Cherlita

Hi letterfly: Congratulations on your banding. I used to live in Loveland, but moved to Grand Lake last year. I too have plateau'd over the years since my banding in Nov07. I've lost 106 lbs now. I was banded in Forth Collins by Dr Roller at the Northern Colorado Surgical Associates group. They have 2 support groups, and any patients are welcome. You don't need to be one of their patients. ' Support Groups info: Northern Colorado Surgical Associates Dr Betty Vanek's support group is AWESOME!! She charges $20, but it is well worth it. Details of her group on on the link above. You meet other wgt loss surgery patients, discuss issues, and get motivated. There are patients in the group who live in Loveland. If you want some one-on-one time with Dr Betty, I highly recommend her for counselling. Don't lose the faith in your band. Find what works for you. I've found that I just can't eat very many calories. If I eat Breakfast, I don't lose. I also plateau ALOT!!!:wink2: It's just how my body works. I used to get very frustrated with the plateaus, so when the scale doesn't show a wgt loss for a few days, then I stay away from the scale and continue to do what I know works. Pretty soon the scale catches up. I wish you continued success. You've lost 40 lbs, which is WONDERFUL. That is 40 lbs that you will never have to lose again. Cherlita 379/273/160

Low carb is the only way I am losing weight now. I suggest you find what works best for you.

So far, I've lost a newborn calf + an automobile tire + an average human brain + an ostrich egg Too funny Cherlita Colorado 379/272/160 pre-op/current/goal 11.27.07: op date

I have 10cc's in my 14 and have great restriction. :biggrin:

I haven't signed on in months, but came back today because I finally have lost my first 100 lbs (114 to go) and just had to share with those who can truly appreciate the accomplishment. I finally feel like the end-goal is really achievable. What a struggle the last 2 years have been. I LOVE my Lapband. Without it, I never would have been this successful. I've had some personal challenges in life and would have reverted to overeating to console myself. Can't do that anymore. Not with the restriction I have. I did try. :smile2: I'm living my life now and not just as an obese person who needs to lose weight. Cherlita Surgery: Nov07 Wgt: 379/274/160

Momster0, I completely understand. I started out at 379lbs. I am to the point that I don't give a flying squirrel what others think of me. It is my life and I do what I want, which means I walk. Yes, I've been spit on, taunted, and yelled at because of my size. But I've also had others who have seen me walking and then later in the store and mention how great it was to see me out there and offered words of encouragement. Bottomline, there will always be people in the world who will find fault in someone else, it's easier for them than being a better person. I just smile at them and think, someday they will piss off the wrong person and karma will come back to bite them. Get out there girl and live your life!!! Cherlita

I have finally lost 100 lbs. Wahooo!!!!!:smile2: What a challenge. I love the Lapband. It has really helped me successfully lose the weight, but my body just doesn't want to give up the fat. I really envy the lapbanders whose weight melts off. God Bless you all. I am not that lucky. It has been work. So for all of you who might be losing slowly or stuck in plateaus, don't give up. Keep adjusting until you find what works for you. I am committed to getting this weight off and have 114 to go. Cherlita Surgery: Nov07 Wgts: 379/274/160 (starting, current, goal)

Hi Ginger, Congratulations on your decision to get the lapband. I am a patient of Dr Roller's. He is wonderful, as is all of the staff at NCSA. I had LB surgery 11.27.07. I had an excellent experience at PVH. From the operating room staff to the nurses and support staff, everyone was very supportive. Be aware, as with any Operation, they will be waking you up throughout the night to take your vital signs :thumbup: Recommend you read the pre-op posts on this website. Lots of good info on what is helpful, what to take to the hospital and have at home, what are good foods for the post-op liquids and mushies stage. I really enjoyed the sugar free popsicles post op. I'm excited for you. Hope to see you at the monthly NCSA meetings at PVH. Feel free to email me if you have any questions. Cherlita lost 65lbs - GONE FOREVER

I have really good restriction right now, so I get full on about 1/2 cup of food (except Soup or fluids). For the most part, I eat anything with the following exceptions: chicken, or any bread or bread-like food. Chicken or any bread-like food gets stuck and will not go down. I can eat small bites of chicken if it is with something else, like in a salad or casserole, but not a bite of a chicken breast. I had quiche the other day and took a very small bite of crust with the quiche, and it came right back up minutes later. Thankfully I was at home. Now, I did eat a small amount of spaghetti with eggplant parmesan, and that went down okay. I'm so scared of my band slipping that I just don't want to try foods that might get stuck. Cherlita

Just had to share something funny. The great news is that I've lost 60 lbs of the 200 lbs I need to lose. The BAD news is that 30 of it seems to have been lost from my boobs! What the heck is that? I have a large butt, large belly, and thighs that have their own zip codes, but NOOOOO. I lose half of my boobs. Seriously, I can now put my fist in my bra with plenty of room left over. Cracks me up! Guess I may have to have implants when I'm all done. I invite you to share something funny about your weight loss that you never thought was going to happen. Happy Halloween Everyone! Cherlita Loveland, Colorado 379/319/179 pre-op/current/goal 11.27.07: Banded

Pam, my surgeon has a chart on the wall that helps determine if a fill is necessary. Basically if you are hungry between meals and are prone to grazing then you need a fill. The band will help with hunger control because it holds the food in longer (at your sweet spot) and so you don't get hungry until it's meal time. I'm at my sweet spot and I seldom get hungry now. Good luck. Cherlita down 60lbs so far and hard fought to get them off :thumbdown:

CajunCutie I feel your pain. I also use food for comfort or to "relieve stress". I was banded 11.27.07 and have lost 60 lbs so far and had to fight myself for that all the way. I had a jones for ice cream over the summer, finally broke that habit. I read about other people who have dropped 100 lbs is less than a year and I am so envious, but I know that I am the one controlling my own destiny. Several things have helped me. First and foremost, I finally have perfect restriction; got it with my last fill last friday. I get full on 4-5 bites. I had one egg this morning and it was perfect. I was/am a fast food junkie. I loved my fast food, well, after my last fill I had to test it, so I went thru my favorite fast food drive-thru and was only able to eat only half of the small french fry order and I was full, as in done, not another bite. I'm not wasting anymore money on fast food. But that jones will always be there for me, so I have to be vigilant and not carry money or my credit card with me, so I can't buy anything. I also have a jones for sweet things. Well I cannot eat any bread items, won't pass thru my band, they come back up so I absolutely don't want to lose my band from slippage. So no more bread items. I have created a few treats that I use to satisfy my sweet tooth. I'll post the recipes here for your later. I don't have them with me right now. You are the only one who can do this. We can help support you, but bottom line, it's up to you to succeed. :thumbup: Cherlita

I have discovered a great salad: salad greens, grilled chicken, toasted walnuts, blue cheese crumbles, strawberries, and balsamic vinegar dressing. YUMMY!!! (I had this salad at Mimi's cafe, so can't take credit for creation, but definitely making it at home) I have perfect restriction, so can only eat 4-5 bites before I'm full, so I graze on the salad from lunch to about 3'ish. Love salads, but with restriction, not able to eat much. :girl_hug: Cherlita

Hi AVM, Congratulations on your Lapband. My best advice is to keep getting your fills until you reach your sweet spot. I have a 14cc band and have 9.5cc and PERFECT restriction. I get full on 4-5 bites now. I LOVE IT. I've lost 6 lbs now in 6 days now. I'm getting all of my Protein, actually eating more often, just not as much. The lapband is a tool. Use the tool. Keep getting your fills, which are very important to get to restriction. Best of luck! Cherlita

I was drinking 2-3 pots of coffee a day for years. I switched to decaf coffee and really didn't miss the caffeine. I was still getting my coffee fix, but without the caffeine. Then, slowly, I stopped drinking a lot of coffee. Now I rarely drink coffee. I drink Water. I noticed when I switched to decaf, I got a major headache for about 2 days (2-3 pots of coffee per day is a lot of caffeine). I drank a lot of water, and it helped. Good luck! Cherlita

Steve, Congratulations on hitting your target weight. That is awesome. I'm also envious that it is no big deal for you. You are not obsessed with losing weight or the numbers on a scale. It's just another day for you. That is truly wonderful in my opinion. Cherlita

I thought I was never going to get there, but I finally have perfect restriction at 9.5 cc in my 14cc band, FINALLY. I now get full at about 1/2 cup, maybe 5-6 bites of food. I love it! I've lost 6lbs since getting restriction last friday. WAHOOO!! :confused: Cherlita

It's standard for my surgeon's patients. All of their lapband patients stay overnight. I was given anticoagulants to ward off blood clots and also had to wear the leg pumps. Between the leg pumps and the nurses coming in to check my vital signs, I didn't get much sleep. I also had a pain PCA, which I used only once to help me sleep, not for pain. I didn't have to do a swallow study.

First thing, CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR DECISION TO HAVE THE LAPBAND! WAHHHOOOOO!! I wish you the best of luck with your surgery and recovery and much success! Some of the posts have mentioned some good food ideas. definitely make sure it is something you are comfortable with. I was on regular food within 2 weeks. Apart from the first post-op week, seems like food plans differ with every doctor. The most important thing to remember is small quantities (can you use a small plate without being obvious?) and chewing your food to the consistency of applesauce. If someone notices something, just tell them you are either trying a new diet where all your food has to be pureed (joke about if the crowd is that type, roll your eyes if they aren't) and then change the subject, ask a question of someone. Or tell them your doctor has put you on a special diet to help with heartburn or acid reflux... quickly change the subject (just be prepared with a topic or question so that you aren't caught off guard) Also I find it very helpful to chew gum when I'm plating the food (and prone to nibble). Since you will still be in the mushy stage, suggest you also find some low carb recipes to make a dessert for yourself. You can make low carb pumpkin (not pie) just leave it in the kitchen and plate it up when you plate the other Desserts. suggest you make the recipe before Thanksgiving day so you can try it ahead of time to see if you like it or it needs improving. it's very delicious! One of my favorite desserts or treats is very simple: combine 8oz cream cheese, 1/2 cup sour cream, and one tube of lemonade SF drink mix (like Crystal Light or Wyler's) or any other flavor you like. Mix it all up and enjoy. Eat 1/4 to 1/2 of cup. It's better if you let it set in the fridge for an hour or two. One thing I've found with this website is to ignore the advice that doesn't fit. Your are asking the world for input or advice. and some of it you may not agree with. brush it off or ignore it and move on... life is definitely too short to waste... BTW, my 1 year bandiversary is Thanksgiving Day! Too funny. Best of luck :embaressed_smile:, Cherlita

I've lost... 60 lbs/27 kg/4.3 stones = an elephant's penis (yep, weights more than his heart!) Wahooooo!!!! Cherlita

Get some sugar free chewable Papaya enzyme tablets. Chew a couple if you have get something stuck. They provide some relief when Protein gets stuck. You can find them at a Vitamin store. Most brands have some version of sugar, so be sure to read labels. chicken getting stuck is very common. The worst feeling ever. My family can tell when I have something stuck, I get a very distinct "panic" look on my face. LOL I make chicken casseroles now and I mix my bite of chicken with a vegetable, such as summer squash or eat it in a salad. I seem to have better luck with chicken when it is combined with something else. Good luck. Cherlita :tt2:

Get some chewable papaya enzyme tablets. Make sure they are sugar free; the ones I have have sorbitol in them. I got them at the Vitamin store. I take them everywhere. I have them in my car, purse, home, office. Any time I have the stuck pain, I chew a couple and feel relief, sometimes it is almost immediate relief. Good luck. Cherlita:thumbup:

Go the nearest Vitamin or health store to get some chewable Papaya Enzyme tablets. Make sure you get the sugar free. The pills I have have sorbitol in them, it's such a small amount that I don't care as long as I get relief. I don't go anywhere with the Papaya enzyme. It gives me almost immediate relief from that stuck pain. Works especially well for Protein. Good luck. Cherlita :crying:

Jorge, I am a carb addict. I feel your pain. I started my journey at 379. I've lost down to 337 and now, for the last 2 months, I've pretty much been stuck in the 330's. I haven't been able to get below that. I struggle everyday with my carb addiction. Everyday life is difficult. I've been working to change my habits and re-learn and focus on the good things in life that are not food related. I've also been getting counselling to help me relearn living life. My entire life has revolved around food, especially carb laden food. My therapist has been helping me change my habits. #1: carry no cash or credit/debit cards with you when going out. You cannot buy any food without money. This has really helped me with my fast food addiction. #2: eliminate any foods in your home, office, car, that are not on good for you. I do not even have any sugar or flour in my house, so I cannot make anything bad either #3: plan meals and make a grocery list for shopping. #4: take a shopping buddy with you to the grocery store who will help you stay honest. Don't rely on them to be the diet police, that is not the point. You need to learn to live with the temptations that are all around you. The food will always be there. The key is learning to live with the temptations. #5: Stop watching live TV. Record the programs you really want to watch and watch them at a later time. This eliminates the constant food commercials (food porn, as I refer to them :thumbs_down:. My brain is so tied to visual cues that seeing all the food commercials can trigger me. #6: Add exercise to your daily routine. I have purchased an exercise ball to sit on, and yes, there are exercise balls that support our weight. I sit on it every day. I have a desk job and sit 8-10 hours a day. I also have exercises my therapist gave me yesterday, to start working more muscles and help me get stronger. #7: seek counselling from a Bariatric Surgery focused therapist. I started this right after I got surgery because I know myself and I know that old habits return to me in a split second. #8: The lapband is a tool not a cure. You have to learn to use the tool to your advantage. I had my first fill at 6 weeks postop. My surgeon explained that they wait in order to make sure patients heal properly. He also will not do more than one fill per month. I see him tomorrow and will ask for another fill. I'm very close to good restriction. I can still eat more than I think I should and am hungry between meals. Go to your surgeon. The bariatric surgeons know we have food issues. Start your new journey of finding restriction with your lapband. Best of luck and keep posting. We are here for you. Cherlita 379/337/180 banded Nov 27, 2007

My experience was chicken. I took a bite out of the chicken leg rather than having cut it up and was just chatting away and down the bite went. Thankfully I was at home when all the excitement started. Now I cut up all of my meat to less than 1/2 inch cubes, I also mix other food with meat, so its not dry, like a little bite of vegie with the chicken. Thanks for sharing! Cherlita