GoingforGoal

So many of us have been in this situation where we were overfilled. Same effect: can't get anything down, you become dehyrated/weak, increased pain & swelling at the stoma site etc. But don't worry about the next fill. You already know you need small increments and should expect that from here on out. As a patient, you are entitled to know how much is in your band. I was fortunate that my dr. would freely tell me how much he put in/out and I kept record just for my own personal info. But this makes you a more informed and involved patient because if you see your next doc draw up 2cc you know to put a stop to it. Medical care should always be participatory and your input counts!

Hi Jlk. There are many factors that play into this answer. However, my assumption is that most bandsters were excessively overweight. So #1 how much you were overweight coupled with #2 how long you have been overweight plus other factors like #3 age, where you gained your weight (body type) etc along with #4 how fast you lose weight, how you lost weight (excercise, calorie restriction) also have their share of input. However, I think most of us are left with residual skin sag. That cannot be corrected through diet, exercise etc only through surgery. I was 250, now 165 (not quite at goal) and a TT is very apparent for me

Hello! Thanks for the informative article. Wouldn't it be interesting to have a similar article addressing the unique condition of having a lapband (ie severe calorie restriction) etc. I really focused on the psychological component of the article and how that influences our 'set point'. When I made the decision to restart my diet, 175 was my first goal. This was always the number I wanted to reach pre-op. It seemed and I began to believe it was unattainable due to all the previous failed attempts. So I slowly dropped weight 195, than 185, 180, 179...8...7...6 I just knew it was all going to come to a halt now. talk about obsessing. But from 176 I dropped down to 174.6. It was as if my body was sparing me from the 175 altogether lol. I was in disbelief..but ironically, 175 is no longer the obstacle. I'm currently 165 and I find myself doing the same thing..can I really get to 155? I think there should be more focus on how our minds play the largest obstacle. Many of us have spent all our lives overweight and have always strived to be thin. Attempt after attempt with temporary results has preconditioned us to believe it's not possible. Back to the 'set point' so is there really a set point we are preconditioned to. I think yes, temporarily. As we lose weight and maintain that loss I believe the body resets (hormonally, metabolically etc) and a new set point can be created. However, maintenance and consistency is paramount. But back to the mindset, the body is nothing more than a chemical puzzle. Understand that you cannot be defeated unless you have truly been diagnosed with a medical issue (like the incapability to breakdown adipose). It's easy to say "you can do it" "just keep going" but sometimes inserting the logic or science behind your accomplishments and setbacks allow you to keep a healthy and positive mindset and not succumb to defeat and stop your efforts altogether. Last point, there is nothing more rewarding than achieving those impossible milestones. The more you achieve you the more you become aware that there is no obstacle, just yourself. Just believe and you will achieve (wow, that was lame I know)

Oh honey, I can only be frank on this topic. There's no such thing as shielding the ugly from our loved ones. I have been through so many surgeries and my husband has been apart of all of it (the decision process, the preop nerves, the postop pains and recovery). Many times it was his support that made it all manageable. I couldn't bare to think I'd have to hid any part of that process from him. I understand your boyfriends concern about the surgery. Struggling with weight issues is difficult and unless you yourself struggle with it, it doesn't seem difficult to lose weight. But if you do and you know that this will just be a cyclic life endeavor, you need to do what is best for you. I struggle with your boyfriend's lack of apathy and desire to care for you. This is not the time to be dealing with any added stressors. Makes me very concerned about how you two would deal with any future life issues you disagree on. I also struggle with your decision to push him away. I'm not sure how involved you are with your boyfriend, but your bf, your husband is your partner in life. They should never be pushed away nor shielded from your life or the life you share.

I know they won't solve the problem. But if there was a product that is effective is tightening the skin (even slightly) I'd try it because I'm pretty much resolved to not getting an arm tuck. Results vary too much and the scars are pretty unsightly. But I wanted some personal experience to let me know if they saw any changes.

Hello Bandsters, I'm getting closer and closer to goal and unfortunately see the residual effects of all my weight loss staring at me in the mirror. A TT and BI are in the near future, however, I am resistant to arm surgery. I wanted to know if anyone has used either the Skin Tight Body Firming Lotion or Olay's Quench Plus Firming Body Lotion and how they feel about them. Or perhaps you know of any other products that yield some noticeable results. I am targeting arms, so I'd appreciate some feedback on arms specifically. Thanks and Good Luck on your WL

Take a look at my pics. I have one for 195, 175, 165...even 10 lbs can make a difference.

