LapBandit

This is true. When you hold on you are not allowing your body the full range of motion and lose out on a little of the benefits. With that said...it took me a few weeks to get used to my treadmill so when I first started I would hold on so tightly that my arms would hurt!! SAFETY FIRST though, so if you feel like you need to hold on then just work toward slowly weaning your hands off. Hold on for a while then try using just one hand and periodically try it with no hands until you get more comfy. Another suggestion, I feel like I've got more balance when my arms are swinging with my steps rather than just having my arms dangling at my sides so when you feel brave enough to stop holding on you might find it easier to actually swing your arms. But, don't rush any of that...you'll get to the point where you don't have to hold on any more. Slipping on the treadmill can seriously burn you. Get to the point where you feel safe then try adding in the arms.

I thought I was feeling my band too. I felt a lumpy thing right in the center of my ribs. (Not my port...that's farther down and to the right.) Anyway, I asked my doc about it and he snickered and said that it's definately not my band because the band is too far inside to feel from the outside. I guess as we lose weight we just start feeling parts on our body that we haven't felt for a long time!!!!! I can actually feel ribs and my hip bones too and I haven't been able to do so since childhood!

I actually researched this too. I found that yes, urine and sweat can release fat but a good percentage comes out in the air we breathe out! That's why they say breathing out through your mouth is helpful during weight loss and why your breath can get a little raunchy when you're really losing. But, the fat cells themselves never leave your body, they just become smaller and they also become extra willing to puff back up on a moment's notice so that's why it's easier to gain than to lose. It's a weird thought...I peed, sweated and breathed out 175 pounds???!!! It's so weird!

I had my gallbladder removed with open surgery about 5 years ago because that surgeon said I was too fat for laproscopic surgery. But, my lap-band surgeon said that guy must not have known how to handle my size and decided open was easier. Easier for HIM not ME. Anyway, it left me with a lot of scarring on my abdomen. My lap-band doc was able to do my band laproscopically just fine and I was the same size if not larger at the time of banding. (Almost 400 lbs.) Now, he did say that my scarring made it a little more challenging for him but he was able to work around it just fine without having to convert to an open surgery. I think you'll be fine too.

I drink Lactaid milk. I think it tastes much better than regular milk and never upsets my stomach like regular milk can. So, if you need actual milk for something try looking for Lactaid milk. It's not the cheapest milk around but it's better than what happens when you drink real milk!!!!!!!!!!

HAPPY HEALING!!!!! I'm sure you're safe at home by now with a sore belly but will back in action before Santa arrives!

You guys are cracking me up! This is the funnest thread I've read in a long time! I hope our docs don't secretly cruise the internet at night trying to figure out if any of their patients are posting online!!!!! If so, we're all in trouble! My doc is cute as hell too. No crush, just distant admiration!

My "moment" happened at my regular doctor's office. They only had a scale that could measure up to 250 for the longest time. So, I didn't know how much I weighed for years. I kept telling myself that for sure it wasn't much over that. So, one day I was in there for a regular appointment just as the scale-guy was installing a new scale. My doc asked if I'd like to try it out because it was upgraded to be able to weigh up to 400 pounds. I agreed, thinking it was not going to be a big shocker. Well....396. I about passed out. Only 4 stinkin' pounds away from not fitting on their brand new scale again. I left that appointment and called my local bariatric center within an hour!!!!! Plus, just like everyone else. My back was KILLING me.

No one loses 1 1/2 lbs per day in FAT but you can definately lose that much in Water weight. To actually lose 1 lb of fat would mean expending over 3000 calories more than what you consumed in a day. (I think it's more like 3500 calories equals one pound of fat or something.) So, that's not possible to actually be losing over a pound of fat a day unless you ate absolutely nothing and was burning about 2000 calories at the gym every day on top of that. Depressing I know, but that's the math. It's water weight. The water issue is very peculiar and can result in wacky weight gains/drops. So, that's most likely where the majority of the weight loss is coming from. I can easily drop/gain 10-15 lbs just from water weight in a few days. So, enjoy the ride but don't worry about it coming off too fast because it will slow down once your body stabilizes after it heals from surgery. Plus, you're on a liquid diet right now so your body is well hydrated and dropping old water it's been holding onto for some time. Once you get on to regular foods you'll be able to start seeing your true weight loss speed. Enjoy it though because it's darn exciting to see those huge number drops! You were banded on my B-Day!!!!!! Happy B-Day to me (birthday) and Happy B-day to you (band)!!!!

Losing weight, even with a band, takes a lifestyle change and a commitment to yourself. You need to exercise (I hate it too, but it's really important) and you need to get on a healthy eating plan of high Protein, veggies and complex carbs (whole grains). I don't starve and I don't eat "rabbit food". I am losing weight while eating nice, balanced meals. Plus, I get exercise...even taking a walk on a regular basis will do wonders for getting your metabolism boosted. Good luck, put a game plan in action and that band won't end up being a huge debt for nothing!

This stage is normal. But, right now you need to focus on healing from surgery and not worrying so much about how much you're eating. So, just eat healthy foods and if you're hungry then eat a little more. My doctor has always told me that you should not go hungry, that's not the point of having a band. He said as long as the food choice is reasonable and you are truly hungry then eat a little more. You'll eventually learn how to schedule your eating and monitor your portions so that you are not eating "extra" portions. It took me probably a month until I got it right because I had a pre-concieved notion that all bandsters should be satisified on 1/2 c. of food at a time until I learned that's not necessarily true. I'm not suggesting a total failure of discipline or anything...I'm just saying don't let yourself starve. Feed your body good foods in reasonable portions and you should be fine...that's my philosophy and it's worked just fine. I never go hungry.

Hi everyone! I know the answer to my problem is simple--I'm too tight. I will call my doc Monday morning but for now I need some advice. I'm a year and a half out but haven't had restriction until my last fill two weeks ago. I can hardly eat or drink...not because the food wants to come back but because I cannot stop sliming. (This is gross, I'm sorry. So, don't continue if you've got a weak stomach...) The slime is just outrageous...more like clear, thick mucus and A LOT of it. I only have to open my mouth sometimes for gobs of it to pop out. Does this make sense to anyone else? I've slimed before when something has gotten stuck but not this thick mucus stuff. My stomach aches so badly too when this is happening. Is this normal for those of you who know what "too tight" feels like? Or, do you think something else is going on?? Also, is there any tricks out there for helping to thin out the slime? I have almost choked on this gross stuff several times. HELP!! I've got to make it til Monday before I can call for an unfill. THANKS FOR ANY SUPPORT OR IDEAS!

I'm back for a final post...my doctor gave me an unfill this morning and I FEEL SOOOOO MUCH BETTER! No more sliming--Yippee! I was at 12cc in a VG band and he took about 3/4 of a CC out and what a difference! Thanks for all of your help and support!

Thanks everyone for your advice and input. I cannot wait to call the doc tomorrow to ask for a small unfill. I hope I didn't wait too long and cause any complications. You all hit it right on the head...I'm hungry but just can't physically eat...ANYTHING. Just a bite or two then the pains and sliming start. I'm thinking I was too tight after this last fill two weeks ago but I was trying to hang tough and see if it losened but now my I think my poor belly is just sore and swollen now and a combo of a slight unfill and a few days of liquids should get me back in working order. I'll let you know how it goes! Thanks again...LBT to the rescue yet again!

Hey Karen...surprisingly the best thing for losing water weight for me has actually been to drink more water! I don't know how much water you drink per day but if you are not drinking enough water your body will hold on to whatever it has until you start drinking more. When your body learns that it will get fresh water frequently it will start to use up or release the old water it has been storing. With all the exercise you are doing your water intake is very important. But, as you know...your cycle will have A LOT to do with how much water you are carrying around too. I can easily carry 7 lbs just in water weight depending on the time of month or because I've skimped on water for a few days. If I religiously drink my water by getting around 64 oz./day then it comes out for me and I will lose 5-10 pounds from water alone. (You can poison yourself with water though so just stick to a sensible amount like aiming for 64 oz. or so.) I think you'll see a difference in a few days!

KarenG-<p>It has to be water weight. There's no way it's fat if that's all you're eating and exercising on top of it. The darn scale and water both like to play with our minds. That's why it's better to stay off the scale except for predetermined check in days, like once a week at the same day/time each week. That way you'll get a better picture of how you're really doing. You're doing great so just hang in there!</p>

My New Year's resolution is to FINALLY make it into the group. Honestly, why do our bodies like to teeter between Twoterville and Onderland so long??? I've been soooo close for so long. I swear it's like my body won't just give in and let me cross the border! But, I WILL DO IT IN 2008!!!!!!! I cannot wait for the day I get to post my screaming post in huge letters and smiley faces that I'm finally in the club!! Congrats to all of you who have made it. I'm mad at you, but happy at the same time! (Just kidding!) I'm proud of you!

Hey allaboutme! I'm a DBC'er too! I absolutely have the greatest respect for Delmarva Bariatric Center, their program is so thorough and I've had such great success there. I don't know if I could've done as well had I not been required to follow a one year structured program like theirs. I'm struggling right now because my last fill has kicked in and I am way too tight! I know if I called the office tonight that someone would probably come in over this weekend but I think I'll survive until Monday. Ugh, I never want to be this tight again! Anyway, I'm from Maryland too for those of you unfamiliar with Delmarva Bariatric! Hi fellow Marylanders!

I've not heard of this, I wonder why it works?? But, a word of caution...In my experience drinking anything when you've got something stuck can backfire. It's like running Water in a stopped-up sink...there's no where for the liquid to go and it can be very painful. I try very hard to avoid drinking until the stuck item is resolved. We're all different though so pineapple juice might be the trick for some folks.

We are in the same boat right now. Except you have done better than I for only gaining 10lbs. I've managed to pack on 35 in the past six months. Totally from me just not following the rules and not exercising. My excuses?? Life has just gotten crazy. Work is so stressful and I've had some home stuff going on as well and I let stress take over and get me off track. It felt like it was an insurmountable task to "get back on track". Sounded easy but it wasn't. But, I picked out a new theme song for myself (I find a song that inspires me and consider it my theme song for when I need to pick myself up again). I put my theme song on my MP3 and trudged off to the gym. Getting exercise really does wonders for getting our endorphines pumping again and makes you feel better. I'm starting off slowly but I'm already feeling better and eating much, much better. YOU CAN DO IT! My theme song may sound corny, but it's the theme to the Biggest Loser. Not because I think the show is that great but rather the song really fits where I'm at. Here are some of the lyrics: We need a change Do it today I can feel my spirit rising We need a change So do it today 'Cause I can see a clear horizon What have you done today to make you feel proud? It fits for me. I need a change and so I'm gonna do it today. What have I done today to make me feel proud?...I ate good healthy food today and took my Vitamins. Whenever I feel like going off track now I think about that phrase and ask myself "what have you done today to make you feel proud?" I can totally relate to where you're at. I understand how difficult it is to get back on track but WE CAN DO IT! We really can and when we're feeling better the stress in our lives will feel more manageable. Come on, be a dork like me and find something to be your "theme" to give you courage...a song, a photo, a thread on LBT, a special item--anything that gives you inspiration and little courage and I know you'll do great!

Hi, well I've had many fills and have had my band over a year and a half. I have never acheived restriction until recently and I lost a good bit of weight just due to my eating changes and new exercise routine. But, hopefullly after reading everyone's responses you are no longer afraid of fills. They truly are nothing to be worried about. I think getting blood work done can be worse than getting a fill! The whole thing lasts a few moments but they numb your skin and so you don't really even feel anything. Good luck and please don't be hesitant to get your fills...after the first one you'll see that they aren't so bad!

Well, we all seem to have different foods that can get stuck depending on your level of restriction but sometimes something just plain doesn't go down well out of the blue, even if you've eaten it successfully in the past. I don't really have a clear-cut answer for that part. But, as far as how you get it unstuck...my body usually takes care of that for me! I just go along for the ride. Usually, if something isn't going down right my chest hurts, a lot of slimey liquid forms and usually I spit up. It's not really vomitting but kind of like a spit up. You'll know its coming though so don't worry about doing it in front of people unexpectedly. I can feel it coming on and know I need to be alone. The trick is to follow the rules of eating slowly and chewing really, really well to avoid having issues. And, although I sound like I've got a lot of experience with this...I don't. It doesn't (and shouldn't) happen often. If it does then the band might be too tight and may need loosened a bit. I hope that helps!

Yep, same here. I saw my mother sneaking food for herself or found her snack stash and it taught me from a young age to disrespect food and to sneak it like it was a dirty little secret. I can only blame myself for my weight and/or whatever food disorder I might have; however, I was not taught how to properly feed myself by my parents. I think had my parents set a better example that my entire family would be a lot healthier than we are now.

Nervcited...that's what I call it...nervous, yet excited. I spent the whole week prior to surgery being very nervcited! I think you both will do just fine and you are very, very normal for feeling this way. You are about to enter a life-changing event so it's a big deal. GOOD LUCK!!

Yep, I agree. I still drink a ton of Water at a time but I really, really try not to make myself feel "full" from it and I definately try not to drink until at least 30 minutes after a meal as I have found like Wheetsin said that it can make me feel uncomfortable because food was already in my pouch. But also because I get hungry so much faster when I put liquids in too soon after eating. As for possible damage? I don't know, except to say my philosophy is if I've done something that made me feel badly then I try not to do it again just to ensure I don't hurt myself accidently.