JoiaRox

I want to join in! I found the Excel chat and am going to add myself to the bottom, with my weight from March 5th since I see that y'all are weighing in on Fridays. Stoked to be part of a challenge!! My goal is to be 288 by Easter, which will be a 50 pound total weight loss for me! :smile2:

I'll have to disagree on this one...I had my surgery done through Top Surgeons (the group behind the 1-800-GET-SLIM ads), and I've been nothing but happy! I DO have a personal case worker in my town (Bakersfield) who is happy to talk to me and schedule/reschedule appointments whenever I want. Although I drove to Los Angeles for pre-op work and to Hawaiian Gardens for surgery, all of my post-op work and fills have been done here in my hometown with my own case worker, doctors, etc. The seminar in November 2009 answered all of my questions, and I made sure to ask some of my own as well! I did my research thoroughly and had my surgery done by Dr. Salimitari (who doesn't practice with the group anymore, but does surgeries for them on occasion). I was banded 1-7-10 and just got my third fill today. I'm content with my decision, have no regrets, and am happy to be a 1-800-GET-SLIM patient.

Really depends on you and your doctor...my schedule so far has been: Surgery 1-7-10 1st Fill - 4 weeks later (2.5cc in at surgery, went up to 4.5cc) 2nd Fill - 3 weeks later (4cc in band, up to 5cc) 3rd Fill - 9 days later (up to 7cc in a 14cc band) 4th Fill - scheduled for 12 days from now My 3rd fill was today (Saturday), and wasn't scheduled until next Wednesday...he let me come in early because I still, obviously, had no restriction. So, my doctor's pretty liberal with the fills - he listens to his patient and agrees to let me get fills as needed.

I agree with everyone - I make healthy food choices most of the time, but I go for "bad" foods every once in a while. But, I DO count and measure everything that goes into my mouth and track all of my nutrition on my computer. So what if I have some fast food or bad snacks on occasion? The scale still goes down, I stay in my calorie range, I work out, etc. A good "diet" doesn't swear off ANY foods...you just learn how to eat proper portions and eat "bad" foods in moderation. Want some ice cream? Have it. But hold yourself accountable...which is exactly what you did! Kudos to you :smile2:

I've found two brands I like - Trader Joe's brand of chocolate and vanilla were doable, and I drank them pre-op. Post-op I'd been turned on to bariactriceating.com, and their protein shakes are DELICIOUS! Tastes just like I threw a peanut butter cookie, or piece of mint chocolate fudge, or double chocolate cake (just a few of their flavors) in a blender. I'll never try another protein shake, because I've found something EXTREMELY yummy, and the protein count is outstanding! Definitely the best bang for my buck, protein shake wise :smile2:.

20-30 pounds is SO doable by then! I'm only two months out, but I'm down a little over 30 pounds. I hope to be at 50 by the time my fourth month bandiversary comes around in May!

I agree with vip - the first few weeks were pretty easy for me, as my stomach was still swollen from surgery (which is why doctors wait until 4 weeks out to give you your first fill - swelling is down and gone by then). I promise, give yourself a couple more weeks, and you'll be hungry! Unless you're one of those really lucky people that hardly needs any fill before reaching restriction :smile2:. At this stage of the game, though, I'd say it's too soon to tell if you're actually AT restriction...you're still healing!

So excited for you, and jealous too! I've had two fills and am up to 6cc in a 14cc band, but I go back for fill #3 in two days! I'm excited about it, because I'm hoping it'll either bring me to the sweet spot or get me closer. What you're describing is exactly what the "sweet spot" sounds like based on what I've read from others (I also do more observing than posting on this site). I've noticed a couple of things feel stuck-ish this week as I inhaled my food instead of chewing, so I'm hoping that's a sign that I'm getting closer! I can still eat anything, and do...so I'm ready for some restriction to see those pounds come off! Congratulations to you :smile2:

I've had 2 fills now and still have no restriction. I'm frustrated - to the point that I just eat anything I want, because I CAN. In the beginning, I was really good about tracking calories and nutrients, working out, etc. Now? I feel like I'm just in a holding pattern until I can get to some restriction. Why am I sabotaging myself? I'm stressed with work, not getting enough rest, etc....but is that really an excuse to screw myself over? Ugh. I'm apparently in dire need of some motivation.

The tightness subsided within 24 hours, and I was able to get everything down...including a tri-tip sandwich! Guess I'm not at restriction yet...thanks for the replies!

Reading your posts helped me as well...thank you! I've had two fills now and am up to 6cc in a 14cc band...NOTHING. 22 hours after my fill, I buckled down and had a tri-tip sandwich (I hosted a huge BBQ on Friday), and even eating and chewing slowly, I got the whole thing down with no problems at all. Three days after the fill today, and I just had 3 eggs and 2oz. of leftover tri-tip with a 1/4c. of reduced fat colby jack cheese. That's a lot of food! I'm eagerly awaiting restriction and I go back for a 3rd fill on March 10th...but they said I could call and go in earlier if I was still feeling nothing. I'm thinking March 3rd sounds like a good time to go back (Wednesday) because I don't want to keep wasting time!

