swjtlongdrive

So, without being long winded I was banded 5 years ago last month. I love my band but I don't always respect it. I started at 242 lbs and got down to 198 lbs about 18 months ago but am back up to 207 lbs this morning. I haven't had a fill in about 2 years and am wanting to get back on the horse and get down to 185 lbs. I don't have any questions, I don't have many comments but I will say that this forum has re-motivated me to get going again and get to where I wanted to be a long time ago. I've scheduled a fill for next week and am so looking forward to be "tight" again. My main reason for writing this is accountability as well as appreciation to everyone who posts on here as it is great to read the struggles and successes. Thanks again and I look forward to reading more.

Greg, I just posted in the men's room almost the exact same problem and dates you are experiencing. I'm headed in for an adjustment fill with no X-ray next week and hope to get back on the horse. I've decided to start respecting my band and all the effort I've put into it over the last 5 years and let it do what I wanted it to do. Restrict the foods to that I eat to ones that will fuel my body rather then just take up space. I've spent the last 2 years trying to find things to eat as I enjoy eating rather then eating the things I know I can and should eat. I'm back to being excited about the band and the future rather then pissed off that I can't eat what I want. Come and join me for the rest of the summer and let's see how we can do. I'm getting up 45 minutes early to do 30 minutes on the treadmill. My goal is to go .25 of a mile further every week in that same time. I'll start off walking this week and try to finish with a walk/sprint combo by the end of the summer.

Great write up bandedinbama. I'm 4 years post op and have lost 40 of the 75 lbs I wanted to lose but I've been at or around the same weight for 3 years now. I eat comfort food or slippage food as I call it. I eat around the band and throw up when I don't. Feel like crap all the time. Just not fun. Today starts a new chapter. Liquids first then back to the rules. Thanks again for writing this. I'm not alone and that in itself helps.

wow, similar situation to say the least. Lost 40 lbs in the first year and have stayed the same weight (within 5 pounds) since then. I'm determined to get the next 35 pounds off before christmas to prove to myself I can do it. Any motivational techniques? Food is the biggest player in weight loss but exercise matters also and time is always short. Just went for my first "run" in about 2 years. Hurts, sore, tired but ate a good dinner and am ready to get going again. Advice is welcome.

One year down and I still love my band. I'd like to have lost about 15 more lbs during the first year but I am happy so far. I haven't been exercising yet, just some walking and such. So, year 2 is all about the exercise. I love my band and am getting another fill tomorrow and I can't wait. Restriction is the best. Hope everyone is doing well and wish everyone good luck.

Hello all, I know this topic has been discussed at great length but sometimes it can help to write it down and get specific direction for one's self. I have stalled and have adapted some bad habits. I find myself eating Cereal for Breakfast rather than eggs, slider foods for lunch instead of grilled chicken, etc. I just recently had my most "aggressive" fill so I am excited about that but still the 9 months of hard work has paid off but I just need to get back on track. I've tried doing just liquids for a couple of days to get free from the carbs or bad habits only to find myself starving after the days of liquid. The scale hasn't moved for over 2 months and I am ready to get it moving again. I know I just need to start eating right but any other ideas? Also, as I add cardio to my routine I find myself even more hungry than when I don't work out. I know this is normal but it is a different hunger that I am not a fan of. I really want to eat a large portion after working out. Basically, just venting and looking for "here's what I have done with success when I am where you are" experiences as I know what I am going through is normal. My one year anniversary is coming up in less than 60 days and I'd like to finish the year strong and get below 195 before March 3, 2011. Any and all advice welcome.

Ok, I'm fast approaching my one year anniversary of the band. What a great experience so far. I'm not a fast loser but I never have been. The greatest part of the band is not the weight loss but rather the knowing that I won't gain it back. I love losing but I also love when I think I have been "bad" for a couple weeks and I get on the scale and I've gained 2 pounds instead of 10 or 15. It makes losing that much easier, knowing it's not coming back. Sorry, long winded, I just love the band. My question is, what is a good expectation of % of excess weight loss in the first year? I've seen studies that show anywhere from 30%-70% of the excess lost. Anyone with an opinion weigh in. I'm just looking for a guideline and anyone else's results of what their doctors told them. My Dr. is awesome and I would recommend him to anyone. Very laid back. He happened to weight about the same as I did and have had the band a few months before me so its been great to see his progress. Dr. Trace Curry in OH. Thanks in advance for your thoughts and please keep up the good work everyone.

