kay Ellen

This post was also helpful to me. I kept thinking that my I had stopped loosing (40 lbs) because I just needed to do more, be more perfect ect. I think I am a person that wasn't getting fills like I should because I could find fault with myself; so I will call today and get one since I understand the process better.

Wish I would have done it sooner also. You mentioned that you felt like a failure but I like what someone wrote and that is you fail when you stop trying. I wrote myself a letter about all my experiences with trying to loose weight and why I wanted the lap band one of which was my knees. I had two knee replacements so I know what you mean by sitting around getting fatter and more depressed. I love my lapband and am down 43 pounds so far.

I seem to eat around 800-1,00 and have been loosing on that. Eat your protein and vegies, make GOOD choices, because that is what will help you loose weight. If I have something salty my weight goes up a pound but then the next day it will go back. Good luck to you and I love planners!

Like you experienced it will be physically hard at first but once you get it out of your system you are left with the mental cravings. 1)Try to find something else that you could drink and enjoy like crystal light. 2) picture in your mind a can of soda with a skull and cross bones over it.In other words- poison to you 3) think about how you hate being overweight and to be thinner there is a price to pay; no soda! Is being thinner more or less than drinking soda? 4) it is my understanding that if one has the band and drinks soda that it can cause some damage/problems. Good luck and in the big picture of thing it is a small price to pay to accomplish your goals.

I would appreciate any advice. I was banded 7-22-09 with a realize band that holds 12 cc; have had two fills and am at 7cc. I am now loosing a pound a week, (total 40)which I am happy with because excerzing is now only about twice a week due to a back injury. The doctor schedules fills once a month. I try not to test my band so I can't really say it is the band stopping me from eating, It's more mental. Question? should I have another fill? How do people figure out their sweet spot? about how much weight needs to be lost before it should be tighten just to keep the restruction the same? I would appreciate any of you thoughts.

You know your a bandster when you are really getting rid of the clothes you have outgrown rather than secertly hiding them so you will have something to wear when you regain that weight.

Tyler, You are laugh out loud funny.

I was 58 years old.

There must be different policies under Atena because I was denied and they told me that no matter what I did it would never be covered. I went self pay and don't regret my decision to have the band.

Welcome, Margie. I was banded on 7-22-9 and one reason was I wanted to get this weight off so that both of my knee replacements would last hopefully for my lifetime. Joint pain is something probably common to most of us on this thread. I have been able to cut out sweets and most all carbs. I know a few sneak though, but this has really been working for me. I love to cook and I am lucky that I can still cook for others and not chow it down myself.

Thank you. I will slow down and drink less at one time. I don't have any physical complaints so I am not thinking it has slipped yet. Maybe I have been lucky, but will change my behavior.

Thanks for your help but what I should have said was is it OK before a meal to drink 2-3 cups of water ect all at once?

I have a question that I would like help with. I had my first fill and an not eating to much food but can I overfill the pouch by drinking "to much coffee or liquid" ? Thanks

I had my first fill yesterday. The needle goes in while I was laying down ( I didn't look). Then I had to sit up or stand up and drink some water. The feeling is hard to explain but because of the feeling it was to tight (needle is still in). Dr. took some out then I drank water again and told when the feeling went away and that determined how much stayed in the band. I was then on fluids for a day, then mushies. I have not had any problems yet but am following the rules and taking little sips at a time. Hope this helps.

I was banded on 7-22-09 and have lost 29 lbs and 16 since the banding. I have been really happy with this and am having my first fill on 9-8-09. I will have the fill but am kind of thinking how can I loose faster or easier than I already have? I am not hungry. Any advise?