samcat681

I downplay compliments all the time. They make me feel very uncomfortable be even though I have lost some weight it is still not where I want to be. I am great full but it's a self conscious thing. On day a coleagu of mine just said to me "shut up and take the dam complement" with sarcasm of course. I respect her because she has lost weight as well and knows what I am going through.

Lol ???? I can't wait until my chubrub is gone. Only someone who has delta with their weight would truly understand the significance of that.

I don't have a pep talk for you but I want you to know you're not alone. I had my surgery Jan 8th 2015 and am down 45lbs. It feels great that I can move easier and feel better about myself. HOWEVER. .. The last month has been hell???? I have been stuck at the same number no matter what I do. I have increased my exercise and i journal everything I eat, but nothing. I try very hard to stay positive and stick to the 8 golden rules of the band. I have even printed off encouraging phrases from pinterest and put them on the fridge. The hardest part of this journey is your brain not cooperating and I don't think that is focused on as much as it should be. Hang in there you can do it!!! Just a few lbs at a time and you will be at your goal in no time.

Very motivational, thanks for the post and keep up the great work

So I need some advice. I have hit a plateau that has lasted more or less for the last month and I am getting frustrated???? I was banded on Jan 8th 2015 and I am down 45lbs. I am feeling great and moving so much better than ever before. The scale is just stuck and over the last few weeks my stress has turned into stress eating. I have not been making the best food choices and I have actually gained 2-3lbs. I just want to know what others have done to break their plateaus and to stay focused on their goals. My next goal was to be down to 50lbs by my birthday which is on July 6th but now I am stresses about that goal. I know things take time and will take their own course but I have a bit of a type A personality and I want things just so. Any advice would be greatly appreciated ????

I needed to read your post as a motivator. Great job and keep up the good work.

How did you know when you needed your first fill? I am almost 4 weeks post op and I am starting to feel hungry more often. My dr said to expect your first fill between 4-6 weeks post op. It was so funny, I was doing just fine and not feeling hungry or craving food at all. Suddenly overnight I was craving sweets again an intense hunger. I have been doing good with 1c portions lasting me 4-5 hours but the last few days a few of my meals have been larger portions. I have also had a cookie here and there. I am waiting to hear back from my clinic to see if I can book my first fill soon. This is a scary feeling because it is what made me overeat in the first place. After surgery these feelings were gone and it was great, exactly what I needed I know it is still early in my journey but my body has done some strange things and I am still trying to figure out these new experiences.

AWSOME job. I needed your inspiration. All your hard work has paid off.

Hey guys, I haven't posted for a while but I read new posts daily. I had my surgery on January 8th 2015 and I am down 40 lbs which I am thrilled with My current dilemma is that the scale haven't moved in 3 weeks. I am happy that I haven't gained and I am feeling better than ever. I am down 3 dress sizes and have so much energy. The thing is that I am fixated on that scale. I know I am going to have plateaus and I know I am not in the green yet but I am having anxiety about the numbers. I guess this is the point in my previous diet experiences where I would throw in the towel and give up. I am trying to stay positive and my family, friends and doctor are great supports. I am just looking for support and any advice my fellow banders have.

Hearing that just makes my day:) Keep up the great work!

Hey all my Canadian banders... So I was wondering if anyone knows if you can claim any part of your surgery on your income tax? I looked into this prior to having my surgery and was told by the Canadian Revenue Agency that lap band surgery is a form of cosmetic surgery so it cannot be claimed. I live in Ontario and I just wanted to know if anyone could offer me any further information about this. My surgery came with a hefty price tag and it would be nice to get something back. I thought it was worth a try:) Hope someone has some recommendations.

Angelant76 - Do you know what I would have to do for that or did you claim any of the amount you paid?

Your post is very encouraging. I am in lap band he'll right now as I have had 1 fill and definitely not in the green. I can relate to the ravenous hunger and craving junk. It is such a mental game at this point of the process. Thanks for the motivation:)

I am getting to this point as well. I go for my first fill next week. It was like the hunger returned overnight with a vengeance. I have found the support from Dr Cobourn's office to be amazing. We just need to keep our heads in the game and focus on the prize. Hang in there and know your not alone in your journey.

Hey freshair, I have recently been banded and I too live in Canada. Yes I made the investment and paid out of pocket. I chose to go with Dr Cobourn in Mississauga Ontario. I looked into slimband but found they were too commercialized. The clinic that I deal with has been nothing but upfront and factual with how the band works. If you have done some research then you should know the general basics of how the band works. Dr Cobourn stated straight to my face that the band is a tool that will help with satiety. You have to follow the diet recommendations and exercise daily. They tell you that the band doesn't stop what you put in your mouth. If you make poor decisions you WILL NOT get the results you want. I have seen the slimband commercials and yes they could be miss leading but I think if you are going to invest $16,000 out of pocket you better be educated about your investment. I have been doing well with the band. I follow the recommendations made by my Dr and I feel amazing. I am down 30 lbs and 2 dress sizes. There is nothing better in the world than feeling good about yourself and knowing that this is a life changing procedure.

Just a quick question. I am 3 weeks post op and just finishing my soft food phase and starting regular food this weekend. I have not had any problems with the progression but today I had a salad with grilled chicken and I now have wicked heart burn:( The salad part was a spring mix and I thought I chewed it really well. Has anyone else had trouble with eating salad?

Thank you for everyone's advice. I think I will try my next salad with romaine lettuce and see what happens. That might be a little more plane than spring mix. Thanks again

So I have attained my 1st NSV:) One of the things that happened when I hit my ultimate low and made the decision to get my lap band was when my wedding ring wouldn't fit:( I had to have my ring enlarged a few years back and at that time it was no big deal. But to have to do it again was really disheartening. I am 2 weeks post op and I have lost enough weight and water weight that my ring comfortably fits again. This is so motivational. It was hard when my husband asked why I wasn't wearing my band and I told him it was cutting off the circulation in my finger. I think this was the point when he realized how much I was struggling too. Oh well that is in the past. The ring fits now and I hope the next thing I have to do is get it made smaller.

My goal is to someday be a morning person so I can be at the gym by 6:00 am..... probably won't happen any time soon:) Great post. Really defines the amount of work you need to put into this journey.

I had the same sharp pains when I was 10 days post op. I called my clinic and they said these symptoms were common because of the placement of the band. It can sit on the phrenic nerve and this nerve goes through your diaphragm. This is why you may get a sharp pain when you take a breath or after you eat. They told me I could get some of the fluid taken out but it should get better. I used a heating pad and that seemed to give me some relief. If it gets any worse you should call your Dr. I found this and the gas pain to be the most annoying. I am just over 2 weeks out and the pain has improved a lot. Hang in there and know you're not alone:)

So here I am finally on the other side. I am 3 days out from surgery and feeling good. A little sore but he'll I did just have surgery. The worst part has been the gas pain which I was warned about. I don't get it, why does the gas pain sit in your left shoulder? It is so bizarre. Liquids are going down well and I have no nausea at all. This still feels so surreal and I can't believe I have been given this opportunity to change my life. I am already down 20lb and it's amazing how much lighter I feel. I can even fit in the jeans that made me hit my breaking point because I was busting out of them. Good luck to everyone who is starting their journey and thank you to the ones who have shared their success. It is such a motivator in my life:)

You summed up all the reasons why I made the same choice you did to get my lap band. Come on 2015 all the things we will be able to do:) Don't be nervous the procedure is not that bad. Take it easy for the first few days but then get moving to get rid of the gas. It will make you feel so much better. Good luck and see you on the other side!

So today is the start of my journey! I start my pre op diet for two weeks and my surgery is scheduled for January 8th. I am excited and nervous at the same time. The surgery itself doesn't bother me it's the change in lifestyle. I worry that I won't be successful but I try very hard to stay positive. This site is a great support an it keeps me focused on the prize. Any words of wisdom are greatly appreciated. I will keep everyone posted on my progress:)

JustWatchMe, thanks for the tips. I think I will ask my husband for some of those karate chops to my neck and shoulder. I will try anything to get rid of this annoying gas pain. I have been walking on my treadmill daily as well. I also have to make the trek in the snow pulling a sled with my 3 yr old to go pick up my older one at school. That is lots of fun:) Anyone else have a hard time getting in all your protein in the liquid stage? I feel all I do is drink shakes and water and there is no room left for soup or something that I would rather eat at this point. I can finally say I AM SICK OF SHAKES!

That is awesome! I am so excited for you. At lest it is a few days less of being on the pre op diet:)