HeatherinCA

Should be fine. I tried it pre-band. The food absolutely horrible though (it's literally like mushy cat food stew, no matter what flavor you get), on top of the $300 box, you have to supplement it with salads and fruits, and other things. Very expensive. Ultimately probably too much food for a bandster. Also yea lots of soup, and cereal stuff.. things that wouldn't satisfy your band.

Hi guys! I was banded in December 2010. Lost some weight, gained it back. I'm at about the same weight I was when I started. I've been having pain like right under my ribcage, and where my bra sits, especially when I sit down, (i feel better walking or lying flat), like something is pushing me there (center of my chest), it's extremely uncomfortable and bras are horrible, I've been through a bunch.. could that be my port? Or something? I know where they put in the needle is maybe 3 inches lower toward my belly button, but I know there is something near my ribcage. Also a ton of gas, burping gas. The last few weeks I've been scared to eat, because it's so bad. I did get 1 CC taken out a few weeks ago (I guess I had 6 now I have 5, but I don't know my capacity), that feels a little better. Eating less seems to help, I'm not going to lie my diet isn't good. I've been eating fairly regularly for the past 2 years. I can still get food down now, I'm not vomiting or sliming. I'm scared something is wrong.. But, it could be my bad anxiety blowing everything out of proportion (I have terrible anxiety). Any advice? I have an appointment soon and I feel like I need to ask my band doctor for help, but I don't know what to say exactly. (is there a test I should take, or should they empty my band? did I slip?) Last time they just asked if I was vomiting and then he took a little out and that was it...

Don't test it. I read something today and I think it rings true. The goal here is to see LITTLE you can eat and not be hungry, NOT how much you can eat. It's not there to stop you from eating, it's there to help you be less physically hungry. Not everyone gets stuck, or sick. I've been banded a year and not once have I thrown up, I've had some discomfort, but nothing ever got stuck. Ultimately it's all up to you and the choices you make. Like Dulci posted, it should be easier to make good choices because you won't be hungry eating less food.

Of course those numbers reflect that, and they should. It's important to know how many people fail, give up, gain weight as well as succeed.. It's just the reality of getting banded. I think it says a lot about the band. I know it works amazing for some people which is great, but it also says, most people can only manage to lose 60% of their weight.

I've been banded a year, not near my goal yet, but I notice the amount I can eat changes. Somedays something will make me ultra full and it's painful, and other days it goes down fine, no gas, feels ok. Who knows!

Nope. But, we are all addicts basically.... The band is a lot of work to achieve success. For me it's an everyday mental struggle.

I think it depends how you react to it. For me, I eat normally, I don't have stuck episodes. I could easily hide it. I got a new job about 6 months in, nobody knows except the people I've told. I have a lean cuisine for lunch, it's not that weird. BUT, ultimately it's good to have a support group.

Between the pre-op liquids and stuff, I lost a good 30lbs pretty fast. But then it slows dramatically once you start solid food.

Well, it all depends on the person and how dedicated they can be. The average weight loss with the band is 50lbs. From my experience, I've been banded a year, somewhere around 5-6 months, I had some distractions, I gave up. I started eating more normally (I'm lucky, or unlucky that nothing gets stuck in my band). I had lost 60lbs at this point, now I've been putting on weight. Honestly, it's all a matter of how you go about it, if you have willpower and can stick to the plan. For me, I stopped being afraid of my band. I'm working on a restart, but it's hard! Not gonna lie, the initial love affair with your band wears off.

Not satisfied, but not physically hungry. The goal really, is to see how little you can eat without being hungry.

Haha the dog story, how true! I'm exactly like that, I can always rationalize eating. LOL yes the Kardashians, I think Rob's appendix ruptured or something, and he was the surgeon on duty, made me laugh. Khloe & Lamar lived somewhat near that hospital haha. I started back on track today, so far so good, and my fill is on the 26th. Going to exercise now!

I've thought about it, but I can't physically force myself to do liquids. I'd give up after 1 protein shake haha.

Thanks girls. Yea, true, can't say the last time I lost 41 pounds and kept it off for any length of time. I do feel better, and smaller which is nice. But it's getting to the point my pants don't fit right, and frankly I'm just embarrassed I'm letting myself gain weight. We spent all this money, and I put in all this effort, I should continue. I might look into a group, I'm just not sure that is right for me. What kind of stuff do they talk about there? I'm worried it will be corny... like I was never one to enjoy Weight Watchers meetings. I kinda wish I could talk one on one with a psychologist, about what reasons might be causing me to want to eat. Or how to not turn to food for everything. I feel like now, I'm eating because I'm happy, which is ridiculous! This year has been a rollercoaster... I need to learn how to not use food for everything in my life. I guess I'll discuss this with my office when I go next month. My doctor is always in a hurry it seems... ack, he intimidates me, but he is a good doctor and I trust him. LOL random he was on The Kardashians, made me laugh ahhaha

#1 rule of the lapband, it won't stop you from eating... The fills don't hurt, to me it was just extremely awkward. Poking a needle in your belly. Then I felt extra full for a few days. My doc said light meals the day off, and i think liquids after for a day. Every doc has a different recommendation.

I lost a lot of hair for about 6 months, it has seemed to stop (for the most part) now.