FLORIDAYS

Hi Andrew I am 220 lbs lighter than I was when I was banded....it's a wonderful feeling! Congrats on your success!

You get used to it... It the beginning I had to take a tiny sip while eating but I quickly realized it wasn't a good idea and just stopped doing it. If you drink constantly during the day you will find yourself less thirsty when eating....

I have only had excellent health since getting banded but I cannot see how this CU has anything to do with the band but of course I am not a doctor. I would however consider moving to a warmer climate if the one I lived in made me sick.

It's wonderful to hear about everyone's ah ha moments... Such a short time ago we were a bunch of unhealthy people living for the next meal.... Way to go everyone!!!

Wonderful news!!! Keep up the good work!!

Thank you all for your kind words. I am getting VERY excited to see what the new me will look like.

My BMI was 55.... I weighed 377 lbs. I am now 157 lbs and my BMI is 23. I have lost 220 lbs. I believe the amount of weight you need to lose doesn't matter...my dr never told me I wasn't a good candidate.

but he did say if I drop below 145 we will discuss an unfill..... can you imagine?

Considering my Dr has done thousands of bands and very few removals... yes that does sound crazy.

If you discuss your fears with your Dr I bet he would tell you if used properly you should have none of those issues with the band. The only time I have thrown up was when I was sick... I have "brought up" food if I didnt take a small enough bite, if I accidentially ingested fatty meat or if I ate too fast or drank water while eating. But I cannot blame the band. That was my own fault.

Some really good advice my Dr gave me pre banding was that the band will only do 70% of the work. I had to do the other 30%. I specifically asked what that entailed and he said... measure food portions, count calories (1000 each day) and drink Water water water. Stay away from ALL carbonation, keep every monthly Dr appointment and take 20-30 minutes to eat. I have lost 220 lbs in 2 years so I am a firm believer that his advise works.

It upsets me to think about people getting banded who did not realize they would need to watch calories, measure postions and work with the band to get into the green zone I am sorry you have to have the band removed and you feel it didnt work for you. It sounds like you and your Dr have made a good choice based on your personal situation.

If your Dr isnt restricting coffee or caffine then it wouldnt hurt the composition of the added Protein I wouldnt think. Always best to check with the NUT. Might be a simple as an email. But if you are on day 4... are you supposed to be adding protein or having coffee? I was allowed only Clear liquids the first week. ALways best to check with your Dr.

I use the morning number ....always have. Like today. I had a dr appointment. I weighed myself naked in the morning like always . I was 157. I weighed myself dressed I was 159. I went to the Dr at 10am. I had only had Water to drink. I weighed 159 with the same clothing on as I did at home (jeans are heavy evidentially). So this month mine and the Dr's scale was the same.

I had an appointment this morning for an unfill prior to my Tuesday's tt and breast lift surgery... I had called my lapband surgeon's office and was told I needed to come in for an unfill. SO I left work... shlepped over to his office, waited for 15 minutes and did the normal weigh in...vitals etc... I had lost 15 lbs since October (my last fill appt). I knew this but always nice to see on his charts. Anyway the Dr comes in and of course is happy with my progrees and we chat about my upcoming TT and he said...so why are you here? I tell him and he said...we do not need to do an unfill for surgery.... I am so sorry my nurse gave you the wrong info. I was like...um ok... but it was nice to see you... and he said to the nurse...no charge for today, gave me a hug and told me to stop in to show him the results but that unless I need him he doesnt need to see me for 4 months. I felt like we were breaking up....LOL

I weigh more in the evening than I do in the morning. You may want to pick a time to do it the same day... maybe morning before you eat or drink anything.... then you will have a good benchmark. Also... I have a $20 scale but its newer. I had problems with my old one because it wasnt for people over 300 lbs...

Every day I eat 3 meals of 3 oz pf Protein, 1/2 c veggie and 1/4c starch. When you are in the green zone that should hold you but sometimes I need a snack in the afternoon and evening and sometimes I do not. It depends on the day and what I ate for my meal. However I most always get in my 1000 calories and always try to get in my Water. I do not feel hungry very much and would skip eating if I didnt make myself eat so eating when hungrey doesnt work for me.

I weigh myself every morning and every night. Its different than the Dr's scale by 2-3 lbs. Its different than my GYN dr by 5-6 lbs..its different than my friend's scale..... but I dont care. Its a good measuring tool and it will tell me if weight goes up. I spent my lifetime ignoring scales. I was 377 lbs at surgery. That will never happen again.

I feel like its my mission in life to share my story now... of course like Mis said ... you cannot exactly go up to anyone and offer advise.. but I sure want too. I NEVER noticed fat like I do now... Even on the young girls... who seem thin but then they have a muffin top... I just want to go up to them and say... do you know how this looks? Do you oyu know what this is going to look like in 20 years? LOL And for seriously overweight people its all I can do not to want to go up to them and say...do you realize there is a way out? But just like I dont preach religion or discuss politics.... Unless someone asks... and then... its Katy bar the door. .. I will blab for an hour

I had my gall bladder removed laproscopically when I was 30... some 20 years before being banded. I can tell you that recovery was WAY worse than the band. I was out of work for a month. With the band it was 5 days! I also was on my preop during the holidays and had a pretty glass of Water with lemon with me at all times. I didnt cheat either and had a great time sans the food and alcohol! You can do it!

Look at my before and after pics if you need any motivation.... It was the best thing I ever did for myself. Best wishes for a successful surgery!

I have been banded 24 months and have lost 220 lbs and am headed to the Dr this morning for an unfill in preperation for my Tummy tuck on Tuesday. I am confident that my new learned eating habits and the support of this forum... will keep me from gaining weight during this time of being unfilled.

TO answer your question I have not used it. My thoughts are....If you are banded I dont know why you would use it. Sensa is intended to work with your sense of smell, fooling your brain & stomach into thinking you're full. Evidentially The flavors may make people focus on the sensory characteristics of food -- smell and taste -- and can actually cause a change in eating habits and behavior," In my opinion the lap band offers so much more. Of course if you used it combined with portion control you would lose weight.. without I dont see how it is beneficial.

If you hang around long enough you will meet great folks on this site.... feel free to post your questions.... you will get lots of replies. welcome!

FOr the first year of my journey I had the words FOOD IS FUEL written everywhere... on a post it in my car, on my bathroom mirror, my phone background, on the fridge and on my computer.... it helped.