adorkbl

Girl you are only two weeks out and you have lost 10 pounds. That is great! I think it is a little early to be freaking out it won't work for you. You still haven't gotten any fills. You have a while before you feel restriction and can work your band. Take it one day at a time. Focus on healing right now. Hang in there.

I am sorry you are having a hard time. You mentioned that you are not motivated... does that mean you are not following the band rules.. exercising? What are you eating? Do you feel like you have restriction?

I was on the same boat as you, was banded in 2007 and life really got into the way, in December of last year I weighed myself and gained all the weight minus 8 pounds from my pre-op weight. That scared the crap out of me and I jumped right back on the band wagon. I was scared to death to go to my mds office, but they were like "not very good, but it happens all the time" and I've been going every month getting fills and so far I've lost 53 lbs. So, if I can do it, you can do it!
Good luck and you'll do great!

It is important to realize that the band helps with Portion Control, but it really doesn't control what we eat. There isn't any malabsorption to make up for poor food choices, the way gastric bypass does.
So, for those of us who are banded, dropping weight isn't just about what you eat or how much. You have to move your body. Walk. Swim. Use resistance bands. Garden. Dig holes and refill them. Do anything to burn calories and raise your metabolic rate.
As for the band itself... I had one fill two months after surgery and then it was a year and a half before I could do the followups because I moved out of State to take care of terminally ill relatives. I lost very little in those 18 months, and while many would consider that a failure, I consider it a success because I didn't gain weight.
After my third fill, things changed. I stopped feeling hungry all the time, and got more restriction. Once I dropped another 30# it was a lot easier to move my body and from there I've noticed a huge difference in my fitness level as well as my weight.
The band is a tool for weightloss, but it isn't a substitute for tackling the reasons why we got fat. Me, I'm a sensualist/foodie who also has PCOS. I love good food and I used to eat too much of that good fool, and coupled with the endocrine dysfunction of PCOS, losing weight is very challenging. I have to stay on top of my foodie-impulses (which the band helps with) and make sure that I'm exercising in order to achieve and maintain a healthy weight. I've also used hypnosis to help with eating-as-self-soothing and to help re-program me to enjoy exercise.
I firmly believe that in the long run, what we get out of weight loss surgery is the effort we put into ourselves.

You got some great advice. I couldn't agree more about planning meals!! That has helped me get back on track. Hubby and I stopped eating out and we plan our meals the day before... sometimes we plan out a few days in advance. I never want to find myself in the position where I don't know what I am going to eat so I grab something fast and unhealthy.
Cooking healthy doesn't have to take tons of time. Scallops literally take a few minutes to cook. Serve with a side of quinoa or asparagus. Baking fish is quick and healthy. Once you get a few favorite quick recipes in your recipe box... you should be golden!

Name: adorkbl
Goal weight for July 31st: 297
Weight on July 1st: 307
Date banded: January 17, 2008
Total weight loss: 77 lbs
Favorite 4th of July activity: BBQ/pool party w/friends & family

Depending on your morning restriction... I like Southwestern Egg Beaters with some Jimmy Dean Turkey crumbles mixed in. Add in some fresh spinach and a little cheese. Super packed with Protein and nutrients. I actually had it for dinner tonight since my family was eating deep fried flounder (yuuuummmmmy) and as much as I love flounder... it was not a healthy choice for me.
Having quick fixes like that in the fridge gave me an option to make something band friendly for me while my family could still enjoy their meal.
I always keep cottage cheese, Greek Yougurt, string cheese, and almonds around. If your arsenol is ready... you will be set up for success!!
And yes... this forum is great. Keeps me motivated, focused, and the support is comforting!

You got some great advice. I couldn't agree more about planning meals!! That has helped me get back on track. Hubby and I stopped eating out and we plan our meals the day before... sometimes we plan out a few days in advance. I never want to find myself in the position where I don't know what I am going to eat so I grab something fast and unhealthy.
Cooking healthy doesn't have to take tons of time. Scallops literally take a few minutes to cook. Serve with a side of quinoa or asparagus. Baking fish is quick and healthy. Once you get a few favorite quick recipes in your recipe box... you should be golden!

You got some great advice. I couldn't agree more about planning meals!! That has helped me get back on track. Hubby and I stopped eating out and we plan our meals the day before... sometimes we plan out a few days in advance. I never want to find myself in the position where I don't know what I am going to eat so I grab something fast and unhealthy.
Cooking healthy doesn't have to take tons of time. Scallops literally take a few minutes to cook. Serve with a side of quinoa or asparagus. Baking fish is quick and healthy. Once you get a few favorite quick recipes in your recipe box... you should be golden!

Congrats for getting back on the band wagon!! You will rock this out. Get that momentum going.

I am in Georgia currently and stopped at ChicFila a couple times on the drive down. I got their 4 piece grilled chicken nuggets and an applesauce and it was the perfect lunch.
I go to all my old favorite restaurants since being banded. I just try to order to healthy, and if I really want a fattening old favorite, I am sure to eat a bandster sized portion despite being an unhealthy food choice. I am just careful not to make eating bad a daily or even weekly thing. Maybe once a month at most.

I was banded in Feb 2011 and have struggled since. It's been a long year and half and i've only lost 25 pounds and that was mostly in the first couple months. Well i finally got my 4th fill last Monday - i'm up to 8.5cc in a 10cc band. Woohoo - I finally have restriction. It is so awesome - i've lost 3 pounds in 4 days. I've gotten "stuck" several times because i'm used to eating faster. I've had "pb" for the first time ever because i eat too fast and too big of bites. this is awesome. I'm eating such small portions and get full and stay full and it is so wonderful. I actually know that this is going to work now. Ive hit the sweet spot and it feels wonderful. For those of you frustrated like i was - keep getting those fills when you hit that sweet spot you will definitely know it.

I have 5.45cc in a 10cc band and I have fairly good restriction most of the day. Nighttime I have to exercise self control. I can definitely eat more at night, but if I stick to measured portions I stay satiated. Head hunger is always my arch nemesis.

Mine hasn't slipped... but I am having it re-positioned on Monday due to a hiatal hernia. At first I contemplated having it removed since I had already repaired it one due to a leak. I am self pay also. Well... I kinda freaked at the thought of losing my band. I decided to buckle down and start following the band rules again. I have lost 25 pounds in the last 3 months and feel great. I am hoping by fixing it again, I will continue to do well, hopefully even better!!
It is a hard decision. Especially for a self pay patient. I think if you have done well... you will do well again. Good luck with your surgery!

I have 5.45cc in a 10cc band and I have fairly good restriction most of the day. Nighttime I have to exercise self control. I can definitely eat more at night, but if I stick to measured portions I stay satiated. Head hunger is always my arch nemesis.

Try not to focus on what you haven't done. Or how you might not meet your initial goals for the week. Look at the positive. You spent 20 minutes on the treadmill. You spent 2 hours outside in the heat with your kids. That is something. Probably more than you would have done in the past.
As for tomorrow. You are already defeating yourself by deciding you won't feel like going. Don't do that. Stop that right now. Instead get yourself psyched up to go. Think about how GOOD you will feel after your go. You will have accomplished another goal. You will have energy from the workout.
Get out of your head! I know it is hot... and that sucks. I live in Arizona, so I deal with that for months. Push through it. You CAN do it!

Oh don't feel regret -- I have a friend with the sleeve and she's having a HORRIBLE summer. Can't drink liquid fast enough, sick from everything -- she's even having to cancel her summer vacation because she's worried she won't be able to stay hydrated!!!
This may be slower, but it will happen. I was wishing for the sleeve, but after 3 months I've lost 30+ lbs and can wear my engagement ring again. I haven't worn it in 4 years!!!
You'll get there.

Try not to focus on what you haven't done. Or how you might not meet your initial goals for the week. Look at the positive. You spent 20 minutes on the treadmill. You spent 2 hours outside in the heat with your kids. That is something. Probably more than you would have done in the past.
As for tomorrow. You are already defeating yourself by deciding you won't feel like going. Don't do that. Stop that right now. Instead get yourself psyched up to go. Think about how GOOD you will feel after your go. You will have accomplished another goal. You will have energy from the workout.
Get out of your head! I know it is hot... and that sucks. I live in Arizona, so I deal with that for months. Push through it. You CAN do it!

Hi, I'd like to join in again this month if I am not too late. I had participated for a while, almost a year, but took last month off. I was having band problems and being frustrated by being completely unfilled and my weight loss slowing down since I'm close to goal. But with my one year anniversary right around the corner, it's time to stop feeling sorry for myself and remain committed.
Name, real or screen~ Jessica
Goal weight for July 31st~155
Weight on July 1st~165.8
Age~30
Dietary goal for July~ high protein
Exercise goal for July~keep lifting weights
Personal goal for July~ start writing the paperwork I need to do to be commissioned as a pastor in the UMC
Date banded~7/11/11
Total weight loss since banding/pre op diet~106.2 pounds
What is your favorite 4th of July activity~ fireworks

Thank you all for your input I appreciate it. I decided to get it but its just not going to be that easy for me thanks to my insurance.

I wouldn't worry about it. I've lost 116 pounds in 6 months and I'm doing just fine despite how quickly I've lost the weight so far.

Actually I think it can hurt to do that. You will be continually aggravating your band and causing irritation and swelling. Long term that can only be a bad thing. Why risk a slip, erosion, reflux... just a few of the things that can go wrong.
I understand the desire to try and make it easier. But it is not worth risking long term damage to your health. Instead, concentrate on cultivating healthy eating habits.
Good luck!

I have a total of 214 pounds to lose. I lost 100... regained some... relost some. Currently 77 pounds down.
Absolutely it is doable.
Make sure you research what to expect. I struggled for a long time with unrealistic expectations. It is a lot of hard work. You still have to make healthy choices. You will need to exercise. The band will help you with hunger... but you can still sabotage yourself if you are not mentally ready to make a change.

drinks tons of Water. Lean Cuisines have lots of sodium. Also, try and choose Lean Cuisines low in carbs. Some of them have a lot of carbs.
Don't stress. You are doing what you were directed to do.

I relize this is a rant and rave section so you can say what you like. I just think you should remember this is a site we all came to because we needed comfort and support. We have all been looked down on for being over weight and made fun of and most of us have some form of self esteem issues. Now here you are finding another way to bring people down.
This is an internet forum not a formal letter to the president. If im having a band issue and someone posts a response thats helpful to me i could care less if they added caps and periods or used your instead of you're.