isaviolinist

Hi Becky. I don't go to the gym much. I actually go though periods where I go ALOT (7 days a week) and then stop for a couple of months at a time. I still lose fairly quickly (this may be because I am very busy and have a pretty active lifestyle...I'm also a teacher!). We actually have a gym in our building (membership is built into our rent), so there is really no excuse for me not to work out. I want to get back into working out because I know it will make me healthier, and it will also make me more toned. I'm hoping that when I get to goal, I won't have TONS and TONS of extra skin hanging off (I know there will be some, but I can minimize it a little by working out). I feel better when I work out. But I had the same fears as you, before I got banded. I figured, I had tried EVERYTHING else and still couldn't lose the weight, so why would banding be any different? But I'm 75 pounds down since the beginning of June. A lot of people also told me that I would probably only lose 40% of my excess body weight with gastric band, and I could just do that with a regular diet. Well I've already lost almost 50% and I have no intention of stopping until I get to goal. I think the key is being determined to succeed and not accepting any other alternative. For me, that is the only option. Good luck!

Yes, just relax and let the healing begin haha. In all seriousness, just focus on getting better - the last thing you need is tons of stress. Its not good or helpful for getting better. After my surgery, I was totally stressed out (about everything), but I just let it all go for like 2 weeks. I let people take care of me and didn't worry about anything but myself. Sounds selfish, but I found it was SO necessary. Good luck!!

Sounds like you might need a fill. What does your doctor/nutritionist say about calorie intake per day? Generally, I have heard that between 800-1200 calories a day is ideal (although every doctor is different). Also, what kinds of foods are you eating and how much are you able to eat at one time (more than a cup?)? Maybe you should start writing down your food intake and activities as well. This really helps me get back on track when I start gaining.

I just got another fill today. I'm hoping this will be my sweet spot. I'm also hoping it will help me get to my goal of 199.9 for thanksgiving (13.5 pounds to go). That way I will be solid for my NYNY goal. If not, I will just tack it on. I REALLY REALLY REALLY REALLY REALLY would like to start the New Year UNDER 200 pounds (for the first time in God knows how long).

Hey Michelle! I feel silly giving advice since I've only had the band since June, but sometimes when I really feel like I've gotten off track (like if Im eating ice cream everyday, for example), I go on a liquid diet. Basically a pre-op diet (although I try to do 2 days of Clear liquids to get started). Not only does it rid my body of all of the carbs (and at the same time, get rid of the bad carb cravings) but it jump-starts my weight loss which is a HUGE motivator to me. It seems like if you wanted to start over, you should start at where you began! I also write down EVERYTHING I eat. I do it on fitday.com but there are many places to do it. I like fitday because it adds up my calories, and also breaks down my food as well as my daily, weekly, monthly intake into percentage of fats, carbs, and Proteins. This way I can see where I'm lacking or overdoing it. And its only for you, so be brutally honest. You should probably also make an appt with your doctor. Maybe you need a fill? Maybe you should meet with the nutritionist? I'm sure your doctor will be able to and will be happy to help you out. You can do it! Stick around here for support - its a great place to get advice and support from people going through similar things.

I just got my 4th fill today. I didn't do the pouch test, but I essentially went on a self-imposed preop diet for the past week before my fill. I was eating a lot of junk, and it was a good way for me to get back on track. I have to do clear liquids for the next 3 days, and then full liquids for a couple days after that. I'm hoping when I can eat solid foods (it will have been about 2 weeks on liquids diet by then) I will have lost more weight and will also have the right amount of restriction (I feel like Im close)! Anyhow, I would go for the 5 day pouch test. If anything, it will help you get back to the basics. Good luck!

I think the hunger is pretty normal! One thing that has helped me, and I've been doing it from the very beginning is keeping a log of what I eat. I do it on fitday.com but there are a lot of sites. You search for your foods (or you can make a custom food), add them to your food log and it will calculate your calories, as well as percentage of carbs, fat, Proteins, etc. You can also track your weight on there. This helps me to know if I am eating too much. You can also measure things (either with a scale or with a cup measure). That way you know if you are eating a cup of food (or however much you are trying to eat). Good luck!

I was never told that either. I was more or less just told a balanced diet (protein first, then veggies). I personally try to stay away from a lot of bad carbs (although I have a serious sweet tooth and I indulge it sometimes) but I definitely eat beans and milk (did your doctor say no milk? there are a lot of carbs in milk but I think they're fine...plus if you drink milk or mix it with a protein drink its a good source of extra protein, and calcium, obviously), tofu, etc. You should ask your doc or nutritionist to clarify, because that doesn't sound right to me.

I don't eat very much rice now that I'm banded (I get all my maki wrapped in cucumber instead of sticky rice now) but from what I understand it will expand as it absorbs more Fluid and because of that has the potential to get really stuck. So you could be in a lot of pain, it might come back up, anything else you eat on top of it might not go back down or may come up, OR it may be fine for you. Its really different for everyone. On the rare occasions that I have had rice, I eat a small amount (like one small forkful) and then leave it. But I haven't had any rice since having even a little bit of restriction. If you want rice, I would go for a non-glutinous kind (long-grain, like basmati for example). Good luck and I hope you stick around and post more!

CONGRATS!! I cant wait to be where you are! I got my 4th fill today and am hoping I will be at my sweet spot now! You should be so proud of yourself!!

I did a 3 week preop diet and lost 20 pounds during those 3 weeks. However I was definitely eating less than 1200 calories a day. 15 pounds in 3 weeks is probably doable though. Good luck!!

