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Yes, that year usually comes up on you very very fast. I like a party so you all just tell me when and where. Even if it is at my house:banana :music:

I did what you did, but protien shakes made with powder, no slim fast. Have you checked out this doctor's credentials? Every doctor's plan varies a little, but it seems like his varies a lot.

I have only been banded since 10/27/11 and yes have only lost 9 pounds so far. What you heard is incorrect there are many people on here that have lost 100 pounds in a year and probably more than that. It is a slower process they want us to lose 1-2 #s per week. t also depends on how much you have to lose depends on how fast you will lose it.

I got over 1 plateau while traveling. Little control over the food I had access to, and I was in Europe so all delicious. I went down to 2 meals, and tried to have a 16 hour break between dinner and my next meal. Lost 7 pounds in 3 weeks with this adjusted intermittent fasting.

Rachel-- Yeah, my 18W was well-worn and well stretched out. I think this is just one of those oddities of fit. My torso is a bit too long for one piece suits and so to get them to cover my large breasts adequately, they have to be a little big so I can use that extra stretch. Lands End is where I got my Tankini's-- I love the quality of their suits (except the dye tends to fade super fast). I just wanted to get something cheaper-- I guess I got what I paid for I KNEW I'd regret not getting that yellow Juicy Couture one-piece at TJ Maxx that I tried on in the spring!

Oh man do I know the woes of Splenda! I was so excited when it came out. Although the taste doesn't bother me, ANYTHING with the sugar alcohols in it make me so sick SO fast! I envy those of you who can tolerate it. I am an aspartame girl/addict really. I have also started putting Stevia in hot tea. I wish Iliked splenda people who cook and bake with it all rave. There are two chefs on the food channels who have gone lo carb and their recipes make me drool.

This is my second day of liquids only... the protein shake with skim milk helped me get through the mornings... sugar free popsickles helps in the afternoons.... this slim fast doesn't really fill me at all but I'm hanging in there...1 more day and salad bar... here I come...

It is all happening too fast! Saw MY Dr. on monday, he unfilled me and changed yet again the meds for my reflux. He is going to spain tomorrow, for 3 weeks. Talked him into x rays. Well, today i had them, and my band has moved, a lot, eventhough the barium went through, very slowly, there is a huge amount of stomach above the band. The radiologist made an appointment with another doctor in the clinic, since mine is not going to be in town. She saw me, talked to yet another collegue, and I am scheduled for surgery on tuesday, to fix this. **I** knew the reflux was caused by the band moving, but I was so desperate to believe my Dr. that that wasn't the case. ACK! Now, here is my list of predicaments. 1) should I call my doctor the day before he flies O/S( that means today) and tell him Im going under the knife with someone else? what if he wants me to wait? I have been sitting up at night for 4 weeks, and the last week, even that doesnt halp at night. 2) I will meet the surgeon at the O.R., she is too busy to meet me any other time, I dont know how I feel about that. 3) We were supposed to visit the in-laws on thursday, but I dont think I want to take a 4 hr drive after surgery. My husband claims he cant lie to his parents, so he will tell them what is going on. Telling my M-I-L will inform the world of my lap band faster than taking an add in the papers. Last time I didnt tell anyone. I dont want to tell anyone, its my life, its my body and my dear Husband better learn how to make excuses! This issue is stressing me as much as the prospect of surgery again. 4) last time, I swore I never ever wanted to go through that surgery again this lady I saw today said the band slips in less than 10% of the patients..... so why me????

Hi Dar, I too have fibro and another autoimmune disorder.Not too sure what it is though. I go to the rhumitologist every 3 months for check ups and refills on meds. Are you on anything for either condition? I have just begun my lap band journey. I've been for the consultation and go to pulmonologist tomorrow. The BS had me go for blood work and the guy taking my blood was surprised by all of the tests that were ordered. 21 viles of blood!!! I'm so glad to hear that someone out there has had the band with similar conditions as myself. As for all of the problems that you have encountered, I'm sorry to hear that. I know when we get the flair ups it's hard to eat healthy. It's sometimes painful to have to cook because of all the time that it takes to prep the food and to prepare it. So much easier to pick up the phone and order delivery or drive to the closest fast food place. But when it gets to that point I just keep telling myself that if I can get thru this time of pain to eat something more healthy and be able to loose weight, in the long run my overall health IS going to become better and I WILL feel better. Congratulations on the 20 lbs.:clap2: have you tried to make healthy meals that you can tolerate and freezing them in small portions to thaw and heat on those days that you just don't feel well enough to do all the work? That's what I've started doing for my family. That comes in handy on thoes days that are too hectick too! Keep your head up and just think, you're 20 lbs. lighter than you used to be!! keep in touch Theresa

Glad you're feeling better. Too bad we have to learn all the lessons the hard way, isn't it. Good advice someone gave me: "Don't let yourself get too hungry or too full." And that helps....I've always been guilty all of my life of not eating on schedule then getting too hungry and eating too fast, too much. That's one of the lessons I've had to learn the past few months.

:help: I had my surgery on Feb 07 2007. Up until yesterday I felt really restricted and couldn't eat or drink too fast. Yesterday and today it felt like everything went through without restriction. I could drink a whole glass of water in one go without feeling the awfull pain of restriction instead it felt like I had to burp and once I managed that it was clear no pain or restricion / same with eating. A couple of day ago I came down with a stomach virus and was throwing up a couple of times a day for 2 day but havent since than. Has band slipped? (Feels like there is restriction but not much) I dont have pain or acid reflux anymore at all? I havent had any fills yet and have gone from 345LBS to 306LBs as of today. I have had bad breath the last 5 days and when I burp it smell awfull:eek: is it possible that I am experiencing kitosis? Any words of advise from the wise ones out there or anyone with similar experince.

I have around the same fill level in my 10cc band and I have plenty of restriction. I don't measure my food, but I can only eat small portions. I take very small bites and chew, chew, chew. At this fill level I am not able to eat Rice, Breads, Pasta's. I can eat pretty much anything else... Lady: Most Doctors fill at a slow level. My Doc says fast fills can cause slippage and other problems...You are probably in what we call Banster Hell. I went through it...It was not easy, but following my Doctors orders is what has made me so successful I'm my opinion

Judy, I've been exactly where you are! I was so frustrated with the back and forth that first month. I couldn't believe I wasn't losing on 600 calories a day! I only lost 4 pounds the month after surgery and four the second month after!! It's so hard seeing everyone's tickers that seem to be losing so fast and you're doing everything right and not losing!!! Well here's the good news - After that second month post op the weight literally started falling off! I believe my body decided it wasn't starving and decided to let go of the calories. I know a lot of people on this forum do things differently than me, however this is what is working for me: I average 700 calories a day, 60 - 70g Protein, 30 -40g carb. 70 - 80oz. plain water. If I get hungry between meals I drink 16 - 24oz water all at once. My fills have helped, but I've been doing this from the beginning The fills have definatly helped curb my hunger, but I have to work very hard at it. It is so worth it though to see the scale go down every time I weigh now! Many have lost faster than me, but with my record for weight loss _ I'm thrilled. Just be patient and it will happen for you. You seem to have a good idea about what it takes to be successful so keep up the hard work and your body WILL respond!! Best wishes to you! .

I know this sounds crazy but take your first fill of 2cc in stride. I'm glad I went slower to get used to the feeling that you will experience by second or third fill. I needed the time to slowly get used to eating less and less. I know we all want our weight off fast, but you want to be successful, too. Sometimes too fast is not always the best for your body. Good luck:)

Firstly I'll say that I do understand that many people really NEED that tight restriction to lose because their bodies require very very few calories to run and thus calories must be extremely low for weight loss and also because some people really do have such issues with cravings and lack of ability to control their intake. But I tend to agree with my doctor that the band is safest with less restriction and that the high levels of slippage and erosion you read about are in large part due to poor band management - over restriction, and more pbing and stuck episodes than is ideal - once in a blue moon is normal, several times a week isnt. that said, I'd be the first in for more fill if I gained even an ounce! However, my band is fairly loose and I like it that way. I seen to actually have a pretty fast metabolism in that I can eat WAY more than most bandsters both to lose and maintain but on the other hand I've been away on school camp this week and eaten with five other adults for three meals and two Snacks a day and I'm quite literally reeling in disbelief at how much food some normal to only slightly overweight people can put into their bodies!!!! Nonetheless, I was able to eat what was put in front of me - including sandwiches and hard foods like muffins, fresh fruit etc with not one single problem. I can eat enough to nourish my body properly - plenty of leafy greens, two fruit and five veg per day etc. I dont need Protein supplements and shakes. My issue in particular though is we've got a lot of bowel issues in my family, and several are starting to become apparent in me as I get older, i've had some issues over the last six months. For me a very high fibre diet containing loads of fruit and veg and wholegrains is imperative and I would never follow the lower fibre, higher protein type program, as I have a very irritable bowel!. Having my band loose, but filling up with more volume of those good foods keeps me healthy and prevents the awful cramping/constipation issues I can get if I dont eat right. And it never stopped me losing. I also notice if I eat too little and too little good carbs, I just slow down. I cant exercise as hard, I dont feel as good so I burn way less energy, so it seems to me better to eat more, burn more. So i tend to err on the side of loose. I can eat a Big Mac, yes, but I just choose not to most of the time.

So Ivan, how come you didn't do the laundry LOL jk Did the scale finally show you what you wanted to see? Paula, the weekends go by way to fast, it should be the other way around 2 days of work and 5 day weekends, doncha think. I dread the thought of getting up at 4:30 am but, somebody's gotta pay the cookie bills LOLOL I have to stop looking into my neighbors yards, every time I see their pools I start to drool... good things are worth waiting for, good things are worth waiting for, good things are worth waiting for... OY. lol Well back to helping DH with his new project.....he is building DD a bedroom set and it looks beautiful so far. I'll take pictures when its all done. He really is a great craftsman. See ya

I had my long awaited surgery on Thursday. I am still in the hospital 2 days later and I want so badly to go home. Uhhh! My surgery went well except I lost more blood than expected during the surgery. My surgeon told me that when they moved my spleen out of the way, the capsule that covers it is very fragile so it started to bleed. I didn't need a blood transfusion, thank God because they stopped the blood in time. Other than that, I feel great. I'm walking, feeling no pain, just minor discomfort. My appetite is non existent. They have given me a breakfast, lunch and dinner of chicken broth, jello, decaf tea, crystal light and water. After a few sips of b each, I'm done. This has been an okay experience so fast but I don't think I realized the magnitude of the decision I made. I'm so very thankful to the stories I have read on this app. It really helped me too know just what to expect.

Ok first the caveats: I am not a pro, just a person! Not a surgeon. I AM a newly graduated nurse BUT I'm not posting this because I am a medical expert, ok? Just a fellow bander who's going to share what I know from reading, google, my surgeon, and my experience. None of this replaces what your doc tells you. :wub: Firstly; are you getting AT LEAST 64 ounces of Water each day? I don't mean tea or coffee (even decaf) or crystal light but water? Are you on any medications that would require you to have more water (like allopurinol for high uric acid, for example) One thing I have learned is this: if you aren't overfilled, a tight band happens in a dry person. Dehydrated=tight. This ties in with your problems starting in the AM. Most people aren't well hydrated and if you wake up, drink a little coffee and then try to eat, BAM! too tight. IF you aren't drinking 64 ounces of water each day, DO IT. I drink 4 16oz bottles spaced several hours apart. Some sip all day long. Do 8 oz an hour, whatever works for you, but get it in. Secondly: how large is your band? 3ccs in a 10cc band is pretty aggressive for a first fill and aggressive fills have been linked to esophageal spasms. (I'm not dissing your surgeon; again I'm not a pro. Many people get fills that much, or more, and are happy as clams because they lose and don't have your issues. I'm just saying that it could be what caused them). Once unfilled, as you are, can you eat ok? Thirdly: PB'ing often causes swelling. If you eat/PB and then eat again without giving your stomach and esophagus time to settle down, then the next time you try you'll be even tighter. You might have exacerbated your problem unintentionally by trying to eat again too soon. IF I were you, I'd start over. I'd review the "rules" of small bites, well chewed, eat slowly, over 30 minutes (that last one is my doc's rule...he says no eating beyond 30 or you're grazing). DO THIS NOW even if you can wolf down a cheeseburger. PRACTICE!!! THEN once you feel like you are following the rules, getting the water in, and your doc agrees, get a fill, but a SMALLER one. Get 1.5 ccs. See how you do. Give it 3 weeks or more (because some people need 2 weeks for a fill to even be perceived, odd but true). If that works, get another cc. CREEP UP ON IT! Always practice the small bites, well chewed, eat slow, no drinking during or after meals (per your docs order) and see if you can ease back into it. I have found that if I PB then I am tense and tense=tight, so mastering the eating habits while still open will give you a weapon to fight that. You'll know, once you start getting filled, that you CAN do it; you know how to eat properly, etc. It does become 2nd nature but not as fast as you'd think. I can get distracted by conversation or an interruption (and God forbid I let myself get too hungry before eating!) and then can get into "trouble" but if I chew well (I counted once; it's 40 times for me. way more than I thought it would take! of course it depends on what I'm eating but 40 is a good number for beef and poultry) and watch my bite size (for me it's about 1/2 to 2/3 of my old norm. cut stuff up, then cut it AGAIN. Do it before you sit down to eat so you won't have to think about it) then I can eat anything. I hope some of this helps. Hydrate, follow the rules, ease back into fills, and I hope you'll be on the road again!

