xavier

It took me three fills to get to 6cc in a 10 cc band to get restriction...these first moths are awful and this band is not for wimps...consider yourself lucky if you can keep from gaining till you get to green zone but dont beat yourself up!

it is very difficult to get it pid for unless you have several inches of overhanging skin which covers your pubic area. My doc told me no way and the TT is $7500. I cant decide. I self paid for my band so I hate to even think of putting out that much cash but I do have a roll of skin (empty spare tire) around my lower waist that I dont like.The plastic surgeon said there is no fat in it so I cant just lose more weight o get rid of it...

For me the tightness of the band fluctuates pretty wildly! Tight in the morning (just like my wedding ring) and quite loose in the evening. Tighter if I am sick even just with a cold and much tighter if I have had to throw up. Also tighter depending on the menstrual cycle...I have been banded two and a half years and it still mystifies me!

I think its really important to learn to eat when you are hungry and not eat when you are not...some of these dieticians and nutritionists have info and training from decades ago...this makes no sense to me for your lifetime lifestyle change (sounds like any other crazy diet) and I would definitely discuss in detail with your doc!

That is just great...change is coming!

Any time you cause yourself pain you need at least a day of liquids...tuna can be tricky for me unless it is loaded with mayo...

LillieB...100% normal this is called Bandster hell...until you get your band at least half full (5cc in a 10cc band) you would be a very rare person to be having any restriction at all...if you can just not gain you are doing better than most...good luck I hope your doc isnt too stingy with fills. Mine got me to 6cc in three fills and that was green zone for me! (but before that, Hell!)

Dear ready, thanks for backing me up...I thought I sounded like a b***h but its important to speak the truth...this is an epic struggle and not for wimps! My first year or so was insane but now I am at a point where it is pretty easy...I just finally tried on my wedding dress (married in 1989) yesterday and it was the tiniest bit loose...life is good!

The other thing is, unless you surround yourself with people who love you for you , you are at HI RISK to fail this band...and are already failing at life...people you love should see the lovely soul you are and value that and if not...Hit the Road Jack!

Since I am a vegetarian I have to really think about protein...I eat beans almost every day...usually (cuz I'm lazy) the veg refried canned beans from Rosarita with some sour cream or greek yog!

Best of luck, you are on your way...not to be negative but be careful not to lose too much weight on your 6 month diet...if your BMI falls below a certain # they can deny you...at least people have said that here!

irritation of the nerves of the diaphragm...any clue to stop eating is a good clue!

Definitely Premier Protein from Costco (160 cals and 30 grams protein) tastes like sweet milk and believe me all the other ones also taste terrible and just made me gag...also a non flavored protein powder put into soups etc...I got the one fromGNC and it was good. Not really noticable in soups...

If you seriously believe he will leave you if you dont lose weight or that he'll leave you if he gets thin...this is not a solid relationship in the first place...not one to bring a child into! Get some counseling!!! This needs to be fixed BEFORE you are even thinking of having a child...

I plateaued at 155 but 145 would be normal BMI so I got a fill! I got 0.3cc and it made all the difference...I went to 140 in a couple of months...I just dont diet and I dont exerise but I eat less because of the band.

It can be done! Unfortunately I have seen a lot of post from people whose nutritionist are using info from many decades ago! I hope you get a good one! One told a patient that even being a vegetarian is a bad idea with the band and that couldnt be more wrong. Everyone on the planet (human, not tigers I guess) would be healthier if they ate vegetarian! My teen daughter is the healthiest vegan and the healthiest of all her meat (and other nasty food) eating friends. I am a veg because i cant seem to give up cheese...stick to your guns!!! The only other thing I'll say is if you think you have the discipline to be vegan for the rest of your life (a big if) I am not sure you will need weight loss surgery....best of luck!!!

Be careful I have heard of people losing on the 6 month diet and then being disqualified...not neccessarliy Cigna though...

I also have a 10cc band and I had my first green zone at 6cc. Then I lost a bit of weight and felt like it was just staying exactly the same, no gain and no loss for weeks and even months. I got a fill to 7.7 and lost quite a bit more weight and then of course it leveled off again. At that point I was 155 pounds and 145 would be normal BMI for me. I went and got 0.3cc (total now 8cc) and lost 15 pounds in a couple of months...I have since leveled off at 140 and I am just thrilled.

The are just trying to weed people out that think the band is an easy fix or that weight loss will make your life perfect.

Any exercise that doesnt hurt you is better than none...However I am a big advocate of moderation...you were not a workout fanatic before the band so why would you be now? Go for a walk!

The special K one is pretty good.

This will be a piece of cake compared to a c section...plus no baby to take care of...they are not opening up or cutting through (except tiny holes) your ab muscles so if you did well with the cs you are going to be fine in 2-3 days!

Right on! Premier Protein...tastes great and 30 grams is a lot for only 160calories...I have been banded 2.5 years, and I drink one every morning!

You should be much more scared of staying obese! Especially if you have loved ones who dont want to live without you or children that you are showing how to be obese! Yes they could take it out but ...I know if I had mine out I would gain my weight back. Saggy skin yes but in a size 6! The other day my huz picked up my jeans and said they look like from the childrens department! I LOVE my band!

Ok I had to requote myself for being dumb! Lady T you will be there and we will cheer you...my mesage was for the OP who also started with aT but was trisha...sorry!