Sleeved12/29

I've been really struggling with my band lately. I've had two unfills and have gained 10lbs. I looked back on the success I had after banding and realized I walked with Leslie 5-6 days a week. I set up my spare bedroom with a tv/dvd and have started to WATPs again. I feel great and exercise really does kill my hunger. Sometimes I want to strangle her but she's a great motivator.

Hi Maria, Sorry it's taken so long for me to reply. I had to re-read your post. I then went and re-read my surgeon's rules. I was not allowed pudding 'til the mushies stage...which for me was the 3rd week after banding. I was only allowed clear liquids and jello the first two weeks. Did your nutritionist tell you pudding was ok? Hope things are going better for you.

Welcome, Maria. Sorry to hear you're struggling...what problems are you having? I look back over the past year and I'd do it all over again...

Hi Cathy, I'm doing well. Have been absent from this site for several months but I'm back. How are your doing? I'm back on track. Have only had two fills but going for another one in the next week or so. Hope all is well.

Weightloss has had the opposite effect on me. At 51 I had a period after 11 months and 2 weeks...I was very angry! Had 2 really bad ones, then nothing for the past 2 months. My GYN said fat cells store hormones...when we lose fat cells the hormones have no where to hide. She put me on a form of progestrone and my weight loss as stopped as well. I'm going back in to see her next month.

I eat at least one salad every day. I can't eat iceberg lettuce even if it's soaked in dressing...it just won't stay down. I buy either the hearts of romine, spring mix or just the romaine in the package. I dice the lettuce up even smaller than what is in the package. Add a little tomato, perdue diced chicken, a little feta, a little seeded cuke and that's pretty miuch my lunch. I've began asking the waiter at restaurants if their salad is iceberg or romaine...if they iceberg....I order something else. Good luck...if you are like me, you will find your band is fickle. One day I can eat something and a few days/weeks later...up it comes.

Can you update my stats as well? current weight:204 Thank you!

You are doing great!! I was allowed to walk on the treadmill or around the block after 2 weeks. When I complained about what I thought was slow weight loss, my surgeon told me if I wanted to lose 50 lbs in a month, I should have had bypass.... Give it time. Your body is still healing. If you are feeling full, you may not need a fill yet. Discuss everything with your doctor on your next visit. I didn't need a fill for almost two months after surgery.

WannaB-just take it a day at a time....I'm sure you will be off the Metformin before you know it. E-mail me anytime...

I was on a diabetic diet 'til June '08 when I began type II diabetic. That was a real wake up call for me!! Was on 1000 mg of Metformin in am and 500 in PM. I gained weight and started periods after 12 months without. I stopped taking Metfomin a few days before surgery at my surgeon's request (I was banded 11/18)...haven't taken it since. My A1C has been 100 or less. I've had two tests since banding. The only meds I'm on now is 20mg of Zocor but have a family history of high chlorestrol. I'm down 44.5 and exercise at least 5days a week. My PCP told me once a diabetic, always a diabetic BUT I'll take being a med free diabetic any day!! Good luck!

Yesterday was my 5 month band-a-versary. I would do it again in a minute. Wish I would have done it years ago. I'm still learning. I still find myself filling my plate, thinking I'm going to eat just like before...NOT. I've wasted a lot of food because now my eyes are really bigger than my tummy. Good luck to you and your wife!

can you update my data? current weight 209.0 thank you

I think we all question decision before surgery. I know I did. Did I make the right decision? I can honestly say....yes I did! I was diagnosed with Type II diabetes June '08. That was the last straw. I'm totally off the Metforim and my last fasting A1C was perfect. I'm down 44 lbs and feel great. If you are looking for a "quick fix" the band is not the answer! The band is part of a threesome...you must add exercise and a change in eating habits for the band to be your friend. I've been banded almost 5 months and I find myself filling my plate like in my pre-band days. I look at my plate and think "wait a minute, I can't eat all that" and you know what...I can't. Not even half that amount. For me, this little jewel has become a great friend!! Good luck with your decision.

Hi SpideyMom, I was in your shoes not very long ago. Had did all the research but was very nervous about making the final committment. In June of '08 I began taking Metformin for diabetes three tablets a day and testing my blood sugar 3x a day. That was the final straw...I knew I had to do something or I was gonna just keep on getting larger and the diabetes would get worse. Six weeks after surgery, I was off all diabetes meds. I'm happy to say I was banded 11/18/08 and have no regrets. I'm down 38.5 lbs. You must remember the Lap Band is not a fix all..it's a tool...a tool to help you stay on track. IF you work with it by eating well, exercising and doing what your physician advises, you will do great!!! I'm more a salt eater...chips and dip are my downfall. I still eat chips and dip...just fewer. I've had two fills since surgery. I don't have the cravings I once had. Good luck...we are here for you thru this journey.

I use Leslie Sansone's Walk Away The Pounds DVD's. I mix them up...3miles, then the next day 4 miles, then will use my Core Secrets ball and 2 mile walk. I love them. I have about 2 dozen of her tapes. My personal goal is 45-60 minutes of exercise a day so I'm even putting a few of her two miles tapes together for my 4 miles. I exercise 5-6 days a week. I can really see a difference. I just can't use exercise equipement others have used...my husband and son think I'm crazy.

I learned a very painful lesson a few hours ago! I had my 2nd and worst PB. We went to Super Wal-mart to buy jerky. I read on the board it's a great source of protein to carry with you. While at Wal-mart, I bought a small container of popcorn chicken.. I swear I chewed, chewed, chewed. But my band apparenlty didn't think so. I felt like my chest was going to open up. I tried walking around the house, went to the basement to sort laundry & then everything came back up...plus I think a little more. Should I go on liquids for the next 24 hours? I've only had one fill. Guess I can mark popcorn chicken off my list of safe things to eat. OMG...it was the scariest thing I've ever felt. I had tears rolling down my cheeks.

Pat, That is wonderful news!!! WTG! I haven't bought anything new as I have a lot of winter clothes I "out grew" from the past two winters.

I was craving pizza as well. I cut the toppings into little pieces and it actually cured my craving. I eat the toppings and my son ate the crust...winning combo!! Try the thin crust pizza. A fellow bander told me she can eat one piece of thin crust pizza....takes her a while but it does cure the craving.

Last Friday was my first fill. My doctor asked me if I had problems with bread and I told him I was afraid to try bread, pasta or rice. He told me my body needs the type of carbs from whole wheat bread. He suggested I try thin sliced bread and toast it. I bought Weight Watchers whole wheat bread and tried it. Went down fine but I cut it in very small pieces. I haven't tried the ricee or pasta yet. I was a really heavy carb eater before surgery but really don't miss them anymore. I loved the bread at Carabas and rolls from Betrucci. Could do major damage there!! I have weird cravings now...like cesar salads, steamed brocolli and cheese, refried beans with salsa.

Thanks everyone for the idea! Hubby and teenage son love jerky. I've never tried it...but will buy some next time I go to Costco or BJ's. The boys have always tried to get me to taste it BUT just didn't like the looks of it. Hubby says if I can eat cottage cheese (which is a red light food) I can eat anything! Some days I need something for the drive home...I have an hour drive each way. This sounds perfect!!

You have 7 posts. Four of them are telling everyone who your doctor is and how much you love him and 3 posts are telling us what we can and cannot post. How supportive is that? What does it have to do with food or weight? Well said!! Is it do as I say & not as I do? I posted on the over 50 thread when I lost my 16yr old dog last month. Am I one of the people granny is referring to? Several people were going thru the same sadness as I was....we shared our thoughts and I felt it helped me NOT to eat thru my sadness as I would have before. I feel we are here for one another...NOT only for weight loss BUT for support in everyday life. BTW...I also have a dog with bone cancer (14 month survivor) AND I do belong to a bone cancer forum AND we go OT a lot. Have you looked for another lapband site? One that just talks about lapband? Or maybe you can start a website that you can monitor!

Ginny, sorry to hear you have the flu...my hubby was sick last week with flu like symptoms but it was viral. He ran a fever for 4 days, headache and chills but doctor said not the flu. You will lose weight....he did....hope you feel better. I've noticed in the past few days that I'm getting hungry. I haven't had a fill yet. I'm down 27lbs (according to my scales). Just rest...it's really nasty weather out there today. I work in Rockville so I know!:wink:

At first I wasn't going to tell anyone...wanted them to notice BUT once I started with the doctor's appointments, etc everyone thought the worst. The "C" word (cancer) came up a few time along with "female surgery" since I'm 51. Finally, I told everyone AND wow were they supportative. Many knew how I was struggling with my diabetes in the mornings... I'm glad I told everyone. Many have come to me & told me how brave I've been because they are afraid to have the surgery. Many ask to "see my scar". Most know I did it for health reasons...not vanity reasons...so they are fine with it. I've been off since 12/24 so I'm wondering what they'll say when I return tomorrow. It's really a personal decision.