PrettyThick1

That's awesome! Congratulations and keep up the good work...I can't sing the praises of the band loud enough!

Good morning everyone! It's official...I am finally at the lowest weight I've been in for probably 15 years. I have now surpassed any of my best results of any previous weight loss program I've been on. Even using phentermine didn't get me here and it took more than 6 months on that to get me to 182...where I plateaud and started to regain after it became ineffective (after 12-18 months). I know I say this at the end of just about every post, but I can't help it... I LOVE MY BAND!!!!!

It was rather simple for me, I went to True Results - on my first consulation they did everything and it ws such a painless process. If you don't have a TR, see what type of Bariatric Center might be in your area. In my opinion, it is much simpler than going through your PCP or any other physician.

Fruity protein shots mixed in ice water work well, too. Go to WalMart and get the Super Whey shots, grape or fruit punch, 20 - 42g protein each. When I mix them in water, it's like drinking juice. I would also sneak in tuna packed in water...you've lost 16lbs aready, you're doing well...whose going to know you didn't follow all the rules. Just don't go overboard - no sugar, no fat.

It was inevitable. I've lost well and have had great success, but here I am at my regular stopping point. This is the place where all diets have left me stranded - the exact same weight 182. I was on a roll, the fast track to my goal but alas, I've come to a halt. I am determined though, this time will be different! By my own admission, I haven't exercised, I know I'm not getting in enough calories or water - but it is so dang on hard to do! My band is really tight in the morning so the only thing I can get down is warm coffee. I need to work out now, I know that's what needs to happen; I also need to eat more, but again, that is soooo hard to do without being hungry. I would appreciate any suggestions on what you did to overcome a plateau, everyone tells me I look great at my current weight and that I don't need to lose much more - but those are the same people who told me I didn't need the band in the first place. When I look in the mirror though, I see what needs work - I'm just not motivated to do what it takes and I don't know how to get my self in gear. Sigh.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHICA!!!!! CONGRATS ON THE WEIGHTLOSS!!!!

I think we've all been where you are and I'd like to put your mind at ease when I say you will be fine. The band is a very powerful tool, it not only gives you the power you need to resist bad eating, but it has corrected other negative habits I had. Rest assured, you've made a very wise decision to pursue this and your only regret is that you didn't opt for it a long time ago. No fear here!

Have you lost anything? I would reschedule to be on the safe side and I always advise people who are having trouble on the preop to chew what you want and spit it out - don't swallow it. Then follow that chewed up/spit out meal with water and a protein shake. You'll trick youself into thinking you just ate what you wanted, without doing so.

Congrats!!!

Don't know about anyone else's experience, but after the band I'm just not big on alcohol anymore...not that I ever was, but I could drink one or two cocktails. Now, I take a couple of sips and don't want anymore.

Yes, I would eat. If you are hungry before you go you might try to eat after the fill to get rid of the hunger and that wouldn't go very well. I've done that before and was hungry all day but it was hard to get anything down. Miserable!

When you don't have much to lose, it's not going to come off quickly. Heavier people drop weight much faster than those who are smaller.

I always have room for calories and one spoonful is just enough to curb my sweet tooth and I get the protein boost I need also.

Wonderful post...I am so proud of you! Keep up the good work, you are such an inspiration!!!

AZ Gary describes it perfectly. Unfortunately there is no way for us to help you avoid those episodes simply because different foods affect people differently. What goes down easy for me, might be a problem for you and vice versa. But, like triggergramma mentioned - powdered eggs (often found on buffets) and white chicken meat as well as beef that is too dry cause me problems. But even the foods that do go down well will get stuck if you eat too fast or take too big of a bite. You learn quickly though and after each adjustment (fill) things might change, so it's a constant learning experience - but very well worth it.

Bummer! My surgeon had me to make the appointment for exactly 3 weeks after surgery. You're doing a great job without it!!! Do you know if you were filled during surgery? As long as you can go 4 hours after eating and you're losing weight, you don't really need one. I've been getting hungry in my 3rd week after a fill, so once a month is perfect timing for me. I was banded with 3cc's - maybe you were, too. Did you ask??

Get ready for a brand new you lovie!!! Within the next 6-12 months, you're going to look for reasons to flaunt your new body! I am so happy I did this, I only wish I had done it a hell of a lot sooner. I hit the green zone this weekend and my energy, confidence and all things joy have gone through the roof! Can't wait to hear your success story!!!

Fill #3 has put me in the green zone! I have 5cc's in my 10cc band and it did the trick! I'm staying full for a minimum of 4 hours, able to tolerate solids very well and the pounds are melting faster than ever now. I've lost 4lbs in just 3 days (without exercise) and I am so thrilled!!!! I hope you all experience the same results, it is an unbelievable feeling!!!

I had my third fill last Wednesday and I'm in the green zone! Lost 4lbs over the weekend and I'm feeling great!!!

Fills will help tremendously. You should schedule one for next week, your at the stage I was when I started feeling hunger. My first fill was three weeks after my surgery and it was right on time.

Congrats Vanessa! The time will fly by...in the meantime you have lots of time to get in your favorite foods! You'll still be able to eat just about anything you want, just not as much. So hit a big ol' buffet or two or three and enjoy getting your money's worth now.

POST OF THE DAY!!!! This is excellent - valuable advice and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing!!!

BAM! Thanks for your research and this post. Bravo!

Thank goodness you were able to recover, but your posts headline is misleading. It wasn't the lap band that caused your near-death experience, but the lacerated liver caused by your surgeon. Please note that there are many people that search this site for useful information regarding this procedure and subject lines such as this are not only misleading but cause for alarm. Again, I'm glad you recovered but your incident had nothing to do with the lapband.

I hate to tell you this, but if you have been diagnosed with severe sleep apnea you should get the CPAP. I didn't believe I had it either until my surgeon ordered it before surgery. I was shocked, but I accepted it nonetheless. Why do you have to get the full mask? I have the tiny one that just goes over my nostrils and the tube doesn't keep me from sleeping on my stomach at all. Let's face it, once you get your band, you won't be able to sleep on your stomach for a couple of weeks anyway. Are you going to decline the band because you have to sleep on your back? Furthermore, do you know what you are putting your body through by not using the machine? CPAP's actually help to elevate metabolism and I haven't waken up so refreshed since I was a kid. Yeah, I was just like you..."my boyfriend can't see me sleep with this on my face..." but honey, my snoring IS WAYYYYY more embarrasing than that mask. You sleep on your stomach anyway, cover the straps with your hair and your back to him and he won't even notice because the machine is silent. I think you need to reassess your priorities. Your heart is seriously suffering right now and the machine is not forever! Just until you lose the weight, maybe even sooner. I know someone who no longer needed it after about 18 months of using the machine. This is more than vanity dear, this is your life. If you stop breathing, you're not getting adequate oxygen and there are a lot of other health implications to that.