Bertie

I've been banded five weeks and have not lost any weight since the second week in. I get my first fill next week. For me, its easy to forget about the band. I have had a good recovery and am able to eat just about any kind of food. Old habits rear their ugly head on occasion. I'm a stress eater and as we all know, there is A LOT to be stressed about!
Everyday, I wrap my head around the process a little bit more. One of the biggest factors in my journey was the nutritionist looking me square in the face and tell me what I need to eat. No more "what I don't need to eat". I need Protein, I need veggies, I need Vitamins, etc.
Reading the message board helps. I get to see that there are people out there just like me. We have good days, and sometimes bad days. Hope for more good days than bad. Don't beat yourself up, that won't help. (I know because I have a lot of experience in that, ha)
I know LapBand surgery is not the complete answer, but, it gives me motivation. I spent a lot of money and time getting here and I'm not going back. I'm exercising, drinking Water, eating healthier and I'm ready for a change. So, keep going! If what you are doing isn't working, do something different. food diaries are great. You can look back and see exactly what you have taken in.

This is so AMAZING! These results are WONDERFUL! I love seeing all this as it motivates me so much and keeps me hopeful on those not so great days!

Keep on keeping on everyone! You are all doing great and need to look forward and don't get discouraged, I was banded on 3/3/10 so it has been nine months and I have lost 70 pounds, 5 away from goal. I love my band and love the way I feel!

Oh I have definitely been in your shoes! I had my surgery on May 25th and a week or 2 after surgery I lost some weight but then I barely lost anything-a very slow process! I started all this self-doubt thinking that maybe this surgery wouldn't work for me. I still could eat pretty much anything and was becoming discoraged. Slowly after each fill I could sense myself inching towards the "Green Zone" and out of the stage they calle "Bandster Hell" (<--the period of time that weight lost is low and hunger is high). Then my 4th fill did the trick -3 months after surgery! I still get hungry but I simply can not eat normal sized portions and my weight loss keeps going down (slowly-but steady).
Yesterday I was trying on coats-last year I was a 20/22 or 2x and yesterday I stood in front of the Macy's mirror with a size 14 coat on!! A friggen 14!! I LOVE to go clothes shopping now! I actually feel sexy now and I haven't felt that in many, many years.
My point is-you are still in the very beginning stages and you don't have the correct fill to get you into the green zone. With each fill you recieve it will get you closer. Before you know it you will be looking in the mirror and thinking "Wow, I look good!" Keep summer in mind-by summer time you'll be looking fabulous and feeling so much healthier! Meanwhile try to eat healthy foods and get out and take walks, drink plenty of Water, vitiamins, get your Proteins in so you don't feel the hunger monster as much. You will get there son enough!

How long have you been banded? How many fills have you had? If you aren't at restriction yet, it's the hardest time because it's all willpower. You will get there eventually. I have noticed that for me if I don't drink enough fluids or get enough Protein, my weight loss slows so make sure you are doing that. Take care and chin up, you can do it!

The reason they are telling you a Former Fat Person to be on liquids is so that your stomach can heal from the major surgery that you have had. If you don't stick to the post op diet you may do damage which could lead to your band slipping, not now but at some point in the future. Yes it's hard, we all know that, we've been there too but the diet is there for a reason. If you are struggling drink more often, drink thicker liquids. I made lots of homemade Soup with things like vegies and chickpeas, lentils or Beans for extra Protein and blended them to the right consistency. They were very satisfying. Remember the 2 weeks are only a very short time they will soon be over.
You can do this.
At this point your motivation should be really high which should also help to get you through.(if you can't follow your Dr's instructions now then you might not end up being a Former Fat Person).

I just got home from visiting my surgeon this morning. I've lost another 2 pounds for a total of 26.5 pounds since I was banded on March 28th, 6 months ago. I have lost 4 pants sizes and the jeans that I bought 2 weeks ago are already starting to get loose in the waist.
Dr Tanner says that women re-distribute their weight and then lose even more and they are quite thrilled with my progress so far. I am up to 4.5cc's after .5cc fill today. If anyone has any questions just let me know.
I promise for you newbies that it does get easier.

Thank you so much! Thank goodness for everyone that answers newbies questions.... You save us from going nutz LOL

It gets so much easier! It only took me two fills to get serious restriction. Congrats on being banded

Like some of you have said she needs to educate herself and part of education is asking questions and that is why these forums exist. I don't think it is fair for you to laugh at or make fun of someone who is sincerely asking a question about stuff they don't know about. Just saying, if we knew everything we will not be here would we?

Mind over matter---so true!
Its funny, I keep thinking back to that night and thinking, what if I did have pizza? It would be OVER NOW anyway, and I would feel worse, not better!
RIght now, I cannot even think of going 4 months without ever having pizza again, but then again, 14 days ago, I did not think I would last a DAY without any bread at all!! LOL--congrats on 4 months, and happy to hear you're NOT missing it

So, I met up with friends and the kids tonight for pizza and breadsticks at Pat N Oscars, and I did not have ANY.

I am just so amazed that I could do that! I am 8 days post-op, so I had a Protein Shake before I left and am emergency sugar-free pudding in my purse. I was so scared I wouldn't be able to stop my self from sneaking in a little bite of pizza, yet, I DID (stop myself, that is)! I really had doubts that this band thing would work--I am such an emotional eater, and even told my doctor I eat when I am NOT hungry all the time. I can't believe I am actually doing this, and surviving without junk food all day......
I still feel like I am walking on eggshells though--I haven't told a SOUL about my surgery for fear that it might not work, sigh....
but, I think it just MIGHT be working!

Thanks for letting me share

I tried this once and it wasn't bad--
I mixed vanilla Greek yogurt with Sugar Free Chocolate pudding.< /span>
I pretended the yogurt was whipped cream, LOL
It was OK, and SUPER filling!

I so understand what you are saying. I had the very same thing happen to me. I was banded June 21 and had exactly the same results. I lost 14 lbs the 1st week after banding and then nothing for the next 3 weeks! EEK! Finally I began to loose very, very slowly. I have my 3 month anniversary tomorrow and I've lost 25 lbs total since then. That may not be as fast as I'd like it to be, but that combined with what I lost before the surgery is a total of 40 lbs. I have had to learn to take it easy on me and work the eating program I've been given no matter what the scale says. If I am faithful, eventually, the scale will go down again. But in the meantime, my body is adjusting to the lbs already lost. And considering this time last year I had so much pain it was hard to walk, get up and down stairs and go grocery shopping and now I can do all if it without pain and I'm off my BP meds , I'm in a much better place.
So all this to say, be good to yourself and keep your eyes on the prize. Get your fills when you are scheduled. It'll all work out if you choose to do it all - One Day at a Time.
Good for you for coming to the group for support - that's what we are all here for!
<<<HUGS>>>

Ok, Ok, I'm so excited. I've been stalled just 5 lbs away from wonderland for over a month. I have stopped beating myself up and have just been enjoying continuing with what I'm supposed to be doing. So...................today I go shopping for pants, since all I have been wearing is capri's and it's starting to get a little cooler. I thought I was going to try and squeeze into a size 18 and pray I could get them buttoned but as it turned out, I didn't have to even squeeze into a size 16. I could have almost turned a cartwheel in the store. Woo Hoo, go me. It is so exciting to have a place to come and cheer. Most people just can't seem to understand the victory.

I was banded on 9-1 and I think I must have had one of the smoothest transitions ever based on what I have read here recently. I had mild discomfort for 3-5 days and after that it was smooth sailing. I saw my surgeon 1 week post op and he said I was ok to move on to real food. At that point I had lost 40 lbs. I had a business trip last week, so access to healthy food was limited, plus I endulged a bit, but not a lot. When I got home I found that I had gained 10 lbs. I didn't beat myself up over it, remembering you all saying that the first 6 weeks are for healing, not losing weight. Over the next 3 days I gained a steady pound per day. Then 2 days again I had a 3lb drop and another this morning. It is very satisfying to see the scale headed back in the right direction.
As for food, I really haven't had any issues with sliming or PB. Most of the time I don't notice any restriction at all. I did eat half of a wrap from Starbuck though and the flat bread was difficult to get down. I slowed down a lot after that event. My favorite meal of all is chili so far. I also find that a lot of filler foods, like bread and rice, no longer hold much appeal for me. They are flavorless and just take up space. I much prefer food with real flavor now.
All in all things are going well. I am ready to get my first fill on Oct 5.

You are the only person who can decide when you need or want a fill. don't let the staff bully you into doing something you don't want to do. My surgery was in May and I have never had a fill. As long as I am losing the weight that they tell me I should be losing, and as long as I feel that my appetite is under control (i.e. i don't want to eat everything in sight) i feel for myself that a fill is unnecessary. My doctor agrees with me at this time. If that changes, I will reassess, but for now, I am fill free and enjoying it.

