Successful Bandsters: How Did You Do It?

[jgandg 0]

I had surgery 2 weeks ago and am beginning to feel ravenous. I won't have a fill until a month from now.

I can't imagine losing weight b/c I am so hungry. How did everyone get started when they had no restriction? Did you just follow a diet as you would have pre-band? I just am so sick of dieting and being hungry all the time but I would like to start losing.

[JulieNYC 4]

jgandg,

This is the toughest time to be a bandster. You've just had major surgery and you feel like you deserve to be losing a ton of weight, but you just plain don't have any help until you get your fills.

This time is for healing. Please don't forget that. If you can stick to a low calorie diet, you will lose and that will be great, but if you can't, just be sure to stick to the consistency of foods your doctor requires during this period and worry about losing lbs later when you have a fill.

If it makes you feel any better, I didn't lose ANY weight during the 3-6 week post-op period (once I left liquids and before I got a fill). That said, I'm just shy of 6 months post-op and just shy of 100 lbs down. I tell you that because you shouldn't worry. This IS going to work, you just need to pass the next few weeks and then be diligent about getting to a proper restriction level.

Best of luck!

[jgandg 0]

THANK YOU SO MUCH JULIE!!!!!!!

Really, I needed to hear that. Thank you!!!! And congratulations on your weight loss! It's amazing!!!:clap2:

[Dani-X 0]

Hey Julie!

Way to go! Would you mind sending me a PM? I have a question for you but don't see any way to msg you. Thanks!

Dani

[Jachut 487]

I'm not there yet, still have 8kg to go till goal weight. But I'd say the things I've done that have helped me the most are:

settled in for the long haul. I havent gotten upset about my rate of weight loss. Its been slowish but not ridiculously slow.

adopted a "normal" lifestyle with the band. I eat normal food. I remain aware of what I'm putting in my mouth, avoid too much high calorie stuff, and try to eat a balanced diet but I do not count calories, Protein grams, fat grams or any of it. I eat a predominantly carb based diet according to the traditional food pyramid. However I dont think this is so important, the point i am making is I try to think about food as little as possible. I basically eat what I feel like when I'm hungry. I eat treats occasionally.

Exercise - this is the big one. I exercise and I do it hard. I run regularly. I've had to build up to this of course, but I was lucky not to be so heavy to have had some residual fitness (I wasnt seriously obese for all that long, perhaps 3 years) that I could start running early in the picture. I'm sure I would have done even better if I could get a weights routine going that I actually stuck to. But I found something I love, am passionate about and have just done it consistently week in week out. I dont run overly far or overly fast, but its long aerobic sessions five times a week for months on end that bring you the results.

That's all its been for me. No great secrets, schemes or plans, just consistency.

[Pinkylee 7]

Jacqui

I went through as many posts as I could early on and the underlying theme of successful bandsters were actually what you mentioned--

not stressing about rate of weight loss

exercising consistently

I'm following your lead.

I don't allow myself to panic over slow or no weight loss for the week.

My exercise routine holds the same importance in my daily routine as brushing my teeth.

There are those who are stricter with their regimine and have reaped rewards--but most of us are not tigers--we're brick layers. Stone on stone, brick on brick. I'm learning a new lifestyle and being a tiger for a lifetime is not in me.