TracieR

That is so awesome! I was so excited when I was able to see the difference in myself in photos. It makes it so real. CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Sounds pretty normal to me. My gas pains lasted a while, a couple of weeks. Mostly pain in my shoulder from the gas. It did subside but I still get it now if I overeat! Congrats and Good Luck to you!

I have had 4 fills and one small unfill so far. I have been lucky and received restriction from my first fill. It has absolutely kept me from overeating. It has not kept me from over eating slider foods like ice cream, crunchy carbs and chocolate, though. I work really hard to make good choices. I do not eat rice, Pasta or any breads. I probably could but I have convinced myself that I cannot and have chosen to stay away. I also work out 4-5 days per week. I am really able to eat anything I want - just small amounts. I eat slowly and chew, chew, chew.

Last week was my 8 month bandiversary. Why did I wait so long to have the lap-band? It has really been the best thing I have ever done for myself. My lap-band is my built in will power. Always with me. Always reminding me to make good food choices. I wanted to share some of my positive outcomes so far... Justin Bieber weighs 110lbs. I have lost Justin Bieber!!! I am working out regularly. I can make it through an hour kick ass spin class with out taking a break and I love it! I have more energy to play with my son. (I went down the slide at the park and went on the swings!) My whole family is eating healthier. I have learned what a real portion looks like. I can fit in any restaurant booth. If I eat slowly, pay attention to what I’m doing and chew my food really well, then I can still eat my favorite foods. (The funny thing is those foods aren’t as important to me anymore.) I went from a tight size 26/28/3X/4X to a loose 18/20/1x. I do not wear elastic waist pants anymore. My shoe size went from an 11W to a 10. I am putting myself first for the first time ever and I am able to take BETTER care of the people and things I care about. I'm saving money - eating less, eating out less, and less money on fad diets etc. I'm not missing out on anything. I try new things all the time. I am so happy! I truly wish that everyone can experience all the wonderful things that I have in the last 8 months. Who knew that in less than a year my life could be so different? I can't wait to see what happens next! Have a great day!

I had a really hard time in the beginning. I just stopped bringing drinks to the table with me. It definitely helped. I also use my timer on my phone to make sure that I wait enough time to drink. I am really bad at getting my fluids in. I keep a Water bottle with me at all times and drink a lot watered down crystal light, decaf iced tea, and decaf coffee. It works for me. Also, once I got restriction I physically cannot not drink while I eat. It gives me a painful stuck feeling. You can do it!! Once you get used to it you won't even miss it! Good Luck!

I just made this last week. Zucchini Rollups. They were delicious! http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/2008/05/who-needs-pasta-pasta-less-manicotti.html I actually thought it would be a great replacement for the lasagna we usually have for Thanksgiving.

I felt that way too in the beginning....I had to stop reading for a while. Now I am 8 months out and 110lbs gone. I watch my calories and exercise and the weight comes off. Stay positive! It will come off!

YAY! That is so exciting. Congratulations! It's all the little things that make such a difference. We are going on an airplane in January and I am so hoping I don't need a seatbelt extender - more excited about that than the actual vacation!!

Yes - my first month or so my weight loss slowed way down. My experience was that I just kept at it and the weight started moving again. I took it one day at a time followed my doctors instructions and walked. Eventually the weight will start to come off. Good Luck to you!!

Congrats! Isn't it a great feeling? I bought a pair of pants size 18 (down from a 26) last week. Today I put them on and they are feeling a little baggy already! Maybe I should bring them back and get the 16. WOOHOO! Good Luck finding an outfit for the wedding!

Thanks for sharing! I'm going to try it!

I just used the psychologist and nutritionist from NY Bariatric because of that exact reason. I used them for the clearance only and did not buy a package of visits. Unfortunately they don't take insurance and it was costly!

I know I've seen this blog linked on the forums several times but thought I would throw it out there for any newbies looking for recipes. I use it all the time to get ideas. I love the "Day in my Pouch" posts. Tons of great bento box ideas - use these all the time for lunch at work recipes. Also tons of protein shake recipes - I especially like the "Click" espresso protein shake recipes. I have officially replaced my morning coffee with a "Click" latte or shake using her recipes. Check it out --> http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/ I hope this helps someone else!! Have a great day!

I have definitely transferred my food addiction to an exercise addiction! I am overjoyed by it. I agree that as long as it has not cut into other aspects of your life go for it! I find that it helps me with my stress levels as well as giving me much more energy in other aspects of my life. I have more energy to do fun things with my family and friends because of it. Definitely a win win for me! Who would've thought when we started this process that we would be worried about being addicted to exercise? Isn't that amazing?

Welcome! This site is a great resource. The lap band is the best thing I have ever done for myself. I wish you all the best on your journey!

Over the last couple of weeks I have been slipping back to old habits. It all started because I got stuck and had to get a small unfill. I was sick for a few days before the unfill and was barely eating at all. When I went in for the unfill I had lost 12lbs since the beginning of October which is a great side effect of being sick. Ummm....not really because once you go back to eating it comes back fast. Add in Halloween, losing my grandmother and that time of the month all at the same time and I have been eating candy and junk everyday and didn't go the gym for 2 weeks. Well, now I am back to real life and went back to the gym Saturday morning and will go tonight! I ate pretty healthy today. A protein shake for breakfast, a piece of a zucchini fritatta for lunch and some almonds for a snack so far. I plan to have fish for dinner before the gym tonight. I am a planner. I need to have a plan to get anything done. Working full time, a 2 year old , a husband, a house, fitting in a work out leaves me overwhelmed if I don't have a plan for things. When I am going to workout, whats for dinner, work appointments, two years olds busy schedule . Sometimes its so much - I give credit to all you out there who get it all done with more kids and things going on. I am getting the hang of it but honestly it is so easy to let me fall by the wayside. I'm not going to do it anymore. I will be at the top of my list and my health will be one of my top priorities. So here I go back on the track.... wish me luck!!

10/29/11 - 268 Happy Halloween!! :bat:

Thanks for your replies! My appointment was great. She pulled out some Fluid and kept it out for a minute or so and I actually felt whatever was lodged in there pass. It was such sweet relief! ahhh....She also took out the .5 fill I got last visit. I go back next week to see if I feel ok and to see if we want to put back the .5. I am taking it super easy and doing mushies today and tomorrow. Hope you all have a great weekend!

I received a fill on Oct. 6 - 3 weeks ago. I have been tight since then but able to get down solid Proteins as long as they aren't too dry. Been doing really well with my food choices, fluids and Vitamins. Yesterday I wasn't feeling well so I stayed home from work - couldn't pin point it - just run down extremely exhausted feeling. Ate something in the morning after I had my morning coffee that got stuck. Well it stayed stuck for a while and after I finally got it out I made myself a cup of hot Water with lemon and honey. I sipped that and yup stuck again. Again that came up and I tried some more liquids as the day went on everytime getting the stuck feeling. Well, finally I went to bed even though I still had the stuck feeling. Propped myself up on pillows and tried to sleep. I seemed to wake up every hour or so last night choking and having to throw up. It was a horrible night! This morning I tried to drink something hot and got the stuck feeling. I just got some cold water and same thing. I called my doctor this morning and made an appt for this afternoon. What do you think? Possibly a little virus? Or my band just finally got tighter after the fill? Do you get tighter weeks after a fill? I usually get tight around my period but that is not scheduled to appear until end of next week? Worst night with the band so far. Just when I think I got this thing down a new surprise.

Good Luck to you! I totally relate to everything in your post. I am now at the point where my life doesn't revolve around food anymore. I am 7 months out from surgery and it was the best thing I ever did for myself. I feel great physically and emotionally. I truly wish you the best!

10/22/11 - 269 Happy for the 1 lb loss! Had a crazy busy week at work and only made it to the gym twice, but better than never!

My band has been pretty tight for the last couple of weeks after a fill. I've been doing a protein shake in the morning(click espresso protein powder instead of my coffee), chicken salad, chili, bean salad, or lentil soup for lunch and some kind of fish or chicken thighs for dinner. Make sure you take tiny bites and chew, chew, chew. If you do get stuck do liquids the following day and then mushies before going back to solids. I also do a protein bar or shake again in the evening if I get hungry.

I have the same problem especially the night eating. I don't call it mouth hunger though, mine is definitely head hunger! It is a constant battle for me. I make sure I have lots of things on hand to be able to eat to curb the craving. Sometimes I just force myself to go to bed so I don't eat! The band definitely does not alter what you crave, that is all you. It does alter what you are able to physically eat. That is different for everyone. The no good slider foods still go right down - no problem for me. Ice cream, chocolate chips, m&ms are no problem for me to eat. I choose not to though. When I was having real issues with the night eating I stopped all sugar. Sugar begets more sugar! I now stay away from all sugar and that helps my cravings tremendously. I literally mourned food for the first month or so after surgery. It was a very emotional process for me. I pushed through and took it day by day and have been successful so far.

I make the chicken salad myself with low fat mayo. Store bought has way too many calories for me! If I make chili I usually use turkey just less fat. I do buy the small chili from Wendy's sometimes for lunch at work and it goes down fine. Both seem to go down fine for me but everyone is different!

Sorry you have to go through that! I hate when people have to make some else feel bad in order to make themself feel better..Selfish Ignorant people suck!