ellendeette

I agree. It has been pretty quiet. Maybe everyone is vacationing and having fun? I was banded on May 20, 2008, and had my first fill a month later on June 27 (2 cc was added to my 10 cc band). I have lost 26 pounds! I went to my internist last week and we are experimenting with removing my blood pressure medication for three weeks because my blood pressure has dropped so much since I have lost 26 pounds. This was one of my first goal with my lapband surgery - to eliminate blood pressure medication and I'm doing it! I have also gone from a size 22 to a size 18. In fact, I bought a size 14-16 skirt yesterday. I don't recall EVER being this size. I think I skipped it on the way up. Although, I must admit I am a bit discouraged about not losing any weight since my first fill (its been almost a month). I have stayed at the same weight (261) despite eating the same things and exercising even more. I really thought the fill would help with more restriction but it hasn't. In fact, I have less restriction but I do feel full most of the time and my cravings have been eliminated.

I really needed to read the exchanges regarding this subject today and I'm so glad I did. It sounds like I am not alone. I had my band implanted on May 20. I had my first fill of 2 cc added to my 10 oz. band on June 27. I don't feel hungry for meals or in-between meals, but I seem to have little to no restriction for eating things that I was hoping for. The thing that is very discouraging is that I have not lost any weight since my fill. I'm still at 261. I seem to be a plateau of some kind. I am grateful for this because I normally go UP and UP with my weight. I have lost 26 pounds so far but I'm anxious to lose more. I've been the same weight for 3 weeks. I have another fill in a few weeks and I hope that will give me more restriction. I want to be restricted because I eat so much less and it scares me. I don't return to the insanity of gaining/losing, etc. Ths concept that the restriction "kicks in" is very interesting to me. My doctor said after my first fill to go on liquids for 24 hours (Soup, Protein drinks) which I did but after the 24 hours passed, I realized I could eat almost anything. I am still on track in many ways (eating good things and exercising) but I wonder if this restriction will kick in soon or I will have to have several fills before the restriction takes effect. I encourage others that are ahead of me to write in their experience regarding this subject of feeling restricted with foods and fills.

I have Anthem Blue Cross and was approved the following week after the psychologist submitted her report of our meeting. I had three months from the date of approval to have my surgery. Blue Cross called me and assigned someone to me to answer any questions about the surgery and after the surgery. They have called several times to see how I was doing. I was quite amazed. They never did they before with my other surgeries (knee surgeries and cataract). Good luck to you! I hope you are approved soon and you will be on your way!

I have also had trouble with not drinking with my meals. I have to really think about it. At work and home, I seem to be more aware of not drinking with my meals. When you go out to eat, I get into trouble. The waiters/waitresses are always re-fililng your glass and look at you weird if you don't order a drink. I read in Muhammad Ali's daughter's book (can't recall her name) that her surgeons and her suggest not drinking with meals when you eat out (only exception). I have been trying to drink my drink first when I get to the table and then not drinking at all during or after my meal. Its difficult to do this.

I agree with you 100%. I cannot believe how powerful this lapband tool is. I don't recall EVER eating this small of amounts of food and being satisfied. I am also very happy that I made the decision to do the lapband over the gastric bypass. The side effects for the lapband are so minimal compared to the gastric bypass. There were times in my life when I was sick that I felt I was hungry. Others have told me they couldn't eat because they were sick (I cannot relate to this). In my support group that are in their 20's and 30's. I get tears in my eyes to know that they are so far ahead of this fight and they have their lives ahead of them to live differently and better. I had my first fill today (it was painless by the way and took only a few minutes). I was banded on May 20, 2008. I have lost 26 pounds. I have lost two sizes. I bought a new dress and bathing suit in size 18. I cannot recall being this size in a very long time. I am delighted even if I do not lose another pound (although I think its in the cards that I will be losing more.)

My favorite thing is their Protein drink. I buy it in vanilla and chocolate. I put them in the refrigerator to make sure they are cold and then put them into my bullet. The vanilla flavored one, I add vanilla extract and cinammon or add some frozen raspberries or frozen banana. It makes a great morning Protein Drink. I really like their sugar-free chocolate pudding. I don't even care that much for chocolate. I put a little non-fat whipped topping and it tastes really good to me. I also bought last week a hummus type of dip but its made with Beans. Taste great! I eat it with baked pita chips. Go up and down the isles and read the labels and you'll find all kind of interesting things that are not only reasonable in price but good for you.

That is great news! Isn't that something? I would have liked to see what how your face reacted. I was born in Michigan and have lived in California for many years. I was banded on May 20, 2008. I cannot believe how fast my body is changing. I went to the store last night and bought a new bathing suit - size 18! I used to wear a size 22. I haven't weighed myself for about 10 days so I know I have lost more.

