laurigee

Kentucky girl: Try not to compare yourself to anyone. Everybody loses weight at different speeds. If you pay attention to this or try to compare yourself it could get very discouraging. I was a slow loser and I would get depressed when I seen others numbers compared to mine. Just stick to the rules and be patient and you will start to lose. Also, Don't get your body use to the same foods or exercises, change them up. This will keep your body guessing. Good Luck!

This is definately a yes and no answer. It does help with the ravenous hunger. This doesn't mean that you will never be hungry again, just not ravenous(with fills). Exercise is a very important part of the process. If you want the band to do it all for you it isn't going to. And it isn't going to help you make the correct food choices. Your still going to crave the junk. So I think if your objective is better health, I would not question the decision at all. I, for one, love my band and have not seen this weight for about 10 years. I couldn't have done it without it. Please believe in yourself, don't have doubts, know that this time with the band you will succeed! If you believe in yourself and listen to the band rules you will be fine. Good Luck and I hope to hear that you've been approved.

For some reason I think that some doctors try to starve the pounds away. I truly don't get the pholosophy of 3 meals a day. I personally have always had 2 healthy snacks between my meals. For me I choose fruit. There is no way that this is going to hurt weight loss. It is only going to give your body the nutrients it needs. This also helps to not overeat or eat to fast during your meals. The lap band is suppose to help teach us healthier behaviors. To me not eating, or just eating 1/4 of food 3x's a day is not a reality. It would not work for me, I exercise almost every day and could not do that on that amount of food. I'm looking for health not anorexia. If you need more food, eat it. As long as its healthy. Don't let the clock tell you when breakfast, lunch, and dinner is. You have to work it around your schedule. Just like the band everyone is different and you have to adjust it to your needs and lifestyle, otherwise it is just another diet and not a lifestyle change. Good Luck

Well, it definately sounds like you could use a fill. I am a chocolate freak. I am not willing to give this up. I feel like if I did I would just be fooling myself for a short time and when I went off the wagon it would be worse. What I do is, if I want my little snack, I figure out how many calories it is going to be. Then, when I exercise, I have to excercise off that many extra calories. Believe it or not, sometimes when I finish I don't feel like eating it. But on the other hand, sometimes I do. Either way I get to decide whether it's worth it that day or not. Keeps me in control and on track. Good Luck

Bridgette: Try not to go into a meal so hungry. I know alot of people think that 3 meals are it. But for me I think that a healthy snack, such as a piece of fruit, between meals, only makes things better. It will make it so you don't overeat or eat to fast at your meal. A healty snack will not hurt you or stop your weight loss. It will only help your body with nutrition it needs to encourage weight loss and give you the energy you need to exercise. Remember, the idea of the band is to encourage a healthy lifestyle and healthy eating habits. Try it out if you haven't and see if it will slow you down at meal time. Good Luck.

Hi Ladies. I have never been to this forum before, I like that it is age specific because it brings up many different issues, let's face it our bodies don't work the same as they did in our 20's. First off, congratulations to miss meliss on hitting "onderland". And congrats to everyone who has chose to make your lives healthier and happier. With that said Krissyjean: Be careful with being too full. Sometimes that can cause you to make unwise food choices because that is all that goes down well. You definately need to find someone that can get it in one poke. I know that going other places sounds expensive, but in the long run it is worth it because it will keep your weight loss on track and it won't mess with you emotionally like it has now. Don't worry about how slow you are losing right now if you are exercising and eating right. I too, was a slow loser. The benefit? I have no hanging skin, ANYWHERE! Think of the money you will save on tummy tucks, and lipo! Don't look for the mythical "sweet spot". For me that never exsisted. But that does not mean it won't exsist for you, just don't keep waiting for it. For me it has taken quite a bit of willpower, that I didn't think when I began that it would. You learn day by day what works for you. If you have any questions I will be happy to share any info that I have learned over the years. I think I have been through a little of everything. Anything, just ask. Good Luck

Donna: The funny thing about the band is foods that you are not able to eat right now in another month or so if you try them again you may be able to eat them. Some times one day to the other makes a difference. If it is something healthy like your apple I would try it again in a couple of weeks, and you may be able to eat them. Now with foods that aren't so good for you just keep the assumption that your not able to eat them, it makes it easier. I know that after a couple of weeks after a fill it loosens up quite a bit and things go down alot easier. Good Luck and don't give up on your delicous, healthy granny smith apples, they are one of my favorite also.

Jachut: First of all you look fabulous! I know this has nothing to do with this thread but, as you mentioned you have to use a bit of willpower. I do also, I never reached the mythical "sweet spot". Do you think that some people are looking to never feel hungry again? Is that suppose to be the reality with the band? Does it seem like some are looking to rely on eating nothing to reach their goals instead of using exercise and good food choices? Is just being thin what some are looking for instead of health and a healthy relationship with food and exercise? I was going to start a thread about this and just wanted to ask another successful older(not in age in banding) if I may be way off base? Don't want to offend anyone!

Unfortunately if you are only on week 2 you will get hungry. There isn't anything in your band yet. I would still suggest mashing the banana and maybe add a little milk to it. It will slide right down. For some reason, even to this day bananas are my filler. Congratulations to you and cobrien on your new bands! If you have any questions feel free to ask I am a 2 1/2yr veteran at this and have been through a little of everything. Good Luck, and again Congratulations.

Are you hungry between meals(uncontrolable)? Are you still losing weight? I don't think just because you have a fill scheduled that means it's time for a fill. So I guess if I was comfortable were I was at, I would leave well enough alone until I started feeling hungry or my weight loss stalled. It is such a personal thing, everyone likes a different feeling of restriction. Some like to be tighter than others. I personally don't like being to tight, but that could also be the reason it has taken me longer to hit goal than alot of others. I would feel horrible exercising when I couldn't eat enough, and that would tend to make me not exercise. Which I thought exercise was important for my personal health goals. Like I said, it's a personal choice and you can see we all have different views. You will find your comfort level, it may take a few fills or unfills, but you'll find it. Good Luck

Many people think that it is important to only eat 3 meals a day. If you feel hungry between meals it is okay to grab a piece of fruit or some other healthy snack. It will help to not be so hungry when it's meal time. When your over hungry you tend to eat to fast, which is a no-no. Food is not our enemy, we need to make better choices. That healthy snack will only help your body function better during the day and during exercise. I think that sometimes there is a misconception that with the band you will never get hungry. That's not a reality. Of coarse your band has nothing in it right now so there isn't going to be any or little restriction. It may take a few fills to start feeling the restriction you like. Be patient, it will start helping you soon! Good Luck!

Don't do liquids before bed, do something solid. Liquids don't stay in the band. Jello and protien shakes go straight through. Maybe try a banana or another type a fruit. If you are drinking before bed you are just getting rid of any food that may be left in your band from supper, and that is going to make you hungry during the night. Good Luck and let me know if this works for you.

I never thought it would be as hard as it is. You are able to eat around the band if you want to. If you don't exercise you will eventually stop losing or gain. It is not a quick fix, there will be times when you don't lose anything. It may take a while to be filled with the right level for you. You will still get hungry. People you know can tend to treat you different. Now on the positive side; your self-esteem and self worth increases, your health improves, your able to lose weight you've had with you for years, clothes shopping is no longer excruciating, and life is good. Just don't go into it with stars in your eyes thinking that this is the magic bullet that will do everything for you. Just go into it knowing it's hard work with alot of ups and downs. Good Luck and Congratulations! It's a long journey but well worth it.

I just got another fill in my 4cc band on Tuesday. I am over 4cc now. They put in 4.5 (i think) in my band. I do feel it now, maybe a little too much. I will see. I have never PB'd since getting the band and still have not. I just feel a little tight in the chest and stomach area. I guess my doctor says it's okay to add a little more than recommended for the band. Let's hope so! Good Luck Everyone!

I must be the odd man out, I lost most of my weight after the first year. My whole process has taken 2 1/2yrs so far. And I am still 10lbs out. I'm 5'10" and weigh 165, and wear between an 8-10. My bmi is normal. I personally wouldn't panic if I were anyone. I'm glad I didn't hear that statistic a year ago or I may have sabotaged myself with self doubts. I can say that slow weight loss does have its benifits, no loose skin for me. I think when any of us set our minds to it we are unstopable. So for any of you out there that don't lose as fast as others, don't be discouraged. It doesn't matter how fast you get there, it's just important we finish the race. Good Luck Everyone!

I'm 2 1/2 yrs. out and I am still always hungry at night. I eat the majority of my calories at night because of this. Otherwise I have food dreams all night. It doesn't make me a pleasant person in the morning. You don't have any fill so you will feel hunger until probably your 1st or 2nd fill. Depending how aggressive your surgeon is with fills. Mine was very conservative and it took me maybe 3 before I could feel anything. Patience is the key in this journey, being too full is just as bad if not worse than not being full enough. Good Luck.

You probably are not to tight if most of the time your okay. Do you notice it is with particular foods? Maybe there are some you just can't eat. Sometimes my band seems to tighten up after exercise, during certain times of the day or month. Just keep track of the similarities you have when you get stuck. But if it keeps up maybe you might want to get just a smidge taken out. Good Luck!

Unfortunately, I think the faster that you lose weight the harder it is for your skin to play catch up. I truly don't think there is any quick fix or magic lotion that will help. If it is just a little excess skin, maybe within a year or so it will tighten up enough where it isn't so uncomfortable for you. I hope you continue with your success. Congratulations!

appetite suppressant called Phendimetrazine...this is NOT Phentermine and not related to Phentermine in any way. The doctor explained it to me. It does suppress the appetite but is totally safe. It's action is similar to an amphetamine, but it doesn't have the extreme stimulation of an amphetamine - which is not to say that it doesn't get you wired - just not as much as amphetamines (and I know because I have taken both Phentermine and prescribed amphetamine in the past. You can't take the Phendimetrazine too late in the day because you will be up all night, as I was last night Phendimetrazine is habit forming! It stimulates the Central Nervous System and it increases your heart rate and blood pressure! It is for short use only. Not to be judgemental, but if you would have spent that much money on getting your band adjusted correctly, maybe it would have worked out for you. Quick fixes are not the answer. I think we have all went down that road too many times before. Now is the time for exercise, health, and pill/gimmick free solutions to our eating issues.

He can lay any way that he feels comfortable. If it hurts to lay on his port side of coarse he shouldn't. The way I sleep was on my port side, so what I did is put a pillow under my stomach and it didn't hurt at all. Feeling tight on the port side is normal. I still get that feeling when I get a fill. Good Luck and I hope your husband is feeling well.

I love my treadmill. I would suggest that you purchase one that is heavy duty (stability thing) and definately with an incline. You can do many leg, butt, and arm exercises on their as well. Just for example; you can do your arm exercises with free weights while your walking, walk backwards with the treadmill inclined for your butt and legs, walk sideways for your thighs, ect. When you put the treadmills incline up and speed down you are getting a very good workout that is working alot of different muscles than just regular walking. It has changed the look of my body and gotton rid of some strange bumps in some very difficult to get rid of areas. I would definately say it is an awesome investment. I do live in WI so the weather is crumby for serveral months out of the year. That could influence me.

***NAME***********START WGHT.*****CURRENT WGHT.********GOAL**********LBS. LOST *** *************:thumbup:*************:tt2: *********************:cool2:* 1dayatime..........259............256............239............3 1000words..........237............235............220............0 aJoneen............213............213............199............0 alliemorris73......229............229............199............0 Ariel..............193............193............183............0 Barb12590..........207............205............187............2 Bea1129............198.5..........198.5..........183............0 Brandy.............208............206............198............2 CQQlgirl...........188............187............170............1 crzytchr...........265............264............250............1 JasonR.............366............366............351............0 Jodi_620...........174............171............159............3 KikiVal315.........229............228.5..........215..........0.5 laurigee...........170............165............158............5 Leslie2Lose........215............214............199............1 LilMissDiva........244............244............225............0 lindar172 .........257.8..........254.4..........240..........3.4 LisaB..............189............185............170............4 mamanmidwife.......275............275............255............0 MegMegs13..........266............266............250............0 mominlv13..........282.4..........280.6..........270..........1.8 noosagirl..........138............138............124............0 Renee74............198............198............185............0 renewedhope........162............161............150............1 SailorChristy......251.5..........248............230..........3.5 southernmissy......209............207............195............2 __________________

I guess I made a huge commitment when I spent $17,500. I new at that time I was ready to change my habits and change my life. I think with your becoming pregnant, that is a different situation. That is a 9+ month span of thinking of the health and well being of your child and then taking care of them once they get here. I think everyone would give you a pass for that one.

I think that his expectations are a little high! My doctor was ready to jump for joy when I lost 12 pounds in 2 months. How close are you to goal? The recommended weight loss is 1 to 2lbs a week. Any more than that is rediculous! Especially, if you are on the downward side of losing weight. In the beginning I could see that. I would have to ignore that doctor and just let him know what YOUR goals are. Good Luck!

Please don't feel like you are failing. It's to soon into the process for that! Regroup and realize that this is a long journey, it's not going to be easy, but quitting is not an option. It meant enough to you to see yourself healthy that you had surgery to ensure it. Now just trust in the process. You will be able to eat regular food. I personally can eat everything I did before the surgery, just alot less of it. If the protein shake seem to thick or heavy do some thinner liquids, just make sure you drink enough so you don't get dehydrated. It isn't as much of an ending of everything, as it is the beginning. You can do it!