kittykat56

I MUST WORK OUT~!!!! I was banded 9/22 and this will be my first "group challenge". I'm really excited! I'm having trouble coming up with a goal though as I should have my first fill right in the middle of this on 11/30. Good Luck to everyone and I look forward to losing some weight will you all!!!!!

Congratulations on your recent fill! And I'm so happy for your size 18's!!! I'm on my way there, but not there yet! Great Job and keep up the awesome progress!

I was banded 9/22, and my next appt isn't until 11/30. My surgeon didn't commit to a fill then either. So, eight weeks minimum, and maybe longer!

Congrats, Lyla! I was dreaming of the Misses section last night! I can't wait to get there with you!

I use a stick blender. It does "fluff" it up a bit too much with air, which I don't like. However, the shaker doesn't seem to blend enough for my taste. I find that the shake is still "gritty." I look forward to hearing other suggestions.

All of the responses so far are great! I would just like to add that whatever you eat, eat very, very slowly and concentrate on the conversation. That way he'll think you're "really" interested in what he's saying (and hopefully you are) AND you will kill some time over the course of the meal. Then when he's finished eating, you will have killed some time and not eaten as much. Hopefully he'll never notice the amount you've consumed. Good Luck to you!!!!!:laugh:

I'm right there with ya! I won't have my first fill until Nov 30th, at the earliest! My Dr. said I was doing so well, there's no reason to rush a fill just for the heck of it. My meal plan at this point is very similar to yours. I don't know how normal we are with this, but I'm trying to stay positive about it. I figure the more I can do without the fill, the better off I'll be in the future. Personally, I don't really like the feeling of restriction. So, if I can control myself without it, so be it! :puke:

I think people want to tell you the bad stories because they want to make sure you know the risks. Like you've not thoroughly researched this stuff yourself! Or, they tell you bad things becasue they don't know enough about the LapBand life to tell you anything else. Ignorance on the subject, if you will. I told very few people before my surgery because I just didn't have the energy to deal with all the negativity. But now that I've had it, I'll tell anyone who asks. I'm still not shouting from the rooftops, but if they ask, I tell. Good Luck to you. Stick to your gut feeling about this. Do your research and you'll make the right decision for you.

I was just like you--open and free when no one could see me, then clam up in person. Well, I had to attend three monthly meetings in order for my insurance to approve. Since I had to go, I went. I didn't say a word, and I didn't have to. The group is about 20 members, but there were so many experienced bandsters there, I didn't really need to talk. I just sat and listened and took in every bit of information I could get. I really enjoyed them, so much so that I still go monthly even after it's no longer required. Like someone else posted, "Try it, you might like it!"

Awesome Job! Sorry the fill didn't go well, but you'll get it soon. I think you hit the nail on the head with all the emotions! We're all right there with ya! It is a real roller coaster, but sooooo worth it! Keep up the great attitude. That's over half the battle! I was banded 9/22 (about a week before you) and a week ago, I was in the same boat as you! I was so tired I could barely walk from the bedroom to the living room without needing a nap. Every day, it gets better! Make sure you are drinking plenty of fluids. It's hard at first, but you have to concentrate on it and get them in. Also, getting as much protein as you possibly can will help with the exhaustion. Good Luck to you!!!

One year minus four days! Informational seminar 09/26/2009 Banded 09/22/2010

StateofZen---Sorry to had to push back your first fill. That's depressing when you've expected it. And, I'm so glad you can begin low-carbing again. I finally started on the soft foods meal plan yesterday, which I will follow for another 8 weeks. So I too feel more comfortable about the low carb regime. Congrats on the 15 lbs! That's freakin' awesome!!!! I've followed my meal plans and dr's orders to the T, and I've only lost about 3 lbs since surgery!

Brian--Glad you had a good first day back to work. I too returned to work yesterday. I only took off for a week and a half, but it was really hard going back. I am still very weak and tired. So I worked about 7 hours and left early. I am also a "boss" and had a ton of stuff thrown at me. I handled it all, but boy, was I pooped!!! Anyway, glad we're back to work and getting back into normal life. Cathy--Great job managing the dining out! That's exactly how I plan to do it when I finally get the chance to eat something besides liquids!!! I can't wait! And as for you side note- "Amen, Sister!"

Awesome!:smile2:

I take Caltrate Calcium & Vitamin D 600 + D Plus Minerals. They are chewable and flavored cherry, grape, and orange. Not bad! I get them at Walmart.

