Dmilder

I had my op on Feb 11th, and now have 9.5mls in the 14cc band. Actually I have had around 11mls of fills (including the 5mls put in during the operation), but apparently some of the Fluid dissipates into the tubing, and when I have a fill, the consultant sees how much she draws out before putting it back in, and she has assured me I only have 9.5mls in officially.
I am getting some restriction now - the scales only started to move 5 months after my op. I haven't got the full restriction, but I can feel it is not too far. I have only had the "wrong food" once since my last fill (a Chinese takeout), but it took me a couple of hours to eat - and it was completely cold by the time I finished it. It was silly to have it, but I was fed up of the same food every day, and am now back on the right stuff.
I eat 2 boiled eggs for Breakfast every day - that is Protein and works well with the band. If you have boiled eggs for Breakfast, you should feel full until lunchtime.
For my main meal, I eat chicken and pasta:
wholemeal Pasta (eg 0spaghetti)
a few ounces of chicken breast fillet, diced (cut the fat off if any)
half a red pepper, chopped up
half a jar of the tomato-based Pasta Sauce, low-calorie version (called Dolmio Light or Ragu Light in England)
I fry the chicken in 5 calories of oil (using OneCal spray) and then put the pepper and Pasta sauce in, and in ten minutes the lot is ready. It is a low-fat and filling meal.
If I am hungry: I have a banana. I also sometimes have a handful (just literally what one hand will grab) of oven fries (the lowest fat version by McCains). Another thing I treat myself too if I need to is half a bottle of red wine. I have coffee - with skimmed milk.
And I have nothing at all to eat apart from the above. Oh, and lots of zero-calorie juice, diluted with Water.

I had my 14cc band placed Oct 1, 2009 - and I really didn't see any significant weight loss for the first 4 mths. It took until my 3rd fill (and my doc only does them every 6 wks and he's also 3 hrs away) and 8.5 cc to get any restriction at all. I had my 5th fill almost 6 wks ago, for a total of 9.5 cc in my band - and I think I'm finally at my sweet spot. I've only lost 50 lbs in the last 9 mths, but most of that has been since Feb, when I finally got some restriction.
Good luck to you. And remember, each band is so personal, it doesn't matter how much I have in mine, what counts is how you feel.
Marci

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f13/how-many-ccs-restriction-14cc-52373/index13.html
This is great thread to check out. I have 10.8 cc in my 14 cc band, so every one is different. I feel real good, but still I have control myself at the dinner table. I will getting another fill next week. I hope I will hit the sweet spot at 11 cc.

to
the shoulder pain is something we all go through. A heating pad works great and of course moving around helps. the gas will dissipate soon. there is a nerve that runs in the area you are describing, it is the vagal nerve.

I had mine 4 days ago, and I have shoulder pain and also I have like a pain by the band part of my stomach, when I swallow or take a breath. Not sure if this is sore or it hurts, really. Is this normal. I pray you get better, cuz it is an ugly feeling. They did tell me to walk..

Sep, Oct, and Nov - we have fall covered! :-) And if you look at the three of our weight losses, we are all at different levels. (Not excluding you @@Bandista - just mentioning those of us banded this past year!! :-) )
There are days I struggle really hard with knowing or accepting that everyone is different. I truly thought I would be further along in this process by now. I was naive enough to think I would lose 20 pounds by Christmas! Sheesh, what was *I* thinking?!
I am at a better place now, though. Mentally, in that I am starting to accept that, and also learning to be really, really honest with myself. I have mentioned this in several places already, but this month has been really tough for me. I am eating all kinds of bad foods and have maybe exercised 2 days a week. I have a fill scheduled for tomorrow, and every time I go in, I am afraid they are thinking to themselves, "my, my, what is she doing? She should be further along than this!" I know that is in my head. I think way too much, assume others are judging when they aren't, and always scenariolizing situations and feeling like I know what everyone else is thinking. But I don't.
Reaching out for a buddy is awesome. It is way too hard to do this alone. I have not told any of my family except my sisters and only a handful of trusted friends. And even then, I don't see them very often so I can avoid any potential judgement. Obviously these forums are a great place to start. Please feel free to reach out to me or any others on here. We are happy to do so!
Other options include seeing a therapist or a nutritionist, and absolutely keeping up with any post-op appointments you have.
Good luck, and try to stay positive. You can do this! Even if it is in YOUR own time. We believe in you, and will continue to do so even when it is hard for you to do it for yourself. :-)

@@Dmilder
I was banded in October of 2014 so we are pretty close!
I agree with @@Bandista 100%!
And everyone is different..I often have to remind myself to slow down and take it a day at a time!

It can be difficult in the beginning -- it's all about those followup appointments and making sure the band is doing its job so you can do yours. Wel all mentir one another here -- welcome to the party! Make sure you see your medical professionals. I had eleven visits with my surgeon the first year and I'm some one who needed several fills to achieve the green zone. We are all different. For me in the first months it was all about behavior modification -- learning to slow down and listen, recognize appetite and satiety. Best wishes -- you will get there!

I was banded on 9/11/14 and I am having difficulty loosing any weight....

I was banded on 9/11/14 and I am having difficulty loosing any weight....

I know we've all heard this time and time again but this is a tool if you don't use the tool correctly how can you fix anything?. Get back to your doctor and start finding your sweet spot. Use the fitness pal.

Who says you can't have your chocolate and still lose weight:-) I HAVE to have something sweet at least once a day and this has been the case all along my journey. Of course they are a little modified BUT it works and you don't have to feel guilty later:-)
Double chocolate Chunk Quest Bars- 160cal, 20 g Protein
Skinny Cow Carmel and Peanut Butter filled Chocolates- 130 cal. for a package of 3 good sized squares
Skinny Cow Ice Creams- They have a chocolate ganache cone that is to die for- 160 cal.
Weight Watcher Brownies- 1 package of Pillsbury sugar free brownie mix, 1 can of black Beans drain and rinsed really well, add the Beans back to the can and fill with Water. Puree and add directly to the brownie mix DO NOT ADD ANY OF THE OTHER INGREDIENTS, stir and bake as directed. It sounds weird but they passed my picky kid test. They're really yummy!!1
sugar free Double Chocolate pudding cups- 60 cal.
Bleu Bunny Sugar Free Fudgesicles- 100 cal

May not be the best but if Im going crazy I get the Atkins coconut/chocolate or Peanut Butter chololate bars. tastes like an Almond Joy and a reeses cup

Have you gone back to your rules of the band? Protein first and aiming for 60-80 grams? What types of foods are you eating? I find that it helps me when I get a calendar and plan out what I'm going to eat for the week. Get back with your doc and see what he has to say. I'm so sorry I know this can be frustrating.

Until your band is properly adjusted, which can take six months or more , you are basically dieting. Please return to your doctor. I have seen my fill nurse every month this first year. Don't give up now. Your band will work if it's adjusted right but it takes several visits and good eating habits too.

I have had my lap band for a few yrs now. It's been empty. Just there, not being used. I won't go into the back story, lets just say there was no support, no way to get it adjusted, I was basically given the surgery and left out in the cold. But that is the past.
Fast forward to 6 days ago....Finally a doctor who is beyond an expert in lap bands! He's amazing! I had to go to radiology & under xray to find the port....I got to see the lap band & got to see it in action!! I drank that ickky blah white chalky stuff *just a few sips* & could see Exactly how the band works!! I highly recommend this!! I could see it working!! I now have support and a doctor who can do adjustments/fills I am not alone anymore!! I could also FEEL the fills...they went up to 8CC & I got heartburn/pain until they took it down to 4CC i didn't know that happened OR that I could feel it! It was such an eye opening experience! So my journey finally starts... I have 10CC band....it has 4CC in it liquid goes down although I notice I can't take as much liquid in one swallow as I was able to. I haven't really figured out what I can & can not eat or how much of . It's trial & error for the time being as I notice on here everyone is different as to what they can tolerate food & quantity wise. I haven't been eating very much over the last 6 days...I did do a lot of throwing up...trying to figure out how/what.how much to eat.... I feel very restricted but NOT hungry very often. I find it really hard to NOT drink liquids when eating...I have to break that habit...which won't be hard as the result is throwing up I was told to eat 3 meals a day + 2 planned Snacks....but ah...that isn't really working out for me....I am getting in 1 meal a day, no Snacks, lots of liquids. (Water, low cal sugar free juice) I guess my question is: anyone else not able to eat that much? I'm Not starving, I eat when I feel hungry, I also noticed I eat Very Small amounts, and I mean SMALL and I'm full....does that happen to anyone else? I don't want to fail, but i want to make sure I am getting enough nutrition. & I do have to make my food like MUSH from chewing before swallowing or it gets stuck the doctor told me that it can be 30+ chews he said a piece of steak the size of a thumbnail can take 100 chews before swallowing!! **guess who won't be having steak anytime soon** Should I just keep on the way I am? anyone else have this issue? I will be going back in month for follow up....meanwhile I just wanted to know if anyone else eats this small amnt and is ok

