jennypenny

I was banded in June of 2011. From June to January, I steadily lost 2lbs. a week. I lost 35 pounds in total. Around the holidays, I began to eat more sweets and it was a slippery slope. In the last 7 months, I have put back all but 10 of those pounds. I've only had 2 fills. When I went for the second fill, the doctor almost wouldn't give it to me because there were a few things that would come back up. Turns out, the only things that come back are the healthy things - meat mostly, chicken, fish and beef. As the weight came back on, I got more and more discouraged and never went back. I'm discouraged to say the least, and now am thinking of just having it removed. The problem I have is addiction to food. The reason I lost 35 pounds is because I was tracking my food and eating 1000 - 1200 calories a day. I could have (and still could) do that without the lap band. I just wondered if any one else has had this experience. Also if anyone has had a lap band removed, without there being a major complication with it. :-(

I was banded in June of 2011. From June to January, I steadily lost 2lbs. a week. I lost 35 pounds in total. Around the holidays, I began to eat more sweets and it was a slippery slope. In the last 7 months, I have put back all but 10 of those pounds. I've only had 2 fills. When I went for the second fill, the doctor almost wouldn't give it to me because there were a few things that would come back up. Turns out, the only things that come back are the healthy things - meat mostly, chicken, fish and beef. As the weight came back on, I got more and more discouraged and never went back. I'm discouraged to say the least, and now am thinking of just having it removed. The problem I have is addiction to food. The reason I lost 35 pounds is because I was tracking my food and eating 1000 - 1200 calories a day. I could have (and still could) do that without the lap band. I just wondered if any one else has had this experience. Also if anyone has had a lap band removed, without there being a major complication with it. :-(

Thank you all for 'weighing in'. I feel better already! Can't wait for my fill!

Thank you! That was so good to hear! It's funny because I 'passed' on my last fill because I was consistently losing 2lbs a week. Now I'm sorry! Then when I plateau, I get frustrated, then I eat...because the demons are still in my head of course. Anyway, I really appreciate you responding. Let's stay in touch. That's another thing I've stopped doing is my FitnessPal. I'm getting back to it, and I'll look for you. Jen

It's been 5 months and I've lost 33 lbs! I'm thrilled. But now I'm stuck. And I don't mean my food. I can't seem to lose any more, I'm much hungrier, and have the capacity to eat more food. I've only had one fill so far and am having another on Dec. 8th. I'm hoping I start to lose again. Last week I actually gained two pounds back. Frustrated! :-(

Well that was interesting! I ate dinner, and I think it was a piece of dry grilled vegetable that felt like it got stuck in my esophagus! I've heard about getting stuck, but thought I'd feel it more in my stomach. Instead it felt like it only went down about 5 inches! What's up with that. Ewwwww. I was banded two months ago and this was my first time. hahaha

Yes, patience has never been one of my virtues either! I always have renewed faith when I 'speak' to all of you, so thank you! And Dave, WOW...you've lost a lot of weight! Congratulations! Still looking for Nemo and not giving up! JennyPenny

Thank all of you! I needed to hear from my fellow banders! Last week I didn't lose, and this morning (Monday is weigh in day) I got on that dreaded scale and had lost another 3 lbs!!!! Needless to say, I'm back to loving my band! I really am grateful for this forum. I had begun that slippery slope of snacking and 'head' eating that I know so well, and thought for sure I had gained back some. Oh me of little faith. Yipeeeeeee!!!

Thank you Dave! I'm having a hard day, and feeling hungry and kinda hopeless. It's good to get an explanation as to how the band works beyond what 'our part' is. Jen

Drinking water, eating slowly, only eating til satisfied, etc. are all the same rules as any diet plan, lifestyle change I've ever experienced. I am feeling like if I could have done all these things before, and had long-term success, I wouldn't have chosen to do something as drastic as the band. And why fill the band if you don't feel any restriction? What's the fill for? I'm seriously questioning why I spent an inordinate amount of money and went through surgery if all I had to do was have the 'self control' to change my eating lifestyle without it, if that makes sense. Yes, in the past I have been able to practice all of these life-style diet changes, but only to a point. And then I'd hit a plateau, stop losing any more weight, feel frustrated from depriving myself....well you get the picture.

