bandfan1

Welcome Cyndi!!! I was banded on May 1st. It was the best decision that I have made to make a change in my life and my health. The best advice that I can give you is to BE PATIENT!!! I saw an initial drop in my weight after my surgery, but then I hit a wall. I am now losing again and my persisence paid off. It will take a few adjustments/fills until you are at the spot where you will really start to steadily lose. While you are waiting to find that "sweet spot", start making the mental changes that you need to make. Even though you will have the band, you will still need the mental commitment to make this work!!!! All the best to you!!

Congratulations JBFlorida!! I think that the closer we get to our "goal" weight, the longer it may take. YOu have a great attitude about it. Has the entire 60lb loss been since May 13th, or does it include pre-op? If so, that is unbelievable!!! My 30lbs has only been since my surgery date. I was not on a pre-op diet and didn't keep track of my weight prior to my surgery. Keep up the good work and keep us posted on your progress!!

Bizzy Bee, you are doing great!! I was at a plateau that seemed like FOREVER!!!!! Finally the scale has started to move again!! My weight loss has been MUCH slower than I have anticipated, but I have to stay positive....slow and steady wins the race. Not sure if I've hit my "sweet spot" yet. I will request another fill on October 6th when I see the doctor. I have stepped up the exercise and I feel that it is helping a lot!!! I have learned that even though I have a band, discipline and good choices are key!! It seems that all the "bad" food goes down the easiest!!! I hope that all of my fellow May bandsters are doing well. Keep up the good work!!!

Hi Everyone!! I haven't posted for a while.... My weight loss was at a stand still until very recently. The good thing about the band is that if I were at a plateau this long without it, I may have given up!!! This seems to be what my pattern has been in the past...lose a few, feel good, try to lose more, plateau, give up. With the band, you really can't give up!!! I am still restricted, so I can't eat large quantities of food. Also, stress eating is not possible anymore. It just isn't a pleasant feeling to reach for food when I am stressed because 9 times out of 10 it will get "stuck"!!! For all of you who are feeling like you will never lose, keep trying!!! My loss has been slow, but the weight is gone FOREVER!!! Keep your thoughts positive and forge forward. All the best!!!

Mamato, you are an inspiration!! I am at a very rigid plateau at only 28lbs down and I am getting very frustrated!!! I'm hanging in there though!! All the best to you!!

Don't get a fill if you are losing and are happy at the rate that you are losing.... A pound a day sounds like a LOT!!!!!

Well ladies, I'm right there with you....frustrated!!! I am making good food choices, going to the gym 5 days per week and am STUCK!!!!!!!!!! :sad: I am going to remain positive. :cool2: I'm thinking that this weight that I'm stuck at might be one of my "set" points (a weight that I have always been stuck on). I need to just keep doing what I am doing and WAIT (not easy for me). I have had 4 fills in a 5cc band... I do feel restriction, but maybe I need more!!! Best to all of you!! We didn't gain the weight overnight so it won't come off that way......

Well that pretty much sums it up for me!! I have had 4 fills so far (5cc band) and I am definitely making healthy food choices!! I am exercising 4 days per week and the scale it STUCK!!! I am feeling very discouraged...like I could have done this without surgery!!! I have only lost 28lbs since May 1st!!! I will remain positive, but it's not easy!!!

I am learning that slow is better. I am a little slower than I would like, but I am trying to be consistent. Slow and steady wins the race!!!!!

hey Kikival!!! Hang in there!! You need to just get your head back into it. Could have been because of your cycle. Keep reminding yourself that once you start eating the bad carbs, you will just crave them more!!! If you are hungry, reach for the protein....whatever you can get your hands on!!!! My weight is REALLY STUCK right now. I only lost 1.5lbs last month and I was bummed, but decided not to do the pity party thing (nobody ever comes to those parties!!!!).... I have set a mini goal for Christmas with a "goal buddy". You can do this!!!! Keep the faith!!!!

How did you lose so much weight in such a short time? I am working my butt off to get to 30lbs. I was banded on May 1st. I did not do a pre-op diet, so 30 is since my surgery. I have had 3 fills and feel that I could use even more restriction. I injured my knee about 3 weeks ago, so I haven't been able to do any cardio.... even walking makes my knee hurt. I tried rebounding 2 days ago, but my knee felt like it was going to "pop" out of the socket. I guess I should see a DR if it doesn't improve....... Best of everything to you... Kudos for such success!!!

Wow!! You are doing amazing!!! I haven't yet hit 30lbs but I hope to be there soon!!! I hurt my knee a couple of weeks ago so exercise has been non-existent. I tried to do some cardio the other day, but my knee felt like it was going to give out on me... GRRRRR!!!!! If it doesn't mend by itself quickly, I'll go and see if a doctor can give me some exercises to strengthen it....

Paige: I'm thinking that it includes pre-op also. Also, I think that the more weight that needs to be lost, the initial loss will be quicker. I had no pre-op requirements and since May 1st I am down 22lbs...that's 10 weeks. 2.2lbs per week is very good in my opinion. Of course I would love to see it come off faster, but this rate is the safest way to go and the BEST news is that I am not done by a long shot!!!:thumbup: Keep up the GREAT work and only compare yourself to YOU!!! All the best :redface:

It is not possible for fat to turn into muscle. Fat and muscle are 2 completely different entities. You can build muscle by doing weight training. Increased muscle will increase your metabolism. Increased metabolism will burn more calories which in turn will burn more fat. Protein is necessary to maintain optimal weight loss, but too much protein can slow down your weight loss. I was told to consume about 55 - 60 grams of protein per day. This will not cause you to "bulk out", but if you go too low on protein, you could have hair loss. You can still drink protein shakes. In fact, when I don't have a lot of time, I will still dring a shake and take it with me. You WILL be skinny eventually if you just follow the program. Best of luck to you!!!

Does that 42lbs include pre-op diet? That is fantastic!!!!!

Congratulations!! Doesn't it feel good to be a loser??? :biggrin:

Please describe your "sweet spot". Is it just based on how much weight you are feeling? Is it determined by how "full" you feel? If there is any more description that you can give, I would appreciate it.:biggrin:

I had my 2nd fill 2 weeks ago. I feel a LOT of restriction now and food is frequently getting stuck. The good news is that the scale has started to move!! I know that most of the problem is that I need to change my bad habits!!! It's truly a learning experience!!!

I think that this is what they call "Bandster Hell". It is time between surgery and when you have found the "sweet spot" with your fills. I have had 2 fills already. I am feeling a LOT of restriction and I feel like the band is starting to work. I do have to force food up frequently because it is getting stuck, but haven't actually "thrown up" more than a couple of times. I am praying that the scale starts to move since I am eating sooooo little!!!!!

Now that I have had my 2nd fill, cottage cheese is my best friend!! I have a 5cc band and am filled 2.5cc's. I am having to force a lot of food back up because it is getting stuck. I don't want to jump to the conclusion that my band is too tight. It is more lilely that I have still not mastered the small bites, chew chew chew and then swallow!!! It does get frustrating and sometimes embarrassing!!! I have to keep reminding myself that this is the tool that I have to learn to use to help me reach my goal.

Wow!! You are glowing!! Just look at the bones in your face now...chiseled!!! What an inspiration you are. I was banded on May 1st. So far I am down 22lbs, but it seems like it is coming off VERY SLOWLY!!! My goal is to be able to show off my before and after pics in Sept (4 months for me)!!! Keep up the good work!!!

Does anyone know about the approval time for this insurance? It was submitted last Thursday (they might not even receive it until today because of Good Friday). I am not expecting to hear anything this week (but still biting my nails waiting!!). Also, I have diabetes and sleep apnea (severe). Does this usually help to get approval???? Thanks!! Ready to get started in CT!!!:wub:

I have been exercising on a rebounder 6 days per week for 50 minutes. A rebounder is a mini trampoline. You can start off slow and then work your way up to a more advanced work out. Here are some of the benefits of rebounding: It uses 3 forces; gravity, acceleration and deceleration. At the top of the bounce, your body becomes completely weightless and then as you reach the bottom of the bounce, you experience the force or 1 1/2G (1.5 times the force of gravity). This stimulates the lymphatic system into greater efficiency in the clearing of waste matter in the body and the effectiveness of the immune system. It has been studied by NASA and is found to be 68% more oxygen efficient than other forms of exercise....you can exercise quite vigorously on a rebounder and not feel out of breath, but still gain the same benefits you would from jogging on pavement. It is easy on all joints reduces allergies helps with arthritis helps with asthma strengthens the back improves balance/ makes core muscles strong strengthens the heart and all cells of the body stimulates lymphatic system/ immune system helps diabetes increased metabolism increased energy builds bone mass strengthens spine fights depression & stress Also, you can put it right in front of the tv. You are not a slave to the weather. It only costs no more than $200 for a rebounder. If you purchase one, get a Needak...it is the BEST one out there. Don't get a cheap one....it will break!!! It must have springs!!! I hope this information helps. I love my rebounder!!!!!

Amsderb: doctor's orders sound pretty nice!!! Although since I have gotten to know you, sitting still will not be an easy thing for you:wink2:. I found a pair of pants today. I don't even remember when I got them but I am sure that they were in the back of my closet because they were too tight!! Good news is that they fit me very comfortably now!!! Also I am able to wear some shirts that used to NOT cover my huge protruding belly!!! It feels GREAT!!! :embaressed_smile:

that's funny because I read several posts from people who said that they felt more restriction after 3 day.....we'll see!!