leshers2x2

Wow, It is amazing that we have all avoided coming here because of our lack of progress and yet we all are going through the same thing. My story is the same I lost 55 pounds by Christmas and since that time I have gained and lost the same 5 pounds. I know for myself part of it is motivation. I am in a size 12 pants for the first time in my adult life. I feel like in some ways I have settled. One thing I remember from my many years at weight watchers that they talked about was just that idea. Many people don't stick with it because you start rationalizing that I feel better than ever, a size 12 isn't that bad, and next thing you know you aren't losing and start gaining. I want to get motivated again and stop settling!!

I was a size 20, 2x tops. Now I'm a size 14, XL tops.

Hi Everyone!! I was banded 7/6/09 and I have lost 40 pounds so far. My motivation for getting banded was my children. I have two sets of twin boys ages 7 and 4. I didn't want to be the mommy who sits on the side and doesn't play with them. I now have so much energy. I bought a bike and love taking them on bike rides!! The band is the best thing that I have ever done for myself. Post op for me wasn't that bad. I was in the hospital only over night. I didn't need the prescription pain meds after the first day at home. I was so ready for mushy food by the second week because you can only eat so much jello, yogurt and broth before you want to go crazy!!

I was banded 7/6 and have lost 40 pounds. I have had three fills and finally feel like I may be at the sweet spot. I really have to chew my food and eat slowly. This is the first fill where I really have to do that. I am so glad because the will power was really starting to fail. More than pounds I notice that I feel more energetic, that people are noticing my weight loss, and I don't wear plus sized clothes anymore. I could technically shop at Lane Bryant but not for long!!!

I have a rough month with the band. Five weeks ago I went for an appointment with my surgeon. I see him every three weeks. At that time I was done 8 lbs in three weeks so we agreed that I didn't need a fill at that time. A week later I felt like I was in bandster hell. I could eat anything and was really having a tough time with the will power. When I went back for my next appt two weeks ago I was only down three. He told me if I ever feel like I need a fill before my appt to come and see him. Well the same thing happened I felt like I didn't have enough restriction so I called and got an earlier appt. I saw him yester only two weeks later. As I thought I only lost 1 lb in those two weeks. I feel like I have good restriction now but I am on soft foods. I sure hope the weight loss kicks in again because I am getting super frustrated!!!

Hi healthy me, Where are you at in AZ? I live in Tucson. I am going to look for the carbmaster next time I go to Fry's. Lately I have had coupons and Fry's had the dannon light on sale so I have eaten a lot of that.

I was stuck for a couple weeks then I had my second fill and the weight started falling off. I saw the doctor yesterday and he was amazed that I had lost 8 pounds in three weeks. Since I am doing so well and feel like I have good restriction he didn't give me a fill. He told me by my next appt in three weeks I will probably want a fill. Apparently after a fill you may reach a point when you don't have as much restriction that is when you need another fill.

I absolutely love my band and I am so glad I finally did this!! A girl at work had a gastric sleeve right after I was banded. She complains everyday how awful it is. She throws up after almost every meal, she still has a very restricted diet because she has hard time keeping anything down!! Every day I see her feeling so bad I thank God for my band and how relatively easy it has been in comparison to that.

Very well put... I have also been able to drop forty pounds when I really put the effort but never been able to keep it off. I am approaching that forty pound mark and know that this time I can keep at it. I have a difficult time with the band in that I always think their is no way that is possibly going to be enough to eat. I sit and torture myself over how big a portion of anything I need. I went to lunch with my mom yesterday and had one crunchy taco and refried beans. I didn't need the beans but I convinced myself that the taco would not fill me up. Then afterward felt uncomfortable full!! I am learning and it is getting easier day by day. I have bought myself two swimsuits in size 12 for next summer because I know I will be able to fit them by then!!

I found a "bun" for hamburgers or sandwiches that I can actually tolerate. Orowheat makes it. Its called sandwich thins. They look like a hamburger bun but they are about 1/4 " thick. Its like 70 calories for the entire thing. I get the bread taste without feeling like its stuck. Another trick I have done for eating hamburgers is to use lettuce as a bun.

I was in your place for awhile. I was starting to gain back instead of lose. I just had my second fill and after he had me drink water and see how quickly I felt it move through the band. It felt rather quickly so he asked if I wanted him to fill it again. I had him do it and now I have great restriction. I also saw a nutritionist this week. She really helped me figure out what I should be eating. She has a website that may be helpful to others. www.lap-band-surgery-site.com This helped me to get on track with making the right choices.

I have had my first fill a couple weeks ago and I didn't notice much of a difference. I am still losing but it is getting tough to not over indulge. I have another fill coming up and I hope I start to feel restriction.

You should also consider medication for depression. I suffered with depression for many years always trying to blame it on something else. Finally last year I found myself unemployed, about to lose my house and just feeling like their was no way out. I finally went and saw a great psychiatrist who started me on medication. It is the best decision I ever made. After getting my inside feeling so good I decided I wanted the outside to look good too.

