grandmax19

Charlene - Boy, do I understand your plight with a scale that won't move! My body is like a tar baby with the weight, holding on to it for ever, then letting go of a couple of pounds. Even, then, it will fluctuate up and down for a while before letting go of another pound. I believe the keys to losing for me are #1 keeping a food diary so that I am completely honest about the amount of food I am eating #2 daily intense aerobic exercise that varies from week to week #3 staying in touch with other bandsters so that I continue to learn about how to optimize this tool. Congrats on your weight loss. I, too, finally dropped another 2 pounds. I received my 4th fill last Saturday; and, for the first 3 days afterward, it was like I had no restriction. I was beginning to wonder if I had a leak. Then, suddenly last night, my restriction kicked in. It's not as much as I would like, but it's a lot better than it was. As I'm learning, each day is a new experience with the band. Keep on keepin' on. Anne

Indiogirl - You look fabulous! What an inspiration! My weight loss has slowed down to a crawl - 1/2 to 1 pound a week. It fluctuates up and down constantly, which drives me crazy. In 4 months, I have lost 25 pounds. I certainly expected it to be a lot quicker, and I didn't expect to still be hungry. I somehow missed the information that until you hit that sweet spot, you are still dealing with your same appetite. I am not there yet, despite 4 fills. I have 1.9 cc in a 4 cc band. Despite the doctor telling me that I'm restricted, I am not. I had restriction the first 4 week post-op, and I couldn't eat much. Now, I can almost eat what I did before. You've encouraged me. I'm going to do better with keeping my food diary, and I'm going back to the doctor in 2 weeks for another fill.

Joyce, Thanks for the thoughtful reply. My BMI at start was actually around 35, so I guess I should remember that my weight loss will be slower. Is it ever fast enough?? I'm a part of this microwave generation, too. I did eat some nuts at a party the other day, and they went down easily. Today, I ate a small hamburger patty and potatoes for lunch, and I was able to eat it normally. I was invited to dinner at a friend's house tonight. She served salad, bread, tortilla soup (with rice in it, a different recipe from most). It was all delicious and went down easily. Before, I had not been able to eat rice, or bread for that matter. So, why now, after an additional .4cc was just added to my band, am I able to eat more. It just doesn't make sense to me. The doctor did have trouble acccessing my port. Usually, she has me stand in front of the fluroscopy machine while she injects my band. this time she had to place me on an exam tale on my back. And she said my port is in an unual posiion. I wonder if some of the fluid might have leaked out. She had to stick me several times. I'm scheduled to see her again in 2 weeks, so I guess I'll find out then. Anne

Hello, bandsters! Man, am I frustrated. Just went for my 4th fill. Now I have 1.9 cc in 4 cc band. I followed my doctor's instructions - liquids for 24 hours, followed by "mushy" foods for 24 hrs, then back to regular diet. Well, I feel less restriction than I did before the fill. I do not understand why. The doctor put more fluid in (an additional .4 cc). Why in the world would I feel less restricted? Plus, in 4 months, I've only lost 22 pounds total. This past month, despite doing vigorous aerobic exercise at least 1 hour per day, I only lost 4 pounds. I am hungry!!!! Why can't I get back to the way I felt the first 4 weeks post op?

Had my 3rd fill today. Now up to 1.5 cc in a 4cc band. I'm really hoping this will finally give me some restriction. Went to Dr. Stephanie in Bryan, Texas. She was fantastic, and she explained everything so well. My first 2 fills were done at Fills Center USA in Austin. Each time there, I was in and out in 5 minutes. The doctor there told me the 1st time that she thought the band was around my esophogus; and the 2nd time, she told me that the band was around my pouch, but that I had a hiatal hernia. She did not allow me to visualize the fluoroscopy; and, she refused to look at the surgeon's sugery notes or the immediate post-op fluro. This time, Dr. Stephanie showed me that the band is where it's supposed to be and I don't have a hernia. She took time with me; and, she costs less than Fills Center. She tells you to have nothing but warm or room temperature fluids for 1st 24 hours after a fill, followed by one day of pureed foods, then back to 3 meals a day of 20 grams of protein/meal. I do crave carbs especially at night. If I eat them, I just crave them more. It becomes a vicious cycle. I'll have to overcome this if I'm going to be successful at permanent weight loss. Anne

Thanks, Jodi. It's really good to know that I'm no different than others who have gone on to be successful. I'm going for my 3rd fill on Saturday. Hopefully, that will do the trick for a while. Anne

This is either a brick wall or "bandster hell", as some would say. I've lost and regained the same 3 pounds over and over again and can't seem to get past it. I feel no restriction most of the time and stay hungry. I've scheduled another fill, as I must not be at that "sweet spot" everyone raves about. I'll sure be glad to finally reach that point, the very reason we had surgery to begin with. If I could have done it without the band, I would have, because God knows I tried. We've just got to keep the faith, and keep going for those fills.

What an encouraging site! So glad to have found others in this stage of our journey! I live in Central Texas, am 59 years old, the mother of 4 adult children and their spouses and the very proud grandma of 19 wonderful grandchildren. I was banded in Monterrey, Mexico, by Dr. Zapata, on 12/2/08. I'm very new to all of this still. I've lost 20 pounds, mostly in the first 4 weeks; and, despite 2 fills, have remained mostly unrestricted since the middle of January. Guess that qualifies me for "lap band hell". I'm scheduled for my 3rd fill on 3/11/09. What scares me is that my weight is constantly trying to go up; I lose the same 3 pounds over and over and don't progress beyond that. I was feeling incredibly guilty that I hadn't dropped more weight until I started reading this forum. I finally realized that without restriction, I'm still right where I was before the surgery. I just need some folks to get real with, who understand my struggles with food, and can encourage me to reach my goal. Hopefully, I will be able to offer others support as well. Anne

Man, do I understand discouragement! I was banded 12/2/08 and immediately lost 15 pounds. At 4 weeks post op, the weight loss came to a screeching halt. I have had 2 fills for a total of 1 cc, but have not had any consistent restriction. I've lost 5 more pounds since the 1st fill, but I've been hungry and struggled with what to eat since then. I exercise at least 1 hour every day, so I'm not sedentary. I'm really scared that the band is not going to work for me or that I'm going to screw up this opportunity. Should I eat only Protein? I've seen where some people return to liquids like they did immediately post op. Thanks for your help. Anne

LoveforLonnie, Thank you so much for remembering to ask about my progress. Today is exactly 6 weeks and I'm having my first fill tomorrow. I've lost 18 pounds since the surgery; however, it all came off in the 1st 4 weeks. At week 4, my hunger returned and I have been able to eat solid, soft foods. The only foods I can't eat are meats without gravy and crackers. From what I've read this seems to be normal, as the surgeon didn't put any Fluid in my band. Once I'e had the fill, will I notice an immediate relief from the hunger? Have a great day! Anne

My BMI pre lap band was 34. I was banded 12/2/08 and have lost 13 pounds to date. I did not have to do the diet before I was banded. I'm wondering if there is anything I can do to rev my weight loss some. My caloric intake is probably 800-1000 cal/day. I have difficulty getting enough water as I get full even on liquids. I was afraid I might be getting too many calories and not enough protein with just soups and other liquids. I looked up several websites that recommended starting pureed foods. So, I did start pureeing salmon and mashed potatoes yesterday. But, I'm not sure what the best approach is. I do not want to waste my efforts. I'm also feeling very tired and weak. Lois - we started at about the same BMI. You lost your weight. What do you recommend?

I was banded by Dr. Zapata on 12/2/08. All I can say is Ditto! I had a great experience. The nursing care afterward was excellent, much better than I had gotten in the states last year when I went in locally for another type of surgery. I do wish I had more diet support. It would be helpful to have someone to talk to who has been through what I have.

Banded 12/2/08 in Monterey, Mexico. Didn't have to do a preop diet, and I still have lost 11 pounds at 1 week post op. Those of you who are awaiting surgery - you are going to be so happy and relieved! The surgery is pretty easy with minimal discomfort. The diet is basic and simple, all you have to do is follow it. Right at first you may have some hunger issues - drink lots of water and it will go away. After one week, I am not experiencing any hunger. I tried to go back to work on 12/7, but I became too tired and my abdomen started swelling. Went home to bed and the next day I was able to go to church. Decided to take it a little slower and I feel much better. Good luck!