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.