sHeLLaBee

I am 10 months post-op and have visited my doctor every 6 weeks since then. There has only been one visit that I didn't get a fill and I have never had any complications. I think I am in a good place with my restriction and have an appt 08/14 to confirm. I am going to schedule one more appt 8 weeks out for my 1 year bandiversary. I have already had blood work done and all is good. When do I stop (or limit) my visits to the doc? Are there people who are more than a year out and still going that often? Should I only plan on going as needed after my 1 year? If I stop going for too long does it void my referral from the insurance? I have no problem continuing the visits. I am very happy with my progress and want to do any and all things necessary to continue it. I also enjoy getting the "official" weigh-in every few months to show off my progress. =) Of course, I will ask these questions to my doc on Tuesday, just curious where everyone else is. Just so you all get the whole picture: My insurance is pretty good and I only have a $20 copay each visit, but my doctors office is an hour away from my home and I always have to take a half day off work to avoid LA traffic.

It is on the list of approved lap band medications. I take Zyrtec. Here is a link that may give you some ideas. I also got a list from my doc of what was ok. When i get home I will post it on here. http://www.livestrong.com/article/206436-how-to-take-medicine-after-lapband/

I'm sorry your first fill experience wasn't great. Where is your port? Mine is below my left ribcage, even with my belly button. Locating it has never really been an issue, but since I've lost weight it has tilted and is angled down, so they have to poke around with their fingers to find the front before actually sticking me. The needle doesn't hurt, but my port sight will be sore after from them moving it around. =/ I think I may be in a good place and don't need another fill, so that's always something to look forward to!

I totally agree! I do my measurements everytime I weigh in with the doctor. It's been every 6 weeks since surgery. I get frustrated about not losing (for 3 weeks) and I'm told that I am working out A LOT more than I ever have and that I am building muscle and toning, so the weight loss may be slower, but my clothes are fitting better. I have lost 74 lbs, but also 31.5" in the last nine months. I've dropped 6 pant sizes! Those numbers are even more important to me than the 74 lbs! Good luck!

Caffeine has absolutely no effect on the band. It increases appetite, for some people. My doctor has no problem with it as long as we keep it under control (no more than 8oz a day). I don't drink coffee anyway, but I do enjoy tea a few times a week. We have been told no carbonation because it can cause gas, which is painful, and in some people even expand your stomach pouch. We have been advised of the possibilities, but were never told we could never have it again. I take a few sips of diet pepsi here and there. No problems, but I don't gulp it or drink it with a straw, which increases the amount of air that gets into your stomach. To each there own. As long as you keep yourself under control I would think it would be ok. Obviously, follow doctors orders first and foremost. I was told you never have pasta, rice or tortilla and that I am fine with.

Good morning! Checking in at 202! WoOhOo! 3 lbs down from last week and 74 down total! Hoping to be under 200 by next week!

Congrats everybody! I am being very careful with my diet over the next week. My next fill appt is Tuesday and I want to weigh in below 200! I usually weigh myself everyday, but I'm trying my hardest to stay off the scale until then. Haha. I may cry if it happens! Wish me luck!

No worries! I also have super thick hair that began thinning within weeks after surgery. It lasted about 6 months and then started slowing down. I am now 10 months out and still lose more than I used to, but it is pretty normal. Just make sure you are taking your daily vitamins and getting enough protein. Calcium helps too. Try to drink a glass of non fat milk a day. It helped me! You will be ok. I freaked a little too because my hair is one of my best attributes, but it all balanced out.

Wow! I definitely have days that my band is super tight and I can barely get my protein shake down, but that usually only lasts through the morning hours. Once I'm up and moving around it loosens up. I never have days that I can eat ANYTHING. I wish, haha. There are days that some things go down a little easier, but still can't eat much. It's normal for it to fluctuate, but I think yours is a little extreme. Not eating for 4 days is not good. Def call your doc!

Aahhhh!! I have been 205 for 3 weeks, then in the past week I lost 3 lbs! WoOhOo! Down to 202 from 276 and super excited about getting under 200! I set these silly goals like "Weigh less than my bro at 250". Check. "Weigh less than a friend at 220". Check. My next goal is the 200 mark and I'm really excited that it is actually happening! I haven't weighed less than 200lbs in 15 years!! My next goal is to weigh less than my hubby at 190. Does anyone else use these silly goals to make time fly?!

It's amazing that you have decided to do this so young! I wish I would have started earlier. As everyone else has said, I too, was scared out of my mind! Not really for the surgery or even the change in lifestyle. For me it was more the fear of failure. I didn't want to be that one person that got the lapband and didn't lose any weight! I know a lot of people say the lifestyle change is the biggest struggle, and in the beginning I guess it is. There were a few times when I just wanted to eat whatever I want and cried because I couldn't. ...but for me, after a few months, my mind was kind of retrained into how I should have been eating. I no longer crave red meat, and I'm from SoCal. I don't know if you've ever heard of In-N-Out, but it is almost a food group here. Haha. I don't want pasta, rice, bread... I think my brain has figured out what it does to my body and decided it's not worth it. The only starch/carb I haven't been able to let go is potatoes, and I eat them very rarely. I am 10 months out and have lost 74lbs! Over half of my excess weight. I was a fast food, ice cream, eating at 2am kind-of-person. If I can do this, so can you! Good luck and keep us all up to date! We're rooting for you!

