tanqueray

Just have to say that I have had many changes in this journey. Down from a size 26 to 16 (14 on a good day), health changes that are for the better, no joint pain, better marriage and better take on life. What I kept neglecting was my bra. Why? I didn't want to spend the money! (yes, I admit I am cheap) Before I was banded, I was a 46 G. (that's a 46 DDDD) Yes, I have always been busty. (much to my discontent but my husband's delight) After about 4 months, I "invested" in a couple of cheap bras--wrong size of course, but I left it at that. Last Sunday, I couldn't take it anymore and got on the internet to see how to properly measure your bra size, got out the tape measure, and had my husband (again to his delight) help me figure out what the hell size I was. So, he did and I promptly told him he miscalculated. There was no way I was a 38DD. Not triple D or more. I was sure he was wrong. So off I go to Ross and Marshall's and darn if he wasn't right. I haven't been this size bra since I was in college. And I got a Bali bra at Marshall's for $9.99. Gotta love that! So, my message here...according to many different web sites, over 80% of women are wearing the wrong bra size. Are you?? Think about it, if "the girls" are properly upright and held up, it gives you a waist and you look thinner. I can attest to that. Many people have remarked on how much weight I have lost recently (not true--only about 2 pounds) but because I am properly supported, I have a waist again!

I am very tight so I avoid bread, rice, pasta, and all kinds of snack. (can't do crackers or pretzels) Also, I can't eat eggs. Don't know why but I am guaranteed to puke if I try. Some days, things go down well, other days I am guaranteed to be sick. For me, this is like being on a roller coaster but I keep trying. I enjoy soups--hearty soups like those on http://www.bariatriceating.com/BEhealthnutrition/recipes.php I love her recipes and the Caribbean Sausage Soup is the bomb!! I have made that every week for the past month! Also, I enjoy the split pea and again have made that one a week for the past month. Lastly, I have cookbooks like "Eating Well after Weight Loss Surgery". Most of the food in the book is very moist so it goes down well.

Congrats! Amazing isn't it?? I started at 309 and NEVER want to have a scale not register my weight because it only goes up to 300. I am actually 10 pounds away from being under 200 so that's my goal by February or March. I am setting realistic goals for myself and not thinking I can lose 10 pounds in a month!

Count me in too! If we are all committed to doing this, we should check in on this thread or a new one throughout the year. I was banded Sept 09, down 95 pounds. I have 28 more to go and have found myself getting lazy too. I haven't gained any weight but haven't lost either. For motivation, I log on here but I often find books helpful. Books and physically reading the writing grounds me and gives me the push to do what I need. I just purchased Bandwagon--strategies for success iwth the adjustable band by Jean McMillian. Even reading just a few pages remotivates me for success!

I purchased a couple of cook books that really helped me and gave me variety in eating. Eating Well After Weight Loss Surgery by Levine and Bontempo-Saray and Before and After by Susan Leach. I always enjoyed everything I cooked from these books. The Eating Well book has info on how much to eat at each stage--pureed, mushie, solid, etc....And each of their recipes tastes as good pureed as solid.

I only buy stuff at thrift stores--Salvation Army, Goodwill, and others. I have gone from a size 26 to 16 (or 14 on a good day) and I haven't bought anything new since this journey began over a year ago. I feel like it is a waste of money for me until I get to a size that I will stick with for awhile. I am still losing (slowly) and have 20 more pounds to go. I still think I will use thrift stores after I am at goal. I like the idea of cheap clothes (and some are very nice) and recycling what someone can't use anymore.

I gained ten pounds between my initial visit and my pre-op visit. Insurance didn't even know nor does my doctor remember that!

I am a year post op and can't eat ice cream. I throw it right back up. Can't eat yogurt either. So, yes, I have tried and paid the penelty for it too!

I used liquid laxative at first. Then changed to prune juice. Both worked but like you, I hadn't gone in five days!

My "band-versary" was 9/3. I am down 92 pounds. I wanted 100 but I'll take the 92. I could have lost more if I tried harder, but I didn't. I didn't even "diet" for the whole summer! (didn't gain any and didn't lose any) I have 25 more pounds to go to get to my goal but the number on the scale was never my objective. My goal has always been to be healthy, get my blood pressure under control, and be able to move and play with my little kids. I have achieved all that and more.

