Rachael

I am not sure that I have heard of any. I am a year out exactly (had surgery 3/18/11). It is the best thing I have ever done. I have heard of people needing revisions. Buy the book "The Bandwagon" by Jean McMillen. You have to follow your gut but I know 4 people who have had lap band surgery personally and all are doing wonderful. Two are years out from surgery with no complications. Follow the diet they give you...do not cheat post-op. Listen to your body and the people working with you (your surgeon, doctor). Go to follow up appointments. Make sure your surgeon is experienced and knows what he/she is doing. Do research on him/her. Please don't let your nerves get in the way....obesity is more likely to kill you than band complications.

Lots of hugs and if there is anything I can do, let me know!!!

Rachael

No. if it was, everyone would do it...LOL

I met with the dietician last week, and she wanted me to start eating like I would after the surgery. I started today. She wanted to me to try Greek yogurt with some granola for breakfast, and some fruit. I HATE yogurt. She recommended the Greek yogurt and granola to give it more texture. I took about three bites until I started gagging. I am having a hard time thinking of something else I can eat for breakfast. I know eggs are a good one, but I have an extremely hectic morning, so I need something fast. Any suggestions???

do you like cottage cheese? It has lots of Protein in it. I usually add a cup of dole tropical fruit to it. Also, they are bars that snackwells makes that have about 8 grams or Protein for 140 calories. I also like egg salad. I can't really do bread so that is a bit harder on the run. I would suggest the greek yogurt with fruit but it you can't do, don't. Or try some turkey and cheese.< /p>

just spend $140 on scratch tickets the other day. i posted in another thread about this but i wanna ask. Now that you can not over eat are there things that you are doing that you shouldnt be in place of the eating? Mine is gambling. others could be drinking, buying clothes or shoes or something?

Mine is couponing. I started doing what some might consider "extreme couponing." It doesn't take much money--only about 6 dollars a week for my papers. I do save money. I also started crocheting again. I need activites at night before bed because I always want to eat at that time.

I would look into Gambling Addiction and try to get some help. I would hate to see you ruin your finances and relationships. It is hard. You just don't wake up from weight lost surgery cured of your food addiction. It is something I battle every day.

It has been a little over year since I began my lap band surgery. As of today, I am down 53 lbs from a year ago. I was banded on 3/18/11 and it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. My energy level has sky rocketed and I feel so much better about my life and myself.

Thanks so much for all your support through my (many) ups and downs!

I am not Jewish, but will respond. Those first few weeks are tough. I was banded in March and had Easter at my house this year. I had lots of candy and other junk around. It was hard, but I was already losing at that point and glad I made the decision. I would say go for it. It will be hard to get past the first holidays but it does get easier. I agree with the other posters--no time like the present.

Good luck!!!

Hi All,

Please help!

I'm 9 days post-op and totally freaking out today. I can't stomach the liquids anymore. I'm constantly hungry and sad and thinking about food all the time because I can't eat...

I'm feeling like I made a mistake and I can't live like this, constantly feeling deprived. I don't know what do, and feel like I just lost total control over my body and life.

Anyone else experience these types of feelings and regret over the decision? I know part of it is the stage I'm in, but now I'm feeling like I'd rather work harder and work out more to loose weight on my own than feel this lack of control and depression.

Any thoughts?

Jo

Absolutely, I went through the same thing at the same time. It totally sucks. I was on Clear Liquids for 10 days after surgery and thought I was going to die literally. I made it through and you will too. It is completely normal and the medicine from surgery is working it's way out of your body. Hang on, it will get much, much better. Lots of hugs!!

My doctor told me that I have to have a complete unfill before boarding a plane. Glad you had a good time on your vacation!

I am frustrated also. I say try shaking it up a bit...try a different exercise and make sure you are getting enough calories. I am going to try Zumba to try to break out of the 190s. These stalls are frustrating!

I have had a stall the last couple of weeks. It's my own fault for crazing, etc. Yours is normal. Once you begin eating "real" again, your body goes through another adjustment. Just keep doing what you are doing and you will see the pounds (slowly) come up!

Hugs!

When you start to get to the lower sizes, how much does it take to lose a pants size? I am at 192 now and just fitting into a 14. It took me about 45 lbs to go from a tight 18 to a snug 14.

Ive heard that once you get out of the bigger sizes it doesnt take as much to go down a size. I was wondering if anyone can give any insight on how much they lost between sizes at this stage.

Wow, I love this site...I was wondering the exact same thing. I am exactly where are you right now.

I would say I waited ten days. My husband was very careful. I have the mirena so I wasn't worried about getting pregnant.

Your story is so inspiring. I started finding comfort in food at a very young age. I am an adult child of an alcoholic and have had many difficult days learning that eating for comfort has taken a such a toll on my quality of life. The band is the best thing I have ever did for myself.

Thanks for posting!!

did he not tell you what to do for the next 48 hours? mine has his pt's do liquids the first 24 hours, then mushies the 2nd 24 hours and then solids after that.

Everyone recommendations are so different. Mine are full liquids for two days. I may try something mushie for dinner because I am straving right now. I had a very small fill yesterday. Thanks for posting this..now I won't fill so guilty...LOL

I am 20 weeks post op and have lost 45 pds. I am going to the Dr. soon for a check up, but not sure if I should get a small fill, My weight has stayed the same and I have quit loosing anything. I can still eat more then 3 or 4 bites of something and I did have 6.5 cc in my band and they had to take .5 out because I was having a hard time of fluids going down. He said last time I was there I am getting close to the green zone. I want the scale to keep going down, I have about 50 more pds I want to loose. Please help, any kind of input will be helpful. Thanks

I am struggling with the same question today. I was banded on 3/18/11--5 months ago. I have lost 47 lbs (about 35lbs since surgery). I feel great but am about 50lbs away from my goal weight. I have an appointment tomorrow. I am not having any trouble with foods going down, etc. I do get hungry 2-3 hours after I eat. I think I have about 2.5cc in my band. I had a little put in at surgery and then two fills, so I may ask for another fill tomorrow. I don't want to be over-filled either. It is so hard because you don't know how your body will respond. Maybe see what .2 or .3 will do. It may give you the push you need. Good Luck!

I had surgery in March. My little boy was 32 pounds and 2 1/2. I know that my surgeon said that I shouldn't lift anything over 10 pounds for a month afterward. Also not to do laundry, clean, etc. Well, I do not have to lift my son but I did do laundry and clean. What can you do? I was lucky that my mother in law and my mom live within 10 miles of my house. You will need some help the first week or two out. Can your little walk? Mine can walk and climb. He would climb up on my lap. It sucks but you get through it.

It did hurt the first time I picked him up....about 2 1/2 weeks after surgery.

Ladies-

does anybody have thoose 2 :angry: :angry: or 3 days where they are sooo hungry, and no matter what can not stop snacking? well i do. Im fine all month long, strick and follow the rules, but once a month the week or so b4 my perios, its so bad, I graze all night long, I try to graze on low fat cheest, ice pops ect. BUT then the salt and sugar crave creep.

3 chocolate chip cookie and 2 hand fulls ok 3 of doritos. =( i know today is a new day and i can get right back on the wagon, but its so hard these few days. Its like i have no band at all and theese female hormones kick my A## !!!

Anybody else???

Me too! I had a bad day yesterday--heck, the whole weekend. I snacked and just couldn't feed the hunger. I didn't drink all my Water yesterday either. I hate these 2/3 days of the month. Oh well, today is a new day and I started off right.

Lots and lots of prayers and hugs!! You poor thing. I wouldn't worry about what you are eating right now...be gentle with yourself.

Congratulations!!! I, too, have seen a number on the scale this morning that I haven't seen in at least 7 years!! WTG to all of us!!!

I had my band placed June 6, 2 weeks after he took my gall bladder out .My first fill was July 21st and when I weighed in I had lost 26.6 lbs since pre-op. I was so excited. My clothes are getting large for me and I can certainly see and feel a differance. But, when I got in to see the Dr. for my first fill I was questioned like never before. He wanted to know why I had only lost 10 lbs since surgery and that I was not loosing like his other patients. That this was not going to work for me if I did not eat right and exercise. All this was said before I answered any questions. I got that hot feeling that comes across your back and neck and was totally mortified (like as if I were a kid) As far as I was concerned I had been doing what I was told to do. All I could do was fight back the tears. He then said a fill would not help me at all if I was not going to follow the rules. WOW! after yes siring him many times he decided to give me my first fill (can't feel any difference) wondering if he just wanted to stick me again. I left his office feeling like a failure and literally spend the next 2 days crying and depressed. It took my husband to finally shake me of this and telling me I am doing wonderful. (I thought I was doing great until this office visit)

Has anyone else been through this as well?

That really pisses me off. You are suppose to be healing not worrying about weight lost at this point. You are doing wonderful. He was lost 26 lbs. that is awesome. That guy sounds like a d***. Don't you dare let him make you feel like you aren't doing the right things. What a jerk!!! Your story is the reason why some do not want to do aftercare after getting the band. You are doing great and don't let him tell you otherwise.

I don't disagree with your post. In fact, as I move further along in my own journey, I have found that my weight lost depends on me. If I make a bad choice or have a bad day, it is my responsibility to change. The band keeps me full longer...and helps me become aware of when I am full. It is not a magic wand. I still get depressed, unhappy and angry with myself. I am glad to have this tool that helps me stay on track. I do not regret getting the band (at least not at this point in my journey).

Good luck in your continued journey!!

I have problems with scrambled eggs too. I can eat omelets. I think scrambled eggs give the illusion of being able to slide right now. ...at least for me.

I have to really pay attention when I eat them to not get stuck.

Congratulations!!! That is so awesome. I have been cleaning my closet in reserve also. I am happy to say that I am in a regular size 14 now. I am hoping to be in a 12 by Halloween.

Just throwing out my personal opinion about weighing daily: I think it's fine as long as the person doesn't freak out because they have an unexpected gain. For many years I didn't even have a scale. About 3 years ago I started doing Weight Watchers, bought a digital scale, and began weighing myself daily. This helped me to learn what my body's "normal" was, and I can fluctuate as much as 3 lbs from one day to the next. I've never been able to tie it directly to specific things other than Water retention around the time of my period. It helped me because if I had a gain on my official weigh-in day that I felt wasn't a true gain because I'd been eating right that week, I knew it was probably a random fluctuation. This helped keep me from getting discouraged and using it as an excuse to eat whatever I wanted because eating right wasn't getting me anywhere! (I know I'm not the only one who has ever had that thought, amiright???) If daily weighing is used as a tool it can help us learn to listen to and understand our bodies.

Speaking of digital scales, I have had the one I have now for 3 years. Some days, I can step on it 3 times and it will give me the exact same number every time. Other days, I can step on it 3 times and it will give me 3 different numbers, with as much as 2 1/2 lbs difference between them. When I am weighing as an "official" weigh in, I use the first number that I get. But I don't like the inconsistency. Anyone have any recommendations for a good scale that's consistently accurate?

I weight myself every morning. It encourages and motivates me. I don't worry about a 1-2 fluctuations. I actually work harder that day to stay on track.

Thanks,

Congratulations!!! I was 195 today. I, too, have been taking things in 5-10lbs increments. My goal is to be 192 by August 1st.