tizen33

I am over the half way point to my weight loss goal. I've lost 58lb and have 57 more to go. I've been hovering right at 240 for a couple of weeks. I started drinking my protien again last week. I dropped three pounds... yippee! I still have a long way to go. My doctor is happy with my progress. He thinks I'll be under 200 by July. I haven't weighed under 200lbs since 1993. It's crazy to think about. My port area has that "pulling/sore" sensation that I had befor my port flipped. I'm hoping it doesn't happen again. I can't afford to have it done again. The last time was out of my pocket. I'll be making payments on that for a while. Anyway, I've got to get to work. I hope everyones lapband journey is going well! Until next time.... Band-day: 10-18-2007 starting weight: 295 pre-op weight: 270 5 mos. post-op: 240 12-05-2007 first fill of 2cc's 12-20-2007 second fill 1cc total of 3cc 3-6-2008 surgery for flipped port and third fill 1cc total of 4cc

Hi- My doctor didn't even expect me to lose any weight for the first 6 weeks after surgery. Of course I did. He told me he just wanted to be sure I followed the post-op diet. He said it was very important for the stitches to heal that hold the band in place. He didn't want it to slip. I remember getting really hungry. Instant mashed potatoes (idahoan has some great flavors) became my favorite "food". Try to get creative with soft things to keep you full for longer. You'll make it to 6 weeks. It can take more than one fill to find restriction. This definitely is a journey.... Good luck to you! Take care!

wt: 240 Since my surgery and last fill I have definitely experienced a lot of restriction. Salmon the other night I thought was going to kill me. Today almost everything I ate bothered me. I'm pretty sure I'm a little too tight. I'm hoping though that my stomach is just irritated and from the salmon and more sensitive. I'm going to do just liquids and soft foods tomorrow. I have a post-op appt. on the 25th. If things aren't better by then I'll have him take some fluid out. I started a 7 day cleanse today. It's supposed to be all natural and not too harsh. I've never done one and am terrified I will end up with the sh*ts at work. I just started the job last week. It would be a great impression on all the office gals. Both my husband and I are doing the cleanse. We have slowly been switching our diet to a healthier one. First we quit buying anything with enriched flour or hydrogenated anything. Now we are buying primarily organic. It is so expensive. I paid $6.89 for two (granted they were huge) red peppers. I about passed out. I haven't switched to organic meat yet. Our beef already is (we raise it ourselves). Boise is supposed to be getting a Whole Foods soon. I'm looking forward to that. Until next time.

wt: 240 Since my surgery and last fill I have definitely experienced a lot of restriction. Salmon the other night I thought was going to kill me. Today almost everything I ate bothered me. I'm pretty sure I'm a little too tight. I'm hoping though that my stomach is just irritated and from the salmon and more sensitive. I'm going to do just liquids and soft foods tomorrow. I have a post-op appt. on the 25th. If things aren't better by then I'll have him take some fluid out. I started a 7 day cleanse today. It's supposed to be all natural and not too harsh. I've never done one and am terrified I will end up with the sh*ts at work. I just started the job last week. It would be a great impression on all the office gals. Both my husband and I are doing the cleanse. We have slowly been switching our diet to a healthier one. First we quit buying anything with enriched flour or hydrogenated anything. Now we are buying primarily organic. It is so expensive. I paid $6.89 for two (granted they were huge) red peppers. I about passed out. I haven't switched to organic meat yet. Our beef already is (we raise it ourselves). Boise is supposed to be getting a Whole Foods soon. I'm looking forward to that. Until next time.

Susan: Thanks for sharing. That makes me feel better about my situation. Snowbird: My doctor said that with how they stitch the ports into place along with the fiberous tissue that the body forms around it that he can't hardly understand how they flip. He didn't tell me how they stitch them into place but he did say that the "thread" they use is like the equivalent of 50lb test fishing line.

So I went in for my check-up on the 4th. My doctor wanted to give me a fill. But after poking and digging around forever he sent me to get x-rays taken. And yes, my port had flipped. I went into surgery yesterday for the revision. He cut along the same scar as before. Of course the pain isn't nearly as bad as after getting the band "installed". It is frustrating because I have to pay for all of this. My insurance doesn't cover any complications from getting the band. I'm not sure the hospital fee but my doctors is $1200. So I'm setting up a payment plan... yippee. :biggrin: I do try to look on the bright side of things though. I mean I'd rather have this happen than have my band slip or erode. I just worry it'll happen again. Other than that things are okay. I got a third fill during the surgery. I am up to 4cc's in a 14cc band. I only ate solid food once today. I'll have to wait and see how this fill works. Up to this point I've been able to eat basically whatever I've wanted. Sometimes I want more restriction and other times I'm glad I can eat toast if I so choose. Yet, it would be nice to lose a little faster. I'll just have to wait and see how things go. Hope all of you bandsters and soon to be/hoping to be bandsters are doing well. Take care!

