Mrs.Bales

So here I am six months after lapband surgery and “only” down about 25 lbs. I know it's alot on the scale of life but not where I want to be. Most of the loss was in the first weeks after surgery when I was on liquids. I have lost about 7 lbs in the past 3 months, I am getting discouraged and need a swift kick in the butt and looking to the forum for it. My brain knows the band is just a tool and it’s up to me to pick the right food choices which I do 99% of the time. Have I had a cookie, a bowl of ice cream or French fries in the last half year? Yes, did I overdo it, No. I am eating grapefruit and cottage cheese for Breakfast as I type this, my lunch will be a salad with chicken and ½ fat dressing, I will snack on a banana and have a 4oz portion of baked ham with a ½ cup of potato and vegetables for dinner. I have a husband who supports my choices and encourages my progress. So here I sit, knowing that I despise exercise but know it’s the key to a kick start. I bought a juicer, I don’t like vegetable juice, it takes up a lot of real estate on my kitchen counter. Six months ago I was so excited I really expected to be down about twice my loss to date, 50 lbs was my gaol. I read about other people’s success stories and need some advice about meals, exercise and how to get that switch in my brain to flip so I “get it”. Meals, portions are small and within what my surgeon recommends, lean meats, lots of Protein, low fat. I work at a desk job and have a 1 hour commute each way so my days are long and don’t always allow for time to join a fitness class or gym (an excuse - I know). I have had two fills and have frequent bouts of “stuck food” so I am at about my capacity and do feel full with each meal. Bring it on people, give me pointers and advice, give me encouragement and give me that shove to get this ball rolling again. I need your help.

Hello fellow Canuks, I have given up on having insurance help recover some of the costs so I am wondering if anyone has guidance on what to do/collect/save/copy so that I can at least try to claim the cost on mine or my husband's income tax. Feel free to reply in forum or private - any info would be appreciated.

I am a SlimBand patient but lucky because I live just outside of Toronto so it was just car travel. I have been happy with SB care so far they have steady emails and have been responsive to my questions by phone. Fills have been pretty simple also. DeeW99 used SmartShape and I think she has been happy with them also. I would be curious to compare more the differences and or the similarities. I only learned about SmartShape after my SlimBand surgery so maybe I didn't do enough research. But sure was happy that Cibo Clinic (which has now shut down) didn't rely to my first enquiry.

One thing I have been told by my clinic is to not drink right before during or for 1/2 hour after eating so that your new "pouch" gets used to the feeling of food and so the liquid doesn't either sit on top or make the food flow through the opening faster than it should.

I also travel a lot for work and have to eat out a fair amount. I am recently banded (two months ago) and have discovered just how little people notice what I'm eating. I order foods that are smart, fish not fried with sauces on the side or other lean meats and ask for extra vegetables instead of rice or potatoes. So many places have healthy menu choices it really surprises me. Even at Micky D's you can get a grilled chicken wrap. It's really surprising how little people care what I'm eating or if I ask to take the rest to go. People figure I am just eating healthy so I don't feel the need to make any excuses.

Hi there, well I am way up in Canada but love my spice. I had a hernia repaired at the time by band was put in and have been able to rekindle my afair with spice. before my surgery onions and peppers would give me the worst reflux, since my surgery I haven't needed a single tums, rolaids or any of the others. I don't know if it was the hernia that was doing it but life after the band has been plenty spicy and loving it.

I am now two months (10 weeks) post surgery. I have had one fill and scheduled for a second in the next week. My clinic insists on 4 weeks between fills which I think is normal and safe. I don’t know the number of cc’s in my band, it isn’t something the clinic I have used concentrates on but I will ask on my next visit if I remember. I’m not feeling much of a restriction at all (if any) I lost weight during the fluid phase and the first couple of weeks on solids but have found myself at a stand still now. I do my best to limit my food to 1 cup to 1.5 cups per meal and eat all my protein first per my instructions. I just don’t feel any restriction at all and managed to gain a ½ pound this week (I know exactly how and have no one to blame but myself). I am fully capable of eating way more but use self control right now rather than the band to limit my intake. I don't feel any true restriction yet but I do get things “stuck”. Odd things like nuts or boiled eggs. My question is; on average how long did it take you to find the “sweet spot” to restrict your food intake and get the ball rolling?

I have had the potato chip addiction for 40 years! But it's true I found myself substituting nuts for chips which seem to get stuck for some reason. So now have to find a new "go to". Wow you are down 50 lbs, very encouraging to me.

All the best!

Hey there, Hate to say it but not everyone loses EVERY WEEK. Your body has to get used to the new routine of food and portions. Keep your eye on the bigger picture, you have lost 37 lbs that is FANTASTIC! If the scale isn't moving think about how your clothes are fitting and do you FEEL better. The scale isn't the only indication that things are going well. Deep breath, it's a long road ahead, like a marathon, not a sprint - and I hate sports comparrisons.

