HildaM

Thanks Ezma! Congrats on your weight loss! If you can find the time to exercise having your husband in the hospital, I think I can adjust and somehow find time too. I am also going to eat more protein based meals. I have to admit that I'm not drinking enough water. That's my goal for this week!!!

Hi! I'm a slow loser too. I was banded on June and I've only lost 25 lbs. Didn't lose any weight when I was on post-op diet. I started losing weight when I got my first fill, July 29th. Lost 25 lbs in two months and one week. I think that's kind of slow. I hate exercising, I did it for a few weeks and then retired. It's too hard. The only thing I like is walking but it's kind of cold in the mornings now. I work full time and go to college full time too. I really don't have much time to exercise. On top of that I'm a single mom with four kids! Any suggestions!!!!!!!!

Seven months ago...... While watching the discovery channel my ex-boyfriend told one of my kids "look is your mom on TV". They were showing elephants and rhinos. I would always change it to a different channel but acting like he didn't say anything. I still hate him for that, and I do tell him that when he calls to talk to his kids. He says he's coming for the holidays in December, hopefully by then I can loose more weight so I can prove to him that I'm doing better without him.

I've lost 15 lbs since I had my first fill (7/29). I think in a month that's pretty good. I was told 1 or 2 lbs per week, so I'm a little over that. I still have good restriction. I'm able to eat more that a cup in each meal. I'm a little concern about the last week, I didn't loose any weight at all, not even half a pound! I think I haven't been eating the right foods, the ones with high protein. Also I haven't been drinking much water. That's what I'm going to be working on next week, getting enough protein and plenty of water. We all need to remember that the band in only a tool to help us achieve our goal!!!!!

About 2 weeks ago I went to the a Chinese buffet and ask for a to go container. Before they charged me I told the cashier that I was not going to fill up the container that I just wanted to get small portions. She told me to get what I wanted to eat then she would charge for what I got. It was very funny because when I opened my container I only had about 8 small shrimp, some mushrooms, and a side of salad. They could not believe I was just going to eat that, the cashier called another girl who works there, they both looked at my food and then starting talking in their own language. They only charged me $3.00. I only ate half of what I had in my to go container. I saved the other half for later. I'm never going to forget those girls faces when they saw what I was going to eat. It was hilarious!!!!!!

Clear liquids for a week??? I was only on clear liquids for 3 days, the full liquids were I could do protein drinks, creamy soups, pudding, etc. I don't know if I could of survive on clear liquids for a week. If you're feeling well I think you should talk to your doctor and ask if you can start on full liquids now. I felt dizzy when I was on clear liquids too. That's because you're not getting enough calories and protein in your body. About the sticky stuff it should come off with just soap and water. Good luck to all, and I hope you feel better soon.

It's normal to have a swollen belly. I had my surgery June 13. I was swollen for almost a month. I only lost 5 pounds when I was on liquids, but gained all of it back when I started solids. I was so upset I thought I would never loose any weight at all. I had my fist fill 20 days ago, I've lost a total of 13 pounds. My doctor told me that was really good, since I'm only expected to loose about 10 pounds per month. I'm feeling pretty good now that I know I can loose weight. Don't forget that your band it's empty right now and you might not feel restriction yet, that's normal. After your first fill that's when you're suppose to start feeling restriction and start to actually loose weight.

I only did a 7 day pre-op diet, but it wasn't liquids. I followed the Atkins diet and it went well. I had no problems during and after my surgery. I did had to follow a post-op diet which was clear, full liquids for almost two weeks. It's hard I know. Especially when you have to cook for your family and you just can't eat anything. I did cheated a few times, but not to a point were I would eat a whole bite or a full spoon of something. I was happier when I started on soft foods. Anyways, good luck to you and keep it up, you'll do fine.

I know how you feel. Two weeks ago I got my first fill and I felt the same way you do right now. I was on clear liquids for 2 days, full liquids for another two days and then I started with soft foods. It took me a full week to be able to eat any solids. That first day I felt miserable, so I called the doctor and told me that my stomach was very swollen and to stick with just ice cubes for that day. I'm starting my 3rd week after the fill and I feel great. I have a pretty good restriction. I've lost 13 lbs so far. I'm able to eat just about anything but I have a hard time with any kind of bread and red meat. I do try to eat red meat but I'm trying to do white meat instead. Be patient you'll do better in a few days

I'm a mother of 4 kids, 3 from my second husband. We've been separated for about 6 months now. Ever since he left me he's been trying to get back with me, but I've said no all this time. I don't blame him 100% of leaving me, it's my fault too. I was always in a bad mood, didn't wanted to go out anywhere. And all of this because of my overweight. so he got tired and left me. I do want to get back with him but I don't know if I want to do it now or wait till I loose more weight. He's a good father, he's good looking. I just don't think I'm ready for him right now. I want to look and feel better about myself. I still love him but I don't want to be like I was before with him. I want to be a more active and attractive person so he'll be happy with me. My overweight has made me an unhappy person all my life.

I had surgery in Juarez, Mexico through beliteweight.com. At first I was not sure of having surgery out of the USA. I did a lot of research and found out a lot of people go there and had a good experience. So I decided to go for it. I had a great time. The hospital was very nice, it's a new hospital and the staff were great. You should visit beliteweight.com they'll tell you all about it. My surgery cost was $7000.00

Congratulations, Short1!!! I was banded two months ago. I've only lost 13 pounds so far, and that was only after my first fill on 6/29/08. I was thinking the other day and was wondering how much weight will I loose in one year. You should be proud you've lost almost 60 lbs in a year. I think that's pretty good. One question for you, did you ever thought you were not going to be able to loose that weight? I weight 232 and my goal is 150, sometimes I wonder if I'm going to be able to loose that much weight. What are you doing to loose weight? Are you following a diet? Do you exercise and how often?

2tired, don't worry about loosing weight right now. "You're on the heeling stage now". That's what my doctor told me. Your band it's empty right now, so you probably don't have any restriction. After your first fill that's when you should start loosing weight. I've lost 12 lbs after my first fill, two weeks ago. We just need to be patient. We will loose the weight we want to loose and reach our goal like many others have. I've read a lot of successful stories on this forum, I'm pretty sure we're going to be writing ours soon!

Welcome to the site, Bettina! 26lbs, that's great. I lost about 5 lbs when I was on the liquid stage, but gained it back when I started solids. I got my first fill 6-29-08. I've lost 12 lbs in 2 weeks. I got a pretty good restriction so that's helping me a lot to loose weight. I will always remember what my doctor told me about good weight loss; it's 1 or 2 lbs a week. So, don't get discouraged. You're doing great!

I've heard that with the bypass you can loose weight faster than with the lap-band. The only thing is that with the bypass, after you loose too much weight you will have extra/loose skin as with the lap-band the weight loss is slower and your skin starts adapting to your body as you loose weight. With the lap-band you have to have fills to have restriction to you will feel full with small amounts of food. I've had good and bad experiences with the fills because the doctors didn't put in the right amount of cc's to give me a moderate restriction. Sometimes I think it would of been better if I had the bypass. It's a hard decision, but remember that the lap-band is reversible, removable at anytime. Good luck to you!!!!! What ever your decision is you've already made the biggest one, having a weight loss surgery. Let us know what surgery you decide to go for.

If your doctor told you it's was ok for you to eat what ever you can tolerate, I guess it's ok. I was on liquids for two weeks. Then I started on soft foods. Every doctor gives different guide lines. As long as we follow those we'll be fine.

I know how you feel. I didn't had to see any doctors before my surgery, but I had to get my surgery financed and that took almost three weeks. When I finally got my approval I was so excited. It was my final step to get my surgery done. That's why I say "I know how you feel." Congrats,:thumbup:

Welcome! I'm HildaM. I subscribed to this forum about a month ago. I get really good feedback and information on this forum. We all share our goals and our day to day experiences with the band. I had my surgery done in Juarez and it went great. I was afraid at first because I've heard bad things about having surgery out of the USA, but I had a good experience . The hospital was very nice everyone was so friendly with me. I felt like if I was in a 5 star hotel. I haven't lost any weight I'm still at the same weight when I had surgery. What happened is that when I was on liquids I lost a few pounds and then when I started solids I gained it all back. I don't worry about it that much because my doctor told me that the first six weeks it's what they call the healing time, and that band is empty. After the first fill then that's when the band starts doing its part. Good luck to you on your big day!!!! Try the Atkins diet it works.

I agree with you Fort Bend Band. tp78 I know how you feel. When I got my first fill, which was a few days ago I was in pain and had a lot of restriction, but as the days go by I feel less and less restriction. If I was you I would wait a few more days to see if you get better and tolerate solid foods, because if you go back for an unfill they might take out more than what they should and then you will not fill much restriction.

Yes, It's normal. I had my first fill done 7/29/08, a few days ago and it still hurts. My doctor said that it was normal since they had a hard time inserting the needle in the port because my port was not easy to reach. The good thing is that I had it done under a fluoroscopy so they were able to find it. Previously I went to another doctor and he couldn't access my port so that's when he referred me to this other doctor where they use a fluoroscopy. I feel better, I do have some restriction. Hopefully I won't have to go back in a couple of months. Did you started a regular workout? I started about a week ago. Since I work full-time and go to college part-time I don't have much time to exercise, but I'm trying really hard. I get up at 5:30am to walk and run for 2 miles. I want to see results, so that's why I'm trying really hard.

Hi everyone, I haven't posted anything for about 30 days. I'm very frustrated because I went for my first fill on Friday 25 and the doctor was not able to access my port.:thumbup: I waited all this time for nothing. On top of that I ended up with pain. Is there anyone who had the same problem? I was referred to a different doctor were he's going to use a fluoroscope. I have an appointment tomorrow. I was reading some of your threads about the fills, and I feel the same way. I haven't lost any weight at all. I hope after my first fill, tomorrow, I can start loosing weight. I know that the band is only a tool to help us loose weight, but I can't loose any weight if I don't have any restriction. I'll see what happens tomorrow after I get my first fill.

I had the same experience with my port. Please refer to my thread "Doctor not able to access my port". I had my first fill yesterday and it went great.

I had my first fill yesterday, like I mentioned before my doctor was not able to access my port. I was lucky yesterday, I had my fill done under a fluoroscopy. It went great, the doctor did numbed the area. I didn't feel any pain at that time, but after I did. Anyways, my port was hard to reach, it did took the doctor about 10 min to actually get the port so she could do the fill. I got a 1.6cc. I was on liquids yesterday, today I can start with soft foods. This morning I had some cream of wheat about 3/4 of a cup because I was already full. One of the other things I wanted to mention is what the doctor told me about fills not done under a fluroscopy, is not always accurate, sometimes the needle doesn't go inside the port and then the saline leaks. The area were the saline in inserted is about a size of a dime. That's why its better to have a fill under fluroscope.

Thanks NY2LAGirl! I'll get back to you tomorrow and let you know how was my first fill. I also wanted to know if you're taking any vitamins or protein and what kind are you taking?