Lolo~t

I gained 4 lbs....I am thinking it's my own fault...I mean the lapband didn't do anything different. Now I have to figure out what I did wrong and Why and admit to myself so I can get past it.
I am grieving over the unexpected loss of my dad 4 months ago. NO that is NO excuse to eat wrong/more
but it doesn't mean I listened..
My PCOS also hampers weight loss, it makes it much slower/harder than normal. Again NOT an excuse.
I admit, I have done something...too many calories? I ate too much? Do we calorie count? I know I ate too much at Easter dinner because I felt So FULL for hours and hours and I felt gross...I am trying to keep that memory alive so I don't repeat it!
I wasn't active at all because I had shoulder pain then back pain which made me sedentary...I am thinking now I should of ate less because of that.
I wasn't keeping a food journal...uh huh...looks like I'm an idiot. ..I should have!! I DO NOW!
All I can think is I ate too much, I know I wasn't following the PFC plan 100%...
I needed to admit to myself what I have done wrong, then to this forum so I am accountable...
After all the lap band hasn't changed..if too much is put in...oh it comes RIGHT BACK UP and or I get that Not fabulous burping gurgling....ugh.
*slaps self* Ok...I must get past this.. it's not easy...but I know I have to live with life's upsets and get past this...know my mistakes and move forward...
So...am I supposed to calorie count? or do I just stick to the PFC way of eating? <<getting used to that is hard<<
I still find it hard to not drink while eating, I get so thirsty, but food & liquid do NOT mix with the band...ooooo noooo it does not...
That is my confession for today...

I am basically 6 months post-op. I have lost 35 pounds, but I want to quantify that as "only 35 pounds." I struggle with this almost every single day.
BUT.
I now weigh 249. I have not been under 250 since late teens/early 20's. Yea to a new decade! Or maybe I should say old, haha.
I have now worked out with a private trainer twice a week for two months. This was unimaginable a few months ago!
I have an actual waist. Not just columnar hidden by chest and hips.
I have rock-hard, well defined legs.
I walk up my flight of stairs (I live on the 2nd floor) without huffing. I bring in laundry or groceries without straining my arms.
and one of my favorites?? My hubby can wrap his arms entirely around me, locking his fingers together. Also, my kids call me skinny but I think they have joke, but I'll take it!
So whether you are stalled, hit a plateau, fighting the 'only' demon like me, remember your NSV's. They are a vital part of this process.

I was banded on February 6, 2015. I've read so many threads on here since even before my surgery and it's been so helpful. I just haven't really connected with anyone that was banded around the same time as me as I'm interested in others progress and if mine is normal. I started my pre-op diet on January 27th. As of April 27 (3 months), I've lost 48.5lbs. I have a lot of weight to lose, so even though I've already lost 48.5lbs, I have another 150lbs to lose. Im definitely not in the green zone as I feel very little restriction in my band. I just have exercised the pounds off. What I've done so far I could've done without the band bc it wasn't really helping me any until after I had my second fill 2 weeks ago. I started to feel some difference, but there's no way I'm there yet. The dr said i have 5cc's in a 10-12cc band. When I go back in 2 weeks I plan to request another fill. I'm still able to eat way too much food than I should be eating and I'm not eating until my stomach feels full, just until I'm satisfied and that's something I'm working on learning every day. I've pretty much cut out the between meal snacking. I struggle the most in the evening and at night.
Anyway, just curious about other people who are near my banding date. I'm interested in other experiences and I'm always open to new ideas and advice too!!
Started 1/27/15 - 409
4/27/15 - 360.5
I will attach a pic of my progress.

Next up.........12!! :-)

I was wearing size 18 women's jeans before surgery. I easily wore size 14 jeans today!! I decided to try them on cause my others were getting too loose to wear, fully expecting them not to button. Excited!! Haven't been able to wear them in several years.

Welcome all to "Bandsters Hell"
During my entire weight loss experience with the band, this phase was definitely the hardest time of all...not to mention frustrating. My first fill was 4 week after surgery...after my first fill, I started to GAIN weight.
I can't begin to say how upset I was, all the preparation and anticipation for nothing!
To add insult to injury, the staff at the bariatric center started giving me handouts and lectures about counting calories, measuring portion sizes, and all these little self help do's and don'ts to help me stay on track....
I've been on every diet imaginable over my lifetime, know them all inside and out...and what they were telling me was no different! That really got me angry!! I did not need weight loss surgery just so I can do all that again!
You think I wanted to have this surgery if I felt I didn't need it???
I'm going to say somewhere 4-6 months after surgery, a few fills later, a lot of hard lessons learned the hard way, (stuck, sliming, pain) and it all started to fall into place....
One year after surgery and I could say it was the EASIEST, most EFFORTLESS thing I could have ever done to make sch a major lifestyle change in myself...
I learned to let the band be the band and to get out of it's way... learned to "Listen: to the band" and follow it's lead.
Four years later and it is still Heaven! And it keeps getting better as I keep accepting this new way of living..

Thank you for your responses. You're absolutely correct. Normal is not an absolute number. It is a range dependent upon your height and weight. As you probably know, height and weight can be used to calculate your BMI (Body Mass Index). Normal BMI is approximately 18-25. As far as my reference to permanent weight loss, the goal with the Lap-Band should be to lose enough excess weight to arrive at a normal BMI range and maintain that range. If the Lap-Band has been properly placed and adjusted, (btw adjustments are VERY important to Lap-Band success and in my experience more of an art than science to arrive at the proper adjustment point and that endpoint varies from patient to patient) patients should need only 3-4 adjustments to the band until they reach the ideal point of losing 8-10 pounds a month, consistently. That kind of weight loss, in my experience, assumes a properly adjusted band and patient compliance with three simple rules:
1 - Take small bites of solid, healthy foods (fruits and vegetables and healthy processed foods), chew it well and go slow when eating
2 - Avoid fluids with calories the majority of the time
3 - Consistent, effective exercise at least 3 hours per week, ideally the exercise should be aggressive enough so that you are exercising in your target heart rate zone
For head hunger, in my experience the most effective way to deal with the issue is to be regularly involved in an active post-op support group. We have done that for years and has been very effective

Like Meggs said, you're band may not be filled at all or just a few CCs? It can be easy to eat just as you did before but the downside is you haven't learned how to eat like a Bandster yet and probably won't for several months? If you swallow a big chunk of beef or chicken you may get stuck. Your sutures have not quite healed yet and you could jeopardize tearing them away. During surgery your stomach is pulled up and over the band and held in place with 5-6 sutures so that it doesn't migrate. Getting stuck this early could cause a slip requiring more surgery. Try to obey the rules so that you stay safe?
And what you're feeling is very normal.
tmf

Most drs don't put Fluid in the band at surgery (some do though, so it's a good questions for your first follow-up). Most people also don't feel any restriction once the band is "installed". It will take some regular check-ins with your dr for adjustments before you start noticing dimmed appetite, and changes in how you feel when eating food.
Once I healed from my surgery I was able to eat and drink like normal as well. I had mourned food before my surgery and suddenly found that I could eat the same as before! I felt the same way after my first fill. I kept expecting to experience this major change, and for a couple of months it didn't come.
However, as I got more Fluid in my band, especially recently as I've crept closer to the green zone, I've noticed I need to make major changes in my eating habits. If I don't follow the band rules of eating slowly, eating small bites, and chewing well I will have pain and stuck incidents.
It's best to practice these habits as much as you can, even if you don't "need" them yet, since chances are you will need them soon!

You're a daily inspiration to me and many others here. You're always encouraging and it helps me to be kinder to myself. One of the things you always say to newbies is "good for you for choosing you".
You deserve all the joy that your WLS success brings. You are rocking this!!

Weight Loss Surgery was such an out of the blue decision for me -- I'm not even sure exactly how it came about. We live in the boonies, I don't watch TV, and I didn't know any one else with a LapBand (or any other WLS). I am kind of a health food type and had never been an overnight patient in the hospital before. I guess I heard that a cousin's doctor had recommended this for him and so I started digging into the research. Almost right away I realized I was the perfect candidate. I think what this means is that I was READY. I had spent two decades dieting and working every weight loss angle under the sun, yet I always put the weight back on again plus a little more. Each year I was a little heavier, and since I'm in my fifties it was really starting to add up. I ate well, just too much. Now I eat well, just in much smaller portions and at appropriate intervals. What a difference this makes over time.
Here I am today 75 pounds down from when I started 17 months ago. I honestly can't believe it. Next month at a year and a half I hope to be able to report 80. It's been a long winter and I have not been exercising as much as I'd like. I know from experience that for me the exercise is really the magic ingredient. I hate the gym and as soon as this sleet and snow clears off I can't wait to resume outdoor walking again. Last year I bought a bike and I look forward to that. I have arthritis and being able to do these things is a real gift. So much easier without carrying around all that extra weight!
The scale is the scale and sometimes it doesn't budge. I tend to lose some and then hover a long while around a particular number for a while. This can be frustrating but I've learned that it is okay, that the scale will eventually move. Meanwhile, its all about the pants, the pants. I have gone from 18 jeans down to size 10 in the same brand. Right now I have a pair of size 10 jeans in another brand that I picked up on sale and they are way too tight. But I'm going to get into those jeans over time -- and I also have a couple of pair of linen pants in my closet. I try them all on from time to time and that helps keep me motivated. It's all about the pants, the pants.....
Determining a goal weight is hard -- I guess I will know when I get there (and I know I'm not there yet). I'm fairly tall and don't want to be "skinny" -- I like my curves. For now I am thinking 155 might be a good weight for me and I am thrilled to be just 22 pounds away from that goal as of this morning. Oh my goodness, I am so happy!

What the hell?? Now I'm down to a size 7. The weather is finally starting to ease up here in the Northeast so last weekend I started changing over back into warmer weather shoes and OMG....the 7 1/2's are falling off my feet. I don't get it. I know my feet got narrower and I already went down from an 8 1/2 to 7 1/2 over the course of two years but I didn't expect to go down another half size. Some of these shoes are really nice and I don't want to get rid of them. I tried cushions and other things to be able to wear them, and some of the shoes still fit, but many do not.
How in the world did my feet go from an 8 1/2 to a 7? The only good thing is that I've spent so much money at DSW that I got a pair of shoes for free. I hate to think what I've spent on shoes these last two years.
Oh, and for those folks who doen't see the scale move and get discouraged...take it from me...no weight change does not mean no change in clothing sizes. I've been fairly stable at the 113 lbs for a while now...and have lost a total of ten pounds in the last six months...not much, right? Well, I've noticed some of my clothes are getting loose on me again. I have several medium tops with short sleeves that I suspect I will need to replace for this coming season. I know I need some new jeans....my size 6 black jeans are falling off me and I just bought them about three or four months ago. So remember that the scale is just a number and you can't live and die with it. Use your clothing as a better indicator of how you are doing in the weight loss department.
Have a great Friday and a great weekend everyone!

Why not pre-make your own meal and take it with you? just like at a restaurant...that way you can spend time with your family without being miserable in the face of temptation.
Just a thought, if you're not ready don't beat urself up over it there will be many others im sure!

I just wanted to put this out there, I see posts alot, of people like me that have been banded a few months frustrated cause they've not lost the weight they think they should have lost, and I wanted to make sure when you come on here not to compare yourself to others by looking at their weight loss ticker. I have been banded since Nov 21 I have lost a total of 25lbs since being banded my ticker shows over 100lb lost, I count the weight I've lost since starting my Dr. supervised diet in May of 2014. The reason I feel the need to put that out there is I don't want to mislead or frustrate anyone. Lapband can be slow at 1st but once you hit that sweet spot it should speed up. Good luck everyone.

You gotta go back to a Dr., it is the only way you'll know if you've done something to your band. I know following the rules is hard I break them in weak moments, but it is not helping you and your friends meant well but telling you, you were too thin at a very healthy weight for you height didn't help either. Don't let people get in your head like that, my Mom keeps telling me 125 is too thin for me, I am 4'10 if anything it's slightly overweight. I hope you can dig deep and remind yourself why you did this in the 1st place, you are not too far gone, you did it once you can do it again. It's 60lbs don't wait til it's 100 start now high Protein even if you have to re visit the post op diet for a week or 2.

Is it gas pain? I could tell the difference between the 2 and ate gas x for a few days but never had to take any pain medication. Sorry you are in so much pain ????

mb1292 ~ Only Toradol? wow. I was prescribed liquid Vicoden. a the worst pain was from the gas that they put into your abdominal cavity... no pain med will take that away until your body absorbs it... my doctor told me to walk around.... definitely call your doctor! no need to suffer.

I am down 56lbs so far and down 4 dress sizes. It's only been with this last 10lbs that I've been having the most lovely compliments about how I'm looking and how healthy and happy I look!!
Needless to say, this is boosting my zero confident some what!! Thank you gastric band as I feel like I am regaining my life back!! I have more energy, I am happy, motivated and making lovely friends. My husband looks at me like I am the most gorgeous thing on earth again!!! Happy happy happy!! Probably about 40lbs to go to my target weight but slowly but surely getting there! If I had any doubts along the way, I certainly don't have now. Good luck to all of you just post op with your incredible journey ahead
xx 

I just had my 4th adjustment appointment with my surgeon this morning. I couldn't stifle the laugh when he looked at my weight loss and said "Holy Shit, you lost 11 pounds!!!"
I am a little over 4 months out from my surgery, and I am down 61 pounds (including the 2 week liquid phase prior) and I couldn't be happier.
I am down from a size 24 to an 18.
I am 245 pounds, a weight that I haven't seen in probably around 6 years.
I am happy... simply happy.
I did not expect the results to be this consistent, but I am happy I was wrong!
Good luck to everyone out there - it can be done!!!

I'm 1 week post op today. When eating dinner I think I ate too fast or maybe even didn't chew enough. I think a bite got stuck a little... I could feel it and it hurt really bad. I've never felt such pain... I tried to throw up and couldn't but need to do something so I stretched and wiggled a bit and the pain went away. Anyone experience this?

Or when you are out with friends/family, and they ask you a question while you are chewing ... and you swallow so that you can answer, because "don't talk with food in your mouth". Then the terror that goes through your whole body as it DOES get stuck, the tears are welling up, and everyone is all "What can we do to help?" The only answer is .. "STOP expecting me to eat and talk to you at the same time!"
Lots of changes .... so many changes.

...you're chewing your food and think you have it chewed enough and your mouth starts to swallow part of what's in your mouth and you can feel that there's a chunk in there that might be a little too big (in the middle of swallowing) and you can't stop it, it's already half swallowed. And then it's gone down your throat and all you're left with is that feeling of regret mixed with fear that it will get stuck! UGH! So you wait, and stop eating for at least five minutes and try some liquid only after that first to make sure that the pea-sized chunk made it through.
For me, this happens with squishy but firm type things quite a bit, like eggs, bananas, or cooked mushrooms. I'm six months in and it's still work for me to break my quick eating, barely chewing, habits of old.

I'm on week two and am still on liquids! I had a stuck episode and I freaked out! Had an anxiety attack and my husband had to call 911! One more week of high Protein Soups and I'm gonna slow easing into puréed. I'm just so scared and reluctant????

I have read a bunch of "stall" posts recently, and even though everyone's situation is different, I feel I can relate! Ugh - I have been craving junk lately like crazy. I am having a hard time separating real hunger and head hunger, even though I know I should ask myself questions like 'would an apple sate me or am I just wanting sugar'. But it's hard! I haven't lost anything this past month, so it is frustrating, even when I know I am probably my own saboteur.
But I joined a gym and have a fill scheduled this week. Just trying to get my head back in a good place and eat better and know that I can do this, but acknowledge that is still requires work on my part.

My first fill, 4 weeks after surgery was 4cc's....next fill was 4 weeks after that...in between I GAINED weight.
It was as though I did not even have the band.
2nd fill was 2cc's...things evened out, lost a little, but not much..it was still a lot of will power...
3rd fill 4 weeks after that, 12 weeks from surgery...was a charm! As a matter of fact I had a hard time coping with the restriction. But my Dr. asked me to hang in there, slow down, apply the rules now more than ever because this is where they make sense, and to stop and think about what and how I am eating....
I had a lot of stuck episodes...at least one a day, sometimes more...but because of all that I finally came around and changed my behavior, (forced to) and now it is all second nature...don't even need to think about it.
I'm glad he did...that was over 3-1/2 years ago....not a fill since, and holding steady at my body's (not mine) optimal weight.
Diet is nothing but a 4 letter word.