John Picone

John, Thanks for sharing. It is unfortunate you were alone and did not have someone to talk to or were in a place where you could reach out to talk to someone. I hope you have found your strength to begin this journey and make a good solid go at it. I too was in a very bad place when I started plus I was on the cusp of pushing 500lbs. I could not have done this without my wife. I certainly do not think I would have gone to the seminar without her and therefor would not be where I am today.
I urge you to stick around here and,participate or at least read. There is so much support here I would actually pay for a membership (shhh...don't tell Alex ) if I had to. If I were you I would also look into in person support groups. I actually have developed many friendships thanks to this band.
I wish you well and hope to see you here.

Hi Jim, Thanks for your interest. I had my surgery back in 1/2007 I was all pumped up to start my journey the hospital stay was quick( 1- 1/2 days) and painless. When I got home and by myself I started to think I would never be able to eat the food that made me happy ( and obese ) again. I did such a job making myself so depressed I just gave up. I thought I wood have to be on a liquid diet and eat soft foods like baby food the rest of my life. I never went on message boards when at home. I remember taking off 2 weeks vacation to have the surgery and to heal but all I did was stay in the house and felt so depressed saying to myself why did I do this to myself. So as the days went on I started to cheat and eat things like shredded cheese by the bags. I never threw my food up it was just that the band was to lose for me and never followed up to get it done the right way. Then after the 2 weeks beating myself up while home I went back to work thinking I have to eat baby food in front of my co-workers the heck with this so I jumped off the wagon. When I did go back to work I had lost like 20 pounds but I felt very depressed. Has the years went by I just but all the weight back on plus like 4 extra pounds. Just last month I started having problems climbing stares, and just moving around was getting way to hard. My legs and feet where blowing up like a balloon filled with Water. I started to say about 3 weeks ago I have to do something I am only 46 and I feel like I am 96 and if I keep going like this I will be dead or close to it in 5 years. So I picked up the phone and made a appointment to have my lap band adjusted. That's my story . Thanks for asking and God Bless You. John

Hi Jim, Thanks for your interest. I had my surgery back in 1/2007 I was all pumped up to start my journey the hospital stay was quick( 1- 1/2 days) and painless. When I got home and by myself I started to think I would never be able to eat the food that made me happy ( and obese ) again. I did such a job making myself so depressed I just gave up. I thought I wood have to be on a liquid diet and eat soft foods like baby food the rest of my life. I never went on message boards when at home. I remember taking off 2 weeks vacation to have the surgery and to heal but all I did was stay in the house and felt so depressed saying to myself why did I do this to myself. So as the days went on I started to cheat and eat things like shredded cheese by the bags. I never threw my food up it was just that the band was to lose for me and never followed up to get it done the right way. Then after the 2 weeks beating myself up while home I went back to work thinking I have to eat baby food in front of my co-workers the heck with this so I jumped off the wagon. When I did go back to work I had lost like 20 pounds but I felt very depressed. Has the years went by I just but all the weight back on plus like 4 extra pounds. Just last month I started having problems climbing stares, and just moving around was getting way to hard. My legs and feet where blowing up like a balloon filled with Water. I started to say about 3 weeks ago I have to do something I am only 46 and I feel like I am 96 and if I keep going like this I will be dead or close to it in 5 years. So I picked up the phone and made a appointment to have my lap band adjusted. That's my story . Thanks for asking and God Bless You. John

Hi John, just curious what made you give up? Based on your comments I am curious to hear more of your story. Did you have complications?

Like tmf said we are all different and fills are based on individual needs. That being said I have the Realize 11cc band with 9.5cc in it. I lost weight along the way but it took really 9 months to find the sweet spot and now that I found it weight loss seems a little more steady.

Good luck with your fill on the 16th

Hi Jenn I had surgery in 2007, in 2008 went for my 1st fill, Then I kind of gave up however in 2008 the doctor butt 3cc's in my band (I have a large 10cc band) Now that I am totally focused I went back to the doctor yesterday (3rd Fill) he took out the 3 cc's that where still in from 2008, and he put a fresh 5CC's in. This is the start of my Journey ( officially Lol) John

I had surgery on Feb 18. First fill March 11. Surgery day I got 4cc.first fill I got 1.5 cc and was in the green zone.I have a 10cc band. Yesterday got a fill to 6.2 cc

Surgery 12/21, 10cc band...no fills and I would say its my sweet spot.

i have a 14cc band
(no fills yet) but there is primer but no idea how much..but i do like TMF's post/comment alot, it makes alot of sense.

Great Job Dave!

David, CONGRATULATIONS! I'm a stickler for detail and according to my calculations, you have actually lost 102 pounds and you achieved your short term goal well before Memorial Day 2013!!! You sound like you have really followed the rules and been committed to using the band properly. I'm currently trying to get back on track again and you are a true inspiration. Great job! Thanks for sharing!

