tessiekay

Banded July 1st and I've lost only 15 lbs since (but lost 25 lbs pre-op). I'm on my 3rd fill and I feel that I'm very close. I have Realize (9-11 cc, not sure) and first fill in August was 3 cc with little effect. 2nd fill (1cc) early October had some effect. At times I could eat absolutely everything and other times I learned the true meaning of PBing and Sliming :thumbup:. There was a learning curve as my band and I came to some agreement. (Mostly I had to learn...band stood firm LOL). I had my 3rd fill (1 cc) mid November and now I'm starting to see how this whole thing is going to work. I feel restriction most of the time, but still seem determined to test all the limits LOL. I'll learn I guess. I have another fill scheduled at the end of december that I guess will be very small if I have it at all. I'm hoping that will be the one that brings me to the sweet spot (insurance is covering 100% until Dec 31.)

I'm with you Saraboo....my port has been obvious since day one.....not real happy, but what can you do? It's worth it so far. I'm not so young anymore and definitely not a bikini person, so it's worth the alternatives as far as I'm concerned. I started out at a 35 BMI, so I never had those worries that it moved or disappeared or whatever...It's right there and I can see it and feel it quite easily. :thumbup:.

I'm in the super-secret camp as well--and it's working out just fine! My mom (leery at first but supportive) and very best friend (skinny and 100% supportive from the start) and significant other (the one that sees the scars on a regular basis!) are the only ones who know. Significant Other was always 100% supportive, but I have to say the improvement in an already awesome sex life hasn't hurt :thumbup:. My boss knows I had surgery, but was told hiatal hernia repair (as it turns out I DID have an undiagnosed significant hiatal hernia that was repaired during LB surgery). I requested that the surgery be kept to "need to know" as I felt uncomfortable having people talking about and inquiring about my condition. My boss respected that and no one is the wiser. When the weight loss was noticed I did let my boss know that the doc recommended a little weight loss to increase safety in the surgery and since it was not an emergent issue I took advantage of the excuse to drop a few lbs. (I lost 25 lbs pre-surgery). I agree with the recommendations to have one or two close folks know about it, but with the exception of my significant other I rarely discuss the band. My mom and best friend are supportive and inquire as to my general well-being just as they always did before surgery. I subscribe wholeheartedly to the concept that the bulk (excuse the pun) of this weight loss journey is going to be my own responsibility and that the band is just my constant aid/reminder. I do have some sense that once I get to my goal and maintain for awhile I may be more inclined to let more folks know. I can see that my journey could be an inspiration for others....but I'm not quite comfortable yet with revealing. I've heard WAY too often about all the folks everyone knows who had WLS and put the weight back on. I'll be much more willing to talk about it when it is EXCRUCIATINGLY obvious that the LB can be a successful tool.

I appreciate this thread as it has caused me to reflect on the times in my life when I was overweight and was tempted to and perhaps at times did actually query someone about their improved appearance and/or weight loss. From my perspective at the time I know that my questions were never intended to be intrusive (though I can see now how they might have seemed so), and certainly never malicious, but rather driven from a desperate sense of being out of control and searching for anything that might help me. I can give folks the benefit of the doubt now, but can see how this can be a problem for those that it causes anxiety for. I'm taking that lesson to heart! Fortunately for me, I do seem to find the questions/attention motivating...in fact it was a little weird for me recently attending a function (reunion) where the majority of folks had not seen me in 5 years or longer and would have no idea of the recent change. It took a bit for me to realize that I was just a "normal" person....something that I'm going to have to get used to. I can't tell you how many times I had to stop myself from saying something really ridiculous about how I've lost over 40 lbs. For all I knew thosee folks remembered me as being skinnier that I am now:rolleyes2:. I must be really fortunate (or insignificant) though:tongue_smilie:because not a lot of people seem to comment on my weight loss....those that do actually ask for a number get a very casual response: "Oh...I guess it's just a bit over 40 lbs.....but you know I've been working on it since March!!!" Those are the same folks that will be the ones to ask how I did it. Besides my medical team, only 3 people are aware that I was banded (another discussion entirely on the rationale for that decision...but I wouldn't change it), so the answer to their question is still an honest (but slightly incomplete) answer. I say that the first thing I did was cut out all sodas (diet) and started drinking more Water. I tell them that I TRY to eat better, focusing on Proteins and low carb and moderate fat and TRY to stick to healthy foods since I also TRY to eat very small meals as slowly as I can manage. For anyone that asks about exercise I am also honest....:thumbup:...that I really need to do more than I do (practically nothing-sigh) and that if I did I'd probably be doing a little better on the weight loss. So far no one (that I know) has questioned my methods, though I have one friend who was banded and knows that I was considering it that might suspect....the behaviors are obvious to another bandster...but hasn't said anything. I have one coworker who is NOT overweight, but is very health/diet conscious and we "talk diet" regularly. She has no idea that I had surgery and our talks are more or less a confirmation and accountability for both of us on our individual journeys. I guess my point is that everyone who is on this weight loss journey and is successfull has some "tool" to help them along, whether it be faith, will-power, a body that cooperates (which I did NOT have) or a Lap-Band®®. Sorry...I seem to have gotten off track, but feel much better now. Thanks for the indulgence with my venting!

Started the process at just barely a 35 BMI. I lost 28 lbs pre-op and another 12 in the 5 weeks post surg. I've slowed to nothing and very much looking forward to a fill at my docs visit on 8/14.:wink:

Well...only my mom, best girlfriend and my significant other know I had surgery. For everyone else I tell "the truth"...they ask what I'm doing and I say "eating right"....or if I'm inclined for more detail I tell them that I started by cutting out the soda and drinking more Water and that I'm sticking to a low cal, low carb, higher Protein, moderate fat meal plan- eaten SLOWLY in very modest portions. What part of THAT isn't true??? I laid groundwork with the only coworker who would be likely to notice a change in eating habits as well as any weight loss. About 2 weeks before surgery I had already lost >20 lbs and I made sure she noticed and we talked about it. As she wants to lose a few lbs herself we have "bonded" on the healthy eating wavelength. It is great motivation for me to stick to the plan. If anyone asks her about me she will tell them what she knows...that I'm working very hard at eating correctly. I also let everyone who asks know that I have been working at this for several months and the weight came off slowly, but it seems I've finally hit the magical amount where it is obvious. As far as I'm concerned I'm losing weight by doing the same things everyone else who wants to lose weight should be doing. I've lost 40 lbs so far without any kind of fill, but I know that sooner rather than later I'm going to need the help the tool provides to stick with what is working so far. Not telling others about that is just a "little white lie of admission", but really none of their business. It's just a little more extensive and persuasive tool for motivation than a weight loss group membership :wink:

My BMI was barely 35 when I started the process in March. I was approved mid-April, and by my surgery date 7/1/09 I was down 30 lbs. I've lost 12 more since surgery (4.5 weeks). I don't even see the surgeon for post-op check and to discuss a fill until 8/14. At this point just 4 1/2 weeks post op I'm so happy to be at least halfway to goal and well into "one-derland". The weight loss is definitely slowing now, so I'm quite sure the next half isn't going to be as easy. I'm looking forward now to really start working with this tool.

I did a pretty thorough search and reading reviews of the not so good aps lead me to Lose It. I'm working with that one now and the only complaint I have is that there is no way to synch/print, etc. The info states that they are working on it though, so perhaps I'll just stick there for now.

I know there is another geeky bandster out there somewhere that can help me out. :eek: I'm struggling to find the perfect application to track food, water, nutrition, exercise, etc. In order for me to be consistently compliant with tracking I need to have something that I can use on the iPhone. I started out pretty well recording my food manually, but the honeymoon is officially over in just 3 weeks....I'm sliding off track with recording my intake and I really wanted to have excellent records to present at my first appt post-op (6 weeks). Since I'm also finding myself at my first (and I'm sure not the last) plateau this past week, I need this info if/when I need to consult with nutritionist. The ideal app would be something that can be used on the iPhone, that has an adequate (and ACCURATE) database of food nutritional info (restaurant, brand name and common foods), and that can be backed up or synched with a web application. I'd like to be able to record water and perhaps even vitamin, calcium, blood sugar, blood pressure, weight, exercise...but the accurate nutrition is the main thing. I know that a lot of folks use Daily Plate. It would work very adequately, but it seems that I can't use the mobile app unless I have a paid account (did I mention that I need to find something reasonably cheap :laugh:). I'm willing to pay for an app, but not an annual membership. I've tried a couple of iPhone apps, but the one that will export to a spreadsheet doesn't have a very good database (as in many of the foods have no values for protein :thumbup:), is not very friendly in the export function, and requires some workaround to be able to record water & other liquids). The other app is working fine, but doesn't have any way to synch, save or print/export the logs at this time. It's database is better, but still limited. All of these take some time to build up the personal collection of custom foods, meals, etc, so I'd like to find something I can stick with. Can anyone help a sister out:confused:

Hear Hear! Being upset or correcting or retaliating against rude behavior is just such a waste of MY PERSONAL TIME. I wouldn't even consider bothering unless the person was someone near and dear to me and even then I'd have to consider whether it was worth the effort (i.e. it really may not be malicious and can be overlooked in light of the relationship). That helped me get through a 30 year relationship with a sometimes less than thoughtful mother-in-law Your best support person(s) are not going to behave that way and if they do....just come on here....we're a sensitive bunch

The sippy cups are definitely the thing I appreciate the most. I have 3!! :thumbup: Any cheese lovers out there still on liquids? Try the Campbells condensed cheese soup (for cooking) and dilute with clear chicken broth to thin it down to whatever consistency is right for you. It has no chunks, so no need to strain, and is sooooooo gooooood after those clear liquids!

Today is day 8 post surgery (7/1) and I have to say I'm doing great :drool:. I had a bit of problem with the shoulder/gas pain for a couple of days (and a headache to go with it), but that passed after a couple of days. I was able to sleep in my bed from the first night, though shifting position was a bit of a problem the first couple of nights. As of several nights ago I am able to sleep on either side (I rotate) and get up out of bed with very little discomfort at all. I'm still on liquids for another few days, but have been able to consume pretty much anything (allowable) with no problems. I've been using a sippy cup to try to train myself to "drink small". I'm going to be ready for some mushies REAL SOON though...(where's that emoticon for STARVING?). I've been focusing on the Protein and doing well with that, but still having a problem getting more than 700-800 calories a day. The doc's ok with that as long as I'm getting sufficient protein and Water though. I lost a significant amount (28lbs) pre-op and when I went back to work at about 30 lbs down all of a sudden everyone seemed to notice that I had lost weight. No one there knows I had surgery, so I told them "the truth" that I had been working on my diet since about April and I guess I finally just hitted that point where the loss was noticable. It was very satisfying and encouraging though. On a more intimate note...pending "issues" with the significant other have been successfully dealt with as well. (wink wink):thumbup: My best wishes to all my other early July bandster buddies that your first week is going well.

Oh yes... I meant to report that I weighed myself the morning of surgery and every morning after. Day 1 I had gained 5 lbs (all fluid). Down 3 lbs on Day 2 and on Day 3 I am back to my surgery day weight. Looking forward to many more losing days :smile2: