Big Momma is Shrinking

sounds like great advice from Machbandster, I can't weigh in opinion on how best to get started because if someone pulled out a gun and said "Run or I'll shoot" I would tell them go ahead!! It's great that you are listening to your body and pushing for more of a workout!!! If you continue like this there is no doubt that you will make your goal (and probably blow right past it!!!) Good luck from on of the slower walkers in your way on the jogging trail!! ~Monica

refried Beans (low fat) scrambled eggs cottage cheese fish (this was considered a mushie by my dr, but might not be by all) while not high protien: oatmeal cream of wheat malt-o-meal try this link for some more recipes ideas Lapband.com - LAP-BAND® Recipes: Browse, Rate & Share Good luck back at work, don't do too much to quick. ~Monica

You are doing GREAT!!!! Congrats on the success....even though the scales not moving like I think it should I'm seeing changes in my clothes so I guess I'll take that (even been doing some "Shopping" on the too small side of the closet)

Banded 3/26/09 Lost 20 lbs to date 1st fill 5/1 - 3cc Going slower then I had hoped and I'm not scheduled for my 2nd fill till 7/10 (10 wks between fills). I've only lost 2 lbs since fill.....and that's after I called and said was there a mistake on my appt card....it was origianlly scheduled for 12 wks from my last fill!!!!! If my scales don't start moving I'm gonna drive the office crazy begging for fills!!!!

Sounds to me like Carb Withdrawls....for me when I go to a low carb way of eating there is about a 2wk period where it's like satan has moved in. Once my body adjust to the change in my eating habits everything tends to settle down, but I really haven't noticed it since being banded, but what I have noticed is that I get very irritable if I wait until I'm starving to eat. Good luck to you on your pre-op, I wish you the best!! ~Monica

Have you tried keeping a food log to know exactly what it is you are eating? If you have access to get online thru-out the day you can do it online there are a number of sites that already have the breakdown there for you. What about your Water intake? Do you have a regular excercise routine? Also I don't know what kind of diet you are eating, but I always had the best results (pre-band) with a SouthBeach'ish way of eating, complex carbs lean low fat protien. I'm in no way suggesting that your not doing your part, just offering suggestions on things that could help. I can only imagine how frustrating it must be for you to be having such slow progress after such a huge change in your life. I hope you find what you need to give you a good jump start! Best of luck!!! ~Monica

Good for you!!! I know it's sooo hard not to compare ourselves to those around us and rate or success or lack there of against theirs. You just need to remeber this as you are having you healthy lunch and she's chomping down her fast food.....What are your atreries going to look like and what are her's going to look like??? Being healthy is not soley about the weight we see on the scales. You keep up the great work, I know it's hard sometimes but you are doing awesome....and just a side note, she might be kicking your butt losing weight right now....but I wonder how her body is adjusting to such a quick drop...that is another reason why faster is not always better.

I beleive there are NO absolutes here. We made the disission to make a LIFE STLYE change. To me that means making healthier choices, but of coarse there is going to be the occassional high fat/calorie indulgance. But to me that's what is should be.....OCCASSIONAL... You have to make positive changes that you can live with the rest of your life, if that's not your mindset then how is this any different then any other diet we have done over our lifetime?? ~Monica

Aurelia, You asked for a swift kick in the so here you go *swat* I understand you just had hand surgery so you are very limited on how much excersice you can do, but can u still walk?? When you go places park further from the door, take the stairs when you have the option. Make sure you are drinking plenty of Water, when you feel like you are starving trying having some water before you eat anything. Make sure you are staying away from slider foods and instead chosing foods that are going to stay in your pouch and keep you satified longer. I hope you are doing well with the fills I am suprised at how many you have had. I was banded 3/26...1st fill 5/1 and don't get my 2nd fill for 8 more wks. I have to admit, I don't feel like I'm "straving" it's hard to say if what I feel is really restriction becuase I don't know what restriction is supposed to feel like, but I do know I don't eat like I did pre-band. Now you've been kicked, and it's back on track for you!! Keep us posted and let me know if you need a kick in the future (and I'll let you know when you ca return the favor!!) ~Monica

It is sad how hateful and ugly some people chose to be. I hope you don't take that vicious garbage to heart. Anyone that would be so rude and hurtful to a "fellow weightloss struggler" doesn't deserve a second thought. And let's be honest, you stand a much better chance of longterm success then "thrid times a charm"!!! I know how easy it is to let someone's negativity seep in to the cracks of your thin shell and really make you start to doubt yourself. If it were me I think I would continue to follow the WW eating plan (if that is the one you find best for yourself) but not waste my time or energy with their boards. Congratulations on your suceess so far....trust me I KNOW this is NOT the "Lazy Way Out"!!! ~Monica

I think you deserve a standing ovation!!!! Thanks for reminding me not to give all the power to the scale (it let me pretty dissappointed this morning). Congratulations on your success and hard work (because we all know how much work success requires)!!! ~Monica

Ross, It sounds to me like you are right on schedule. And while yo migh tnot like hearing it right now is about healing not weightloss. I understand the frustrations, you aren't eating food....and you want to see the scales going down a little more all the time...and if you can't have that your sure as heck don't wanna see them inching back up!!! Our weight fluctuates* every day the more you get on the scale the more oppertunity for disappointment. You just stick to the protocal the Dr had given you and the weight will come off, and as someone else has already said, be as active as you can. Don't park near the front of the store, take the stairs if you have the option, and try to add a little more everyday. Good luck at your appt tomorrow and Happy Shrinking!! ~Monica

Trust me I know EXACTLY how you are feeling. I was stepping on the scale at least once EVERY DAY and then getting more and more discouraged when it was going nowhere. I had my first fill May 1, and I decided not to get ont he scale again until my birthday with just happens to be tomorrow. I'm hoping that the scales will get me at least a little present. And believe me I know how hard it is not to jump on that scale....every time I walk into the bathroom I want to step on it, but I'm down to one more day and I figure I've come this far and can hold out for 1 more day. I swear I think sometimes our own minds are our biggest enemy in the war on our weight. You are doing a fabulous job just keep doing what you are doing and you ARE GOING TO SEE RESULTS!!!

I feel safe in saying this is all part of the healing process..... I am almost 7wks post op and still occassionally have that TERRIBLE Stabbing pain at the port area. Depending on the kind of band you had your port was either sewn or claped (with metel "teeth") into your stomach muscles. It is going to take time for your body to adjust your port so yes in the mean time that is going to mean some pain. I notice it most with either a twising movement or if I'm slouching on the couch and go to sit up, ouch ouch ouch....but the good news is it is getting better and I am having fewer instances of this pain. If it gets worse or is long lasting or you are noticing any redness around the incission area call your Dr ASAP....otherwise just be patient it'll get better. ~Monica

Oh Yes...this is part of Bandster Hell. You have to remember, your body is still healing, they say that until you get your first fill you shouldn't be focused on weightloss. And lucky for us ladies our weight can fluctuate as much as 8lbs from day to day. My best advice to you would be to put the scales in the closet for a few days and just focus on wise food choices and moving your butt. If you are following the rules and making positive changes in your life the scales will follow.....don't beat yourself up right now. And sadly some of us just lose slower then others. You keep doing what you are doing and you will see results, I have no doubt about it!! Happy Shrinking!!! ~Monica

I really didn't take it personally....and most Dr's have their preferences and the reasons why are not always clear.

That's funny your Dr told you this, mine said his patients are having great results with the Realize band and many seem to be hitting their "sweet spot" sooner. My dr did not recommend one band over the other, he told me that they both have pretty much the same success record and you will get pretty much the same result with either product. The Realize band does offer the online support, but I believe Lap-band is following in their footsteps with this one. I've seen and held both bands in my own hands, and I liked the fact that the Realize band was wider and not as rigid as the Lap-band, and I also like the online access (I used it during my 6mnth weightloss phase). Bottom line, my doctor told me both are good products, they work the same....he said in his opinion it was like Pepsi and Coke. For the record I have a Realize band (banded 6wks and haven't had the first problem with my band....hoping it stays that way!!)

Now I'm blushing.... I think we all need to hear that we are in this togeather, not everyday is gonna be a cake-walk (sorry for the reference). We are all gonna have bad days and screw up from time to time. But I think we need to be each other's cheerleaders....so Yeah For US!!! God knows we all beat ourselves up enough....no reason to beat each other up too. Sometimes you just need to hear words of encouragement.....I'm a big believer in acknowledge that you screwed up, forgive yourself, and then don't repeat the same mistakes. On that note....Happy Shrinking Lucky Losers (and anyone else who chooses to pop in here). ~Monica

I have to agree with WAsaBB here..... I would be very skeptical of the "band centers" I'm not saying that you are not going to get quality care, but they do have a particular product to sell and that's what they are doing. I consulted with two different surgeons, both performed Bariatric Surgery not just Lap-Band....I think many people look at a surgeon as "above reproach" and there are many who seem to have a "god complex" with the whole "how dare you question me" attitude. Those are the ones I would be very leary of. Bottom line here....you are putting your LIFE in someone elses hands, you need to have complete faith that they have YOUR best interest at heart.

Wow three weeks seems like a looong time, but every Dr has their own protocal....my suggestion would be try eating...er I mean drinking something warm, that defintely helped me to feel like I was having real food verses just drinking all the time. I was 1 wk liquids (could have s/f Jello and popciels then) 2 wks mushies (I was told mushies was anything i could smash with a fork) then at the begining of wk 4 began slowly reincorperating regualr foods. Good luck to you, just keep reminding yourself this is only temporary...you CAN do this!!! ~Monica

Teresa, Yes, SLOW DOWN....also are you chewing your food REALLY well (to the point of being more liquid then soild whe you swallow)? You really shouldn't ignor this I would call the doctor and check in, my guess would be that they also tell you to make sure you eat slowly, small bites, and chew chew chew. But if something more is going on you want to be ontop of it ASASP. I've read plenty of stories of folks who've done longtime damage because they were continually getting sick but didn't act on it. Good luck to you, I hope you get this under control fast!! ~Monica

MaryRose....thank you so much for posting this article. I've been curious as to exactly what the sleeve process was. I really appreciate the information. I'm still and band baby and so far love my band and ahve not had the first problem with it. It is good to know that there is an option other then by-pass if for some reason in the future I may need a change.

It seems LOTS of people report shoulder pain following surgery. I believe it has to do with the gas making it's way through your cavity. Try to walk often to help the gas move out. Hope all else is well for you!

you may want to do a search there are several threads covering this topic where you can see differing opinions.

My best suggestion for you is to research what is available and then determine what You feel is going to be the best option for YOU!! The first surgeon I met tried to push me into a by-pass. He said if I wanted to lose 90lbs and my insurance would pay for it then I should do what was guranteed to get the weight off....well that wasn't an option in my opinion. The band requires compliance that's the bottom line. If you have been able to successfully lose weight in the past then you are a good canidate for the band (so I've been told). I didn't need WLS to lose weight, I need it to maintain a healthy weight. I Know I can lose weight, unfortunetly it's like playing hide and seek, it ALWAYS finds me again!! The band is not the right answer for everyone, and it's true that some have issues from the start. I'm not going to quote numbers or stats, I'm only going to speak from my own personal experience. I've heard horror stories of every WLS as well as successes. I have to personal friends who each have had WLS, one a by-pass one a band. The banded one wishes she'd had a by-pass because she lacks the self control to be a good bandster, the by-pass one wishing she'd been banded because now 5yrs out she has no was to adjust or control, she says she's pretty much back where she was before surgery (only not as heavy now). It's a personal choice and one that shouldn't be made lightly. Good luck to you, I hope you find the right answer for YOU. ~Monica