BandedBrunette481

Great to hear you're doing so well! I feel like I had a very similar post op experience as you, right down to the cold food thing! Lol! You just kind of get used to reheating your food halfway through or eating it cold because it takes so long to eat everything.
Keep up the good work!!

Let me just start by saying, I've been banded 11+ months. I don't keep or have any desire for my band to be really tight and my surgeon is leaving how tight up to me. I like that. I just wanted to share my story.
I have a very addictive personality. A type AAA lets say. Everything I do, I do full steam ahead. Eating, drinking, you name it. I experienced the alcohol thing when I was younger and did it much to excess. Coming from a home with an alcoholic father, this scared me and I eventually with some help was able to leave this behind. Then the devil on my shoulder became smoking. That was a really hard one to kick, but eventually, I did that too, this time on my own, but with much failure and restarting. food being an acceptable addiction crept up on me then it stopped creeping and just started moving in. After years of yoyo dieting and trying every diet I could find and making up others on the way, with thousands of dollars spent on fads and diet pills I found I could not handle this on my own. I decided to get the band.
When I first got my band, I admit I thought it would cure me my addiction. I didn't know it was a tool. I had been told it was, but I still didn't know it. I had not yet found this forum and a part of me wishes I had, but another part of me wouldn't change a thing.
The preop weight came off great, I didn't totally hate the shakes though I missed the lunches out 3-4 times a week with my coworkers and found it difficult to avoid the Snacks that were constantly being delivered to the office by well meaning clients. The post op diet was more difficult for me as by then I hated the shakes and had very little imagination as to what else to try. My first eggs, 3 weeks post op was the best food I had ever eaten. I had hiatel hernial repair and plication with my band. I do love the plication and believe I avoided BANDSTER HELL because of it. The surgery itself was pretty hard on me and it may have been because of the extra procedures involved, but like we all do, I eventually bounced back. I had my surgery on Friday and went back to work on Monday. Tuesday I had to go to surgeons office and have all of my residual fill removed due to too much swelling. I had my first stuck feeling that day due to gulping fluids through a straw (I forgot no straws). Looking back, it was probably alot of gas in my stomach, much different feeling than the gas around the stomach.
Anyway, 11 months out, I'm down 75 lbs and only a few to goal. My goal isn't set in stone, so may be adjusted depending on how I feel when I get there. I'm not going to have any reconstructive surgeries as my body has managed to bounce back ok. Not bikini-ok, but I'm 55 and never was a bikini personality anyway.
I put a full length mirror in my bathroom 4 or 5 months back so I could make myself look at me. Something I haven't been able to do in a long time. I'm just starting to convince my mind that I'm not obese anymore. I eat what I want, I just don't want as much and I'm mindful of what I eat so I don't sabotage my weight loss. I don't feel like I'm dieting, just reprogramming myself to want healthier foods. I exercise 4 to 5 days a week and mix that up a lot. I feel I have developed alot of tools to go with the band and if I lost the band, I might could manage now. I hope I don't have to find out. I just want to give a shout out to all of you out there that are on this journey with me. I know we each may do it slightly differently, but we are all heading in the same direction and it helps. I love that most out there aren't trying to tell others how to do it, but how they do it, which is sometimes different.
 

http://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/482941343
I had two goals:
1. Ride more than 10 miles: I am more proud of today's 10.5 miles than any distance I have ever put on my Road bike.
2. See what was on the other side of a ridge that kicked my ass last week: I had to walk my bike to the top of the ridge, But I now know what is there.

Very helpful. Thanks

really helpful...I could never understand what a NUT is/was - thank you!

Outstanding! This is great, I wish you you of written it a few months earlier, lol ! When I first joined here I kept coming across a lot of these terms and would google them so I could figure out what everyone was talking about! You are going to be a blessing for a lot of newbies and ones that are still trying to figure it out! Thanks!

. This was wonderful... Thank you so much.

Very helpful! I'm working on my blog now and will probably make or link a LapBand glossary. Will help friends and family interpret what I'm saying. Lol.

I write a blog about my LapBand journey and I was thinking one day that it would be helpful to know all the weight loss surgery "lingo" everyone was using. I posted a glossary of terms on my blog and I just wanted to post the link to it in the hopes that it helps new people feel more informed! I know it would have been useful to me when I first started, so I just want to help out my fellow weight loss surgery peeps
Even if you aren't a "newbie," go ahead and read it and let me know if you think I should add any words or terms to the list! Thanks!!
http://blissfullybanded.wordpress.com/2014/01/29/weight-loss-surgery-glossary/

I had my first fill on April 9th and I also don't feel much restriction. I can eat anything, I just don't. Like kll724 said, it's basically just dieting right now. My next fill appointment isn't until May as my doctor will only do them every 6 weeks.
It's hard work and it's easy to get discouraged, but you just have to keep working hard. It can take several fills before you feel anything and maybe even more until you get just the right amount of restriction. Don't give up! Keep track of what you eat, stay hydrated, and get moving, even if it's only walking. Find a hobby even! Staying busy helps take your mind off the food.
You can do this

I am so glad that my story has given you hope!! That's a great thing to hear. I knew I would regret not documenting my journey with pictures, even though they are hard to take and look at. I encourage it though because it does end up being a good motivator! Thank you for your encouraging words I wish you all the best as well.