Fantasic job (and yes we all know it really is work!) You are exactly where I want to be at the one year mark, I will be more than happy with a pound a week. It took me almost 10 years to put the last 75 lbs on and I keep reminding myself it isn't going to go away overnight. Keep in up!

I am GREEN with jealousy!! wow you have done fantastic in a short amount of time. Oh to be that young again... *deep sigh*

YES!! I actually wondered a night this week if there was really a band in me. I was eating sushi and thought I should be full now, ok now I should feel full, no really I should stop now and realized maybe I should listen to my brain!!! I think I need a fill to get my band and my brain on the same page.

Sounds like you and George are still getting to know each other and he knows when to push your buttons. From the view of one month post-op and only 15lbs I am jealous of the relationship you have and look forward to there being 57lbs less of me even if that means I gain a George along the way. Keep it up - it took years to gain the weight, it can only come off one bite at a time.

I had a hernia repair the same day (May 24) as I was banded. I don't know what "normal" is for recovery but I was feeling back to 100% a week after surgery.

Hate to admit it but I started the hot flashes and all the other "fun" when I was 41 (now 44). My mom was only in her late 30's and I remember her standing outside in the cold Canadian winter in nothing but a light cotton nightgown with steam coming off her and finally understand why. I am on a prescription for the mood swings and it helps with the night sweats too. I haven't tried anything else but I have heard some of the herbal remedies have some benefit.

Hi there - I am in Canada and our insurance won't cover it - I paid $16,000 out of pocket, dipped into my RSP's (think 401K). Quite frankly if I didn't do something I wasn't going to have to worry about my retirement. It's a shame that so many other surgeries are covered but one to help people live longer healthier lives is not.

Yes, I had a similar experience - the nausea I attributed to the anesthetic, and the runs to the all liquid diet. Everyone is different – listen to your body and take it easy. I had a couple of days of feeling way worse than I expected but got through it and now 17 days out feeling great. I had forgotten (or pushed it to the back of my mind) the nausea, pain and discomfort until now. It can’t hurt that I had a hernia fixed in the process that was a whole other issue for me for years. We are all so excited to start the journey that we forget it isn’t a sprint to the finish. One day and one sip of Water at a time. Good luck!

Hey there - I was banded at the Toronto Clinic (SlimBand) on May 24th. I have really appreciated the after care and follow up so far - the daily emails have really helped me but I find their website for members not as good as this one. Yes it is mainly Americans but they have had the same proceedure and are a real wealth of knowledge. Good luck to you all!

It is the name of one of the clinics offering the proceedure in Canada. It is the same band as the rest as far as I know.

I am. Got my band from Slimband in Toronto on May 24th. Happy with my choice and no issues with the clinic.

Hi there. I was only banded on May 24th so it all pretty fresh. I haven't regretted it for a single second. My mom passed away two years ago at age 69 and I knew I had to do something to make sure I lived at least to that age. I hated feeling tired and worn down all the time, waking up tired with no energy. After sugery I was sore - it was surgery after all! I had hernia fixed in the process and had the gas pains and discomfort you will hear all about and experience. I have missed solid foods and have grown to really dislike cream Soups. I will take every second of discomfort from surgery and missing chewing for a few days if it means I live meaningfully for longer. Concentrate on why you are doing it, stay positive, this forum has been a fantasic place to find like minded people who have been where you are and will tell you first hand what it's like. Not some story they heard from someone who heard it from someone else. Ask questions but ultimately make your own personal decision for your own reasons. Good luck.

Don't panic - the band isn't even really doing it's job yet. You are still in the recovery stage. The liquids and mushy stages are part of the healing process your weight loss process starts when you get your first fill and are eating solid foods. Do you recall how long it took to put on 25 lbs? bet it was more than a couple of weeks. First let your body heal, get used to having the band. When you start eating "real" foods again then you are well on the weight loss portion of your journey.

Hi there, I was banded May 24 so I am a wee bit ahead of you and also had a hernia repaired in the process. I am supposed to be on mushy food until this Wednesday but last night had a small baked potato and a very small pork loin chop (2 ounces). I was so desperate to chew something after weeks of fluids. My band has no fill right now and I was able to make it through the meal no problem (and felt full!). I cut the meat in pea sized pieces and chewed and chewed and chewed. Took me longer than normal to eat but I found out I started really tasting food instead of eating for the sake of getting full. Go slow (says the person who jumped the gun) and let each bite make it to your stomach before you put another on your fork. As for the bowel movements I ended up (my attempt at humour - Canadian style Eh) with the runs for a week and then everything went back to "normal" but in proportion to the texture and amount I am eating. Good luck!!