juliegeraci

This is when weight loss becomes more difficult. My first 50 lb were a breeze now I am faced with 30-50 more and I'm terrified it will be difficult. Just try and think why you did this in the first place. Maybe you could address your sugar addiction through some therapy if you can't give it up. Are you sure you are tight enough? Julie

Good for you making it through Easter. That would be really hard being on liquids. Congrats on your banding date. Good luck to you. Julie

I would listen to the gentleman above who weighed over 500 lbs. He would be the best candidate to answer your questions. Good luck. Julie

Yes, 220 with 15-20 grams of protein sound quite healthy. The only thing with frozen dinners you have to watch is the sodium. Good luck. Julie

Randi, the thing I like most about being banded is the restriction. I know longer crave "bad" foods and when I do eat I eat a little quantity. That is what I love most. Good luck in your journey. Julie

Dixie, good luck to you. I know how insurances can be. You just have to be patient. Mine was approved after they scheduled my surgery. That might make it faster for you. You can always postpone. Julie

Mine took roughly 6-8 weeks. I had to go through the nutrionist, psych eval, blood work. The insurance approval is what took so much time. Julie

My insurance covered it so I was lucky. Hadn't my insurance not covered it I would have dug up the money somehow to have it done. That being said, could you pull in some extra shifts to make the monthly payment?

Misty, congrats on getting banded on the 13th. You will love your band. Good luck. Julie

That is good to know. Thanks for the tip. Julie

Yes, liquids one day then mushies. Julie

Susan, have you tried warm or hot liquids in the am. to open up the stoma. 3-4pm sounds so late. Today I woke up starving so I am slowly eating some oatmeal. Other days I can take in a protein shake 10-11 a.m. Are you able to sip a protein shake in the a.m. You may very well be a bandster that has to have 2 protein shakes and 1 meal a day. Julie

My goal this week is to lose 3 lbs. That would bring me to the 230 mark. Julie

You have the picture. Mine worked but once the hunger and no restriction were seen I would go back for more. I've had this fill since 1/11 which is my longest fill to date. Good luck. Julie

Rossi, I hear your struggles. Just try and be patient. If you can count your calories that will help a lot. Julie

Until you get good restriction the band isn't really doing its job. Try and get your calories to 800-1k and you will lose weight. Julie

Hi LeeAnn, if you want to start eating like a bandster drop your calories to 800-1k a day. You will drop the weight fast. I bet you could lose that 15 lbs in 4-6 weeks easily. Good luck. Julie

Yes, I was paniced. I cried like a baby the day before my surgery saying to myself "I can't believe it has come to this". I am very happy being banded. And I wouldn't want it any other way now. Good luck in your journey. Julie

Yes, food has totally lost its luster. I am always afraid of PBing so food is not nearly as enjoyable. Julie

Mine took about 8 weeks.

Good for you. You are learning to eat like a bandster. Congratulations. Julie

I feel hungry late a.m. and I have a Protein shake which holds a few hours. I can eat anything I want just in smaller portions. I try and have solid protein for lunch and dinner. That holds you longer. As far as PBing goes, I do that every other day or so. Its no big deal. For me, I get first bite syndrom. That is when the stoma isn't really ready for food. I PB then often times resume eating. I am not as hungry as I use to be. It is totally worth it. You can manage food much better being banded. I eat when I am hungry and stop when I am full. It is really that simple. Good luck. Julie

Hi Wendy, I was banded at 282 in June. I am 5'8" tall. I am now down to 231 with about 30-50 more lbs to go. I love being banded. Its a great tool. Its so nice to not have food control me anymore. I eat when I am hungry and I stop when I am full. It really is that simple. Good luck to you. Julie

Hi Kat, welcome. I socialize fine, I just don't eat much. I can eat say 1 piece of pizza, a 1/4 of a sandwich, that is about it. You just take smaller portions on your plate. That is all. Good luck. Julie

Welcome. I love my lapband. Good luck with your journey. Julie