NiceWillSuffice

I was banded April 2009...14 months later i hit my goal as of yesterday! Slow going but pretty happy. Havent had a fill since before Christmas. Finally figured out what i can and cant eat and how much. I mess up and PB from time to time but not much. The down side to slow weight loss is instead of going from huge clothes to small clothes I had to buy different sizes every few months! still worth it. Went from tight fitting "loosefit" size 40 jeans to size 34 "regular fit". My blood pressure is good too and my energy level and even though it gets hot where I live im not nearly as miserable as I used to be.

its both..fill er up!

3 years? wow. Was it all of a sudden you can eat more? Wonder if you sprung a leak!

You feel this way because you JUST had surgery. Its takes a week or 2 for the anaethesia hangover to go away..plus any pain meds you might be taking and even if none, just the antibiotics can have side effects. Your coming out from under a major cocktail..full of gas, swelling and probably having a deficit of sugar/salt/vitamins, etc. I PROMISE..it will pass and the way you feel 1 week from today will be very different. Not perfect..but different. Its normal in the first month or so to second guess. Wait until you feel great again and realize you have no restriction and can eat anything you want! then you will REALLY second guess the process!!!!..but then its fill time. Its not just a tool..its a process. I'm almost a year in and loving it.

I couldnt handle the Worldwide shakes either and didnt like them. The only Protein shake I like is the 50 Grand Slams from GNC in the red can. They have a powder too, but i dont care for it.

Nice work, soon you will be JWow from NJ! :hurray:

forgot to mention, i didnt lose any..at all.

it doesnt happen to everyone and its not ALL your hair. my docs preop program they say when it thins its from lack of Protein. If you need the band..especially for health reasons dont worry about your hair. a good cosmetologist can do wonders...and you'll be thin/healthy.

Congrats, you are in the BandHell Club. Since Preop & since Jan 15th when you were banded all the weight you lost was from your own work..or post op eating limitations. That rocks. 1 pound is nothing..although I understand NOT wanting to go backward. Just keep fighting until March 8th..then 2 weeks after that the fight might start again. Its a bit of a merry go round until the restriction is dialed in. Be excited. you have a lot to look forward to.

If its stuck, you will burp it up. Take a swig of Water and you'll see what I mean.

I had about 8 fills untill it got dialed in. So no, once your fill level is dialed in you wont feel that way any more.

Normal. you need a fill once your doc says its ok. Might need several overtime. But..normal. I think people call this period of time you are in "Band Hell".

Of course!!! you were just banded..fast surgery or not its a prety big deal. It takes a week or more for the seditives/drugs to come out of your body plus I assume you are not drinking caffine, and reduced sugar intake and might be taking painkillers..etc. There are lots of reasons to still be tired..the number 1 for YOU is you just had surgery. It can take 3 months to feel a good version of normal. 1 day at a time. In 4 weeks you will feel nothing like you do today..AND..you will be skinnier!

well here is my opinon... In one week I have lost 10 lbs. Is that average? I lost 12 the first week. Which are the best Vitamins to take and what dosage? I was told..and still take a Flinstones complete and a b12. It is amazing how much B12 helps for energy What are the best supplements (calcium citrate or the other, etc) Whatever is chewable from costco. No magic here. Compare calorie/sugar contents then pick. Best chocolate Protein drinks or powder without chalky taste? Hands down..GNC 1000 Grand Slam - premixed in a red can and cold. Its the best. Best tasting clear liquids protein drinks? Have never seen a clear Protein Drink. Any lotions or tricks to prevent saggy skin? didnt have that problem When will I feel normal again? Never..which is good. Our "Normal" is what got us here. Any good blogs or website that could be helpful now that I have the band? You are on the best one Any other good tip you think I should know? Yes, be patient. How you feel will change daily over the next few months. my 2cents.

:tt1:every 2 days it'll get better and after a couple weeks will be a lot better..until now enjoy clearing the room. haha

August 25th is my birthday..i was banded in April so that I could turn 40 on 8/25 being at my desired weight. I will remember all of you getting banded on my birthday too. Its so great so many people are fed up..had enough..and doing something that WILL work instead of all the things that WONT work. Congrats - 8/25 will be your new birthdates too.

PBing I would describe as burping up what you just ate..BUT..its not really down in your stomach so its not really throwing up although a couple times I PB'd and it triggered real vomitting..from the gut. yuk. mostly happens from swallowing a lump (getting stuck)..but also from overeating. The slim is litterly mucus. its gross but usually only happens when your PB'ing or about too

I have had like 8 fills and have not been charged. Sooo, i guess they are either included or billed to insurance but what i do know is I dont pay for them.

if all you eat is crappy food today..you'll lose weight with little effort because you won't be able to eat nearly as much of it. (portion control as 1000 people already said) If you want to lose weight and be healthy you have to pick healthier food and believe me you will want to because you'll be so modivated. it does MORE than take the edge off. Just do it. all you got to lose is weight.

I am 4 months on and i had 4 small and one larger for the port. I am very fair skin and the large one is very visible and the one above the belly button is also visible. the surgen made the cuts in the crease of where the rolls were so they should enhance my six-pack once the weight is gone. haha. I expect the larger scar will fade but always be visible. Looks kind of cool like I got in a knife fight. :w00t:

i cross the border in TJ twice a month. Unless you are selling drugs, buying drugs, walking the streets, partying in the bars etc you will have no problem. you odds of being in a car crash driving to san diego are higher. Your friend clearly doesnt go to Mexico. I assure you they will be happy to pick you up at the border if you are worries about it. its really no big deal.

Hey, everything "comtemplating" said is right on. I would further add what my doc said when i had similar concerns. I was told the band settles into place but also there is fat on the outside of the stomach and as you lose weight it shrinks and makes the band looser. But since you just had surgery probably swelling is the real issue as already posted. I'll also suggest that the feeling you described about drinking too fast etc isn't the same thing you will feel once you finish with band-hell..get some fills and truely experiance restriction. Don't worry..you'll go through lots of questions and feelings over the next few weeks. Just wait until you are fully healed and discover you can eat a big mac and fries without a problem! haha...that will be your next thing probably (it means you are ready for a fill!)

The primary contributor to "weight" loss/gain is calories. Exercise burns calories. Eating Adds calories. If you intake less calories than you burn you lose weight. If you intake more calories than you burn you gain weight. The band, in combination with better food choices reduces your calorie intake. You should lose weight without changing your burn. You can speed up weight loss by burning more. (now im sure 20 people will respond swearing they never lost a pound until they exercised ha ha).

Hey Evie71609, I think that is me. :blushing: My mind tells me you are right but when I see a half cup of food I think no way can that be enough for me! but im tired of getting it wrong so will follow your advice...

Go to New Image Bari in Riverside. they do both and everyone loves them.