waitingpatiently

Mis73, OK, thanks. I may do that occasionally. I think before the band I did that often. Only I would make a large quesadilla with a couple of tortillas and a bunch of cheese. Or, a large bowl of popcorn. Now, maybe a pear, peach or dill pickle.
Hmm? Seems like that head hunger thing doesn't happen anymore? Gee, I wonder why that is? I must have found some super power the allows me to not feel hungry anymore? I should find a way to market this new power I have and make a bazillion dollars? NAAAAAA!
tmf

You are a star ! you have done so well and u are so busy too, i admire your enthusiasm and your dedication to making this work. Those of us who were banded early 2011 seems we did well , or maybe its because we were the slightly 'older ones ' .. i am still not normal on the bmi scale but hell i feel bones sticking out, nopt sure i want to feel them even more
Good luck for your up and coming surgery then u will be in the superstar bracket !

I'm sorry that the band life is not what you expected to be. I would encourage you to give it another try. I could see when we are at our lowest that the idea of the band is appealing and you feel like you would be willing to do anything to just be normal and healthy....but I guess with time, when you are some what normal and healthy, the honeymoon phase can wear off andfor some the realization that food will never mean the same to you as it did before can be a hard pill to swallow. I guess this is a lesson to those making the decision to remember... this isn't a short term committment....it truly is making a lifestyle change for the rest of your life. It isn't a decision that should be made lightly or in 2 weeks.
It sounds as if you haven't been under the care of a band surgeon in a long time. I would encourage you to seek one out and get a check up. Some of your issues may be resolved with a slight unfill. And since you seem to feel you have your eating issues under control and could do this without the band, this might give you a little more freedom to eat some of the things you are missing such as salads. Im not insensitive to you being self pay....I understand that it can be expensive to maintain the band....but you knew that going into it. That is something else self pay patients should consider.......even those whoes jobs are fragile....the band must be maintained!! Or serious issues could develop.
Anyway...I'm sorry for your buyers remorse I know it can be very flustrating and I hope that you will be able to maybe change your mindset and remember that excitement that you had when you first started this journey. Plug yourself back into this site and finish up the journey that you started.....The band is what you make of it. It can be a rope holding you back or a rescue devise pulling you to safety.
Good luck.

well apparently the band doesnt hate you. it saved your life.

Sorry you have had such a hard time. But you will probably live longer and you sound like you have been having some adventures. You have done great with your weightloss.
food is just not as important as we try to make it. We have to change our mindset eat to live instead of enjoying every bite we put in our mouths. It is a work in progress for me anyway.
I have had my band 3 years. Did you use Dr. Spivak? He was my Dr. and has since retired and moved.
Maybe getting some therapy would help you deal with some things. I wish you all the best. I think it helps when you have support of people going through the same daily things you are going through as far as with the band. I would be happy to talk to you anytime.
Cheri

I do count calories/carbs/fiber....not so much the fat just because I choose lean meats and it really shouldn't be an issue. I log everything....sometimes we get selective memory when the scale doesn't move....we forget the extra hundred calories we have been consuming everyday. I hope that when I have lost theses last 24pounds that I will be able to settle in and not count eveything...but until I have restriction and have met my goal I am very much on a strict diet.

One thing I have noticed is that you can't keep the same calories count after you loose a significant amount of weight. If you were able to eat 1,500 calories at 300 pounds most likely you will need to drop that back as you loose weight. Think of weight watchers. You are even "x" amount of points depending on your weight, as you loose the weight, they drop the number of points.
Also, It might be time to shock your system.....do something completely different for a couple of weeks. If you aren't following a strict low carb diet, give it a shot.....it might be what your body needs, (and by strict, I mean no more than 40 carbs a day or less) If you already follow this, then maybe reintroduce carbs to the diet for a weekend. see if your body responds.
Consider all different exercises.....Our body gets complacent when we do the same exercises over and over...if you notice that they are so much easier to do now, than they were a month ago it is definately time to mix it up.
Make sure you are drinking enough Water...This is a hard one for me. Before the band the majority of my Water was consumed during meals. Now that that is a no no I tend to forget to drink it other times.....suddenly I realize I haven't had anything to drink that day and it will be 2:00. not good.....I actual set a alarm on my phone to chime ...Just to remind me to drink (crazy I know...makes me feel like I'm 80 ans can't remember to take my meds)
Hope that helps

