Lap Band Gal

Not sure where that "4 hour" rule came from. I've never heard of it. I just flew to London (11 hour flight each way) and noticed no difference in my restriction and ability to eat foods.

Interesting thought/post I'm someone who has experienced the "results not typical" success with my band. I often feel like the odd one out.

I'm BACK! From vacation that is. London was GREAT! How's everyone doing? To answer your question: I'm 33 years old.

Awesome! Can't wait to download the iphone app!!

Amen B-52!

Great to hear that there are others out there

Wow! So many questions...here goes... InsaneJane & Maddie: it's not about will power with the band. When I was in my losing phase and early in my journey with the band, I would always want to and be able to eat more than my recommended amount of food. That's why I would use my food scale or measuring cup to ensure I only sat down to eat an appropriate amount of food. Have you been using these tools? Sooverit: I would definitely stay in touch with your surgeon on that burping issue. Are you eating too fast? Another cause of gas for me is too many sugar-free foods (those sugar free Calcium chews, crystal lights, sugar free syrups, etc). Do you eat those? Lanae: I usually chose high Protein, low calorie foods in my losing phase. Examples: shredded chicken, string cheese, Beans, tuna salad, egg salad, etc. Congrats on your upcoming surgery! Jenna: Thanks! Hang in there Sounds like you are on your way

What an inspiring post!

Hi Everyone! I haven't been on this site in forever, so I thought I'd stop by and say hello and reintroduce myself. I was banded on October 20, 2009. Yep, over two years ago. I lost about 111 lbs in 14 months and I've been in maintenance now for almost 14 months. What a difference losing 111+ lbs has done for my quality of life. It's amazing! I want to give back to the newbies who are just starting their journeys. If I can help with any questions or issues, I am happy to help. I have chronicled my entire weight loss journey from my pre-op days to today on my blog (link below). I've discussed the good, the bad, and the ugly of having a Lap Band. I've learned that there's way more good than the bad/ugly. I promise! I'm looking forward to catching up with you all and seeing how everyone's doing.

