Hello,

I am so excited to meet you as I prepare for my journey...I live in Troy Missouri (about and hour north of st louis). I just got approval from the insurance company to get banded. I have my pre-op class on Feb 3rd and then they will schedule my surgery within 30 days of that class. I am excited to get healthy. I know that it's not going to be easy, but at this point, I don't know a whole lot about the process.

One thing I wonder is..can you feel the band in your stomach when you lay on your stomach? I guess I just wonder if there is a feeling that something "foreign" is in your body? Secondly, do you eat 2 oz of food per meal for the rest of your life? What is the difference between those who are successful and those who aren't?

I just had a baby last March and found out a month ago that I have type 2 diabetes. I want to get healthy and feel better for me, but mostly I want to play with my son. I want to run and jump and play with him, at 274 lbs, it's all I can do to sit on the floor and play with him. I am so excited to begin the journey and love looking at the successful photos. Great to meet you all!

Andrea

Hello -

I am 9months post op also --- and have a positive experience with my band.

I have been one that had exercised some - and I ate healthy foods..... just WAY WAY too much of them!!

I can NOT ever feel the BAND. I can feel my port if I press on my stomach -- but can not feel it unless I do that.

I have had LITTLE to NO restriction since surgery. And I have had to use will power to limit my portions. Which has been hell - -they refer to it as BANDSTER HELL.

I have taken a serious approach to my exercise - and joined a TaeKwonDo place -- so I get the Karate lessons 4x a week and also get a cardio-fit class 3x a week. That has really kick started my weight loss recently. So I should be seeing some bigger losses soon.

Don't think that you will ONLY be able to eat small portions - as that is NOT true for everyone.

Take a look through the many many areas of this web site and you will find many different experiences with their bands.

I normally now eat -

1 ready to drink Protein shake around 8am

one 6oz container of greek yugurt around 10:30am

lunch around 1pm

Lunch is usually Soup (1/2 can), or leftovers from dinner

portion is about 1cup maybe a little more.

snack around 4pm - cheese stick or Jello

Dinner is around 6pm

Steak, burger, fish or chicken - 4-6oz portion

FRESH Veggie or salad -- cottage chees

Throughout the day I drink Water, crystal light or sugar free KOOL AID.... it is very helpful to drink 64oz of Fluid a day.

Good Luck on your journeys -- I wish you well!!

and I highly suggest to take a look at the many many areas of this website to find information and other people's stories!

Congrats Calli!

I'm glad you are feeling better! Hope it continues to get better and better! It sure has for me! Good Luck!

Hello -

I am 9months post op also --- and have a positive experience with my band.

I have been one that had exercised some - and I ate healthy foods..... just WAY WAY too much of them!!

I can NOT ever feel the BAND. I can feel my port if I press on my stomach -- but can not feel it unless I do that.

I have had LITTLE to NO restriction since surgery. And I have had to use will power to limit my portions. Which has been hell - -they refer to it as BANDSTER HELL.

I have taken a serious approach to my exercise - and joined a TaeKwonDo place -- so I get the Karate lessons 4x a week and also get a cardio-fit class 3x a week. That has really kick started my weight loss recently. So I should be seeing some bigger losses soon.

Don't think that you will ONLY be able to eat small portions - as that is NOT true for everyone.

Take a look through the many many areas of this web site and you will find many different experiences with their bands.

I normally now eat -

1 ready to drink Protein shake around 8am

one 6oz container of greek yugurt around 10:30am

lunch around 1pm

Lunch is usually soup (1/2 can), or leftovers from dinner

portion is about 1cup maybe a little more.

snack around 4pm - cheese stick or Jello

Dinner is around 6pm

Steak, burger, fish or chicken - 4-6oz portion

FRESH Veggie or salad -- cottage chees

Throughout the day I drink Water, crystal light or sugar free KOOL AID.... it is very helpful to drink 64oz of Fluid a day.

Good Luck on your journeys -- I wish you well!!

and I highly suggest to take a look at the many many areas of this website to find information and other people's stories!

Hi, I just wanted to let you know what my surgeon has really stressed with me about portion size...Take it as you want, like you said...everyone has a different story...

I was told that 3-5 ounces total per meal is a good amount but you should never eat more than 6 ounces total because it can cause your pouch to stretch, which isn't good. When I am able to eat 6 ounces easily, my surgeon says it's time for a new fill, he says that you should eat every 3 hours to keep your metabolism working at full capacity, so 5-6 times a day. He's been recognized as one of the nations top Bariatric surgeons, he's amazing! I've lost 100 pounds in 8 months following his guidelines. And just wanted to let ya know what I was warned against. Good luck with the rest of your journey! Nice job with the exercising! You should be really proud of yourself keeping up with that! Wish I had that determination and willpower!

Edited January 25, 201016 yr by LaDawnS

Hi adennis I dont have all the answers to your questions because I was just banded on 1/14/09, but I am from Wentzville!! I also went to SSM with Dr.DeLatorre. I am a littel shy of 2 weeks out and feeling pretty good. I think I am getting to that point that they call bandster hell!! I just started to actually feel hungry a couple days ago. If you have questions or just want to talk send me a message or you can email me at nurseab24@yahoo.com!!

Hi LaDawn -

My surgeon is conservative with fills and therefore I have not had any restriction or pouch to worry about until most recently.

What size band do you have and how/when have your fills been? Just curious. I have noticed with others banded around the same time as me - the ones that have had more FILLS have lost more weight...

You have done great with the weight loss - keep it going.

I have reduced portion sizes now that I have some restriction, and yes, my surgeon and NP did tell me not to overdue the portions - or it WOULD stretch the pouch.

They didn't give me an ounce amount - but said 1/2 to 1 cup of food at a time.

CONGRATS on your success!!:wink:

Hey MSan!

Thanks for the nice words! I'm glad you're finally feeling some restriction, That'll definately help with your weightloss.

I have a 10cc band and have had about 5 fills and will be going in for my 6th one Feb. 2nd. I have 6 cc's in my band now. I guess because of the more rapid than normal weightloss, my band is loosing fatty tissue at that same rapid pace so I've had more fills than most at almost 9 months. Whenever I can eat 5-6 ounces in a setting and be hungry before my 3 hours is up and slow down with the weightloss, they tell me to come in and have another fill. Then the loss speeds up again!

It's nice that you've lost at a slower pace though, you probably won't have the extra skin issue! Especially with you working out so much! That's very impressive!

Take care and good luck with the new restriction! :wink: