this sucks

I completely disagree with that statement! I am NOT too lazy to cook and I don't eat out all of the time and I use MFP each and every day. What a completely ridiculous statement you just made here. Sounds to me like an excuse to not log your food... Maybe you might be "too lazy" to bother weighing and measuring ingredients so you have accurate calorie counts on recipes.

I like: 1. Crossing my legs. 2. Lasting 55 minutes on the elliptical at level 11 and knowing i could go longer if I had time 3. No more plus size department 4. Being able to keep up with my 11 year old 5. Buying less medications-no metformin, no blood pressure meds, no CPAP 6. Looking and feeling better pushing 50 than I did in my 30's. 7. Compliments 8. Proving that I could be successful despite what the naysayers said.

Me too. It's a family joke now. I'm in sales and occasionally have to explain the weird noises but I don't mind.

Mine too! I swear, I am going to find a way to justify a lift!

B12 doesn't impact hair, but lots of people on here swear by Biotin. I never had hair loss, even when my deficiencies were at their worst so I've never felt the need to take it.

B12 shots won't affect your appetite at all. They may take from a few weeks to a month to accumulate enough before you notice that your energy level is increased. Just like it takes months to become deficient, it takes months to get everything back to normal. In my case, I was really low in B12 and multiple other Vitamins and minerals so it took a little longer for me to start feeling better. I take all of my vitamins religiously now though! I sure don't want to head back down that road.

I was also diagnosed with sleep apnea during my pre-op time. I felt 100% better after the first night with the CPAP. I hadnt been gettting quality sleep for years. The good news is that I was able to stop using the machine after about a year when I lost enough weight to take the pressure off around my neck.

I haven't had a TT, but I did have abdominal hernia repairs and yes Mis, they were quite painful. I ended up having to stay two nights in the hospital after the surgery. I've had other abdominal surgeries over the years along with a CSection and nothing else was as painful...something about the way they attach the mesh to your abdominal wall. Hang in there and take your pain meds.

I was not judging you or your experience. I am not on a high horse and I have never forgotten where I started. My point to you was that the title of your thread is extremely strong. Unfills are part of living with a band and no one should be scared off from having one when its needed. The damage done from having a too tight band outweighs the POTENTIAL issues from having an unfill.

I didn't start taking b12 until I started having weird, stroke like symptoms and micronutrient testing showed how deficient I really was. I always took my regular "band-specific" vitamins like I was told to, but I really wasn't aware that bandsters could have vitamin deficiencies. It took almost nine months to figure it out, but I didn't start having issues until 1 1/2 years after surgery. It's really unlikely that you have a deficiency so quickly after surgery. You probably feel energy and brain drain because you are taking in less calories than you're used to. Good luck and keep getting those shots!!!!

I had a B12 deficiency that showed up about 1 1/2 years post banding. Get your shots! It took about six months of weekly, then biweekly shots before my levels returned to normal. I still get them once monthly to keep my levels up. They do make me feel much more energized.

I had a lot of success with sports bras from Intimacy. Little more expensive, but well worth the "coverage". You know what I mean....sorry Terry no fun for you!

I also weigh myself every day, right after I get up and use the bathroom. I don't stress about the day to day fluctuations. Don't know if you are male or female, but we women can have huge fluctuations of weight during our cycle. I use My Fitness Pal for tracking my food and weight and it has a nice feature of being able to look at your weight over a 30 day, 60 day or 90 day period. As long as the number is trending down, I don't get too worked up about it. As for the string cheese question , I use Sargento Light String Cheese and Sargento Reduced Fat Sharp Cheddar Sticks. They have 60 calories and 5 grams of Protein so they do give some "bang for the buck".

Jean McMillan has both a cookbook and an informational book at the bottom of this page-Bandwagon and Bandwagon cookbook. I recommend both. I was kind of wandering along two years post banding not losing anymore when I found her Bandwagon book. I'm 8 lbs away from my goal because I FINALLY understand my band and how it's supposed to work.

Over the last three years I've had multilple fills and unfills. I've never had any of those problems after an unfill. I've had more weight gain from being too tight than from having an unfill. When you post a thread like this, you make an unfill sound like a death sentence to the band. This is not an accurate representation. Sorry the band didnt work out for you, but scaring newbies about having an unfill isn't playing fair.

You still need to go to liquids for the rest of the day though. Let your band rest even if it did pass! Funny thing, I've been stuck on scrambled eggs twice. You wouldn't think that a soft thing like that would stick, but man it is painful! Hope the rest of your day goes better!!!

I also love the Dannon Greek Light & Fit fat free yogurt. I find it at Kroger. I love the vanilla and the cherry. Only 80 calories and 12 grams of protein, yummy and filling!

I use a product called Beneprotein. It is a flavorless whey protein powder that I add to whatever I want. I had blood work come back out of whack also and this is what my dr. wanted me to use since its a pure protein source that is fully absorbed by the body. Supposed to be more complete than the absorption of the food we eat.

Your abdomen was filled with gas when they put your band in so yes, it's very normal to feel bloated.

I was banded in 2010 also! I still haven't hit my goal, but I'm closer than I've ever been. I got back on track last August when I started journaling EVERYTHING that I eat. I use My Fitness Pal to journal. Also, I use a FitBit. It's a small pedometer type thing that tracks my daily steps and links in with My FitnessPal. Once I started being honest about what I was eating and moving more, I started losing again. I'm not perfect...I just try each day to move more and eat less. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't, but I am still trying. Good luck! It isn't easy, but it's sure been worth it. I have to buy an entire new wardrobe this spring since nothing from last summer fits anymore!

I agree with Catfish about aftercare. Research shows that quality aftercare is necessary for successful bandsters. You also need to have a surgeon who respects you and your experiences and doesn't belittle or minimize your concerns. Since this is someone who you will continue to see for years, you'd better like him or her and their office staff. Since I've never had a fill done with floroscope, I cannot address that. My experience after almost three years is that I'm glad I chose the surgeon that I did!

It isn't just about how many calories you are taking in. It's about the quality of the calories. Are you getting in your protein? I use an app called My Fitness Pal and I log everything I eat. My doctor wants me to get in 60-80 grams of protein each day. Also, are you drinking enough water? It will help keep you full between meals. Last, are you exercising? Even a slow walk is better than nothing.

When I was banded in 2010, my kids were 9, 15 and 19. I told them all about my surgery and why I was having it done. My youngest had lots of questions in the beginning, but now that it's been almost three years, they all know the realities of my choice. I didn't tell them to burden them with too much knowledge, but rather chose to educate them about the honest causes of my obesity and the end result of needing WLS to get my life back. I would hate for any of them to follow my example . Besides, I've always believed the old saying that "knowledge is power". If my honesty about obesity and WLS can prevent them from becoming obese and having body image issues, I will consider my job complete.

I have popcorn almost every day. It gives me a good fiber kick plus fills me up. Just don't try to eat the half popped kernels...

Me too! I am always on the hunt for recipes that will satisfy my family and my band! I also love PInterest. Last week I made the chicken Parmesan meatballs and they were delicious! I think it's because now that I eat less quantity, I look for more quality and stronger flavors.