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I definitely have more restriction again, after my fill on the 26th. But I still can eat about 2 cups of food before getting the full signals. For me the full signal is one little hiccup. I stop eating at this point, and sure enough I'm full. For me if I eat too much it will become uncomfortable with a kind of tiny bit of pain. I still can eat way too fast. I eat the Sam's club stuffed chicken breast and 10 sweet potato fries in about 20 minutes. If I was at ideal restriction, I think that I not only wouldn't be able to eat that much, but it would take me the full half hour to eat. My last fill was another 1.0cc, and I'm hoping to keep this restriction through the entire month. We will see how it goes. The new "fat burn" type of exercise is working much better for me then the "cardio training" programs. It doesn't bother my knee so much and it burns more total calories. The disadvantage is it takes 3 times as much time to burn the same calories, but since I have the time....thats what I'm going to do.

Well at this time next week I will be at home recouping from my procedure. Things have passed by swiftly. I'm going to my first support group meeting tonight and am glad because I feel like I could use a little support. This past weekend was reeeeaaallly tough on the pre-op diet and I had one slip-up, which is discouraging. And honestly, I'm feeling a little depressed and not sure why. It will be good to get around some other people who are experiencing similar situations. I have been having one day full liquid then one day with a salad allowed. Today was my salad day, which obviously makes tomorrow my liquid day and being so hungry puts me in a crap mood. I'm dropping weight like nobody's business though and am down 15lbs. That's more than 1lb per day, which seems a little fast. Things are also complicated in my non WLS world, work is crazy, I've just interviewed for another job, my best friend is pregnant and sick, and others in my family are ill as well. All in all stressfull. I think that the day of surgery I might have to ask for some vitamin V as the nurse suggested...I wonder if she'll let me take any home?

Ooh, thanks for the recipe link, I'm going to make the kids chicken enchiladas for dinner tonight! To the OP, I think you might just need to SLOW DOWN. You need to control how fast you eat, perhaps reduce the size of what you consider a "meal" (It took me at least 12 months to believe I'd be satisfied by what was on my plate, before that I overserved myself every single time). Put what you think you'll eat on the plate and then take some away! Really really work on getting that meal down without scarfing it quickly. Its only if you can do that that you can really judge just how tight your band is. But personally, I find that unless I can get a proper meal in - and keep my band loose enough to do so - it doesnt matter how tight I am, I will go back to the chips, dips, Cookies and ice cream within an hour or two of the meal. Eating proper meals is SO important. If you've slowed down and you still cant eat a proper meal, you need some fill out. There is no level of tightness that will prvent eating bad foods like chips, it just wont work to get tighter and tighter thinking it will stop you doing this. Its why I dont snack. If I plan to snack, I eat less at mealtime to allow the calories and then I go all day without a single satisfying meal, they're all too small and after a day or two the cravings set in big time.

I am 2 weeks post op and got clearance from surgeon to start doing things physically. I bought a 3 wheel bicycle last week and rode it a few times but today I really went for a 12 minute fast ride. Now, I feel like I could take a nap....ugh Is this normal...to be so fatigued in the beginning? If you were and you felt like napping, did you nap?? Yes, I know its going to take time to build up but god....I am really tired. I have not been active in many years.... I'm just looking for some words of wisdom and someone who's been there... Thanks, Meg

Awww thanks. Usually when it comes off fast in the beginning it slows down later.

BMI's are ok, they will get you in the ballpark, and give you ":Average" numbers....not bad when first starting out. You can weigh 150lbs, but is that weight from fat? or is it from lean muscle..... Only accurate way (to date) is to have a body analysis done to determine what is fat and what is not...,is the fat content is high, you need to loose more of it....regardless of your goal. I also like when people say "Average in the US"....everyone knows the "Average" person in the USA is way over weight...an epidemic some say with a country filled with fast food, fast lifestyles, poor habits, etc, etc.

Hi im having surgery on 12/21 band with plication my surgeon is also gonna correct a hernia,as anyone had this done and how fast did they heal.

Well, here I am exactly 7 days away from starting my liquid diet and I couldnt be more thrilled. I have actually gone without eating a few times before the actual diet to see what it would be like. The first time was for 3 days, the second was for 4. I managed it pretty well. I drank the shakes and they seemed pretty filling. You may think I'm crazy for being excited about not eating for 2 weeks but I really look forward to it. Now I'm not saying I won't be hating it later on into it, I'm just saying that I'm excited about the changes that I am about to go through. Plus, have you ever noticed how much better you feel when you are actually hungry? I'm also sure I will be pretty moody during this time, but I will try and control my anxiety for my Wife's sake LOL. Anyways, I just wanted to get on here real quick and say a few things, as well as thank everyone who answered my questions that I know have been asked numerous times. You were very helpful and greatly appreciated.. ( Why does this sound like a goodbye post ) HAHA!

Woooo Hoooo! I am excited for you! You deserve this...we all do! [quote name=Lisa ' timestamp='1317187514' post='212804] Hi Everyone! This is my first post here....on the day I was approved for my sleeve!!! I'm 42 and have been dealing with weight issues since my first and only pregnancy 18 years ago. I've run the gamut of eating disorders having first dealt with bulimia and then anorexia. Back then I was dealing with (or trying not to deal with) the death of my mom. I was only 25 and didn't really have any tools to deal with my life....which had changed so drastically. Fast forward to the present and I can honestly say that I would not be who I am today without all my struggles. Over the course of the past 18 years I've discovered who I am and have raised an amazing boy who is now a young man about to graduate from high school. Now, if only my body matched who I am on the inside!! LOL Growing up, I had always been super athletic. I played all kinds of sports and I attended college on a full ride scholarship for softball. I still consider myself an athlete even though no one else would think that by looking at me. At my consultation with my surgeon, she asked me what my goal weight was. I told her I didn't have one...the only goal I have is to complete and eventually compete in triathlons. Numbers aren't really important to me anymore. I don't care what my weight is, what size my clothes are or how high or low my BMI is. At 42 I just want to feel like I'm in the body I was born to be in and to do the things I love to do!! Thanks for reading......

Soooooo...It's four minutes before DHS opens and I can call them to see if my funding's been approved. They did say to call this morning lol - they probably didn't mean as soon as they openned but you know what I am going to give it a red hot go Hoping for an outcome, preferably positive please! Will update shortly - using creating this blog as a mechanism for distraction until these last minutes tick by Why so slow, time???? You go fast enough usually!! Two minutes!!! Gotta go Be back on as soon as I can....

I had to lose 30 before surgery. I did 2 protein shakes a day and a 600 calorie meal along with contraive. It came off so fast and easy almost considered not doing surgery. Good luck![emoji256] SIPS procedure 12/11/17 SW 307 CW 214 GW 160

I'm three months and just now reduced on bp med by half. When I got lightheaded standing up I called the doc and she adjusted the meds. She said for some people it is fast to wean them off and others are slower - basically, when my bp gets to 110 or below I reduce by half until I no longer take them

This is kind of a long one so bear w/me... I went to my surgeon's lapband support group last night. I've been doing great lately w/my band, but I still try to make it to as many support meetings as I can. I figure its free therapy (led by one of the psychologists from my surgeon's office) and I do learn something new at every meeting (either from the psych or from one of the more experienced bandsters). We have a lot that go to the meeting that are at goal. OK, so earlier in the day I had an odd discussion w/my 4 yr old daughter. On the way to preschool, she told me in the car that she wished I never had surgery. Yes, I've told everyone about the surgery, even my 4 yr old daughter and 6 yr old son. They know it is to help mommy get healthy and they seemed happy w/that explanation before surgery. So, it totally throws me off that now my daughter is saying she wishes I didn't have surgery. :huh2: I told her I'm all healed now, feeling great, and that its really working so I'm happy I had surgery... and ask her why she wishes I didn't. And, she said its because I can't eat dessert anymore and she wants me to eat dessert w/them. I explained to her that I CAN eat dessert, but I'm just choosing not to because it is healthier for me to not eat it. But, for a 4 yr old, the idea of delayed gratification or doing something for one's health is just not a concept that can be easily understood. Long story short (woops, too late!), the advice I got from the psych is that he thinks I should eat a little dessert (not just for the kids, but for me too). He said that I'm slipping back into a 'diet mentality' of deprivation and extremes. Well, he didn't put it that bluntly, but I got the point. And, man, is he ever right on!!! :biggrin: I knew going into this that my biggest challenge would be embracing moderation and no longer living in the extremes. I just didn't realize that I had slipped back into an extreme. And, he also doesn't approve of my rule of no alcohol and exercise every day until I've lost my 10 pounds for the month. He considers that diet mentality as well and too strict. But, I have a feeling that the dietician and exercise physiologist would feel different about that! LOL :thumbup: Anyway, so I've decided I will eat a little bit of dessert when my family has dessert, but still not sure if I will give up my 10 pound per month goal. I figure I'll stick to it until this month's 10 pounds are gone and then see how I feel. I only have 6 pounds more to make my 10 pounds this month (my month goes 2/17-3/17) and I've been losing fast since I gave up the alcohol and started exercising every day. Ultimately, I have to do what works for me and even though he may be a great psych, it is still just advice and my choice what to do with it. But, definitely food for thought. :cool:

I'm channeling my inner Dori and singing to myself...Just keep swimming, just keep swimming...in more ways than one. Today is 8 weeks and I lost a whole pound this week. So my 9# loss in Month 2 is a lot less than my 19# loss in my first month. BUT things are definitely changing...so I've just gotta keep going! I joined a gym last week. After a little fiasco with the first gym I tried (a very uncomfortable experience) I ended up joining a gym that the whole family can go to. They have 3 pools and a great kids program and I think it's going to be a great place for my whole family. I have gone everyday since I joined and am doing a lot of swimming. I'm not a very fast swimming but I can definitely tell I'm working parts of my body that haven't been worked in awhile. My step daughter is a water polo player and she has taken it upon herself to be my personal trainer and is having me do her water workouts....well my version of them anyway She is either going to whip me into shape or kill me...LOL My kids are swimming with me, and it's been interesting to hear their comments about Mom getting in and swimming and not just sitting on the side soaking my feet. Apparently, I have been missing out on a lot since I got heavier . So I am walking, and biking, and swimming...trying to get in 5-6 days a week of some sort of activity. So even if the scale isn't moving very much, I KNOW I am in a very different place than I was last year at this time. I'm not the heaviest person at the pool, and I'm not the skinniest...but I am starting to feel comfortable in my own skin!!! Heaviest Weight: 281 3/6/13 Surgery: 257 (-24) 3/13/13: 251 (-6) 3/20/13: 245 (-6) 3/28/13: 238 (-7) 4/3/13: 238 (-0) FIRST MONTH -19# 4/10/13: 237 (-1) 4/17/13: 235 (-2) 4/24/13: 233 (-2) 5/2/13: 229 (-4) SECOND MONTH -9#

I've had a Band for six years. Weight wise, I'm pregnant with my third Bandster baby and unfilled. The biggest issues I've had is in trying to refill the Band following pregnancies. It just hasn't worked the same. However, up until this pregnancy, I'd maintained 65 out of a 95 pound weight loss with no fills. So... not too shabby. I haven't experienced any reflux, errosion, etc. The biggest issues I've had are cost-related. It sucks to still have to pay for fills and unfills six years down the line. As a stay-at-home Mom now, it's a much bigger impact on me financially then when I was working in corporate America. The Band was the right surgery for me at the time. I don't regret it at all... even though , at the time, it wasn't even FDA approved and I traveled to Mexico for surgery. I would not have been comfortable going through three pregnancies with any other WLS. Having said that, if I were to look at surgery today (not wanting any more kids), I'd probably go for a Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy. The fill-factor gets old... fast. It took me five or six fills to get good restriction the first time. I've had numerous fills and unfills... and each has cost me on average $350. I'm going to try refilling again after this pregnancy (due any day now)... and see how it goes. If I still can't manage any restriction, I will probably have a revision.

I’m around 5 months post op I think and I still throw up mainly if I accidentally eat to fast or to much

Way to go Kristen! And congrats on making it to the site! Your loss is awesome! You may want to post your start/now/goal weight in your signature. People need to know how large you started to begin with and that makes more sense on how fast people lose. Usually very heavy people lose A LOT of weight very quickly then taper off to just the 1-2 lbs a week. But your loss is VERY fantastic!!!! I know you work very hard at the band though. You give a tremendous effort in making this band work and you are very disciplined from it! Way to go! Keep up the good work!

