PJ Geeser

I am SO praying my first fill will do something. I am satisfied for about and hour and a half and then hungry. Getting a fill on Friday. I knew it would be hard but I was just hoping I could have been the one that the band alone worked without needing any fills

for awhile...well it was a good dream while it lasted...LOL. It is hard though..maybe even harder than I thought it would be...while I have lost about 20 lbs...was just hoping for so much more. I know its not a race and I know I have to work the band but was hoping I didnt have to work it this hard as I was hoping for a little more help from it. I know, I know it will come and just keep reading all the inspirational stories on here to get me thru. I cant wait till Friday to see If I get a little hunger relief but if not will push thru it till the next one and keep at it. Everyone on here says it will come in time so I will wait and get there..in the mean time...keep reading all the encouraging posts that I can.

Thanks to all you experienced ones on here that offer advice...hope to be one of you someday to offer advice to others down the road

Dont feel guilty. Think about it as helping yourself first so you can help your daughter next?!

Me too...Paula Geistfeld @ prgeeser@redred.com

Awesome list...making me hungry now

Thanks

I make my own too...otherwise...do a small, lowfat etc and enjoy your time with your friends. Sip to make it last and log it with your calories. You will be fine. Moderation is the key

I think it is a great idea....50 to 60 lbs is alot to lose and keep it off. I feel you know yourself better than anyone...you know your patterns. It sounds like you are just like the rest of us who have gained and lost and gained again...only not to keep it off. I think it is irrelevant wether you have 50 or 150 lbs to lose ..it is still the same struggle we all face. This is a tool to help if you are willing to help it...you just have a shorter distance to get to your goal than most of us. It is not a fast fix for most but will work if you are willing to follow the rules. Good Luck!

I dont allow it either....I bet I can count on 1 hand how many photos I am in with my kids and my daughter will soon be 11. I look terrible. I cant stand myself and dont want to be remembered this way by anyone. I know that is terrible and no I am not depressed at all. Just a fact I have accepted. Its all good

It is sad that my kids wont have pictures of me but maybe they wont care either?

I was so good at photographing them but have really lapsed that in the last few years also. I need to get back at that for their sakes.

Hi PJ, I was banded on the 22 of Oct also. You must be my band mate. I would not worry about gaining 3 pounds. Like people have told me "you are still healing". If you are like me, your tummy is still a little sore, right? I am focusing on healing right now until my first fill (dec 3rd) and taking it easy on eating. Don't worry, our lbt friends say the weight will drop sooner or later. Trust your band and make it work for you but heal first. ok?

Ok...just dont want to be going to my first appt having gained weight...will try and be patient. Anyway...I dont feel anything..my incisions have looked great from week 2 on and honestly cant tell I had anything done. Two of the incisions are actually almost non visible at this point..no soreness what so ever but maybe on the inside it is and I just dont feel it. Will wait it out and hoping it is just Water or salt weight for today. Thanks everyone for the encouragement...LOVE this site and the advice from some of the regulars...

Refresher............ I was banded on the 22nd,..(not that long ago I realize)

I dont weigh often at all...in fact 2 times total since surgery with today being my 2nd time..... but decided I was feeling good about myself and decided to weigh at home to see how it was going...I GAINED 3 lbs...yes gained.

Now...I track my food on "lose it" am staying around 900-1000 calories a day and no cheating what so ever.

HOW IN THE WORLD is it possible to gain weight on a restricted amt of food...I want to cry!

I feel like a MORON....gaining weight after having weight loss surgery..... I mean what is the point.

I can gain weight easily on my own with out having had surgery???!!

I guess it is so frustrating as I am following exact what I am to do, eating the proper amts and nothing more.

HOw is it possible to eat 1/4 of what I used to eat, cutting out all sweets and pop etc only to gain weight.

BUMMED BIG TIME

No bashing, PJ. Big hugs!! You are in the all too unpopular bandster hell. Hang in there! I know it is frustrating but you can do it. Believe in yourself, as I believe in you.

