Allison0927

Everything happens for a reason - maybe this is what God has in store for you. I LOVE my band - and have lost 67 pounds in just over 4 months - it's been like a dream. BUT, you WILL likely be hungry the first few months until you get enough fills to actually feel restriction. I had my 4th fill this week and am JUST NOW at a point where i have any restriction and have to eat slow and chew well. Before then it was pure will power. BEST OF LUCK TO US ALL ON OUR JOURNEYS!!!

awesome blog!!! when's your surgery???

GREAT BLOG and congrats on your success!!!

I don't know the medical science behind the drinking and the band- but my surgeon's post-op instructions stated no alcohol until 6-8 weeks after banding (then all the usual caveats about calories etc.). I held out until the 4th week after surgery and was fine. I am a big social drinker (weekends only) and light beer was my favorite. I quit all carbonation on the pre-op diet - so I don't drink light beer anymore. Instead, i do a shot of clearl liquor (lowest calories) usually absolute vodka - then fill the rest of the glass with ice and water. I then add in crystal light or equivalent. I can drink 4-5 of those during the night - same buzz as before the band (i've noticed no difference) and never sick etc. I'm like you - i count in the calories and i continue to steadily lose weight. I can't tell you what will happen if you try any alcohol in the 2nd week - you may want to check other threads on here - as i'm sure it's been discussed. BEST OF LUCK TO ALL OF US IN OUR JOURNEYS!

i had no problems having sex within 2-3 weeks of surgery. This is TMI but you may want to be a "topper" instead of a bottomer just to be safe for a while. Your torso may be sore for several weeks and you don't want to dislodge your port - although that thing should be sewn in there good. HAVE FUN!

great job - keep up the good work!!!!!

I am 5'4 and weighed in pre-op at 277. I am now at 212 just 4 months later. I plan to get to 130 or 140. YES i believe it can be done and so does my surgeon. It may take a year, maybe longer - but i'm heading there as I type this! BEST OF LUCK TO YOU IN MAY!!!

CONGRATULATIONS!!! TELL US - WHAT IN YOUR LIFE HAS CHANGED FOR THE POSITIVE SINCE A YEAR AGO?????

A BIG SINCERE THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE! and i hope it fits but if it does not - i KNOW you will be in it before you know it. Then, you can take your wife on a date while wearing it!!!!

My surgeon tried to "talk me out of it" too - because i had 120-130 to lose. I said no way - the only surgery i'm doing is lap band. I was banded in July, 2011 and have lost 65 pounds so far - surgeon is very pleased. He tells me about 20% of his patients lose little to no weight - 20% lose 100+ and 60% lose about 40-50 pounds. I'm determined to be part of the 20% to lose 100+ and am well on my way. I think the surgeon's heart was in the right place but i was initially put off by him trying to talk me out of it. I just knew i'd be one of the successful ones. Trust me though this all depends on YOU - I have little to no restriction yet - 4 months out and 3 fills later- because my surgeon fills you up slowly. With no restriction it is mostly all will power. I'm looking forward to my 4th fill this Tues. and am hoping I will finally feel restriction and have the help i have been waiting on. BEST OF LUCK TO YOU WHATEVER YOU DECIDE!!!!

CONGRATS TO YOU TOO!!!!

I am so glad you posted this - I, too am at 5.5 ccs in 14 cc band - and i go for my 4th fill this tues. and am excited and nervous wondering how much he'll put in (it varies) and whether i will finally get restriction and maybe even the green zone OR be overfilled and miserable the first time since surgery (i have had no problems at all since surgery - can eat whatever i want - steadily losing but not depriving myself of carbs/occassional treats - just sticking to the 800 calories per day 85% of the time). PLEASE keep us updated about whether you go for an unfill or not. I see a lot on these boards about people being overly tight the first few days after a fill but then the swelling goes down and they settle into the normal size of the band with the latest fill. Please let us know what happens with yours!

i allow myself one cup every morning during the week (no cream - but one of those semi-flavored ones - no added sugar) and then 3-4 cups on weekend mornings - been doing this since surgery 4 months ago - with no problems and steady weight loss.

