Big Momma is Shrinking

Surfergirl....you originally stated that you are working out and training....have you taken into account that if you are excersising muscle has more mass then fat?? Someone else has already said this but...how are your clothes fitting you? We can't be chained to our scales and use them to determine our sucess or failure. This is a process and you should consider yourself still in the toodler stage, you are learning how to adjust to your new lifestyle. You are going to make mistakes and have regrets, but it is how YOU chose to face your plate after your mistakes that will make all the difference. I too believe that you do not have to become a "food nazi" to be sucsessful, but everyone has their own style of taking control of their lives, and I think if we are all honset with ourselves we chose the band as a way to help us take back control. Good luck to you, if you are following your doctors guidelines and moving your butt (off the couch) then your sucess is coming, just be patient (I know NOT what you want to hear) and keep doing what you are doing!!

I can COMPLETELY relate to how you feel about your doctors fill protocol mine is very similar...my first fill was @ 4 wks the 2nd fill 10wks later (originally scheduled for 12 wks but I called and got it bumped up 2 wks)....I will not get my 3rd fill for 3 more months. I had a long talk with my PA about the fill schedule and why they are spanned out so far (when everone else is getting a fill everytime you turn around). She explained to me that it is to allow your mind time to catch up to what the band is physically doing for you. She also told me that people who are having fills so closely togeather are FAR MORE LIKELY to have band problems in the future (slippage, errosion) and that they are also VERY LIKELY to regain all of their weight because their mind and band never learned to work togeather. I have NO DOUBT there are going to be folks that do not agree with this line of thinking, but I must say after we discussed it I came to see the reasoning behind it. I've lost 34lbs since being banded (3/26/09) and I know my band is working (perhaps not with the lightning speed I'd hoped for, but working all the same). If I have to choose between losing my weight quickly with the posibility of complications down the road, or losing at a slower pace allowing my body the time it needs to adjust to a new way of life I'm gonna have to go with slower PERMENANT RESULTS.....after all THAT is the reason I had surgery in the first place. I've always been able to LOSE WEIGHT...but sadly unitl now, it has ALWAYS managed to find me again!!

I don't know how the estrogen comes into play, but I do remember my surgeon telling me that women tend to carry their fat closer to the skin while men's fat is more internal and around their organs. He said that makes placing the band an easier procedure on a woman then a man....so I guess that as far as feeling restriciton goes this could go toward explaining why some men my feel more restriciton with little or no fill (possibly more pressure on the band from surrounding fat tissue). Just my personal insight....lol

It never ceases to amaze me how ill mannered some people can be, and then there are the people that just say what's on their mind without giving any thought to how it might sound. I had a similar incident with a female securty guard in my office building. I started walking everyday at lunch, after a few weeks the 20something size 6 in our office asked if she could join me. Sure why not the company is great. After a few weeks of walking the guard is talking to us one day as we are waiting for the elevator on our way back from our tortureous walk (noon in houston heat) she asks so "who asked who to walk" we told her that skinny 20something asked if she could join me....the guard says "Oh, I would have thought it was the other way around." I just shook me head and got on the elevator....some people are just clueless as to how they sound, honestly this guy is probably one of those. You keep doing what you are doing and don't let idiots sidetrack you!! ~Monica

Everyone is going to react differently, my personal experience with depo was as follows... I had 6 months worth of injections (2 shots) and in under 1 years time I gained 80 lbs. I'm not saying it was entirely the shot and I wouldn't have gained the weight anyway, but I believe for ME it was a contributing factor. Good luck...not dealing with periods is sooo incredibly awesome!!

So here's my 2 cents..... Placing a band around your stomach and creating a pouch for your food IS GOING TO CHANGE THE AMOUNT OF FOOD YOU CAN EAT!!!! Having a fill is going to reduce the rate at which that food filters down outta your stoma and into the rest of the digest track, but I really don't understand how a person could continue to eat as if never banded. I believe you need to listen to your body, it will let you know when it's time for a fill. If you are able to maintain protion control (band working), control snacking between meals (band working), and make wiser food choices (mind working) then there is no need to run out a get a fill because of a date on the calender. When you are hunger after eating small portions, snacking all the time, and no longer lossing any weight THEN it is time for a fill. I am a firm believer that the band works from the time it is put in place, not just once enough saline is added to give you a tiny opening for food to pass through. Now I'm sure there are posters here that will disagree with me, and that's fine because everyone is entilited to their own opinion, but now you have mine. Good luck and congrats on your sucess so far!! ~Moncia

I'm feeling your pain here Pappa....I rode my new bike for the 1st time last nite and man was my butt killin me!! and yes my hands were hurting too.....I totally agree with Donna, it's gonna take a little time to "break our butts in"....now as not being able to ride as far.....there is no wind resistance when you ride that stationary bike in the living room (or where ever u have it) so yes riding outdoors is going to be more challenging, but probably a better work out as well. Peddle on my shrinking friend!! ~Monica

This is WONDERFUL advice!!! You don't have any idea right now how important it is going to be to have supportive aftercare!!! Sadly there are lots of surgeons jumping on the "lapband wagon" for strictly financial reasons. I think your best bet is to find a doctor (and staff) that is going to be there for you when you start asking yourself what the hell have i done (and you will ask that at some point). The band is different than other WLS because it requires on going maintenance. It takes time to get to a place where your band is functioning for you at full capacity the way it is "sold" to us all. The hardest part of this journey is PATIENCE....and you will hear it said over and over, you didn't get fat over a 1 month period, your not going to lose it that way either. Good luck on your research, I hope you can find the doctor that is the right fit for you!! ~Monica

UPDATE: down 34lbs Had a long talk with the PA & Dr about the fill schedules and I feel much more comfortable with the way they have things set up, and as long as I'm seeing results I'm not gonna complain!!

My suggestion.....go buy yourself an ISPIRATION outfit....hang it on the wall where you will see it everyday...now you have a goal to work toward, everytime you look at that sexy dress (or whatever it is u like) haning on the wall you will be reminded of why you are doing this..... Secondly, you need to keep telling yourself...this is just a few days outta the rest of my life...and after all you CAN do anything for a few days when it comes with a lifetime payoff!!! Good luck to you, I'll be looking forward to checking your progress! ~Monica

I have to say I think that how quickly you are back to work/normal life will depend a great deal on how YOUR body recovers from surgery. My band was the 3rd lap surg I had had in 2 1/2yrs, each time I was up and around within a couple of days. Don't misunderstand me, I'm not telling you I was 100% in a couple of days, but I could get around and was off pain meds, took a shower and looked human again. But I also know people who had the same surgeries I did and they took much longer to recover, so really it's going to be a matter of how well your body responds. Good luck I hope you have a text book procedure and a FAST recovery!! ~Monica

awwww now wouldn't that be nice....maybe you should suggest that to your surgeon and report back to us on how it goes....lol

As you read peoples after surgery stroires you will find MOST everyone has gas pain following surgery. It is because your abdominal cavity is filled with gas during surgery to allow the surgeon room to move around. After you are closed up all of that gas has to work it's way outta your system. Your doctor will tell you to walk walk walk to help move it...and the gas-x will help with the pain as well.....many people complain of shoulder pain as the gas tends to move up into the shoulders....it takes anywhere from a few days to a few weeks to get it all worked....I think most people will tell you that the gas pain was the most unpleasent part of recovery. Bring on the questions....it is sooo much better to have a good idea of what you can expect then to be blindsided after you wake up...LOL ~Monica

I had my surgery on Thurs...back to work on Monday no porblems. I'm at a desk all day so nothing strenuous going on there....take your heating pad with you keep gas-x on hand and I would think you should be ok Good luck!! ~Monica

Poor you!!! I can feel your frustration!! Why SOOO long between fills??? My 1st fill was 5 wks post op (could have done 4wks but 5 fit my work schedule better). My 2nd fill is scheduled July 10 (10 wks later, originally scheduled for 12 wks but i called and got it pushed up). I was really concerned at the time frame the office had set up between fills especially after hearing how quickly many otheres are getting filled, but I seem to be losing so I guess I shouldn't complain. 1st fill was 3cc....she told me they do up to 4 cc, but I thought I was already having some restriction and didn't wanna go overboard so I requested a little more conservative route. Did they leave it up to you to schedule your fills as you saw fit, or it there protocal spaced that far apart?? Also does your doctor deal with lots of band patients or do he specialize in another procedure? I'm just wondering if your getting the same kind of aftercare/support as many others are receiving. I'm sorry to hear this has been such a sloooow process for you so far, I hope you are able to get things back on track and get your band working for you as it was intended. If you ever need to bend someone's ear feel free to look me up!! ~Monica

Here are a cpl of sites you can take a look at....also I HIGHLY recommed South Beach!! Lapband.com - Healthy Recipes to Support Your LAP-BAND® Journey Linda's Low Carb Menus & Recipes - Home If you've already made it thru your liquid diet you should be good to go, the worst part of low carb is the detox at the begining.....after that it's not bad at all. Good Luck on the journey!!

I was wondering where all my band-twins were!!!! I was also banded 3/26/09 here in Houston. seems like we are pretty much on the same track weightloss wise. I was hoping I'd be one of those people that the weight just fell off of....but it's going slower then I had hoped (but pretty much as i EXPECTED). Sorry to hear of your port issues. I am glad to know that they were able to resolve them for your quickly...that's one of the advantages of an experienced surgeons!!! Please keep in touch!! ~Monica

I'm happy to see that your band is doing it's job even though you are still kinda in the "sitting on the bench" mode. I just hope that you are still happy with your results when you stand in front of the mirror buck naked. From my own personal perspective my exercise has been more about trying to help my body keep up with my weightloss. The biggest piece of advice I was given from bandsters (that I know in the "real world" not from the forums) was to TONE TONE TONE....otherwise the weight will fall off and the skin will just sag there. When I choose lapband I wasn't looking for some "majic pill" that would make me lose weight. I KNOW I CAN LOSE WEIGHT....what I CAN'T DO is maintain my weightloss for any significant period of time. I commited to a LIFESTYLE CHANGE when I decided to be banded. It's my belief that that is the attitude needed for longterm success. Arellano8 - since it seems your doctor is new to the lapband my advice to you is educate yourself as much as possible. I have to say pretty much one of the BIGGEST BAND RULES is you DO NOT DRINK WHEN YOU EAT. If this comes across as a little bitchy then please accept my apology now. For those struggling and losing slowly....just keep following the rules and you will get there!!! ~Monica

bigpapa hit the nail on the head!!! I HIGHLY recommend using a online food journal to track what you are eating. I read a post just yesterday where the poster stated how shocked she was when she saw the cal. count of what she was eating. Sometimes we think we are doing good only to later find out that "healthy food" we were eating was packed full of calories/carbs/sugar. Second you have to move....even if you "can't find time" to schedule something into your day do all the little things u can. Park further from the door, take the stairs when you have the option, carry the groceries in one bag at a time there are all kinds of little things you can do to help, and YES I'm a firm believer that you need to find the time for a regular fitness routine, but you also have to admit that every little thing you do is going to help some. Good luck to you, I can imagine how frusturating this must be for you, but don't give up on yourself!! ~Monica

That pretty much sounds like a South Beach Diet to me, I don't know if you have ever tried it before, but persoanlly I believe it is a pretty healthy way of eating. Pretty basic eat lean protien and complex carbs (I would suggest actually reading the book though). With South Beach and Curves I was able to lose about 80 lbs in 10 month (pre band) but then I gave up on myself and crawled right back up the scale.....but hopefully my band will keep that from ever happening again!!