vericks

I too am feeling somewhat discouraged. I lost around 32 pounds since my banding in July. Most of the weight I lost right after surgery. I have more than qualified as a slow loser since I am averaging about 1 to 2 pounds a week. The problem is the motivating factor. Does anyone else find themselves falling back in bad habits? I eat less but I still struggle with eating the right things. I eat on the run, so whats quicker is easier? How do we move on? Thanks for the site,perhaps its the motivation we all need. Vickie

Hi, I was banded the end of July. I am at a total of 2.5 cc's. My beginning weight was 284. I am now going between 252 and 253 pounds. Let's see that's a total of 31 pounds. Most of the loss was after the initial operation, so I've been averaging about 1 to 2 pounds a month. Is that kind of the norm for weight loss with the band, or am I a slow loser? I am happy I am not gaining, but I still struggle with eating the right things. I do have problems with some foods, especially bread, bread seems to get stuck more often. Anyone else? I need to work on changing my eating habits. I really have to work hard at slowing my eating process down. I've paid for eating too fast. I just can't seem to cut out some of the goodies, like chips. They are fast and seem to go down okay. Why I'm not sure, you would think chips would not go down easily. Any comments! Like so many of you, who have commented. I too wonder if the other operation would have been the better choice. I just keep thinking that this seems so much healthier this way. I need this site and need to feel encouragement that it's okay to be a slow loser. I just hope I don't become a no loser, or a total loser (if you know what I mean). Too many failures and too few successes when it comes to weight!:think

I had another fill in November and now I'm up to 2 and half cc's. I had only lost 2 pounds over the six weeks since the previous fill, but I guess that's better than gaining. I am finding that when I eat too fast it hurts and then I gag until I go spit it up. I guess that's a sign that the stomach has tightened. The loss has been very slow, but I think I have lost more in inches than pounds. I need to get a tape measure out and keep track. A new goal! Some of the clothes I couldn't fit into previously, now fit. It's still frustrating that the process is slow, but then again, I haven't been following any type of restricted diet since Thanksgiving. In that sense, I have only me to blame. I am just grateful that at least the scale isn't going up. I have asked for a local community membership to exercise for Christmas. I am hoping to sign up for an exercise class, I haven't been consistent at all on that aspect. I can see that the battle with food is still a problem in my head and I need to keep working on that. I don't have a support group where I can attend that is close by. Does anyone want to have a group in the Cary, Morrisville area? I sure could use a group to talk to. That's my latest and greatest. I admittedly am worried over the holidays but I have noticed quite a drop in my hunger so I don't eat as large of an amount as I use to. :update:

I had another fill in November and now I'm up to 2 and half cc's. I had only lost 2 pounds over the six weeks since the previous fill, but I guess that's better than gaining. I am finding that when I eat too fast it hurts and then I gag until I go spit it up. I guess that's a sign that the stomach has tightened. The loss has been very slow, but I think I have lost more in inches than pounds. I need to get a tape measure out and keep track. A new goal! Some of the clothes I couldn't fit into previously, now fit. It's still frustrating that the process is slow, but then again, I haven't been following any type of restricted diet since Thanksgiving. In that sense, I have only me to blame. I am just grateful that at least the scale isn't going up. I have asked for a local community membership to exercise for Christmas. I am hoping to sign up for an exercise class, I haven't been consistent at all on that aspect. I can see that the battle with food is still a problem in my head and I need to keep working on that. I don't have a support group where I can attend that is close by. Does anyone want to have a group in the Cary, Morrisville area? I sure could use a group to talk to. That's my latest and greatest. I admittedly am worried over the holidays but I have noticed quite a drop in my hunger so I don't eat as large of an amount as I use to. :update:

Hi, I just got my second fill, now up to 2cc, but haven't noticed much of a difference in restriction. I'm wondering when all this is going to kick in. Haven't lost anything else since my initial surgery back in May. How will we know when the appropriate fill takes place?

I have stayed fairly consistent, no real weight loss since the first 1cc fill. It's a little discouraging but I get my second fill in September 2006. I'm hoping that will cause some further restriction because I can still easily eat larger proportion sizes. I haven't kept up on my exercise and that isn't good. I am in the middle of a move so I hope to get my exercise equipment back up and running come the end of this month. Let hope next month brings happier results. :tired

I have stayed fairly consistent, no real weight loss since the first 1cc fill. It's a little discouraging but I get my second fill in September 2006. I'm hoping that will cause some further restriction because I can still easily eat larger proportion sizes. I haven't kept up on my exercise and that isn't good. I am in the middle of a move so I hope to get my exercise equipment back up and running come the end of this month. Let hope next month brings happier results. :tired

Okay, help me not to be discouraged. I got my first fill last month but I can still eat any amount I want. Sometimes certain things have a more difficult time getting down, but that's not too often. I haven't lost a thing since the initial operation and I keep losing and gaining two pounds. Admittedly I haven't been on any regular exercise routine, I am in the process of moving and I am totally focused on that, so I hope to get consistent on the exercise after the end of this month. Does it take a couple of fills some times before you can start progressing? Do I need to get serious and join like a exercise and weight class? Will their be progress once I'm better filled? Thanks ya'll Vickie :clap2: Banded May, 2006 with hernia repair Filled July, 2006 1cc Lost: 15: pounds

Hi and Welcome, My name is Vickie. You did the first best step by connecting to this site. These people will be the best for reassurance and suggestions on all kinds of things as you go through the pre-op and post-op steps. I had my surgery done the end of this May and I refer to the PROs on the site a lot! I had my first fill last month and will be getting another in September. I haven't lost anything since the initial operation, which I lost 13 pounds, but they tell me and you must be reminded that I won't see fast progress especially until the doctor can adjust me with the proper fill for my stomach. I chose this lap band over the rouxen-y because it seemed less risky and I would have to learn some life long changes. I also had two friends that had the other surgery and after two years they were beginning to regain their weight. I can't say I am a success story, yet. Their are a lot of those on the different sites and you need to view them all because they will answer many of your questions. If you don't know a particular site to go to, just ask when you are in one web site and more than likely the "PRO's" (ones who have had the lap band longer) can direct you. Suggestions realize that the paper work is a long process and it can be frustrating, do everything you can to get that moving along. Make sure to see all the pre-op physicians, your doctor will tell you who and get those tests done quickly. Also, try to make sure you find the right doctor for you that has done this operation before, the more times he has done this procedure the better. I look forward to being healthier and happier as well. Their is a wonderful group of ladies that meet together in Charlotte once a month, they would be a great group to meet. I live in Raleigh/Durham area so we don't have as active of a group as I have read in the Charlotte area, although they invite everyone. Everyone will tell you that it really comes down to your personal decision. You can find a lot of pluses and minuses as you investigate, each with their own individual experiences, but in the end you will make the final decision. Don't let all the negatives overwhelm you but it's good to be informed. Best of Luck in your endeavors as you progress forward. Vickie

I got my first fill two weeks ago, 1cc, and I haven't seen any progress, which has been a bit discouraging. I keep fluctuating betweeen losing and gaining two pounds. It appears I have lost a total of 13 to 14 pounds since my surgery on May 9th. I admit my eating habits have not been as they should and I haven't been doing a regular exercise routine, so obviously I need to start recording the food and amount I am eating, as well as being consistent with my exercise. I pretty much can eat anything as before so I am hoping with another fill that things will be a bit more limited. This is definitly not like the rouxen-y with the rapid weight loss in the first few months. I hope the next fill will progress me further. I guess I need to find me a support group.

I got my first fill two weeks ago, 1cc, and I haven't seen any progress, which has been a bit discouraging. I keep fluctuating betweeen losing and gaining two pounds. It appears I have lost a total of 13 to 14 pounds since my surgery on May 9th. I admit my eating habits have not been as they should and I haven't been doing a regular exercise routine, so obviously I need to start recording the food and amount I am eating, as well as being consistent with my exercise. I pretty much can eat anything as before so I am hoping with another fill that things will be a bit more limited. This is definitly not like the rouxen-y with the rapid weight loss in the first few months. I hope the next fill will progress me further. I guess I need to find me a support group. :mad:

Okay, I'm going for my first fill tomorrow and need to know what I should be expecting. I have been back to fairly normal eating after the surgery, it's been almost 2 months now since then. What should I do before I go to the doctors tomorrow and what should I do afterwards? Just got back from vacation afraid to look at the scales! Thanks Ya'll Vickie:confused:

That makes sense thanks for the help!

Katie, I live in Cary, probably not real close, but feel free to correspond. I get my first fill this Wednesday. Vickie rerickson5@nc.rr.com

:omg: I went to California for a week to vacation with family. Hmmm, I'm afraid to step on the scales although I earnestly tried to limit my intake of food. I am still eating portions I probably shouldn't. Can't seem to get that under control yet. Now I can eat regular type food again, so it's like an open door. I must get help, must get fill! :omg: I am anxious to get my fill. I get my first fill next week in hopes I will see some real progress. I am feeling well after the surgery with two months out. It appears all the healing is completed. Once in a while I will get kind of a odd pain on my left side but nothing that seems of real concern. It's hard being patient while the healing process is going on. You just want to see pounds start shedding. I felt fairly miserable around my thinner family members, but I am trying to remember this weight gain didn't just happen over night. I sure have blown my exercise routine, I just can't seem to get into the groove. Maybe due to a few factors like; I had the surgery, looking for a new home, vacations, my husbands illness, etc. Can we say stress! However, no excuses, just want to see what a filled band will do for me. I am in great need of limiting portions and getting some exercise. My knees and joints hurt so bad that exercise is no my strength. Hmmm, maybe this site will give me some much needed suggestions. :tired

:omg: I went to California for a week to vacation with family. Hmmm, I'm afraid to step on the scales although I earnestly tried to limit my intake of food. I am still eating portions I probably shouldn't. Can't seem to get that under control yet. Now I can eat regular type food again, so it's like an open door. I must get help, must get fill! :omg: I am anxious to get my fill. I get my first fill next week in hopes I will see some real progress. I am feeling well after the surgery with two months out. It appears all the healing is completed. Once in a while I will get kind of a odd pain on my left side but nothing that seems of real concern. It's hard being patient while the healing process is going on. You just want to see pounds start shedding. I felt fairly miserable around my thinner family members, but I am trying to remember this weight gain didn't just happen over night. I sure have blown my exercise routine, I just can't seem to get into the groove. Maybe due to a few factors like; I had the surgery, looking for a new home, vacations, my husbands illness, etc. Can we say stress! However, no excuses, just want to see what a filled band will do for me. I am in great need of limiting portions and getting some exercise. My knees and joints hurt so bad that exercise is no my strength. Hmmm, maybe this site will give me some much needed suggestions. :tired

The bloating went down about the third week for me, but it could be different for everyone. Glad you are doing so well. :cheer2: :cheer2: I am starting to get MO (as my grandaughter says) hungry, can't wait for the first fill. Vickie E

I've noticed most of the lap band postings are from women who seem younger. I would like to hear how the over 50 crowd are doing with their bands. Is there anything different as far as the age issues? I am suppose to be getting the band in about a month. It appears that a lot of the things I have read seem to relay the message that if you have a lot of weight to lose that banding might not be affective. Is this true, I need to lose over a 130 pounds. Have people lost as much as that on the banding technique? Thanks vericks

You hang in there, the wait is worth it. We all can relate to wanting to get off the sidelines and and have a more active and quality of life. Turning 50 or over is not the end of the road! All of you are proving that. Keep on pursuing and get all the information you can, push the paper work! Vickie E

Yay, you are doing so well, twenty five pounds Whoo Whoo! I also had a lot of issues with the pain in my shoulder from the gas. I can tell you that about on the 3rd week the pain pretty much subsided. The more movement and when you can finally poop some, the more the pain goes away. Crass but true! It's been a month out now and I am looking forward to a fill the next time around. I am just maintaining now because of the mushies and carbs. I am trying to find more protein oriented type mushies, not real easy, but I've slowly been introducing cheese and meat, like tuna and chicken. Chew, Chew, Chew! Just think we have so much to look forward to. Now just got to get into a routine exercise program. Welcome to band land! Vickie E

Whoo Who and Horray for you! It sounds like things are going well. From One Banded Soilder to Another Vickie E

Soooooo cute!

05/09/2006 Beginning Weight 284 06/05/2006 Weight 265

05/09/2006 Beginning Weight 284 06/05/2006 Weight 265

Just an update. I am on the mends but occassionally have a pain on the left side. I was a bit disappointed that my doctor couldn't give me a fill but he says that maybe the next visit in about 3 weeks. I am anxious to get the fill because most of what I can eat are still mushies and that's mostly carbs. I am getting hungry again and I just don't want to gain. I haven't lost anything since the surgery. Is this normal? Just maintaining my weight, going up a pound and down a pound. Also having a real problem with finding things I can munch on while on the road driving. Anyone have any good suggestions? I'm still on soft diet. I'm on the road a lot so I get so hungry by the time I get home and I know I do better as I eat little meals throughout the day. Any suggestions people? thansk Vickie:hungry: