LosingItAll

Woot Woot! Just wanted to share my victory -- I NEVER thought I would ever weigh less than 200 pounds (I weighed 200 pounds in high school)!! I am 196 as of this morning -- what a blessing the lap band has been. It is not always easy, but it is totally worth it. It changed my life. I started at 270 pounds 10 months ago, I was on all kinds of medicine and diabetic -- seriously insulin resistant (requiring insulin injections 3 times a day) but last week my doctor took me off ALL OF MY diabetes medicine! I was a size 24/26 and now I am a 14! 75 pounds down and counting...

Personally, and I know not all will agree, but as long as you stay at 800-1000 a day, you will lose. So you can eat/drink anything that your band will tolerate. Dense food (steak etc) and carbs (noodles, rice, bread) are very hard for me to eat. Try to get 60-80 grams of Protein a day, 60-80 ounces of Water and 1000 calories or less and 3 hours of exercise a week and it will really start to come off (300 calories or less per meal is my goal, usually less in the AM when I am tighter). In the morning I try to get my protein in so I drink a chocolate premier Protein shake (buy at costco, only one I can tolerate) with coffee (160 calories, 30g of protein). Then for lunch, I will have a bown of Soup, lunch meat, chicken (200-300 calories -- in the begining I ONLY ate stuff I could tell how many calories I was getting, look at labels or menus with calories counts), then for dinner a piece of meat and some veggies (300 calories plus 30+ grams of protein). For Snacks look for protein bars/shakes (or maybe a few nuts but be careful not to eat too many).. but try not to snack at all if you can help it. Drink your water all day to keep you feeling full. good luck. I hope this helps.

Perhaps you should get counseling and talk to someone BEFORE you go through surgery to remove the lapband. If you can work through your emotional issues, perhaps you can use the lap band properly and work with it - and not abuse it. That said, I have had the lap band 8 months and understand what you say - there have been times when I thought that the lap band was a huge "gate way drug" to bulemia. I could NEVER throw up pre-band, just couldnt. Now if I eat the wrong thing, or too much it literally forces me to throw up. I am learning to not over eat and not eat the wrong things but it is hard. I think that we all struggle in our own way. I am sorry you have developed an eating disorder, but over eating is a disorder too - I would get counseling before you go through surgery again. best of luck to you.

I struggled with my weight my WHOLE life. I had realize band/lap band surgery on January 17, 2011 at age 28. I was ready for it and had health problems and had tried everything. This truly helped me to lose 65lbs (so far) but it isnt a miracle - you will have to be patient and work hard at watching your calories etc. I am glad I did it, and wish I would have done it earlier. You have to make the decision for yourself, but if you have really tried and are still struggling then maybe this is the tool that can really help you lose. I wish you the best!

Is anyone out there interested in doing a clothing exchange or know of a place where I could put some clothes on consignment? I was a size 24/26 when I started nmy journey and am currently about a 14/16 so I have a TON of casual and professional attire that is piling up (i have suit jackets/pants, jeans (probably 10-15 pairs), blouses, nice dresses and skirts etc.)-- i hate to throw them out and it would be nice to get something for them in lieu of donating (especially since i have few clothes in a 14 and NOTHING in less then a 14). Does anyone out there want/need size 18/20/22/24 clothes? Does anyone want to get rid of their 16/14/12 clothes? Maybe we could work something out to do a clothing exchange with a bunch of us, so we can "bring something and take something"??? Anyone interested?

sometimes carbonation can make you throw up... also it expands your stomach, which is why you are suppose to avoid it. I dont know where you are at in your journey, but when yhou have a lot of restriction you may be more sensitive to it. I used to be a diet coke addict, now one drink makes me puke. Litterally. Dont stress it. Just do the best you can to avoid alcohol and carbonation so you dont stretch out your pouch or consume too many calories.

Many of the youtube girls I follow call this phenomena "weekend fatgirl" - many of us (including myself) struggle with over-eating on the weekends. Dont beat yourself up, just keep working at it. I have the "lap band 10 commandments" and photos/reminders on the fridge/kitchen so when i go to eat something I shouldnt - i remember how good it feels to fit into a smaller size, to go walking and bike riding with my kids - and how good I feel about myself when I feel lighter. Check out youtube for ispiration, it helps me (try bandedwendy or newtoy4kt - both have lost over 100 pounds and have many inspirational videos).

Hopefully you found "it". I am at 5.5cc's in an 11cc realize band and I have no restriction yet... hoping my next fill will get me there - good luck! Thanks for the encouragement (knowing that it takes others multiple fills too).

Thanks for all of the responses. I definately have NO restriction - just will power. I am sticking to my diet (including protein, water and calories count) as well as working out - I just wanted to hear from others on when you found restriction. Thanks for responding!

I am almost 3 months post-op and I have 5cc's in an 11cc realize band - and I still have no restriction at all. I have been dieting and working out and working really hard am down about 45 pounds, but for the last month I seem to be gaining and losing the same 5 pounds and feel stagnant. I really look forward to finding restriction so I am not tempted and able to eat too many calories- how long did it take you to find good restriction and really start losing?? I could really use some motivation that this is actually going to happen/work as I am not sure I can do it on my own (without the band to help) and keep it off. Thanks in advance!

Nope. You gotta heal first. Then you go in for a fill. Some surgeons will add one or two cc's in the operating room but that doesnt seem too common. You are currently in what we refer to as bandster hell... because you are banded and on a strict diet but will feel hungry (and are technically capable of eating more than you should). Stick to your diet as much as possible, get your Protein (shakes are a great way to get added protein on your liquid/mushy diet - i still drink one every day for breakfast). Also, it may take months to find restriction even after you start getting fills. I have 5cc's in an 11cc Realize band and I have NO restriction - so I diet and get my protein and drink tons of Water (if I dont the scale doesnt move). Keep it up, it is worth it - but it will NOT always be easy.

I eat burgers occasionally (usually without bread) but now and then it is ok. Just make sure to chew well and take your time. I dont have restriction, so it is not that hard for me.. .but I still try. Good Luck!

I just watch calories... I aim for 1200 calories a day, 60 grams of protein and at least 60 ounces of water. I have 5cc's in an 11cc band, but still have NO restriction

Congrats! I hope to be there one day... We started at about the same weight, so it is ver motivational! Good job... keep us posted on your progress.

I am almost 3 months out - so not a pro by any means, but, my post op diet was only for 2 weeks. You want to follow the doctor the best you can - and make sure you are not eating out of boredom or head hunger (which is a big part of the transition period). But you are in "bandster hell" - no restriction and full hunger. It will get better, and youw will not ruin your band if you eat something with a little substance (oatmeal etc.) - also at this point I was able to move on to soft solids (not all doctors allow this). Here is the deal - you will need to diet until you get enough fills to find restriction (i have 5cc's in an 11cc band with NO restrictions); try to get your protein first (at least 60 grams per day), get all of your water in (at least 60 ounces) and stay under 1200 calories - and you WILL lose weight and you wont be hungry. I know that when I dont get enough protein or water the weight does not come off, and I am more hungry. Do the best you can - eventually it gets better, but it is not a miracle, you will always have to watch what goes into your mouth. Good Luck and best wishes!