new_me_2008

Yeah - I am at great restriction right now and I will PB just about any carb except for chips (tortilla and potato) - the only good news is that I am satisfied with only 3-4 at a time....this is unreal. Last week while travelling for business, I carried around the same small bag of chips (the kind you get at subway) for 3 days in my bag until they were smushed! In the old days, those would have been inhaled before I even knew what was happening.... Love the band!

Now that I am experiencing restriction, it is like I am going cold turkey off the carbs. I used to be able to eat anything, just small portions. Now the thought of bread or pizza makes me dry heave. Sorry. I am hoping this will jump start the weight loss again and foow I can live with it. Thinking that 8.0cc is where I may want to 'live' after the weight loss as this is where I can still dabblein the things I like, but nt gain weight....we will see

check out the scar stages sticky -- everyone is different. I used mederma and it worked well for me, the scars are still noticable, but nothing like they used to me.

I am in the same boat too. I complained and complained that I didnt have the sweet spot and now that I am restricted I am not happy either!! UGH!!! I am able to get a zone bar down for Breakfast (takes almost 30 minutes) and then some Soup for lunch, but dinner is a mess. I went 6 months with no PB's and now, I PB 4 times in 2 weeks. No more steak, no more chicken breasts, it is all fish and veggies for me. The scale is finally moving for me so it is hard to decide if I should go back for a slight unfill. I was hoping that two weeks or so of this would lossen up things a bit, but no such luck. I do have to say that no being hungry and finally out of bandster hell is worth it. However, I too used to look forward to food and now it seems like a hassle. Go figure.

I have it and like it too...although I just dont take those shoes out of the closet enough and put them on!!!

Me too!! I have been banded for 6 months and now sitting at 8.5. Had my first PB experience this weekend and although it was awful, it was nice to see some restriction, finally. Now, hopefully the weight will come off more rapidly.

I am exactly 6 months out and I have lost 34 pounds (48% of my goal) so I feel pretty good about it. Now starting to exercise more. I lost a pound a week, no exercise, no weight gains, just slow and steady. I started with a BMI of 38 so my dr warned me that the weightloss would be slower. Word to the wise - dont compare to others, you will be miserable, I was and I have finally started to be happy for others and be grateful for my losses.

Sunshine - thanks for posting - I am at 8.5ccs in a 10cc band was getting concerned that I am near capacity....

I tried nutrisystem right before I decided to get the band and it lasted one day beacuse the food was so gross. This was their 'new and improved' food too, I actually had the chicken in red sauce (sauce was good) but could not eat the chicken due to the smell and texture. Gave it to my dog and even she hesitated at first, but eventually she ate it. I sold the rest of my package on craigslist - try that and then you dont have to worry about a large shipping expense.

In 6 months I have lost 34 pounds, so basically a pound a week with very little effort. I am starting to exercise in hopes of speeding things up.

Yesterday was my six month bandiversary and I wanted to share a few of my thoughts on my journey so far. This is for all the 'researchers' out there who scan these boards while trying to decide if the band is for them and for all of those newly banded who want to know what to expect. Note: this is my personal experience - I know that everyone is different. 1) I was a self-payer, on a whim, it was less than 3 weeks from my initial call and surgery. I do not regret it or the $$$ spent. I was also not required to do liquid diets etc. 2) I started at 222 pounds (5'4")and lost weight at every fill appointment. I did go 6 weeks with a plateu but NEVER a gain, unbelieveable. I have lost 34 pounds in 30 weeks. 3) I have never PB'd, slimed or thrown up - thankfully 4) I have the ability to eat what I want with no issues, just much smaller amounts - this is amazing, as I have not had a binge but been able to satisfy a craving if need be with just a bite. 5) I am still on the illusive search for that ultimate sweet spot. I am at 8.5cc in a 10cc band. Dr is happy with my weightloss and has offered to do the next fill under flor to ease any concerns that I may have about slippage. 6) Even with no sweet spot I am really thrilled with my ability to eat less. I had to learn the difference between STUFFED and Full and Not Hungry, in the past I tried to always be STUFFED, eating large meals and then snacking 1 hour later, now I know what satisfied is and that it a blessing. 7) My scars are barely noticable 8) Fills are no big deal at all - and I hate needles 9) Exercise is coming into my life and I am enjoying it. I have not done anything on a regular basis so it has not played a role in the weight loss. I know that I need to step up as the next six months will require more diligence. 10) I have travelled the world for business and to Hawaii and Mexico for pleasure and made it through the holidays with the band. Never an issue and never a concern, it has been easy. 11) I have given up beer and soda of any kind, of course the dr recommended it but I also read the carbonation leads to cellulite (I need all the help that I can get) so it has been out of my life for six months and I can not believe how easy it has been. I have begun to 'appreciate' wine and that has contributed to my slower loss, oh well. 12) The NSV's are too many to mention - but come to me on a weekly basis and affirm my decision to get the band. I worked myself into a frezy seeing all of the major losses from people on this board, it took a while for me to be happy for them (you) and realize that I am on my own journey and that we are all successful in our own way. I could not be more thrilled with the process and the support I have been given from all of you on LBT. Here is to another 6 months of losses!!! Tina

I love them too. I just bought a newer flavor - chocolate mint. I am hoping they taste like thin mint cookies- I will let you all know.

I saw no difference and even still (i am at almost six months out with 8cc in a 10 cc band) and I feel almost nothing. Everyone is different, I hope you find your sweet spot quickly.

"having it removed" (food like steak etc) What does that mean? I have never heard of that before and it concerns me. I have had fits and starts of feeling full and having a good fill but for now I am eating too much. Going to Maui on Friday and having a fill the day that I come home, so I am hoping to get back to that sweet spot.

I think that I am where you are at. I travel alot and can still eat everything (just smaller portions) I need to be more restricted at this point. I am going to Maui for fun then will have a fill on March23. Hope to find that sweet spot. love my band

Make sure all of you US self-payers, bring in all of your medical bills when processing your taxes this year. I am actually getting a nice refund and although I have other things that are contributing to that, my accountant said that it was definately a good thing to have all of those expenses factored in. Love my band - have a good weekend!

Wow, thanks for the info. You an I started with the smae general BMI too. I think I may give this a shot - what do I have to loose, right? Thanks again - I bet you are thrilled!

You will be fine after a week or two. I travel extensively for business and I have never felt better in my life. I am not weighed down by big meals and carb fests so I actually make it thru the day with no 3pm "blues".... That being said, I now sleep like a LOG - once I am in bed, no more tossing around or late night eating. I love my band!

Can you tell me how you went about doing this - I would definately like to persue this.

NEVER -NEVER -NEVER! I love this band. I am losing slowly compared to some others, but 4 months out and over 30 pounds down is great for me. I have never had a PB or any other band related issue. I only regret not doing it sooner. I also regret that I did not combine this effort with some therapy up-front as I was a self-payer. I was not mentally prepared for the complete removal of my ability to use food as comfort. Like some have said - there are times that a bowl of Pasta or pizza or whatever, seem to be the best solution to the problems of the day, but I have had to white-knuckle through those times and just focus on the success.

I with Jill - I do enjoy wine and have been since about 2 months post op. I did just return from a vacation in Mexico where I did indulge in margaritas which were wonderful. I probably went overboard at times, but never anywhere close to getting sick. I am also a beer lover but due to carbonation have not tried it (and probably wont).

Things are going well for me - although not as fast as some of the people on here. I am down 30 in total and that includes the holidays and my recent trip to Cabo. In case you were wondering, Margaritas are band friendly! I went way overboard. I just got my 4th fill on Tuesday (the fill was torture - new nurse) but I am happy and hoping to see some quick results. I have even considered starting an excercise prgam (as opposed to thinking about one and never quite getting around to it.) I am getting lots of compliments - most dont know that I had surgery and they ask like crazy what I am doing. Hope everyone is doing well and we can all get to the 5 month mark with more success.

My large incision is about 3 inches above my port. My first 3 fills were great. I had a new Nurse yesterday and it was the roughest experience ever, now I feel like my port area a bruised. I even woder if she put anything in or if saline is now floating around my body....it was really awful. I will insist on the DR next time (couldn't yesterday becuase she was out on maternity leave)

Gayle - are you really my mom lurking on the lbt board? ;o Thanks for the advice - I will behave - keeping mind I was a beer drinker too and diet coke drinker and have had neither since surgery. I have definately changed 180 degrees when it comes to what I am putting in my body. I am in no way an alcoholic but wondered now, with the band, if my alcohol tolerance would be lower (I assume that it is) and if that is the case what will be my reaction to more alcohol in my system. I am celebrating my 40th birthday in Cabo and plan to really Celebrate - for the first time in a long time I feel fabulous. Thanks again - I will give an update when I return.

This is my first 'fun' trip since banding. I am planning to be good but what happens if I drink too much tequila? I'm being serious- typically I would just throw up - maybe 1 every 2-3 years but now I'm worried. I'm looking for guidance from those who may not have been perfect since getting the band. Love the band!