Nicynoo1

Wow! Thanks guys! I didn't think I would get a response but you have all been a great help. So, because I know I will not be able to get to the gym everyday or even 5 days a week doing 3-4 12hour shifts in the hospital, I cancelled my membership! Not to worry though because I bought an exercise bike and an elliptical cross trainer thingy on Saturday and have been using them since. Next I will have to get some weights as well. I put the bike in the living room so even if I'm watching TV I can do it from my bike! My aim right now is at least 1hour 5 days a week and to build from there. Thanks guys!!

Hi guys! This has probably been asked already but I just can't get a clear enough answer. I am a bit thick sometimes! Could you let me know how much you workout. I workout about half an hour 3/4 times a week. I find it hard to go more as I am a student midwife and doing 3/4 12-hour shifts a week and a mummy to a lil boy, I either don't have time, need to write an essay or am just too tired! Please reply x

Hi guys! Thanks for replying. It was so much the portion size that bothered me as what ever I cook I use a quarter cup, half cup or full cup measure to make my portions (from Amazon), for example I would measure half/quarter a cup of rice/potatoes or what ever with half/quarter cup of whatever I made to go with it so I generally don't eat more than 1 full cup. My issue is that either I just get really full all of a sudden or I don't get full at all and walk around like a hungry bear haha! My band has a mind of its own and I am not losing even 2lb a week as some days I can barely eat and other days I can't stop! I was banded in Dec 2008 and I lost a great amount of weight but since last summer (June or July-ish 2010 - UK time), I have gained ALOT and trying to recommit to my journey but tbh this is sooooo much HARDER this time round and I have 7.7ml in 10ml band!! Thanks though guys, you have helped truly xx

I was just wondering at what point do you stop eating? I mean is it when you can feel a slightly 'fullness' after 3-4 bites, or when you are really full or anywhere in between? Do you always try to eat your whole half/full cup of food? I really need your advice Thanks x

Hi again, I was wondering if anyone eats 1 cup of food per meal. It was recommended to me by a fellow bandster and as I am having a fill tomorrow I was wondering if it was a good place to start. Thanks

Thank you both so much! I am getting sooo excited now about my fill so I can restart my weight loss! The only issue I am having now is how much of a fill to ask for, I was going to ask for 0.5ml to get to 7.5ml but now, as I actually liked being at 7.8ml I may break even and ask for say 7.7ml or 7.6ml! Also I am going to get some cup measurements so that I can monitor how much I am eating, you know the 1/4, 1/2 and 1 cup measures. Ooooh! I can't get rid of my smile... I mean my goal weight is about 80-100lb away! I'm lucky to not have more! Thanks again guys!!

Hi everyone!! I am planning to recommit to my weight loss journey and I was just wondering if all you very successful bandsters could help me please. I will give a quick background so you all know why I have be finding the journey so hard. I was banded Dec 2008 when I was 311lb at 22yrs old. I got banded at a lovely hospital in Central London and had a very good experience. I went down to 253lb by Nov 2010 when my band was filled to 7.8ml in a 10ml band..... here's where the problem starts!! After I had 7.8ml in my band, my period came (cringe) and my band became sooooo tight I couldn't even drink! Ii had never experienced that and it was very scary...so I got 0.8ml taken out out my band in Dec 2010. I am now at 7mls and I actually feel as though I have no band!! I know its hard to believe but I have NO restriction!! I was great at 7.8ml before my period but now I have gained weight since Dec 2010 and now I weigh 280lb (in only 4 months!!). SO... on Friday I am going to have my band filled and hopefully get it to 7.5ml although I want 7.8ml again.... either I need to get a mirena to sort my period or stick to 7.5ml so I think I'll just do that! Ok so back to the point hehe... I need help and advice as if I were a newbie banster... I will read the newly banded forum too but just wanted help as an old bander. I am 25years old now and I feel like I am wasting these years of youth being fat and not being able to wear and do the things I advise my skinny mini friends to wear/do! I'm also getting married next summer and I will not be a fat bride, I am currently a UK 22! Ok that's all but any meal plans or things to completely avoid or any exercise routines etc will be gratefully received! Thanks guys x

Hi all!! Just a quick one! I was banded in Dec 2008 and lost almost 60lb in the first year. Since then I can not get great restriction and have sadly gained about 20lb. I am now wanting a RNY and was wondering if there was anyone in the UK who knows of a good centre that offers revisions and if anyone has had this done on the NHS or with any other financial help. Thanks alot x

Just though I would let you all know that since I posted the first message, I have not lost any weight but I did lose inces!! I am so happy! Thank you all for the advice and help, and for helping to refocus me..... still wish I had the RNY though... The time is now! Nic xx

Thank you very much....I hope so!!