Hi Ladies, congrats on the twins!! I have had two sets of twins pre-band and it can be so different from a singleton pregnancy. Their is a great book with really practical advice in it. I read with my first set and re-read it with my second set. It is called "When Your Expecting Twins, Triplets, or Quads" by Barbara Luke and Tamara Eberlein. It is sort of the What to Expect book for multiples. Both of my sets happened unplanned when I lost a significant amount of weight. I have one set of fraternal boys, one set identical boys. I am getting an implant for birth control that last five years because I don't need a third set! If you have any questions feel free to leave me a message.

I am 4 weeks post op today. I am eating regular food but trying to avoid carbs. Right now I have no restriction at all and at times it is tough. I don't even feel like I have the band so I am going on total will power and we know how well that has worked in the past. Yesterday was the first time I felt like I really blew it though. We were at my moms, it was hot, so we went to taco bell which does have some decent choices if you can stop at just one chicken taco. but of course not I ate 2 tacos and finished my sons burrito!! I ate really quickly! I have a fill this week and I am so excited!! I have lost 19lbs so far which is really good. I am hoping with restriction I can continue to lose like that.

I just thought of something else to share with everyone. I have discovered the special k protein lemonade packets. It is like the crystal light packets you put into your waterbottle. It tastes like crystal light but you get 5 g of protein. I have been drinking one a day as a way to get a little extra boost of protein. Michelle

I have been using whey protein from trader joes. I really like the vanilla. I like it two ways. I really can't stand it plain. the first week of liquids only I would put a teaspoon of almond extract. Very yummy!! Once I was on mushies I started putting a little bit of fruit. 3 strawberries or half a banana turned it from a protein shake to a really tasty smoothy. I have even got my kids hooked. They always want smoothies. I used to make them with yogurt now I use two scoops of vanilla protein, one banana and a few strawberries and 8 oz of fat free milk. It makes a full blender and the kids love it!! I am just wondering, do you think adding fruit to my shakes is a good idea? I don't see a nutritionist so I am making this up on my own as far as what to eat. Michelle

last weekend my sisters were in town for a visit with their families and my mom ordered pizza. I could not resist so I ate all the toppings off of a slice of combination. It was heavenly. That was the only day that I really struggled with the no carb rule. I absolutely love pizza and used to be able to finish about four or five slices. The toppings really stopped the craving and I got through it. Michelle

I had a lot of swelling around the main incision. It looked like a large grapefruit almost. It took about a week for it to go down. I took my measurements a couple days ago and I have lost an inch off my waist already!

I am trying to stay away from carbs as well. That is what my doctor has recommended. Carbs are definitely my downfall. Tortillas, potato chips, pasta .... I have done fairly well so far... My family had chicken alfredo and salad for dinner tonight. I am still not suppose to be eating anything raw so I made myself some stirfried veggies with chicken breast. I put maybe two table spoons of alfredo over it and I was totally fine avoiding the pasta. My husband suggested next time I make the chicken alfredo with veggies for everyone. Michelle

This is such a great thread!!! I'll be glad when I can get changed at the gym and not hide in the bathroom stall. Go to an amusement park with my kids. Stop checking to see if I am the fattest person in the room. of course wear CUTE clothes not just what covers me up best. Michelle

I had a great one yesterday. I have high blood pressure. I forgot to take my meds yesterday. I had a checkup with the surgeon. I gave my disclaimer, "I forgot to take my meds so its gonna be high." She took my bp and then checked my chart and said it was lower than the last time I was in when I hadn't forgot my meds!! Yeah!! Hopefully soon I won't have to take them at all. Michelle

I was banded on the 6th and have had an amazing recovery as well. The all liquids was more difficult than the actual recovery but I have muddled through and was allowed to start puree today!! Scrambled eggs tasted like heaven! The cute sparkly things you can get by clicking on someone elses and it will take you to the website to make them. Once they are created you want to copy them to your signature which you can find under user cp at the top of the page. Hope that helps! michelle

I went with the realize band. The surgeon told me that their really wasn't any difference in outcomes with either one however the realize band has a lot of online tools for tracking weightloss. I liked that part so I went with the realize. I go Tuesday for my checkup so I guess that is when I will find out about all the tools he was talking about.

My surgery was on 7/6. I went in at 11:30. They did all the preop stuff, paperwork etc. I was given a patch behind my ear for nausea as well as a shot for nausea. It seemed to take forever before my surgery finally got started. All I remember is the anesthesiologist giving me a shot of something in the IV. He and the nurse kept talking to me all the way to the OR. I remember about 10 seconds in the OR and then I was in recovery. I had very little pain, just difficulty breathing from the anesthesia. I can remember thinking my blood sugar feels so low I wish they would give me something to eat. I was taken up to my room and the nurse right away brought me sugar free jello and some broth. I was able to eat it right away and get up and walk. The night went pretty well. I did get regular pain shots because I wanted to keep feeling good instead of waiting until I didn't. I was released around 9:30 the next morning. I came home and pretty much stayed in bed and did a little bit of walking just inside the house. Sleep that night was a bit challenging without the hospital bed. The next day I felt completely fine. I have not been using the vicodin since the first day home. I actually went with my kids to chuck e cheese and then to the grocery store yesterday and then went to Mothers of Multiples last night. I already feel more energetic than ever and can't wait to really start seeing the weight fall off!! This went better than I thought it would, no gas pain, no nausea, very little pain at the incision. All of you waiting good luck!! I know I made the right decision.