Search the Community

I dont think there is necessarily a window. However, it is easier to lose weight in the beginning because at a higher weight, your body uses more calories to maintain your body and the weight drops faster. It is also easier to lose weight in the beginning because motivation is higher and you start with a liquid diet. I can see that if a person does not follow the program and bandster rules in the beginning after banding and has minimal or no success at banding once they reach restriction . . . then chances of future success are diminished. You have to be committed to the lifestyle. If you are committed, then I think you can find success at banding during any point in the journey whether it is in the first 6 months or 10 years down the road.

I've only been banded since 10 Dec and am due at the doctor's on Monday 15th for my first fill. I'm not sure what is going on, but I've been feeling less and less hungry over the last week. My post-op regime was supposed to 4 days on Clear liquids, 7-10 days on thick liquids, 1-2 weeks on mushies, and then back to normal eating, with the transition times being up to me and dependent upon how well I tolerated food. I was very good for the first 10 days, sticking exactly to the routine, but found by Day 10 I was absolutely ravenous. I made a big error in judgement on Day 10, and broke down and ate 4 breaded/fried half chicken wings Yes, yes, I know I was only supposed to be going into the mushy stage at the time and chicken wings aren't mushy!! Mind you, I did chew them to mush and beyond. Anyway, I've already been spanked severely for that on these boards when I confessed at the time, so please don't do that again. I need your advice on a different matter now... Over the mushy stage, I was pretty good although a couple of things were probably more "soft food" rather than truly mushy. Stuck to the calorie requirement well (in fact way below). About the only thing I did wrong was that I tended to push the 1 cup limit a little on the evening meal. I would get towards the end of the bowl and know that I was full and should stop but couldn't resist the taste and couldn't bear to throw the food out, so would just take it really really slowly and finish it all. At the end, I would feel uncomfortably full for quite a while, but never PB'd or anything. I can tolerate just about any type of food and am satisfied for hours on 1 cup. Anyway, now I am finding that I am feeling less and less hungry as the days go by and am starting to feel slightly nauseous all the time. I'm starting to get worried that the early chicken wings and the eating beyond the point of hunger have caused problems, possibly slippage or stretching the pouch. My port is in an awkward place (right on my waist line) and my work pants press against it uncomfortably when I sit. It also presses against my desk and over the last week, I have noticed it is starting to look a little bruised behind the scar, when it had been well-healed before I returned to work last week. I've been finding it harder to finish my evening meal Could the bruising be causing swelling, which is why I am not so hungry? Should I tell the doctor not to worry about the fill? I don't know how much I have lost in the last week, as I am not able to get near a scale till I get home from the mine site tomorrow night, but I don't think it has been a great deal. Typical day's eating: Breakfast - 1 poached egg, 1 muffin (no butter or fat) lunch - Optifast dinner - 2oz meat, 1/4 potato, 1 tbsp Beans, 1tbsp peas (or carrots, corn, broccholi, etc), 1tpbs gravy. 2-3 cups coffee with skim milk (not drunk with meals) Total: @ 700 cal I don't think I should be trying to eat much less than this, so don't think I need a fill, but am worried about why that is...

Such GREAT comments. Thanks folks! I have my next appointment 10 June, so that is 2 and a half weeks away. I hope I have better luck then. I have lost 20 lbs even before the fill, but I have lost nothing in almost 2 weeks. Thanks Again!

"Only" 40 pounds? 40 lbs is fantastic! When was the last time you lost 40 pounds this easily? Be proud of your accomplishment. Realize that some people lose faster or slower but that's them and you are you. There is always someone out there faster or taller or smarter or more talented than you. Who cares? This is NOT a competition. You have the right attitude. This is a tool, just a chunk of silicon. It doesn't choose to lose weight, YOU do. You are losing weight slow and steady, best possible way. This is not a diet. There is no "goal" where everything ends. You permanently changed the way you live, for the better. Things like food habits and activity are not things to do for a while, but as much a part of you as breathing. A few small tips that seem to work for me: I almost never watch TV in real time. We have a DVR and I always record so I can fast forward past commercials, especially food ones. If I find myself staring in the cupboard for a snack, I brush my teeth. The taste curbs my hunger for some reason. (ever drink orange juice tight after brushing? blech.) Otherwise, I'll go for a quick walk around the neighborhood. A lot of times that 10 minute delay gets my mind off of food, plus it's exercise that gets your metabolism speeded up. Buy an article of clothing that's you really like and is just a tiny bit too small. Try it on every couple of days. Avoid the scale for a few days too. (I never weigh myself, I just use my clothing fit and belt notches to track size loss.) Pick one thing you can't do today because of size that you really want to do and daydream a bit about it. Look at that nasty "before" photo you took. That scares me straight every time. Thomas Jefferson said: I'm a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work the more I have of it.

I AS WELL WAS AFRAID OF TRYING BREAD. THE GROCERY STORE IN MY TOWN MAKES MINI LOAVES OF WHEAT AND RYE. I DO OKAY WITH A SLICE OF THAT BUT I USUALLY TRY TOASTING IT. IF IT IS TO SOFT I FEEL LIKE I STRUGGLE GETTING IT DOWN, I ONLY HAVE 2CC IN A 10 CC BAND SO MY RESTRICTION STILL ISN'T REAL TIGHT. :redface:

Hello everyone! I've decided to have the lap band surgery probably in October or November of this year -- Statesville, NC. I have found out that my health insurance will pay 90% of the cost. I've been "dieting" my way up to 267 lbs and I'm finally fed up. This is it. I've already been to an information session and everything....this is the right thing for me to do. I just wanted to say "hello" and sort of introduce myself. I'm 40 years old. I have 2 kids -- 19 and 9 and I've been dating a wonderful (supportive) guy for 1 1/2 years now. I want to lose the weight for me. I'm tired of being tired....if that makes any sense? :-) I look forward to hearing any feedback you may can share with me to sort of ease my nervousness about all this.

I've never been 70kg as an adult, I always hovered around 78-79kg before I got really fat. My healthy weight range is 63-79kgs, you can find healthy weight charts in a million places, in every calorie counter you buy for example. I knew that at 79kg I never felt thin. I was chunky, definitely not able to wear what I wanted and at that weight (which is about 180lb or so) and 5ft 10, I was definitely sized out of regular clothing at an Australian 16 (American 14 or so), I had to buy fat old nanna clothes and I loathed it. And I just knew, going by the covering of fat I had, that it was still overweight for me. So I set 70kg as a goal. My surgeon never asked but the nutritionist I saw for one visit did. She told me it was overambitious and not likely to happen. I ignored her, her nutrition advice was pretty generic and crap too. Having gotten to this weight, i can see I am not "a big girl" or "big boned" like people always used to say about me as a child and teen. I was never obese but always hefty. I am actually quite fine boned and lightly muscled and I am not meant to be at the heavy end of my weight range. My weight at the moment is just fine, but I could easily be 10lb lighter and not be too thin. Yet 5ft 10 and 145lb or so on here seems to cause screams of "you'll be scrawny, it'll look horrible". Its a moot point anyway since I dont seem to be able to move from 154.

my last straw was getting above 200lbs. It might not seem alot to other people but I am on 4 feet 11 inches. I floundered around 192 to 195 for about 3 years. That really didn't bother me, but when I stepped on the scale at my mother in laws house and I was over 200, I got scared. How much more can I gain. That was last Christmas. In January I went to my first meeting for Lap Band. I did not want to do RNY because I have a friend who did it about 10 years ago and she has now gained all her weight back plus some. I am also turning 40 in july and I want to do something to change myself and be healthy for the first time in about 30 years.

Greetings again from sunny Florida! I'm a lot older than most here 56. I was banded 10/15/12 so even though I'm old, I'm still a newbie. I've been hanging with these wonderful ppl for almost 8mths now and they've taught me most of what I need to know to succeed with LBS. I love them all! Glad to have you with us also!

