adorkbl

Usually the first fill doesn't do anything for restriction... I would say that you got the tool for a reason, so you should start getting it ready to use.

Yay for all of us re-committers!!! I know that's not a real word, but I'm using it anyway. I, too, am a re-committer. I was banded in Jan of 2011. I didn't even lose 20lbs. And then gained more weight. It's been a smidge over a month since I re-committed and I've lost ruffly 10lbs. And I'm learning to work with my band. I now realize that when my pouch isn't stretched out, I can only eat around a cup to s cup and a half of food. And I'm learning a lot from this site. It's been pretty exciting.
Next week I'm making an apt. to see my doc. I'd been too embarrassed to go see him, but I've lost some weight so now I don't feel as bad. Plus, I have issues with my port, so it's probably going to have to be moved. Sucks, but I'm tired of being in pain.
So, anyway, I said all that to say.....way to go ladies!!!! We can do this!!!!!

Honestly, I never get that full feeling. I just finished lunch 30 minutes ago and still feel like I want to eat something! Time for another Water bottle....

Sarah don't beat yourself up . You r healing right now your band is open all the way try your best 2 stick 2 the Dr.s plan as you start getting your fills you will get full real quick . you will adjust 2 the new life style don't get discouraged you will do great .....Jim :

Don't give up. You do not need to go on a liquid diet. Have you had any adjustments? I know how you feel I had done great for over a year and now I have been bouncing with my weight gaining andf loosing 5 or 6 pounds. You can do it!!! As you get adjustments there yo will see that your body will not let you eat but so much. When you feel you are full STOP AND WALK AWAY!!! I have been doing this on my own since the start. I had to tell my family that I can not go out with you to eat or when I do I woi=uld only order an appetiser. It is difficult but you m ust take small steeps t change what you have been doing all of your life!!! Hang in there. :D :D :D

The sleeve wasnt as popular when I had my surgery 4 years ago.
When choosing the band, my biggest reason for getting it was there was no permanent altercations done to my stomach. Now that seems like less of an issue to me.
What makes me nervous about the sleeve is the return of hunger and the inability to make adjustments. I like that I can get a fill and tighten things up. I also LIKE the follow up with my surgeon. Keeps me accountable.
Both surgeries have risks. Both surgeries take work. I think you need to decide what tool works with your lifestyle.

I wonder that sometimes when I am on track and doing well like I am now. I think "what if I made these life changes before"
I don't think they would have stuck. Eventually I would get sick of whatever diet or change I made and revert back to my old habits. With the band, it is there to protest. It won't let me over eat. There are plenty of times where i had to stop eating physically because of the band, where otherwise I would have kept going because something tasted good, willpower be damned. The band is a constant reminder of my goal.
And when I do fall off the bandwagon now, my weight gain is slower. I came around waaaay before I would have had I not been banded.
So I definitely know the band is more helpful than just dieting alone.

Tough topic for sure! We all wanna lose weight fast and furiously but slow and steady is actually best when it comes to your skin as it lets it adjust... Don't think your doomed though just because you have stretch marks. I had lots and some are many are still there but not all that noticeable. Definitely a "YMMV" topic. I wouldn't have been caught dead in public without a shirt on a few years ago but now I really enjoy shirtless summers.



Hydration, exercise, and rest are HUGE factors for your skin - but no two people are going to get the same results. IMO you just have to tip the scale in your favor and do everything you can to aid in skin recovery. Drink lots of Water, get adequate rest and exercise, plus quality lotions and cremes and you'll achieve the best results possible.

I have stretch marks too, but I figure if I can lose the weight and be healthier and the cost is a looser tummy, it's better than being fat and sick. I am still holding out hope that the skin will snap back though...

Welcome. This site is great. Lots of information on here. Soak it up.

I want to encourage you too. I am a 6 year bandster, at goal for 5. I go up and down about 10 pounds but man, goal is a gift in life.
I have been exactly where you are, and had to work so hard to get to goal.
I came to this website and cried, and complained and got a lot of help along the way.
Keep at it girl.
Because goal is great and what a gift it is.

Checking in at 153#s made my month goal. Have a great week!

Checking in at 171. I finally crossed over the 100 pound lost mark!!!

I wonder that sometimes when I am on track and doing well like I am now. I think "what if I made these life changes before"
I don't think they would have stuck. Eventually I would get sick of whatever diet or change I made and revert back to my old habits. With the band, it is there to protest. It won't let me over eat. There are plenty of times where i had to stop eating physically because of the band, where otherwise I would have kept going because something tasted good, willpower be damned. The band is a constant reminder of my goal.
And when I do fall off the bandwagon now, my weight gain is slower. I came around waaaay before I would have had I not been banded.
So I definitely know the band is more helpful than just dieting alone.

The men constantly hitting on me is starting to get old. @ first it was flattering & made me feel good... now I feel like a piece of meat! It makes me super happy I have a wonderful husband who loves bothe the fat & skinny me

I lost weight for myself and me only. My husband told me he loved for me and it didn't matter what size I was. I am fortunate and I know it.
I feel if someone didn't give you the time of day when you are heavy, why would you be willing to give them the time of day when your thin.
My friends and family love me for me no matter what my size.
I work with 99.9% of men in my line of work and my close co workers all know about the surgery and I joke with them all the time and tell them the first one of you that try and flirt with me when I reach my goal weight, I'm gonna drop kick them in the head.
Point being...if someone didn't want to give you the time of day when you were heavy, why would you give them the time of day when you loose weight.

Here's some photos the Mirror pic is most recent I now weigh 196! 99lbs off y'all

Not being able to eat early in the day is VERY common. In fact sitting and eating any meal for me is really a rare thing... I'm a grazer now... I eat a bite or two and then walk around doing other things and then return for a few more bites. It's more comfortable for me to eat standing and I frequently stretch too... There's no way I could just eat three meals a day in the 20 minutes or so I used too.
That being said... It is VERY counterproductive to outright skip consuming any nutrition in the first hour after rising. coffee and Water, of course, have no nutritional value. And waiting until lunch or afternoon to eat will cause long term problems, both in fat loss and everyday performance. This will kill your metabolism and fat loss efforts. Simply put, your body - like your car - runs on fuel - and it won't run well on crappy fuel or no fuel. Get some carbs and Protein even if it requires a Protein shake for breakfast everyday.

If I'm being honest, I have asked myself many times why I got the band. I have had it for almost 3 years and have yo-yo'd with it. My biggest problem BY FARRR was the emotional toll it took on me knowing I physically could not eat what I wanted and when I wanted. The times I couldn't handle not eating "freely," I got an unfill just to allow myself to eat more. I should mention that I did have a baby since I've been banded and that was one of the main reasons I had the procedure. At 250, I was unable to get pregnant and my husband and I desperately wanted another child after the death of first son.
It has been a year and a half now since giving birth and I am forcing myself to finally DEAL with the fact that I got this band for a reason and it's time I face the emotion grip food had on me. I still have bad days but I am very happy I did have this procedure done rather than dealing with the torture I was putting myself through by overeating and making myself and my life miserable. I am down 50 lbs and my quality of life has not been better. I am more confident and am able to enjoy life now without feeling self-conscious about my weight. That is priceless.
Point is, YES I would do it again. Please stick with it, if it gets hard, try and determine what it is you are struggling with and try and face those struggles head on. You will be glad you stuck with it. Best of luck to you.

I wonder that sometimes when I am on track and doing well like I am now. I think "what if I made these life changes before"
I don't think they would have stuck. Eventually I would get sick of whatever diet or change I made and revert back to my old habits. With the band, it is there to protest. It won't let me over eat. There are plenty of times where i had to stop eating physically because of the band, where otherwise I would have kept going because something tasted good, willpower be damned. The band is a constant reminder of my goal.
And when I do fall off the bandwagon now, my weight gain is slower. I came around waaaay before I would have had I not been banded.
So I definitely know the band is more helpful than just dieting alone.

Checking in at 190! Down 3 pounds! Yay!

Yeah. I did really good my first year and a half. I lost 100 pounds. I had my gallbladder out too but it didn't seem to affect my band.
I developed a leak and that threw me off track. I didn't get my port replaced until last year. I did really good for about 4 months after port replacement, losing about 30 of the 56 I had regained. Then I had a really really rough summer and fall emotionally with personal issues and I stopped following the rules again.
Right now I have been recommitted for about a month. I have lost 9 pounds again in the last month. When I follow the rules I do well. I wish I never pushed the band and learned how to eat around it. It makes working with it a lot harder.
So far so good!! I come here often to keep me mindful and on track. I am done micky mousing around and am determined to be successful finally!

You sound too tight to me. Vomiting daily is NOT ok. If you went from 7cc to 7.5cc... Have the doctor remove .25cc. You are probably extremely close to your green zone where .25cc will make a huge difference.

Like most others, i struggle with it, but ALWAYS obey the rules. I didn't get this band just to keep doing what I've always done and see no results. I've done every single thing that the doc has told me to. You just have to get in the mind set that you're going to do it... and watch the clock : ) I'm a month and a half out and it has gotten a little easier.