2012Enoughisenough

It gets better! I think my third fill was when I finally felt it. Stay strong and keep watching what you eat!

It does get easier, but almost no one has good restriction after only one fill. (it does happen but rarely). Normally it takes multiple fills before you have restriction.
Hang in there, it'll take patience but it will come.

I hope it does..i dont get my first fill til this coming monday, and i pray it gives me restriction because i have absolutely none right now. the weight i have lost has been pure willpower to step away from the food lol. I have no clue how much my fill will be, most i have read have said between 1-3 cc...so i will have to see. Good luck and hopefully it gets better for ya, or when u talk to your doc, maybe u will need more fill...

I made salmon patties tonight for a high protein/ low carb meal. Yum!
1 pouch chicken of the Sea salmon
1 beaten egg
1/4 cup shredded low-fat cheddar cheese
2 Tbsp bread crumbs
2 Tbsp finely chopped onion
Make into 2-3 patties. I made 2/ ate 1 and was FULL!!
Heat in skillet sprayed with Pam. Heat until cooked through, turning over once in pan.
18 protein/ 6 carbs/6 fats
Yum!!

Quit dieting! I waited for 4 mths to get restriciton and during that time, I didn't lose much weight. I tried to keep my portions minimal but failed miserably. But after my 3rd fill - magic happened! I felt "full" after like 6 bites of a meal. After 2 1/2 yrs, I still can only eat a half of a sandwich (yes, I eat bread, rice and Pasta still) and I'm stuffed. My eyes are still bigger than my stomach and when I fill my plate the first thing my husband says is "You're never gunna eat all that". I go out to eat often and ALWAYS bring home about 2/3 of my meal. Any meal is like 3 meals for me.
Be patient. That's my biggest advise. You're not gunna lose it all overnight. I lost mine really slowly (about 75 lbs the first year, 20 lbs the 2nd, and working on the rest in the 3rd year). I still have about 10 lbs till goal, and they are BY FAR the hardest to take off. Just remember, you're probably not gunna have much restriction until your 2nd to 4th fill. You'll have to watch your portion sizes because the band won't do it for you. At 2 mths post op, I was still able to eat a large Quiznos sandwich and a bowl of broccoli cheese Soup - and still have room for some Cookies. Now, I order a small Quiznos and it lasts for 3 meals. I can eat 1 or 2 Cookies and be satisfied for days. I still get hungry, almost everyday. It won't help you with hunger. It'll just help you keep your portions to a 3 yr olds portions. I get jealous sometimes, like on holidays and I see family eating so much. Sometimes I'd like to have that "stuffed" feeling again - not the sick feeling I have when I'm too full. Or when we're on a cruise and I see people ear their weight at the buffet. But I wouldn't trade my band for diamonds!
Good luck to you! You can do it. Just remember, take your time. You got the band so as not to diet again. I eat EVERYTHING (cept pizza crust and pineapple chunks - they don't stay down very well) just in really small quantities. If I could keep my portions down without the band, I would've done so without the band. Keep us posted on your progress!
Marci

It's comforting to know that this shoulder pain is not unusual. I had my surgery 5 days ago and I would have to say that the pain was at it's worst today - who knew breathing and walking at the same time could feel so bad! I've been taking soluble asprin however because it takes me about 1 1/2 hours to drink it doesn't seem to help too much. Anyway onwards and upwards, I've lost 3 kgs this week and that makes the pain all worth it.

It was a tough journey but I finally am down 110 pounds in a years period. So happy and I'm still going!!

Oh, dear. The inner brat in me would be all prepared with smart-aleck responses to the "Are you going to get sick?" line.
"I will if you keep staring at me."
"I don't know, but I'll be sure to let you know if I feel a hurl coming on."
"Why do you ask?"
"Maybe, maybe not. Is that why you came tonight, to watch me puke?"
"I know you're really looking forward to that, but not tonight."

I'm 5' 6" and my goal is about 160-165, but really anything under 200 would make me extremely happy.

Hey LuLu. I watched your video and I wish you the best on having your surgery. You seem very motivated and will do well losing weight. I'm here if you just need some encouragement or an ear to vent. Good luck on your journey
Sent from my iPad using LapBandTalk

Ok when i got weighted in prior to surgery i weighed 313lbs left hospital Thursday4/26 weighing in at 325(gained 12lbs@hospital) as of today I weigh 307 a I've lost a total of 18lbs in 6 DAYS!!

A new beginning a chance to do it over this time im gonna take my health seriously

One more day until the surgery gotta be there@6am

Just got off the phone with the Bariatric clinic my surgery is @9 April 25 can't wait
:D

Hello! I love that there are so many nurses out here making the committment to better our lives! I'm an RN in MO. I was banded 1/10/12 and have lost 48lbs as of today. Fortunately, I also am a surgery nurse, so I REALLY knew too much for my own good, but fortunately I knew my CRNA and she gave me a great cocktail of versed and made sure I was comfortable. Surgery was a breeze. Week after crappy,but its kind of like having children, you forget about the pain. I've had my 3rd fill (4cc total) and THINK I've hit the sweet spot. With each fill you hae to really adjust your attitude about food. Glad to be here on the thread!

I was banded 4/20/12, yesterday, and I want to say a BIG THANK YOU to everyone on this website for all of your contributions. Before I was banded I read many posts both positive and negative and the information was soooooooooo beneficial to allow me to learn what I was getting myself into. I have already experienced many positive benefits from the start of this journey! 1) I lost 18 pounds on pre-op diet..went from 217 and weighed in at surgery yesterday at 199 pds., 2) on pre-op diet I had more time and energy on my hands to hang with my kids instead of stuffing my face and then going to sleep after work, 3) pre-op diet made me learn that I eat from boredom and sometimes my emotions, 4) and my legs are no longer swollen after work since I began the pre-op diet! Man! our food choices can really do a number on our bods!
Today I have slight pain and feel like I did a 1,000 sit ups......but I am able to walk or for the most part I am functional. I was prescribed pain meds, anti-nausea and am taking gas-x which has really helped. On a pain scale from 1 to 10 I am about a 5. This pain has been completely tolerable but my mom told me that day 3 from any surgery is usually the worst ......yikes! But for now I am okay. I have four incisions on my tummy and they are really no big deal. Basically they are four slits in four different places. My pre-op diet is puro 2 to 4 ozs of Protein shakes for every meal. I am also to consume lots of Water and broth if I'd like. I am becoming a connoisseur on broth! LOL! I still have not grown tired of it either.
So yesterday the surgery was a zip. I was in pre-op for a couple of hours due to docs running late......in pre-op the RN took my weight, reviewed my medical hx, answered any questions I had and started my IV gave me prevacid and some med to dry out any secretions in my throat/esophagus via IV. Then when surgeon and anesthesiologist arrived they reviewed my medical hx again and answered my questions. At that point the anesthesiologist rolled me to the operating room and gave me something via IV. He said,"This might make you dizzy." Whatever he gave me started to take affect and I was so scared I could hear my pulse on their monitor going 100 mph! The nurses comforted me and then I was out like a light! And then I woke up a chatter box in recovery ! This surgery was a breeze..........I was so scared though when they rolled me into the operating room. I HATE ! having surgery! And that is because I am afraid that I may not wake up or "they might find something".
I am looking so forward to moving along and staying healthy. My initial goal to weigh is 150 and then 130. Good luck to everyone considering the lap band. So far this has been worth every cent I spent. Stay positive and remember you did or are doing this for YOUR HEALTH. Your family and friends need you here! May God bless all of you !

Or the first time since being banded!! No more soups!! No more chili!! No more purées!!! Last night I had some steak (medium rare), cut into pinky sized portions. Ate about three ounces. Had some cold slaw and mashed potatoes, too. All in all about 5oz. No sticking, no problems, but did I ever feel full!!
Now if that seams like a lot, keep in mind this time last month I was at the Heart Attack Grill in Las Vegas kicking back a Quadruple Bypass Burger (2lbs of meat, not including the bun.) stacked with 15 slices of bacon, with a side of fries and two cokes. No feeling of satiety.
So to be able to go from 3lbs of food to 5oz, it's a damn miracle!!

Wow so many of us. Good luck to us all!!!
Sent from my iPad using LapBandTalk

Hello all I an an RN here in Florida and am excited about this journey. I wish everyone success on this journey and I hope this is successful for us all
Sent from my iPad using LapBandTalk

I'm a nurse in southern California. Banded 3-1-12. Have lost 40 lbs. had two week pre-op all liquid diet. Surgery was a breeze. Took about a week to start feeling like myself again. Any q's feel free to ask!

Hi, I am an RN in Delaware. I had my surgery on January 9th and I have lost 35 lbs. Very slowly is seems to me but my doctor thinks I am doing great. I currently have 6 cc in a 10 cc band and for now I think I am doing just fine with restriction, not too tight but definitely limits how much I can eat. Hope you have great success!

RN here also in Louisville KY, banded in aug. 31st 2011, congrats on your decision, best choice i have ever made for myself other than my job and family. good luck to you on your new journey

Hi Everyone!! I am a RN/BSN from northern Illinois. I am scheduled to have my surgery 6/12/12. I am so excited! There is an exclusion through my employer-provided insurance that doesn't cover WLS, so I am going to Mexico. I am the most concerned about the 2-week pre-op diet. Any experiences/suggestions??

G'day, I'm an RN in Melbourne, Australia. Banded 7th July 2011 with a BMI of 33, diabetes & hypertension. I've lost 25 kilograms and am off all meds. Best decision I made. Take control!

I'm an RN from Houston Texas, I was banded March 2, 2012. welcome and congrats on making the biggest decision you will ever make in your life. Good luck