in 5 years if I did not have the surgery.

I have finally made it to the green zone with 5.3cc in a 10cc band. It's a wonderful feeling. However, now I am struggling with getting in enough calories. It appears the only thing I can eat without getting struck are mushies and fish- no matter how much I chew. I ate a very small piece of rib on Saturday and really took my time to chew it well because I had a few struck episodes with chicken on Friday (too dry) - I PB'd enough on Saturday resulting from that small piece of meat - I don't want another piece of red meat, again. So no Chicken or Beef for me!! My band is not open for Breakfast, so I have an adkins shake. For lunch and dinner it's okay but I definitely can't eat more than 3/4 to 1 cup of food - which is awesome - but, again, with these restrictions - I am not getting in enough healthy calories. I don't want to start bad habits like eatting dressings etc. to increase my calorie count - I'd rather do it with food; however, I don't think fish do it. Please give me some lunch and dinner ideas to increase my calorie intake.

I get the same reaction and I am no where near my goal - and no one knows I have been banded. I do understand what you mean when you say it slows your progress in getting to your goal because it does. There is a voice in the back of your head that says - Do I really need to loose anymore weight?? My response to that voice most of the time is - people do not know how I look with my clothes off. And until "I" am satisfied with my weight - I will continue loosing. At this point, you have a tool that assisting you to loose - use it to your advantage. On the flip side, I do believe I would exercise more if I did not get that reaction from people - which would speed up my progression in my weight loss. It's all about RESTRICTIONS!!

I use my fitness pal to track my calorie intake. How many calories do you eat a day? What you have listed doesn't appear to be alot. For instance today - for breakfast I had an adkins shake. For lunch I had 3 chicken mcnuggets - no matter what I eat for dinner it will more than likely not equal to 800 calories for the day. I do understand we need to treat ourselves; but my goal is to change my lifestyle in the way that I eat; so if I consume too many empty calories that will be contrary to what I am attempting to do. Experienced Bandsters - please help!! Allow me to repeat - I love my restriction.

B52 you are so correct. I love to drink water and gulping it is a pleasure for me especially when it is cold and im hot. Oh how my wonderful restriction has given me issues all weekend. I have concluded I can no longer drink water after I eat. I have been pb'ing all weekend from drinking water after meals. After 1 time yesterday and 2 times today. That's definitely the issue. I am so excited. I think I am finally in the "green zone".

I agree, I can eat any type of food; with the exception of dry meats. If you do not have the proper restrictions, you should consider looking at your food choices - bread, french fries, rice, sweets are really high in calories. I only "treat" myself with those types of foods. - I currently have 5.3 cc in 10 cc band.

I had a low BMI as well and was self pay. I have lost about 30 pounds and I can feel my port; however, it is not real visible. You have to try extra hard to get the weight off with a lower BMI. Loosing 1/2 of my body fat was not that difficult; but this other half may be a challenge; however, I have not reached the green zone - Good Luck!

Hey, I am 4 months + post op and down 30 pounds. Over the last few weeks its been a little slow. I have heard once you surpass 1/2 of your body fat it's a little more difficult to loose. But I have done it with very little to no exericise. Going in for another fill this Thursday!!

Congratulations!!