alondralibre

Thank you for posting! I need to go have some fluid removed too.

Yes, I've heard from two other people who have the band that hot dogs can be very problematic. I didn't eat them prior to getting the band, so I don't have personal experience. Have you gotten your first fill yet?

I'm glad to be back! Not that I had a reason to go anywhere, but I readily admit that I tend to struggle with depression. For some reason, mine is worse during the summer months as opposed to the seasonal disorder that people usually have during the winter. Anyway, I was a bit bummed in part because I didn't meet my goal of reaching 300 pounds by my birthday on July 23rd. But I'm learning that any progress is a good thing, and I currently weigh 308. So I should be reaching my goal any day now. I'm trying not to beat myself up just because it's not happening in my timeframe. I also wanted to point out just what a valuable resource this forum is! I'm on my 3rd fill (which I've had for almost a month now), and I joined the slime club last weekend. I also had an incident earlier tonight, so I'm going to have to be more careful. In both cases, I had gone too long without eating, so I ate too quickly. I also learned that when something gets stuck, you have to take it easy for a day or so. I had a little trouble with my Protein drink just now, but thank God it went down. Needless to say, I think I'll be having tea this morning instead of coffee!

I appreciate your encouragement. Enjoy the nice weather!

OMG - me too! I went to see my OB/GYN a week ago, and my BP was 78/53. Mine usually runs high, and I take meds for it. Though they were prescribed about 55 lbs. ago prior to lap band. So I decided to keep an eye on it, and hopefully my doctor will be able to reduce or discontinue my meds soon. Which would be a major victory, as well as one of the main reasons why I decided to get lap band in the first place.

It's likely a combination of eating too fast and swallowing air. I burp a lot more now than I did before the band, no matter what I eat or how much.

Oh my goodness! I am so sorry to hear that! I haven't had any problems with a fill so far (though I've only had one). But I have fibroids too, and I've noticed that the first couple of days of my period are really uncomfortable. Not that they were ever comfortable, but I feel a lot more bloated since having the band, and I feel like there's something floating around in my abdomen. So there may be some sort of connection.

Help, please! I'm having the worst time getting motivated to go to the gym!

I had my first fill on June 1st. I have a little bit more restriction, but not much. My second fill is scheduled for July 5th.

I just had my first fill this past Wednesday. I was told no food four hours prior to my appointment, and no liquids two hours prior. So I started drinking a protein shake just after the food cut-off, and finished it right before the drink cut-off time. That helped me stay full until after my appointment.

I'm getting my first fill on Wednesday. Though to be honest, I've kind of enjoyed the bandster hell phase. I've been able to eat what I want (within reason, of course). I haven't gotten sick. And most importantly, I've lost a few pounds. I know this is the next step in the lap band journey, and I'm looking forward to it. But I'm just a little nervous, because I know I'll have to re-adjust to eating and drinking with more restriction (I have just a little bit now). So it is with this post that I say a fond farewell to bandster hell.

Oh no, I eat one good meal a day. It's usually lunch. I'll have a protein drink for breakfast, a good lunch and I'm pretty much set for the day. I may have a few almonds or something like that as an evening snack, and I drink most of my water after lunch. I'd say I'm getting about 1000 to 1200 calories a day. I could probably make an effort to get more protein though.

I've noticed that I am gradually losing interest in food. I still crave one meal a day (usually lunch), but that's it. I have a protein shake for breakfast, and I usually drink water until it's time to go to bed. I'm enjoying it.

Praying for you. I know it will go well.

I have Aetna, and I was approved even though I didn't have any doctor's records for 2009. I went through True Results here in Dallas/Fort Worth, and the insurance coordinator used the medical records I had from 2007 and 2008. I think even an insurance company would consider it highly unlikely that I was morbidly obese in '07 and '08, dropped all the weight in '09 and gained it all back for 2010.

Thank you so much everyone. I figured my weight would fluctuate throughout the day, but I was only expecting two to three pounds. I went ahead and returned the Biggest Loser scale because it was tainted in my eyes. But I will be sure to have much more reasonable expectations for the next scale I buy. @ Ross the Boss: I had no idea a gallon of water weighed that much! I know the containers seem kind of heavy, but I never thought about putting that weight into your body. @ Packers Fan: My scale was doing the same thing! I think I would have left well enough alone if it didn't give such different readings in such a short amount of time. That's what made me start thinking that it was a piece of junk. Since I'm disciplining myself to eat better and exercise, then I guess I can use that same discipline to quit jumping on the scale all the time.

I'm trying not to become a slave to the scale, but I would like to track my weight loss progress without having to go to the doctor all the time. I bought a Biggest Loser scale for $20. The user reviews said it was good, but my experience has been horrible. Just today, mine claims that I've gained 7 pounds since this morning. Yes, I had lunch at a restaurant with friends, but I didn't eat THAT much! Can anyone recommend a good scale that will accommodate up to 350 pounds? I'd like to spend no more than $50, but I'll spend more if I have to. I just don't want to go crazy from dealing with wildly inaccurate readings. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

I haven't lost as much as you have, so I commend you on your accomplishment. However, I just came from a get-together with people who hadn't seen me since before I had surgery. They all said I've lost weight, but for some reason I don't believe it. I feel like they were just being nice because they know I had WLS. So while I am still fat, I'm not exactly excited about what I've lost so far because I know I have so much more to lose. I know that's not the best attitude to have, but that's how I feel. So I can totally relate to what you're saying.

Congratulations and best of luck to you. I have no doubt you will do great!

I can tolerate vanilla Muscle Milk if I'm desperate. But it's not that good, and I've heard that the banana and malt flavors are horrible. I like the Atkins Advantage, Orgain Meal Replacements and the Myoplex Lite. I know a lot of people who really like Isopure, but to me, the whey flavor is too strong.

Just voted for you! Good luck!

Thank you so much for your post. I need all the encouragement I can get! Losing 61 pounds is a major accomplishment.

Hello. I was banded on April 27th, and I weigh a LOT. My all-time highest weight was 365 pounds. I fluctuated between 325 and 350 in the six months prior to surgery, and my weight on the day of surgery was 337. At my post-op doctor visit on 5/5, I weighed 330. I'm trying not to get caught up in weighing myself constantly, but it's hard to stay focused on the long-term goal when you have so much to lose. That is why I would appreciate a buddy/mentor who has lost 150 pounds or more with the help of lap band. I really want this method to work, but I know I need to work with it as well. I don't really want to go the gastric bypass or sleeve route because it's so drastic and irreversible. I'd just like to talk to someone who has had success losing a lot of weight with lap band. Thanks!

I'm almost three weeks post-op and my experience is similar. Overall, I'm eating quite a bit less, but I admit that my food choices could be better. I haven't tried any bread so far, but I can still eat rice and pasta without any problem. I've also found that I eat more when I choose foods and beverages with artificial sweeteners, and I don't feel satisfied. So I tend to eat one decent sized meal per day (usually lunch), a protein drink at breakfast and a small dinner. I know that even with lap band, losing weight is a process, so I'm not going to worry too much about it as long as I'm eating less and making better choices. I haven't had any fried foods or other junk food, so that's progress. I'm sure after we have a few fills, we'll really miss being able to eat like we do now.