FAT2FLAT43

You've put whoopy on the back burner because of this? Nooooo! It's your basic human right!
If you are afraid to get your kit off in case your amore judges you negatively, then replace him/her with someone less shallow.
If you are afraid to get your kit off in case you judge yourself negatively, you can always do what my Other Half suggested to me (when I was feeling similarly sensitive): - "Stop looking in the mirror so much." 😮
I know that sounds glib and insensitive, but that's what it boils down to. I took his advice, and my floppy bits don't bother me so much any more. 🙂

I had to do it, I thought it was pointless but I am glad I did it. It made me focused around the 4th month. Show them you can lose weight, but dont show then you don't need the band. You got me? I basically did what I was supposed to do to shrink my liver, so they would move forward with the surgery. Good luck

Lellow has reminded me about the noises. The first few months after surgery I burped a lot, it the changed to farting which is definetly not good. But it all seems to have settled down and those minor inconveniences are long forgotten.
My digestive system does still make lots of really loud gurgling noises. I am getting used to them and they don't really worry me except occasionally at night when I am trying to go to sleep. Then they can feel very weird. But to swap all that ugly fat for some strange noises seems like quite a good bargain to me.

OK, I know I have mentioned I am not losing the weight like I'd like to, but for some reason my clothes are much looser and it appears I am losing inches. Don't get me wrong I like where the inches seem to be coming off from but is it possible that's what's happening? My body is playing tricks on me. I can truly see the hour glass, yippee!!!!! Does that seem to be the case with anyone else?

I make my own. I use
8 oz ff chocolate milk 8 grams Protein cal:150
2 tbs of creamy pb 7 grams protein cal: 190
1/2 of frozen banana ? protein
1scoops of pure protein 100% whey 25 grams cal 140
total protein: 40
cal:480
but know that this keeps you full up over 4-6 hrs so this is my Breakfast and lunch ....

U can definitely do it! Dedication to completing you goals! Thank you for your kind words, keep me updated on how things are going for you, any tips I can offer give me a shout:)

Hi! I'm new to the forum and just wanted to post a little about who I am. I was banded on December 23, 2011, so like two weeks ago. My surgeon is Dr. Salimitari who is heaven sent! AMAZING! If anyone is considering Surgery in So Cal Dr Sal is the way to go. You'll get extraordinary care! I just had my first post op visit and I've lost 20 pounds. YOWZA! I feel like a million bucks. I have two kids ones 17 the other is 2. I'm a nurse and a make up artist in Los Angeles California. Looking forward to sharing experiences and stories with everyone.

I had that happen one time too. It was very scary. When I was going in for fills back in 08-09 it felt like a bit of a guessing game.
My doctor makes you take liquids for 48 hours after a fill and 1 time I blew them off, had some more firm food and wham! that night my band tightened to the point I was choking on my own spit!! it was scary and really messes you up b/c you have to restart trying to find the sweet spot.

I was banded in April, 2011 and I would do it again in a heartbeat. I have lost a total of 65 llbs, 11 lbs pre-band and 54 after band. There was a month that I did not lose anything and felt discouraged, but when losing weight we all have our ups and downs. Give yourself time to adjust to the band, because you will become in tune with it, trust me. It takes awhile, but you will. In the beginning you are healing and not losing so much, be patient with your body. The band is the best gift I have ever given myself. I wanted to lose slow and steady, and I am. I have difficulty exercising because of balance issues (I had 2 brainstem strokes, which affected my sight and balance). I do walk on my treadmill as much as I can. Do not give up, you will begin to lose on a steady basis, but you will never lose as fast as those who have had a by-pass. Don't compare. Also, as you know the band does not perform magic, you have to do your part too. Good luck on your journey!!!

hi! i feel the same way. I was banded 7/23/11 and have only lost a total of 30 pounds, that's from my very first appointment BEFORE my surgery. I can't say i really have lost a lot due to the surgery. I have had three or four fills I think. I need to go back but I havent had the time. I know we just have to be patient and visit the dr often and get more adjustments to find the "green zone" but it is SO frustrating. My brother and mother had bypass a month ago and have lost an immense amount of weight.
good luck in your journey!

I was banded on November 21st, and although my situation isn't the same as yours, I have heard that people may not lose at first. It takes a while to get into the zone, so to speak. It really is work...I have yet to feel restriction and the only reason I'm losing weight, is because I'm making better choices. You need to really WANT to be healthy...and WANT to stop eating badly. The band will help but you still have to work at it. Good luck!

Fat2flat: Take a breath ... you are relatively new to band life and still need to adjust. You say you don't want to lose quick, then the band is the right "tool" for you. You also say that you want to lose faster than you are currently losing ... but you don't say how much you've lost. It is likely that you have not yet reached your sweet spot, so more fills are needed along with diet and exercise. Are you consistently exercising? Have you made "lifestyle" changes where your food is concerned? The band is (for most, for a few the weight falls off like GB) a tool that works only as hard a you work. Please note that "hard" is a relative term, it doesn't have to be hard -- if you are willing and ready to change your life. The good news is that if you are not quite ready to jump into the deep end, but need to walk from the shallow to the deep -- you HAVE the band and it will be there when you get to the deep end.
I have always been a slow loser, but I am still very happy with my progress. I had been banded a little over a year before I started exercising consistently. I have a number of health problems that prevent me from doing strenuous exercise, but i do absolutely everything I can -- because I want to reach my goal and I am WILLING to do what it takes. I have been in physical therapy for months building muscle to strengthen my spine which is riddled with a degenerative disease. My ortho says that the only way around this issue is building muscle to take on the work that my spine can no longer do. This is a win, win because you lose more weight when you have more muscle.
I would first recommend that you let go of the frustration ... it will only distract you from achieving your goal (i.e., losing weight). As you are working your way to your sweet spot do little things to change your diet, things you can live with; so that when you get to your sweet spot you will have many lifestyle changes already in place. Pay attention to how foods effect you. Some people are very sensitive to carbs and have to stay away from them; others require a more balanced diet to lose weight. Find what works for you ... let this be your focus and before you know it you will be at your sweet spot with a great new lifestyle AND you will lose weight. YOU CAN DO THIS. Be kind to yourself and ... patient. This journey is individual and very personal. What works for one person may not work for another.
mamastwo; hate to say this, but fills are really necessary. It took 7 or 8 fills before I was got to my sweet spot. If you don't have time to get your fills, you can't really expect the band to do it's part. Again, the good news is that you have the band and when you have time to get enough fills to get to your sweet spot, your band will do it's part to assist you with weight loss. Don't give up. Try to make yourself a priority in your life so you can work this band. Find the time for fills, exercise and consciously making time to prepare your meals. Don't let frustration overtake you .... that will only put you on a cycle to nowhere ... we've already done that and all we got for our troubles was weight gain. Move as slowly as you need to, but KEEP MOVING FORWARD. Be kind to YOU!
All the best to you both on your journey. This is a great website, with great support. Make it happen in 2012!!!
~Fran