So I went in for my check-up on the 4th. My doctor wanted to give me a fill. But after poking and digging around forever he sent me to get x-rays taken. And yes, my port had flipped. I went into surgery yesterday for the revision. He cut along the same scar as before. Of course the pain isn't nearly as bad as after getting the band "installed". It is frustrating because I have to pay for all of this. My insurance doesn't cover any complications from getting the band. I'm not sure the hospital fee but my doctors is $1200. So I'm setting up a payment plan... yippee. :confused_smile: I do try to look on the bright side of things though. I mean I'd rather have this happen than have my band slip or erode. I just worry it'll happen again. Other than that things are okay. I got a third fill during the surgery. I am up to 4cc's in a 14cc band. I only ate solid food once today. I'll have to wait and see how this fill works. Up to this point I've been able to eat basically whatever I've wanted. Sometimes I want more restriction and other times I'm glad I can eat toast if I so choose. Yet, it would be nice to lose a little faster. I'll just have to wait and see how things go. Hope all of you bandsters and soon to be/hoping to be bandsters are doing well. Take care!

I remember being really nervous (especially the day of my surgery) about things that could go wrong. I was most worried about the anesthesia and something going wrong there. But it really isn't bad at all. And everything these days has risks. Heck look at all the prescription drug commercials...."side effects include, diarrhea, hypertension, headaches, itching, rash, painful urination....." the list goes on and on. The truth is that yes there are some risks but they really are minimal. These people are professionals and know what they are doing. They know the risks and what to watch for and what to do if anything happens. The day of my surgery they gave me something via my IV to help me "relax" while I waited to go into surgery. I eventually got wheeled into the operating room. They put an oxygen mask over my nose and that was about all I remember. The next thing I knew I was in recovery. Piece of cake. And I am so glad that I did this. Good luck to you.

I've had a lot of the same issues. I've cheated. I don't even usually like sweets and I am finding myself craving chocolate. One thing that I'm grateful for is that with the band even when I don't follow the rules I don't gain the weight back. I just can't eat as much as I used to. Even when I find myself eating/snacking all day it's just not even near as close to as much as I used to be able to put down. I think that the band is not only a tool that helps us eat less and lose weight, but it keeps us from gaining weight when we slip back into our past habits. We are only human. It's a continuous journey that may have many bumps in the road. But I think we are headed in the right direction now. Be grateful for your band. And work on getting refocused. That's advice for myself also. Good luck and take care.

Just a quick little update. All is going well. I have my monthly appointment next week with the doctor to see how my weight loss is going. I've lost 7 lbs since I saw him three weeks ago. I don't think I need another fill. I can overeat if I want to (not like before but more than I should). I just try to stop when I am full. I seem to eat small snacks throughout the day mostly. I usually try to consume less than 2000 calories a day- but it's normally between 1200-1500 a day. I still don't exercise like I should. One of these days... right? Hope all of you out there are doing good on your band journey. Take care.

Just a quick little update. All is going well. I have my monthly appointment next week with the doctor to see how my weight loss is going. I've lost 7 lbs since I saw him three weeks ago. I don't think I need another fill. I can overeat if I want to (not like before but more than I should). I just try to stop when I am full. I seem to eat small snacks throughout the day mostly. I usually try to consume less than 2000 calories a day- but it's normally between 1200-1500 a day. I still don't exercise like I should. One of these days... right? Hope all of you out there are doing good on your band journey. Take care.

