happy2lose

You should be focused now on healing and eating only what is on your recovery diet. If you focus on foods with high Protein you will stay satisfied for longer periods. Many people gain weight during the mushie/pureed stage so don't expect too much. In the first month I lost 37 pounds. There are some months where I lose only 7-8 pounds and others where I lose more. I did begin walking a lot right out of recovery and each day would increase the time by more until I was walking about an hour and a half each day. Also, the bigger you are the faster you will lose at first. The biggie for me is exercise. Get yourself into a routine of exercise that you can stick with and gradually increase in intensity and duration for lasting results. A mix of aerobic exercise, weights and strength training is ideal. Log all your food each day so you know exactly how many calories you are eating. This will help you to be more aware of why you may not be losing if your portions are too big or maybe you are snacking too much. Earlier on when I would read of people eating only 1/2 cup of food I would feel like Miss Piggy because I could easily eat way more. Until you reach really good restriction you will most likely want to eat more. This is where will power comes in. Just make sure you stick with the #1 rule of protein first and be sure to not drink with your meals. I wish you great success on your lapband journey. Donna

I take Celexa too. Have been on it for about 8 years now. I split mine in half and have no problem taking it.

I was absolutely terrified to have the stomach flu. PBing is different. It is not like the kind of vomit that comes to mind when you hear the word. The food is undigested and there is no stomach acid involved. A better description would be like a baby spitting up. It isn't as bad as you think and actually is a relief when it happens.

Nope, my doctor said no carbonation ever.

Sounds like something a fat person who is still making excuses for being overweight would say about someone they are jealous of who had the courage to do something about their weight. Let her wallow in her own misery while you are busy getting healthy and beautiful.

Eww, you just had to share this???

Perhaps you need to increase your workout time. When the scale stops moving for me I exercise more. When you feel bored and want a snack go for a walk around the block. Maybe you need to go back to basics. Start logging your food intake. Try decreasing your calorie intake by about 100 calories and see if it works.

After about six weeks I was feeling pretty normal. Up until my last fill I really couldn't feel my band at all.

I'm so happy for you. Congratulations!

Yes, I have heard of this. In fact, the Adkins diet forbids aspartame. If it doesn't make you crave food then I'm sure you can still have it in moderation.

Hi, I'm Donna. I had lapband surgery in April of this year by Dr. Alberto Aceves. He and his staff are wonderful! Let me know if you have any questions.

I say give it more time for the swelling to go down before rushing to the doctor for an unfill. I felt the way you describe after my last two fills but the feeling usually subsides after a week or two. I am still very tight part of the day and start to open up in the early afternoon. As long as you can still drink you should be fine. Now if you still feel this way in a couple of weeks then perhaps you should consider a slight unfill.

I too felt very impatient about the hoops process and feared losing my desire to be banded. (I have Kaiser and was told at orientation that were not doing bands and didn't know when they were going to resume doing them). For this reason, I decided to self-pay and the only thing I could afford was to go to Mexico. My experience in Mexico was fantastic so I have continued my treatment and fills with my surgeon in Mexico. Kaiser will cover my fills but their clinic does not fill under fluoroscopy and I fear some tech damaging my port tubing without it. Self-pay was not easy for me. I ended up charging it on a low interest credit card so I don't want you to think I was able to afford it because I wasn't. Having this surgery is the best thing I have ever done for myself to lose weight. I have worked very hard at trying to change my lifestyle and I exercise regularly. Working with the band is great because I don't feel like I'm starving myself. There are many foods that I am no longer able to eat but I really don't miss them much. I am so happy for you that you have made the decision to become healthier and lose weight. I just know you wont regret it. Take care, Donna

You are worrying too much. Take it one day at a time and if this is too much try and take it one moment at a time. Changing your lifestyle is something that will take work on your part. Years of bad habits don't just fix themselves in one instance. You will have good days and bad days but if you keep working at it, success will come in time. Take a deep breath and relax. Donna

Thank you! You have a great weekend too.

Congratulations! My surgery experience was almost identical to yours minus the comical relief. This entire journeys so far has been absolutely amazing for me to be able to actually lose weight without starving myself to death. I'm not gonna lie to you, I've worked very hard at it and have come a long way in changing my lifestyle. I truly believe with the right attitude, your journey is destined for success. Best wishes, Donna

Welcome Katie! I also live in sunny So. Cal. although I went to Mexico for my band. Your results are awesome, good job! Donna

Welcome Erin! I also live in sunny So. Cal. but had my surgery in Mexicali, MX. I am very pleased with the results I have received from working with my band and I'm sure you will be too. Feel free to ask your questions and I'm sure you will receive awesome support just as I have. Take care, Donna

Sounds like jealousy is rearing it's ugly head(s). I totally can relate. I haven't heard from my sister since my surgery in April unless I reach out to her. Before my surgery she made comments like "I guess I'm gonna be the fatest one in the family" so I say that maybe when she sees how good I do she will decide to do it and she responds with "I would never do that". This is my take on it: If you care so little about me that you would deprive me from being healthy, looking better, feeling better, and more secure with myself, or so jealous that you can only be unkind to me, then you obviously don't care what is best for me and therefore, are not up to the position of being a real friend/sister. Not saying my philosophy is the correct one, just how I see it. Move on....make new friends and surround yourself with real, loving, caring people and don't waste anymore time with negative people who will suck the life out of you. I have made several new friends at the Curves I workout at and the support I get from them is wonderful. I wish you much success and support on your journey. Donna

Congratulations! Glad things went well.

What does your doctor say about advancing to full liquids? Didn't you receive any instructions? You need to follow your surgeon's protocol. As for the gas pains, the only thing that will help that is walk, walk, walk and then walk some more. I'm sure you can take liquid Tylenol for the pain. I hope you feel better soon.

I hope you find the answers you are looking for, but please realize that you will most likely be getting biased opinions depending upon which band the poster he/herself may have. I'm not so sure I would base my decision on these opinions as much as factual research. I have the older generation 10cc Allergen Lapband. It only holds 4cc fill. I lost 37 pounds prior to the first fill and obtained really good restriction with my first fill. It seems many surgeons use the 14cc band and from all the posts I see it takes these patients many fills to reach restriction and I see many complaints of little to no weight loss during this time. Perhaps you may want to inquire about this to aid in your decision making process. Best of luck to you in making your decision and great success with your lap band journey. Donna

I feel the same way about my band. I just hope my band lasts the rest of my life. Congrats!

My medical coverage state if you miss a class you must make up that class and will have to wait until it is offered again.

Ask your questions and I'm sure you well get responses.