*susan*

The liquid diet phase is tough. But, I found once I got past the first three days it got so much easier. The hunger pains and headaches dissipated a great deal. I also normally only weigh myself once a week. However, during the liquid diet, to help motivate me I got on the scale daily. Wow, talk about a motivator. Seeing the pounds literally melt away every day really helped me stick with the diet. That, and knowing my reward for doing so would be the band.

I have actually found that losing weight has helped with some of my PCOS symptoms. Or, maybe it is just because I am feeling so much better in general. My weight has come off a bit slower than others. Like another poster said, my doctor does attribute that in part to my PCOS.

This sounds like an awesome idea! Honestly, I voted for Orlando because it is only a two-hour drive for me. I have never been on a plane and the idea absolutely terrifies me. I like my feet planted firmly on the ground!

Yes, this is a lapband support site first and foremost, and has helped many of us along the way. So much so, that many people have become friends. Many of us no longer need the advice and support as much as we did in the beginning, but we still like to be a part of this "community" and interact with the friends we have made here along the way. The lounge and R&R sections allow us to have the ability to continue to interact with fellow bandsters, while also being able to have meaningful discussions/debates about other real life issues that we all face or see every day.

Hi, and welcome to LBT! Yes, in the first year, gastric bypass patients do tend to lose a significantly greater amount of weight than lapbanders. However, their weight tends to slow down drastically after their first year, whereas with the lapband, it continues on at a steady pace. Studies have shown that after 3 years, lapband and gastric bypass patients are pretty even with each other in terms of weightloss.

HI Moni, and welcome to LBT! We are glad to have you here. I agree, I was private pay also and it is the best money I have ever spent!

It is important to remember that sometimes it takes as many as three fills before you reach proper restriction. But, once you do you will know it and will see the weight start coming off. How long has it been since your last fill? Personally, I think it is better to go with small fills until you reach proper restriction, as opposed to having one big one and risk being overfilled. Believe me, that is not a pleasant experience!

Hi Mary, losing 40 pounds is great! Some people tend to get very upset if they don't lose 100 pounds in the first year. But, we need to remember that this is not gastric bypass. The band is designed for us to lose a healthy 1-2 pounds per week. Based on that, you are right on track with your weightloss and doing fantastic. As far as eating, I agree that you may be a bit tight. meat and eggs should go down. Are you being careful to take very small bites, chew to mush and then wait a bit before you take your next bite? If you are doing all that, but still having problems, then perhaps you need a bit of an unfill. I am glad that you joined us here at LBT!

Ok, this totally cracked me up! :heh: :clap2:

Wow, you have only had it four months and you don't think it is working? At only four months, have you even reached proper restriction? Is the band not working properly...or are you not working with the band properly? If that sounds harsh, I apologize, I am by no means a model bandster. And, when I am not losing, it has not once been my bands fault. It has always been my fault for eating junk or not listening to my band and stopping when I am full.

Congrats on getting your first fill and feeling the joys of restriction!

I really don't have any suggestions, but thought I would bump this to see if anyone else does. Do you have any problems with the food going down or does it feel like it is getting stuck? I am not sure if it is band related, or if maybe you just have a touch of flu or something. Have you called your doctor?

I think whatever works for you is all that counts. I am curious though, have you had your first fill yet?

HAPPY BANDIVERSARY!!!! :biggrin1: :clap2:

That is so exciting that you got your date! I am truly happy for you. Please keep us posted on how things go, and let us know if you have any questions.

It sounds like you are most definitely too tight, I would suggest getting the unfill. Believe me, I was too tight back in January. I let it go for a week. I couldn't even get liquids down. I ended up getting dehydrated and slipped my band. My doctor took all my fill out for quite a while. In March, I got another fill and again it was too much. I went back after only 3 days, but had pb'd so much that it slipped again and I have been unfilled ever since. I am going in for a fill under floro on Thursday, and to hopefully get the good news that my band is back in place and everything is ok. Please, don't wait too long and end up getting dehydrated, being on iv's and having a slipped band. The added weight loss is not worth it. And like the other poster said, I lost 9 pounds in one week when I was overfilled, but gained it all back as soon as the fill came out.

Hi Stacie, and welcome to LBT! I am sure you will find all the information and support you are looking for. We are glad to have you here with us!

Hi Heather, we are glad you found us!

Hi and welcome! It must feel good to have just about completed jumping through all the insurance hoops. It sounds like you are doing great and have a fantastic attitude. Let us know if you have any questions.

Hi there, and congratulations on becoming a bandster. If you have any questions, just give us a holler! :biggrin1:

Like Melissa O said, there is no HIPPA violation here unless her personal medical information was released without her signed consent. I seriously doubt she made that video with the intent of no one but her and her doctor seeing it. I am sure she signed a release. I am also pretty confident she is probably getting her bypass surgery for free, and/or received a nice little check for making that video, speaking out against the band and helping to convince people to go to her new doctor.

Pre-band, I mostly shopped at Lane Bryant and Avenue. However, now that I am losing weight, I refuse to pay that much for clothes that I know I will only be in for a short while. So, I have found the best places to buy my clothes for work is at JC Penneys. I have gotten some beautiful dress pants and skirts off their sale rack for as little as $6.00!! For my casual clothes, I can usually get some great deals at Kohls on their sale days.

Does your doctor let you eat right after getting a fill? I ask because I notice you said "the next morning" after your fill you tried scrambled eggs. I know I am on liquids for 24 hours after a fill, then mushies for the next 24 hours, as I believe most bandsters are. Your stomach is irritated after a fill and needs time to recover. Add to that, what you have been through and it almost sounds like you need to go back to liquids for a few days to give your tummy time to heal. Not what you want to hear, I am sure, but just my own personal opinion. Whatever happens, I hope you get to feeling better fast!

Congratulations on becoming an official bandster! How are you feeling? Let us know how things go and I hope you have a speedy recovery!

Wow, she is a lucky lady to have you! One great way of supporting her is by being here and seeking knowledge and advice. Does she come here as well. The other poster gave you some great advice. Also, don't be the "food police". I don't know about other bandsters, but when someone says something to me like "should you be eating that" that just makes me want to shove more in my mouth. Just be there for her. When she is doing well, praise her, tell her how wonderful she is doing. When she goes through tough times, listen to her, hug her and offer support when you can. Maybe you can research some new, yummy yet healthy recipes that the two of you can try together in the kitchen.