stephaniel71

So I went to my first support group at my doctors office. I was excited to actually talk with other people (in person) that have the band. I explained at group that this journey has been a lot harder at times then I thought it was going to be. I feel like there is lot more willpower involved than I anticipated (as I am getting hungry every 2-3 hours). I did learn a valuable lesson...they assured me it does get easier. I guess the golden "sweet spot" is truly the key. The point where the band works more for you rather than you for it??? The hunger I guess does go away...thank God. Can't wait!! I did get a big boost to my ego as everyone said I was doing great (38 pounds in 12 weeks). The counselor said that most of what I am doing is dieting. Yes the band is helping, but I needed to give myself a lot more credit. Most lapband patients lose most of there weight further down the road when they reach that 'sweet spot' rather than at the begining. So that part was great. However... The counselor that ran the group has had the band for 8 years. She is a 5 ft woman who has lost over 150 pounds and is at goal and maintaining. However the way she maintains is rediculous. She eats yogurt, protein shakes and cottage cheese 85% of the time. She is perfectly content with this life. She says she doesn't miss the food. Do I have to do this? Is this what my future holds? I realize because I don't have a lot of restriction right now, I can eat more then a cup of food. I know this will change, but will have to live like that? All of you out there that have reached goal and are maintaining, please give me some hope for the future. I can't see my life like this woman chooses to live. I am happy it works for her, but COME ON!!

I had severe shoulder pain after surgery for almost 7-10 days. I still get it from time to time. If I get to a point when I am really hungry and then drink. I just can't process gas properly since surgery.

I can eat small amounts of both, but NOT IN THE MORNING!! I usually take 1/2 of pancake of my bf plate and use sugar free syrup. Toast...I can do 1/2 English muffin...almost burnt. But enjoy the fear of food...because once you lose that, then you have to just work with will power. Being fearful is GOOD! I think I lost the first 35 pounds on fear alone...LOL.

I eat out all the time. Left overs are GREAT! The hardest part of the journey is the first 2-3 months. After that, it is just learning what you can and cannot eat. And keep in mind, that changes with every fill. But I still enjoy going out. I did however have to give up going out for breakfast...so we do brunch. I can't eat much for the first 2-3 hours after getting up. BEST decision I ever made for myself! I hope this post finds you doing well...POST OP!

It is a difficult decision that you should make with your family and health care providers. yes, bypass is more invasive. However, based on what I have seen (3 of my aunts have had bypass), you drop the weight very quickly upfront. Now that may sound great, but that can be dangerous and cause other problems. I am 7 months out with my band. I have lost 52 pounds. All of that was in the first 4 1/2 months, when I believed all I could eat was 6-8 ounces of food. Then I learned I could eat more...ugh. I also have been tightened very slowly due to acid reflux. So I really wasn't getting the restriction until recently. I started at 278, so my journey isn't as long, but I wouldn't have done it any other way. I chose lapband because it was reversable, less invasive and the thought of my anatomy being changed physically didn't set right. But bottom line, talk with your family and your doctor. You are doing the right thing by taking your time.

I see the PA every time. The only time I saw the doctor was when I was having an issue that the PA wasn't sure about. Then he came in to talk to me. Seems strange. They slice you open and then fade into the night.... lol.

I am going to be blunt, but you didn't get this surgery to become bulimic. I am 8 months in and have lost 52 pounds. All of this was done in the first 5 months, been stalled for the last 3 months, because I learned how to eat around the band. Also, I had to be tightened very slowly because of acid reflux. As I get tighter, I am now just experiencing the need to vomit. But I know why...I am not eating the right things, I eat too fast and too much. I feel your pain, but you have to be honest with your doctor and get this straight. There are some VERY serious consequences to what you are doing. They are there to help you. Good luck.

So for the past 2 1/2 weeks I was stalled and had been fighting with 2 pounds. I would lose it, then the next day it would be right back and I would have to lose it again. So frustrating. So I started thinking what I was doing before that I wasn't doing now. The answer was being deligent about my Protein. I was naive in thinking I could get my protein through food without drinking my daily shake. I would drink it maybe every other day or every 3rd day. It was because I didn't want to use up the calories. Wanted to save them for food. So I re-read my nutritionist info and reminded myself I need to be getting about 75 grams of protein. That task is impossible unless all you eat is protein all day. So for the past week, I have skipped my regular Breakfast and instead I do a 12 ounce Protein Shake (about 50 grams protein & 260 calories) in the morning. I eat normally the rest of the day. This way I can easily get the remaining 25 grams and even exceed my quota. I had been doing this for about a week and weighed in and...to my delight I was down 3 pounds & the next day another pound!!! All I can say is don't fight the process. We need our shakes. If you just start the day right, you don't have to worry the rest of the day. Your body NEEDS protein. So if your stalled, this might work for you too.

