juliegeraci

That is fantastic. I almost wanted to cry hearing your story. I remember when I could eat a big mac and everything else. Our stomachs can only hold a couple oz of protein now. Isn't it fantastic! Thank you for sharing. I hope you lose all your excess weight and feel wonderful. Good for you! Congrats.

I am down 65 lbs in 20 months. That being said, I lost 40 lbs preop so I am down 105 in 20 months. I am 35 lbs from goal. I do not exercise and I drink too much alcohol. So if you eat right and exercise you can lose a lot more. Good luck.

Just be careful. The port site is the worst. Good luck.

First, ask your surgeon. That being said, I went to a 6 hour orientation the other day that said no birth control with estrogen for at least 3 months before surgery. It is because you can bleed more. Ask your doctor for sure.

Yes, carbonation of any sorts will do that to you. That being said, 19 months out I am okay with carbonation. It is trial and error. Good luck!

Julie, at what weight did you have your tummy tuck and lower body lift. I'm about 217 at 5'8 tall. My goal weight is 185. What weight did you have your plastic surgery at? Thanks..

I drink soda occassionally but it is quite uncomfortable at times. You just have to test the waters.

I love my bullet.

I eat everything, just a lot less of it!

It worked really well when I had it. One time I did get a fill with it and about 6 weeks later I had to get a slight unfill because additional saline came into the band by itself. I'm not sure if it is because of this solution or not, but it did happen. It does work well though.

I would go in for a slight unfill .2 or .3 ccs and see how you do.

The youngest patient my doctor has is 16 years old. If you have been battling your weight for some time I say go for it. You'll be so much more healthy. Good luck.

It went away on its own. I took an antihistamine so it must have been allergies or inner ear. I also have lower blood pressure now since being banded 100/80 so he said that may have been part of it. Thanks for asking.

Hi There. Thanks for the post. What is your goal weight? My doctor and I set 185 as mine but according to the weight charts that is still considered overweight. I believe someone who is 5'8 should be more like 140-165. What is your goal?

1500 sounds like way too much to me. If you can lose on 1200 that is great. If you are comfortable at 2-3 lbs per month on 1200 then stay there. It is very typical for a bandster to only eat 1k a day. My doctor says 800-1k a day is more typical. You can get there with good restriction easily. How much at one time can you eat? 1 cup, 1/2 cup?

I agree with Juli . I would start out walking then move onto more strenious exercise once you get your clearance at 6 weeks. Good luck.

Keep in mind that the average bandster eats 800-1k calories a day. You may want to play with your caloric intake a bit and see if you add or subtract that will help. 2-3 lbs per month is quite average so don't be ashamed. If you need a fill I would definitely get one. Good luck and great job on the exercise. Wish I was doing as well as you!

Hello there. I've been banded for about 19 months now. I'm down 65 lbs from being banded and an additional 40 preop for a total of 105 lbs. My body looks like crap. I have a huge flub of fat on my stomach and my tights are not tight at all. The only exercise I've done has been walking on the treadmill and working out with a fitness training. I have not done both for several months so. The first 100 lbs was rather easy. I have 35 more lbs to go and its a real bitch now. Any of you have a good story as to how you made it to goal weight through exercise? It seems like it has been 6 months since I've lost any weight. Part of my problem is I feel really comfortable in size 18 at 5'8". My goal is size 16 so I can have plastic surgery. I'm about 216 right now and my goal weight is 185. I need some inspiration badly! Thank you.

My doctor suggests liquids for 24, mushies for 24, then solids. The only advice I can give you is don't be surprised if you don't feel better restriction. Generally speaking it takes several fills to reach optimal restriction so be patient. Good luck.

The most pain is at the port site. I would think with the help of your mom for a couple weeks you should be okay. Congrats on your decision. The surgery was a breeze for me.

I am rejoining on Saturday. I found that I need to keep my points to 20 points a day in order to lose. That is about 1k calories. Good luck.

I started at 320 and lost 40 lbs preop to put me at 282. I am now down to about 218 with 35 more lbs to go. I will be happy at 185. I am 5'8" tall. Good luck.

How exciting. I am 35 lbs from goal and can't wait to have mine . You are going to look great!

There are 3 things you can do. First, take an antacid like prilosec or zantac. Second, don't eat late at night. Stay away from foods many hours before bed. Third, is an unfill. It is very common to get acid reflux if you are a bit too tight. How much did they put in when you went in for a fill? When I had acid reflux .3ccs out did the trick. Good luck.

The only reason they say 6 months is the calorie intake. That being said, alcohol will be okay. Try to stay away from carbonation though. Also, keep in mind you are not eating as much. You may find that you get buzzed more quickly. Good luck.