I get what you're saying, but drinking Water, eating slow, only eating til satisfied, etc. are all the same rules as any diet plan I've ever been on. I just kind of feel like if I could have done all these things before, I wouldn't have chosen to do something as drastic as the band. And why fill the band if you don't feel any restriction? I'm seriously questioning why I spent an inordinate amount of money and went through surgery if all I had to do was have the 'self control' to change my eating lifestyle without it, if that makes sense.

So I've lost 20 since my banding June 24th, and that's wonderful. I had my first fill Aug. 11th and feel nothing different. If anything I feel hungrier. I feel like it's all me and my eating, and that I'm just on another diet. I'm going away Tuesday for two weeks (Greece) and it's hard enough not eating at home here. ugh. Need some positive reinforcements.

How did you feel that the first fill restricted you? Did you get full faster? Need less food? I'm having my first fill this week and was wondering what it will be like. I'm starting to feel more hungry and am hoping the fill helps. JennyPenny

I keep hearing about 'getting stuck'. What is that exactly, and what happens - how do you know?

Hi Newbie! Mine is the 11th. Lemme know how it goes.

I am coming up on my first fill, and was wondering what to expect. Not so much with the procedure itself, but the feeling after. Can you feel that you've been filled? Is this the time when you start worrying about that 'stuck' thing everyone keeps talking about? Do you actually get full faster, cause right now I pretty much feel like I could eat anything, although I haven't...but I feel 'normal'.

There are quite a few vegies that have a good amount of fiber, which is where my Dr. recommended I get mine from.

I'm in San Francisco for a long weekend - one month post-op. I'm on the soft food stage. I'm having anxiety because we are eating at restaurants and I find myself at a loss over what to order - chinese last night, had wonton soup and some chicken out of the kung pau. 3 shrimp. It's so easy to do this at home, hanging around or close to the house. Suggestions on types of cuisine and what to order? Italian? Thai? You get the picture.

I am drinking all my water, and then some, and yet my mouth is continually dry. Anyone else experience this, and/or know what it is?

I also tell people about the band. It's nothing to be ashamed of, and I'm tired of hiding. I told people about getting sober too. Cigs are next. There should be an addiction area. Maybe we could figure out how to start one.

Nice to 'meet' you! I'm so glad I started this thread because there are so many of us cross-addicted banders. food and cigs were my last hold-outs. So far I'm doing really good with my band (3 weeks) and I think it's because I finally see some results! I've lost 13 so far, and it feels great. I feel 'in control' although there are certainly days where it's not happening fast enough. Patience is not one of my virtues. I was addicted to cocaine mostly, but I certainly wouldn't turn away a pill or a drink. When I hit bottom I had it all goin' on. Sobriety has changed my life in more ways than I can name. I had so much shame over my food, and it really was my first addiction as a child, using it to deal with my crazy family life. Where are you from? JennyPenny

7 Years is awesome! Did you know that at 7 years they say your body is finally free of all the 'stuff' you did?! Some old timer told me that on my 7th birthday. Loved it. No, none of this is easy....peeling away those layers finally. Best of luck to you on the 4th, and keep in touch!

I like 1/2 cup of Vanilla Lite Soymilk, a Carnation Instant Breakfast and Ice! chocolate shake! Sometimes I add a half of a Starbucks Caramel Via....yummmmmm!

So true! It's actually easier to put down a drug or a drink....we have to eat food so it's around us all the time! Can't wait for my first fill.

Thank You! I too have lost people to this horrible disease. My father was one of those people. Good for your boyfriend! I'm so glad to see others' success.