mommymya

Wow that was a beautiful video!! Thank you for sharing!!!!

Thank you to all of you checking it out. I am so glad to be able to share. I am also sooooo grateful to have a supportive place to share.

I Love Love Love this video !!! It made me tear up! You have done so well!!!! :youcandothis: :clap:

Thank you so much. I really have worked hard this past year....I am super happy with the results. Its so strange to think that those pictures are only from last year. I feel sooooo much better. Physically and emotionally.

Thank you to everyone who watched! I am so glad to be able to share this.

Absolutely amazing and inspirational!! You look wonderful and congratulations!!

Thank you! Congrats on your "loss".

I love the video. I almost cried for you ( happiness). You look really healthy, happy and alive!

Thank you! Congrats on your impending journey.

Amamazing! I can't wait to make my video!

Thank you! It was a lot of fun putting it together and seeing all the changes.

Hi everyone! When I was newly banded, I used to go on you tube and watch these kinds of videos for inspiration. I am so happy to have gotten this far...now I have made a movie that may inspire others. It is only 3 minutes long. Please check it out!

You give me such strength! Surgery is Feb 7th. Its all possible with lapband as a tool along with support and my desire to live a better life with my children. Its all possible. I'm. Just starting and your success really helps. Thank you.

Sounds like you have a really good handle on how the band works! Congrats on taking the first step and deciding to go for it. With the right tools and determination, I believe ANYTHING is possible! Happy trails to you!

When I researched the lap band I read that you can expect a 60% weight loss. I have also read that you lose mostly in the first year. After finding these boards I saw that many people had lost more than the predicted 60%, some even hit their goal, and lots continued to lose after the 1 year mark. Because of this I was banded in July 2010 and I've very excited about my current 56lb weight loss. I'm hoping the 60% that I read about was just a CYA from a clinical prespective, but what about the 1 year theory? Can anyone help me wrap my mind around this?

Thanks!

Hi there! Congrats on your success so far! Doesn't it feel fantastic?? As far as your question goes, I have to side with one of the original responses...I believe that with the lap band, you get out of it exactly what you put into it. I read those same stats, but made up my mind to do better. The first part of my loss was ALL in part to my band. Everything since then has been because I modified my eating habits and I am diligent about my activity level. I am THRILLED with my results and am just now carving off my last 15 pounds. This has been a wonderful "tool" for me to use. It has NEVER been "the answer" to my weight issues, kwim?

Hi there! I have currently lost 161 lbs since my Dec 2009 surgery. THRILLED! (but also a little scared to mess up and go backwards) I am busy with maintenance so that I can schedule my reconstructive surgeries. Wow. I can hardly believe I have made it this far. Everyone on this site and all of your stories....true inspiration to me this past year. Thank you.

I think that pictures are a GREAT way to help "see" the new you. I have taken undies/bra pics every three months since the beginning. When I feel down, or feel like I cannot see the difference, I pull those suckers up on the computer. Talk about reality check! I know it will take a very.long.time. for all of us to see ourselves the way we are NOW. I spent 14 years heavy and am only recently a "normal" weight. Treat yourself well and with respect for all you are accomplishing!!

Every body is different. I burn in excess of 2000 calories a day, and do not lose weight ---at all---unless my eating still remains in the 800-1000 calorie range. I need a deficit that large.

So a statement like, regarding "metabolism" (which is a very individual sum total of all chemical reactions in the human body) really just kind of irks me. It assumes that what works for you works for everyone. It assumes that those of us who have different requirements are incapable of analyzing what our bodies require.

In fact, there is NO peer-reviewed research that supports the existence of starvation mode. None. It is bandied around on message boards and in popular media, but it has not been supported by the medical and scientific community. It's just accepted because enough people have said it enough times.

Does that mean that some people don't benefit from more calories? No. Clearly, some people really do. Others do not.

There are many different approaches to weight loss that are healthy and effective. Yours works for you. Mine works for me. Yours does NOT work for me--a significant portion of the weight that caused me to require banding was added to my body following directives like you've issued. Before my surgery, I required a very low calorie level, and after my surgery I required a very low calorie level. The band allows me--quite effortlessly--to remain in the calorie range where I lose best. I am not adjusted tightly. I do not measure my meals by the half-cup. (I do weigh my protein--but primarily because it prevents waste.) I give my body what it needs---which is vastly, vastly different from what your body needs.

Both of us likely meet our nutrient and calorie needs---even though our needs are very different.

