Cindy C

Carbonation is one of the worst things you can do. The bubbles get in there and pop causing your pouch to stretch which can cause a prolapse. Drinking pop and beer you risk losing your band....and let's face it, that stuff that contributed to our obesity problems in the first place. I used to go through at least 3 12-packs of diet cola a week. I haven't had one since 6/9/08 (the day before my surgery) and haven't missed it!

It's been almost 3 years and I still can't eat french fries!

If you are having reflux at night its a sure sign that you're too tight. Maybe you got something stuck and have some swelling. You need to go have a little fluid taken out for a month or so then get it put back in. Reflux is very dangerous in a bandster. It can cause a prolapse and you don't want that!

I lost 8.5% (28 lb) the first week after surgery and 115 lb (30%) the first year.

There's really no answer to that. Everybody is different. I have 5.8cc in a 10cc band. Most people don't realize that 10cc's is only equal to 2 teaspoons. It's taken me almost 3 years to figure out where my sweet spot is. Just keep going for your fills until you reach a point that works for you.

I was banded at 49 and lost 115 lbs the first year. My doctor banded a 72 year old woman and she's had great success! You're never too old!

Name, real or screen~Cindy Age~51 Weight on May1st~179 Goal Weight for May 29th~168 Exercise Goal for May~go to gym at least twice a week Dietary Goal for May~keep calories under 1200 daily Personal Goal for May~reach goal weight (162) by 3 year bandiversary 6/10/11 Date Banded~6/10/08 Total Weight Loss Since Banding~145

PROTEIN, PROTEIN, PROTEIN!! Hair loss is caused by protein deficiency. Start now. Try to get at least 50-60 grams a day...meat, dry beans, protein shakes....or about 6 months post op your hair will start to fall out!

Topazz, You are doing great! 57 pounds in 6 months!! I too hit a plateau about 6 months post op. It Iasted about a month and the weight started falling off again. Just be patient and keep doing what you've been doing. If you haven't discovered it yet. there's an awesome website where you can track your food intake, exercise and tons of other stuff. I started using it about 2 weeks ago and have lost about 9 lbs. 17 to goal!!!! Wish it had been there 3 years ago when I was banded! http://www.lapband.com/en/home/

It's not uncommon to start losing hair 6-8 months post op. It's caused my a protein deficiency. I started drinking protein shakes and my doctor told me to start taking a good multi-vitamin. That seemed to solve the problem within a few weeks. For those who are newly banded, start now before you have the problem.

I just got back from the doctor. Total weight loss to date - 136 pounds. Started out size 28. Yesterday bought size 12!!!

My doctor told me about the likelihood before I was banded. His nurse said that my Blue Cross would pay for it as long as my weight loss exceeded 100 pounds. I had my panneculectomy 3 weeks ago. He removed 10 pounds of excess skin from my stomach. I recommend that anyone considering this procedure do your homework. Understand what your doing, this is not pleasant. I'm sure that once I heal it will have all been worth it but its going to take months of healing.

I'm lucky. My doctor is only about 30 miles away and its mostly rural expressway but I'd drive as far as necessary.

Just stay away from the white rice. It tends to get stuck and cause the dreaded PBing.

They can check your oxygenation on your toe nails. My acrylics were bright red the day of surgery.

Mine was 47.8 the day of surgery. Now 6 months and 73 pounds later it's 37.1. I'm still a long way from my goal but I'm getting there.:thumbup:

I was banded 6/10/08. I lost 24 pounds the first month plus I had lost 15 pounds preop. So I was down 39 pounds. Its been 5 months now and I've lost 66.

You're all probably going to think I'm horrible, but ya know, sometimes things just come out before you have time to think. About 7 years ago I was on vacation with my kids who were young teenagers at the time. We were sitting in a restaurant having breakfast and a woman walked by with her daughter who was about 7 years old. The little girl stopped at our table and looked up at me and said "you're fat". I smiled sweetly at her and said "yes I am, but if you meet me back here next year I might be thin but I bet you'll still be an ugly little thing". Then I looked up at the mother and said "you aughta teach that kid some manners." She was horrified, grabbed the girl by the hand and quickly walked away.

Call the doctor. Sounds like you're too tight.

I'm glad I found this thread last night. My surgery was just about 5 months ago and I've noticed a lot of hair in my brush lately. I never considered that it might be band related. I probably don't get enough protein since meat is hard for me to eat without too much restriction. I do drink milk every day and try to eat cheese too. I went out and bought prenatal vitamins today. I hope it helps.

The same thing happened to me after my 2nd fill. The rapid weight loss comes from being dehydrated. I lost 7 pounds in 2 or 3 days and, unfortunately, it was all back a week later:crying:. As for the question about fills...they feel similar to a bee sting but not as bad. By the time I'm walking out of the office, any pain is gone.

I go shopping ALL the time. If I see something I like and it fits I buy it. I justify it by saying I'm not spending it on groceries any more so I can spend it on clothes!!

I thought the same thing after my surgery. I asked the dr and he said it was ok. Now, its one of the only things I can eat w/o feeling any restriction.

Hi everybody. I had my surgery June 10, 08 by Dr. Zubin Bhesania at Port Huron Hospital. I went in at a whopping 324 pounds. (I have a hard time believing that I did that to myself.) Well here it is slightly more than 4 months later and I'm down 59 pounds at a "svelt" 265 and losing. I was wearing a 28-30 pants, today I squeezed my fanny into a 22! I wouldn't trade my lapband for anything!! I went for a fill today. I'm up to 5.5cc in a 10cc band.