bonnie51

You look fabulous. Keep it up! I had a sleeve to RNY for severe GERD. I am happy to say the reflux is 100% improved. I started at 206 and am at 175. My goal would be 165 since I am 70 years old and can't get too gaunt. I have had only one episode of vomitting and that was my fault. I can eat anything and do. I keep my portions in check and don't overindulge. I do enjoy an adult beverage couple times a week. Overall I am very pleased with my progress. I do need to get my #ss in gear and start getting more exercise. Seems like spring had finally hit Iowa so getting out more. Bought new walking shoes and going to get going any day now. Thank you for starting this thread and I hope we hear from others. Bonnie

Reaching goal is fabulous. Keep a journal.

Have you thought of doing the 5 day pouch test? I know that works for some. How much fill is in your band? Are you sure you don't need a bit of a fill? Do you have any restriction? I would guess yes, since you have not gained back from the 55 pound loss. Let us know what you do. Bonnie

I am so sorry for your loss. Life can end so quickly and it is so hard to assimilate. I hope you can get some relief from your grief. Perhaps go to a grief support group and get some support. I don't blame you for being angry at the lapband, that would seem normal. I appreciate your taking the time to tell this story and caution banders to be aware of reflux and being too tight. You have done us all a service, and I thank you. I was thinking of getting a tiny fill, and not really sure I should. This made up my mind. Bonnie

Well, Smom, I think you have done remarkably well. Certainly considering your depressive issues. Keep fighting girl. I am at 194 pounds, which puts me at 72 down. I would like to get to 175 but am willing to take it a bit slower. I have worked hard and yet, have not really sacrificed all that much. Just eat much smaller portions and do try to limit the worthless calories. I am not an exerciser, but can see that is what it is going to take to get any more off. I do not want to diet or struggle to maintain,however. I can truly say if I don't make it to 175 I will be okay with that. I do know I can lose more just by continuing my "pretty good" eating and kick up some exercise. I am 59, so don't have the boundless energy of youth. I am thankful everyday that I had this band placed. I had my last fill on 5/19 and am feeling a bit tight. I pb if I am not quite mindful of how I eat. I really have to eat slow and chew chew chew. If I do that I am good to go and have satiety for a good 5-6 hours. I am too tight to eat in the am, can usually eat after10:30 or so. I was never much of a breakfast eater anyway, unless it was crap like donuts. I have gone from a size 22 to a 16 and my hubs thinks I look 10 years younger. I feel great, very few aches and pains and my stamina is great. I am off all blood pressure meds and labs all look great. So I have accomplished what I set out to do. I am not bummed I didn't loose 100 pounds in a year, which so many set themselves up for. Perhaps that ease comes with age? Good luck to us all. Bonnie

I also am a nurse and am 59. I had my band installed 8/24/2011 and have lost 70 pounds so far. I feel great! I had a total knee replacement 5 years ago and will not go thru that again. I am determined to lose my last 20 pounds. Your blog certainly speaks to me. I too am not a very committed exerciser. I know to lose the last 20 I am going to have to step up my game and hit the bricks. I love my band. As a healthcare professional I also knew how bad my weight was for me, but taking care of others was way too big of a priority.Not anymore, I am doing this for me. Bonnie

Thanks Kelly,, I just wish some of the newer bandsters could realize this is a journey, with a destination, but not necessarily a timetable. Those friggen' plateaus are so hard to wait out. My heart goes out to the few that the band does not work for, but I do think that percentage is lower than one would believe from some posting here. I know I need to incorporate more exercise into my day, but I am 80% more active than I was a year ago that I think is why I am losing with no formal exercise plan. I just move all day long and don't sit until after dinner. Just move. Exercise does not have to be a all or nothing deal. Bonnie

I FINALLY HIT ONEDERLAND! I started out at 266 and had surgery August 24, 2010. I have been losing and gaining the same 4 pounds for 6 frickkin' weeks. I had a fill May 18 and restriction, I think the sweet spot, green zone, whatever, is here. I have 8.5cc in an 11 cc Realize Band. The moral is don't give up. It has been at least 9 years since I have had a one in front of my weight. I love my band. I have gone from a size 22 to a 14. I feel so much better physically and mentally. I am 59 years old and am off blood pressure meds, my labs are all normal. I still want to lose another 25 pounds, but don't feel in such a hurry anymore, I know it will come, just keep doing what I am doing. I don't count calories and am pretty lax about exercising. I eat about everything good for me. I have several vodka cranberry cocktails every week and maybe a couple glasses of wine. I have given up my sweets, bread, pasta and potatoes. Those are by willpower,cause I could eat them. If I have that willpower why the band? The band damps my appetite, I eat much smaller portions and do not have ravenous hunger, so the band works pretty much as I was told to expect. We all work our bands differently, there is no absolute right way to do this journey. DON'T GIVE UP. Bonnie

I would guess maybe a tad of an unfill. I would be so against getting any out of my band. I am not sure if I am at sweet spot, but close. Like you I have been on a platau for several months. My weight loss is same as yours and I was banded 8/24. Pretty frustrating to hit this wall, but will power thru. Let us know if you get an unfill. Hey, I visited your page and you should blog more, I like your blog.

Omadison, That sounds like an excellent plan. As Catherine55 stated, rededicate yourself to the band, use it as you did when it worked for you. Plan your food and then you don't have to obsess about what you will eat. Get some basic meal plans that will work for you, with your band. Meet your protein and water needs every day. Get some exercise, just walk, if that is all you can do for now. Start with these goals and perhaps try a small unfill so you can eat solid protein. Good luck.

