laurigee

Everyone in my family has started thinking more about their weight since I have lost mine. They are seeing that my health is better and it has inspired them. Except my sister-in-law. She is thin, always has been. She has been talking to my husband and telling him that she thinks I have a eating disorder(everyone knows I have the band). She tells him that I am getting to thin and I no longer look good. My husband just laughs. Her opinion doesn't really bother me that much and we still are good friends. The one thing that hurts the most was what some mothers in my small town said. I have 2 sons 14 and 16, we have always had a large group of kids at or house on a daily basis. My husband and I are very close to our sons and a lot of the boys that come over we love like sons. The boys that come over range from 14 to 18. Well, the ugly thing they started was how some of the boys come over without my boys or husband at home. They will wait for them, I give them snacks and chat with them while their waiting. Never thought that was a problem. A mother had the nerve to say "I hope that she is smart enough not to sleep with one of these kids." Just typing that makes me sick to my stomach. No one ever said anything like that when I was heavier and I have always had the house with the kids, even when my nephews were younger. I am not sure if this is jealousy or just someone that is just plain rotten. Sometimes I think life was easier overweight. Then I think about it and start to wonder whether it was easier for me or for other people.

Brittany....Congrats on your journey to a healthier you. If I could make a suggestion. Start now with a journal, not necessarily on what you eat, but what you feel after you eat. I wish I would have done that. It will help when you get banded. A lot of us have struggles with food even after the band. I think some of us, including myself, think that your relationship with food is going to change and it really doesn't. Exspecially if you are a compulsive overeater. If you get your emotional issues out of the way and start dealing with it now it may make your transition to the band easier. Once you start writting it, it is amazing how many emotions come out on paper after overeating or eating the wrong foods at a meal. I have also learned by my journal that certain foods, like carbs, tend to make me depressed and tired. And after certain meals I have more energy. You can really learn alot about your body and it's reactions to foods. Again, congratulations and keep us informed on your journey.

I felt the same way 2 years ago. I have come to realize, which I think a lot of people don't in the beginning, most of us can still eat all the foods we did before. I just eat them in smaller portions. I have been dilligent with exercise so that I am able to eat the treats that I can't and won't live without. I just don't eat as much of them and not as often, which is by choice. I just think that in the beginning you feel like you best friend (food)is dying. Which in reality our best friend is finally put in it place. We will no longer obsess, over indulge, and lose our lives because of our best friend. Our best friend no longer needs to comfort, support, relax, and spend all day, every day with us. We can have more friends now, like exercise, self esteem, pride, and health. These new friends will never make you feel guilty when you spend the day with them. That's one thing that our friend food always seems to do. So my point is, everything in moderation, all your friends should have equal time, no best friends.

I have lost 100% of my excess weight and had a 40 BMI. I would like to lose more like Jachut and Apple to be at about 120%. I have been working on it for over 2 years and I am hoping by my third year I can just worry about maintanance. I guess I am the "Queen" of slow weight loss. I guess I should be happy it's going in the right direction.

Unfortunately during the whole process there are going to be times that you do everything exactly correct and your body just doesn't respond as quickly as we would like. During my time banded I have lost, gained, and plateued, more times than I care to remember. Just make sure you are getting the correct amount of calories, eating the right foods, and exercising. That is all we can do, our body will catch up with it. There is no easy answer or no quick fix. The first pounds come off much faster because of water weight. The rest, for a lot of us, takes much more time, and goes much slower. 1-2lbs a week is average. I realize that you haven't done that in the last week, but you may step on the scale within the next couple of days and find you have lost 4 or more pounds. Just be patient and keep doing everything right and it will happen for you.

First I want to apologize if this has been asked. I looked, but found nothing. I have had my band for a little over 2yrs and have a 4cc band. At my last appointment I was filled to 4.4ccs. I have still not reached goal. This is the first time that I have felt good restriction, which is good for me. My question, what's next? How will this last a lifetime? Will I be able to maintain with no future fills? My doctor doesn't even know the answers to these questions. He says "We'll have to wait and see". He did say that it is okay to add a little more than 4cc to the band, but I worry about jeopordizing my band. And I have .4 more already. Any advise, opinions, or stories you've heard about this would be appreciated.

I was also self-pay. In our area it cost $17,500. This included fills for 1 year. I, fortunately, was able to pay cash. What is unfortunate right now is the status of our economy. Banks and lenders right now are very tight with their money. It may be harder now to get a loan than it was just months ago. So, if you are interested in getting this done soon, I would start looking into different avenues to see where you can possibly get the money from. If you have any questions please feel free to ask.

I would have to say the biggest part of my success was positive thinking. I was also 39 and had never had surgery before. I didn't have much pain at all. I never used the pain meds they gave me. I just used tylenol. I did have the shoulder pain, but I walked that off. I have had surgeries now since my band and I look forward to the wonderful rest that I get when they put me out. I feel great when I wake up, very well rested. I know this sounds a little off, but with 2 boys, a husband, and a dog, rest is not an option when I'm at home. Don't get yourself worked up about the surgery, when we are tense our body is more sensitive to pain, relax and be positive and you will do just fine. It isn't in the same ball park as gastric bypass, I would never have had that surgery because of all the complications. The lap band is safe, and reversible, unlike the gastric bypass. It is truly a very simple proceedure. Good Luck!

Did your doctor suggest 600-800 calories? I personally don't think that you are eating enough. Are you getting any exercise? I wouldn't let my body get use to only 800 calories a day, or you may notice a gain in the future when you start needing more calories for your body to continue to function. I would talk to my doctor or nutritionist and find out the proper amount of calories you should have, determined by your weight and physical activity. I eat double that every day and am still losing weight. Good Luck and let us know how things go.

I actually had to show my doctor proof that I had tried other weight loss methods (weight watchers, prescription diet pills, atkins, ect), before I was a candidate. I didn't have any of the health problems either. Just a BMI of over 40, and overweight for 10+yrs. I was at the end of my rope, tired, and frustrated. I am excited that you have made the right choice for yourself. You wouldn't have been happy or got the most out of the band if you weren't ready. You sound like your very determined and definately doing everything right to be successful at losing your extra weight. Good Luck and I hope you keep everyone posted on your process.

I have no clue why, but every time I have surgery I get cramps in my calves for a couple of weeks afterwards. A surgery I had that I didn't use the compression socks I still experienced it. The doctor said that it could have been from when I was moved or how I was layed during surgery. Who knows. It could be an affect from the anestesia. Anyway, you are not alone, but it's nothing major, just irritating.

bel...You look great! I have been banded for over 2 years now and I am a slow loser also. I know that there are people here that maybe need your mentoring more than I do, but would you be willing to help a semi-experienced bandster out? I was wondering what size band you have? I have a 4cc band and already have over 4cc in it. I have not quite reached goal yet. Have you had alot of fills once you reached goal. I worry that this band will not help me sustain my weight over a long period of time because I am at full, plus some with my band. Thanks for your time.

I didn't have to stay overnight, but I was glad that I brought my pillow and blanket for the hospital and the ride home. I also wore my sneakers that just slipped on with no backs, they were easy to put on and I used them when I walked around the hospital so I didn't slip. Of coarse you want to take pants that have elastic. Bigger the better cuz your stomach will be swollen. I didn't take pain meds because they make me tired and nauseous. So I took along liquid tylenol. I also preffered a shirt that buttoned in the front, so when the nurses wanted a peak at my stomach I just unbuttoned a couple of buttons instead of trying to lift a shirt above my swollen stomach. Hope some of the suggestions help. Let me know how your surgery goes, I will be thinking of you on Monday. Good Luck and take care!

Stress also makes it harder to lose weight. Since she is a nurse, maybe laying in bed also helped relieve some of her stress. So I guess we could use this experiment to make that case also. Who knows. I think it may have been a fluke. I'm glad that she got the rest she needed and is getting back on track again. Please wish her well from me with her knee, I had surgery on my knee several months ago and know that it can be painful and aggrivating.

The dreaded pre-op diet. The only thing worse is the dreaded post-op diet. Just Kidding. Try to mix things up a little bit. There are different flavored broths and my life saver was sugar-free hot chocolate. Great for my WI winters. I will have to agree with Jachut, the artificial sweetners do increase your cravings. If I even drink 1 diet soda, I tend to crave sweets horribly. So maybe your creating a vicious circle right now of being hungry so you eat a jello, and then because of the artificial sweetners in it, it only makes you crave more. I don't think it is going to hurt you, but it may be causing you to be hungrier and crave more. Get a list of things you can consume now(with some variety)or it will be very hard after surgery when you have to do this diet again. Right now for some reason I'm blanking on what I ate, but I'm sure that you can get alot of great ideas from other bandsters. Good Luck.

For breakfast: I like to do something with bran, like Cereal, muffin, toast. With a couple slices of bananas. For me bananas are a big filler, it doesn't take alot and it keeps me full a long time. Lunch: Usually 1/2 sandwich, piece of fruit, or I like pre-package meals like weight watcher, lean cuisine, ect. This makes it easy for me because I don't have to worry about portion size, or trying to think what to make. Supper: I just eat whatever I make for the rest of the family. I sometimes have Snacks 2 or 3 times of day, but I limit them to fruits or veggies.

