PalmBayTish72

Honestly, as hard as it is, you need to stop comparing yourself to others. People lose weight at different rates and in the beginning it drove me INSANE. Having one fill is not going to magically take away your hunger. We have to work at this...Yes we may have been able to do this on our own, but obviously we couldn't keep it off or we wouldn't be where we were in the first place. The band helps us to keep it off. THAT is the key!! Have faith in yourself and don't worry about everyone else. Exercise, eat less and eat healthy...you will lose. It took me 8 months for the "click" to happen. Trust me, you will do just fine, but you have to have faith in yourself and a huge dose of patience. This is not a magic bullet!

It can work, but you have to be willing to put in a LOT of hard work. I know that many doctors will not do the Lap Band on people with BMI's over 50 and instead opt for the Lap Sleeve. I know it is a personal decision, but really...talk with your doctor and see what THEY recommend. They are the ones who know waht is best, not a bunch of people on a message board. What might work for us, might not be right for you. Good luck!

I was only off work for a week for my surgery. Honestly, I had a harder time with my C-section than I did for my Lap band. Be sure to get Gas-X to help alleviate the gas pain that settles in your shoulders, from where they pump your belly full of gas to inflate it during surgery. A hot Water bottle and gas-X were by best friends! Good luck!

I'm glad that you are seeking help to lead a healthier lifestyle. I'm a "veteran" I guess at this point, but not really since I have only had my band for around 18 months, but it was the best decision I ever made. If you would like to read about my journey, please see the link below which is for my Lap Band blog "Dreams of Skinny High Heels" which I started the month before my surgery. It is an honest, candid detail of my journey from 272 to 146 lbs. Good luck to you!! Stephanie

Ok...let me give you a bit of my story. I was banded in late Feburary of 2010 and i was a slow loser. I was working out with a personal trainer and my scale seemed like it was moving at a snails pace and I would plateau for weeks at a time. I started REALLY tracking my food intake, increased my Protein intake dramatically and sticking with the exercise and although the scale was barely budging, I felt my clothes getting looser, which is why I am so happy I took my measurements before hand. You say you eat normal food, but do you track the true fat and calories of what you eat? You'd be surprised at how calories add up. It wasn't until late October of 2010 that something clicked. It wasn't that I got a fill or anything different changed, but my body was just ready to lose. from that point on, it was steady losses. It's so hard not to get discouraged, but you can't be the victim. You are in control of your destiny and your body and as long as you are doing what you need to do (eat right, consistent exercise, positive attitude) you can't fail. This is NOT easy and the weight doesn't just fall off. It takes time, dedication and patience. I know there were times where I thought "I could have just done this on my own", but you know what? I did lose weight on my own over the years through every possible means and I always gained it back. The band is out tool to help us keep the weight off, but we have to work just as hard to lose it. -Stephanie

It took me about 3 fills and 1 unfill to get to the green zone. My doctor put a small bit of Fluid in my band at surgery time, so it didn't take too much tweeking, but right now I have 5.5 cc's in a 10cc band. Remember that everyone is different. I know some people with 7.5 ccs and some with higher amounts and that is what brought them to the Green Zone. Some I know with less, so there is no way to know what will work for you without a bit of trial and error. Good Luck to you!!

I personally love my band and after losing 126 lbs, I am thrilled with how it worked for me, but I know it is not for everyone...Had I been any heavier, I would have done the sleeve over the band but I never would have done Bypass!!! -Stephanie

After having had the surgery one of the most common comments I say is I only wish I had made the decision to have the surgery sooner...The lap band has given me my life back and I think of all the years I essentially wasted being uphappy about my weight. I know others in their 20's who made the choice and i applaud you for taking the steps to a healthier life now, rather than waiting until it really impacts your health. I think it's a great idea if you are committed to living a new life. It is not an easy way out and it takes dedication, but it is so unbelieveably worth it in my eyes. I say, embrace life and go for it!!!