Congrats on your success!! I'm only 2 months post op and I'm soooo looking forward to all those nonscale victories you mentioned
It gives me hope to hear you're 2 years out and still losing/keeping the weight off. I also love that you said you don't diet. I don't diet in the traditional sense either and it works for me too!
Keep up the great work!

This past Tuesday was exactly 8 weeks since the day of my surgery and I couldn't be happier! I'm down 25 lbs, have 3cc's in my band, and I'm feeling great! I love my LapBand and I feel like I'm living a whole new, positive life.
It's really easy to get caught up in posting on these forums when something is going wrong, but sometimes, you just have to stop and take a minute to Celebrate what is going right
I posted some side by side comparison pictures on my blog of my progress so far. Here is the link if anyone would like to take a look.
http://blissfullybanded.wordpress.com/2014/04/18/2-month-bandiversary-pictures/
Thanks for all the support fellow Bandsters! I wish everyone the best of luck, no matter what stage of your journey you are on.

This past Tuesday was exactly 8 weeks since the day of my surgery and I couldn't be happier! I'm down 25 lbs, have 3cc's in my band, and I'm feeling great! I love my LapBand and I feel like I'm living a whole new, positive life.
It's really easy to get caught up in posting on these forums when something is going wrong, but sometimes, you just have to stop and take a minute to Celebrate what is going right
I posted some side by side comparison pictures on my blog of my progress so far. Here is the link if anyone would like to take a look.
http://blissfullybanded.wordpress.com/2014/04/18/2-month-bandiversary-pictures/
Thanks for all the support fellow Bandsters! I wish everyone the best of luck, no matter what stage of your journey you are on.

Today marks two years from my lap band surgery, and I can honestly say it was the best decision of my entire life.
Here are a few rambling thoughts about my success story, as well as some of what my life is like now...
When I started I was 266. I think I last weighed in at 172, but I think I've lost since then, so I'm somewhere in the neighborhood—or pretty close to—100lbs down. When I started I wore a size 22/24 pants, and now I'm wearing a 14ish... Tops were 2-3x, now I'm in a 10-12. I recently realized that my "style" doesn't AT ALL match who I am on the inside. I'm awesomely cool on the inside, but I look pretty dowdy and conservative because I'm still wearing the styles that looked good on me when I was heavier. So I am slowly trying to upgrade my closet with funkier, younger looking things. I have a neck!! It's a really cute, long thing that attaches my head to my shoulders. My head no longer looks like it's sitting embedded into my shoulders. I also more importantly have a lap!!!!! My daughter can sit on my lap and not slide off. That was not possible before. I can run up the stairs in the subway and don't get out of breath. I have no scars on my belly at all (thank you Dr Fielding at NYU, you're a rock star!) My stomach is pretty flat and doesn't have that much extra skin, but sadly those little fat-fold creases in my upper arms have not gone away with the weight. So while I can wear things that are fitted in the waist, I don't feel comfortable wearing t-shirts. 3/4 sleeves are my best friends. Same with my legs. I'm cursed with fat knees, so I won't be wearing cute little summer dresses with my legs showing. I cross my legs all the time!! I couldn't at all before. When I started, I couldn't see my lady parts at all when I looked in the mirror because my stomach "apron" covered that area entirely. Now, if I stand just right I can almost see my c-section scar. That's amazing!!!! I have a little triangle of light that comes through my thighs when I stand with my legs together. WOW!!!! Never thought that would happen. I can wear heels all day with no problem! I don't really think about food during the work day. I used to stop for breaks all day long! I still overeat at night some, my old bingy self is still in there, but I do reach a limit where I have to stop. But for the most part I still eat the same kinds of things I used to, just not as much. I can eat anything, though not a lot of anything. Usually I have a big coffee and maybe the middle section of a ham/cheese square from Starbucks for Breakfast (if that). lunch is usually a large Soup and a piece of bread. dinner is usually a small plate of something. I'm mostly a healthy eater—probably 75-80% healthy choices, but certainly not all. The rest of my food is total junk. I love sour cream, it's a weakness. Also love ice cream now, but often can't finish a whole cone. When it's that time of the month I can eat most of a Chipotle burrito bowl if I go slowly. But when it's not that time of the month I'm about 6-7 bites and then done. I still eat a lot of sushi, though have some trouble breaking down the seaweed, so I usually spit that out. I still eat steak, but I have to cut it tiny and often end up eating the fat (sad admission). I have some trouble with Indian rice, I have no idea why. I eat a lot of salmon and corn on the cob, but can only eat about 3 bites of the corn usually... I'm still CONSTANTLY amazed that I fit in tiny spaces when I'm on the subway. Seats that I would never dare try to squeeze into now have extra room and surprise me! My stamina at work has DRASTICALLY improved. I think more clearly. I work faster. I'm less tired. I am more engaged. My brain just works better. I don't have a fog in my head anymore. But most of all, this whole experience has been easy. I know a lot of people say this is the hardest thing, but it hasn't been for me... This surgery HAS done the work for me. I don't make any special effort, I don't diet, I don't work out. I would still LOVE to stick all this food in my face that I used to, but whatever, I can't. Next. It's truly amazing that I could ever feel that way.
Maybe it would feel harder for me if I were really dying to reach my goal weight. I mean, I've been banded for 2 years and I'm not at goal! That might drive someone else nuts, but I don't care. If I get there, great, if not, I'm thrilled with myself as I am now... I've achieved everything I wanted to out of this surgery, and the rest is a nice bonus if it happens someday. I don't think food or even my body that much. And oddly, I'm still slowly losing weight.

I am in a really good mood today. Even though according to my doctors scales I'm up 2 lbs. He took me off 2 of my pills, not bp or cholesterol yet...but he says maybe my next 6 mths I will be able too. But what has made me really happy he signed my release to exercise so I can now go to the Cantrell Center again and work with a PT in the pool so I can maybe start losing again. I know that my increase was due to the fact I was told that I had to increase my daily intake...but am doing really good at posting everything to My Fitness Pal. So looking forward to moving ahead with band life and losing weight up to my goal!!! Hope you all have a great weekend. Thanks for listening.

Yay!!! Best of luck to you!! It's all so worth it

So today is the beginning of the rest of new life. I have researched, read books, asked questions and it all leads up to my personal experience. I have to report to the surgery center at 8:30am, for a 10:30am start so I am STARVING at this point. Blessings for myself and all of my other fellow banders out there

It's not on your list, but I drank and still drink Premier Protein shakes. They are comparable to all the supplements on your list though with 30 grams of Protein per shake, 3g fat, 1g of sugar, and 160 calories. They are sold at many stores like Walmart, Meijer, costco, and Sam's Club. They only come in the basic flavors like chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry and are pre-mixed but they are my favorite so far. Even at 7 weeks post-op I still like them, which is saying something haha.
Best of luck to you

Gotta love those non scale victories

We were just at a hotel the other night. My mode now is to get Greek yogurts and out them in the fridge for morning, or if there's no fridge on ice in the ice bucket or sink. If it freezes a little it is absolutely delicious. Have fun on your vacation!

I didn't lose any weight for weeks after surgery and I was soooo upset because I was basically eating nothing and everyone always talked about how fast the weight comes off at first. For me, the weight didn't start to come off until I started eating more calories! My body was just saving them all instead. I know it sounds silly, but maybe that's what is happening to you? Are you getting in at least 1,000 calories a day? When I eat about 1,200 calories a day, I lose weight the best. You can also try upping your workouts just a tad. Like if you usually exercise for 30 minutes, try for 45. Or if you exercise a certain number of days per week, try adding one more day of light exercise or weights, just for a boost. My doctor told me lifting weights is an important part of a workout regimen because your muscles work to take the place of fat even after you've finished the workout.
Try not to get discouraged!! This is a long journey and it will take time, but it will be worth it in the end. Keep your eyes on the prize

Blissfullybanded,
Our starting weights and goal weights are the same. I'll be calling the hospital shortly to have my first chat with them and see how it goes. I'll also wear a jacket, that won't "need" to be removed.

When I was trying to get insurance approval, I was about 10 pounds away from qualifying. My surgeon's office didn't specifically tell me I needed to gain weight, but they were kind of happy when I said I gained 5 pounds over the holidays and then told me they were "really looking for a BMI of 40" at my next appointment. I just ate a lot before my appointment and wore my heaviest clothes for the weigh in lol. You should have seen the nurse's face when she asked me if I wanted to take off my light jacket and I said no hahaha! I made the cut off and my insurance company approved my surgery in 9 days after the case was submitted. Once they agreed to pay, I didn't HAVE to keep my BMI over 40 anymore, but I didn't feel like dieting when I didn't have too, so I stayed at the same weight until my pre-op diet. I don't regret gaining the extra pounds so I could qualify for surgery even a little bit!
Obviously you should do what's best for you, but I just wanted to share my experience. Best of luck to you

When I was trying to get insurance approval, I was about 10 pounds away from qualifying. My surgeon's office didn't specifically tell me I needed to gain weight, but they were kind of happy when I said I gained 5 pounds over the holidays and then told me they were "really looking for a BMI of 40" at my next appointment. I just ate a lot before my appointment and wore my heaviest clothes for the weigh in lol. You should have seen the nurse's face when she asked me if I wanted to take off my light jacket and I said no hahaha! I made the cut off and my insurance company approved my surgery in 9 days after the case was submitted. Once they agreed to pay, I didn't HAVE to keep my BMI over 40 anymore, but I didn't feel like dieting when I didn't have too, so I stayed at the same weight until my pre-op diet. I don't regret gaining the extra pounds so I could qualify for surgery even a little bit!
Obviously you should do what's best for you, but I just wanted to share my experience. Best of luck to you