stI24nger

Congratulations, Utah! I'm starting to think about trying one out myself! I've got the running part pretty much down pat, I'm thinking I will conquer swimming next -- discovered a free city pool that's actually clean last weekend. Last stop, biking. I do love to cycle, but I'm a little scared of it right now. It's so hard!

Del, I really do think you'll find your "sweet spot" before your 10cc band is full. I know you see that you're 2/3 of the way full already, but trust me, there's a lot of room left! Like, I went from 3 to 5 to 7 in three fills, then had to go back down to 5.5 and then to 6. Now, I'm ready for another .5. 7cc was too much for me before, but I'll probably be back there in another 4 months. Next time you get a fill, your whole world may completely change. That's what's good about it. I don't know if I mentioned this earlier, but I've found a lot of others who have a little frustration with the 10cc band. Since it has so much more capacity, it takes longer to feel the restriction. People who have a 4cc band feel a difference with only a .25cc fill, where it's just not like that for us. The pendulum swings a lot wider for us, but we all eventually get to the sweet spot. Oh, and if it really DOES take complete capacity to get you to restriction, don't worry, because your band actually holds more than 10cc!!!!

Well.....first of all, you've lost more weight than I have, and I'm actually feeling pretty good, so this is liable to be tainted with optimism. Continue reading at your own risk. That said, I will tell you that I feel like my weight loss is happening a little more slowly too, I have the same size band, and although I have restriction, when it's almost fill time, I tend to gain back a few already-lost pounds. HOWEVER, and this is really the kicker: Would you have lost 45 pounds in about 8 months before lap-band? Was consistent, gradual, constant weight loss a reality in your life before? Did you EVER BEFORE have the feeling in your heart and the knowledge in your brain that the 45 you just lost is now GONE FOREVER??? I didn't, I can tell you that much. The point is this: You're 30 years old. You have a LOT of life ahead of you. Who cares if it takes 2 years to get to your goal weight? I, for one, will make ANY time investment necessary to know that my future is brighter and longer, I will always be healthier than I was yesterday, and one day, I might be able to Comfortably walk around in a bathing suit! Whoa!!!!! So, relax. You're doing fine. Your band IS WORKING. Trust it, trust yourself, and try to look on the bright side.

Welcome! Hope you find the answers you're looking for! Bear in mind, the best way to start is by going to a seminar. Either find a surgeon or group in your area, and attend one of their informational evenings. If you don't know how to find a surgeon, try going to your insurance to see who is in network. That will at least give you a place to start. The reason it's good to start there is because you'll want to get factual information straight from the "horse's mouth" (surgeon) and be able to ask questions of the professional. But, this site is EXTREMELY helpful and informative, so you've come to a great place! Good luck!

Who cares how much other people lose? If you didn't have the band, would you have lost 40 pounds in less than 5 months? Doubtful. Don't worry about them. They're just jealous.

I would say call your doctor.....

OH! Coltonwade--you thought I wouldn't catch you? You better be off my back FOR GOOD about logging my food on SparkPeople!!!! If I've told you once, I've told you a thousand times! I dont' give a shit about keeping track of my calories!!!! P.S......I stepped on the scale last night (after running--I DO exercise -- Couch to 5K program, week 6) and weighed 191.4!!!! I'm not counting it as official yet, but it's pretty COOL!

My doc also only puts me on liquids for 24 hours. Every doctor is different, and every post-fill diet is different. I really recommend just sticking to what he says. He obviously has chosen your post-fill diet for a reason and he IS the doctor. I know you're hungry, but at least you'll probably shed a few extra pounds...which IS what we're aiming for, right? Plus, I think with the slower post-fill diet, you give your body more time to figure out what and how to eat on the front end....instead of having episodes of getting stuck and learning to work backwards with your band and fill. Stick with your doc---you'll be fine!

I think mine took about an hour. No complications, just normal. But, I really didn't know how long it took...coulda been 3 minutes--I was completely out of it. I personally didn't get a lot of gas pain. I had stocked up on the chewable gas medicine and didn't even need it. The worst part for me was getting over the anesthesia. I had THE WORST headache of my life--either the first or second day after surgery. It, honestly, was so bad that I laid in something similar to yoga's downward dog pose (the same, but with my knees down) all day long rocking and whining. It was pretty pathetic, actually. Other than that, the paid was very well managed by the meds (liquid Lortab) and I got through it all pretty quickly.

Eh, I don't think you should be expecting to get stuck....or feeling bulemic. That type of behavior can lead to a slipped band if you keep it up. Sounds like you need to concentrate a little more on what you're eating. I doubt you're too tight, but chicken nuggets just may not be in the cards in your future. I know very few bandies who can eat fried ANYTHING....much less dry chicken. I've found that with chicken nuggets (or anything FRIED or FAST FOOD for that matter) gets me stuck every time. Stick to grilled/baked/broiled lean meats...go for sauces to help them to be slick, take small bites, and chew chew chew. After meat, go to your veggies, but stay away from the stringy ones like asparagus--they don't go down well for me. Hope this helps!

Congrats, whosya!!! Man, I've said it a million times, but I never stop believing it's true: YOU ARE AWESOME!!!!! My running buddy are starting week 6 tonight. I did that week 5, day 3 (20 minute) run on Saturday at the gym, and I was setting little time milestones for myself, much like UT LB's markers. Except that I'm particularly keen on the words "sinch" and "sinchy." (I don't even know how to spell it.) It's so funny when I run another minute or two and say to myself, "Eh, this is sinchy!" I make myself giggle a little and keep on going. The time ended up going by like a breeze, and I even ran the last two minutes at 6.0 mph! Wow! So, tonight is day one of week six and it's only supposed to get up to 96* today. UGH! Wish me luck!

maybe you're just in shock from the good news and your body can't handle it!!!!

Wow....congratulations. Your story is beautiful...and I'm so glad that you have not only found a positive self image, but are working on peace within your self. One of the themes that you touched on throughout your story is: better late than never. It is so true. Now you can be happy, enlightened, and proud for every day that is to come. Excellent job.

Wowee lulu.....12 pounds from goal!?!??! Incredible! Thursday is day 3 of week 5...all is going very well. I did day 2 at the gym today--it was a breeze compared the the 98 - 100 degree conditions I've been suffering in! I need to make excuses to my runnin' buddy a little more often and take my booty INDOORS!!!

Hmmm....I gotta "weigh in" a little here. First of all...the thought of ever being "model thin" is so completely foreign to me that my opinion might matter very little to you. However...I will say this. Consider what your husband has to say. I mean, you're at a healthy weight, you obviously have a healthy level of self confidence, you feel good in your clothes, and your man is happy. That's a whole bunch of good stuff vs. "model-thin might be kinda cool." I'm just sayin'.

Dang! Awesome job, wnt2lose! That's reallly great!

Holy Moly....8 Tuff Miles! That certainly LOOKS Tuff!!! Something tells me I won't be joining that crowd! On the other hand....I guess anything could change between now and 2009!!

FRANGI !!!!!!!! REMEMBER what I was TELLING YOU???????? Remember how I said "YOU CAN DO IT", "IT WILL GET EASIER", and "YOU WILL BE SURPRISED"?!?!?!?!?! Remember that I said, "JUST KEEP GOING" and "PUSH YOURSELF"?????? You see what I mean now, don't cha???????

Mmmmmmm.....leg rub-downs from hot, sexy trainers!!! I'll do sprint drills for that ANY day! Goodness Gracious, that 5 minute run was HELLACIOUS in the 100 degree heat!!! The second 5 minute run was just about impossible for me--but I made it! I reluctantly reminded myself that the end of week 5 has that 20 minute run...YIKES!

Welllllll...I didn't run yesterday--holiday and all. I'm starting week 4 today--5 minute run, here I come! It's definitely hot, but if I just keep going, I will "condition" myself to be in the heat. At least, I hope that's true!

I can't believe that you've gone for 14 months of being uncomfortable and having to sleep in a chair!!! I wish you would have come to this site a year ago--we would have told you to go to the doc then!!!! Good luck to you....I hope everything is okay!

I agree-super easy. My doc doesn't do flouroscopy (doing the fill under x-ray_, numbing, local anesthetic, NOTHING! He just makes me lift my legs (so that the abdominal muscles contract and push the port upward toward the skin), feels for the exact location of the port, cleans the area, sticks the needle in, pulls the Fluid out (to check the capacity--make sure there's no leaks/red flags), then puts fluid back in. Like with everyone else, it's super-easy, super-fast, and painless. The only "problems with the fills" come if you, by some chance, get too much fluid in your band (causes problems eating/drinking) or if you have a doctor who has to "dig around" to find the port.

Rosemary????? In a protein shake???? Whoa! My expectations have just gone through the roof....that's right, girlfriend, you had BETTER perfect it!!! LOL!!!!!!

So, was it any good? And, when are you going to share the recipe? I wouldn't mind taking the protein-shake-advice from a shoulda-been-a culinary master!

Are you serious, CarolAnne? This forum is very "safe"--if you mean by that what I think you do. You just happen to click on a thread in the "RANT" section -- what you see is what you get here. I would recommend checking out a different thread--any thread but this one!