Congrats on your surgery and know that the first few weeks aren't a time for massive weight loss, so just focus on healing and being healthy. I was a super slow loser at first and until you get your fills and some restriction, you may feel hungry at times, but that is just the fun we all go through called Bandster Hell. Remember that this is a journey and not a race and the most important thing I tell people is that as hard as it can be sometimes, don't compare yourself to others. We all lose weight differently and at different rates. I was super slow in losing at the beginning and then things clicked for me...after almost 8 full months, 3 of which were spent working with a personal trainer. Here it is 18 months later and 126 lbs lighter. Success is possible and you just have to believe in yourself. There are times where I wanted to use my scale for target practice, so be sure to take your measurements and I know that blogging really helped me. I met wonderful women i call dear friends now and I have a written record of my journey. Life is good and a healthy lifestyle is all laid out before you....Best of luck to you!!! regards, Stephanie

Good luck to you both...I was banded in Feb. of 2010 and I have to say this was the best decision I ever made. It was maddening at times, frustrating as well, but as I sit here, 126 lbs lighter, I know in my heart and soul it was the best decision I ever made. I really suggest you starting a blog to record your journey and be sure to take all of your measurements so when the scale doesn't seem to want to move, but your clothes are getting looser, you won't lose your mind and lose faith. If I can give one good piece of advice, remember that EVERYONE'S journey is different. I spent too much time in the beginning comparing myself to others and how much they lost on THEIR preop diet compared to me (only 4 lbs) and then how quickly THEY seemed to lose in the beginning when I was going so slowly. Everyone is different. Our bodies lose differently and what works for one, may not work for another. I was banded in late Feburary and I didn't really higt my groove until October and then from there on out everything just sort of clicked. All the hard work with my personal trainer paid off and I shed the lbs. I am maintaining now and I'm glad I didn't give up. Take care I invite you to take a look at my blog which I started the month before my surgery...through my blog I met wonderful friends and recived such great support, unlike I ever imagined. Good luck to you both! -Stephanie

I know this is an old post, but I am over on the east coast in Brevard County and was banded by Dr. Domkowski at Sebastian River Medical Center. I love my band!!!

Ignore the scale...seriously. I was where you are now. Three months out of surgery, I started working with a personal trainer and it was like my scale stalled out. I was the Mayor of Plateauville and so frustrated. If you are exercising regularly, your body will catch up to you but it takes time. A miserable wait, but it will move. One thing that worked for me was really upping my Protein intake. a minumum of 80 grams a day. It was that and working with my trainer that helped me body to "click" and I am now down 126 lbs and maintaning. I know it's hard not to stress and want to use your scale as target practice, but KNOW inside yourself that you are doing all you need to be doing. The body will catch up. I'm living proof of that! -Stephanie

Good luck to you!!! Doing a blog was one of the best things I ever did when I had my surgery back in Feburary 2010 and it is a nice record of my journey. Also be sure to take your measurements as that will be a great record of your progress even if the scale decides not to move!! Have a great day and keep a positive frame of mind!

I don't know what part of Florida you are in, but without a doubt, I would go with Dr. Patrick Domkowski of Riverside Surgical in Sebastian Florida. He is a surgeon with Sebastian River Medical Center and is AMAZING. His after care is exceptional, he is friendly, very competent, excellent credentials and his office staff so welcoming and friendly. They help you with the insurance steps, DON'T charge some crazy program fee like other doctors do and I have recommended others to him and they adore his just as much. It was a smooth easy process and he is an amazing surgeon. Truly!!! 126 lbs lighter thanks to the fantastic job Dr. D did on my surgery...I highly recommend him! http://www.riversidesurgicalweightloss.com/meet_the_team.htm Good luck to you!!! Stephanie

I think that the band has been working, but maybe like you said, you've lost a little bit of focus. It happens to everyone...I know that for me, 3 months after my surgery, I had been losing at a SLOW but steady rate and it wasn't until I started regularly working with a personal trainer that my body just "clicked" and I had consistent losses and they weight continued to come off. I am now in maintenece and 126 lbs lighter I know that this is not a diet but a complete lifestyle change and commitment to this life. There is no getting complacent if I want to stay this weight. The Lap Band helps us lose, but unless we continue to remember why we had the surgery, we will never be 100% happy with the results when we don't feel like we are where we need to be. Don't give up and don't be down on yourself. You just need to find your mojo...Good luck to you!!!