I use the Lose It app on my iPhone. I LOVE it! I've tried Sparkpeople and Livestrong but didn't find them as user friendly. I log everything I eat...sort of!

I just read the post about being one year out and not losing weight anymore. Sounds very familiar. I am one year out, down 90 pounds but haven't lost anything since June. Went back to bad habits--didn't gain but didn't lose, and didn't work out. I turn to this web site for inspiration but I also purchased some books off Amazon that have truly helped me. I wanted to pass this info on to anyone that is interested in keeping a reference book around the house for when you feel "low". I have truly enjoyed "it ain't over 'till the Thin lady sings" but Michelle Ritchie. On the front cover it says "How to Make Your Weight Loss Surgery a Lasting Success". The author addresses issues that happen AFTER surgery and tries to get to the root of food addiction. (which I self admit I have) When I am feeling really sorry for myself, I pull this book out and just reading a page or two helps me redirect myself. (and really, I have much to be grateful for--my insurance paid for the surgery, I have lost weight, I can tie my shoes, have sex, and am healthier than I have been for years! It's the little things.....:biggrin:) I also purchased two other books--Eating by the Light of the Moon--a collection of poems and Exodus from Obesity. The latter was, in my humble opinion, okay but didn't get into the psycho-social issues of eating like the other two books I mentioned. So, there is help out there if you are a reader and want something around the house. There are many more books on life after weight loss surgery on Amazon (and other sites) too. Just wanted to plug some good books--yes, I know, how old fashioned of me to own a book. Everything is electronic now:rolleyes2:

LOVE THIS POST!! That had to be one of the best things about losing weight. I can also tie my sneakers and put on nylons. I could NOT do any of those things before the Lap Band. Thanks for posting this. You are right, it is the small things we should commend ourselves on--not the number on the scale but things that make our life better. :smile:

My surgeon thinks differently--I am not allowed to take any pill that is bigger than a pencil eraser. So anything I take either has to be crushable or in liquid form.

Took me 6 fills and 7 months to get restriction. I was so frustrated before my last fill that I cried the entire time at the surgeon's office. I was hungry ALL the time, limiting my meal, counting and logging everything that went into my mouth and still I was hungry and eating too much. So, last fill in June (I was banded in Sept of 09) was aggressive and I finally got restriction. So, stick with it--you will get there

You really need to call your surgeon tomorrow before you make any decisions. I will tell you what my surgeon told me: no flying for two or three days after a fill because bubbles can develop in the band. I specifically asked about this because I travel for my job and I have always made sure that my fills do not correspond with my travel times.

I gotta tell you...I think I have tried every protein powder out there and really don't like any of them. I finally found something that works for me--mixing my chocolate protein shakes with light chocolate soy milk. REALLY improves the flavor. Just my two cents.

Hmm...my biggest thing?? Wearing "normal" clothes!!! All my life since I was 16 I have been shopping in the women's size department. I too have been using thrift stores like crazy--it is the only way I am able to stay in clothing because my size keeps changing. I am going to a fancy event next Saturday and have decided to splurge on a new outfit. My biggest dilemna right now--I have NO idea where things are, besides the "women's department" in any of my local stores. I can wear a size 14 pant and large or extra large shirt. Since I have never shopped for these sizes, going through department stores is surreal and I am so lost. Sometimes I long for my "old" days when there was just one place to shop....Then I look in the mirror and realize I would not want to go back.

I have to echo Onyah's response about stool softener!! This is something often NOT discussed by your doctor or their team and I don't understand why. After surgery, I too waited way too long to take this comfort measure and I was mightly uncomfortable. Also, you can buy stool softener or a laxative, but liquid laxatives are hard to find and I ended up having the Pharmacist help and she found pediatric laxatives and converted the dosage to adult use. You can also use prune juice but I wasn't sure how much to take and didn't know if I wanted to introduce that to my system so I opted for the laxative.