I suggest you try increasing your calories, I eat 1200 per day.... Plus try increasing your Protein, try to stay away from shakes eat your protein....Chewing makes you feel better mentally.

Good luck to you, you'll get thru this stage.

Oooohhh...I forgot about that "bandster hell" stuff. Was hoping I wasnt going to be one of them...that will teach me for even thinking it would pass over me....LOL!

I will try my best as I want this to be my last "diet" ever! I go for a fill on the 30th so hoping for a little less hunger after that some time. I dont do the Protein Shakes as my dr told me not to use them and to get my Protein from food. I am at a loss as what to eat for the mushy stage as I do the same things over and over it seems.

Thanks for all the encouragement to all who answered...much appreciated!

I was banded on 10-22. Lost 3 whopping lbs before surgery...lost 11 lbs the first week and then finally found the right batteries for my scale at home and weighed myself...only 3 lbs in the last 2 weeks and 2 days.....was very disheartened when I seen that. I track food, have been staying under 900 calories a day, have not cheated once and 3 lbs??

I just feel..."how is it possible NOT to lose weight eating than amount compared to what I ate previously"???? And the biggest thing is...I am starving most of the day

Cant wait to get a fill, I feel any amt has to help some with the hunger...dont know if I will be able to keep it up if I have to do it on my own for 5 months or so for restriction??? I will try but holy moly it is hard every hour of every day.

Dont bash me please so many of you are inspiritational for me and I read on here often...I am happy it is something but was hoping for more this first month as after that things are likely to slow

Just wondering...and let me say I know every dr is different ....however

those of you who got the 14cc band....how much was your first fill....just curious.

I see alot of those who had the 10 cc band who had 4 cc put in during surgery or their first fill.

I am so excited to get my first fill to hopefully get a little restriction. It is very hard at this point but eating no

more than I am supposed to at this point. Not till Nov. 30th but that time will hopefully go fast.

TIA!

I am almost 3 weeks out and no pains what so ever. I cant sleep worth a hoot since surgery. I go to sleep early but wake like 2 hours later and cant sleep much at all after. Never had that problem before?? any ideas??

I think maybe you need to force yourself to get a little nourishment...I had ALL of the same things as you at the same time...I felt like hell! I quit the pain meds as they were tooo strong for me as well as forced my self to get a little pudding, Jello or what it is you are to eat. I felt better the first day after getting some liquid food down and also the headache went away after that. I think your whole body is in shock from surgery alone, that time of month and lack of food combined...just a suggestion for you -maybe it will help you also

PJ- if you don't mind me asking- what was your starting BMI? Mine was 38. I also only did the pre op diet for only two days. It is amazing how little I can eat now though- before I was an endless bowl. I know I will start losing weight but slowly.

Sad to say...48 - 280 lbs My doctors response was when I asked him about the preop diet- " I dont make my pateints do one...he said it is kind of an oxy moron to ask an overweight person to go on a liquid diet for 1-3 weeks...if they had the self control to do that then they wouldnt be needing WLS either as they have the willpower to do it on their own". True to most extent- it is just the sticking to that for long term that is hard. At least with the band...it is a tool to aid us. I do get hungry but yes usually 1/2 to 3/4 cup is it. I do measure to check myself on things. One night I made ribs in the crock pot..meat was so moist...scraped the sauce off..measured it 2.8 oz, that was all I had and was full. That stuck with me along time but as a whole I get hungry if I have an egg so to speak in a couple of hours

I have to laugh at your first comment some....when I came home from surgery, my kids expected me to be thin too. They looked at me and the littlest one said..".mom - you look terrible but I cant tell no difference in you".

My dr is very different from most...I didnt have to do a pre-op diet either...just midnight the night before. I had surgery on the 22nd, I am on mushy/ soft foods but he did say if I was starving to eat something with more substance, but to be very careful and CHEW well and I would be fine.

Not sure what you mean?

You said you started eating a 12 " grinder from subway during your pre op...I just was asking as I dont know what that is???

LOL ...whats a grinder from Subway?????

Use Stevia (not from Walmart) but from a health food store only if you want to sweeten things. It is natural. Comes in liquid in which you use just a few drops or little packets also! Again..has to come from a health food store,,,anywhere else it is chemically modified sweetners such as splenda, sun crystals etc which are not good for you, they are low in calories but actually make you crave more sugar.

I did the same thing after surgery....I watched food NETWORK around the clock when I was awake...it all made my mouth Water which in turn made me want to throw up??? which I didnt but so weird. I also cooked like crazy a week after and we still are eating leftovers???? LOL

Cant wait for my first fill...am needing one already ..the end of the month cant come soon enuf for me

Hi, I am 34 and considering lap band surgery I have wavered about it for a few months now. If I have the surgery I was told I can't get pregnant for one year post op. Is it Better to have the surgery and be healthier ( I have htn, pre diabetes, sleep apnea) which would get rid of my health concerns even though I'd be 35 when I would be allowed to get pregnant or is it better to be younger 34 with the problems I mentioned and no band til after baby #1????please help thanks

I would say have the baby first...then the surgery. Having not starting my family till I was 36 and the last one at 41.....I can definitely say it is easier the younger you are with children They take alot out of you as you get older...LOL (not to mention...harder to get pregnant the older you get)

Anyway...Im thinking if you did surgery first...you would lose some weight...its not a speedy process for many...and then they would unfill the band and you would again gain for nine months...well, some drs unfill and some dont from what I have heard. would you feel dissappointed if you gained weight after working so hard to lose it only to somewhat have to start over?

I guess you have to do what is right for you...both situations have their advantages and dissadvantages.

Good Luck to you on BOTH journeys!!

I hear ya! If I ever hear someone say that lapband is the easy way out is gonna get popped in the mouth. This is not easy. It's one of the hardest things I've done. I can't wait to feel normal again....

I hear ya! If I ever hear someone say that lapband is the easy way out is gonna get popped in the mouth. This is not easy. It's one of the hardest things I've done. I can't wait to feel normal again....

I hear ya! If I ever hear someone say that lapband is the easy way out is gonna get popped in the mouth. This is not easy. It's one of the hardest things I've done. I can't wait to feel normal again....

I too was surprised at the healing time thing. I was expecting 2 maybe 3 days but crap...here it is...exactly 1 week to the day and I can honestly say I feel like my REAL self again. I slept in bed last night very well and could easily turn in any direction. I can see why it takes awhile now on the inside to heal. My surgeon said it was very similar to gall bladder surgery. I had that surgery years ago and that didnt even slow me down hardly so was expecting the same her. I have been so tired too!

Anyway...the pain meds were doing a number on me so i quit them on day 3 and started to feel better immediately but still so tired....slept alot etc.

While I feel good now...I still feel like I could take a refresher nap in the afternoon...LOL as I am very tired now and its only 5:45pm.. I clean houses for my job so I have to take time off as that is physical. They say 6 weeks from vacuuming but am going to see what dr says about 4 weeks tmr. I had no idea that was an issue either but definitely effects my job and had to inform all my clients.

It will get better in a few more days. Honestly..I was so tired and out of it...I didnt even walk.. outside of household tasks and kids..that was about it so far.

Take care though...it will get better

Good Luck Fallon ...hoping it is NOT serious. I will be praying for you girl!

you really need to contact someone or go to the emergency room...something is not right if it is extremely painful? when did you have surgery? and are you on the pain medication if real recent?

I had my surgery on the 22nd also Diva...I too get tired so easily which is strange for me? Some shoulder pain today for the first time but not bad. Been up doing things, laundry , dishes etc which actually feels good to get around. I am very lightheaded though it seems but that will pass as I can eat a bit more.

Good Luck to you all

Im tomorrow too...yay for us....8:30 check in with a 10 am surgery

Waited so long too, am so ready and not the least bit nervous about the surgery. I am more nervous to come home to my 3 children and hubby who needs help because of parkinsons...I really wish I could have a day of peace to myself to rest somewhere other than home( I know that sounds sad- as that is where you should want to go to rest)...that is the part that is not going be easy for me! Good Luck and cant wait to check in with everyone tomorrow