I'm so sorry that you had such a bad experience in the beginning, but I'm glad to hear that you are now on the right track and things are moving forward. I don't know that bypass would have been better. It is a lot more "work" on your part, because of the malnutrition issues with digesting, or not digesting, the right nutrients. Now that you are moving forward with the lap band I would stick to it! Get a smaller fill this time and just take it from there! You've already lost a pretty big chunk of weight, so don't be too concerned. Just take it one day at a time. Good luck!

My port incision was the most painful and for the longest. Unfortunately, it is right at my waist so my pants would irritate it and it was right where I lean agaist counters or tables. Eating has nothing to do with your port. As long as it's not infected or opening, I would think it is probably just going through the healing process. Obviously, inform your doc because he would know best, but I don't think it is a major concern. Good luck!

I think you def just need a fill. I can barely get my Protein Shake down in the morning. I have to take small sips. Mind you, by lunch I am starving. It usually lasts from about 7am to 11am and then the hunger starts. I do lunch at noon and that usually satisfies me until about 4pm. Funny enough, after dinner I never get hungry! It's weird. I think my body is also being retrained.

I agree! I never feel like there is a change! My hubby is always saying how amazing the transformation is, I just can't see it! I convince myself that I could have worn a 14 a year ago, I just didn't try. I can't wait until I start seeing it!

Agree! As long as I keep it under control and I'm still losing and not having any issues medically, my doctor is good with it.

I know what you mean. To this day I will have nothing to do with soup, yogurt or jello. I was on liquids 2 weeks prior and 2 weeks after - It was nerve racking! Really just because it was boring! Good luck and just remember, life will be back to normal (as much as it can be) very soon.

I'm glad to hear that everyone is in the same frame of mind as me! I want it gone! When I don't lose in a week, I get so frustrated. ...or when I hear my bypass buddy has lost 130lbs (compared to my 72) and her surgery was only days after mine. My hubby says not to compare because her surgery is a lot different and we are different people (not to mention she has had some complications from the excessive short term weight loss), but it's hard! I would love to be under 200 and then to lose 100 lbs! That would be amazing. =)

Wow! That's a lot of weight loss! What are you doing? I also plateaued for about 3 weeks and just lost 2 lbs in the last couple days. It's crazy!

I was only told to avoid caffeine because it boosts your appetite. If it doesn't have that effect on you, I wouldn't worry about it.

I have heard that Unjury is amazing. I just ordered it and haven't had a chance to sample it, but I have a bunch of reliable sources... =)

So, I know the docs say that losing 2lbs a week is great! ...and I am pretty much on that path, thankfully. I was just curious what everyone else is losing and what their opinions are as far as what you would like to be losing. Most of my WLS friends are bypassers and have a completely different weight loss experience. Answer the few questions below and lets get an average! Starting weight: 276 Current weight: 203 Surgery date: 10/07/11 Total weight loss: 73lbs Weeks since surgery: 43 weeks Average weekly weight loss (lbs/weeks=average): 1.7lbs per week Do you think you are doing good or would you like to do better? Better! Better! Better! Let me know!! Shellee

It sounds like you pretty much got it all under control! I don't really have any regrets for pre-op. I also stopped soda and started to try and drink more water. My best advice for post-op is WALK! WALK! WALK! As soon as they will let you, get up and walk and when you go home, keep walking! The hardest thing to do is get into exercise when you haven't done it on a regular basis for years - well, I hadn't anyway. =) Working out 3 days a week for an hour will nearly double your weekly weight loss. If you have a smart phone there are a few apps that will help you out. "My Band Fill" is great for keeping track of your fills. There is one called "BodyShot" that lets you keep track of weight and photos for each weigh in, then view them side by side, and you can even email or text them to people. "MyFitnessPal" is a good one for calorie counting and keeping track of exercising. They also have a website if you would prefer that. Those have all come in handy for me post-op. The other thing I did was buy a pedometer. Well, it's more like a pedometer on steroids. Haha. It's called the fitbit. It keeps track of all kinds of daily stuff and even your sleep pattern. It helps me to ensure I'm walking a good amount and helps keep track of calories as well. Hope that wasn't too much info for you! Oh, one more thing! 99% of restaurants will honor the LapBand discount and allow you to order a kids meal at a ridiculously cheap price! Just make sure you get the card from your doc after surgery saying you have it. Good luck and keep us updated!

Name, real or screen~ SHELLEE Goal weight for August 31st~ 199 Weight on August 1st~ 205 Age~ 32 Dietary goal for August~ TAKE IT ONE MEAL AT A TIME Exercise goal for August~ WALK EVERY DAY Personal goal for August~ NOT HAVE TO THROW UP ANYTHING! Date banded~ 10/07/11 Total weight loss since banding/pre op diet~ 71 What is your favorite place to travel?~ ANYWHERE! LOVE ROAD TRIPS!

Congrats! I didn't really have any co-morbidities before surgery, but I have noticed a few small things since my 71lb drop... 1) Can cross my legs 2) Feel comfy in a seatbelt 3) Fit better in the shower with the hubby 4) More comfy in movie theater/stadium seats 5) My monthly visitor is much less painfull and... less! I am dropping clothes sizes every 10 days to 2 weeks and the Goodwill has become my best friend! I shop and empty my closet about once a week, but never spend more than $100 a month on clothes! It's amazing.