Janice S

I am so glad some of you began posting again. I was not happy with my weight loss to date. I was banded 9/21 and have only lost 34 lbs. I was in the gym 3-4 times a week and added zumba on Tuesdays. I would gain 6 lbs in a week and then lose it again. I was following my diet and exercising and was frustrated. I was losing weight..but it was the same 6 lbs every week. I consulted the nutritionist at the surgeon's office and they did a more in-depth consultation of my BMI, and diet, etc. I was in a way "starving" myself. I was eating healthy by eating a salads, etc. but while feeling full was not getting enough calories in. I also had become a creature of habit and my body was in a rut with the same foods every day. I visited my daughter in VA and was forced to eat out every meal. I made healthy choices and when I stepped on the scales back at home, I had lost weight! I've had a fill at every visit but only began to feel restriction when we reached around 8 cc. While I was frustrated, my surgeon is pleased. He said it is a marathon not a sprint. I've lost inches. I started in size 26 pants and can now get into size 22. My top had gone down from a 3x to a 2X. I had found my chin and neck once again. LOL It is good for me to see that other people are having similar results. The important thing is to stick with it...it will happen. After my last fill, the yo-yoing up and down has stopped.

Sharilo,

Congrats on the increased walking and thinner thighs. I noticed at the gym today that I had increased in speed and elevation on the treadmill. My one knee also doesn't hurt since I lost the weight which allows me to move more. Slowly and steadily we are getting there!

Had my 2nd fill 12/16/2011. I now have 7 cc's in an 11 cc band. Still no sliming episodes. Don't go back to the surgeon for 2 months. Stalled on the weight loss but understand the reason is that I started eating carbs and backed off the exercise. Brush myself off and get back on the program.

Hello everyone

I thought I am the only one who is cheating again and is not loosing weight as a snowman in April.

Banded 9/19/11, from highest lost 50 lbs, from surgery - 30.

First fill 10/22/11, 5 cc in 14 cc band.

Actually did not feel restriction at all neither after the surgery, not after the 1-st fill. Just couple of mild episodes right after the fill.

I am a big girl,and 50 lbs is only 30% of the weight I have to loose. Meanwhile- all has stopped, I am plus-minus 2-3 lbs for almost a month.

Though I eat 1/3 of what I used to eat, I started cheating- sweets, bread, meat.< /p>

I have feel like band related motivation is over.

I thought I should have the second fill somewhat in November, but the doctor could not accomodate me until 12/22/11, so I am on my own.

Is anyone experiencing something similar ?

NYC Girl, thank you for the idea with psychologist. I have forgotten about this option, but for me may be very expensive thing- I have HIP, and psycologists on the panel are good but not quite experienced with weight loss.

Any advice ?

It isn't so much cheating with me....but learning as I go. I was on a steady wt loss of 2 lbs per week but once I reached week 8 and could eat "regular" food again (meats, veggies, etc.) I began eating more carbs than before. I also started dating and my weekends (which had been my intense work out days at the gym) were now filled with car rides and eating out. I gained 5 lbs!!!! I had a serious talk with the guy and explained this couldn't interfere with my wt loss plan. He has lost 90 lbs without surgery and understands completely. He began taking walks with me. I went back to strictly monitoring the Protein intake and I lost the 5 lbs again. I have my 2nd fill this Friday and I fear I'll get lectured about not having more weight loss....but I have learned an important lesson and will move forward. To have lost 5 lbs this week shows me it is still possible...if I just stay diligent.

Thank you Bandit. That is exactly what happened one day. Ate a taco and burrito.....but later couldn't eat a piece of pork roast.

Question fellow banders.....

I am having a strange problem....

Some meals I eat and have absolutely no problem. Then, out of the blue, the next day I may nearly throw up after just a few bites. I'm chewing well and following the rules. Is anyone else having a problem like this? I am not understanding why some meals I can eat and others not.

I had my first fill Friday and I've lost 2 lbs already! I'm eating normal food. I feel full fairly quickly and that is it. I put down my fork and I'm done. I'm up to an hour in the gym 2-3 x week and walk on other days. I'm literally working my butt off in the gym.

Nearly 8 weeks post op and no regrets.

I had my first fill yesterday. They had me recorded as losing 16 lbs since the surgery and I lost 12 before so that makes 26. I thought he would numb the site or something but nope....just cleaned it and stabbed that needle in there. Luckily he hit it on the first try. It hurt...but only for a little. He put 4 cc's in (mine will hold 11 cc's total). I was nervous about eating anything but so far as long as I chew and hold to the cup volume I'm fine. I ordered the 4 side dish special with a glass of milk. I made two meals out of it for less than $10. I need to get the word out to all of the single guys about how cheap a date with me can be. (snort snicker snicker)

Today I am only do the mile walk for Pancreatic Cancer instead of the 5k run. But next year, watch out, my running shoes will be on!

How did your walk for cancer go? My employer has a 5K walk/run in honor fallen officers every Fall. My goal is to be in that race next year.

Today I hit a milestone. I now weigh what I weighed July 2010. I am trying to set little mini-milestones to keep my motivation up. My first goal was to get under 300 lbs. I accomplished that 4 weeks after surgery. At 7 weeks, I have hit this 2nd goal. My next goal is to weigh 270 lbs which is what I weighed in 1996. At 2 lbs / week, I should hit that by the end of February. Does anyone else have these little milestones or do you have your eyes on the final prize?

I'm getting a little frustrated...I know we are all different, but I keep seeing that everyone has lost anywhere from 25-40+ pounds. My weight loss has gone soooo slow. I've only lost 5 pounds since 9-26 even though I have followed my calorie intake. I've been exercising also and know muscle will replace fat and the weight will not show down.

Just out of curiosity, how many calories do ya'll eat? I just thought it would go so much quicker than this because I've gone from 3000-7000 calories a day to 1200.

My surgeon has me on 800 calories / day. I see him tomorrow for my first fill. I've lost 14 lbs in 7 weeks and that is 2 lbs/wk which is what the doc told me to expect. I lost 12 lbs before surgery working with a trainer for a total of 26 lbs since I decided to change my life. Some people here had a band and plication (an additional procedure to restrict the stomach space). As long as I am losing at all, I try to see the positives. My clothes are looser. I feel better. I've gotten rid of one med. Exercise is key for me. If I slack off of it at all, my weight loss drops off as well. Maybe check with your surgeon's office nutritionist and see if she has any advice. Stick with it! We'll get there.

I am not to eat raw veggies or fruits until week 7 & 8.

Jin and Janice, I am so sorry that the both of you are having problems with your incisions. At my last visit the one that is near where the bra sits was a bit red and my doctor had me use betadine on it and it cleared right up. I hope that neither of you have any further problems and heal on up. Sending good vibes your ways.

And Jin, congrats on the 10 lbs and getting rid of those big clothes!

Thanks for the good vibes.

I was doing great after my surgery (9/21)...or so I thought. Losing weight, exercising. My largest incision hadn't completely healed. THere was one spot at the edge of the incision that felt like it had a piece of fishing line sticking out of it. It finally went away but I now have an infection at that site. It is sore under the skin but isn't red or hot. Last night a 2nd smaller incision began to hurt. I called the surgeon's office today and the nurse scared me 1/2 to death. Said she expected the 2nd incision would also reopen so the infection could get out. If I run a fever I am to get to their emergency room (that is 3 hrs away). Now, I'm paranoid about watching my incisions for signs problems. Has anyone else experienced any of this?

Hi All,

I was operated on on Sept 22nd. Am feeling no restriction and am eating basically normally. First fill Nov 2nd. Very frustrating! The only pain I have is like a "stitch" under my left ribs. I guess its normal?

I was banded 9/21 and don't see the surgeon for a fill until 11/11. While I know I could probably eat things like breads and pastas because there is little to no restriction yet, I am operating as if I've had a fill and those are not options. I am amazed I am not hungry eating as few calories as I do. I track my calories and Protein consumption useing SparkPeople. I can still use their menus I just focus on the Proteins. I run between 700-900 calories. I still cannot get 60+ oz of Water in a day. I just can't hold it. My swelling around the port site has finally disappeared. I only notice pain when I've overdone it at the gym.

My test was a meeting held at an Italian restuaruant. What would I eat? I found Italian wedding Soup and couldn't eat the whole bowl. I also love that I eat out now for considerably less because I'm eating off of the sides menu or the children's menu.

No regrets so far.

Jason - I just read your post; not sure how long ago you posted it, but the one thing I read that stuck out is that you are asking about oatmeal and/or cream of wheat! The most successful weight loss is going to come with a complete overhaul of what you are eating as well, which should mean very low carbs. Forget oatmeal and cream of wheat - think eggs, Protein, shakes, etc. My Dr. has had a lot of success with the banding because he insists on low carb living along with the band as a tool only! You've got a completely new start so make it count and get rid of the bad foods too - for your daughter's sake!

Stay positive! There's a great book to read - Why We Get Fat by Gary Taubes.....it's my Dr's bible and very interesting, especially if you're a carb addict (like most of us are, just won't admit it). Good Luck on your journey!!!

It is so fascinating to see how each surgeon has their own take on things. I'm on the week 5 diet stage and the list of foods the nutritionist gave me included cream of wheat, oatmeal, baked potato (without skin), baked sweet potato (without skin), applesauce, pureed vegetables. I considered these healthy foods as long as you weren't loading them up with sugar, butter, sour cream, etc. No wonder I've slowed down losing weight. Why put that on the list if we aren't supposed to be eating them? Sigh.

I have been struggling to loose eighty plus pounds for the last five years and ended up dropping ten pounds but would constantly gain it back, I was unhappy with myself because my back hurt and would get winded. So I may not have a 100 plus pounds to loose but I still seeked help to get my life in control. I frequent here because we were all banded the same month but now feel sad after reading the posts this p.m, I am still obese today, just remember we are all trying to gain control of our lives and should just be positive and not make others feel bad in order to uplift others. Is it wrong that I decided to take control of my life before it worsened? Whether someone has 50 or 350 pounds to loose they are in the same journey for the betterment of tbeir health. I think it may be best if I limit my postings to the low bmi board. Good luck to all. I wish you the best. Peace and blessings.

I wasn't trying to make anyone feel bad. I was down on myself. My reference to the 100 lbs was what I had been told years ago when I first looked into the surgery. I'm sorry if something I wrote upset you. I never intended to hurt anyone.

I just scrolled through the page and realized i have more weight to lose than anyone else that posted. That is depressing.

I just came from Ruby Tuesdays. I asked for the children's menu (my surgeon's office gives you a wallet card stating you've had bariatric surgery and need to order from the children's menu). It was perfect. I had a very small grilled chicken breast and spaghetti squash. It is served on a smaller plate so you look like you're getting a plate full of food. It was tasty and healthy. My son was with me and was so supportive. Then off to the gym to work it off. A great day.

Just had to give all of you a chuckle....

I went to the gym yesterday and wanted to weigh myself on the scale that is like the ones in a doctor's office. I ensured it was balanced before I began and stepped on it. I started at 300 mark and that was obviously too heavy. Woohoo! I'm under 300. So, I slid the weight to 250 and started moving the smaller marker up.....I got to 298....299...and it showed me too light. So, I've concluded that I don't weigh anything. LOL (actually my weight is like 299.2 and the scale just won't register it until I firmly get under 300) But, it gave me a laugh.

Have a good day everyone. I'm off to the gym.

I am experiencing major itching around all the incisions. Anyone have this problem? Should i be concerned?

The only incision that still itches ALOT is the biggest one. The others are healed and cause me no issues.

Diva, you asked about the plication. After reading about bandster hell I think I am really thankful I had it. I am almost 4 weeks out from surgery and have yet to actually be very hungry. My weight loss is steady, I have lost 16 pounds since banding on 9/14 and the only slow down I had was when I was drinking too much boullion and the sodium was affecting my loss. Once I stopped that, it has been steady again. I eat three meals a day and sometimes a snack in the late afternoon if dinner is going to be a later one. I usually have one shake per day, my calories are running around 800/900, carbs under 60 and fats under 28. I am satisfied on a cup of food or less and think the plication is the reason for my satisfaction. All in all, I am happy with the band and the plication and they way they work together and the way I am able to work with them.

I keep seeing references to plication....what is that?

Hi All,

I'm 11 days post op and just wonder if anyone is feeling what i am. I still have a good amount of pain not at my incision sites but my actual port location. I can see my port, i can feel it, and it is very uncomfortable. I haven't taken pain meds in days because all i have left is liquid Tylenol. Bending over hurts, reaching arms above my head hurts. Ive been going for walks just about everyday, just 30 mins, but that hurts. I was doing 3-4 miles a day and now it's 1.5. Just wondering if it's normal? If so, i can deal with it. Thanks.

I was banded on 9/21 and am only having pain around my port area too. it is still swollen and hard (about 6 in x 6 in area). Feels like a brick is in there. The incision is healing fine and there is no sign of infection. I had the surgeon's nurse check it on 10/3 and she says it is normal. The area is shrinking and getting softer but it hurt so badly last night I almost went back on the Lortabs. I did go back to work Tuesday and worked some long days. I think I may have overdone it. I'm taking it easy this weekend,

I was banded on 9/21 and am frustrated. I lost about a lb. a day after the surgery and was excited. The last few days I gained 2 lbs and I can't get it to budge. I am adhering to my diet. I'm not experiencing head hunger. I haven't cheated. I'm doing my walking. I don't feel like I'm being starved. I just can't lose another ounce. Any suggestions?

MMM, baked potato sounds good! Please be careful with the sit-ups. My doc says no crunches or sit-ups until at least a month to 6 weeks postop.......every other exercise is fine.

I told my surgeon what my trainer wanted me to do and he gave me the green light to do it after two weeks. I seem to be fine.