kuebel_j

Hey all. I haven't posted in awhile because I really struggle with losing weight and have not done as well as probably any one else on this thread. But I had another fill (I had put it off too long because I thought I might be at the right fill level and was afraid of being too tight) and guess what? NOW I KNOW WHAT YOU ARE ALL TALKING ABOUT WITH THE "SWEET SPOT" FEELING! WooOHOOOOOOOOOOOO! I'm hardly ever hungry (except that annoying head hunger we all deal with) and find it impossible to eat more than a cup at a sitting and am generally totally satisfied. The scales are moving (I had only lost 1 lb. since January) and I've lost 3 lbs. this week. I'm a happy camper, indeed!

I'm hoping to be in the 170's by our family vacation in August (HAVE FUN IN HAWAII WITH THE CREW, JANINE!). I wanted to be there by my birthday but it didn't happen--June 9. But on we go with increased fervor. I'll make it this time!

Glad everyone is doing so well. xoxox K.

Good for you! Your comment of "not thinking that you needed a fill but not losing weight" really hit home. I can eat more than a cup and a half at a sitting and I get hungry. Maybe I should get another small fill.

Also, I know that I eat things that I know will slide down - Soup,

ice cream, sweet tea, etc. I am making some serious changes!

Janine,

We were banded on the same day - March 20, 2007. I am down 70 pounds but am still trying to figure this thing out. I have only had three fills - they scare me! I have been too tight before and hate that feeling. I probably need another fill and keep trying to talk myself into it.

I would have exercised from the start if I had it to do over again. I know my weight loss has been slow due to lack of exercise. So... my goal this summer is to get moving. Good luck! I hope all goes well.

Sophie - thanks for your insight. Your right! I do only eat mushy foods. However, for some reason, chips will also go down. My goal for the new year is to consume more fruits and vegetables. Creamy Soups are probably not my best choice. I have become a regular at Applebees for the Soup lunch! I need protein!

I am still trying to figure out what "good restriction" feels like. At this point I am eating mainly Soups. I have not eaten any bread since surgery - stuck!

I have not had a piece of meat since July! I still gag if I eat too fast! But -

I have been the same weight for 5 months! Help!

Thank you! I appreciate your words of wisdom. After failing so many diets before, I don't want my band to be added to my long list of weight loss failures. I desperately want to reach my goal.

Happy New Year Marchies! I can't believe how quickly the year passed. I keep hearing that the "window of opportunity" for weight loss is the first year. Has anyone else heard this nasty rumor? I am getting panicked wondering if I will be able to lose all the weight that I need to lose and does weight loss become more difficult after our first anniversary?

I am on 3 days of liquids and then 3 days of mushies. I'll give it a week and see what happens. This may be what I am supposed to feel and I just wasn't restricted enough before. At least I should have this figured out before I head back into the classroom. My second graders may not understand me gagging all day.

I had my second fill yesterday. I am so tight! I can get down a slimfast but that is about it. Will it loosen up some over time or am I too full? There is no way that I can get in all my Protein or Water this tight. I figure I'll wait it out through the weekend.

Well, I went this morning for my second fill. I was nervous to begin with.

(During surgery the band was too tight so my overnight stay turned out to be 4 days with another surgery on the fourth day.) So you can see why fills make me nervous. Lucky me, I got an intern who was making rounds with my

Doc. He couldn't find my port opening. Unfortunately, my doctor couldn't find it either. So I am going to the hospital tomorrow morning to have my fill done with the x-ray. I am not a big fan of one stick, let alone 4 sticks!

Doctor didn't seem concerned with my lack of weight loss. He said to give it time. "I didn't gain 100 pounds overnight and I won't lose it overnight either."

I fee like Rodney Dangerfield - If it will happen, it will happen to me!

I am scheduled for a fill on Wednesday. Last night I went to Outback with mom. I had a Caesar salad, baked potato, and tilapia. I ate the whole thing!

No bread! I have not reached the point where I feel full and hunger returns quickly. I am in search of the so called "sweet spot".

Ladies - Regardless of the "true meaning" of "steady losers", I have found more support, good information, and caring on this thread than any other.

I am more positive about this band than ever before and I needed to hear that exercise is the key. I knew that, I had just hoped that it wasn't true - dang it! So.... I am heading out the door for a walk.

I was taken off my metformin at the time of surgery. Should I be back on my medication for PCOS? Are any of you bandsters taking meds for PCOS with the band? I see my doctor on Wednesday. You have all been so helpful.

I feel way more positive this morning.

Thanks!

Brandy - Thank you! No, I have not been exercising but I am eating so much less than before. I assumed that I would lose weight just by eating less.

I also have PCOS which makes my body want to hold on to the fat. I

purchased the "Walk a Mile " videos yesterday and I am going to start exercising. I just joined Fitday and i am going to log my food daily.

I know the band is just a tool but I see now that I need to do my part.

Again, Thank you for responding. This is one of my favorite threads!

I need help from a "steady loser"! I was banded on March 20. I lost 40 pounds but have been the same for 2 1/2 months. I had my first fill in June (Dr. Fegelman, Jewish Hospital, Cincinnati). I am still feeling hungry yet have difficulty eating some foods such as chicken and bread.. How do I know that I need another fill? I have 2cc in a 4cc band. I want to be a "steady loser" but I can't seem to figure this band out. Please help!

Virginia,

Please let me in on your secret! You are doing awesome! I was banded on March 20 and have lost about 45 pounds. However, I have been around the same weight now for 6 weeks. Any words pof wisdom or advice?

Keep up the good work!

Hi! I teach second grade in the Cincinnati, OH area. My students are very accepting of the fact that I eat a small snack at 10:00 every morning.

My principal had gastric bypass surgery and is very supportive. I go to the hospital at 10:00 this morning for my first fill. I hope all goes well.

Glad to hear that your fill went well. I am scheduled for my first fill on Tuesday. I am really nervous. My weight has remained steady for the past three weeks. So I'm hoping that this will jumpstart the weight loss.

Thanks for starting the June thread. I love seeing how other March

bandsters are doing. I get my first fill in one week. I am a little nervous but looking forward to the results.

Hi!

Dr. Fegelman did my surgery on March 20, 2007. He was wonderful! I am waiting to get my first fill. I am down #35 so far.

Good Luck!

I was banded on March 20 and I just called to set up an apt. with the dietician so I can get my first fill. I am not feeling any restriction except 10 minutes ago. I took a bite of a cheeseburger for lunch (no top bun)

and I'm dying! So.......do I need a fill or not? Man does that hurt!

anyone else not sure if they need a fill? My weight loss has slowed way down.

I love this thread! It's great to hear how all the March bandsters are doing. I'm going tonight to buy a food scale. Eye-balling it isn't working.

I know I am consuming too much food. I can't wait for my first fill.

Keep posting!

I am experiencing the same thing. I haven't gained but I have been the same weight for the past two weeks. I am also 6 weeks post-op.

It is discouraging.

Wow! It has been one month since surgery! Has anyone had second thoughts since being banded? I'm reading all the posts from people who are having difficulty and wondering if it will happen to me. I am not having any difficulties at this point - knock on wood.

Hello! I was banded on March 20. Evidently my band slipped shortly after surgery. For three days I couldn't even swallow my own spit! I had surgery again on the 23 and now things are fine. I don't ever want to feel that way again.

Hello! My surgery is March 20, too. Good Luck to everyone!