Elled2

Hey girl, I've been there! Try increasing your daily vitamin intake with liquid vitamins or small capsules. The extra vitamins and nutrients should help with the depression sensation. Also walk around as much as you can manage so your brain has more natural `feel good` hormone secretion. Remember, your brain controls your body not your stomach. Fuel your body to appease your brain and your brain will stop telling you to eat because you're already satisfied with vitamins Obviously remember those protein drinks too!

Wait a month and then book another fill. A year is too long, but after this fill take another month off so you can really get a full understanding of how your bands fill level effects you throughout the month because time does make a difference as your hormones change over the span off a month. Moving too fast removes the relationship from the band. And I can't stress how important maintaining that relationship is for positive weight loss

My surgeon was contracted to the clinic and as a result has no contact with the clinic clients

Half a cup plain greek yogurt half a thinly sliced banana. Finely chopped strawberries (2) One scoop vanilla protein powder. 1 Tablespoon natural peanut butter A few raspberries Topped with a natural granola. You can also use chocolate protein powder. It tastes a lot like cheesecake meets mousse. SO SO good for those days were swallowing isn't a b***h

Not at all! I meant my mother lost weight very fast so her small clothes she bought became too big before the season for the clothes she bought came up. You get into those 14's girl

I've had my band for 3 years. Of those three years I spent one year struggling with swallowing anything, even my own saliva. It was the worst year of my entire life, but I looked damn good. I was the smallest weight I had ever been. I was active, I was shrinking, and I was cocky. I lost myself in my weight loss journey. My lap-band was too full, the restriction was so tight. I struggled to sip hot water. Nothing would slip through...and I became sick. I became the girl I never wanted to be. I never wanted to make myself ill so that I could accomplish weight loss. I fought my entire life so that I would not end up like those bulimic models on TV. But, I wasn't eating. And people noticed I was losing weight. I got compliments. I loved it. I lived an entire year with a restricted band. I would get a de-fill every few months. But I always got it filled back up as soon as I saw a number increase on the scale. I lost myself in my lap-band weight loss journey. I took advantage of a tool meant to help me on my weight loss journey. The lap-band is not magic. It will not make you lose weight simply by having it wrapped around your stomach. Like a hammer or a saw, the lap-band is a tool that you must use. It took my four years to learn that my band is not responsible for my weight loss. I was responsible for my weight loss; my band was just a tool I used to aide me in my journey. The moment I realized that I was abusing my resource, my life improved. My mental health became more positive, my physical health improved drastically. I saw a nutritionist and a dietitian to learn more about what my body needs to see positive, healthy weight loss. I was advised on taking over 7 natural vitamins a day that are essential for your body to function at a well enough pace to support the energy required for weight loss. The body is a machine, and it needs essential vitamins and nutrients to survive. So if you want to lose weight, don't take diet pills. Ask your doctor about your vitamin levels, and then incorporate more of what your lacking in your blood. Feed your body in ways that aren't necessarily food. In saying this, I don't mean don't eat. Absolutely eat whole foods. But don't neglect your body because you have a band, or a sleeve, or a by-pass. Remember that it is your machine, and the machine is run by you. You are in charge of your machine and it's resources. Take control of your relationship with your weight loss 'tools' and make your weight loss experience a positive one. I wish someone had told me this years ago when I was struggling with my weight. My mental relationship with my physical body has drastically improved. I have not thrown up in over 2 years. No one has had to hold my hair back after I binge eat in frustration. I always said that I eat when I am upset or angry or sad. I was an emotional eater. But I find that I don't crave food as much when I am distressed. And I believe that is because my brain/body is satisfied with the level of nutrients and vitamins I have supplied myself with through supplements because with a band it can be difficult to eat whole food. Knowing the restriction of your band is sometimes impossible, but the least we can do on those moments when we are too restricted is to provide our bodies with supplements as best we can so that our mind is not as distressed as our empty stomachs may feel. Give your body peace of mine and please take my advice. It really is a game changer in the weight loss journey. Very passionate about this topic as the realization was just so simple. Sorry if it got out of hand!

Try a half cup plain Greek yogurt, a scoop of vanilla protein powder, half a banana, a tel spn of peanut butter and some strawberries cut up. It's so so delicious! Even if you just have the yogurt, Pb, and protein powder it is a great way to get protein without the gross taste of plain Greek yogurt

My mom did this and has multiple clothing items she never got to wear because the weight came off faster than anticipated. I suggest buying one or two goal items (achievable goal!) to motivate your weight loss journey

Stress really affects my band. It's amazing how my stomach hormones impact my band restriction!

I got my lap band at age 20. I'm now 24. 4 months after I got my band my clinic closed and I lost a lot of support. My journey with my band has been rocky but I persevered and have kept off 70 lbs over 4 years. I lost all my weight in the first year. It's been a challenge. There has been tears, starvation, over indulging, and panic. But, with each new experience I became more educated. I would love to share my experience /stories with fellow 'banded` people as we are all living through this experience together and I never got the opportunity to connect with other 'banders'.

My clinic closed down 4 months after my surgery. A lot of my learning process was done alone and I started doing my own fills and defills. The band is worth it, but developing a positive relationship with it is a journey that took me over 2 years to achieve. I've been where you are and empathize with you. If you ever want to chat I'd be happy to offer some aide

The first month or slow with a band is slow. Your body has to adjust to the surgery. The surgery and fills can cause swelling and that affects the band. Ask for another fill and listen to your physicians. Getting the band filed too quickly is not a positive as you don't get to learn about how your band impacts you. I got filled far too quickly and the relationship I developed with my band was not as positive as it could have been. Now everything is fine but it is a huge life adjustment. If you want to lose weight and maintain your weight loss don't rush into the fills! Take things slow like your first high school relationship. The band is for life so learn everything you can about your body and your band. My weight loss journey became much more positive when I learned not to rush progress.

I had my surgery at 20! I'm now 24 if you have any questions feel free to MSG me I had lap band surgery though.

That is definitely not a lot of food. You need food for survival. Start your day with a protein and have protein for lunch and dinner in combination with green vegetables and berries. Weight loss is as much about what you put into your body as it is what you don't.

Don't drink pop!!!! Carbonation is awful for bands. Plus cutting out carbonated beverages is a great tool for weight loss! I stopped drinking pop and in a month alone lost. 15 lbs.

After my surgery I told none of my friends or colleagues outside or inside of work. But when asked I explained that my body rejected Gluten (bread) and I stopped drinking carbonation because my body bloated. It was just time for a life change.

Hey lovely, take a deep breath. The experience is challenging and will be challenging, but with it come rewards. Also, I never stopped drinking coffee... Just carbonated beverages. If you want I would be happy to tell you all the up and downs to a band.

Despite having lost 70 lbs, my mind still treats my new body with the same grievances. 'You're too fat to wear that outfit'. 'You could use another 5lbs' 'Are you really going to eat all those grapes? You don't need the extra calories!' 'You skipped a workout? You're worthless' I shrank from 210 lbs to 140lbs. A size 18 pant to a size 6 pant. I started running, attending yoga, making friends, feeling confident... but every morning when I would wake up and look in the mirror while getting dressed I would see it. The 5 more pounds, the stretch mark, the surgery scar... and then my mind would start to play games. Despite my weight loss success, my mind kept dragging me back to the mind of my 210lb self. The version of me that was self-conscious, that hid beneath clothes three sizes too big. The 'fat' version of myself. The mind games I play with myself are relentless, after all I am my greatest critic. No one could out criticize me because I live with myself 24/7. I am my biggest barrier and I am my greatest cheerleader. Weight loss is hard. It is as much a physical battle as it is a mental battle. Be kind to yourself. In being kind to yourself, you will be amazed at how plateaus transform into progress. You will be more dedicated to your weight loss journey. Hush the little voice in your head telling you can't and show yourself that you can. If you don't feel like going on a run, walk around your neighbourhood. If you want a piece of cake or a sugary treat, find a recipe that is healthier but you still feel naughty indulging. Life is supposed to be lived so that you can learn and grow. Stop the mind games, smash the mirror, and set achievable, realistic goals for your weight loss journey. I advise you to make positive mental growth a top priority; weight loss will follow.