GoingforGoal

Congrats. This was one of the reasons I got the band. Because I could not get down to weights I was a year ago, nontheless, 10+ years ago. It's an amazing feeling and accomplishment when you reach these milestones. Congrats on all your hard work.

Depending on your insurance (and if you are using insurance) you can either go to your primary doc for a referral or you can look up docs under your specific insur. carrier. If you are self pay, a quick search for bariatric surgeons and your location should yield some results. Most bariatric offices have seminars where you can go to learn more about the band. Some even require it prior to your first appt.

Congrats You look great

Hello, I too started at the same weight and am now lingering at 150-155 (goal of 145). Those last 5-10 lbs seem impossible ey? I am scheduled for cosmetic surg as well on Oct 8th. Couple thoughts: 1. My doc also prefers that someone has maintained their current weight opposed to someone who is still fluctuating (more so on the gain side than losing). I'm sure you have flipped through your surgeons before/after pics. I have seen woman near 200# getting tts. I think that's the only time I would discourage a premature tt because it's not intended for weight loss purposes (which I know you are not doing). 2. Many people on here have had their tts before reaching goal. Some feedback I got was that indeed it did motivate them to lose more AND they did not see a significant difference in the tightness of their stomachs afterwards. You have a mere 7 lbs to go, some of them were 30+ lbs from goal. 3. As we all know, numbers are numbers.You look fabulous in the pics. I know we all nitpick when we get close to goal (I am doing the same despite what others say) but after tt you may reassess your new body and figure you are done w/ losing weight. I have no clue how much leftover skin you have. But for me it's alot and it gives me the feeling that I am larger than I really am. I'm actually content w/ my body aside from the areas that have leftover skin. So I have no clue what my body will look l like after, but there's a very real chance it'll change my perception because my body will be in proportion. I would not postpone tt for the above reasons.

Here is a basic summary of what Protein shakes are, what they are used for and what they are made from http://www.webmd.com/diet/protein-shakes?page=1 Unlike slimfast and other weight loss shakes, Protein Shakes are utilized by wls patients to ensure adequate protein levels when they are restricted by how much solid food they can consume. It is also utilized post workouts for quick muscle recovery.

Good luck

yep brocollis hard for me. If I am preparing it I make sure it is cooked until it's on the mushier side, otherwise it's too coarse

Hello, I am assuming you are a new bandster. This is why docs schedule fills every 4-6 weeks *on average) because it gives you enough time to 1) reduce inflammation, 2) adapt to the new restriction and 3) test the band to see if another fill is required. This is what is supposed to happen until you reach green. So keep going for your fills Once you get to green the restriction is longer lasting. I had my last fill in May and that was 3 years after my fill before that. Also recognize that as you get closer to green your doc will give you smaller volume fills as to not overshoot the green zone and avoid overfilling you. These smaller volumes <MAY> lend to feeling less restricted sooner. Again, just keep your appointments every 4-6 weeks as doc orders until you feel you are at that perfect spot

Please dont dont dont dont dont compare your results with others. And dont assume that if you lost 100 lbs in 2 months that it was done healthily. And remember that as individuals, we start with different starting gates. If you are 500 lb you will lose quicker sooner, if you are male, typically you will lose quicker than females. If you have no complications, than you get the head start on those who may have (even smaller ones like overfills). This is your journey and the focus always needs to be on yours. I understand if you feel stalled that you may want advice on how to get restarted or to kick a plateau, but again, this is for personal gain not a overall competition. I was banded in Nov 2009. Lost 50lb. At 195 I got pregnant than had an accident afterwards. I stayed at 195 for 18 months before restarting. I didnt lose the last 50 until Jan 2013-current. Now I am at goal and I feel just great.... I give no thought to how quickly or slolwy I did, just that I did it.

Give it a good 2 months minimum. First month I would presume that coffee would have a harsher effect (if it' going to have any) because there's no solid food to counteract it. Use the second month to progress on solids to full servings. Once you are established on solids it's as good as it's going to get. However, if you are having signs of reflux/GERD than be cautious and avoid foods/drinks that will only exasperate the problem

lol cute and good point. The band does effect more than just ourselves. I am fortunate that I have a husband who was banded the same day as myself. So we have been going through this journey together mutually supporting one another. I think your hubby deserves 5 loads of wash for his generousity

Why embarrassed. Although some will loose little to drastic weight immediately after postop, there are some who will lose none until they reach green or have some modest resemblance of restriction in their bands. Your doctor understands that and should be eager to want to start your fills to get you to that point. I hear others who allow their feelings about what the doc will say/do serve as an obstacle to their success. It's pretty rediculous because they end up not going in at all and feeling like a failure because they either gain or don't lose any weight at all. This is something you just have to get past and never allow it to prevent you from going to the doc.

On topic of marijuana use while banded... Recognize that marijuana has 50-70% more carcinogenic substances than the standard cigarette. Thus is an even bigger irritant to the esophagus. In my humble opinion, the esophgaus and it's health is the life source of being a banded patient and should be protected with every measure. GERD is a common side effect of being banded and marij. use will only induce or increase this risk because it relaxes the esophogeal sphincter that separates it from the stomach. I would assume this would be compounded in the early stages of being banded when you have little food intake. Than there's the discussion on black phlegm (mucous production), coughing etc and how 1) constant hacking may put you at risk for slippage and 2) frequent mucous ingestion may lead to dilatation (that goes along w/ getting stuck and having compounding volume/pressure on the band) Than there's the whold discussion of vasoconstrictors and dialators. You do realize the esophagus is also innervated with blood vessels. And that both cigarettes and marijuana alike have an effect on said vessels. Which could lead to slips or erosion. We are not even supposed to take NSAIDs because it dilates the esophogus and can cause erosion. Despite your rationale for using marij (recreational vs medical) I wouldnt find it a safe drug to use, like cigarettes, using the above rationale.

Thank you for your post. I think it is very educational and a good warning to those who get too comfortable with their bands and fail to respect the real dangers of abusing the band. You hilited every thing you should NOT do on the band 1. not transitioning post op or post fill per guidelines 2. eating sliders vs solids in attempts to lose weight 3. leaving with excessive fills despite risk of being overconstricted resulting in severe inflammation etc 4. over consuming leading to dilation/stretching 5. eating wrong foods (ie mcdonalds) 6. not addressing internal issues (like binging addiction) with a counselor to simultaneously address your eating habits and relationship with food to guarantee long term success I am pleased that you have recovered fully and are at a place to restart your journey. However, I would like to give you a piece of advice to help ensure you are successful this time. I think to keep you accountable, you should share this very post with the doctor who will be responsible for your band care. Be open with him/her about your past and any issues you struggle with so they can assist you- even if its just an educational lecture or being less aggressive with fills etc. Your doctor, in essence, is your partner in this journey. They can only help us if we are honest with them and they will guide us appropriately. This honesty will keep you accountable, but more importantly, prevent you from repeating past mistakes. Go slow, don't test the limits and work on instating new healthy habits. I wish you the best of luck.

As a nurse and from my education 1) no surgical procedures are performed on pregnant woman unless it is an emergency 2) there are no weightloss regimens for pregnant woman Your focus would be to limit excessive gain and to ensure you and baby are healthy. Weight loss and surgery needs to be postponed until after the baby has delivered.

Pass and reschedule when you change your mind

Great job. There are no norms or averages...just yours! Keep up the great work. Stay strong w/ the rules and walk as much as possible

Unfortunately there are degrees of slippage. Some take rest and can correct themselves and others require corrective surgery. There is only one way to determine which is which. Followup with you doc and get some visuals on the band to determine it's severity.

Just some ideas: Breakfast: mini egg souffles, plain oatmeal w/ dried fruit/nuts, eggs & lf turkey bacon, egg w/ veggies & cheese omelet Lunch: canned turkey, progresso lite Soups, tuna, deli meat, seafood bordetto, Dinner: any meat, any veg, quinoa instead of rice, variations on Pasta like spaghetti squash, meat kabobs w/ veggies, Snacks: cottage cheese, yogurts, cheese sticks, deli meat, Protein shakes/bars, Ok these are only some ideas I can come up with before my a.m. coffee

OH I have one of those,...my MIL. Oh look, the kids and I made 5 (Yes! Five!) loaves of banana nut bread...here they are for you But I'm just as bad.. I turned to her and said no thanks and handed them back. She uses my kids all the time as the carrier or an excuse to bring crap into my home. I've pushed back and it stopped. Just say, sorry, I cant physically eat that anymore and carry on. We cant stop what they do. And yes, there will be sabotagers who don't want you to leave them behind, or worse, be their new competition. But hey, we can't control that aspect of their lives either. Just take pleasure in everything you have accomplished and are becoming.

ahhah no moments like that <yet> just wanted to say thanks for the chuckle lol

You sound swollen. But I would definitely deter from eating solids on first day which can exasperate swelling.

Oh indeed. I am in the same boat. Started 250 size 20/22 to 151 size 6 and XS shirt. So a couple things to remember..as you shrink you lose weight in diff places and unfortunately at times the wrong places. An example, 10 lbs ago I still had breasts..now I dont know..they fell off or something lol. But the problem is, my waist looked much smaller w/ them than w/out them. So its a proportion distortion game. Try to focus on what changed to give you the impression that something looks big. (Also factor in heavy meals, bloating, TOM which is more obvious at thinner weights) Next, skin folds. Not sure if you have them, but I do. This excess skin feels and looks like fat. And despite a very tight and expensive body shaper..it still unveils itself. So it's like before, the hiding game... You wouldn't think being in the single digits that you would still deal w/ this. I am getting cosm. surgery because I know this is not all psychological. Rather I would feel like this for an eternity because I have a very real physical barrier that is making me realize Im thin <I choke on that word everytime I say it. Lastly, numbers are indeed just that. We all have a goal..but is it our real goal? Having never been thin in my entire life, I would have no idea what is my ideal weight. I used BMI as a good target. And I'm normal and would like to be BMI 22 (145 lb) for an ideal BMI. But its not until you are sitting at goal can you reevaluate whether that's what you want to be. And its ok to want a new goal (as long as its in healthy range). 10 lbs does wonders as we all know. Some of us dip in underweight figures just to realize that is NOT our goal and we gain back to a healthier weight range. I won't even comment on the side comments. Sometimes you hear perfect, dont loose another inch...just for another person to say you look good, keep it up. Or hubby saying you could lose 10 more I think. It really messes with your head. There are days I can say I feel perfect, than the next my jeans dont fit right and Im a fatty all over again. What irks me is that when you are thin, if you gain 5 lbs its super obvious. I couldnt believe how much bigger I looked and felt when I gained 5 lbs. What a great motivator to lose the weight but just remember these shifts will have bigger effects on us now. You look great

PIl, Hello. Speaking from having been banded and pregnant at the same time.. I would caution you to not allow your desire to maintain weight override your and baby's health. I was fortunate that I did nto have to unfill my band during pregnancy and breastfeeding because we both gained appropriately and I did nto have any issues (increased restriction, hyperemesis etc). However, if I did, an unfill (even partial) would have been in order. Hormones influence all of the muscles of the body and when it comes to the band it makes it tighter causing increased restriction. This happens during TOM for many woman as well. The assumption is that this will be a longterm arrangemetn for you. See about getting partial unfill so that you can at least eat/drink properly in the morning and go from there.

I was banded in 2009. Had a 18 month hiatus from my diet due to pregnancy and injury. In Jan 2013 I decided to start my diet again and lost another 50 lbs. I had a 0.5cc fill in May to tweek the restriction. I would say my band is working just fine ????