Katy517

I didn't receive my pre-op diet until one week prior to my surgery. Mine consisted of five days of clear liquids only so it wasn't quite like 'you can eat anything that's liquid'. I was allowed diluted clear juices like apple and white grape, sugar free popcicles and low-sodium broths. The diet is meant to shrink the liver in preparation for surgery. I lost twelve pounds during those five days on clear liquids and think that it jump-started my post-surgery weightloss efforts to a large degree.

My stomach makes a lot of loud gurgling noises too and I've realized that they occur primarily when I'm really hungry. Once I satisfy the physical hunger the gurgling ceases only to be followed in ~4 hours or so by more noisemaking. My hunch is that they never really existed prior to the band because I never before really allowed myself to become physically hungry. I was pretty much always sated or overly full prior to banding.

Nothing so far of any magnitude and definitely not purchasing any clothing. I'm wearing old things that are new again and enjoying that. I'm hoping to hit 185 by the new year and that will put me in 'overweight' BMI range rather than 'obese'. If I make that goal will probably do something special to celebrate new year's and the milestone like a concert.

This was my experience immediately post-op too. Walking helped tremendously. Everything was done in slow motion too - both the walking and ingesting of fluids.

You're welcome and yes. I've lost steadily since my April 2010 surgery and am down 80 pounds. The key for me has been body awareness - something that I really never before concentrated on. In fact, I think that I pretty much ignored my body's signals prior to being banded and gave into far too many emotional indulgences. I now try to pay attention to my body and what it really needs in terms of nourishment and exercise and that has worked well for me.

Pretty sure Jacqui is meaning 'using the lap band in addition to behavior modification and a bit of honestly with yourself works really well.' I'm not a 'veteran' bander, but would agree with that sentiment 100%. Have had my share of problems too, a post-op port infection and port revision surgery four months post-op. As far as which forum this thread was posted in, might be a good idea to ask a site moderator to move it to a more appropriate forum where you will hopefully get more feedback. Good luck.

This hasn't been my experience and in fact I have the most restriction right after my adjustments.

I live in the near west suburbs and was banded 4/15. No regrets and down 80 pounds from my high pre-op diet weight. Dr. Fred Tiesenga did my surgery.

Most often I'm free on Saturdays.

Navigate to the forum that you want to post a new thread in and click on the 'new thread' button that is located upper left above the thread listing.

Funny, but I picked 13 out of the blue just because it's my lucky number and I knew it would get me to a nice round goal number of 185. Little did I realize then just what a milestone it will be. 185 will bring me over the hump to an 'overweight' rather than 'obese' BMI category and that is something that I haven't seen or felt in a very long time. I'm super motivated now.

How long ago was your last fill and how much weight loss since that time? In my experience, I tend to lose pretty steadily after an adjustment and then plateau right before I need a fill. The plateau is accompanied by an increased appetite. My doc says that is perfectly normal because my band loosens as I lose weight. You mention that you can eat 1 1/2 cups and I'm assuming you mean at a single meal. Since being banded I haven't been able to eat more than 1 cup at a sitting and 1/2 cup is more typical.

Chili and soups - even the chunky variety - are definitely slider food for me. I'm able to eat quite a lot without filling up. My doc doesn't want me eating either, but I still do sometimes. They are tasty, healthy and easy to eat. I just try to keep the quantities in check and eat them sparingly.

I weigh myself daily first thing every morning and have since my surgery date. It helps me to stay focussed and be mindful of my goal. If I find myself having gained a pound or two I know that my short-term goal is then to get back to my prior low weight and I like that constant feedback from the scale for that reason especially. After prior successful weight losses I found myself straying away from the daily weigh-ins and I feel it was detrimental to my overall success. It's just too easy for me to let a two pound turn into 20 and then the floodgates have opened.

I work Monday through Friday so could only do a weekday lunch if nearby. Early evenings on weekdays would work better for me.

I'm still reading it. Can you PM me the lunch plan details please?

I'm in and have updated the spreadsheet. Am starting the challenge today at 198 and hope to lose 13 pounds by the new year.

I hit my goal of 199 yesterday and have updated the new version of the spreadsheet with each week's loss. On to the next challenge!

This is my situation now too. I still go out and still enjoy foods that I like and can tolerate just in much smaller quantities. I look at it as being economical.

I hit 199 this morning. It feels really good and I'm proud of the accomplishment. I'm over 1/2 way to goal now and realize the 2nd half of the journey will probably be quite a bit tougher than the 1st was, but I'm up for that challenge too. 133 pounds and a normal BMI - here I come.

Thanks guys. I appreciate the support and wish you all the same good fortune on your weight loss journey. Banding is a great tool, but sure doesn't make this easy. It's still a daily struggle.

I was banded about six months ago and am down 77 pounds now from my highest weight. I've got quite a lot of loose skin especially in my breasts and neck area. I haven't decided yet if I'll do any kind of cosmetic surgery to address it. It seems a pretty small price to pay for better health, but I do realize that the neck skin in particular makes me look older than my years. Good luck.

In my case, I asked my surgeon. He told me that he only uses one type and size of band and told me what that was. I had not choice in the matter, but knowledge is power.

I officially weigh in at my Weight Watchers meeting once weekly. I also weigh myself at home each morning. I know that daily weight fluctuations aren't something to get overly concerned about, but it's interesting to me to see how different foods affect daily weight changes and water retention.

I said 'get rid of them' and I really hope that I will do that. I find though that I continue to wear them now even though I'm swimming in them and my skinny clothes from years ago were never given away. So, who knows really?