Hi everyone. Im amy. I'm 21 years old and i just recently got my band. I've now been on regular foods for a week. I've lost roughly 6 lbs since my surgery. I know it's going to go slowly, but i feel like i should have lost more than that by now. idk. but anyway.

I'm curious about a few things..

What type of diets are you on? i'm on a "no" carb diet and will only go to a balanced diet after i'm at my goal. is that what you all are doing too?

Also even though i can tell a difference with my band with no fill, i can still eat quite a bit with out any consequence (pressure, etc) .. is this normal for people to feel this way before you get a fill?

Another thing i'm worried about is my port is kind of noticeable.. at least to me, when i lose more n more weight will it stick out even more??

responses are much appreciated!!

thanks!

I was banded on 1/7/13 as well Amy, as for the weight loss, slow and steady wins the race. Just follow your Dr.s instructions.

Hi Amy and Welcome!

I'll try to answer your questions in order

Diet: You'll find every doctor and nutritionist seem to have their own idea what works best. So, you'll get a wide variety of answers on that one. As for myself, I don't do the whole low carb thing. It's simply not realistic for me long me term. However, I do have some rules I follow. It's simply what works for me, everyone is different:

-I never go over 1 cup of food per meal

-I stay between 1000-1200 calories daily

-I make sure to get at least 60g of Protein in daily

Fills: How your feeling is totally normal. It takes most people multiple fills to have adequate Fluid in their bands. You'll here this time referred to as "bandster hell" because you don't feel any different yet you're expected to eat like a banded person. It's rough but a very common experience for a lot of us.

Port: I won't lie, if you notice it now you will likely notice it more as you lose weight. I've lost 179 pounds so far and mine sticks out a lot more than it did originally. The good news is, if you find it's an issue once you real goal, you can always get it replaced with a low profile one.

Best wishes!

well im glad to hear what i'm feeling about not being full is normal. i just wish i didnt have to wait for a fill!!! how many fills did it take you till you were at the right point? it seems like 4.9 is alot compared to what i've heard from others.

Did you start out losing pretty slow too?

yeah thats what i was afraid to hear about the port, but i guess ill worry about it once i get to that point.

thanks!

Amy - I was banded 12/21. I am also low/no carbing it because I have done Atkins in the past and had great success with it. However, that works for me. Lots of others here do get their protein in first but also have some veggies and a bit of carbs and they are having no issues with weight loss. I lost 7lbs the week after surgery and then it came to a dead halt. I didn't worry about it just kept on going. In the past 11 days since I've been back on solids and keeping the carbs at bay I've lost 7.5 lbs more. I imagine even that will slow down. But again, that's ok. I'm in it for the long haul. My plan is to follow the rules and work this band as best as I can. I don't plan on getting a full until I get to my goal weight. I figure I'm going to need it more to help me maintain when I get all whiny down the road. Take it one day at a time and just remember that you can do it!

I was banded on 12/31/12 and was sure I would be down 20 pounds the week after surgery, afterall, I'd been on clear liquids and couldn't eat much of anything the week following surgery. I was sooooo disappointed to the point of crying when I discovered I had only lost 6 pounds. My doc says that's normal because of bloating and swelling from the surgery. I'm down 16 now, but have come to the conclusion that I can't live and die by the scale. I can only do what I'm supposed to do and hope the weight will follow. I'm committed to working with this band to reach my goal. My first fill is 1/31/13. Lost of luck with your journey. I'm sure you'll be successful:-)

well im glad to hear what i'm feeling about not being full is normal. i just wish i didnt have to wait for a fill!!! how many fills did it take you till you were at the right point? it seems like 4.9 is alot compared to what i've heard from others.

Did you start out losing pretty slow too?

yeah thats what i was afraid to hear about the port, but i guess ill worry about it once i get to that point.

thanks!

Actually, 4.9 is actually on the lesser side. Though I am requesting a very small fill tomorrow, I was one of the lucky ones with a little restriction even before I had adequate Fluid in my band. I haven't had a fill since September but just this last week I'm noticing I'm a lot hungrier too often.

It took me 4 fills to get to the Green Zone, but I had my band emptied in August for an emergency surgery (totally unrelated to the band) and had to go through it all again.

I actually lost really fast at the beginning, but you have to realize, I also started with over 200 pounds to lose. That makes a huge difference in weight loss speed. I also started logging my calories religiously from the day I got home from the hospital, so that really helped my weight loss early on.

Just remember, you're your own unique person. You'll lose at the perfect rate for you

thanks hummingbird and mis73 for the encouragement.

yeah i also have over 200 to lose. but yup.. i just need to be super hard core from now on. i know itll be worth it.. but why am i feeling so fearful... idk its just all new i guess.. like how (cliche i know... but) it really is the first day of the rest of my life and just not knowing is freaking me out.

Panic-ing aside it's good to know people have gone through the same struggles as me

Amy I was scared to death, but I think I was more afraid of what my life would be like if I didn't do it. I'm only three weeks out and I feel physically and emotionally great! You can do this and you will look back on the fear and a necessary evil. It would be unnatural if you weren't afraid. It's surgery! Best of luck

yeah i wasnt afraid of the surgery oddly. i knew it just had to be done. today ends my second week after surgery. thats what i dont get is why now im afraid. but i'm sure itll work out.. hopefully.

thanks hummingbird and mis73 for the encouragement.

yeah i also have over 200 to lose. but yup.. i just need to be super hard core from now on. i know itll be worth it.. but why am i feeling so fearful... idk its just all new i guess.. like how (cliche i know... but) it really is the first day of the rest of my life and just not knowing is freaking me out.

Panic-ing aside it's good to know people have gone through the same struggles as me

Amy it will def be worth it! And what your feeling is normal. I was so scared in the beginning to eat and after a fill I get a little anxious too but I think it's all part of the process. I just mentally prepare for the fill before my appt so that way It won't be so bad. Everyone I have spoken too on here is awesome so you will have plenty of support from here!

thanks supernurseD! yeah everyone does seem very nice i'm glad i joined.

thanks supernurseD! yeah everyone does seem very nice i'm glad i joined.

:-)