Noturningback15

Once I got over 6.5 cc's I asked for small fills until I got to 7.3 where I am now. If you ask for too much you may get to tight. I think I went from 6.5 to 6.8 and then 6.8 to 7.0 and then finally 7.0 to 7.3. I'm good now. I don't eat until I feel restriction though. I based my fills on how fast I was getting hungry. I am scared to keep eating until I feel a tightness. I don't think we are supposed to do that anyways. I can eat 1/2 cup of protein and about 1/4 cup of sides and not get hungry until 4 hours or more.I guess I said all of that to say try to base your fills on how long you stay not hungry and the other things your Dr. want as well.

Great Job! I know you are too happy!

Congrats!!!!! Did you get your arms done? If so, did they consider that cosmetic? Thanks!

I felt just like you did for up to 7 months after being banded because I was making myself "diet" in order just to lose a little weight. I didn't get a good fill until my 7 month of being banded that took away my hunger sensation for up to 4 hours after eating. It will happen sooner or later so just stick with it! Some people only need a few fills or none at all to get to that point. I am a turtle at losing weight compared to some people. I average 1 pound a week since being banded! I am just as proud as someone that averages 3 pounds a week! Good for them and good for me! Keep your head up!

I started the elliptical last September doing 10 min at a time until I built up to 30 min non-stop. I would rotate with the bike until I did a total of 45 to one hour. Good luck!

I may be wrong but I think this AD is computer manipulated by some jerk that's trying to make a point!

I would suggest eating just like you did when you had the band. I know it's easier said than done but act like you still have your band. I have read that some people still have some type of restriction after it's taken out because of either scar tissue or the reshaping of your stomach. If you stll do take advantage of it and don't force certain types of foods just because it's easier to go down now. Well, that's my plan if I ever have mine taken out. I am hoping after years of changing my eating habits it will just stick with me. I pray! Wish you well and work out twice as hard!

I only averaged the 4 pounds a month my first year with the band too so I understand your concern. Some people lose it faster but what matters is if comes off:) I think I am only doing 3 pounds average now so I gotta pick it up! I wish you well! We will do well as long as we don't give up and keep up with our lifestyle changes. I have accepted the fact that it will take me 3 years or longer to lose all of my excess weight. Hopefully, during that time I learned a new lifestyle and will keep it off!

I could care less about what people think about me and my band! I am happier than I have been in years and they can't take that away from me! We shouldn't have to defend or explain ourselves...I am very happy with my band! YEA ME!

Once I got over 6.0cc's I started to feel satisfied for 3 to 4 hours after a meal without getting hungry again. Now, I don't get hungry until 4 or more hours depending on what I ate. 1/2 cup of oatmeal lasts me about 2 to 3 hours but 1/2 cup of tuna or chicken breast last the longest.

Well, I do it all the time and I know it's gross but I am terrified of getting stuck on food. I have never been stuck before and I am not planning on it! If I can't get my food to break down to an oatmeal consistency; I will spit it out and try with the next piece. I don't have an eating disorder lol! I hate throwing up and that's why I spit! Oh, that looks nasty typed!

Sorry to hear this! If you can dedicate yourself to a liquid diet for 2 weeks or liquids and one meal a day, I am sure you will lose most of that 25 pounds in those 2 weeks. I lost 13 pounds in 4 days of liquids only. Good luck!

Congrats! I am hoping to reach the 100lb mark by the end of the year.. .

Only thing I am crying about is my bat wings! My arms look horrible!

I started out with about 2cc's at the time of surgery. I think a lot of doctor's do this and most people don't know. It's funny how some people brag about losing all of their weight without ever having a fill but I bet if some of them checked with their doctors they have something in that band!

If you are not happy with your fills then I would consider switching to another doctor. Just make sure it's a very good Dr. that won't overfill you just because you want more but actually care and consider what's best for you. I wasted a little over 7 months with a doctor that treated my fills like a reward/punishment thing. I got a new doctor 8 months after being banded and he gave me good fills like .5 to 1 cc at at time and I started losing weight immediately. I lost more weight in the one month after my switch to a new doctor than I had lost in 4 months with the old Dr. I wish I would have not wasted time and switched a long time ago. I would be further along with my weight loss.

I think you will be fine! I have never heard of cream of wheat or eggs slipping a band. I know it's hard but try to stick to your doctor's order whatever they may be. I think I was already on eggs and cream of wheat by week 4 though. Wish you well! * EDIT: I thought you was on week 4. Well I was eating thinned out cream of wheat on week 2 however.

You are right we are a very diverse group of people and I guess I should have not said "our community" like the whole race feels that way but that can't be true because I would have not had the surgery if it was! I am from the south so I actually laughed out loud when I read you are in California! In my opinion plastic surgery, WLS or any kind of cosmetic surgery is more accepted in Cali no matter what race you are! I have many relatives from Cali and it's amazing to see how liberated they are about certain issues that are shunned on us Southerns.....I am glad that I did what's best for me no matter where I live! I have a lot of support now but it took a while for them to warm up to it and now like I said before they are all happy I did this.

I agree with weight loss surgery being a stigma within our community but who cares! I did this to live longer and feel better about myself. Where were all those people when the pounds were adding up? They didn't have too much advice or help then and now all of sudden they want to advice people on not having weight loss surgery...LOL! When we are at our goals and living a more fulfilled life then they will start to say things like "I'm glad you did this or that because you look so much better now" Well some of my family members that initially had problems with it are already saying things like that and I am not anywhere near goal. So, hold your head up high and do what's best for you! Good luck!

Meka checking in at 297.8 TOM last week:(

You have only been banded for four weeks so you are doing just fine! Your body needs to adjust to the band and the new phases you are going through with foods. Keep up the good work!

Thanks for sharing! In Feb and March I gained 8 pounds because I wasn't be honest with myself. I had those same thoughts your are having in April and since lost 13 pounds once I realized that it was really up to me to track my calories and stop eating sweets too much. I still have some but in moderation and I add them in my calorie tracker for the day instead of leaving them out.

M&M's, ice cream, and brownies:(

Congrats!

Meka checking in at 297.8.