oldiebutgoodie2

Elizabeth, you are an amazing, insightful young lady! And April, I hope you are hearing everyone here and also seek counseling. It sounds like at least starting out with an enabler group would be helpful, and it's free! Good luck to you. Life is so short. You are so accomplished in your weight loss. Now it's time to start a more fulfilling and happy life. Best of luck to you.

The band is the absolute best thing I have done for myself in forever! I am 63 and wish I had done it when I was a youngin' like you! :-) Why waste the rest of your life?? I certainly didn't waste my life, but I know I would have been much happier and healthier if I had the option of the band years ago. As an example, after just a few weeks of the band, they had to take me off 3 of my 4 blood pressure-related pills, and cut the last one in half! And after 6 months, I went down 4 sizes in my blouses and 3 sizes in my pants! The band is the best help to lose weight AND, most importantly, to keep it off. Two things that have helped me most is that I followed the dr's guidelines of eating to the letter the first 4 months (!), and since then, am pretty consistent about still eating lots of Protein every day (keeps you filled longer and is so good for you in healing, general health, etc!), and keeping track of calories. During those first 4 months, I wrote down everything I ate, the amount of protein (80/day) and calories (for me, it was 800-1000/day), and "skinnied down" recipes to be higher in protein and less calories (ie., egg beaters, "Cant Believe it's not Butter" spray, and eating lots of fish, low fat cheese, and even very low fat hamburger-- more protein and less calories than ground turkey!). I know some people choose not to tell anyone about the band cause of them always looking at us to see if we are cheating (!), you know the look!, etc! But I told my family and closest friends immediately, and they have been an amazing support system. And I can't emphasize enough how much THIS site has helped, as I have no support group in my area. When I was confident after losing about 40 lbs, I started telling anyone who asked, cause I was so grateful how helpful the band is, I wanted to spread the word. It's different for everyone. Just leave your options open. I also told some people I don't see often that the "surgery" was for a hiatal hernia repair, and since then, decided to eat sensibly, feel so much better, blah blah blah! And that is fine, too! Super good luck to you! Looking forward to seeing you on here in a few months with your own success story! I have confidence that the band is the absolute best choice out there!

I was banded 7 months ago and at the 6 month point, I had happily lost a lot of weight. Well, things change-- I haven't lost a pound since. My last fill was about that time, and for the first time, it caused me to not be able to eat some things. My PA had once told me that people with bands too tight ALWAYS gain weight, cause we get hungry trying to eat the healthy food that may be getting stuck. So we resort to higher calorie/lower protein foods cause it goes down easier! And we eat more of it cause it is not as filling as protein. I think that is part of my (our?) problem, as I am no longer tracking how much protein/calories I am eating. So maybe your band is now a little too tight and you are making the same mistakes as me? OR, maybe you (and I!) are just at a plateau! Who knows?! At least we aren't gaining! Like one guy said on here once on the same subject, don't beat yourself up cause you are temporarily at a stand-still, or even gained a little. Look at yourself in the mirror and believe your friends when they say how good you are looking and doing. You are still the same wonderful, successful person, and this too shall pass. Best of luck to you! Just reading your circumstance and reflecting on mine and remembering that guy's advise has put me in a positive frame of mind. Hope it has helped you! Super good luck to you! Keep up the good work!

Chance, what a great story. I read every word! Keep up the good work! But don't think the tightening of the band is the "end all." My PA told me that people with too tight a band ALWAYS gain weight, cause soft bad stuff is so much easier to go down than the good, chewable protein stuff....like those yummy carb soups! :-) I've had 4 fills and one un-fill! When I was filled too tight, I couldn't even eat a small bite of scrambled egg without it getting stuck, and doing that simply awful "sliming" and sort of throwing up for over an hour. So instead of fills being the entire answer, try eating way slower, chewing lots and lots, and concentrating on protein, protein protein! Not only does it promote healing and good health, but keeps you fuller and satisfied for longer than the non-protein stuff. I have now lost 70 lbs in about 7 months. It is really slow going now, but I am so loving my new look, outlook on life, and promising horizons! Lap band is the best thing that has happened to me (other than my kids and my wonder grandson, of course!), so super congrats to everyone who is taking the same journey...no matter what your age, "station" in life, or plans for the future. It just gets better and better!

The drinks ARE pricy, and to tell you the truth, I got tired of them. But they ARE a great source of Protein for the calories (I get the ones from costco that are 160 calories and are 30 grams of protein each). So maybe drink them a few times a week instead of daily. Also, Protein powder is undoubtedly cheaper, but I just wasn't creative enough to make yummy shakes etc with them. So instead, I make a lot of quiche with egg beaters and low and non fat cheeses, and liquid "Can't Believe it's not Butter." And I also make up a wonderful 3-bean Soup (with cut up zucchini and butter squash) that also adds a lot of protein for cheap. I also eat a lot of tuna, and other frozen pieces of fish from Costco or Trader Joe's. It is all tastier, and all of these protein sources provide a lot of protein. I found that very low fat ground hamburger (like a minimum of 93% fat free) when on sale is a good deal, and is actually less calories and more protein than ground turkey. So when it is on sale, I get several pounds and freeze it in one-lb packages. Super good luck to you. It really is worth it!!!

I swear it must change your hormones having to do with taste and mostly, almost planning my day around the next meal!, "need" to eat til you're stuffed, etc! Now, and almost from the beginning, it's like I'm in a skinny person's head!-- I used to survive on pizza and other carbs-- I'm ashamed to say that in the past, it was common for me to eat a whole pizza myself while watching TV! Now, I am satisified with one bowl of homemade, healthy soup! But on the realistic side, my experienced Weight Watcher friend said that often, when you switch from primarily carbs to healthy, natural stuff, your body chemistry does change and thus, your likes and dislikes for what it "needs." Whatever it is, THANK YOU FOR THE BAND!!! We are all so smart to have made this decision! Keep up the good work, everyone!

Ha ha!! I love it! I have "slimed" 3 times, and that is 3 times too many. Each time was from too big a bit and not chewing enough before swallowing. You just feel so normal sometimes, chit chatting and talking, etc., that you forget! Anyway, it sounds by comparison that mine aren't too bad-- I go to the bathroom and sort of burp, etc., and spit up alot. I'm sure you have all done that. It has cleared in a few minutes. I too cannot imagine it going for hours or days!! I worry about stretching the stomach in such episodes and maybe moving/dislocating the band, so I hope I've seem my last slimping or anything episode! Good luck to you all!

Super good luck to you! Your life is going to change sooo much! Best decision I ever made. This site is a great support system-- anything you want to know, just ask on this site! Keep posting!

I lost, too!...about 1/2 lb. We went to a fancy buffet and I also took tiny portions, tried to concentrate on Protein items, and even had a couple of bites of dessert! I too think the band is the best thing people like us can do for ourselves. It has already changed my life so much. Best of luck and congrats to all of us!

Love your Christmas themed tickertape! I'm going to steal your idea! Merry Christmas! Thank you! It's so cheery!

Never thought of ME shopping at VS! I've gone with my size 4 daughter, but you have all inspired me that one day I may actually shop there for me too! Wow!! The rewards just keep piling up!

A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!! Super congrats on the weight loss and getting into a SIZE 6!! Did ya ever think that would be possible?!

Hahaha!! Love your comment! Drink the coffee already!

OMG! You are doing so well already! Best of luck for the rest of your journey! You are certainly off to a great start!

Well, I used to watch those extreme make-over shows. Regarding stuff like the apron stomach and the sagging upper arms, they said that you could do 100 situps/exercises a day and never lose it-- That only surgical removal would take that away. I have lost and gained all my life (like I'm sure most people with lap bands have done!), and my elasticity has always bailed me out in that department before. But now I'm 63 and it just isn't happening. I now have an apron stomach, and plan to have lipo/tummy tuck once I reach my goal. Please post if you know if something else works equally well! I'm not looking forward to "going under the knife"!

LOL! I'm traveling into Sox territory on Saturday. My daughter there will love your comment!

What a bummer that fills would now cost you $500 a fill! Have you called other doctors to see if they would do it for less? Another person on this site included a web site to check out regarding different sizes of bands, etc. I read the article. It said that even when you are at max, or in your green zone, that you will probably still have to get a fill annually for life (!), as all bands have slight leaks (like a helium balloon)! For me, that was such a great explanation! So bottom line is, you will probably need another fill sooner or later. You didn't say when you last fill was. Based on the explanation from the article, you may have less than 10.7 in your band right now! Anyway, super good luck on finding a more reasonable doctor for your next fill! And by the way, 52 lbs is nothing to sneeze at! Super congrats! And good luck!

I read the article. I didn't realize that all lap bands leak minimally (like a helium baloon), so once reaching goal weight, they still will probably need adjusting once a year! Great info! Thank you!

Super congrats! You are doing great! And no pain meds also means no constipation! :-) Anyway, continued god luck to you! You have a great attitude! Soon you will be also saying stuff like it is the best thing I have ever done for myself; it has changed my life for the good in so many ways, etc etc!!

Clothing exchange is a great idea. But I do not have a group I can go to (they're all by-pass people so I couldn't relate). So I took two closets of clothes to the consignment store-- got lots of credit to "purchase" the new sizes as I go down!

LOL! LOVE your story!! Super congrats!! Yes, there must be a lap-band fairy!!

Wow! So cool that you and your wife are both doing this together! Good luck to you both! From what I understand, it's not that there is no restriction once the fat layer around your stomach is gone. Rather, the opposite-- once the band is filled to a certain point (ie., no fat left arond the stomach), the stomach theoretically cannot shrink any more, so the band at that fill amount should stay steady. Like I have read on this site (cause it hasn't happened to me yet), someone might feel "tight" after a particular fill (say 4.5), but once they lose say another 10 pounds, a little more of the fat around the stomach goes away as well, so that most recent fill is then slightly loosened (a little less stomach to cling to), and thus, not quite as effective. So you might need another fill for the same effect, say now to 4.75. And on and on, til you find you need no more fills and you still feel full after not too much to eat! People here call it the sweet spot or the green zone, which I am still striving for! Once there is no fat around the stomach, the band doesn't loosen any more, so stays effective without subsequent fills.

Wow! 150 lbs lost!!! Bet your life is sooo changed! Super congrats!!

I'll pass on to you how my PA explained it-- I asked her what if I get all the way to my 10 cc capacity and still need restriction. She said that no one gets that far. She said that you have a fat layer around your stomach. As you lose weight, you also lose some of the fat that blankets the stomach, thus needing subsequent fills to maintain tightness as you lose more and more weight. She said that once all that fat layer is essentially gone, your stomach will no longer shrink, and whatever fill you are at will remain effective. I have 3 fills so far and am 4.75. I stll can eat anything. I am seeming to feel satisfied longer between meals, but if I wanted to, I could still eat more at one sitting. My question to you is, why a 4 cc band? I've heard of a 10 and 11, but never a 4. Are there other sizes as well? Wonder what determines what size band you get. I've also never heard of filling over your band size! I thought it is like a glass of water-- once at the max, it won't hold any more! I have so much to learn! This website is soooo helpful and informative! Thanks for posing the question!

I had a whole second closet full of stuff that I grew out of as I was going UP the scale. I have now gone through ALL of the various sizes in that closet as I am going DOWN. Yes, I have packed up even my few favorite things (skinny jeans!), and will never see those sizes again! So cool, yet sort of weird. I also rewarded myself with some cute new clothes-- amazing how easily you get over the mourning of your old favorites! Super congrats! Keep up the good work! Enjoy your very cool, leather bomber jacket!