luvs2laff

I can't even begin to tell you the relief I felt after reading your posts and realizing that I am not the only one going through this! I was banded (9cc Realize) on 9/22/09, have had 3 fills and have no restriction. I have recently given up on my diet and honestly....myself. I still work out regularly and am scheduled to meet with my dr. next week for my 4th fill. Weight loss has been slow to the point of stalled! It's so frustrating....I honestly believed I could do better than this! Very disappointed with myself and I don't know how to get my head back into the diet game. Anyway....good luck to all of us in hitting that elusive sweet spot in the very near future!!!

Hi!

I was banded on 9/22/09 and at this point have done everything on my own. I have no restriction and my willpower is caving...I'm so frustrated. I have lost a total of 35 lbs. through diet and exercise (alot of exercise) but after Thanksgiving I have gained 2 lbs. I go for my second fill on Thursday and am hoping to get even a little bit of restriction. How do I get my head back into this? I got the band because I have difficulty sticking to a diet! Fingers crossed for all of us with no restriction that we hit the sweet spot before we get into the holiday sweets!!!

Hi! You have such a great success story! I'm sure I am not alone in wanting to see your winning photos! It is so encouraging and inspirational to me and many others to look through the before and after pictures of those who have gone through this process. Whenever I am feeling doubtful about succeeding, I just browse through pictures to get my head back into the game. I was banded 9/22/09 and am at a stall. My 2nd fill is scheduled for 12/2 and I am soooo frustrated! Anyway, you look absolutely beautiful! Sandy

Hi there! I looked at your public profile and it looks like it could be mine! I started at the same weight and I currently weigh the same as you! I had my surgery in Sept of this year and my doctor told me not to expect typical results because of starting with a lower BMI. Research what others with low bmi's do to "jumpstart" their weight loss and see if anything out there might work for you. Increasing cardio and add weight training. Go back to liquids for a couple days. These are some that I have read about. Good luck and I hope you find something that works for you!

Hi! You just agreed to changing your life for the better ahead of schedule!!! I did the same thing (but mine was just a week earlier). CONGRATULATIONS!!! P.S. Turkey broth isn't that bad for Thanksgiving! Freeze the healthy leftovers and save them for when you can eat soft foods! Good luck!

Try Wii Fit....it's fun, it's something you can do at home, and it works! Make it a part of your routine...you deserve this and you'll do great!!! I always hated exercise and I started with Wii...now I actually bought that gym membership and hate when I don't go...I made it a part of my routine!

Hi! I am also from Upstate NY just outside Niagara Falls. Where are you getting your surgery? I had it done in September at Buffalo General and have been very happy with everything so far! Best of luck!

Awwwww! It'll be over soon, and then your only concern will be if you are eating enough!!! (I personally can't wait to get to that stage...it has never in my life been a concern!!) Take care and I hope you feel better!

It does hurt to cough, but I think they want you to so it moves the gas around in your chest. My dr. gave me this device to force me to deep breath. I had to use it every hour. It was awful but gets better each day!

Hi there! Saw your post and thought I'd let you know you're not alone! I was banded 9/22/09 and have lost a total of 33 lbs. (11 lbs. post op) The first week I lost 8 lbs. and in the last three weeks 3 lbs! I go to the gym daily (treadmill, and light resistance training). It's really frustratrating and I feel hungry between Snacks & meals. This is what the other bandsters call "Bandster Hell"! My first fill is 11/5 and I can not wait!!! Good luck to you!

Congrats on being newly banded! I'm 4 weeks down and now can't wait for my first fill! They call this time period "Bandster Hell", so, on behalf of all of us in "hell"....welcome!!!

Sandy

Hi Jenniferm!

I am also a September bandster and interested in talking with others banded in this time period. I'm getting my first fill 11/5 (banded 9/22) and can't wait! I feel hungry alot and am having a difficult time with the getting all my daily fluids in. I lost 30 lbs. pre & post op but for the last 2 weeks have stayed at the same weight! It's so frustrating! How are you doing with this? Are you happy with your current results? Keep in touch!

Hi Martom!

The first week I was fine with the liquids, but on the 8th day post op, I felt hungry, then as each day progressed, I felt hungrier and dissatisfied with the shakes and Jello and liquids. The thing I found the most helpful was Bariatriceating.com. I found different recipes even for the liquid stage so I was able to be a bit more creative with the liquid choices I made. Hang in there! We're in "Bandster Hell" but there is a light at the end of the tunnel!!! Keep in touch!

Thanks for the support!!! I think you're right in taking one day at a time. I know that my head is now stronger than my stomach in most (but not all) of my food intake decisions! It's hard right now because I am hungry and the idea that 1/2 cup of food is supposed to fill me up is insane! I'm eating healthy foods but my portions are more than I thought I'd be eating at this point (still no where near what I used to eat). I guess I'm just anxious for results and to not be so hungry! Keep in touch - it would be great to hear how you're dealing with the different stages!

I was banded on 9/22 and made it through the first three months of dieting, the preop liquid diet the first week of liquids, the second week of mushies, and now that the third week is here, I'm craving (and sometimes indulging in) some of the bad choices that landed me here!!! I haven't gained, but I haven't lost anything in a week! I'm just wondering if I have the willpower of a child in a candy shop or if this is in any way "normal"? Please give me any information leading up to my first fill (11/5) and what I can expect after that!Thanks for any input!

Hi Tracy!

I would very much like to keep in touch! I am 2 1/2 weeks post op and feeling much better than week one! I am now on soft foods and it's much easier to maintain. I am often hungry and can't wait for my first fill! Best of luck to all of us - this is by no means the easy way out!

Sandy

Hi! I am 2 plus weeks post op with the realize band. I'm on soft foods now (much easier than liquids!) but I'm finding that I'm hungry between meals. The weight loss this week is slower than the first week (actually it has stopped!) I can't wait for the first fill! I had mine done in Buffalo, NY....how about you?

Hi all!

I was banded last week and it's been relatively easy (except when I got an inflamed bladder infection and ended up in the ER Saturday at 4AM!) But aside from that glitch, I haven't been hungry, the pain is minimal (stopped pain meds at this time) and I've felt pretty good! That is, until early this morning when I woke up to ravenous hunger pangs! I drank my 2 oz. Protein and then 2 oz. more. No relief. All day, no matter what I drink, I'm still starving! Is this normal? Does anyone have any suggestions? I just made dinner for my physically fit and starving jock family and the smell of the garlic bread is enough to make me faint!!!!

Hey there! I was banded on the 22nd! I was really strict about the 2 oz. rule for the first 5 days, but today, I've been sipping from the carton! I woke up at 4AM famished and the hunger pangs haven't gone away! I was fine all week until tonight! 3 more days till mush! I never thought I'd be so excited about it!

Hi Jules!

I just got banded 9/22/09 and to my surprise, my dr. found that I had a haital hernia - quite a large one at that! He simply pulled my stomach through, put on my lap band, and sewed me back up! He was actually pleased about the whole thing because I allowed a group of medical students to watch my surgery (and not one sent me flowers!!!). Could you possibly ask your surgeon if your hernia could be repaired since you'll be "open" anyway!

Also, I am 46 and have had a partial knee replacement (2 yrs. ago) My other knee has no cartlidge left at all and I am bone on bone. I get cotizone shots as soon as my time period between is up. But, guess what! I was at a peak of knee pain, doctor was on vacation and his office could not schedule me until Sept. 30th (I called 9/1). I've since lost 25 lbs. and I've been working on a recumbant bike at my gym and me knee pain is completely gone! No ibuprofen or painkillers or antiinflamatories! It's your call, but I'm thrilled I can put the second surgery off a little longer!!! Good luck! Hope this helped!

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I'm in the same boat as you!!! I was banded last Tuesday 9/22/09. I also was in ER on Saturday at 4AM with Kidney Stones - completely freaked me out! I thought I was dying and that it was the result of the band and I was so upset with myself for getting it. Labor was less painful! Anyway, it passed, I came home and now I'm cooking food for my family, and just starving!! Last night I made my favorite indulgence and baked them brownies (I just wanted to smell them!). What is wrong with me? I only tortured myself and couldn't sleep all night because I just wanted to chew something, anything! Now, today, I am restless, depressed, bored, and still need drink these liquids that are becoming less tasty as the week goes on! I feel your pain!

sleep apnea did it for me with a bmi of 37. Even though I have severe arthritis and have had one knee replaced and the other is overdue on replacement surgery, they (insurance) would not take that into consideration. Also, before you gain that 15 lbs., most insurance companies require patients to Lose a percentage of weight to show that they actually can lost weight prior to approving. I had a low BMI and was required to lose 12 pounds before insurance approval. If I lost 1/2 pound more, I would have been under the 35 BMI (health issues) and would have been disqualified! Talk about a stressful diet! Good luck! But I wouldn't pack on the pounds before get all information!

I had my pre-op appointment yesterday. Chest X-ray, bloodwork, EKG...wasn't expecting all that, but no problems. I won't be going on a liquid diet at all until after surgery. I do South Beach Diet Phase 1, a week prior to surgery and no food, liquids etc. midnight the night before surgery. I'm not sure if this is because I have a low BMI or what, but I really want to thank everyone for the information! I love this site!

Thank you Lana! I'm sure I'll think of a bizillion questions when I'm trying to sleep tonite!

Sandy

I am scheduled for surgery Sept. 22nd and have my pre-op meeting tomorrow. Until I joined this site I didn't know you had to be on a liquid diet prior to surgery. I've read some that say 4 weeks and some say 2 weeks. Or is this just additional liquids to your diet? I know I can get my answers tomorrow - but I want to sleep tonite and I'll be up all night wondering! Any help is greatly appreciated - also do you spend the night in the hospital?:smile2: