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...

I agree with some of the other comments - you need to find restriction before the band will really be working for you. I have 5 cc's in an 11cc band and NO restriction yet - so i diet and I work out, and the scale has moved, but it is slow. I really watch calories (no more than 1200 per day -- after restriction I hope to be at 8-900), I eat 60 grams of protein a day and at least 60 ounces of water. I have NEVER been able to lose weight before, so i am happy that I am going down - and not up. Keep working hard, drink your water and get your protein and watch your calories (i used my fitnesspal.com on my smart phone to track my cal/protein etc.). Also I get extra motivation from youtube (I like bandedwendy and newtoy4kt) and knowing other people have done it, getting their tips and knowing that everyone struggles and has ups and downs. You can do it. Keep up the good work, it WILL pay off...

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!

I have seen several posts lately about calories, carbs, fats etc. and I just want to put this out there.
There are 3500 calories in a pound. You must take in fewer calories (if you used to eat 2500 calories a day and now you eat 1000 then you are losing 1/2 pound a day!) and exercise. Walking you only burn about 150 calories per mile (unless you are power walking) - so get moving and start sweating!! If your combination of fewer calories and exercise equals a net of -3500 then you lose a pound (yes there is Water weight etc. but more or less this is true over time).
I am a bit of a number cruncher but I like seeing it in black and white - so hopefully this perspective helps someone. This is also why it is important to track everything that goes into your mouth and your exercise.

I am getting nervous about the surgery Monday... I wonder if it is going to be worth it, if I am going to be able to maintain this new diet lifestyle and if it is going to be the tool I need to be successful. Anyone else having the same thoughts? I have been on the diet for 5 days... doing alright, although I a few too many calories today. Also, have you told people (friends? family? coworkers?) I have told a few close family members but I havent really told anyone else - not really sure how to tell them...