ImWithTheBand13

You have restriction, which is what you want to have. Just need to learn how to eat with it.
Think of your new tummy as a funnel. If you put in too much food or liquid too fast, it'll overflow and come back up. Try to imagine that as you eat and force yourself to slow down and let your band react.
Hope this helps.
-d

Hi @@ImWithTheBand13, could you possibly be eating too fast? Even being 4 years out i tend to do that.
There is a link here for the Golden Rules of Lap Band. There are some really good basic tips there. I'll see if I can find it and I'll reply with it.

I was banded nov 21 and down 30 with another 30-40 to go. I had my last fill 10 days ago and I'm thinking it's too tight or I just can't figure out how to eat properly?? I'm down another 6 since then and have not been hungry at all and have to remind myself to eat. I'm also having a hard time getting used to the small bites, tiny sips, etc as everything seems to get stuck and comes right out. I'm not complaining but rather am hoping for some good advice on what others did to help overcome getting stuck etc since I'm at a point that I would rather avoid eating all together to avoid the pain and embarrassment that comes along with food being stuck... All thoughts would be appreciated!

I do 1/2 hot Water, 1/2 steamed skim milk with earl grey tea a few times a week for Breakfast - gives u the nice caffeine boost first thing in the morning, while getting your Protein

I myself, never bought into that notion...if it were true there would not be any fat people around.
To me it has always been about calories in versus calories burned.
Roughly 1 lb of body fat equals 4000 calories...
Every diet in the world is about getting people to eat less...and if one does not have the self discipline to diet, then weight loss surgery is an option to physically force one to eat less....not eat more.
The more you eat, the more you have to burn off....which means harder work - more exercise.
I am 100% successful...finishing this journey (hate that term) years ago....very little body fat % left....and it has always been about getting me to eat less, but eat healthy...and exercise as much as possible...burning off more calories per day than I consumed....
This is not sound, just a thought,....but I had a discussion about images of people in POW camps, all skin and bones from lack of food...True Starvation, not the mode people here talk about...(another term I do not care for)......and then wondered what it would be like if they were given their 75 grams of Protein a day, along with daily Vitamins, and all the Water they could drink.....

So I'm 2 months out and down 22. I had a 31 BMI to begin with so I am on the lower side. I tend to get between 800-1100 calories per day and have slowly been losing.... My question to you is: have you tried eating more calories to lose more weight and if so, was it successful? I truly feel like I'm not getting enough and maybe with more I will lose more but I also don't want to gain I also walk between 6-10 miles per day but that is it for exercise. Your thoughts are appreciated

Y'all!! Shut. The. Front. Door. Some mornings, when I see myself in the mirror, I almost can't believe it! This has been the best decision of my life!! ????

I hit 180 this morning and am pretty over the moon about that. Perspective is such an interesting thing, because even though it's a long time ago I clearly recall the horror of that number on the scale when I was first putting on serious weight. As I tried to get those pounds off I went over time from 180 into the nineties and then over the two hundred mark. I remember the shame of that 203 weigh-in and all the feelings it brought up for me. I coiled myself tighter inside then, shrunk my "self" while my physical body was expanding. I went all the way up to 252 feeling like such a failure all the while. Now I feel at peace with my body and 180 feels fabulous.
Fourteen months ago I was very excited and hopeful as I embarked on this project. Project Me. I was determined to be a success but I don't think I could really fathom what a joy this return to self would feel like. For those of you starting out, know that it takes time. I am not setting any weight loss records but I am healthy and happy and now on my way into the seventies. Then my goal will be to put the seventies behind me. I know that will take a little while, but in the grand scheme of things 70+ pounds down in fourteen months is, for me, a miracle. Especially since I know I would have just gained another five or ten in that time, as that had been my pattern for quite some time.
Here's to new patterns and all of our successes. And to smaller jean sizes along the way......

Hi - I just got mine yesterday to lose 50-60. It's worth it. Those with higher amounts to lose will get to the 50 more to lose mark and will want to lose those 50 pounds because they will see they are still not where they want to be. I am self-pay also but will say for sure it is worth it! Good luck ????

Before everything gets hectic here at my house with prepping for the family to land on top of us this evening I thought I'd take a minute to wish everyone the very happiest of holidays.
No matter how everyone celebrates, I hope your time is filled with joy and the love of those around you. This holiday we've given ourselves a great gift, one that will last us the rest of our lifetime if we take care of it. Enjoy every minute and savor every hug. Life can be way too short, often we find ourselves missing someone we loved very much, and sometimes we get caught up in the material things that make the holiday. Keep it simple, keep it true, and Celebrate with your heart.
Love to all my new friends.
Deb

I had my first fill 4 weeks after surgery...4cc's...after which I started to gain weight.....
I was embarrassed to go for my second fill knowing I would be weighed....fortunately my Dr. laughed at me...told me weight watchers was down the hall if I'm going to have that diet mentality....
All in all it took a few fills, and much frustration and adjusting on my part before anything really started to fall into place.
I would say a good 6 months...but even then there is much to learn if I wanted to live with the band...I'm still learning things here and there.....
It is, IMO, the most frustrating part of this life with the lap band....we have surgery and expect things to happen...but they don't...that is not the way it works. People brag about the weight they lost pre and post op...Who Wouldn't? It's not the real thing..not yet.
I read posts here everyday from people talking about how much they lost, going into stalls, hitting plateaus...all these things and then see they have only had surgery 30-60-90 days ago....
We're talking the rest of our lives here....the first few months to a year is only a drop in the bucket....
I always fear when people get frustrated, start calling themselves failures, the band does not work, etc etc....
They expect too much too soon...instantly...then want to quit when they don't get instant results....
There are many people here who come with complaints, frustrations their not loosing...can the two groups be the same?
You can't expect a newborn baby to run marathons when they're still learning how to walk....!!!!
All I can say is this thing does work...if you let it!
I think most of the problems I read here, frustrations, etc, is because WE get into the way, and resist change....
Also be mindful when reading responses, posts, what type of WLS people have had...the band works differently and the experiences are not the same.
That can add to frustration also.

Absolutely I feel like there is something coating my throat. I have brushed my teeth 3 times today! How long had it been going on for you? For me, about 2 weeks.

I'm so glad to hear from all you guys.
Newjeffery.... You are a great inspiration. I've had a little pureed turkey and some mashed, baked sweet potato. It went down ok and sure tasted great. I've been having a little non fat cottage cheese with diced pears(packed in juice) that I smashed with a fork. Who ever knew cottage cheese could taste so good.
ready2B....I'm glad you're feeling better. I can't each but just a little bit at a time either. I feel better today than I have in the last couple days. I was so tired, and it seemed like I was actually hungry, but I realized that more than anything I was experiencing a lot of emotion and stress, and that's what was causing me to feel that way.
I have been waiting for news about my husband's father. He passed away last night. I'm worried about my husband being up there by himself, but he tells me he's handling things ok.
I've lost about 31 lbs so far. I guess if I really think about it, that's pretty good, considering that it's only been 3 weeks since my surgery, and only 2 weeks more than that since I started the liquid pre diet.
I wish I could walk as much as some people do. I've gotten out to walk, and have managed to go about a 1/2 mile. That's about all I can do right now, but I keep trying to add a little more each time I walk.
Keep up your good work....

Well, glad to say, I didn't get sick on the pills last night. Still feel aweful though.
For those looking fort purée fod, I found a great website bariatriceating.com. There are a lot of great tips on this page also.

i don't believe in the starvation mode thing like I used to, although, of course, my body was well prepared for famine. Plenty of fat stores! Well, with the band I've finally tapped into storage and gotten the weight off -- I figure that's the whole idea. And I don't count calories now -- I just listen to my body.

Thanks. Just don't want to take any steps back...

And REST. After my surgery I took the time to rest and relax. This isn't a quick fix. It is the start of a wonderful journey. During my first two weeks, I spent time in organizing my new life and eating habits. Write your Wish list. Clean out your closet, find interesting and good recipes.

I have found 3 that I actually kind of love. The lean body shakes are all good (gnc and Vitamin shoppe), if you like coconut, there is a cocoprotein shake I get at Vitamin Shoppe (individual only) - both piña colada and chocolate are very good and also I love all the Jay Robb egg white Protein powders. I drink all as is and don't add anything. Good luck!

Thanks all for the advice. Doing well. Between one week liquid pre op and 6 days post op, I am down 16 pounds. Not really hungry yet so doing what I can to get Protein Drinks in. Been up and out since 2 days post op walking at least 30 minutes. Even got a law school final in 3 days post op . Very very very sore at port site but it is getting a bit better every day. No regrets - just looking forward to losing the last 53!! Thanks for the support - enjoy your thanksgiving!!

We can look forward to achieving our goals together. I'm not there yet, but have faith I will.
Keep us posted.

Hi - I just got mine yesterday to lose 50-60. It's worth it. Those with higher amounts to lose will get to the 50 more to lose mark and will want to lose those 50 pounds because they will see they are still not where they want to be. I am self-pay also but will say for sure it is worth it! Good luck ????

It helped me to stay busy - with work, volunteering, seeing friends and family. The days when I had down time were the worst. Try to make extra plans (that don't involve eating!) Meeting friends at cafés for tea and coffee was a nice social diversion.
Plus, like everything in life, it'll be over before you know it and you'll be wondering where all the time went!
Good luck!

That's great! Glad all is well with you. Good luck on the rest of your journey (:

Yep. Flew by. Down 9 pounds. Surgery today and now at home. Gas pain was crazy but I kept walking around and that has subsided. Belly pain sucks but is tolerable. And now on to a couple more weeks of a liquid diet! Thx all for your comments. I'm now part of the club ????

Surgery at 3pm tomorrow! I survived the one week liquid diet and looking forward to the next steps... any last minute advice or guidance??