Also keep in mind that not everyone is good at their jobs. I'm an RN and I encounter everything from admins to clinicians who have zero people skills. Don't take it personal.

Is it no wonder why so many nurses are overweight. I use to work nightshift...that's the WORSE! I feel your pain hon... Nevermind when patients bring in thank you bagels, chocolates etc etc. ACCCCHHHHKKKK

Welcome to the world of Spanx...love love love Spanx. However, it isn't uncommon for bandsters to get cosmetic surgery for this very reason. I know it's on my list of 'to dos' once I get to goal. We can't expect to lose 50, 80, 100+ pounds and have our severely stretched skin to regain it's tightness/tone.

Oh I love this thread..thank you for reminding us to all take a moment to reflect on ALL our accomplishments, not just the number on the scale. Following your lead... I started at 250 lbs (BMI 40) and am currently 166.4 (BMI 27). I started with a 44DD, now a 36-38D size bra. I lost avg of 10" from my chest, and 10" from waist, and an avg of 3" from my legs and arms I was a size 20, now a size 10 I can not only touch my toes, I can see them I'm much more active and have more energy I suffer from disc degeneration and the WL has helped tremendously with the symptoms ( stenosis, sciatica) I feel happy, sexy and healthy My ultimate goal is to feel comfortable in my own skin and to never be restricted again. Thanks again

Congrats on your willpower. I know the feeling. Naturally it's ok to take a nibble here and there, but the power to say no all together shows your dedication to your WL. The great thing about this exercise, is that the more you do it the easier it becomes and the less fulfilling/rewarding those treats become. High Five and Congrats again

Hi there! I love Frederic's suggestion..take pics LOTS of them. I was banded 3.5 yrs ago and I'm still on my journey to reach goal. A pregnancy, two moves and a whole lotta stress delayed the progress but I am in no way unhappy about it. But when I did finally restart my loss this year, first thing I did was find old measurements and pics I took. It was 3 yrs since I took measurements. When I saw the pics the difference was obvious, but also seeing that I lost over 19" in my waist, 19" in my hips, 8" in my chest and 1.5-3" in my legs and arms..the results were not to be denied. It has motivated me to lose another 20 lbs since that start and I will be taking more pics and measurements, almost as if to set a new baseline for myself. Keep up the great work. This journey is not all about feeling positive and being rewarded, sometimes we struggle and feel defeated..but the victories are so much sweeter because of it. Keep on!!!

Congrats on your decision to be banded and you choice to share with family, friends and community alike. I'm lucky in the sense that I have a small group of family/friends. They all know. But I am picky as to who I share this with otherwise. Not because I fear their response or judgement..that I can genuinely state I care less about. But more because I'm not sure I want to have to explain what a lapband is and what it does over and over and over again lol. Whenever I see someone discussing getting GB or LB I am the first to share my experience to lend support. As for LB being 'the easy way out'...let's just as have a communal chuckle shall we. I put as much effort and focus on my LB diet than I did with any other diet I attempted. I make daily choices to improve my health, if I make the wrong ones I don't lose a pound. And one just needs to sit on a LB forum for a little while to learn of complications, struggles/obstacles and setbacks... And we won't mention surgery and liquid diets...so easy is not synonymous with LB! lol Congrats again for being a outted bandster

Riiiiighhhttt because liquids for 2 weeks is normal and easy to do right? And none of us bandsters ever struggled right? Let's get real... Sweety, I disagree with alot of comments on this thread. Go to your email. Surround yourself with support, not those who make you doubt yourself.

Awesome...than you won't feel compelled to clean when you get home so you can conserve energy to heal LOL

Nothing's off limits in moderation. However, we all have our list of foods we can't tolerate. Usually the list is small. But I want to reassure you, the craving for these foods quickly disappear because it's not worth the uncomfortable experience of becoming stuck. Sounds unimaginable, but it's true. But I would caution you...try to stick to your rules and limited menu for as long as possible. Try to lose as much weight as possible before trying to sneak in all the goodies. Learn your body w/ the band before 'testing' it too much. Know what your ideal caloric range is for optimal loss than try to incorporate favorite foods with full comprehension of how many calories it is and how it can be fitted into the daily intake without being a complete splurge. Also, don't be disappointed if a favorite food becomes a undesirable. It's actually a wonderful experience to be freed from foods that didn't serve you well in the first place (ie Pasta for me...use to eat it all the time and now it's a no-no food AND I don't miss it). Hope this helps

First, congrats on getting banded Second, congrats on losing 10lb..the second you think that's unsatisfactory is when self defeat settles in real quick Third, 1500 is alot of cals. True everyone is different but the average caloric intake by bandsters is 800-1200. I think towards the lesser side when starting out newly banded. I'm surprised that in less than a month you are already transitioned to full solids and able to eat 1500 cals. We had such strict portion sizes that we lost nearly 30 lbs right off the bat. But we struggled to get 800 cals in doing so. Anyway, this is why you see such huge variance in what others are losing because you have a different transition and nutrition plan. Stick with it, try to get down to 1200 until you have your fill. Once you feel restriction this should not be an issue

Everyone's different and will speak to different experiences. If the pain was acute opposed to sore, I'd be concerned. Also, if you feel itchy, if there's a persistent rash on the skin etc, I would be concerned. But when you consider that doctors have different techniques, some were manipulated more during surgery and some are more sensitive to pain than others..it's a hard guess what is norm. For now, hands off Keep lose clothing as to not agitate the area further. Also, apply ice for pain relief. It'll help w/ swelling too

Um...no? I usually need to stop eating/drinking for a few hours and than resume my normal eating. Especially if you got stuck because you ate too big of a piece, ate too fast or took too much food in. Basically, you broke the rules. But you don't want to compound the issue by adding pressure or getting restuck and starting a eat-vomit cycle. If on the next time you eat AND you follow your rules AND you vomit...than maybe you inflammed the stoma and you will want to do liquid to solid transitioning. I've had the band for 3.5 years with no adverse effects

Congrats, 170 will be here in no time hon. So happy for you!!!

I'd like to give you some reassurance here. The problem is that you are not in the 'green' zone. And yes, if you allow your band to be too lose, you will gain weight, you will be able to eat larger portions and yes you can stretch your stomach just like you did and could before the band. Eat more the body demands more. You need to get back into the green for the band to work. Also, everyone is different. Some need 1-2 fills and others need 4+ fills to get to their green zone. Do not fixate on how many fills or how many cc's you have had inserted, rather focus on how you feel when you eat and concentrating on the rules to maximize the benefits of the band.

There are a few people who get the band and NEVER get a fill. Welcome to the deviations in human anatomy..some people have larger organs than the next. The band alone is creating a stoma without a fill to further constrict you. Problem is, it's been long enough that swelling is no longer the issue so this just may mean your band is the perfect (or maybe too tight) of a constrictor. You do need to speak your doctor because you don't want to head into the opposite of obesity..ie bulemia, malnutrition, etc even though it's not deliberate. You already speak of being tired/ill etc. I would highly recommend some lab work. Vitamin deficiencies etc are commonplace in rapid wgt loss and low cal diets. Keep logs of your intake, frequency/volume of vomiting and share w/ your doc. Weight loss is not the only measure of health....keep on top of it

Actually you will talk to a couple bandsters who have had their bands for a long time and have loss a lot of weight say their bands are in different places. What you are experiencing is probably most likely from swelling going down and you are now feeling the 'original' position (call this your baseline). But after drastic weight loss, it's not that the band has literally drifted (because indeed it is sewn to the abdominal wall) however after losing abdominal and visceral (organ) fat, your whole inside is shifting. My port use to be on the right side of my nipple line. I now feel it 1-2" right of my sternum. That's what an 80+ lb loss gets you. Because my abdominal wall is finally where it was supposed to be lol Be concerned if over night there's a drastic shift, if the port feels sideways not flat, or if there is severe pain at the site of the port.

Some tips... Protein is essential to wound healing...so eat your protein Drink lots of water Mind your pain...take pain meds as needed, sit down when you feel strained and take it easy to until your body is fully recovered Liquid stage and mushy stage may be a challenge, but don't try to push transition too soon. Let that band settle in so it can work for you when you get ready for solids Thank yourself daily for making the best decision of your life...don't let small setbacks let you forget it