sadie11

Hi Michelle; I am at 6 months too and have lost 44 pounds- I have been stuck the last month too. Here's my observations: My band really helps me keep the weight off. I was on vacation for 2 weeks an ate whatever I wanted including fudge (I was at the beach!) and lots of other sugar. I got home and dreaded weighing myself and I gained 1 pound - yahoo! Usually it would be at least 10 to 15 pounds. And I would keep eating. Keeping the weight off is the best thing about the band I think. I'm back to eating right and exercising and the weight is coming off again. Down 2 pounds the last 2 days-- because I am eating NO SUGAR! I cannot eat any sugar and lose weight-- I don't really gain much but I cannot lose. Also I realize that "One M&M is too many and a thousand is not enough" I am a sugar addict for sure. I have to work hard to lose weight but the band helps me not gain it back and that is why I love my band! Keep trucking and keep exercising- I wanted to lose 50 pounds by 6 months too but if I do it by 8 months that's fine too. Be flexible is my motto. Sadie

My theory is that loose skin won't kill me but 100 pounds of fat will! So I'll go for the loose skin any day. FYI- There is a bandster here who lost 200 pounds and did 200 crunches and 20 guy push ups every day during her entire weight loss and did not need plastic surgery. I think her name is Chris. So I am walking and doing upper body weights too and think it may be helping. But I'm gonna lose the weight and then worry about skin. I should be so lucky as to have lost 120 pounds and get to complain about my loose skin!:whatchutalkingabout Sadie

Hi all; I have never had a waist even when I was thin. I am like a tube. And now I am a smaller tube than 41 pounds ago. When I weighed 135, I still didn't have a waist. My measurements are the same all the way down my body- no kidding. I would love to have some kind of waist during my lifetime. I am now doing ab exercises- I use a DVD from The Firm (25 minutes- hard!) and use the Ab weight machine at the YMCA. Question- will this work over time? Will I lose inches just in my waist so I have some kind of dent in the middle of my body? I am a dedicated exerciser and usually do 5 days hard and 2 days easy- jogging and walking and pushups. I am planning on doing the ab routine 3 x a week for however long it takes. Waddya think? Will I get some kind of waist? Anyone else had success? Also hoping to avoid the TT surgery when I hit goal! thanks for any comments/help! Sadie

Katy- i couldn't agree more- when I start roaming around the kitchen feeling dissatisfied, it's time for another fill! It is such a relief to not be constantly thinking/worrying about food! The band rewired my brain too. I love it! And my normal friend (never been on a diet!) said exactly the same thing- she just doesn't think about food. My sweet spot = I eat maybe 3-5 tablespoons of cottage cheese for lunch and I am full. chicken salad about the same amount. I can eat more of crunchy things like chips but, of course I try not to do that! Sadie

The other great thing about Dr. Brown is that the fills are only $50 after the first 3 and they forget to charge you half the time! There are so many complaints about fills on this board- we are lucky! Sadie

One more pound gone! Yea! Maybe there should be a column for current weight cause everyone keeps changing their start weight to their current weight. Name_________Start Weight _____Goal_____lbs lost *****:thumbup:********** **********:thumbup:******:thumbup:***** aJoneen............230.........220.......5....... Bea1128............220.........199.......5....... Babs0101...........185.........170.......0....... blesdbyonmzur......159.........148.......4....... BTTRFLI1432........221.........210.......6....... Bunkey1965.........199.........195.......13....... Chocolate_Snaps....254.........240.......6....... Darr5380...........167.........155.......3....... Epm316.............209.........199.......5....... erikadawn..........199.........175.......0....... FloridaGirl........235.........215.......0....... HeatherO...........172(161)....155.......11...... Heft_Bandit........261.........245.......3.3..... JennyPoo...........169.........159.......5....... KarenG.............160.........158.......6....... KathyStrick........305.........290.......0....... Lapbandfan.........258.........230.......2....... Leslie2Lose........219.........209.......5....... LessNLess..........144.5.......140.......0....... LilMissBand-Aid....234.4.......225.......6.2..... Lunabeane..........212.........200.......9....... Luu2008............219.........189.......14...... Luv2Laugh..........232.........212.......0....... luvinke............206.........190.......0....... mamato3............199.........184.......6....... mcgreen............189.........175.......0....... mdgarcia31665......225.........200.......0....... melboyd............266.........256.......0....... MollyMolly.........192.........182.......2....... mominlv13..........305.8.......300.......10.2.... MSnika3............228.........204.......4....... MyTurn.....................250...............240...........0.......... . NANAbanded.........225.........199.......7....... Ninja..............204.........189.......5....... NukeChik...........221.........199.......6....... Ollie..............242.........210.......0....... Redtulips..........188.........180.......6....... Renewedhope........174.........155.......5....... ronni_NC...........243.........220.......0....... slgandera..........185.........173.......7....... StartingOver.......220.........205.......15...... Sunshine2..........187.........170.......2.3..... want_so_bad........170.........155.......0....... Sades.......(7/16).192.5.......180.......8.6..... Sadie..............220.........199.......6....... smwww..............189.........179.......0...... tp78...............212.........195.......7.......

I have had a great time with the nurses at Dr. Brown's in Denver. The dr has no personality and you don't see him except for surgery but the nurses are very aggressive about fills. They are great! And my success is partly due to their willingness to fill the band to help me. I would be driven to violence if i had nurses and dr's like some of the posters here on the forum. I think the ultra conservative docs that won't fill the stupid band are just mean and want to punish fat people. Sadie

I was at my sweet spot with 6cc in my 10cc band in April- 3 months ago. I was losing about 10 pounds a month and very happy. Suddenly (well maybe not suddenly but it felt like suddenly) I stopped losing any weight at all. I thought I had the same restriction but was now used to my band and eating around it. I thought so anyway. So I go to the nurse today and my fill is down to 5.75cc's- it evaporated! So she filled me back up to 6cc's and I am nicely restricted and happy again. Okay I didn't know you had to have your band checked like every 2 months to see if you still had enough saline in there. Now I am marking my calendar and planning to see them every 2 months. I wasted 3 weeks not losing because I thought I was just "eating around the band" and screwing up. Not true. Maybe all the exercising I'm doing made the saline evaporate? Maybe everyone else knows this but I didn't. Hopefully others will learn from this too. Success on your lap band journey to all! Sadie

You are all doing so well- congratulations! After 3 weeks of NOTHING, finally a fill and weight loss again. Down a pound 1 day after my fill- yippeee! Maybe I'll make this challenge after all! Sadie Name_________Start Weight _____Goal_____lbs lost *****:cool2:********** **********:wink2:******:tt2:***** aJoneen............230.........220.......5....... Bea1128............220.........199.......5....... Babs0101...........185.........170.......0....... blesdbyonmzur......159.........148.......4....... BTTRFLI1432........221.........210.......6....... Bunkey1965.........205.........195.......7....... Chocolate_Snaps....254.........240.......6....... Darr5380...........167.........155.......3....... Epm316.............209.........199.......3....... erikadawn..........199.........175.......0....... FloridaGirl........235.........215.......0....... HeatherO...........163.........155.......9....... Heft_Bandit........261.........245.......0....... JennyPoo...........169.........159.......5....... KarenG.............162.........158.......4....... KathyStrick........305.........290.......0....... Lapbandfan.........258.........230.......2....... Leslie2Lose........219.........209.......5....... LessNLess..........144.5.......140.......0....... LilMissBand-Aid....234.4.......225.......5.6..... Lunabeane..........212.........200.......9....... Luu2008............219.........189.......14...... Luv2Laugh..........232.........212.......0....... luvinke............206.........190.......0....... mamato3............199.........184.......6....... mcgreen............189.........175.......0....... mdgarcia31665......225.........200.......0....... melboyd............266.........256.......0....... MollyMolly.........192.........182.......2....... mominlv13..........305.8.......300.......10.2.... MSnika3............228.........204.......4....... NANAbanded.........225.........199.......4....... Ninja..............204.........189.......5....... NukeChik...........221.........199.......6....... Ollie..............242.........210.......0....... Redtulips..........188.........180.......6....... Renewedhope........174.........155.......5....... ronni_NC...........243.........220.......0....... slgandera..........185.........173.......7....... StartingOver.......220.........205.......5....... Sunshine2..........187.........170.......2.3..... want_so_bad........170.........155.......0....... Sades.......(7/16).192.5.......180.......8.6..... Sadie..............216.........199.......5....... tp78...............212.........195.......7.......

Both Sherry and Allison do my fills- they are both great and very knowledgable. They will be aggressive with your fills. My 2nd fill was so tight I couldn't drink any Water so they had to take some out. So I am happy with Dr Brown and the nurses. Lots of people complain that their dr's/nurses are not aggressive at all. The receptionist doesn't like to schedule you before one month. She says it's because of "infection" whatever that means. The receptionist is not the best in my opinion. She doesn't like her job I think. I was insistent that she schedule me after 3 weeks after the first fill. Call early and lie about the last date and she'll schedule you. The nurses don't care about the date. I can't remember how much restriction I had after the first fill but I was losing 2+ pounds a week so I had some. It went away after about 2+ weeks so I called for another appointment and got my 2nd fill after 3 weeks. The other thing about Dr. Brown is that he is very careful to place the band right over the appetite hormone glands at the top of your stomach. I have had very low hunger and my taste for sugar and some other foods has changed for the better. He has a lot of experience and I think he places the band correctly. Reading the posts from others makes me feel that not all doctors are so careful. Good luck - we are on a terrific journey! I am thrilled with my band! Sadie

FYI- Many doctors only will fill you once a month. I can push mine to do it in 3 weeks but I have to be really assertive. The lap band requires a lot of patience! Sadie

I only lost .25% which is less than 4% - and the saline does evaporate even though it is a closed system. The plastic used in the ring has some minor permability so it is flexible according to the nurse. I have no idea about implants - maybe they can use a harder plastic. I am happy I found my solution.

I am a self pay also but it's only $50 for a fill appointment. I have to say that the fact that I might have to go in for fills 4 to 6 times a year was not obvious to me when I was investigating the lap band. It's okay but I wish I had know this. And AthinnerDenise --maybe being at goal means less pressure on the band so fewer fills? I hope that's true. Also it is an hour drive each way to get my fills- takes all afternoon. In spite of my whining, I am thrilled that I am losing again. 1 pound gone this morning after 3 weeks of no loss. Yea! Sadie

I am at the 5 month mark almost and I am stuck at 41 pounds too. It goes up 2 pounds and down 2 pounds and I am very consistent about my exercise. I even went to 2 x a day and no weight loss. Arrrgghh! I think I am eating more because I know what I can eat now and am probably eating too much. I am starting the 5 day pouch test today to get this kick started again. I think I will have to go back to all liquids every month or so for a few days. I am also going to call for a small fill. I thought I was at my sweet spot but maybe not. Best to you in your journey! Sadie

Judy and Nancy; Thanks for the encouragement. And I will do the same for you. Hopefully you won't need it. It occurred to me last night that maybe I need a small fill. Maybe that old food is going down a bit too easy. I thought I was at my sweet spot but maybe not. I'll call them today. Best to all on your journey! Sadie

Hi all; My weight loss has stopped - I was doing so well for 4 months and now I have not lost for 2 weeks! Even though I exercise every day and last week 2 x a day. Thoughts I have about it My body is adjusting to my weight loss so far I need to go back to liquids and start the 5 day pouch test I need to have patience I need to keep going and trust I need to not eat sugar I need to have patience again I need to keep exercising Weight loss will happen when it happens but it's hard to wait it out Any other ideas gals? Sadie (who is not known for her patience)

I have a bunch of Unjury Protein that I hate but if someone on this board likes it, email me and I'll give you a great deal on it. I will never use it and would rather one of my over 50 compadres get it cheap! Email me and I'll send you a list of what I have. Marilyn3850@yahoo.com Sadie

Hi all; I haven't been posting much but have been reading faithfully. I like the 5 Day Pouch Test idea and am going to do it. I was frustrated at not losing for the last week and half. Lo and behold, it appears I have been eating too much salt! I went on a modified Medifast diet and the pounds are coming off. I love Medifast! It really works for me. I like the shakes and the bars. Even though I gained back all the weight I lost on it before my band, I still like the food. So I'll use that for the pouch test. And get this weight loss moving again! Best to all Sadie Sadie

