February 2007 Bandsters Unite!

[Doddie63 6]

Hi Dame J: I guess we are learning what some of the people who have had the band for a long time has found out. Even with the band, we are subject to our bad habits and have to work at loosing weight. It is one thing to think of the band as a tool and another is to use it as a tool. One hard lesson I am just learning. From the post, I read that Dr. Coburn is a very good support doctor. The only time I met mine was just prior to the operation and then only for a second. Support on the internet is the only means I have just as many others that have been banded far from their homes. Good luck and keep posting. Maybe we can help each other. Doddie

[Gaffer 1]

It sounds like we are going through the same things as we are all pretty close in our surgery dates.

I have found that I am able to eat pretty much anything that I want. I still have to work at keeping my portions around 1 cup.

My only saving grace is that I am able to work out like a fiend and do 45 minutes on the eliptical 4 time per week.

I am eagerly awaiting my first fill around the 28.

Andrew

[Yoda 0]

Hey Dame J and Doddie.....yes, the fill will help and then you should notice weight loss for sure. BUT ...remember....it might not happen until you hit the sweet spot (proper restriction for YOU); it might take 2 or 3 or more fills.....I just don't want you to think that it will magically work after your first fill as that is often not the case!!! But until then, just keep up the good work!

[Astrotoes 0]

I am finding really hard not to fall back into old habits in fact I've had a few slip ups already.Messuring a cup of food and things like that got pretty old quick,I wish I was more disiplined then I am.Now I'm starting to see the scales creep up again and I go to bed every day vowing to do better tomorrow....sounds like the good ole days!:faint: Hopefully a fill will help,I'm hoping for an appointment later in March.

[Dame J 0]

Yoda true enough. I have heard that it can take a few fills to get the right restriction. I just want to get my first one over with. I called to set up an appointment but so far no call back.

The good thing is now that the weight is coming off slower and I am more hungry I am more inclined to work it off like Andrew is doing. I am getting back into a walking routine and will hopefully be running again by end of summer, or at least able to run as I am not fit enough right now. I even signed up for a 5k walk with some friends. Should keep me on track till the sweet spot.

[Doddie63 6]

I keep saying "must exercise". Unfortuantely I am not an exercise person and so far I haven't found anything I enjoy except maybe aquasizes. Even then, I have to go to the gym so I procrastinate. Have recently injured my leg (not seriously) so that is another excuse. What does everyone else out there do. Astrotoes, I sure can relate to measuring becoming old hat. Thank goodness my band is my conscience if I take huge bites or quantities. Doddie

[priscilla 1]

Hi everybody - thought I would check in on all the February 2007 new "banditos". I don't get a lot of opportunity to check in and write to everyone - but today, I just said "Do it!" I have now lost 46 lbs. total. Am doing very well and happy to be losing - albeit slowly- but steadily. I have gone from size 22/20 to 16/14 depending on the cut. Feel great, feet, ankles, knees, hips and back no longer ache constantly. I am not into the exercise thing - but know someone who was banded same day as me and she has lost 65lbs. with a personal trainer. Life is so very good and this is the best thing I have ever done for myself. I have had my 3rd fill (5.5cc in 10cm AP Inamed band)and have found it a bit restrictive but keeps me from overeating which was my aim in life. Have had the odd cheat like ice cream and chocolate - but if I deny myself completely, I get obsessed so I just have a little bit and then I'm over it. I eat everything that will go down comfortably: chicken and salmon are "trouble"; steak (tender, rare) is not bad; bread I have to chew the hell outta it or it gets stuck; veggies (raw) no problem, but cooked(oh boy it hurts when they come back up). Finally realized that my "full feeling" was happening way too fast and read another post from a bandster that said she had been swallowing too much air when she ate and that made her feel stuck. I started paying attention to that and by golly that made a real difference. Now I make sure I burp between every 2/3 bites. Sorry for the visuals, but really - it feels way better to eat now. If any of you out there would like to share your Feb 2007 and beyond experiences, it would sure be fun and probably very informative to swap stories. Come on all you banditos, talk to us - tell us your thoughts, dreams, light bulb moments. Take care all of you - you are all courageous calorie fighters!:whoo:

[Doddie63 6]

Hi: I am A feb bander too. I am taking it slow and easy. Since Feb. lost 18 lbs but I have been taken off three diabetic pills, downgraded my BP pills to 1/2 the strength and my sugar areading are 6% for my diabetes. I am working on changing the bad habits and letting the weight come off at its own slow pace. It gets very frustrating to watch all the successes, but I have failed so much in the past that my doctor wants my habits to be changed first and let the weight take care of itself. I am averaging 1 lb a week. Congratulations all your successes. Doddie

[priscilla 1]

Hey Doddie -good going on your weight loss and reduced meds. Now those are victories you can be proud of. I too am a slow loser - but a happy one. My habits did need changing and the weight is gonna go. I am resolved to a new way of thinking about food and to being gentle with myself about how fast to lose. It took a long time to gain it, and I'll take my time losing the last 30 lbs. This is not a race but a lifestyle.