andrea0121

This this this. I can pretty much eat whatever I want - how much I want is a different story. Maybe that's why I'm a slow loser, 6 months out and down 44lbs, but I don't feel deprived and I don't feel like I'm on a forever diet. I just have smaller portions. I rather like it this way actually. Good luck!!

Andrea - checking in late - very very busy weekend. I weighed in at 260.5. I think I'm a lb away from my goal set this month. I'll take it. congrats everyone!!

Andrea checking in (late, so sorry!) I'm at 261.5. I think that's -1.5. It's TOM time for me too so, I'm happy the scale was down on Sunday.

So awesome! You are kicking ass!!

Andrea checking in at 263. I think that's -3.5 this week. I'm on my phone and can't update my Sig, can't wait to be in the 50's!

Happy bandiversary! Great post and many congratulations on your success!

I was put completely out too for the same reason. Worst after surgery experience ever. I don't wish impacted wisdom teeth on anyone.

Checking in at 266.5. I think that's only a 1.5. Thought I would do better but the weekend kicked my ass.

YAY! I just read your post in the Nov 2010 bandsters thread. Glad they got it sorted! Having just gotten to restriction myself, I'm sure it's a trip for you feeling it. I know it is for me. Congrats!

I lived off of chili in my mushy stage. BUT, I was banded in the middle of winter. Now that it's getting warmer, dunno how tasty chili sounds. Fabulous source of Protein if you make it homemade. We probably used about 6 different kind of Beans in it. Good luck!

*printing* This sounds like something both me and my boyfriend can enjoy eating. Thank you for sharing!!!

For me, personally, I know I'm at my sweet spot for the following reasons: I can no longer eat a full sized hamburger, plus green Beans and tots all in one sitting (could do this prior to my 4th fill) I am satisfied off of Protein shake (I have this for breakfast) and forget to eat lunch now because I have NO hunger...the hunger is all but gone I had 3 oz of a tuna steak last night and could not eat any more of it. Straight up protein fills you up once you're at the sweet spot I will HURT if I eat too fast. Before my 4th fill? I could eat at my 'normal' pace. These are just a couple examples of how different it is once you reach restriction. For me, it was instant. The night of getting my 4th fill I was like woooooooooooooaaaaaaaah, this is totally different. The Water I was drinking was gurgling as it was going down (I was swollen from the fill, I was fine the next day [no gurgling]). I know you gals' frustration. I had to wait almost 5 months to get restriction. But holy smokes, now that I have it??? The 4.5 months of toughing it out is well worth it. I lost almost 30lbs in those 4 months. Something I don't think I could of done without the band. Your mileage may vary, this is how it works for me personally.

I used an electronic cigarette too!!!! I've been smoke free for almost 2 years!! I smoked for 14 yrs previous to that. Those things are wonderful, even though they're not marketed as a smoking cessation, I would say they absolutely work wonders. OP, I would give it a try if I were you. I was a smoker during 3 previous surgeries and it's a bear waking up after having that breathing tube down your throat. You feel like you need to cough up your lungs. I'm not saying that to scare you, but there is a difference going under as a smoker and a non-smoker. I felt much better (lung-wise [i made up my own word]) after the lap-band and being smoke free.

I agree with everyone else. Tell them you want the patch and that'll work wonders. My lapband was my fourth surgery within 3 years. The first time I had surgery I was soooooooooo nauseous and vomiting horribly afterwards. Every surgery after that I stressed that I get extremely nauseous. Each time they've hooked me up with the patch and a couple shots in my IV. Right as rain. No nausea whatsoever. Good luck!!

Hi Jennifer, You said it yourself that you might be a bit impatient. Give it time. Five weeks out is still super early. I didn't get proper restriction until almost 5 months out. In that time I "only" lost 29 lbs. Some of us have instant restriction, some of us have restriction after 1 fill, some of us it takes several fills and some unfortunately never reach that sweet spot. Give yourself some time. Yes, it isn't fun, but you'll get there. I was starting to get discouraged too until my last fill. Now all of a sudden my band is helping me out with hunger and portion size aaaaand I've lost 6lbs in a week and a half. Good luck!!

Name, real or screen~ Andrea Age~ 32 Weight on May1st~ 267.5 Goal Weight for May 29th~ 258 Exercise Goal for May~ Walk outside more now that it's getting nice out Dietary Goal for May~ Eat more hardy proteins now that I have decent restriction Personal Goal for May~ I would love to be in the 250's. I'd like to be out of them, but that is a lot to ask of me (slow loser) in a month's time Date Banded~ 08 December 2010 Total Weight Loss Since Banding~ 32lbs

I had one too on my belly button. It eventually dissolved. I couldn't bring myself to fiddle with it.

Hi Michelle (I'm derailing the thread a bit). I had surgery 12/08/10 and just now as of last Friday and my fourth fill am not STARVING. You'll get there!!! Some of us have to hang out in bandster hell longer than others but I'm pretty sure I can promise you'll get there.

Awwww, Mandy, I'm so sorry you had to lose the band. Like others have said though, thank God they found the infection and are working on getting that out of your system. Please keep us posted, best of luck continuing your journey!! *hugs*

Hey guys. I'm almost 5 months in, but my gas pains were horrible too. slm2007, mine were like what you just described. All in the neck and specifically the left side of me. HORRIBLE and they lasted close to 2 weeks. Walking/gas X didn't help much. My body was holding on to the surgery gas for dear life. It does go away. I think I woke up one morning and it was like VOILA all gone. It'll get better. This was my fourth surgery and the least invasive but it hurt the worst, lol.

Pamela, please please please please do not compare your weight loss to someone else's weight loss. It's a never ending battle if you do that. Some of us are slow losers, some of us drop 30lbs the first month. I was banded 08 Dec 2010 and have lost 36lbs. That's 4.5 months ago. Some people in my December bandsters group have lost 80+ lbs already. It's the way it is. Alsooooooo, you JUST had surgery!!!! Give your body a minute to adjust girl!

Hi! Just wanted to chime in. I was banded December 8th 2010. I just now (last Friday actually) am in the 'green zone' that surgeons want us to be in. Someone in this thread mentioned head hunger. I'm soooooooooo happy now that the hunger, really hunger...physical hunger, is finally taken away with the last fill--I can concentrate on working on my head hunger. So I guess I want to say that when you get to that bridge, if you're anything like me, you'll be so happy that you're not ravenous and wanting to inhale a small SUV...that you'll actually be able to work on head hunger. And so far (I know...it's only Tuesday) it's sooooooooooo much easier to stick to the rules.

Oh!!! How fun!!!!!! 1. I love love love maxi dresses - want to wear one without looking like a linebacker (I got boobs too so this may or may not happen even when I'm thin). 2. Not feel uncomfortable during sexy time with the b/f...constantly asking if he's looking at my fat. 3. Go to water parks in the area and feel comfortable enough to actually enjoy them, not asking for a 2 piece, but at least not a skirted suit. 4. Take up swimming again. I swam competitively for years and want to get back to doing that. 5. Not have to worry about being smooshed in a booth/movie seat/plane/roller coaster....etc. I've never been turned away from a ride, but man have my hips been mad at me after being smooshed into some of those seats. 6. CLOTHES. I'm a clothes whore now, I don't even want to know what kind of shopoholic I'm going to be once I can go anywhere. The simple things really.

How many fills have you all had? 4 How many cc's are in your band? 7.25 What kind of band & what size is it? 9 Do you feel like you are at your sweet spot? YES!! FINALLY!!!!! Re: sweet spot. I just had .5 cc's put in on Friday and holy crap I seriously know what restriction is now. I thought I had a bit at my last fill but no way. Friday night I took about 3 hours to drink a Myoplex protein shake. Saturday I was pretty swollen and pb'ing on water. Today, I'm feeling awesome. I had a Myoplex this morning at work, had a 100 cal frappuccino, 30 oz water...and am waiting to go microwave my green bean casserole (left over from Easter dinner ) this latest fill has made a world a difference. Before it, I would drink a protein shake at 8am and be STARVING by 10:30am. I haven't felt so much as a twinge of hunger yet. I gurgle a little bit on the water, but otherwise I'm feeling great. Hope it sticks!! I lost 5lbs this weekend alone. It took me all of March to do that with my last fill, lol. Yay :)