annabell

Hope some August 2008 banders give an update on how things have been going for them. I lost about 23 lbs before surgery and about 11 lbs after surgery. At one point after surgery I lost about 25 lbs but gained some back. My weight loss has not been as great as I hoped but I have not been putting a hundred percent into being careful with what I eat and exercise. I do not regret getting the band and I feel much more in control of my weight then before the band (gaining weight out of control). Without the band I know I would weigh a lot more. I have noticed that my relationship with food mirrors my personal relationships....when they go bad my eating gets bad. At one point in a new relationship I lost the most weight...but when it started to not be healthy I started gaining weight, I then got a fill and my adorable dr. Said he didn't think it was the band he thought something else was going on . I didn't see it at the time...and made him give me a 1/2 c fill. For 2 years I suffered with heart burn from the fill and heart ache from a bad relationship. Well the 3 months ago my fiancé and I decided this was not going to work and he said he was moving out. I began losing weight but still had horrible heartburn so I decided to 1/2 cc's removed. I know I won't gain weight because my head is in a better place and I am more in control of my life path. Sending all my bander friends lots of love! Annabell <3

After being banded seven years I started getting a lot of gas pains and bloating. I started writing down what I was eating and noticed every time I had milk products the gas would start. I beginning to wonder if I'm lactose intolerant. I have never been before but even eating ice cream gave me bad cramps. Just a thought.

Well...it's been awhile since my last post. I have lost 24 lbs since my surgery in August 2008 and 46 lbs since my adventure began in January 2008. I feel great and am looking forward to to loosing 54 more pounds. There have been many changes in my life since loosing weight. I met a great guy, changed jobs and moved. I have been eating whenever I want which seems to be 3 meals a day and a snack here and there. I only am eating a small amount of carbs and my diet consists mostly of protien (can't seem to eat fish or white chicken.) My weight loss is not as much as fellow banders but I feel great and do not regret having the band for 1 second. I think it saved my life or at least made life a more enjoyable adventure. Hope everyone is staying healthy and happy and would enjoy hearing from fellow banders. Annabell:smile2:

Hi Bindi2203 - Thanks for the encouragement! Do you know what size your band is? I would not get a fill if your feeling restriction and loosing - 25 lbs...that is great! It took me 9 months to loose 20 lbs before surgery. I was not planning on getting fills this early but with the weight gain I had to. I thought I would naturally feel full with the band but I don't, the only thing that feels different is some foods hurt going down (raw carrots- not going to do that again). However since my last fill I feel full a bit longer. I have another appointment on the 10/10 if I don't loose any weight I'm going for another fill.

My Dr. told me I have a Lap band standard that takes 12 to 14CC's . I thought Standard was the 10cc...anyway I had 3cc's in my band at surgery and was just filled with 1cc. I have very little restriction (gained two pounds) but when I eat certain foods (like raw carrots) really hurts going down - like swallowing pointy rocks. I go for my next fill in two weeks hopefully that will will be the magic one.

Not doing too good. I went for my Dr.'s visit on 9/26 and gained 2lbs... I found out what type of band I had - Lap Band AP Standard that hold 12-14cc's. He said I had 3 CC's already in and this fill makes four CC's. I came home and cried. I feel very discuraged especially when people ask me how much weight I lost. The doctor asked me why I'm gaining weight and I told him I guess I need a fill and he said "this the band is only a tool." Which I know he's right but I am trying. He told me my goal for weight loss is about 80 more pound (I lost 20lbs before surgery). I have been working out at the gym 3-4 days a week (cardio 40 min and strength training 20 minutes). Help!! comments/suggestions welcome.

I think I need to be more careful what types of food I eat. I wish I could get my fill before the 23rd because I'm scared I am going to start gaining the weight back.

I was banded on August 14 my 1st fill is 9/23 also. Restriction in the beginning but now there only a very little. Lost 18 lbs before surgery 2lbs after.

I am from N. New York and was recently banded 8/14. Thus far I have lost 20 lbs since January 08. I have not lost much since by banding - but I have not been actively trying - I have been more concerned with healing (I had some port pain and my scars took awhile to heal.) Next week I get back on my exercise program. I don't feel a lot of restriction ( all the swelling has gone down) but I go for my 1st fill on 9/23. I do not feel the band at all-never have, and my port does not bother me anymore. I forget I even have the band - unless I eat something dry (I had a veggie burger on light toast and it was difficult to eat). I have to learn new foods to eat that are healthy. My surgery went very easily. Once I decided I was going to have the surgery, I decided to go into it with a positive attitude and tried not to think about it much. I also decided I was going to get up and walk as soon after the surgery as posible (I did lots of cardio exercises the months before surgery.) The only slight problem I had was in recovery - I vaguely remember having a hard time breathing. I asked a nurse about it several days later and she said it was normal and sometimes that happens from the anesthesia - I think my diaphram was still numb/asleep. All in all I am very happy with the band and look forward to reaching my goals- I am not looking for an instant fix and I know its going to take time and self discipline. Thank you for this great site!! Annabell