My name is Carlie. I am 27 years old and I have struggled with weight my entire life. I live in Tucson, Arizona. I love to travel, volunteer, dance, workout, run, exercise, hike, rock climb, play the violin, go to movies, listen to music and spend time with my family. I was banded two weeks ago. I am trying to change old patterns. I love eating anything unhealthy (donuts, Cookies, candy, ice cream etc.), but up until now have maintained a decent weight. Recently, since December I have gained 70 pounds, which is the most I have ever weighed equalling 192. My weight gain was extremely rapid. I have a scary family medical family history. I am excited to have the band, but I feel I am not following all the rules. I don't think I am doing everything I am supposed to. Please help.

Sincerely,

Carlie:eek:

Hi maybe we can help each other. I'm not banded yet- Sept 27. but very nervous about the same thing. if you want to talk about decisions, or just want someone that can convince you not to eat that giant donut for dinner, I'm in.

Thank you so much for responding. I would really appreciate the support. The same goes both ways. I know you haven't been banded yet, but it is never too early to start practicing. Once you are banded you will still be able to eat until you get filled. I haven't been filled yet, but I am finding it harder than I thought. I have to be more self disciplined and responsible than I thought. The band is only a tool! Thank you so much.

Oh I know, it's my biggest feat. I start my pre op diet on Monday, and I'm really afraid I wont lose enough weight, since I never have before.

So are you still on mushie food? do you feel really hungry?

From what I've read here it seems like it's important to go easy on yourself. Don't worry about losing weight right now, just healing. I believe call what you are in right now band hell, and as far as I can tell it is that until you hit your sweet spot. Does your Dr. use fouro fill? I"m hoping I can get a Dr that will use flouro. Im getting banded in Mexico, and that's a little far from Ohio to get filled.

So what are you eating right now. On monday I'm on 2 protein shakes and a lean cuisine and jello and green veggies. Although somehow I doubt they mean avocados:tongue_smilie:. Im busy right now really trying to convince myself that fast food and pizza are poison, not yummy- that they exploit workers, ruin the environment, and serve nothing more then pornography. If I can convince myself that I will be happy- lol.

Thank you so much for responding. I would really appreciate the support. The same goes both ways. I know you haven't been banded yet, but it is never too early to start practicing. Once you are banded you will still be able to eat until you get filled. I haven't been filled yet, but I am finding it harder than I thought. I have to be more self disciplined and responsible than I thought. The band is only a tool! Thank you so much.

:smile:

When you say you can still eat when you get banded, before you get filled, what do you mean? Is the band not filled at least some at the time the band is done?

When you say you can still eat when you get banded, before you get filled, what do you mean? Is the band not filled at least some at the time the band is done?

My doctor put an AP Large 14cc Lapband in me on July 8th. My band was empty until August 19th. At that time, he put in a little less than 3cc's.

That being said...the first 5 days post op...I did good to eat half of a sugar free popsicle...but, I had alot of swelling in my stomach. I actually looked as if I swallowed a tire. After 5 days, the swelling started to subside and my hunger quickly increased. At 2 weeks post op he cleared me to eat soft foods...although I had already started soft foods a few days earlier. I was too weak and felt much better when I did that. A small can of tuna would last me for two days back then. Now, I can pretty much eat just about anything without any problems...with the exception of chicken fingers...not sure why? I do eat much smaller portions but, not much restriction most of the time. Sometimes, however..My band feels extremely tight...examples...when I wake up in the morning until around lunch time, if I am stressed, and during my cycle each month...don't know why it works that way..mine just does. Also, I have noticed my band seems to be looser in the evenings. It really is a matter of watching what you eat and getting plenty of exercise. The band "helps" you...but, you definitely still have to do the work to get the results. I've heard of those who say they didn't have to exercise and ate what they wanted...and still lost weight. Unfortunately, I am definitely not one of those people! When I'm not putting in the work...I'm not getting the results! I find it helps me to log my food intake and calories burned on www.livestrong.com/myplate

It keeps you accountable for your eating and exercise habits. I wish you the best of luck on your weight loss journey and feel free to keep in touch!