Start weight: 295 Surgery weight: 275 Current weight: 245 Monthly measurements Start/Now Bust: 53 1/2in. / 47in. Waist: 55 1/2in. / 40 1/2in. Hips: 57in. / 50 1/2in, Thigh: 35in. / 31in, Calves: 21in. / 20in, Arms: 17in. / 15in. I am so happy. I have reached the 50lb mark.:thumbup: And have lost a total of 35 inches. It just amazes me everyday how well this works. As I said before I am not following any sort of real diet. I just eat when I'm hungry. I don't eat near as much. It's so nice to actually get full. The one rule I do follow is the not drinking for 30 minutes after I eat. I exercise occasionally. I can't wait for the weather to get nicer so I can start walking to work. We have had snow on the ground since Jan 8th. That is just unheard of in this part of Idaho. Anyway- things are good. I am so glad that I got banded. I have no regrets. It is an amazing tool. Hope all you other bandsters are doing good. And good luck on the journey for those of you looking into getting banded. Take care All!

Start weight: 295 Surgery weight: 275 Current weight: 245 Monthly measurements Start/Now Bust: 53 1/2in. / 47in. Waist: 55 1/2in. / 40 1/2in. Hips: 57in. / 50 1/2in, Thigh: 35in. / 31in, Calves: 21in. / 20in, Arms: 17in. / 15in. I am so happy. I have reached the 50lb mark. And have lost a total of 35 inches. It just amazes me everyday how well this works. As I said before I am not following any sort of real diet. I just eat when I'm hungry. I don't eat near as much. It's so nice to actually get full. The one rule I do follow is the not drinking for 30 minutes after I eat. I exercise occasionally. I can't wait for the weather to get nicer so I can start walking to work. We have had snow on the ground since Jan 8th. That is just unheard of in this part of Idaho. Anyway- things are good. I am so glad that I got banded. I have no regrets. It is an amazing tool. Hope all you other bandsters are doing good. And good luck on the journey for those of you looking into getting banded. Take care All!

Start weight: 295 Surgery weight: 270 Current

Start weight: 295 Surgery weight: 270 Current

I haven't written since the 12th of January. I haven't been the best at following all of the rules my doctor wants me to. I do not eat a lot during the day. I haven't been exercising since I started working full time three weeks ago. But the weight keeps slowly coming off. I cannot complain. I actually couldn't believe I was still going down when I got on the scales today. I started this journey at 295 in Sept. of last year. I had a month long pre-op diet that was doable but very unpleasant. And now I am down to 248. Almost 50 lbs. I know I could be losing faster. But I am being normal. I don't know if that makes sense but what I mean is that I am just living each day. I eat when I'm hungry and stop when I am full. I don't eat the best foods everyday. I still have chocolate but very rarely and in small quantities. I just hope things keep going down. Even if it isn't 3 lbs a week. I go for a month check up on Tuesday. I will probably end up getting another fill just because I still can eat anything. Turkey gave me a little trouble but it was really dry. It just made my chest hurt. And I can eat close to a cup of food depending on what it is. Hope everyone out there is doing good and getting the support they need. This site really is a great place. I just barely have time to even check my email anymore. Take care. Until next time....

I haven't written since the 12th of January. I haven't been the best at following all of the rules my doctor wants me to. I do not eat a lot during the day. I haven't been exercising since I started working full time three weeks ago. But the weight keeps slowly coming off. I cannot complain. I actually couldn't believe I was still going down when I got on the scales today. I started this journey at 295 in Sept. of last year. I had a month long pre-op diet that was doable but very unpleasant. And now I am down to 248. Almost 50 lbs. I know I could be losing faster. But I am being normal. I don't know if that makes sense but what I mean is that I am just living each day. I eat when I'm hungry and stop when I am full. I don't eat the best foods everyday. I still have chocolate but very rarely and in small quantities. I just hope things keep going down. Even if it isn't 3 lbs a week. I go for a month check up on Tuesday. I will probably end up getting another fill just because I still can eat anything. Turkey gave me a little trouble but it was really dry. It just made my chest hurt. And I can eat close to a cup of food depending on what it is. Hope everyone out there is doing good and getting the support they need. This site really is a great place. I just barely have time to even check my email anymore. Take care. Until next time....

Wow, it's been over a week since I've gotten a chance to even log on. I had started a new job and ended replacing someone and have worked the past nine days straight. Tonight was my Friday- Thank God!!! I am so tired. Things are good. I have been exercising. And being that I work so much (even though I'm a cook) I don't have the appetite to eat. I am to busy. Leads me to realize that I eat out of boredom. I don't even have to be hungery. Now that I am working, I've only been eating between 800-1200 calories a day. The weight has begun to come off again. Yippee!! This morning I was down to 251. I've lost a total off 44lbs so far. I have so far to go, but I am almost to the 50lb marker! I've got to get to bed. I'm too pooped to write anymore Hope everyone is doing good out there is band-land! Take care!

Wow, it's been over a week since I've gotten a chance to even log on. I had started a new job and ended replacing someone and have worked the past nine days straight. Tonight was my Friday- Thank God!!! I am so tired. Things are good. I have been exercising. And being that I work so much (even though I'm a cook) I don't have the appetite to eat. I am to busy. Leads me to realize that I eat out of boredom. I don't even have to be hungery. Now that I am working, I've only been eating between 800-1200 calories a day. The weight has begun to come off again. Yippee!! This morning I was down to 251. I've lost a total off 44lbs so far. I have so far to go, but I am almost to the 50lb marker! I've got to get to bed. I'm too pooped to write anymore :eek: Hope everyone is doing good out there is band-land! Take care!

Three days and no smoking. Yeah! I have been being a good bandee. I still eat between 1200-1300 calories a day. I will see on the eighth if the doc wants to fill me up some more. I had a hard time with some turkey today. It was kinda stringy and I thought that I chewed it enough but apparently not. I think I experience a small amount of slimming although and didn't (and have never) PB'ed. It hurt hella bad and took a good 10-15 minutes to pass. I've been riding my bike and have also incorporated sit ups and stretching into my daily regiment. Tomorrow's my weigh day. We'll see if 3 days of being good will show up there. If not I know by next week I will see some results. Until next time.

Three days and no smoking. Yeah! I have been being a good bandee. I still eat between 1200-1300 calories a day. I will see on the eighth if the doc wants to fill me up some more. I had a hard time with some turkey today. It was kinda stringy and I thought that I chewed it enough but apparently not. I think I experience a small amount of slimming although and didn't (and have never) PB'ed. It hurt hella bad and took a good 10-15 minutes to pass. I've been riding my bike and have also incorporated sit ups and stretching into my daily regiment. Tomorrow's my weigh day. We'll see if 3 days of being good will show up there. If not I know by next week I will see some results. Until next time.

Since my second fill I have noticed that I get full a lot quicker. I also have to really make sure to chew chew chew or else OUCH! I haven't though lost any weight since my second fill. This is due to the fact that I have been nothing but naughty. I have been drinking a lot the past two weeks (empty calories and lots of them). I have battled depression on and off in my life. I hate the idea of being on anykind of medication. It's just not my thing. Anyway, I knew the depression was coming back even before my surgery. And it took me until last week to finally go in and see my doctor and get put back on anti-depressant. It just had to be done. I was becoming quite self-destructive. I even started smoking again after having quit back in 2004. Last night hubby and I went out for the new year. We had a good time. And today I have joined the masses with my new years resolution to not smoke, follow the band rules, not drink and to exercize regularly. Granted today is day one but so far so good. I got the patch to help with the smoking. I'm addressing my depression which will help with the rest of my resolutions. We'll have to see how things go. I hope everyone has a wonderful 2008. Take care all.

Since my second fill I have noticed that I get full a lot quicker. I also have to really make sure to chew chew chew or else OUCH! I haven't though lost any weight since my second fill. This is due to the fact that I have been nothing but naughty. I have been drinking a lot the past two weeks (empty calories and lots of them). I have battled depression on and off in my life. I hate the idea of being on anykind of medication. It's just not my thing. Anyway, I knew the depression was coming back even before my surgery. And it took me until last week to finally go in and see my doctor and get put back on anti-depressant. It just had to be done. I was becoming quite self-destructive. I even started smoking again after having quit back in 2004. Last night hubby and I went out for the new year. We had a good time. And today I have joined the masses with my new years resolution to not smoke, follow the band rules, not drink and to exercize regularly. Granted today is day one but so far so good. I got the patch to help with the smoking. I'm addressing my depression which will help with the rest of my resolutions. We'll have to see how things go. I hope everyone has a wonderful 2008. Take care all.

I agree with heavyheartland. Milk of mag. works well (I discovered it after delivering c-section). I was also quite constipated after surgery. I talked to my doc about it and he said making sure to drink the 48-64oz of water I was supposed to would help. But also once I got to start eating more regular food everything started coming out just fine. Best of luck to you.

I haven't looked at where you are from but I am from Idaho (Boise). I got banded in Oct. Thank God my insurance covered it. But my banding cost was right around 10K. That includes 1 year of fills/post op appts. I don't know if your close to here or another state or city that offers the surgery for less. You might want to check other options out. Either way I wish you the best of luck. Take care.