Bklynike

Well, it has been a long time since I posted anything on this webiste. Once upon a time I was posting daily, then the site changed and I couldn't locate most of my friends or even figure out how to post. So, I am hoping some of my old banster buddies and perhaps some new friends will read my blog and send a hello. I was banded on June 21st, 2010 - my birthday. It was the best gift I have ever given myself. As of today, I have lost 72 lbs. I feel amazing and love the gym. I am still going 3-4 times a week, when health and family issues don't get in the way. I have been suffering with bronchitis this week, so I missed both my Friday night and today's trip to the gym, but I am anticipating by Tues I will be going back. I have only had 2 fills since my surgery - the first was 1cc and the 2nd was a 1/4cc. I am scheduled to go back in March for another, which I think I will be ready for. It is not that I am eating the wrong foods, but I find I am able to eat larger portions and this weight loss is based on portion control and exercise. It amazes me how great I feel at the gym and how exhausted and old I feel when I get home. I guess at 56 years of age I can't do what I used to do in my 20s and although in my mind I am still very young, my body is screaming "Enough old lady". I used to have my husband take a picture of me at the beginning of each month and I would post it to the old site. Unfortunately, I have no clue how to post a photo at this new site, so the green shirt photos have been a thing of the past. But I can tell you I had started at a size 3-4X and am now wearing Larges. I actually needs some new pants because my 18s are getting ridiculously big on me and my co-workers are making fun of me. So perhaps that will be my next project. I'll pick up two or three pairs of jeans; I can still wear my tops. I have had to go back to wearing a belt. Now I am not complaining, in fact I am thrilled to death that I have lost so much weight. People who haven't seen me in a while are shocked at how much I have lost in a relatively short time. I wish all of my fellow bandsters and those who are contemplating getting the surgery the best of success and good health. This is truly a gift.

Good to see you back. I will check out your blog, as well. Hope you did well in your 5K.

I have been fluxuating between 71 72 lbs for a few weeks now, but I know I will get past it. Your body is just fighting right now, but don't give up. Keep doing what you are doing and it will turn around. If not, see if you need a fill. Whatever you do, I wish you the best.

You didn't "CHEAT" because this is a lifestyle change, not a diet plan. My doctor always says if you crave something, every once in a while it is ok to give into to it. I beat myself up over a crouton! But after speaking with the doctor, I figured out what I needed to do to remain shooting towards my goal weight and have been very successful. As long as what you did doesn't become a habit, forget it and move on. We have all been there. Look forward, not behind and good luck to you.

My first fill I had 1cc and my 2nd only 1/4cc. They know what they are doing and if you don't feel restricted enough, make another appointment. The best of luck to you what ever you decide to do.

I think we have all felt under motivated, but you have been doing so well. Don't give up on yourself - you can continue to do this with or without the fill. You know what you should be eating, how much exercise you should be doing and how much fluids to drink. So just do it, as they say in all of the Nike commercials. Get back to the basics - no grain, no carbs, until your next fill and you will be amazed at how well you will feel about yourself. I have total faith in you - I know you do too. Take care, my friend. You derserve it.

You either want to lose the weight or you don't. A lot of people want to stop smoking or kick any other habit you can think of, but are just not ready to make the sacrafices necessary to do so. It doesn't make you a faillure - it just means you are not ready.You have to weigh, no pun intended, the differences between staying heavy or actually putting you mind to losing weight and doing it. Do you see yourself as a loser? Not good enough? Low self-esteem? If this is the case, you need to speak with someone to find out why and take care of that problem before concentrating on the weight loss. Did you see a psychologist prior to the surgery? Perhaps you need to visit them again. I truly wish you the best of luck and hope you can figure out what will be best for you.

I don't know anyone who has complained about this situation. Perhaps you are having a reaction to something else? Have you been to the doctor - either your surgeon or your primary? After 18 months I can't imagine it has anything to do with your band. I wish you luck in finding out what is going on. Please come back and post so we all will know.

OK, let's see if we can figure out this problem. 1) Do you keep a food diary? I did when I was first banded and it does help you make better decisions. 2) Are you drinking your 64 ounces of fluid a day? Crystal Lite has saved my life because I hate plain water 3)l Have you had a fill yet? 4) Have you talked to your doctor, nutritionist, nurse, primary doctor? 5) You seem to have already given up. Do you want to remain heavy? Some people do. They feel sorry for themselves and it gives them an excuse to pig out. It probably took years for you to get "fat" and it will take time to take it off 6) Are you eating bread, pasta, pizza, potatoes, chips and other carbs? That can be a big problem. 7) Are you hoping to sabotage yourself? Sit down and make a list of what you really want. Speak with your doctors and let them help you reach your goal. Don't give up becuase it is never, ever to late.

There is always non-alcoholic beer! The weight loss is really more important, but you are a grown up and your priorities are your own.

SF ice pops are the best! Once you can start on food, tuna with lots of lite mayo in the food processor is a great way to go. Also, I use 1 egg with egg whites and make scrambled eggs for breakfast everyday. Land O Lakes make a great light butter with either canola or olive oil. I prefer the canola. Eat slowly and chew well when you can start eating. I hated the protein shakes, so I went to soups and eggs quickly. Get the the gym as quickly as you can and stay on your routine. If you can't afford or use a gym, walking and swimming if you have access to a pool. Stay active - at the beginning it is so hard, but it does get easier. When I started at the gym I was able to walk about 5 minutes on the treadmill and increased the length of time, the speed and incline. You will not do it in a day - take your time. It took years to put the weight on, be patient and it will come off. Follow your doctor's instructions and see a nutritionist with your food log. They will give you the best advice. I have cut out carbs, except for what is in veggies. No white products - bread, pizza, pasta, potatos, etc. for at least 1 year. But do what the dr says to do and you will succeed. Good luck and welcome to our little bandster family. Thank you for writing.... I love the SF popsicles. They are a life savior right now. As of Friday, I can start solid liquids so I can increase my diet somewhat. I have protein drinks from Medifast that I can tolerate well and that will help. This first week I am not getting any protein and that scares me. I love walking so I will be walking like crazy again. I usually walk almost 3.5 mile a day with my dog. I am so excited about this.

How amazing that you and your hubby get to do this together. While I have insurance, they would not pay for my banding so I paid out of pocket over $13,250. My husband does not have insurance, but he feels he will be able to take off the weight on his own. It has been a slow process for him, but we are exercising together and getting healthier together. You are making a better future with eachother by losing the weight together. Remember to do as much walking as you can to get rid of the gas you are going to feel. GasX has helped some people, but I just did a lot of walking. During commercials, if you can believe it. Drink plenty of liquids to help with the hunger, but you won't experience hunger as you do now. i wish you both the best of luck. You are so fortunate to be able to do this together. You will give eachother strength and encouragement - just don't be competitive. Everyone loses at a different rate. Also remember it took years to put the weight on, it will take a while to take it off. I am almost 70lbs down, surgery was on June 21st of 2010. Good luck.

You go girl. I am so glad you have found your way back here to list a blog. I really miss the old site, but we have to work with what we have. Love the name of your band. 70 lbs is great - I'm at 69. Today is my 1 year anniversary of being cancer free and I am so excited, proud and just plain happy. Keep in touch and keep posting.

First let me which everyone a very happy and healthy New Year. With that out of the way, I must say this has been the craziest year I have ever had. Let's start at the beginning. On January 5th of last year (2010) I had a mastectomy becuase I had breast cancer. I did not have the reconstruction done right away, because my plastic surgeon knew I was having Lapband surgery in the summer - postponed from December when I learned about the cancer. He said my body would be changing to drastically so he would put it off. He did not want me to be lop-sided. I had my Lapband surgery on 6/21, my actual birthday that I call my rebirth. I did not need chemo - I did not need radiation - I have lost 69.5 lbs - I am cancer free - I am no longer diabetic - I no longer have sleep apnea - I no longer have high blood pressure I am hoping to have my tummy tuck and boobs done in December of this year. I know I will always have to watch what I eat, always exercise and be ever viligent. I will do so because I am loving my new self. I guess my journey will never end, but I thank God everyday I made the journey at all.

Good job. Keep it up. Nothing worth having comes easy, so we are all working to succeed. Happy and healthy to you and yours.

