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LisaA made some good points. You also need to see if you have any underlying issues, like thyroid or PCOS. These make losing difficult. What exactly are you eating? Give us an idea and we can try to help.

I was nervous and scared too. That is to be expected, but the surgery really isn't too bad. It was the gas afterwards that was horrible. I know they try to get as much out as they can, but some always gets left in. It migrated to my shoulders and my neck...Thank God for Gas-X strips! Looking at some of those posts, you also learn that some of those people just haven't made the changes that they needed to. Not eating right, not exercising. There are those that do have a hard time, but typically that is from some sort of medical condition like PCOS or thyroid problems. If you do what your doctor says but eating right, exercising and getting the fills, you will lose weight. It always surprises me when someone says that I had the surgery but no fills or say I need a fill but am going to wait or that they can't afford it. Then why did you have the surgery in the first place???? The band doesn't work without fills. If you need a fill, get one! Why spend all that money and not put the effort needed into being successful. Keep positive and just tell yourself that you CAN do this! Don't get discouraged if you don't lose or gain in a week, just know that the next week is a chance to improve. For instance, last week my scale said I had gained 4.5lbs. Now I knew that I had eaten some Valentine's candy, but 4.5lbs worth, no way. I was a little upset, but I knew my body was playing tricks on me. There is no way that I had gained that much. Today when I weighed, I have lost it all back plus 2lbs. Just stay positive and know that you have done something to help you get healthy and to prolong your life. It is a journey. Not just a quick fix. Good luck. If you have any specific questions, I will be happy to answer!

I was just like you. I had tried every diet out there and got some results, but was completely unable to keep the weight off. Not only would it come back, but it would bring more with it! After doing some research, I decided to meet with my lap band surgeon. I asked questions, got lots of information, and talked to others who had already had the surgery. I felt that gastric bypass was not something that I would consider, but lap band gave me the option that I was looking for. I had my surgery on Sept 23, 2010. That is the day my life changed. I am now five months out and down 66 lbs. My eating habits have changed. I am exercising. Not only because I should, but because I enjoy it. I can run around my yard and play with my children without passing out. My life has changed and I am loving it. I eat to live now, I don't live to eat. Now don't get me wrong, this is not an easy journey. Make sure you are ready for the life changes that are coming. You have to be mentally prepared and don't go into this lightly. It could take a while after surgery to reach your sweet spot and to begin losing weight. Just remember that it will get easier! I promise! Stick to what your doctor tells you and you will do great. For me, a high Protein, low sugar diet is how I am working it. No potatoes, white flour, bread, Pasta, rice. I just can't eat those things (I have insulin resistance bc of PCOS). Just watch the calories and exercise. You can do this!!! Good luck on your journey and keep us posted!

It is the insulin resistance that is the BIG problem with those of us with PCOS. Just watch what you eat. Even a bite of potato is going to cause problems. I used Sugar Busters as my pre-op diet and it worked like a charm. I really watch my sugar intake and my weight loss success is my assurance that what I am doing is right.

Mine is in the same place! I love it there. Very easy to access and less likely to protrude and stick out. My dr. says that he has only had one person to have a visible port here and that is because she lost too much weight. Even if it shows a little, my bra will still hide it, so no big deal!

Welcome. I think you will find much needed information on this board. Feel free to ask any questions you have, there are many people here to answer. I made the decision last Summer to get banded. I asked my doctor and he said GO FOR IT! It was the best decision I have ever made in my LIFE!!!! I am 5 months out and down almost 70 lbs. My eating habits have changed, but best thing of all, my LIFE has changed. I don't have fibromyalgia pain anymore. I still snore a little, but the heavy snoring has stopped. My PCOS symptoms are almost non-existent. My sugar levels are normal and I no longer have blood sugar issues. I have ENERGY!!!! Much more than I have had in years! I feel so much better about myself. I am eating healthier and so is my family. I exercise and can play in the yard, running around with my children. Something I could have never done 5 months ago. Now, you did say that you are an emotional eater. The band is not going to stop you from eating, but it will control how much you eat. There will be foods though, called sliders, that will slide right through the band. You have to be diligent. Being banded is not the easy way out like some think. You have to work at it. I will suggest you meet with a therapist to discuss why you eat emotionally. Talking about it and working through that will help you more than you know. You don't want to go through the surgery and not lose weight because you just need to eat the whole carton of ice cream to feel better. Good luck in your journey!

I always just order a water with my meal and then set it aside. It cuts down on all the puzzled looks and questions. It's funny at first, but then just gets aggravating and I get tired of explaining over and over again that I don't want anything.

I use the GNC Pro Performance 100% Whey and the EAS 100% Whey. They are both pretty tasty in chocolate with a half a banana and some peanut butter (I use PB2, the powdered peanut butter)!

I doubt very seriously that you have already stretched your pouch. It takes continuous overeating to do that. Not just one instance. Don't worry. You will be fine.

I am averaging about 2.2 lbs a week. I am happy with that!

There is Pure, which is flavorless if mixed correctly in Crystal Light or broths. You can order it online. Some of the Isopure is yucky, but I was able to drink the Alpine Punch and the Pineapple/Orange one. Not too bad. Some of the Nectars are kinda clear. My doc was OK with me drinking those.

I take an extra calcium supplement. Just one of those chews from the drugstore, nothing fancy. My 12 year old daughter takes them too. I think, as women, it is important.

My port is right above my left tata and is a low profile port. I can feel it, but it cannot be seen. My doctor likes to put them there because they are less likely to protrude after weight loss and are much easier to access. I asked him if he had any patients whose port protrudes after weight loss and he said he has one but only because she has lost more weight than she should have. My bra/bathing suit will always cover it anyway so I don't have to worry about it being visible.

Yay! Congrats!!! Keep us posted!

Are you journaling? Tell us what you are eating...like, what did you eat yesterday? Don't leave anything out!

My doctor uses low profile ports and mine is places right above my left breast. You cannot see it, but can feel it. He likes to place them there because they are always hidden by your bra/boob and they are easily accessible and less likely to flip. I asked him if he has any patients whose ports are visible and he said only one so far and only because she has lost much more weight than he recommends.

If you like yogurt and you have a Kroger around you, they have yogurt called Kroger Carbmaster. It is pretty good and has on 3 grams of sugar and 60-80 calories. I really like it and sometimes add a pack of Stevia to sweeten it up. It's a great snack!

I track my sugar for everything!!! I eat nothing with over 5 grams, but really like to keep it 3 grams or less. It is my belief that sugar is a HUGE factor in weight loss. My pre-op diet was the Sugar Busters diet and I lost 18lbs in 3 weeks. Now I am not saying that once in a while I eat a cookie or something, but I do have my general rule that I like to follow and it has really helped me. I have lost 63 lbs since Sept. 10.

You are eating a whole chicken???? Looks like maybe you need to take a look at your portion control.

I may have to check that out!

I tried both Spark People and myfitnesspal and decided that I like Spark People better. The database is much larger and I have my own food items posted in it. Try them both and see how you like them. Your opinion may be different than mine. I would like to know the one that you can scan...that would be convenient!

I am exercising 3-5 times a week by either walking or getting on the elliptical. I practice portion control, but I have good restriction. I have some junk food in my house, but nothing I really care to eat. My skinny husband and children love goodies and can eat them and stay skinny but I cannot so they only get the Snacks that I don't love. Raisin creme pies and Fritos are NOT allowed in my house. I don't have control over them. One thing that I have tried to stick with is my pre-op diet of low sugar. Basically, I eat nothing that has over 3-5 grams of sugar in it. No rice, Pasta, bread, things like that. I eat Protein and veggies. Now I do allow myself a snack ever so often, but I just really keep a good check on my sugar intake. It really makes a difference. I eat half of a banana every morning in my Protein shake, but that is about all for fruit.

I don't know if you have a Kroger around you, but Kroger puts out a great low-carb yogurt called CarbMaster. I eat it everyday, but I have to put in a packet of Stevia bc I need it to be sweet. I put a half a banana in my smoothie every morning, but that is about all the fruit that I eat. I try to keep my carbs between 50-65. I don't accomplish this everyday, but the carbs I am eating are from fruit and beans, not pasta, rice and other white stuff. I also like to snack on cheese and beef jerky. I am a real stickler about not eating sugar. Except for my banana, I try to eat nothing with over 5 grams of sugar in it. Hope this helps.

Hey Hey Brina! I am a Bagnato Bandit banded Sept. 2010. I am down 61lbs and loving every minute of it! I hope more of Dr. Bagnato's bandsters come back to the site and get this group going again. It is always good to hear from those who share the same dr. and to bounce off ideas, share successes/shortfalls, and to just generally be here to support one another. I don't make it to the meetings because I live in Perry and it is too far to drive, but hopefully I can make it to one or two soon. Keep in touch!