Anita Sue

that is so WONDERFUL! I am so happy for you!

Ya'll, those totals of loss are fantastic! Keep up the great work!!

Hello fellow Banders! Glad I found you all! I've been struggling with gaining back weight! Discouraging to say the least! I was banded on May 14 and as of early Nov. had lost 45 lbs, which I've now gained about 20 of that back! OMG! Falling into the old habits, eating the wrong things, and amazingly being able to eat things that the 'team,' the doctor, the books said that 'you won't be able to eat!' Frustration is setting in and taking hold! I am not even really trying during this holiday season because I know that I am not strong enough to stay away from some of the sweets & savory foods that we usually only eat once or twice a year! Yes, all that money spend for this Band and now, I feel like I am back to square one! Mercy! I guess 45 lbs. in 5 months was not too bad or a loss, but as with all things, of course I wanted to loss more! I have type II diabetes, knees are both shot needing total knee replacement thus keeping me from being as mobile as I need & want to be. I have protruding discs in my lower back and they are pressing on a nerve, which is causing me indescribable pain and leading to surgery at some point. Mercy me. But I still have to get some of this weight off! Okay, thanks for the listening ears! Happy Holidays to you all, in spite of it all....we'll get there....one day at time!

Hi fellow slow losers. Glad I found you all! I've been struggling with gaining back weight! Discouraging to say the least! I was banded on May 14 and as of early Nov. had lost 45 lbs, which I've now gained about 20 of that back! OMG! Falling into the old habits, eating the wrong things, and amazingly being able to eat things that the 'team,' the doctor, the books said that 'you won't be able to eat!' Frustration is setting in and taking hold! I am not even really trying during this holiday season because I know that I am not strong enough to stay away from some of the sweets & savory foods that we usually only eat once or twice a year! Yes, all that money spend for this Band and now, I feel like I am back to square one! Mercy! I guess 45 lbs. in 5 months was not too bad or a loss, but as with all things, of course I wanted to loss more! I have type II diabetes, knees are both shot needing total knee replacement thus keeping me from being as mobile as I need & want to be. I have protruding discs in my lower back and they are pressing on a nerve, which is causing me indescribable pain and leading to surgery at some point. Mercy me. But I still have to get some of this weight off! Okay, thanks for the listening ears! Happy Holidays to you all, in spite of it all....we'll get there....one day at time!

Hang in there! I'm going for my 4th fill in a couple weeks and over past two months, since my last fill, I've had a very difficult time gained control. I am finding that chicken, shrimp, tuna....just won't go down or stay down....so I do have some restriciton, but yeast rolls no problem to eat! And as NY2LAGIRL says, If we could control our eating, we would NEED to have the Band! It takes time to find the right amount of fill and time to adjust to losing the weight and the hardest part for me, keeping the weight off! Good luck! Keep us posted! We're all in this together and these boards are great for support and answering 'real' questions.

Hey, I know how you all feel. I've had the band now for 5 months and have had three fills. I know that I need to go in for the fourth fill, cause I am eating about anything and everything that I want! Once in a while something, like chicken or beef, will cause some discomfort, but I know that the restriction isn't enough, when I eating big-fat yeast rolls and a bag of tortilla chips or several slices of pizza..yah, sometimes not right. Still have the most restriction in the mornings, but I rarely get to eat before noon anyway, so I so hungry by then that I can pretty much pack it in. Yes, I know, it's a lot of 'head-hunger.' Working on that. I know that the Band is only a tool....but seriously my tool needs some repair or something. It's easy to get discouraged when you feel yourself slipping back into the same old habits and finding that you can actually eat those foods that you were told you couldn't. Relearning is a challenge. So, yes, I'm having trouble with being able to eat the 'wrong' foods and too much of the right ones! We have to keep our spirits up and keep focused on this journery. Like that saying, "God never said promised life would be easy, He just promised it would be worth it." And we all know that the end result for us, will be worth it.

My exercise coach recommended that I see the therapist at the Baratric Center, where they have the 'team' for the patients. I had a lot of 'head-heart hunger,' too. It's almost at if I feel that I don't deserve to be thin. It's a struggle, but it so nice to have even the 40 lbs. gone. One pound a week. We can do that. We must do that. My doctor told me that they don't have patients over 60 that are as heavy as me, because they don't live being this heavy to over 60. So, I'm doing my best, could be better, but with the right therapy, motivation, exercise, support and a lot of prayer, I believe I can do this! And I'll pray for you that you will, too!

I'm hanging in there, trying to KEEP off the pounds that I've lost. Been eating more over the past two weeks than before, so maybe time for another fill.

Banded on May 14-Springfield, MO Dr. Chris Edwards I've lost 35 pounds since May 1st, when my pre-op diet began!! I'm plugging along and still trying to figure out what to eat and how much....it's a learning process, but well, well worth it.... Way to go May Bandsters!! Keep up climbing that hill everyone!!

I always, always, always eat my protein first, at mealtime. It is hard for me sometime, but I know that I've got to have the protein. And you will find that by not buying junk foods & sweets, your grocery bill won't be much higher if any. I was banded in May and my son has been doing the program with me and he's lost more weight than I have, with the band! The eating program with the Band is a lot like the Atkin's program. I have actually begun to like the chocolate protein shakes, with a couple strawberries, not bad! And suprizingly they are very filling. I eat chicken, steak(very thinly sliced), turkey, chicken, ham sandwiches w/toast wheat bread, lots of iced-tea unsweetened, water, crystal light, cheese, protein bars. So far, I've had two fills and haven't had a really difficult time with any foods. The 'productive burping,' only occurs, if I put too much in and it just simply will not go down! Best of wishes and honestly, I don't think you'll have a big problem with getting in the protein, if you follow the program they give you and your doctor's instructions. Remember the Lap Band is only a tool. And we have to use it as such. Good Luck!