First, let me say, I am so happy for you to finally have the professional help and support that you needed from the start. Some people on the board will not understand this, hey did you not do your research on the dr/ facility better, bla, bla, bla! Bottom line is, it happens folks! Band is placed and no follow up, no nutritionist, no support group.
My opinion, is just that, an opinion. It actually sounds like you are in a good place. If you are hungry, eat, if you are not, don't. If you throw up, do a few days of liquids to let that irritation settle down. Put your eating utinsel down after every bite. Most importantly, savor each bite of whatever you choose to eat. Don't fight your band, if it's saying no way today, well, try another day. Drink your Water 1/2 hour or so before your meal, stop putting a glass of something in front of you until you can ignore it. Haha, in a restaurant, fill it full of salt water- that will teach you quick!
You can live off your body fat for at least 6 months or more, take your Vitamins, eat what you can, enjoy seeing the scale go down, and then start to figure out nutrious foods and drinks. Most did not get obese by eating healthy. ???? I'm thrilled for you! Now go for it!

I am 4 months out and losing by the handful each day. It is making me nuts. Pantene is supposed to be a Shampoo that isn't the greatest for your hair in general. One of the ingredients, though I can't remember what. I went to Ulta and bought some Nioxin, as well as cutting my hair shorter. I have some days with minimal loss and others that are just scary!!! Good thing I started out with a ton of hair......

2 things helped me. First, set your plate for a finicky toddler. Meaning put too little on the plate and pack the leftovers in containers before you eat. Second, eat all the Protein off your plate first, then veggies, then only if their is room, starches (i.e. Breads, potatoes.). Then plan on doing something immediately after you finish. Go for a walk, fold the laundry, do your nails, anything that keeps you away from the "old food boyfriend" in the fridge. I found he haunts me when watching tv, so I limit myself every to one show and then do something for 10-20 minutes before going back to the tv. Food and tv seem to go together in a bad company sort of way. Hope it helps! ????

Lisac, I agree with every word. The band is very subjective, but sometimes people look for the green zone to be something more commanding than it is able to be and pass right over it to the red zone. Problem is when they hit the red zone and lose wt like crazy they don't want to back out of it for fear of stalling. All kinds of problems like reflux, dilation, vomiting with slippage are possibilities. We all have to find our own sweet spot. Mine is green close to the yellow end. I can eat just about anything, but I'm restricted to amount. This also has drawbacks as grazing isn't restricted and neither is head hunger. This makes me have to practice a lot of self control.

LisaC is spot on... It would be hard to explain it better!

Mine wAs so sore I really thought I tore something. I walked into the Drs office no appointment I was that worried. He pushed around And said " yep you've had surgery, and it's fine." I felt stupid.... Lol . But it's been 5 weeks out now, all is good and first fill went well. Good luck!

Hi, Sonjajade
I too looked into WLS for awhile before finally making the decision to commit- partly because I had insurance that wouldn't cover WLS when I began looking and partly because of other major life events that always required me to put my wishes on the back burner. When I finally decided that it was truly the option for me, nothing was going to stop me- not being in the middle of a nasty divorce, not caring for my beloved mother or special needs daughter, I was finally ready to take care of me, and the sleeve surgery made all the sense in the world to me.
Now I'm almost 3 months out, 50 pounds down and happier than I've been in a long time for a lot of reasons. I'd try to talk to your husband to see what he is truly worried about regarding WLS, research it like crazy(this website is a great tool) and use the 6 months pre op to see if YOU are ready for this major lifestyle change. It has to feel right to you. Good luck no matter what decision you make.

Recent pics