trystelle

Hi Again-My doctor put in about 2 ml at a time if I wasn't feeling restriction. Even now for a tweak he puts in .4. I think your doc may be more conservative than most. I can't tell you about flouro because I have never used it-but if it will give you peace of mind I would go ahead and ask. My doc only withdrew the Fluid a couple of times in the beginning. He just adds now. Our conversations last 10 times longer than the fill itself because he is quick and comfortable-always gets the port on the first shot! Have you discussed your concerns with your doc?

Hi Trystelle,

Great job on the weight loss and thanks for being willing to help others reach their goals.

I was banded a couple of years ago, things went pretty well at first however I have let other family problems/issues distract me from paying attention to my own goals.

I think it would be very encouraging and helpful to have someone to help me stay focused on my own weight loss journey. I am a working mom (4 kids ages 7-27), married for 28 years and I live in eastern MA. Any tips you want to share will be very much appeciated.

Thanks

fancypants

Hey I am originally from eastern MA too! I was born and raised in Fall River.

It is so hard when things get in your way-I work full time, have an autistic son and my husband has major health issues. I know how it goes. But you know-I am learning how to be more selfish. It is so hard for women in our position to make our selves a priority. I try to remember that I have to get healthy because my son needs me. Long term-taking care of me is going to make his life better. Same with your kids!

Get to your docs-get a fill-use an online program to record everything you put in your mouth! If you are not exercising-start. Keep track of your exercise also. Make sure you burn more calories than you eat. I know you know all of this already but we have to remember to make ourselves and our health the number one priority! You can do this!

Trystelle,

I was banded 2 months ago and I've lost 20 pounds so far. I feel like I should have lost more by now, but I know I can't compare myself to others. I've had 3 fills already (5.2cc in a 10cc band) but I don't feel like I have good restriction. I'm able to eat pretty much anything and I'm frequently hungry.

My surgery day weight was 326. My goal is 135 to 150. I may change that as I get nearer. I'm already feeling better in many ways and my blood pressure has returned to normal.

But I get easily discouraged because I want it to happen yesterday!! I need someone to encourage and support me on this journey.

Thanks.

Jan from KY

Hi- 20 pounds is awesome. That is more than 2 pounds a week. I started at 330 and set a number goal of 150-but I thnk I am going to stop at size 12. Maybe you could choose a size goal instead of a weight goal.

I have a 10 cc band also and have between 6 and 7 cc's for good restriction. I didn't really get good restriction until my 4th or 5th time. I try to eat solid Protein and avoid things high in sugar. This seems to help with hunger. You will get to a good place. I am at the place know where I think I want to eat something (head hunger) and I can't because I am still full from my last meal.

Set mini goals for yourself. An idea I used was to get a "prize" every time I get into a new decade. Almost every prize was something fitness related. New sneakers, pedometer, exercise suit. It kept things fun.

Have you started exercising yet? This is really important. What kinds of exercise do you like?

You have had a great start and are fully equipped to be successful. Be patient with the process-it can be frustratingly slow. Try to remember that you band isn't going away. It will be there helping you next week and next year. The weight doesn't need to be lost quickly. Listen to your body and it will take you in the right direction.

You can do this! For many of us-the band makes the difference. You don't want to rush such a major life change. You have to allow time for your head to keep up. It will be worth it!

I have been banded for 11 months. I have lost 90 pounds since surgery and 55 pounds preparing for surgery. I would like to mentor someone who has to lose 100 pounds or more.

I am a 46 year old woman. I have been married for 21 years and have an 18 year old disabled son. I am a high school anatomy teacher. I have been teaching for 16 years. I live in western MA. I have lost 144 pounds from a high of 330. My goal is to wear a size 12 and am within 20 pounds of this goal.

I am also concerned about my approaching maintenance and coud use a wise experienced buddy to guide me.

I am with you Faith-DH is a skinny butt!!!

Try Baby Belle light cheese. It is just the right size for a little Protein rich snack. It is 50 calories and delish. Laughing cow makes this too.

I got my 6th fill today. It is not unusual to have a fill kick in up to 2 weeks after the procedure. It varies with everyone of course, but this is the longest amount of time I have heard people say it took to feel the full effect.

The screen will show you BMI and then if you want it to show your weight there is a button to click on the bottom of your screen. I suck at the balance games and repeatedly score unbalanced. I am working on it though.

I had no idea of how to set a goal. I thought it would be great to be in a size 14 and it is. I figured that would happen at about 150-but I am a cofortable 14 at about 190. I have reset my goal-at least in my head to 175 and a size 12. I don't plan on going much below that. Keep your goal fluid-its hard to tell what will work for you. Good luck!

I have practiced yoga for 2.5 years. I weighed 330 at my first class. The instructor asked if I could get up from the floor by myself! Yoga is one of the major transformative factors in my Quest for a healthy life and bodyl It gave me a sense of ownership of my body and made me feel like I had some control over my own body. Today I love my more advanced yoga classes and the new challenges they present my body.

Hi-

There is a running exercise in the aerobics category. Tou start with a short run, expected to keep up with the mii in front of you. Once you earn enough points you get to access a distance run-don't know what is besides that. You don't run on the balance board but with a wii remote in your hand or in your pocket. There is also a racing game where you can race a person if you have a second controller.

I feel like I am having an affair---with my husband! We are both enjoying exploring my new body. It has brought a renewed appreciation of each other. We have always had a good marriage and I don't expect that to change after 21 years. I agree that weight loss gives you the confidence to advocate for yourself-but that isn't necessary unless there were problems with the relationship in the first place.

I was banded on February 19th, 2008. In the first month I lost 15 lbs. After losing the first 15 lbs, I only lost 1 lb when I saw Dr. Abkin in the six week follow=up. I was disappointed, but I knew the lap band was not stopping my hunger. I had my first band adjustment May 20th, 2008. I'm hoping the adjustment will curb my hunger. Has anyone else had this problem?:crying:

It may take several fills before the lapband does what you want it to do. Be patient. Give it a couple of weeks and if things aren't better-call your dr. I think many people need 2 or three fills to get enough restriction.

Be good to yourself!

I hated underwires when I was heavy-Now I won't leave the house without one. I also need padding to even out the irregular size of my girls. They are now a 38-long-yup the tube socks thing. I have to make sure they are all tidy and tucked in-but the wires and padding help immensely.

Thanks so much to take the time to share this info in spite of your loss. My sincere condolences to you and your family!

Trystelle

Thanks all-

Grace look at you-who is the Hero-I will probably never weigh 138-I weighed 136 in 6th grade! (when my not so sensitive teacher wieghed us all in front of the rest of the class and of course I was heavier than anyone-even the boys). I tried so many times to lose-I lost 100+ pounds twice before the band-but you know the story-gained it all back plus some-I hope this is where the band will make a difference-I LOVE my band!

A body bug is a monitor that you wear on your arm that measures the calories you burn each day. I have used mine since december and it is really a motivator. There is a thread or two in the exercise and fitness forum.

I just got off of my Wii fit and it was fun. I did 30 minutes of exercise and did fairly well---but I have a fitness age of 61-I am 46!!!!!!

I picked it up at my local Walmart at about 4 pm and they still had at least one left. I preordered one from Amazon and they estimate delivery on 5/27-I couldn't wait.

It is interesting and challenging-there is one that is like a dance routine that I find impossible, i did better with yoga since I do it anyway.

I would be happy to answer questions you may have!

I have lost 141 pounds. I started at 330 and am now 189. I "practiced" eating the bandster way-6 small meals-1600 or fewer calories per day. I got down to 275 between April and my surgery in July 07. In the 10 months since my surgery I have lost an additional 85+ pounds.

My strategies-

Regularly scheduled therapy sessions to address my eating issues.

Keeping a food journal every day.

Exercising regularly 4-6 times a week-sometimes more if I feel like it.

Not stressing about good and bad foods-most of the time I eat a healthy well balanced diet-but if I want a cookie and I am hungry I have one.

Not severely restricting calories. I range between 1000 and 2000 a day, average is probably 14-1500.

I bought a Body Bug to help me to track calories burned.

HTH-Everybody is different.

I have used the Daily Plate for more than a year. It is very helpfula and feel it has beeen a major factor in my weight loss success.

I have lost 135 and have huge bat wings. My upper thighs look like elepahant legs. My belly is surprisingly good. Tiny pannus, abdomen jiggly but flat. I try to stay positive about the skin. I really do not want to do plastics. I am afraid at some point I may have to address the skin on my arms as it is quite abundant. At least the loose skin is no longer filled with fat!

I always hated it and never kept it up for long. Now that I have my lapband I do it more than 95% of the time. I usually only miss it when I am away. I have to keep my brain accountable for the choices it makes. I use The Daily Plate.

I love being surprised at how great I look whenever I glimpse myself in the mirror. I love that I take the time to put on makeup now. I love that I get to develop my own style based on what I like as opposed to what is available that fits me.

Restriction.No one can really describe it but everyone wants it. You have restriction when your band is adjusted to the point where you can eat 3-5 bites of well-chewed food and you are full. When this happens you have what is called good restriction

Say what??????? Are you kidding me?

This is very common, esp when you have lost so quickly. Keep following your eating plan and the weight will come off-Remember you are losing at a rate of 7 pounds a week-its gonna slow down a lot!