rcz1966

I started at 223 pounds. Got down to 187 before the getting the Lap Band. I have had the Band for 2 years. Now I am at about 150 and seem to be holding at this level. My surgeon originally forecast a weight of 140. My dietitican however stated that I have already surpassed the average percentage weight loss. My difficulty is that I want to get to 140. Right now I do have good-well actually much improved-quality of life. I do not have to focus on my diet overmuch, but with this I have fallen prey to some poor food choices at times. I want to feel successful but am not sure I have the discipline it would take to get to 140. I would like to get to this level as it would be a high normal wieght. Any motivational advice???

Thank you everyone for your replies and words of encouragement. I think this can become part of the process of saying "Yes I will continue to work towards it." With it being the x-mas season my first goal will be to not gain over the holiday season (so far so good). Next I will get back to the basics and I do need to start to exercise more.

Hello everyone. I had 8cc in my band and had started to be able to eat a lot more so I just had a fill of 1cc 2 days ago. I was able to drink a small sip in the office before I left however I noted on the way home that with more fluid there was much resistance to it going down. When I tried to eat it was very slow and laborious and yes I did get sick. In the past I sometimes did get sick for a while after a fill so I am now wondering what to do. I have been having reflux at night. How much I can eat depends on the food. It takes about 1/2 hour to eat an individual Greek yogurt and I find I can not eat till at least 9:30 in the morning. On the other hand I was able to eat about a cup of soup when taken slowly. I tried more dense foods like chicken and vegetables and could eat about 1/4 cup. I also note that different clinics have different recommendations after a fill. If the water in the office goes down then it is business as usual but I noted on other posts that some clinics gradually progress the diet. I am wondering if more time will help or if I should book an appointment for a bit of an unfill. Any comments would be greatly appreciated as I have not experienced this degree of difficulty before.

I know the band is a tool but when it is properly adjusted things are much easier to manage.

Thanks everyone. I really appreciate hearing your experiences and it has given me the confidence to give it a bit more time and to go easy in the meantime. This evening already I think I am feeling some improvement and will keep everyone posted on what happens in the next week. Thank you for being so supportive.

Thank you both for responding. I think I will go easy and monitor the situation over the next week. Congrats to both of you on how well you are doing with your weight loss!

I lost about 40 pounds prior to being banded. I am a month away from being at the 1 year point and have only lost 20 pounds. It did take long to feel restriction-at 9.5 cc in my 14 cc band-and I think I could still use a slight amount more fill. I am feeling discouraged today. Had some other health issues that have taken some of my focus off of my eating/exercise habits in the past month or so and need to get back on track. I am still close to being on track to reach my one year goal but fear that maybe this is all the weight I will lose. Need to lose another 25 pounds to reach two year goal. Started at 223 and am now at about 165.

I have a 14 cc band with 9.5 cc in it thus far. I feel I am close to the green zone. I am eating 3 meals a day but still feel I need 2 small snacks. I do eat about 1 1/3 or so cups at lunch/supper.

At the clinic I go to they want me to reach my Protein goals without shakes by using food. It takes some getting used to but is possible. I did not need to take pain meds. for more than a couple of days but everyone is different. Good luck on your journey.

Just an update-weeks after my fill I have more restriction than I did immediately post-fill. It is apparent and so I may not need another fill after all......there is some variability and I am trying to note what I ate etc. and time of day-in order to better understand how to use my band. Feeling much more positive now.

Hello everyone. Have you ever felt like you don't know what is going on??? I was banded Nov. 23, 2011. Since that time I have lost only 12 pounds. Anyways my trouble is that I was not really feeling restriction. When I got up to 8cc in my band my doctor sent me for a band fill under flouroscopy. Now here comes the questions. He added 1cc and I later noticed some restriction. He did try 1.5cc but we could see on screen that the fluid was not going through though I did not feel like it was coming up. Anyways I went home and was not satisfied with results and got another .5 fill so now I am up to 9.5. I do feel some restriction but it is inconsistent. I am worried that I am not cueing into it well. Since I did have a fill under flouroscopy is it possible that I still need a fill-I personally think I do. Has anyone had anything similar happen? Also does your band get looser in the weeks following a fill? Thanks for any responses.

Thank you for taking the time to respond. After reading your note I see that I was not clear on a few things. Firstly I am not blaming the doctor for anything and understand that I have to work this tool. Secondly when I was referring to the fluid I was meaning that the liquid barium did not pass through the pouch during the timeframe the flouroscopy machine was on. My doctor does take the fluid out when doing a fill but I have never asked how much it showed.

Does anyone have a homemade recipe for hot chocolate, perhaps one that uses skim milk and artificial sweetener?

Thank you everyone. I will be sure to try some of these ideas!

Has anyone else recieved e-mail correspondence from someone else using this site who posed as someone looking for love and wanting e-mail address? How would I report this?

Thanks I will look and see if I can find it.

Hi Maggie. I would like to know what it is like drinking liquids with the band. Ihave heard that liquids go right through but have also heard about taking small sips. How different is it to drink liquids after being banded? Thank you

I have yet to be banded but am wondering about whether I will still be able to eat mixed soups, like vegetable soup for instance. I know that a person is advised to avoid liquids at mealtimes so I am wondering if having a mixed soup is advisable.

I am seriously considering Lap Band surgery. I am worried about a few things. I know what the information says but I am still concerned about not being able to manage my hunger and feeling hungry all the time. My other concern is how hard it might be when eating at freinds/families. Even on my current diet it is always much easier to follow through at home. I would appreciate any comments.

I have explored this website and ordered the book. I am eagerly awaiting its arrival!

Thank you every one for your responses. I appreciate that you have taken the time to respond.