Edited September 6, 201015 yr by rcain03@hotmail.com
grammar

My name is Carlie. I am 27 years old and I have struggled with weight my entire life. I live in Tucson, Arizona. I love to travel, volunteer, dance, workout, run, exercise, hike, rock climb, play the violin, go to movies, listen to music and spend time with my family. I was banded two weeks ago. I am trying to change old patterns. I love eating anything unhealthy (donuts, Cookies, candy, ice cream etc.), but up until now have maintained a decent weight. Recently, since December I have gained 70 pounds, which is the most I have ever weighed equalling 192. My weight gain was extremely rapid. I have a scary family medical family history. I am excited to have the band, but I feel I am not following all the rules. I don't think I am doing everything I am supposed to. Please help.

Sincerely,

Carlie:eek:

Keep a journal! Write everything down and be honest! Pretty soon you will get an idea of where you may be going wrong, or maybe what works for you. I was banded Aug. 3, and I have lost 27 pounds since then. Not because I'm not hungry (oh man!) I am hugry, but because I log everything down as I go through the day so I know what I can have and when I can have it. Hang in there, and stay away from junk! Get it out of your house! Only have Low fat,fat free, low cal,and zero calorie drinks....If that is all that is available to you, if you do have a melt down you don't do much damage!

Hi, I know Dr. Ortiz has these "webinairs" which are like little mini lectures on various topics, you could see them if you went to the Obesity Control Center web site- or probably youtube.

Anyway in when where the topic is band fills/ being filled enough he talks about the perfect fill is when you can eat 3 times and don't feel hungry. (of course I'm sure there is also mental hunger too)

But anyway he talks about things being tighter in the the morning and opening things up a bit with warm liquids. but he also stresses not eating mushie meals (once you are back on solids) that it should stick with you, like protien and veggies kinda thing.

Anyway, I had a wedding and family reunion - two different sides of the family, and lot of travel- I did terrible on my pre diet, luckily I started 2 weeks early. I haven't weighed myself yet. I'm supposed to lose like 15 lbs before surgery.

Sounds from stuff I've read like you still need more fills, that is a large band. I guess mine with be 11cc and many people always say they want smaller. Does your Dr. fill under flouro? Ortiz feels that is the best way, but of course that's what he does so he would say that.

Lisa

My doctor put an AP Large 14cc LAP-BAND®® in me on July 8th. My band was empty until August 19th. At that time, he put in a little less than 3cc's.

That being said...the first 5 days post op...I did good to eat half of a sugar free popsicle...but, I had alot of swelling in my stomach. I actually looked as if I swallowed a tire. After 5 days, the swelling started to subside and my hunger quickly increased. At 2 weeks post op he cleared me to eat soft foods...although I had already started soft foods a few days earlier. I was too weak and felt much better when I did that. A small can of tuna would last me for two days back then. Now, I can pretty much eat just about anything without any problems...with the exception of chicken fingers...not sure why? I do eat much smaller portions but, not much restriction most of the time. Sometimes, however..My band feels extremely tight...examples...when I wake up in the morning until around lunch time, if I am stressed, and during my cycle each month...don't know why it works that way..mine just does. Also, I have noticed my band seems to be looser in the evenings. It really is a matter of watching what you eat and getting plenty of exercise. The band "helps" you...but, you definitely still have to do the work to get the results. I've heard of those who say they didn't have to exercise and ate what they wanted...and still lost weight. Unfortunately, I am definitely not one of those people! When I'm not putting in the work...I'm not getting the results! I find it helps me to log my food intake and calories burned on www.livestrong.com/myplate

It keeps you accountable for your eating and exercise habits. I wish you the best of luck on your weight loss journey and feel free to keep in touch!

I feel the same way...I was banded about 4 wks ago...and I have the WORST time in the morning, cannot eat Breakfast to save my life, so I just try to get a shake down. Or like you said, if I am stressed, I close right up, cannot eat anything all day, but then, towards nighttime, I can eat anything! Definitely gets looser at night. I wonder why that is? I wish it was the other way around lol. Then I could eat breakfast, and then not eat before I go to bed. Oh well, still figuring this out!

Hi ladies I have been banded for about 13 months now and have lost a total of 60 lbs. Would love to support you on your journey. Its very important to play by the rules because old habits come back really quick. The important thing is that you got to want it! Good luck!