lellow

I got my first fill 4 weeks post-surgery and then had two more fills one month apart. For my 4th fill, I waited 6 weeks from the previous one. I only felt good restriction after the 3rd fill TBH, when I had 6ccs in a 10cc band. I now have 6.5ccs in and if I get any more fill, they will be small ones too now and I feel like I'm close to perfect restriction already. I think until you feel restriction, a lot of the weight losss will be borne of your own effort, so if you're losing, you're doing great.

Here's my chart (so far): I have lost a minimum of 3kgs (approx 7lbs) a month since being banded on the 1st of Aug 08. I exercise a minimum of 4 times a week though (cycling and now running) but I don't count calories and I don't restrict carbs. I've had plateaus but nothing that's lasted more than a couple of weeks at most.

Updating on my progress for the challenge! It's been a really good week for me (and I hope it continues!) as I'm down from 169.8lbs to 164.6lbs. So a loss of 5.2lbs so far. Only 5.6lbs to go to my Valentines Day goal.

Morning all! I know it's Thursday still for most of you in the US when I post these threads, but heck, it's Friday for me here and that way I can post my update in the Valentine's Day challenge as well! It's been a really good week for me this week. Not sure what I'm doing differently (in fact I'm exercising less because I gave up 2 bike rides to start the couch to 5k running plan this week) but whatever it is, it's working! Last week 76.7kg (168.7lbs) This week 74.8kg (164.6lbs) Loss of 1.9kgs or 4.1 lbs! I've never lost that much before in one week (except right after surgery)!

mlp, isn't it surgery day for you today? Good luck with it, I'm sure you'll be fine! Keep us up to date with your recovery, too!

That's what a saleslady at a clothes shop told me today!!!! ROFLMAO!!!! I tried on a top and when I went to pay for it, I saw that it was stained. It was the only one left in that size but I really needed a top for work so just grabbed a similar one off a near shelf as it was the same size as the one I tried on. The (IMO, only very slightly plump) saleslady asked if I wanted to check if it fit and, because I had my hubby and baby waiting for me outside, I said 'no thanks, I'm pretty sure that's my size', to which she then said 'well, it's easy for people who are naturally skinny like you are to know what fits you. Everything looks good on thin people'!!! I didn't know whether to laugh hysterically or hug her. In the end, I told her about the lapband and that there is no way on god's green earth that I could be described at 'naturally skinny'. She then remarked that she thought weight loss surgery patients all ended up looking like prunes with all the loose skin, but I looked marvellous (said in wide-eyed surprise, mind you!) So as far as NSVs go, I think that was my best one yet!

In Australia, WLS is pretty much only lap-band surgery. I have heard that some surgeons are now offering the sleeve, but not many. So in that respect, I never needed to decide between lapband and RNY as such. But theoretically, if I had to choose, I'd choose the band no question. In part because, in comparison to RNY, it's far more minor surgery, it's reversible and it's adjustable. And yes it may take a little more work on your part to lose consistently, but putting in the effort was never something I was scared of. With the band, I never really plateaued. I lost consistently from pre-op diet to today with an average of about 3kgs (about 7lbs) a month (sometimes more). It did everything I needed it to do. Yes I exercised. Yes I had to make the choice of not eating a whole block of chocolate for lunch. But it's because I knew that it was a tool to help with physical hunger, and that's all it did. The rest was up to me. And the physical hunger was all I needed taken care of, and that's what the lapband does. So it was perfect for me.

If anyone even mentions how much weight I've lost (that is, they don't actually ask me how I lost the weight) I tell them I had lapband surgery. I then tell them about how it restricts my appetite but I also exercise 4-6 times week, so it basically gave me the 'edge' I needed that I didn't have before. I tried for 15 years to lose weight with all the 'old-fashioned' ways and I don't want to pretend anymore that I managed to do it without the lapband. To me, I feel like I do myself a disservice by not being truthful with people about how, in previous attempts, hunger was not letting me succeed. Now I have something to help with the hunger, and guess what? I'm succeeding! I also tell people that if I ate what 'naturally' skinny people ate, I'd still be overweight. I have to eat like a 3yo to be thin. Honestly, how many people can do that for the rest of their lives without a lapband? So I also feel a little bit responsible for making sure that people stop treating obese people like they did it to themselves. I hate that obesity is still openly discriminated against. The fact is obesity, for many, has become a medical condition, therefore there should be no shame in treating it with a medical solution. I do feel like being honest has helped others. I know of 2 people at work who have been banded over the holidays because they believe me to be a walking advert for it. They asked me loads of questions, which I answered truthfully. Now there are 2 other people who have committed to changing their lives because I don't hide the fact that I have a band.

Maybe you should start taking your measurements, mommie2. It will give you a better idea of whether you're really losing. I used to plateau whenever I increased my exercise, esp if it was weight-bearing exercise, because I was building muscle. Esp when you only just started exercising, I'm sure your body is madly building muscle at the moment.

Both, I think. You do feel restriction at some stage, for me it was after my 3rd fill. But you also have to retrain yourself so you don't choose to eat things that will slide past your band (and the restriction you have) to make you feel full instead of satiated. You also have to retrain yourself to eat well until you get to the point where you have restriction. I have had 4 fills so far, have good restriction, and can only eat about a cup full of food at the most per meal.

How is your baby doing though? I think that more importantly, if your baby is the right size for your dates, and you're eating the correct amount of calories to sustain your baby's growth, then those factors should be taken into account first and foremost? Losing weight is probably not ideal when you're pregnant, but if you're not dieting, and are eating normally (in fact more than usual) perhaps your body is simply taking what it needs for the baby, and for you. And if both you and the baby are otherwise healthy and, in baby's case, growing well, perhaps some allowance for the fact that you have a band in may need to be incorporated into your ob's assessment of you?

After my last fill, I was PBing every few days. I got it done then took off to Singapore and the whole time I was there, everything was making me stuck. As soon as I arrived back in Australia, I called my Dr to organise an unfill. He called me later that day and suggested that I give it a week before getting unfilled. He reminded me to chew lots, eat slowly, and to be mindful of my 'satisfied' signals. It seemed silly to me at the time, but you know what? He was right. I have been concentrating hard on doing those things - particularly making usre that I focus on eating when I'm eating instead of getting distracted by other things - and haven't PBed since I spoke to him. In fact I'm eating pretty well, and I haven't even had any real discomfort. Looking back, I realise that it probably didn't help that over Christmas and New year I was eating foods I'd normally not eat on a daily basis. I also know that whenever I got 'stuck' and PBed, my stomache would be particularly sensitive for days after, where even a small bite of a slider food was get stuck and set me off. Which seemed, in my mind, to cascade into a whole series of stuck episodes where I felt like I was waaay too tight. What I actually needed was not an unfill, but to sit back and take stock. After talking to my Dr, I went on soft foods for a few days, where I had frequent, very small meals. Then when I went to harder foods, I made sure I chew well and eat slowly, and stop when I'm satisfied. In the 2 weeks where I was PBing all the time, I gained 700grams. Since I spoke to my Dr about 7 days ago, I've lost all that I gained plus another kilo. Either way, you've had an unfill already. But maybe when things settle, you should get some put back in? Between now and then, maybe concentrate on chewing lots and eating slowly so that when you do get more put in, you'll cope with it a little better. For the record, after thinking I was too tight, I'm actually thinking of getting a small fill at my next appt on the 6th Feb.

I have been thinking about this. I actually don't think a set 'goal' weight is what I should be striving for. What I think I would prefer is to keep eating well and exercising, and allowing my body to decide what my maintenance weight should be. With that sort of mind-set, I guess I just keep doing what I do, and see what happens. gingerbug, I think you put into words what I was feeling much better than I did. I guess I am wondering what to do once the process of trying to lose is over, in that I have lived and breathed this for the last 5 months. I also am anxious that if I start 'living' like my husband suggests, and effectively take my eye off the ball, that I will start gaining too. I've been really lucky that I was lost very consistently. I keep waiting for the bubble to burst. Chickie, I can bike ride hard for an hour without feeling at all sore the next day now. 30secs running alternating with 90secs walking for 20 mins, which didn't even raise a sweat, has me near comatose today! Lol!

Hey there Tracey, I personally am not fond of the chocolate Optifast - I prefer the vanilla. My BMI was 37 too when I was banded on the 1st of August, and now, just over 5 months later, I'm close to my Dr's goal (though I wouldn't mind it at all if I went a few kilos under the number he set). In fact I bought my first bikini is about 20 years a few weeks ago. Unfortunately I have a fair amount of loose skin, so wasn't game to actually wear it anywhere, but it was really nice to fit into one nonetheless!

I do get what you mean Chickie. I have spoken to DH about it today, about how I feel like I'm going to be missing something when I no longer have to a 'goal' to strive to, and he reminded me that that was when I start living. But right now, I'm not sure what that means. I guess I'll have to figure it out when I get there. I HAVE started running, though. Actually I started today on the couch to 5k. I'm hoping that striving to that goal will help take the focus off the weight-related goals. It's interesting though, that after the masses of cycling I do, the running has me sore all over, and I barely rose a sweat! Jack, I have kept a few pieces of my old clothes, and I tried them on when I read your post. It seems surreal that I can now just about fit in one leg of my old work pants. It's gratifying, but even then, it somehow still doesn't seem real, if that makes sense. I guess time will tell as to how I cope with getting to goal. I might hang out in the forum for a bit, see how everyone else's has adapted... :thumbdown:

Hi all, I started with a low-ish BMi and have lost pretty consistently over the last 5 or so months since I was banded. Maybe that's why my head hasn't caught up with my weight loss. I'm just over 11lbs from goal and I don't feel like it at all! I am wondering what will happen when I actually get there. Do I keep doing what I do and see where it takes me? Or do I ease up on the exercise and try to stabilise? I also have a PS appt on the 21st regarding a tummy tuck and I'm dead scared of being unfilled and gaining. And not being able to exercise. I thought I'd be ecstatic when I got to this weight, but am getting anxious about a whole bunch of other things. Am I nuts?

no the hair loss doesn't happen to everyone. But many do suffer from some hair loss, usually not enough for anyone to notice though. In extreme cases, you can lose quite a lot. In most cases, your hair starts to grow back after the first 6 months post banding.

I completely agree with everything plain said. The worst thing about this band? It's only part of the solution. The PBing and getting stuck is the absolute pits, but everytime I read about how people go into this thinking that it will be some magic bullet that will take away all their desire to over-eat, I get worried for them. Over-eating, for many of us, is a psychological desire, not a physiological desire, and no band is going to help with that. I also think you need to realise that for the band to work so you will lose ALL your excess weight, you will likely have to exercise. And not just exercise, but exercise for the rest of your natural life. That was hard for me to get my head around too. Lastly, you need to know that because you're going to live with this band for the rest of your life, you can't go into it thinking it's a diet. It's a change in your whole life, for the rest of your life. I am getting close to goal, and realising that it's not all about how much I'm losing, but how much my life has changed. The number on the scales going lower has been wonderful, but more wonderful than that has been how over time I no longer consider food my comfort, and exercise my enemy. If you can get your head around those things, you'll be fine. :confused: The only true gross part for me is the PBing. But it's never been the hardest part of the band.

Because I'm in Australia, it's actually already Friday for me here. So my weight for the challenge and the Friday morning WIs will be the same anyway. Start of challenge 77.2kg (thanks to putting on 0.7kgs over Christmas) Today 76.7 kgs (168.7lbs). Loss so far: about 1 pound.

Good on you, liquidbluegal!

I am close to goal and already have a PS appt booked for the 21st of Jan. I'm hoping to have surgery before mid year, if I can get to goal by then. I am definitely doing a tummy tuck, though I am considered a thigh lift as well, as I have a lot of loose skin on my upper thighs. That will depend on costs though.

Thanks for your reply, Jachut. I'm even more confused now as I managed to have a good sized salad and roll for dinner without getting anywhere near stuck. I am wondering now if the travel and change of diet was what was making me uncomfortable. I only arrived back this morning. I have made an appt with my Dr for next Tues anyway, JIC, and can cancel right up to Monday arvo if I want to. If in doubt, I'll get unfilled a little. But if I'm doing okay, I'll wait until my next appt, in early Feb. Also wanted to let you know I tried a bit of running while on holidays. I managed 7 minutes on a treadmill going at 7.2km/h and on a slight incline, which I was quite proud of, considering that it was after doing 20 minutes of hard riding on a stationary bike beforehand. Was so so sore the next day though! So I went and got fitted for running shoes. :thumbup: I'm going to give running a go, just to mix up my workout a bit. It will mean waking up at 5.30am to run before going to work, but hey, it's summer! At least it won't be dark! Lol!

I got a fill on the 19th of Dec then went on holidays straight after to Singapore. While I was there, I gained almost 2 lbs. I know in part that it was because I wasn't eating well, but I suspect it may also be because I am a little too tight. I always thought 'too tight' was when you couldn't hold down liquids, but since my last fill, I'm struggling to eat any sort of meat, no matter how soft, without wanting to PB. I am even having trouble having soft cooked Pasta now. I'm close to goal so am thinking maybe it's better to be a little too loose than too tight, and then work the rest of with exercise if I have to. WDYT though? Should I persist with the fill? I'm back from holidays now and intend to go back to eating well, but even now am wary of having more than a couple of bitefuls at a time, for fear it will come back out. I do know that this 'tightness' eases after a while though, and I wonder if I'm overreacting. Or should I go back to what worked (the way I was prior to my last fill) when I was losing 2lbs a week? I had 0.5cc put in at my last fill, so perhaps if I take only 0.25cc out?

I was banded by Dr Watson on the 1st of August 08 and have lost 21kgs so far. I had about 28kgs to lose all up, so I'm not too far from my goal weight now.

it's awful when you have this tool in you which will help you, but you get get it to work the way you need it to because you can't get the fills you need to help suppress your food intake. That's a cruddy situation to be in. I too put on weight over Christmas. It sucks. But it's in the past now. Every new day is a new chance to start afresh. Life gets in the way of exercise and good food choices, I realise. It's not always easy to 'fight the good fight'. But the best part of the battle is fought in your head. Maybe you shouldn't worry about losing for now, liquidbluegal. Just concentrate on maintaining for a few weeks instead of gaining. It will mean watching what you eat still, and will probably mean you will have to try to up the incidental exercise you do (power walk to the shops instead of drive, carry your groceries instead of use a trolley). And in a few weeks, if you're maintaining, look at how you can modify your lifestyle even more so you can start making small losses. And that way, by the time you get to your fill, you'd have set up some good habits so it can kickstart some good losses again. And in the meantime, we're all here to encourage you and help you along.