WorkingMom

Hi, From your ticker, you have lost 45 lbs! Celebrate that! Not sure if your surgery was Jan 2009 or Jan 2008, either way, 45 lbs is a lot of weight! You can do this! It sounds like you are very anxious and could benefit from talking to someone. The pressure of thinking other people are wondering why you haven't lost more is a tough spot to be in ( I can relate, and that is why I told only my DH about my surgery). I can only imagine that the injury to your knee and the issue with your skin folds is very tough to deal with, but don't use it as an excuse - You can do this! You are doing it! Make the decision to talk to someone, get a number, and make an appointment. Then make a promise to eliminate the foods that are tough for you to control - start one by one. Keep us posted, we are here for you!

This will change your life and you will be so happy you did it! I live in NJ, but had my surgery at NYU with Dr. Ren. I am losing a little slower than I had thought I would, but over all, I am very pleased, and am so much healthier and now able to run 5 miles! Good luck and keep us posted!

Looks like you are doing great! Not sure what kind of weight loss you were hoping for, but to lose what you lost in 2 months, you should be very pleased! Keep up the good work!

I haven't attempted soda since being banded, but I have tried a beer -- sometimes it is hard to pass up when out. Well, I tried it once, just one sip, and believe me, it isn't something I'll try again, at least not for a long time. Soda has been easier to give up - I am drinking lots of diet snapple and regular brewed ice tea. I also still drink wine! I know it is impeding my weight loss, but every now and then I do like a glass of wine, and I am glad it goes down just like always! I think everyone is different, so you might be fine having a beer now and then.

It has been slower than I had thought, but wow, I am down 30 lbs since my 1/12/09 surgery. I feel great! I am running 3-5 miles 5 days a week and am fitting into clothing that I haven't worn in years! I am 11 lbs from "Onderland" and obviously have that as my next goal. I love my band and how it is helping me get healthy and energized again!

I am in a similar place as you, but have been reassured by my surgeon that indeed, muscle does weigh more than fat and it takes a lot of muscle to work out a 200 lb + person. My surgeon advised I not weigh myself but once a week, and really test my clothing and how it fits more than the scale. I also agree with switching up things - - I tend to lose 4 lbs fast, and then nothing for a week. When I mix up my food, and my excercise I then seem to break through the plateau. You are doing great!

LOL! Your post made me laugh! I too, am new to PB nation. I hadn't experienced it, or 'sliming' until the last 2 weeks after my 2nd fill. I laughed at your idea of the can in the car. I like to know I have a spitoon handy too! I am hoping that I have learned from these PB experiences so that I can avoid them, but ah, we are now members! Hope you have a good day!

Hi, If it isn't too late, could I join? I had my second fill last thursday, and finally know what restriction is! I also have experienced slimming and PB- need to get used to eatting slower! Interesting, as I had my surgery back in Jan and although I lost weight, I wasn't so sure about what the band was doing. Now I know! I tried to cut and paste the list, but it came out way too huge. If not too much trouble would someone add me? Working Mom Start 241 Current 214 Goal 175 To go: 39

I won't call myself a super mom, but I have found a way to incorporate excersice into my life. I have twin boys and work full time and commute 3. hrs round trip per day. I found a gym that opens at 5 am. I get up at 4:30, ( I sleep in my gym clothes!) do a few things in the house before heading to the gym. Work out for 40 minutes, shower at the gym, but put sweats on to go home in. Upon arrival at home at 6:05 am, kids are usually just getting up. I feed them, finish packing up their lunch boxes/backpacks. I have a coffee, and then make sure children are dressed. I then get dressed and knowing everyone is all set - leave kids with DH who gets them to school. I walk 1 mile to train. I also held a 'meeting' with my family - kids and dh, and advised that on the weekend mornings, they would be on their own from 7am - 9 am., as mommy needs to excercise and be healthy. Seems to work fine, all three of them are still in their pjs when I come home - and they get their 'free tv time' then! We also incorporate hikes, bike rides, sleigh riding, etc. on the weekends to make sure we are getting excercise as a family. My DH's work schedule is more flexible then mine, but I have told him that if he needs to carve out time on the weekend so that he can go to the gym, just let me know. I know if I didn't make this time for myself, no one would help me find it!

Hi Elizabeth I am feeling a lot like you now! However, look at how much weight you have lost! You are doing great! I am not sure why, but I thought I would have lost more by now too, and like you, I can pretty much eat anything. Keep up the good work, and hopefully when you have your next fill you will notice a change!

I lost 7 lbs this week, but am seeing that I can eat almost a regular meal without any side effects (other than calories consumed). I am trying to make healthy choices, but am feeling worried and uncertain if this is how it should be? I have never experienced a pb or sliming or any other side effect since surgery on 1/12/09, which I am thankful for, but concerned that if I am eatting chicken and salad and bread and not having any issues somethign might not be right. Thoughts?

Good Luck to you! It is so exciting to get the approval - it certainly becomes more 'real'. I am pretty new at this, but am thrilled with the results so far. More important then the scale for me, is the higer energy level, it has given me! Keep us posted!

Hi, I was stuck at 18 lbs ( banded 1/12/09), but.... I went for my fill on Friday and I am down 5 lbs! What a relief to get that dial moving south on that scale! I've really started excersising now, as I feel great. Hang in there, it will be 3/3 before you know it!

I need help understanding why it takes 2 days of liquids and 2 days of mushies before one can eat after a fill - - It isn't like after surgery when there are stiches and wounds to heal. Please help me better understand. Thanks!

Hi Miriam! I had my surgery at NYU with Dr. Ren in early January. So far so good! Just had my first fill a few days ago, and, although I haven't changed my ticker I am down 26 lbs! I don't know the average weight loss, but I am thrilled with my progress. The anthesiologist at NYU are fantastic, and really put me at ease. While in the waiting pre op area, the various members of the team came to see me and it was great to meet with the actual Anthestiologist, mine was Dr. Jaine. I really felt comfortable with him, and once in the OR, I did become nervouse, and he and his colleagues kept talking to me until I was 'out'. I had no adverse reactions to the surgery or any part of it, and recovered quickly. I am now going to the gym 5 times a week and feeling great and more active for my young twin boys then I ever have been! Today, infact, I went to the gym for 90 minutes, then later did a 2.5 hour hike with one of my boys and later took the other one to the YMCA to swim from 5-6 pm. I can't believe the quick changes in our lives, and look forward to continued activity and fun! Good luck and perhaps we'll 'run' into each other in the waiting room!

I am no Dr. and I am sure that any one would tell me this was bad, but I have had wine on numerous occassions since my 1/12 surgery date. I only consumed one glass of white wine at each occasion, ( couldn't have tolerated more) but honestly, I still lost weight, and it actually relaxed me. I expect to be flamed for this, but, would hope that perhaps you'll be kind!

After reviewing my insurance statments, and receiving a call from NYU accounts - it seems that they are refering to Dr. Christine Ren, as Dr. Christine Fielding - Just curious! Makes no difference, but it was something I did not know!

It is finally your turn! I carry Cigna too, and know about the long process! As for favorite shakes, I found the slim fast to be my favorite. I had Optifast and slimfast and seemed to always go for the slimfast. I found the first three days VERY hard, but then, it became easy - I was not allowed a lean cuisine, only liquids. I stuck to it, and the surgeon was very pleased at the size of my liver on band day! Good luck to you!

Just wondering if anyone has joined weight watchers with the band? Weight Watchers always worked for me, but it was slow and usually by the 8th week, I'd get distracted and stop going to meetings and gain back what I lost. I do like the structure and I do like the idea of getting weighed in once a week. I am wondering if anyone here has joined WW post banding, and if you had to explain rapid weight loss, or if there were issues? My thought is to not tell them I am banded. Thoughts? Experiences? Concerns?

I have not lost any weight since 1 week post op, ( 23 lbs during pre op diet and post op) but I have gone down from a size 20 to a size 14W! I am shocked! I have been doing very light cardio 5 days a week, and am pretty much eatting what ever I want ( just seem to have much smaller portions and have gravitated towards better choices). I have my first fill on Friday and can't wait! Tomorrow is my first month bandaversary!

Good luck! I am a few weeks behind you and am starving now ! My first fill isn't until a week from tomorrow. Hope it is as easy as people say - hope to see a post from you letting us know how it went!

Curious about not drinking while eatting - - mainly concerned about having soup with some veggies or other healthy things in them, as essentially having soup is like eatting and drinking, correct?

I had my surgery 3 weeks ago today and the surgeon didn't give me a choice, she put the realize band in. The surgery was done at NYU, and I feel that they know what is the best option for me, although, I had no opinion one way or the other. So far so good. I have noticed that there is one poster on this forum who is strongly against the realize band - - from reading the threads, it seems as if he might work for lapband. Good luck no matter which band you or your surgeon chooses.

Very interesting, I am more than 12 days- I was banded 1/12 - but I am now experiencing hunger for the first time, and yes, I feel various pains, not severe, but here and there. I have also not dropped any weight in a week.

I will be interested to follow your thread - I unfortunately have no wisdom to share. My boys, ( 6 yrs old) didn't notice until the night before surgery that I wasn't eatting dinner ( I had done 2 weeks of liquid, but they didn't notice until the last shake). I think you are wise not to share the truth about the band with them at this time. Wondering if you can say you are having your gall bladder out and your dr. wants you to lose weight first and by doing liquids for 2 weeks it will help? Not sure. Good luck!