BikeCincy

Hang in there!! It can be really frustrating in the beginning, and dealing with insurance is never fun, but it will be worth it! Right now I wouldn't worry about gaining anything back. I had to do 2 weeks of liquid diet before my surgery and I didn't lose hardly anything - and a few days before surgery I was eating things I wasn't supposed to because of emotional eating. It's been 5 years since I had my band and things are great. And good for you for ranting! It's best to just get it out. We are all here to listen!

Hello everyone! I'm actually from Northern Kentucky, but I'd love to be part of the group and offer any support I can. I was banded in 2008 in Cincinnati with Dr. Trace Curry. I started at 285 lbs and got down to 130 lbs. Currently, I'm 170 lbs - but I just had my first child 9 weeks ago and I'm working to lose the weight I've gained during my pregnancy. Getting the band was the greatest decision I've made in regards to my health and weight. In the beginning I had a lot of problems, but they were all my fault. Please feel free to ask me any questions or just spark conversation! I love helping others and learning things from you all. Thanks!

Hi! I just had my first child August 13. I was banded in 2008 and ended up going from about 285 lbs to 130 lbs. When I was pregnant I went up to 180 lbs. I'm now 170 lbs and my baby is 9 weeks old. I've been trying to get back down to at least 150 lbs. I am exclusively breast feeding but only pumping, not feeding directly from my breast. I've also been struggling to lose the weight I'd gained. My doctor said to me not everyone loses weight when breastfeeding. That's a myth. It does burn calories, but not the same amount for everyone. It's important to eat enough food to keep up your milk supply, but maybe you are eating more than necessary or not eating the proper foods? I know for me I'm probably just eating too much and not the right kinds of foods. It's hard to get back into the eating healthy when I was eating whatever I wanted while pregnant. I am afraid to have my band tightened because I don't want to lose my milk supply. I hope you can get your band where you need it and still keep your milk! Good luck to you and keep up the good work. Being a mom isn't easy - and having 3 boys must be a full-time job times three!

Hi! First off, congrats on the baby! I gave birth August 13, 2013 and I have been struggling to lose the weight I've gained. I was concerned about my band and also afraid to get a fill because I'm breastfeeding. I spoke with my Dr. and he said that the weight will be slow to come off because my body is still adjusting and that not everyone looses a lot of weight breastfeeding. Plus with you having your band loosened it might be allowing you to eat more than you were used to so the weight isn't going down. I would suggest if you are very concerned to contact your doctor and see what they say. But like the old saying goes, it takes 9 months to gain the weight so it should take 9 months to lose it! If you are eating healthy and eating the proper amount of food I wouldn't worry too much. It sounds like you're doing what's right for your baby and that's what's really important!

HI! I was just searching the posts for anyone having similar questions and I wanted to see how things are going. I gave birth August 13 and I've been breast feeding (mainly through pumping and bottle feeding) and I have been wanting to get my band tightened again. I also have been scared about my supply drying up if I get a fill and wanted to see what you've decided to do. I have a (very small) backup supply of milk that I've pumped and frozen but it's only enough to last a few days - not months. It's a really hard thing for me to not feel depressed about the amount of weight I've gained and how my body has changed after I put so much work in to loosing the weight in the beginning. I hope you are well and can't wait to hear back from you! And congrats on your baby!

I'm in the Under 200 Club now! Not by much, but even reaching that point is a huge success for me. I had set a goal to be 190 lbs by the end of April and even though I didn't achieve that goal, I came very close - and I'm very proud of myself. I'm on average losing around 5 lbs. a month and hope that over summer with more activity I can increase the amount. I had another fill on April 24 and am feeling great. Dr. Curry said I'm at my "sweet spot" and should be able to stay without a fill until August. At the beginning of April I joined a gym for the first time in my life. I on average go 3 times a week for 30 - 45 minutes and I feel great! I'm wearing a size 14 or 16 now and can fit in size large shirts! I still have about 40 lbs I want to lose, and hope to be down 15 more lbs by the next time I see the doctor. I started at 257 lbs and now am 194 lbs - that's 63 lbs lost in 9 months!! (7 lbs a month on average). I've uploaded some more photos to my albums and hope to update again soon with more photos showing even more progress. I'm getting married October 9, 2010 and hope to be looking slender and beautiful in my wedding gown! It's a size 16 and it's got lots of wiggle room... alterations, here I come! Thanks to everyone for all your support, encouragement, and sharing your successes and tips/tricks!

I can't believe it's been six months since my surgery! Things are going great. I've lost over 55 lbs and am still working. Only a few more lbs and I'll be under 200! The holidays were difficult for me and I ate a lot of high carbs food, but got back on track pretty quickly and am starting to put more effort into my workouts. I just bought a game for the Wii called My Fitness Coach and it's really a lot of fun and provides great exercise. My birthday is at the end of April and I hope to be 190 lbs by then... I hope everyone else is having the success they wish for and that you are enjoying 2010!

I can't believe it's been six months since my surgery! Things are going great. I've lost over 55 lbs and am still working. Only a few more lbs and I'll be under 200! The holidays were difficult for me and I ate a lot of high carbs food, but got back on track pretty quickly and am starting to put more effort into my workouts. I just bought a game for the Wii called My Fitness Coach and it's really a lot of fun and provides great exercise. My birthday is at the end of April and I hope to be 190 lbs by then... I hope everyone else is having the success they wish for and that you are enjoying 2010!

I had my third fill on November 5. I am really now feeling restriction! The weight is starting to speed up dropping off and I'm feeling confident. I've become a lot more committed to eating healthy and not relying on food to occupy my time. With the weather getting cold I'm working out indoors on an elliptical machine. I've only been doing it a week and can only manage about 20 minutes (2 miles) 4 times a week. It's a lot harder than just walking or biking!! It's a great feeling to reach that 20 minute goal, though. I hope maybe next month I can work my way up to 30 minutes - then maybe 45 minutes! My 4th fill is scheduled for December 10. I'm really nervous about Thanksgiving on Thursday. It's going to be a challenge to not dig into mashed potatoes and pie. I'm confident I can do well, though. I hope all of you other August bandsters are doing well! It's really encouraging to read your success - and it really makes me want to try harder to keep up or do better!

I had my third fill on November 5. I am really now feeling restriction! The weight is starting to speed up dropping off and I'm feeling confident. I've become a lot more committed to eating healthy and not relying on food to occupy my time. With the weather getting cold I'm working out indoors on an elliptical machine. I've only been doing it a week and can only manage about 20 minutes (2 miles) 4 times a week. It's a lot harder than just walking or biking!! It's a great feeling to reach that 20 minute goal, though. I hope maybe next month I can work my way up to 30 minutes - then maybe 45 minutes! My 4th fill is scheduled for December 10. I'm really nervous about Thanksgiving on Thursday. It's going to be a challenge to not dig into mashed potatoes and pie. I'm confident I can do well, though. I hope all of you other August bandsters are doing well! It's really encouraging to read your success - and it really makes me want to try harder to keep up or do better!

I've been a vegetarian since 2004 and have really been happy with my choice. However, since surgery I'm finding it difficult to find foods that are high protein/low carb for vegetarians. Obviously there's fresh veggies and fruit and tofu, but sometimes I just want a comforting snack (potato chips, grilled cheese...) I'm searching for some good suggestions of easy to make meals or snacks for someone who is a vegetarian. I am looking for high protein/low carb... and have lots of things I make, but am getting tired of the same old things!

I've been a vegetarian since 2004 and have really been happy with my choice. However, since surgery I'm finding it difficult to find foods that are high protein/low carb for vegetarians. Obviously there's fresh veggies and fruit and tofu, but sometimes I just want a comforting snack (potato chips, grilled cheese...) I'm searching for some good suggestions of easy to make meals or snacks for someone who is a vegetarian. I am looking for high protein/low carb... and have lots of things I make, but am getting tired of the same old things!

Today is the official 1 month mark since my surgery, and it was also my first fill. I am really surprised at how quick and painless the fill was. It took only 10 minutes for the whole visit and I was able to watch the process on the xray monitor. Really an interesting thing to see in action! I have 3.4 cc's right now, and am scheduled for my second fill on Oct. 1. I still haven't told a lot of people about my surgery... including work, some friends, and some family. I just told them I had to have stomach surgery. I guess I am still living with the mind set that when I diet I fail and I don't want to tell people about it in case I fail. Also, the fear about the questions I would be asked. So far I've lost 17 lbs. and I'm feeling great. I know once some restriction comes from the band, I will really start to lose. Until next time!

Today is the official 1 month mark since my surgery, and it was also my first fill. I am really surprised at how quick and painless the fill was. It took only 10 minutes for the whole visit and I was able to watch the process on the xray monitor. Really an interesting thing to see in action! I have 3.4 cc's right now, and am scheduled for my second fill on Oct. 1. I still haven't told a lot of people about my surgery... including work, some friends, and some family. I just told them I had to have stomach surgery. I guess I am still living with the mind set that when I diet I fail and I don't want to tell people about it in case I fail. Also, the fear about the questions I would be asked. So far I've lost 17 lbs. and I'm feeling great. I know once some restriction comes from the band, I will really start to lose. Until next time!

Just wanted to follow up and say I had my first fill today. It went great! No pain, and the dr. let me watch the fill process on x-ray. The needle didn't hurt thanks to the cold spray they used, but it felt strange once it was stuck in the port. I am feeling really excited/confident right now and ready to start making some real progress and feeling some tightness from the band. How is everyone else doing? Anyone struggling with the diet? I'm curious if anyone is a vegetarian and if so, can you recommend some high Protein meals? Thanks and good luck everyone!! Keep us posted on your progress!

I've been on the regular diet for a little while and am having no problems. Been eating pretty much anything. I've noticed I can eat a lot more than I'm probably supposed to, but I haven't been gaining any weight. I have a protein shake for breakfast, a normal sized lunch and dinner, and then an after dinner snack. I get my first fill on Friday, so maybe then I will notice a little restriction and won't be eating full meals.

It's been almost one month since my surgery date. Things have been going great! I've lost 13 lbs. total since I started the liquid pre-op diet up until now. Working on losing more. I can eat pretty much anything I want, and have been doing pretty well. Every once in a while I sneak in a snack. Bad habit to break, but I'm really working on it! One scoop of ice cream is better than the whole pint, for sure! Looking forward to my first fill on Sept. 4. I had to push the date back due to scheduling issues, but am still really excited/nervous. I just hope that I really start to feel something. Right now I have no restriction. A few foods feel like they have been "stuck" and it becomes uncomfortable and makes it hard to breathe. I hope everyone else is doing great!! I will keep you all updated and I hope to get some photos up soon showing my weight loss journey!

It's been almost one month since my surgery date. Things have been going great! I've lost 13 lbs. total since I started the liquid pre-op diet up until now. Working on losing more. I can eat pretty much anything I want, and have been doing pretty well. Every once in a while I sneak in a snack. Bad habit to break, but I'm really working on it! One scoop of ice cream is better than the whole pint, for sure! Looking forward to my first fill on Sept. 4. I had to push the date back due to scheduling issues, but am still really excited/nervous. I just hope that I really start to feel something. Right now I have no restriction. A few foods feel like they have been "stuck" and it becomes uncomfortable and makes it hard to breathe. I hope everyone else is doing great!! I will keep you all updated and I hope to get some photos up soon showing my weight loss journey!

I was banded on 8.4.09 as well! What a wonderful idea to have a group of us - all going through the same things around the same time! I had pretty bad gas pains in my shoulder/collarbone area. Taking Aleve and walking really helped. I was banded in Cincinnati. I'm on the "puree" food diet for another week and 1/2. Doing all right!!

I live in Cincinnati and I went to Dr. Trace Curry. He was wonderful. I had my surgery done at JourneyLite in Cincinnati.

I was banded on 8/4... so very close, in Cincinnati. I was very sore, but am starting to feel much better. Been out of the house and even went shopping for a bit today! I am going back to work tomorrow, so am nervous about that! Congrats to everyone who had their surgery and let's keep supporting each other through this process!!