nancyb

Hi Kamala, Just remember one thing, with a full band you will be eating more like a normal person at a meal, than you did before your band. I used to eat the equivalent of three meals at a setting, now I eat like the people setting next to me, maybe a little less, but not to a point where anyone would notice. Just eat slowly and chew, chew, chew. Pick and choose what you want to eat (I don't do greasy fast food any longer). Enjoy the people you are with, and the sights you will see, and remember you will be able to walk farther now than you ever could have before. Take lots of photos and share in an album here. Blessings, nancyb

Hi Ben, First of all, love your writing style, (writing is one of my passions). I too ate enough at one meal to feed three more people, so know exactly where you are coming from. Now, three years after banding I've lost 78% of the excess weight (that's what most banders lose). I now eat what most non-obese people eat at a setting. I still eat a couple of french fries once in a while (I sneak them off of my hubby's plate), and I can even eat a (very moist) burger, but 1/2 of it comes home with me for a later meal. I don't eat this kind of a meal all of the time, usually at home will try to eat healthy, but believe it or not, you don't have to be totally deprived of the foods you love. I choose not to eat at fast food places, the foods usually dry and tasteless not to mention greasy. I would rather spend my money and fill the smaller real estate with really good stuff. Hang in there, the fill will help, believe me. Three years out I have gone from a 24/26 pants, to 16/14. Can walk for miles with my dog, ride a bicycle and enjoy life again. Blessings, nancyb

Hello again, For some reason left overs are just too dry. It's then time to moisten everything. I still get stuck once in a while even after three years, but am a lot more careful than I was at first. Remember, chew, chew, chew, and moisten drier foods. Blessings, nancyb

Before banding I was 278 lbs, size 24 pants, cute little CPAP machine for Sleep Apnea (you look and sound like Darth Vadar at night), pills for high BP and high Cholesterol, knees and hip giving out (I could hardly walk to the mailbox, much less any further.) Gasping for breath, while doing the easiest task, and acid reflux after almost every single meal. Oh, does all of this sound familiar to you? After banding, I am down 80 lbs., size 16/14 pants, no more CPAP, the only pill I take now is something when my allergies act up. I ride a bike, walk my dog, and most importantly I am able to take care of my husband as his MS progresses. (How was he going to take care of me when I had my first stroke or heart attack?) I can play with my grandchildren, walk the Mall with my daughter, etc, etc. Yes, the first month after the surgery was the hardest; after all, bad eating habits are hard to break, but once I was allowed real food again, with coaching from my surgery group's nutritionist, I found I could still have most of the foods that I loved, just not the amounts. I now invest in foods that taste good (not just fast and greasy). If we go out to dinner, I find that at least 1/2 of my meal comes home with me for another meal. Often I'll order an appetizer and am totally satisfied. Sooooo, for you newbies out there, there is really a fantastic life after banding, just hang in there while you get over the liquid, and mushy part of your diet and let the band work for you. Blessings to you all, nancyb

Before banding I was 278 lbs, size 24 pants, cute little CPAP machine for Sleep Apnea (you look and sound like Darth Vadar at night), pills for high BP and high Cholesterol, knees and hip giving out (I could hardly walk to the mailbox, much less any further.) Gasping for breath, while doing the easiest task, and acid reflux after almost every single meal. Oh, does all of this sound familiar to you? After banding, I am down 80 lbs., size 16/14 pants, no more CPAP, the only pill I take now is something when my allergies act up. I ride a bike, walk my dog, and most importantly I am able to take care of my husband as his MS progresses. (How was he going to take care of me when I had my first stroke or heart attack?) I can play with my grandchildren, walk the Mall with my daughter, etc, etc. Yes, the first month after the surgery was the hardest; after all, bad eating habits are hard to break, but once I was allowed real food again, with coaching from my surgery group's nutritionist, I found I could still have most of the foods that I loved, just not the amounts. I now invest in foods that taste good (not just fast and greasy). If we go out to dinner, I find that at least 1/2 of my meal comes home with me for another meal. Often I'll order an appetizer and am totally satisfied. Sooooo, for you newbies out there, there is really a fantastic life after banding, just hang in there while you get over the liquid, and mushy part of your diet and let the band work for you. Blessings to you all, nancyb

Hi Larry, No, I'm not 7 years out, just three, but still thankful that I was banded. I wouldn't be medicine free, CPAP free, knee and hip pain free, etc, etc, and the list goes on. My husband has progressive MS and I couldn't lift his wheelchair and put it in the car, or push him when we go for walks (Oh, I couldn't have done that three years ago. As to the actual band, the fills keep me feeling full still, although some of the old eating habits are still hard to break. I hope you have such positive results, and yes, I also hope to have these same results three years from now. Blessings, Nancyb

Hi Jeffa, Yes, dry (especially leftovers) will stick, I take leftover salmon and mix it up with Philly (lite) cream cheese with chives, add a little bit of mayo, and it them becomes a salmon spread, and won't stick. The only problem is that everyone else loves it too and it goes fast. I'm almost three years out from banding and have learned all kinds of little tricks. Hope this will work for you next time. Blessings, nancyb (was size 24 pants, now 16/14)

Hi Sarah: Loved your story, hope you didn't get too cold. Just a note, every 10-15 lbs is a new size. I started buying my clothes at a consignment shop because it was just too costly to keep investing in clothes that wouldn't fit in a month or so, and I found a nice clean store with good quality clothing. Wow, a whole new wardrobe for a fraction of the cost. Blessings, Nancyb, banded 6/07, was size 24 pants, now 16/14.

Hi Doxie, First of all, you probably had too much fill. If you still feel the same way tomorrow you should call your doctor and they can back down on the fill. Hopefully, your band area is just sensitive from the fill and will ease up. Take care, Nancy B

Hi Christi, I will have been banded 3 years ago in June. For me the hardest part of all of it was the restricted diet for the month following surgery. The surgery was uncomfortable, but not too painful. In fact, I found I never had to use the pain medicine the Doctor had prescribed for me. Lots of newly banded folks actually have the band put in late in the week and go back to work the following Monday. Let the Doctor know you are nervous, maybe he can prescribe something for your nerves. You will be just fine, believe me, and it is all sooooooooooo worth it. Size 22/24 before, now 16/14. AMAZING!! nancyb

Hi Pete, Hope all is well in FLA, send some warmth our way, and I'll return the favor when you are sweltering in the summer. (cool air that is). Your 1 lb. is normal, just get a little more exercise, and it will start melting off again. I will be three years banded in June, and stopped losing about a year ago, just pay attention and all of this will be worth it. nancyb (washington state)

Wow!! Loved your photos, yes, I agree WE NEED SPRING!!! Here in WA state we are seeing some signs of Spring, but have had some snow twice in the past four weeks, and temps in the low 20's so some of those early flowering things might just freeze (I hope not). Hang in there, it'll be hot and humid before you know it. Nancy B.