Makulafamy

I will echo what everyone else is saying. I think it is refreshing to read a post on here where everything is upbeat and positive about the band. You are certainly an inspiration and I also love the way you write!

That is not very far at all! Congrats and soon you will be on this side of the band!

2Fly...first, you know I love you! You always have kind words to say about my pictures. Second, I never say GONE FOREVER bc i think I would be fooling myself if I thought the band was forever. lord knows I hope I will never return...but Forever is a long time. However, positive thought and committing to something goes along way...so it is good if people feel like their weight loss is forever. Anywhoodles... I also understand what you are saying about the people around you thinking you have become obsessed. And although I only know what you share...you might just be...just a smidge. That's what fear does to us afterall. It pushes us to extremes. My coworker had gastric bypass, and like you...is extremely worried about gaining the weight back. She is now obsessive about eating and working out. Her fear is driving her. And like you, people are telling her all the time "You are losing too much weight". I think you might feel this a little yourself, that you are spending A LOT of time focused on not gaining the weight back. You have transferred one obsession with the other. It is about finding the right balance ya know? If working out makes you feel good...there is no reason not too. BUT, if the fear of gaining the weight back starts to consume you...that's when it becomes a problem. This is a good post and it's always risky posting personal feelings and thought on here bc some people can take things the wrong way. You have overcome a lot.

*I originally posted this about 6 months ago, I recently got a request to repost it! Hope some of this helps! Welcome all newly banded, soon to be banded, or bandsters new to the site. I was thinking this morning, now that I am a little over 9 months out, I could share some information with those of you just beginning your journey. Some of this is kinda common sense, and some of it is info I wish I had understood better before the band. 1. before get very far into your journey, take some measurements. I forgot to do this and now I wish I had my beginning measurements. This is good, bc sometimes when the scale is not moving...you are still losing inches! SO MEASURE YOURSELF! 2. Take some before pictures. I take pictures all the time, but I know some people hate the way they look presurg. But you will wish you had some before pictures after you start losing :thumbup: It's only going to get better afterall! 3. This is really important. And I didnt have a clear grasp on it before surgery. After surgery, and after you heal...you will still be hungry. AND most likely, you will still be able to eat whatever whenever you want. The period after banding and before you first fill is referred to as BANDSTER HELL. It's hell because you have to rely on willpower. What's that you say? I know I know...if we were good at "dieting" then we wouldnt need the band. But for a few weeks at least, prepare yourself to practice restraint. Just bc you can eat it...don't. 4. Know that after surgery, and when you start to eat mushies and real food. Your weight loss will probably stop for a week or so. Your body is going from a really low calorie liquid diet to actual food. It needs time to adjust. So dont get discouraged or give up. Hold on, watch what you eat...and more importantly...start moving. 5. Which brings me to this one. Exercise. It doesnt have to be anything huge! I started walking and I HATE walking. But I set a goal for myself. I wanted to do a 5k. I started walking 1 mile. The next week I added 1/2 a mile and so on. In March, 2 months after my surgery I did my first 5k. Is was a nonscale victory (NSV). Exercising will help your scale start moving again, and even when it appears you arent dropping pounds, you are changing the shape of your body. 6. Start a blog. It's pretty easy. Blogger is one great one. The link to my blog is in my signature. If you go check it out, you will see all of the other ladies that blog. Blogging or reading blogs lets you get to know fellow bandsters on a more personal level and see progress and share experiences. 7. When you go to your doctor ASK QUESTIONS! That's what they are there for...and that's what we (or our insurance) is paying them for. 8. Realize that all doctors are different. You will learn that really quickly on this site. We all have different instructions. 9. Dont be afraid to call and ask your doc if you can change something, move to the next phase sooner..etc. All they can do is tell you know. 10. FILLS! Most of us dont feel any restriction after our first fill. I didnt feel anything until my 3rd fill. My doc is pretty aggressive with fills, if that's what his patients want. I had 4ccs my first fill. I called back bc it didnt do anything for me and went in 2 weeks later for my second fill. He gave me 1.5cc's. Still didnt feel much so I called and went back in one week later and got .5cc's. 11. There will be times, even when you are doing everything right...the scale won't move. Stay strong and stay focused. It will start moving again! And finally. 11. Love yourself! Dont be ashamed of the band. It is a TOOL. You DO have to work at it. You CAN cheat it. IT IS NOT THE EASY WAY OUT! Be proud of who you are and who you are becoming! Hope some of this helps! --Amy

Hi Ms. B. I have found that the most amazing support group online is through blogging. Don't be intimidated by it. I use Blogger, and if you ever feel up to it...you should give it a try. It is pretty easy to set up your blog. If you don't want to do that, you could just read other's blogs...that is not too hard either. When I first got banded in January, there were only a few bandster blogs...but now there are so many! And I can say that I owe some of my success to the amazing women that support me through my blog! If you figured out Lapband talk, I know you can figure out the blogging community! BUT, if not...this is a great place too :thumbup: Feel free to holler if you have any questions. I actually went to my first real life support group meeting at my hospital, and out of the 45 people that were there, only 2 had the band. The rest were gastric bypass. good luck and welcome! Amy ps. the link to my blog is in my signature. All you have to do is click on it!

My surgeron is fantastic. I can't say enough good things about him, the program, or his staff. Please send me a message if you have any questions! When I first starting thinking about WLS, I went to our hospitals "meet the doc" with Dr. Friedman. We currently have 2 choices in docs at my hospital for WLS. Many of my coworkers had undergone gastric bypass by the "other" doctor, and I had heard that this doctor would try to push me to choose gastric bypass. I didn't want to be pushed in either direction. So, I can't even tell you how wonderful it was when I met Dr. Friedman for our first appointment. He is calm, understanding, open, honest, and respectful. My boyfriend came with me to my first meeting, and Dr. Friedman answered his questions as well. He was up front with me about the band and how sometimes, for some...it does not work. He drew diagrams, explained everything to me, etc. I of course ended up choosing lapband. It wasnt very long after surgery that Dr. Friedman came by to check on me in my room. Whenever I go to see Dr. Friedman, I leave feeling like I am on cloud nine. He has a great way of celebrating your successes and works with you and the band to make sure you do succeed! My first fill was 6 weeks after surgery. I was supposed to come back in another 6 weeks, but after a couple of weeks with that first fill, I knew I didnt have restriction and needed more. I was able to schedule and appointment and got right in for another fill. Still didnt feel restriction, so I got back in a week later. What is fabulous about Dr. Friedman and his staff is that he doesnt make you stick to some strict schedule for fills, and he doesnt give the same tiny fill to all patients. We are all different and he realizes that. I would not be as far along with my weight loss if I had a different doctor. I am certain of that. I know Dr. Friedman fills patients who were banded out of the country. His staff is wonderful. From Betty to Dr. Angie...couldnt ask for more.

Here is a better description of Dr. Friedman. When I first starting thinking about WLS, I went to our hospitals "meet the doc" with Dr. Friedman. We currently have 2 choices in docs at my hospital for WLS. Many of my coworkers had undergone gastric bypass by the "other" doctor, and I had heard that this doctor would try to push me to choose gastric bypass. I didn't want to be pushed in either direction. So, I can't even tell you how wonderful it was when I met Dr. Friedman for our first appointment. He is calm, understanding, open, honest, and respectful. My boyfriend came with me to my first meeting, and Dr. Friedman answered his questions as well. He was up front with me about the band and how sometimes, for some...it does not work. He drew diagrams, explained everything to me, etc. I of course ended up choosing lapband. It wasnt very long after surgery that Dr. Friedman came by to check on me in my room. Whenever I go to see Dr. Friedman, I leave feeling like I am on cloud nine. He has a great way of celebrating your successes and works with you and the band to make sure you do succeed! My first fill was 6 weeks after surgery. I was supposed to come back in another 6 weeks, but after a couple of weeks with that first fill, I knew I didnt have restriction and needed more. I was able to schedule and appointment and got right in for another fill. Still didnt feel restriction, so I got back in a week later. What is fabulous about Dr. Friedman and his staff is that he doesnt make you stick to some strict schedule for fills, and he doesnt give the same tiny fill to all patients. We are all different and he realizes that. I would not be as far along with my weight loss if I had a different doctor. I am certain of that. I know Dr. Friedman fills patients who were banded out of the country. His staff is wonderful. From Betty to Dr. Angie...couldnt ask for more.

Hi Marisela, are you asking bc of reflux or worried about eating before bed in relation to weight gain? I can eat whenever, and lay down and it doesn't bother me. As for weight gain, it doesnt really matter when you eat in relation to when you sleep. (of course I only get my information from health magazines and other information)...

Hi Josie, My liquid phase consisted of Protein Shakes, Jello, sugar free popsicles, broth, juice, etc. For the shakes, I liked Adkins or Slim Fast Protein shakes the best. Although I have heard lots of people like Muscle Milk....I had one and didnt like it so much. I ate the heck out of some popsicles though, bc I really missed being able to chew something! I enjoyed chicken broth more than the beef broth. It is hard, but hopefully the weight loss that usually comes with the liquid diet will help. Aim for at least 60 oz of Water a day. good luck! Amy

Hey 2Fly! I am sorry to hear about your mom. I hope that she has a full recovery. You are one of the success stories, and I am so pleased that you are posting pics of your tummy tuck bc so few do and I want to know what I am getting into when the time comes. Thanks, Amy

Ooh, I love talking about poop! In fact, I blog about poop quite often! So, to answer your questions: Before band I pooped probably at least 3 times a day. Of course, at 327 pounds, I was eating tons of crap (heehee) during the course of a 24 hour period. So more in, more out. During the preop liquid diet, I learned to never trust a fart....meaning....a lot of liquid in, a lot of liquid out. These days, I poop once every two days. Sometimes three. And they are nothing like they used to be. Dr. Oz says your poop should be a nice S-curve...mine are more like chicken nuggets. But less food in, less food out. You have to make sure you get your Fiber in. I do a good job. I love Beans and eat a fiber bar usually 5 days a week. Water is important for this as well. Dehydration can play a part in hard or lack of poop. I drink lots of water though, so that is not my problem. In all my presurgery classes, they made it sound like after surgery I would have to slowly sip water. Not true for me. I can still chug water like normal. It goes right down through the band. Even at my tightest restriction, water never gave me any troubles. Hope that helps! Good luck on your journey! Amy

Hey Pooks, Mine is in my signature. I will go take a look at yours right now! Enjoy!

Thank you Cindy and NCIS! That makes me feel good and now I will be skipping around all day

I am thankful I had a preop bc you usually get a good weight loss high going into the surgery, and I think it helps prep you for your post op diet. But, if you dont have to do one here is what I would do: If you are a soda/pop drinker try to stop now and drink your Water. I am a total sunkist addict, and gave pop up about 5 weeks before surgery. At first I added crystal light or SF koolaid to my water, but now I just drink water. This will help now though just in case you are a caffenine fiend and will get headaches for a few days from withdrawals. Also, if you are required to do Protein shakes after surgery, go get a few different ones now and figure out which ones you like. I had to stay overnight after my surgery. I dont remember how long my surgery took...I think 45 minutes. After the anasthesia (however you spell it) wore off, I felt pretty good. I was up and walking the halls within the first hour of being back in my room...helps with the gas. I had an IV drip and a drip for pain meds...so I just kept pushing that button bc...well who doesnt enjoy free pain meds :w00t: I went home the next morning, so I was in the hospital maybe 24 hours. My doc gave me some medicine to help me not get sick with the liquid loritab. I layed around, watched tv, blogged, walked up and down the street. My boyfriend had to work, so I was home alone all day no problem. My surgery was on Tuesday and I went back to work on Monday. The only pain I really had at all during the recovery time was from the gas. I just took my gas-x strips right on time, used a heating pad, and walked. Hope this helps. If anything else comes to mind, give me a shout. Amy

Hey Sharp Tongue! Welcome, welcome! You will probably be able to eat very well until you get some good restriction! Stay strong This is def a great place to get tips and answers. I have found tons of information and "met" some wonderful people through bandster blogs. My link is in my signature for my blog, and there are just tons out there. Feel free to holler (as they say here in the south)! Amy

here is what I have learned about fills....Even with a great restriction and sweet spot...you will still stop losing every once in awhile. At least I do. I was filled last Monday and BOY HOWDY it was a goodie. And last week I lost 3 pounds. However, the week before the fill...I lost 5 pounds. Now this week...nada. My weight loss seems to be on a cycle. I lose good for 2 weeks after my TOM and then hold almost steady for 2 weeks. I believe in weighing everyday, and have come across a lot of articles lately that say it is actually good bc it helps you stay on top of it. However, you do have to realize that your weight flucuate, and I only record my weight "officially" on Mondays Amy

Do you WLS ideas or just ideas in general. Ideas in general: reality tv, tetris, memorize flags of different countrys? For WLS, you could start to ease off things you will have to rule out during your preop and postop phase. If you are a pop/soda drinker, try to stop now. Drink more Water...find things you can add to water that you might like? Try replacing a meal with a Protein shake or at least find some you can come close to enjoying? Start walking or working out (if you dont already) Read lapband blogs? lol...I kill lots of time like that. The link to mine is in my signature. Hope some of that helps! I know waiting sucks! Amy

I have the Lapband and dont ever really think or worry about the differences. It just lives inside of me and has been a very close friend these last 7 months :thumbdown: I have about a 10-11 cc band and currently have around 4ccs. This has given me pretty good restriction.

yeah, go with the one you want. I think some docs dont understand the lapband as well, or dont think that it will work. Some are from the school of thought that if you are really big (like I was), it wont work as well. WHATEVER! My lapband doc's main worry about the lapband was that it doesnt work for everyone bc you can cheat it, work around it, etc. But once you commit....you can do it!