Hey, I am 50 and just had the Band placed on May 14th. I actually was glad to get it over with! I didn't really have much anxiety. Just was so hungry after two weeks of drinking protein shakes, that I was looking forward to getting the actual surgery out of the way. And the nursing staff and doctors couldn't have been nicer, if I'd hand picked them! I LOVE my baratric doctor! On the day that went for my surgery, I had a sprained joint in my left foot. And honestly, it hurts so bad that I was glad to get the anesthesia just to help w/the throbbing pain in my foot! LOL! I'm going for my first fill on the same day as your surgery! Will be so glad to have that done! Not too worried about the restriction..I have experienced some just by the band being placed, it is noticable, but I can still eat more than I know I should. Down by 27 lbs. though and I am so happy about that! So, don't worry......they'll take excellent care of you at the hospital. You'll be in my prayers!

Hang in there gals! It's one step at a time and keep focused! My doctor let me start back on regular diet about two weeks out from surgery date-May 14-and I have to really pace myself to make sure I don't overeat. I feel great at this point. And I understand about the mushies/pureed foods. I did try some baby-foods, but it's not the same-you can't chew them! I like cheese, so that's what I had...cheese is soft and goes down rather easily, if you chew slowly and get in the habit of 30 times chew-chew-chew! Not drinking with my meals is the hardest part for me. I'm 'practicing' trying to do that, but it's easy to forget! My first fill is on the 26th and I'm excited about getting that done! That should really help me keep from putting stuff in my mouth.

Good luck with your insurance. I got my approval within a month (by Jan. 08), but didn't have the surgery until May. Had some issues that I had to resolve, after talking to some people about food restrictions and then discussing it all with the surgeon. I can't wait until my first fill, June 26! I'm healing great and feeling great!

FANTASTIC! I'm down by 23 lbs. since the post-op diet started on the 30th of April and I am excited about that! My surgery was on May 14th. But 100 lbs in that short span of time! Wow! Awesome! How encouraging!

:biggrin:HI! I am new here. And can't remember my starting BMI, but pretty sure it nearly at 60..maybe 59.something. Still recouperating from the surgery to place the band and have a had a very good first week post-op! Look forward to chatting with you all. Lots of questions coming up, I know!

Saw my doctor today for my one week pre-op visit. She said I could move to the pureed stage now and on Sunday (which would be only 11 days out from surgery) I could move to 'solid' foods! Excited! So, yah all doctors are a little different about the severity of the diet. And like you, I though I was go crazy not having something to chew on! I did a pre-op diet, all liquid protein shake, for 2 weeks before my band was placed. So all together, I have been without solid foods for three weeks! I'm read a couple of books about the Lap Band and realize that this is just a tool. It will help me, if I help myself. Can't wait for my first fill, which will be in 5 weeks! Was banded on the 14th. Did the first two days out from surgery on clear and have done the past week on soups, jellos, popsicles, etc. And I did eat some Cream of Wheat/Malt-O-Meal on the third day out from surgery. Dr. said today that there isn't any real restriction now and just some post-op swelling in the band area. So, technically eating is still able to be done. However, I do not want to do anything that will tear the stitches in the stomach area or stretch the pouch in any way. I MISS my carbonation!!! Now just the soda its self, but the refreshing bubbly-fizziness! LOL! Hang in there girl. It's a journey that will bring us to better health and wellness.

:wink_smile:Hi! Was banded on May 14! Four days out and experiencing gas, bad! Wasn't too bad first two days and pain at the incision site, where the port is placed, is sore and stiff. Hurts to bend over to the left.. Anyone notice that taking deep breaths sort of hurts? And I saw that Oprah show, also, and it was hard to laugh! Getting there and looking forward to this fantastic journey! May Banders Unite!!:tt2:

Yup, I feel pretty hungry most of the time. Everyone says that normal and I know I won't 'die of starvation,' but it feels that way sometimes! Having a 'gas' problem today; worst day since the surgery and I'm 4 days out...banded on the 14th. Having a lot of tenderness near the port placement site and wondering if there is any kind of creams or something I should be putting on the incisions? Nothing in my discharge instructions about that. And I take a reflux med everyday already and have been eating GasX strips and son just brought me some Rolaids Soft Chews, they're pretty good!

Hey, banded 4 days ago....wondering if it's okay to still be having some intense pains in and near the place where the port is. The incision looks okay, but so still on my left side. Had come thinned, cream of mushroom, soup today. Have been so hungry and somewhat gassy. Not experiencing an kind of post-banding-euphoria, just feeling of something. I'm hanging. In suggestions about what to have in liquid forms? Have the Whey protein shakes and some thinned sugar-free puddings, but really craving something more solid.:thumbdown:

Thanks. Haven't been nauseated, just feeling hungry. Sort of. And yes, I have the list from my doctor's office and the dietician. I've read two books about LapBand and did a lot of research before having this done. I have talked to two people, who have had different experiences with their LapBand journey. OH, yes I have some of those GasX strips and they do work well. I have been on reflux meds for several years. It's a learning process I know. My incisions look okay, just sore and maybe on that 1-10 scale for pain....I have moments of maybe up to 4/5, depending on what I am doing.