BeverlyJane

Yes...Please tell us how you did it. I am having a really difficult time right now. I have regained about ten pounds. I was banded in Sept. 2007. Last time I went to the doctor, I got a fill. It just doesn't seem to work anymore and I am enjoying the freedom to eat too much. I have 4 cc in a 10 cc band and there is no control at all. I have no built in control, that is why I got the band in the first place. I know, I know, go back to the doc and get another fill. I just can't seem to get myself to do it right now. I don't like to leave my house, (it is hard for me to get around) and I just moved to a different house...everything is pretty much in an uproar right now. I wish you luck with your surgery and your new band. Take care....bev

Hey Froggi, I guess I thought that this thread was for those whose journey started with a bmi of over 60. I started with a bmi of 68.2, but am at 55.8 right now. I hope that doesn't disqualify me from this thread...lol I remember when you started the thread. I was really glad to have someone who knew what I had been going through. I may be below 60 now, but I think I will always feel more connected to those making the same journey as myself. Take Care and Good Luck....bev

Hey Froggi, That is GREAT news! I wish you all the best on your continued journey. And don't be such a stranger here on the board...we have missed you. Keep in touch...the journey is getting exciting now. Take Care and Good Luck...bev

Hi Reba, Don't worry about being hungry right now. You just need to worry about healing and getting well at this point. Once you get better and get a fill the weight will start to go down. I actually gained like eight pounds during this time, but lost nine the next month. I think you will do well once you start to get fills. You seem to have the will power, as you have lost weight before and been able to maintain. I will be very happy when I actually get to the weight you are at now. So, take care...and hang in there. Hi Ara, So glad to hear you are feeling better. It is kinda rough those first few days and actually for me, the first couple of weeks took a toll. I was on the liquid diet two weeks before surgery and then clear liquids for two weeks after the surgery. I was beginning to think I would never eat again..lol. I had help from a friend I found on the boards and it is the only way I think I made it thru. I had PM'd her because she lived in the same area as me. It was the best thing I ever did. I know it doesn't seem like it would be all that much help, but her sense of humor pulled me thru. Please don't hesitate to use the help that is here. Take Care and good luck....bev

Hi Reba723, Welcome to the thread. Sometimes it is just helpful to know someone out there is going thru the same things you are. Whenever I get the blues, I usually come to the board and I feel better. I hope you are doing well with your band. I am a Sept band also...Sept 2007 that is. I am losing rather slowly and have hit a spot where I am really struggling to lose at all. Thing is, I am just happy not to be gaining anymore. If you have questions...someone on here has probably already been there and is welling to help you. Let us know how you are doing..ok? Ara...how are you doing now?? Things starting to get a little better? Take Care...bev

When my son had gas pains in his shoulder, he used a heating pad. It was the only thing that helped. He walked a lot also. I was very lucky...I had no gas pain. Take care and I hope you are feeling better soon.....bev

Hi Lapbandgirl4life, Welcome to the thread. You are headed on a long journey and I like your attitude. I want to wish you lots of luck on your diet and your band. I suppose I am one of those whose expectations are not as high as yours. I think I just know myself well enough to know what I and my body are willing to do. Like I said though, I think maybe it is just something that comes with age for me. I just turned 56 and take life a little slower now. I just want to be able to get around and be healthy again. The band is helping me achieve these goals and I sincerely hope you reach your goal too. Take Care...bev

Hello meschulltz, Welcome to the thread. Hope you are doing fine after your surgery. The first few days can be a little rough, especially if you have gas pain. I live about 35 miles north of you in Masaryktown, Fl. So, howdy neighbor. I have been traveling on my journey for a little over a year now. It has been slow for me, but I am just so happy to be losing instead of gaining that it doesn't matter. I guess it must be age, cuz I am not worried about getting to goal in a hurry. If I make it to 200 lbs, I'll be a happy camper. I know that is way above where I am supposed to be still, but that will be about half my body weight. I hope you do well with your band. Take Care...bev

Hi Ara, Sounds like you got things pretty much under control. While protein is important, the main thing the first few weeks is to just let your tummy heal. The first week, I didn't really care rather i ate or not. It's when you get feeling better that you start to miss food, but you will get thru it and I can tell you that from experience...lol There may be times when you don't believe me...but during those times...just get on here and look for some support. Take Care...Good Luck...bev

I got my band in Sept 2007 and had my first fill in January 2008. Usually the first fill is about six weeks after surgery, but my port incision got infected so I had to wait. Then as long as I was losing at least a pound a week, the doc said I didn't need a fill. This last time when I went back, my weight had stayed the same...sooo..I got my second fill. I have seen people on here that get lots of fills so I guess it depends on the doctor. I am glad that mine does his the way he does...no need of getting a fill unless you are not losing weight. Let us know how you make out with your surgery and if you have any questions...ask away. Take Care and Good Luck....bev

Hello Ara, I wish you the best tomorrow!! I know you must be excited. I was sooo nervous the day before. I weighed a little more than you at 385. That was a little over a year ago. I am down about 70 lbs now and it really helps. Before, I could barely get around...now I am doing a little better. I just had my second fill about a week ago...so...maybe I will start to lose a little more. It has been slow but sure for me...but I am in no great big hurry. It just feels good to be losing and not gaining anymore. I have not had one gain since my first fill in January and I am very proud of that. A lot of people think the bypass is the only answer when you are a heavier, but I like the band just fine. I know you will do well with it. Here is wishing you the best tomorrow. Be sure to let us know how you make out....take care...bev

Hi Froggi, I wouldn't worry about your liver. I started my preop diet at 385 and my liver was just fine. You are close so you should be okay as long as you are doing a couple of weeks of liquid diet before surgery. Take care...bev

Hi Skinnyme52, I remember the bathroom blues part very well. I had a control issue it was so bad. I know several others who had the problem too. Now that I think about it tho, I think mine might have been partly because I am extremely sentsitive (sp) to sugar alcohols used in sugar free products. I had been eating a lot of sf pops and sf jello at the time. It really wore me down, but it did help with the weight loss...lol I hope you are feeling better now. Believe me, it does get better as time goes by. Take care....bev.

Hi Michele, Welcome to the board! I found that a lot of people expected that I would more quickly because I was heavier, but I am a slow loser. I was really glad to find this board and signed up right away. Nice group of people here and they are willing to help you whenever they can. Take care and lots of luck on your journey....bev

Hi Skinnyme52, To answer your first question..do i ever regret getting the band. I think so at times. I never really wanted to do it...but at my weight and health problems felt it was the only answer. The first few months are the hardest to you get to real food again. Feel free to email me anytime for support. I had a friend that i emailed and it really, really helped me. As to the band being adjusted right...well, i asked the doc if he thought i needed a fill and he said nope. So, there you go. I think that if you lose around a pound a week they think you are doing okay. Good luck on your surgery...I am sure you will do well. Take care...bev

Thanks Harkingluv. The town was originally Chek and it was named after the major of that country...Thomas Masaryk. I used to get my mail as Spring Hill also. Now it is either Masaryktown, Spring Hill or Brooksville. I use Masaryktown...but my zip is listed as Brooksville. Been here about 25 years and still don't know where I live...lol

Wow Froggi...if you are doing that good without the band...you will really do good with it. Keep up the good work!! Take Care...bev

Just wanted to say HI to my Florida buddies. I am in Masaryktown, just a little ways from Spring Hill. It is nice to know there are other bandsters in my area. I am almost a year out and losing ever so slowly...but losing, so I guess I am doing okay. Take care all and the best of luck to you on your journeys....bev

Hi~ I joined when this forum was first started, but haven't been on for awhile. My name is Bev and I just turned 56 on July 8th. It has been almost a year since I got my lapband. I must say I thought I would be farther along than I am. I figured that with a starting weight of 385, I would probably lose quickly. I know a lot of people do when they are heavier. I got a slow start though. I was banded in Sept and didn't get my first fill until January because of an infected port site. I was whining to my surgeon and he said he thought I was doing okay since I had all negative numbers since my first (and only) fill. Sometimes, I guess we expect more from our bands than is possible. I am struggling right now with breaking 320. I appreciate you all letting me vent some. Thanks and take care....bev

What ever happened to the over 60 bmi thread? Just wanted to check in and say hi. I see that there is some great weight loss going on. Yeah!! Wow! I am really impressed and inspired, and believe me, I needed to be..lol. I am almost to the end of my first year. It is going kinda slow for me, but at least it's going..right? I just have to keep reminding myself of that. Take Care and good luck to all....bev

Thanks Froggi! I think I got it. I am glad you created this thread. Take Care...bev

How do I join???

Hi BBW, I was really close to 400 at 389 when I started to check into the lapband. I was actually leaning more toward the bypass because of the amount of weight I had to lose, but I didn't do it for several reasons. First, I am self-pay and couldn't really justify the large amount of difference in price. Second, my heart doctor barely approved of the band and around here the bypass meant a full cut. Finally, the doctor I chose quit doing the bypass altogether. I had my band in Sept 07 and I am slowly losing my weight. I had a slow start as I had trouble healing because of my sugar. I went to the doc today and am down 53 lbs. So, yeah, the band works for us heavyweights too. I just suggest that you do a lot of research before deciding. Nothing is easy when it comes to losing weight, that is the one thing I know for certain. I wish you lots of luck on your journey....bev.

Thanks for all the kind words of encouragement and advise. I really do appreciate it. I wonder sometimes what the heck is wrong with me that I can't seem to follow the rules and eat right. It is hard to break a lifetime of habits at this point in my life. I know that I do not have restriction, but then for some strange reason, I fear restriction. I know it is suppose to be my friend, but hey, it is how I feel. Thanks again for taking your time to talk with me. bev 385/337/200 start/current/goal

If you are looking for some smoothie recipes check out this site. http://freeproteinshakerecipes.com/