I was doing eggs in the morning, but I still wasn't getting enough. Once you get at a good restriction point...which I am slowly getting to, you probably can't eat much in the morning anyway. So that is why I decided to drink my shake then. But if you aren't getting restriction, then just do your shake as a snack sometime during the day. Good luck.

So for the past 2 1/2 weeks I was stalled and had been fighting with 2 pounds. I would lose it, then the next day it would be right back and I would have to lose it again. So frustrating. Then I noticed this horrifying thing...my eyebrows were thinning and falling out. WTF!!! So I started thinking what I was doing before that I wasn't doing now. The answer was being deligent about my protein. I was naive in thinking I could get my protein through food without drinking my daily shake. I would drink it maybe every other day or every 3rd day. It was because I didn't want to use up the calories. Wanted to save them for food. So I re-read my nutritionist info and reminded myself I need to be getting about 75 grams of protein. That task is impossible unless all you eat is protein all day. So for the past week, I have skipped my regular breakfast and instead I do a 12 ounce protein shake (about 50 grams protein & 260 calories) in the morning. I eat normally the rest of the day. This way I can easily get the remaining 25 grams and even exceed my quota. I have been doing this for about a week now and weighed this morning...to my delight I am down 3 pounds!!! All I can say is don't fight the process. We need our shakes. If you just start the day right, you don't have to worry the rest of the day. Your body NEEDS protein. So if your stalled, this might work for you too.

I use EAS Whey Protein - chocolate. You can buy it in a big bag at Sams Club. It is only 23 grams per scoop 6 0z. But I do 12oz, 2/3 water 1/3 skim milk. I hope it works for everyone!

So for the past 2 1/2 weeks I was stalled and had been fighting with 2 pounds. I would lose it, then the next day it would be right back and I would have to lose it again. So frustrating. Then I noticed this horrifying thing...my eyebrows were thinning and falling out. WTF!!! So I started thinking what I was doing before that I wasn't doing now. The answer was being deligent about my protein. I was naive in thinking I could get my protein through food without drinking my daily shake. I would drink it maybe every other day or every 3rd day. It was because I didn't want to use up the calories. Wanted to save them for food. So I re-read my nutritionist info and reminded myself I need to be getting about 75 grams of protein. That task is impossible unless all you eat is protein all day. So for the past week, I have skipped my regular breakfast and instead I do a 12 ounce protein shake (about 50 grams protein & 260 calories) in the morning. I eat normally the rest of the day. This way I can easily get the remaining 25 grams and even exceed my quota. I have been doing this for about a week now and weighed this morning...to my delight I am down 3 pounds!!! All I can say is don't fight the process. We need our shakes. If you just start the day right, you don't have to worry the rest of the day. Your body NEEDS protein. So if your stalled, this might work for you too.

Thanks for the encouragement. I am realizing it is all based on the way you want to live. I guess she is content with that life. I have to find what works for me. Mybandjourney2009 - I had 3 fills so far. I go every 4 weeks. 10 cc band with 4.5cc. I can say I am getting some of my restriction now since I posted this. So I am doing better with hunger. I have a feeling when I go back Feb 4, I should be at or close to my sweet spot. Keep up the good work all!

So I went to my first support group at my doctors office. I was excited to actually talk with other people (in person) that have the band. I explained at group that this journey has been a lot harder at times then I thought it was going to be. I feel like there is lot more willpower involved than I anticipated (as I am getting hungry every 2-3 hours). I did learn a valuable lesson...they assured me it does get easier. I guess the golden "sweet spot" is truly the key. The point where the band works more for you rather than you for it??? The hunger I guess does go away...thank God. Can't wait!! I did get a big boost to my ego as everyone said I was doing great (38 pounds in 12 weeks). The counselor said that most of what I am doing is dieting. Yes the band is helping, but I needed to give myself a lot more credit. Most lapband patients lose most of there weight further down the road when they reach that 'sweet spot' rather than at the begining. So that part was great. However... The counselor that ran the group has had the band for 8 years. She is a 5 ft woman who has lost over 150 pounds and is at goal and maintaining. However the way she maintains is rediculous. She eats yogurt, protein shakes and cottage cheese 85% of the time. She is perfectly content with this life. She says she doesn't miss the food. Do I have to do this? Is this what my future holds? I realize because I don't have a lot of restriction right now, I can eat more then a cup of food. I know this will change, but will have to live like that? All of you out there that have reached goal and are maintaining, please give me some hope for the future. I can't see my life like this woman chooses to live. I am happy it works for her, but COME ON!!

Well I had M&Ms last night for the first time since surgery. I know it was all mental. I have been struggling with some things at work and feeling a little overwhelmed. I couldn't get the thought of CHOCOLATE out of my head. I caved! A bit disappointed in myself, but life goes on. When will the mental hunger go away. I thought I had it under control, but i guess I don't quite yet. Don't know if that will ever go away. But needless to say, my stomach didn't like it much so I regretted it physically and mentally. Will be staying away again for awhile! The last 2 weeks I have been struggling with the same 2 pounds. I take it off, it comes back...ugh. I guess stress really has a lot to do with weight loss. Hope everyone is doing well into the New Year.

Well I had M&Ms last night for the first time since surgery. I know it was all mental. I have been struggling with some things at work and feeling a little overwhelmed. I couldn't get the thought of CHOCOLATE out of my head. I caved! A bit disappointed in myself, but life goes on. When will the mental hunger go away. I thought I had it under control, but i guess I don't quite yet. Don't know if that will ever go away. But needless to say, my stomach didn't like it much so I regretted it physically and mentally. Will be staying away again for awhile! The last 2 weeks I have been struggling with the same 2 pounds. I take it off, it comes back...ugh. I guess stress really has a lot to do with weight loss. Hope everyone is doing well into the New Year.

Yes, I did have it for the first 8 or so weeks. My doctor recommended Colace. It is a stool softener. They also recommended Senokot which is a natural laxative, but that gave me the other problem. I stopped taking the Colace about 2 weeks ago and now I am pretty normal. It helped.

So tonight has been a night I dreaded for many years. Where will I go, will I go, what will I wear? The pressure was rediculous. Of course all the skinny woman are dressed to kill on this special night. Well I don't feel intimidated anymore! Yes, I am still very overweight, but I feel better than I have felt in years. I feel confident and optimistic. I am going get all gussied up and I am going to a real New Years party tonight. No convincing myself it is ok to stay home, then cry over my 1/2 gallon of ice cream watching the ball drop. Those days are DEAD! I wish you all the confidence and determination to find your joy in this coming New Years. Don't let your weight control your actions for 1 more day! Happy New Years!:biggrin:

Good luck on your journey. As you go through the first few weeks, just tell yourself this is the worst of it. It gets easier each day and you will be one step closer to your new life. Happy New YEAR!!!

I was just diagnosed with acid reflux after banding. This started right after surgery with no restriction. My best recommendation is go to a good ENT doctor. My ENT put me on Prilosec in the AM and Pepcid at night. I have not problems. Yeah, I have to take pills, but it is worth it because I am losing weight and have no symptoms of my reflux.

I am only 10 weeks, 2 fills in, but knock on wood no vomitting yet...OH PLEASE GOD!!! I hate vomitting.

Let me say your post touched my heart. My fiance has been fabulous through this and I know I have been quite difficult to deal with. I will say, the first 3-4 weeks will be the most difficult for her. Once I got through the physical pain, the emotional pain began. The food addiction took over. I regretted my decision, I wanted the band out. The best thing my fiance did was say hang in there. Give it a little more time. This will pass. You did the right thing. He held me when I cried and he listened to me when I ranted. But it passed. Now I am 10 weeks post op and so happy I got this surgery. Best thing I ever did for myself. I couldn't have made it through it without him. And your wife is lucky to have you.

10 weeks post op and no hair loss. Basically I take a Viactiv multi-Vitamin and 1 Viactiv Calcium chew per day. I have 1/2-1 cup of skim milk per day. I make sure to get at least 65-75 grams of Protein per day. My calories range from 900-1200 per day. My weight loss averages 2-3 pounds per week. Don't know what is helping me keep my hair, but has to one of these.

I suffered terribly for almost 7 days with gas issues. The combination of gas X strips and walking (try with your arms up sometimes) was the only thing that helped. It sucked because I had no energy to walk. I hated that was the only advise I got was walk, walk, walk. But it was the only thing that finally helped. Good luck. I know this is rough....but it will pass.

So tonight has been a night I dreaded for many years. Where will I go, will I go, what will I wear? The pressure was rediculous. Of course all the skinny woman are dressed to kill on this special night. Well I don't feel intimidated anymore! Yes, I am still very overweight, but I feel better than I have felt in years. I feel confident and optimistic. I am going get all gussied up and I am going to a real New Years party tonight. No convincing myself it is ok to stay home, then cry over my 1/2 gallon of ice cream watching the ball drop. Those days are DEAD! I wish you all the confidence and determination to find your joy in this coming New Years. Don't let your weight control your actions for 1 more day! Happy New Years!