harlito

I had my 5th fill yesterday and I now have 8cc in my VG band. The last fill brought me to 6.5 and I enjoyed good restriction for about 2 weeks. Within those 2 weeks I lost 18 pounds - and gained most of it back when the restriction was gone. Jeez, I can't be trusted... I can definitely feel the band now - tight. It looks like I'll be getting a gym membership this week and start sweating. Does anyone have a workout routine? I used to lift weights quite a bit but wouldn't mind any new suggestions.

I don't have any problem with beer. Well, it does cause some burning as it goes thru my system that I never experienced before but other than that I never have a problem. The one thing that is really different with me and beer now (besides watching all those calories) is that I really do not want to drink anything near what I did before. If I get a little too much in me and feel sick... well... just don't drink too much. It's not a pretty sight. The beer does not come back up like it use to if you know what I mean. As long as you are not living at the Animal House then you should be able to keep that under control. I would say drink beer in moderation and make sure you try some good ones - experiment.

I don't know why I haven't seen this thread before but anyway... I'm here now. I really need something to get me back on track. The weight is not coming off as fast as I'd like it to and I have been stuck in the same 35# range since Thanksgiving. Do I cheat? Yes, sometimes. But I wanted the band to keep me from cheating or at least give me a punch when I tried to cheat. That is not easy after years and years of bad habits. I wouldn't say it was any one bad habit in particular, it was just negligence. Years went by and I realized one day that I had gained 150# in a space of about 10 years. All that time I did nothing to stop it. I guess I just kept making excuses and ignored the weight gain. It wasn't until health problems started occuring that I decided to do something about it. Now, I'm stuck yet hopeful. Maybe this thread and support from other men will help. I never had a goal weight but I remember a friend years ago told me that if I would just lose 30# she would be all over me 24/7. At that time my weight was the lowest I can remember at 235#. So I think 30# less and I will have my goal weight!

I am using the Alpine Punch/zero carbs. I bought the powder and a seperate premixed bottle. The bottle was red and clear yet the mix is coming out pink and cloudy. I don't have a blender here at the office. I was told by the salesman that it should mix right with Water, no problem. The powder looks like fine sugar, the kind that bartenders use for mixed drinks and I thought it would be OK. I am just worried that it is not mixing good enough and will get stuck.

Can anybody tell me how to get this Isopure to mix good enough? It's so cloudy.

My initial weight loss was 44 pounds, then I gained 10 back. But then I lost 4 pounds only to gain 17 more pounds by March 5. Needless to say I was a little bit frustrated. Had I made a mistake with the surgery? On Tuesday, March 6, I went back to see Dr. Spiegel to get a fill from him directly. He brought me up to 6.5cc in my VG band. FINALLY!!! I have real restriction! Since Monday, March 5, I have lost 17.7 pounds! It looks like the real weight loss journey has begun.

My initial weight loss was 44 pounds, then I gained 10 back. But then I lost 4 pounds only to gain 17 more pounds by March 5. Needless to say I was a little bit frustrated. Had I made a mistake with the surgery? On Tuesday, March 6, I went back to see Dr. Spiegel to get a fill from him directly. He brought me up to 6.5cc in my VG band. FINALLY!!! I have real restriction! Since Monday, March 5, I have lost 17.7 pounds! It looks like the real weight loss journey has begun.

Oh yeah, my niece showed up too. I just went to pick my stash up the other day and was informed that she would be selling more at a local store fron and that I would be buying more there as well. What can I do? I love 'em. My nieces I mean... and the cookies too.

I had a fill a couple of weeks ago and now I feel like I am really starting my banded journey. The restriction is there but not necessarily all day long so I know there will be a couple of more fills to get to that sweet spot. The mornings are very tight and the band doesn't seem to loosen up until around 1:PM. But by the evening time I am open too much for my liking. After the first 8 days I weighed myself and I was down 6.3 pounds from the weight that I had gained back. I am feeling much better now and do not feel like I am "struggling" at all now. Let the games begin!

I had a fill a couple of weeks ago and now I feel like I am really starting my banded journey. The restriction is there but not necessarily all day long so I know there will be a couple of more fills to get to that sweet spot. The mornings are very tight and the band doesn't seem to loosen up until around 1:PM. But by the evening time I am open too much for my liking. After the first 8 days I weighed myself and I was down 6.3 pounds from the weight that I had gained back. I am feeling much better now and do not feel like I am "struggling" at all now. Let the games begin!

Back again! I haven't been watching the thread for awhile but I'm back. Actually, I haven't been doing too good so I've been hiding... I got my 4th fill last Tuesday and I can really feel a difference. Last Tuesday will mark the second part of my journey - I FEEL THE BAND!!! Yes, my friends, the band has come to life. Restriction is here... yes... restriction is here. My last check in for the St.Patrick's Day challenge (371/-1.5) was a couple of weeks ago and I gained a few pounds back before my fill. In the last week I have lost 3 pounds and now sit at 368.9 pounds. Keep up with your fills and don't give up until you reach the "sweet spot". The last fill is giving me some good restriction now but I think I have one more in me before I taste the sweetness.

Anybody got any ideas for cottage cheese? I like it but... you know, variety is needed. Maybe a recipe to jazz it up a bit.

Good luck to you, Sula. I too have the VG band and I know that it is just a matter of time before I hit that sweet spot. It may take us a little longer than most but we'll get there. I am having my 4th fill since September today - wish me luck!

This all sounds familiar... Good for you for deciding to go to the meet and greet. You might be dreading it but I guarantee that you will run to your next one. Soon, you will be running to all meet and greets. Good luck to you.

So what does your restriction feel like now? I think this is where I'll be going on my next fill - 6cc. I so want some restriction because other than the usual "can't eat this"(chicken breast) and "can't eat that"(bread) everything else is going right through. Control has not been my biggest asset so I'd really like to know what restriction feels like. Can you tell me?

Ughh! I had lost 44# but have been yo-yoing between 30-40# for the last couple of months now. I need to get a fill and then another and another... Until then it will be a struggle. I went out for lunch today and had some gumbo. Along with the gumbo came French bread - and it was good! But bad... We shouldn't be able to even eat bread. A month ago it was impossible, not even a crumb. Now? French bread? fill, fill, fill... I am trying to walk and watch what I eat as best I can. The thing about all that is that I am working harder now on watching what I eat and walking than I did before the surgery. I thought the surgery was suppose to help? Sorry... just got off the phone about insurance matters and getting fills covered. Maybe I should have cooled down before I answered you. (deep breaths, deep breaths)

Walking is best, work it in slowly. Soon you'll be running!

OMG! I just ate 3 pcs of French bread at lunch and had no problem. I know, I know... I shouldn't have. Can anyone hear the alarms going off?

Had you been filled at all when this vomiting episode occurred? I thought vomiting would be near to impossible with the band without it doing some major damage.

How many fills have you had? Do you feel any restriction?

I weighed last Thursday and it said 370.4, this morning it looks like 368.9 - down 1.5 pounds.

The title says it all. I have had 3 fills so far and having the VG band doesn't make it any easier. Since everything is out of pocket now its very difficult to just continuously go in for fills. Unlike the weight, money does not grow on trees. I am getting more discouraged at myself (or is it anger?) since I really have no excuse. I have a great support group and I know what I need to do. But these bumps in the road to weight loss are killers. Every pound that I gain back is just getting me more and more down. Even with the knowledge that others have gone thru the same thing and have driven thru it to success - it is difficult. It is a new year and I am planning on getting back into it... It is a new year and I am going to get back into it... It is a new year and I am getting back into... Hmmm... doesn't help... keep looking forward! 421/401/357/361/357/369/362/370

I'm up for the challenge! Sheesh... I need something to get me motivated again and out of this funk. I am trying to get fills as soon as I can but it is all out of pocket now and the weight is not waiting on me to get all the needed fills anymore. The weight has decided to come back on. So I need a challenge to help me through until I reach the "sweet spot".

The title says it all. I have had 3 fills so far and having the VG band doesn't make it any easier. Since everything is out of pocket now its very difficult to just continuously go in for fills. Unlike the weight, money does not grow on trees. I am getting more discouraged at myself (or is it anger?) since I really have no excuse. I have a great support group and I know what I need to do. But these bumps in the road to weight loss are killers. Every pound that I gain back is just getting me more and more down. Even with the knowledge that others have gone thru the same thing and have driven thru it to success - it is difficult. It is a new year and I am planning on getting back into it... It is a new year and I am going to get back into it... It is a new year and I am getting back into... Hmmm... doesn't help... keep looking forward! 421/401/357/361/357/369/362/370

That is one of those unpleasant suprises you'll just have to experience for yourself. It makes its way back up and... :eek: