TxChelsey

WW is great and there are lots of other members on these boards. It provides support and structure and focuses on healthy choices, portion control, exercise, and the lifestyle change necessary to maintain weight loss. I lost 50 lbs my first round, but stopped going. I went back as soon as I was off my liquid diet and I am glad I did. They have two programs, one involves counting points and one does not. And as far as your daily calorie intake, I eat more than 1000 cals a day and I have been losing steadily. Everyone's calorie needs are different, there is no magic number. Try a WW meeting for free, I love them. Some people are into the online program, but I like the accountability of a weekly weigh-in and its nice to talk to people in real life. Don't see it as a last resort...it's just another tool to help you get healthy. You'll find other recent WW posts if you look around. Good luck!!

I was banded 8 weeks ago and had my first fill almost 2 weeks ago. I was on liquids (6 weeks of liquids ) until 3 days before the fill, so I have only been eating solids for about 10 days. I gained 5 lbs immediately :smile:, panicked, and went back to Weight Watchers last Sunday. I do well with structure. Today, I went to my WW meeting and I lost a whopping .4 lbs for the week. What?? I lost 35 lbs in 6 weeks after surgery!! I am allready eating more than I am supposed to and not eating the right things. The minute I was given some food choices, I started making the wrong ones all over again. Old habits die hard. Granted, I am eating nowhere near the amount I did pre-op, but I am not very restricted and EVERYTHING goes down. I stop eating when I start getting full, but it is not happening as fast as it should. I think the fill was a bit too conservative (I did tell him to "take it slow" ) and I don't think I can wait until July 22 for the next one. How long will I need to wait for the second fill? I have heard there can be a delayed effect. I would like to go in asap and am planning to call my surgeon on Monday. On a positive note, I do get full faster and I have started working out a few times a week. I believe that offset Sunday dinner at Mom's, Memorial Day BBQ, Pot Luck at a work meeting, and a birthday party, all in the same week!! Please, send good vibes my way. I need all the help I can get!!

I was banded 7 weeks ago and had my first fill last week (2 days after my liquid diet officially ended.) 1cc in a 4cc band and I specifically asked him to start slow. I really don't feel that I have much restriction at all. I can definately eat more than 6-8 oz of food and EVERYTHING goes down. I do get a full feeling a bit faster, but have allready started getting into old habits. Late night munching and "grazing" on my days off. I went back to Weight Watchers on Sunday and have done pretty well considering the holiday weekend. I actually gained back a few pounds once I started eating solids, even though I started working out at the same time!?! Up until 5 days ago I was losing almost daily. Should I go in for another fill? I have one scheduled in 7 weeks, but I don't know if I can wait. I keep thinking it is just the transition period, but I really don't feel that the band is "working" yet, and I am eating too much. Thoughts?

I would not look at going to WW as a sign that your band isn't working or that you are failing as a lap-band patient. The band is just ONE tool to help you manage your weight. WW is another. As soon as I started going to all the specialists required for insurance approval, I had the whole "lifestyle change" thing beat into my head again and again. Should be a no-brainer, but some people need help putting all that info into an action plan. WW can provide structure and facilitate that change.

WW is great!! I am going back this weekend as I am finally able to eat real food. I lost 50 lbs a couple of years ago and I gained everything back (plus more) because I stopped following the program. It's all about exercise, portion size, good food choices, support, and goals. Everything we have to focus on, even more so after banding. The point allowance calculation did change. At my highest weight (336 lbs) I was allowed 39 points a day. Not sure now, I have to dust off my materials. It is a formula involving sex, age, height, current weight, and daily activity level. If you follow the plan, you can eat all your points and you will lose. I'll warn you about the boards at weightwatchers.com. The online tools are good but a lot of the people on the boards are self-righteous and rude. They also have no tolerance for talk about weight loss surgery. I threw it out once and was literally attacked by 20 people!! The people at the meetings are great. Your can check out a meeting for free and they are everywhere.

I lost a lot of weight during my 5 week liquid diet, so you should see a quick drop during that period. That bump on the scale and the drastic difference it made (I felt sooooooooooo much better) was very motivational. Your stomach will also shrink and you won't be able to eat as much, even before your first fill. I also think it varies quite a bit from person to person. I did not start getting "hungry" until right before my first fill. Eating nothing but liquids for 5 weeks also did something to my brain and at some point I just stopped obsessing about food. But, for the most part, you will have to do the work to get the weight off. I have successfully lost large amounts of weight in the past, I just gain it back x2 everytime. I am looking at the band as a way to keep me from gaining, the losing is up to me! Good luck to you!!

I was finally able to progress to real food last Tues, after 5 weeks of a full liquid diet!! Not once during that five weeks did I cheat, but this weekend is fair game. I was slowly testing the waters all week making sure I could tolerate what I was eating and minding portion sizes. No problems at all, not even with spicy food. In fact, I have discovered I don't have any restriction right now, except in my head (still scared of the band...). I have my first fill on Tues and everything may be VERY different, so I am eating yummy, not-so-healthy food tonight. I will have a fabulous mexican dinner 86 any and all fear or guilt!! It has been so long since we have been out and I do miss the taste and smell of good mexican food!! Then tomorrow, I am off to the gym with my new workout clothes, new ipod shuffle, and new membership. I have lost quite a bit of weight in the last 6 weeks, even with no exercise. I am so happy!! I will be unstoppable when I start working out!! I just hope the fill goes well?? Do I need to fast/liquid on Monday to get ready for the fill?

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I am joining a gym again, YAY!!!! I am not much of a walker (bad ankle) but I love the elliptical, weight training and would eventually like to take some classes to spice up the routine!! I have been looking into clubs as I should be cleared for exercise in 1.5 weeks. My brother is adding me to his plan today with no initiation fee and a really good rate. Mother's Day weekend special for all family members. I am so happy!! The largest amount of weight I have ever lost on my own (85 lbs) happened when I joined a gym many many moons ago. I am so motivated, its scary!! :welldoneclap:

:welldoneclap: Bumpin'

Take your pain meds!!! Narcotics are your friend. If you have no meds then get some immediately. I was in a haze for the first week. As soon as the meds wore off and the pain came back, I would take more! But, I was happy, got a lot of sleep, and was not in pain. Hope you feel better.

I used to get heartburn a few times a week before I was banded, and it has stopped completely. My surgeon actually told me the surgery would help and it did. I am not disagreeing with the possibility of heartburn as a side effect, but it can go the other way as well. Hopefully it is fill related and will pass. Good luck!!

A couple of years ago I lost quite a bit of weight with Weight Watchers (gained twice as much ) and was thinking about going back. They are all about healthy eating, portion control, journaling, exercise, and the total lifestyle change. All things I need to seriously focus on to be successful with my new friend. Anyone else doing WW along with the band? I put up a post on the WW boards about the band once and was attacked!! Some people think this is cheating, poor ignorant souls. But the people I met at the meetings always seemed great and I need all the help I can get!

First of all, congrats on grad school!! I am studying for my GRE as we speak and hope to be in the same place next Fall. Second, and most important, you are not gaining. That is wonderful!! Here is a little peek into my mentality along with some surgeon input. I am "super-obese" and have been struggling with my weight since the age of 5. There have been lots of times in my life when I have felt super motivated and lost weight. Sometimes very large amounts. The motivation can be triggered at any time by a bad social experience, a handsome co-worker, a friend who has started dieting, a TV commercial, whatever hits me. The problem comes when that motivation wears off and I just don't want to do it anymore. I want to eat yummy food and lots of it. During these times the weight just pours back on and finds some friends along the way. When I realize I have just undone everything and then some, the depression sets in and I don't care anymore. So, I am looking at the band as a way to not gain back a ton during the harder times. And we will all have those times. When my motivation returns, I can pick up where I left off and continue the journey. My surgeon also said I would have to do the work to lose and the band should help me avoid gaining. So, when you decide to really get back in the saddle, you will be no worse than when you fell off. I don't even think "falling off" is accurate for you. Sounds like you have just paused to take in some scenery. Your stats rock!! Take care.

Just had to celebrate my mini-victory!! :party:

Every dr seems to have a different post-op diet, but that does seem quick on the "real" food. I was on clear liquids for 4 days, then 5 WEEKS of full liquids. I am not even allowed mushies. If you don't feel comfortable, you might want to call the surgeon and ask some questions. Glad you are doing well. Good luck!

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:smile2: What was your level of restriction with your first fill? How many cc did it take to get you to your "sweet spot"?

I agree with the other posters in that you might want to limit the quantity you eat at each sitting. My post-op instructions limit my intake to 2 oz at a time. The first day I was on full liquids I had more than that and felt bad. Haven't made that mistake again and I feel great. I know everyone has different post-op diets, but it might help. Good luck!!

I was banded 3 weeks ago and was on a liquid diet 3 days before surgery. I have lost almost 30 lbs!! I am not allowed to consume more than 2 oz at a time and haven't had anything but liquids for a very long time. But, I am happy with the loss!!

I did assume MA was some sort of medical assistant. I just figured that was a general term and was unsure of the exact function this person served or their credentials. I know they do not specialize in expedient return phone calls. Thanks for the info. However, the pain is of far greater concern than the abbreviation.

Saturday evening, I started to feel pain deep underneath the general area of my port incision. When I bend or turn too far to that side, it is a very sharp and very intense pain that leaves me holding my side and taking some deep breaths. I have had no pain for a couple of weeks now, until this. It is not constant, and today its not as severe as Sat., but still hurts when I move wrong. I called my surgeon's partner Saturday night (my dr is on vacation) and he said it was nothing. Said I probably pulled a stitch or tore the muscle its stitched too and to relax...it happens. Well, today I called my bariatric nurse and she said I should go in and get checked out to be safe. So I called the surgeon's office and they transferred me to his MA (I don't even know what that stands for). I am waiting for a call back. I am thinking about ripped stitches, flipping ports, major things that would require revisional surgery. But the surgeon seemed unconcerned. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Hopefully the MA will call me soon. Thanks.

Banded 3 weeks ago today and sadly, have adjusted to life without chewing. I do get hungry sometimes, but its nothing like pre-op hunger. I am on 5 weeks of full liquids, and I get to transition to processed solids 3 days before my first fill. I have been tempted to cheat because I feel fine and I know I could eat quite a bit now. But, my surgeon and the nurse explained WHY I have to stay on liquids and the fear is in me. He said the only thing holding everything in place until the band "settles" is his little stomach stitch. If I fill the pouch or cause myself to throw up, it could break the stitch and cause a slip. That, I really don't want. Be careful and hang in there people, it's not forever!!

Just talked to my surgeon's partner and he said I could have pulled on a stitch and perhaps torn the muscle a bit. He said it just happens sometimes and there is nothing to do but take it easy. I hope it's not an infection, but the incision looks good. If it continues, I will call them back on Monday. Thanks for the advice.

It's a very deep, sharp, muscle pain. Feels like something is pulling and ripping my muscle. Only hurts in certain positions. It was actually pretty unbearable a few minutes ago. I would really rather wait until I can call my surgeon on Monday. I suppose if it gets worse I will go to the ER.