koolkel

I was on liquids only for 3 weeks and purée for week 4. My surgeon explained that the stitches inside are still healing and he didn't want my stomach to work too hard and move to digest tougher foods--- because the stitches could rip out and the band could slip.
I know it's hard-- it's the toughest thing I think I ever had to do--- but you HAVE to get your head in the game. I'm 5 weeks out and it's a struggle every day. The biggest thing I've learned is that if I can't follow the rules--- I will not succeed. I'm on regular foods now and I have to constantly check myself and walk away from food. Please focus and know that the ultimate success for your weight is completely and totally up to YOU!
Good Luck!

Oh, you poor thing. yes, this time sucks. A LOT. But always remember that no matter how long it lasts (and it will seem like forever at times) it is only temporary, and when you finally get through it, the skills you have learned and the changes you have made will be so much more than worth it that it will fade from your memory like the color out of cheap cotton! Stay strong, stay focused, and you WILL beat this!

I was on liquids only for 3 weeks and purée for week 4. My surgeon explained that the stitches inside are still healing and he didn't want my stomach to work too hard and move to digest tougher foods--- because the stitches could rip out and the band could slip.
I know it's hard-- it's the toughest thing I think I ever had to do--- but you HAVE to get your head in the game. I'm 5 weeks out and it's a struggle every day. The biggest thing I've learned is that if I can't follow the rules--- I will not succeed. I'm on regular foods now and I have to constantly check myself and walk away from food. Please focus and know that the ultimate success for your weight is completely and totally up to YOU!
Good Luck!

Good Luck! I've lost almost 30lbs ( and I couldn't lose a thing on my own!) The band is the best thing I ever did, but I realize now that I was slightly delusional about what "it" would do and what "I had to do."
Anyone who thinks this is a cop out or taking the easy way has NO CLUE!! We are health warriors!

I was on liquids only for 3 weeks and purée for week 4. My surgeon explained that the stitches inside are still healing and he didn't want my stomach to work too hard and move to digest tougher foods--- because the stitches could rip out and the band could slip.
I know it's hard-- it's the toughest thing I think I ever had to do--- but you HAVE to get your head in the game. I'm 5 weeks out and it's a struggle every day. The biggest thing I've learned is that if I can't follow the rules--- I will not succeed. I'm on regular foods now and I have to constantly check myself and walk away from food. Please focus and know that the ultimate success for your weight is completely and totally up to YOU!
Good Luck!

Especially be careful with the carbs! I couldn't have them until this week and I'm still avoiding them( my weakness!)
When making tuna, use use fat free plain Greek yogurt in place of mayo to increase Protein. You can purée that!

Good Luck! I've lost almost 30lbs ( and I couldn't lose a thing on my own!) The band is the best thing I ever did, but I realize now that I was slightly delusional about what "it" would do and what "I had to do."
Anyone who thinks this is a cop out or taking the easy way has NO CLUE!! We are health warriors!

I had my band placed on 2/19/13. For the first three weeks I was on liquid only. I struggled the first three days with food obsession, but then things were just great! Not hungry, loved my shakes.< /p>
Now I'm on a regular diet. I am exercising. And I am HUNGRY! Almost all of the time.
I don't get my first fill until 4/11 and I am aware that it may make no difference.
I'm happy that I did the surgery and I know that this hard work will pay off BUT I really had no idea just how difficult it would be.
To anyone who is considering the band or newly banded: it is NOT magic and it takes 100% focus. Use a calorie counting app and buy smaller plates and utensils. Get up from the table immediately after eating your portion and LEAVE the kitchen for a while.
Ugh! I'm SO looking forward to feeling full longer!!

Good Luck! I've lost almost 30lbs ( and I couldn't lose a thing on my own!) The band is the best thing I ever did, but I realize now that I was slightly delusional about what "it" would do and what "I had to do."
Anyone who thinks this is a cop out or taking the easy way has NO CLUE!! We are health warriors!

I had my band placed on 2/19/13. For the first three weeks I was on liquid only. I struggled the first three days with food obsession, but then things were just great! Not hungry, loved my shakes.< /p>
Now I'm on a regular diet. I am exercising. And I am HUNGRY! Almost all of the time.
I don't get my first fill until 4/11 and I am aware that it may make no difference.
I'm happy that I did the surgery and I know that this hard work will pay off BUT I really had no idea just how difficult it would be.
To anyone who is considering the band or newly banded: it is NOT magic and it takes 100% focus. Use a calorie counting app and buy smaller plates and utensils. Get up from the table immediately after eating your portion and LEAVE the kitchen for a while.
Ugh! I'm SO looking forward to feeling full longer!!

Sorry to hear you have discovered Bandster Hell. We have all been there, and yes, it is more work than most ever imagine. Hence my signature line. It is just a tool, you do the work. Never let anyone tell you that you took the "easy" way out! You have my permission to smack em up side the head, and you may want to! LOL

Good Luck! I've lost almost 30lbs ( and I couldn't lose a thing on my own!) The band is the best thing I ever did, but I realize now that I was slightly delusional about what "it" would do and what "I had to do."
Anyone who thinks this is a cop out or taking the easy way has NO CLUE!! We are health warriors!

I had my band placed on 2/19/13. For the first three weeks I was on liquid only. I struggled the first three days with food obsession, but then things were just great! Not hungry, loved my shakes.< /p>
Now I'm on a regular diet. I am exercising. And I am HUNGRY! Almost all of the time.
I don't get my first fill until 4/11 and I am aware that it may make no difference.
I'm happy that I did the surgery and I know that this hard work will pay off BUT I really had no idea just how difficult it would be.
To anyone who is considering the band or newly banded: it is NOT magic and it takes 100% focus. Use a calorie counting app and buy smaller plates and utensils. Get up from the table immediately after eating your portion and LEAVE the kitchen for a while.
Ugh! I'm SO looking forward to feeling full longer!!

I had my band placed on 2/19/13. For the first three weeks I was on liquid only. I struggled the first three days with food obsession, but then things were just great! Not hungry, loved my shakes.< /p>
Now I'm on a regular diet. I am exercising. And I am HUNGRY! Almost all of the time.
I don't get my first fill until 4/11 and I am aware that it may make no difference.
I'm happy that I did the surgery and I know that this hard work will pay off BUT I really had no idea just how difficult it would be.
To anyone who is considering the band or newly banded: it is NOT magic and it takes 100% focus. Use a calorie counting app and buy smaller plates and utensils. Get up from the table immediately after eating your portion and LEAVE the kitchen for a while.
Ugh! I'm SO looking forward to feeling full longer!!

Thank you for this information being banded Tuesday an every bit of information helps !!

I hear ya! Banded March 20th and my hunger is just now waking up. I was banded empty and won't get a fill for a month. I'll make it thru the next four week alright---I know I can do this---but I am ready for that hunger switch to be turned to "dim" as it was right after being banded.

I had my band placed on 2/19/13. For the first three weeks I was on liquid only. I struggled the first three days with food obsession, but then things were just great! Not hungry, loved my shakes.< /p>
Now I'm on a regular diet. I am exercising. And I am HUNGRY! Almost all of the time.
I don't get my first fill until 4/11 and I am aware that it may make no difference.
I'm happy that I did the surgery and I know that this hard work will pay off BUT I really had no idea just how difficult it would be.
To anyone who is considering the band or newly banded: it is NOT magic and it takes 100% focus. Use a calorie counting app and buy smaller plates and utensils. Get up from the table immediately after eating your portion and LEAVE the kitchen for a while.
Ugh! I'm SO looking forward to feeling full longer!!

Spare us the details K?

Had a bm! Never been happier! Lol

I just sold five Silpada rings on EBay! Lol! I'm thinking I will need all new ones by May!

I never seem to notice weight loss in other people until it hits about 40 lbs. My husband has mentioned that that is usually about the time people notice that he has lost weight as well.

Thank you for your concern.
Actually, I reversed course a bit due to circumstances:
I checked with several surgeons, with disappointing results. The nearest one (45 miles away) will not take patients whose bands were installed by anyone else. The next nearest has a small support group but has done almost no installations. The third is about 100 miles away, not exactly close enough to address emergent issues, and support group would have required an overnight stay.
Then, I happened to run into my installing surgeon at a boating supply store and we chatted. I told him every time I called his office and told them I was Medicare, they told me I would have to check with Medicare myself to see if adjustments were covered.
He explained that he had stopped installing Lap Bands because he did not do enough to justify the malpractice insurance. He also explained his staff tried to deflect requests, especially from Medicare patients, because he only gets about $30 per adjustment.
BUT, he told me he feels an obligation to his Lap Band patients, and told me to call the office and tell them I had spoken with him personally and to schedule an adjustment.
I did, but did not reveal that fact immediately, and right away they tried to turn me off. When I told them I had spoken directly to the surgeon, they immediately changed their tone.
We set up an appointment in a couple of days. The doctor now does all adjustments under fluoroscope at the hospital so he can be sure of the accuracy of the adjustment. I had my adjustment (just .3cc more) and it has done the trick!
I am losing weight!!
The surgeon told me that if I got the runaround from his office staff to call after 6pm instead, when I would be sure to get to him personally!
This surgeon has done an extensive bowel resection for my wife, and we absolutely believe in him, so I was hard pressed to believe he had abandoned his patients. And, I was right!
When I asked him who he would refer me to if I needed the band removed, or a surgical adjustment, he told me his first choice would be the guy who would absolutely not touch anyone whose Lap Band had been installed by anyone else. Apparently, having a direct referral from another surgeon would be "different". And his second choice would have been the one who was 100 miles away.
Somehow I knew this would work out!

I actually can't wear my rings anymore. They're too big. Lol

As a newly banded person, I can relate. I didn't have a pre-op diet but was on only liquids for three weeks after. I was overly focused on food for the first three or four days. I made lists of what I was going to eat as soon as I could eat again. I pored over recipes and everything on television made me hungry....
It went away, that craving for food. Soon my body wasn't hungry and my mind was more focused on the weight I was losing. That scale is a huge reinforcer!
Now that I can eat again, I have no desire for most things on my list. I can't wait to eat a salad, but BBQ wings and French fries and mashed potatoes and such don't turn me on.
Hang in there and focus hard on your goals. Be proud of how far you have come and remember that this is temporary. In a few months, you will be able to eat( taste?) just about anything. Your body will change, your appetite will change, and your mind set will change as well.

I realised that my attention to detail (food intake in particular) had slipped and suddenly I had regained almost three kilograms.
I recommitted to accurately recording my food and have almost relost those three kilograms. I hadn't slipped on the exercise side so that was in my favour.
But I have learned that this is truly a lifelong journey - I "knew" it but now I have learned it. I shall have to be vigilant for the rest of my life because I do not want to go back to where I was almost two years ago.
You can restart and relose that weight. Set small, achievable goals and recognise your achievements as you meet each one.
Best of luck.