Hi LovelyT,
Congratulations on your scheduled September 23rd surgery---you will start looking fantastic in no time! In terms of time off, I would think everyone's tolerance for pain would be different. I had surgery on Monday, Aug 15th had to come into the office on Wednesday 8/17 (walked fine, but very slowly--I too sit in an office all day!). Then took off on Thurs and returned on Friday (walked a bit quicker, but still had to get up quite often to walk around the office). By Monday, I was fine. Hope this helps and keep us posted on your progress.
Cheers

'BBQ' chicken
This is so stinkin easy and DELICIOUS! You will love it!
12 ounces of Boneless Skinless chicken Breasts, Whole or cut into pieces
1 Can Diet Coke
1 C. ketchup
Layer all ingredients into your crock pot. Simmer for four hours. When chicken is cooked, shread it into pieces. It tastes just like BBQ Chicken! My favorite food ever!

Don't beat yourself up too bad, you are learning. Heck, we are all still learning. I test my limits more than i should. you are fine, we are human and we are not perfect. Would not need this forum or the lapband if we were perfect.
Just pick yourself up and move on.

I just had my surgery on 9/12 and today was the first day I felt normal and I was a little hungry so I tested my limits.....ate a few chips, crushed up crackers in my blended soup......don't beat yourself up. We are just at the beginning and this is not easy. This won't be the first or the last time we mess up and while we would like to try and stay as on track as possible......we are going to slip. GET IT TOGETHER GIRL (that's for both of us)....WE CAN DO THIS!!

I kept reading about My Fitness Pal and thought ok...ok....Well, I finally joined and, If you haven't already, YOU SHOULD!! Not only does it keep you accountable throughout your day, it helps to see what you can do to keep the weight coming off! I had a really strong start being banded on 8/17. Then as predicted the weight just wasn't coming off as easy while I was doing the the same things. I thought this was just the process. I found out by entering my exercise and goals to loose that I wasn't eating enough calories. In less than a week I am already seeing the benefits of this great tool! You can use on your PC as well as an app on your DROID/APPLE device. HOW CONVENIENT!! It is super easy too! Thank You to all who have been promoting this and convincing me
My name is leepfrog on there if you want to friend me
Good Luck to EVERYONE! We all know this is not an easy road, but together, WE CAN DO IT!!

Good morning fellow bandsters!! I had surgery 12/9/10 and I'm doing well. As you can see from my ticker, I'm over halfway to my goal. It feels great! I'm registered to run a 5k next month. I would have never thought a year ago that I would be doing this. I have been training for it and I can easily run the entire thing nnow. Before, going to the mailbox was hard. I think alot of times we focus solely on the numbers on the scale instead of the other great things happening on this journey. Things like losing inches, eating less, getting more active, eating healthier and just having a different mindset about our health. And as some of know....it has to start in the mind before the body follows. For those just starting out or only a few months post op...hang in there. I was discouraged too. The scale wasn't moving fast enough, I thought that I would just start dropping weight after surgery and continue until I got to goal. That didn't happen. I thought that the band would just stop me from eating. That didn't happen. I was discouraged because I wanted bigger fills and my doc was only doing small amounts at a time. Now in hindsight, I'm glad that they were small amounts because it gave me time to wrap my head around the lifestyle changes I needed to make. For the new bandsters or the ones struggling, keep your appointments, schedule nutrition visits, join a support group. I truly believe that post op care is critical. Sorry this is so long, but I wanted to share this with everyone. Good luck!!

Take it from an old chick, you have beaten yourself up enough, it is time to love you, cra cra and all! Give yourself postive and no more of this negative stuff. You are on a journey for you, slow down and enjoy it. Just becuase the scale does not move does not mean that your body is not adjusting to the new you. You want to talk about scale obession, i weight after i go to the bathroom hoping i will be down a littel, got to get scale out of the house. dont let it dictate your progress, i bet you feel pretty good until you step on it? come on we are in this together all the way to the end! dont give up, please!

It sounds to me like you know the score and you're just venting. Vent away! It IS frustrating and counter-intuitive and we all want to be the exception to the "healing period" rule. I think no matter how educated we are pre-band, there is a still part of us that really thinks that we'll wake up two weeks after surgery and have lost 30 lbs overnight.
Don't go cray-cray on us (It's not the oatmeal)