txkrause

I need the same answer - PLEASE! I have some tightness in my esophagus in my chest when I breath deep; I have reflux at night but probably due to drinking wine; I have thrown up too much lately because the food hurts sitting down in there. Someone please tell me. I'm scared. I had an endoscopy a couple of weeks ago and all was fine!

I told my immediate family and asked them not to tell as I considered it a private thing. I have not told anyone at work. I say I am on a "Dr supervised diet" which is the truth. It has worked for me. It is a very private issue and I do not believe you have to tell anyone you are not comfortable with. Just don't lie because that isn't right either. It is possible! Good luck!

The band has been a blessing to me in so many ways; my health, my attitude, my self-esteem, my new willingness not to focus so much on myself. There is no question that God has used this situation (lapband) for the "good". I am a teacher - and I am so much better at being a witness of my Savior, because He has renewed my confidence and made me stronger! I say go for it! Maybe He will you it the same way in your life . . . to be a better "fisher of men"!!

I have been banded for 16 months and have lost about 34 pounds. Problem is I do not exercise (I could make a logical excuse, but I won't) and I still eat foods too high in calories. My motivation is going no where and I'm feeling down about it. I am good about a lot of things (no steak, no cokes, very little if any bread of any sort); and bad about others (drink while eating, eat too fast, eat out too much). The band has no doubt saved me life and my sanity. I don't gain weight anymore (sometimes up a couple pounds, but it always comes back down), but I'm not losing. I need some words of encouragement from anyone who has done the same thing for so long. I felt that after a year, my weight would be off. It isn't. I'm barely half-way.:cry

Ya'lls feedback is awesome. My 17 yr. old daughter is going to be my exercise partner. After her varsity softball season is over (2 days) we are going to rejoing the "Y" together and do something about my lack of exercise. It is right down the street from work (a high school, I'm a teacher) and it is new and clean. Should be good. Pray for me. I need more loss.

I haven't had a sip since the surgery. At times it has been hard, but I am able to say it is one of two things I have not had in 16 months (the other is steak . . . I'm simply too afraid to try either). Does anyone else drink wine??? I feel I may have chosen a replacement "evil". I have a glass of wine almost each night. I know . . . empty calories. I consider it a treat.

I had two weeks of clear liquids only and it was the hardest thing I ever did. I did not cheat and I lost 9 pounds pre-op. It was worth every torturous minute and the Dr. said he was amazed at how well my liver looked.

I did my surgery over Christmas break and after two weeks when I finally went back to work (I'm a teacher) I still felt a bit weak and dizzy. Loose clothing helped a lot. After about 2 days at work, I was fine!

Go to the "Y". They are cheaper and full of REAL people!! :-)

Boy is this motivating!

Is anyone like me, and still NOT exercising like they should? I have done well with the food part - changing a lot of what I eat. I have NOT done the exercise part as well, and i have a lot of rationalizations . . . none of which are good enough - I know. I was an athlete in h.s. and college (until a car accident) . . . so I don't know why I am so unmotivated to work out. Maybe because it always HURTS?? I have a great neighborhood to exercise in as well, so I don't know what my problem is. I hate getting up in the a.m (I get up at 5:45 and leave my house for work at 6:30; we live 26 miles from work; get home at 8:00pm, cook, make lunches for school, watch 1 hr. of t.v. and go to bed). Help.

After surgery we don't eat much because of the healing of the stomach, not because of the band. So it will be normal to see the feeling of "not being able to eat" go away. This is when the function of the band takes place, and you begin the fill process. I have had 2 fills. With the first, I felt restriction for about 2.5 weeks. I knew I needed another. I had my 2nd fill a month after the first. I still feel restriction with the 2nd, and it has now also been a month. I can eat a bit more, but can't go fast or eat too much. I consider this optimal, until I can eat too freely. Then I'll go for the 3rd. Hopefully this won't happen and I can stay with 2 fills. Hope this helps.

Saying goodbye to "just not feeling good enough". Saying goodbye to using fat as an excuse for when things go wrong. Saying goodbye to snoring! Saying goodbye to tent size clothes. Saying hello to crossing my legs when I sit in a chair! Saying hello to comments like "Wow, you look great!" Saying hello to taking control of my life again. Saying hello to . . . me!

The analogy of the healing finger is a good one.

We all need to remember that our weight loss with the band, is not all about the "magic of the band". It is about CHANGING old habits (food choices, etc.) and taking control of our eating/nutrition lives. The band - for me - is an internal police man that says . . . "Umm, don't eat that. It won't be nice." I think twice before I eat 99% of what I used to eat. Just because I 'can' eat something, doesn't mean "woo-hoo I can still eat this". I try and use my band as a monitor and make it 'the bad guy', instead of feeling like I'm depriving myself. I haven't eaten pizza, sandwiches or rolls since my getting my band in Dec. It doesn't mean I don't want it. I do. A lot!! I just don't want to put my band or my weight at risk. My weight loss is slow . . . but it is happening. And that . . . is good. Good luck.

I echo that. I didn't feel I needed a fill until a good 1.5 months after my surgery. The stomach was still real sensitive and that helped me not eat much. After that time, I began to be able to eat more regularly and that was when I knew I needed a fill. The fill helped me to feel that restriction that I felt after surgery. Enjoy it - it is part of what helps us shed some of those first pounds. Good luck.

Congratulation JaygerL05!! My husband asked me when I was going to reach that number as well. I am currently 13.8lbs away!! I will rejoice as well . . . because it hasn't been easier - just better!! Way to go!

It doesn't sound normal to me either. Sounds like the fill is too tight. I can eat relatively normal, but can't eat fast or in big bites. I never PB (yet!!) and am losing about 1lb. a week, which is fine with me. Try protein drinks with small slow sips. Often during a day to ensure your protein intake and GET IN TO THE DR. to make sure it is all fine. You sound like you could be starving yourself and your body is in "protect mode" and won't let go of the weight. Let us know how you are!!

Hi Jamoorse!! I am loosing very slowly with long times between losses. That is okay with me though, because I am not gaining and I am still going down or at least staying the same. I still don't eat near the same, don't eat out as much, and eat more fish and things I should. That is good. I did much better after my 2nd fill. It restricted me a lot more. I have to be careful about what I eat and how fast. I think I will probably need one more - maybe in about another month and hopefully that will be my "sweet-spot". I can't eat cheeseburgers!! How can you? The bread kills me and the meat is hard too. I love salads though!

Wow. You eat well. I have such a problem with vegetables. I don't like them cooked. Some raw veggies - but not many. I'm too scared to eat celery which I did like. I am also not much on fruits, with exception of applesauce or if someone cuts stuff up for me. I blame this on a life time of eating sugars and high fat foods. I wish it were easier to change.

Wait!! 2 fills!! I was banded Dec.21st. I lose track. Sorry

I've had 3 fills and lost about 26ish pounds. Its been slow lately because I have been snacking at night. Bad!! Breakfast - usually a Protein bar or slim fast. I just can't eat in the a.m. Things go down really slow and hard. Fortunately I am not a big breakfast eater anyhow. lunch - Crab salad; applesauce; or yogurt usually. dinner - We eat a lot of fish; salmon has been wonderful - marinated and grilled by my hubby! Unfortunately, also hamburger/tuna helper - because we get home so late. Snacks - usually something crunchy - I also like wheat thins. Any one have any suggestions for snacks? Crunchy? I've also craved salads lately. I can eat that pretty well.

I cannot for the life of me figure out how to get the ticker from ticker.com on to my page. Someone told me how the first time, but now that I have updated it (or tried to) it has disappeared and won't update when I send a message on this board. Can someone help me? I am a computer idiot . . . Thanks!!

I wish I could! I would love to meet more people "like me" - but my daughter has a softball tournament. Ya'll have fun. Can you update us on future days?

Woo-hoo!! Thanks!!! It worked. Now . . . I need to remember this!!