I am entering the New Year in the Onederland - 68.5 lbs down and feeling great. The greatest thing I ever did for myself. I went to the doctor on Wed to get my 2nd fill, and was told I only needed 1/4cc, giving me a total of approximately 5cc in my 14cc band. I wish you all a happy and healthy New Year. May you loose all of the weight you want to lose, not be hungry between meals, stop craving carbs, come into a lot of money for your new wardrobe and be comfortable enough to wear a bathing suit this summer!

I had expected the weight to just fall off when I had my surgery. But, I have to say that when I started my Journey I weighed 268. I had my surgery on June 21st of this year and am now down to 199.5 putting me into the Onderland. After speaking with my primary doctor and my surgeon, I truly believe that the best way to lose weight is to do it slow and steady. I've only had 2 fills since June, the last just last week was only 1/4cc giving me approximately 5ccs in my 14cc band. Give your self some time - it will come off. Let's not forget it took us years to put it on, it is going to take a while to get it off.

I love going to the gym. For anyone who can't afford an LA Fitness or Bally's, check to see if your hospital has a fitness center. Mine does and it is great. The price is right and there are no people there dressed to the 9's looking for a date. I don't have a New Year's resolution, but I am hoping to get off of my high blood pressure medication by losing more weight and attending the gym 3-4 times a week. After a loss of 68.5 lbs I am no longer diabetic. Happy New Year!

I would perhaps do protein shakes to keep up your protein or you might become anemic. Speak with your doctor before doing anything that radical. Best of luck.

You are lucky that is all you have to pay. My insurance company wouldn't pay a penny, so it cost me over $13,000! Check with your doctor and insurance company to see if he does it in an ambulatory center instead of a hospital if the price will go down for you. In either case, best of luck

You must forget the scale - it is not your friend. Look at how you clothes are fitting and how you are feeling. The band is a tool, you are the one who is in charge of your destiny. You eat right, you exercise, you don't cheat and you will lose the weight. Trust yourself to do the right thing and remember this is a life long journey - not just a week, a month or a year. It took a long time to put the weight on and it will take a while to get it off. Good luck.

Congrats on taking the first step. This is a heck of a great journey - you will be so amazed at how good you will feel as the weight starts to drop off. You doctor will give you a list of do's and don't's. Follow it. I had my surgery in the morning and was home by 3:00 in the afternoon. I rested up the first day - was a little sore getting up and down from sitting, but that was pretty much it. By day 2 I walked, walked and walked to get rid of the gas. I was watching TV and every time a commercial came on, I got up and walked around my condo. By Day 3 I was visiting my father-in-law who was in the hospital and walked the halls - a lot. I started on liquids, then shortly afterwards went to mushy like eggs, tuna with light mayo, and creamy soup. Then on to regular food. The pain was a piece of cake - don't be afraid. You will be fine. Good luck to you. I started my journey in October at 268lbs. My surgery was on June 21st and as of yesterday I weighed in at 199.5. I have not felt this good in years.

For any of you who have read my blogs, you know I had breast cancer last year. My 1-year anniversary of being cancer free is coming on January 5th. I saw my oncologist today and she was absolutely thrilled by my progress - my numbers are great and my weight loss has been a huge help. Down almost 68lbs so far. I am still in remission - cancer free is a great feeling. Getting thinner is also a great feeling. I love my lapband. I am having a problem figuring out this new site. I hope all of my fellow bandsters are still getting what they need here. I look forward to reading everyone else's blogs, how they are doing and suggestions to getting better success. Weight loss is not an easy thing - hence the lapband surgery, but it is attainable and I know I will succeed. I have something to look forward to - I will be getting my boobs and a tummy tuck some time around Nov/Dec of 2011. I need to lose all the weight I want to lose and keep my weight steady so I can have the surgery. I was going to have the reconstruction at the time of the mastectomy (left breast), but because I was going to be losing so much weight, the surgeon wanted me to wait. So I will have both done at the same time. I already look better, I am cancer free, I have a fabulous husband and family and the new year is upon us. I wsh everyone who reads this the most wonderful holiday season. May you live as long as you want, but never want as long as you live. Here's to an easy journey for us all.