Lana24

I just found a new receipe that I really like. Very simple yet I found it filling. Chicken and cucumber, tomatoe salad topped with Zest Italian dressing. Cook chicken, either grill or boil... chop add other ingrediates then refrigerate until chilled.

I had to get a lot of fills to really start feeling it. I always felt "some" after a fill. Around the 6th one I was sure I was close...Had the 10th last month and I finally feel consistent restriction! Only took 16 months!

The one most imprtant thing i have learned along this journey, i not to let your kids interfer with your success. Make some long walks, engage in some healthy exercise...what better way to wear a kid out!

Just adding my two cents: I have always read that pineapple juice was the best for stuck food.

Hi Nina, Trust me I know that frustration! I was under the impression that when I had surgery I would have a certain amount of restriction and the doc and I would work to get to the sweet spot. I had surgery 05/21/08 at my one year I had only lost 21 pounds I was so disappointed I could not even be glad for the progress that I had made. Then I got real with myself, I had honesly changed from a couch potato into a gym rat. I was eating garden fresh food and eliminated 99 percent of the fast food from my diet. The reality is, it simply takes time to lose weight, not just Water weight but actual pounds. I face the fact that I may not get to goal for another full year and I am ok with that because I have healthy habits, no longer skip meals and generally want to be successful at this. So again it takes time. I really thought by the 5th or 6th fill I "should" be there...did not happen until 11th fill :biggrin:. I was one appt away from ditching my doc and running off to Mexico to get a "proper" fill. After all I had spent so much money, time and energy all for what??? I know for what now, so I could lose pounds and inches slowly under a doctors supervision. Remember the band is only a tool, you still need to eat right and exercise that's it. Continue to see your doctor and communicate well. I am sure you will find success, congrats on your band and your new way of life. Lana:thumbup:

Hi Mari, I had similar problems as well, it takes a few days to a few weeks for your band to adjust along with your new fill. My food got stuck sometimes as well very early on. After my 11th or 10th...lol I felt much better, my portions are smaller and I feel full for longer periods of time. After a fill there was a period of time that I felt NOTHING, I thought something was seriously wrong but it just so happened to coinside with my weight loss. I always lose around the stomache area first. Then I can't feel my band anymore, so I got another adjustment and now it feels good. Lana:thumbup:

current is some where between 175 and 180, size 12 -14 very comfortable. Medium top. Was XL pants and XXL top size 8 shoe shoe, 8 before surgery. 7 1/2 wide now just 7 1/2 I was a 6 and a half before gaining weight so I can't to see where this leaves me.

What about selling condoms with a free Pus*y sample, does that count?

You worked hard and it shows! Congrats on all of your success! Lana

I can give it away for free or be jailed for charging a fee, why is this illegal again?

On Aug 14 I am going in for my 10th.

Wow you are so lucky, I am almost there I can feel it. Going in for my 11th fill next Friday. Three is an unreal number to me.

Thanks Mary I really needed some feedback. I think I am doing ok...I am scheduled for another fill next Friday. I think I am almost there, just frustrating that this is my 11th fill. That is something I did not count on, so many fills! I never thought about the shirt being longer, I really just noticed that my belly was going away. Its flatter now then in that picture. Thanks for pointing that out. :scared2: Good looking out! Looking at the pictures is undeniable, but again that scale can be misleading. If that is all I focused on I would have given up the first 6 months when I was working out like crazy. I don't want to workout like a crazy person nor do I want to live on lettuce alone. So here I am waiting, hoping the next fill will do it. Thanks again Mary!

I am a slow loser: I have no regrets because the only time I feel like a failure is when I weigh in. But all the facts make me very happy. I am cooking and eating very well. Food has never tasted so good, not in an over indulgent kind of way. But in a healthy well planned meal sort of way. I "look" like I have lost about 80 pounds according to my sister. I feel great and am off my blood pressure meds. I exercise and am stronger than ever but I have a lot more that I would like to do. Honestly if I don't focus on the scale, life is perfect. I actually have a life is what I meant to say...lol How much do I look like I have lost?

During, making some progress. Hate the scale but love everything else!

EVERYONE LOOKS WONDERFUL! I have seen hundreds of pictures over the past two years and I thank all those who have and will post. I find it an important part of the process, especially significant when there are no personal victories to account for. Thank you all for the stories and inspiration as I journey on. I am not near my ultimate goal but I am a work in progress.

Trying it again.

Thank you so much, I do feel successful. But that is thanks to so many before me who spoke the truth. Lapband works if you work it, lol just like the 12 steps!

I was extremely frustrated! But I know better, so I came back to this site and I would start reading and looking at pictures. I saw others had the same problem as well basically it is just an adjustment period literally. After a fill I would fill a tiny bit of restriction but experienced no loss as far as pounds. Now I realize weight loss is so much more than that, than pounds I mean. Regardless of the number I was very uncomfortable pre-band. Within 6 months I felt better, looked better and was off medication. So I had a lot of victories in the first year but I never achieved a serious weight loss at first. I now have restriction, but it took 9 fills and about 11 months to get here. Which is actually perfect now, I don't eat "diet" food, and I try to stay away from prepackaged items as much as possible. I eat fresh fruit and veggies every day, I garden and I see a personal trainer. When healthy habits meet the band only success is the result!

I agree with Donna

Thanks, I am sure its closer to 60 pound snow I just have not had time to weigh! For me the first year was almost no weight loss, but I did learn healthy habits, now that I have restriction I am lossing at a more steady rate. Good luck!

Productive burp, meaning whenyou burp food may come up. I notice when I al really hungry I burp now, when I am over full I have painful burps that last about 10 minutes. It hurts a bit but is well worth the change!

It makes my chest hurt, then I start burping, I can feel the air trying to pass the food, then I slim. Sometimes the food comes back up other times it goes down but takes a few minutes. -Manuevers, I have to stand up, sit down, walk, bend over the toilet whatever it takes. It is unpleasant and sometimes a litle painful but for me it is still a worthwild reminder to chew and eat slowly!

Hi, I have a comment as well, I am only 1 year and 1 month out. To date I have not lost very much weight I seriously thought I was doing something wrong. My eating was better than ever and I had been exercising but I was drinking so called "lo cal" drinks ie DIET anything. Once I cut that out of my diet, for whatever reason I am now losing weight and have found a balance with the band. Don't be afraid to try again, no one here will point and laugh we all have our own horror stories. Just take it one meal at a time, make better choices and get in some exercise. And remember those NSV are a huge part of weight loss. I still "weigh" heavy but I love the way I look, so go figure... Best of luck!

Hi Maria, Welcome to lap band talk this is the best place for information and meeting new friends. This site and the people here have helped me through thick and thin and I have come out on the other side a very happy banster. Please read, read and read some more no question goes unanswered. I wish you the very best along your journey. Lana