Thanks for the tip on the Biotin. I will get some today and see if that helps a bit. More than anything is is reassuring that to know that it won't all fall out. I am just amazed at how fast the change in my hair occurred. It seemed that most of the loss happened over just a 2 week period. I have noticed the loss is slowing down some. During those initial weeks I would run my hands through my wet hair and they would come out with 20-30 strands each time.....now I am down to about 5 strands. I am not sure if it is the Nioxin or if it is just slowing down on its own. Thanks again for the info on the Biotin. I will try ANYTHING at this point to save my remaining locks!

Hi Stacy! Are you sure you didn't copy all that from my bio?? I haven't been banded yet but on reading a lot of posts from this site I have come across a lot of people who have been losing 100 pounds (or more) so I am greatly encouraged. No, it's not as fast as RNY but I personally would prefer to lose slowly and be healthy -- besides I didn't gain it overnight! Don't stress!! I am finally excited about my life again and can hardly wait to get the band. It's been so long since I was able to lose weight -- no matter what I did -- that I am just going to take baby steps. Right now, 20 pounds would be a step in the right direction!

Hello everyone! I was banded on 5/26. Within the past 2 days, I have had this constant annoying pain in my left chest area - like right behind my left breast. I have tried stretching etc. because it almost feels like a muscle strain or something. I am not vomiting or anything - I haven't had barely any restriction since the swelling went down and can pretty much eat anything (which I have been doing unfortunately - bread will give me a little problem if I eat it too fast). My first fill is on July 14th. Could my band have slipped this quickly? I am getting worried. Anyone have any advice? Thanks!

Bread product. It was too dougy or it qte it too fast. But i havent had any problem till i ate the biscuit.

Hi Jen, I just notice no one responded to your post, thats not very friendly of us!! I cant really help you tho cos im not getting banded until 6th of July! Hope its all going well for you! Any advice about opti fast? So not looking forward to it.. I have decided that I am going to go on 2 weeks early.. give the LB a headstart! So in total i will be doing 4 weeks of opti.. My Bf is going to do it as well so hopefully that will help i wont have to cook him food! Cheers Pickle

Keri, This thread got a little OFF TOPIC! You were banded a couple of weeks after me. I got stuck for over a month before the scales finally started moving again THIS WEEK! Go over to www.livestrong.com/dailyplate and log every bite you take. Also log your water intake. You'll be amazed at what you see. Make sure you're eating the right amount...not too much, but also not too little. And, vary your calorie intake up and down every few days...keeps your metabolism confused. You say you don't get to work out much. You'll have to find a way to incorporate physical activity into your day even if it's not a structured workout. Do the best you can, then don't worry about the rest. The weight will eventually come off, just not as fast as you'd like. You can do this!

I had lapband surgery in 2009 in Phoenix with Dr Terry Simpson. Fast forward to now, where I am happily married, pregnant and suffering miserably from the lap-band! I did not feel comfortable going back to Dr Simpson with my issues...his office turned into a 'cattle call' with too many patients and little to no time for questions. You virtually lined up to be seen. I was also offended on two occasions, once by a fellow patient who snickered at me and said 'why the hell are you here?' and a staff member that told me that my minimal weight loss (from 200 to 185) was probably because my body was comfortable there...huh? The last straw was my attempt to go in two weeks ago for the pain, reflux, rapid weight loss....and they said sorry, he's on a family vacation...you were self pay years ago so you should find someone else to help with your 'issues'. After a week and a half of an inability to swallow food or Water, I was desperate and was referred to Dr Jason Reynoso at Scottsdale Health Care. Wow! Talk about a caring, compassionate guy that knew I was in trouble and wanted to help me ASAP. Losing 25lbs when you are 5 months pregnant is not normal and he started the process immediately. An Upper GI indicated a slipped band and little to no liquid or food able to pass through. I was scheduled for surgery and had it done yesterday. There was a lot of scar tissue that had to be removed and it appears the band wasn't originally installed correctly as the buckle essentially disintegrated. Obviously being pregnant and having surgery is the last thing you would ever think about but I knew it was becoming a matter of life and death for myself and my unborn child. I am sore but home and can eat like a human again! I decided to write this to encourage anyone pregnant with a band and suffering to reach out to your Dr as soon as possible. I have cried many tears...mad at myself for ever putting myself and my child in this position and 'waiting it out' over the past couple of years when I was obviously having issues. Sorry for the rambling rant but I needed to get it out! Best of luck to you all!