sandi2004

Now we are starting to make some progress! Go find a gym that is not intimadating to go to. I avoided them for quite a while for that reason, but then I found a club that caters to families so it didn't seem like everyone was there to pick up their next date....but that's another whole story...I know gettinhg exercise in the winter in KC is tough, but I think you see that you have not been working the"tool" to the best advantage and the way to get great results is for you to do great work.. Get back to me with the food journal....and anything else. Sandi

OK- all of you- this is for anyone who has lost any weight at all with a band- CELEBRATE! Every pound you lose is important, and is success so revel in your success. Don't worry about what you haven't lost. Concentrate on what you did right to lose what you did, and repeat the behaviors- they are what works and you must have done something right to lose???? Keep working the positive angle and doing what works and you can keep losing weight. Raise your glasses of Water in a toast to all of our success, past, present and future! Here, here! We can do it!

So have you looked at what you have done differently that created the weight gain? I'd love to help, but it's you that needs to make the choices and the changes. Or, could you possibly need a fill? Are you eating around the band? A little more information would really be great so I can help you help yourself through this. OK?

Once a month is about all you will find. And no- it is not your age that is holding on to the weight. Like I said- back to basics- spend a week writing down everything you eat and drink- follow th ebasic rules of the band and then send me an email and we'll take a look at it together to see if I have any ideas. it's really important to go back to step one- no drinking with meals, protein first, no snacks or high fiber/high protein/low calorie snacks- start working the band again. You can only get out of it what you np[ut into it. What do you do for exercise? Lots of things we can cover to help you get back ont rack and I would really like to help you succeed. Think you can write down everything (including everything you drink) for a week?

So you lost 40 pounds and are ready to kick start some more weight loss? I'll be all the support I can and help you along the way. OK- I know moving cuts into your outside support, but see if there is a lapband support group anywhere around you? (BTW- where is that?) And go back to basics- take a look at my blog (especially the maintaining post about after the holidays 2009 - written 12/26/09) - You can find it at : Sandi's Banded Living — My Lapband Weight Loss Success Story If you think it will be useful, I post at least opnce a week and have alot more to put up there. I just started it the beginning of this month. Sign up for the updates- leave your name and email address on the right side of the page where it asks for it. Let me know what you think of it, and let's talk about you getting back to basics..

It will be soon enough!

Hi all: I am 5+ years post-op lapband and have had some "work" done after losing 250 pounds. I am extremely happy with my plastic surgery results. I spent alot of time researching and visiting doctors and thought some of you might be interested in just how this process went for me. Take a look at this week's blog entry about my first experience with a plastic surgeon after losing all of my weight. You can find it at: http://sandisbandedliving.com/maintaining-003-lap-band%C2%AE-support-group-has-plastic-surgeon-as-speaker/ Please let me know what you think.

OK- so you had your surgery day...Now let us all know how you're doing. Welcome to our world and the first day of the rest of your life! Sandi

Even though I'm twice your age I use my blackberry, Yahoo IM and am on line allmost 24/7...and I'm a successful bandster with almost 6 years of experience. I'd be glad to help! Sandi

I had my last fill about 6 months ago. I still have "room" in my band if I need more fills. Things change...If you go to Tiajuana you will need to find a doc in the US to do fills, so you may want to research that cost before your final decision. Shoot me an email or pM and I will cover some of the details with you. The only problem I have with throwing up is when I eat too fast, too big a bite and do not chew, or overeat past feeling full. All in my control, all preventabel. don't know why your mom has acid refulx so bad or throws up so much but she should see her doctor. I hope you went on to my blog to sign up to receieve the ". 7 tips we wish we knew before having Lapband surgery" This will answer some of your questions- you can find it at: Sandi's Banded Living — My Lapband Weight Loss Success Story Be usre to look over to the right and sign up for the 7 tips..

Hi- You are having surgery as I write this. i tried to post last night but the site was down. You will do just find. The post-op pain is minimal, you will make it through okay. If you read this during the first week after surgery I promise next week you will not even remember the inital post op discomfort. Your port area may be a little sore for a while- that's typical. As to whether or not you'll lose weight- i bet you do! It is not unusual to doubt yourself, after all we've tried so many times before with no luck. But this time, with some effort from you along with the tool you can do it! Please see the tips my friend and asociate Gloria and I developed to give back to the banding community: The 7 Things I Wish I Knew Before Lap-Band® Surgery. Here are some of the things you will discover in this interview: 1. With a band, everything we have always known about how to lose weight finally works. 2. Finding the right surgeon is even more important than I realized. 3. Don't underestimate the adjustable nature of the band. 4. You can eat a wide variety of the foods you love with a band. 5. This life-changing decision really impacts spouses, partners, and those close to you. 6. Learn from others who have bands and who have been successful. 7. If you do decide to have a band, prepare for surgery. You can find the "expanded version" at my blog : Sandi's Banded Living — My Lapband Weight Loss Success Story There is also alot of other informastion there- it is my journey over the past 6 years. Stay in touch by email or PM and I will be there to offer my support.

Hi Lynette: I'm Sandi and I was banded almost 6 years ago and am maintaining a 250 pound weight loss. I'd be more than happy to "listen" as you go through th eprocess. How exciting for you and your daughter to begin this journey together. What a mentor you can be for your daughter! As she watches you "follow the rules of the band" she will want to continue, and as you watch her achieve some success with weight loss you will want to continue to "follow the rules" for yourself, and for her. What great goals you two can achieve! I'm excited for you just thinking about it. Please email or PM me with your questions, concerns, feelings as you go through your journey. With over 5 years under my belt (or band) I can at least offer you my experience.

Hey Trish: Welcome to the real world. You have figured out how to eat around the band. Now you have to figure out how to get back on track. For me, that has always been to return to square one - start writing down everything I eat and drink, use ultimate portion control- put only what you want yourself to eat on your plate. Set a timer for 20 - 30 minutes. When it rings, you are done. Get up and walk away. Use dense Protein and fibrous foods to help fill that "cavity" you are trying to fill (which is probably head hunger - you have figured out another way to sabotage your success), but the fact is that once you are "full to the brim" with dense protein (chicken, fish, meat - no sauces ) or fibrous foods (raw celery, carrots, broccoli, etc - no dips) you will physically not be able to eat any more for a period of time. It really sounds like a support group can help you. Is there one close to you? If so, please try to get there. You are welcome to email or PM me for any help at all. You may find some useful information in my blog entry about getting back on track (for me it was after the holidays). You can find it at: Maintaining #001: December 26, 2009 or Making It Through My 6th year of Holidays After Lap Band® Surgery Let me know if it helps and keep reaching out for support and ideas.

I'm here to help. Almost 6 years out and 250 pounds down. I live in CA, have 4 grandkids, 1 daughter and am willing to offer all the support I can. I am so passionate about iving back to the banding community that I started a blog of my journey which may be helpful for you to follow to find insights, tips, hope and general information. My friend and associate Gloria and I prepared an interview of tips we would have ;liked to have as we started the process: The 7 Things I Wish I Knew Before Lap-Band® Surgery. Here are some of the things you will discover in this interview: 1. With a band, everything we have always known about how to lose weight finally works. 2. Finding the right surgeon is even more important than I realized. 3. Don't underestimate the adjustable nature of the band. 4. You can eat a wide variety of the foods you love with a band. 5. This life-changing decision really impacts spouses, partners, and those close to you. 6. Learn from others who have bands and who have been successful. 7. If you do decide to have a band, prepare for surgery. You can sign up for the interview at: Sandi's Banded Living — My Lapband Weight Loss Success Story Please email or PM any other questions you have as they come up for you and be sure to let me know if the interview was helpful.

I'd love to help but I need a little information. When was the last time you saw your doctor? Do you have restriction? Are you drinking with your meals? (this defeats any restriction the band offers). Is there a support group anywhere close to you? I really think you may be able to get some good information from my blog- log on to Sandi's Banded Living — My Lapband Weight Loss Success Story and poke around- be sure to download the 7 things I wish I knew before having lapband surgery- there's good information in there for you and read my post on getting back on track after the holidays. I will be happy to help you leafrn "the rules of the band", but you probably will need to go see your doctror too. is that possible? You can email me or pm me or reach me on this forum. I'm here to help!

Hi Joe: Welcome back. Please reach out to all of us for any help you need. The gym is a great thing and combined with careful food choices and a band with theproper restriction you can make it all work again. I would go back into the doctor and take a good look at what you are eating so you can tell the doctor you are not eating around your band, but rather really don't have restriction. Stay in touch so you have some frineds to get you back in the swing again. Sandi

There is a llight..keep the faith - if I got my life back, you will too. If thereis any way you can start writing down what you eat and make some minor adjustments in it you will probably be able to lose some weight and help your knees out. I know how hard it is, but I also know how hard it is to not be able to get around. Since you have decided that you want to get banded it will just make everything easier, for you too since you will have started journaling your foods and feelings. I know it's a stressful time for you right now, but if you can try to substitute some of that hi car, hi calorie comfort food with something like apiece of fruit or even a piece of grilled chicken I bet you start dropping pounds. Chair exercises, what a great idea! You are doing everything to get yourself in the right mindset...I'm proud of you. Sandi

It is so great to see all ofyou reach out to Megg and each other. We are truly a unique community that works together to help each other succeed. Way to go guys. You know I'm here for all of you....Larry- spring will come....and a couple of cc's for a first fill is ok- don't worry about the amount- be concerned with how you feel after you finish the portion of food you have put on your plate with each meal- are you still hungry? Not, can I eat more, but AM I HUNGRY? There's a big difference and that difference is hard to learn. You may need another fill to get to your sweet spot- or more, but it is up to you to learn how to eat and use this tool to it's best advantage. You'll get there! Sandi

Thansk for the kind words...again..You are definitely ,moving in the right direction and I bet you will walk some after surgery then get the courage to do some work int he water since it is so easy on your knees- then more walking..it's amazing as you start losing and you start feeling better about everything how many things you will do that you said were definite NO's. aomehow I found the courage to get into a swimsuit and start swimming laps at over 300 lbs - it was because I had already lost 100 lbs, and decided if anybody didn't like what they saw THEY could turn their head because I needed to swim for my health! When you look after yourself lots of good things follow. Stay in touch and let me know as your surgery gets scheduled. I've always wanted to visit Australia- what city are you in? LOL Sandi

It's not my food plan that is important, it is yours. First of all, what does lsoing slowly mean? Every pound down is one less to lose and one more that will not come back if you are making permanent changes in the way you eat. Write down what you eat (portion size included) for a few days and either send it to me, look at it carefully yourself or have a nutrionist or your doctor revie wit with you and any of us can probably come up with some suggestions for helping your loss along as long as you are not expecting too much too soon..

The more you can learn, the more prepared you will be so you are on the right track. Instead of getting "inside your head" keep reaching out for more information. Did you download the 7 things I wish I knew before having lapband surgery from my site? If not, go back and do it. There is some good information there. And be sure to go to your doctor's support group meetings. successful patients use ALL the support they can gather, and you WILL be successful since you are approaching everything with a really healthy attitude. The swimming pool is where I started exercising and I didn't start there until I was down to about 320 lbs.- before that my "exercise" was just getting around more- like going inside the supermarket instead of giving my husband a list, etc..Every day got easier to move, but it didn't happen instantly. Be patient and stay in touch.

Hi Meg: Believe me I understand your pain. I used to suffer from severe arthritis pain in my knee before I lost my weight. You are taking the first step to the rest of your life, and you are so right, it will not be easy, but you can do it. You are approaching this with your eyes wide open which is the first step towards success. Youy are not expecting miracles, you know that YOU control how much this tool can do for you. I would love to mentor you and offer any support and help and hope that I can. Having gone from 424 to 175 lbs I had a long journey and it continues every day. You may find some really useful information on my blog which you can find at Sandi's Banded Living — My Lapband Weight Loss Success Story Be sure to download the "7 things I wish I knew before iIhad lapband surgery" I know there is information that you will find useful there. Stay in touch and let me know what happens after your visit to the surgeon. It's exciting, isn't it?

Helene I would be happy to give you all the support I can. Stay in touch. Send PM's or email me directly at sandi@bandedliving.com. Nobody said this would be easy. It takes alot of work and alot of changes in your life. I would be happy to offer any suggestions at al;l. Just keep reaching out. You are doing the right thing by "sharing" your struggle right now. Have you had a fill yet? If not, that is probably why you are feeling hungry. If you have had a fill you are just not at your "sweet spot" yet. If you send me an email I can try to help you with some choices that may assist you with diminishing your hunger. also, I am so passionate baout how this surgery has helped me that I have started a blog that may have osme useful information for you. You can find it at Sandi's Banded Living — My Lapband Weight Loss Success Story You may want to log on and poke around to see if there are some useful tips for you. Please PM or email me at sandi@bandedliving.com and we can try to get you not quite so hungry all the time. I'm here to help.

Hi: I am so glad you found my story encouraging. I do hope you get approved for this surgery if it what you wanted. I have become so passionate about how this surgery has changed my life that I started blogging my journey from day one through today. You may want to take a look at it at: Sandi's Banded Living — My Lapband Weight Loss Success Story Please be sure to download the 7 things I wish I knew before having lapband surgery- the box to request the tips is on the right side of the page in the middle. You may find these tips useful as you go along in your journey. Thank you for the kind words.

Helene- thanks so much. It really is heartwarming to receive kind words. I know I had lost hope of ever being normal and then something clicked inside me when I was frightened into looking at alternatives to being so overweight that I was actually killing myself. Where are you in your journey? I offer any information or inspiration I can to all of us struggling daily with our weight issues.