I eat popcorn as my "treat" about 1x every 2-3 weeks - can eat a whole microwave bag (not single serve - the big one) - buttered - again, a rare treat - one of my only treats. I only have 5.5 ccs in 14 cc band and hardly any restriction yet - i go for another fill this tues. and am curious to see if i will still be able to eat it (right now i can eat anything but fill up faster so eat less).

LOL i love it! same as me - i don't see any difference pre-band v. post-band on drinking alcohol - effect is the same. I did go from being a big lite beer drinker to clear (color-less) liquor - usually absolute vodka + water/crystal light - so the buzz is faster and more intense - but i attribute that to the beer v. liquor - again, though, no difference pre and post band (only difference i can see is i eat and weigh less and that may quicken the buzz - but that would happen regardless if i was banded or not)

if you must drink with meals - no juices! they are too full of calories - stick to water (flavored with 0 calories - there's lots of good ones out there) or water plus crystal light - i drink A LITTLE during meals because right now i only have 5.5 ccs in a 14 cc band and the little bit of water helps to fill me up during the meal since i have hardly any restriction. Surgeon said it was ok since i'm steadily losing and not drinking much during the meal. i've hardly exercised at all but do stick to my surgeon recommended 800 calories per day about 85% of the time. BEST OF LUCK TO US ALL ON OUR JOURNEYS!!!

One-derful!!! i am right behind you - 65 pounds in 4 months - 12 pounds to hit onder-land - my goal to do it by Christmas if not before. GREAT job to you!!!!!

THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT I DO!!! i order a shot of vodka in a tall glass with ice water and i add crystal light - can have 3-5 of those during an evening - BUT go much lighter on calories during the day to make up for it. I'm steadily losing and i drink like that about 1 time every 2 weeks. I do not ever do carbonation, however. Haven't touched it since surgery.

THAT IS ONE-DERFUL!!!!! I PLAN TO BE THERE BY CHRISTMAS - WHICH WILL MAKE IT MERRY INDEED!!!!!

good to hear that juice worked- how have things been going today?

EXCELLENT WORK!!!!!!

Hi Allyson! growing up i always wanted my name spelled with a "Y" lol! anyway - on an extra large pizza - like pizza hut cut into triangles - i can usually just do one slice - maybe 1.5 - on a square pizza cut into squares (thick crust large - just cheese or xtra cheese) i can usually do 2 pieces - sometimes only 1.5. I think after my next fill beginning of november i likely will either not be able to eat thick crust at all or even if i can will only get down 1 slice. We will see. Best of luck to you!

It depends how much saline you have in your band - how tight you are. I don't have much restriction (5.5 ccs in 14 cc band) and can still eat pizza with no problems (even thick crust). I do eat way less than i used to - depending on the pizza i can comfortably have 1 slice, sometimes 2 (some times 1.5 slice) - it all depends. I used to eat a whole half of a large pizza so i'm doing a heck of a lot better these days. I've been losing great - and maybe have pizza on average 2-3 times a month.

i have it - the plans vary but BASICALLY unless the employer opted not to have bariatric surgery covered - you need a 35+ BMI with at least 1 co-morbid condition or a 40+ BMI on record for last 5 years (no need for a co-morbid condition). On record means with your dr's office. They let the 5 years slide sometimes especially for otherwise healthy people that may not have weighed in at a dr.'s office every year for past 5 years - ALSO and this varies by plan - you may be required to go through a 6 month dr. supervised diet first - i did not but again it varies by plan. BEST OF LUCK TO YOU!!!!! one warning - i do not know if this is true AT ALL but i saw or heard a rumor that UH is doing away with bariatric surgery coverage beginning in 2012. I tend not to believe this rumor -but if i were you i'd get going on everything quickly just in case.

lol congrats on both the weight loss as well as the "gain"! From your ticker it looks like you will end up gaining a few more inches before you are through - always a good thing! Congrats again!