NWgirl

I am fairly new and only have 2cc in my band at this time, so I can't say it really talks to me at this point. I consciously plan meals/weigh foods/log food to make sure I am on track. I have definitely had a couple times when I felt restriction, so I know it will come soon enough (I'm thinking 5cc or so... I hope). Like it was mentioned earlier, the band is a tool and I will be happy when it's chugging along. I definitely eat less than before banding, but I have to say that to this point I have been the reason I have lost almost 40 pounds due to exercise and food tracking. I would make the decision to get the band in a heartbeat if I had to do it again.

I have read about people who switched because they had lost a lot of weight but had some left to go and couldn't seem to do it with the band anymore. Why are you looking into the switch?

Welcome! I hope your pre-op goes well! My advice is to read, read, read so you are absolutely prepared for all aspects of surgery. There are so many great reads on this board. I remember when I was just starting out, I was on this board so often reading it was ridiculous

I got the shoulder pain about 5 days after surgery and it lasted about 1.5-2 weeks. One day you'll realize it's gone and you'll be good to go

I do between 1200-1400. There is no magic number, and the metabolism will start to slow on a super low calorie diet. What people call "starvation" mode is just this, because the body learns where it can cut corners to conserve calories. I have always heard to stay above 1200 to make sure the metabolism is running strong, but I don't think that should be your only concern. My dietician didn't set a guideline for me; instead, I told her I was trying for 1200 and she asked if I felt ok there. Listen to your body and your particular situation to make a decision. The only problem with programs like MFP is that they don't take WLS into account. I guess my only piece of advice is to listen really well to your body and make sure that the calories that you are eating are nutritious and satisfy your protein/fiber needs. Pay attention to how you feel throughout the day (tired, sluggish?) and adjust from there. Unfortunately, there's no science for this

I was only required to do the low fat/high protein, but did choose to do a more rigorous plan. I did low fat/high protein about two weeks and then did a pseudo liquid for one week with 2 protein shakes, two Greek yogurts, and one protein bar a day. I was allowed full liquids after surgery, so I wanted to get used to doing liquids before I had to (minus of course the protein bar).

Sometimes co-pays are different. The office may collect and then repay you because they do not call and get most up to date info when you go in.

Try drinking peppermint tea as well, this will help with the gas. When I was still in the first few days post-op, I found that some foods (JELLO) made me nauesous... I'm not sure why but would not chance trying them again until I felt better. I drank premier nutrition protein shakes and soups per Dr's orders.

Belly fat can be helped with aerobic exercise, like you're doing. Keep at it. I can vouch that this is true- two years ago I went on a crazy low calorie, exercise (running) heavy diet. My lowest weight from that period is also my lowest weight now, but my waist has 4 extra inches than before. I am going to get back into running soon.

I am no pro by any means, but I find that if you deprive yourself, then you will probably end up making a larger food mistake later. If I want something, I have it, just in a much, much smaller size portion than I would have in the past. When I started this journey, I knew I wanted to make it something I could live with forever, so there are no foods off limits for me. At the same time, I don't eat them everyday and not in nearly the same portion sizes as pre-band me.

Some Dr's do put fluid in and some don't. Mine personally just pulls out the air and replaces with liquid (primer), so no real fill, but I have seen some with surgery fills up to 5cc.

Some people don't feel resrtriction til they are close to their top out number (ex 9.5cc in 10cc band). While you are in bandster hell, watch your portions and choices. It will come in time.

I get that feeling too sometimes. Keep your head up and know it will take a little longer to get to restriction, but when you do it will be much easier.

I am a bored/emotional eater, so it's taken time to get used to that... I'm still a work in progress and occasionally find myself eating for those reasons. It's really hard to change our ways, but we can make it happen. Sometimes it may seem like an uphill battle, but I know when I get to the right restriction, I'll be okay And, I know one mistake does not equate to FAILURE. Get up, brush yourself off and move on. Just take it one day at a time

This is the thread: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/topic/146335-2nd-fill-what-do-others-feel-like/page__hl__seattle__fromsearch__1 The person's screen name is shelbymooy who found a dr in Seattle who would take her on from Mexico.. I would email asking who she is seeing now Good luck!

I actually lost about 20-25 on my pre-op diet starting about a month prior to surgery. I have lost about 15 post-op. I am loving my band so far! I don't really have restriction yet (have only had a 2cc fill), but have briefly felt it twice since the fill. I go in for my next 2cc fill on the 11th, so hoping it will help! I was banded at the Legacy Good Samaritan Weight Loss Management Institute with Dr. Halpin in Portland. I recovered pretty quickly after surgery because I have an active job so my body wasn't extremely shocked by the procedure (or so said the physical therapist at the clinic). I have been doing a little exercise, but really need to get back in a routine because I know it will help push that number down. Have you decided where you will go in Mexico? Did you find that other thread where a woman said she had found a dr in Seattle for out-of-country bandsters? That would probably be really helpful.

I am 5' 6.5" and my goal is 160, maybe 150. I can't remember being lower than 185, so I'd even take that now

The gas can take a couple weeks to totally dissipate. It seems like the people who end up with the pregnant look are back to normal after about a week.

Mine lasts about 1.5 hours and is always led by a staff member of the facility I had surgery with.

I don't know if you found someone yet, but I did run across this list of aftercare providers for people banded in Mexico: http://www.medicaltourismco.com/weight-loss/lap-band-fills.php Not sure if they are current or not, but I seem to recall you posting about possibly going to Mexico due to cost. I see there are two Dr's in Washington on the list. I also saw someone in the Seattle area post in the last two days that they found a local Dr to take out of country patients.

The Fitbit Aria. I use the Fitbit tracker device and log on their site, so it merges perfectly. It is right along the same lines as the Withing scale (which I almost bought before I heard that Fitbit was releasing one). http://www.fitbit.com/product/aria

If a dr has never unfilled/filled a port, I would not be their first try. They could easily puncture your tubing, thus making the band defective unless you have another surgery to fix it. If it's a last resort, find someone who knows ports (think chemo nurse) and have them do an unfill. Also, you could look into Fill Centers USA and see if there is someone local to help you. http://www.medicaltourismco.com/weight-loss/lap-band-fills.php

I probably should have. I might even look into it still.

I don't know if my change was due to surgery or what, but I used to HATE olives before and I love them now...

Some scales can be so picky! I just bought a high tech wifi scale (which seems to weigh perfectly) and the one I had before would do the 2-3 pound jump if you weighed a couple minutes apart. The only plus to that old one is that it said I weighed less. This new one agrees with the Dr's scale... Boy, was I sad when I had to add a couple pounds back to my "Lost" weight...