BlueMoon~T

Hi There! I had a whole response written up and I accidentally erased it. Must be too early in the morning for me to think clearly! I just finished writing a blog about how I've been feel with the band. I've lost around 40 lbs and I'm 3 months out from my surgery. This site is perfect for reading what's up with people and how the band is working or has worked for them. You will even read people talk about their negative experiences with the band. I think it's good to get both sides of the coin so people who are trying to decide what to do can get all the information they need to make their decision. For me, the band was the best thing I've done for myself. Don't misunderstand the band requires hard work and dedication. The band requires lots of follow-up and communication with your surgeon and his team to make sure you are where you need to be. When you first get the band it requires a lot of will power to stay on track because the band isn't really helping you yet. I've had two fills and I'm calling today to see if I can come in early to get my third. I can tell my band is still not in the green. Make sure you find good Protein shakes that you like and Soups that you like because when you do your pre op diet and after fills you will need things that you think are yummy. I use unjury and also the cheap stuff from Wal-Mart called Body Fortress. There are better ones that have no sugar and low or no carbs if that's what you are into. I just like mine with a little no sugar added frozen fruit, soy milk and vanilla Body Fortress. There are tons of sites you can find for recipes for bariatric patients that have very creative recipes for shakes and regular food. Exercise is important to help you as you move along to lose faster, and to help with plateaus. I have back injuries that are making exercise very difficult but I'm keeping my chin up and I'm still losing so I'm happy. I have over 100 lbs. to go but I'm determined and there are plenty of people on this site to prove it can be done. Read and listen to there advice they know what they are talking about. Ask questions, but remember if it doesn't jive with what you believe or with what your surgeon has told you remember that your SURGEON is always right! LOL!! I wish you the best of luck in your journey and look forward to hearing what you decide to do! Best Wishes!

Here I am 3 months after being banded. I feel proud of the progress that I've made... but sorta bummed because I have such a long road ahead of me. I look back to last April and I realize how far I've come. I actually weighed 332 lbs before I got sick. So, since then I've actually lost 70 some lbs. I know, I know I should be proud but I'm looking at more than a 100 lbs to go to get to my goal. That's a lot of weight. I need to set small goals to keep myself motivated. I'm also bummed because I have so many back problems that its making it impossible for me to exercise. I've had two fills. I have 6cc's in my 14 cc band. I'm calling today to see if I can come in early and get my third fill this week because I know I need it, I'm not in the green yet. Which brings me to my next thought. I had an "Ah Ha" moment this week. I don't know how many times I've heard that the band is just a tool it doesn't make you lose weight. This is SO TRUE! I've had the band for three months and really I've been dieting for three months. I've changed the way I eat and watch my calories. My band isn't tight enough to "KEEP" me from eating. Technically, I could eat whatever I wanted and quite a bit of it, but I'm using my willpower to keep myself on track. Some days are better than others. My point is the band isn't working for me right now so I'm still on my own. I made up my mind that I was going to lose weight and that's exactly what I'm doing! I just didn't realize it would take so long to get my band to the right spot to get me losing with my band. If anybody is reading this that hasn't been banded yet, just realize the band does work it just takes a lot of maintenance. You have to be in contact with your surgeon. I've only been going once a month but I'm hoping to start going every two to three weeks until I get where I need to be. After my fills usually by week two I know how I can eat and what's going on with my hunger. I know I'm just rambling, but that's what my blogs are for! I'm looking forward to Thanksgiving this year and I'm not worried about gaining. I'm more nervous about being around family, and them seeing how slow or what a small amount I eat. Plus, those who know will be looking at me to see if they can tell if I've lost weight. I've lost two jeans sizes. Go me! Go me! Go me! My daughter who comes home on the weekends from college always tells me she can tell the difference in my weight. She told me my clothes were too baggy and I needed to wear smaller clothes to show off my body more. This is another issue. I don't see myself any thinner so I'm still wearing clothes to disguise my body. I really still need to because I have a bad case of muffin top going on now. The jeans are all low cut and I need to lose weight around my middle. Can't wait until I'm to the point where I can get a tummy tuck!! Also, my poor tata's are shrinking. Of course, the first person to tell me about that was my hubby. LOL!! Finally, I mainly wrote this for myself to remind me where I've come from and where I am and to set my mind straight to where I wanna be! I can do this! I am doing this! BUT, its hard. This is not an easy fix. The band is not a quick fix. The band requires dedication and pure commitment to your goal. It's not just another diet either. It's a life changing way to help you eat healthier and in turn you get your life back! I'm getting out more. I'm doing more with my friends and that happy party girl is coming back! Everyone around me has noticed it. I'm THANKFUL that I feel more confident! I'm so glad I got the band and I'm so glad I found this site. Even though it's changed dramatically. I love all my new lapband friends! I'm thankful I have friends and family that are supportive! I feel blessed and I'm going to continue to work hard to lose these last 100 lbs. It might take me two years but I'm going to get there! Hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving! Till Next Time, Tara

Hi all! I got my second fill October 9th. The first two weeks I can really tell the difference, but now I'm hungry again. I now have 6 cc's in my 14cc band. I've been told it takes between 3 and 5 fills to really start getting to green. I sure hope its three for me. I'm losing about 3 lbs a week, but it's been difficult to stay on track. It's like any other diet you really have to work hard with the band as your team mate... It's not easy. The band is not an easy way out or quick fix. It takes dedication. I know, I know... I'm preaching to the choir. I'm looking forward to my third fill on December 6th. I won't mind if they give me another 3ccs. Bama, as for the evening snacking, which I struggle with too. I try sf Popsicles or Jello. Something low cal. I've figured out eating really slow...even the stuff I'm bored with eating helps me feel more satisfied. It's the darnedest thing! Good luck!!

Try this blog. http://bariatricfoodie.blogspot.com/ I've found lots of good recipes and ideas for something different to eat. Good Luck!

You're post is inspirational. I love reading this kinda post! Congratulations! Everyone is right, you look awesome!!

I agree with Mis73, most important thing is to watch for infection. Otherwise, not a biggie! Have a great day!

I'm a newbie, but last night I ate a small bite of chicken, but didn't chew it enough and I had some pain in my chest for a little bit. Same as you described; however, after a little bit it went away and sips of water helped a little. I took sips to see if I was stuck. It was just a reminder to chew...chew...chew! It's part of learning to eat with your band. Hope you feel better soon!

I had an abnormal EKG, but I have an irregular heartbeat or what is called PAC's. My insurance required I have an echocardiogram to ensure everything was okay. And it was! Hopefully, you can get it and get things taken care of quickly. Best wishes and try not to worry! Plus it sounds like your nurse had an operator error! LOL : )

I'm excited because tomorrow I will be getting my first fill. My doctors PA uses fluoroscope to do the fills. I'm a little nervous but mostly looking forward to hopefully getting some restriction. I'm happy that I've lost even after the carb filled mushy phase. I hope everyone else is doing well!

Wow! Already at 6ccs. I'm jealous. I also have a 14 cc band. I'm not sure how much they will give me when I go back in. I'm a little discouraged because my back problems are keeping me from exercising. I can barely walk. I have another appt. with my pain management dr to see what else I can do for my pain. I'm still losing, I would just like to build muscle and tone up while losing. Hope everyone has a great weekend!!

I left a response via my phone but I guess it didn't post. I hope your fill went well today. I got 3ccs and they do it with the fluoroscope, it was strange being poked and then having to stand up and do the swallow test. It was cool to be able to see everything though. I feel a slight difference in my restriction but not a huge difference. My next fill is scheduled for November 6th. I haven't been very hungry lately so I guess that's a big change from the weeks prior to my fill. Hope everyone is doing well!!

Cute play on words, Mr. Junkie! So far, in my short experience with weight loss and the band I have to agree with Bliss. It has improved the va..va...voom factor in my house. I think losing weight gives us more confidence and makes us happy so we really NEED the "pinnacle moments" more than ever.

Good Luck and CONGRATULATIONS!

Thanks for these words of wisdom. I'm getting my first fill tomorrow. I'm happy to get some restriction... Hopefully. I'm still learning about my new band, but appreciate nuggets of truth that people post on here.

Don't get discouraged. I had a mini melt down about the same time as you. Sounds like you're doing great. A loss is a loss. You should be PROUD! I've taken the month since my surgery to really focus on making healthy food choices. Sounds like you're already doing that! Just keep up the good work!!

Hi Guys! As you know I was banded Sept 3rd. and I swear I'm hungry all the time. I'm trying to learn the difference between real hunger or just head hunger. That's where I'm at in this journey right now. Trying to face what got me to the point of being overweight in the first place and replacing it with some good habits instead. Has anybody else been struggling with their internal demons? Instead of eating I went for a long walk last night. I drank some crystal light when I got back and I felt like I had won a small battle.

Elivia- My advice is do your research, but don't do what I did and wait five years to make the jump. I only gained more weight. I'm still new, but I have no regrets with getting my band. It definitely is a tool, not a quick fix. As, you'll read some people fail, but most of the time when you read their back story they didn't treat their bands right. Good Luck!

Thanks Bama! I'm still struggling with making sure I eat the right things as my band has nothing in it and I'm a month post op. I only have to wait till the 9th for my fill though. I have a lot of back problems and while I was walking last night my sciatica started acting up again. Today, I am going to take it easy. Say a little prayer for me, lol! It's my sons 13th Birthday and he's asked me to bake him a chocolate cake. Oh! the temptation...

Congratulations! Take it easy and walk as much as you can it will help with the gas pains.

Congratulations! Keep us in the loop on how you're doing!