Thanks alot for your replies, I have had a lot to think about and have come to the conclusion that I dont regret having a band...I just am very impatient and want to see results more quickly than I can, the type of results the more drastic methods of wls have. Without my band I would not hae lost a pound as I hadn't lost any weight before it. I would have probably been 40lb heavier so I am greatful for what I have lost. I just needed a kick start. @RestlessMonkey... I am so happy for you that you are completely satified with you band. its always good to hear views from both sides of the coin and I cant wait to feel the same. Well done! @krtork....You are exactly right. I have lost a few inches in the last 2 months, just not weight so the little exercise I have done must be paying off because, for the most part, I do eat right. I will up my exersice and hopefully that will be the jolt I need. I was also thinking that my plateau may be because I lost the weight really quickly in the beginning and my body needs a little catch up!! Just a theory! Thanks again everyone xx

Thank you all so much for your support! It is soo reasurring when you know you are not alone and that others can identify with your struggles. I think everyone that has replied so far has indeed knocked the nail on the head. Ultimately it comes down to me and my motivation, so sitting down and refocusing would be a great help as would writting a plan of action and also remembering why I had this op in the first place. Obesity has taken up so much of my life...actually all of it, so I just want it to be over so I can enjoy life! @unforgettable...Thank you so much your message was sooo inspirational and has given me the kick I have needed for the last 2 months! I will just make a plan of action and hopefully I will be losing a pound or two (if not more!!) each week and feeling and looking great! Thanks everyone, Nic xx

I was banded 4th December 2008 and have lost about 36lb since my op but up until about the end of June 2009. So for the last 2 months I have lost nothing despite having a fill and eating right. I feel so fed up each week when I weigh-in to have lost nothing although I am very greatful that I have not gained any weight either. Sometimes I wish I just had the RNY as the weightloss is so much faster and substatial and in a way kind of 'guarenteed'. I dont know if my impatience or frustration is due to me not losing weight in the last 2 months, or because 36lb seems pitiful weightloss for a 9 month period or just because I am young and impatient...I am 23. Even tho I had a fill about a month ago I dont feel a great deal of restriction unless it is the morning but then as soon as I eat Breakfast its gone by midday.... completely gone and I have a 10cc lapband filled with 7cc. Its so annoying that I have started to feel and look better and then the weightloss just stopped!! I was looking forward to dating again and now I just feel lonely... am the only singleton and fatty out of all ny friends which is not a coincidence! Sometimes I feel like comfort eating and with this lack of restriction, is completely possible to do! I know I need a fill but being in the UK and with my band being fitted on the NHS (free), I can only have fills every 3 months at my stage in the game... so my next appointment is the end of Sept. I also know that exersice is important but with seeing no results I have kinda given up to be honest... I need some help and inspiration guys...please!! Nic xx

Thank you all for your replys. I wish I had restriction but instead I have to fight to maintain my weight because losing at this stage with no restriction is sooo hard!! I have an AP Small band that I was told holds 9cc/ml but that was obviously wrong as now looking at the lapband website it says they only come in two sizes, 10cc/ml or 14cc/ml, so I guess I have 10cc/ml band which makes things worse!!! I get filled on 24th April but the nurse said she wants to give me just 0.5cc/ml to take me to 5cc/ml which, from you comments is rubbish!! I will ask her for more and I hop she says yes! Maybe if I go to 5.5cc/ml or 6cc/ml I will feel better!! Thanks again to you all

Hi everyone! I just had a quick query and whilst I know everyone gets restriction at different times and after different fills, I was just wondering if you could all just quickly say what size your band is and at what filled capacity you think you got restriction.... just as a point of reference and general guidence!! My band an AP Lapband and is 9cc/ml in size and has been filled once to 4.5cc/ml (had 2.5cc/ml filled during surgery and 2cc/ml during my first fill). I have no restriction! Any info would be great!! Thanks guys!!

Hi everyone! I was just wondering if I could rely on some of you to help me bump up my weightloss! I just wanted to know if there are any foods that I shouldnt be eating at all and what I should be eating because at the moment I can eat ANYTHING and ALOT! I had my op on 4th Dec 2008 and have a 9cc/ml band which is now filled to 4.5cc/ml. I have lost only about 22lb which is a let down! I have NO restriction and since I had my band fitted free by the NHS (National Health Service) and all my fills on the NHS I cant get fills as often as I would like to... only every 8-10 weeks actually. My next fill is on 24th April so I have a while before I get a bit more restricted so any help would be appreciated! Thank you

Thank you so much Brad!! I am glad to have a name for the period that I am going through and that it is normal. I will try to keep in mind that I am healing and hopefully that will be enough to keep me straight. I called my docs surgery and he said that I can drink anything as long as it could go through a straw so that helps!! Best wishes to you xx

Hey!! I am not sure how someone might tell if they had a stretched pouch and niether am I am doctor, but maybe your pouch hasn't stretched, maybe you need a fill. As you lost weight your band became looser as your insides became less filled with fat, hence the need for regular fills during the losing period. Maybe you should call your doctor too. All the best xx

Thank you guys for all the advise. I am defo gonna invest in a good Protein shake...I have some SlimFast at home, do you guys think it will be ok?? I cant wait to go on to mushys but thats not until just under 2 weeks away!! I think I will call the doctor tomorrow so to ask whether or not I can go on to mushys earlier because alot of people only do the liquid diet for 1-2 weeks so why do I have to do it for 4??? (although the nurse said 3 would also be ok)

I am 9 days post-op and I am really suffering for hunger. I have NO restriction at all and it really feels like touture. I have another 3 weeks on this liquid diet (for a total of 4 weeks) and it seems so hopeless. I have already cheated by taking a few chips out my sons plate today, just a couple but I still know its wrong. I have no restriction so it went down quite easy. I am constantly drinking like every 3hours and alot (Water and juice). Does anyone else feel this and if you do .....what did you do or eat for it? Any help will be appreciated! Thanks, Nic xx