bonbon

I was banded in May of 2008. I have always had very slow loss and am at 60lbs lost with 30 to go. I will go for months not losing a thing and then lose only 2 lbs for the following Dr visit. I am a food addict and food is on my mind most of the time. I thought I would be at goal by now! I have gained a couple of pounds and then took it back off, but I am confused at the green zone. I do not feel I am at the green zone, but neither of the other zones fits either. I'm not really hungry between meals, but do snack sometimes. Should I have some Fluid taken out of the band? Sometimes I can eat anything and the next day, I can hardly eat a thing without feeling stuck. Have any of you been in this same situation and what would you recommend?? Thanks!

Thanks Fran and best to you also! Bonnie

Not sure how long to wait, it's been more than 2 weeks since my first fill. I think I am goin gto call my Dr on Monday to see if I can get in sooner than the 17th of July. I appreciate hearing from everyone. It's a great adventure and I will try to keep my wits about me and not panic when I don't lose an ounce!! Bonnie

Thanks for the reply Debbie, Looks like we are not alone. I know with ANY "diet" I've ever been on I don't last long. THis WILL be different. I felt hopeful just getting your reply, knowing that it isn't just me. We should BOTH be excited about our progress so far and not let set backs get to us (easier said than done). I'll keep you in my thoughts. I'm starting over TODAY! Have a great day! Bonnie

I had my first fill (1cc) last week and don't feel any different. I feel like I am eating too much and too often and the weight loss has stopped after a good month. I lost 24lbs with 2 weeks before surgery and these 4 weeks after.(banded on May 19th). I don't think the 1cc fill did anything to help. I feel hungry and can eat anything I try. Should I call the Dr and ask for another fill sooner than July 15th or wait?? Would he even do another fill sooner?? I guess I need some encouragement. I feel like I am slipping into my old habits. I am off work for the summer (work at a school) and should use the time to exercise and recoup from a hectic year, but it's old news already. I find myself using the "B" word alot-BORED! Thanks for the info. Bonbon:confused_smile:

I was recently banded after waiting 1 year from my initial visit with the Dr. I ate great the first couple of months thinking it would happen soon. Then winter came and I ate...alot... I gained 15lbs over the winter. Whwn I got the call that I had been approved (after I called a half dozen times in that year!) I started eating better again, feeling some hope! I went to the Dr and he set my date as May 19th. Earlier than I planned on then. Well, 2 weeks out and I can say I am not sorry at all. The gas pains are gone, I have lost 15lbs. and am off almost all diabetic meds and prevacid for heartburn. I am the kids of person that beats myself up for every little mistake (eating especially). This surgery has helped me change my attitude toward food. (I still want to eat, just HATE to vomit, so I take it real slow and eat very small amounts.) Everyone's body is different, so we can't tell you what is right for you, I just know that for me, God led me to this surgery and this hope and I am not going to let go! I'm sure I'll mess up ...alot...but I know this is my chance to lose the weight and get off all the prescriptions for high BP, cholesterol, etc. Keep your chin up and hold on to the hope! My year waiting was agonizing, but FINALLY, things are happening!!:thumbup::smile2::cool2: Bonbon

There are no magic pills or cures for this epidemic. Hard work is the only way and this tool may work for some and not for others. Bonbon

All of your stories are VERY encouraging! I am just 9 days past my surgery and have lost 15lbs. I am so excited. I've also NEVER been a healthy weight and am looking forward to what that feels like! Bonbon

Hopefully it will all go! I'm already feeling alot of positives! Docs have to be conservative. I try not to look at statistics. I've spent my whole life trying to "measure up", so just starting over from here on out will be a whole new adventure! Bonbon

Even if we only lose 40 lbs, think of the HEALTH benefits!. I am at 9 days after my surgery and have already been able to get off Prevacid and Actos and take only 1/2 of the glucophage I did take for blood sugar. My sugar readings are in the normal range most of the time. Just the 15 lbs I've lost already has improved my mood and outlook on life. This surgery has given me hope. I pray that we all lose MORE than 50% BUT even that will be a step toward a healthier life (not to mention less money spent on prescriptions!!!) Pray about it! Bonbon:thumbup:

Hi everyone, I was just banded in Hillsdale, MI on Monday May 19th. I am feeling pretty good so far, but woke up today with fierce hunger and got up 1 hour early due to it! I thought my blood sugar would be low because of how I felt but it was a little high. I thought I could quit taking my diabetes oral meds since all sugars until now were in normal range. Am I pushing it?? Anyone else have blood sugar issues they can share? Also, I have a pain in my lower ribs when I take a deep breath. I have alot of bruising so I think it may be from when they moved me after surgery. The pain is not really at one of the incision sites, so it is, well... a PAIN! HaHa. I am down 10 lbs since coming home Tuesday so I am excited about that. I went up 5 lbs from swelling of surgery and so on. WOuld like to talk to others newly banded and with experiences to share! Bonbon

I am on full liquid diet; Soups, broth, sugar free puddings, Protein shakes for 2 weeks, then pureed foods. Thepain in my side is getting better. I seem to be out of breath faster when walking and the pain is worse then, but for the most part it is getting better. I work at the Boys & Girls CLub in Hudson, MI and went to work on Thursday for a while. Glad to hear from you and I will be praying that your healing and progress make great strides in the next few weeks! Thank, Bonbon

This site is going to be (is) invaluable in the weeks and months to come. It's great that there is somewhere we can all go for encouragement and advice from people who have been there! Have a great day and weekend! Bonbon:smile2:

I bowl on a league and pre-bowled for the next 2 weeks (surgery the 19th). Anyone know how soon I can get back to it?? bonbon

I can't answer the weight loss question yet, because I will just be banded next week, but I wondered how soon anyone has gotten back to physical activities, such as exercise, bowling...sex??? Bonbon:confused2:

I can't wait to get off the BP meds, diabetic, meds etc. I just unhealthier with every passing year. Time to STOP! Bonbon

Thanks! THis is so helpful. I am being banded next Monday and am printing this so I can use it as a reference. Bonbon

That's very encouraging! I will be banded next Monday! Can't wait

Very encouraging story, thanks! I get my band next Monday the 19th. I am very excited. A little nervous because I am a food addict, but am determined that this is the answer for my lifelong bondage to food. Keep upi the good work and God Bless. Bonbon

I'll be praying for you both. I am getting my band on May 19th and am very excited about it. I had to wait 8 months after the ins. co got all the tests etc. a year total from when I initialy went to see the surgeon. I also eat when I feel good, when I feel bad and when I'm depressed. I was depressed over waiting so long and gained 13 lbs. while waiting to hear about approval from ins. co. My immediate family is pretty supportive. I've heard all the "stuff" about just try this diet, or this plan. I've wasted enough of my life "trying" diets. It's time to do this and I KNOW it will be a positive change in my life! NO ONE knows how YOU feel, except you. We've all been in some of the same places, but we're all unique. If you don't pray, start! It's the ONLY thing that has gotten me through weight problems, breast cancer, a teen daughter's pregnancy and several other health related issues. In fact, I pray all the time, but on the day I received the call that I was approved, I prayed that morning that this would be the day. I was so sick of getting on that scale and seeing the same numbers (or bigger numbers) day after day. God answered this prayer and numerour others through the years. I'm 47 and have been overweight since I was 8 and have been on sooooo many diets and plans I can't remember them all. This is not going to be easy, but I feel like this is the ONE! I guess I have said "this is the one" before about diets, but this IS the TOOL we all need to make this change! You can do it!! Patience is not my forte either, but keep looking toward the "prize"!! Can't wait! Bonbon

I am so excited. I will be banded on May 19th and have been waiting for a year!! I look over all of my information everyday so I am prepared. My husband is with me, my kids are supportive. I'm READY to go!!!!:biggrin:

I appreciate all the responses and encouragement! I am very excited and know this is an answer to prayer!!!