With no restriction, its getting harder to drop these pounds as I get loser to my goal....Decided to drop it back slightly to 6 pounds.
Name, real or screen~ Waitingpatiently
Goal weight for July 31st~183
Weight on July 1st~189
Age~40
Dietary goal for July~keep the carbs low
Exercise goal for July~its all about the abs this month--need to loose the belly fat
Personal goal for July~ more time with my Bible
Date banded~3/19/2012
Total weight loss since banding/pre op diet~47 pounds
What is your favorite 4th of July activity~ bbq with friends

I only have 4cc in a 10 cc bandand sometimes I wonder if I really even have a band.....maybe he just pretended to put it in to collect the insurance money....jk of course......It just takes time. but we will get there.

I only have 4cc in a 10 cc bandand sometimes I wonder if I really even have a band.....maybe he just pretended to put it in to collect the insurance money....jk of course......It just takes time. but we will get there.

I've always loved cooking and own a ridiculous assortment of kitchen tools and gadgets, but if I had to boil it all down to a few essentials, it would be:
a mini food processor (for purees)
a blender (for Protein shakes)
a kitchen scale (because I'm terrible at eyeballing portion sizes)
measuring cups and spoons (see above)
salad plates (to use instead of big dinner plates)
my cookbook, Bandwagon Cookery (180+ recipes, plus lots of tips for meal planning and making food band-friendlier

Aha! I knew that title would get your attention! Are you thinking that Jean, a very vocal, longtime band fan, has finally lost her mind (on which she never did have a very firm grip)?


No, I haven’t lost my mind. I still think the band is grand and I still wish I still had mine, but because I want everybody to succeed at weight loss, I feel duty-bound to tell you some reasons not to have adjustable gastric band surgery.
So here goes, in no particular order.
Don’t have band surgery if…
You’re phobic about needles. Right now, a needle is the only way to get Fluid into the band. The fill needle is not a big, scary one, and you don’t have to look at it at all if you prefer, but it’s still a needle.
You believe that band surgery cures obesity. Obesity is an incurable, chronic disease with the very real potential for recurrence. Weight regain can happen to anyone.
You think that once you get to your goal weight, your weight loss journey stops. Nope. It’s only just begun. Next you’ll have to maintain that weight loss for the rest of your life, and that takes vigilance and hard work.
You’re a self-pay planning on having surgery in Mexico or elsewhere out of country. What are you going to do if you have a problem or complication or just need another fill or unfill? Travel back to the Mexican clinic? Try to get help locally? Finding a US-based bariatric clinic that will accept patients who had surgery overseas is not easy, and once you do find one, you’re probably going to have to pay a non-refundable program fee, from $200 to $2000.
You can’t afford the time and expense for frequent follow up visits for fills, unfills, and other medical care. Even if your insurance covers those visits, you’ll have to take time off work, arrange for child care or pet care, fill your car’s gas tank, and shell out a co-pay.
You're a self-pay and don't have money or plans for dealing with fills, unfills, and possible complications. See above.
You hope to lose weight without getting any fills. Sorry, but it probably won’t work that way. See above.
You expect to lose a pound+ a day. Average weight loss with the band is 1-2 pounds/week. That average includes people who lost weight faster as well as people who lost no weight at all. Rapid initial weight loss is usually related to fluid retention, not fat loss.
You believe that slow weight loss with the band will prevent sagging skin. According to several plastic surgeons I’ve asked about this, your age and genetics have the most influence on how your skin will respond to massive weight loss. The rate of weight loss has little or anything to do with it.
You expect to experience restriction and lose weight steadily from the moment you wake up after surgery. Most band patients need several fills to achieve optimal restriction, plus more fills and unfills (or adjustments) to maintain that restriction, and virtually no one loses weight at a steady rate. My weight loss was extremely uneven – down 1#, down .5#, up .75#, down 1.75#, down 0/up 0, down .25#, and so on.
You believe in the sweet spot or perfect restriction. Restriction is constantly changing, just like our bodies, because of dozens of quite ordinary factors (food choices, eating and drinking habits, weight loss, time of day or month, illness, medications, stress, etc.). If you think you’ll lose weight only at the mythical sweet spot, you’re going to spend energy on frustration that could be better applied to changing your eating behavior.
You’re not willing to follow pre- and post-op liquid and puree diets. No, liquid and puree diets are not fun, but they’re short-term. When I was banded, I had 36 years ahead of me, assuming that I live as long as my mother did. That’s 12,672 days. My pre- and post-op liquid diets used up a whopping 17 days. Do the math. Even if you add in post-fill liquids and purees, those liquid and puree days represent a teeny, tiny fraction of my life.
You believe you’ll never be hungry again. Maybe, maybe not. The fact that you feel hungry 5 hours after a meal doesn’t mean your band isn’t working. It just means that your body needs fuel. And part of your ongoing work as a bandster is going to be figuring out whether you’re feeling physical hunger or “head” hunger.
You think the band is going to do all the work for you. The band has no magic ingredient that triggers weight loss once it’s wrapped around your stomach. All it does is affect your hunger and appetite. The band is not going to make good food choices, practice Portion Control or banish the demons who make you eat when you’re stressed or bored. Nor is it going to exercise for you. Success with the band is the result of a joint effort between you, your band, your surgeon and dietitian.
Have a don't-have-band-surgery reason to add to this list? Post it in the comment section!