Hey all, I wanted to put my two cents in. Everyone is right on. This is a tool and you still have to do the work. I'll fall off the horse one day then get back on for a week. That's part of living with the band. I accept I'm a slow loser and I'm ok with that. Goal was to get to a healthy happy weight and I am half way there in the first 7 months or so. No complaints. Unsolicited advice: Listen to your band. There are no get stuck foods, there are only food that get stuck in you. Some can eat bread some can't. Some eat donuts some don't. Best part of the band: Freedom, I now can choose to have a good day or a bad day with food. Used to be that food ruled my days. I was a low BMI patient and thus paid out of pocket for the surgery. I saw where I was headed and didn't want to go there, so I took control and have gained my freedom back. Good luck to anyone making this choice becuase it is just that, your choice. It's not easy and it's not for everyone. I love my band and look forward to many years of weight loss under my terms.

I'm in the middle of what I think will be my biggest losing month since being banded about 7 months ago. I was/am a low BMI user to begin with but this month I have lost 11 pounds in 3 weeks and thinking I'll end up at 15 or so for the month. Two things have helped with this. I got a fill that finally gave me restriction but as important as that and maybe more is I have started running. Not walking fast but running. I can't go long distance so I sprint from one light pole on my street to the next then I walk to the next light pole, then sprint again. Wow, what a difference it is making. It's fun also.

Here is my update Adjua....................347...............337...........240......... ....97 Amy......................289................228.9..........160........ 68.9 Angie64.................270................270...........210....... ......60 Astrasmom.............254................254...........170............. .84 Babe.....................265................265...........199.... ..........66 Band_Groupie.........172.5..............157.5..........0-148........0-9.5 BetsyB..................226.6..............206.8.........109...... ......97.8 BigMomma..............209................209...........135............. .74 Bklynike.................258...............258...........150......... . .108 BobbieND...............224...............207...........150..... .......57 Bree99..................259...............234...........155..... .......83 Brigette................198................198............150.... ........48 Bristlecone............157................157............130....... .....27 crzytchr................217................217............180..... ... ...37 Dana36.................233...............229.............160....... .....69 daqui26.................274...............274..............200....... ....74 DDGALARZ..............185...............183............150............ .35 destined4thinness..215.5.............215.5...........150.............6 5 5 Diamondgirl81........317...............275..............225........... . 50 ericanda1973.........198.5............198.5...........130.......... ..68.5 Fourme.................189...............168.............145.......... . ..23 Healthy-me-in-Az...242................183.6..........139.............44.6 HummingBird..........204...............164.............150............ .14 jenibeni.................224...............188.............165........ ....23 Jennih...................232...............232.............130.... .......102 Jeni 85..................185..............192..............150............. 35 KDEE....................240................240.............150...... ......90 kyleegirl01.............245................194.............160...... ......34 Lady LAP...............217................217.............125...... ......95 Lisa65...................174.5............165..............145..... .......20! Liz........................193.4............174..............155...... ......19! lotzasunshine..........271..............271..............225.......... ...46 MaggieGT..............238...............236..............208.......... .. 30 newdicarlo.............187...............174..............135...... .. ...39 Northernmist..........289...............265..............175.......... . ..90 ol55andahalf..........184...............184..............144...... .......40 Peggy1.................308...............308..............225......... .. ..83 RandaPanda...........194...............164..............150........ ....14 RAYNE913.............234...............210..............160....... ......50 RobinAnn.............232.4.............187.2.............160...... ....27.2 scoutmama...........270...............270...............180........ ....90 shadst8................333...............291.2.............233........ ....58.2 skinny31................261...............236..............182..... .......54 SNDYCNRD.............207...............194.5............150........... 44.5 sueinne.................220................226.............180.... ........46 swjtlongdrive..........242................217.............179......... ....38 Tabithan................244...............234..............190....... .....44 TARASGIRL.............305...............259..............225....... .....34 tdtucker................256...............256...............160...... . ....96 Teacher2010..........192...............183...............150...... . ....33 Tealeaves..............305...............289...............150...... . ...139 TeriLu....................215...............212...............150.. .... .....62 TIGGER71G............224...............224................130....... .....94 Tinksmom..............256................213................145....... .....43 unshackled............277...............277................180....... .....97 Valerie.................190................190................150... . .......40 wonderwoman2009 175...............175................160..............15

