BandedApril

Hey friends! Hope everyone is feeling fanastic is your new, smaller bodies! I was banded July 12 and am down 57 lbs (in about 16 weeks). I am no longer "plus size" and am anjoying shopping in all the "normal stores". I'm soooo happy I made this decision! What about you?? Please check in!

Name, real or screen~ April Age~ 32 Weight on October 1st~ 195.6 Goal Weight for October 29th~ 190.6 Exercise Goal for October~ 4x's a week Dietary Goal for October~ low carb Personal Goal for October~ stay away from starbuck's! Date Banded~ July 12, 2011 Total Weight Loss Since Banding~ 43 lbs

In my opinion, laxitives are probably going to be your best friend as long as you have a band. I am almost 3 months post op and have to take laxatives on a regular basis or else I don't go without them. When you eat so little food there's not much going on down there, so it could take while. I don't feel like waiting, and I don't lose weight unless I go!

Completely normal. Just drink what you can and don't worry about it. The swelling will go down before you reach the point of needing to be hospitalized.

Hey, friends! It's good to hear from everyone that has been checking in lately and I'm so happy for those of you seeing good results! For those of you feeling frustrated and challenged, just hang in there! I know that it seems slow-going, but if you can picture what youll look like in 9-12 months, it might help you keep motivated. I know that sometimes I stop and think I haven't lost much, but then I have to remind myself that it's not even been 2 months yet! Anyway, I have been doing great with the band and haven't had any problems so far. I am 7 1/2 weeks out and down 34 lbs. I guess my only complaint is CONSTIPATION - Grr! Onward and downward, my friends!

Hey, Nancy! I got my first fill recently and got .8 cc, which she said was "a lot" for a first fill, so I think .5 is probbaly about average. Have you noticed a difference? I haven't.

I am almost 6 weeks post op and as of today I am down 31 lbs! I haven't had a fill yet, but have an appt on Wednesday. I'm a little mervous about food possibly getting stuck, but looking forward to increasing my results. Just 9 lbs to go to get me to onederland. It's been years...SO EXCITED!

Just because you CAN eat that much, doesn't mean you should. The band is not going to stop you from overeating; that's YOUR job. You should limit your portions to 1/2 cup - 1 cup and bread should be a definite no-no. I'm concerned about your doctor not informing you on what and how much to eat, and I'm concerned that he said not to worry about losing weight????

Yeah, I think you should eat a little more, and drink water when you start to feel a little hungry. I do that and can usually push back my eating for another hour or so, although, it is fine to eat something every 3 to 4 hours. 3-4 hours is the "green zone". I bet eating a few more bites of food would get you there. I had the same problem and now try to eat about a half a cup.

Hello my July friends! I just wanted to drop in since today is my one month bandiversary! Here's what's been going on: I've been pretty much eating anything I want (crunchy, mushy, whatev) and haven't had any problems getting or keeping anything down. Still no PB's or stucks-- yay! I take (ridiculously) small bites and chew, chew, chew. Still working on eating slowly, and I think I'm getting a little better. I just get annoyed being the last one at the dinner table, so I usually just throw whatever food I have left in the trash. Whatever works, right? I eat no more than 1/2 cup at a time. I usually eat less, but have found that if I eat the full 1/2 cup portion, I stay full longer. So even though I lose interest after a few bites, I'm going to push myself to eat a little more so that I'm not thinking about food after 2 hours. Water intake: dismal. Why is it that I can chug down a grande iced mocha like it's going out of style but I'm doing good to get down 20oz of water in a day? Ugh. I hate water. I still have some soreness, particularly around the port area, so I haven't started exercising yet. The incisions are healing nicely though, so that's good. Looking forward to feeling 100% and hitting the gym. I was walking my dog this morning and a neighbor told me I was looking great. Um, awesome!! I could get used to this. And, drum roll please....25 lbs lost! Love. My. Lapband. April

Yes, I was craving a Diet Coke and ordered a small one at Sonic about a week ago. I had a few sips and was fine, but found it didn't quite satisfy me the way it used to. Maybe I've lost my taste for them. I figured that I really need to be trying to get in my Water, so why drink something that has no nutritional value?

Thanks! I know I need to work on eating more Protein, I just find that eating meat requires so much chewing that it bores me! ha I have some Protein Powder, so maybe I'll start adding that to foods. Staying full 5 -6 hours sounds great. Maybe if I Bump up my portions I'll stay full longer. I think right now I eat 1/4 to 1/2 cup, so it makes sense that it burns off quicker. Wel, I'm off to eat my eggs!

Hey bandsters! Thanks in advance for your input. I am one month post-op and ever since my surgery I get satisfied very quickly with my food. A few bites usually does the trick. No, I don't eat until I feel "full", but I eat until I'm not hungry anymore and lose interest in the food. I'm a little paranoid about PB'ing or stretching my pouch so I don't want to overdo it. Anyway, I'm just wondering if you think I'm maybe eating too little? I feel fortunate to not be plagued by hunger like some who haven't had a fill yet, and I feel like the band is doing what it's supposed to do by satisfying me after a few bites, but should I eat more? I eat every 3-4 hours, just a small amount at a time. Should I be worried about nutrition and such? I find it difficult to get in much protein/water, but overall I feel fine. Your thoughts? Anyone else feeling this way? BTW, I lost 24 lbs this first month.

Why would you think losing 26 lbs in a month is slow?? The band is not magic. You didn't put on 100 lbs in a month, so it isn't coming off in a month. Eat a small amount of healthy food everyday and you'll get there. But not next month. Just stay realistic and optimistic. I think positivity is a big part of this. Think yourself thin!!

I eat 1/2 cup. That's what I was told to do by my nut and that's how much some successful bandsters eat. It works for me, and sometimes I don't even finish the 1/2 cup because I simply don't want it. I'm satisfied and the weight is falling off!