slikchik10

Well, everybody's different, but as for me, I told everyone. There are about 6-7 people on my staff that have had the RNY so many folks are familiar with things being different for surgery folks. During my pre-op liquid phase...I avoided the breakfasts...I LOVE Breakfast, but I just took my shakes to the lunches. Like I said, everyone's different and I currently am the test run of the band for many folks on our staff that have tried losing but don't want the RNY route. So...I'm a poster child...LOL.:omg: Our principal was a diabetic and had to check & dose himself during lunches, so I didn't let it bother me with sharing , we're a pretty tight knit bunch. I guess I'm an honesty is the best policy girl... I hope this helps, Annette

As I read many times after my surgery...."Welcome to bandster hell!" I think it's especially true for those of us that are slower losers. I know for myself, I've only lost 18# since surgery but my Dr. seems pleased. I figure losing is losing. As for where you are on the journey...I would have to agree with previous folks that told me that you really can't judge your weight loss until the fills begin. Besides, I've found that sometimes I gain a lb. or 2 for no reason or I'm losing inches instead of lbs. when the scale isn't changing. Either way...chin up, I know it's discouraging...been there, still there sometimes :rolleyes but you can get through it. I truly think that the mental adjustment for us is that the band isn't the same in it's after effects as the bypass. We see so many that have had the RNY where their weightloss is quick, and even some bandsters are having similar experiences to the RNY, but there again, loss will be loss. Don't worry about all this until after the fill. Just check your what you can control. Are you making good food choices? I know that I've got an appointment with the nutritionist at my Dr. so I can evaluate my choices. I want to make the tool work, so I need to make sure I'm using all the possible things to help it work (exercise, food choices, etc.). Again, give it time. We live in a society that expects instant gratification, but the band isn't that. It's gonna retrain us, which is a good thing. Come here, we're all here to support each other. I love this thread, it's really helped to know that there are others out there that have the band and are having success even though we're losing slower than other bandsters. Good luck! Annette

I truly think it's the genetics. I recently found my bio mom & my 1/2 sister. It's interesting to now see the genetics of the thing. My sis works out like crazy....and she's in good shape, but not a skinny mini, just an average woman in USA. Me....I won't be a workout fiend...3x a week so far for me...and I'm sure I'll continue to be a slow loser. I went for my 2nd fill yesterday and my Dr. was pleased. I was shocked! I have been beating myself up for only losing about 15# since surgery, but I'd lost 3 last month... So....I figure, losing, is losing. I made an appointment with the nutritionist to exam some of my eating, to see if any changes could be made to make better use of the band. I also figure that I'll have to add some length to my workouts, cause 3x a week is about all I can schedule. Also, I'm going in for my annual physical with my PCP, I'm hoping he'll look into other causes I might have for slow losing...since there's a family history now. Chin up folks....really, we can't compare ourselves to the RNY or other bandsters. Losing is still losing! I realized yesterday while waiting at the Dr. office that I'd just gone on vacation and I still lost 3 lbs! I've NEVER had that experience! :faint:So, slow or not...Loss is loss! Thanks for all your support during these times. Annette

I go to the monthly support meetings and that helps, but still....we mostly a few newbies that have the band...most old-timers are RNY. Our numbers are growing, but I find a lot of support and encouragement on this board. I did go to Curves this afternoon .....since I'm back from vacation and would like to have a routine before school starts again. Maybe that will kick start my metabolism, who knows? You know the old saying... "Tie a knot in the end of the rope and hang on for the ride, it could get a little bumpy!" :gluck:

I'd be surprised if my metabolic rate isn't lower....sheesh, what a pain. Still, I try to remember that I've not gained ANY back....so, level or downward...it's at least better than heading up.

I too am a slow loser. Banded 3/30/07 and have lost 15# since surgery, 35 over the past year. I've got 1 fill....the 2nd should be next week (if they don't postpone things again!) I know having the right restriction should help, but it's so frustrating when the Dr. office has to reschedule things. I can tell I'm fighting to keep my calories lower. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE the fact I'm 35 less (NSVs & back to my wedding size feel GREAT) but I didn't get this thing to let it just sit inside my body. I want to be able to use the tool properly! Over the past year I've really made changes with my eating and now it's mostly quantity that's still the problem. (Thus my reasons for even getting a band...) It's so nice to hear I'm not the only one feeling unmotivated. My hubby is very supportive, but having folks dealing with this same issue means a lot. Thanks all for sharing and allowing me to vent. Annette

:decision:This smiley sums it up. Banded on 3/30 and didn't get my first fill until 6/5 (Dr. moved the original date 2 wks). Waited a week and....NO RESTRICTION! So, I thought since I was going on vacation I thought it best to wait until my 7/10 appt. to get the next fill.....BUT NOOOOO, they moved it to 7/17. I am waiting with baited breath and trying not to lose motivation. I at least didn't gain during vacation but the scales haven't done anything in the last month. I can see my caloric intake increasing as I enter my foods on fitday.com as well as my enthusiasim waning. I'm not going to give up...I worked too hard to get where I am, but DANG IT! I'm sure when I finally get to see the Dr. I'm gonna be pretty peeved at constantly being moved for these fills. I would at least like to see the band in action again. The only time I've felt any restriction was after surgery, since then, no restriction, nada. Sorry, but I'm frustrated right now. I got this surgery so I could use the tool with the other changes I've made and having to put up with the appt. changes is very annoying. I can see I'm sliding back to old habits because there's no consequence....:Cry: I'm glad many of you guys have had success with the surgery, but so far...my losing success has mostly come prior to surgery; it has only helped me maintain my status quo so far. A.

First of all, we've moved to a new thread to post to. BUT....I too am having the same issues. I go in for a 2nd fill on July 10...but if you read the new thread, we're all having the same issue regarding not having that "full" feeling we experienced with surgery. I keep telling myself that once I hit the "sweet spot" with the fill experience, that life will be a bit better. I'm trying to maintain things by diet right now, but it's tough. Keep your chin up, and read the new postings...we're all in the same boat. Good luck :biggrin1:

Actually today was our end of the year faculty party. :clap2: Yes, I'm FREEEE!!! Anyway, to answer your question, I just attend the meals and eat small amounts. We've got about 8-9 people on staff that have had gastric bypass, and I've been comfortable enough to share my LB experience with my friends on staff. I try to pick out items I can have. At our Breakfast club meals I go for Protein related items w/fruit and avoid the breads. As for PB...I've not done that yet, but I have gotten stuck....and I just get up and walk it off. I figure their my friends and pretty supportive (I work at an awesome school!). Good luck!

:tired I soooo feel your pain. I too teach 6th grade only Math/Science. And I think that if we danced naked on a table they STILL wouldn't turn it in. I was rather surprised to get Science projects this year since in the past, my % of turn ins were about the same as yours. I just figure it ebbs and flows. I've got 3 1/2 w/Kids, 5 w/o left. I'm ready after the chuckle-heads I've had this year. I love my job, but I'm ready for a new batch. :yield:Best of luck with the final days. I'm gonna have them busy cleaning these last couple of days.....:heh: Take care!

I opened up Mylanta gas gel caps and squeezed out the liquid into a drink. Then I also would take extra Gas-X strips. I was also told sleeping/lying on your side would assist the movement of the gas to the intestinal tract. Sounds crazy, but it worked for me. About 3 dys. after surgery, the porcelain god & I were friends for quite a while...then no more pain. Good luck!

I'm so glad to hear things like your stories. I lost a bit in the first couple of weeks after surgery, but now...no losing and hunger returning. I've not yet had my 1st fill...but reading about your stories gives me hope during the plateau period. I've got to wait until June 5th for my 1st fill...I hope it helps curb the hunger. I'm trying to stay down in calories...and upping the exercise. Anyway, thanks....for the support.

I have found that my conversations have changed at lunch also. My lunch buddy and I used to chat and eat but now....oh no, if I do, things get stuck or I get an airbubble going down which hurts when food follows right behind. I'm not even filled yet, but I worry about what will happen once I'm filled. Kity, glad to hear you're doing well. I remember we were both discussing how this would work during spring breaks and I guess all things turned out well. I'm so ready for our school year to be done this go around. I'm in a traditional yr. school. Our last day is June 15...come on down! We've had a rough group of kiddos this year, more than the usual 6th gr. goofies. I'm ready for the break. So, here's the question...if y'all are traditional yr., what are your plans for the break? I'm meeting my bio-mom this summer in Nebraska. Anyone elses plans for the summer????

Hi there.....6th grade middle here. I think there are quite a few bandsters that are teachers. I know that my schedule seems to be ok, except for the lack of time to eat at lunch. You know the mad rush lunch time is as a teacher. So....it's ok, for now.

That's exactly why I switched to Flax Seed. I tried the Flax Oil and it still had a strong flavor, but I'm now using just the bag of Flax Seed (naaayyyy, ,horse sound>) and mixing a tablespoon in my oatmeal. It says you can mix it in muffins, or other things you cook, so I just cook it the oatmeal. No fish taste/burps. All the benefits!

Actually, I didn't like the burping/taste I got from the fish oil tablets so I switched to Flax Seed. I mix it in my oatmeal and it has a slightly nutty taste and no after burp/taste.

I love food...the Food Network is often on here at my house. I really like learning things from the chefs & cooks they have. I would agree that the quality of what I consume has improved over the past 2 yrs. (pre banding) and because of that, I'm able to make a lot of tasty changes in my meals. I'll always be a foodie...just no longer in quantity just quality! Fresh foods is the way to go. So fellow foodies....enjoy (less)!

:help: OK...I was totally excited for tomorrow because I was gonna leave the land of "Bandster Hell"....but NOOOOOO!!!! My Dr. office called to reschedule and they can't get me in for a fill date until JUNE 5th!!! I"m gonna DIE here. (yes, I'm in whine mode) I've really been trying to watch the calories, but I'm starting to get hungry and the calories are creeping up again. I've only lost 12 lbs since surgery, which I know, I know....is fine. I at least got permission to up the ante and go back to Curves earlier than I expected. I'm hoping that will help things maintain or help while I wait another couple of weeks. Ok...now I'm done, whine over. Thanks for listening. Y'all are great! A.

LOL...bet my native land surprises folks more....I'm from WV...LDS convert.

To all of the above...ditto. My port site was an orange for a while. The gas pains bothered me until 4 days after surgery. Gas-X was my friend! As for pain meds.....I would err on the side of caution. I found that taking them the 1st couple of days at least allowed me to rest when I was tired and be pain free. I am also someone that weened myself down to smaller doses so by day 5 I was med free except for the occasional tylenol. It helped me sleep comfortably and work my way back into activity. So...there you have it, my 2 cents...hope it helps. Keep your chin up!

Yup. Here in Cali. Great to touch base. I'm down 12 lb. since surgery....and hope to have a fill in about 3 weeks. Sorry to hear about your surgeon woes. I realize the surgeon thinks your wife wouldn't be compliant but what's he willing to do to assist with changing that mentality. Our support group here has a great counselor that leads the group meetings and having attended these last 6 mos. before I even had surgery, I must say those topics he discussed really solidified my willingness to "work the plan." I changed a lot of my thinking and really became reflective about this choice. It's a major change and I've really tried to connect it to the WoW. Well...keep the faith, and good luck with things. Time will fly, really. Let's keep in touch. :clap2:

I lost a bunch at first, but have slowed down to a crawl. I went to my local support group meeting and the gals I know there (long timers) said I'm "NORMAL!" I came home and told me DH....I was so excited. I thought I was doing something wrong, but the gals said just wait until fills begin.....then look out!

Ya know....Evening of Primrose Oil as a supplement has helped the PMS tremendously. My hubby noticed a MAJOR difference this month since not only had I had the surgery, but the Dr. allowed me to resume this supplement. Thus...April was much less snippy than March. Hope this helps!

For me...stuck came from talking & eating at the same time. I don't mean talking with my mouth full, but I really have to be conscious of the eating process so I don't get an air bubble in between the food and the stoma. I got an air bubble down before the food and wham-o....stuck for a couple of minutes. I jiggled, walked, etc. Thus, I take a bite, chew, chew, chew, swallow...wait, then talk. I really have to focus on how I'm eating so I don't goof it up. I hope this helps.

I thought folks might like to participate tomorrow. Thanks! Annette