juliegeraci

Hi Ashley, I can't feel my band. If I lie down on my back I can find my port though. You will not feel your band as well. Typically gastric bypass patients lose faster. Lapband is more gradual. I have lost 56 lbs since last June 6th. I have about 45 to go. You can expect 1-2 lbs per week. Some bandsters lose faster. It depends on if you exercise a lot.

You are doing great. The preop phase can be very difficult. Keep up the good work.

Just be careful with the chocolate, it goes down much too easy. Make sure you eat your protein throughout the day. Solid protein is the most important. Stay away from carbs and sugar. You will do fine.

Danny, now is a very exciting time for you. I remember a year ago waiting to get banded. You will do great and you will love being banded. Congrats.

I go through highs and lows, mostly high. It is really important to get your protein in.

Your band will not slip with hiccups. They are quite common.

Donna, sounds like you are doing great. Keep up the good work.

Peggy, the next 6 months are time for healing. Just take it one day at a time. Make sure you are taking in enough fluids and rest. You will find the swelling will go down and your hunger may return. Once this happens it will be time for a fill. Fills are very easy so don't worry too much about them. Julie

Hi, glad you are feeling okay. Just sip those liquids all day long. You will be fine.

What you are experiencing is normal. Most likely you can eat a pretty big portion. Once you start getting fills that will really help. You should be losing 1-2 lbs per week so you are right on schedule. You may need more than 1 fill initially to feel restriction so don't give up. It took me 5 fills to feel it.

You are doing great. Keep up the good work.

GNC sells some good protein bars. Some have as much as 30 grams.

Salads are no problem. I really enjoy them.

I would say 1/4 to 1/2 cup of food is perfect.

If you are eating 1/2 cup to 1 cup of food and still losing you are at your sweet spot. I can only eat 1/4 cup of food and feel this is a good fill level for me. If you are losing you are doing great.

Kim, just take the fills slowly. You will know when you are too tight . The doctor will sit you up to drink . Just follow the signs of your body and tell him you need some take out. I wouldn't worry about getting the flu for now. If you do, just take some pepto bismal or something like that. The band will not let you vomit from your stomach, it will stop it. I would just take it slow on the fills. Julie

My doctor charges $200 and does not use fluoro

You should take care of your band, but 1 drink will not kill you. Just be careful.

I know, its hard to believe I use to eat a 6 or 8 oz steak. I love being able to eat 1-2 oz now. What a difference. I love the fact that I fill up on a protein shake for breakfast and I'm not hungry 4-6 hours after I eat. Its wonderful. Julie

Its normal to be nervuos. I was too. Congrats on being banded. You will love it.

My doctor doesn't do a preop diet. Are you going to have to do one? Congrats on being banded. You will love it. Julie

Sara, you will love being banded. I've been banded a year and I've lost 56 lbs. It has been really easy for me. Now the work has begun to lose the remainder of my weight. My goal is 10 lbs per month. I can be at goal at Christmas! In any case, just know that the band is a tool. You still have to stay away from bad foods, drink your water and exercise. I think you will find it very motivating when you start to lose weight. I am glad your husband is so supportive. It makes a huge difference. You can expect to lose 1-2 lbs a week, but if you follow all the bandsters rules you can lose a ton your first year. It will probably take you a 2-3 years to lose everything. They say 30% of your excess weight the first year. I have seen some bandsters lose 100 l bs their first year. Exercise is key. Good luck to you. You will love being banded. Julie

I would take your husband aside and tell him how much you are worried about him. Would he let you attend a meeting with his surgeon? He will never lose the weight on his own. That is why he was banded. Basically the band is not working right now because he doesn't have restriction. I would plead with him to get help.

When foods get "stuck" they are actually stuck between your new stomach and your old stomach. The only way to get unstuck is to either a)wait it out, b)PB or c)drink a little water to see if it will go down. For me, I usually have to PB. This gives me instant relief. Good luck.

How many calories a day are you taking in. You should be taking low side 800, high side 1200. You should be losing at least 1 -2 lbs per week. Also, increase your physical activities. That should help. I always have a 30 gram protein shake for breakfast followed by lean protein at lunch and dinner. Good luck.