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Good Luck quote name='Sunta' timestamp='1298307632' post='1576778'] I recently posted that I lost my band after a burst appendix a month ago. I had my band for five years and lost 100 pounds. I wanted to share my results one month after losing my band. I'll also check in from time to time to lend support to those who have lost their bands or are losing their bands. I can't believe I'm saying this, but I think I might have come to a point in my life where I can apply the knowledge I have gained over 30 years of dieting to reach a succesful goal weight and stay there. Ok, my results at one month out with no band: 10 pounds down from before I went in the the hospital, appetite controlled, eating what I love in small portions, and feeling hopeful about the future flying solo. I had/have a huge appetite problem and do not eat emotionally, which is why the band was so great for me. Having that hunger control was amazing. It was the first time in my life I felt full. However, after losing my band, I have been doing great controlling my appetite on my own! Here are my top tricks and tips for getting through the day with no hunger and without feeling deprived: 1. Protein, Protein, Protein: Protein keeps us full! I aim for a minimum of 15 grams of protein at Breakfast and 25 grams at lunch and dinner. The best "protein bargains" (high protein, low calories) for me are: tofu, fish and shellfish of all kinds, "pure protein" shakes, chicken breast, lowfat Greek yogurt, whole grain bread and Pasta, fat free cheese, and egg whites. 2. Fat!!! If I don't add some fat to my meal, I will be hungry soon after I eat. If I add about a teaspoon to a tbsp. of good fat such as olive oil, avacado, flax, etc. it keeps me full much, much longer. 3. Fiber!!! Always combine your protein and fat with as much Fiber as possible. Fruits, wholegrain breads, Beans, and even fiber supplements are great. For example: a turkey breast sandwhich on whole wheat with some avacado and lowfat mayo. So yummy, high protein, and filling! 4. PILLS! YEAH PILLS!!! I don't care what anyone says. OTC supplements help me alot. I have done about a million hours of research on the ones I take and have reviewed them with my doctor. We feel what I take is safe and helpful. I like green tea, red wine extract, garcinia, carraluma (Indian cactus), pine nut oil, and other "generally regarded as safe" food-derived supplements. These supplements help to control my appetite and green tea, specifically, is proven to raise the metabolism. So if you want to explore OTC supplements, check with your doctor, and don't let the naysayers get you down. There are things which do help to take the edge off. I think that the pharma companies are the ones who put the idea out there that "nothing works", because they want to be the ones to make all the money. There are things which work out there and you can find what works for you after consulting your personal physician and getting their approval, of course. And no I don't sell anything so I can't help you there, but do the research for yourself and maybe it could help you the way it's helped me. 5. "Fullbars" Again, I don't sell these nor am I affliated with the company. This is a product which was designed by a weight-loss doctor. They are not safe to eat if you still have your band though! I know because I called the physician personally to check. They are only for those with no band. I get them at my local drug store and they have been instrumental in my success thus far. I eat one with a full glass of Water and it kills my appetite for about two hours. Again, check with your doctor if these could be right for you. I am a firm believer that people with weight and appetite problems need HELP. We need to combine ALL the principals that can control appetite and we need all the help we can get. But believe me, if I can do it, YOU CAN TOO! You really can. I was the most hungry/starving person in the world before my band. But now that I've lost it and am combining everything I've learned in the past 30 years plus using the great new OTC products available out there, I've been doing fantastic! I have been sticking to 1,200-1,500 calories per day and I do not restrict what types of food I eat. If I want a hot dog or chocolate, I eat it within my allotted calories for the day. Since I eat primarily high protein/fiber and take my supplements, I am in control and have not been overeating the high-calorie stuff. I've been eating it in small yet satisfying portions. WE can do this!!! I am living proof. I know it hasn't been long, but I will check back in a couple months to give an update, and I'm sure it will be a positive one! Good luck everyone, and never give up!!!

I hvnt been banded yet but I will like to hear from the folks who think the band failed them. Can u be honest as to why u hvnt lost the weight? Do you cheat? Do you not exercise? I'm not here to judge, just curious bc I would think if everyone really stuck to the meal plan and exercise wouldn't a person band or no band still lose the weight. I see on sleeve site, some bandsters r doing the band to sleeve revision, I personally couldn't imagine cutting 85% of my stomach off, and besides I know that there isn't any surgery that is fail-proof bc it's all a tool and u can still gain the weight back. I'm on this site to learn how I can be the best bandster and what traps to avoid bc I want to be successful like all the 100+ losers

Hi, Im excited as well. Im scheduled for 11/21 and I hv the nerve to be hosting thanksgiving dinner, i hope I have enough strength and minimal pain

Hi bandsters. I'm looking for folks who might of had or plan to have surgery at Thomas Jefferson hospital, if not where r u having it

It all depends in your insurance req, bc I hv a 90 day supervised diet req so my dr has to wait til my 90 days r up and then he will file asap, my dr encourages his patient to lose weight, and I also researched it to that is a good idea to lose weight and start an excercise regimen way b4 surgery, with that said I set my own personal target of losing 25lbs by my 11/21 surgery date, and as far as insurance co dr turns in my initial weight for approval

Good Luck , I'm scheduled for nov 21

I'm just wondering is it possible not to experience all this horrible gas pain that travels to the shoulder, collar bone, and chest pain that I see alot of folks posting about. I'm tentatively scheduled for dec

Thanks everyone for posting, I plan to walk immediately afterwards as well.

I like Chocolate Muscle Milk(contains no milk)..20 grams of protein 180 calories

Hi, good luck. keep me posted, i hv aetna too and my paper work will be submitted next month

I'm at bmi of 41, my surgeon will use my initial weight when it's time to submit the paperwork to insurance company, I was told it's ok to lose, so with that in mind I'm trying to lose at least 20-25 lbs by my 11/21 tentative date, paperwork will b turned into aetnA on 11/14

Just wondering if anyone ate baby food after they had surgery. I hv never tasted babyfood, but I was thinking why not since its basically a liquid consistency, pureed food item

Keep us posted, i hv aetna too, my 90 days is up 11/17 my dr said he will try to submit a lil early bc i want to hv it done 11/21

I'm so happy you decided to go ahead with the surgery, I said a prayer for you as well. Good luck and I can't wait to Join you

As long as I the green light from my insurance company, I will be banded on 11/21. I can't wait

Hi, Im glad to see someone on here has had the band for 6 years on here. How has the band itself been holding up for you, meaning any erosions, slippage or rebanding???

I had my sleep study overnight at a hospital. The hospital room looked like a hotel room to encourage sleeping. I had wires attached to my scalp and a machine, a oxygen canula in my nostrils, ekg wires attached to my chest, and sensor probe wires attached to my legs to check for restless leg syndrome. I also had some type of belt around my abdomen and chest which tracks your Breathing. The room is also equipped with a camera, i was told to just monitor your sleeping positions. My insurance company also called me to ask if I was aware that the sleep study could be done in my home, I didnt know that, but I told them I still wanted to go the center and they said ok and they approved the hospital bill. I just change my mind again, my 90 day supervised diet is over 11/17 and I'm going to see if i can have it done 11/21 during my thankgving break

Thats just my personality, once I get started I'm nonstop, I want to knock out all my appts. My surgeon wanted a 5 yr medical history as well, my pcp faxed all the info. My insurance company only wants a 2 year weight history. The sleep study is just to rule out if you have sleep apnea, and if u do they will provide you with a cpap machine, bc if u hv it, its worst right after surgery. The endscopy is just to make sure you have no stomach ulcers, and view the upper GI tract

Wow thats was quick, I hope my appoval comes that fast when its time. Who do you hv insurance with

I had my gallbladder removed 4 yrs ago laproscopic and postop was painful the first week and hard to get up and out of bed, so I wanted to know is this the same type of pain I will experience once I had the lapband surgery, it took me about 6 weeks to feel totally back to normal

I'm so excited, I cant wait. I'm hoping to be approved and banded during my winter break from school around dec 13. I feel like I'm dying over here, i just cant wait to get this party started. I literally go on this site everyday