pvbrownsugar04

Hey fellow bandsters. I got my band in June 2008 and need your support and encouragement. I am in the process of starting over and have an appointment with my surgeon on Wednesday to get a fill and see whats going on. I havent been to get a fill since October 2008 and was very discouraged from a discrepancy between me and my surgeon as to whether the band was filled enough. Every since I have been able to eat anything without many problems, and of course have not lost any weight. I am motivated and have started a workout plan, and will be going back to the things i used to eat post band when i get my fill on Wed. I will gladly accept any suggestions or thoughts on what worked and didnt work for you all. I read that the best results are within a year of surgery and im clearly past that. Is there anything else I can do?? Thanks everyone! I look forward to your replies

Thanks for thinking about me! I do believe that I finally have more than enough restriction :smile:

Hey fellow bandsters. I got my band in June 2008 and need your support and encouragement. I am in the process of starting over and have an appointment with my surgeon on Wednesday to get a fill and see whats going on. I havent been to get a fill since October 2008 and was very discouraged from a discrepancy between me and my surgeon as to whether the band was filled enough. Every since I have been able to eat anything without many problems, and of course have not lost any weight. I am motivated and have started a workout plan, and will be going back to the things i used to eat post band when i get my fill on Wed. I will gladly accept any suggestions or thoughts on what worked and didnt work for you all. I read that the best results are within a year of surgery and im clearly past that. Is there anything else I can do?? Thanks everyone! I look forward to your replies

Hey fellow bandsters. I got my band in June 2008 and need your support and encouragement. I am in the process of starting over and have an appointment with my surgeon on Wednesday to get a fill and see whats going on. I havent been to get a fill since October 2008 and was very discouraged from a discrepancy between me and my surgeon as to whether the band was filled enough. Every since I have been able to eat anything without many problems, and of course have not lost any weight. I am motivated and have started a workout plan, and will be going back to the things i used to eat post band when i get my fill on Wed. I will gladly accept any suggestions or thoughts on what worked and didnt work for you all. I read that the best results are within a year of surgery and im clearly past that. Is there anything else I can do?? Thanks everyone! I look forward to your replies

Hello all, I am soooo discouraged. I know that I have to make the right decicions when eating but it seems like my band is never going to work! I had my second fill last week and I still have no restriction! The only thing I can feel is if i swallow a little too much at one time. But - If i chew my food up well, then I can just eat and eat. Now, I dont think that I am overeating on a regular basis, but I am definately eating a full service size which is way more than what I should be eating post-op. I can eat everything, bread, beef, and all of the thinkgs I thought I wasnt able to eat ever again. I am getting frusterated because I got banded on June 9th and I am still at the same 20-25lbs I lost back then. when I was at my appointment (that I moved up because of no restriction) I asked if it was possible that my band slipped or anything like that, and he said if it slipped, then I would know it because of the symptoms. Now maybe I am just being impatient and I hope so, because I would hate to think that I went through all of this for nothing. Contrary to what you all have read, I am still just as happy and excited about the band as I was in the begining, I guess I im in just a rough patch. Any advice? PLEASE HELP!

Thats one thing I can say...I dont really snack between meals, but I will eat 3 full meals (maybe 4 on a Saturday)and a good amout of it...but it does last until the next meal. I just know I should not be eating that much, not bad for the average person but way too much for the bandster.

Hey, i too have PCOS and it can be a bummer sometimes. I was banded on the 9th. Everything has gone well so far. With the pre-op diet, i lost 11 lbs and since the surgery I have lost another 10 lbs. I am very encouraged and look forward to further success. If you have to lose 90lbs, then get ready to lose it, the band as a great tool, and you will lose it in what seems like no time. Be sure to do what YOUR surgeon says. I have to lose about 185 to be at my goal so I have a little more of a journey, but I wish you the best with your weight loss and I hope we all can get rid of this PCOS!

Hey Christine, hope all went well!

An explanation I recieved from one of the nurses from the hospital was that for years there was only one company making the Lapband. The realize band is just a competition for the lapband from another conpany. The only thing is that the lapband has been around longer and the realize band is new (not alot of records) so keep that in mind, if you want something with statistics. Just be sure to continue your own research before making a decision. Best wishes and congrats on your surgery!

Oh, I forgot to mention that trip to Houston was about a 3 hour trip. Also, I go back to work on Wednesday, so I only took off a week and 2 days. Again, wish you the best!

Yeah, its about the same for me. I was banded last monday on the 9th. Took it easy the next day, medication every 4 hours, by Thursday, I was only taking the medication before i went to bed. I went to Houston on Saturday and came back on Sunday (Dr said i would have to stop 3 or 4 times to just stretch and walk around to prevent clotting.) Everything is fine but if you travel be careful it can be a bumpy ride. Today was alright the only thing that is sore is the larger incision (i guess where the port is). None of the pain was as bad as expected. Good luck with your success! Oh, one more thing, get your liquids organized and purchased before your surgery, that way you are prepared ahead of time, one less thing to be concerned with.

Yeah its kind of hard, you just have to ask whatever pops in your head, the offices are usually good with that. Every surgeon has their own instructions, Im hurt about the fact that I cant have any startches for the first 5 months, and some surgeons allow people to at least eat instant potatoes during the mushy phase, lol

I dont know who you were asking, but here are my 2 cents: After reading the documentation from my surgeon and the nutritionist, I put together the post diet above. My pre-op diet consisted of >70 grams of Protein <30 grams of carbs <10 grams of fat Unlike the member above, I am on liquids for 2 weeks then pureed foods for weeks 3-6, then soft foods for weeks 6-16. On month 5, i will be able to go to a regular diet and try beef, minimal starches, etc. You should talk to your surgeon about the diet he/she perfers so that you can already have what you need when you enter that phase

I have a bit more to lose, but I appreciate you both posting your success, as it serves as encouragement for me!

I forgot to include the goal for protein was 70 or more.

Yeah, I agree. My doctor told me to focus on at least 750 calories and <20g of fat. With me trying to watch my carbs, it was hard to get that amount in (im on day 7 of the 2 week liquid post op diet). This is what I put together and my surgeon was pleased: EAS Advantedge Protein shake Ready to drink - strawberry (2 per day) Lean Body Protein Shake - vanilla (1 per day) unjury Protein powder w/skim 8oz skim milk - chocolate (1scoop) Low sodium chicken broth - 1 cup sugar free Jello - (1 or 2 of the 3.5oz individual cups) Sugar free popsicles (1 or 2) Special K2O Protein Water (powder packet, less calories than the bottle) As much water as I can get in....around 64oz I do find that ill get a headache if i dont drink a shake within the first hour or 2 of waking up.

Hey all, After posting my "Words of wisdom" thread a couple of months ago, I just wanted to update everyone, I was banded on Monday the 9th and things are going well so far (lost 11 lbs during the post op diet). Able to stick to my liquid with no problems. I am down to taking my pain medicine once a day before I go to bed. I can move around, and go up and down the stairs; have been able to do since the day after surgery. My main concern is that I am going on a cruise the first week in July, which is my 3rd week post op. I will be on the pureed phase of the diet. Should I bring a magic bullet and puree healthy things i might come across on the cruise? I plan on bringing my shakes and im not usually tempted. The only thing im struggling with is the fact that I will not be able to eat potatoes until October! I can give up anything, but potatoes? Thats asking a bit much, lol. From reading the different threads, weeks, 3-5 are the period of bandster hell, where im pretty much healed, but there is no restriction since I will not have had my first fill. I would hate to be in that position when on the ship there is unlimited food. Oh, well. I am still positive and excited to begin my new journey. As always, I am still looking for those words of wisdom. Look forward to your replies. Thanks!

Youre right, Maybe im jumping the gun, I went on a cruise last year and when I had the freedom to eat I didnt, because it was so available, I wasnt even hungry. Hopefully, it will stay that way! lol

Thanks for the replies! I was told to avoid startches until the first 5 months as part of my post op diet.

Hello, I dont have the additional issues you have (which should help your case), but as for the 6 month deal with Cigna, im not sure if you actually have to lose weight, I maintained a couple of months and actually gained a couple of pounds. Of course its to your advantage to lose for your health, but I think they just want to see that a doctor has been monitoring you. All you have to do is go to the doctor once a month for 6 months and let him/her take the weight and blood pressure. If you have any questions, let me know, I just went through it

Thanks for taking the time to let us know how youre doing! Im glad to see that you were up and about on your first day. I am getting my band on the 9th and I have an event to go to and a small trip to take on that saturday the 14th. I am hoping ill be up to it. Take care and hope you have continued success.

Well, I know exaclty how you feel. I found out Tuesday that I was approved last Friday. Luckily I was able to schedule my surgery for the 9th so I didnt have time for many "Last Suppers" because I have to begin my pre-op diet today. I did go get chinese food last night though because no matter what I can eat or not eat with the band, im thinking Chinese food will never be good to eat anymore (not the fried meats & vegetables with sauces, etc)

Hey everyone, best wishes on your upcoming surgeries! I will also be banded on the 9th. My pre-op diet is anything as long as its: <30 carbs; <10 grams of fat; and at least 70 grams of Protein per day. Im excited and open to any words of advice. Take Care!

Hey, im at about 50 BMI right now. I would love to keep tabs. My information was sent to the insurance company on Monday, so if I hear something soon, There is a chance I might get my surgery this month. She said all surgeries are scheduled 2 weeks after the approval....cross your fingers!!

Well, I have not quite begun the lapband journey yet, but I am excited. As far as others treating me differently, I am not sure. Listening to media, other people and reading various forumsmessage boards, I would say that I have been treated differently. I just have nothing to compare it to since I have been overweight for about 20 of my 25 years. I would like to think that I have good friends in my life, the job i wanted and overall contentment. Maybe its my Christian upbringing to be thankful for what I have, but I will admit that sometimes, things dont seem right. Like when someone made the comment about guys paying more attention to the slimmer friends in the group when we go on outings. Maybe it is a confidence issue, we think we have it, but it just increases that much more after the weight is lost and others can tell. I dont know....thats a hard one.