My point is, while I congratulate your success, remember that it was YOURS, and not applicable to all. Generalizations with faux science backup may apply to some, but don't work all that well for many.

Thank you for writing this. I understand what the OP was trying to say. Depending on a very very low cal diet to get long term results can be the wrong thing to do. It CAN set you up to fail. HOWEVER, I am under the supervision of my primary care doctor, my personal trainer, as well as my Surgeon and Nutritionist. My daily goal is anywhere from 900 cals to about 1200 cals. I keep my body guessing. So far, so great. I refuse to be spooked into thinking that just because I have managed to lose the amount I have in a shorter than average time frame I am doing something wrong. I know that when I get to my goal weight I will need to adjust my calorie consumption once again to find what works to help me stay at goal. And FTR....I have fitness assessments every 6-8 weeks and I am getting stronger. Much stronger. No muscle loss here!

My insurance will not cover the cost of LAP-BAND® surgery I can not afford the cost of the surgery in the states so would really like to chat with some folks that have gone to Mexico and had a good and successful experience

My friend and I both went for Surgery in December of last year. It was an AMAZING experience. I even went back for my first fill because the team there made me feel very well supported. Do you have any specific questions I can answer for you?

I have a really tight band and have from the very beginning even with no fill. I have a difficult time eating most things. I had my very close friend ask me if my eating difficulties were psychosomatic and was I secretly anorexic. It really hurt my feelings and pissed me off.

Hello,

I am trying to figure out the amount of carbs and fat grams I should be limiting myself to each day? This is still new and kind of confusing still. Thank you for any help!

-Patrick

There are so many differing opinions about this. My surgeon says to stay below 50g carbs daily, while the nutritionist I saw in town said to stay below 80. So I generally aim for 50 and if I go a little higher I don't freak out over it. As far as fat grams, I believe that I was told to not go over 25% of the calories from fat. I may be wrong on this though. I focus mainly on Protein and carbs. This has worked really well for me so far. Hope this helps!

Any mexican surgeons performing the single incisiion procedure?

The surgeon I used does.(Dr. Rumbaut) You need to have a BMI below 42 in order for it to be considered by him.

I was banded 12/16/09. I have lost 40 lbs so far, but have been at a stand still for last 6 weeks or so. First week of Feb I had to have foot surgery on my right foot due to infection, was hospitalized for 2 weeks. I lost 11 lbs those 2 weeks, but 6 or so came back on quickly once out of the hospital. I was on crutches for 2 weeks, then I fractured my left foot. Now I have a full cast on left foot, and will be in a wheelchair for 6-8 weeks! I am scared that I will start gaining weight due to lack of exercise now. I was looking forward to getting this weight off, now I'm stuck, unmotivated, and don't feel like doing anything. My luck sucks! Sorry, geuss I just needed to vent.

Oh man! That is some bad luck, lol! keep your chin up. You can so some upper body exercise if you are worried about it. But really, just continue to make good food choices, and get al your Protein and I think you will do fine. The protein will help you heal faster too! It does suck for it to be finallly turning to good weather and be all cooped up. I can understand the frustration.

As far as teh 11 lb loss and then a regain....chalk that all up to the wierd I.V fluids and such you probably received.

I hope you feel better! Keep posting if you are stir crazy. it seems that there are many on here willing to lend an ear and give great advice!

throught this journey, I've had ups and down. Doubts and fears. Today I am embracing my body. I love to feel my curves that were hidden under all the fat. I am taking on a new found perception of myself. Major influences in my life has brought this on and I am more confident than ever.

keep the shiney side up!:sad:

that is sooo great, isn't it? I finally, for the first time in my life, really like my body. It may not be supermodel/magazine "perfect" but it is perfect. It is real, with all it's lumps and bumps. It is healthy! And my saggy belly skin is another thing I can just accept as part of my life's journey. My saggy belly once swelled with the new lives I brought into this world. So I thank it instead of hating it.

Very nice thread you started!

There will a LAP-BAND® Surgery auctioned off at the Seattle Bash!

You can have a chance to bid on a LAP-BAND® Surgery with Dr. Mario Almanza Reyes! Come on out and say hello! This weekend! Click Here to visit the Bash website and register now while there's still time!

I'm going to this and am starting to worry that is is aimed towards those who have not yet had the surgery. Do you happen to know? Thanks!

Hi,

I just got home from my fill and got an additional .4cc's put in my band. This takes me from 60% full to close to 70% to the max amt of Fluid that my band will hold. I went and ate near the Drs office in case of a problem that I could run back and get an unfill, but it was fine. No change in the first bit syndrome. It was exactly the same. I took a bite, felt it get stuck (not any worse than usual), felt it pass through, then ate without any problems. So just wanted to let you know that in my case, the fill did not effect the FBS. When I got home from my fill, I had this email waiting for me from my wonderful Dr in Mexico. He did not do my fill because I live in Ca, so I get my fills done here by a different Dr. I do consult my surgeon in Mexico though when I come into issues, because he is wonderful and very knowledgeable (not to mention extremely handsome!) Shout out to Dr Rumbraut and Dr Richard! :thumbup: I wanted to share it here in case anyone else has the same problem I described.

"Don't worry, we had patients with this problem in the past. I don't think you are too tight. I'm pretty sure that this happens with your first meal of the day or at night. What you have to do is drink some warm Water or tea before starting your meal. This will help you flush the mucus in your esophagus and pouch. If you hardly feel restriction during your meals, this means that you need a fill. I don't think this will get worse. Some antacids can help in case of inflammation of your pouch i.e. Prilosec OTC.

Please contact us if you have any more questions"

I have to say I think this is the problem and fills dont effect it much one way or the other. Good to know. Take care!

Just wanted to share that I also have this issue. I have had it since I was originally banded. Since my first fill (and only fill) it ALWAYS happens when I eat. It is such a pita. However, I have decided to implement it into the whole plan. It makes me eat quite a bit slower, which just tends to help out that much more with Portion Control. if I hit 30 mins eating, I just stop!

Oh...and woot woot! Dr. Richard is a DREAM!!! lol!:wub:

I'm four weeks out from surgery and I've been using sparkpeople.com to log food and track exercise. It's free and fairly simple to use but..........

Is there a site that would let bariatric patients track food, diet, exercise and give recommendations specifically for us?

That would be such a cool tool to have I think because it's not just a general weight loss tool.

Just thought I would see if anyone knew of something. :sad: Thanks!:frown:

Hi there! I use lapband.com for all of those things. I really love it. There are all kinds of neat things just for lap bad patients. Also, their customer service is wonderful!! Oh, and it is also completely free. Hope this helps!

Click directly on the ticker. You should have been required to save a Pin #. It should be four digits. A new window will open and ask for the pin. Once you enter the pin you can change information, and save. I usually go to my signature and resave it there too. Don't know if that's necessary but it works for me. Best wishes and hope this helps!

Thanks! I missed this being posted, lol.

I was banded Dec 3rd and have lost 21 pounds. I feel like I should have lost more by now. I had my second fill one wk ago and have little restriction. Just wondering how everyone banded in December are doing. Would love to hear from you.

Hi there! Sounds to me like you are right on track!:biggrin: My friend and I were banded on December 3rd. We met another lady banded on that day while we were there. They have both lost 25 lbs.

I have lost 60. I have NO idea why, lol! I do make uber conscious food choices and do exercise. This band is really working! And to think....I was worried it wouldn't work for me.

As an aside....I cannot figure out how to easily change my ticker. Anyone know?? I keep creating new ones, lol!:thumbup:

Anybody got any good suggestions for a good Protein drink. I have tried Aikens, Trader Joe, Special K... I hate them.. anything out there that taste like carnation instant breakfast.. I think most taste sick..

I really like the "Premier Protein" brand that costco carries. It is pre-made, has awesome Protein and low carbs/fat.

Now that I have had my first fill, I use Bariatric Advantage in both the cho and vanilla. They are super thick so they keep my full for a loooong time.

Hope this helps!

If I am having a regular otc type Protein Drink (think thinner consistency) then I usually don't wait. But if I am having one of the thicker ones, like Bariatric Advantage, then I wait because they tend to stay in the upper pouch and keep me full longer. I don't want to "wash" the sensation away. But then I only sip so I dont overfill the pouch.

Hi there! I was banded on 12-3-09 with a 5cc band. It was a tight fit right from the start. I have had some restriction since then. I just had my first fill (1.4cc) and I feel quite tight. I really don't do fantastically until the evening. I was able to have like a teeny tiny piece of fish (prob the equivalent of a big bite) for lunch today and had about 1/4 c food for dinner. I told my surgeon this and he said this is excellent restriction. He said the tightness will eventually go away and then I will just feel full instead of highly uncomfortable.(he is also banded) It doesn't hurt, but it is very unpleasant. I get that yucky slobbery thing, but do not get sick. Is this about the norm??