Such good news. I am glad to hear an update from you. I have though of you often and wished you well. You have walked thru the fire and come out the other side. God bless.

Hi Nurse, Good luck to you. I was banded in Aug 2010 and have lost 65 pounds to date. I would do it again in a heartbeat. I heart my band. Just buckle down to the liquid diet and do it. Have on hand exactly what you are allowed and drink the same thing every day. I did protein shake for breakfast, one for lunch and blended soup for supper. I had either cream of tomato or blended bean and bacon. Really gave me something to look forward to Drink lots of water, this fills you up. Really, it does. Count down the days. You WILL lose weight during this two weeks and that spurs you on. Don't tempt yourself. Feed your kids and leave the room if you can. Don't order pizza and have to smell it etc. Get some support during this time. The hunger does go away, just don't dwell on the fact you can't eat, don't fantasize about food and for heavens sake don't watch Food Network You can do it, If I can do it you can too. Good luck. Bonnie/ also a nurse

My band surgeon suggests liquid Benadry if you have problems with mucous.

I had a TKR in July of 2005 due to my obese state. I had the lap band August of 2010and have lost 65 pounds to date. I love my band and when I pick up my 60 pound grandson I can't believe how heavy that is and how much pressure on both knees is now gone. I would do this again in a heartbeat. It is not the easy way out, but I have found a system that works for me. I eat 1/3 of the food I used to eat. wow. Now when I think of those portion sizes it makes me kinda sick. I have hit a plateau, as expected, since I have about 20 more pounds. I will definately have to step up my exercise. I must admit I am not a big exerciser type person. Now the weather is nice I am walking and have got some hand weights. Bonnie

Michele, Yes, I remember your story. Congrats on your healthy baby boy! What a blessing. How encouraging for others to hear about no weight gain etc. Ladies and gents, My weight loss seems to have slowed down, rather frustrating, but I am losing 3-4 pounds a month, I feel incredible and am going scuba diving.. I have not dove for 7 years due to the excess weight. I have lost 62 pounds and am at my weight for last time I went. I would like to lose another 20- 25 pounds am trying to be patient and know that is doable by August. Bonnie

What do you mean "you can't get it down"? Are you too tight to eat proper foods? We need more info. I base my eating on a bit of a schedule, ie: try to eat yogurt for breakfast, some protein for lunch and dinner time. If I eat 70 grm protein a day if I have untimed "hunger" then I judge it to be head hunger and drink 16 oz water. That usually works for me.

I hope it goes well, please let us know. And remember this guy does not need to be your "friend" but you deserve his attention and manners.

Breakfast: Chobani Greek blueberry yogurt Lunch: Salad with 6 shrimp, cottage cheese and pickled beets. Drizzle of Dorothy Lynch lite dressing. Dinner: 6 oz burger patty with cheese, green beans, cottage cheese. Snack: string cheese lots of water, at least 80 ounces

I appreciate your update. I too am trying to decide if I am too filled. I got a .25cc fill 10 days ago. This brings me to 8cc in an 11cc Realize band. At times I can eat solid protein, steak, salmon, hamburger patty and other times like last night a pork chop was no go. I pb'd twice this week and have not done so since I was banded in August. On the other hand small amounts of food keep me full for 6-7 hours. I do know I am really having to remember to chew chew chew and eat slower than I have been. I think I will give it another week and if any more pb's will get a small unfill. Bonnie

Hi ! I am Bonnie, 59 years old and live in IOWA. Married 41 years with two daughters and 4 grandchildren.They are everything they are cracked up to be. I had a Realize band 8/24/2010 and have lost 62 pounds to date. I am at a weight standstill for a couple weeks and getting frustrated. I had a fill about two weeks ago and am pretty tight at 8cc in 11cc band. I really really need to eat slowly and chew. I can get "stuck" on yogurt in the am, but loser in pm. We have two golden retrievers, treated like children. I work three days a week, I am an RN and manage a medical office. I started at 266 and a size 22 and now able to wear a 14W. We are going scuba diving in May in Florida, something I have not done in 8 years due to a big weight gain during stress. Nice to meet you folks. I know I come to this sight daily for help and inspiration.

I got the 11cc Realize Band in August. I have lost 60 pounds and have 8cc in my band. The port is quite low profile, yet the doc never has a problem with accessing it. I also did my research and I chose the Realize band for a variety of reasons. Low profile port. The softer baffle system of the band itself. More room for adjustments as time goes on. Read about the difference in how the band is filled, the fluid can 'shift' in the band after a fill, if the fluid is all pulled out and put back with more etc I am very happy with my band, and I do think either Lap or Realize ultimately do the same thing. My band helps with hunger. I can easily go 5-6 hours between meals, fill up on less volume and it makes me very cognizant of everything I eat. Good luck either way. Bonnie

Hi All, I was banded 8/24/2010. I have an 11cc Realize Band and have 8cc in. I have lost 60 pounds. I feel the band helps, but only I make the choice of what I put in my mouth. That being said I do feed it 2 drinks twice a week. I eat high protein and low carb. I have drastically cut out sweets and mindless calories ( other than said alcohol) I was not ready to give up all my fun I wish I was better at keeping up the exercise, but do ride my bike 9 miles 3-4 times a week. Oh, and I am 59 years old. I am surprised how well the skin is snapping back, especially on my face and neck. I was virtually without wrinkles at 266 pounds, imagine that! Bonnie