♕ajtexas♕

It depends on your age and amount of weight loss. Like Carolinagirl I will take the saggy skin over the weight anyday. Plus I've started the "Amanda Tummy Tuck Fund", I except cash, checks, visa, mc.....hehehe

Welcome all you newbies! Congrats on entering your new life. Remember to be patient. You didn't gain the weight overnight therefore you will not loose it overnight. The band is a fabulous tool and will assist you IF you follow the bandster lifestyle. Keep coming back to LBT....the support here is irreplaceable! Good luck.

Great question. This is something I am battling now. Head hunger vs physical hunger..... I am a creature of habit. Breakfast @8, lunch @noon, dinner @7. Schedule hasn't changed in years. And my tummy knows this, so I get hunger feelings at each time. Is it physical hunger or habit? If it is habit, is that bad? The schedule works for me. I eat my small portions, stop when I get the first sign from my band. This seems to be working for me right now. But I am very aware that I might be eating before I am physically hungrey.

I was banded in Feb and am at the green zone. It took 8 fills with 2 unfills to get there. I go to True Results in Austin. Be patient, it does take time. I would rather get there slowly and cautiously, I've been in the red zone, not fun.

Way to go. That is so awesome! Little things like this really add up.

Be sure your surgeon knows you smoke. The best would be to quit before your surgery, but if your surgeon is aware and willing, then take it from there. As for alcohol, it is empty calories. I choose to have a glass of wine every evening. It was the one treat I didn't want to give up. I count the calories and work it into my 1200 calorie diet. Some doctors say no alcohol, mine didn't so check with your doctor. As for your emotional eating, the band WILL NOT help you there! You will have to battle that demon yourself. I would recommend counselling to help address the emotional issues. When I got my band I decided my life had to change completely......and it did. Now my food choices are healthy, there is NO junk food in my house anymore, I exercise daily (wow, never thought I would say that) and most importantly food does not control me....I control it. Good luck on your journey.

I like me! I really really like me!!!!! My attitude towards life has completely changed, I'm not afraid to do things now. I can do anything I set my mind to. Life is good! :-)

Thanks for sharing. Keep up the great work!

20 lbs is alot. Next time you are at the grocery store pickup two 10lb bags of flour or sugar and see how heavy they are. Sometimes we need that kind of visual, I know I do. We see ourselves the same as always......it takes a while for the head to catch up with the body. As for the fill and feeling restriction, tmf is right on the money. I finally got to the green zone after my last fill (8th fill), a month ago and I was banded in February. You will get there, it just takes time. You are doing great.

When my sinuses act up my band gets very tight causing me to liquids for the day. If you can't get water down you might need a small unfill. Be sure to stay hydrated, dehydration makes my band tighter as well. Lol One of our LBT buddies said their band was like a toddler, you never know what to expect each day. Boy that is so true. Lol

Call your doctor. The symptoms you describe sound like your band has slipped. Please call your doctor asap and get it checked.

Put the scale away for now. Focus on getting enough protein and water in. Many of us did not loose during the first few week post op, some of us gained weight. I know it's hard and frustrating but if you follow your doctors orders you will see the results. It takes time. Keep it up, you are doing great.

Congratulations, I am so very proud of you. Family dinners are always hard and you concord it. :-)

I got the band because it was less evasive and it was adjustable. Yes, it takes maintenance and lots of doctor followup visits, but that is something I need and want. The maintenance and doctor visits keep me accountable. It is a personal choice, everyone will have their reasons for the wls they picked. The best advise is do your research and pick what is best for you. Good luck.

MellioM gave some great advise. Also ask yourself why you are doing this on the weekends? Do you feel deprived during the week? Try to make a plan that will work all week long, maybe eat more calories during the week and balance it out. Are you drinking your Water on the weekends? I find if I don't drink enough water on the weekends I eat more. Now that you have identified the problem you can get a game plan to solve it. You can do this!

Congrats Grandma! Its so true that wearing clothes that fit makes you feel wonderful. I went shopping today and was thrilled, I now fit in a size 14! First time in 30 years. Bought 2 outfits, can't wait to wear them to work next week. We are so worth it! :-)

I'm 7 months post op and I can eat anything as long as I take small bits and chew good I don't have any problems. What gets me is eating too fast, not chewing enough and too big a bit. You would think I'd know better by now. Lol

1. 1200 calories 2. About 30g of fat 3. About 70g protein

Hi Lyn, welcome. I was banded Feb 7, 2012 and have lost 60 lbs so far, 30 to go. I have to say that being banded is the best thing that ever happened to me. It saved my life. 7 months ago I was pre diabetic, took 3 different meds for my high blood pressure and had bad acid reflex. Today I am off all meds, my blood pressure is normal, no longer pre diabetic and haven't had acid reflex in a long time. The band is a tool that assists you in your weight loss journey. You have to do a lot of work. Change your diet completely and exercise. If you do that it will work well for you. Keep reading this forum, do a bunch of research, look into all your options and make the choice that best suits you. Best of luck to you.

Stress will make the band tight. Plus if you had a hard time eating, that could have irritated it. Try doing liquids for 24 hrs, then mushie foods, slowly go back. As long as you can keep water down and stay hydrated you should be ok to wait to go to your doctor. But if you can't drink you will need to get an unfill now. Good luck.