Give yourself time:) "normal" is a learned behavior I think. My normal for last 10 years is wearing stretch pants and hoodies, avoiding bathing suit and pictures, and having a evening snack in front of the tv after the kids go to bed. Is that normal, or my normal? My date is dec 3 and I often worry about what life will be like after... What will my normal be? Will I mourn the loss if my Old normal? I think I am sick of my normal. It won't be easy but I can't wait for my new normal to be my normal lol. Good luck, we all need it:)

I had the band done about 5 years ago and i lost about 50lbs and gained it all back. I had the revision done 6/15/10. I have only lost 40 lbs since, but the quality of my life is so much better. I choose not to have the full 80% of my stomach removed and I am suffering the consequences of that choice now. I can eat far more than most. My biggest problem is head hunger, because of it I tend to snack all day. I desperately want to reach my goal weight of 145lbs, but I don't know how to get there. Because I am not seeing much progress I have also slacked off with exercising. Can anyone offer advice or suggestions? I am open to anything.

Hello. As the title says I am beginning my lap band journey. I made and went to my consultation appointment last week. I am 41yo, married for 19yrs. Mother of 3, (15yo girl and a 10 & 5yo boys). And today I got a call today to start my pre-O P orders.. I have to get the typical blood work, Need an E K G , then have have a cardiologist clear me. Psychological evaluation, and a Upper G I ....(oh yay!!) Current pap and mamo ..(not sure why they need this). So I decided to post a hello instead of being a creeper. I am nervous and excited. January 1st I was at my heaviest weight of 350lbs.and decided to do something about it. Currently I am 333, and trying. I have scheduled most of my tests for Thursday and Friday, next week need to do some others. I was told, my insurance Co.covers cost up to 90% but since I met my out of pocket deductible,it's 100%… I'm hoping for no surprise $$. Hmmmm...think that's it... If I forgot something ask me.. -Deb

I'm having this done April 10. I have a giant hiatal hernia which means my whole stomach is through the hernia. They're going to move it back where it should be and do the bypass in the same operation. Best of luck to you!

I too, started between March and May on my journey. Friday 10/5/18 is my sleeve surgery date. I was required to do a 2 week liquid diet.. Hard but dedication. Am I nervous?, as two virgins on their wedding night. But looking back at pictures and remembering feeling mortified looking at myself in a full body mirror and not able to enjoy life.. feeling my lowest point when weight started to nag at who I was and where I wanted to be... all the procrastination went out the window. Don’t give up. I was robbed of who I’m supposed to be and Friday I will collect justice.

I too, started between March and May on my journey. Friday 10/5/18 is my sleeve surgery date. I was required to do a 2 week liquid diet.. Hard but dedication. Am I nervous, as two virgins on their wedding night. But looking back at pictures and remembering feeling mortified looking at myself in a full body mirror and not able to enjoy life.. feeling my lowest point when weight started to nag at who I was and where I wanted to be... all the procrastination went out the window. Don’t give up. I was robbed of who I’m supposed to be and Friday I will collect justice.

Hi everybody. Im new to the site and my surgery is March 19. I'm super nervous about the anestheia and leaving my kids to do this and be in the hospital for a few days. Any words of wisdom?

I had my surgery on 10/12 and also am a big baby. I took pain meds for only the first 2 days after surgery. It was mainly for muscle soreness. I still can not lay on my side or tummy.. so sleep is not great! I also am getting tired of liquids! I would like to have a little more assortment. Anyway.. Regardless of sleeve or rny they still cut your tummy muscles and fill ya full of air. I researched and researched on the sleeve and rny. I really liked the sleeve too! Until I talked to my surgeon. I had a hernia with TERRIBLE gerd (acid reflux) and he said that the sleeve wouldn't have been option. However I would think recovery from either surgery is probably about the same. good luck in your decision! Only you know what's best for your own body.

Okay, so it's been almost 5 years since my lapband surgery. I haven't been on this forum in probably a year. I had been doing pretty well with slow loss but no gain. The last 6 months have been a struggle. I have gained 15 lbs. in the last few months. I can eat a 6 inch subway sub WITH BACON with no problem (an probably more if I wanted to). I have 9 cc in my 10 cc band. I had a fill about 2 months ago because I was over eating and felt like I no longer had restriction. It helped but only for a couple of weeks? I do not eat slow or chew my food as much as I should. I can't chug liquids, but I still feel like something is going on. I remember when 4 bites of food would fill me up. Now, I am back to my pre-surgery portions. I should have the will power to eat less, but obviously I don't and I have relied on the band. I'm not exercising, which is my laziness and I know what I need to do there. I am getting to the maximum level that I can with my band. Has anyone else had this experience? I'm getting frustrated and do not want to gain anymore weight! Help!

What an interesting read! I have dieted my way fat as well. I can tell you the calorie, fat, sugar, carb, and Protein count of 1000s of foods. I can tell you the serving size. I can serve a perfectly-sized serving of just about anything on the first try. I learned this over the past 10+ years that I've done WWers. So, I respectfully disagree that obese people don't know serving sizes or how to eat healthy. Just because I have the information doesn't mean I use it. Heck, people still smoke and they know it's deadly. I am only 4 weeks in and still fill-less, but I started keeping a food journal as soon as I started full-liquids. I quickly stopped, as I was becoming obsessive with it. It's all I was thinking about. In a word, it was becoming a diet. I can't do that to myself again. I am hoping I can use the knowledge I already have plus the band to be successful. Considering I've already lost nearly 40 lbs, I feel like I am doing it right so far. I am eating what I want, but stopping once the edge of hunger is gone. Once I have a fill, I anticipate this will be even easier. Amy

Hi all, I was banded on 9/20 and my doctor wanted me on Clear liquids for 3 weeks (up on 10/11). I went to see her yesterday and the visit took no more than 3 minutes (she diditn even look at my incisions) and gace me the following instructions "after your liquid you can go on to mushies for 4 weeks, then come back on 10/31 and we can discuss food". No talk about fills either. Is this insane????? is anyone else going thru something like this???? Its not like I want to eat a steak but I could barely get thru 2 weeks of liquids much less 4 weeks of mushies. Im down 30 pounds....happy about that!! Thanks.

I guess each Dr. has different instructions based (hopefully) on patients. I was on fluids for 10 days, then mushies for 1 week, then onto food after. I would stick w. what your Dr. is telling you - if you feel that you can't do it - call them up and ask if you can move onto the next stage. Good Luck =)

I make butternut squash soup One squash cubed 3 apples peeled and cubed 1 small onion 1 can of low sodium vegetable stock Cook on low until soft Then with a hand mixer to purée right in the pot. If you don't have one of the high speed hand mixers, transfer to a food processor or blender. Then back in the soup pot add 2 Tbsp of reduced fat peanut butter 1/4 cup of lime juice 1/2 cup of fresh cilantro (chopped) I just use scissors Cook for 10 more minutes and your all set.. Easy and so good Hardest part is cutting the squash so I buy the precut if my hubby's not around ... Enjoy!

hey mrs w I gained 45lbs ????...had my daughter on September 27th hate it feeling depressed sometimes but all my children I gain alot of weight but didn't eat much lost 10 but I had to get Water pills cuz I had a lot of Fluid on me Sent from my SM-G930T using the BariatricPal App

Im new to this site and forum. I will be sleeved 10/29. Prayers are appreciated. Hope to find people to go through this journey with.

Sleeved on 12/10/16. Dealing with severe depression for years and on Wellbutrin prior to surgery. My psych evaluation was very easy. 15 minute convo and leading questions about having a support network in place and managing your expectations. I stressed it to no end beforehand though, so I understand how you feel. It will go fine if you stay positive and even keeled. And the depression will improve dramatically within your first month after surgery if your experience is anything like mine. I stopped taking antidepressants, at least for now. That said, I explored bariatric surgery once before in 2014 with another surgeon. And I got as far as the psych evaluation in that program and he wouldn't clear me. At the time I was at my lowest depression and actually thought about suicide often. For his evaluation I had to do a two page questionnaire on my mental state before we spoke. I was brutally honest on the forms and it got me into trouble during the interview. He refused to give me the clearance and I was so discouraged that I gave up on all of it for 2 years. I thought being honest with "my doctor" would be fine, but his primary interest was actually protecting the program and the surgeon more than doing what was best for my health. He rationalized it that my emotional state could be too dangerous and risky after surgery if I experienced additional depression due to lack of ability to eat. I argued that the surgery was the best option to improve the depression and that he had a duty as a doctor to see that. He refused. My primary doctor yelled at me for being too open and honest about the depression. So just be careful what you say. Stay positive all the way. That you are eager to have this tool to help you reach your goals. Good luck! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App