betty_s

This is driving me crazy lately! There are three chairs that I suddenly cannot tolerate. Two at home and one at my office desk. It's because my booty has less cushioning! I have to get up and move because it's so uncomfortable. #skinny@$$b1tc#problems

So it's been awhile since I last posted, but I'm still loving my lap-band! I had my second fill last monday, where she gave me .5ccs (my first fill was 4.4ccs). I was pretty disappointed when I heard how low she was going, but I agreed anyway, bc she didn't really want to give me one in the first place. I'm 3 months out and lost 50 lbs between pre-op and now, so she was really happy with my progress.
Well.. I'm thinking i might be at green, or close to it. I can still eat and enjoy foods, but I'm noticing i get stuck if I'm not mindful of my eating. I've had 3 pb episodes, so I really need to focus on small bites, chewing well, and listening for my signals (usually a small hiccup). I'm still eating low carb, because it works best for me.
Currently sipping warm green tea because i just had a pb episode with Quest Protein chips.

so, the 8th was my 2 month surgiversary. my starting weight at the beginning of this process was 303lbs. i couldn't tie my shoes or get dressed without getting winded. at age 26, and dealing with my weight since age 6, i knew i wasn't going to do anything other than get fatter. i finally made the decision to get the lapband i was offered on my 18th birthday by my dad.
after 12 months of dealing with insurance, my information was finally submitted and after the longest 15 months of my life. i headed into surgery may 8th, 2014, weighing in at 284. 2 months later, i'm 256, and loving everything about my band. i've had one fill, which put me at 4.4cc's, and i have pretty decent restriction. the only foods i've had problems with so far are quinoa and dry chicken/shrimp.i dont see the changes as much as i like, but everyone else tells me how great i look, and i know i'm my own worst critic, so i'll go by their opinions.
i was cleared for swimming/light cardio 1 week out and lifting/all clear at 3 weeks out. since 3 weeks out, I have worked out in the gym 5 days a week lifting weights for about an hour/hour and a half, and 2 days a week i incorporate HIIT cardio routines. some days my port bugs me, so i take it easy, but for the most part, my body is really handling the exercising well. i was a college athlete (softball) so being active isnt really new. i kinda fell off the exercise train the last 2 years, and thats when my weight really crept up. i ENJOY going to the gym now; i look forward to it; and if i miss a day, i make it up the next.
the only thing i miss is my diet coke, but i dont miss buy size 22 pants and spending tons of money at lane bryant because it was the only place i felt comfortable shopping, spending an arm and leg each time. i'm in almost all of my 18s at this point, including my AE favorites. even my feet are getting smaller. i have more confidence and just feel better.
this band was the best decision i ever made. i only wish i had made it sooner, instead of being stubborn and thinking i could do this on my own.

First, congratulations on what you've lost so far, and for getting so near to your goal weight!
I've hit plateaus and pondered the same questions you are asking. I think the clue is that you not losing, yet you are following a diet and exercising. Your band may be due for a small fill. If you are nervous about the fill, I;d suggest doing it early in the week, just in case you need some Fluid removed a day or two later. You don't want to run into problems on a weekend.
Good luck, and let us know how it turns out!

so.. I've told a few people in my department at work, including my manager, that I will be getting the lap-band surgery (4 days left of the 12 month program required by insurance!!!!). I notice that my manager, who I've talked about struggling with weight, because she too is overweight, ALWAYS has some little jab to throw into the conversation. It's usually "i'd rather be fat", but the other day, we were all chatting and someone asked if I had my surgery scheduled yet, since I have been talking about it for awhile, I replied "no", and they asked a few more questions.. could I eat bread, could I drink coffee/soda, etc.
when I replied that I would probably keep to a lower-carb diet, my manager says "couldn't you just do a low-carb diet without the surgery?"
the more I thought about this comment, the more it pissed me off. for someone who has struggled with their weight as well, I thought she would be happy for me. shes done ww and other diets, but they never worked, at least for an extended period.
i'm 26 years old, I remember starting my first 'diet' with my mom at age 6.. my weight has been a constant battle and I've never been completely happy with myself.
THIS is why I was so reluctant to tell people in the first place. I waited 9 months before I told anyone, and still wasn't sure I should. I try not to let comments like that get to me, but the fact is, I DONT HAVE THICK SKIN, ive been teased my whole life and its taken a huge toll on my self-confidence.
just needed to vent. not sure if anyone else has dealt with this kind of situation, but I was just so pissed off, I had to get it out.

