flowers

One lady on the 50s thread who got surgery only a few weeks before me I think, already just hit her 100 lbs down number. (8 months). But most of the tickers I have seen, it takes about a year, some more and some less. My surgery was July 9th. Im just pushing 10 lbs at a time, cant think 100 lbs or Id get discouraged. Most of us older gals will tell you age has something to do with weight loss too, it gets harder once you pass the big M.

Right and because it expands the pouch, it could cause your lapband to slip. Its the slippage factor is why no carbonation. I stay away from it. I gave up two bottles of champagne on a cruise, told them I couldnt drink them. Not worth taking the chance.

Not that 3 months is that far away, but I look at some folks who got banded in the few months before I did or even a year before and they are already down 100 lbs, and I wish I was where they are. I think its impossible not to wish you were further down the line. I would ask the surgeon how many lap bands he has actually put in just to be sure he is comfortable with the surgery. They say dont ask how many WLS, but specifically how many lap bands.

When I started I could barely bend over to clip my own toenails. Glad I can do that now again. I bought a formal dress for next July and it turned out to be a size 14W, instead of a size 14, and it already was too big for me when it came. I was in a size 22 or 24W when I started.

I'd like to eventually see some size 8s, no hope with my hips of ever seeing a size 6. Not built that way. Too many curves. Most people I doubt will ever see a size 6. Lucky you.

I heard a similar statistic at my WLS seminar from the person leading the seminar. She asked if I was going to be happy with losing only half the weight I wanted to lose, because that was typical of folks who got the lapband. Im hoping to lose more, but Iv already beat the stats because Iv lost more than half what I hoped to lose in the first year. A lot depends on the person and how determined they are to succeed.

Maybe you are like me and nibble, so the band doesnt really stop you from eating more often. I went on a cruise and ate every time I was hungry, even though I had been very strict before that. I gained 5 lbs in 5 days, so I know it can happen. It's hard to cut back all at once. I started by making sure I got my walking in and cutting back gradually (still am working on cutting back). Try some SF fudgesicles that take longer to eat and are only 35 calories or something not as bad as regular chocolate. The more real chocolate you eat, the more you will crave. It might not be real panic attacks, just insulin surges that make you feel like you can't do without it? Is that possible? (I dont know, Im just hoping there is a way for you to break the sugar cycle too). Im almost back to my precruise weight, and I know I was depressed to feel like I set myself back so much. But I can tell you that you dont want to let it go. I did that on my last diet and gained everything back. Please dont let that happen or you will be so upset with yourself. You just gotta stop and get back on the bandwagon. Hugs.

I thought I explained that I live within an hour of good lapband doctors too, that charge less than $10K, but I decided to save about $3,000 because I knew the $3K was a lot of savings. I did read where you live and have heard of the doctor you mentioned. Im sorry you are offended. I was just trying to suggest if money is that important, there are good doctors in Mexico as well. I was trying to save you $$$$. I was faced with exactly the same decision you were, so I got it. I would have preferred not to fly across the border either. I certainly did not mean my suggestion in the way you seem to have taken it. I'v also been thru the surgery, so I know my own surgery did not help near as much as I hoped. You pin your hopes on this surgery being a lot more help than it might really be. I would do it again, but I am saying it sure isnt as much help as I hoped it would be. You are obviously young. You have time to get ready for it when you are financially able. If the doctor means that much to you, by all means do the doctor near you. Good luck whatever you choose to do. We all know the decision ain't easy. Keep pushing with insurance too.

You say it's not worth it to go to Mexico to save money, but then complain about feeling like you are drowning in debt. BTW Im in Dallas and there are several good surgeons here for under $10K as well, but I went to Mexico for $6,500 because it was all inclusive. I knew I wouldnt be paying to tests etc. I have paid another $200 for each of 3 fills so far. If you have made up your mind you only want that one doctor, start saving up your $$$ until you feel more comfortable with paying out the money and have a decent job. In the meantime you can diet. All the lapband does is help you resist food somewhat, you will still be having to use a lot of will power. I am pretty darn tired of walking every day too, and the lapband doesnt help with that. You could walk like I do (Im doing about 3.5 miles a day). If you cant start and pick something you can do now, then you probably arent ready anyway for the lapband because it still takes a lot of work.

I think folks believe the band in and of itself is going to lose the weight. I know for me I don't feel like it's doing much either. I am walking 3.5 miles a day, every day. Im also dieting, and yes to me it's a diet. Some people report they are losing without effort, but I guess I wasnt eating that badly before, because to lose Im still having to burn more calories and watch every bite I eat. To me that's a diet. .... could be age related too. I'm 58. btw, sparks is also a free site if you want to join. It tracks your calories, if you put in what you eat. It suggests exercises based on your age and weight. It will suggest different sparks groups to join which you might like etc. I use it to track my exericsing mostly.

Special K also makes a protein cereal. I had trouble finding it. They put just that one kind all the way on the very top shelf of cereals. Its has 10 grams of protein per serving, low sugar and 5 grams of fiber (smells like raisen bran somehow). I liked it. Has a sweet smell and taste even if its not sugar.

I'm one who doesnt know if it's my fill doctor not making me tight enough, or the lapband was never for me. People keep saying that they can't eat more than a certain amount, but I can eat anything and eat full meals. I am out more than the 6 months mentioned above and the only reason Im losing is determination. Im still hungry and could eat much more. I ate a chicken sandwich from Burger King today. I tried to just eat half, but then Im still hungry. Posts like the above make me think something is wrong with my band.