I've been doing maintenance for about 9 months now. Like floridays, I am about 6 or so lbs from my original goal, but am happy where I am at. I also weigh myself once or twice a day and eat around the scale. If I seen to eat more one day and it shows on the scale, I cut back for a couple of days. I am not the model bandster with my eating or exercise... But I don't eat very much anymore, I don't eat fast food, or pop anymore. Those things were my downfall, and I have cut those items from my life. Good luck on your journey... You will be in maintenance before u know it...

It seems like everything is coming up so fast. I attended the seminar 3rd week of October this year, the ff week I had my consultation , 2 days after I had my endoscopy, and that same week, I met with my nutritionist. I also had my psych evaluation a week after that. I waited two weeks for the approval. I remember calling the doctor's office regarding pre-cert results almost every day. Then 2 days ago I got my surgery date which is on 11/13. I have a week of liquid diet before the surgery. Now I feel the excitement, apprehension and so much more. I have 5 kids & they are 7 yrs old & younger. I hope the surgery would work for me with no complications. I don't know if Im scared or excited , now that it's going to be less than a week to my surgery . I would just like to know if there's anybody there who went through the same experience. How did you cope up with this many kids after the surgery? I used to eat kids food like chiken nuggets, pizza, mac & cheese, fruit cups etc. we also love to go to buffet or all you can eat restaurants. Is it going to affect my kids nutrition as well? How did you take care of your little kiddos during this time? I also love to drink coffee. Did you drink coffee and eat yogurt during pre-surgery liquid diet? Please I need your advise. Thanks much. :-)

I'm so excited for you!! Wishing you the best and a fast pain free recovery!! October 7th is my day....I'm so excited!! I can't wait...

Hi all, Things are going pretty well for me. I was sleeved June of last year. No surprises and the weight has just melted off. I walk 60 minutes 5 days per week. I'm admittedly not great about the weight training. I haven't weighed myself in a while, but I was honestly startled to step on the scale this morning and see that I was at 136. Now, I'm a small man with a small frame, but I don't want to look gaunt. My bari team doesn't seem all that concerned, but my family says I look too skinny. I'm nervous about what to do here. I'm taking in about 1500-1700 calories daily and 60-80 net carbs from veggies, fruits, very few grains, My protein has been excellent at about 120-140 grams (depends on if I have a shake or two). I don't eat sugar because it upsets my stomach. I limit wheat too for that reason as well. I'm very diligent about all of my supplements. I've never had an issue keeping weight on and it frightens me. I feel AMAZING and energetic and healthy, but I honestly don't want to look like skin and bones. It sounds like this isn't super common, so I would really like some suggestions. I simply want to maintain or even add 4-5 more pounds back. Thanks

Hey are you going through PeaceHealth Southwest? I ask because you're describing the exact process I went through and even the WLS coordinator ha the same name! I was banded there by Dr Jan on Feb 1st. He's not very warm and fuzzy (brisk and business-like) but when I told him the band was what I wanted and I wouldn't consider bypass, he didn't try to talk me out of it. If the doctor who did your seminar is difficult, try meeting with Dr Jan instead. I couldn't be happier with my decision! (I was seld pay, btw, so my process was super fast and efficient) Best of luck!!!

