rcaruthie

Thanks everyone for your comments. I have not had a night cough yet but knowing I am pretty tight wanting to be prepared! It is very amazing how very different we all are! I barely felt any restriction until now. It's taken 8 months to get here and been a tad discouraging. Feeling as if I am the only one it won't work for...I know that's not the case at all. I just had a moment;)

Just wondering for those 14cc bandsters where you found that perfect spot. Today is day 2. I am hoping this is mine...it's taken 8 months.

Also anyone had night coughs and what is that?

I've lost 228 pounds in about 20 months. I know' date=' it sounds really fast, but when you start with so much to lose it comes off a lot faster in the beginning.

Now I'm losing at a snail's pace like everyone else lol.[/quote']

Holy smokes that awesome!!! LOL well cheers to your progress very happy for you! I will get there too!!!

Sounds like a plan....keep in touch <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

Are you really sure you needed surgery...I mean you dont even look heavy at all in your pic???

Ummm...thats why I have a "fall painted bale" as my photo...it looks much better than I ever will ....LOL <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

It's a good angle LOL and after I lost 40lbs! It's not a full profile tho! I am 5'8 ish and have quite a bit more to go! we will get there!!!

We all slow down at one point or another. Do you know how much I've lost in the last 2 months? 2 pounds. That's it. I've watched the scale bounce up and down a pound for weeks without a solid loss. I'm still sticking to 1000-1200 calories a day and I walk 2 miles a day. I'm not doing anything different than I was a year ago- yet now I have to fight like mad for every pound I lose.

But honestly? I'm totally ok with that! I think of it like this: I know I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing so I know the weight WILL eventually come off. If it only comes off a pound a month from now on? I'm totally cool with that because that's still a pound less than I would've been.

I know it can get frustrating but try to see the glass as half full' date=' not half empty <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />[/quote']

Mis I don't use this site often. I don't know how to see your profile!? How much have you lost so far? You are doing awesome and I agree I love my glass half full and prefer to live that way! But sometimes discussing how discouraged you can be just helps! We all feel it at some point!

I would be thrilled with a 4 - 8 lb loss...I can only manage maybe 1-2...well...honestly...I stayed the exact same weight for 5 months...talk about discouraging..then its been only 1 or 2 for the entire month...yikes...that is really just awful for dieting...following it closely and eating healthy. I do know not to compare but it is hard not to when others are all posting how much they have lost already in those first few months. I really try not to but sometimes I just have to quit reading the forums as i get depressed seeing others losses.

Its all good though...they tell me they will get me there so I have put my trust in them and wait. Damn is this hard on your own for that long though but pleased I have done what I have accomplished without help/much help yet

OMG PJ... That is me! I lost the first 40 in the first two months!!! I have stayed the same since! I feel like my body likes this weight... It's what I would get down to before but then right back up! Lets be diligent together and help each other! We can do this and be those success stories too!!!

I am the exact same...I am at 10 1/2 cc in a 14...have had 11 fills but my surgery was 0ct 22' date=' 2012 ...so almost a year...it has been a long wait for this band to start helping a bit...I am at about 48 lbs loss and it had been almost a year...very discouraging to say the least...especially when I see what Mis 73 (hehe) has been able to accomplish along with hundreds of others who have lost 30 to 40 lbs in their first month. I knew it would be a slow and difficult process but I didnt think it would be this slow. I will stay the course as it is better than where I was a year ago <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

By the way...am just starting to feel a bit from my last fill so maybe HOPE on the horizon....FINGERS CROSSED <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />[/quote']

Thank you PJ for your honesty and understanding!

I'm really glad that my first fill was sizable. I came out of surgery with about 3cc's' date=' and was given another 3 with the first fill. After that, about 1cc, then .25cc. I'm good now. I hear of people waiting months to feel restriction, with these teeny tiny fills. If I had to wait that long to feel the presence of my band, I would have been totally depressed. I understand the slow theory, but I think some docs take it a bit too far.[/quote']

I was very discouraged I paid for my band and have been feeling like it was a huge waste of money! I could have lost by using my fitness pal and working out by myself! I am hoping this next fill will help more...I want to understand this green zone I hear so much about!!!

I was banded in January and have lost 45 pounds so far. I have a 14cc band with 10.5cc currently. Just remember that a slow loss is better than no loss. You're doing great! <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

Thank you that does make me feel better. How are you doing with 10.5?

Than you Jim and Mis! I am very grateful to have kept off the 40lbs!!!

It kinda pisses me off when surgeons are so LAXED with fills. I totally understand taking it slowwwwwly to reach the green zone in a controlled and safe manner' date=' but I feel there's little merit in having to wait TEN months for proper restriction. I hope you can soon find that sweet spot... And remember, 40 lbs lost are FORTY LBS LOST!!! It's better than gaining them. I'm rooting for you.[/quote']

Thank you HotButterFly!!!!

I was banded on 2/14/13. I have worked out constantly since I got the band and tracked on my fitness pal every single day since! But I have only lost 40 lbs! I was getting pretty discouraged as I have never felt any issues! Getting stuck etc!!!

I have a 14 cc band and get fills monthly. This past month I am finally starting to feel it!!! A little but and I am at 11.5 I think. Maybe just 11.

I still don't feel much of a difference I do feel it most in the AM after sleeping and not eating or drinking all night...

Is this common? Has it taken anyone this long to lose weight and get to the green zone? I sometimes feel like I am the only person this won't work on. ;(

Who has a 14 cc band and how much Fluid do you have?

I totally appreciate and love feedback! I need encouragement. Thanks!

Holy moly I think you have lost a ton of weight in 5 months! That's amazing!!! Good for you! How many calories do you eat a day? Do you exercise? Just wondering what keys to success you have learned and use! I am super impressed!

Name, real or screen~Ruthie, rcaruthie

Goal weight for March 31st~279

Weight on March 1st~289

Age~45

Dietary goal for March~Continue to track everything that goes in my mouth - with my fitnesspal.

Exercise goal for March~Continue my walking program, and fit in other types of exercises.

Personal goal for March~STAY POSITIVE and make good food choices.

Date banded~2/14/13

Total weight loss since banding/pre op diet~18

What is your good luck charm? My beautiful daughters.

I feel the same way!!! Each and every pound is a milestone no matter how fast or slow! I have lost 18 and I am feeling great!!!

msseven - I feel your pain. I was banded just before you and have the same issues. I have just changed my diet, no carbs, high Protein foods. I do lots of research on the internet for good food choices and then I track everything I eat with my fitness pal. I also downloaded Mapmywalk and use that and walk every single night which helps burn calories and I am feeling great.

I think this is a time to help us learn how to eat better and slowly change our thought processes and relationships toward food. Finding new foods that we like and are better for us...clean foods vs those bad foods. I gave up on breads - not that bread is bad...(well some is for our bodies by what it does. I watched Dr. Oz one day and I was surprise at what whole wheat bread can do to our body when we think it is healthy for us. Anyway off topic.)

Keep up the good work...find other things to do besides eat...which is so much easier said then done - I know.

I also know that we can do this...what is helping me is tracking my food and walking. Although I am in Houston and we have had super nice weather, which is not the case everywhere.

What works for you - to eat or not to eat?

I have been honest to everyone. I am proud that I made this decision. What other people think might vary but their opinions are their opinions...just like politics! I am a strong person with a strong sense of self...and I made this decision with my health in mind. Not their health! It is my life, my weight, my struggle - and nothing to be ashamed of in my book. We all deal with things differently.

In my opinion - those that criticize you for who you are, what you are, what you want. Need to stop and look in the mirror and fix them first. Everyone has issues of some sort or another – weight is one of them that you SEE!

Be proud of you – be proud of decisions you make, and be proud that you made this decision – it might save your life. I know it will save mine.

Thank you Jewel - I do stay full and seem to be doing well. I guess in my mind I thought it would be a lot harder. Excited for the new journey and a new me.

Good luck all and thank you for the feedback.

I needed to hear that Chicago! Thank you!!!!

Surgery was 2/14! Yes I know it's probably way too soon and all of that! But I heal fast and this isn't what I expected I guess! I have no pain or issues still healing but overall feel great...and the same! Well I will use my fitness pal and log my foods so I don't overhear or drink until I get a fill Just thankful others have felt like this and there is hope!!!

Ok, this might sound strange but I don't feel anything? I have been watching my calorie, Protein, carb intake and doing well! No issues at all with things going down or staying down! Is this normal? I drink my fluids! I just don't feel any constrictions? I mean I feel if I wanted to over indulge I could but I don't want to! I realize this is a tool only....but dang thought it would help more? Did they forget my band?

mine is rcaruthie - but I am new and don't know how to add?

I am interested in responses too. Surgery was same day as yours and about the same progress. Although, I am so hungry and able to eat if I wanted...no issues or restrictions with the band from what I can tell. Which makes me sad...how are you feeling/doing?

You poor thing!!! Hope you feel better soon!