I got my 2nd fill today, going from 4.5cc's in a 14cc band to 6cc's of fill. I'm able to drink water, iced tea, etc. (on a liquid diet for 24 hours post-fill as per my doctor's orders), but I've had an incredible tightness and pain in my chest since I left the doctor's office. Obviously I'm not overfilled since I'm able to drink liquids without discomfort, but is this tightness normal? The tightness is around my sternum area...and it's somewhat freaking me out. I go back again in 2 weeks for my next fill (if needed), and I REALLY hope I get some restriction out of the fill I got today...just curious if anyone else has had any chest pain/tightness after a fill, or if you have any clues as to why I might be experiencing this? :eek:

The advice I can add to this? You didn't fail, and there are many others out there just like you. I'm not even two months out of surgery yet, but I constantly eat stuff I shouldn't...for me, it's not a mindset of failure, but a mindset that "hey, I've lost weight!" Sure, I could have lost more by now without the crap I've eaten, but I weigh less than I have in a while...I'm okay! And, if your doctor makes you feel bad about the significant progress you've made over the last year, he's not a doctor you want to keep around. This is YOUR journey, not your doctor's, and you should be proud of what you've accomplished!

Yay! I get my 2nd fill today, too! I'm hoping this one brings me some restriction...I'd sure love to know what that feels like! Lucky for me, I live in California and we have a clear day in store...

Everyone's doctors and prescribed diets are different. If you're concerned that you're not doing this right, or aren't sure how to make what you fit into your nutritionist's diet...you need to consult your doctor. I could tell you what I did, but you and I don't have the same doctor.

I was banded 1/7 and have had the same problem for over two weeks now...I'm going for a fill tomorrow and will ask my doctor about it. So, if I have anything to report back, I definitely will!

I'd agree with what everyone's saying about inflammation making everything tighter in your chest, including your band. But, I've been pretty sick with similar symptoms over the past few days and I'm still eating normally. Could be that I'm newer to this, have only had one fill, and am not at restriction though...

I have fantastic support with my boyfriend, family, friends and colleagues...but I want to be able to chat with someone who's been through it. I was banded January 7, 2010 and use Facebook/Yahoo messenger a lot...and I'm a textaholic! I'm 29 years old (will be 30 in August) and need a buddy who is technologically addicted like me! My stats are listed below as far as weight loss...anyone out there for me?

Same here, girl! I stopped my BCP (Seasonique) in November with my consult, and had surgery on 1/7/10. Got to go back on BCP on 2/8/10 with doc's permission at my first fill...and the period started on 2/10/10. UGH! It hasn't ended, it's still heavy, and the cramping has been more than I've ever had in my life...even had to take a day off of work! :smile: I read in another thread that estrogen is stored in fat cells...perhaps losing a bunch of weight rapidly in 2010 has pissed off my uterus? Uterus...I hate you at the moment.

Reading this thread helped...I had surgery on 1/7/10 and started the pill again on 2/8/10 after my doctor said it was okay. I've never had cramping in my life, had occasional heavy flows, but never anything that was a big deal. Had 3-5 days of some bleeding, controlled with a tampon... ...now UGH! WHAT THE HELL! I actually had to take a day off work because of the unbearable cramping this week, and my period is still going strong. Yes, I'm on the pill at the moment, but I think my body is mad at me for having been off of it pre- and post-op. I'm bleeding heavily, still cramping 6 days later...can it stop now, please?? Body, please realize that I take my BCP every night so that you won't be here. Only bonus is that I take Seasonique, so I'm hoping I won't have to deal with this for another two months! Damn weight loss. (Okay, YAY for weight loss, but damn this being a side effect!)

Tell that devil on your shoulder to shove off...you came HERE and posted a thread instead of cheating. Great job! Trust me, the weight loss feels much better, and has more permanent rewards, than a pizza :thumbup:

Feel free to add me as well - I'm completely open with everyone (friends, family, colleagues, students, etc.) with my LapBand, and even post links to my LapBand blog on occasion when I update. Add me! joiajones@gmail.com

I tried...real hard. I quit for about 10 days before Thanksgiving after going through the pre-op work in early/mid November. I thought surgery was coming up quickly and was completely motivated! But then? It was a pain getting a hold of my surgeon's company to get the psych and nutritionist evals done...so Thanksgiving day, I bought a pack of smokes. I smoke about a pack a day...quit the day of my surgery, but resumed a few days after surgery. Oh well! As far as I know, no test was run on me. I'm healing fine, losing weight, and making sure I follow every other order (Protein, Water, exercise, etc.) and I'm feeling great 18 days post-op! :::lights up another Marlboro:::

I'll tell ya that I've been banded 18 days now...the swelling is gone, I'm eating regular food and there is NO restriction! Argh! Can't wait for my first fill on Feb. 6th! The only thing keeping me going is that I'm tracking my calories and nutrients on FitDay and making sure I'm working out with my Wii Fit Plus. If I didn't keep myself accountable? I'd gorge out - I'm hungry! LOL

They're not very sweet - kinda like a marshmellowy lemon...with a thicker shell. I think they're a good balance of everything, and a great treat to start my day!