AlisaH

HI all, I know it's no longer October, but I wanted to post a quick note here to let everyone know what an inspiration you all are. I too am having a rather slow go ov the weight loss, but I know that I wouldn't be where I am without feeling like I was killing myself if I didn't have the band and that's a blessing. I seem to have a strange level of restriction, it seems to change quite dramatically throughout the day! In the mornings I can essentially not eat anything, sometimes my shake even seems to hang up in there before passing though. But then by the evenings it's like I have little to no restriction and ususally have no problems eating dinner. I know I'm still eating less than I was before (a lot less), but the swings in restriction makes it difficult to maintain that "sweet spot" level of eating that is satisfying, but not too much. Has anyone else had a similar experience?

HI, Thanks for the post. I recently also joined WW, but I am pretty early on my journey so I'm hoping that it will help me get and stay on track from the beginning. I'll admit that I get a little maxed as I see several of my co-workers losing weight (it's an "At-Work" program) and I'm still working with my surgeon to find my correct fill level so I know that I will get there, but it does sometime make me feel a little down. I know i'm on the right path though and recently began a Jazzercise class with some friends that has been a lot of fun so I hope that will help kick-start me as well. Thanks for the long-term look at life with the band, I love hearing how great it has been and I hope you too can get back on the bandwagon =) and meet your goals! Alisa

Terriann, Dr. Lucktong did not require any weight loss for me prior to the surgery (he did recommend it and emphasized that, but told me he wasn't requiring it for me). I believe he has made some weight loss requirements of other patients, but I don't know what the weight range was. I didn't do any special diet until post-op. I was on the liquids for 2 weeks, moving from clear (broth, Water, Jello, etc..) only, to full liquids by the end of the two weeks. It gives you a great jump start, I lost 17 pounds in those two weeks! the liquids really weren't too bad as I honestly wasn't hungry! I also drank some Protein shake to be sure that I had some reasonable energy levels. Dr. Lucktong is really great and he knows his stuff. I believe he specializes in only WLS, but I never asked. What I did ask was how many of these surgeries he has done and he told me he's been in the area about 5-6 years and has done over 300 surgeries. He's not super chatty, but has always fully answered my questions and his staff is really great too. Have a great day!

Thanks CityGirl, I appreciate your support so very much. What a process this is! I am trying to keep positive and focused on doing what I need to in order to be healthy and shed all this extra weight! It certainly isn't easy sometimes so I am glad to have a forum to talk and get some support! Thank you!

Thank you both so very much! I appreciate the support, this crap just maxes me out so much sometimes! I'm going to hang in there and find some new yummy recipes out of this too and keep looking at the positive. Again, thank you, I am feeling better today too so my goal is to keep that up and find the motivation and positive thinking that will help to keep me headed in the right direction! Alisa

OK, so here's where I am. I have had two fills so far, but have yet to hit my sweet spot. As such, my weight loss has really plateaued, I've gained a little, lost a little, for a few months now. OK, I can deal with that, I know that once I hit that "sweet spot" things will change. Meanwhile, my office decides to launch an "At WorK" Weight Watchers group. I am in VA and work at a University and right now the state is reimbursing WW members for 50% of their fees when joining an at work program. I thought that with this discount, this would be a good way to connect with folks in my office as well as remind myself of how to eat better, we all know that we have to do our part to make a difference WITH the band. Anyway, we've been at it for 3 weeks now and my total loss is 0.2 pounds! There are others in the group now that have lost an excess of 10 pounds in the three weeks as well. I'm just so frustrated, part of me feels like I should be doing better than others because of my extra tool, but instead I am doing worse than most of the group. Then to top it all off, and I know I am doing this to myself, I sit there thinking, most of these people know I had surgery, what are they thinking of me, that I wasted my time, effort, and money and still not lose weight? The logical part of me says, no, they probably don't even remember you had it, but I am so bummed about this, I really wanted to gain additional motivation through participating with this group, but it seems to be doing the opposite! Anyway, I would love to hear some encouragement from others who are struggling with microscopic weight loss, I know I can do this, I can, but I just need some additional support. Thank you all! Alisa

I totally can relate to what you are feeling, I am feeling it too, but am reminding myself that banding is a slower weight loss progress than bypass, but we chose this route for a lot of really important reasons (at least I did). I didn't like the idea of my insides being rearranged, so even though this is slower (and I dare say, maybe harder?) I am still focused on being committed to the process. I didn't tell many people before my surgery, but I have been open with many since then. I sometimes wonder if I should have waited until I had significant weight loss to tell others, but I think I am harder on myself than anyone else will be (thinking that others are thinking "well that didn't work for her". In reality, they are probably not thinking about it at all. To us this is our life, not so to many others outside). Besides, when I do get to that sweet spot it will be ON! I've had two fills so far and another scheduled for a few weeks from now. I have gotten some restriction, but not much so far, but it's a process, the last thing you want is for them to crank it up and then you can't eat anything and always feel terrible. In my opinion, we all will grieve the loss of our former selves, this is a life-changing surgery, and like you said, life changes are not instant. Have faith in yourself and in the strength you found to make the decision to have the surgery, you can do it, I know you can, and so can I! Alisa

Hi Terriann, Sorry for the delay in getting back to you on this, I've been out of town. My first step began with my Primary Care Physician who referred me to Dr. Lucktong in Roanoke (there is also a doc in Radford who does bands now too). My PCP got me on the books with Lucktong's office and they sent me a lengthy medical and weight loss history packet to fill out and send to them. Once they have that (and checked insurance to be sure that the procedure was covered), they scheduled me for my first visit. That visit was about 4 hours and we watched a video on the procedure (and other weight loss surgeries) and then Lucktong came in and gave a presentation as well. After that we all went into private rooms (there were about 3 or 4 other potential folks there too) and Dr. Lucktong and his nurse and the Nurse Practitioner answered questions and determined what additional tests needed to be completed. There was a good sized order for lab work that I had to do and they also thought I may have sleep apnea so I was also scheduled for a sleep study. After all of that (and being put on a CPAP) was clear, I was scheduled for surgery. My first meeting with Dr. Lucktong was in July of 07 and I was banded Jan 08. I've had two fills, but I am not yet at that "sweet spot" and have a 3rd fill in a few weeks, I am really looking forward to that, my weight loss has slowed, but there is some small progress. I am also trying to keep in mind that if there is anything I can do to avoid having tons of extra skin, that's good and slower weight loss will help with that. Anyway, my experience so far has been great! I would love to keep in contact with you! Have a great day! Alisa

Hi Kim, Thanks for the updated about bandsters being at the meetings in Radford, that's great news! Since I am in Radford, that definitely makes more sense for me rather than driving to Roanoke every month (especially with gas prices). How long are the meetings usually and will there be one next week? Alisa

I am quite the "offender" as well! I know that I shouldn't but it drives me nuts wondering. Recently I have hit a massive plateau and it is totally bumming me out and I keep losing and regaining the same 5-10 pounds! I know I need to lay off the scale so I am going to make a concerted effort to only weigh in the morning! Thanks for the reminder! Alisa

If you can stomach a Protein shake, that will go a long way towrds getting your energy back. I was totally not hungry either when I came home, but I just set a timer and had my little cups of Protein Shake every time it went off and that helped a lot too. Also, get up and walk around as much as you can, even just around the house, that will help some with the gas, but unfortunately that has to mostly just run it's course! Congrats to you on taking this huge first step! Alisa

Hey Bandsters, I have about 5 ccs in my 10 cc band and go in for my third fill in a few weeks. I have noticed a small decrease in my hunger, but I can eat pretty much anything I want. For Breakfast I ususally do a South Beach high Protein bar and a small yogurt. For lunch, lean cuisine or a small sandwich and some apple sauce and sometimes a fat free, reduced sugar Jello pudding. That fills me up and didn't before so I know there is some restriction. As for exercise, just walking for me for now, but I told my hubby I wanted to get a bike and go riding this summer. I've kind of fallen off the exercise bandwagon, but I am getting back on tonight with a walk at my local rec center. Anyway, I am really looking forward to my 3rd fill and I am hoping to reach my sweet spot! Good luck and forge on! Alisa

These are awesome, thanks to all for sharing! Like many of us, I hated pics in the past and I still don't like them. I had full-length pic taken about a month before my surgery so I need to get back in the same outfit and take another to see if I can see a difference. I have totally plateaued at this point, I have had 2 fills, but no real restriction to speak of, my next one is in 3 weeks so I am looking forward to the "sweet spot" and to kick-start this back into gear! Great job to everyone, I love seeing the progress pics! Alisa

It's totally happened to me too. I don't really know why though. Also after a fill when you lose some weight, the fatty deposit around your stomach gets smaller and your band is around the deposit so as that gets smaller, the band gets looser. For me I didn't lose a lot of weight between fills, and I am still working towards that "sweet spot", so I agree that it's probably more about the swelling, at least at first! Alisa