judybellyband

I would love to take you up on that. I am about 25 lbs away and it is slowly coming down but have just come off a dreadful plateau....needed more protein and change in the way i was exercising. You are doing great and would appreciate the help.

Talked to exspert that made me write down what I did for two days. Then she told me I was not getting in enough solid Protein (chicken) and change my Water arobics from 6 days a week. So changed it to 3 days water and 3 days weights; my body was "use to" what I was giving it...we NEED to change it up. While I still find it hard to eat solid chicken, I have found more Protein shakes and edamame bean treats, along with the change in excercise, the way for me to break the plateau. Hope this SAVES someone else to hot sit on the a plateau FOREVER.

While my lost is not as dramatic, I am equally as happy with my result as I am only 24 lbs. from my goal weight/re-lost all but 6 - 10lbs of that which I had gained before my 1st band failed. I am also very grateful.

Oregon Holly... Thank-you for all the effort. Could you add me also as: JudyBellyBand.......17th........Judy Thank-you

Don't worry when you get to a consistant level of restriction, you are going to loose and not be hungry. It will happen. I am 4 weeks post-op and yesterday I had my 2nd fill to 7cc in a AP-s lap-band. I have read that for this band it takes somewhere between 6-7cc to get to initial restriction and I think they must be correct. I lost 1 lb in the past 2 days. So I feel that with excersice, I am finally in the game. I wish each of you a good fill...soon!

First, thanks for this thread...timing was perfect because yesterday at 4 weeks post-op, I had my 2nd fill up to 7cc in an AP-s lap-band. It was the worst fill exsperence I had ever had (another story) so I had no idea when I left if I was too tight or not. But last night I could only get down 3 tsp. of tomato soup and 2 oz. of water before I was totally full. So it's going down but very, very slowly. I am going to do as many of you have suggested and take it very easy over the next week. But it's wonderful finally having restriction again...so wonderful.

Jaimee, Having looked at were you are located, I am sorry but I am unaware of any qualified (+100 lap bariatic operations) surgeon in your area. You might want to consider flying into Charlotte (I would), either driving to Dr. Moran or Dr.Enochs in the Raleigh area, or consider your family who might be in another city. I wish you well in your discovery process and keep us posted.

Ben you are so-o-o right. It's better to have Protein if you want to loss weight. Carbs like fruit give you energy but it will not keep you full. I drink a water-based protein 14oz (one scope) shake at 7:30, another at 10:30, baked chicken in tomato Soup at 12:30, Protein Shake with 1/2 banana at 2:30, a spring green salad with chicken at 5:30 and then sometimes another shake at 8:00. I just self-paid thousands of $$$ so I shall not touch a potato/rice/bread/ice cream like starch until I get to goal. Anyone else going to take my challange??? Come-on, I need to feel the love here! ...and so does everyone else; right Ben?

Hope, I love what you wrote...cause even with restriction it is always so true;...just as Hope has said, "So easy to say "oh it's only a little tiny bit of chocolate!" Evil. AMEN!!!

Ok, how big is our boat? I had surgery on 10/17 where my surgeon put 3cc into the AP-small (10cc) band. Then yesterday, 11/6, he added another 2cc. So now at 5cc I still do not have restriction. I'm trying to get another in 2 weeks before Thanksgiving. But I know that I have to build up to around 9cc which will take forever.

Dear Friends, We are all at the same point..we SHALL get there. Thank-you for allowing me to help as I am always a little held-back with those I don't know. But I have such a passion about all of us learning from each other and this is more than any one of us or our doctors, who mostly don't have a band, could understand on our own. We will all get there together...but until we do hit our "sweet spots" in a few months, we have to do well with eating AS IF we had restriction already and really focus on excercing. IF we do so we will be ready to loss -100lbs by this time next year. IT IS THE ONLY WAY.

I am so excited!! My 1st fill appointment for my new band is now tomorrow morning. Someone else had canceled and my Dr. said call Judy!!! I love this man. This is so wonderful becasue I am only three weeks post-op on Wed. Oh, I am so-o-o-o excited that I am going to go swimming now for several hours. Just wanted to share my wonderful news. Yea!!!

Hi Carot, YES...for sure yes it is very normal. It is not until the second or even 3rd fill that most people get any true restriction like that you might have had just days after the surgery when your stomach was still perhaps swollen and getting use to the band. It is very important that the fill be done slowly so your stomach does not swell causing slip or errosion. Remember, you want this band to be happy around your stomach for your life and it's worth it knowing that in a few months you will be flying in bandland lossing around 2 pounds a week....but it does not happen until there is true restriction which takes time. For example in my own 10cc bands like the Vanguard or the new AP-s, your doctor would have put only 3cc into the band at surgery, then the first fill will be to 4cc or maybe 4.5cc which puts the band at a neutral pressure (meaning it only fills out the intertude's baffolds without restriction to the walls of the stomach). So then you have to wait another 3-4 weeks before the first restrictive fill. The second and on going forward is only another 1 cc, so now there is restriction on the stomach but it may not be enough. To me this period is the most frustrating point of waiting for your stomach to heal and get to true restrictive fill range (70-90% of the band capasity). You are thinking well I had the surgery why am I so hungry....because you don't have true restriction on the stomach and they have to wait to find that perfect fill point that is best for each person. So I understand and am expecting restriction and true weight-loss with the tool only begining after fill #4 (in 5-6 months after surgery....not fill #1. So after surgery it is so IMPORTANT to focus on restrictive dieting by eatting correcty in prep for restriction AND excercising which are your other two legs to this three legged stool. It will not happen without all three legs stable and supporting. If you stay focused on these 2 you will loss weight but it's harder. So two legs are good while you MUST wait for the lap-band to be restricted. So my advice is reset your schedule expectation...not your weight-loss expectation. I know for some this is not what you wnt to hear but it is truth from one who already knows....I sincerely hope it helps everyone to get into some type of excercise now cause if you do, you will be so much futher ahead. I wish all of us the best results...let's keep working hard together cause I am right there with you.

My name is Judy and I live in central North Carolina. I am from Columbus, Ga/Eufaula, Al, an Auburn Grad and now a retired engineer who is enjoying taking care of my 79 year old Mother, puppies, and DH. Married for 34 years to my Mr. Universe who is an associate pastor. Have just finished building my own enclosed swimming pool cause I love to swim. My very small family and my relationship with Jesus is what is most important to me. Here is a couple of pictures. My beautiful baby is my 1st grand-niece who was born in late September and lives in Atlanta. It was the first time I was able to hold her.