Lower BMI Bandsters!

[MiniPearl#2 0]

Susan Im sure gonna try, that alone would take a few pounds off. Can you have pop with the band? i was wondering????

[mindysa 0]

Hi Jules,

Thank you for the words of encouragement & I'll have to keep lurking here on the board for tips and information, as well as everyone's journey. It's nice to know everyone on here is going through similar situations, and even though my family doesn't know, at least I can communicate with people on here who do understand.

Take care,

Mindy

[Summer 0]

Hello...I am still waiting for all of my test results to come in to be submitted to my insurance company...My BMI is a 37 and I have high blood pressure...I am so nervous that I wont be approved because i am on the lower end of the spectrem...I have empire bluecross blueshield hmo.. I have seen all the doctors for the testing required by the surgeon...Can I start dieting on my own the best that I can (which is extremely hard for me) or should I wait to be approved since im so borderline? i dont know if i will be weighed again and im afraid if i am able to lose a few lbs that will jeopardize my chances of getting the lap band... My problem is I can diet pretty well but it is so hard for me to even lose more than 5 lbs...I cant get much exercise in because of a bad skiing accident that caused me to break my femur...so I have major pain even just walking on the treadmill enough to get my heart rate up....since my accident i have gained 40 lbs...i am so scared that i will get bigger and bigger due to inactivity...I need to drop this weight so my body feels better... thanks for any advice anyone can give me...sorry this is so long...

[ser123 0]

Mindysa,

I am not Audree either but I had surgery on the same day as Audree!

I flew to Mexico on a Friday, had surgery that same day (after all my other testing), flew home on Sunday and went back to work on Monday. I do not have a desk job... I have quite a physical job in fact. While I wasn't doing cartwheels, I was able to do it. I have also been able to walk on the treadmill since 4 days post op with no problems.

I can say I am sure we are all in the same boat in terms of weight loss. I am 5"8 and weighed 215 on the day of my surgery. I am a size 16 which some people don't think is that fat. But I know what I look like naked and I am not happy about that.

I have tried a ton of diets and I work out all the time. In fact, I have been doing triathlons for the last 3 years. I figure if I work out that much and I am still a fatty no amount of working out is going to make me thinner. It is definitely a food IN problem, not a WORK OUT problem for me.

I didn't tell anyone except my 2 best girlfriends. But I just told my sister this week. I am glad I told her and I am glad I waited until post surgery.

Good luck to you and stay on the boards. I am so addicted to these boards and reading about everyone's progress. It definitely supports me and motivates me.

[ser123 0]

Minipearl#2,

You aren't supposed to drink pop. If you have air in your stomach it is quite painful. I haven't even thought about cheating on this aspect because I am quite motivated by a fear of pain!

I was a big time pop drinker prior to the surgery. I drank diet and I have switched to unsweetened iced tea, which I like a lot better anyway.

[SharynP 0]

Just wanted to say that I have enjoyed reading this thread. I started out June 20 2006 with a BMI of 36.7, high blood pressure and high blood sugar levels. I am now down to a 26... after losing 66lbs and have normal blood pressure and normal BSL's :clap2: No meds for bp or diabeties now. I am one point off a 'normal' BMI lol. I don't really have a goal weight .. it keeps changing! I had one five week stall then things just started happening again. I have 2.3cc in a 4cc band after two fills and really didn't need the second fill. I feel very fortunate to not have had any problems. I love this band .

[lianna 3]

I dont drink sodas at all. The carbonation makes me feel very uncomfortable, but it isnt really painful. More like a bloated gassy feeling, but higher up above the stoma. It isnt worth it when there are so many other things to drink.

I lurk on this thread off and on, and can share my first year result with you!!!.....I am not sure if I qualified as a lower BMI bandster because I was pretty darned fat, lol. But with 85 lbs to lose I definitely didnt have as much to lose as most bandsters start with, and my BMI was just under 40. October 27, 06 was my one year mark and I lost 80% of my weight by then (60lbs). I feel like I lost very slowly, but statistically I was actually on target....averaging just over a pound a week. I stress the averaging part because I really lost most of that the first 6-9 months, losing around 2 lbs a week, and then started having weeks at a time of no loss or slow loss, but it still averaged out to over a pound a week. I have severe Insulin Resistance and still have to take 1000mg of Metformin daily, and if I dont watch the carb intake I dont lose at all, I think that has also impacted my rate of loss. In the past I have had to work very hard to lose anything, so I am thrilled with the results I have!!! I know I will make it to goal this year, for sure by summer! I weighed 162 this a.m. so I am less than 20 lbs to my surgeons goal of 145!!! (My goal is to get to 135-140) This band has been the best thing I have ever done for myself!

