myluv2drive

Don't be down or too hard on yourself. You're fairly newly banded and still very much on the learning curve with all this. Heck, I have found there's something new to learn with every single fill I get.
A small piece of advice that might help? Before I had adequate Fluid in my band, I knew only eating a cup of food every 4 hours was totally unrealistic. I was freak'n starving! So, until I had good restriction, I concentrated on calories. I would have a set amount of calories I allowed myself a day and planned it so I could eat something every 2 hours. For me, this did two things- it allowed me to stay within the one cup limit and I wasn't absolutely starving all the time. Plus, I did lose weight consistently, even without restriction.
Hang in there, I promise it gets easier

Most people are banded with little or nothing in their band. Because of this, most recover from surgery and realize they can still eat exactly like they did before surgery. It usually takes multiple fills for most people to have restriction in their band.
What your going through is totally normal.
However, please keep in mind that just because you can eat more than a cup of food per meal it doesn't mean that you should. Stick to band sized portions and healthy food choices despite your lack of restriction. You'll be very glad you did in the long run.

Mis you are right, it is 14cc band. I hope I will feel some restriction. I did gain back 3 pounds from my last visit (yes I am a bit discouraged, even though it is that time of the month)
Thank you for your feedback so quickly. I know logically the answers, but I am feeling a bit down.

Doctors can guess when we'll start to have restriction but at the end of the day, it's just that, a guess. There's no magic amount of Fluid that will guarantee restriction in our bands.
Don't be discouraged. For one thing, 15cc is a large band, so it stands to reason it will take a bit more to get restriction in it too. (btw, are you sure that's the size? I've heard of a 14cc band but not a 15cc one before) Most people it does take multiple fills to have restriction.
It will come, it just may take a little more time and fills.
Best wishes.

So the average is 55%, don't you think that is awesome? Because it sure is a lot better that 0% right? or even worse, if you keep gaining weight.
I guess it all depends on how YOU look at things and it is completely normal to have fears and insecurities before making such an important decision but the truth is that it is the RIGHT decision.
So put aside those negative thoughts and embrace this new chapter in your life, embrace it fully and with enthusiasm.

Do not listen to the negative talk. I came here first also before I had my surgery and did my research here. My findings here was that 95% of the banders here were happy with their band. They are all doing great. I have found that the other 5% have either not followed the rules on what the doctors said to do, they didn't have the will power to start with or a small percentage have had faulty issues with surgery which is a small number. Like I said above I am doing well, most of the people that were banded in Feb 2012 are doing well, they people that were banded by my doctor are doing well so you do your soul searching and go with what you feel is right. You can do this.... Don't listen to negative people!! Good luck to you.

I started my journey on 2/16/12 and I have lost 65 lbs with only 43 lbs left to get to my goal weight. I love my band and I would do this all over again and again.

I was banded January 2012 and so far have lost 129 pounds in 7 months.
I am still losing, even after having my band emptied for an unrelated emergency surgery this past Sunday.
The band is a tool and like any tool, it's only useful if you use it correctly. If people misuse it or expect it to do the work for them, they will fail. If you people use it correctly and are prepared to do the work, they will succeed.
The power to fail or to succeed is totally our own. Don't let those who chose to fail by their actions (or lack thereof) scare you. You can totally do this.

Do not listen to the negative talk. I came here first also before I had my surgery and did my research here. My findings here was that 95% of the banders here were happy with their band. They are all doing great. I have found that the other 5% have either not followed the rules on what the doctors said to do, they didn't have the will power to start with or a small percentage have had faulty issues with surgery which is a small number. Like I said above I am doing well, most of the people that were banded in Feb 2012 are doing well, they people that were banded by my doctor are doing well so you do your soul searching and go with what you feel is right. You can do this.... Don't listen to negative people!! Good luck to you.

Do not listen to the negative talk. I came here first also before I had my surgery and did my research here. My findings here was that 95% of the banders here were happy with their band. They are all doing great. I have found that the other 5% have either not followed the rules on what the doctors said to do, they didn't have the will power to start with or a small percentage have had faulty issues with surgery which is a small number. Like I said above I am doing well, most of the people that were banded in Feb 2012 are doing well, they people that were banded by my doctor are doing well so you do your soul searching and go with what you feel is right. You can do this.... Don't listen to negative people!! Good luck to you.

I started my journey on 2/16/12 and I have lost 65 lbs with only 43 lbs left to get to my goal weight. I love my band and I would do this all over again and again.

That's just the statistic. I agree with everyone else, your journey is what you make of it. You get back what you put in. I, personally, have 80 lbs of excess weight to get my BMI into the "normal" range. I started my journey in May and have lost 53 lbs. So far, I'm sitting at about 65% of my excess weight lost and feel like my journey has just started.
My surgeon also gave me the stats, and I took that as a challange. I can do better than 55%! I didn't want to go through surgery just to lose 45 lbs or so.
Don't let the stats discourage you. If you invest in your journey it will pay off.

That's awful! Find a new doc ASAP!

It is normal to have fluctuations from day to day. Hormones, Water, all sorts of things can cause it.
To weigh yourself throughout the day is pointless as it is perfectly natural to be heavier by the end of the day than it was at the start. When weighing make sure you do it on the same scales at the same time of day and in the same state of dress (or undress).
I disagree with the others about only weighing once a week. Whilst I was losing I weighed every morning without fail. If there was a slight fluctuation I did not stress but if the pattern was up over a couple of days then I knew that I had to review what I was doing. I found it much easier to get things under control that way than waiting a week or a month. I would still weigh myself every morning now except that it's too darn cold first thing in the morning to stand in the bathroom with my kit off!

Amanda, don't feel bad hon this is very normal. Every day, every hour we show different numbers on the scale.
My advice to you is this, please only weigh yourself once a week,first thing in the morning after you have went to the bathroom. Make it a special "weigh in day". I can't imagine the torture everyone had by weighing themselves every day, every hour. Its hell! why do that to yourself.
Also, remember sometimes during our menstral cycle we gain, too much salt can lead to Water retention, so many factors. Main thing is to not get discouraged. Track your meals daily so you can see what your calorie index looks like. get in plenty of water and you are going to lose those pounds girlie!!
Hang in there!!

Take smaller sips and smaller bites and give it some time. If you ever get to the point that you can't keep liquids down, then you need immediate help. Otherwise, you may just need to work on your band eating skills. I know it takes me a while to learn to eat with each fill. Don't drink carbonated beverages or eat things like soft bread.

I would go ahead and give it a couple more days. If you are too tight...you will know.

Congratulations!!
I am about 6 1/2 months out and I've lost 123 pounds.

Thank you! I 'm sure you will do great!
I was a little worried to start solid foods. I am still learning what I can and cannot eat. Red meat does not go down well at all. Chicken is fine. And even though I love it, bread is no longer an option. LOL. I am so happy with my choice to have the surgery.

Hello! My name is Tamara. I was banded 2/21/12 and have lost a total of 63 lbs! I am down 3 pant sizes! I have 5.6cc in my band. I am just wondering how everyone else is doing? I have had a few plateaus here and there. I was stuck between 55-58 lbs for about a month and a 1/2! That was frustrating. But i started dropping again recently. I'm hoping it keeps going! Please share your stories

the liquid diet before and after is very important. the pre helps shrink your liver. if it is too fatty, the surgeon may not operate. so its best not to (divert off the course when the surgeon gives you instructions). if you have surgery and give in to eating before you are suppose to, you could put yourself in danger. this surgery wont help you lose weight unless you adhere to the rules. and the pre and post op's are hard. its a mental thing mostly.
eating fatty foods to make you feel better is what made people gain weight and need weight loss surgery to begin with.
if you are in pain, i would advise asking your doctor about it.

I was banded sept 2011 starting at 295 my current weight today is 174!

There is really no way to get around the stretching of skin while one is obese; many of the same things happen with pregnancy. And I also believe that genetics and age have some influence over the resiliency of skin. Once it is stretched, it is what it is.

In the grand scheme of things, health is most important. If after you loose the weight if you are unhappy with your appearance, there are plastic surgery options you can consider having.

It would be a great benefit to you for your husband to be supportive of your decision regarding the surgery...but ultimately it is your body and your choice. I hope he is mature and insightful enough to understand that. Try to include him in all of the education and information consults so he has a better understanding about the procedure and the reasons this is so important to you.

Sorry, but I'm going to be a Grinch. You can't eat candy and chips. It just won't work. Period!
You shouldn't be on Protein Shakes either. You should be eating foods like eggs, lean ham, turkey, chicken, seafood, veggies, salads.
You're eating everything that will only make you hungrier. The band is designed to slow the digestion of foods in your stomach. The food in your upper pouch goes through much slower and triggers a level of satiety much sooner so you eat less(only with band friendly food). If you eat slider foods the band does nothing and you are consuming empty calories that will spike your insulin making you even hungrier.
Eat solid foods that are nutritious and stay in your upper stomach longer or you'll always be hungry. That's why Protein shakes are bad for you unless you are 2 weeks out from surgery or just had a fill. They flush right through.
You went to the seminars, the nutrition counseling and classes. You know what needs to be done. Just do it. Or, don't do it and remain fat. At some point you will have to muster the courage to use the tool right?
tmf