You just had surgery and don't have restriction, so what you are going through is the typical Bandster Hell. Yes, you are going to feel hungry as your body begins to recover and are self monitoring your food intake which is much less than what you are used to in the past. It took me until my 3rd or 4th fill to hit the green zone. When it comes to losses, You have to remember that this is not a race and that everyone loses weight differently. At first when I was banded, I was slow as a turtle. I compared myself to others who were banded at the same time and I about drove myself crazy wondering why I didn't lose like they did. Here I am, 126 lbs lighter and I can completely understand how you were feeling. Your body is healing and is recovering from a major shock to your system. You will see a slow loss at first possibly, but remember you will see a loss if you follow the rules. Lap Bands only help us lose...the weight just does not instantly fall off. It took me a solid 8 months for that "click" to happen and for my body to really and honestly move into high gear with my steady weight loss. And that was after I had been working for 4 months with a personal trainer and had been in my Green Zone for 2 months. Don't get discouraged. Just know you have made the best decision for yourself and your health! Good luck to you! Stephanie

You have to remember that this is not a race and that everyone loses weight differently. At first when I was banded, I was slow as a turtle. I compared myself to others who were banded at the same time and I about drove myself crazy. Here I am, 126 lbs lighter and I can completely understand how you were feeling. Your body is healing and is recovering from a major shock to your system. With your pre-op diet, I'm sure your body has gotten used to a reduced food intake and it has slowed down a bit. You will see a slow loss at first possibly, but remember you will see a loss if you follow the rules. Lap Bands only help us lose...the weight just does not instantly fall off. It took me a solid 8 months for that "click" to happen and for my body to really and honestly move into high gear with my steady weight loss. Don't get discouraged. Just know you have made the best decision for yourself and your health! Good luck to you! Stephanie

I am down120 lbs from my all time high, but 114 from the beginning of my Lap Band journey! Banded 2/23/2010 and am now at a healthy BMI for my weight/height!

Getting the Lap Band is a personal decision and it doesn't work for everyone, but with that being said, for me ti was the best decidion I ever made. You have to be willing to WORK for your losses and not just expect the weight to fall off without any effort. I work with a personal trainer and have totally revamped my way of eating, so you just need to weight your wants, your needs and your goals to determine if this is right for you!! Good Luck!!! Stephanie

If you are reading this, I just wanted to let you know you are not alone in this. I was banded on 2/23/2010 and I was very fortunate to have found a wonderful support system via writing and reading different Lap band blogs on Blogger.com, which is where I currently blog. I invite anyone of you who needs someone to talk with, words of encouragement or a pep talk to feel free to contact me. You can reach me via email on this site or through my blog... I know if I hadn't had the support of the wonderful women I met, I don't think I'd have been quite as successful as there were times I wanted to give up, give in, use my scale for target practice and stuff my face with Cookies until I puked. Nowdays, i still want to use my scale for target practice, but only occasionally! If you need a buddy, feel free to drop me a line!!! -Stephanie

I like to think I can consider myself a success story, although I still have another 12 lbs until I reach my "Holy Crap!" dream goal of 150 lbs. It's been a journey filled with ups and downs, but I would do it again in a heartbeat. not only have I gotten a new lease on life, through my band and my blog I have met some absolutley wonderful ladies who have become dear friends. I wish everyone much success. If you would like to see my before and after photos, you can find them on my blog "Dreams of Skinny High Heels" (listed below) Regards, Stephanie Oh and my surgery date was 2010, NOT 2011...sorry for the typo!

I'm a little late to our 1 year anniversary, but I just wanted to post and see how everyone is doing! All I know is that this is the best decision I ever made and I am so happy to be living life again! -Stephanie

I was banded on 2/23 last year and I started my blog back then. I was inspired by all the other blogs I found on blogger.com and it is through those blogs that I really found a WONDERFUL support system. Blogging helps you talk things out when it seems like you are at wit's end...plus you know you are not alone!! Good luck to you all, Stephanie

As of this morning, I'm down 69 lbs from my 2/23 surgery date. Starting pant size was a 22. I'm now comfortably in a 16 and just bought a pair of 14's that are a little snug, but still fit. I am now in a regular XL rather than 2X Plus sizes. I am thrilled with my progress!

As someone who was banded on 2/23, let me first say congrats! Next, be sure not to overdo it. You are in the first stages of healing, your stomach is swollen, so things will feel a little tight going down and once the gas starts moving around and the gas pains start, you might not be feeling so well as you are now. Heating pads and Gas-X helps with those pains. be sure to get in your fluids to prevent dehydration and try and get some calories in via Protien shakes and Soup. remember it take time to heal so just watch yourself! :laugh: