downhomechik

I think its the reason why other diets failed us.... with the lap you have a tool to help you control portions. It doesn't control mind-cravings, head hunger and the head games. It's like quitting smoking, you have to find other hobbies to change your lifestyle. It's the same with the band. I used to fill up my time with eating, as bad as that sounds...there is truth to it. Maybe instead of a chocolate you grab an apple and take a quick 5 min walk or replace it with sugar free "chocolate" pudding. Again, weight can sometimes be a mask for dealing with issues so talking to a counselor can help a lot to understand your reluctance to lose even though you really want to ...your body is sending you mixed signals. Best of luck hugs

Congrats!!!!

Thank you! Great verse.

Whenever I have a fill (I've had three) I am told the area can swell for 24-48 hrs and to eat full liquid first 24 hours and puree next 24 hours onto real food the next day to give your body a chance to let swelling go down and adjust. I can't do scrambled eggs because I can't train myself to actually chew them... My surgeon is great at what he does too but I've found he isn't good about giving advice on what and how to eat...my nutritionist has a complete fit about it. Support groups, this site, other bandsters are more helpful to me; just my 2 cents worth.

Sounds normal to me....my port area was so sore I couldn't sit up with out a pillow or holding my port...I couldn't even wash my hands without holding one against the port area. Doctor told me some people experience the port pain but many don't...really depends on where the port is on each individual person. congrats on being post op and good luck on the journey ahead

Almost exactly in the middle between rib cage and above belly button

I started seriously working towards weight loss mid April 2012 at 233 lbs and a size 22... Got banded July 5 and yesterday bought a size 13 pants at 171 lbs! I can't tell you how amazed I was!!

Went for my 3rd fill yesterday. Definitely feel more restriction but my fills are very conservative only about 1cc at a time. This is the first one that made me feel restricted from the second it was done....I will eat puree today and start on regular food tomorrow.

Maybe you could ween off it by eating frozen yogurt (non fat, no sugar).... Yogurt is better for you and has kinda the same consistency.

If you try eating every 3-4 hours as a general rule, does this help?

Hi everyone! I'm new here. I recently decided that weight loss surgery is the best choice for me. In my Quest in finding as much as info as possible I came across this forum. Everyone seems so nice and positive as well as full of information.

I recently contacted a surgeon who mailed me a questionerre I had to fill out and they will contact me with an appointment once the doctor has looked over my info. It feels like its taking forever! I just want to get the ball rolling.

I look forward to hearing everyone's story.

It was a long process but so worth it !!

I'm willing to deal with some loose skin and scars. I'm 8 weeks out and my scars aren't bad at all. I have trouble finding a few of them! At your age I lost and gained all the time with no stretching or looseness. I've lost 40+ pounds right now and have no loose skin as of yet but if I do I will not be troubled. I'm in my 40's. Everyone is different.

Great topic and good advice. I am new to the journey -8 weeks out and had my first fill on Monday, 8/27. My surgery was 7/5/12. My first fill was a little less than 1 cc. I had liquids all day yesterday and onto pureed and food re-introduction today. I am curious to find out if I feel more restriction on only 1 cc.

Hey all- my surgeon said people get filled after 6-8 weeks but when I called the fill center to schedule a fill, they said they do it after two months. That seems like a long time.

Just had my first fill on Monday - its been 8 weeks.

My doctor puts a very small amount. I went through bandster hell so it mustve been a small amount.

Congratulations' date=' you are doing really well. I don't want to put a downer on your enthusiasm and success, but just be aware that for most people, weight loss slows as you move onto solids. In fact, some people even gain in that period until they have enough fills to achieve restriction.

good luck![/quote']

I gained over the weekend and I'm 4 weeks out and eating soft foods it was a downer recommitting today!

great job!!! keep up the great work!!!! <happy dance>

congratulations! I'm 4 weeks post-op and so happy to have my band. Almost 19 lbs lost in 4 weeks....I know, everyone says concentrate on healing and I have...this was just a really great side benefit! The surgery was fine. I had port tenderness for several weeks that made it difficult to get in and out of bed and to sit for long periods of time without a pillow on my lap to cushion the port. Some people don't experience that; I did. Bring a pillow to the hospital with you! Get up and walk afterwards as much as you can. Listen to your body! Good luck and CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

I am 4 weeks and one day out. I've lost almost 20 lbs in that time frame. So far, no regrets. It took me five months to lose twenty pounds on my own! I did alot of homework, attending lots of support groups in the local area and talked to people online and my doctor. It was the right choice for me. I also had back and leg problems that prevented me from exercising but as the weight is coming off the problems are disappearing on their own, praise god. I'm able to be more active and HIKE which was always a passion of mine!!!

I am trying my hardest to watch what I eat and my husband is being a total ass about it. Saying shot like your just going to get skinny and bounce. And just cuz you eat right didn't mean I have to... I can't handle it

Sounds like he is insecure and maybe unsure why you are doing this... Maybe all he hears is she will be skinny? Remind him the health benefits and share with him at milestones you can both do enjoyable things like hike swim bike go in romantic trips etc... Maybe he will feel more a part of the process? Hope he responds to that

I was just told my tentative date of surgery being September 12th and I'm freaking out. I smoke which I know is bad but I'm so stressed and can't give up everything I love all at once. I'm also nervous because I'm 25 and I don't know what to expect and or how hard it will be for me to still enjoy the things that have obviously gotten me here to start. Ahhh any words of advise wil be greatly appreciated!!

Smoking is worse for your health than being overweight .. I know how hard it is to quit as I am six years smoke free but somehow it always takes news of an irreversible complication or disease related to smoking to convince someone the dangers. Not trying to preach just saying one in five deaths are related to cigarettes ... If someone said you can ride these buses but one out of the five will crash yet you can opt not to get on the bus at all what would you do?

Sorry I now teach fresh start smoking cessation as a give back ... I had cancer due to smoking at 40 and I survived praise god.... I consider quitting one of the greatest gifts I gave myself... Just food for thought.

Marci-great job on your weight loss!

Canderson04 - I was banded on 7/4 and don't get a fill until 8/20. I now understand Bandster Hell. I have recently started to get hungry. I didn't for quite some time after surgery. I'm keeping my plates saucer size and measuring portions. I am walking. I feel like I'm on another diet and feeling a tad deprived and sorry for myself. HOWEVER...I've lost almost 40 lbs starting with pre-surgery required weight loss+ post surgery so I have alot to be thankful for and alot lost! I will endure this and will be as successful as possible. WE CAN DO THIS!!! WE'VE come this far! Let me know how your first fill goes!

How long after surgery until you could sleep on your stomach again?

Took me about 7 days and I used a body pillow which helped cushion my port

I'm much colder now so the hot weather definitely agrees with me!

My daughter was dead set against this as was my son. Until I started getting the tests to see if I qualified for surgery and they found the hiatal hernia, the diabetes, the high blood pressure and I showed them how my being overweight was contributing to my unhealthiness and that studies have proven that losing weight prolongs your life. I went through therapy for my legs and back they hurt so bad and all due to being overweight. I fell all the time just because my balance was off. After that they supported me. I didn't bother telling a lot of people at work because people can be so harsh. Yes, they all think this is the easy way out. They don't realize the committment and the lifestyle change you undergo.