howdybooth

Good question and it doesn't appear you have gotten any answers or suggestions. I'm at my goal and still pretty restricted and still losing. I think I'm ready for some of it to be removed......not so much to eat more quantity, but more variety. I too still get stuck......sometimes I can eat a mixed salad with chick salad and sometimes I can't get soup down......I think I've totally agravated my pouch and maybe just need to give it a rest......back to liquids for a few days........just don't know. What I do kmow right now is I'm not gett in enough calories and feeling kind of weak. My hubby is ready for me to get some removed........maybe I am too......Guess I'll try my talking to my doc's office or my coordinator about life after goal.

You go Rebecca - it's a long journey! But you can make it! Good luck and keep us posted! If you will, post on our personal page - that way we don't have to hunt you out! LOL

But if someone asks you about your weight loss - don't you tell them the truth? I mean, you wouldn't tell them that you only diet and exercise, would you? That just always seemed unfair to me. I mean face it, the reason we all had surgery is because we could no longer lose by diet and exercise alone........or at least that's why I had it. I weighed the same for 25+ years and gained weight over the last 10 years (40-50).....or should I say, gain-lose, gain-lose, over the last 10 years, until I could no longer lose.....hence the band. I've always been honest, if someone asked, it just seemed this week that people had gotten pretty brazen when approaching me..... Maybe, I'm just having a bad week and will be better next week LOL! I think I'll just learn to say thanks and if they are bold enough to ask how, I'll ask them to send me an email, and I'll be glad to explain.........

I decided on the band because I could have fills. I've had family members that had bypass and gain back a ton of weight; I've had friends that had the sleeve and not lose all the weight. But, I do have a friend that lost 186 with the band and has kept it off for almost 5 years now.......It's been 18 months since I had my band and I've lost 110 lbs and I'm at my goal. I've had 4 fills and 1 unfill (about a month after the last fill). I paid for the surgery myself and went to a general surgeon that I know and fills are extra ($125). You can keep the band forever - no reason to remove it.......but if you needed too, you could unfill it or remove it.

Rebecca - get consuling! Before my surgery - I had started seeing a psychologist. I had been seeing him for about 18 months when i decided to have lap band. We discussed my reasons for wanting the band and he supported me 100%, but he did warn me to be on the look out for further/deeper depression or thoughts of suicide. He said that there have been more and more studies being conducted with a link between bariatric surgery and depression/suicide. At first they thought it mostly occured with people having by-pass and thought it might have to do with absourbtion issues or production of seritonin, but later learned that it was also occuring the people that had the band. So, please don't hesitate to talk to a professional about your problems. I decided on a psychologist only after my wonderful GP ran out of his knowledge of drugs to help me - he is a great doctor, but depression isn't his speciality. I can tell you how proud you should be - and you should be and most likely are - but, what you can't change with weight lost is that inner core of who you've been for a very long time - no matter how much weight you have lost. See a specialist - they can better help you than anyone of us here on this site! Good luck!

I discovered something this week......after 18 months, I'm finally sick of hearing how great I look. Five different things occured: 1) I posted my before and after pic on my facebook page and received an email from a total stranger asking me how I lost weight and begging me to help her. I was shocked because I have my FB page blocked so you can see very little about me........I discovered later that she is a friend of a friend who showed her my pic; 2) I was on the elevator at work with one of our Sr. VPs discussing business when we stopped and someone got on. That woman ask me if I was Terri and when I said yes, she proceeded to go on and on about how great I looked, that she'd seen my before and after pic and what had I done - once again - someone else had shown her my pic - and this woman wasn't over weight, she had a family member that was and wanted to know what I had done so that she could share the info; 3) When I walked into a class I was about to teach, my boss said - here's Terri - isn't she beautiful.........all the trainees in this class were from out of town and I had only previously met 2.......so what, exactly were they to say? They had no idea why my manager was calling me "beautiful"! Very uncomfortable. 4) My manager and I had a disagreement on how to teach a class (my manager is from an older generation) and we couldn't convince the other that we were right. In the end, she said: you've done such a great job changing your outside - maybe it's time to work on your inside. I SUGGESTED she not go there....... 5) and finally - on 4 different occasions this week, someone came up to me, while eating lunch with my dear friend who struggles with about 50 extra pounds, to tell me how great I look. Each time I was more and more uncomfortable.......so I'd say a quick thank you and then try to ignore them in hopes that they would move along and not start asking a bunch of questions. Anyone else feel the same? After all - we are still the same people on the inside - aren't we?

Stan, you will go through many changes on your journey.......from clothes shopping to attending a party.......everything will be different. I just hit my goal today - I started out on November 16, 2009 at 5'8'', 290 lbs. Most people didn't think I had enough weight to lose to warrant the band - but than again, most people didn't know how much I weighed. Now they see the difference when I show them the before and after pics. I did have a problem with my husband during the last few months getting on to me for not eating enough......we finally visited our GP together and I had the Doc look over my blood work and finally tell my husband to chill out - my blood work was great and I was fine! So he's now let it go - and I never did find out what his problem was......but I truely think he was worried about my health. Enjoy your journey and one final word of advice - watch out for depression - clinical depression has become VERY common with bariatric surgery and something that doctors are begining to study. Many of us are over weight because we are emotional eaters.......if you use your band correctly, you can no longer keep that as a comfort. But, doctors can help you through the rough Patches. I think a big reason the band "fails" people is because of depression. Good luck.

Well - 4 pounds to go and I'm at my goal. Will I need to get some fluid removed so that I quit losing? Anyone else at this point yet?

I would ask how aggressive your surgeon is with fills. Mine was very aggressive and I loved it. My first fill didn't really do anything and I ended up gaining weight after having lost 17 pounds on the pre-liquid diet. So - ask if you can receive agrressive fills! Loved my band being tight - was never hungry and I've lost 105 pounds since 11/16/09 - only 5 more to goal!

JBall - may I ask how you gained? I keep my band pretty tight - that way my biggest temptation (breads) can not be eaten. Maybe you need a fill - tighten you back up so that you are restricted to what you can and can not eat. kll724 - I was wondering about maintenance......people think the hardest part is losing the weight.......I think that maintenance is much harder! Also - since I'm not at goal, but I am continueing to lose 1/2-1 pound per week, what do I do when I reach my goal? Have some Fluid removed?

I’ve recently started taking Zoloft and have really had a hard time with the pill. Zoloft is known to cause problems with the stomach (pain like taking too much aspirin) and boy has it caused me pain; a couple of times it was so bad I vomited! I’ve tried taking it on an empty stomach with lots of water; on a full stomach; while I’m eating dinner – nothing really makes the pain go away, until the pill is completely dissolved! I’ve started trying to take it after dinner and before bedtime with a cup of something hot and that seems to help a little. Has anyone else experienced similar problems and found a solution? If so, I’d love to hear what you’ve done. Surgery 11/09 down 85 pounds

Well – it’s been a year since I got my band and I’ve lost 85 pounds. I’ve had a total of 4 fills and I’m at about 6.5 cc with a 10 cc band. My last fill was mid-August and since then I really have had a great relationship with my band! I can pretty much eat anything, only in small amounts, and continue to lose. I was hoping that I was done with fills! Then this past 3 weeks I’ve found that I can eat WAY more then I should! I’ve only got 25 pounds to go to meet my goal and I’m thinking that maybe it’s time for a little fill. Has anyone else had this same experience of being really close to your goal weight and suddenly need another fill? Is a fill the way to go or should I leave my band alone and start “dieting”? Don’t get me wrong, I’ve always been very careful about calories, but it’s just never felt like a diet and I’m wondering if that is the route I should take now. I’d love to hear about what you did………

I just recently had a fill and I have to be very careful of the amount of time between when I eat and when I go to bed!!!! Eat to late and I wake up basically choking! Yuk! Last night it was so bad I actuall vomited! So, my advice to myself is eat less in the evening and not at all if I'm going to bed within 2-3 hours of eating!

It’s been a year since I got my band and I’ve lost 85 pounds. I’ve had a total of 4 fills and I’m at about 6.5 cc with a 10 cc band. My last fill was mid-August and since then I really have had a great relationship with my band! I can pretty much eat anything, only in small amounts, and continue to lose. I was hoping that I was done with fills! Then this past 3 weeks I’ve found that I can eat WAY more then I should! I’ve only got 25 pounds to go to meet my goal and I’m thinking that maybe it’s time for a little fill. Have you experienced the need for a fill now that you are so close to your goal weight? Is a fill the way to go or should I leave my band alone and start “dieting”? Don’t get me wrong, I’ve always been very careful about calories, but it’s just never felt like a diet and I’m wondering if that is the route I should take now. I’d love to hear about what you did………

I seem to have hit a plateau and my weight has pretty much stayed the same for the past month. I figure part of it is due to getting closer to my goal and it will now start slowing down. If this has happened to you, can you share what you did to kick it back into gear?:puke:

Not long after my surgery I had something very similar happen......only mine came in the form of, "oh no - I can't eat very much!" Which surprised both my husband and I since that was exactly why I had the surgery! It's just funny how our minds can REALLY play tricks with you!

Dave - it sounds like you have the right attitude to be successful on your journey! It is just a tool in your toolbox and if you decide to go with the band - you will need to learn how YOUR band behaves with your body! Good luck!

Love your post!!! I love my band and I'm very happy with my results after 11 months - down 75 pounds! I've lost because of portion control, the type of food I put in my mouth, and exercise! Gee - just like my surgeon told me! :thumbdown:)

I gained 7 pounds between my surgery date and my first fill!!! My surgeon is a little different from some in that he doesn't keep you on liquids and mushies for weeks after getting the band. By the end of the second week you are introducing solid foods. And my time between the band and my first fill included Christmas!!! So don't get discouraged!!! I'm down 75 pounds as of this week and I had my band date was 11/09.......

What's your secret to success????????????? So im 7 days away from my new Birthday!!!! What I need to know is... What is the best thing you learned on your journey? To enjoy each and every pound I've lost!! I try to not get too focused on a "goal". What makes you successful? I don't eat what I can't! Sounds funny, but you will find that certain foods just don't work and you will slim/vomit! Just let that food go. Oh and I had had a bad habit of eating a snack before bedtime.....can't any more or I have acid reflux. What can I do to make sure my journey is a sucessful one? Follow your surgeons rules!!! You will find later down the road what you really can do or can't do, but by starting out your journey strictly following the surgeons rules - you'll learn the right way to live with the band!!! What are your best tips??? - I always have a Protein shake and greek yogurt for breakfast....between the two I get half my day's Protein in. What's your best advice for new bandee's??? Be prepared to not be tight after your swelling and soreness wears off - I even managed to gain weight!! What should i NOT do?? Get discouraged! You will have your ups and downs when it comes to food!! Too tight and you can only eat liquids, too loose and you can eat everything. It takes time to find YOUR right balance.

What a bunch of bull!!! I have a friend that lost all her weight, 196 pounds, with the band. I've lost 75 and have 25 to go and I will tell you that it's slowed way down - but I'm still losing. Just continue to make the right food choices and you will be fine! BTW - I'd tell your surgeon what she said.......that's not very good for business!!

Well - I'm now within 40 pounds of hitting my goal weight and the weight loss is really starting to slow down! I could count on getting up every Monday morning (that's when I weigh myself) and have lost 2 pounds. Now I weigh and maybe I've lost 2 pounds.....or maybe I've gained 1/2 a pound.......or maybe I stayed the same! So, I'm now going to increase my exercise and really start concentrating on even better foods and portions. Anyone else out there in the same boat as me? If so, please share what you are doing to help reach your weight goal! Banded 11/09 Down 70 pounds 40 to goal weight 6 cc in a 10 cc band (4 fills)

zuly98 - I made a very interesting discover last week about being tight. I had my last fill 4 weeks ago Thursday and I've lost 12 pounds in that 4 weeks. I'm tight and really I like to be tight, but last week, I was suddenly so tight that I actually vomited 3 times! So I went online and found this very interesting website by this doctor who does lap bands and he had some interesting suggestions that I took to heart. 1. Sometimes food can get stuck and stuck for a couple of days.....resulting in vomiting. 2. When that happens - go back to liquids only for 48 hours. I did this and now the tightness is gone.....so maybe you should consider getting a fill!!!!!