tmfritts

Hi - It sounds like you might be eating too little - I know that sounds crazy - but you do need to eat! I also felt like everyone else was losing weight much faster than I was, but you know what - you are still 24 pounds thinner than you were in May and that is a great accomplishment!!! I am 2 1/2 years out of banding and I feel great and have lost 80 pounds, don't think it is a race to beat the other people, you are doing this for you - and 24 pounds is wonderful - congratulations!!!

HI! Unless your band has fill in when you had surgery, you won't have any restriction. The restriction you feel right after surgery is due to swelling. Now that you are healing, the swelling is going down and you are able to eat. You just need to be patient and wait until you get a fill for restriction - and even then you might not have much restriction. It takes a few fills to feel restriction for any amount of time - it's different for different people. Just be patient and don't try anything stupid!!!

I'm in!! No snacking!!! xxoo Terri

Hi Katie! I was banded in May and have lost about 30 pounds. How did you do over Thanksgiving? I went to Florida for 9 days and didn't gain any weight over the holiday!! Yipee - that was a first!! Sometimes it's those little victories that are the best!! I joined Curves too, but am totally unmotivated to go!! Maybe we can urge each other to go exercise!! Even though you are in Texas and I am in California, we can pretend that we are exercising together!! I came back with a cold, so I am hoping to feel better by Thursday and go to Curves then. How about you? Let's make it our goal to each go to Curves at least once this week! sound good to you? "Talk" to you soon! Terri

I drank Isopure liquid flavored Water (flavors like apple melon, orange, lime, grape) from GNC. Each bottle was 40 gr. of Protein. It wasn't too bad, and was easy because I didn't have to make anything! Just make sure it is chilled! Good luck! Terri

KINI!! xxoo Feel better! Glad we could talk in chatroom!! xxoo Terri :crying: (hope this makes you smile!)

I know you have heard this before: WALK WALK WALK!! The heating pad and gas-x strips will also help, most importantly WALK!!! Good luck!! Terri

mominthebox - Try Sarna - it is an anti-itch cream that you get at the pharmacy. It will relieve some of your itching until the other things start working for you. I felt immediate relief the first time I put it on my hives. Good luck - Terri

Playing tennis with a salmon! I love that!!! How true!! All of your comments were exactly right! I know I had unrealistic expectations as to how the band would work for me. I was hoping to be one of those people where the weight just falls off!! Not!! I guess if I was, I would not have needed banding! I wish they did put a band around my lips when they put the band in my stomach!! I know I have to take responsibility for what I eat and I need to get my butt out there and exercise - the band won't do that for me! Terri :thumbup: Good luck to us all!

Hi! I remember going into the forums and coming across this shopping list - thought it might help you!! http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f84/pre-op-lap-band-shopping-list-41927/ Good Luck! Terri

First of all - CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR WEIGHTLOSS (all of you!) !!! I certainly don't mean to sound insensitive - but you deserve all the praise!! You have worked hard to lose the weight and you need to embrace it and rejoice in the "new" you!!! I don't like to be the center of attention either, but lighten up and have fun!! You worked dam hard to get to where you are!! Enjoy it!!! Soon they will get used to you this way! Yipee!!! You have lost weight!!! Congrats! Terri

GOOD LUCK!! Your doctor or diatician should have given you guidelines for what they want you to drink/eat during the first 6 weeks of post banding. Call your doctor, it seems like everyone in here has different guidelines! If not, definitely look in here for a list of things to purchase before surgery! Happy banding!! Terri

In the morning after I pee, poop (if I'm lucky), no jewlery, no clothes, nothing that might possibly add a pound or two!!! I agree that you need to be consistent with what you wear )or don't wear) and try to weigh at the same time of day.

Hi! No chewing gum I think is mainly due to it possibly getting stuck if you swallow it. My doctor has had to go in after swallowed gum too! Not something I want to risk!! Maybe the long-term banders at your local support group are at goal and might not be filled!! I don't want to chance getting gum stuck! Having food stuck is bad enough until it goes down by itself, but to have to have surgery to have something removed!! dont' want that! Terri

Hi! I have not had this problem, but heard that it could possibly be because you have too much of a fill. Good luck! I would also call your doctor and get his/her opinion! Terri

Hi there!! I would have to agree with the others who have replied - I have found very few who have regretted getting banded. Yes, we are impatient and wish we could lose weight quicker, but I don't know anyone who would give up their band!! Come into the chatroom and talk to everybody in there! It's great support! I was banded 5/22 and am still learning about what I can and can't do with the band! You can take away lots of things in my life - but don't take away my band!! :biggrin2: Terri

Hi Kittykoo - I am so sorry for your loss. I was logging in on my way to the chatroom and your story caught my eye. I can't even imagine what you are going through, but know that you do not have to go through the weight loss alone. We are all here for you. The fact that you are stopping yourself before it gets to be a real problem is a tribute to your strength. Don't sweat the small stuff (like gaining 10 pounds) In the scheme of things, 10 pounds is not important. The fact that you have decided to do something about it is great! Come into the chat room where you will find a lot of support and love and understanding. Good luck in your journey - and come visit us in lapband chat! Terri

This is a great question!! I was wondering what to do if I ever get the flu and am vomiting!! Now I know to call my doctor immediately. Thanks!! Terri

JORGE - DO NOT GIVE UP!!! Call your doctor TODAY and make an appointment for a fill!! The band is not magic - you do have to work at it! Use it as the tool it was meant to be - get a fill - get some restriction, then follow a sensible diet and you will be successful!!! You can do it!! We are all here for you!!! We are all on this journey together - take it one day at a time! Let us know!! PICK UP THE PHONE NOW AND CALL - DO THIS FOR YOURSELF!!!! Terri :thumbup:

Hi! I also have had hives - (not since being banded) and found a terrific anti-itch cream suggested by my allergist - it is called Sarna. You can find it at the pharmacy - it is over the counter and really helped with the itching. I also take xyzel once every day and have not had an outbreak of hives. Good luck to you - get Sarna - it really does help when no other cream did for me! Terri

Wow Val - what great weight loss!!! I am just beginning the journey 5/22 and had my first fill on Wednesday with Dr. Paya. It is wonderful to hear success stories like yours! I agree, Dr. Paya has been terrific! Terri - good luck with your last 25!

Thanks Tsunami for the information! You make so much sense. So many people think the band will be the miracle! You also have to work at it to loose weight. I am a slow looser - but am thrilled that I have lost weight and know I have to work at it to loose more. I will definitely get the book you recommended. I am a patient of Mark Paya and have had absolutely no problems. I find him and his staff to be terrific! For those blaming the doctor - don't assume that it is always the doctor's fault for the lack of success - you have to work at it! Terri

Hi all! Everybody sounds like they are doing great! I too have not seen much of a change on the scale the past week, but hopefully that just means that there will be a big drop soon! NY2LAGirl - you are doing great!!! Terri

The orange Isopure was my least favorite. I liked the Apple Melon flavor. Try that one! Terri

Shannon - so sorry to hear you had to be opened, but glad they were still able to do it. Just take it easy and keep us posted! Terri