Thats All Folks

It's extremely hard to get in all your Protein while you're still on the liquid diet. I struggled with it, too. Adding unflavored protein powder to drinks could help increase your protein.

The band is only as useless as you allow it to be. It's up to you to utilize the band and do the work, not the other way around. I've lost over 170 pounds in less than a year. I could've never done this without my band. It's far from useless.

Eating less food doesn't necessarily mean less calories. Do you count calories?

I eat when I'm hungry. If that's only 2 meals in a day, then that's what I eat. If I am hungry for all 3 meals and a snack in between, then I eat that. My surgeon believes very strongly that listening to your body's natural hunger cues is important to successful weight loss. He says if I'm not hungry for dinner, then don't eat, because eating when not hungry is counter productive to the necessary mental changes to successfully lose weight and keep it off.

Unless your doctor specifically told you no coffee yet, then I don't see why not. I was allowed coffee immediately after surgery.

I have to ask, why remove a band that's working properly just because your weight loss is slow? Are you doing your part? Are you sticking to a cup or less of food per meal? Do you count calories? Exercise? Get all your Protein in daily? How much weight have you lost? I'm sorry, I'm just trying to make sense of this.

Hello everyone! I always forget this group is here (and that I'm actually in it!), but I too am a January 2012 bandster. We have our 1 year band anniversaries coming up soon. How is everyone doing? Do you have any special plans to celebrate a year being banded?

It takes most people 4-6 months for their hair to recover after all the drugs they pump into you during surgery. Biotin does help, though it's most effective when started before you have the surgery. You can find it at any drug store.

The band isn't supposed to restrict your food intake for you, nor are you supposed to be eating until you're feeling full. Have a look at this link, it may help: http://drsimpson.net/fills/Lap-band-eating/lap-band-not-restriction/lap-band-and-restriction.html

You can totally do this!! Best wishes and we'll be here when you get back!

You'll do great!! Good luck!

I bought a new scale after surgery and it is consistent However, I know it's 2 pounds heavier than my doctor's scale. So, I just take that into consideration when weighing myself. I weigh myself daily, sometimes even twice a day, morning and night. I need that accountability. I got to over 400 pounds by avoiding scales and won't make that mistake again.

I would never in a million years actually say anything to anyone (in large part because I'd likely get punched lol), but I too find myself doing the same thing. I see people who are giant, usually using motor scooters or canes, and I am just screaming in my head "I used to be just like you! You don't have to live like this!" It honestly makes me so sad, because I still remember the pain and shame of being over 400 pounds, and I don't want to see anyone have to live like that.

The simplest way to explain what the band does do is this: It allows you to go longer, on less food, without hunger. A good barometer to whether you need another fill is asking yourself if you can go at least 4 hours on a cup or less of food without hunger. If no, then you might need a fill. Some people do find they can't eat certain foods after getting the band. However, how tight or loose your band is entirely up to you. I can eat pretty much anything but I don't want my band super tight. For me, just tight enough to keep the hunger at bay is perfect. Another good example: When you have adequate Fluid in your band, your eyes are often bigger than stomach. I can't tell you how many times I've ordered food, thinking it was small enough, only to realize after eating maybe 1/4 of it I am no longer hungry or interested in eating. Hang in there, it's never too late to learn more and start fresh

You're never supposed to vomit or have reflux with the band. You need to contact your surgeon and let him check your band. Good luck.

I'm very sorry you're struggling. Is it possible you're looking for "restriction" that the band isn't meant to give? Very often I see people on here expecting the band to control how much they eat or to make them feel "full". Neither are what the band is supposed to do. Sadly, too often people end up too tight with slips from trying to achieve this. If this is the case, have a look at this link. It explains what the band is supposed to do very well: http://drsimpson.net/fills/Lap-band-eating/lap-band-not-restriction/lap-band-and-restriction.html Best wishes.

I just flew 2 weeks ago, and being at 30,000 feet didn't effect my band. I also just drove through the Rocky Mountains last week, being as high as almost 6,500 feet, without a problem.

I've not experienced this, however considering hot fluids (like coffee or tea) seem to make the band feel looser and food go down easier after drinking them, it would make sense that for some people the cold would make their bands tighter.

I think a lot of people go into this expecting it to be a lot easier than it is. It frustrates me, not at the people struggling, but rather at the surgeons who are obviously not being blunt with their patients before surgery about how much work life with the band really is. I know right now it doesn't seem like it, but it really does get a lot easier. If someone had told me only a month after surgery I'd be coasting along as easily as am now, I'm not sure I'd have believed them. Once you can go 4+ hours without hunger after small meals, it will get a lot easier for you too.

I can only speak for myself, but I assure you bandster hell is still very fresh in my memory. That's exactly why I reply to threads like this, because I consistently lost weight from the first day after my surgery so I share what I know to work despite being in bandster hell. What works is counting calories and restricting portions, despite being in bandster hell. It's not easy and it's not fun, but it's the only choice you have if you want to lose weight. My one year band anniversary is coming up the first week of January. I still track every bite of food I put in my mouth, count every calorie, and make sure I never eat more than a cup of food per meal. Even beyond bandster hell, it works. Best wishes.

Unfortunately being banded doesn't mean you no longer need any self restraint. You have control your portions, your calories, and your food choices. How many calories are you eating a day? Have you seen a nutritionist? Are you sticking to a cup or less of food per meal? Are you exercising?

Aside from complications with the band that are no fault of the patient, it is extremely rare for the band not to work for someone. More often than not, it's because the person is eating around the band, over-eating, or not making healthy food choices. In those cases, the band is working fine, it's the person who's not working. I would suggest finding a seminar near you so you can actually meet with a surgeon and learn more about the band and what to expect. Education is your key to making a good decision about the band. Best wishes.

I would strongly suggest actually counting your calories. You may think you're eating less, but less food doesn't necessarily mean less calories. I would also strongly suggest meeting with a nutritionist to establish food and calorie guidelines specifically for your needs. Remember, to lose weight you must consume less calories than you burn. Counting calories is the only surefire way to be sure that's what you're doing.

Any weight loss is a victory. I'm sorry your dietitian can't see that. Please try not to let her discourage you. You ARE doing good. As far as carbs, contrary to popular belief, they're not the enemy. Some people do great on low carb diets, others (like me) lose just fine while eating carbs regularly. The trick is to make smart carb choices, like whole grain breads and Pasta rather than bleached white products. Don't be afraid to experiment with your diet to find what works best for you. You're doing great- don't let anyone tell you otherwise!

It usually takes most people multiple fills before they can feel a difference. I know it's hard but be patient, it does take time. Please keep in mind the band isn't supposed to physically stop you from eating anything, so don't expect the band to restrict your food intake. That will forever be up to you, hence why most doctors recommend measuring your food so you can be sure you're not over-eating. Once you have adequate Fluid in your band, the major difference is hunger. You will be able to go many hours without being hungry after eating very little food. This is what the band is meant to do. But again, that usually takes time and multiple fills to achieve. Be patient, it will come