jbandster

I have reached it! And I couldn't be happier! Don't despair my fellow bandsters...it is real and it might take you a while to reach it. I was banded March 20th and I was losing hope with minimal weight loss. I got my 4th fill on Friday and it took me up to 8.5 ccs in a 10 cc band to get there. But now I feel full all of the time with very little desire to eat. I am so happy and want to share my joy! If you are feeling hopeless, hang in there, it will happen for you too! Let the true weight loss begin!!!!

I'm happy to report...that I am finally under 260! 258 to be exact. I'm just really excited because I was banded on 3/20, but I have been stuck in the 260s for over a month. )))

I was banded on 3/20 and am only down about 20lbs. I have 7cc in my 10cc band and I still don't have a lot of restriction. Getting a little nervous because I am running out of fill space in my band.

Thank you everyone for your support! I know I can do it....baby steps style! Lol.

And back into old eating habits. Sigh. Gained back almost 8 pounds. I was really down on my self this morning but I have a brand new attitude tonight. I got this surgery for a reason...and that was to change my life. So...onward and upward. I need to remember why I did this in the first place...for better health and a better life (and it would be nice to eventually have a hotel towel that will wrap all of the way around me!) Just thought I would share...I know I am not alone in this struggle.

I am a traveling sales person by trade, and today is my first day returning to the road. I am out on a 4 day trip and I am getting my first taste of being banded on the go. It will definitely be a learning curve for me to choose my meals wisely. It was easy at home in a more controlled environment. I live in a rural area with no restaurants so I prepare every meal at home. But now, living in a different hotel room every night, it will be up to me to make the right decision when it comes to ordering at restaurants.

I too totally caved in to cravings today! I was so upset with myself right after...I had major food shame. No more! I'm taking back the control I had and not letting a day like this happen again! What was I thinking going into a Chinese buffet???? Bad Jessica! Very very bad. Lol.

The cooler is a really good idea! Especially since I live in a state (good old New Mexico) with such inconsistent amenities and choices for dining. Luckily I am in a bigger city today and stopped at a Cracker Barrel for some rainbow trout and green beans. I will definitely plan better on my future endeavors!

My surgeon put 2.5 cc in my 10 cc band at time if surgery. I am 4 weeks post op and just got my first 2.5 cc fill today bringing me to a total of 5 cc.

It went great! A little painful. I got my surgery in Mexico so my follow up doctor is in Denver. He had to palpate and really feel around for my port, and that was the painful part. But if you are going to the same doctor who did your surgery, he will know exactly where your port is, and you will avoid this part of the visit! The needles are tiny, and they do numb you a bit, so that is the easy part. I had 2.5ccs put in at time of surgery. I have a 10 cc band, and he just put another 2.5 ccs in for a total of 5 ccs! Very happy. Looking forward to the next few days to see how the restriction is going to be. Best of luck to you!

...in approximately 30 minutes. I'm very excited!!! Just had to share!

You can make homemade baked zucchini chips! I found a great recipe on pinterest. Season them however you like. As long as you make the slices small enough, they bake up nice and crispy and are great with dips!

Egg salad with low cal mayo and mushed up avocados were my saviors!

Hang in there girl! I am 1 mon post op and in hunger hell. I get my first fill tomorrow, and although I am excited, I have learned on this forum not to expect a restrictive feeling until at least a few fills. Everyone's body is different, so it might take a while to get to a happy place for you. It's just mind over matter at this point. Just stay active and do the very best you can.

I will do that! Thank you!

Great job Donna!!!!! You are very inspiring!

So I have a friend that got the vertical sleeve surgery about 14 months ago. In talking to her about my early progress after being banded, I mentioned some cravings that I'm sure everyone experiences. She said that early on, and through out her journey, she has developed something she says help curb her cravings. My friend told me that she takes bites of food, chews it, and then spits it out. At first, I thought how disgusting! But then I started to think a bit about it. I'm not sure if is a good idea or a really bad habit. Have any of you done this? Just looking for some input.

I am glad you are feeling some restriction after your first fill! I hear so many times on here that you might not feel any restriction until your 2nd or 3rd fill. I've got my first fill scheduled for this Friday and I am hoping for some restriction too. I'm not counting on it...just really hoping! Cheers to your first fill!

On occasion I get some back and knee pain. Since I hate the way crushed pills taste, does anyone have any suggestions for a sublingual type of pain reliever or liquid pain medication. All I can think of is children's tylonol. Do you guys have any suggestions?

I made the switch to decaf and use sugar free creamer. Still has calories, but I use less creamer than I ever did before and just sweeten it up a bit with a packet of Splenda. Just like heaven! Mmmm mmmmm!

I used to take the Aleve liquid gels, and I'm afraid they are too big.

Oh I know! I got the worst pains from the gas during surgery too! When I woke up in recovery, they were saying I was funny because I was (still pretty drugged) whimpering about having the wrong procedure done...because my stomach didn't hurt and my shoulders were killing me! Lol