kgloverii

Eat sensibly. If you plateau for more than a week, journal what you eat to see if you are snacking in between meals or getting liquid calories you weren't considering. I never counted calories throughout my whole journey. I make conscious GOOD choices about what I eat. BUT, I DO NOT kick myself if I choose something that is considered 'bad' by dieters. I got the band because I didn't want to diet anymore. And it has been a wonderful tool for me...

I went to see my doc yesterday (on my bandiversary of all days!) for an emergency unfill. Got a fill 8 weeks ago and was getting progressively tighter. He took .3 ccs from my VG band and I feel like a new woman! Anyway, he looked at my weight loss and tried to mask his shock... He is a doc that 99% of the time now does RNY or the Sleeve. He sees better results with them, so tends to prefer them, and recommend that his patients go with one of the two procedures. When I met him for my first aftercare visit (I was banded in MX), he was very clear that he would help in ANY WAY he could, but that he'd seen mixed results with his band patients. I told him I was here to work it, and he agreed to 'work it with me.' At my last fill appt in August he told me that based on my restriction level, I was 'getting to the end' as far as fills needed were concerned... he was happy with my weight loss up until that point as well. Well, I walked in yesterday, we chatted, he masked his shock over my weight loss in 8 weeks (14 pounds). Then he proceeded to tell me "Wow. The surgery really did you good. I don't think you would have had any better success with one of the other surgeries." I was floored. This, coming from a doc who doesn't fully believe in the Band anymore. Well, I showed him, now, didn't I?!!!!!!!:smile:

I take Adult Gummy Vites from Target and a Calcium Chewable. I don't have to take any, per my doc, but since my calories are severly restricted, I figure it can't hurt... I asked my doc about the Bariatric vitamins cause he sells them to his RNY patients... he said I really did not need to take them, and just to make sure my diet is varied. Go figure. At least he's honest and not just trying to make a sale. :smile:

FYI, I got SUPER tight again 8 weeks after said fill. I ended up going to my doc yesterday for an emergency unfill because I couldn't eat anything... and liquids were going down SLOW. Got .3 ccs taken out of my VG band and I am MUCH better... so it DOES happen, and I am not sure why... I thought if I lost weight I'd loosen up. I've dropped 14 pounds since that fill, and have only gotten progressively tighter.. See your doc if things don't improve very shortly.

I understand the 'eat anything you want' theory once you have restriction. I 'eat anything I want.' But I am at my sweet spot and 5 bites fills me up... I am surprised to see a doc so lenient this early out though. If I were you, I'd make GOOD food choices. High protein... And know that once you have restriction, a 'less restricted diet' will still yield weight loss. HTH!

Here are my pics... I hit my one year Bandiversary today....

I wanted to post this on my one year bandiversary... Today is the day! When I went in for surgery, I weighed 235, with a BMI of 41.0. I was embarrassed that I was 31 years old, and morbidly obese. I didn't suffer major health problems, except for sore knees, god-awful snoring that showed slight sleep apnea, and I was always tired. I had two little girls, ages 2 and 4, who I wanted to have a healthy active lifestyle with. I knew that in my current state, that was not going to happen. As a woman married to a man who could eat ANYTHING and stay underweight, I was frustrated and jealous. I didn't seem fair... The most discouraging part was the constant feeling of hunger. I was not someone who was addicted to food; I did not grab the bon bons when I was depressed. I was ALWAYS hungry. That feeling never stopped, even after I stuffed myself full after Thanksgiving dinner. I tried the diets, and lost weight, but it always came back, because that hunger was always talking to me. My husband and I talked about all kinds of options: diets, exercise, and surgery. He threw the Lap-Band idea out to me thinking I would reject it, and go on a diet and prove I didn't need a device. But instead, I embraced it. I was so tired of the roller coasters, the hunger, the tiredness. So, I did my research. I knew the likelihood of getting approved for a band with my weight and lack of health problems was extremely slim, so we decided to check out options in Mexico. I did my research. I did not choose someone with the lowest price. I wanted someone with experience, low rates of complications, and someone with the reputation of success. I settled on a few different surgeons as options, and made some calls. I felt comfortable with Dr. Ortiz's staff, and booked my procedure... to happen in 3 weeks. It became a crazy mind-shift. I immediately had to go on the pre-op diet of 2 shakes and a Lean Cuisine. But, I knew I HAD to do it, so I didn't suffer. I just 'bucked up' and accepted it. I flew to Mexico and met a woman named Julie down there, who was being banded the same day. We because fast buddies, and it was comforting to me to know I had a friend down there (my husband was at home taking care of the girls) who also was a nurse! We were both impressed with the facilities and the staff. I have 'hard veins' that are impossible to get an IV into. Each time I need bloodwork, it is a nightmare, and it is impossible to donate blood. They had a hard time to get blood, and trying to get an IV in, was hopeless. Numerous nurses poked and prodded, and nothing. I almost called for Julie, just so I had somebody there to hold my hand. But, Dr. Ortiz came in a visited with me, explaining that IV anesthesia was preferred but not the only option, and that I was going to meet with the anesthesiologist and discuss my options. He made me feel at ease and I was instantly calm. The anesthesiologist explained to me some different options and told me he wanted to do the anesthesia via IV, but would put me under with some gas so they could find an appropriate vein without all of the poking and prodding. I agreed, and soon I was on my way down to the OR. Recovery was a blur, pain was minimal. Julie, her friend Lynn, and I went to a beach in Tijuana for a bit to walk around and just get moving, and it was fun to take it slow, but get out for a bit. After I got home, I took motrin for about 3 days and was fine afterwards. I followed the post-op diet to the tee. It was not easy, but I also knew in order to have success, and to protect my investment, that is what I needed to do. Weight loss was slow, but steady. Julie and I kept in touch, and we started at the same height and weight before surgery. We've remained neck and neck in our weight loss, always cheering each other on, and giving feedback and help as necessary. Julie has been one of the best gifts I've received out of this whole journey. Most people don't get to experience a change from start to finish with a friend, someone who knows exactly what you're going through, with someone who can be so supportive. We're going to Las Vegas next month to Celebrate our bandiversary and I can't wait to see the new Julie! I work in retail part time, a job where I am on my feet the whole time, running back and forth. The exercise I get from my job is great, low-impact, and I can't 'convince myself I don't have time for it.' I also have made a conscious attempt at keeping the time I spent on the computer 'on the couch' limited. My family and I have become more and more active as the weight has dropped. Before my surgery, I lined up my aftercare surgeon who would do my fills. I chose someone who would follow Inamed/Allergan's guidelines when doing fills, as well as listen to me. Dr. Pleatman followed the specific guidelines for my VG band but also asked me if I agreed with those guidelines or wanted to 'tweak' that recommendation. He is honest with me in what expectations I should have with the band. He did not 'coddle' me and he did not allow me to have false expectations. At my last fill appt, he quite clearly told me, “You're getting down to the end.” His end and my end may be different. I will never EVER be complacent, and I am still losing... but he has kept me grounded. The band is NOT a perfect fix. It is NOT an easy fix. YOU MUST WORK THE BAND. You MUST be conscious about what you eat and the exercise you get. You must have a dialogue and consistent follow-up with your doctor. YOU MUST REMAIN POSITIVE. You will plateau. Over and over. You'll go up and down. BUT, you must remind yourself that as long as you keep doing the right things, you will have success. On my one year bandiversary, I weigh in at 164. I have lost 71 pounds. My BMI is now 28.6. I went from being morbidly obese, to the middle of the overweight category. I have gone from a size 18/20 to a 10. My shoe size has gone from a 9 to a 7 ½. My goal weight is 143, so I hope to lose another 25 pounds in the next 12-18 months. BUT, I am realistic. If I stop losing weight and am doing the right things, then I know I am at a good final weight. There are no disappointments with my band, because I'm so much healthier in the new shape I am in. _____________________________________________________ Updated on Jan 22, 2009. At exactly 15 months post-op, I am now a size 6, and am weighing in at 142. I have exceeded my weight goal, and am elated with my band.

Please check with your doc. In the mean time, drink, drink, drink... I was dehydrated and it made me feel the same way... I pumped fluids and I am MUCH better now...

I told my mom that I'd lost 70% of my excess body weight and she was like, "NO. It is like 99.9% Where is anymore going to come from?" I was so stoked. Those compliments keep me going! Congrats!

I started out at 235, and am also 5'3.5". I did not work out all of the time before I got my band. My pre-surgery diet was Slim Fast for Breakfast and lunch, and a Lean Cuisine for dinner. I think being fit prior to the surgery is good, but most of us who got the surgery were not fit before, and only got fit AFTER surgery. I encourage you to continue your workout regimen. I don't think you're out of touch, as your fitness guy would tell you. I am exactly one year out and wouldn't trade my band for anything... But I DO understand your hesitancy. I think you are just fine. This is going to be a GREAT opportunity for you.

A couple fills into it, I was able to drink and push the food through. And this last fill, my "top off" of .3 ccs (in a VG)... made me learn this lesson the hard way. I cannot tell you how many meals I 'drank' with and it all came back... EWWWWW... totally perfect advice. I KNEW this advice, but had to learn the hard way...

Until you have restriction, you will be hungry. At this point, practice the bandster rules eat band-friendly foods, and count calories like crazy... once you have restriction, you'll be glad you had the practice! :biggrin:

The statistics for long term weight maintenance with the band are quite good. That is what attracted me to the band.

Congrats! Make sure you are drinking a lot and eating fruits and veggies often. I take a multi, and make sure I am getting calcium as well. We have to learn to be so cognizant of what we eat, now that we are so restricted!

I started at 235, and am at 164, 5'3". It has been a year since my weight loss journey began. I did not notice any loose skin until I was at the 50 pounds mark. Then, it all seemed to happen at once. I have the tummy, I have the 'bat-wing arms' and I have some issues with sagging on my thighs. My doc told me that because of the amount of weight lost, there is definetely a potential for saggy skin, even when losing weight slowly. It kinda sucks, but I look better saggy, rather than OBESE. :biggrin: And BTW, I am only 32.

You should NOT be scared. This is very typical. I am POSITIVE that Miralax is the way to go. Non-habit forming, gentle, and everyone that has taken it has had good results. Take it from the constipation queen. Haha, what a title! :smile2:

Most Bandsters deal with constipation at one time or another post-band. I dealt with it for like 5 months straight. Miralax was my friend. My PCP said to take it as often as I needed, once a day till I was regular... I still get stopped up occasionally and a few days of Miralax and I am good to go again... I tried the fiber, the juice, the yogurt, nothing was working... HTH!

CONGRATS on getting off the plateau!

YES. YOU CAN DAMAGE YOUR BAND BY EATING SOLIDS. You put yourself at enormous risk for a slipped band. You need to regroup, and get back to your pureed diet now. I cannot stress this enough. I'd take Tylenol for the kidney pain and follow up with your doc in a few days if you don't feel better. As for your first fill, your doc will probably follow the guidlines set forth by the manufacturer for the first fill. There probably is no leeway on the amount... GL!

At the one year mark, and still slowly losing, I do the eat less thing... I chose the band for the ability to eat what I want, but in MUCH smaller portions. If I want it, I have it, although it might not be much... except pizza... LOL. Pizza is the devil. :smile: I, like Jacqui eat less carbs and more Protein just because bread and my band don't mix well... and I truly DO feel empowered now, making healthy choices... You might have things that don't 'agree' with your band as much as pre-band. But you can eat anything you want... just keep it balanced. :frown:

It WILL. I promise. You've just gotta get to your sweet spot. My sweet spot made me WANT to choose wisely... but before then, not so much... Hugs!

Just keep on truckin'. I chose my Band because I wanted to be able to eat anything. Therefore for me, I choose to eat anything I want, just in tiny portions. I wanted to be realistic, and choose a weight loss option that allowed me to live my life... without restrictions. And for the most part, with the Band I do. I try to make wise choices, but no food is off limits. So far, it has worked for me. I don't deal with cravings or head hunger. Cause I know I can have whatever I want... just in smaller portions. Think like this... the next meal you have, you'll choose less, or you'll make a wiser choice. But if you choose something that is less than perfect, it is not 'bad.' It is less than the best. You just make a conscious decision to make the wisest choices possible when going forward. Today, I went to Tim Horton's and got a pumpkin Spice Donut. I ate 1/4 and gave half to my husband. Then, I ate another 1/8 and gave an 1/8 to my dog. I don't feel like I cheated. And I don't feel like "I wish I could've eaten the whole thing." I think. "I got my taste." And 90% of the time I eat a super healthy Breakfast. I will keep making my wise choices. And I'll keep losing....

Just an FYI- I tried this again the 'opposite' way, taking my meds and not pumping fluids. I can barely eat again. LOL. I will spend the weekend off the meds and I guarantee, I'll be back to the 'perfect spot' on Monday.

Just so we are clear, they pay for the fact you HAD surgery, if it is considered covered by them, but they do NOT pay for the surgery. They pay you a set amount for the time you are out of work (if short term disability) and an amount if you are admitted to the hospital, as well as for each full day you are in the hospital. Lapband is considered an outpatient procedure, so I don't think they'd pay you for time spent in the hospital. HTH. The actual cost of the surgery will have to be paid for by you. Most providers require payment upfront.

Mixed feelings. I'd wait till my kid was old enough, say 18, to make their own decision...