mommymya

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.

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.

Thank you! Congrats on your "loss".

Thank you! Congrats on your impending journey.

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!

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!

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!!

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 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.

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!

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

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!

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!

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!

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:

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!

Thanks! I missed this being posted, lol.

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:

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??