kellykids

Each day there are more and more newly banded people here who are questioning their weight loss. You think you should have lost more or be losing more then you have. A loss is a loss whether it be pounds or inches. You are not going to lose weight every day, every week or even every month in some cases. No one that is obese ever gained 100lbs over night or some even over a year. It was a gradual weight gain that will take time to get rid of. You're questioning what am I doing wrong. If you are following the plan that your doctor put in place for you to the T then you are doing nothing wrong. As the body loses weight it has to catch up if you initially lose a lot in the beginning. People have went months with no weight loss but as long as you are not gaining you will get there. 1 to 2lbs a week is normal for a lapband patient. If it's more then you're that much more ahead of the game. Be patient, stay off the scale. Weigh yourself once a week or every other so you won't suffer disappointment and question if you made the right decision. If you can't stop weighing yourself then you have to stop being disappointed every time you don't lose. Just hang in there it will happen if you are doing exactly what you are suppose to be doing. You can't eat ice cream, cake, Cookies, potato chips and all the other junk food and wonder why the scale is not moving. Drink your Water, eat your portion size and make sure most of that is Protein, make sure you get 8 hours of sleep at night because you lose weight when you are sleeping, make sure you are moving your bowels every day and stop stressing. You will get there.

It's our emotional stuff that gets in the way of the band. Sometimes we let our head our minds over rule the tool we have in the band.
Even in the green zone, when troubles rise, stress and anxiety come around it's easier to fall back on the old habit of what we know. It's been ingrained in our psyche for a long long time, and it's going to take time for us to get our head around the band. Just because we put it around our stomach doesn't mean our minds have been captured by it.
You may not "need" the food that you choose, but your mind makes it a NEED. It's not going to sustain your body, it might be pure sugar and nothing else but your mind and the way you think and feel about that food becomes greater then the subtle whisper of the band that tells you "no you don't need that."
I know for myself when I am so overwhelmed by stress, even the positive kind where things are going amazing I have to battle my emotional need to eat something familiar and comforting. It could be that cheese danish or crumb cake, that brings back all the memories and gives me the feelings of being a little girl who was safe, secure, accepted, and cherished. It takes me back to a time that was simple and not full of such turmoil, a time where people were not looking to me to help them solve their problems, advise them on the steps to take or to plan their events. Where I wasn't responsible for the lives of others, I was just me, a part of family not the head of one.
All those emotions and feelings come to the surface in the blink of an eye, in a breath I am craving that feeling again. I know that eating the danish is not going to bring me back there. It's not going to rewind my life, or erase all that I have to do or all that I am responsible for. Yet..in that moment as I lift it to my lips to take a bite...I'm transported to where I want to be in my mind.
It's an escape, and I'm a sweetie. I love the cakes, the chocolate, the Cookies and pastries, and all the things that remind me that life is sweet and life is good. I don't drink, smoke or take drugs. I eat.
That is my addiction. I fight it every day as much as any other addiction that is out there, and this one is so much more difficult because I must eat to live. So I battle with my head every time I make a choice of what I am going to put in my mouth. Sometimes I justify and then later berate myself, but I am learning NOT to do that. To battle the emotions and the food that is tied to them as they come up. Some I have been more successful at squelching then others.
It's a state of mind, not the food itself. I know this, and I am working diligently to strip those ingrained emotions and habits and get back to the frame work that is me. Rebuilding and re sculpting in the image that I choose to embody and reflect outward to the world.
Thanks for letting me share my thoughts, as I strive along side you all to do the best and be the best me I can be.

I am new 2nd day post op and I am from bundaberg, Queensland, Australia....

Can't believe its 4 weeks already since surgery tomorrow! Craaazy! So so glad I did this

I was banded over 'failed' bypass 3 weeks ago and have lost 15 pounds but my appetite has returned and am battling a bit now that I can eat all foods.I diarise everything I eat and stay under 1200 calories.. I see my surgeon on the 31st and am very keen on hearing when I can have my first fill. All of the Jan Bandsters are doing so well..and full recovery is just around the corner for everyone that have had their bands I only get a little ache and pain after bending or doing a bit too much..looking forward to hearing when I can start exercising .. Finally good luck to everyone having their surgeries in the coming week !

Officially, average weight loss with the band is 1-2 lbs/week, so you're doing fine. But...I do feel your pain and frustration over your rate of weight loss. In our heart of hearts, don't we all wish we could wake up in the recovery room after surgery at our goal weight? Unfortunately, only limb amputation could accomplish that.
Generally speaking, men tend to lose weight faster than women because of their greater muscle mass. People who start out at a higher weight usually lose weight more quickly at the start because their basal metabolic rate is higher (they need more calories just to stay alive). I've encountered post-ops of all surgery types who lost weight at a stupendous rate for a month or 3 months or longer, and eventually they (and their very confused bodies) slammed into the brick wall of a plateau. The calorie restriction that comes along with almost any kind of weight loss effort (with or without surgery) is a big challenge for the human body. We're programmed to eat to stay alive, and when we eat less day after day, week after week, month after month, eventually our bodies ratchet down our metabolism just to deal with that perceived starvation threat. Then you throw in other health problems, exercise, medications, hydration, hormones, etc. etc.....
Of course, nothing I said in the paragraph above is going to make patience any easier for you to practice. It's certainly not one of my strong points. So my final words (for now) are as follows: HANG IN THERE!

Hi I am new to the site and have had revision WLS (band over bypass) on the 9th January 2014. This has been my most happiest post operative experience so far (have had many surgeries) and I must say the peppermint tea that I have been drinking(recommended by a friend) has made all the difference. It's natural , almost calorie free and helps ease pain and wind..so thought I would share my experience and hopefully help others

Just be careful of caffeine withdrawal headaches. I'd suggest to start with some different black or green tea that still has caffeine. It's still much less than coffee but peppermint has no caffeine.

A few dark chocolate chips or a bite size candy bar are for the days when I'm feeling like a little treat! Kicks the sweet craving and I still get my protein!

I have found that sadly there are a lot of misconceptions around gastric bands. Let’s get back to basics to understand how a gastric band should work.


I have found that sadly there are a lot of misconceptions around gastric bands. Firstly, there is a misconception that the gastric band creates a small stomach that must be ‘filled’ to feel full. There is also a misconception that a tighter band will result in more weight loss and that the vomitting or regurgitation caused by a tight gastric band is ‘normal’. Another misconception is that you shouldn’t be able to eat certain foods with a gastric band.
Let’s get back to basics to understand how a gastric band should work. A gastric band is a silicone device placed around the upper part of the stomach. It was once believed that the gastric band created a new, smaller stomach above the band, where food would sit before passing into the lower, larger stomach. Recent studies at the Centre for Obesity Research and Education (CORE) in Melbourne have shown this to be incorrect.
The gastric band actually creates a ‘funnel’ into the larger stomach and exerts pressure on the stomach. Adjusting the gastric band can vary this pressure. The band has an access point called a port, which is stitched to your abdominal muscle deep under the skin. You can usually tell where the port may be as it is likely to sit somewhere under your biggest scar. Your surgeon or weight loss GP uses the port to adjust your gastric band and vary the pressure it places on the stomach. They can inject or remove saline (a salty water) solution via the port to make your band tighter or looser.
When food is eaten our oesophagus, or food pipe, squeezes bites of food down towards the band. Once food reaches the band, contractions of the oesophagus, called peristalsis, will squeeze well-chewed food past the band. In a person with a well-adjusted band, it can take between two to six squeezes of the oesophagus to get a bite of food across the band. One study suggests this process takes at least a minute.
There are nerves in the stomach that detect when our stomach is stretching, and send a message to our brain that we have had enough to eat. One particular nerve involved in controlling our stomach is called the vagus nerve. With a gastric band sitting around the stomach this squeezes the vagus nerve all the time, and more so when you are eating.
The squeezing process triggers a signal to the brain that you are satisfied, or no longer hungry. This means you feel satisfied on a smaller amount of food than you would have prior to surgery. The constant pressure of the band on the stomach also helps you to feel satisfied for a longer period of time, reducing hunger throughout the day.
Feeling satisfied is different to feeling ‘full’. Feeling ‘full’ means you have eaten to excess. It may indicate food is sitting above the band, either due to eating too quickly, eating large pieces of food or not chewing food well enough. Try to stop eating when you feel satisfied or no longer hungry, rather than full.
Each bite of food must be small and well chewed. An empty, or uninflated band has an opening the size of a twenty-cent piece. A fully inflated band has an opening the size of a five-cent piece. Most people will have their band adjusted somewhere between the two sizes. If you cut food into the size of a five-cent piece size and chew it well, it is more likely to pass comfortably through the band.
Eating slowly also helps you to eat comfortably. In theory, you should aim to wait a minute between each mouthful of food, however it is not practical to time every mouthful. It is practical to put your cutlery down between mouthfuls and wait until you have swallowed before cutting the next piece of food ready to eat. People with a gastric band who eat quickly, describe a feeling of discomfort in their oesophagus, like a ‘traffic jam’. Eating slowly will help avoid this.
I hope this clarifies how a gastric band works and what you should experience. If your band is not acting like it should, please follow up with your support team.

Great post!! My band has taught me that I am a stronger person than I ever thought. ...both physically and mentally. I am BRAVE. Brave enough to admit I had a problem, brave enough to ask for help, brave enough to undergo surgery, brave enough to keep fighting afterward. Brave enough to go after the life I always wanted!!

Wonderful post Cheryl!
I have learned to be mindful. Ever so much more then looking both ways before I cross the street! I have learned to be mindful of the things I put in my mouth. Mindful of the things I am even thinking about allowing myself to consume whether they be liquids or solids.
I have learned to mindful of the things that cause me anxiety and stress and what their affects on my body truly are. I am mindful of the way I view myself. Not only my reflection in the mirror but the attitude I project toward my self and in my day and to those around me.
When I am not mindful, buddy and buster (my band and plication) like to let me know it. Sometimes they are vocal with their discomfort and displeasure of my absent mindedness, sometimes they can be totally embarrassing if I am not focused on their needs and I will need to find the nearest receptacle to help set them to rights, and at the worst times they are woefully painful when it is clear that I am blatantly ignoring their subtle hints and signs and it can leave me feeling worse then being punched in the gut.
There are many things that can take me out of my body and even drive me out of my mind!!! My band reminds me that right here in this moment is where I belong. Enjoying the texture, aroma and flavor of the bite, or the sip and not plowing my way through life onto the next thing. My band helps to keep me mindful and present in my life, even when I am not eating or drinking the lessons are not lost on me, and if they are....a reminder could be just a forkful away.

Hello my fellow Lap Banders:
Today is the second day since Lap Band Surgery and what I see as a new way of life. After years of struggling with my weight, I finally made the decision on Lap Band surgery. I am 48 years old 5"7 and 260lbs. I am married to wonderful and supportive man and I have two teenagers ages 13 (girl) and 15 (boy). I am the only person in my family that is overweight. Kind of like Chris Christie, the government of NJ, I considered myself a "healthy" fat. I walk at least 2 miles 3 times a week and go to the gym once or twice a week. I have what I call "pre-diabetes" which is really just diabetes but it makes me feel better to call it "pre-diabetes". And, my blood pressure and cholesterol are within normal limits. With that all said, my reason for deciding on weight loss surgery is simple - I wanted to keep up with my family and their active lives. But more importantly, I wanted to feel better and be healthy both mentally and physically.
Over the last two decades I've found that I can have a very addictive personality. food has always been a source of comfort for me. Two of my favorite foods are homemade biscuits and pancakes. My grandmother, God rest her soul, was a biscuit and pancake maker extraordinaire. So, of course, I have now perfected those recipes and serve to my family. They do enjoy these foods but not nearly like I do. My husband jokingly has said, "Those biscuits take you back to 1979 sitting at your grandma's kitchen table without care in the world except whether to use honey or jelly on those biscuits." Guess what? He is so right. Some of my fondest memories are in the kitchen with my Grandma - talking, laughing, cooking and of course eating.
My second addiction started in high school, blossomed in college and brought me to my knees in 2008. I am a recovering alcoholic. I've been sober since May 2008. I went to my first AA meeting on May 24, 2008 and haven't had a drink since. I followed the 12 step program - got a sponsor, got sober and never felt better. If you know any thing about AA, it is not a program to make your stop drinking, it more about teaching you how to live a better life. It certainly changed my life. Of course there can be a downer to sobriety. Once the booze stops going in which is pure sugar most alcoholics develop a love for sweets. Some are satisfied with a small piece of candy or chocolate to curb the craving but not me. My sugar cravings extend to cakes, pies, Cookies, and anything chocolate. That is one of the reasons I chose lap band over gastric by pass. I was afraid that completely taking sugar from my diet would awaken my desire to drink. With the lap band, I could have a manageable amount of sweets without getting the "dumping" syndrome.
So now, here I am. I find myself on day #2 following surgery slowly drinking a Protein shake and writing in my online journal about my lap band procedure. I just started this journey so I cannot offer anyone advice or uplifting comments. I can only say that I am glad to find this forum to talk with others that are going through what I'm going through now.
My husband took a before picture of me the day I was leaving home for surgery. I will post if I get up nerve.
Thank you to anyone who reads my story.

Lol you cracked me up.

Had my surgery jan10th.Doing amazingly well.Tolerating fluids ok but find the cold ones more of a challenge .
So glad I did this.The support out there is wonderful.Keep it coming.

Day after surgery. I have been taking my liquid pain meds. Which I have to say were ridiculously expensive. They were over $200 without insurance. With my insurance I still paid $62. Which to me is a lot! But it is working, therefore it's worth the cost I've kept ice packs on my incision area most of last night and that really seemed to help. I got up several times to do this and that b/c my boyfriend was not supportive of my decision for banding. I felt well enough to do things for myself. I slept good last night and this morning I am starting the day with a cup of tea. We'll see how that goes and advanced from there. Last night I had some chicken broth and a few sugar-free Popsicles. No problem keeping them down. I'm definitely sore this morning in the incision site area and will soon be putting ice pack back on it. No other pains YET. But I'm ready for them when they come. I have my extra strength Gas-x films in the background waiting to be put in action! lol

Had my surgery yesterday & am doing fairly well today. It's funny how much I think about food now post surgery.
Everything went really well before & after surgery. I was actually asking if I could go home b4 they were telling me it was time to go. I used ice packs at gone & my pain meds & am doing well. Glad to be on this side Finally!

Hi I am new to the site and have had revision WLS (band over bypass) on the 9th January 2014. This has been my most happiest post operative experience so far (have had many surgeries) and I must say the peppermint tea that I have been drinking(recommended by a friend) has made all the difference. It's natural , almost calorie free and helps ease pain and wind..so thought I would share my experience and hopefully help others

Pouch dilation is a complication from banding, not as serious as band slippage -- but is a prelude to slippage if saline is not reduced and caught in time, it can cause the pouch to get really big and prolapse, but it is a complication where it makes it difficult for the band to be effective...
Pouch dilation happens when someone is filled too tightly TOO LONG and continues to try to eat on a very tight band (along with frequent vomiting), sometimes it can happen pretty quickly after being filled too tight, this is why it is very important to return immediately to your surgeon when you've been filled too tight to prevent permanent damage to your band.
Pouch dilation is tricky also, sometimes you think you are doing well with a very tight band and losing weight, and after someone who have been too tight for a long period of time, start noticing they can eat more food, they think they need more saline, but sometimes the pouch will dilate ....
Here are more causes and differences in pouch dilation and slippage:
http://www.sages.org/meetings/annual-meeting/abstracts-archive/gastric-pouch-dilation-versus-slipped-band-an-important-distinction/
Aggressive band inflation and creation of excessive restriction to compensate for patient lifestyle non-compliance may contribute to morbidity including gastric pouch dilatation, band slippage and erosion.
It is essential to be able to diagnose gastric pouch dilatation and its causes.
Treatment of pouch dilation includes band deflation, which preserves the device and ongoing patient educational counselling. We recommend that restriction should be increased in patient’s with aLAGB commensurate with their compliance and lifestyle change in order to avoid complications.

I'll be joining in here for sure! Surgery is Jan. 14!

I can't tell you how long your pain will last. All I can say is walk and flap your arms. You might look like you're doing the chicken dance but it moves the gas. If you have a recliner, it's going to be your best friend when it comes to sleep. Just remember to sip your Protein shake and when you feel full stop.
The pain will pass and you'll forget about it when lose weight.
Good luck!

Once you have had your surgery come on in to this post from the "pre-op" side. Share your experience.