You're right about this. I am a veteran dieter but I never had reactions to eating this way. Since the band, I sit at the same or a higher number for days even when i am doing everything right. It's very different than my previous diets. It's like my body just doesn't want to give up the weight and I have to MAKE it. Previous diets I would lose a half pound ro a quarter pound but put it right back on. With the band, the scale just stops and I don't lose but when I do it's a big jump. I also don't gain the weight back as easily too. Something has definately changed in my body with the band. It's good and I have to just be patient- not one of my strong points in the past. But i'm working on it. I just can't go back to not trying anyway. I am determined to get this weight problem solved. I'm sick of it and losing 41 pounds just isn't enough for me anymore. In the past, I would let up on my efforts when I felt a little better about my body but not anymore. My health problems demand that I get to an average weight. thanks for your insight Sadie

Great post from AthinnerDenise!. Love your perspective. Thank you! You helped me immeasureably to keep going. I have not lost anything for over a week and whenever that happens, I look at my diet. Usually I have convinced myself that I CAN eat nachos and still lose weight. Crunchy things like chips and nachos go right down as does anything with sugar. Usually I am eating more of that stuff and trying to fool myself that I am "dieting". This week I am writing down everything and exercising 2 times a day (walking 2+ miles and jogging a bit- gotta shake up the system). I bet I'll start losing again soon. I am a master at fooling myself with food. And a master at finding excuses for not dieting. This time I will NOT GIVE UP before I reach my goal! No more excuses- I will find a way to do it. Sadie

I was banded a bit before you guys and I ate about 600 to 800 cals a day for several months. Then I got used to the band and started eating more. Now I need to watch my calories to lose weight. Don't worry about the low number for a while- you won't die. And later you'll wish you were back at the 600 level. I had no hunger for months and now I have a bit more. I have to work at losing now whereas I didn't when I was first banded. i eat about 1000 cals a day now and exercise 2x a day to lose. I also think your band adjusts a bit over time too. I am at my sweet spot but I think my band has gotten a bit looser over the past couple of weeks. I'll probably need another small fill in a couple of weeks. When you are first banded, the band is placed over the area that secrets appetite hormones and inhibits the hormones-- so no hunger. When you get a fill, it squeezes that hormone area again-- no hunger. Then you get used to the band and the hunger hormones may return. I still have much less hunger than I did before the band and my eating is MUCH more managable. Just not as much easy weight loss. Enjoy your easy weight losses while they last! Sadie

Cool post! Thanks for checking in and telling us your story. I am going to WW also - mostly just for weighing in. It keeps me accountable and I am determined to make Lifetime. Gonna get that little gold star! WW has helped me a lot this time around. I found myself just going up 1 pound and down 1 pound over and over. If it was up to me by myself, I'd stop at about 180 pounds (cause I would think I looked hot even if I didn't --whoo hoo-- size 16 feels pretty good after being size 24!) and never get to my real and final goal of 155 and size 12. Good for you and continued success on your final 20 pounds. Sadie

Hi all; I am looking for slider foods that are actually good for us. I love Hormel Chili with Beans- individual servings for 190 cal with 14 grms of Protein. Love 'em for lunch or munch. Nuke 'em and eat 'em. What are your favorites? Sadie

My band is probably a bit too tight -- I have trouble with solid foods most of the time. I am losing weight pretty consistently so I don't want to loosen up my band. I'll get a bit of saline out when I hit goal. Anyway that's why I'm asking about slider foods --i'm sick of all my choices- need some new ideas. You gave me an idea-- put my chicken in my chopper and grind it up fine-- with some mayo-- that should work well. And hummus is a good idea. I can eat crunchy stuff like nachos but nothing very soft like quesodillas or bread. Thanks and success on your journey to all. Sadie

I forgot to say and this was probably the most important thing- food just doesn't matter that much to me anymore and I don't get as hungry as before. The band is placed right over the area that secrets appetite hormones and can supress your appetite. The nurse told me that for some people their appetite comes back but mine has not. I just don't care that much about food so I don't obcess about it anymore. What a relief for me! It reminds me of being on diet pills without the pills and the jittery feeling. Good luck on your journey! Sadie