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I have been writing down what I eat since being banded. It helps me keep on track. I wasn't getting enough calories and was feeling bad. I uped my calories to 1200 per day and started feeling a lot better. I then started concentrating on Protein, Fiber, and getting my water in each day. I started using FitDay when I saw LBT recommendation. I love how it tracks everything for me. I have been very satisfied mentally and physically in my new way of eating. Someday when I get the system down in my head and the excess weight off my body, I can stop writing everything down.

Well i think the arms are a little harder to tone than the legs. At least for me. I have found the most wonderful machine in the world... It's called the ArcTrainer. It has really shaped my legs and butt. I use the "weight loss" mode on a low level. I started out only being able to stay on for like 5 minutes and am now up to 45 minutes averaging 3+ miles. I do this 3 to 4 times a week along with some weight training. I have only lost 50 pounds since October but have gone from a size 22W to 16W. So I honestly believe without this machine I would not be getting the results by just losing weight alone.

Congrats on your weight loss! That is fantastic! I too am waiting for the day when I can see peoples reactions. I had surgery March 27. I am going back home to visit some family in June. I hope I can get the reaction that you got. I am down about 24 lbs. now. I would love to be able to get down another 15-20lbs. before then. Congrats again!

IVE actually have had this happen to me on numerous occasions...:tongue: it really is hilarious to see their reactions when they finally realize who you are..:wub: but i love it!!!!!!! Get used to it girlie.. trust me youll have a lot ofe various reactions from people you haven't seen in a while and you have lost weight.. And another thing you probably know this already but it takes a while for your mind the catch up with your bodys weight loss.... for example... i started out wearing a size 26w and now i wear a size 7s.. but my mind still has me at a size16/18w:blink:

Thanks for the encouraging words. I know I'm not drinking enough, so I can work on that. I typed a whole paragraph about my other surgery that was on Thursday, but it disappeared. I didn't realize it wasn't there when I posted the original post. I had a pain pump implanted on Thursday, and after thinking more, I'll bet I have a lot of Fluid retention. You know how IV fluids are. I think having 2 surgeries so close together has played with my emotions too. I haven't been able to be up moving around much, and so there is bound to be fluid retention. I'm realistic enough to know that I won't really lose anything for the next couple of weeks while I let my body recovery. I think I just panicked when I saw the scale, because I certainly don't want to gain. I have a 5ish inch incision in my abdomen and a 2.5 inch one in my back, so I'm pretty ouchy. Dumb question here, but what is TOM? Anyway, thanks for the encouraging words. I am moving to soft foods today (yay, no more pureed stuff), and I'll be very careful with what I put in my mouth! Cindy

Hi All - Just a heads up. I picked up a brochure from Dr. Lopez's office once while I was there, and it had a color xerox cover with the Oasis Hospital logo on it. It was blue, and seemed to be intended to be from the Oasis Hospital. Inside were supposed guidelines for patients who had the lapband. I have to tell you, that article was taken WORD for WORD from an RnY doctor's article, which was written specifically for gastric bypass patients. The word "lapband" had been substituted everywhere the word gastric bypass appeared in the original article. The doctor was not credited. I started getting suspicious because it said that there would be no hunger for 6 months, at which time hunger would start to return. I knew that wasn't true for the lapband - no WAY, no HOW. But, having a sister who had the RnY, I knew it was true for her. Because the brochure was so long, I couldn't believe it was typed from scratch, so I took a key phrase and Googled it, and lo and behold, I found the original bypass article. The post-op protocol for the RnY is drastically different from the post-op protocol for the lapband. The only thing they have in common is the liquid diet post op. But even that is shorter for lapbanders, and not restricted in quantity, like it is for the RnYers - there is no drinking a thimble-full of Protein shake every hour directly after post-op, like the RnYers are required to do. The only other similarity between the two is the longterm strategy of how to use the pouch to its fullest advantage - eating solid food, not drinking with meals, waterloading prior to meals, and avoiding gastric irritants like Aspirin, Advil, and other NSAIDs. There is no "window of opportunity" for weightloss with the band. With the RnY, it is expected that weightloss pretty much stops 18-24 months out. That's how long it takes the body to adjust and compensate for the malabsorptive part of the bypass. For Bandsters, our band will continue to be a tool in our weightloss journey - there are bandsters 4-5 years out who have continued to lose weight with the band. Also, it is NOT expected that a bandster lose 30-45 pounds in the first month. That is a gastric bypass stat. The expected average weightloss with the band is 1-2 pounds a week. I'm not sure how widely dispersed this pirated booklet is. But for anyone who has gotten a thick xerox brochure on the lapband while they were in Mexico, beware. It is unlikely that is it truly a lapband brochure, since there does not appear to BE one!! Which I imagine is why someone got the bright idea to create one in this manner. Here is a link to the original article by Latham Flanagan, Jr., M.D., FACS : http://obesitysurgery-info.com/understandingsmallgastricpouch.htm

Hi, this is my first post. I got banded on October 2nd. Hence my name Band100206 Today begins my 1st day of real food. I go in for my 1st fill on Nov 8th. I just had salmon and mashed potatoes and some Soup 20 min after that. Since my band is still empty I find I'm hungry quite a bit. I'm really nervous about trying foods out with having the band. Since I had no trouble with liquids or mushies, I'm scared of having solids. Like if there’s onions in something, should I just pick those out. I keep thinking of stuff, like will it turn into a bready consistency in my stomach. Like rice or French fries, or tortillas. Should I even bother trying salad while eating out. I know they say everything is different with everybody, so I think that’s why I’m getting so nervous about eating solid food. Blah! Tomorrow my job is having a party. I’m sure they’ll be cheese and crackers and wine etc. Again totally nervous about eating and drinking there too :mad: So just hoping some people can lend me some advice, having been there done that. So far my weight loss has really just leveled out, I'm really hoping this changes when I go in for my 1st fill. Thanks in advance!

I'm only six weeks out, but I expect to go through the same thing. I've already gone from a 22/24 to solid 18, even have a pair of 16 that fit. But because we're going from winter to spring, I refuse to buy new clothes until I really need to. So I'm still wearing my 20 jeans and 1-2X tops and jackets. I just don't want to buy a new jacket for a few weeks. I've lost over 10 inches from arms, waist, hips, legs, etc. - so the weight loss is there. But I still see the same fat me when I look in the mirror or see myself naked. This weekend, I cleaned out my closets. I kept clothes from 8-10 years ago when I was "normal" at size 4/6. I held them up and couldn't believe I ever fit in them, nor that I ever will again. I even broke into tears at how much damage I've done to my body, and I just didn't see it. I kept asking my husband, "Do you really remember me that size?!?" There is a strange association that the memories of wearing those clothes was a different person and somehow I switched bodies. You know how your body feels when you get off a treadmill, go skating, etc. and you stop -- feels like the ground should still be moving. And that's only after 20-30 minutes. I see it as the same thing. We're wearing fat suits for years, or even decades. Our minds need some time to catch up, know you're on solid ground again. I don't ever want to forget how 275, 250, 200, etc. pounds feels on my joints and my bones, so that I will always appreciate where I (eventually!) end up. I think it will take a while, maybe even years after I reach goal before I feel stable again...

WOW Your weight loss is amazing! I remember how it felt to lose that much weight (but that was before my band, back when I was taking those over the counter diet pills, and of course when I stopped taking them...I pretty much gained it all back!). It must feel good to lose that much weight the right way...with propper diet and excercise, knowing that you've made a positive life change. I can't wait to lose my weight again, but doing it right this time :cool: Congratulations! You really have inspired me. ~Amber~

hi too much fun , thanks for the reply . I understood that when you had a band, because of where it is placed, a small pouch was formed above the band [ small section of stomach ] and when you eat this fills up making you fill fuller quicker , this then goes through band into bulk of your stomach slowly . Despite several band adjustments since my surgery , when I had my barium xray the radiographer showed me that I did not have a small pouch above band ; he said this only forms once there is sufficient restriction , which at the time he said I had none until he put in a further 1/2 a ml . If I am able to drink a coffee in the morning I then have porridge or slimfast shake for Breakfast , usually 3/4 small crackers with very low fat cream cheese for lunch , evening meal sometimes low fat fish pie / homemade shepherds pie / Soup or bolognase [ minus the Pasta or rice as I cant tolerate these , my portions are very small . If I struggle to have a drink first thing in the morning I usually struggle all day sometimes with drinks and even yoghurt ! My barium xray showed my new fill is now at the right level as I could see the screen whilst the radiographer talked me through it , so I do not know what to think . I exercise also . Its been suggested that stress could be the problem and that it affects a lot of people whether your aware of it or not and can make your band at times feel over tight ; I don't feel hungry between meals and weight is not shifting either , confused .

If you are having infections, your body needs extra nutrition to recover. While you are recovering, 900 calories for a 400+ lb person is VERY low. I'd suggest something more like 1200 calories, emphasis on lean Protein, healthy fats, and complex carbs. My surgery is three weeks from yesterday. I'm easing my way into liquids for the preop 10 days by doing Protein shakes for Breakfast and lunch, protein + veggies for dinner, and low-carb Snacks if I'm hungry. I'm gradually backing off on carbs to avoid the two-three day headach-y period that comes from doing that all at once. There's a balance to be struck by giving your body enough calories and nutrition to be healthy while trying to lose some weight preop.

Thank you for the advice, I will do that. Congrats on your weight loss, you are doing phenominal!

Hello To All! I Have Been Doing My Follow Up Care For The Last Year With Dr. Glascock In Cedar Falls, Ia And The Price With No Insurance Was $403.00 A Fill. That's With Fluro. Just Recently The Fill Price Has Almost Tripled!! It's Unbelievable What They Can Charge People. So, I'm In Desperate Need Of Finding A Fill Center In Iowa That Is Cheep To Get A Fill. I've Gained Some Wt And Really Need A Fill To Get It Back Off. If Anyone Knows Of Any Doctor In Iowa That Takes Pt's From Another Surgeon And Fills Are Cheep Please Let Me Know!! Thanks Amanda

While I was at a support group for bandsters last night in NJ I mentioned a cookbook for weight loss surgery patients. Here is the information for all who want it. title: Eating well after Weight Loss Surgery, Over 140 Delicious Low Fat, High Protein recipes to enjoy the weeks months and years after surgery. Author: Patt Levine. this book is great because it tells you what and how much you should eat from each recipe whether you have the band, bypass or the switch surgerys. It also advised you of what portion is approiate for people who have not had the any weight loss surgery so it make sit easy to cook one meal for the whole family. An added bonus it lets you know which recipes can be pureed for that oh so wonderful mushies stage we all got to go through right after surgery.

I've been hovering between 195 and 205. I was 14 the last time I was near this weight and something in my brain is afraid of it I think. At some point I'll break thought and then I'll prolly get stuck at 180, lol

Kel, that sounds wonderful!! I would love to meet you and Jess!! And you too Teresa!! With the losing weight and putting it back on thing; what can happen with me is that I get scared. Someone will say "wow you've lost weight" and I suddenly feel undressed. Or I notice the fat coming of and feel vulnerable, then go and eat to correct the problem and make myself feel safe again. I think I will have to try to redefine 'safe' - maybe safe is being fit enough to runaway with-out having a heart attack!!

Wow - what a fantastic food intake — is now the focus of a fierce competition pitting consumer-products giant Johnson & Johnson against Botox maker Allergan Inc. Venture-capital-backed outpatient centers are popping up to implant the bands. Growing ranks of surgeons are touting the procedure at free public seminars. All see a vast market in a country where diet and exercise programs have failed to slow an obesity epidemic. Lap-Band v. Gastric Bypass Image A number of recent studies suggest that gastric banding is safer than gastric bypass, and some data suggest comparable, if slower, weight-loss results. Improvements in surgical techniques and follow-up care have helped gastric banding become the dominant weight-loss operation in Europe and Australia. Credit Suisse analyst Marc Goodman predicts that gastric banding will account for half of all weight-loss surgeries by 2010, up from about 30% today. GASTRIC BANDWAGON What’s New: Once dismissed as a gimmick, gastric banding is now seen by some in the medical industry as the next big thing in elective surgery. The Players: Industry giants Johnson & Johnson and Allergan, as well as venture-capital firms that are backing outpatient centers. Patient Concerns: The silicone device can shift after surgery, causing it to lose effectiveness. And patients may eventually need another surgery to replace or remove it.

I have been banded 2 years. I was banded at 285 and am down to 215. I have 15 lbs until goal. My lapband surgeon said I am a success at 75% weight loss. I had a tummy tuck 6 weeks ago and feel good. I started in a size 24 and now wear a size 16. I am 5'8 and am happy at that size. One day I may get down to 185 but for now I am happy at 200 lbs. Thanks for the post.

Julie, you said you no longer have symptoms of PCOS. Can you give me more info on this? What symptoms did you have, and what symptoms have gone away? I am trying to get pregnant and my doc says I am a PCOS variant and if I lose weight, it will help my symptoms as well. You can email me privately at andrewandtami@yahoo.com if you want. Tami:)

Thank you, Leo. My quick weight loss can be attributed to having a very tight band from the beginning. I had several serious health problems that were directly related to being super morbid obese and so rapid weight loss was a plus in that respect. At this point I'm no longer diabetic, no longer have high blood pressure, no longer suffer from GERD or many(though not all) symptoms of PCOS. On the other hand I've lost a lot of hair and have a lot of loose skin. I realize that the amount of weight I've lost 6 months out is not typical and for that reason I rarely post my stats. Then I think back to all of those who were banded before me..Robin, Wednesday, Jenn, Millie.. and shared their experiences and reading those stats and stories encouraged me to have this procedure in the first place. The only advice I can give is what you probably already know...Drink lots of Water, eat your Protein first, get fills when you need them, exercise and be thankful that we have this wonderful tool in which to better our health and our lives! Julie Links to before and -100 pounds pics: http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-7/115886/beforeN103.JPG http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-7/115886/face103beforeNafter.JPG

You look great .I had my surgery 11-11-02 weight 330 the day of surgery today I am at 185 that is 145 pounds gone in almost 9 months . Keep up the good work I am hoping bye x-mas I am at my goal weight .And talking about lose skin I have a lot of it .

Hi Everyone, I'm off to Bali in July and I am absolutely dreading the flight to and fro. It's only about 5 hours but it is so uncomfortable. I was hoping to have lost more weight before I went, but my first fill hasn't had much effect, and I don't have another until the end of May. I have an aisle seat, so that helps a bit, but the tray won't go down and the belt won't fit. I hate the idea of asking for more seatbelt. oh,cringe cringe. I'm 320 pds. Anyone have any tips? Thanks, Rachel.

I always say- the complications and risks of having health problems and diseases when I was obese were far more dangerous than the risks the band presents. Problems with the band can be resolved one way or another. Focus on your weight loss. You made the right decision!

:think Hi everyone, Okay, so I went for my first appointment with the surgical center and everyone was terrific. The nurse, psychiatrist and nutritionist all thought I'd be a great candidate for the band. I have a goal of 8 lbs to lose in the next 6 weeks (piece of cake - well actually no more cake!) and if I do, they'll schedule the surgery. Problem is, my stupid insurance won't cover it. It's an exclusion so I'm completely out of luck. I'm going to appeal but my chances aren't good. I am thinking about taking a loan from my 401K but I feel so selfish. It will be $18000 for everything (pre-op, op, post-op and 2 fills) to get started and I don't feel right spending so much money. Part of me says "stop being weak and just try (again) to lose the weight yourself" and the other part of me says "if you want to live a long life, and see your kids grow up you HAVE to do this." I really don't know what to do. I'm so sad right now.....

Sounds like you have a good attitude about it now. I'd also suggest watching your Protein intake. That usually always ends up affecting my weight loss. One other thing they told me at my fill appointment was that it is not uncommon in the beginning to go through plateaus where the scale isn't moving, but you are instead dropping inches. How are your clothes fitting? Try taking measurements to compare, especially during those frustrating plateau times!