tjb14

And, I drank a glass of wine (or two)!

I was banded last year on October 27th and had the same concerns and questions. It was not as hard as I thought it would be. Well, Thanksgiving was easy because I was still in the beginning phase. I had very small portions of everything. I put on weight over Christmas and New Years but not a lot and not nearly the damage I could have done. This is a long process. Enjoy your holidays. The less you focus and stress, I believe, the easier it will be for you. Have some of what you want, just make it a bite or two. Of course, only one opinion.

Thecooley, My advise, continue. Be patient. As hard as it is, patience works. From your post I see that you have lost 18 pounds since your surgery 6 weeks ago. That is 3 lbs per week. Not numbers to be dismissed. You are still healing and this is what others refer to as bandster hell. I am one of the "slow losers". I lost at a rate of 1.3 lbs per week. Frustrating at times sure but much better than where I was. I would switch up your eating...1500 calories on day...900 the next. Switch up exercise...walk/run intervals. Also, I would call your Dr. back and ask to come in for a fill earlier. All Drs. are different (mine let me come in often in the beginning for fills) but maybe there is room for discussion. Finally, try so hard not to listen to anyone. Everyone has an opinion. Yours is really the only one that counts. (I am trying to take my own advise as I write this!) You are doing great. Tracy

One year ago today I weighed 240 lbs (I am 5' 3"). My BMI was 42.5. I was wearing a tight, tight size 18/1X. I exercised by walking slow and doing pilates. I was depressed. I was not a good example for my 14 year old daughter or 11 year old son. Dates with my husband was dinner. Today, I weigh 171 lbs. My BMI is 30.3--so close to "just" overweight I can't stand it. I wear a size 10/12 dress, 12/14 pants, large/medium sweaters. I exercise by running, spinning and lifting weights. I am happy, confident, proud. My kids...well, I shop with my daughter and actually try things on in the dressing room with her and I run with my son. Dates now may be a hike, fishing or a walk on the beach We all laugh so much more. I don't want to say it was easy...it was not...but it works. I was not perfect, but I followed the "rules" I was given by my Dr. more often than not. I was not a fast loser and it took a bit of time to accept this, but I finally let myself lose at my body's pace without beating myself up. I did not exercise every day, but I built up my endurance so that if I wanted to I could. I did/do miss the comfort of food sometimes, but I work/worked with a therapist so that this loss was not overwhelming. To those of you banded, reading this...I want to thank you. Your questions, your responses, your victories and your humor (and even some of your "crazies") got me through this year. I did not blog but I stalked a number of blogs...Catherine (Chronicles from Band Land), Amy (Once upon a time...), Sarah (Losing Weight, Gaining Tons), Tiffani (Rocking the Band), The New Me and Lize the Loser...(just to name a few)...you all make a difference and though you may not know me personally, you made a tremendous impact on my weight loss. To those newly banded or just thinking about it...do it. Read this site, read the blogs, follow the "rules" your Dr. sets, do your research, don't beat yourself up, focus on one day at a time... but do it. I believe with all my heart that the band works. This next year, I look forward to losing the last 25 or so, possible plastic surgery, eating even healthier and enjoying my success. Have a great day!! Tracy

I will try not to get too analytical (especially since I am not a therapist), besides the physical attributes, remember you just made a huge decision and in a way are saying good-bye to a few very good friends--food, the weight and the insecurity of it all. You may be grieving. Take your time. This is a process. And, way to go!

Heather, the baby is beautiful. Enjoy!

Thanks again everyone! I really appreciate the feedback.

Thanks for the kind words Donna, Greg and Mellabella! Tracy

I had no idea why my shoulder hurt. People on this site filled me in on the gas/shoulder issue (thanks). It took a few weeks for it to go away completely for me. I would say it was the worst 3-6 days after surgery. I took pain relievers, gas strips, walked and used a heating pad. It does go away. Believe it or not, it was the worst part for me. Hope this helps.

It is so worth it!! I have been banded since October 27, 2008. I cannot believe that it is almost a year. I have lost approx. 64 pounds. I am active. I feel amazing. And, I am so happy. Let yourself rest and heal. Give yourself a break. And, know that for many of us, the surgery was worth it.

This is but one point of view and a few may disagree...but holidays are meant to be enjoyed. So enjoy... and eat. A treat is not going to kill you and you will not revert back to the "old" ways. I believe that in addition to working with our doctors and our nutritionists to eat healthy, the band is teaching us to eat in moderation. Take a bite, or three of your favorites. Happy New Year. Tracy

There is a great post on the blog Chronicles from Band Land. It is all about ports. Chronicles from Band Land

Hi. I was banded in October 2008. I have eaten raw oysters and clams, although not often. I chewed them just like any other Protein. After any type of raw bar type food, I cannot eat anything else. Hope this helps. Tracy

Maranda, Congratulations both on the weight loss and on giving yourself the opportunity to recognize your accomplishment. Sometimes we, myself included, are way too hard on ourselves. You are doing fantastic. Tracy

kjhack, I wish you were not discouraged. In less than 9 months you have lost approx 1.4 lbs a week! I am sure you are down a few sizes and I am sure that people are telling you that you look wonderful. I have had a similar lapband experience as far as weight loss. My surgery date was 10/27/08 and as of last Tuesday I was down 50 lbs. For a period of time I was losing 1 lb a week. Then, the fill I had in the beginning of May seemed to give me nearly perfect restriction...(in 8 weeks (May/June) I lost 13 lbs). I am doing cartwheels. I feel great. My eating is under control. I am eating healthy foods (with the fairly regular treats). I am fit or at least getting there. I am taking spin classes. I am strength training. I am running. I look forward to exercising. I am more confident. I am laughing more. I am joking more. I am running around more. I have gotten me back. I know I would not be here without the band. Please do not be discourgaged. You are so not a failure. You are a success. A few things to try if you are not already. 1. Exercise. If you are not exercising, this will move the scale. If you are, try stepping it up. If you are walking, try adding in a minute of running in intervals. 2. Don't eat the same things or the same amounts every day. Try eating a bit more one day. I find that the inconsistency of my food intake works. 3. Maybe get your thyroid tested. 4. Try not to pay attention to where other people are at in their weight loss journey. Some lose weight very quickly. Others, like me, lose more slowly. But, I am sure I will get it all off...in time. You are doing great. Thanks for listening. Tracy

Hi. I am 35 weeks out today (surgery date October 27). I am down 50 lbs exactly, which works out to 1.43 lbs per week. I lost a lot the first six weeks (about 20 lbs) but it has been slow going ever since. Over the last 8 weeks (my last fill put me at 8ccs) I have lost an average of 1.7 lbs. Hope this helps.

Hey Luluc, in another post you said you made your own hummus and it has more proteing than store bought. Can I ask how you make it? Do you add anything besides chick peas to boost the protein level? Thanks. Tracy

Luluc, How do you make your hummus? Is the additional Protein just extra chickpeas? Do you add anything to boost the protein?

Way to go on the weight loss. Are you able to try exercise other than walking? Can you strength train a bit? Or, can you try interval training? I started out by walking for 2 minutes and running for 30 seconds. I have worked up to 1/1 walking/running. Strength training and interval training should boost your metabolism.

I just had a fill yesterday (8cc in 10cc band). I am post-op 6 months and have had some restriction but nothing extreme until my last fill in April. The fill yesterday has brought a good deal of restriction. Today I was able to eat: a packet of GoLean Oatmeal with a few berries, a 3oz can of tuna with lf mayo and about 2.5oz of meat (cut up way small) and a tb or two of mashed potatoes and mushy eggplant. I was uncomfortable after dinner but no real pb. I can hear gurgling after I eat or drink. Do you think I am too restricted? Do you think I should wait it out? Is this what restriction means and it just took me this long?

My dr. says liquids day of fill and then mushies and if tolerated solids next day. Just following my dr. Thanks for the guidelines.

Hi. I use Simply Jif. It has a little less sugar than regular Jif or Skippy.

My surgery was at the end of October 2008--six months out. I have averaged a bit over a 1 lb a week. Slow, but (almost) always going down. The past three weeks after my 7th fill I find that the weight is coming off at a quicker pace and I have a better restriction. I guess it just took me a little longer to get to that place. I am finally learning patience--well, kind of!

One other thing you may try...go to your primary care dr. and get a blood test. It is possible your thyroid is off and this may be contributing to the lack of movement. Don't give up please.