This post is for all the pre-ops and newbies looking into gastric banding surgery. I lost 111 lbs in 14 months and have been in maintenance for 4 months now. I was a size 22/24...now a size 6 petite. I have lost all of my excess body weight...Wow...a strange concept...I am still trying to wrap my head around that. I hope that I can provide some insight into what life has been like for the past year and a half. Please keep in mind that each bandster's journey is unique. I don't think that there are any words of wisdom below...but rather what I did along my journey to make the band work for me. Keep in mind, everybody's journey is different. Looking back on my mindset back on my day of surgery, Tuesday October 20, 2009, I remember how I was so determined to make this final weight loss attempt a complete success. I had tried everything...Weight Watchers many, many times...Atkins...South Beach...you name it, I had tried it. Why do I think that I have been successful with my band? Sure, I try to keep on track with the lap band rules, however I'm not anywhere close to perfect, so there are days when I don't follow some of the lap band rules. Here are some other reasons why I think that I've been successful with my band: I tell everyone and anyone that has asked "how are you losing weight?" about the band. For me, this is a way to keep myself accountable. It is also a chance to share info with others that may benefit from learning about different options of weight loss surgery that are out there. My response to that question usually goes like this "Well, I eat about 1200 calories a day of high-Protein foods, exercise about 4-5 times a week, and I had lapband surgery in October of 2009" My hope is that they realize that it's about more than just the band. I have a very "black and white" mentality about a lot of things in life...in my brain things are either "right" or "wrong".... and "on" or "off". Therefore, I really threw myself into this journey of being a compliant lapband patient. Don't worry, I am trying to find those "gray" areas in life and on this journey...it's still a learning experience each day. My slight obsession with personal finance and budgeting. Suze Orman is my BFF....catch my drift? I don't buy anything over about $500 without researching it thoroughly on Consumer Reports, Cnet.com, and making at least 1 spreadsheet. OCD? Structured? Absolutely. Since my insurance coverage through work is CRAP, I was/am a self pay patient. I was (and still am) focused on the THOUSANDS of dollars that I spent on the pre-op appts, surgery, and aftercare. Can you say E.X.P.E.N.S.I.V.E.? But totally worth each and every penny. From my calculations, that's about $161 per pound lost. I would probably be driving a new-to-me (used) Honda if I hadn't had the surgery. Therefore, I sometimes remind myself of the analogy that I wouldn't put sand in a new car's gas tank, then why would I shove junk food in my mouth. A FABULOUS surgeon's practice that is very aggressive with fills: The aftercare is SO IMPORTANT. Sure, I could have found a cheaper surgeon farther away, but I personally wanted to be close to my surgeon's practice in case of any problems and for fills. My surgeon's office is about 4 miles from my house and work. I can get fills/unfills pretty much as often as I want (within reason, of course). I have heard horror stories from my support group where patients had to wait 6 months post-op for their first fill at other practices. yikes! I had 4+ ccs in my band at surgery and even passed up my first fill at 4 weeks post-op because I didn't need it. I love my Lap Band. The Realize band is empty until the first fill in the office. I have learned from others in my support group who have the Realize band that there are sometimes hunger issues early on - before any fills. I my opinion, the band is not a cure all or a quick fix for weight loss. Here's my take on it: The band does about a 30% of the weight loss "task." Keeps me full longer and keeps my portions small. 70% is MENTAL. Yep, in my opinion, it's mostly up to me and my mind. There's a lot more mental work involved than I originally thought at the beginning of this journey. I have to make correct food choices, whether to exercise or not, take my Vitamins...etc. Am I still tempted by foods that I shouldn't eat? ABSOLUTELY...every day...isn't everyone? Would I rather sit on the couch after work and watch TV instead of going to Zumba or for a power walk? YES. Therefore, one of my biggest fears is that my old behaviors will creep back in to my life and I'll gain all the weight back... What have I GAINED from this experience? An incredible network of support and friendship that I never expected to find in all the online community. An understanding that for me, the band is for appetite suppression and not extreme restriction to the point of only being able to get liquids down. If I eat a sensible small protein-based meal (1/2 a cup to 1 cup), I will not get hungry for 4-5 hours after. That's what the band is for me. A huge amount of respect for those who can make exercise a daily part of their lives. No days off, just "gotta do it" attitude. I still struggle with exercise, but I know that it is the key for me to keep the weight off. The concept that there is no "done" on this journey. There are goals to achieve and check off my list, but I will never be "done"....there is only "now" What have I LOST from this experience? 111 lbs! The need fo prescription blood pressure meds Knee pain after walking or up just one flight of stairs Waking up in the morning with back pain Swollen ankles and feet at the end of the day The need to sleep all of the time...I was so tired. My size 22/24 clothes My size 44DD bras (yikes!) What do I wish that I had done differently on this journey? Taken my measurements (waist, hips, thighs, neck, wrist, etc) pre-op. When the scale was unkind to me at a weigh-in, it would have been nice to see the measurements shrinking. Better understood that each bandster's experiences are their own and we're all unique in our journey with this band. I wish I hadn't compared my self to other bandsters. My recommendations for pre-op bandsters: Ask your surgeon to take pics of your band when they're inside you on the OR table. My band photos that I keep on my fridge is a daily reminder of this lifestyle that I chose. It might be a little gross/graphic, but it's a good reminder for me. Find a chewable multi-Vitamin you can tolerate the taste/size of...I still haven't found the one I like. I keep bouncing back and forth between Bariatric Advantage, Bariatric fusion, and the unjury brands. Find a way to make yourself accountable. I do this with my Friday weigh-in posts on my blog. I weigh in and post it every friday...good or bad...I post it. Find your method of accountability. Maybe a good friend? I have even heard of people who tweet their weight loss/gain for the week. Whatever works for you. I have a friend that will occasionally ask for me to text her a photo of me from the Gym/Zumba Class/etc to keep me accountable to exercise. You can do it too!! Check out my blog for more details! (link below)

It was WORTH IT. Worth every...single...penny. Unfortuantely my health insurance did not cover any WLS so I paid $16K for my Lap Band. Would I do it again? Abso-freakin-lutely.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

I've been at my goal weight for about 14 months now.

Wow, I would be upset too. By the way, I tell ANYONE who asks the question "How did you lose the weight?" I'm pretty open about my band. But that decision is a VERY personal one and people should respect you for that.

Congratulations!!! Welcome to One-derland!

I have Depending on the day...about 115 lbs lost.

HI Shues! Thank you for the kind words Is there anything that you would like for me to blog about? I'm running out of ideas. I wish maintenance was more interesting. Thanks again!

Just checking in to see how everyone's doing...I haven't been on this site in a very long time. Ooops! Anyways, I'm STILL at my goal weight now. It's a lot of work but TOTALLY worth it.

Thanks Ladies! Karen >> Maintenance is difficult but worth it. Losing was difficult but this is a whole different kind of difficult. I can't wait to say hello and see what all the other lap banders are up to.

I had a low B1 level at my 1 year labs. It was less than 2. After 3 months of sublingual B1 supplement, it is back to normal at 16. I have heard that this defficiency is common for those doing low carb (no grains, etc). I was pretty strict with my low carb intake for the first year after surgery. Either way, get some supplements and it should return to normal.

Thanks everyone for your kind words and positivity I am almost 6 months at my goal weight. It's a lot of work everyday, but totally worth it.

Thank you, thank you, thank you...we need to hear from more veteran bandsters. Congrats on all your successes!

18+ months post op 10 cc Lap Band filled to 7.1 ccs NEVER PB'd, been stuck, or thrown up since surgery. Not sure what i'm doing right...but it's probably that I chew, chew, chew, then chew some more.

Thanks Jenny! I am glad that I can pay it forward and people can learn from me just as I learned from others when I was looking into the band.