StLouisGal

I have 2cc's in my band. I am scheduled for a second fill on May 15 but I have real reservations about getting more. I have to be very careful what I eat and eat very slowly or it will come back up. I guess that is what restriction feels like. It sure is true that everyone is different.

None of us have been successful dieters or we wouldn't be at the point of exploring surgery. I have lost at least a thousand pounds over the last twenty years, unfortunately I haven't been able to keep it off for any period of time. When I first started exploring the lapband, many of my friends told me just to limit my portions. That has never worked for me. I was skeptical but from what I have read and heard, most band failure is "user failure" I have talked to many people who have bands but have not changed the things they are eating or they eat up to six or eight meals a day. The band isn't designed to work that way. I eat low calorie, low fat foods, and high Protein foods and I am losing just fine. I don't feel deprived, and I am not usually hungry. When I am I can usually pinpoint some stresser that makes me believe it is head hunger and not real hunger. I make sure I drink at least 64 ounces of liquid every day. I'm sorry your band hasn't worked well for you.

I just wanted to add my "Amen" to most of what has been said here. I am very pleased with my band. I am about 2 1/2 months out and have lost about 50 lbs. (13 lbs were pre-op) I can't complain about that. I am losing on average now 8-10 lbs a month, which is what my doctor says is safe. I work out at Curves 5-6 times a week, both doing strengh training and aerobics. I track everything I eat on "thedailyplate.com", even the occasional dip of ice cream or sherbert and the occasional Hershey Kisses. I average between 1,000 and 1,200 calories per day. I don't feel like I have given up anything important. I can have an occasional bite of something special as long as I log it in. I find that I enjoy eating much more now because I am actually taking time to enjoy the flavors of the food I am eating and not wasting time on empty calories. I have more energy because I am not lugging a 50 lb sack of flour on my back all the time now (figuratively speaking) If you are going into this journey thinking that it is going to be a quick fix for years of bad habits, you had better do some more research. If you go into it knowing that it is going to be hard work and a life-long process, you will probably be very successful. Do I miss some of my "favorite foods", yes, sometimes. Do I regret getting the band? Absolutely not. It was one of the best decisions I ever made. I am not craving foods like I did before because I am not eating the high sugar, high carb foods that make me crave more. It helps keep me focused on what is important, my health. I wish it had been available to me when I was in my twenties or thirties but then, maybe then I wasn't ready to do the work required. I'm just glad I have it now. The best of luck to you!:cool2:

I agree that you should talk to your doctor about what you are eating. If it's ok with him it shouldn't hurt you. Some doctors are just more cautious than others. Good luck and welcome to Bandland.

Traveling can be a real challenge. I would look for Protein powder that doesn't need to be mixed with milk. Water is easier to find than skim milk sometimes. If your hotel has a continental Breakfast grab an extra banana or yogurt to eat at the conference. Those little individual servings of Peanut Butter are a good protein source also. A few individual packages of nuts are also good to nibble on. String cheese is another staple for me when I travel. Good luck and enjoy your travels.

In a sense you were "hit by a truck" Surgery is a big deal. Hang in there it gets better quickly. The second day was my worst. Try to walk as much as you can. That will help you get your strength back more quickly. Don't push yourself, get plenty of rest and stay hydrated. Take a 5 or 10 minute walk every hour or so. If you were given pain meds, take them, if not try liquid tylenol (the kids stuff tastes better and it's about the same amount of either) Good luck and welcome to Bandland.:smile2:

If I were guessing I would say you are eating too fast. Tiny sips or tiny bites work better for me. I got stuck a couple of times this past weekend because I was eating too fast. Right after I got my band I could only eat a couple of ounces at a time without feeling a bit nauseaus. Try eating half a cup of food, stop, wait and see what happens. Also make sure you are getting adequate Protein. Not enough protein can make you light headed. Good luck, it does get better.

I'm eating between 1000 and 1200 calories a day and losing 8-10 pounds per month. I've only had one fill but I seem to have decent restriction (I get stuck fairly easily if I eat too much or too fast.) I also do strength training (Curves) five to six times a week. I work the machines hard three times a week and concentrate more on aerobics the other two or three times. I think that has had a lot to do with my weight loss success. I shoot for 80-90 grams of Protein, under 50 grams of fat, and whatever carbs there is room for, (veggies, Beans, sweet potato, etc.) It is usually 65-80 grams of carb. I eat very little bread and Pasta. I track everything on "The Daily Plate"

I went through that phase too and wish I had kept some things but if I had kept everything that I wish I had, I wouldn't have room to live in my house and I wouldn't get to go shopping for new things now. Yes, I am getting rid of my "fat" clothes as soon as they get too big.:biggrin2: Congratulations on your success. I am now at the end of my "I'll keep this just in case because it's too good to get rid of" clothes.

My first fill was 2 ccs. The doctor told me that he put the band in empty so I guess all I have now is 2 ccs. I don't have much restriction but I do get stuck more often than I did before the fill.

I can't have anything after midnight for a morning fill or after 8 a.m. for an afternoon fill. It wasn't bad for a morning fill but I'm not looking forward to the 1:00 fill. After the fill I can have full liquids the rest of that day and mushies the next. If the mushies are going well I can start to re-introduce solid food the following day (Day 3)

Congratulations on your fill! I had to wait a long time for my first one too. I didn't have any Fluid around mine. I would trust my doctor on that one. Have a wonderful liquidy couple of days.

That is sooo true. I only get into trouble when I am super hungry and try to eat too fast. Ouch. You would think I would learn. Have a great day!

You all look so amazing. I posted my puictures on the Feb board but I'll put them here too. The first picture was taken in November just as I was beginning my journey (weight 289) The second picture was taken on my 2 month band anniversary (weight 241):biggrin2:

You are doing amazingly well. Keep up the good work.

I can feel mine if I press hard enough but it isn't very close to the surface. I still have a little roll of fat that needs to go before it will be easy to feel. Have never had pain at the site (at least not since day 5 post-op.):biggrin2:

My doctor says it is because the fill can irritate the stomach and there can be swelling so they recommend a day of liquids then on to mushies the next day. By day 3, slowly start solids again. Every doctor has a little different slant on it but it's because of swelling and irritation that they want to minimize. :crying:

Thanks, it's through the encouragement that I have gotten here on this board that I have managed to stay on track and keep going. You are all the best.

Seems like yesterday I was stressing about my insurance approval. Today I woke up to realize that two months ago I got my band. Wow. I even took a picture today. The first picture was taken at my highest weight last November, just as I was starting my journey. The second picture was taken this morning. 48 lbs lighter (according to my bathroom scale. Won't be official until Saturday when I weigh in at Curves.)

I like MASH reruns, Jon and Kate plus 8, Big Medicine, Law and Order Special Victims, and Strong Medicine. There is not much new that I like so I spend most of my TV time on re-run channels.

A bathing suit that I don't have to cover with a t-shirt and anything in a size 12. I haven't worn a size twelve since 1968. (I was in 9th grade)

I wear mine on my ankle because I've lost so much weight that it is too big for my wrist. I put my name, DOB, doctor's name and phone # and LapBand AGB, NO Blind NG tube and the drugs I am alergic to.