What a difference one year can make. I feel so much better & am much more healthy. Coincidentally, I pushed myself into ONEDERLAND on my one year since surgery anniversary!!

That is awesome! You look amazing!

I can understand where you are coming from. At 303 lbs, I just wanted to make sure everything was covered. Now, 40 lbs down, my clothes I currently have are either too big or too small. Its frustrating because you want to feel confident with your new weight loss, but its hard to when clothes dont fit like they should.
Keep up the good work!! You're doing AMAZING.

Your stomach wall is still healing from the port being stitched to it. but, if youre that concerned, maybe you should call your doctor.

so, the 8th was my 2 month surgiversary. my starting weight at the beginning of this process was 303lbs. i couldn't tie my shoes or get dressed without getting winded. at age 26, and dealing with my weight since age 6, i knew i wasn't going to do anything other than get fatter. i finally made the decision to get the lapband i was offered on my 18th birthday by my dad.
after 12 months of dealing with insurance, my information was finally submitted and after the longest 15 months of my life. i headed into surgery may 8th, 2014, weighing in at 284. 2 months later, i'm 256, and loving everything about my band. i've had one fill, which put me at 4.4cc's, and i have pretty decent restriction. the only foods i've had problems with so far are quinoa and dry chicken/shrimp.i dont see the changes as much as i like, but everyone else tells me how great i look, and i know i'm my own worst critic, so i'll go by their opinions.
i was cleared for swimming/light cardio 1 week out and lifting/all clear at 3 weeks out. since 3 weeks out, I have worked out in the gym 5 days a week lifting weights for about an hour/hour and a half, and 2 days a week i incorporate HIIT cardio routines. some days my port bugs me, so i take it easy, but for the most part, my body is really handling the exercising well. i was a college athlete (softball) so being active isnt really new. i kinda fell off the exercise train the last 2 years, and thats when my weight really crept up. i ENJOY going to the gym now; i look forward to it; and if i miss a day, i make it up the next.
the only thing i miss is my diet coke, but i dont miss buy size 22 pants and spending tons of money at lane bryant because it was the only place i felt comfortable shopping, spending an arm and leg each time. i'm in almost all of my 18s at this point, including my AE favorites. even my feet are getting smaller. i have more confidence and just feel better.
this band was the best decision i ever made. i only wish i had made it sooner, instead of being stubborn and thinking i could do this on my own.

I'm about 2 months post-op and have only had one fill. At my 2 month appt monday, my NP said since I'm losing she doesnt want to do a fill for another 3-4 weeks. She said I should be doing most of the work.
I've cut out most carbs. If I'm hungry between meals, I drink a lot of Water and chew some gum, if I"m still hungry 45-60mins later, I'll eat a snack like lunch meat or some raw veggies.

I'm about 2 months post-op and have only had one fill. At my 2 month appt monday, my NP said since I'm losing she doesnt want to do a fill for another 3-4 weeks. She said I should be doing most of the work.
I've cut out most carbs. If I'm hungry between meals, I drink a lot of Water and chew some gum, if I"m still hungry 45-60mins later, I'll eat a snack like lunch meat or some raw veggies.

I'm about 2 months post-op and have only had one fill. At my 2 month appt monday, my NP said since I'm losing she doesnt want to do a fill for another 3-4 weeks. She said I should be doing most of the work.
I've cut out most carbs. If I'm hungry between meals, I drink a lot of Water and chew some gum, if I"m still hungry 45-60mins later, I'll eat a snack like lunch meat or some raw veggies.

I'm about 2 months post-op and have only had one fill. At my 2 month appt monday, my NP said since I'm losing she doesnt want to do a fill for another 3-4 weeks. She said I should be doing most of the work.
I've cut out most carbs. If I'm hungry between meals, I drink a lot of Water and chew some gum, if I"m still hungry 45-60mins later, I'll eat a snack like lunch meat or some raw veggies.

I'm about 2 months post-op and have only had one fill. At my 2 month appt monday, my NP said since I'm losing she doesnt want to do a fill for another 3-4 weeks. She said I should be doing most of the work.
I've cut out most carbs. If I'm hungry between meals, I drink a lot of Water and chew some gum, if I"m still hungry 45-60mins later, I'll eat a snack like lunch meat or some raw veggies.

Hang in there!!!! 5 days is not a stall, so don't get hung up on that. Be patient. Hold the vision and trust the process. Best wishes!