I use PB2 as well and I love it! I LOVE peanut butter, but the nutrition facts are just killer. I put PB2 in my protein shakes so I can have chocolate-peanut butter. Its kind of expensive but I think it worth it. Also, since you're 3 weeks out, you're probably on mushies now so make sure you stick to that. Even though solid Proteins make you feel fuller longer, you'll probably be kind of hungry since mushies pass through the band. Good luck and stick with it!

I listed my fill amounts in my signature. I'm going for another fill today. I have some restriction but not enough. Hoping this fill will do it - I feel like I am very close to my sweet spot.

I just wanted to send along my well wishes to you!! Are you getting banded in Philadelphia? I am from Philly and was banded at Temple. Anyways, let us know how everything goes and good luck!

My doc doesn't numb - its either one stick or two. Fills have not really been painful at all either. So far, my fills have been under fluoro. I was SOO nervous the first two times, but its really nothing. I still get a little nervous because I really hate needles. I can't remember how much my first fill was (it says it in my signature) - something like 5 cc. Im going for my 4th fill on Wednesday. Good luck!

I didn't have any problem with my insurance co. I have BCBS. My hospital is a "Blue Cross Center of Excellence for Bariatric Surgery" thus the surgeons and team have a lot of close contact with them and have no problem getting approval. I was also not required to do the 6 month supervised diet. Good luck!

I eat fish, so I guess Im a pescatarian. But aside from fish (which provides most of the protein I need), I eat A LOT of tofu, milk, beans (I love beans...any kind), and I do supplement with protein shakes. If you feel like you want to eat fish, it is very helpful for getting all the protein in (plus good fat as well).

I lost 13.2 pounds or so the first month. Looks you are losing at the same rate. Congrats on your surgery!

Congrats to everyone who is getting banded! You are in for a big life change!! I wish everyone success! I have not been banded for long (June of this year) but I really feel like I've done well with the band so far. I think if I can do well, anyone can! I still have a long way to go to get to goal, but I have lost almost 70 pounds since June (including 20 pounds lost preop). My postop was pretty easy and I recovered quickly. I am going in for my 4th fill on Wednesday, and I think that should get me to the right amount of restriction. I hope so. Please keep us updated on your progress and take advantage of LBT! So much information here!

I still have a lot of cravings and I also don't have enough restriction (going for my 4th fill on Wednesday) yet. I do have some, but its not right yet I think (or at least, that is my gut instinct). Looking forward to fewer cravings, hopefully, with this adjustment!

Congrats to both of you on your surgeries! It probably is just gas pain, but if its worrisome to you then I would call your doctor. After my surgery, I called my doctor for every little thing that made me worried. He was very helpful in reassuring me! Good luck :blushing:

Hi Lisa. Congrats on your upcoming surgery! Only 4 days away!! I'm sure you are nervous and excited all at the same time. I was definitely one of the people who, like you, was completely unconvinced that I would be successful with gastric band (I have Realize C band, not lapband). I had never been successful with any other type of weight loss (I wasn't even really a yo yo dieter. A few times - maybe twice - I lost and then gained more than I lost, but primarily I just kept steadily gaining over the years until I found myself at 286 pounds, my highest weight ever). Although I'm really far from my goal, I feel that I have been successful so far! If I can do it, I really think anyone can do it. Before I got banded, I felt sort of the same as you as far as giving up my best friend, food. And before my pre-op diet I went out for "one last foray with my bff". Looking back now, it seems so silly because, in actuality, I haven't given up anything that I really like to eat! I do give myself a treat now and again (I'm one of the bandsters with a sweet tooth) - usually ice cream. The other day, at my work, someone had brought in a halloween cake. I got there after it was cut, but when I got there someone had cut it into relatively small pieces on a plate. I chose the smallest piece (it was probably 1x2 inches....not too big, I ate it in 2 bites) and I was satisfied!! Before I would have probably eaten 3 big pieces with ice cream on top. You can eat what you like (although you can't eat ice cream all day everyday because it will just pass right through your band), but you will be able to eat small portions! Counting calories (I use fitday.com) is really helpful and you can start now, before youre banded to see what you are actually eating. Im sorry that your surgeon was negative - thats the last thing you need before you are about to have a surgery. Perhaps, it was just his way of being realistic or trying to motivate you to do great with the band! I think if you have the mindset that you won't fail and you WILL succeed (and there is no other option) then you will do great! Good luck and keep us posted on how your surgery goes!

I don't have much advice unfortunately but I just wanted to chime in with some support and let you know that I really hope it turns out ok for you :blushing: I agree that if it was the dr's error, he should fix his mistake for free. Good luck and let us know what happens next week!

I agree with canada girl. I strongly disagree with everyone else who has said "just do what I did - I was fine and my surgeon knows what he's talking about". If you want to do what they did go to their surgeon. Otherwise, do what your doctor tells you to avoid dangerous complications (not to mention a waste of time and money should you not get your band). I also agree with the statement that if you can't stick to a 1 or 2 week preop diet, then you may not be ready for wls. I did a 3 week preop diet (liquids only. No small meals here and there or anything like that) and I know others who have done 6 weeks. If you think you can't do it then you won't. Good luck.

I just joined as well! I'm not sure where I'll be by Thanksgiving (hopefully at least close to my Thanksgiving Challenge goal weight) but I'll adjust my goal based on where I am at by Thanksgiving. I REALLY hope I can meet my Thanksgiving goal but this will be a great way to continue the motivation! Totally excited!