echokitty32

Nessa38, you sound as though you are telling my story. I had my band put in July '08 and have had a decreasing drive since then. Not even fantasy works for me anymore. My hubby is unhappy, he used to worry that he would need Viagra to keep up with me! I don't know what is woing, my hormone levels are actually improving, my menstrual cycles are becoming more regular I feel alot more attractive, and based upon the reactions from strange men I guess that I look it, too. I wish it would come back. I wonder if they make a female version on Cialis or Viagra......

I found the article..here it is: John B Dixon1, Maureen E Dixon and Paul E O'Brien (1) Monash University Department of Surgery, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Published online: 01 February 2001 Background: Severely obese women have higher obstetric risks and poorer neonatal outcomes. Weight loss reduces obstetric risk. The introduction of a laparoscopically-placed adjustable gastric band, a safe and effective method of weight loss, has given us the ability and responsibility to adjust the band in relation to pregnancy. Objective: Our aim was to devise a safe management plan to achieve healthy maternal weight gain (Institute of Medicine 1990) during pregnancy. Methods: In a cohort group of 650 patients to have a Lap-Band® placement for severe obesity, we have reviewed the management of the band and pregnancy outcomes of all women (n=20) to complete a pregnancy (n=22) with a band in-situ. Results: All 22 pregnancies were singleton, with no primary caesarean sections (3 for recurring indications). The mean maternal weight gain was 8.3 kg compared with 15.2 kg for the 15 previous pregnancies of women in this group (p<0.05). There was no difference in birth weights. Obstetric complications were minimal, and there were no premature or low birth weight infants. 11 of 15 subjects with active management of the band achieved a maternal weight gain within the advised range compared with only 2 of 7 prior to this. Conclusion:The ability to adjust gastric restriction allows optimal control of maternal weight change in pregnancy and should help avoid the risks of excessive weight change. ( I also found an online conversion calculator that sowes the 8.3 kg meantioned in the article equals about 18 pounds. )

Thank you for the advice/pep talk Andrew. I appreciate it. Since I posted that I have gotten back on track...saw my doctor, had a fill of .2cc's and lost 4 lbs. YAY for me! I now enjoy trying to take my favorite foods and make them band friendly, even calorie friendly...I avoid real sugar foods ( though I know what you mean about that salted caramel hot chocolate from SB ). Last night I did try the naked eating thing..it did work, but thank goodness I was snacking on a sugar free jello pudding. I looked down only once. But I will continue to keep that in mind for any real emergency craving's...:juggle:

That sounds great to me Laura, you seem to be the one I was looking for to be my lap-band buddy! I kept wondering if there were any other shorties like me in the forum's....

That there was such a thing as monthly bandsters. I had my surgery July 3, '08 and have lost only 30 lbs. Alot of it was due to me not excercising and eating some of the wrong foods, but I can say that I didnt gain anything! Im back on track now and just found my fellow 7/08 bandsters. I look forward to sharing with everyone. My startine weight was 201lbs, I lost 12 lbs the first month. Now Im at 170 and think Ive hit a set point that my body doesnt wasnt to stray from...but I will overcome it, I did the other 2 set point's! I just think its harder to lose weight when you have less to lose. Im only 5'0" tall. I should weigh in the range of 100 to 115 lbs. Im shooting for 110, but I think Ill see how I feel and look the closer I get to my goal, it might be too little. SO if anyone has any advice I would greatly appreciate and welcome it.

Here's a few things I really enjoy eating that will make your taste buds wake up. Anton's chicken Tortilla Soup. 1 whole rotisserie chicken ( Lemon Pepper seasoned is a good one ) a jar of Better Than Bouillon chicken flavor 1 bunch of fresh cilantro concentrated lemon juice or fresh squeezed lemon juice to taste. A frozen veggie of your choice, (traditional veggie is corn ) Strip all the chicken meat from the bones until all thats left is a sad carcass. Try to create small peices. Put into a medium pot or slow cooker, cover with Water and add chicken bouillon. Bring to a simmer and stir chicken, this will help the meat to shred finely. ( In a slow cooker the shred can happen at the end ) When chicken is shredded add the fresh cilantro, then add the lemon until you reach a nice tangy taste that you like. ( Some folk like it tangier than others ) Put about a cup of frozen veggie into a bowl and top with fresh hot soup. The hot soup will defrost the veggie and the frozen veggie will cool down the soup so you can start to eat it right away. You can of course top this with low-fat cheese or sour cream. Store the rest in fridge or freeze individual portions to reheat at a later date. ------------------------------------------ Cheesecake's Cousin 1/2 cup of low fat ricotta cheese 1 tsp. of vanilla or almond extract 1 tbsp of crushed nut of your choice 1 packet of sugar substitute ( Splenda is very good! ) 1 tbsp of non dairy topping Combine all ingredients until well blended. Top with non dairy topping and enjoy. You can also add a tsp of carob powder or coco powder to make a chocalatey version

I am amazed and envious at the replies here that say they still eat bread, rice and cereal. Before my surgery my doctor told me to avoid those same foods. The major reason was that they get stuck. I have since tested that and found it to be true. So instead I opt for a protein drink for breakfast consisting of 4 oz soymilk, 4 oz water ( to thin it out ) 2 scoops of protein powder, one package of sugar free Carnation instant breakfast, a dash of Spirulina and sometimes throw in fresh, frozen fruit. It works for me. For lunch I have grilled, moist chicken with chopped tomatoes and cilantro, dinner is whatever soft meat I crave with some veggies, fresh guacamole. It does vary, I dont eat the same foods every day, or in that combination. Is anyone else doing something similar?

Most BCP's work best if taken at the same time everyday. Missing that time even by a few hour's can disrupt the effectiveness of the pill. Especially if it is a low dose prescription. One of the reason's for this is because the pill fools your body into thinking it's already pregnant. So NO you are not protected from pregnancy. Like other's before me have already said, use protection. Or just give your body a few days to fully recover, sometimes its better if you wait a few days. If you dont trust me on the pill info, ask your pharmacist or doctor, they can verify it.

You are so welcome. I hope it helps. :thumbup:)

Here's a big thank you to everyone that responded to my cry for help and hope, Since I posted I went back to my doctor and he filled me .2cc's. I now have 5.2 cc's in my band..my motivation is better, I've even lost 2 lbs. I now am surprised at my control to stay away from the real sugar sweets. Now if I want something I have a sugar free chocolate pudding. I have also investigated some web sites online written by people who have had bariatric surgery and come away with some really helpful info. I'll share it with you now. Check out the website Bariatriceating.com. It was developed by a women who had a gastric bypass. She is amazing, she posts recipes and even has products to sell that have been develpoed for people who really like to taste yummy things. I haven't tried to order anything yet, but am planning to when I get paid again. The other website to check on is Easy Recipes: A Month's Worth of Fast, Healthy Meals. This site was developed by a dietician that had a lapband placed. She posts free recipes designed for those of us with the lap band. She even has alot of good advice and tips for sticking to your goals, there is also a book you can purchase to download that you can use to journal your food. But if you go to the bariatriceating website, they have a free food journal that you can print out right away.....Now if only I can remember the pin for my tracker, I can keep on going and keep motivating myself. Dont get me wrong, Im still struggling every day to stay focused, I think I went into a slight depression about six months after my procedure...I think I was going through a mourning period for all the food I wasnt going to be able to eat again! But when I read the book "Before and After" written by the woman who developed Bariatriceating.com, I have a new way of looking at the new lifestyle I need to live by. I even told my family that they will have to make adjustments to eat healthier, too. If I am to succeed.

I don't know what's wrong with me. It's been 7 month's now since Ive lost any weight..I keep floating up and down the same 2-3 lbs. I cannot seem to get it together to get my motivation back. Ive only lost 25 lbs since my surgery a year ago. I'm not really being careful about what I eat. Its more like I've become bored with food and exercise. Has anyone else felt like this? I know the reason I haven't lost anymore is due to this. I just need help getting my motivation back. Any suggestion"s out there?

Hey everyone, I was banded this past July by Dr Liu in Garden Grove, Ca. I was 197 and am now 176. I know it seems like a small weight to start out with, but Im only 5', my BMI was 39....Ive had 3 fills now and it was the last one that really kicked things into gear. Anyone else out there that started at a lower weight like me? Or the same BMI? Id love to chat. :thumbup:))

Hi everyone, I was banded back on July 3rd, '08. I live in Norwalk, Ca..so I hope there are other people out there close to me. Id love to meet. Ive lost 22 lbs so far. 10 my first month post-op, only 1 or 2 lbs the next 2 months. Then Dr Liu in Graden Grove gave me a very good adjustment and I took off again.

I just had my procedure done this past July 08 and have been feeling my way through alone. Im so glad to have been perusing Google and come across this site. Last Thursday I had my 3rd adjustment and now can feel what the post op instructions were talking about. I was so worried that there was something wrong with my band because I could still eat alot after surgery. But now..Im lucky to eat a ground beef patty, and keep it down. Yeah vomiting has become a common occurance for me this past 5 days, Im really relearning how to eat. Has anyone else experienced this? Since my surgery Ive lost 15 lbs, and am very happy about it, but I feel if I had had tighter adjustments I would have lost more. Since the past two months I platued.:thumbup: