newlifebegins2017

Same here! Super excited and scared at the same time!

October 2nd for me

When I had the lapband surgery back in 2009 I was so excited and proud and told everyone. I was ridiculed and made fun of. People wanted to offer unsolicited advice. Then, after months of struggle with the lapband, I started gaining weight back. That opened me up to more shame and ridicule. Not this time! I'm having the band removed and the sleeve on Oct 2nd. I've only told a few family members and a few close friends. Probably 12 total. I won't go through that again.

I am needing some advice here. I am scheduled for my first fill in over six months. I have not been a good bander in recent months and have eaten the wrong foods and done way too much snacking. My question is...what would you do to prepare yourself for a fill? I am scheduled for a fill a week from today. Someone suggested that I go back on full liquids prior to my fill. Would you recommend this and for how long? I finally have the money (self pay) to get back on track this year and I am excited about where the year will take me. I want to go into this fill in the most healthy way possible so any advice is greatly appreciated.

Thanks for the reply. I had that fill today and I am doing pretty well so far. I did five days of full liquids just to be on the safe side. Plus it helped me get my mind back to where it needs to be. According to the clinic scales, I only gained 5 pounds in 8 months. Not too bad for someone who has needed a fill for over 6 months.

I used to love the Weight Watchers program as well and had thought about doing it again but eating the proper amount of points was a bit scary. Plus now the program makes all fruits and veggies zero points. There is no way I could do it. I hope someone comes along and gives you the advice that you need. WW is an awesome program if you can get it to fit your needs.

I just remembered why I do not post here very often. I can never seem to get any advice when I ask for it. Out of all these members, no one could take the time to respond. There were 40+ views and not a single response. Thanks for nothing. Guess I'll go elsewhere for the information.

First of all, here's a big hug for you. ((((hug)))) You are doing great! Look at the big picture of where you have come since being banded. Where would you probably be without the band? You are doing very well so stop beating yourself up for a 5 pound gain. It happens to all of us at some point. I am going to be watching this thread as I have several of the same questions that you do and I cannot get a fill until after January 1 due to insurance and no money. I have not had a fill since May and I really need one. I, too, have to skate through these holidays so by joining forces, we can make it work. As far as meals go, I need the same help. I am unsure of what foods to be eating in order to get the proper nutrition. I was told to eat three small meals per day and allow for two very small Snacks so I do eat five times per day when I am focused on what I am doing. Some times I stress eat and will graze all day long. So I know what you are going through. Hang in there and I hope I helped a little. Lets see what everyone else has to say. Hugs, Dianna

I live near Mountain Grove Missouri and was wondering if there are any other bandsters in my area. I would love to meet with some folks and get a support group going. I know I will do better with this band if I have lots of support. I love this board and all the people I've met here so far. I'm just hoping to get some face to face support going as well. Let me know if you are in my area. I'd love to meet you someday.

I had my lap band surgery in Mexico and every single staff member that was dealing with me or other patients were wearing gloves. The hospital that I was in was much nicer than any I have seen in the states as well.

I am eager to see responses to your question. I can eat browned ground beef if it is made with taco seasoning, chili or sloppy joe but I cannot eat a burger if it is cooked in patty form. I am wondering if you could brown it like you would for chili or tacos and then add some diced tomato, lettuce and onion and your mustard. Just a thought. It might go down and digest better for you.

I am eating more fish since being banded. I usually buy Tilapia just because I know how to fix it. I will be trying a few other types now that you all have started this thread. Thank you for that. About my Tilapia. I keep it simple. I spray a bit of Pam or even use some olive oil in a nonstick pan. I add some Mrs.Dash or Lemon Pepper seasoning to each side as it is cooking. Very tasty.

Okay everyone. I've been MIA for a little while. Things have not been great. Not terribly bad but not great either. I had been struggling with the scale going up and down again. Frustration set in and I finally got back in to my fill clinic and told them it was time to get serious about this. The clinic had been having employee issues so I hadn't had a fill for a long time, probably over 6 months. Partly their fault and partly mine. Anyway, I go in for a fill. I went in with 6 cc's. They put in two more. She had a feeling that it didn't take. She took out all the fluid and found out I only had 4.1 cc's. I was HOT!! All this time I thought I had 6 cc's and I had paid to have all those fills. Apparently one or two of them didn't take. No wonder I haven't been losing and I had very little restriction. So, she puts my 4.1 back in my band and adds another 3 to it. I am now at 7.1 cc's in a 10 cc band. Boy can I feel a difference! Now there is a lot of food that I cannot eat. I lost 5 pounds the first four days after that fill. I haven't gained anything back yet. So I think I'm on the right track. I have another fill appointment on June 1st.

I do understand your frustration. Those same thoughts occur to me on the occasion, especially when things aren't going well with my band. You sound like you really need a slight unfill. If you cannot even drink water, that means you are too tight. See if you can find someone there locally that you could see in a case like this. Good luck to you.

I've had a good couple of days here lately. Getting focused on what I am eating has helped greatly. Also, reading and posting here seems to help keep me focused. I think I'm getting back on track somewhat. I really need to get the exercise routine going again but right now, one step at a time. I hope you guys have had a good day. China and Lora, I'm going to find you guys on FB here in a bit.

I suffer from water retention which shows up in my legs and ankles as a bit of edema. The doctor prescribed Lasix (water pill) and it helps most days. I do suffer from very sore legs. It's like my muscles ache and just don't want to function very well. Makes me wonder if it is because of the edema or something else. It's been a while since you posted this so I'm wondering if you have more information now.

I don't know about that. My mom is the one who made me clean my plate all the time. Not that I blame her for me being overweight but she sure didn't help the problem either. I know, I have issues. I'm working on them. :smile: Melmarlem.....way to go on your weight loss, that is just awesome!

I have the occasional alcoholic beverage but no more often than before I was banded. My only addiction is food so I can't really help you out with the cross addiction. I do know that the detox places will help you IF you really want the help. If you don't really want the help, they are not going to work. I say this, not to be mean, but this comes from the wife of a recovering addict. Hubby's been clean for 14 years. You have to want to change. The results match the efforts. Good luck to you and I wish you much success in this.

Hey you guys. I'm on FB as well. Message me your email addresses and I'll send you an invite. I'd post my email here but that just gets a bit messy. Maybe we can keep each other motivated. We can do this!

That is a very interesting analogy. I had never looked at my band as my sponsor. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

I was banded by Dr. Kuri in Mexico. It was a great experience. They take care of everything, including picking you up at the air port or the border. The hospital was beautiful and very clean. The staff was excellent. I feel like I was treated better there, than I have ever been treated here in the states. My surgery package was around $7500 but I am not sure what the current rate is. Let me know if you need more info.

I guess I need to jump in on this band wagon too. I have been playing with the same 10 pounds for the last 3 or 4 months. Up and down. I am tired of the back and forth on the scale and getting pretty disgusted with myself. I know.....I am still 70+ pounds lighter than I was when I was banded but I expected to be even lighter by now. I just need to get focused again and start doing this the right way.

My goal is to take off 100 pounds by my bandiversary but I don't think it's going to happen. I have lost 70 pounds and I have until January 20th to lose 30 more pounds. That is just not realistic. Not at this stage in the game. I still have about 200 pounds to lose so this journey is far from over.

Just curious as to how all of you have been doing since ur surgery in January? I have had a really busy year. I moved over the summer and I'm still trying to get settled into the new place. Are you happy about your band? I love my band. I would do this whole thing all over again. I have lost a total of 77 pounds so far. I was banded on January 20th. How do you love bandster life? I have been able to get rid of the seat belt extender in my vehicle. I am down several sizes in my clothing. I love shopping now since I can actually find clothing that will fit me (off the rack, no less) How close are you to your goal? I have about 200 pounds left to lose, a long way to go but I'll get there 'one day at a time' Do you exercise everyday? I did before I moved and then during the packing and moving process, I didn't have time. I just recently purchased a treadmill so I am trying to get back into the swing of things. Do you PB alot? Only when I'm not paying attention to what I am eating or if I am really hungry and I'm eating too fast. (Maybe once a week.)

Linda, you are correct. I was really needing a fill and I finally got my first fill on Monday the 27th. What a difference! I was told not to expect much with the first fill but I am feeling some restriction and I am staying fuller longer now. I have another fill scheduled for the end of May (four weeks from the first fill) My problem was not with the medical staff. I am a self pay and I had the money together for a fill but then my transmission went out in my Explorer. It took all my savings and then some to get it fixed. I am back on track and feeling so much better now. My meals consist of a cup of food or less at a meal and I'm not snacking in between. I expect some good weight loss coming my way.