loser2014

I am only three weeks out from surgery, but so far my band is a huge success. I have no desire to overeat. I have very minimal hunger. I am comfortably and happily eating around 800-1000 calories a day of solid healthy foods that I enjoy.
During this time I have been to parties, I have been out to restaurants, and I have enjoyed my life. That was a very important factor to me that I could continue to lead a "normal" life. I've been grocery shopping twice and haven't even been tempted to buy foods that are not healthy. I haven't even had a fill yet but if I could stay like this forever, I would be happy.
Also I've lost 15 pounds so far which doesn't sound like a lot, but it's 13% of the total amount of weight that I need to lose.
Right now, at least, I am one happy customer

I am only three weeks out from surgery, but so far my band is a huge success. I have no desire to overeat. I have very minimal hunger. I am comfortably and happily eating around 800-1000 calories a day of solid healthy foods that I enjoy.
During this time I have been to parties, I have been out to restaurants, and I have enjoyed my life. That was a very important factor to me that I could continue to lead a "normal" life. I've been grocery shopping twice and haven't even been tempted to buy foods that are not healthy. I haven't even had a fill yet but if I could stay like this forever, I would be happy.
Also I've lost 15 pounds so far which doesn't sound like a lot, but it's 13% of the total amount of weight that I need to lose.
Right now, at least, I am one happy customer

Amazing. How long did it take? I hope to be able to post a success story some day, but would be beyond thrilled with 150. I haven't seen the 120s for over 20 years!! You are teeny!

I also took a withdrawal from my 401K. Figured there was no point in saving all that money for retirement if I wasn't going to be alive to spend it
I believe such a withdrawal is free of IRS penalty as it is used for medical expenses. But don't quote me on that.

Grilled shrimp. They are ridiculously low in calories and a great source of Protein. I was never a huge shrimp fan before surgery, at least if they weren't breaded and fried. But they are mighty tasty right now.

I also took a withdrawal from my 401K. Figured there was no point in saving all that money for retirement if I wasn't going to be alive to spend it
I believe such a withdrawal is free of IRS penalty as it is used for medical expenses. But don't quote me on that.

All the negativity really bugs me. I know there can be complications with the Band, I worked hard to research it and chose it with full knowledge of the risks because to me the results for other WLS was unacceptable to me. While I am sorry people do suffer complications and I hope it never happens to me, I don't need it shoving down my throat. What I need is support and the knowledge from those who live with the band on how to live with it, how to treat it right.
I am only 9 days post op, I am already on solid food per my surgeon and I have lost 18lbs. More than that, my excess Fluid is GONE, I am off Lasix and my blood pressure meds have been cut in half and that has never happened before even when I lost 90lbs. I have more energy for housework and when I return to work next Tuesday expect it to be much easier.
I have had to deal with two bouts of stress that would have normally caused me to use emotional eating, I would have reached for chocolate. Also, I used to have the habit of buying a caramel magnum at Walgreens. So here I am getting out of the car at Walgreens and considering buying one, just for a moment. Then all that chocolate.. yes.. I considered it again knowing chocolate would go through the band without a problem. Then a little voice popped up I have never heard before and it said.. really? You had actual surgery and you are really considering eating that stuff? I didn't buy anything and I faced and dealt with my emotions instead of eating.
Before surgery I would have gone ahead and eaten several bars of chocolate and decided I would get back to tracking the next day, or the next, or the next week or whatever. I am thrilled with my decision because for the first time in years I have hope I will get to goal and maintain.

Least invasive surgery with lowest rate of life threatening complications & lowest price (I'm a cash pay).

sorry you have had to endure such a trying time
that being said....being upset/frustrated wont solve the issue at hand.
YOU....you have lost weight before and you WILL do it again.
remember how?
the band basics?
eating your Protein first, your veggies, some fruit
(your band allotment should be about a cup or cup and a half)
and just because we can eat a whole pizza doesnt mean we should
start right now
get rid of the boxed items..not good for you
think fresh, think clean....drink often (to help fight head hunger and keep you hydrated)
and the most important thing.....MOVEMENT
walk.....even if you just go a half a block..its something
pick yourself up...
right now
whats done is done
the last 3 years are never to return..or get back
but you can change your future.

I would say Tomato Soup is definitely not clear. Examples of clear broth are chicken broth and miso. I was only asked to do Clear Liquids for two days after surgery. As soon as you can, I would add Protein Shakes. Also try iso-pure beverages which you can get at GNC.

Google lap band + the names of the cities you are willing to travel to. Then call the practices and ask for their cash pay price. Be sure to ask if that covers preop testing and fills afterwords.
Using that method, I was able to find an experienced a local surgeon that did lap bands for $9999 with one-year-old of fills afterwards.
Good luck!

I'm one of those folks who reminds people that we are more than numbers and to focus on NSVs during our weight loss journey. But even I am speechless this morning. I weigh myself weekly just to stay accountable. Yes...I know when I've eaten well and when I've not, but the number on the scale reinforces what I already know. Since I don't let the number rule my outlook for the day, or even the week, I am OK with the weekly weigh-in.
Well...got on the scale this morning and it said 119.2. I had to look at it for a few moments because I couldn't take in what I was seeing. I'm under 120 lbs. That's unbelievable. The very first time I went to WW, I was 15 and 127 lbs. I got down to 113. I was 125 lbs. when I got married and have never been close in all the years since. Oh...I got down to 150 in the early '90s but of course ballooned back up again.
Yes...I know it's just a number but it's also a watershed moment for me. I've accomplished something I never thought I would. I'm as small as I was as a teenager. I'm not a teenager though... My skin is terribly wrinkled and I only look good with my clothes on and in long sleeves and pantyhose. I hide the flaws same as anyone would. But...I'm alot smarter than a teenager now and feel that I'm mature enough to make good choices in my life and find future success in ways I thought impossible just two years ago.
If all goes as planned, I will be visiting my sister-in-law in China over Christmas. Imagine that...me going to the Far East. Was a time I couldn't hardly walk and now I'm going to the other side of the world.
I'm dating again. It's scary for sure, but I'm starting to get comfortable enough with my body that I can appreciate what others see. Not always mind you, but sometimes... It's still a work in progress.
Mostly I'm just grateful and happy to be mobile, healthy, and appreciate my life. I give all the credit to the band because that's where it started.
Have a great Monday everyone.

Hi. Thank you for sharing your experience! It is interesting to read about others in the same boat.
I am 18 days postop and I'm having a slightly different experience than you. While I felt what I thought was restriction for the first couple weeks postop, or maybe it was just fear, I am not feeling much restriction at this point. I probably could eat a burger and fries if I wanted to as long as I chewed it up enough. In fact, I did try french fries last week and they sat in my stomach like a rock, so I will probably be avoiding those in the future for that reason.
However, I am not feeling yet like the band is forcing me to restrict my food choices in any way. All of my food restriction is by choice. I am hoping that changes with my first fill Which is scheduled for 11/13. When is your first fill?

How about prune juice? That's a drug free old remedy to get things moving again.

If your policy doesn't cover WLS, there are other options. Don't give up until you explore all options.
If you go the self-pay route you can use: savings, borrow from a bank, borrow from family, borrow from a 401k, etc .
You may be able to find an insurance policy that does cover WLS.
I found that my state covers WLS through vocational rehab.
Some self-pay people go out of state or out of the country.
If this is something you want to do start exploring and do your research.
Best of luck.

Starting weight:308
current weight: 188

I had a weight watchers lasagna for lunch today. I didn't have any trouble with it getting stuck but it seems to be just sitting in my stomach uncomfortably and not digesting very well.
Is this why they say we should avoid Pasta with the band? Is this a common reaction to eating Pasta? It feels sort of like it did last week when I tried french fries.

I find Hot Drinks help me with that feeling. Hot tea or coffee.

Thats exactly how i would describe how i feel when i eat bread. I dont get stuck but it feels like its "sitting there" uncomfortably and takes a while for the pressure to ease off. A few sips of something might help but thats probably not something you want to turn into a habit..

I had a weight watchers lasagna for lunch today. I didn't have any trouble with it getting stuck but it seems to be just sitting in my stomach uncomfortably and not digesting very well.
Is this why they say we should avoid Pasta with the band? Is this a common reaction to eating Pasta? It feels sort of like it did last week when I tried french fries.

Hey guys, I thought I would post a small update. I am now 12 days post op and have lost an awesome 22lbs it has been years since I have weighed this little. The two days after surgery were a bit unpleasant, I could not keep anything down, no Water, no juice. This was due to a small complication that left me with a lot of swelling around the band. As of day 3 (my final day in hospital) I was able to keep down liquids and could feel it pass through my band(very strange feeling but not uncomfortable). The first week was liquids only and that was fine, a few days ago I moved on to puree foods, loving the broccoli Soup. I am still on "purees" but of a thicker variety, so I am easily able to pass mashed sweet potato and mashed potato/cauliflower (trying to limit all the starches). Yogurt and soy milk. If I am very careful I can get ground chicken and beef down. I am a little wary of anything that would absolutely need to be chewed so I will wait another week or so before trying cheese. What I love about my band is that the choice has been taken out of the equation for me. I would consider myself a "foodie" in the sense that I love eating good healthy food, however the old me would always choose the more decadent food. If it was a choice between a big beautiful hamburger and fries I would always choose that over grilled chicken or fish. Now I don't have the option, I know that there is no way in hell a hamburger with bacon and cheese and bun and all the fixings would ever pass through my band. So I choose a better option, it has forced me to really sit and think about what I am eating, it all has to be planned. I am very excited about my diet now, because I get to be creative and really love the food I am putting into me. Getting this tool has been the best decision of my life, and I am grateful to live in a country that covers the surgery free of charge. I hope everyone is having a similar experience, if any of you pre-op bandsters have any questions feel free to ask!

I'm 11 days post op and started with blended Soups at 4 days post op. i quickly moved on to purees and soft foods as I haven't had any problems tolerating anything. I'm not saying its right for everyone, but it is working for me. I'd be happy to never see another Protein shake as long as I live.
Good luck.

Have been banded for 9 months now and have lost 95 lbs. would really like to lose 30 more lbs. at my highest (the before pic) I was 369 lbs. I lost 90lbs on my own before the band. I am siting around 180-185 right now. Just wanted to share where I am now.

You look amazing. I love the pixie cut.
I'd love to see a before pic for inspiration. I'm hoping to be banded in October and would love to have the success you have had.
Congrats!

Thanks guys. I really needed to hear these things tonight. I made an appt for Monday. Embarrassed but I want to be back on track worse.