pollywogg

I also had a lot of hair loss that really scared me. It started at about 3 months post op and ended around 6 months. I also started off with really thick hair and I lost about half. Its just starting to thicken up again now and I'm missing my more manageable thinner hair. I actually went to see my family doctor because I was really scared I would go bald. LOL I took my vitamins and ate all the required protein. The physician explained to me that all the hairs in the dormant phase will fall out because of the stress from the surgery and the extreme diet change. He said it would peak at 4 months post op, end around 6 months post op, and that I'd be back to my full thickness 6 months after that. He was right on! He laughed that I didn't time things well, my hair will be nice and thick again by summer - LOL!!!!

WOW! Awesome motivation. Thank you all for posting your pictures!

B- whey Protein and 1% milk L- tuna salad and 11 multigrain wheat thins S-2 slices of lean ham, cheese string and strawberries Working again today but will go on the eliptical tonight.

I am far from onderland but I dream of it all the time, you must be so thrilled and proud of yourself. WAY TO GO!!!!

I was in a lot of pain after my surgery too, but no nausea. Call your clinic for sure for advice for that! I love my band! I have had it for over 6 months now and I can't imagine my life without it. I love being able to eat a small meal and feel satisfied. I love that it is not compatable with foods like bread, donuts, rice, Pasta, pizza etc.. that is such a big help for me. (Everyone is different though with what they can and can't eat.) I love having much less hunger! You have some big adjustments to make and a lot of learning to do. I vomit about once a week. Sometimes its on a new food, and sometimes its because of one I know better than to eat at all. Its usually just a bit more than a big burp that brings up only a tablespoon or so of food or slime. (Sorry its a bit gross to describe.) I haven't been sick with gastro or the flu but I'm sure things will work just fine. If it ever happens I do plan on being aggressive with gravol though to try to vomit as little as possible. Be excited for your new life without much hunger !!!!!

No I don't physically feel the tightness. It is harder to eat is the morning, I stick to a protein shake. Lunch is still a bit hard but I manage with little bites and lots of chewing. As the day goes on it easier to get food down.

To keep us July bandsters going strong I figured if we all recorded what we ate and did (exercise or anything exciting) it could bring us closer, keep us accountable and we can get meal ideas, even share recipes. B-whey Protein shake with milk L-2 scrambled eggs and 2 egg whites with salsa S- 1/2 a grilled cheese sandwich, 2 slices of lean ham, a small pickle Working a 12 hr shift - aquafitness tonight if my daughter isn't too sick.

I have lost almost 60 and I have 100 more to go. I also stalled over Christmas and its been very very slow since. I'm going to have to pull up my socks and watch what I'm eating closer. I exercise a lot. I love cross country skiing and get out almost every day to do 7-10k. I got my husband to measure me the other day as we think I'm gaining muscle and losing inches - I hope??

I'm going through exactly the same thing as well. I'm very tight in the morning and I can only have a whey Protein shake. lunch I can eat but I really have to work at it. After that - watch out food - I could eat the rest of the day if I let myself and believe me sometimes I do. I know I have some issues to deal with regarding head hunger. I have been losing very little for the past 6 weeks.

Thank you so much, I do feel great! I do think I could do better though with my eating habits. I'm going to go back on focus on the basics. I am determined to lose my weight and end this fight with fat! How often did you need a fill? I know it very individual but I'm curious on the average timeline.

Great advice from everyone and I like the different views. It helps a lot, thank you very much.

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!

Awesome news! I'm so happy for you!

I was banded July 8, 2010 and I have lost 56lbs!

Oh that makes perfect sense and I love your explaination as it being a moving target! Again thank you very much for your input So done with it all!

Hang in there! You are going through the worst part!

My story is similar to yours and I also had lost the motivation to exercise. After being banded and after I had lost about 20lbs I started to feel like exercising again and I've been really truly enjoying it ever since! Best of luck!

Wow I am also going through the exact same thing! For the past 2 weeks I haven't lost anything and my hunger increased quite a bit. I was worried that I had stretched my pouch out too. What are the symptoms of that Cjf? I went for a small fill on Friday, only .2 but I feel so much better. I have very little hunger again and the scale is moving down. I don't understand how you can be at a good spot then loose it after a while?

Cool idea! Post a picture of it!

Every 25lbs I buy myself a little something, like bath bombs or a watch. When I hit 100lb weight loss I'm going to buy myself a kayak, once I'm 199lbs I'm going to go to a spa and get a new outfit and do a night on the town. Then when I hit goal I'm going on a big shopping trip.

I have been doing some reading about claiming the band on our taxes. What do you think about that? Did either of you get a receipt from the clinic? I don't recall getting one.

You have accomplished my biggest dream! You must feel on top of the world. Hope you have a big reward planned. WAY TO GO!!!!

I really hope you are there too Miss Bibi! I have a whey Protein shake for breakfast everyday. I find I'm really tight in the morning and drinking my breakfast is best, plus I'm totally satisfied on it till lunch. The other day I was going for a big hike and had another shake for lunch (I didn't want a heavy belly) and again I was totally satisfied. For lunch I either have tuna and cottage cheese, chicken caeser salad or triscuits with cheese and salsa (this one doesn't keep me satisfied as long). Supper is a meat, vegi, and if I have room a bite or two of whatever carb I cooked. I find I really only have to watch my portions at supper, earlier in the day I can't eat much at all. Today is my 4 month anniversary and I met my goal of -50lbs. :thumbup: Yay!

So how did your fill go Miss Bibi? I also feel like I'm not banded in the evenings. Did you mention this to the clinic and if so what did they say about that? I really hope you're there now!!!!!!! I am 3 days away from the 4 month anniversary and I'm really hoping to hit the -50lb mark. Cross your fingers for me!!!

Hi Ladies, Miss Bibi if you can eat a kaiser bun I think you do need a fill. Before my last fill I could eat a bun if I hollowed it out, now I know there is no way I could eat one and not get stuck. I hope it goes well. If I do go for another small fill I will try emailing it in, I have always called. I'm not sure if I need a small fill or not. I am losing but only a little a week! I find I can only drink milk with whey Protein power in it for breakfast (anything thicker is hard to get down), lunch I usually eat cottage cheese mixed with tuna and I find it a bit hard to get down but I work it! :sneaky: The thing is that I can eat a bit more than a cup for supper and I'm often a bit hungry in the evening. I read on here somewhere that one bandster rates needing a fill on how much she can eat for supper when she is looser. If I go with that I might need a small fill. What do you think? My banana whey protein came in yesterday! :w00t: I'm looking forward to trying it. CJF that is awful what that person said to you at the vet office! Were they overweight or skinny with no real idea what it is like to struggle with a weight issue. If she only really knew how rude she was to you! LOL!!! I have only told a small handful of people too! But other than them I've only had two people notice my weight loss so far. I like it that way! I love that your husband helps you slow down your eating in such a sweet secretive way. My hubby gives me a look but I like what your does better. I'll be having a talk with mine - LOL!!! That is where my port is too but I don't know why it would be aching? What do you think so done with it all? Last night after working a very busy shift and an hour of overtime I came home, grabbed a handful of my sons pretzels and I got super stuck! Usually I either just slime a bit, or have a small PB. Last night I vomitted 6 times. I was so scared I would slip my band but all is well. No more pretzels for me, I was probably just eating too fast. I was starved! Your guys are my rock!