I have had my band for 6 months. Realize band, 14cc's. So far, I have had 3 fills and am up to 6 cc's and I feel nothing in terms of restriction. I often don't know I have the band unless something gets stuck. I went almost three months without losing weight but am now going down again. I read all the above threads and am in agreement--portion size is the key but what also is crucial and wasn't mentioned is logging all your food. You can do this with pen and paper but I have found the free softwares on the internet to be wonderful. If you don't record ALL the food you put into your mouth, you will often overeat because most people underestimate the amount of calories they eat in a meal. I have tried various software--Livestrong, Sparkpeople, the Realize band software and am now using an app for my iPhone called Lose It! I record every meal and all my exercise and the software end up telling me how many calories I have eaten vs. calories expended in excercise and then I can get a nutrition guide listing how many carbs, Proteins, etc....I absolutely could not have success without logging all my food. I feel this is the most important thing we can do because it keeps us accountable for portions, calories, proteins, etc...but also lets us see when we are starting to eat more and perhaps can guide us as to when we need a fill.

My firsts... (I have had my band for 6 months so far) 1. Most memorable: fitting into a standard airline seat and then NOT having to ask for a seat belt extender!!!! 2. Tied for most memorable: going to my yearly "spread your legs fest"--aka yearly OB/GYN exam--and NOT getting a weight lecture from my doctor. (getting these lectures is exactly why overweight women do not seek out healthcare professionals!) 3. Being able to cross my legs. (not possible when you weigh over 300 pounds) 4. Buying my first pair of size 16 jean in over 10 years.

I haven't logged onto this site for almost a month. I was banded in Sept of 09 and throught I had read it all on this forum until I saw this. REALLY??? Sue for what?? This is exactly what is wrong with our legal system. People take no responsiblity for their actions...it's always someone else's fault. So our legal system is clogged with crack-pot suits that really should have never been filed in the first place. Truth be told, you are unhappy because YOU are not putting forth the effort, not the band. Hold yourself accountable. I agree with most of these posts. Before you let any doctor cut you open, it is your responsiblity to find out as much information as possible.

I do the Cliff Bars High Protein. (the ones with 20grams) Love the chocolate mint. I do oatmeal, and Kellogg's Special K Protein--very low carbs for a dry cereal. I also love Cream of Rice with a little light butter. I track all my calories, fat, and carbs but for me, I would rather have a yummy breakfast and then go lighter on lunch and snacks. I work out mid-morning so eating a good breakfast helps me have more energy when at the gym.

Hi everyone, This is the place where I can always find an answers to my questions. So, here is a strange one... Has anyone ever heard of a person being allergic to the lapband? Here's my situation: I have had a rash since my surgery. It started two days after my surgery and has slowly increased so that I am now fully consumed in an all over body rash. The only places on my body that don't have a rash are my face and tops of my feet. Otherwise, I am covered in a rash and have open sores from itching my skin. I must tell you all that I itch SO bad and have woken up at night itching and bloody from cutting my skin open. I have seen two skin docs and they don't know what is wrong. (I won't list all the meds that have been tried on me but nothing has helped) I asked them if I could be allergic to the band and they said they didn't think so. I saw my surgeon and he says I'm not allergic to the band either. All my blood work and skin biopsies have been normal. (not Lupus either) I just saw a new derm doc on Wednesday and he thinks that being allergic to the band may be a possiblity but I would not know unless I removed it. So, has anyone experienced being allergic to the plastic inside them??? Or heard of someone that was allergic? Thanks for any help.

I'm with ya Tracy. I was banded 9/3/09 and have lost so much weight on my own (62 lbs) without restriction that my doc didn't want to fill me at all. I went for my first fill on 10/26 and was told I didn't need a fill since I was doing so well on my own. After lots of discussion I was given 2cc's. No help at all since I still didn't have restriction. Went two weeks later and was told I didn't need a fill. Like you, I feel I have done this surgery for assistance and to use the band as a tool. As of now, that's not the case. It's all about discipline (not restriction) I was told to come back after the Holidays so I'll see if I can beg for a fill and get restriction in the new year. Hang tough! It really feels like our doctors "penalize" us for losing weight without having restriction...so the message is "don't lose weight until you have a fill...."