Kime-lou

Many doctors move slow with fills. I get feels using floro to make sure they don't over fill me. I think the largest fill I ever got was 1.5 cc. Your body can only take a little at a time. The more weight you lose each month the large fill you can stand. The way it was explained to me is due to our weight- there is a layer of fat surrounding organs including the stomach. As we loose weight the band will become looser and just like a belt needs to be tightened. Eventually, we will get to a point where we have gotten rid of the fat around the organs in that area and we will be at a green zone. This made sense to me.

I wouldn't worry so much. Stress makes loosing weight harder. First off the first month or so is healing time not a time to worry about losing - if you do lose great. As long as you are sticking to YOUR DOCTORS ORDERS, you are ok. Yes, drinking more Water will help with weight loss. When I went to my NUT 2 weeks post-op I told her I wasn't drinking enough water. She said it was hard to begin with to get it all in, but to try increasing it a little every day until I go it where it needed to be. I did that- some days I drink more than others, but I do get at least 60 oz a day. Excercise will help to, however there are some who can't workout persay due to health reason and do just fine. If you are able to work out you should, it will make you feel better and help your weight loss move quicker. However, try to remember if you are doing weight training you weight may stall or go up due to the fact that muscle weighs more than fat- after you get going with WT it will level back off. Other wise try to increase your movement during the day- extra steps, movement- anything is better than nothing. Also, look at things like Carb and sugar intake. Complex carbs are by far better than simple carbs. Make sure you are getting enough protein- this is a huge thing. Protein feeds your muscles and muscle burns more calories than fat. It takes a while to figure it all out. Research and take it one day at a time so you do not get over whelmed. Good Luck

My body doesn't like perks - they make me sick anytime. Call your doctor and get something else for the pain. Try to drink plenty and walk, when you are sitting or laying down - use either a heating pad or a warm towel- that helped me A LOT! Hope you are feeling better soon!!

Keep in mind that the green zone is different for everyone and every one hits it at a different time. I think I just got it after 5 fills.

LOL! I had that realization a few weeks ago. My sister in law came to visit during Thanksgiving and we went shopping. I was trying on shirts and pants - need something that fit. My SIL looked at me and said and hon you really need a new bra you are seriously sagging. I was mortified. Went and got a couple of genie bras - in size L- wonderful things.

Sunday I finally saw something I had been waiting years to see....199.2 on the scale. I was so excited to finally be below the 200 mark, which I am sure most of you can understand. Flash forward to this morning 201.8 - the wonderful water weight gain. When I woke up this morning I knew instantly I was retaining. My eyes and face were puffy, my hands felt tight. According to by BC pill pack next week is my TOM. Even though I haven't had a period since surgery (no, not pregnant) I still have the water weight gain and the wonderful moods. Right now I ache, my back hurts, my face hurts - how in the world did I manage to pack on that much water over night? By band is NOT happy about this- I barely got my special K down this morning. Frankly, I am getting reflux from my water this morning. So it's all liquids today until this water gets out of me. Anyone got any ideas how to flush the water out aside from fluid pills? I don't like being Puff the not so magic dragon.

My fitbit has made me realize how seditary I was. Now because I can see what I am doing in a day it motivates me to try and find reasons to walk more during my work day. Day 1 I only had 3000 steps (LAZY), but now I am up to 5000-6000 steps a day. I pack them in anywhere I can - take the long way to the restroom at work or the long way to the front office.

My OB/GYN ask me today when I want to try and get pregnant again. Honestly the though scares me to death. A little back ground. Got Preg in March 09 miscarriage in July Got Preg in Sept 09 miscarried in Nov 09 Got Preg Feb 10 miscarried April 10 Gallbladder surgery Aug. 2011 after 6 months of trying to figure out why I was sick all the time and hurting. Lapband surgery June 2012 (244 lbs) after being sick of being fat since I was 5 years old I am now at 199 and feel great. My surgeon doesn't recommend trying again until 1 year, that will be June. My hubs and I have so wanted to have a family, each miscarriage broke our heart. After the 3rd we opted to take a break because emotionally the thought of seeing a pregnancy test terrified me. My hubs is about to turn 40 in Jan and I just turned 32, I know we can't afford to wait, but I am scared: 1 of losing another baby 2 of gaining weight that I have lost I know it's selfish to freak over the though of preg weight, but I have wanted to see the scale below 200 since I was a preteen and now it's there and still dropping. How have any of you handled this? Even those of you who have gotten preg with the band any insights would be welcomed. I just want some feedback on what and how other women would feel and what I maybe be able to find help in.

I have been on this site for 5 months and have noticed that post can sometimes get a little heated. I sometime get heated - when someone tells me I am doing wrong. Well, if I am doing wrong them it's because my surgeon told me to. I have met with and emailed my nutrtionist with every question I have had to make sure I am on track. I go to my surgeon monthly for a fill and discussion about my progress. From June 22, 2012 until Dec. 2, 2012 I have gone from 244 lbs to 199! I have gone from wearing a 20/22 to a 14/16. Obviously, I am not do that much wrong because I am losing lbs and inches. I eat healthy, good foods - do I ever eat something that would be considered unhealthy- yes, but not daily and not even weekly. I talked it over with my doctor and nutritionist and both said do not totally deprive myself, but limit. Guess what I want to lose so I limit!!!! When I am dying for a cupcake when I am pmsing I go get ONE cupcake and eat it- no more, some times it's only 2 bits and the hubs finishes it. It took my craving away and did not drive me to ruin. I appreciate all the hard core banders who can preach ya da ya da is the end all be all and if you aren't living banded this way then you are wrong. I am sorry, but get off your high hourse and build a bridge, if you are not a bariatric specialist then do not tell me how I should live banded life. When I answer questions I answer from my perspective, from what my doctor has told me, I do not tell people they must take my advice I just put it out there rather than trying to choke them on it. I have an excellent line of communication going with my team doctors (family doc and surgeon) and my nutritionist to make sure I am doing what I am suppose to and getting the right result in a healthy way. Last month I hit a plateau and didn't move for a month. My surgeon sat me down and told me to calm down, the month before I had lost 8lbs, he said likely my body was taking a break, that unless the plateau last 3 months to just breath and stick to the plan. Well in a few days I was headed down and hit 199. Bottom line is we are all on a journey, each journey will present with different pot holes, curves and hills - it is up to us to seek guidance from our professional team to know how we need to navaigate those issues. On here people need support and need to know how your journey is going - the way you got around your curve may be different from who someone else gets around theres. Tough love is needed- if a person admits to eating crap and gaining the yes it is there fault they are gaining. But until the facts are known please do not just down a person throat.

FYI- do not discontinue them unless under a doctors supervision.

I have an intolerance to vitamins so I had to take the one at a time spread throughout my day. I took them until the last 2 months. My doctor due to my condition ok'd the stop and it checking my labs montly to make sure all is good. If something drops back on I go. This however, makes it that much more important that I eat the right food to get the nutrition I need.

Everyone is diffrent. I am a little over 5 months out and just got restriction. I had my first fill at 4 weeks post op. My 5th fill and I am there. I stay full, it takes me the 30 min to eat and I can eat no more than a cup. Before this I just made myself stick to the rules, now my band has kicked in.

I don't see why. I have never been told not to eat before a fill. My appt are normally around 3:00 and I have eaten breakfast and lunch. After the fill you are on liquids for the remainder of the day and sometimes a full 24 hours.

Fage Total 2% greek yogurt is my new BFF. Never really like greek yogurt before, but this is awesom. It has yogurt on one side and a little fruit compote in a little comp on the other. It is pefect! 140 calories and 12 grams of protein! If you haven't tried this you should!

I was banded June 22, 2012. I have lost 45 lbs, as of Sunday morning Dec. 2nd I have reached my first major goal- 199!!! Onederland!!! I can't believe it! I had be stuck on 201 for most of November and felt like I would never get below 200. I had a fill on Thursday that I feel like got me to the green zone. My band had major restriction, I really have to pay attention to how I eat now. I don't get hungry often and it takes a cup or LESS to get me full- WOW! When I hit 199 I was so excited, I got on the scales 5 or 6 times just to be sure. Yep, 199.2. This morning my husband ask me what my next major goal was, since this had been my goal since surgery. I was at a loss, in my dream I wanted to get to the 140's, but was never really sure I'd reach that. Now that I have hit my first major goal, my mind is reeling- where do I go from here. What is possible? I feel more confident now that the 140's is possible, but realistically it's far off, so my next goal is 175! This journey isn't always easy, but it is always worth it. Having people tell me I look great. Finally being below 200, which I don't really remember being ever. I feel fairly sure I was childhood, but never during my teens was I below 200. With my last feel getting me to retriction and my finally hitting 199 I am feeling renewed and motivated to kick this journey into the next gear. Never in my life have I so enjoyed laying my fork down before my plate is clean- now that is a satisfied feeling!

When I married I was in deniel of my size (wedding dress size 24). In my wedding pic I really saw my size, but still not ready to admit it. A year later I got pregnant and was so happy, but ended up losing the baby- six months later same thing. I went to a fertility doctor and my weight was 247 and they said that in front of my husband- I was mortified. I was almost 250, when would I stop 300. At that point I toyed and research WLS, but was afraid. In 2011 I had to have gall bladder surgery- I was in pain all the time and sick. During that time I lost down to 232 and vowed to keep it off- 6 months later back to 244. I decided at that point to get more serious. Finally in 2012 I told my husband I wanted to do it for me, I was tired of being fat and ugly. He supported me and In June I had surgery. Now down 45 lbs and so glad I took the step.

Good luck ladies. In my experience this is the toughest part you make it through this and you are golden!!!!

I started ab exercises to early (2 weeks), after the pain of that I ask the doctor and was told to wait until 6-8 weeks. Once I started back at 8 weeks it did feel odd for a little bit. It was like I could feel it in my port area. But as soon as I tighted those muscles in that area a little bit I don't feel it anymore. Actually once I tighted that area I don't feel any pain in the port area anymore.

I don't know how far out you are, but when you signed up for the band you knew you would have to get fills. With out the fills your band really isn't worth what you put in it. The fear/phobia I can understand. I have an axiety disorder. Passed out during my first fill - I think half due to fear and half due to the vagus nerve. I am on meds now for anxiety, I was having phobia in several areas of my life that were really holding me down. If you are having trouble in this area seek some help, it will be the best thing you ever do for yourself. If you only have axiety about this doctor- talk to him/her about your fear before they start the fill, their may be something they can do to help. My doctors off does fill with floro- this way there is no poking around to find the port, they know where it is and stick it the first time do the fill and I am out. Less than 5 min.

No, not unless the doctor told you to. Mine ictched to, but just try to deal. If you put neo on them it will make them turn loose quicker than they should. They are holding you closed until you heal, so just try and let them come off in their own time. Likely it's your healing incisions that are itching not just the steri-strips.

I had gallblader surgery in Aug of 2011 and gained weight afterward. In June 2012 I had lapband, I was at 244 lbs at surgery - my highest weight was 247. Now a little more than 5 months out I am down 45 lbs (199). I feel great - my asthma is almost not there anymore. I can walk and run- more energy - sleep better. Clothing wise I was wearing a 20/22 pant and a 1-2X top - now I wearing 14/16 pants and a size L-XL top. I haven't had any problems that others told me about before I had surgery. I have been stuck a few times, but that was my fault (not chewing well enough). Having a band is a learning experience. Each person is different and reacts to the band in a different way. If you are just thinking about getting a band- go to seminars- choose a surgeon you like and are comfortable with and talk through it with them. My surgeon and his group are amazing and have been 100% supportive and wonderful with answering my "dumb" questions.

I was banded June 22nd @ 244 lbs, now 5 months and 11 days I am 199.2 - 45 lbs down!!! So glad I went through with this. It's been a really good tool and experience. I have learned a lot about my health that I think will help me keep the weight off in the future.

I was banded on June 22nd and haven't had one since. I am on BC and my doctor says it's normal. I'm not pregnant, so I am trying not to stress about it. The odd thing is though during the time of month I am suppose to have it- the week before I still have PMS.

I always a fairly active person. I would go to work, if I needed to talk to someone in my building I walked to them instead of calling. I came home and stayed moving until after dinner. I thought I did good. Well...... My MIL came over Thanksgiving and one of my gifts was a Fitbit One. After figuring out how to use the little sucker I realized- damn I've been lazy. The first day I was shocked at the results. That is all the calories burned, that is all the steps I took, that is my active score- WTH. Since the first day with it I have found myself looking for ways to increase steps- I park further away from stores, between projects at work I get up and walk around the office circle. I stand up and sit down to get things rather than rolling my chair, I stand and pace while on the phone- all of these things helped me increase my steps and calories burned. I know you may think oh just a little bit won't matter, but hey gotta start somewhere and every calorie burned is not going to hang on my hips. It has really opened my eyes to reality. Reality- I think that is something each of us in order to be successful need to find - the reality of who we are. We got fat by not thinking, mindlessly eating crap. Now that we have a tool inside of us, it's time to be realistic. You can fail the band- you can drink milkshakes other high cal things and gain or you can be realistic and look at what you are actually putting in your body. I love food, we all do that is why we got here, but the reality of it we can still eat good food and lose weight. Yesterday I went for my 5th fill and saw the doctor who operated on me (normally I see his wondeful assistant- also a surgeon). He looked at my band under floro gave me a little fill and told me this may do it- get me to the green zone. He said everything looked perfect and I was doing great. Well today, I know I got that fill. I am tight, but not to much, it's just right. A cup full of food is either perfect or to much. There is no way in hell I can over eat when eating real food (not sliders) with out tossing it all back up. This is a great feeling. I feel motivated and encouraged after being down about my plateau. Plus I finally dropped below 201 this morning after being at that for a month- 200.6 - 7 oz until ONDERLAND!!! Basically, what I am saying is, we ALL can do this, we ALL CAN lose weight, but we must be realistic with ourselves and our support group (family, doctors, nutritionist). We must make a choice to do what is right- to eat healthy.

First off, stay calm as possible. You body just went through a major surgery, it takes time to adjust. I also had horrible upset tummy to begin with. Please continue to stay in contact with your doctor, you do not want to get dehydrated. Sip as much water as possible, if you can't get that down call the doctor you may need IV fluids.