At the moment I am having a hard time coming to terms with the fact that at 45 I am now in menopause.I love being thin but I hate the fact that the weight loss screwed up my hormones so badly!And I hate these hot flushes! Of course the question of how fast am I going to age now is in my mind all the time.For goodness sake,I am skinny for the first time in 20+ years.I have planned plastics and a lot of other fun things.I dont want to start looking like a dried out old prune before I am 50.Then there is all the conflicting info on HRT.Increasing or decreasing breast cancer and stroke risk? So many studies contradicting each other that I have no idea what to do.You read about the weight gain after menopause and how difficult weight loss becomes and I think shoot,Im screwed!Makes me want to eat..lol Then there is the issue of my tea.Now I can admit I have been super bad with water,just like the exercise.But this is also because every time I start drinking more water my weight bounces up 2-3 pounds and I feel swollen.Having said this I had to get off the tea.It causes constipation when drinking it in huge quantities and I never new that.I was drinking 5-6 cups of tea (400ml cups) a day and was chuffed with myself for having found a way to side step the water...lol.But every time I come back from holiday,I get constipated.Had to look at what is different when I am gone and it must be the tea!Read up on it a bit and I think the dehydrating effect of tea made the constipation worse. Back on the probiotics and I had only 2 cups of tea today and about 2 liters of water. Now,I have about 3 pounds to get to dr's goal and have tonight decided to just do it already.I am going to cut my carbs again from tomorrow and see if it works and if it doesnt I will cut my food allowance for the day until I see results.Then I will lose 10 more pounds to SHOW THIS BLOODY MENOPAUSE that I can do it. Ugg,so my little plastics fund has increased now to include a facelift when the face actually collapse...lol O,and I will start exercising more...lol

Well, after browsing this site all yesterday and reading others blogs, I decided that I should put my own thoughts to page and hopefully get some really awesome feedback from people who actually get it. First off, let me share a little of my story. I have always struggled with weight, even in high school. I was really active, participating in soft ball and played golf for my school. I was "plus size" even then. Got married at 20 to a man in the Navy, and then divorced by 24. I guess you could say I am an emotional eater, but this journey really has taught me a lot about what I actually need for nutrition as opposed to that satiating yummy feeling, that usually ends up making me sick 30 minutes afterward. I have tried every diet known to man, to only be knocked down a peg and it not be successful. After numerous tests (when my weight spiked to 299, and bp was 180/103) my doctors determined that not only do I have high bp, sleep apnea, PCOS, and depression; they found that my thyroid was barely working. I was referred to a seminar with Mission health at the end of November and from there it really has been a fast, whirlwind process. Had my first doctors appointment in December, and now here we are April, and I'm going into surgery in two weeks. I have been so blessed with my insurance plan. BCBS of NC has literally come back with an approval hours after submission. So far the process has been stress free and everyone has been really supportive. I can only think that this is devine intervention or something. Well, anyways. Today marks my first day of "full liquids" and I was so excited. It is like that final step before surgery. I sit and day-dream about all the things I'm going to get to do. All the clothes (that you don't have to pay extra for) that I can wear. It started almost like any morning, I was sitting at my desk at work. I had made the terrible mistake of telling my co-worker that I had taken "before" pictures. Which I probably will never share with anyone. Seeing yourself from a third person prospective totally warped my sense of "self-image." Like, I have no illusions that I'm obese. But at least when I look in the mirror I go "hmm, not that bad," but when I saw the pictures I was like OH MY GOODNESS, how could I let myself get like that? Anyways, my co-worker is and this is her quote "126 pounds and OH MY GOD a size 6" she's gorgeous. I hear daily from random patients "you are the most beautiful woman I've seen." While here I am a troll, hiding in my cave at work. She had the comforting idea to go "I took before pictures too!" (as she is doing crossfit three times a week and resistance four times a week) I can barely walk to the bathroom without getting out of breath. Of course her before pictures were disgusting and hideous and should be burned. I snapped. (Not proud, but whatever). I looked at her and said, "do you realize I've NEVER been a size 6." She retorted, "when I started working here I was a size 2, but everyone eats all the time I just join in." Like it's my fault she's gained six pounds and went up two pant sizes. We currently are acting icy towards each other and I just laughed at her response and told her I had work to do. So after saying all of that, I beg to ask... do people really not get it? When they think they are being helpful and supportive, do they really not hear what comes out of their mouths? I hate that I've let her ruin my day so early, but I'm so frustrated that someone so beautiful could think so little of herself to compare her to me, and think that its supportive that she's gained weight working here also. Just sayin' I would probably risk 10-20 years in prison to get a body like hers. SIGH, am I being petty?

Good question! I had some blended lentil soup yesterday and I realized I was eating/drinking it to fast and got scared cause I got kinda bloated. So sipped water here and there afterward. Thanks Wild for clearing that part up for us!