Very insprirational!! Thank you for sharing! I just started at the gym last week. The weight isn't falling off yet, but I feel wonderful!! Mentally and Physically it helps!! Keep up the awesome work!!

I finally managed to lose 70 pounds!!!!!! This is a milestone for me, since I haven't been at this weight for almost ten years.
After being in a rut and at a plateau for several months, I decided to get back to the gym on a regular basis. That helped, but once I decided to push myself for an hour on the treadmill and watching my heat rate, I was able to burn 800 calories in an hour and resulted in some fantastic weight losses that showed on the scale.
NSV, and like many bandsters, we've fought for and earned every damn pound that we've managed to sweat off and keep off. Ideally, I need to lose another 80 pounds according to the BMI calculators, but the day I reach 250 pounds (46 to go) will get me back to where I was 35 years ago. I just hope there aren't too many plateaus between where I am, and where I want to go...I really get angry at folks who think that WLS is a cop out, and an "easy way" to lose weight. I'd like to slap them across the head several times whenever I hear those comments. Every pound lost is a victory over fat, and it is a hard fight, regardless of how you do it.

I'm new to this site so I thought I would share my learning experience this far! My surgery was on 4/17/14 so I'm 13 weeks out. I had my first fill at the end of May but didn't need a lot at that time. I felt great with small portions and not feeling hungry very often at all! I have lost 29 pounds so far (started at 205 and now at 176). I was thinking wow, I must be one of the lucky ones who won't require a ton of fills. My surgeon suggested I wait in my second fill because I was feeling good, able to tolerate normal Proteins but getting full on small portions and not having annoying hunger issues! Well, that all ended about 3 1/2 weeks ago. It's like all of a sudden a switch was flipped and I'm hungry all the time and I could eat much more if I allowed myself to (which I have a few times) I feel like I'm dieting again:( I'm scheduled for a fill in 2 days and that can't come soon enough! I've still managed to loose a couple pounds in these few weeks but that's mostly from will power and exercise. Has anyone else experiences this sudden change? The only thing that is different is I get these light headed feelings that come and go. I'm due for labs next week as well to check my Vitamin needs. I really hope this fill will do the trick. I was feeling so good and now horrible. My surgeon does all his fills under fluoro so that's good!

Annette, I have heard of Northern Neck! I haven't been there. Where are you going for care?

Hi Karaya. I'm not in northern VA, but am in VA. Would be nice to know someone else here. Having trouble finding VA folks.

I remember needing to wear TWO gowns in the hospital right after surgery, front and back.... now that is em-bare-ass-ing.... LOL.

Made me laugh, those gowns are a fat persons little nightmare. Great job.

Went to the doctor today for my annual check up. Remember those little gowns they give you to wear?? Well, I am so excited to say that it fit for the first time in years!!! Woo hoo! Loving life with the band.

so, the 8th was my 2 month surgiversary. my starting weight at the beginning of this process was 303lbs. i couldn't tie my shoes or get dressed without getting winded. at age 26, and dealing with my weight since age 6, i knew i wasn't going to do anything other than get fatter. i finally made the decision to get the lapband i was offered on my 18th birthday by my dad.
after 12 months of dealing with insurance, my information was finally submitted and after the longest 15 months of my life. i headed into surgery may 8th, 2014, weighing in at 284. 2 months later, i'm 256, and loving everything about my band. i've had one fill, which put me at 4.4cc's, and i have pretty decent restriction. the only foods i've had problems with so far are quinoa and dry chicken/shrimp.i dont see the changes as much as i like, but everyone else tells me how great i look, and i know i'm my own worst critic, so i'll go by their opinions.
i was cleared for swimming/light cardio 1 week out and lifting/all clear at 3 weeks out. since 3 weeks out, I have worked out in the gym 5 days a week lifting weights for about an hour/hour and a half, and 2 days a week i incorporate HIIT cardio routines. some days my port bugs me, so i take it easy, but for the most part, my body is really handling the exercising well. i was a college athlete (softball) so being active isnt really new. i kinda fell off the exercise train the last 2 years, and thats when my weight really crept up. i ENJOY going to the gym now; i look forward to it; and if i miss a day, i make it up the next.
the only thing i miss is my diet coke, but i dont miss buy size 22 pants and spending tons of money at lane bryant because it was the only place i felt comfortable shopping, spending an arm and leg each time. i'm in almost all of my 18s at this point, including my AE favorites. even my feet are getting smaller. i have more confidence and just feel better.
this band was the best decision i ever made. i only wish i had made it sooner, instead of being stubborn and thinking i could do this on my own.