Clementine

I love my band. I have been banded since November of 2005, and I have probably lost slower than most. It took me quite some time to "get into my groove" with my fill level. And, to be honest, I struggle with making good food choices. I am getting better with that all the time. The road has been long and the lessons have been many, but I am so grateful to be where I am. I just passed my 100 pound loss, and am only a few pounds away from seeing 100's on the scale for the first time in nearly fifteen years.

I would love to hear from some bandsters who have gone through a pregnancy. Were you at your goal weight when you became pregnant? How much did you gain during the pregnancy? After the birth were you able to have your band refilled and if so, did the weight come off quickly?

I want to have another baby very badly. I need to get closer to my goal weight first though. It is a struggle. The wait (and weight!) is such a hard thing. In a perfect world I would reach goal before getting pregnant. Is "perfection" worth the wait??

I know the obvious answers about how much easier (and healthier) pregnancy is if you are not overweight. I want to hear some real-life stories for encouragement. Will you share yours with me?

Thanks so much.

My sixth month anniversary is coming up this week and I have mixed feelings. I'd love to know where others were at this mental milestone!

I have lost between 35 - 40 pounds. My goal at six months was to be sixty down. The good news is that never, ever have I lost 35 - 40 pounds and kept it off for six months with Weight Watchers or any other program. I feel the pounds are gone for good, and progress is progress.

The "less good" news is that I had a real hard time getting restriction with my bigger band. I waited over five months (and five fills) before I felt a single thing. I do have restriction now, but I'm struggling to get/stay motivated. I was so careful with my food choices in the beginning. Then I got lazy (and frustrated) and now that I finally have restriction I'm battling many bad behaviors that I've developed. (Chips, chocolate, and ice cream go down just fine, you know.) Even with my loss I have not changed clothing sizes, and no one has noticed any change in my appearance.

I'm in the same boat as everyone here.......trying to get my ample rear in gear on the exercise front, trying to choose broccoli and grilled chicken over loaded baked potatoes, and trying to stay in the game mentally by reminding myself how very possible it is to be successful. :confused:

SO...........where were YOU at the six month mark?? Thanks for sharing.

I gave up sodas in mid October. I was banded beginning of November. I have noticed on the boards a wide variation on the soda issue. Just curious........

Has your doctor ever said "yes" or "no" to soda, and has he or she ever given reasons why not to drink it? (Band related reasons, I mean. We already know it is high in sodium and not great for us, unfortunately!)

For those of you who join me in a (painfully hard!!!) soda free lifestyle, can you share what you drink instead, other than Water? I myself am a big fan of Diet Lipton Green Tea with Citrus. I put it in the freezer until it is a slushy consistency. Oh yeah, it's my favorite post band treat!!!

I was banded November 4th. I've been study at a 30 pound loss for months now. I have the VG band, which I completely regret. (I wanted the regular band but didn't know before surgery to specify. My doctor automatically uses the bigger band if you weigh over 250, which I did.) I have never, ever, even ONE TIME felt my band. I can eat anything under the sun and always have been able to. I have had three fills, my last taking me to 11 cc. I have an appointment to go back again the first week in April. I feel like a freak. I tell my doctor I can eat an entire steak with a loaf of white bread and he looks at me like I'm nuts. He has checked my band and there are no slips and the placement is correct. He says it takes some people more time than others. My problem is that I've lost motivation and am not being careful about my diet. I'm hungry all the time. I do not drink with meals, but I've stopped making wise food choices and I'm having a hard time getting "back in the game". I exercised three times last week. My goal this week is four times. I have two weeks until my fill and my goal is to lose 6 pounds in that time, which will put me at a nice round number on the scale.< /p>

I've been wanting to write this post for some time now but have not had the courage. I want to feel this band. I'm very shy, and it is hard for me to keep pestering the doctor, especially when he tells me that at 11 cc I should be "super tight". Every time I open my mouth to put in a bite of food my well meaning family says, "Can't you feel it yet?". At this point, I'm beyond over sensitive and am ready to clobber them. I'm four and a half months out and have not lost an ounce in about three months.

Now what?? I recognize the need for a new attitude, but am feeling very down.

Where else can a girl turn for a little encouragement.....AND a song?? Thanks for the support. I'm dreading that scale tomorrow, but looking forward to tomorrow night when it is over and I'm back on track....hopefully with a nice tight band and enough guilt to keep me on target from now on! My headless chocolate Santa is now in the trash. That was one of the hardest goodbyes I've ever said to a man. He had a good head on his shoulders (literally!) but I just couldn't stand the temptation any longer. So, he's outta here and I'm ready to be good.

Thanks again!

Okay, I go in for a fill on Wednesday, and I have to endure that horrific moment when I step on the scale and admit to the person weighing me that I overdid it during the holidays! It's like waiting for a root canal. I know this is a process and that perhaps I won't be the first one on the scale to have ever gained but I'm still in agony. Please tell me I'm not alone. And remind me that the scale needs to start moving the other direction!!! I was just banded on November 4th, so to see a gain this early in the game is killing me. I have no restriction at all, but thanks to replys on my earlier post I know that will change soon.

I'm feeling rather discouraged with my band. I had decent restriction after surgery and did very well - lost 30 pounds in a month and a half. Then I got my first fill and ever since then I have NO restriction. I've gained at least 8 pounds and can eat anything (and everything!). My discipline is out the window. I called my doctor and the receptionist told me most people with the VG band don't have restriction until after three fills. What?????? That is contrary to everything I've heard. I suppose I have a few concerns....

First, I have to wait one month between fills, so if my second fill (scheduled for this week) doesn't provide restriction I have to wait another month.

Second, is it possible to stretch the stomach pouch? I just don't understand how and why I can eat so much! I can't believe how powerful this food addiction is. Even though I'm scared of stretching my pouch or damaging my band I've eaten SO MUCH over the holidays. I truly have the capacity, after one fill, to eat as much as I did before my surgery.

I didn't even know I had the VG band until my two week follow up appointment. My doctor really reassured me about this bigger band, but so far I'm really down about it.

Any advice from other VG people?? Thanks for your help!!!

I had my first fill yesterday. (You all were right. I had nothing to fear! No big deal at all; what a relief!) After my fill the nurse told me I was to be on Clear Liquids for 24 hours and full liquids for an entire week. We have two holiday parties this weekend; one Friday and one Saturday. I asked her about eating a small amount of soft foods at both parties. She said it would be totally fine and to just eat "what I could, when I could". I'm a play-by-the-rules kind of girl, so I'm confused by this. Is it important to stay on liquids for an entire week or not? Being good to my band is more important to me than a holiday party, but at the same time I'll be living a social nightmare at my husband's office party sitting with my empty plate at a very upscale restaurant. Help!

I just started mushies a few days ago, and man can I eat!!! Small mashed potatoes AND small mac and cheese from KFC......no problem! I know people say that before the first fill some people feel little to no restriction. So, here's the deal......I don't want to eat potatos and/or mac and cheese every day because I'll quickly regain everything I've lost so far. (I'm down 25 pounds in three weeks.) My question is, approximately how much did you eat in one sitting and how many times per day did you eat on mushies?? If I eat scrambled eggs for Breakfast (2 whites, one yolk), cream of wheat with a splash of milk for lunch and refried Beans with cheese and some applesauce for dinner does that sound like an appropriate amount?

We went to a deli for dinner tonight. I ordered a baked spud with butter/sour cream/cheese and mashed it up really good with my fork. I stopped myself half way through (it was huge!) but I could have packed it all away easily. Ugh....I don't want to overdo it here. Please help me know what a "portion" looks like in this mushy stage! Thanks!!!!!!

B-

Tod, I have not had my band long, but one thing my doctor recommends is always eating protein first at every meal, followed by some veggies, and then carbs. He stresses eating solids, as opposed to soft, mushy foods, and eating three meals a day with no more than one snack. (I know different people have different opinions about that, but that is what my doctor recommends.) What kinds of beverages do you enjoy drinking? Beware of juices and even milk because they are loaded with calories. Go easy on those choices. Also, make sure you are not drinking right before/during/right after you eat. It takes lots of Water to wash the fats out of our systems, so you might try increasing your Water intake for seven days and see if that helps. Good luck to you. A plateau can be discouraging. Keep up posted so we can cheer you on!!!

Tod, you will be successful!!!

One last thing...........get one of those flexible tape measures that ladies use for sewing and take your measurements. It is incredibly helpful to see the inches melt away even if the scale isn't moving much.

Welcome, welcome!!! I felt great day one, okay day two, horrible day three, and everything since day four has been a breeze. So, don't get discouraged if you have an off day. It gets better!!! Best of luck on your recovery. You've come to a place of friends here!!

B.

I finally get to start mushies.......today! (Drooling!) My doctor gave me a rather abbreviated list of approved foods:

Refried Beans

Scrambled eggs

Mashed potatoes

Applesauce

Yogurt

Cottage cheese

Cream of Wheat/ oatmeal

pudding

I'm wondering what other wonderful morsels you all have found to add to the above list that made this stage more enjoyable. I'm particularly interested in forms of Protein.

I'm so excited..........I'm actually going to use a FORK!!!! LOL.

Thanks!

B

You look beautiful! Congratulations!!!!! I don't see the ear to ear grin though.........you deserve to be wearing one!!! :(

Ha! Have to warn you about my chicken and stars experience.............

I am on post op diet, which is two weeks of liquids, including cream Soups. I bought a Campbell's Soup at Hand chicken and stars this week. I heated it in the microwave then poured it in the blender and blended it really well. When I poured it out I thought, "Wow! This is frothy!" I had beat a ton of air into it. Not thinking twice, I downed about 1/2 of it. Yummmmmmmy!!!! (I'm struggling with the liquid phase and was so hungry!!) LET ME TELL YOU.........three hours of the worse gas pains I've had since surgery. It never occured to me that all that air in the soup would get trapped inside me! Ouch!

Moral of the story...........I'd strain out the little stars rather than run them through a blender! But at that point, you may as well drink broth! LOL.

I was banded by Dr. Jay a week ago. He is great! Love him! Good luck to you. Hope the paper trail is a smooth ride!

My pre-surgery gift to myself was a new ipod (my first!) to help make exercise "fun". I took it for a spin in my walkin' shoes about six days after surgery. I was able to walk at a good clip, and it felt great! My doc says six weeks before any strenuous exercise. I'd be careful of the inclines on a treadmill...don't put too much pressure on your stomach too soon. But as long as you take it easy, I say it's never too early to start a good habit!

Same here with UHC. No proof of dieting necessary. Three months from consult to surgery.

While we are on the topic, what about over the counter medications? Does Tylenol come in a liquid? I've never paid any attention. What about Gas X?

Is this normal? I'm very thirsty, but can only take tiny sips at a time. I worked all day yesterday to get down 1/2 glass of tea, and that was all I had all day. Today seems slightly better. I think I'm just still swollen after surgery. Does this sound familiar? How long until you drink comfortably and can consume a full liquid diet? I'm doing great mentally, and feel fantastic, but I'm thirsty....

Piece of cake! I was anxious the night before too. The medical staff will treat you like royalty and you will be very reassured. You'll do just great!!

I used Dr. Jayaseelan in Dallas, and although my insurance did cover the cost, I believe from looking over his paperwork that he is more expensive for self pay than some of the others I saw mentioned here. I was very pleased with him. His web site is www.texaslapband.com. I had my proceedure done at The Surgery Center of Richardson, and they worked with me on the cost to match what my insurance was willing to pay. I was EXTREMELY pleased by the caring and attentive customer service I got from them. They have a web page as well, if you will do a google search. I told my husband that many people seem to go to Mexico, and his comment was that doctors there are protected from malpractice suits. I'm not sure if he is right, and I know the chances of something going wrong are very slim, but that might be something to take into consideration. Also, for what it is worth, I am three days post-op and there is NO WAY I would feel like traveling from Mexico to Texas today!! I wish you best of luck. I can't imagine how hard the self pay is, and I pray you find a viable solution.

PS - Just remembered I've heard great things about Dr. Venenga in Carrollton too.

Hi Bandman,

I was banded the same day as you, and in Texas too! I have had some tightness in my chest, especially after I drank some Gatorade too fast! Ouch! I think walking helps with my gas pain more than anything else. It is the last thing I feel like doing, but after a short stroll up and down my street I do seem to feel much better. Did they send home a wonderful stay-dry ice pack to keep on your incision? I've been having some pain at one of my incisions, and that ice pack has been great. I got brave enough to shower this morning and it felt GREAT. I took the clear bandages off but left the white ones on, per the surgery center's instructions. I didn't rub soap directly on my belly. I think you would be fine with a shower, and might feel refreshed.

Hope you are doing better by today!!!! Keep us posted!

I just got banded yesterday. I've done a lot of reading here about people who feel no restriction before their first fill. So I'm wondering, how much weight did you all loose in that period between surgery and the first fill? It's too early for me to tell if I'm hungry or not. I lost 15 lbs. during my one week of liquids pre-op, and I'd like to keep that momentum going! Thanks for your responses.

I am scheduled for surgery tomorrow, so today was my seventh (and final) day of liquids pre-op. I really felt that the second day was the hardest. If you can get past that I think you'll find it isn't impossible. Remember, you will be on all liquids after surgery anyway, so either way you can't avoid a liquid diet at least for a few weeks. Warm broth was helpful, as were Slim Fast shakes. (I had one per day.) I also stayed away from regular jell-o and popsicles because the sugar in them gave me major cravings. I stuck with the sugar free ones (despite the icky aftertaste!)

You are so worth this!!!! It isn't impossible!!! We are all rooting for you!!! Just get eight hours under your belt, then stretch that to one day, then stretch that the two days, and before you know it you're half way there. At that point, if you are like me, it isn't worth cheating because you KNOW you can make it.

Get extra rest. I'm a major night owl, but I was my most hungry at night this past week, so I just went to bed early. It was kind of nice. I never have that luxury! Be good to yourself this week. Liquids are hard. If you need to watch TV to occupy your mind or do something else that you normally wouldn't do, give yourself permission.

If you think you are going to cheat, physically LEAVE THE KITCHEN. Go fold laundry, take a walk, play with the dog, whatever. If you can resist the temptation for thirty minutes, then maybe it will pass.

My last trick............I can't believe I'm confessing this one because I admit it is quite lame. I brushed my teeth constantly. When my mouth feels nice and clean I feel less like eating. Okay, I'm wierd.

Good Luck!! YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!!!! If I can make it through seven days ANYONE can. I love food!!!

I really appreciate everyone taking time to post! I spent some time on other sites that downplayed the success of the band and it had me feeling discouraged. After further reading and being inspired on this site I now know that losing ANY amount is just as possible with the band as any other WLS. I'm glad that those of you who have had big losses still take the time to visit and post here. It is so encouraging to those of us just starting out. I think it proves that long term motivation is the key to ANY weight loss strategy. If you are still interested and involved enough one or two (or more!) years out to visit here and post, then of course you're doing GREAT!

Looking forward to jumping on the BANDwagon this Friday during surgery!