I had the ablation and am so glad that I did. For me, it worked like a charm. It was absoulutly painless. Now I don't have to wear anything more than a thin pad for maybe 1-3 days. I am not able to use tampons anymore because I don't bleed enough, but that is definately not a problem compared to before. I would bleed so bad that I couldn't stand up for the first couple days of my period. I had to lay in bed with my feet up. I lost my weight and my period in the same year. Life doesn't get much better than that!

I am like the ladies above. I have never measured, and I eat until full. I do tend to eat fast on occasion, that of coarse leads to being overfull. Not comfortable. I also sometimes forget about listening to full because something tastes good. For me that one is the hardest to overcome, and can't be fixed with the band. You just have to start listening to your body more closely, instead of concentrating on the food in front of you. This as you can see, is easier said than done. I am still not perfect with it and probably never will be, just more aware.

lellow...I have the habit of grabbing clothes to big also. I still wear around my husband 2X sweatshirts. I wear a size medium or large. My husband went out and bought me a bunch of clothes and threw away the sweat pants that I love. I just think that everything that fits properly feels to tight. In my house, when it came time to go out my husband would ask "are you going to wear your regular sweats tonight or your dress sweats". Comfort was always key. I think I will always be amazed when I fit on, or into things that I didn't for 10 years. During my first plane trip since I've about hit goal, I sat in the seat and looked over and told my husband that I loved how the seats have gotton bigger on planes. He looked at me and laughed. Of coarse it was easier in my head to think that the airlines had changed to larger seats than to think I had just gotton smaller. He assured me that the seats had definately not gotten bigger. I think for me I will always be waiting for the other shoe to fall, where I return magically overnight back into a obese person. My goal for the new year is to start dealing with food and body issues, no matter what I weigh to just be at peace with myself and food. It seems like that could be my biggest challenge.

Can I ask what the difference is in swallow gum or food? I have been chewing gum for 2 years now without a problem. My doctor said he has never heard of this either.???

Sometimes I find some of these posts confusing. Is the point weight loss or is it health. A non-active thin person can be just as unhealthy as a non-active heavy person. So who really cares if you lose weight and are still unhealthy? Activity is the only thing that will strengthen your body and heart. I'll pass on the "coma" form of weight loss. My objective is health and hopefully weight loss follows.

I am over 2 yrs out and still feel the same way that you do. I love the taste of food and still want to eat it all. It doesn't matter if it's as healthy as a banana, I still want to eat the whole thing, even when I'm full. I didn't have this problem in the first year, but the second year has been more difficult. I think I am starting to miss the comfort food had given me in the past. I think it's time for me to talk to a therapist about my issue. Good Luck Girls!

Actually finding tall sizes in jeans is really hard. They are available in alot of pants, but unfortunately the stores don't carry them. The one place I did find was JC Pennys and Sears. Also the Levi store. Once in a while I will find something at kohls. I will sometimes try the pants on in reg. length, and if I like them ,I just order them online in the longs. Good Luck!

I know that I have lost over 100, so I can tell you about that. I truly think that eating better foods and exercise has been my key. I make sure no matter what I get in at least 4 days of exercise a week. I don't deprive myself of anything (as long as I get in my exercise). I am in love with chocolate and when I what it I have it. I have found that I want it less often then before and of coarse in smaller quantities. Definately, I would have to say that this site is a big part of my success. When I wasn't losing as fast as others here, I stopped coming because I got discouraged. Big Mistake! I started coming back and joining challenges and I am almost at goal. The challenges here are really motivational and the people you get to know inspirational. Good Luck on your banding and congratulations on your weight loss you have had. This is a good inclination that you are going to be a successful bandster.

I know that you want to lose weight, but remember that the band is suppose to help you by losing weight the correct way. Not by not being able to eat. You need to see your doctor right away. You probably do need some fill out. This does not mean you will stop losing weight. What is happening to you is what everyone refers to as pbing. It is not healthy for you or your band. This can cause you to lose your band, ecspecially if it is as bad as you say. You cannot keep these things from your doctor. You need to tell him everything so you are able to use the band the way it is intended. You are not using it properly right now. Ask yourself, if I lose my weight this way, will I be able to live this way forever to maintain my new weight. I'm sure the answer is going to be "NO". So use the band properly and I will guarentee that you will be excited at how great it works and how great it feels. Please don't let another day go by without seeing your doctor. I admire you for having the guts to be honest and trusting us at this site to help support you. Good Luck and keep me informed at what the doctor says, I will be thinking of you.