You looking great! Thank you for sharing. You can really see your progress in pictures. I encourage more members show us their before and after pictures. I really enjoy it. I need to do it myself. One of the members in my support group suggests taking a picture once a month in the same spot and putting it in a book to see your progress. She also measures herself once a month.

I think the pills for birth control are very small. I take a daily high blood pressure pill that is very small. I have not missed one day of my blood pressure medication since surgery. You can call your pharmacist about the effects of crushing. If its small, just take it!

How is your protein intake? I find that when I start getting a bit hungry its because I have not had enough protein during this phase. Are you drinking protein drinks? Its easy to calculate your protein that way. The protein drink I drink is 35 grams of protein and easy to calculate that way. I have been told to get 50 to 60 grams of protein everyday.

I have a lapband book that I read and re-read. I have it at home so I don't know the exact title. It was written by one of the daughters of Mohammad Ali (the boxer). She describes her lapband experience from beginning to end (if there is an end). It was also co-written by her surgeons. I bought it from Amazon. You can probably search lapband and tons of books come up. This book was referred to me by someone in my support group. I re-read the portions whenever I was in that particular stage in my lapband experience and it really helps me. Check it out.

I thought the same thing. My sister helped me with that question because she works at a hospital. She said the hospital provides a gown which is better to use than your own robe or gowns because you could get blood on your own gowns or PJs from the surgery. I would suggest using the hospital gown that is provided. I also used an extra cotton gown to drape over my shoulders like a cape so I could walk around the nurses' station the first day (I walked around it 13 times!). You can get extra gowns and change them when you need to. The hospital gave me this neat slipper socks that you can walk in (they have treads on them). They put them on me pre-surgery and I kept them on until I left the hospital. The hospital also provided me with a toothbrush, paste, mouthwash, lotion, etc. (even though I brought them with me). Less is better than more. The hospital provides everything.

I know what you mean. The liquid diet gets old fast. I had my staples/stitches out yesterday so I am adding food now. Its a bit scary because I had the liquid intake down pat. I am sipping on a Protein drink right now. I need to go to the store tomorrow to buy different types of food, i.e., cottage cheese, oatmeal, etc. Its exciting to try new foods. I have just re-read all my literature about what to eat during the third week after surgery. I buy liquid drinks from Trader Joes (vanilla and chocolete). I think they are 35 grams of protein. I put them in the refrigerator so they get very cold. I then put one can contents into the blender with a small amount of skim milk. I add cinammon and/or a small banana to the vanilla-flavored drinks. Someone from my support group gave me a lead for a coffee flavored Protein Drink (like a latte). Its call Achiev One. I bought the Mocha Java flavor. Its has 20 grams of protein. Its the #1 protein drink in our support group. One of our members sells it from her car! I had to travel about 20 miles to get it. It tastes like a cold coffee drink from Starbucks or a coffee place but cold. I sometimes put it over ice. I also bought some protein pudding made by Sly Stallone. I bought it at GNC (I think that is the initials). I went out to Breakfast with my husabnd today the first time in a very long time (over a month). I had a poached egg with toast and coffee. I drank the coffee first and than ate my egg. It tasted very good but the best part was to be out and about again. I still feel shaky on what to order when I am out at restaurants. I'd appreciate some input from others about this. Sometimes if I know specifically what to order it helps. I used to order a cup of soup and that worked for me. As you all know, its difficult to control the portion as well as you can at home.

I agree! You are right on. This is a new relief from the obsession of food and to feel full and not craze food. I'm into it!

I agree. I am so sick of soup (especially broth), Jello and pudding. I don't think I will EVER eat these things again. Two weeks prior to surgery and now after surgery more liquids. I see my surgeon tomorrow to have my stitches and staples out and I am supposed to get a NEW food plan. I'm looking forward to the change to MUSH! I find going out to a restaurant a pleasure even if I just have a cup of soup and enjoy the company and focus on the visiting part. I have to say that I have felt full from DAY 1 from my banding procedure. I am enjoying this full feeling. Its delightful! I don't recall EVER feeling this way before. I make dinners for my family and it doesn't bother me. Although, I caught myself mindlessly "tasting" my cooking and caught myself in motion. Hard to break this since I cook so many nights at home. I really needed to see others going through this period. It is tough but lets face it, we can see light at the end of the tunnel and see hope to find such a powerful tool to get our weight under control and START LIVING by doing things we have been unable to do. My knees are feeling great after losing 14 pounds so far. I will learn if I lost more tomorrow when I see my doctor.