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?

Like many of you, I am a foodie. I love most foods (exept organs - I just can't go there!) and that is where my problem started! The texture of a perfectly grilled steak, the smell of home made chocolate chip cookes, the armatic flavors of Thai food just put me in the happiest of moods when I know I am about to indulge in some type of culinary delight! When I first began reading about lap band, I thought, could it be real? Can I still enjoy food but eat only a small portion and be satisfied. Sign me up! It seemed almost too easy, until the reality sank in and I was told to do the South Beach Diet for 3 months. It's not a bad diet. It's actually the first diet I've ever stuck with - but then again, if I didn't do it, I couldn't get banded! Motivation and determination kicked in. I started prioritizing the things I ate. I said no thank you to foods I loved and craved because they weren't part of my diet. When the preop diet, surgery, and first week of liquids was over I realized something about the lap band. This is not the easy way out! I've sacrificed, felt hunger like no other, and drank some nasty, nasty stuff for the sake of my health and my success! I can control myself! I feel so liberated - like food doesn't control my every thought and movement! I'm down 30+ lbs. since beginning my journey and can't wait to see what other discoveries I'll find while losing weight and gaining confidence! Best of luck to all of us!!!!

Like many of you, I am a foodie. I love most foods (exept organs - I just can't go there!) and that is where my problem started! The texture of a perfectly grilled steak, the smell of home made chocolate chip cookes, the armatic flavors of Thai food just put me in the happiest of moods when I know I am about to indulge in some type of culinary delight! When I first began reading about lap band, I thought, could it be real? Can I still enjoy food but eat only a small portion and be satisfied. Sign me up! It seemed almost too easy, until the reality sank in and I was told to do the South Beach Diet for 3 months. It's not a bad diet. It's actually the first diet I've ever stuck with - but then again, if I didn't do it, I couldn't get banded! Motivation and determination kicked in. I started prioritizing the things I ate. I said no thank you to foods I loved and craved because they weren't part of my diet. When the preop diet, surgery, and first week of liquids was over I realized something about the lap band. This is not the easy way out! I've sacrificed, felt hunger like no other, and drank some nasty, nasty stuff for the sake of my health and my success! I can control myself! I feel so liberated - like food doesn't control my every thought and movement! I'm down 30+ lbs. since beginning my journey and can't wait to see what other discoveries I'll find while losing weight and gaining confidence! Best of luck to all of us!!!!

I made a decision to keep my LAP-BAND®®®® surgery a secret for the time being. I was afraid of getting my hopes up and being let down, of my elderly parents worrying, and of anyone passing judgement. I've had to deal with enough of that #$%$ already in my life! Also, I just didn't feel like explaining myself to anyone. I discussed this with my husband (supportive), my brother (a dr. and very supportive), and my other brother (my bff but married to a woman I'll refer to as SB - Superbitch). I was very adamant that this be kept confidential. No problem. Everyone's on board. So, I was banded on 9/22/09. The anticipation and excitement for this day were almost unbearable! The big day came, the LAP-BAND®®®® is placed and all is well! Friday night I'm up at 4 AM in excruciating pain and vomiting. Doc thinks possible kidney stone and tells me to meet him in the ER (45 minutes away). I gently wake up my husband, who proceeds to jump out of bed, stands there for 5 seconds and FAINTS!!! OMG - I need help and my pillar of steel is on the floor white as a ghost! I called my dr. and he said to get him some water and a cool cloth and SNAP HIM OUT OF IT!! It worked, we made it to the ER, I passed a kidney stone (great fun by the way) and made it home by 2PM. 2:05 PM My father (a worry wart with a heart condition) calls because "someone" told him I had surgery on my stomach! Hmmmm, I only told 3 people. Little brother leaked my juicy information to SB. She was hosting a girl scout sleepover for the girls & their moms at our family cottage and made my dissatisfaction with my body their topic of conversation. My stepmother was there, shocked, called my dad to have him check on me and make sure I was superduper. Hardly. I felt so hurt and betrayed. I rarely cry and I couldn't seem to stop the water works yesterday. 5:00 Had a very fulfilling conversation with brother and SB. I'm not a confrontational person and I socked it them both. I made them cry and it felt sooooo goood (does that make me evil?!) Day is almost over, husband has been cleaning garage and laundry room and comes up to the now somewhat calmer me with a pair of black jockey mens underwear in his hands. "Whose are these?" he asks me. I seriously was dumbfounded. I have no idea who belongs to the mysterious pair of mens briefs my husband holds before me! Married 20 years to this guy and this is the first conversation of this sort! The jockeys were for a pretty big guy and I suddenly didn't know how to react! Is he thinking something weird like I have a secret lover or did someone change in our laundry room or do laundry and leave them behind? Long story short, an hour later, he started laughing because he found the package of underwear with two more jockeys in it. He bought them and they were too big. Ooops! His bad! Thanks for the icing baby, I needed that!

I made a decision to keep my LAP-BAND®®®® surgery a secret for the time being. I was afraid of getting my hopes up and being let down, of my elderly parents worrying, and of anyone passing judgement. I've had to deal with enough of that #$%$ already in my life! Also, I just didn't feel like explaining myself to anyone. I discussed this with my husband (supportive), my brother (a dr. and very supportive), and my other brother (my bff but married to a woman I'll refer to as SB - Superbitch). I was very adamant that this be kept confidential. No problem. Everyone's on board. So, I was banded on 9/22/09. The anticipation and excitement for this day were almost unbearable! The big day came, the LAP-BAND®®®® is placed and all is well! Friday night I'm up at 4 AM in excruciating pain and vomiting. Doc thinks possible kidney stone and tells me to meet him in the ER (45 minutes away). I gently wake up my husband, who proceeds to jump out of bed, stands there for 5 seconds and FAINTS!!! OMG - I need help and my pillar of steel is on the floor white as a ghost! I called my dr. and he said to get him some water and a cool cloth and SNAP HIM OUT OF IT!! It worked, we made it to the ER, I passed a kidney stone (great fun by the way) and made it home by 2PM. 2:05 PM My father (a worry wart with a heart condition) calls because "someone" told him I had surgery on my stomach! Hmmmm, I only told 3 people. Little brother leaked my juicy information to SB. She was hosting a girl scout sleepover for the girls & their moms at our family cottage and made my dissatisfaction with my body their topic of conversation. My stepmother was there, shocked, called my dad to have him check on me and make sure I was superduper. Hardly. I felt so hurt and betrayed. I rarely cry and I couldn't seem to stop the water works yesterday. 5:00 Had a very fulfilling conversation with brother and SB. I'm not a confrontational person and I socked it them both. I made them cry and it felt sooooo goood (does that make me evil?!) Day is almost over, husband has been cleaning garage and laundry room and comes up to the now somewhat calmer me with a pair of black jockey mens underwear in his hands. "Whose are these?" he asks me. I seriously was dumbfounded. I have no idea who belongs to the mysterious pair of mens briefs my husband holds before me! Married 20 years to this guy and this is the first conversation of this sort! The jockeys were for a pretty big guy and I suddenly didn't know how to react! Is he thinking something weird like I have a secret lover or did someone change in our laundry room or do laundry and leave them behind? Long story short, an hour later, he started laughing because he found the package of underwear with two more jockeys in it. He bought them and they were too big. Ooops! His bad! Thanks for the icing baby, I needed that!

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!