Brandy W

Hi all... I'm new to the forum, I hunted a talk group down to find out if anyone else has had the same problem. I'm 2 1/2 months out from my sleeve. I lost 48 lbs in the first 2 months. I haven't gained any weight the last 2 weeks, but I also haven't lost any. I've been very bad at getting in my 64 oz of Water, and I haven't been taking my Protein shakes like I was because the milk doesn't like me. Has anyone had the same problem of getting stuck? I've just started over the last couple of days thinking that it has to do with maybe my body hoarding water since I haven't been drinking enough, or even getting enough protein if my body needs it to get my metabolism going. Thanks!

I thought I'd pop in and say happy anniversary to everyone. The lapband ended up failing, and so for my 6th anniversary I was converted over to the gastric sleeve. I'm going to cancel my account here, but before I did, I just wanted to say best wishes, and I hope everyone continues to do great!

I was banded July 13, and have lost 63 lbs, down from 446 lbs. I was just wondering if there were other July folks out there and how it's been going? I keep feeling like I should be losing the weight faster than I am. (I have friends/family who have had the by-pass done instead of the band)

I weighed 446 before I got banded, and my surgeon didn't even blink. Dr. Malley doesn't like the by-pass for anybody because of how it rearranges your insides. ********************************************* I was wondering if anybody has any good ideas for losing inches off the hanging belly/hip area? I've lost 81 lbs, and am still wearing my pre-op jeans because it refuses to come off below the waist LOL....

Hey everybody!! It's be longer than I thought since I've been on. I had another fill a couple of weeks ago, and I'm a little tighter than I should be, but not enough to go back for an unfil... especially since I've lost 6 lbs after being stuck for 2 months. I was wondering... what protein shakes does everybody use? I've been looking for in the morning when I'm really tight, and I can't make up my mind on what to use, since most of them are for weight lifters. I've been really tight in the mornings, semi-tight at lunch and almost loose at night... I'm giving it some time to hopefully straighten out. Anybody have some good tips for getting the weight to come off the stomach? I've lost 81 lbs, but really haven't been able to go down jeans sizes because it refuses to come off my hips LOL :cry

Hi, Here's my MySpace page: http://www.myspace.com/brandywittbrod Also, there are some weight loss folks in groups on MySpace. If you're on MySpace, click on the groups link, and search for lap band, you'll find the lap band groups.

Hi fellow July Bandsters, I haven't been on for a bit cuz I've been having problems. I haven't lost any weight~ and even gained a few pounds. I went in last week for another fill, and it's been going ok, since he only put in 3/4 of a cc in... but my problem is that my mom is living with my husband and I and she keeps buying treats that I can eat, and have a problem saying no to. It's defeating the whole purpose of getting the band. How do I say no to chocolate and ice cream in my house? I'm also feeling discouraged because I'm at 383 still! It's been a month since I've lost any weight. I'm fighting the urge to call my doc and have him fill me some more so I can't eat more than a tablespoon. I'm having a huge urge to use the band to make me anorexic. I wanted to be down 100 lbs by Christmas, and I don't think it's going to happen.

I can sympathize on the pants thing. I went to Fashion Bug and bought a size 32 jeans to motivate myself to get into them. I was excited to find out I can get them over my hips!!! Size 32 is my first goal, as I can buy that size off the rack, and won't have to order clothes from catalogs. Now I just need to lose to get them fastened. I was a size 40 when I was banded. I bought jeans from Sillouhettes that have drawstring waists knowing I was going to get the surgery, so I'd have pants that could stay with me for a while as I lost weight. I was also way excited to get a 2X t-shirt on (VERY tight, wouldn't wear in public, but it was ON :biggrin1: ) I was wearing 6X shirts before my surgery, and have moved down to 5X, thinking of trying a 4X soon. My next goal is getting to size 26, which is what I was in high school, and when I'm there, I know I'll be able to go to Worlds of Fun and ride the roller coasters (amusement park in Kansas City). I am soooo looking forward to that! I haven't done that since 1989. Sunday I participated in a mile fun walk. I was soo happy I made it the mile. It's been a long time since I've done that. I'm also going to be starting water aerobics classes again (I had to stop last year because of pulmonary hypertension that seems to have gone away after getting on a bi-pap machine when I sleep). I know I'm rambling this morning.... I'll get off now

Hi guys! It's been a bit since I posted. What is the bracelet in the mail you guys have been talking about? I've been doing better since I got unfilled after my 2nd fill, but I feel hungry all the time, even after I've eaten and am full, it seems like my stomach below the band is growling for more. Has anybody else experienced this?

Congratulations!! :preggers: :baby: My surgeon's nurse said that there wasn't a time frame to get pregnant, that they don't care when it happens becuase the band is adjustable. I was banded in July, and we're thinking about trying to fix my infertility problems in January.

I also have been hiccuping lately too. I'm starting to learn the burning belch means 'OOPS' I've eaten a wee bit too much. I also learned that if I spit out my saliva when I'm belching, it helps me stop sooner.:hungry:

I was browsing weight watchers online and they have a Core Plan that doesn't involve counting points.... From their website: On the Core Plan focus on wholesome foods without counting… Eat wholesome foods from all the food groups, including fruits and vegetables, grains and starches, lean meats and poultry, eggs and dairy products. Enjoy satisfying eating without empty calories. Have the occasional treat in controlled amounts. I've been kicking around the idea of doing the Core Plan, just for the support. Since I've been having trouble eating fruits and veggies, I also got a couple of cool products from my chiropractor that I do in the morning when I'm tight and can't eat Breakfast is: http://www.firstshake.com/content.asp?node=15 Its a Greens First mixed with a whey Protein shake. I get my veggies and a nice protein start to the day.

Thanks for the support guys! I watched a couple of shows on Discovery Health last night with people getting full body lifts after bariatric surgery. I know that losing almost 300 lbs, when I get down to where I need to be, I'll be looking at that. Man, it does not look fun. Anybody looking at having body lifts?

I'm new to the site, and I'm happy to find others banded in July! I was banded on July 13th by Dr. Stephen Malley in KC. I was impressed with how well the surgery went. I've also been amazed at how my physical ability has improved since the surgery. Before I was banded, I was using a cane to walk. When I went back to work, 20 lbs lighter (I took a week off) I was able to walk clear accross the building without using the cane (I actually haven't touched the cane since surgery!) The other day, I was able to take my dog for a mile walk. I was soooo excited! I haven't walked a mile in years. My husband and I are going to do a mile walk on Sunday - it's a 5k fun run/mile walk for supporting our local schools. Glad to see everyone here:D

I can't call my huge noise a burp :laugh I have a huge problem doing incredible burps I have a friend who's pregnant and we have beltching contest when we eat together.

I weighed in at 446 at my surgeon's office about a month before I was banded, with a BMI of 69.8. I weighed 435 when I went into the hospital to be banded. At my first week checkup I weighed 415. Then, at my first fill 405. When I went in for my 2nd fill on Wednesday, I was 393. When I went back for my unfill yesterday I was 384. My BMI is now 60.1! Cool! I could swear that I'm one of the more heavy patients of my doc. I'm usually the heaviest one there for the support group meetings.

My Doc really doesn't like us to drink until an hour after we eat. He wants us to be able to feel 'full' and have that sensation for awhile.

I weigh myself clothed, since that's the way I am at the doctor's office. (Also having a 9 year old boy at home, can't really weigh naked since the scale is in the kitchen). I figure that weighing with clothes on I can match the doctor's office, and I can be 'true'.

The full size me is the day before my surgery. Then I have one a couple days after the surgery with my steri-strips and band-aids. Like the Hello Kitty? Then, I have a pic a couple of weeks after where I accidentally ripped open a part of my incision and had to put a steri-strip back on. I'm about 2 1/2 months out now.

I've had two visits to my doc in the last week, and have been almost entirely unfilled. I had 1/2 my fill from Wednesday taken out on Thursday, and then another CC taken out yesterday. My doc said that some people have sensitive stomachs and I'm one of them, that they'll just have to take my fills slow. I'm on Nexium for 5 days and go back on the 10th to see how I'm doing. I'm already doing good, and I'm afraid I'm going to gain my weight back, because I'm eating more than I thing I should be.

I had my 2nd fill 2 days ago, and have had a terrible time since then. I'm going to try the spitting idea. It never even occured to me that swallowing all the extra spit wasn't doing any good. While reading this thread, I've created a spit cup for myself as I'm trying to get a taco down for lunch.

I had my 2nd fill on wednesday (banded 7-13, 1st fill 8-21), and I'm having all kinds of problems now. My first fill wasn't this traumatic. I can only eat about 2 tablespoons of food, and burping like mad, if not sliming too. I'm hungry, but can't eat. I'm also getting the idea of 'it hurts to eat, so why eat anyway?' I'm trying to give a few days for it to settle down before going back for an unfill, but I'm afraid of doing that becuase I was eating enough to only lose 3 lbs in 2 weeks. Any thoughts?

Hi, I'm new to the forum, I was banded on July 13th of this year. I've lost 53 lbs so far. Woo hoo! :clap2: I started at 496 lbs. Dr. Stephen Malley did my surgery and I've been really happy with him and his office staff. I have a myspace blog that I'm trying to chart my progress on. http://www.myspace.com/brandywittbrod