Lisa65

I have found what helps me most - if done regularly - is taking the Pearl pills. They are acidophillus/probiotics (like what is in Activia yogurt), which is basically just the healthy gut bacteria that everyone needs to keep things moving. They help keep the system in balance. They do NOT have laxative effects but if taken regularly, you will go on a regular basis. I've had slow movement my whole life (even pre-band) and they help me a lot. They can be found at most drugstores or supermarkets. They come in a bright royal blue box. They are tiny little pills that really look like small pearls. They are super easy to swallow (even though I have trouble with most any pill) and they are not the least bit harsh on your system. They come in regular and "IC" (Intensive care or control) which is 3X stronger than the regular. I really think you should give these a chance. Perhaps do the natural cleanse, then start taking them - they should keep you going once you clear out the backup. Hope it helps! Lisa

Barb, Your post has inspired me. I am SO happy for you that things are going so much better and congratulations on nearing the 2 year mark. That is SO awesome. I just had to say hello and that I appreciate your post. I also love your quote. Lisa

GREAT advice Birinak! Super post.

I agree with the last couple posters - you have lots of room left in your band - don't give up yet! I had to practically max out my 9cc band, even a tad over (Doc got manufacturer's approval, since some cc's are in the tubing etc and not all in the band, plus they are designed to hold a tad more than the "label" says). I was SURE that it was going to max out and I still wouldn't have restriction. My doc reassured me, "Oh, we will get you restricted, don't worry." Alas, he was right, it just took me longer than most. Anyway, it's very possible that you just don't have enough fill yet. It took me over 6 months to reach good restriction. You are doing wonderfully by following all the rules, and I sincerely applaud you for that! Keep it up, but also stay in touch with your doc and follow up on those fills. You won't regret it, I pretty much promise you. By the time you would have normally gotten tired of "dieting" and be ready to fall off the wagon, you will likely reach good restriction and it will help you to continue with the healthy plan you've started - without the hunger. I know it's tough and frustrating. Hang in there - we are all here to help while you wait for restriction. Lisa

I'm certainly no expert as I have been struggling lately myself and not losing in spite of trying, so please take this in the context it is intended - as a suggestion in hopes of helping someone. Something struck me while reading the posts in this thread. To a person, almost everyone states that they can't eat ANYTHING until very late in the day. I think some morning tightness is normal with the band, but if you can't eat all day, is it possible you are all too tight? Bear with me here... If you had less restriction during the day, you would be able to eat solid Protein in small amounts several times during the day, and I'm guessing this would go a very LONG way toward stopping the insatiable hunger in the evenings. Your body can not go without sustenance all day and not be clammoring for food once that band loosens to the point of allowing any to pass. I have read many posts where people stated that once they had some of that fill removed, they actually preferred eating solid Proteins and veggies and were able to eat small portions and be satisfied. If you aren't losing anyway, what have you got to lose (besides your frustration) by getting a bit of an unfill and see if it helps you to eat more balanced meals throughout the day? Just a thought.... Lisa

Ok, I'm back looking for more support. No activity in a while. How are we all doing? I'm chugging along, but not really making much progress. I got a fill last month. I extended my schedule of getting back to regular foods in the hopes of breaking some bad habits. In other words, instead of 1 day of liquids, one of mushy, etc, I did a couple days of each step. I told myself all along that this fill would be the perfect one for me and by the time I got to regular food I would be very satisfied with 1/2C of food. I was, believe it or not! I lost 4# the first week (not unusual for me as I tend to hold Water weight and drop quickly when I cut back a lot). Then the 2nd week, was still eating the same and lost nothing. Again, not unusual for me as I tend to do that too - my body takes a bit to catch up to the week before. My problem is that the week with no loss even though I was eating tiny amounts of good food wreaks havoc on my motivation. It shouldn't, I know this, but it does. So I susconsciously started letting myself eat a little more, a "bite of something sweet" after a meal, etc. So therefore I haven't lost any more since. I've also had trouble getting back into the groove of working out at Curves. I used to really enjoy it, now I'm struggling to want to go. I guess I'm just looking for some moral support, to know I'm not alone on this journey, and a little pep talk/kick in the pants - whatever you feel like dishing out, I'm ready for it. :-) I'll do the same for you! Lisa

Name*********Starting****Current******Goal******ToGo Adjua....................347...............337...........240......... ....97 Angie64.................270...............270...........210....... ......60 Astrasmom............254...............254...........170............. .84 Babe....................265...............265...........199.... ..........66 Band_Groupie........172.5.............161.5..........158-148........3.5-13.5 BetsyB.................226.6.............215.2.........109...... ......106.2 BobbieND..............224................212...........150..... .......62 Bree99.................259................259...........155..... .......104 Brigette................198...............198............150.... ........48 Bristlecone............157...............157............130....... .....27 crzytchr................217...............217............180..... ... ...37 Dana36.................233...............229............160....... .....69 daqui26.................274...............274............200....... .....74 destined4thinness..215.5.............215.5..........150............65 5 Diamondgirl81........317...............317.............250............ 67 ericanda1973.........198.5............198.5..........130......... ..68.5 HummingBird..........204...............193............150........ ...43 jenibeni.................224...............212............165....... ....47 Jennih...................232...............232.............130.... ......102 KDEE....................240................240.............150...... .....90 kyleegirl01.............211................209.............160...... .....49 Lady LAP...............217................217.............125...... .....95 Lisa65...................174.5............165..............145..... ......20!:thumbdown: Liz........................193.4............193.4...........155...... ......39.4 lotzasunshine.........247...............245..............175........ ...70 newdicarlo.............187...............177..............135...... . ...42 Northernmist..........289...............265..............175.......... ..90 ol55andahalf..........184...............184..............144...... ......40 RandaPanda...........194...............183..............150........ ....33 RAYNE913.............234...............234..............160........ ....74 RobinAnn.............232.4...............224..............160........ ....64 scoutmama...........270...............270..............180........ ....90 shadst8................333...............317..............217........ ....100 :thumbdown: skinny31................261...............258..............185..... .......73 SNDYCNRD.............207...............199.5............150..........49.5 sueinne.................220................220.............180.... ........40 Tabithan................244...............234..............190....... .....44 TARASGIRL.............305...............294..............225....... ......69 tdtucker................256...............256...............160...... . ....96 Teacher2010..........192...............183...............150...... . ....33 Tealeaves..............305...............289...............150...... . ...139 TeriLu....................215...............212...............150.. .... ....62 TIGGER71G............224...............224................130....... .....94 unshackled............277...............277................180....... .....97 Valerie.................190................190................150... . .......40

Name***********Starting****Current******Goal******ToGo Adjua....................347...............337...........240......... ....97 Angie64.................270...............270...........210....... ......60 Astrasmom............254...............254...........170............. .84 Babe....................265...............265...........199.... ..........66 Band_Groupie........172.5.............163..........158-148........5-15 BetsyB.................226.6.............215.2.........109...... ......106.2 BobbieND..............224................216.5.........150..... .......66 Brigette................198...............198............150.... ........48 Bristlecone............157...............157............130....... .....27 crzytchr................217...............217............180..... ... ...37 Dana36.................233...............229............160....... .....69 daqui26.................274...............274............200....... .....74 destined4thinness..215.5.............215.5..........150............65 5 Diamondgirl81........317...............317.............250............ 67 ericanda1973.........198.5............198.5..........130......... ..68.5 HummingBird..........204...............193.............150........ ...43 jenibeni.................224...............221.5..........165....... ....57.5 Jennih...................232................232............130.... ......102 KDEE....................240................240.............150...... .....90 kyleegirl01.............211................211.............160...... .....51 Lady LAP...............217................217.............125...... .....95 Lisa65...................174.5............167..............145..... ......22 Liz........................193.4............193.4...........155...... ......39.4 lotzasunshine.........247...............245..............175........ ...70 newdicarlo.............187...............180..............135...... . ...45 Northernmist..........289...............279..............175.......... .104 ol55andahalf..........184...............184..............144...... ......40 RandaPanda...........194...............184..............150........ ....34 scoutmama............270...............270..............180........ ....90 skinny31................261...............258..............185..... .......73 SNDYCNRD.............207...............202..............150......... ...52 sueinne..................220................220.............180.... .......40 Tabithan...............244...............234...............190....... .....44 TARASGIRL.............305...............294............225....... .......69 tdtucker................256...............256...............160...... . ....96 TeriLu....................215...............212...............150.. .... ....62 TIGGER71G............224...............224................130....... .....94 unshackled............277...............277................180....... .....97 Valerie.................190................190................150... . .......40

Updating my weight... Name***********Starting****Current******Goal******ToGo Astrasmom.............254...............254...........170..............84 Babe......................265...............265...........199.... .........66 Band_Groupie........172.5...........169.5..........158..............11 .5 BetsyB..................226.6.............226.6.........109...... .......117.6 BobbieND..............224...............221.6.............175..... ........49 Brigette.................198...............198.............150.... ........48 crzytchr.................217...............217..............180.... ... ....37 DANA36.................233...............233..............160...... .....73 destined4thinness...215.5.............215.5..........150.............6 5.5 ericanda1973..........198.5............198.5...........130......... ...68.5 HummingBird..........204...............202..............150........ ....52 jenibeni.................224...............221.5..............165....... .......57.5 Jennih...................232................232..............130.... .......102 KDEE....................240................240...............150...... ......90 Lisa65...................174.5............168................145..... ......23 lotzasunshine.........247...............246.2.............175........ ...71.2 newdicarlo.............187...............187................135...... . ...52 ol55andahalf........184.................184................144........ .....40 RandaPanda...........194...............191................150........ ....41 scoutmama............270................270...............180........ ....90 SNDYCNRD.............207...............207................140......... ...67 TARASGIRL.............305...............302................225........ ....77 TeriLu....................215...............215................150.. .... ......65 TIGGER71G.............224...............224................130....... ......94 Tabithan..............244...............234................190....... ......44

Or just simply say, "Maybe I'll adjust my goal once I get closer - who knows?!" - and then FORGET they ever said anything - and keep doing what you're doing! It IS between you and your doctor - no one else. And it IS easy to become complacent when you hear it too often. So just maybe, if you pass it off with a positive "time will tell" attitude, they will come to realize that YOU are making your decision and it's not their place to influence it. Good luck!

Lisa6 (I thought this was an error, as my username is Lisa65!) ... I have the Realize band - got it in April 08. I had to get to either 9.4 or 9.6 (I can't remember which now) to really feel much restriction at all. It's been good and I've been at that amount for over a year. I'm thinking now that I might need a TINY bit more, but when they went over the 9cc, my doctor called the manufacturer and was assured it was safe to do so - that some of the fluid they put in is in the tubing etc and there is also some builtin "leeway". I think it really is an issue with the Realize (low pressure) band- that it has to get near (or over in some cases) to really offer restriction.

I definitely belong to this "group" also! Here's my story... I was banded in April 08 and lost about 80# in the first 6 months - most of that due to following the band "diet" without REAL restriction (it took me to 9+cc in a Realize Band to really get pretty decent restriction) I was determined to do this so I stuck to the plan, as hard as it was. Thank goodness, about the time I would normally have fallen off the plan and gained it all back, the band kicked in and was there for me. Since that time (for well over a year) I have been up and down within the same 5 or 6 pound range. Much of this was due to my complacency and not because I didn't have restriction. I could eat right with treats here and there and maintain, so I was allowing myself some leeway because I was feeling pretty good about myself even though I was still about 25# from my goal. I haven't checked in with my dr since last April - in spite of 2 years of free follow up care. Then the recent holiday came and I went back to my old habits of eating junk through the holidays and thinking I'll get back on plan in January - which means I tacked on a few extra pounds. Well, January is here and I am once again determined - but struggling to get on track. I want to not only lose the extra but to break through this LONG plateau and reach my goal. After reading several posts on LBT, I'm thinking I might need a tiny fill to really get the perfect restriction, so I think I'm going to call my dr. and make an appt. I would love everyone's support and I'm certainly willing to offer much of the same! Thanks, Lisa

I was banded in April of 08 and it took many several months (probably 6 or more) to get good restriction. I have the Realize Band and was honestly worried as I neared "max capacity" and still had no restriction. My doctor assured me that I would get it - and I did. I had to get more than the max (can't remember if it's 9.4 or 9.6cc) before I was at my sweet spot. By the way, the Dr. called the manufacturer to make sure this was ok and they assured him there is some leeway there because the tube and port hold some, so the band itself really doesn't have more than the maximum amount in it. Bottom line - it WILL come- keep the faith. I know how you feel as I was in the same situation, but keep the faith. The problem is in eating right until you get it. Because you CAN eat anything doesn't mean that you SHOULD. It really is about doing your absolute best to stick to a "diet" (bad word, I know) until you get restriction. The beauty of the band is this - you will eventually get that restriction, so if you can just stick it out, you will never have that rebound weight gain from going "off the diet". The band will help you immensely to do what you are now doing all alone. But it's SO worth it - hang in there! And feel free to ask for the support you need- that's what this site is all about. Good luck! Lisa

Weird, but pills seem to be the one thing I have the most trouble with. I've been at good restriction for many months now. I can eat bread (which many can't) but pills just seem to get stuck and hurt like all heck until they finally pass. I have sworn off some OTC ones that I can't split - others I have to either split, ask for liquid, or do without. I recently had to take Augmentin - a HUGE antibiotic pill. They assured me they were scored so could be cut in half. Well, half was still way too big so I had to try to cut them into smaller pieces, at which point they usually crumbled - talk about nasty! Next time I WILL be making sure I get liquid! Apparently different things bother different people, so I say as long as they don't hurt going down you are probably fine. If you reach the point of needing to change the form, you'll know it! Good luck!

Name***********Starting******Current********Goal******ToGo Astrasmom.............254...............254.................170............84 Babe.....................265...............265.................199.... .........66 BetsyB..................226.6.............226.6..............109...... .......117.6 Brigette.................198...............198.................150.... .........48 crzytchr.................217...............217.................180.... ... ......37 DANA36.................233...............233.................160...... .......73 ericanda1973..........198.5............198.5..............130......... .....68.5 HummingBird..........204...............204.................150........ .....54 Jennih...................232................232................130.... .........102 lotzasunshine.........247...............246.4..............175........ ......71.4 newdicarlo.............187...............187.................135...... . ......52 RandaPanda...........194...............194.................150........ ......44 scoutmama............270................270................180........ ......90 SNDYCNRD.............207...............207................140......... ......67 TARASGIRL.............305...............305................225........ .......80 TeriLu....................250...............215..................150..... .......65 TIGGER71G.............224...............224.................130....... ......94 Lisa65...................174.5............174.5...............145.................29.5 I've been banded since April 08 and have become complacent and never managed to lose the last 25# - plus now I've tacked on a few thru the holidays. I'm ready to FINISH this thing. Here's to US! ....Lisa

Hi everyone. I don't post often because I just don't have much time to spend on my computer it seems. I do check in when I get a chance to see how everyone is doing. This thread was a HUGE incentive to me when I was considering the band and in my early months. KUDOS to everyone on here - you all are amazing! Yesterday was my 1 year bandiversary so I figured it was time to finally post my own before and after photos. I've officially lost 84.5# (including my 2 week pre-op diet). Even though I've been somewhat stagnant for the last few months and still have about 25# to lose, when I look at these side by side, I feel pretty good about myself and all I've accomplished so far. Here we go... Lisa

You might try here... Click here: Cincinnati Weight Loss Center :: Home I do not know anyone who goes here so I can't give a personal reference, but thought it might be a suggestion for you. I'm actually a patient of Dr. C myself. Good luck. Lisa