Your right! Everyone's journey is different! I have been banded since 2006 and was at goal for only a few years. Things happen with the band, life happens, and other health issues arise. You've lost over 60 pounds! Who cares if your not "at goal"! Your not 280 pounds anymore! I don't think the ONLY form of success is that you see a chart given number on your scale! Keep up the good work and never give up! Your no less healthy than a portion of the people on this site that reach their "goal" by getting their bands so tight that they suffer from acid reflux every day and don't eat enough to get the proper nutrients for their bodies to be healthy! Every persons journey is different and everyone's goals are different! I personally think you have been successful. You haven't quit or given up! Keep going, I'll be rooting for you!!!

everyones jouurney is personal and obviously very different. you're right... don't judge!!! jus sayin. positive comments ONLY are appreciated.

You can do this it took me almst 2 years to get all the weight off but I did. I'm maintaining now. Get yourself to a level that you are not hungry all the time. It is hard to not eat when you are hungry all the time. Best of luck on your journey!

The band can't work if you don't see your surgeon for fills when it's needed. I was banded in 2006 and reached goal, then regained 40 pounds because I stopped maintaining my band. I had a hard time with fills so I just gave up! I, like you, am giving the band another chance! Staying in contact with your surgeon is so important, don't make the same mistake again! Good luck and keep us posted on how it's going!

Hi Everyone, My Name is John I started my Journey back on 1/3/07 this is also when I had my Lap Band Surgery. Things have not gone as I hoped up until now when I decided to give this another shot. I went into surgery at the weight of 330 pounds on a 5 foot 10 inch frame, I weight in at 334 March 25 2013 in my lap band doctors office. I have a appointment this Wednesday 4/3/13 to have my lap band adjusted, I am so excited I can not wait. As you can see it has been about 6 years 3 months since my surgery. This will be my second adjustment since my surgery. I had lost 30 pounds back in 2007. I followed this for about 6 months, and never went back to get a adjustment. If all goes well with the X-Ray on 4/3/13, and it shows the band is still in place I will be able to have it filled, so my question is this when I get my band filled how should I start my Diet? what should I eat or not eat. Please help me do this right. I am now committed to lose this weight once and for All. I love you all, and God Bless You John :-)

Hi Everyone, My Name is John I started my Journey back on 1/3/07 this is also when I had my Lap Band Surgery. Things have not gone as I hoped up until now when I decided to give this another shot. I went into surgery at the weight of 330 pounds on a 5 foot 10 inch frame, I weight in at 334 March 25 2013 in my lap band doctors office. I have a appointment this Wednesday 4/3/13 to have my lap band adjusted, I am so excited I can not wait. As you can see it has been about 6 years 3 months since my surgery. This will be my second adjustment since my surgery. I had lost 30 pounds back in 2007. I followed this for about 6 months, and never went back to get a adjustment. If all goes well with the X-Ray on 4/3/13, and it shows the band is still in place I will be able to have it filled, so my question is this when I get my band filled how should I start my Diet? what should I eat or not eat. Please help me do this right. I am now committed to lose this weight once and for All. I love you all, and God Bless You John :-)

I are sure you will get a fill when u go in? I would think you doctor would want to chat with you and have you see the nurtisit, and get you on a pre work diet like a pre-op diet. Have you don't any prep work? clean out your house. really talk to the doctor maybe get cusloring I recommend all this first set yourself up for success none of the pit fall of the first time, make a list of things that didn't work that you can change now it might help. Good luck and congradulation on getting back on track you can do it.

Best thing is when we fall off we can dust ourselves off and start again! So glad you chose to start again with a great attitude. I absolutely love Myfitnesspal.com to log every single thing that goes in my mouth. I had no idea how things add up so quick! It is good to have friends their I get ideas from looking at what they eat (it displays the protein>carbs>calories>sodium etc in everything consumed) If you decide to log your foods to assist you can add me. my profile is knhtown STAY STRONG you can do this!

Hi there, congratulations on deciding to work with the band again! I agree with the last post, your doctor will probably have some good advice on what you should eat after you get your adjustment. I have found that tracking my calories is helpful and I use www.sparkpeople.com, where you can also track your weight loss goals and fitness activities. I had reached a weight plateau and became rather frustrated a couple of months back but called my doctor's office and they recommended I cut down on carbs and that got me past my plateau, I was so glad I called them. So I have been trying to eat under 75 carbs per day, that is what they recommended for me but I am sure everyone is different. Personally, my advise overall would be to stay in contact with your doctor and keep up with your fills as you need them so you can get back on track. I also think it is a great help to seek out information and support on this website, it is very informative and helpful to me. I wish you the best of luck!

Wow , cannot believe that in all that time you only went for 1 fill. Sounds as though you weren't ready to commit to the process.
There are all sorts of theories out there as to what the best diet is, some eat normally, others eat low carb etc. The best thing to do is speak to your Dr to see what he recommends . Also try to get an appointment with a dietician so that an individual plan can be worked out for you.
A lot of people have a lot of success logging every morsel that they eat on a site such as my fitnss pal. This can help you to stay on track as it is easy to eat too many calories without even realising.
Follow the band rules .
And don't forget you also need to exercise. That can make a huge difference.
Congratulations on recommiting, and best wishes that this time you will make it successful.