[ser123 0]

Lianna,

Great results! I am so happy for you and excited for myself! Have you posted any pics in the before and after thread?

[lianna 3]

No, I am so technologically challenged!!!! I have a digital camera but dont know how to get the pics on my computer.....or how to attach them!!! That was one of my New Years resolutions! I would love to post some pics, I have gone from 20W jeans to a loose size 12...the difference is amazing! I think I carried most of the weight in my big butt, lol. 140lbs should have me back in an 8!

[mindysa 0]

Susan,

Thanks for the reply...........I feel sooo much better reading all these posts.

& yes, I'm getting so addicted to this board too. It's just really cool reading everyone's experience & success........just so motivating! I'm sure I'll be able to do it, but it's funny because I've read about people's "mental" hunger issues, and I know that's going to be me. It's going to be especially hard giving up my lunches with my friends at work. There is a track across the street from where I work....I think once I have my surgery in February, and I start feeling better.....I'll go walk the track instead.

Does anyone have a list put together of what they've "drank" during the 1st stage of Clear Liquids, and 2nd stage of mushies during the 4-6 weeks after surgery? I've read alot on here, but of course didn't take notes at the time.

It would be so helpful if there was a post op diet book for lap band.

Thx

Mindy

[kathyinca 0]

Hi everyone,

I'm back after the flu got everyone in our house, except me. I've been getting out of work early to come home and take care of everyone. I've had very little sleep and am sure I will now come down with this bug soon. It has been a rough week.

I haven't been watching what I eat at all......and surprisingly, I have not gained any weight. Another wonderful thing about this band of mine. In the past, I would have gone up a pound or two during a week like this. I did not lose weight this week......but that is not a surprise.

This band is really fickle though. One day it feels like it is there, the next day it feels like I have no restriction at all. It was that "time of the month"...so maybe that is why it all of the sudden felt like I could eat anything again? I'd love to hear other's experience with this. I typically hear that the band gets tighter during that TOM.......what is your experience?

I've only had a fill for about 2 weeks now. I had a 1.7cc fill. It is nice to have the flexibility to eat a lot of different things -- but I eat more than I think is "normal" for the band sometimes and am not able to at other times. I wonder if I'll ever figure this out........

Kathy

[serious 2]

Kathyinca,

I'm usually tighter when it's TOM. Also, the my port site is sore, and I get easily nauseated on just about anything I eat.

[kathyinca 0]

Kathyinca,

I'm usually tighter when it's TOM. Also, the my port site is sore, and I get easily nauseated on just about anything I eat.

That is what I hear a lot of posters indicate. I felt like I had little restriction for much of the week. I also did feel like my port was a little irritated though -- and figured that TOM may be the reason.

I may just be chewing and eating slower and having a generally easier time eating with the band.......which leads me to believe I'm less restricted since I can actually eat. It is still so early that it is hard to tell exactly what is going on.

Thanks for your message.

Kathy

[serious 2]

hi Guys,

Have a question. Need help. I have been going to the same hair stylist for the past two years. She does a good job and we sometimes hang out, meeting for lunch or dinner. The problem is, everytime I go, she is always complaining about something. It becomes depressing to hear her latest rant about the least little thing. There is another stylist in that same shop, a guy, he also does a great job, (I've seen his clients). This hair stylist is always upbeat, having a good time. I would love to switch, but I don't want to hurt my stylists' feelings. Suggestions?

[Bikergirl 0]

Mindy - I'm not Audree either, but you are on the same "low BMI wagon" I am on along with so many more - I posted almost the same thing - I went to a seminar today (Dr. Speigel in Houston, TX). I am still in the process stage - He actually advised that no matter how many more diets we go on we are not going to be happy - We will continue to yo-yo and I truly feel that way - He said the more diets we do the more weight we gain...or lose then gain back.

I can't speak for you, but for me I feel like it is the best thing for me. I am 5'1 and I am 187. For the past 8 years (after I had twins) I have been dieting, popping diet pills, ordering every gimmick off the TV, jumping on the next Atkins, South Beach, and Slim Fast diet you can do. But just like you said - we do it for so long and then we stop. I love to eat also - you that "eat so much that you have to unbutton your pants" eat:omg: . I say food is my FRIEND.....NOT. Food is the enemy right now. I know once I have my band food will be turned from the enemy to my friend because I will be able to eat and know when to stop.

Dr. Speigel said that so many people have tried to "FOOL" the band and keep eating, but a fight between the band and you.... the band will win everytime, so just don't do it.

I wish you luck with your surgery - Please keep us up dated on your progress. :clap2: