rktaurus71

Hi, I am finally figuring out the band --- finally in the 'green zone' and eating right and healthy and high Protein low carb. Just wondering, for those who have lost loads of weight, how long did it take you? I'm just trying to set realistic goals. Thank you!

You're such an inspiration! You've lost so much weight. I'm only at 28 lbs in about 4 months. Weirdly, I got "stuck" on a salad. It was AWFUL. Lasted 2 hours. I just can't figure out if I'm 'too tight' or if this is what the band should be doing. Last night I went to dinner with friends and had noodles (only about a cup) because that was the only 'mushy' thing they had. I'd like to be eating more protein and less carbs but have become afraid since I've had 3 'stuck' incidents of throwing up in the last week!

Thank you soooo much. I can't figure out if I should get the band loosened. I get so nervous at restaurants. I am trying to figure it out --- very nervous. What do you do at restaurants?

Thank you for the help and advice!

Thank you so much for this. You are so generous with your time. I truly appreciate it. Thank you for the inspiration!

You are a total inspiration. I am only down 30 lbs. It's been 4 months since surgery. I started at 276 and want to get to 180. So our sizes and goals are very similar. I am still trying to figure it out. Right now, I think, I'm 'too tight'. I've had 3 episodes of 'getting stuck' this week -- with horrible vomiting. So, I'm seeing the doctor on Monday. I just can't quite figure out what I can eat. The things that are easy for the band to tolerate (mushy things) are higher in calories. Still, I've lost 30 lbs in 4 months, so I guess that's not bad, but I'm wondering what you eat during the day. What's an average day - food-wise, look like for you? Congratulations --- that is really amazing.

Thank you so much for the reply. I'm glad I'm not alone! I'm kind of scared of eating out with friends now --- I will just have to take it very slow. I hope now, though, I'll be losing more wait (I've been stuck at 25 lbs. but have never felt restriction until now). I really appreciate you taking the time to write.

Hi, I had been very frustrated by the band because I had multiple fills and felt no restriction. I was at 8 cc's in an 11 cc band. Well, my doctor went up to 9.4 and I couldn't even keep down water! So, he removed .5 cc's. Now, I'm at 8.9. The week was going along fine until I had some salad and grilled chicken yesterday. after a few bites I felt I was getting stuck (pain in the sternum and back). And then boom - I had to throw up. But it was absolutely awful, because much of the time nothing came out, and when it did it was a bizarre foam/slime (sorry, gross). Last night, I was able to eat again --- just a very little bit of rice and tofu. And it was fine. Today I ate oatmeal and cottage cheese, and that too was fine. Just wondering how you know if you're 'too tight' or maybe, for the first time, I'm where I should be? I'd love your feedback! Thank you.

THANK YOU, KERIM! YOU HAVE GIVEN ME HOPE! I have had 3 fills and feel NO DIFFERENCE. I realize I need to be patient. I am so pleased to hear you've hit your sweet spot.

Hi, My surgeon said "it's like Coke or Pepsi". I let him choose which he felt was best . In my case, he felt the Realize band was best. I would let your surgeon choose. Good luck!

Hi, I'm not sure about Prilosec, but my doctor has told me not to take any pills larger than a tic-tac. I have to take several pills and though it can be a pain in the butt, I crush them or break them into very small pieces. I've gotten very used to it. I would definitely check with your doc about the pill size. You can always crush them and put 'em in yogurt or something. Good luck to you!

Hi! You are not alone. The pre-op diet is THE WORST. I PROMISE YOU --- it will get better. Make sure to call your doctor. Tell him/her you're finding it intolerable. See if they will allow you to incorporate some light foods. Hang in there. Swear it --- you will be surprised at how much easier it gets.

I had my surgery on December 7th. I lost 20 lbs initially from the liquid dieting. Since then I have not been able to lose any. I'm staying at exactly the same weight (I went up 3 lbs over the holidays, then went right back down 3 lbs, but no more). I have had a few fills. My doctor said he really feels the next one (Monday) will be 'the one'. Right now, I have 6cc's in an 11cc band. I'm being very concious of what I'm eating and limiting carbs to just one cup of oatmeal a day (recommended by my nutritionist). Is there hope? Is it too early to be worried? Would love to hear some positive stories and support. Thank you.

AMAZING. You are totally inspiring. I'm very frustrated. I was only banded Dec. 7th, but after 20 lbs lost (mostly from the liquid diet), I am not losing any weight. I would love to know how you've done it. What your restriction is like? What your diet is like? Congratulations -- that's amazing.

Hi Extraonme - Just want to shout out support. I am NOWHERE near my goal. I was banded at the beginning of december, gained some weight during the holidays and now am back on track. I just had another fill. I've only lost about 20 lbs. Fingers crossed--hang in there --- you're great for doing this. We all struggle and from what I've been told once the fills are at the proper place, it gets easier

Thank you SO much, Nicole. You have no idea how much I relate (I was just thinking - wow, I through 15 grand down the drain and am facing the same exact battle as before). I'm working hard at dieting, but am hungry all the time. Next fill is tomorrow, so...until then - thank you for the encouragement, it means so much.

WOW - CONGRATULATIONS. This is so wonderful. Let me tell you, I needed to see this. I was banded 4 weeks ago and have been depressed. I lost initial weight on the liquid diet, gained a few pounds back over the holidays, and now am back to 'normal'. I have 5cc's in an 11cc band and don't feel ANY restriction (my doc is doing another fill tomorrow). I'm following a very strict diet, but the weight is coming off soooooo slowly. And without feeling any restriction, it's just hard and has me questioning the whole thing. I'm glad to know it took a few fills for you to feel restriction. I hoping, hoping, hoping this happens to me. My 40th birthday is in May, so I've got 4 1/2 months and I'd really like to be down by 40 lbs!

I knew I would be the 'first patient in', but the hospital called me at about 6:30 pm the night before with an exact time. Good luck!

THANK YOU SO MUCH THIS IS REALLY INSPIRING. AND CONGRATS ON YOUR WEIGHT LOSS. YOU ARE GREAT.

Hi Ann, I'm a patient of Dr. Schwack and was banded on 12/7/10. He is FANTASTIC. I really trust him and I really like him. He's very user friendly, accessible, and kind. His assistant, Leslie Betancourt, is a total dream. She answers e-mails fast and is very reachable. A great team. You couldn't have picked better. Ross

Thank you for the encouragment!

Our expectations are EXACTLY the same. Looking for the 'sweet spot' and wanting it to HELP control hunger. I never said or intimated that diet and exercise wouldn't be a huge part of it. In fact, my diet is so low fat, low carb, one cup at a time, no liquids while eating, etc. Following every rule I've gotten. So...thank you for understanding

Pardon me, but I am not misguided. I don't think your post is helpful. My doctor and nutritionist both said very clearly "the band -- when find the right amount of fill -- will make you feel full faster". I NEVER said in my post that I expected some sort of magic bullet. Excuse me, but I am following every rule there is --- eating extremely low fat, low carb, no more than a cup at time, not drinking while eating, etc. So, I'm hardly expecting an overnight miracle. Thanks to everyone else who responded. Much appreciated. I will certainly let you know how the next fill goes.

THANK YOU. Forgive me, but I have not been misguided. I am COMPLETELY aware that the lap band is merely a tool --- BUT that tool IS supposed to restrict hunger. My doctor and nutritionist both say so -- otherwise what's the point. I will let you know how my next fill goes!

Hello, I'm one month since surgery. I have an 11 cc band. Because I was so hungry, my doctor gave me a fill. I'm now at 5cc's. I don't feel ANY restriction, so basically I am just dieting (and working very hard at dieting), but I feel just like I always did on a diet --- no energy and very very hungry. At what point will I feel the restriction? My doctor is going to give me another fill on Monday. I'm feeling dismayed.