Mommy0105

I am cutting and pasting this from another post I responded to.... When I was first banded, I felt las if I could eat way too much also. It was so hard for me the first several weeks. In the beginning, 95% of my weight loss after surgery was due to my will power. I had to keep reminding myself that the band was my last hope, and that I just couldn't mess it up. It was not until my 2nd fill that I finally felt restriction. But everyone is different (A lot of people say they feel it after the first fill). When you feel like you are eating too much, remind yourself of how much it means for you to be successful this time. I promise it will get easier. Talk to your doctor and drink A LOT of Water... it really does help to fill you. Good luck and keep us posted.

When I was first banded, I felt las if I could eat way too much also. It was so hard for me the first several weeks. In the beginning, 95% of my weight loss after surgery was due to my will power. I had to keep reminding myself that the band was my last hope, and that I just couldn't mess it up. It was not until my 2nd fill that I finally felt restriction. But everyone is different (A lot of people say they feel it after the first fill). When you feel like you are eating too much, remind yourself of how much it means for you to be successful this time. I promise it will get easier. Talk to your doctor and drink A LOT of Water... it really does help to fill you. Good luck and keep us posted.

Good Luck as you continue your journey. I think it is AMAZING that you were able to maintain your weight loss during "hiatus". My biggest fear is putting it all back on once I finally reach goal. Welcome back... you can do it!!!

Have you taken an honest look at what you have been eating and how much? Do you pick at all during the day? It is amazing how much we can eat and not even realize. My first month did not end with as much weight loss as I had hoped/expected, so I looked at myself and my habits and realized I was snacking in between meals - often without realizing it. As we all know, it is much harder to take off than to put on, so a bad day or two can cause my scale to go up 1-2 pounds as well. When that happens though, I make sure to eat healthier, smaller portions and really rev it up at the gym. It's amazing what an hour of cardio can do!! The important thing though is that you are down 23 lbs overall. But if you are unappy with your progress, take a long hard look at your habits - both dietary and exercise related. Is there something more you can do to speed up the weight loss? If so, make a promise to yourself to do it. And reward yourself (not with food) for every 5 or 10 lbs. that you lose. Also, Keep a pen and paper with you to write down everything you eat for a week. It will really help you get a truer sense of what / how much you are eating. GOOD LUCK TO YOU!!!!!

Congratulations on your awesome achievement and welcome to onederland! It is very encouraging to hear of your success. Not only have you lost 100 lbs and entered the 100's, you were able to do it in less than a year... kudos!!!! I hope to share in your success. My 1 year bandiversary will be on 7-7-07... Hopefully my "lucky 7s" will find me at or close to goal!!! Best of luck as you continue on your journey!!!!!

Hi everyone. I have been a member of LBT for a few months now. Sometimes when I am reading posts I come across terminology I am not familiar with. While I can connotate meaning from most abbreviations, I wish I knew what they stood for. Two that come to mind are "pb" and "dh". Please fill me in!!!! And if you can think of any others while your at it, feel free to list them for my future reference!!!! Thanks so much!

Thanks gonnabe. You are even newer than me and you know how to navigate the sight better! Thanks for your help. do you know what "dh" stands for? Darling husband? lol Thanks again

Ladies - (Cashley / BabsinTX) It doesn't look like either of you are willing to cut the other some slack on the whole issuse. But is it possible to just let it be and let the thread die or be used for more constructive resonses? At this point, I'm sure Magic feels bad for asking in the first place.

I was hoping for some clarification on the topic of soda... Pre-surgery I was a Diet Coke JUNKIE. It has, by far, been the hardest thing for me to give up. I will admit that I still take sips from my husband every now and then - and enjoy them more that ever. While I know soda is a no no, why exactly is this the case? On one side I have been told the carbonation will stretch the pouch... I have also read the opposite. It will not stretch the pouch, but the carbonation will cause a reflux of gas bubbles into the esophogus and up into the mouth (something I have not experienced through my experimentation). So what is the real truth? Does anyone know for sure??? All input appreciated!!!

I have been hitting the gym 6-7 days a week. My personal trainer (the 1 free session that comes with my membership) has me doing a minimum of 45 min cardio every day. Abs every day I go and then alternate between arms and legs every other day. She told me to do 2 sets of 15 on all the machines. i asked her about how to determine the proper weight for each machine, and she said that by the 8th rep it should start to burn a little bit so that by the 15th you are pushing through to finish the set. No burn by 8 = too light. Burn before 8 = too heavy. So far, yes I am losing weight. Good luck to you!!!

Slow and steady wins the race. I agree that if she is satisfied with her progress, that is all that should matter. If she isn't happy, however, she needs to keep in mind the band is just a tool. Tell her to look at her food choices. Are they the best ones she can be making? Is she keeping to a high protien lower carb diet? Has she been exercising? Have her try keeping a food journal if she is feeling stumped. Best of luck to you both.

Kiarnold - just be careful with your plan to take sips throughout the day. The temptation to down a whole glass might be too much. Because I am a Diet coke junkie (once and addict always an addict) and I don't like other brands, I have my husband buy Pepsi to ward me off. If we are out at a restaurant or he happens to have a diet coke at home, I will just take 1 sip from his. Hard at first, but have found it is just enough to satisfy my craving. And I am with you on the addiction thing. I am a former smoker (Quit 4 year ago - yay me!) and sometimes I think giving up the cigarettes was easier than the diet coke!!!! Go Figure. Good luck to you - and keep us posted!

Thanks everyone. Your input is much appreciated!!!

I am from Monroe, NY... (southern Orange county). I was banded in Manhattan by Dr. Kurian of Lenox Hill Hospital's ivow program. Good luck to all my fellow NY Bandsters!!!

I too have pretty much kept my banding confidential. Only my husband, parents, and 3 close friends know. I have simply been telling people I am dieting. Harder than food though, has been turning down diet coke... my well known additcion. I said I read something about carbonated drinks causing you to feel more hungry than other beverages, and so far I think people are buying it. Good luck to you

Wow... that really was funny and I can definitely relate. While my Personal Trainer wasn't Satan, I can definitely relate to the eliptical machine. The first time I got on (next to people who had already been on for an hour) I faked an injury after 2 minutes so I could get off the damn thing!!! Didn't go back on it and stuck to the treadmill for another 2 weeks or so. Eventually, though, I decided 2 minutes was better than none. I sucked up my pride next to the "Barbies" of the gym, nd as of now I have worked my way to 25 minutes on the darn thing... Hopefully I will reach my goal of 45 minutes !

I did not start out in the 3's, but I know of many banded people who did. From my understanding, the band can work as many miracles as RNY, it just takes longer. When I was inquiring about WLS, I asked my doctor if Bands were more appropriate for people with less weight to lose. The majority of doctors I met with stated that both surgeries (LapBand /RNY) could achieve the same results long term-bandsters just take longer to get there. One doctor explained to me that while RNY patients lost weight quicker in the beginning, they often begin to regain some of their weight and stretch their pouch. LapBand's on the other hand, experience more of a long-term gradual weight loss. The moral of the doctor's story was that 5 years out from surgery, LapBand and bypass patients have almost identical weight loss results. May I also suggest that much of your success with the band is linked to the doctor you choose. He/she must have a strong understanding of how to help you post surgically. Certain doctor's have considerably higher success rates with banded patients than others. If you are able to come to the NY area, may I suggest you get in contact with Dr. Fielding and Dr. Ren of NYU Medical Center's Bariatric Program. Dr. Fielding has the LapBand himself, so he really, truly understands the key components to weight loss with a band. He and Dr. Ren are also considered among the top doctors in the world for the Lap Band. GOOD LUCK!!!!

My husband was not immediately supportive either. His mentality was that of "I love you the way you are. You don't need surgery". But on the other hand, he was also well aware of how much I hated being fat. I began my research and brought him along with me to meet various surgeons. After a few visits I think he realized I was not being impulsive (a trait I tend to covet) but was actually desperate for a change. Pointing out the statistic that only 1% of morbidly obese people are able to loose their excess weight AND keep it off without surgical intervention, was a great selling point to him (and me). Maybe it will help with your hubby as well. Anyway, long story short - eventually he came around when he realized I was doing this for ME. It had nothing to do with him loving me the way I was. And I agree that a big reason many spouses are not supportive is because they fear losing you during surgery.... GOOD LUCK TO YOU!!!!!

I suppose anything is possibe, considering there are so many doctors/hospitals with there own set of guidelines. Personally though, I wouldn't feel safe having major surgery (Any type of abdominal surgery is considered such) only to be sent home hours later. Maybe I am being over precautious, but better over than under in my opinion.

Banded and home in the same day? While not as invasive as a RNY Bypass, you should have still remained in the hopsital overnight so that they could evaluate you by flouoscopy 24 hrs later. If you don't mind me asking, who is your doctor and where did you have the surgery performed?

The mom sounds like she may be downplaying the situation with you. While it may indeed be a first time offense by the husband, does she want to live with herself in the event it happens again and she did nothing to prevent it??? What if there is a "next time"? And what if that "next time" is worse? She too would be liable (for knowing and not reporting) and all the kids could be removed from the home while an investigation took place. At the very least, the husband should see a therapist or attend an anger management support group of some sort. If these precautions are taken, and your friend is being honest with you (and herself), then a call to CPS might not be necessary for this one incedent. But, at the very first sign of a repeat performance, your friend really needs to call the police and CPS. Her fist obligation is to her daughter's safety.

Nervous excitement. That is a fairly accurate way to desribe how I am feeling today. I received my phone call yesterday informing me I have been approved for the LapBand. My scheduled surgery date is July 7th, 2 weeks after the last day of school. Hopefully, when I return in September, I'll have most of the kinks worked out and I'll be looking and feeling much better (physically and emotionally). I hope and pray I am doing the right thing. I have settled on the LapBand instead of theRNY, and would hate to look back thinking I made a mistake. I am aware weight loss with the band is not as quick and that my results will depend largely upon my food choices. I just hope I am strong enough to make the right food choices once I am banded. I mean, poor choices are what brought me to this point in the first place, right? Root for me everybody!!!

Nervous excitement. That is a fairly accurate way to desribe how I am feeling today. I received my phone call yesterday informing me I have been approved for the LapBand. My scheduled surgery date is July 7th, 2 weeks after the last day of school. Hopefully, when I return in September, I'll have most of the kinks worked out and I'll be looking and feeling much better (physically and emotionally). I hope and pray I am doing the right thing. I have settled on the LapBand instead of theRNY, and would hate to look back thinking I made a mistake. I am aware weight loss with the band is not as quick and that my results will depend largely upon my food choices. I just hope I am strong enough to make the right food choices once I am banded. I mean, poor choices are what brought me to this point in the first place, right? Root for me everybody!!!

As a teacher, I am naturally curious to learn as much as possible before jumping in and committing myself to something. I haven't been obese my whole life, but I have been cognizant of my weight since I was about 10 years old. Up to that point, I was always a skinny kid. My mom used to take in the waist of all my pants just to keep them from falling off. I went from being "skinny" to being average, and with the help of my atheletic nature, I pretty much remained "average" throughout highschool. But highschool ended 14 years ago for me. In that time, my weight has steadily crept up and up. Dieting every which way to only gain it back plus more. - I know, just like everyone else on here :bolt: Since getting married in 2001, I have put on over 50 lbs, making me 100 lbs. overweight - disgusting :Banane09:. I wish I could blame it on my pregnancy, but the truth of the matter is, I am only 10 lbs. heavier than before I got pregnant, so I guess I have to face the music. The years of yo-yo dieting since highschool have clearly failed. And I'm tired of feeling like a failure. Before getting pregnant, I heard about WLS and the Lap Band. I couldn't imagine qualifying for such a procedure, but sure enough, 1 year after the birth of my daughter, here I am 100 lbs overweight with a BMI of exactly 40. So the reserach began. I have been on every conceivable site, spoken to 4 top surgeons in the NYC area and have decided on Dr. Marina Kurian from Lenox Hill Hospital (NY Bariatric Group). Not only does she have an outstanding resume, she has an outstanding bed-side-manner. I have been back and forth a million times deciding between the RNY and Lap-Band. Both have pros. Both have cons. But the thought of re-routing is simply too much for me. I am still young. I hopefully, have plenty of time left on this green earth, and would hate to look back in 25 years and find myself regretting something as permanantly altering as the RNY. I have been unable to find much researh showing longitudinal studies of RNY patients after 15, 20 years. All long term information seems to only address the likelihood of maintaining WL. But what about the overall health of these people???? Because of the malabsorption issues with RNY, are they at risk for more auto-immune problems later in life? Brittle bones? I realize they take supplements, but from my research, vitamins and nutrient in pills are not absorbed into the blood stream as effectively as they would be through the normal digestion of food. To me - that unknown is just a bit too scary. While quick WL is a very sweet carrot to dangle in front of this horse, I would much rather the weight loss take 3 years and end up a healthier person, able to enjoy my grandkids some day:) So, being the ever-questionning, ever-cautious teacher, my research has led me to feel most comfortable with the Lap-Band and Dr. Kurian. I hope to have my surgery as soon as school lets out in June. Hopefully I will return in September, slimmer, trimmer, and on my way!!!!!:biggrin1: :biggrin1: :biggrin1: :biggrin1:

As a teacher, I am naturally curious to learn as much as possible before jumping in and committing myself to something. I haven't been obese my whole life, but I have been cognizant of my weight since I was about 10 years old. Up to that point, I was always a skinny kid. My mom used to take in the waist of all my pants just to keep them from falling off. I went from being "skinny" to being average, and with the help of my atheletic nature, I pretty much remained "average" throughout highschool. But highschool ended 14 years ago for me. In that time, my weight has steadily crept up and up. Dieting every which way to only gain it back plus more. - I know, just like everyone else on here :girl_hug: Since getting married in 2001, I have put on over 50 lbs, making me 100 lbs. overweight - disgusting :confused:. I wish I could blame it on my pregnancy, but the truth of the matter is, I am only 10 lbs. heavier than before I got pregnant, so I guess I have to face the music. The years of yo-yo dieting since highschool have clearly failed. And I'm tired of feeling like a failure. Before getting pregnant, I heard about WLS and the Lap Band. I couldn't imagine qualifying for such a procedure, but sure enough, 1 year after the birth of my daughter, here I am 100 lbs overweight with a BMI of exactly 40. So the reserach began. I have been on every conceivable site, spoken to 4 top surgeons in the NYC area and have decided on Dr. Marina Kurian from Lenox Hill Hospital (NY Bariatric Group). Not only does she have an outstanding resume, she has an outstanding bed-side-manner. I have been back and forth a million times deciding between the RNY and Lap-Band. Both have pros. Both have cons. But the thought of re-routing is simply too much for me. I am still young. I hopefully, have plenty of time left on this green earth, and would hate to look back in 25 years and find myself regretting something as permanantly altering as the RNY. I have been unable to find much researh showing longitudinal studies of RNY patients after 15, 20 years. All long term information seems to only address the likelihood of maintaining WL. But what about the overall health of these people???? Because of the malabsorption issues with RNY, are they at risk for more auto-immune problems later in life? Brittle bones? I realize they take supplements, but from my research, vitamins and nutrient in pills are not absorbed into the blood stream as effectively as they would be through the normal digestion of food. To me - that unknown is just a bit too scary. While quick WL is a very sweet carrot to dangle in front of this horse, I would much rather the weight loss take 3 years and end up a healthier person, able to enjoy my grandkids some day:) So, being the ever-questionning, ever-cautious teacher, my research has led me to feel most comfortable with the Lap-Band and Dr. Kurian. I hope to have my surgery as soon as school lets out in June. Hopefully I will return in September, slimmer, trimmer, and on my way!!!!!:biggrin1: :biggrin1: :biggrin1: :biggrin1: