catfish87

I started at 324 and am at 188. So, 136 lbs lost... I still have one pair of my 46" waist jeans as a reminder....Thursday I bought some new 33" waist jeans...could have used a 32", but they didn't have that size! They were snazzy, $150 jeans too.....I think I must have had lapse in judgement to spend so much on a pair of jeans! But, acutally, I had just left my surgeons office....he said everything was "Perfect"...that'll give you a boost for sure. It's not just the scale though.....its the new life!!

Thanks for posing this TMF!! I did not see it earlier. Isn't it nice to know, the sky isn't falling, we're not all doomed, etc? This is a longterm, many patient, analysis showing....THIS THING WORKS!! Merry Christmas to you! And thanks for spreading the Christmas cheer!!

I was hungry from about day 6....or so. Then I actually did ok after I started on mushies for several days...I think it was the mental idea that I was getting to EAT finally after 3 weeks. (One week clear liquids preop, and the two weeks of liquids postop.) I wouldn't suggest you expect it to be like a magical switch they're gonna flip when you get your first adjustment either.....just sayin'. Some surgeons are VERY conservative with adjustments. Each has their own way, and timeline, to get you to what you'll hear referred to the "green zone". This is where you want to be!! Thats the magic spot. Some use a VERY useful tool, in my opinion, its called Fluoroscopy. They can actually SEE what your restriction level is. And some just add a certain amount per adjustment....I call that old school, blind fills. Its just an educated guess at best....providing everything is correct on the inside.....but thats a different story. PS...heres a link to the thread showing what MY restriction looks like....this IS MY green zone. http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/168149-heres-what-my-restriction-level-looks-like/

Congrats on being off to a great start! As far as what to expect for the upcoming fill... This was my experience. I was on Clear liquids for a week post op, then a week of full liquids, then a week of mushies, then progress to some solids as ok'd by my surgical team. For the first week, I wasn't hungry AT ALL. Just lots of sipping of the clear liquids, etc. About the middle of the second week, HUNGER set in...I thought I was starving! Obviously, I didn't starve to death and die, lol. I thought, man this is BS....did I even get a band installed....something must be wrong. Then week three.....MUSHIES! I still remember like it was yesterday, the first bite of mashed potatoes I had. About 1 tablespoon and I was sure something was different....felt them and that sensation of "pressure" I call it. Ok....so I really did have a band! Whew! As the days went by, trying a few of the other mushies that were ok'd for me to have, that hunger monster started coming back. I thought I must call my doctors office and get a fill! I couldn't possibly go until they told me to like this....Hungry. But they just told me....NOPE...theres a reason we don't fill early, to allow everything to heal properly. So I just did the best I could with limiting my portions until that magical date of my first fill..... Here's how mine went back then. Get to the office, weigh, talk with the surgeon, lay down on a table, surgeon located the port, inserted a needle, and added some saline. A VERY, VERY painless and simple procedure...took about two minutes! Stood up, and they gave me a litle cup of Water to sip to make sure I could drink it with no problems....and there were none. Off to home with instructions of liquids for 24 hours, then progress back to regular food as tolerated. PB, FOR ME, means when I eat something too fast or don't chew properly, the food kinda get lodged ABOVE my band. It may cause a sliming episode, which evidently is the body's natural reaction according to what I've heard. It helps the food go one way or the other....either it passes on through the band....or back up it comes! It seemed strange/uncomfortable the first time for sure. But that was my reminder to slow down, chew better. You'll learn....just like most who eventually will expericene it. Some of us are slower learners....like me! I've been banded for 4+ years now....and have NEVER vomited once since being banded. That would be a bad thing...such as stomach virus or something. Best of luck on your new life! Trust your surgical team....and Trust your band. Never, ever give up.

Congrats!!! Enjoy your new life! You've earned it

Congratulations Gowalking...and thanks for your post! Such a great topic title for the season and for your accomplishments. I wish you much continued success.

I've never been part of an online forum/chat group until this one, so this was a new experience for me....starting almost 5 years ago now. When I joined, I'd get on here and just listen....LISTEN closely to what the successful folks had to say. I wanted to be like them!! And I'd also pay attention to the ones who were struggling, and try to find out why.....to avoid those same issues. There is a wealth of information that can be had from this site. Personal experiences that can never be replaced by someone who hasn't "been there, done that". One thing I do sometimes, is go back and read veterans posts/questions from when they were starting out. It can be eye opening....we had lots of the same questions and concerns that are asked here every day. Now for my little rant... I was ready to leave about a month ago...Disgusted...not because of anything anyone said, but because I felt a sense of censorship coming from what I percieved to be "the site". Locking threads that are a hot topic, just because of differences of opinion? If someone violates a rule, is disrespectful or hateful, tell that person, and then ban them if they dont stop! (Which is what ended up happening in the instance I'm referring to....KUDDOS to the moderating team or whomever is responsible for how it was handled in the end.) I despise the shotgun approach to dealing with problems. We don't have to agree with someones OPINION, politics, views on issues. MOVE ON! Don't read the damn thing if it offends you....certainly don't try and limit someones OPINION just because you don't agree with it.

I can assure you...it's not only possible....IT HAPPENED to ME. Does your doctor use Fluoro for adjustments and to check your restriction level?

Its really ok that you didn't reach some magical weight number in some predetermined timeframe....Hell, its taken me over 4 years to reach my initial goal!! Just don't give up...accept no excuses from your medical team. MAKE them get your band adjusted correctly for YOU.....I went into this surgery with the understanding this band would control my portions/limit my eating. IT WILL!! You just gotta get there.

Rayanne, Congrats on your decision to "get ready for a restart"! For me, the most important thing was getting my band to optimal level of adjustment. I see you have scheduled an appt with your surgeon to discuss and adjust yours if needed. Kuddo's to you for doing that!! And on the exercising! I'm not sure which lapband book you are referring to, but for me.....a properly adjusted band was the most important thing in this whole process. A NUT could tell me until they were blue in the face what to eat, how much, etc....Kinda like I've heard all along. Eat this/don't eat that books....never worked for me...by itself longterm. I wish you much success in your future! Never, ever give up...IT really works.

Tara....Congrats to you! Your story is proof this thing really works! Best wishes for your continued success.

This is the key....just make it a part of your routine. Start today....tomorrow never comes. If you start today...think where you can be by New Years. YOU can do it! Best wishes!

Fish is good! I don't eat much red meat either....lots and lots of fish though.

Congrats is right! Good point...I'll be using mine in three weeks for the first time in a couple of years....Way too long! Ready for some sun!

Congrats on your success!

It's never too late to get back on track! I did great "in the beginning"...just as you say. GungHO, exercising, eating what I was supposed to, etc, etc....then the Honeymoon ended! I too, thought I could just eat anything I wanted, quit exercising, and let the band do it all.....Unfortunately, that wasn't the case. I was eating too much, gaining weight, just like every other diet I had been on in my life! Because it was JUST A DIET... I was so embarrassed, didn't go to my surgeon for a YEAR. Couldn't face the reality I was gonna fail at this too... But I had a friend who had the band encourage me to go back to my surgeon, and find out why I was eating too much. Why was it just like before I even had surgery? Now...with a properly adjusted band for me, I couldn't be happier with my decision to have this surgery. Since you say you haven't had an adjustment in several months, please follow up with your surgeon...and don't accept any excuses! This thing will do what it is advertised to do....Control/limit your portions...you just gotta get there. I wish you much success in your future! Never, ever give up.

About 6 months post op, I had my first glass of wine....did not notice any difference. You'll read on here where many folks are more sensitive to the alcohol. Now, 4+ years post op, I'll have some a few times a week. Maybe thats one reason I been awarded the slowest loser's badge......

Excellent topic Terry! I'm thinking your prices are pretty cheap! Although in reality, there isn't anything much to a fill. I have Aetna insurance through my employer. Years ago, when mine were done without fluoro, my surgeon billed the insurance $250 for a office visit/nut time/adjustment. A blind or "Water test" fill. ( If you can drink the water, your not too tight.......lol. ) Now, If I get an adjustment, my insurance gets billed $700, the negotiated rate is $364.03. They pay $291.23, and I pay $72.80 ( after meeting my yearly insurance deductible I've got an 80/20 plan ) If no adjustment but just view under fluoro, the bill is $275, negotiated rate is $170.71 split 80/20. Both of these include the normal office visit with the SURGEON and prob 10 min with a NUT. I go more often than I really need to now...I enjoy going my appts now. Everyones always smiling there!

Sorbets/Sherbets were on my full liquid "menu". I had some often during that timeframe.

Congrats and welcome to the start of your new life! Wishing you a speedy recovery and much success!

As a coincidence...I went shopping today for some new clothes. The person I mentioned earlier that encouraged me to go back to my doctor, works at the store I went shopping at. I haven't seen or talked to her in a while. She told me today SHE was going back to my doctor this Thursday.... she hadn't been to see him in over a year. ... she said she's gained some back and wanted to get everything checked and maybe an adjustment. Why am I posting this you might wonder. .. because she's ten years ( 10 YEARS )POST OP. Just goes to show you can't give up after a month or a year or two, three, four, etc years.... this really is a life changing experience. Think long term..... and it was re affirmed to me today. Never,ever give up!

Parrishel, Congrats on your success and thanks for the incredible post! May you continue to enjoy your new life and keep coming back here to offer your inspiring words. What a great story! Best wishes

Very similar to my experience...I always have felt the adjustment more after a couple of weeks. I THINK it may be because the first couple of days/or first week or so, I really pay attention to my eating/chewing. Then....maybe I forget and get in too much of a hurry. I'm still learning 4+ years out.

LadyBandit....I so feel and understand where you are coming from! I did great "in the beginning"...just as you say. GungHO, exercising, eating what I was supposed to, etc, etc....then the Honeymoon ended! I too, thought I could just eat anything I wanted, quit exercising, and let the band do it all.....Unfortunately, my band had come unbuckled/unsnapped....Kinda like you describe....NOT at correct restriction. ( NO restriction ) I was eating too much, GAINING weight, just like every other diet I had been on in my life! Because it was JUST A DIET... I was so embarrassed, didn't go to my surgeon for a YEAR. Couldn't face the reality I was gonna fail at this too... But I had a friend who had the band encourage me to go back to my surgeon, and find out why I was eating too much. Why was it just like before I even had surgery! My doctor started using Fluoroscopy for all adjustments during my hiatus....we immediately realized why and he corrected it asap! Now...with a properly adjusted band for me, I couldn't be happier with my decision to have this surgery. Please continue following up with your surgeon...and don't accept any excuses! This thing will do what it is advertised to do....Control/limit your portions...you just gotta get there. I wish you much success in your future! Never, ever give up.

Great Post! I will never allow my band to be to a point where I "can't" eat. I want it to help me....not rule me.