Lana24

I agree with the previous poster on all points.

It took me 17 fills and yes I shrank during that three year period but I did not always see the reflection on the scale.

Correction 13 fills

I agree with the previous poster on all points.

It took me 17 fills and yes I shrank during that three year period but I did not always see the reflection on the scale.

I stopped eating steak for that very reason. It was stuck for two freaking days

Just not worth all the pain.

Good luck!!

I received on Tuesday my second fill after my revision surgery. My doctor did put about 3-4 cc in during surgery' date=' and I got 1 cc last month and 1 cc Tuesday. I can just about feel everything pass through the band. It isn't that uncomfortable unless I take too big of a gulp or too big of a bite. Is this normal or should I get some taken out? I'm paranoid since I did have a slipped band before.[/quote']

Sound like a good level. You should be comfortable but restricted.

alot of healthy ecipes call for tofu... what is it and what does it taste like?

It has no inherent flavor, it's what you add to it. Beef base and chicken base will make it take like meat. You can flavor it and even put it through a meat grinder and it will look just like beef!!

Where I live it's a dollar twenty five for a package - much. Heaped than meat and more versatile. Do some research and try it some food!!!

Tofu is wonderful. Beef base or chi ken base will make it taste

Hi there,

I too felt like a big fat failure during year one. If not for the exercise I would has zero results. I also suffer from a sweet tooth and have discovered that when I am under stress I eat.

But you my dear - and myself included are not failures. For some it takes a lttle or a lot more.

I went through three years of fills before I got to proper restriction. At this level I'm simply not hungry often and I have eliminated the source of my stress.

Are you working out? Exercise is the saving grace, the band needs yor helpninorder to make it work. If your eating more than a cup at each meal then you probably need a fill. The cool thing is you can start over whenever your ready, zeo pressure.

Take a walk and get a fill.

Good luck!!!

How many calories generally is everbody consuming daily?

I used to count and use all of the devices. Now I just walk and eat less.

I understand the concept of counting and that may work for some- but the numbers always seem to make me nuts.

So I have thus far abandoned all forms of measure and listen to what my body needs. And it's working for me.

Hi there,

If it helps at all, Pre banding I could eat ten tacos with ease. With each fill I eat a bit less. If you feel to full with two tacos then only eat one.

It takes a whole to re program the brain from what you used to eat - to what you are now comfortable eating.

Three fills ago I could eat six tacos for dinner and was still hungry. Now I can only eat one without feeling like I ate ten. It took a few meals to get this fact into my mind. My brain says I need more food but my body says nope

enough is enough. My body always wins, period.

Your just adjusting, enjoy your restriction!!!!

Good luck

Lana

20 hours post op and doing great! My surgery lasted 6 hours! Pain pumps are a girl's best friend!!!! lol

Wow, congrats!!!

How much did this cost you? I want a TT and BR.

Amen! On your comment' date='"WLS is the easy way out." I think this is the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. I also lost the majority of my weight without hitting my sweet spot. But I am there now and it is totally different than the first half of this journey. I now have learned what soft stops are and how to recognize them. When I feel the first twinge of fullness in the back of my throat, that is my clue to back away from the plate. I still measure and weigh portions but depending on the day is whether I can eat those portions. I think if I had been in my sweet spot all the time it would have been more difficult, this delay has giving me time to adjust to my new life and healthy eating. Thanks for the articles, I love reading and learning from your experience and incite.[/quote']

WLS is def the most challenging thing I have ever done. It is in its simplicity a tool to aid in weight loss. Surgery and recovery and a whole new way to live are challenges that not everyone is up for. Being a food addict while constantly being surrounded by food is not an easy task adding the restriction to a mind and body that are not ready to change is a formula for disaster. This is not easy, I needed my tool to aid me in overcoming an addiction. And I am thankful for the opportunity to change.

Lana

Had my surgery at 11 this morning. All went well although I had a hiatal hernia they had to repair first. I haven't had pain meds in a while and the only thing that's really sore is where my port is anchored.

I can't wait to see what's ahead.

Welcome to the wonderful world of lapbanding!! It is on heck of a journey!!! Wishing you the very best!

I was banded on may the 4th and I lost only 4pounds since the surgery so hurt right now but since I started with the two weeks liquid diet before the surgery I'm down 21 pounds help! Need incouragement!

Please, please count your victories. Every pound and every inch is a victory!!!

I did not lose much the first three years!!!! But 16 fills later I'm finally starting to see it all come together. My saving grace was exercise- the exercise kept me shrinking even when the scale refused to move.

It was discouraging seeing everyone lose hundreds of pounds when I w as struggling at the same weight every single week. But staying focused on what was happening and not on what I thought should be happening was and is the key.

Take those weekly or daily pictures that is where you will see the progress!!!

Wow ! Congratulations ! whats your secret ? As far as clothing I buy almost everything at Goodwill or another 2nd hand store including swimwear for my swim class. Some people think "ewww' date=' gross!" but if you wash items before you wear them its no different than buying them new. also if you buy several swimsuits for the next few months and outgrow them , you havent spent alot of money . Try to guesstimate how much you;ll weigh during your cruise, then ask someone who is at that weight what size they are now. Good luck ![/quote']

I love love goodwill- it has been a staple with my weight loss. There is not a damn thing wrong with used clothing!!!!

It really makes zero sense to keep buying expensive new cloths when you can only wear them for a month or two.

I guess it just depends on the individual- I have never had a problem with pills, pb or many problems with good getting stuck. It would depend on how well things are currently going down.

Good luck!!

I think ( well i know) my problem is' date=' I'm just not following all the instructions correctly. I will start counting calories (1000/day..300/meal and one 100 snack cause i get really hungry sometimes before bed) and stick to protein- no more snacking between![/quote']

I used to get that way before bed as well. I couldn't fall asleep unless my tummy was full. Since my last fill I don't had that problem anymore.

I'm thinking this is the best place to put this post since you all have been very successful. Could the band not work for someone who used it properly? I hear more successful stories then non but for the ones where they only lost 15lbs in a year why ??

I'm getting banded on the 8th. This is my last chance. If this does not work I don't know what will happen ' date=' I need it to work and need to know what you guys did and didn't do to have so much success

So for all you who have done so well can you pleas share with a newbie... Think back to when you were pre-op ( like me) and had no clue , every fear ,etc... Any insight would be great!

Kuddos to all of you!!!!! I hope to be here one day!!![/quote']

Hi there and happy banding,

I hope this reply finds you well. I lost very little weight the first two years and gained weight during my third. I had no restriction, but exercise saved me although I shrank I had no scale victories. I became so frustrated that I had to stop weighing altogether and focus on just feeling good where I was.

I can't say what I weigh, I just like the way I look and feel.

It took me three years and 16 fills but I'm finally happy.

Good luck on your journey.

I am sitting here at 192 lbs. I started at 337lbs. My life has changed so much. I look back now and say...what the hell did I do to myself!<img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> I was out of control! Now the scale is my best friend!<img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> I just want everyone to know that you can do it too! <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

Inspiring!!

Hello fellow lapbanders!!!

As of next week I'm four years out. It took me a long time to get here but I'm very proud of my journey here is a pic I took yesterday. If I had to do it over again- I would without a doubt chose the band again. Although my journey has been slow, it's been worth it every step of the way. I have a new life, a new perspective and a new body. I thank all of the bansters who came before me to share their personal stories. I can't say whether or not I'm at a numbered goal- I stopped making those goals because they were making me crazy. Today I just live, I eat good food and I do a bit of exercise and get out of my own head as often as possible and just take a walk.

It's been six months since my surgery. I have had two fills. I have lost 109 pounds. I have gained so much more than I thought possible. Sure' date=' I still have the same stressors that comes with living, but being ashamed of my weight is no longer one of them. People tell me I have gotten taller. I'm not so sure about that, but I do stand prouder and more confidently with my head held tall. I have fun with clothing now, even though I do limit number of garments I buy since I don't wear them for very long. My daughters are having issues because I am no longer the fat momma they are familiar with. I told them to get over it and share my joy. I would have the surgery again without hesitation. I know it's not for everyone, but it works for me. I limit carbohydrates and always, always eat Protein first. Today is good. Looking forward to tomorrow.[/quote']

Your post made me smile.

I will be four years out next week. My band is well and so am I !!!

Agreed!!!

It is really situational at times. I have been on both sides of the spectrum more then once. In 2003 I weighed 393 and doing low carb I lost 170 so I was walking around at 220ish. I don't know if it was more me feeling good about myself or people actually being different to me. I do know when I packed all my weight back on all the staring came back.

One of the very things I remember when I was losing weight back in 03 is a co-worker (female) said to one of my buddies (another co-worker) "he is going to be so handsome when he loses the rest of the weight". I think there are some people out there who do not have weight problems and don't understand how those type of comments can be taken as insulting.

I had another female co-worker say to me "wow your face is so skinny". Now I truly believe she meant it as a compliment however all I could think of is "wow my head must've been the size of a beach ball...."

I think you find people who are down right rude and ignorant but yet when we carry weight we are not happy about we tend to focus on the negative then the positive attitudes.

I second that emotion. I don't think people generally do it to be rude but sometimes all I can do is shake my head.

Finally broke the 200!! I weigh 199 I can't remember the last time being under 200! I've lost 96lbs since sept 2011. I'm super excited!

Wow! Congrats!!

I am 23 years old' date=' 5'8 320 lbs. I have not been banded yet but I'd like to know if when u a lot of weight and exercise do your breast still end up saggy or looking deflated[/quote']

Yep, saggy bobbies- I has um!!! Lol

But truth be told it not the worst thing in the world. Mine were uncomfortably large before - now the word is comfort. Plus I get a better selection of bras! Lol

Good luck!!