brendar

Lisa, How is it going since your fill? Do you feel alot more restriction? Some people say that there are certain foods they can't tolerate when they're at their right fill. So far, everything goes down for me. There are some foods that I have to be careful and remember to chew but all in all, I haven't had any problems to speak of. I have thrown up only twice. That was an experience! I started drinking protein drinks again with one meal and am seeing some progress. For me, it's easier to limit my food rather than eat three times a day. This might get really old at some point but I am realizing that in order to lose, I'm going to have to really cut back on how much food goes in my mouth. I just don't feel I'm at the point that my band is going to restrict me to a small amount and I obviously can't quit at 1/2 cup per meal. :-) I would like to find out what others eat. Maybe some different recipes. Do you have to take the calcium supplement, daily vitamin and Zantac? I'm pretty new with this lapband site and don't really know my way around. Is there anything that you suggest is really good to look at? I still don't know how to get to the thread we're talking on without logging in and then going to my personal email and clicking the site. I'm a school secretary and am on a computer all day long. You'd think I could figure this out. Hang in there and I'm anxious to hear how you're doing since your fill. Brenda

Lisa, I have attended 3 support groups, one associated with Dr. De La Torre's office and 2 at Boone Hospital in Columbia. (this is where all of my friends went) They all swear that the support group is their anchor. They have a really good one. I don't feel so alone after hearing your story. It is very discouraging to have cut back the way we have for this long and not manage to drop any more than we have. I did get 4 cc. my first fill and then 1cc. each time after that. This week I started back to drinking two protein drinks and having one meal. I think it is going to make a difference. Did Dr. DLT do your surgery? I was required to do a two week pre-op diet with his clinic. How many calories do you get a day? I've been told to keep it at 1200. Also, do you have alot to lose? I started at 232 and am down to 189. I originally had set a goal of 130 but I don't know how realistic that is. I will be happy with 140. I'm only 5'1"! I have already noticed a difference in how I feel....joints, energy, self-esteem, etc. It won't be long until we can get outside to walk or bike. We have to remember, we are so much better off today than we were yesterday. Take one day at a time. Brenda :-)

Lisa, things are going OK, I guess. My friends tell me to just be patient until they find my "sweet spot". I've lost 40 lbs. since I started the whole procedure (insurance, etc.) but since surgery have only lost about 22 lbs. I can really tell more in inches. I've had 3 fills so far and have 6 cc right now. I can tell I'm getting close but I can still eat more than I think I should. I definitely can tell after my last fill that certain foods don't go down as well as before. I just can't seem to drop any numbers though. I've decided to go back to drinking two protein drinks a day and having one small meal. I know I'll get my hand slapped but I WANT TO LOSE WEIGHT! :-) Compared to the quantity that I was eating before surgery I just can't believe I'm not dropping quicker. Any suggestions? How long have you been at it and did you lose consistently your first few months? Any advice appreciated. Brenda

Dr. De la Torre did my surgery in November 2009 at University Hospital in Columbia, MO.