BeckyJane

I posted this over in the post-op forum, then remembered things over here. Sorry if it is a duplicate! I'm back. It is hard to believe it has been 16 months since banding! I've lost 65 pounds, but have basically plateaued in the last 6 months. I just got a fill yesterday and am definitely feeling a difference. I started running last summer and actually ran/walked a 5k. Then I developed a bladder problem and that slowed me to a stop. I'm told it is more age related, not weight loss related. Now that its under control, I'm starting back to my exercise. Winter is just not cooperating! While I haven't loss weight recently, my clothing size is smaller,so I'm guessing in dealing with the weight of muscle compared to fat. What I m struggling with is a change in surgeon, as mine moved out of state. I within the same center, but the difference in philosophy is creating stress. I think he is basically anti-band and pro- bypass. Anyway, he's telling me that revised stats show only 10% of banders achieve weight loss goals! And that many are having the band removed and getting bypass done because the band hasn't worked. My band has worked, and I know that with a 65% loss of pounds over target, I'm ahead of the stats. But it still bothers me. Have the stats changed? Is the success rate less than we were told two years ago? Are the failures due to those who don't follow the guidelines? (That is what my first surgeon said- that the total stats included tho who drank their calories, didn't exercise, and didn't use the band as a tool to change behaviors) What are all of you hearing? How are you doing on weight loss continuing the second year? Are you struggling or is it going the way you thought?

I'm back. It is hard to believe it has been 16 months since banding! I've lost 65 pounds, but have basically plateaued in the last 6 months. I just got a fill yesterday and am definitely feeling a difference. I started running last summer and actually ran/walked a 5k. Then I developed a bladder problem and that slowed me to a stop. I'm told it is more age related, not weight loss related. Now that its under control, I'm starting back to my exercise. Winter is just not cooperating! While I haven't loss weight recently, my clothing size is smaller,so I'm guessing in dealing with the weight of muscle compared to fat. What I m struggling with is a change in surgeon, as mine moved out of state. I within the same center, but the difference in philosophy is creating stress. I think he is basically anti-band and pro- bypass. Anyway, he's telling me that revised stats show only 10% of banders achieve weight loss goals! Ad that many are having the ban ere moved and getting bypass done because the band hasn't worked. My band has worked, and I know that with a 65% loss of pounds over target, I'm ahead of the stats. But it still bothers me. Have the stats changed? Is the success rat less than we were told two years ago? Are the failures due to those who don't follow the guidelines? (That is what my first surgeon said- that the total stats included tho who drank their calories, didn't exercise, and didn't use the band as a tool to change behaviors) What are all of you hearing? How are you doing on weight loss continuing the second year? Are you struggling or is it going the way you thought?

Well I had my first painful meal with slime and some vomit. I had a pork chop, which I'd had before my last fill. It was a little tough but I chewed it well and took my time. I'd taken two bites of my carrots and got hit with PAIN and then discomfort. I guess pork chops are off my diet for a while. It is four hours later and I'm uncomfortable but not in pain. I wondered what it would be like. Now I know. I certainly don't want any food tonight! (null)

Bromo - I haven't had any flu issues yet, just nausea. If having the flu was a big issue for the Lap-Band, I think we would have been warned to stay away from people! Certainly if the vomiting gets really bad, I know your doctor can prescribe something to settle it. So rest, drink plenty of fluids and wash your hands a LOT! My scale is moving again today! My fill on Wednesday tightened things up and I can feel more restriction. I went to get new jeans - for the winter I need something to keep my legs warm! I fit into a size 16!! That's four sizes down from last winter! I can't believe it - I mean, I suspect the clothing manufacturers of sizing up just to get me to buy clothes. On another note, I've changed my ticker - the ticker factory login keeps failing and after several restarts, I'm trying a new one with Lily Slim - less choices but a better process. Here's to much weight lost amongst us this month!

I had my second fill today. And some chastisement from my surgeon. I told him I don't feel restriction or fullness and eat the max on the food list. And I have been eating a cup of veggies instead of 1/4-1/2 cup. He said I shouldn't creep up on my portions and push the boundaries. That is devastating for a lap band. Sigh. I lost 5 pounds in 5 weeks. Not bad, but on the low side of weight loss expected. So I need to recommit to following the program and also be more diligent to exercise! I do NOT want to be the stat of those who fail! (null)

Well, I didn't do "bad" while on vacation and did get a LOT more walking in - but I didn't lose any weight. Coming back home I feel hungry. Is it possible that the restriction gets to be less when you're close to another fill? Like maybe our body gets used to it and then accommodates the restriction? This doesn't make sense. I'm just trying to rationalize why food is on my mind. I'm not getting my water in consistently. Exercise is very intermittant. And I have LOT to do to get ready for turkey day. I'll control the things I can't eat by not making special non-dairy versions. The thought of getting sick and nauseous should keep me away from the dressing, pumpkin pie/crust and other carbs. I did find I can eat cornbread without a problem so I added it to the menu. Turkey, sweet potatoes and cranberry sauce with a little gravy will do fine. I do have a pumpkin souffle from Costco to have for dessert. How are the rest of you coping? I agree with the not buying so much food that there are tons of leftovers. That is a good idea. Controlling the menu is an advantage. Remember the Weight Watchers trick - eat only the pumpkin pie filling and not the crust to save many calories! Dressing would be my downfall, which is why I'm making it with butter - so getting sick will keep me from eating it. The vegetable of choice is asparagus, which I have not yet tried. I'll either try it, or cook myself something else while everyone else has asparagus. The big thing for me will be having a good breakfast so I don't nibble all through the cooking! Then allowing for a balanced dinner later in the evening.

Dear Pugs I agree with onmyway. Having lived 100 pounds overweight for the last 10+ years, I've traveled, I've hiked, I've been on tours. There have been a few times where the 100 pounds was an issue but overall I've enjoyed my travels. You may be seeing yourself in past situations, but I know I would have gone to Hawaii at 100 pounds overweight! Yes it would be nice to go as a size 10, but you will get enjoyment on the trip. Wear compression socks on the flight. Stay hydrated. Go to a luau and have some of tbat very tender roasted pig! The poi may be too heavy for the band (I never liked it.)

I could have spent my time in other ways, but I really wanted a handle on my weight loss numbers. I was confused as my scale at home was found to be not working. So, I went through my doctor visits this year and recorded my weight at the doctor's office. I started this journey last February. It took me a while to decide to do it, but while deciding I lost 20 pounds in 6 months. I got banded 9/19 and have lost another 20 pounds since then [including pre-surgery diet]. That is a total of 40 pounds down this year! On the food front - I've been trying some new foods - salads seem to be fine as is apples, pork chops, quinoa and peppers both raw and cooked. What didn't settle well was cantalope and honeydew melon this morning. I think there is no way to predict, you just have to try the foods and see. I didn't vomit, just felt nauseous for several hours. I made myself eat a bland lunch and it is settling well. I travel for the next couple of weeks - may not be able to post while on the road - with [hopefully] supportive friends. We'll cook a number of meals at my friends house and I'll be able to buy things i need. It is the temptations I worry about. My friends do like to eat well. On the other hand, I should get in a lot of walking. I just need to keep saying "no" to the Snacks and extras. I put off my next fill until the week after Thanksgiving. Since my doctor is only in on Wednesdays, it would have meant being on liquids on Thanksgiviing - too much to ask given I'm cooking. I think it's funny that we will get a18 pound turkey and I'll eat 3 ounces! I found [at Costco] some Garden Lite Souffles - Zucchini and pumpkin - low in fat and carbs, egg whites and great taste! The pumpkin souffle will be my "pumpkin pie" on Thanksgiving! See you in a couple of weeks - weighing less!

Forgot, then you have to copy the code they give you into your signature on this site - just troll around for the profile changes for your signature.

@jojo in ks - go to the Ticker Factory: http://www.tickerfactory.com/ezticker/ticker_designer.php?type=3 where you can customize your own ticker. I do have a few problems with updating my weight on this site, but when it works, it works well!

Thanks, bromo! I did make it through Halloween withou eating candy. We left the candy in a bowl outside (my DH does not like the doorbell ringing thru out his mystery movie) and then he took the leftovers to work. Sigh! Thanksgiving is doable cause I'm the cook. I'll give myself a little plate, make some pumpkin custard without the pie crust, and enjoy the conversation. Christmas will not be easy. I hope my new good habits will be deeply entrenched by then! Too much time sitting watching others eat and snack all will be difficult. I see my PCP this week for blood work results to see how my vitamin and mineral levels look, the A1C number, and whether I can reduce cholesterol meds! I made it thru some bad choices yesterday - I was out running errands and decided to push and get a few more done, making lunch three hours late. Won't do that one again! I'm sure I'll know in future where I can get something to eat on the run, but yesterday my mind couldn't think of a single place. Need to work on emergency food in car or places I can eat within my diet. Too many things I haven't tried at home yet, and Minot willing to experiment in public yet. Ate a good meal last night- chicken, summer squash and polenta- but nauseous a couple hours later. Did I eat too fast? Too much? Or is it that phantom nausea that appears during the week?

First fill! The doctor used lidocaine so I didn't feel a thing. A bit of a flush, sort of like a hot flash, that lasted a second. The sip of water stayed down, so I'm ready to go. Liquids today; puréed tomorrow and then normal Friday. I can try an apple, salad, sweet potato and oatmeal- not at the same time or the same day, but soon! I had lost 4 pounds in the last few weeks, but I know none if that was in the last two weeks (PCP appt) so I have definitely slowed on the weight loss. Now time to go beyond walking. We scheduled my next visit for 5 weeks so I don't have to do liquids on Thanksgiving! My doctor said he normally sees 7-10 cc as normal once the adjustments are made. I had 1.5 at surgery and 2 today. I was told normal self-discipline required until that green zone happens. In other words, it might take a few months to really feel the restriction at the right amount of food. So we have to hang in there and help each other stay on track while the band begins the work. No over eating just because we can! Now if I can get the constipation under control! His advice: try different products at half and full strength and see what works for me. Argh!

Going for my first fill! Tell you all about it later!

@bromo An advantage to pilation! I will be curious to see how we all fair- those with compared to those without pilation. I do get nauseous at times and can't explain it. It lasts an hour or so and only liquids seem safe. I tend not to vomit with stomach flu, so maybe it's the same issue for both of us. I see the surgeon tomorrow and plan on asking. Wondering if it might be related to the constipation I've been dealing with.

@bromo I would probably call the surgeons office. I have not had this problem. I would be concerned a out the band moving if the exertion was major.