kay Ellen

This post was also helpful to me. I kept thinking that my I had stopped loosing (40 lbs) because I just needed to do more, be more perfect ect. I think I am a person that wasn't getting fills like I should because I could find fault with myself; so I will call today and get one since I understand the process better.

Wish I would have done it sooner also. You mentioned that you felt like a failure but I like what someone wrote and that is you fail when you stop trying. I wrote myself a letter about all my experiences with trying to loose weight and why I wanted the lap band one of which was my knees. I had two knee replacements so I know what you mean by sitting around getting fatter and more depressed. I love my lapband and am down 43 pounds so far.

I seem to eat around 800-1,00 and have been loosing on that. Eat your protein and vegies, make GOOD choices, because that is what will help you loose weight. If I have something salty my weight goes up a pound but then the next day it will go back. Good luck to you and I love planners!

Like you experienced it will be physically hard at first but once you get it out of your system you are left with the mental cravings. 1)Try to find something else that you could drink and enjoy like crystal light. 2) picture in your mind a can of soda with a skull and cross bones over it.In other words- poison to you 3) think about how you hate being overweight and to be thinner there is a price to pay; no soda! Is being thinner more or less than drinking soda? 4) it is my understanding that if one has the band and drinks soda that it can cause some damage/problems. Good luck and in the big picture of thing it is a small price to pay to accomplish your goals.

I would appreciate any advice. I was banded 7-22-09 with a realize band that holds 12 cc; have had two fills and am at 7cc. I am now loosing a pound a week, (total 40)which I am happy with because excerzing is now only about twice a week due to a back injury. The doctor schedules fills once a month. I try not to test my band so I can't really say it is the band stopping me from eating, It's more mental. Question? should I have another fill? How do people figure out their sweet spot? about how much weight needs to be lost before it should be tighten just to keep the restruction the same? I would appreciate any of you thoughts.

You know your a bandster when you are really getting rid of the clothes you have outgrown rather than secertly hiding them so you will have something to wear when you regain that weight.

Tyler, You are laugh out loud funny.

I was 58 years old.

There must be different policies under Atena because I was denied and they told me that no matter what I did it would never be covered. I went self pay and don't regret my decision to have the band.

Welcome, Margie. I was banded on 7-22-9 and one reason was I wanted to get this weight off so that both of my knee replacements would last hopefully for my lifetime. Joint pain is something probably common to most of us on this thread. I have been able to cut out sweets and most all carbs. I know a few sneak though, but this has really been working for me. I love to cook and I am lucky that I can still cook for others and not chow it down myself.

Thank you. I will slow down and drink less at one time. I don't have any physical complaints so I am not thinking it has slipped yet. Maybe I have been lucky, but will change my behavior.

Thanks for your help but what I should have said was is it OK before a meal to drink 2-3 cups of water ect all at once?

I have a question that I would like help with. I had my first fill and an not eating to much food but can I overfill the pouch by drinking "to much coffee or liquid" ? Thanks

I had my first fill yesterday. The needle goes in while I was laying down ( I didn't look). Then I had to sit up or stand up and drink some water. The feeling is hard to explain but because of the feeling it was to tight (needle is still in). Dr. took some out then I drank water again and told when the feeling went away and that determined how much stayed in the band. I was then on fluids for a day, then mushies. I have not had any problems yet but am following the rules and taking little sips at a time. Hope this helps.

I was banded on 7-22-09 and have lost 29 lbs and 16 since the banding. I have been really happy with this and am having my first fill on 9-8-09. I will have the fill but am kind of thinking how can I loose faster or easier than I already have? I am not hungry. Any advise?

I am so sorry to hear about all that you have been through.Each specialist has their own area of expertise. You have gone to your doctor and he is doing his thing with the band, you talked to the dietician and she didn't help. I think you are on the riight track in thinking that there is a psychological componet to what is going on with you. Before you quit why not find a psychotherapist? They look at a person's whole life, are insightful and can be very helpful. I wish you the best and hope that you get the changes that puts you on the road to a normal life.

Hi Corliss and everyone: That is great you went back to school and you got some more surgery. You must be a person that doesn't give up and keeps working !! Thank you all for the warm welcome to this site. I am in the mushy part of eating and I just "found" something cool at the grocery store. Of course it has been around for years but I never would even look at it because I LOVED CARBS and SUGAR. It is tofu noodles. Looks like noodles for all the dishes I loved but is 20 cals per serving, no carbs. OK, it is not as great as pasta and the texture is different but I can make this change. Just wanted to pass this idea on if it could help anyone else.

I just found this thread and am excited to know that others my age made this choice also. I have learned a lot through all the years of yo yo diets and can loose 30 pounds; but then gain it back and more. With the band I know this is it. I am saying goodbye to this weight for the last time. I want to go into the next stage of my life healthier, feeling better and with more energy. My children are proud of me that I didn't get to this age and just give up on my weight because I am "older". I was banded July 22 2009 and will have my first fill 9-4-09. I am happy to share a thread with other spirited people who are still working on making their lives better.

I love your attitude,. Keep it up. I was banded July 22nd and have also thought if it as a re-birth.My surgery also went well. The rules my doctor has is: liquids two weeks after surgery followed by mushy foods. I like to cook so I have been having fun making tasty mush in the food processor. I have lost 11 pounds since I was banded and 24 total. My first fill is 9-4.