I don't think you have anything to worry about. I was banded on 9/22 and haven't experienced hardly any of the side effects that others have. Very minimal pain, no nausea, no vomitting, no diarrhea...It's been pretty easy so far. And sometimes, I'm ashamed to say that for fear it just hasn't gotten bad yet. (I did have quite a bit of gas pain for the first few days!) I too wondered if everything was "right" with my band. But after talking to a lot of people on this forum, I found that we're just lucky! And I am soooo thankful I haven't had to deal with all of those other issues! :smile2: Good Luck to you!

Thanks, Joany! I think once I get started on eating something besides liquids, the weakness may subside some. I sure hope so! Thank for the encouragement!

Hello, All! This is my first post since being switched to the new Sept Bandsters thread. Thanks, Brian, for doing the switch! I've been banded since 9/22 and I'm getting ready to go back to work tomorrow. I'm kind of on the fence about it. There's been a lot of changes taking place in the last week and a half! Anyway, I'm still on my liquid diet for two more days, but as of Wednesday packing my mushy food to work should be a lot easier. My biggest concern at this stage is being so weak. I work 10-12 hours days and I'm not sure I can do it this week. I've been sooooo tired I can hardly go without a nap! Where is everyone else on this? It's been great reading about everyone and how we're all coping with the same issues. I look forward to a long journey will all of you!

I know that everyone is different, but I am wondering what's the averege time frame for the first fill? Thanks!

I had my one-week follow up appt yesterday. I asked the CNP, and she said the earliest they will do fills is 6 weeks. However, they do not have any standard as everyone is different. She said as long as you are losing weight and are not having any real hunger issues, they won't do a fill. Incidentally, the CNP is a patient at the Weight Loss Center and she said she didn't have her first fill for a year. And... my best friend didn't have her first fill for 10-11 months. So there you go. Everyone is differnt...some 2-3 weeks, some 6 weeks, some months! Thanks for the all the responses!

My nutritionist says 60-80 grams daily.

I agree with Lacrecia. Most Dr's offices call to get the requirements for specific insurance plans BEFORE they submit any paperwork. Some insurances just flat out won't cover. But, if I were you, I would contact my insurance to find EXACTLY what their requirements are, so you know what you're dealing with. If they tell you differently, then contact your Dr's office and inquire about doing paperwork. I know it's hard dealing with insurance and being denied. I've been denied twice. Good Luck to you!

Brian--It most definitely is behavior modification. I believe success with the band is 90% behavior and 10% food. I strongly believe it's all about making the best choices, whether it's fried vs baked, half of a piece vs whole piece, stairs vs elevator. You must make concientious choices all day every day. So many times I see bandsters post about how they can't understand why they're not losing weight with the band. Then, in the same post, they question if it was okay to eat 10 pcs of chicken mcnuggets and a whole piece of chocolate cake! It amazes me yet I feel these people need our help and support. I'm only a week into this journey, but I feel like I've got it figured out. Actually practicing what I preach will be challenge, no doubt. After 38 years of making all the wrong choices, there will be challenges. But with the support of other bandsters just like you, I know we can do it! Good Luck to you and I look forward to watching your progress in this journey! Debbie--Happy thoughts for a great surgery and easy recovery coming your way! Good Luck and we'll see you in Bandland!!! Lyla--You are absolutely NOT crazy! I think the exact same way as you on this. I know I'm not eating enough right now, but eating like I have been for the past week is NOT how I plan to eat for the rest of my life. I hate soup, I hate jell-o, I hate pudding (well, only when I'm being forced to eat it!) Once I get some real food and texture, I know I'll eat enough to get ENOUGH calories to get on a good burn. I'm eating less than a bird right now, but it's totally necessary for recovery purposes. Off my soapbox now! It's great to hear from all you this month and I hope we all can stay in touch.

You've lost 57 lbs with no fill??? That is AWESOME!!! And inspiring. I hope I can do that. Keep it up!:smile2: and thanks for the info.

Brian--I think you are spot on with this assessment! I always had a problem with portion control, not so much with what I ate, but how much. I chose the band for this exact reason--it will no longer be a choice for me, it will be a necessity. While I realize there is some personal control involved, it certainly will make the choice easier weighing it out: big meal or puke?! Hmmm...I KNOW which one I will choose. :smile: