kland

Ugh.....I've done so good so far; I just don't want to undo all of my hard work! I loooooove that I've quit smoking; really I do. But I'm having a hard time following the rules now. I haven't gained anything just yet, but dang, I can sure see how I could. My fill level is really good, but I guess it's just not good enough because I can really eat way too much. Anybody else quit smoking and have some wonderful words of wisdom or encouragement? Maybe y'all could post your very best "I need to munch on something now or I'll surely die" foods. I've been a non-smoker for one month now.....yay me!!!

Probably most of us really don't get a choice in the location of our port, unless we head to the operating table after getting our band. I am having some surgery done in January and really want to have my port moved at that time. I find that mine is in a really uncomfortable spot. It is in the upper region of my abdomen, about 1" left of center and maybe 2" to 3" below my ribcage. I don't think anyone can see it, so I'm not worried about that, but I can feel it a lot. It disturbs me when I sleep, since I'm a tummy sleeper and I've noticed that it just gets pushed on a lot. My hubby picked me up in a bear hug the other day and it really freaked me out! Soooooo, I thought I'd do a little research with the ones who have the answers! Is your port in a comfy spot? If so, where is it? Is your port in a sore spot? If so, where it that because I want to make sure I don't move mine there! Thanks!

Yikes....sorry. He doesn't seem to have very much respect for you and it just doesn't sound like a very healthy relationship for you. I wish you the best.

Well, I quit smoking today! Yikes! I've been gearing up for this for a couple of months now and started taking Chantix last week. I'm not doing too bad, but the habit side of me would have grabbed a ciggie several times today. Oh well. Of course, I need to quit anyway, but I did it to get ready for surgery that's coming in January. Still working on dropping a few more pounds and I'm exercising and walking steadily now. I think I'll be ready and I'm so excited! I hope everyone is doing well.

I'd join in on some sort of accountability thread. I tell you though, I'm one of the unhealthiest eaters around. I wouldn't want anyone to try to follow my menu!

Happy belated birthday and congratulations on making your goal, Baby! That's just awesome and I know you are feeling terrific right now. I have some goals to hit too.....scary, but I'm trying my darndest to get there. On January 4th, I'm having surgery...tummy tuck, breast lift/aug and lipo and I'm so excited I can hardly stand it. I want to lose 10 more pounds by that date, so I have started working out too. I am training three days a week for an hour; this has been going on now for three weeks. This week I started walking too. I'm trying like the dickens to shed the pounds. I'm pretty sure I can do it. There are a few hurdles to get past though. I am quitting smoking on November 15th and then there is Thanksgiving and Christmas to get through. I am staying positive that I can get through these things....not only not gaining weight, but actually losing weight. Whew...... Anyway, it's always good to hear everyone's progress. I know it helps keep me going! Best wishes everyone!

Your stats are very close to mine, Nan. Just keep the faith and keep up the good work. It probably won't be as fast as you want it to be, but if you keep with it, it will work. You'll have to be especially diligent until your band gets properly filled. You can do it. Pretty soon, you'll watch the pounds melt away and you'll feel so awesome!

I would just tell you that this has been one of the very best things I've ever done for myself. Once I found Lapband as an option and one that I could use for the rest of my life, I was sold. I researched until I felt I learned everything I possibly could and I made the phone call to attend a seminar. Was it easy? No, it wasn't. I was scared and I felt like a failure. Maybe my issues are different than yours....I don't know. But I knew that I would be dealing with, "why are *you* doing this?" or "*You* don't have that much to lose.", or "it's stupid to have surgery; just go on a diet and get some exercise.", etc. Well, I wanted the help. I needed the help. I want to be healthy. I didn't want to be as fat as I was and I didn't want to get any fatter. With my family history, I knew that gaining more and more weight was more than just a possibility. When I was heavier, I was depressed. If I didn't get out, it was fine. If I didn't see friends for awhile, it was fine. If I sat home and ate Cheetos and Oreos all day (or three days), it was fine. Well, it's not fine! Now, I'm 33 pounds lighter, I'm eating healthy, I'm working out, I'm enjoying life. And it's only going to continue to get better. When I binge eat, it's on 3 packs of 100 calorie Snacks. I don't undo all the great work that I've accomplished. if I hit a plateau, I'm not gaining; I'm staying stable. I eat like a thin person. I still enjoy food; just not an over-abundance of it. Maybe not the answer you were looking for, but I'll just say that it's working beautifully for me. Life is good. I love my band. I wish you the absolute best of luck.

