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So glad to find this post because I am also over 2 years out with my band and lost 65 pounds the first year and then put on 30 pounds the next year. I am really struggling, but like the suggestions here. I have a terrible addiction to sweets which seem to go down just fine with the band so I know my weight gain is due to too many calories in and little to no exercise. It is time I get back in control and like the idea of going back to the shakes. Thanks so much for the advice. I should have come on here a long time ago. It is nice to know that I am not the only one struggling.

Thanks for all the good advice. I think I will talk to my gastroenterologist again and see if they think I should be concerned about taking the pills with the band. I have done the liquid in the past and really do hate it so I prefer pills if they won't be an issue with my band. Thanks again for all the great responses. I really do appreciate it.

Has anyone gotten a colonoscopy since they've had their band? My question concerns the colonoscopy prep. My doctor has prescribed Osmoprep which are pretty large pills. You take four of these pills every 15 minutes. In all you take 32 pills. I wonder if anyone has taken these and if there is a problem with the band. I am nervous about taking all these pills with the small pouch. I asked my bariatric surgeon and she didn't seem overly concerned, but I thought I would see if anyone has actually used this prep rather than the liquid prep. I would rather take the pills any day if I can avoid that awful liquid, but if that is preferable, I will go that route.

Congrats to you. I am about 8 pounds out from onederland and can't wait to get there. I think it has been 20 or so years since I have weighed less than 200 pounds. What an accomplishment that will be!

I was banded on 10/27/09 and had my first fill just before Christmas. It really did nothing for me. I am still having a hard time with the hunger. I go in for another fill at the end of this month and hope that helps, but I do understand that it may take several fills before one hits the 'sweet' spot so I am being patient and doing my best to stay on track. I have lost 20 pounds since the surgery and am happy with that. Be patient is my only advice here and do the best you can to get through 'bandster hell'. Good luck to you.

Well, I am happy to say that I have made it through the Thanksgiving holiday and I did very well. I will be five weeks post op on Tuesday and I am feeling great. I wish the weight was coming off a little faster, but I am taking the advice of veteren bandsters and being patient. I was cleared for regular food the day before Thanksgiving so I was a little nervous eating with company, hoping that I didn't have any issues. But, I ate just small amounts and chewed very well and had no issues whatsoever. I find that I get full quickly and I know to stop when I start feeling that way. All in all a great experience. Now I just have the Christmas season to maneuver, but I know I can do it. :thumbup:

Well, I am happy to say that I have made it through the Thanksgiving holiday and I did very well. I will be five weeks post op on Tuesday and I am feeling great. I wish the weight was coming off a little faster, but I am taking the advice of veteren bandsters and being patient. I was cleared for regular food the day before Thanksgiving so I was a little nervous eating with company, hoping that I didn't have any issues. But, I ate just small amounts and chewed very well and had no issues whatsoever. I find that I get full quickly and I know to stop when I start feeling that way. All in all a great experience. Now I just have the Christmas season to maneuver, but I know I can do it. :cursing:

I was banded on October 27th and am getting a little frustrated about my lack of weight loss. I lost 13 pounds on the pre-op diet, but when I went in for my first post-op visit a week ago, I was actually up a pound from the day of surgery. I only weigh myself once a week on Mondays, but today when I got on the scale I weighed the same that I did last Monday. How is that possible? I am getting in between 70 and 80 proteins a day, I exercise everyday and I am consuming less than 900 calories. How can I not be losing weight??:biggrin: If I was doing this before I had the band, I would definitely be dropping the pounds. I read other blogs where folks have dropped several pounds since being banded. I guess I am at a loss. Any words of wisdom from the bandster veterans out there? I could really use some. :thumbup:

I was banded on October 27th and am getting a little frustrated about my lack of weight loss. I lost 13 pounds on the pre-op diet, but when I went in for my first post-op visit a week ago, I was actually up a pound from the day of surgery. I only weigh myself once a week on Mondays, but today when I got on the scale I weighed the same that I did last Monday. How is that possible? I am getting in between 70 and 80 proteins a day, I exercise everyday and I am consuming less than 900 calories. How can I not be losing weight??:thumbup: If I was doing this before I had the band, I would definitely be dropping the pounds. I read other blogs where folks have dropped several pounds since being banded. I guess I am at a loss. Any words of wisdom from the bandster veterans out there? I could really use some.

I am so glad that you are feeling much better. How much protein are you now consuming each day? I am almost three weeks post op and I have not experienced much of a weight loss since my surgery either. At my two week post op visit, my doctor told me I was not getting enough protein. I am really working to get at least 70 a day now. It is easier now that I am on the mushy diet. Anyway, good luck and here's to increased weight loss!

That's what I would like to know. I've seen PB several times on this blog, but don't know what it means.

I was just banded a week ago today so I'm not sure I am a good one to answer all your questions and frankly I don't have the answers to all of your questions. But as far as the lapband being relatively new, that may be true for the US, but it has been available in Europe for years, in fact Sharon Osborne, (not sure if you know who she is, but she is married to Ozzy Osborne), had a lapband put in over 20 years ago and I think in just the last couple of years she decided to have it removed. That is why I went with the band, because it is reversable unlike the gastric bypass. Not sure that this eases your mind any, but just thought I would throw it out there. Good luck to you.

Congrats to you. I am one week behind you. Was banded one week ago, today. I am doing pretty well, except for some lingering pain around my port if I move funny. I am guessing this will ease over time. Do you still have port pain? I am starting to crave real food, but have another week on my modified liquid diet before I can graduate to mushies. I can't wait. I am hoping to be on regular food by Thanksgiving. Anyway, I like to read your posts because you were banded close to the same time I was, so we are on the same journey. Good luck to you. I look forward to sharing our journies.

The two week liquid diet pre-op is a requirement by my surgeon. I could have 3 protein shakes and 1 protein bar which was provided by the surgeon's office. I could also have sugar free jello, sugar free popsicles, crystal light and clear broth. It was pretty hard the first few days, but I did get used to it. I wouldn't say I didn't cheat, but when I did it was sugar free and carb free. A couple of times I had an egg white and I ate a few dill pickle chips, but that was it. I had my surgery October 27th and am still on a liquid diet for another week and a half when I can go to mushies. The difference this time around is that I can have cream soups, yogurt, and cream of rice so I have a few more options. Am starting to yearn for some real food to bite into, but I know that will come. I keep my eye on the prize and know that eventually I will be able to eat normal food, only in much smaller portions than I was used to. I am excited to be starting my bandster journey. Good luck to you.

I'm 3 days post op and I am with you. It is very hard to sleep on my back all night, but last night I did sleep on the side opposite the port and did much better. I am still pretty sore where the port is though. The rest is healing nicely. Looking forward to my first doctor's visit on the 11th so I can go onto mushy foods. Getting pretty sick of this liquid diet. I know I have to be patient. That this stage will pass and so will the pain. So hang in there and listen to the bandster veterans. That's where I get my motivation....

I had my surgery on the 27th also. The pain is getting better each day, but the pain at the port is still pretty intense if I move the wrong way. I am drinking a protein shake made with skim milk in the morning. That gives me 37 grams of protein, but the rest of the day I have a hard time getting in the rest of my protein requirements and do not feel like eating much. I am drinking water all day long. I think it is very important that you keep that up since you don't want to get dehydrated. I am told by the bandster veterans that this will all get better. We just have to hang in there. Better losing days are ahead...

Thanks for the tip. I have been having problems getting my protein requirements in during this post-op liquid diet. I don't like most of the high protein drinks, but do love chocolate milk. I will give this a try.

Well, I am less than 48 hours from being banded and I must say I am getting nervous. Every once in awhile, I ask myself what the heck I am doing? Did anyone else get that feeling just before surgery? I could use some words of encouragement about now.... :wink:

Well, since I have not had the surgery yet, I can't say how easy or hard it will be to eat afterwards, but I will tell you that with my surgeon, I will still be on a liquid/mushy diet for 4 weeks after surgery and then after that I am told you take small bites and chew, chew, chew. I'm sure it is a learning process and once you get it down, it will become second nature. I am finishing up my liquid diet. One more day to go before surgery and I must say I can't wait until I can add something else besides these shakes, broth and sugar free jello. Even cream soups are going to taste wonderful. My only concern is getting all the protein in early on because you won't be eating that much. But, I'm sure I will figure it out. Good luck to you.

Thank you both for your kind words. Since we are all close in timing of our bands I look forward to sharing with you our adventures in "band land". Thanks again.

Well, I am less than 48 hours from being banded and I must say I am getting nervous. Every once in awhile, I ask myself what the heck I am doing? Did anyone else get that feeling just before surgery? I could use some words of encouragement about now.... :huh2:

That is exactly how I feel. I am less than 48 hours away from being banded and agree 100% with your comments about there always being some celebration or event that is focused on food. Even though I am doing this close to the holidays I consider it a good thing, because I will be forced to focus on friends and family rather than how much food I can eat. I am so looking forward to having more energy and getting control over my life. Thanks for the inspiring words.

Congrats. I will be banded a week from Tuesday so for now I am still suffering through the pre-op liquid diet. I swear if I ever see another one of these protein shakes after surgery I will scream. It's all I can do to get one down. But, I know it will all be worth it in the end. I can relate to your getting out of breath when exerting energy. I think that is what I am looking forward to the most - having more energy and being able to chase my two grandsons around without getting worn out. So, good luck to you. I look forward to seeing your progress in the weeks to come.

The last time I blogged was in mid-July right after I found out I had an ulcer and had to cancel my August 4th surgery. Well, I am now ulcer free, have an October 27th surgery date and am on day 4 of the pre-surgery liquid diet. I have to say I am really hating this part of this process. I dread when I have to make one of those shakes. I am feeling okay, but a little tired. I know I have to hang in there because it will all be worth it eventually. Any advice from those of you that have gone through the two week liquid diet would be greatly appreciated.

The last time I blogged was in mid-July right after I found out I had an ulcer and had to cancel my August 4th surgery. Well, I am now ulcer free, have an October 27th surgery date and am on day 4 of the pre-surgery liquid diet. I have to say I am really hating this part of this process. I dread when I have to make one of those shakes. I am feeling okay, but a little tired. I know I have to hang in there because it will all be worth it eventually. Any advice from those of you that have gone through the two week liquid diet would be greatly appreciated.