I'm only 3 months out and have a spinach salad about every other day with no problem.

For me, there is a diference. Its hard to explain. When its dinner time and you are hungry your belly is growling so you fix your dinner plate (probably bigger than you need because your brain is telling you its starving)and begin eating.....at some point (most of the time) your stomach stops growling but you keep eating weare programed to finish the plate. Here lies the difference. If someone had made your plate for you and lets say given you 1 tablespoon less of each item....would you have noticed? Probably not because you weren't hungry anymore...you most likely would be satisified with the slightly less food. We are programed to eat more than we should to finish the plate. Our brains are used to seeing a plate full of food...when we show up to the table with a little of this and a little of that it thinks "well of course I will eat all of that it is just a little amount of food" when in reality it still is probably more than we need. I would suggest to really analyze how much you are putting on your plate...try cutting your portions back. You may find when your plate is empty you are satisfied on fewer calories than you thought. You aren't waiting for that "Push the plate away, I'm done feeling"....just the "Hey my stomach isn't growling anymore" feeling. Hope that made sense.

STAY OFF THAT SCALE!!!! It does you no good to be stepping on the scale everyday in these first few weeks. Your body is trying to heal NOT loose weight. This is a great time to be making new good habits like exercising a few minutes each day, not drinking while eaing and following yur post-op diet. Just stay off until at least the 4week mark....and when you step on the scale it will most likely show a weight loss. It takes time for the body to adjust to what you have done to it....but it will get the message and start giving you what you want. Hang in there these first 6 weeks were the hardest for me.....but it does get better.

Good Morning eveyone!! I had my 3 fill yesterday. Thats 4 cc in a 10cc band so hope that will give me some restriction.----I met my June goal to loose 8 pounds. It was hard fought, the scale gave me what I wanted to see this morning. So my weight today is 189!! only 24 more pounds to go !!

I can't really address either of your concerns, because I not experienced with either with the band. But its been my experience that good or bad for you, if there is a will, there is a way.
But There is one line that you wrote that bothered me.
Here's the thing, it sounds like you are self medicating. From your statement it sounds like you rely pretty heavy on these drugs to relax,sleep,work, socialize thats a very large aspect to someones life. Have you ever thought about why? Its my guess that food for you may be another "drug" to self medicate with.
I would suggest that you talk to your doctor...most patients must have a pych exam before having the surgery. I think you might want to figure out to source as to why you "need" these druds in excess. You may benefit more from anti-depressants and Therapy.
The lap band is not like some of the other WLS, if you want to cheat , you can. It's very much a head game. It will be what you make of it. If you choose to make bad choices wheather it be in food, alcohol or drugs, you will probably not be as sucessful as someone that committs to the life style.
Good luck lemons........please consider talking to someone about your concerns/issues.

I only have 4cc in a 10 cc bandand sometimes I wonder if I really even have a band.....maybe he just pretended to put it in to collect the insurance money....jk of course......It just takes time. but we will get there.

I only have 4cc in a 10 cc bandand sometimes I wonder if I really even have a band.....maybe he just pretended to put it in to collect the insurance money....jk of course......It just takes time. but we will get there.

Some of the statistics that are available for slippage and erosion will not reflect the input some people had to their own downfall, some people didnt go to see their surgeon for a long time and then go back once the problems occur, some over ate with the band put weight on and made the band tighter again with visceral fat, and that can cause slippage or erosion. Of course there is a chance , as with any surgery, something will go wrong as with the gastric bypass or the sleeve, the main thing is is to not take any chances with the band and it is essential that u keep it maintained, by at least 1 x yearly check up with your surgeon. Minimising the risks can help prevent problems but we all have to accept that life doesnt give us guarantees on anything, what is guaranteed is the obesity related illness u are facing if u dont do something about your weight .. It would be like having a car, driving it everyday and not having it serviced, eventually it will go wrong .
I do understand some people lose their insurance and are unable to afford to get their band checked , but again statistics can only reflect numbers rarely do they reflect the causes

Are you Prepared for the Consequences of your blessings? I just want all old bandsters and new bandsters to know that the more weight you loose and the healthier you get! There will be consequences for your blessings and you must be ready for it!! I have learned that this is and will be a life changing event!! This is not a miracle cure for weight loss but it is and can be a blessing in disguise! The dictionary states that a blessing in disguise is: something that at first appears to be bad or unlucky but is actually good!!



And if you are not prepared for the consequences that follow this weight loss journey!! This can be a very negative event! I have heard many say that they feel that that the Lap Band Failed them. You must have faith, because if you have been a victim for so long and have had many bad experiences anything that good the follows it may appear to be a threat!!



But know that those who have been through hell and back this could be a major revelation for you!! Learn to be prepared for the consequences of your blessings!! People will envy you, not be supportive, even hate you!! But find family and friends that support you and hold on to them!!



The trouble with weight has not come to break you, its a test to make you stronger!! Its almost like a open book test the questions are located in the back! of the book! No reason to fail! You just have to do research to get the answers!! Its a Test!! None of us can fail because the answers are there!! God will never give us test that we are not prepared for!! You must learn how to do research on this Lap Band Weight loss so we can pass the test!! Failure is not an option!!

Here's my list:
Just remember, every docor is different when it comes to what they consider stage 1 or stage 2 ect. This is just a list f suggestions don't feel as if you need to buy every item on the list.Hope it helps.
If you want me to email you a list just inbox me.
General Items to Have on Hand
Digital scale
Blender (consider the ones that you can blend using a travel mug) I bought this one at Walmart for $79 http://www.walmart.com/search/search-ng.do?search_constraint=0&ic=48_0&Find.x=0&Find.y=0&Find=Find&_ta=1&search_query=ninja%20kitchen%20system%20pulse&_tt=ninja
Heating Pad

