Nikki D

Thank you both so much. This board has been beyond helpful and caring. I tried reading some stuff on another board right before and after surgery and I had to get off. Everyone seemed to hate their band. I will never understand why it gets such a bad rap. If you use it as a tool and not a quick fix it can change your life, I know it has certainly changed mine and I can't wait to get to goal. ❤️

Let me start by saying I love my band!! I read so many horror stories and quite frankly they scare the crap out of me. My constant fear was (is) that I would fail at this too. But so far I'm doing pretty well with my new tool. Am I perfect, no. Do I let head hunger win, sometimes. Not all and that's key. As my Dr said Thursday "you're still human, the band doesn't change that." My Dr told me that I'm doing "phenomenal" and using my tool perfectly. He's very impressed with my weight loss and even said if I lost not 1 more pound he would consider me a success. ☺️. He then said "we're going to quarterly for your appointments now". His nurse looked at me and said I need to be proud, he doesn't do that for patients the 1st year hardly ever. They did say if I need anything or feel any change in my hunger to call and they'll get me in but I'm doing great and to keep up the great work. I know I'm lucky to have found my green zone so quickly and trust me I do *not* take that for granted. I have 1.2cc's in my band and found the green with my 2nd fill. I still have a ways to go but I'm hoping to be at my goal weight by my bandiversary on 1/27/16. Well thanks for "listening" lol. I just wanted to be one to share a good lapband story cause I know before my surgery and even now those are so very helpful to me. Here are some "stats" of my journey so far: 7/24/14: Started journey, weight 337 1/27/15: Banded, weight 294 6/27/15: 5 months post band, weight 228 6/27/15: Total inches lost since surgery, 40.5. Most being waist (8) and hips (11.5) Starting pant size: 32 Current pant size: 18 Starting shirt size: 4X Current shirt size: XL

I find it very hard to take 20-30 minutes to eat as well. That's probably the main thing I do wrong. I honestly just try to do my best. I try to remember to put my fork down with each bite. Not much help I know but it's the area I still struggle with as well. Good luck!

Thanks Joe! ☺️

I was always a very healthy person for my size. Aside from joint pain I didn't have issues. Even my asthma is controlled without medicine so I didn't go to the Dr much. Last year on 6/19 I went to my PCP just to refill my prescription. Sitting there I just blurted out "I've been thinking about Lapband surgery. What do you think." He looked straight at me and said he'd support me 100% and do whatever I needed to make it happen. He gave me a referral that day and I was meeting my surgeon less than a month later. I truly consider that man to be my hero and for that day to be the 1st day of my new life. Could not love him or my surgeon more than I do.

I've had 2 fills and believe I have 1.2cc's in a 10 cc band. I firmly believe I am in the green. Side note: my Dr is a firm believer in small fills as to not get into the red zone. Wasn't sure I liked that after reading how many cc's some people were getting at their fills but I love my surgeon and trusted in him. 2 fills and I'm at green. So glad I trusted him. ????

For me it's clear liquids day of fill, full liquids day after then regular diet on 3rd day.

Congratulations!! What an amazing accomplishment!!!

I told my mom, best friend, uncle and a very close cousin. Other than that, only the girls at work know. All of them have been beyond amazing and supportive. However I have no plans to tell anyone else, not even my Dad. Customers at work are amazed at my weight loss and constantly ask me how I've done it. My standard line is "a high Protein, low carb, low fat diet. I have finally learned that protein is key". I pretty much leave it at that. And of course add in exercise. That's just what I chose to tell people. Quite honestly I feel everyone doesn't need to know.

Great job! You look fantastic!!

I've seen stuff at Target too. I've just started to casually look so I unfortunately don't know how they work.

I honestly think the green zone means something different for everyone. I firmly believe I am there. I can easily go 4-6 hours between meals. I am full before my 4oz is done, IF I listen to my belly and not my mind. And that is still a battle. I honestly still miss the way I used to eat. Completely. But what I don't miss is the 100lbs I've lost, ????. I am lucky and got to green quick. Honestly with my 2nd fill and only 1.2cc's in my band. However I don't feel what a lot of people say they feel. I can pretty much eat anything but bread. meat doesn't bother me. Pasta doesn't bother me. Not much does really. At 1st I thought that meant there's no way I can be in green because I don't have 'issues'. But all signs point to green so I say I'm there! It's definitely a mind game as well. Just honestly try to listen to your belly, not your head hunger and enjoy the restriction the band gives you. Good luck!!

Awww thanks. I just posted a reply to your post actually! You can do it, plateaus suck but trust in yourself. You got this!! ????

Try not to worry about the number. I know easier said than done. I was in the same boat in May. I was so close to 100 pounds that I think I actually psyched myself out. Just try to stick to your food plan and listen to your belly, not your mind. Have you done any measurements? Even though my scale didn't move much in May (I actually gained 1 week as well) my inches went down. NSV's can get you through a scale plateau. Just try to keep in mind it's just a number. Good luck!!

Thank you so much everyone! The support and help here is amazing! ❤️

Thank you so much Summer Rain!

I struggled a bit in May. Had a big loss the 1st week then nothing. Actually GAINED 1 week then sat at 95lbs all month. Then finally Friday I did it, 100lbs lost! Whoop!! ☺️ Every time I say it, I'm in awe. Not all is since surgery, I lost 43lbs between Aug and my surgery date (20 of that was my pre-op liquid diet). I was banded 1/27 and have lost 57lbs since surgery. I still want to lose 70 more pounds but if I lost not 1 more pound I would consider my WLS a success! This surgery has changed my life and I can't wait to see what the next 70lbs look like!! I know I'm still a newbie myself but I just wanted to let the people who just had surgery or are struggling, weight loss can and will happen. Even through a stall just keep doing what you're supposed to and it'll happen. Trust in your band, your doctor and most importantly yourself. ????

My Dr has me on clear liquids the day of the fill then full liquids the day after. It may have been too much for your stomach to have food so soon. Try liquids and see if that helps. Good luck!

Great job! I will say I don't really feel restriction. Either that or I do and I just don't 'get' what it feels like. I've heard people say they can feel water going down and I just don't have that. Either way though my band truly seems to be working for me and I can't wait to see what I look like by Christmas!

I was banded on 1/27/15. I have lost 37 pounds since surgery (80 total since August.). I have 1.2cc's in a 10cc band. I've only had 2 fills but honestly feel like I am very close to green. I can easily go 5 hours between meals without hunger. I always think I could eat more than 4oz but I honestly think if I would just listen to my belly I really couldn't. I have averaged 10lbs a month weight loss since surgery so I'm happy with that. That has always been my goal and I'm achieving it. While I admit I hate the gym (lol) I try to get there for at least 3-4 nights a week for 45 minutes on the treadmill then resistance training. I keep the incline up on the treadmill and burn over 600 calories which I truly believe is key. Good luck on your journey, sounds like you're doing great! It's amazing how good we feel about ourselves already, isn't it? ????☺️

Awesome job! Congrats!!

Thanks for the tip! They aren't my favorite thing in the world but if it gets me my protein I'll do it! I also made an appointment with the nutritionist to see what ideas she has. I still don't think I feel the restriction people talk about but I do really feel the band is working. It told me tonight I was done eating dinner even though I wanted more. Its definitely a lot of mind issues too but 99% of the time I won't let my mind win.

I usually eat between 550-800 a day on average. When I asked my dr if there was a set amount I should eat he just said not more than 1000. I rarely even get close to that. I honestly don't even think I could get close to that eating only 4oz at most 3x a day.

Dr was impressed with how I'm doing. ☺️. He asked how I'm doing with food and all and said it sounds like I'm close to green. He only put 1/2cc in this time as he doesn't want to get me too tight. I definitely feel a difference. I have been able to go 4 hours between meals but always felt I could eat more than 4oz (tried real hard to keep myself at the 4 though). Yesterday and today I've been full much before my food is gone. I really hope this is it. I'd be *thrilled* to be in the green zone already. Not sure if it's possible but I'll take this while it lasts. I have no idea how I'll get my required protein now though as I struggled to get it eating my full meals.

For the drinking while eating I learned a trick from a Chilli's manager that had the bypass done. Order a water. As soon as the server is gone put salt in it. You will not want to drink it then. ???? This trick not only keeps me from subconsciously drinking but also keeps the servers happy. They are trained to make sure we have all we need, drinks and all. If you don't order a drink at all they most likely will keep asking if you want one, it's what they're supposed to do.