Adjua....................347...............337...........240......... ....97 Amy.....................289................239.9...........160........ .. 79.9 Angie64.................270...............270...........210....... ......60 Astrasmom............254...............254...........170............. .84 Babe....................265...............265...........199.... ..........66 Band_Groupie........172.5.............157.5..........0-148........0-9.5 BetsyB.................226.6.............206.8.........109...... ......97.8 BigMomma............209.................209...........135...........74 Bklynike...............258.................258...........150.......... .108 BobbieND..............224................207...........150..... .......57 Bree99.................259................234...........155..... .......83 Brigette................198...............198............150.... ........48 Bristlecone............157...............157............130....... .....27 crzytchr................217...............217............180..... ... ...37 Dana36.................233...............229............160....... .....69 daqui26.................274...............274............200....... .....74 DDGALARZ..............185...............185............150............ .35 destined4thinness..215.5.............215.5..........150............65 5 Diamondgirl81........317...............281.............225............ 56 ericanda1973.........198.5............198.5..........130......... ..68.5 Fourme.................189...............169............145........... ..24 Healthy-me-in-Az...242................183.6.........139...........44.6 HummingBird..........204...............169............150............. .19 jenibeni.................224...............208............165........ ....43 Jennih...................232...............232.............130.... ......102 Jeni 85..................185..............185..............150........35 KDEE....................240................240.............150...... .....90 kyleegirl01.............245................194.............160...... .....34 Lady LAP...............217................217.............125...... .....95 Lisa65...................174.5............165..............145..... ......20! Liz........................193.4............174..............155...... ......19! MaggieGT..............238...............236..............208.......... 30 newdicarlo.............187...............174..............135...... . ...39 Northernmist..........289...............265..............175.......... ..90 ol55andahalf..........184...............184..............144...... ......40 Peggy1.................308...............308..............225......... ..83 RandaPanda...........194...............173..............150........ ....23 RAYNE913.............234...............225..............160....... ....65 RobinAnn.............232.4...............210.4..............160...... ....50.4 scoutmama...........270...............270..............180........ ....90 shadst8................333...............291.2..............233....... . ....58.2 skinny31................261...............240..............182..... .......58 SNDYCNRD.............207...............194.5............150.......... 44.5 sueinne.................220................212.............180.... ........32 swjtlongdrive..........224................224.............179..........45 Tabithan................244...............234..............190....... .....44 TARASGIRL.............305...............271..............225....... ......46 tdtucker................256...............256...............160...... . ....96 Teacher2010..........192...............183...............150...... . ....33 Tealeaves..............305...............289...............150...... . ...139 TeriLu....................215...............212...............150.. .... ....62 TIGGER71G............224...............224................130....... .....94 unshackled............277...............277................180....... .....97 Valerie.................190................190................150... . .......40 wonderwoman2009 175...............175................160..........15 __________________

Thanks for organizing and I look forward to the success that comes in the next 27 weeks before the end of the year. It'll be tough but exciting. Name************Starting**********Current**********Goal swjtlongdrive.................225..........................225.....................179

Guys, I think we are all in the same boat and I have found that finding someone that is about 2-4 months ahead of me helps a bunch so here goes. March 8th bandster 1st 4 weeks I lost 15 pounds because of restriction from surgery - felt great and was ready to go. First Fill at week 4 2nd 4 weeks I lost nothing but didn't gain - no restriction and felt like I was dieting. Second fill at week 8.5 3rd 4 weeks - same as 2nd four weeks, I felt like maybe the band was never going to work and I'd wasted time and money. 3rd fill at week 13ish - 7.5/14 (capacity of the band) HOLLY COW. RESTRICTION. WOW. ANOTHER WORLD. - I can eat 3/4 of a chicken breast and one more bite and I think my lunch, my Breakfast, and my dinner from last night are going to come up and my chest is going to explode. Not kidding at all. It is a great feeling. Point of all this is the band is a tool to help you but until you feel restriction take it easy on yourself and what the scale says. I am now excited to get on the scale next week because I can feel the restriction and thus am excited to workout, not eat much and still feel full and great. Without restriction I feel like I am dieting. With restriction I feel like I am making choices as to what to put in my body to fuel it for the days activity. BIG DIFFERENCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!. Good luck to all and don't hesitate to PM me as I finally feel like I am on my way. I'm no expert but I'll share what I am experiencing.

Hello all. today is my 1 month since surgery date. I am feeling great and looking forward to my first fill on Wednesday this week. Hope everyone is doing well and I am looking forward to keeping up with this group going forward. I will do my best to keep posting on this thread and hope everyone else will as well. Nice to meet you all and good luck to all with this journey.

I go for my second fill a week from today. I've had very little restriction if any since my first fill. I lost a few pounds the days following the first fill but havent lost any since. My dietician says this is completely normal and to try and just maintain. Once I have restriction is when I will start to see the changes occur. To say I am impatient awaiting this feeling would be an understatement. I am trying my best but as the dietician says during this unrestricted time, try not to eat the cabinet doors. LOL. Hopefully fill #2 will help. Dr. says 3-5 fills before the sweet spot is found. We'll have to see.

Ok, so my first fill is in two days and I have had concerns for since my surgery date and I'm hoping you all can help me out. I've lost a few pounds in the first 4 weeks but not as much as I thought I would. I know this is 100% on me because my diet has gone back to almost normal in the last 2 weeks or so. Is this normal? I am struggling with amounts of food just like I did prior to the surgery, normal? I am so excited about my first fill because during the first 2 weeks after surgery the swelling had created restriction and I was feeling great about my eating habits and choices. I guess I'm looking for comfort in the fac that I haven't lost much in the unfilled state? I appreciate your help and am feeling great regarding the banding itself. Some soreness at the port location but nothing to get worried about. Scars look great. Dr Curry in Cinncinnatti was my doctor and he and his staff were great. Thanks in advance.

Well, i got my first fill. Only after passing out when the needle was in the port and having to lay down did she eventually get me my fill. Pretty funny that I know myself well enough to know that I was going to pass out during this very simple process. Oh well, no harm done. I did find out how to lose more between fills. EAT LESS AND DO MORE.!!!!LOL. For real, after looking at my food journal I was almost 2x the carbs I should have eaten and 1/2 the amount of protein i was to eat. I think i see the problem. I'm looking forward to getting my diet right from here on out. This is a learning process so first lesson learned.

I would like to see if there is a lower BMI male out there that has been successfull with the band. I am currently at a 32 BMI and am having my first fill on Wednesday this week. 4/7/10. Please let me know if you're interested in becoming a buddy as having a successful person to look up to has always helped me in life and I would like to see if it would help me with my band. Thanks in advance.

Ok, surgery date set. 3/8 at 10:30 am. Current BMI 34, expected BMI at surgery date approx. 32-33. Male. What should I expect with regard to right after surgery. I have a pretty good pain threshold but wanted to know what everyones opinion was and what you've experienced. Don't paint it rossy if it wasn't but also don't try to scare as I've done my homework and am ready. My largest concern is that it is my kids spring break and we're not telling them what I'm doing so I don't want them concerned. They've seen me go through a vasectomy and wisdom teeth so i'm wondering how this will compare. Obviously more of a surgery thus more time and other items but how much more. Everyone is different but if you could tell me your experience it would be great. Thanks.

Hi all. I have a 3/8/10 surgery date set and I am excited. I am starting to try and plan for the post surgery recovery and wanted to know what you all have seen. I am currently at a 34 bmi and should be around 32-33 on the day of surgery. I have a 3 day preop diet and I am sure a 2 week mushy food post op diet. I own my own business so I can be gone from work but I don't like to be gone. What kind of time frame are people seeing for going back to work? Primarily a desk job for me. I plan on walking tons as soon as I can after surgery as everyone seems to say this helps a great deal. I know everyone is different but I was wondering if you could share with me your experience. Thanks in advance to all that respond. Tom.

Hello all, I am considering the lap band and for vanity reasons I'd like to ask if anyone can show me pictures of your port once you've reached your goal weight. I am a man wanting to get to a 24 BMI. at 5'11" tall that would be 175 pounds. I am not worried about scarring but rather the protrution of the port itself. I know everyone is different and the locations will vary but I would just like to see what we are talking about. Thanks in advance.

Hello, no one out there wants to show what their port looks like at their goal? I am headed to a seminar tomorrow evening and am very excited. Thanks in advance to anyone who posts.

Hello all. I have been eyeing the band for over a year trying to decide what to do. I live the typical american life. To much food not enough time for my self and exercise. I am a low BMI individual today but see myself doing nothing but continueing to diet and yo yo up and down. Thus the band has been my thought. As for exercise, I would love to pick up running and or biking but at my current weight and place in life I can't do much. Please give me your opinion as users of the band. Don't just say each person is different. I will take each response with a grain of salt knowing that no two peoples situations or reasons are the same. Bottom line, please respond with your thoughts. Goal: Lose weight to a healthy level and compete in triatholons and running races with the band. Goal without the band, survive and lose as much as I can. Stats: 36 year old male 6' tall (5'11") without shoes 242 pounds 40" pants that are to tight

Thanks everyone for your thoughts. I am still in the decision period but am leaning towards have the band put on. I wanted to thank all of you. I will continue to hang around here to ask more questions.

homewith2-thanks so much for the info on the creditcare. I will check them out now. I have a question in to my doctor regarding financing options. Soexcited, thanks for the encouragement. More is better so that is why i have joined this site. BillOh, great job on the running. We seem to share a similar goal. I am wanting to run a marathon by my 45th birthday and I am 36 now. I have completed 2 mini triatholons as a 230 lbs man and that is what started me on this journey. I tried to lose weight for almost 2 years with trainers and dieticians and such and each time I gain what little i lost back so I am wanting to gain control for the long term. Thanks again everyone and please don't hesitate to tell me the good and the bad of the procedure as I am wanting to know more before i committ to this.