Peewee Pillow pet-to hold against your stomach when you cough
Chewable Calcium
Chewable Daily Vitamin
Gas X
Liquid Tylenol
Benefiber (I mix this with the kellog’s Protein mix below)http://www.walmart.com/ip/Benefiber-Kiwi-Strawberry-Flavored-Fiber-Drink-Mix-Stick-Packs-24ct/17325206
Metamucil Clean and Clear
Milk of Magnesia (MOM)-to help with constipation
Papaya Enzymes- to help later when if you were to experience a “stuck” episode
Stage 1 Clear liquids
Protein Power: This is just going to be trail an error. Looks like the most popular are (powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury, Jay Robin, Premiere, NewWhey
Canned chicken broth (the night before your surgery, consider simmering it with some veggies like carrots, onions, potatoes, even some of your favorite herbs. I would leave all the veggies in the broth until the next day. Then have someone strain them off, saving the broth for you)
Favorite Soups Consider lower salt versions(use the larger size cans of Soup if they make them in your band. Then mix a couple of cans of chicken or beef broth with your favorite Soup. simmer and strain)
SF Jello (both premade for convenience and boxed for when you feel like making it)
SF Popsicles
Pedialyte Popsicles
Kellogs Water ready Protein mix (link below)
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Special-K2O-Strawberry-Kiwi-Protein-Water-Mix-4.7-oz-10ct/10891803
SF Water Flavors (Crystal Light, Great Value, Etc)
Gatorade G2 or Propell
Hebal Tea
Diet fruit Juices
NSA-Carnation Instant Breakfast Mix
Skim Milk
SF syrups to flavor shakes
Stage 1-Full liquid -All of the above+
Cream Soups (thinned with water or skim milk)
(consider sprinkling ½ scoop of unflavored protein power into soup and blend…watch the temp of the soup….the protein power may clump at high temps.)
SF pudding (premixed for convenience and boxed for later)
Yogurt (thinned out) (light or Greek) blend well
Baby Foods (add a jar of baby food fruit with your Protein powder and thin with water or skim milk)
Stage 2-Puree
Egg Substitute
oatmeal (thinned)
Grits (thinned)
Applesauce other Fruit sauces
Canned Fruit- juice packed
Instant Mashed
Cottage cheese
Stage 3-Mushies
Canned Tuna
Canned Chicken
Ground Beef in a sauce
Real mashed potatoes
Mashed sweet potatoes
Mac And cheese (consider using the Unjury protein cheese sauce)
Cooked spinach
Cooked and mashed cauliflower
Mashed green Beans

My band is a size 10...I have had 3 fills and have 3cc in my band. I have a monthly appointment where I can have an adjustment if needed. I'm 3 months out today!!
Try not to compare yourself to others.....how many/how much will differ greatly between patients.

I can tell you from personal experience that you come to this site in different stages. Before I had the band, I lived on here...I asked every question I could think of and read every success story I found.---stayed away from the horror stories.
The first month after the band I lived on here as well...everything was new, I asked my questions and came to the group for encouragement to get through the awfull 6 week post op diet----everyone was so awesome!!
Now that I'm several months out...I only check in a few times a week. And since things are going smoothly, I rarely ask questions.
My point is, as sad as it is....I can see myself not relying on the site as much anymore....and won't probably be as active as time goes on..................But I will tell you this...the first time I'm unsure about something....this is the first place I will come!! And I think that is the same idea that others have. They kind of drift away when everything is going smoothly.....but they come back when they need advise or are in crisis. So don't worry too much about something going wrong. Your odds are the same as everyone elses....5% of us will have a slipped band and less than 1% of us will die from a complication....Those odds are pretty good compared to those of living a life trapped in an obese body.
Just be proactive....Its kinda of like a person allergic to bees. Most of us wouldn't run to the ER because we were stung. But if you are allergic to bees and are stung, you dont wait arounnd to see if the symptoms will go away, you rush to the hospital. Same with the band. You know what you are looking for....so if think something is going wrong....don't wait around!! seek help ASAP!!

I can tell you from personal experience that you come to this site in different stages. Before I had the band, I lived on here...I asked every question I could think of and read every success story I found.---stayed away from the horror stories.
The first month after the band I lived on here as well...everything was new, I asked my questions and came to the group for encouragement to get through the awfull 6 week post op diet----everyone was so awesome!!
Now that I'm several months out...I only check in a few times a week. And since things are going smoothly, I rarely ask questions.
My point is, as sad as it is....I can see myself not relying on the site as much anymore....and won't probably be as active as time goes on..................But I will tell you this...the first time I'm unsure about something....this is the first place I will come!! And I think that is the same idea that others have. They kind of drift away when everything is going smoothly.....but they come back when they need advise or are in crisis. So don't worry too much about something going wrong. Your odds are the same as everyone elses....5% of us will have a slipped band and less than 1% of us will die from a complication....Those odds are pretty good compared to those of living a life trapped in an obese body.
Just be proactive....Its kinda of like a person allergic to bees. Most of us wouldn't run to the ER because we were stung. But if you are allergic to bees and are stung, you dont wait arounnd to see if the symptoms will go away, you rush to the hospital. Same with the band. You know what you are looking for....so if think something is going wrong....don't wait around!! seek help ASAP!!