I'd get one. If you're able to eat too much, experiencing a lot of hunger and you're not losing weight, then it sounds like it's time for a fill. For me, I want the weight to come off and I need the band to work for that to happen. I've needed my fills to get to proper restriction. Best of luck to you!

I have the AP small, which holds 10 cc's. My 4th fill was last week and I think I'm truly at my sweet spot now. The PA that did my last fill said that, although there is no standard, they are finding that patients are experiencing good restriction at 6 to 7 cc's with these new bands. She also said that they are having a bit of trouble with getting patients too tight. It's a learning experience for them as well as us.

Hi Mandi! You're doing just fine; just stick with it. You probably don't have real good restriction just yet, but you will soon. Just keep working on taking small bites and chewing forever. LOL I've now had four fills and I do feel restricted. I felt pretty good restriction after the third one. What I've noticed is that I'll lose a bit, then hit a plateau. It kind of goes back and forth week to week. Sometimes my body shape catches up with what the scale says too. So while I'm not losing anything, my body still changes. It's weird, but I'm loving it. Keep up the good work hon!

Awesome job! You look great and I bet you feel terrific!

Calories in vs. calories out for me!

I have the small AP 10cc band and have had four fills. My first fill was four weeks after the initial surgery. I think they were aggressive and I'm happy about that; it has served me well. The PA that did my last fill said that they were experiencing a little difficulty in getting patients too tight with these new bands. It's a learning experience for them as well as us. She did say that, although there is no standard, patients seem to experience good restriction at 6 to 7 cc's in these new bands. Right now, I'm at 7.3, which was only a .4 cc fill. At 6.9, I could still eat way too much food. I'm hoping this is the perfect spot for me. I think everyone is different and you just have to listen to your body. If you're hungry and can eat too much food, you probably need a fill. If you're rockin' along very nicely with no or little restriction, then that's great for you! Again, we're all different, but I've had no problems whatsoever with aggressive fills. From here on out, I'm sure if I need another one, it will be just a small tweak!

I'm still doing pretty good, but am looking forward to getting another fill tomorrow. I really can eat too much and if I'm anywhere near my TOM, I could eat the sole off of a shoe if it was sweetened with a little sugar! My body shape has changed a great deal though and buying new clothes is wonderful! I'm feeling really good and know that it's only going to get better! Wheeeeeeeee

Lucy, I could be making a terrible assumption here, but it doesn't sound like you went to a doctor that has experience with the band. If not, I really think that's who you should be consulting with. I apologize if I'm wrong!

I've always joked that tanned fat looks better on me than pale fat. I'm sure I'll stick with the tanning. I don't go overboard, but I do like a little color to my skin.

You might try upping your calorie intake a bit. I don't think 800 calories is enough and your body may have gone into starvation mode.

The band will work if you have the desire for it to work. If you choose to work around the band, then that can happen too. If you are able to successfully lose and maintain a substantial weight loss, then maybe you don't need the band.

When I had my surgery, my doc filled my band....I guess that's the soft fill you describe. He said that he filled the band to make it fit. I wouldn't say that I necessarily had restriction, but by the time I was healed, it was time for my first fill.

My understanding is that they use different sized bands based on the size that is needed for proper fit.

For me, the band can rule my life because it's so easy to forget that it's there. I quickly remember when I start eating a bit too fast and I get that first, "ummmm, you'd better see what's going to happen before you take that next bite" feeling. It's not a bad thing for me, unless I think that I can continue when I really can't. I have only had two PB episodes, but I have had several close calls. Those close calls are good for me; they make me stop and think about what I'm doing!

Fortunately, I'm not sick, but got to thinking about this. I have had three fills now, so I've got pretty good restriction. I do know that good restriction is supposed to be when the stoma is about the size of a pencil lead. That's very small. I understand PB's....the food hasn't gotten into the stomach yet. But what about when you do have food in your stomach and you get sick? Have you experienced this and did the band cause more trouble with the stomach bug than you experienced prior to being banded?

I'm hoping the 4th one is the best one too Denise. So far, I'm doing good, but I'm dealing with very strong hunger pains in the evening. It's probably just because I'm waiting too long to eat though.

I can press on my port and feel it, but other than that, I can't feel that I have a band. The only time I can tell I have a band is when I've eaten something a bit too fast or didn't chew well enough. Once you have healed, you will feel totally normal. The best thing is you will begin to feel lighter and lighter and lighter.......