Cazzy

Your surgeon/nutritionist will give u all the information you need, as all surgeons have different requirements and for different lengths of time . Basically you will possibly have some form of pre-surgery diet ranging from liquids or low fat/carb for a specified time before, post op you will have a period of liquids some surgeons want Clear Liquids for a while others dont then u move on to mushies and finally normal food. Liquids can run between 1 and 4 weeks same for mushies ... but the time frame is a must to follow your surgeons instructions good luck!

Onederland feels onederful ! i had to get rid of fourderland, threederland, twoderland and now I shall be a permanent resident in Onederland !

Onederland feels onederful ! i had to get rid of fourderland, threederland, twoderland and now I shall be a permanent resident in Onederland !

Onederland feels onederful ! i had to get rid of fourderland, threederland, twoderland and now I shall be a permanent resident in Onederland !

Onederland feels onederful ! i had to get rid of fourderland, threederland, twoderland and now I shall be a permanent resident in Onederland !

i got for my consultation tomorrow! I too have done the research and there is no way in hell i would do anything BUT the LAPBAND!!! i dont care how effective one might be vs the other, god forbid something down the road happens to me i want to know it can be removed, all the other ways once they cut out your stomach its gone for life! no thanks!! i cant wait to get this done and finally start to enjoy life...and to those out there who feel like they are the only ones getting banded, dont ever question what your having done is right or wrong, its YOUR body and you get what YOU want...do the research and come to your own conclusion, reguardless of what the dr says its ultimately YOUR decision! hopefully by/during summer i will be banded! good luck everyone!

I use 0% fat greek yogurt. It is loaded with Protein. I use Oikos brand and likethe honey and the strawberry best.

Before the lapband i hadnt weighed myself for over 5 yrs, now everyday i get on the scales and i actually like it i use the scales like i used to monitor my sugar when i was diabetic, if i gained a lb i work hard that day to take it off.
All my old clothes are now gone except one size 5XL tee shirt, freeing up your space in your closet is like making space in your mind to accpet the new you
Congrats on your weight loss so far and keep up the good work ...

I agree with Holly, the lapband for me was an opportunity to gain back my life which was getting more and more restricted as the years went on. The complications for remaining overweight far outweigh any that the lap band could muster up. The only real risk to you is from the surgery its self like any surgery would pose risks. The lap band is classed as a minor operation and the insertion of a small Bracelet size peice of plastic around your stomach like a belt around your waist. To me at 57 yrs young it was still no worse than having a wisdom tooth out. At your age you should be enjoying life to the full and not having to worry about your weight.
I would sieze the opportunity, investigate everything you need to know, just read this forum for loads of useful info and make an informed decision based on what you need/want to do for you:)
My other half lost 75lbs just from eating the same foods as me, just he ate more of them ofc maybe u and your boyfriend could do this together as a couple and u both could benefit.
Lapband is the least intrusive of all the weight loss surgery, I only wish it had been around when i was your age good luck !

I think u need to discuss with the doctor how u are feeling and what is happening regarding your eating and lack of restriction. I have a size 14 band and am just over 7.25 fill, it does sound like u need more of a fill than u have but the problem is he will only put in as much fill as the Water drink test indicates, a lot of doctors would do the same. It certainly would seem a good idea to request an xray or fill under flouroscopy, here in the UK they never fill using xrays but i see u are in the US so it may well be that u can request it. Asking for a 1cc fill i dont think sounds unreasonable especially as u seem to have little restriction at the moment so i would go for it
My only concerns regarding some of your post are that you say that 'when u feel restriction you are going to want to eat the right things'.. making the right choices on food really isnt about restriction its about your resolve and comittment to making this band work for you. Some people can lose weight eating the same food just smaller amounts others have to change what they eat aswell. I look at the pouch the band makes like a shopping bag , even if u reduce the size of the shopping bag its still your choice what u put in it.. The band wont make healthy decisions for you only you can do that .. I know u probably know this and sorry for having to say it .. I really hope you do well at your appointment today and then maybe u can start again on taking control more. You dont mention exercise at all and that ofc for most is also key to making this band work so get moving if you arent doing any and maybe you can start losing again. I do eat low carb, low fat high Protein and that formula works for me along with exercise everyday .. go for it !

I think u need to discuss with the doctor how u are feeling and what is happening regarding your eating and lack of restriction. I have a size 14 band and am just over 7.25 fill, it does sound like u need more of a fill than u have but the problem is he will only put in as much fill as the Water drink test indicates, a lot of doctors would do the same. It certainly would seem a good idea to request an xray or fill under flouroscopy, here in the UK they never fill using xrays but i see u are in the US so it may well be that u can request it. Asking for a 1cc fill i dont think sounds unreasonable especially as u seem to have little restriction at the moment so i would go for it
My only concerns regarding some of your post are that you say that 'when u feel restriction you are going to want to eat the right things'.. making the right choices on food really isnt about restriction its about your resolve and comittment to making this band work for you. Some people can lose weight eating the same food just smaller amounts others have to change what they eat aswell. I look at the pouch the band makes like a shopping bag , even if u reduce the size of the shopping bag its still your choice what u put in it.. The band wont make healthy decisions for you only you can do that .. I know u probably know this and sorry for having to say it .. I really hope you do well at your appointment today and then maybe u can start again on taking control more. You dont mention exercise at all and that ofc for most is also key to making this band work so get moving if you arent doing any and maybe you can start losing again. I do eat low carb, low fat high Protein and that formula works for me along with exercise everyday .. go for it !

It sounds to me as though you are expecting the band to do everything. You seem to have forgotten that it is only a tool that will make eating properly and less easier. It will not do it for you.

I think u need to discuss with the doctor how u are feeling and what is happening regarding your eating and lack of restriction. I have a size 14 band and am just over 7.25 fill, it does sound like u need more of a fill than u have but the problem is he will only put in as much fill as the Water drink test indicates, a lot of doctors would do the same. It certainly would seem a good idea to request an xray or fill under flouroscopy, here in the UK they never fill using xrays but i see u are in the US so it may well be that u can request it. Asking for a 1cc fill i dont think sounds unreasonable especially as u seem to have little restriction at the moment so i would go for it
My only concerns regarding some of your post are that you say that 'when u feel restriction you are going to want to eat the right things'.. making the right choices on food really isnt about restriction its about your resolve and comittment to making this band work for you. Some people can lose weight eating the same food just smaller amounts others have to change what they eat aswell. I look at the pouch the band makes like a shopping bag , even if u reduce the size of the shopping bag its still your choice what u put in it.. The band wont make healthy decisions for you only you can do that .. I know u probably know this and sorry for having to say it .. I really hope you do well at your appointment today and then maybe u can start again on taking control more. You dont mention exercise at all and that ofc for most is also key to making this band work so get moving if you arent doing any and maybe you can start losing again. I do eat low carb, low fat high Protein and that formula works for me along with exercise everyday .. go for it !

The complications from having a lap band on a long term basis dont come near the problems that you are storing up being overweight .. to me there was no comparison at all, the lap band wont cause you anywhere near the life threatening health problems you could face with obesity.. If ever i had to have my lapband removed i would say good bye to a good friend who has helped me lose the vast amount of weight i needed to and have no regrets about this process at all good luck..

its a little bit self sabotaging to compare yourself to others .. compare yourself to what you were a year ago that is your true measure !

Exercise can help lift the mood, i have days still where things seem a little pointless and i feel like crying but i get on my bike and go for a ride and by the time i get home i feel much better and dont even think of the down mood i was in before i went. Maybe go for a brisk walk to ease the blues.
Dont forget its winter in most places and some of us will be under the effects of the time of year where a lot of people feel like you do. I am sure you will feel happier once you get your routine back and start to really see the band do its work. I used to cry a lot more before i had the band fitted so the odd days of it now are far far less

Firstly you are in the zone of bandster hell.. u have a relatively normal appetite and not much restriction. I am surprised that you werent told that until u reach your full restriction the weight might well be slow in coming off. The only way u can really lose weight whilst in this zone is to, in a sense, diet.. which in reality means you have to burn more calories than u are eating .. you have to maintain your Water input and Proteins and look for foods that give a full feeling for longer and try not to go back to old eating habits. If you are hungry then look to a few more Snacks of low calorie high Protein ones or something like sugar free Jello or sugar free sweets. I am lucky that i continued to lose weight throughout this process but i know it is unusual for some for this to happen. I did however stick with 1000 calories a day and exercise my rear end off ... the band really only started to take full effect around my 5 th fill which was 5 months post op. Just dont get discouraged and give up on things, in banster terms u both are still are some way off getting the full effects .. give it time and patience and do what you know u need to and the weight will eventually come off .....
Would you not have put weight on over these last couple of months if you didnt have the band fitted, especially with christmas ...

I lost 16lbs in the first month after banding but everyone is different, we all lose at different rates so would be hard to make a definitive sort of response. A lot of people dont lose weight at all till they start feeling restriction from fills. My first month was all liquid diet, followed by 1 month mushies then solids after that. I ate a lot of Soups, broth and 0% fat greek yoghurt mixed with skimmed milk made into a drink, i did not do Protein Shakes
I am still losing a year post op but have slowed down considerably. Average was 2 to 3lbs a week now its maybe 1 or 2 lbs a week at most .. not far to go now but will continue just eating healthy food and exercising to maintain what i have lost. Some people manage to lose just from eating smaller portions of normal type food u will have to learn what works for you ..
good luck

You will need lots of patience post-op as u might not feel any restriction till several fills later over a period of a few months .. Band land is notorious for needing patience so use this time waiting for answers to get used to it a little more. Nothing to stop you getting into a routine now of eating and exercising that will help you post band. Might make the time go quicker for you while u wait for answers .. good luck

I was told to get liquid forms of my meds to last one month post - op as i would be liquids only for that long. If you cant get them in liquid form get a pill splitter, they are inexpensive but work well.

In my opinion, I think this is the right place for someone to be able to discuss what is on their mind regarding banding. Whether or not you agree, we should all be open minded and let the original poster state her feelings. I can remember the feeling of desperation when I knew I needed to do something to change my weight/health/life. I made the decision for the band and have not regretted it at all. But there have been moments of frustration knowing I need a fill but can't for another 4 weeks. I thought "This is a waste of 4 banded weeks that I could be losing weight". I don't wish that feeling of desperation and frustration on anyone.
People should feel free to say whatever they want on this post without be judged. If you have to say something, just don't be mean. There really is no reason for it. State your thoughts or concerns, but we are all here for the same general reason - Support.
Basically this is a grown adult doing something they feel they need to do. All I can say is I wish the very best for you on your journey. I thought the idea of finding an RN that will do fills for cheaper is wonderful. Keep researching and doing what you feel you need to do.
I am not trying to preach to anyone, but I have lived my life around a lot of mean people. People that insulted me to make themselves feel better. This took a toll on my confidence and esteem.
Just be nice... because life is too short, and no one gets out alive. Take care all!

Wow...I'm surprised at all the negative comments....she's asking for advice not judgement. I happen to know a friend who does her own fills and has been doing so for the past few years. She also does a few other people in her circle of friends and has had no problems (knock on wood) now I've never done it and I personally feel more comfortable with my doctor doing it because he does it with fluro and last time he actually put too much in and had to remove it right away. He could only tell because of the fluro, I couldn't even tell. I'm just more comfortable with my doctor doing it, but if you have a good feel for your port area then more power to you! I would see if Amazon sells the needles that you need so that you don't have to steal them next time...
And for those who are even thinking of judging me for my comment ...go fly a kite! I'm not interested in what you have to say and your comments will not be entertained...

Congrats on getting banded!! and yes keep moving that does help ...i dont have much advice i'm only 3 weeks out and yes follow drs orders i havent had any fills but i know i dont want much to eat anymore even though i'm just on the mushy stage still dont want to eat only couple times a day GOOD LUCK!! and again CONGRATS!!!

Welcome to lapbandland

I drink prune juice or eat a few prunes every day .. best natural laxative u can get tbh... 3 of the nurses when i had surgery told me they were banded and all drink prune juice so i took their advice , never had a problem since