Well congrats! That is a great thing that approval. It differs from doctors office to doctors office, and I dont know if you have had anything done yet, but before surgery you will meet have a psych consult, a nutrition consult, talk and or meet the doc, get scheduled for a surgey, bloodwork, ekg, chest xray, etc. have you done any or all of that yet? After that it is surgery time. For most of us that is a preop diet. If you dont have one at all, I still suggest starting to ease yourself off of things like pop, beer, etc. It will make afterwards easier. If you have any questions, feel free to holler! Thanks, Amy

I bought slim in 6 years ago and actually still have it! I bought the whole set, so it came with like 6 different workouts. When I did slim in 6 with a good diet, I lost about 45 pounds! I like that there is a mix of levels. You start at a beginner level and progress to the next one on your own time. But it was nice so you dont get bored! You should give them try!

Hi maureen! I am 5'4 and started at 327 pounds 7 months ago. I am 29 years old. When you say "what is the process like" that is a really broad question. Are you asking about the process of getting approved, the surgery, post op? Approval will depend on your insurance company and can be very fast for some (about a month for me) and longer for others. Some insurance companys require a 6-month diet before approval. Preop, once you are approved, you have instructions from you doc. Everyones are different. Post op recovery time is somewhere between 3 days to a couple weeks, depending on the person. After you start to heal, you will most likely be hungry again and want to eat everything. You have to be strong and hold on until you get proper restriction with the band. Once you get restriction, things get easier! The band doesnt work for everyone. My doc was up front with me and told me that is his biggest fear for his patients. But if you treat the band as a tool, do your part and work with it...it works! If you have the time, click on my blog link in my signature. Once you get to my blog, look under "Followers" and there are plenty of young bandsters. Look for Angies blog, Tiffani, Mary, Amanda, etc. The lapband blogger community is a great way to get to know people on a more personal level! Hope some of this helps. If you have more questions, just shoot me a message! Amy

ever will help me get healthy. So, questions~~~~~ What is life like after the band? Is it difficult to adjust to foods? Does it really have a high percentage of slippage? and I guess the big question is ~~~~ If you had the chance to choose again, would you opt for the weight watchers plan or have the band? Life after the band is a little different. You have to think about what you put in your mouth vs just eating whatever whenever. For me, the band has helped me make healthier, more nutritious choices. I have always loved cooking, but love it even more now. I still go out to eat. I dont feel like everyone is looking at me thinking I am not eating enough. I am open with my choice about the band, and if someone asks how I have lost the weight, I tell them. No secrets. Some foods you do have to adjust too. You have to eat things like meat slower. put down your fork in between bites. Dont drink with meals. Until you get a good restriction level though, you will be able to eat most foods like normal...and you have to use your will power to say no. The rate of slippage varies, most will say about 5%. A lot of times slippage is caused by PBing (throwing up), overeating, ignoring the signs of the band being too tight. You need to take care of your band. Would I opt for weight watchers? Uh...hell no. (excuse me language). Do you know the statistic for the number of people that lose weight the "traditional way" and keep it off? About 5% as well. I have tried many diets. Losing the weight is the easy part, keeping it off is where I fail. You will meet lots of people who dont understand why someone would undergo surgery to lose wait. You will hear "Why cant you just do it with diet and exercise". Poo poo to these people. You have to do what is right for you. I hope some of this helps. Ask your doc and there staff tons of questions as well. Do they have a support group for Weight loss surgery? Most hospitals do. That might be something you should look into so you can meet others with the lapband. Good luck! Amy

Hi Steve. Well, if you were a lady I could say maybe the tightness was due to the time of month, so that is out. When you say that this week you are very tight, what do you mean? Can you eat less? Are you eating the same thing you were eating when you could eat more? I ask bc sometimes I can eat tons of crap (Cookies, chips, etc), but a pork chop or something like that...no way. I would go in for a fill and describe your restriction to the doctor and let him decide. 3oz is a pretty tight restriction, and for me...I have been able to eat 1-2 cups a meal, even with a moderate restriction. It might depend on how tight you would like to be. As for #2. What was the problem? could you doc not find the port? If this is the case, I think that happens to a lot of people on here. Most docs find the port, take all the fluid out, and then put new fluid back in. #3. Yes. Tell your doc. Hope some of that helps, AMy

As they have zero calories and zero fat, they wont fatten your liver. I would recommend trying to get off of them all together preop bc post op most docs dont want their patients drinking pop/soda due to the carbonation. As a former sunkist-aholic it was hard but I am glad I did it!