OP your stats and mine look pretty similar so far. I lost 9 before surgery besides what my ticker shows. The only difference is I plan on getting to a lower BMI than you, so still have more like 50 I plan on losing. Im pushing about as hard as I can, walking every day, started strength exercises, but can't do much of them. I sort of tried the 5 day pouch test, except I had some Protein Cereal in the morning for Fiber, but my results were no better than what Iv been doing, just baking salmon and snacking on it during the day or eating a lb of shrimp. Ill let you know if I slow down any more losing, but so far Im still losing, but tired of daily walks for 3.5 miles and all the dieting and pushing. Im ready to have a few more treats than I allow myself now. Im thinking it will be Sept/Oct before I hit goal, how about you OP?

How do you unsubscribe to a thread?? Never wanted to before, but this one just seems full of folks who NEED to dictate how other posters respond.

Lose about 15 lbs by Jan 26th?? I never lost that fast. A huge week for me is 3 lbs, 2 lbs is more normal. And I had more to lose it looks like than you did. Maybe Im not understanding you about which month you want to get to 185 by.

I flew home from Mexico the day after my surgery, which was a LOT of walking, couldnt find how to get to the super shuttle and walked and walked and walked with my bag and heavy purse. You might have some gas and feel a little worse for wear, but you should be fine to be in a wedding, but you might not want a really long day of it. You might still be on full liquids and not get to eat. I was HUNGRY after my surgery, some people luckily arent. That would be the worst part to me, not being able to eat what I wanted. No champagne, since its carbonated either. I tried some Christmast day and it got to me fast and I went oh no, forgot it was carbonated.

Instead of reacting negatively, why not take it that people are concerned if you don't allow the proper time to heal, later down the line your band could slip. That's why people were concerned, not because they want to act like the "know everything". I gotta admit I did quit one support group because those few at goal were put on pedestals and they acted like the rest of us didn't know anything, i.e. we got no respect, so I told them adios, that I would do it my way, no matter how hard it was. I still feel like my band gives me very little resistance, even though its as tight as my fill doctor will make it. I really thought it would be easier than this, it never has gotten easier for me and still feels like a diet. I did get tired of the preaching, that I needed to eat "the bandster way"

Anytime you have lost 10 lbs in less than a month, you can't say you havent lost much. If you don't start to realize that 1 - 2 lbs a week is normal and adjust your expectations, you will be unhappy and more apt to throw in the towel. You need to realize instead this is a long term process, just like any diet and it will eventually all add up. I was banded in July and just hit my half way mark last week.

Please go back on mushys or whatever it is you are supposed to be 10 days out. (each doctor is different). As far as you having thought you wouldnt be able to eat after surgery?? I can't think of anything I'v read here that would make you think that. I was ready to eat a horse after surgery, but I didn't. You dont want your band to slip and have more surgery, so stop and go back to what you are allowed to eat. Even now, when Im supposedly tight, I can eat anything, yep anything. Only some people can't eat a few things, not everyone. If you assumed that the band would stop you from being able to eat, you must not have read enough here, because you can. The band only helps with you feeling more full faster, but doesnt stop most of us from eating. The fear of having wasted $6,500 is what stopped me from cheating and the fear of more surgury. It should worry you enough to stop and allow yourself to heal too.

I'm so sorry things are so rough for you right now. It sounds like your husband is a big part of the problem. I was banded around when you were and have had 3 fills and I dont eat special, but I do sometimes have trouble chewing things like steak because of teeth and gums issues, so I know how you feel there. We are doing my parent's anniversary at home. Sometimes that is just easier, hope your husband comes thru with something special. I got short ribs BBQ and a small cheesecake for dessert and a crystal thingee as a present. Im sorry the restaurant didnt work out for you. Maybe you can go next weekend? If it were me, Id still want to go and wouldnt take no for a answer. I looked again, and we were banded the same exact date, Happy banding sister.

There is a 50s thread that you should join. I'm 58, so on that thread the excuse about age doesn't work, lol.... come join us. If you sew, why didnt you just put a dart in the back of some of the other pants you are giving away, that's what Iv been doing. Maybe I haven't slimmed down as much as you have though. I'm just now buying some new cruise dresses. I'm still in a size 18, wearing a xl or 2X tee shirt, my stomach hasnt come down much .... yet.

So, a roll of quarters in each pocket wouldn't have worked? I don't have insurance and my BMI was showing below 40, so I wondered.

There is no set amount. My doctor uses fluoro and barium swallow. If the barium will not go down into your stomach, she removes part of the fill until it will trickle down. If liquids wouldnt go down to your stomach, then you reached the limit and need to back it off. 3 cc's at a time is a large amount that I'v never been able to get my fill doctor to give me, she wouldn't restrict me beyond where liquids go easily into your stomach.

I had 1.8 cc, 1.8 cc, then .5 cc. Less than many for a 10 cc band. My fill doctor keeps going off into that there is a mistake, I don't really have a 10 cc band. I had to go get my surgeon to sign a letter.

I try and aim for around a average of 1200 too. Up the Protein, you have to fuel that weight loss. Maybe your body is just catching up to the 18 lbs you lost really fast. I joined sparks people and you can track food on there and your other goals. Its also free. Many places to track calories. Sparks people has everything in one place.