sisterc

Unfortunately, My doctor's scale is 2 pounds heavier than my home scale. When I went in for a fill I thought I took off 8 pounds and it said only six pounds. So I know in March when I go back I have to take off 16 pounds too meet my small goal for myself. Also please look at your clothes and see your dress size or pants size and see if they are bigger now that's another great feeling to see your clothing size change. The pounds will come also as you can see I have only lose 38 pounds and counting, but it's a day by day or week by week progress. But we are going to hang in there till the end!

Hello Lyndi, Please don't get discouraged by this it could be many factors, Water retention, eating or drinking before going to the doctors, salt retention if you are eating. Also not exercising could also make you just remain the same if you are taken in more than you are burning. Continue eating what the nutrition tells you too and you will do well. For my first six months I was not eating correctly and not exercising and stayed the same or didn't lose much. It took four fills for me to feel full restriction and not feeling hunger or 10 months each person is different and each person have to figure out what works and what doesn't work for them. Write down for a week what you are eating and drinking and your exercise and after a week of you don't see a difference please contact your nutritionist to see what's going on. Don't be discouraged! This is just the begining of the new you!

Hello I went to B.I. Hospital in Boston. You will talk with the doctor for about 15 minutes and he will explain the procedure again and ask if you have any questions or concerns. That is the time write down anything you may want to ask or didn't ask in the open forum. The nutritionist appointment lasted 30 minutes for me. She went over the program and the first four weeks what to expect and what to eat and shared valuable information. Also go over vitamins with you and just a wealth of information. Congrats on the new you!

Congrats on the new you! The time will be here before you know it. I wish you the best this year its exciting and enjoy.

Hello Each person is different, but for me it took four fills (10 months) to fill restrictions. My doctor would not give me too many fills in between just 3 months at a time. You have to work with your doctor and figure out what works for you and him. Good luck on the new you!

Hello, It's a big decision, but you know your own body and desire what you want and what you want to look like down the road. Just take it one step at a time with each appointment. Don't let the fear take control of your destiny. I wish you the best on your future weightloss. You will not be disappointed.

Hello Truly I have struggled for months and have experienced such bad eating habits. I made up my mind a month ago and went back to my original book and start eating right and joined a gym and now back on track again. I had a fill 2 1/2 weeks ago and finally started losing weight. I was banded 10 months ago and presently lose 38 pounds, but for the first time in 10 months I can truly say I have restrictions and eating right and took of eight pounds in 2 1/2 weeks. Truly I understand what you are saying it's a meal by meal and day by day process. I am so happy for you for not looking back but looking forward to the new you. We can do it just one day at a time. SisC

Hello Tina, Congrats on your surgery and welcome to the new you! I am so excited for you and the new woman you are and going to become. I believe when one door closes God opens up another! Not sure why they had two faces at work, but truly it happens and it did happen to me also, but I have learned that people do have two faces and some have three faces, but it is important to know that you are important person and that you love yourself and just look at it as they have the problem and not you. When you go back to work please look at the positives in this you have a job if you feel like looking around you can, but just for now it's a change you are going through. Don't turn to food for comfort you are doing so well and will continue to do so. I wish you the best and yes it's okay to vent we all have too - its not a problem I just love that you let it go now when you go back you are the better person just keep your head up and look at all the weightloss to come. Have a great year of weightloss. SisC

Hello and Congrats on your new journey in life change. Keep that excitement through your journey through this. I hope all goes well in the weeks to come and get back to the new you again! Stay well! SisC

I like the yogarts, yogart smoothies, oatmeal, apple sauguage with yogart, eggs, bacon, turkey sauguage for fullness or soup for breakfast if I am home. All these are smooth I have a tough time with toast, bagel, or foods that are not moist. Try a few different foods and see what works for you.

YES! My heart goes out to you to answer your question. I was banded in March 2008 weighing 300 pounds had several fill since then and no restriction and could eat quit a bit. In November, I opened up my book of what to eat and put myself on 800 cals a day and started losing weight. I had my fill two weeks ago and for the first time in 10 months I have lose six pounds in three weeks. I now understand the the "Sweet spot" I am not hunger during the day I eat because sometimes it's time. My doctor for the first time filled my band to the top and I now have total restriction where I can eat smaller portion and not hunger between meals. I have only lose 38 pounds in 10 months and three dress sizes, but for the first time I now understand if you will tell the doctor or nurse about not losing and working out three times a week for 1-2 hours and eating less than 1000-1200 cals a day what am I doing wrong. Finally I can say I am losing weight, please don't give up it took me 10 months to get what other had after 1 - 3 months with their band. I am not hunger at all or between meals you can do it.

I sit most of the day so I stayed out four days and returned on Friday to work with meds. After seven days I felt like myself again, but with restrictions to lifting and bending.

Hello, I have been banded for 10 months now and experienced it after my third fill and quite often when I eat too quickly particularly thick breads, rice, dry meats and it just get stuck in my throat. The foods needs to be really moist for me to eat it or I will have to bring it up it's really teribble, but I have to do my part when I select my food choice and CHEW CHEW CHEW is really important. SisterC

Hello and Congrats! The soreness last for about 1 - 2 weeks based upon the way you feel and how you position yourself. I used to hate to get up from bed and sit down in chairs. I was back to work on Friday and had surgery on Monday, BUT I needed the pain meds to get me through the two weeks. Then I was okay and feeling much better. Weight loss is different for each person but can lose 10 - 20 pounds during the liquid phase. I lose 19 pounds during those weeks. Keep up the good work! SisterC

Hello I am so happy for you! I understand totally I was banded six months ago and had two fills and no restrictions. I skipped by next fill because I felt it wasn't working and no weightloss. When I finally went in for my third fill I now have restrictions. I was told it can take sometimes up to four fills to feel restrictions. Again I am so happy for you I know that you want the weightloss, but if you are still eating the same what is going on! Here is the food list from the doctor's office given to me: Stage 3 After a Fill - For three days - low sugar, high Protein liquids (no chunks) (4-8 oz per hour), lots of Water, skim milk, low fat yogart, no added sugar applesauce, pudding, strained Soups. Stage 4 - For three days - Lean pureed/ground foods, 1-3 oz of protein, 1/4 to 1/2 cup of cooked vegetable or starch, turkey meatballs, tuna salad with crackers, diced chicken with squash, low-fat cheese, scrambled egg, sea scallops, flaky fish with baked potato, cottage cheese with peaches. Pouch Tips & Eating Guidelines: Eat Slow, chew, chew, chew! Use small plates and utensils, stop eating when your full, do not eat or drink together, keep foods moist, and drink plenty of fluids between meals. Stage 5 - Begin approximately 1 week after your fill You may resume a regular healthful diet one week after your fill. This may come sooner for later for some people. It is important to LISTEN TO YOUR BODY in helping to guide you back on a balanced eating pattern. Portion Size: 2-4 oz of protein & 1/2 cup of cooked vegetable and 1/4 cup of whole grains. I hope this is helpful - it's wonderful when you feel restrictions! SisterC

I also after six months finally felt my "SWEET SPOT" I didn't understand it myself till four days ago. I said okay that is what they are talking about. I eat three small meals now "FINALLY" it's a wonderful feeling when you feel your restrictions. It's worth the wait!

NAME.........................surgery date.....todays date....Lbs lost 1. SpecialK .................3/17/08........9/7/08............53.9 lbs 2. scrappy_friend .........3/17/08........9/4/08............54.0 lbs 3. aJoneen.................. 3/04/08........9/4/08............31.0 lbs 4. WestCoastMom....... 3/27/08........9/4/08............60.0 lbs 5. julietj1970................ 3/03/08........9/4/08............40 lbs 6. SugarBean.............. 3/24/08........9/4/08............88 lbs (30 before surgery) 7. Tess415...................3/10/08........9/4/08............60 lbs (23 before surgery) 8. jegtlf.........................3/24/08........9/5/08............56lbs 9. emmersglue .............3/18/08........9/5/08............48lbs 10. lglenn3000.................3/17/08........9/5/08............28 lbs 11. Busy.........................3/17/08........9/6/08............41 lbs. 12. tp78..........................3/13/08........9/8/08............36 lbs. 13.potatie........................3/27/08........9/11/08...........56lbs 14. TKT2FLY.....................3/17/08........9/14/08...........63lbs 15. MSBoss08....................3/06/08........9/17/08..........64lbs 16. Hazel-Eyes...................3/14/08........9/17/08...........31 lbs 17. hungry4help..............3/3/08...........9/18/08........65lbs (10 before surgery) 18. sisterc.....................3/17/08..........9/18/08........28 lbs __________________

Hello Based upon my plan with my company all WLS were not provided by in surance. I could join weight watchers or join a gym that was it. At that time I weighted 300 pounds and BMI over 46 and still was declined. It is just my insurance in Boston, MA with Cigna not all Cigna work the same please continue doing what you are doing and documentation is the key with all the insurance company and if your doctor is working with you that is great. I hope the best for your and your surgery to come. Carrie

I wish you the best insurance companies don't play fair with some of their policies and procedures. They want to keep their money, and people have to beg for the services it's truly not fair. Keep up the good work and you will be banded soon!

All the same as you! I tried my best not to cough - the hospital given me a lapband pillow so I could hold my stomach when I was about to cough and it would help with the pain. I also used it to get up and down from bed or chair. Unfortunately, my bed is elevated so I would experience so much pain just to raise up and laydown. The hunger pains or gas pains stayed for about two weeks then it was okay. Hunger pains would come and go for me, but looking at food must made me made and wanted to eat everything in the house. BUT DIDN'T! It will pass you are doing really well - just get pass those first three weeks and its feels much better. Congrats!

I have had two fills and was feeling the same way for weeks. I just got a breakthrough a few weeks ago. I also can eat the same as before the band, and didn't understand what was going on. The fills didn't really make me restrictive until my last fill when I eat carbs (certain ones) I would feel the feeling of pain in the stomach or feel like I can't eat anymore. I also noticed when I eat too quickly I have the feeling of wanted to through up. You are right to feel the way you do, but you can just take a moment and say I am just going to have to start over and see what's going on with me. I evaluated myself and looked at what I was eating and "WHAT WAS EATING ME" I had some issues going on and finally decided to deal with them, and now I can deal with me now. I noticed I was not exercising and eating some old habits again. It's not overnight, but we can just start again today and look at where we are at and why we decided to go on this band journey. Look at your food intake and exercise and of course water and see what changes you can make. Truly I understand what you are saying and I my heart goes out to you and what you want to accomplish. Best

Hello Emily, Married, mother of one in the MA area - The first fill was painless I didn't feel a thing. After I drank water (6 oz) to make sure everything was okay then went back to work it took less than 15 minutes once the doctor called you. I went back to stage three for 3-4 days then advanced to stage 4 for 3-4 days then back again to stage 5. Overall, experience was not bad at all going through the stage helps with your restrictions and plenty of water. Best!

Yes my doctor told me the same for stage 4, but for stage 5 you can eat anything. You are almost there - keep going you are doing well.