Hey April Bandsters? Where are you at?!?

[dFaults 1]

Some of us are at or past 4months post op..How is everyone doing?

Me, I've having some issues. Wouldn't be having them if I didn't have to have a hystrectomy 2weeks ago. My OB cut my tubing to my band!!! OMG another surgery in 4 weeks to repair that. So I;m just trying to keep my spirits up.

What are you up to?

[SageTracey 608]

Hey, that really sucks! Good luck with getting it fixed. I was banded 13 April here in Australia and have enjoyed really good weight loss (60lb) until the last week or so, now it looks like I have plateaued. I am just pushing on with monitoring my diet and exercise and hoping that I will start losing again soon. I have good restriction so am fairly confident (but still suffering the nerves of, "oh, what if this is all there is for me!")

[emptyNest 4]

I have only lost 16 pounds since surgery, but I don't have much restriction at all. I like losing the weight slowly. I think it will help with the loose skin thing, which could be an issue since I'm over 50..

[kkf1979 10]

Banded April 7th and I have had 3 fills and lost 43 lbs so far! I think I am @ restriction, I try to work out @ leat 3 times a week. I am happy with my decision to have this done.

[TerriF 9]

Hello all,

Have lost 45 pounds up to now. Go for a fill on Monday, which I need as I haven't lost much this month. As I get closer to my goal the weightloss has slowed. I walk 4 miles 7 days a week which has really toned the body. I have had very few stuck episodes and mostly with chicken that I haven't chewed enough. I am happy with my progress and with the band.

[Woodslass 22]

I'm still here too. I've lost a little over 50 lbs since my surgery on April 4th. I had been pretty steady at 10 lbs a month until this month when I only lost 4. I went in last Thursday and confessed that I had been PBing a lot over the last few weeks and I had fallen off the wagon a bit - was eating more carbs and exercise was pretty non-existent. I had a rough month with travelling for work - it's freaking impossible when you are in a business meeting for 9 hours and the only thing at lunch is catered Olive Garden. I had the salad but I needed the Protein to make me full - and left the Protein Bars at home - and ended up eating raviolis.

I also must say that I still am not exercising hardly at all, because I just can't stand to get all sweaty. Doc told me to not get sweaty, I'm not trying to get in shape so I don't need to get the heart pumping and the sweat pouring, just get out and walk and do it for a sustained amount of time. So the next morning I took the dogs for a walk around the park near our house and back. I was a little sweaty but at least I was walking for 30 minutes. Going to do it again tomorrow

I also found that I still am not eating small enough bites - it was explained to me (finally, after 5 months) that the first 3 to 5 bites have to be extra small and far apart and chewed to death. When there's nothing in the pouch or the stomach, the first bite causes the three muscles around the stomach to clench in anticipation, and that's when I found I would PB. So I've been in a near-constant state of swelling in my pouch for the last few months, which explains a lot. Since the visit (I had no fill and he didn't take any out) I haven't PB'd at all because I'm really watching those first few bites. Hurray! Swelling must be going down and I'm trying to pay more attention to eating Protein.

I'm finding that I'm still addicted to carbs, mainly bread. I haven't had rice or Pasta (except those two raviolis on my business trip0 or shrimp for months, but dammit I just can't stay away from the crackers and bread. Doc just flat out told me I need to get away from the bread and suck it up for a few weeks until the cravings go away - I keep trying but still find myself trying to eat it. You'd think I'd learn but I guess that's what addiction is all about.

I've been good about no soda - haven't had anything carbonated since February 2nd. Not drinking my calories at all except a cup of coffee maybe twice a week with a spoonful of sugar. Otherwise I drink at least 6 16.9 oz bottles of Water a day, and even a diet Snapple here and there. It's those damn carbs!

I am going to a family reunion in two weeks to Kentucky - where everything my relatives make is battered, buttered, fried and oh, so bad for me. I'm counting on my husband to yank me away from the trough...

[brenda62 47]

I am still here also! Been busy working my lap-band life style! I am now down 102 since we started, that's in just under 5 months! I could never have done this without my band and am thankful I went ahead and got my "tool". I am at 9 in my 14 band, my last fill was 1cc and I think it should have been 1/2 a cc. I have in the last two weeks had some of the things you all have talked about for the first time.I Slimed, bp,and have gotten stuck, I think I just have to learn to chew, chew, chew, and slow down. Up until now I did not have to and boy it makes a difference! ..

I go to Curves 5 days a week and with the hot weather hope on my stationery bike for 1/2 hour in the evening. I read new posts on lbt on my laptop while I ride and it goes by quickly. I have the feeling I am going to have to start to push myself harder soon to get of my last 42 pounds off. The scary part will be reaching goal and maintaining it,I guess if I look at it as a challenge like the weight loss is it might be easier.

As for eating, I have treats almost everyday! Fiber one brownies in the microwave for 20 seconds are wonderful! I also like the weight watcher ice cream bars. I eat healthy otherwise and really push my Protein. I have had no hair loss or other sideeffects from weight loss other than the saggy breasts and tummy. But that can be dealt with in the future!!

I feel great and hope everyone else does also

p.s. only 2 pound till onderland!

[Sandra S 3]

102 pounds in 5 months! WOW!!! I've lost 50 in 5 months. I had 1 2cc fill 3 months ago. My doctor doesn't wait to give me another fill for another month. Boo Hoo. I don't, and never have felt restriction. So far my will power has been good, but I know I eat more than a cup at each meal and am afraid that my will is going to vanish. I NEED THAT FILL!!

I am still here also! Been busy working my lap-band life style! I am now down 102 since we started, that's in just under 5 months! I could never have done this without my band and am thankful I went ahead and got my "tool". I am at 9 in my 14 band, my last fill was 1cc and I think it should have been 1/2 a cc. I have in the last two weeks had some of the things you all have talked about for the first time.I Slimed, bp,and have gotten stuck, I think I just have to learn to chew, chew, chew, and slow down. Up until now I did not have to and boy it makes a difference! ..

I go to Curves 5 days a week and with the hot weather hope on my stationery bike for 1/2 hour in the evening. I read new posts on lbt on my laptop while I ride and it goes by quickly. I have the feeling I am going to have to start to push myself harder soon to get of my last 42 pounds off. The scary part will be reaching goal and maintaining it,I guess if I look at it as a challenge like the weight loss is it might be easier.

As for eating, I have treats almost everyday! Fiber one brownies in the microwave for 20 seconds are wonderful! I also like the weight watcher ice cream bars. I eat healthy otherwise and really push my Protein. I have had no hair loss or other sideeffects from weight loss other than the saggy breasts and tummy. But that can be dealt with in the future!!

I feel great and hope everyone else does also

p.s. only 2 pound till onderland!

[Woodslass 22]

Just checking in - how is everyone doing?

I went on vacation this month for 2 weeks to visit relatives, and had a family reunion and a wedding to go to as well while I was there. I gained 5 lbs but lost it again after I got home - I think some of it was probably Water weight as well. While I was there, I took my gym clothes and went walking every other morning, so that definitely helped! I admit I ate anything and everything I wanted, just in moderation, and I only had two episodes of PBing so that was great. I weighed myself this morning and my 10 lbs for the month are now gone, and actually I lost 5 of those twice!

I think things are getting easier with me. I still haven't had a fill past my third one which was 1/2 a cc, I'm still not exercising as much as I should, but I'm 60 lbs down now and still on track.

The holiday season is approaching and I'm not even scared of it - how about you?

[TylerK 3]

Banded on April the 1st, sitting at 318 today for a total of 70 pounds. It's funny that I get discouraged seeing everyone who's already lost around a hundred, but then I realize they've had theirs longer. I'm happy with 70 in almost 7 months, just so anxious about getting to 299. I swear if I can just get into the 2's then I will never be a 3 again. Really hoping to get there by Christmas. Haven't been working out or running as I should, but a friend told me about an app for my iPhone called Couch to 5k or something like that and he's doing very well with it so I'm going to give it a try. Maybe get me through these stubborn 3teens. Hope everyone is doing well.

[brenda62 47]

All you have to do Tyler is get moving! It will come off and you are doing great! I have worked hard to get where I am (down 127 with 17 pounds till goal) I had hernia surgery on the 9th and am moving slower right now, but I am getting out and walking. It drove up a wall to be in the hospital for 5 days, they finally let me go home because I was up walking all the time. I think the day before I went home me and my iv poll did 5 miles in the halls! Just so people know my hernia's had nothing to due with the lap band or lap band surgery. I had cancer 2 1/2 years ago and the hernia's were cause by the surgeries I had then. By intestines had come through them and needed to be repaired. Anyway lots of fun!

I am still doing great with my lap band journey with little or no problems. I do not even remember when my last fill was! I know I have 8.5 cc's in my 14 cc band. would love to hear how everyone else is doing.

smiles

Brenda

[kkf1979 10]

December 7th will be my 8 months since surgery. I have had 3 fills, dropped 3 dress sizes, 40 inches and 65 pounds. I am very happy with my lap band, i am just about half way to goal but the difference is amazing I have never been so active. I go the gym 6 times a week< i have become a zumba fitness addict I am loving my new body I actually have curves, I can't believe how much my life has changed since getting the band both physically and emotionally. My next goal is to be under 200lbs by my one year anniversary and I know i can do it. I still have not mastered the art of small bites and chewing slowly so i get stuck episodes often other than that my lap-band journey has been smooth sailing and it's the best decision I ever made.

[vsaun123 22]

Hi Everyone! Its been a while ` I kinda forgot about this forum and have been blogging instead.

I'm down about 80 pounds, been racing my bike and training for a half marathon in 2012. Life is just better.

Hope you are are well!

Vanessa

[MissMelo 2]

I'm here! I just had a port revision on 1-5-12 due to a flipped port, so I basically had no fills for the entire time! I just got a fill at the time of my port revision and have much better restriction. Hopefully it does not happen again.