annjones

It is easy to get frustrated with weight loss stalls. The best we all can do is keep doing the things we are suppose to do, call our docs and nuts if we have questions and of course support each other through these stalls. I'm reading many things about "kick starting" weight loss. If anyone has tried or is trying any of these ideas that have been posted throughout the board, it would be helpful to everyone else to see what is working and what isn't. I just read that someone who didn't drink enough Water during the day stalled some and after they increased their water to 64oz+ things were back on a roll. I think, as bandsters, we will all continue to loose weight over the first year and even beyond. The average 3 lbs per week is an average of all the totals for a year. In that would be, I'm guessing, weeks of no loss, weeks of gaining a few pounds and weeks of loosing a large amount. I am doing measurements as well as weight tracking and that helps me see that i'm loosing size and weight. But then whatever gets us through the day!

I've been beeboping along. My weight loss has been steady and have had no problems with my fills. The last one was only .5cc and after my liquid to reg. food progression, I've not found that my hunger has drastically reduced. So that concerns me a bit, but I figure this first year is all a learning curve. I'm loosing and not gaining, eating welll and exercising. I have to remind myself that my doc knows what amt to do the fills and even thought .5cc doesn't sound like alot he is more knowledgable than I am about this stuff.

Down to 257!!!

I do enjoy chocolate/sweets now and then. I've experimented with different Protein drinks, SF pudding, and recently I've found Zone Perfect and Balance Protein Bars. They have alot of carbs but the taste is way better than any Protein Bar I've had in the past. They can sit heavy in your pouch so slowly enjoying 1/2 bar way before a meal or at the end of the evening might feed that sweet tooth. Plus you get a good amount of protein in. Also using SF syrups and sauces helps. It is hard to explain but you will feel and crave different things once you are banded. It isn't like a light switch turning on but you just will eat and crave different things. Stick with the basics... Protein first, 64 oz + Water, low carb and low fat. Stay away from snack type foods (chips etc). Know and be comfortable with your limitations. Be ok saying "No I can't eat that, etc. I worried so much over the different things I was eating (pre band) and what I would be struggling with (post band). Things have a way of working out. You are doing the absolute right thing by asking questions and learning everything you can. Good Luck!

I am no expert and I really can't speak for everyone, but I would suspect that yes most everyone goes through the last meal thing. I did. Honestly, I've not found many things I can't eat since being banded. A few tricks have been substituting healthy stuff for the bad things. If you follow the band guidelines and rules you should be ok. That doesn't mean you will never have a taste of the "bad for you" things. Don't go off the deep end eating now before getting banded. Put your time and energy into researching what you need to do and I found gathering band friendly receipes was very helpful. Good luck and 3 months isn't far to go.

I started walking on the treadmill the day after surgery. I paced around my home too. Just so I could get moving. Be mindfull of your surgery site and tummy. You are healing. Don't do anything that hurts.

CONGRATULATIONS! Make sure you have a list of what you want to bring with you. Check it twice. Chapstick, slippers or warm socks, a pillow to support your tummy, a bottle of Water (for your trip home...I was DYING of thirst after surgery).... Keep yourself busy so it isn't on your mind. and get ready to enjoy your new slimmer, healthier life!

People are really noticing and have been very encouraging. My wedding band is almost falling off my finger I've not got alot of clothes I can wear. Have to hit the thrift store. I have more energy and am enjoying my exercising Instead of worrying that things will be too tight, I am now worrying that things will be too big and baggy.

I've been at a stall for about 2 weeks. Thank goodness I go for a fill this Wednesday. Down 44 lbs and 34 inches (total)

I've not read any information that would help. I would conact your drs office and ask there. Good Luck

Congratulations! So far I love my band. I'm able to exercise more and my eating/hunger is under control. Food isn't ruling my life and I love it.

Yea I did some digging and found it. Thanks Pete!

New Month, New Goal. 250 I'm thinking.

As you have heard every insurance and policy are different. Call your insurance and ask, I'd emphasis overweight and health reasons. My doc's staff took care of filing and stuff. I have Tricare and only paid a small co pay and once surgery was done and that bill was submitted, I paid like 2700.00 and now my catastrophy cap is met and I have no co pay for the rest of the year. As with any surgery there is some pain and discomfort but mine wasn't bad. For me the port is no big deal. It is there and it's kinda nice to know it is there to help keep me healthy. But then I went through cancer treatments and had a port back in 2000. My suggestions to you is read, read, research, ask questions, go to support groups, and educate yourself with all aspects of weight loss surgery. Your doctor's office can give you alot of suggestions and information. This web site has been invaluable to me along with obesityhelp.com (I actually found my doctor and his stats and some of his other patients there) Good Luck on your journey

Hey there! I posted the same thing when I first visited this site. Ask your questions and you will get a lot of answerings and advise. I found everyone here to be very helpful in making my decision. I have not for one moment regreted being banded.

Hey everyone! Looks like the December Bandsters are doing GREAT! I'm down to 260 and have lost many inchs and droped 2 clothes sizes! My doc wants me to speak to the next bariatric seminar about the Lapband...guess I'm an overacheiver. I haven't been 260 since the late 80s!!! Pete, I don't want to sound dumb but how do I get to see the chart?

Gosh I fell behind. Guess I should set my Feb. Goal My current weight is 265 and 8 lbs for 257 as my goal weight for February. The number just seems so much like fantasy. I've fought with my weight for so many years and yo-yo'd but I've not been this low in weight for over 15 years. I'm seriously exercising 3 times per week and lightly the other 4 days of the week. Feeling better, looking better, and it shows

I was pretty leary at first as well. Had, of course, heard all the extreme stories. But as I read through this board and educated myself on the band and such the fear went away. I've been banded since December 23rd and it is great. I'm loosing weight, living healthier, my clothes are all loose and falling off me...and I'm eating things I like. I've not had to "give up" anything really. I was never a big candy person, or soda person. I'm still drinking coffee (just smaller amounts and less frequently) than before and my meal sizes are way smaller than before (and I'm not missing anything) I don't feel deprived or starved. My advise to you is to learn as much as you can about Lapband. Visit this site, Obesityhelp.com and go to support groups.

Thursday B - Instant Grits, 1 scrambled egg, 1 turkey sausage link S- Edamame beans L - 2 oz cottage cheese with smushed up 1/2 Hard boiled egg; 2 oz tuna fish; 1 oz (or so) ground turkey with melted swiss cheese D-3 oz roast; 4 baby carrots, 1 piece of potato Protein Shake - Roadside Lemonaide with Pineapple Friday B - Instant Grits, 1 scrambled egg, 1 turkey sausage link S - Edamame Beans L - Ground Turkey with Left over roast "gravy" (creame of celery soup, baby carrots, small amount of potatos) S - Multi grain crackers, Happy Cow Cheese D - TBD Protein Shake - Fuzzy Navel with 4 oz vanilla yogurt The amount of food I can eat has gone up from after surgery along with my calorie count but I'm still WAY under what my min. calories were before surgery, plus I'm exercising daily :confused:

Wow everyone is doing great! Here are my pics.

This is why I really like this board. I just got my 1st fill yesterday. I had noticed about a week before that I was able to eat more in volume. (of course more is no where near the amount it was before being banded) I was getting hungry between meals and was very thankful I had scheduled my fill for yesterday. After the fill I've felt full to my neck and I feel like I have a small lump in my throat. I can drink ok and liquids are fine..guess each new experience I will learn more and more..but it sure helps to have posts of simular stuff to read from.

I've not tried this yet but I've heard some great success stories about people getting back on track with this "recipe" It is a 5 day pouch test. Surgical Weight Loss 5 Day Pouch Test

This is the post I needed to see this morning. Yesterday was the first day I was hit with real hunger since surgery. Granted I did not eat anywhere near what I ate prebanded but it seemed like such a large quantity compaired to what I've gotten full on since surgery. I'm so glad I'm getting a fill on Monday!

Failure was my biggest fear prior to surgery. I educated myself on the band and what to expect, as well as what I could do before hand to get ready. But going through all this and the thought of feeling good and going forward than having it all trashed with failure (this has been a typical cycle) was very scary. Doc says I'm doing really well and ahead of schedule (their schedule I"m guessing) My first fill is the 19th of January and so far so good.