juliegeraci

Ladies, congrats on entering bandland. Make sure you follow the doctors recommended diet and don't move to mushies or solid until he says so. You will do great! Congrats again.

I had my first episode yesterday. I too was wondering what it was all about. Now I know!

Mine was pretty quick. I was able to get into the surgeon within a few days. From there I went to my primary care physician and got all the lab work done. From there I went to have my EKG and simulateously I worked on the phsyco eval and nutrional eval. I think in all total it was abou 6 weeks but it went really fast. Good luck.

Hi Gang, its been a while since I was on this thread. I was banded on June 6th. I was down 12 lbs then I gained 5 back. My first fill is July 17th. Anybody out there that is having the same issues with restriction. I hear it can be difficult until you get a fill or two. Please advise.

I had the same situation. I had a friend/mentor who I spoke to about the weight all the time. He always said to me, "move your ass". That is only part of it. If you don't know how to eat or have trouble with dietary restriction the band will help. I exercise now and the weight is coming off slowly. It isn't just about exercise, you need food restriction. Good luck.

Good for you. This is an exciting time for you. I remember when I was authorized and got my date. That is great!

Hello, I don't want to take offense to anyone so that is not why I am writing this. I have read a ton of threads about people who are losing weight at a steady pace, some slower and some faster. For the faster folks I have noticed one in particular talks about the endless exercise she is doing. For most of us, it is impracticle to exercise 3x a day. The show "The Bigggest Loser" had them exercise 3 hours a day. Are you aware of this? In any case, its been on my mind that the average weight loss should be 1-2 lbs a week. It gets me down that I am one of the slower people. I think its great that some are losing faster, but in the end the truth of the band is average weight loss of 1-2 lbs a week. I have stopped comparing myself to others and have taken a realistic view of how much I am consuming and moving my butt. Thank you in advance for understanding we are ALL different and I for one will never use a thread to boast 3 hours a day of exercise. I would rather use a thread to gain insight into how the band works and the trial and tribulations of all of us. Thank you for listening.:confused:

This is natural. I had a major breakdown a few days before surgery. I was nervous until I was under in the hospital. Just know that you're decision is best for you and be excited. Good luck.

Thanks Telly. I am looking forward to additional posts to the exercise thread. You are inspiration and I appreciate you reaching out.

Thanks Leila. I really appreciate the sentiment. I went to the gym this a.m. and it felt good to try and kick my own butt into shape. The only madness I have at myself and unfortunately sometimes I redirect it to the wrong place :-} I love these threads and am looking forward to continuing to focus on being successful. Thanks again.

Telly, etc. After writing this thread and hearing back from all of you I have given it some consideration and would like to apologize. From where I sit thing have been very difficult for me so naturally it is easier for me to lash out at successful people. I am sorry that I acted this way. I find it inspiration to hear about everyone but in my case it just difficult when I'm having such major issues. All I can do is work on myself, daily, in the hopes of reaching a milestone with food and exercise. Thank you for all the posts. I read every one of them and I truly appreciate being able to be part of these threads.

I agree with Kathy. You are probably still swollen and not ready for any time of mushies or puree foods. Slow down and take it easy for the new few days. Good luck.

Elissa, I so understand where you are coming from. I've been banded for a month and my weight is all over the place. Initially I lost 12 lbs post op then quickly gained 5 lbs back. All I can do now is try and make the right food choices, which include amount of foods. In the end, what I am really trying to do is be good to myself. This includes exercise. Its difficult when you know you can do this but your main takes over. Try and be good to yourself. My first fill is July 17th and I'm hoping with some restriction it will not be as difficult. Keep the faith. We are here for you.

Girls, I am in bandster hell as well. I was banded on June 6th. I was down 12 lbs post op then quickly gained 5 of it back. My first fill is July 17th. Don't get too down on yourself and try to stop when you aren't hungry anymore. It is tough to gauge how much. I understand that. I'm onto the exercise now and I'm hoping to be down that 12 lbs again by next Tuesday. Its normal to gain sometimes when you have solids. Good luck and don't lose the faith.

Hi Liz, welcome to the boards. I'm sure you will find this very helpful. Good luck on your journey.

That is the beauty of these forums, we all have opinions and see things in our own eyes. I use the exercise thread as well so I guess I'm a boaster too. Comparing myself to others is not productive thus this thread. Belittling a person is not what I meant, its excessive over the top behavior that I find interesting to say the least. I use to be the woman who rolled her thighs with a rolling pin in high school just to stay thin. So to use the term lightly I understand obsession, positively or negatively. Whoever chooses to use 2,3 whatever times a day in exercise that is their business and more power to them. Mine is to surround myself with people who are at the same place as I am. So don't belittle me for speaking MY opinion. That is what these boards are for as well. Telly, thanks for the post. You have done a remarkable job and I completely understand (now) where and how you get the place you are. I've been considering splitting up my routine as well. I start with a new trainer on Wednesay and I'm back to the cardio classes at the gym. One of these days, God willing, my butt will be on a bike like you! I'll keep reading the threads and I apologize if I offended you.

Every doctor wants you to follow something different so you need to ask your surgeon. Some people follow low carb for weeks, others liquid. In my case, I only needed liquids 24 hours prior to surgery. Make sure you follow what your doctor orders. Good luck.

I've heard that eat warm soups or sipping something warm right before you eat may aid. I've been trying it and it works. I don't drink with meals but right before I like something warm.

No, with the band just sitting there you have no restriction technically. There is no saline in it. However, some people do feel it. I am one that does not. It depends on your body and the size of band that is placed. For example, I have another friend who is just feeling restriction with 5 fills...5 fills! Once the band is filled technically you are suppose to have restriction...it may take more than 1 fill to feel what you really need though. Hope this helps.

Today I worked out with my husband at the gym. We concentrated on lower body. Tomorrow we are working out upper body. I am doing well.

I agree with HoneyBun. If you don't know your caloric intake with WW then it may be defeating the band. WW isn't 1000-1200 calories a day. I think its more than that. I would say to use the points and/or core system and try and figure out how to keep the calories low enough to lose. 1-2 lbs a week while banded is about the same long term with WW but eating lean proteins, vegies and limited carbs is quite different then counting points IF you are eating too many carbs, etc. YOu will be okay..just think about how much you are consuming. Keep the faith and don't give up.

That is great. When I saw your pics the other day I was going to tell you to go clothes shopping because they were too big on you! That is wonderful news! Keep working and its a good idea to buy a size down...it keeps us motivated! That is what I am going to do next week. I'm close to wearning 20s..probably 15 lbs or so. Good job!

Jacqui, its only my opioning. Boasting can be good and I do look up to people that can accomplish this. For me however, I have found because I am new and my weight isn't coming off as quickly it is depressing. I am an athlete at heart and when I was thin I use to run and do all the things the other threads talk about. But being new we have to be practicle and for me exercise 2x a day isn't. Sorry if I offended you, but for me...this is how I feel.

Jacqui, its

I am in San Jose, CA. I have a great friend that lives in San Diego and I get to visit about 1x a year. Good luck with your surgery? When is it going to be?