Thought I would make a thread for the November 2013 Bandsters to check in.

I was banded on November 7th and had my first fill last week. I am still getting used to my new lifestyle. I have lost about 20 pounds since my pre-surgery prep. I haven't had anyone ask me if I have lost weight, but I can tell a difference in my clothes.

I had an incident yesterday with getting "stuck" while eating some baked fish. I think I was eating too fast and maybe had too much on my fork. It was not a pleasant feeling. We were in a fast food place, and I felt like I wanted to throw up. I tried not to panic, took sips of water and finally got over it.

I need to step up my exercise, I have a DVD for "walk in home". It is for beginners and has 5 different miles you can do. You can do 1 or up to all 5 depending on your comfort level.

All my incisions are healing nicely except for one, which split open on one corner after I had my staples out. I showed it to my doctor at my first fill and he did not seem to feel it was a problem. I've been putting peroxide on it and Vitamin E oil on the others.

All the rest of you November bandsters, how are you doing?

I am so glad that I did this for me! For the first time in years I am below 300 pounds and I feel so much better! Thanks for starting this platform giving us a place to keep in touch!

Me also I am under 300. I think I feel better. My breathing is better. Although I don't walk because I am weak and don't breath well. I will start as weight goes down and the weather gets better. Soon I hope.

Merry Christmas to all my new friends on this forum.

scale is still up this morning! UGH

I am not giving up. I've already got my mile of exercise in for today and 1 Protein drink. Wearing some jeans today a size smaller than I had been able to wear, so that is an accomplishment!

I got my first fill today, they are starting off slow. I have a large band and they gave me 3CC. Don't feel any different. Oh I gained a pound, bad me.

I have gained as well. So hard around the holidays, and I have NO will power! Finally, all the celebrations are over (not counting tonight NYE), and I can get back on track. I have had more stuck episodes, and I am learning that I need to take SMALL bites! Happy New Year Everyone!!

Hello all, I am the bad one of the group. I have been eating and eating and surprise surprise, gaining. I'm now only down 10 lbs from my preop but as I know, I have been eating. I was banded 11/14 and had one fill- only one cc. Really?????????????? Anyway, I have to get my butt in gear as I go in on MLKing day and don't want to get yelled at. I see they have a group not too terribly from me so I plan on going to that. I have not been exercising because Im going to be getting a hip replacement (part of the reason for lb) so walking is hard normally. Knowing I can drop 10 lbs in 2 weeks going back to pre op diet or 8 with a little more to eat is giving me some measure of peace. Im throwing out all the great left overs tomorrow so that will help also.

My questions and admissions. I have been drinking a little carbonation here and there. Im not getting a consensus even from the aftercare nurse on it, she just asked if I drank a whole one and did I burp. Well no and yes but I do think it is bad because I feel a little too full for quite a while afterward and can picture my stomach just expanding and my band flying off- that would be bad.

Second, I am not throwing up but Im taking bites too big and have a mild stuck sensation- I get it drinking milk also. Im wondering if that can mess up band placement. Im also eating to too full, that I need to work on. Lastly, Im eating too often and junk. Just wanted to write down my admissions and see if anyone else is battling old behaviors. This band is too expensive for me to not do it right. I keep hearing in my mind " a successful bandster is a compliant bandster" ouch! Happy new year to all and let me know if Im alone.

This is a difficult time -- we have had our bands installed and healed up from our surgeries and now we are in the process of getting fills in order to get to the green zone. Until then we are basically just dieting, and if we had been successful dieters we wouldn't need the bands. The beauty of the band is the adjustability but getting to the proper adjustment is a process. Ugh. We will get there, however!

Hello all, I am the bad one of the group. I have been eating and eating and surprise surprise, gaining. I'm now only down 10 lbs from my preop but as I know, I have been eating. I was banded 11/14 and had one fill- only one cc. Really?????????????? Anyway, I have to get my butt in gear as I go in on MLKing day and don't want to get yelled at. I see they have a group not too terribly from me so I plan on going to that. I have not been exercising because Im going to be getting a hip replacement (part of the reason for lb) so walking is hard normally. Knowing I can drop 10 lbs in 2 weeks going back to pre op diet or 8 with a little more to eat is giving me some measure of peace. Im throwing out all the great left overs tomorrow so that will help also.

My questions and admissions. I have been drinking a little carbonation here and there. Im not getting a consensus even from the aftercare nurse on it, she just asked if I drank a whole one and did I burp. Well no and yes but I do think it is bad because I feel a little too full for quite a while afterward and can picture my stomach just expanding and my band flying off- that would be bad.

Second, I am not throwing up but Im taking bites too big and have a mild stuck sensation- I get it drinking milk also. Im wondering if that can mess up band placement. Im also eating to too full, that I need to work on. Lastly, Im eating too often and junk. Just wanted to write down my admissions and see if anyone else is battling old behaviors. This band is too expensive for me to not do it right. I keep hearing in my mind " a successful bandster is a compliant bandster" ouch! Happy new year to all and let me know if Im alone.

You are not alone! Yesterday I did good. I am really going to try going forward. It is hard. Learning to take smaller bites and chew more is hard, afterall we have been eating with bigger bites and less chews for a long long time. I am hoping by the time I go in for my 2nd fill on 2/25 that I will be down some more. Keep trying and hang in there! Coming here for support helps me!

This is a difficult time -- we have had our bands installed and healed up from our surgeries and now we are in the process of getting fills in order to get to the green zone. Until then we are basically just dieting, and if we had been successful dieters we wouldn't need the bands. The beauty of the band is the adjustability but getting to the proper adjustment is a process. Ugh. We will get there, however!

Thank you Bandista! I started tracking on MyFitnessPal and I think being accountable to my food and exercise journal is going to help. Holidays are over...getting on the wagaon and yelling "Ya!" to the horses pulling it LOL

So how are my November bandsters getting along??

Hi Nov Bandster

I Had my band did Nov 7, 2013 , I'm doing great people are starting to notice my weight lost I lost a total of 40LBS an I feel great. I have had 2 fills since then I go for my third fill Feb 5, I don't really get hungry a lot, I drink my Protein shakes and do special K Cereal some mornings I basically only eat chicken and fish I'm trying different stuff to see what my band allows if I get Gas I know that's a food I can't have my Gas be so bad I have to go to sleep the pain is like no other. My incision are healing great I still have a little pain every now and than at my port area, I started going to the gym 3 times a week but I'm still a newbie getting use to the band and it hard but I love the challenge !!!!! Loving my band

Hi Everyone,

I got banded Nov 12 2013. My doctor gave me a different approach on eating. I am on low carb diet. I could eat solid foods about a week after surgery. I have had one fill 2 cc and I scheduled to go back next week. I notice that I do eat less but not the half a cup that my band should allow. The low carb diet is helping and I recently added some exercise to routine. I walk 2 miles on sat and sun. I walk up the stairs at work 4 flights it will grow to 6 flights and have been looking for a Zumba class.

Since I started this journey I have lost 40 pounds but since my surgey I have lost just 22 pounds. I am happy with my progress. However I do have one question, I know that we are not suppose to drink during meals but what about Snacks?

How are all you November bandsters doing? I had my 2nd fill today. My weight was pretty much unchanged from 6 weeks ago so I hope this fill starts some movement!

Hi KyBrownEyes, I am doing great. My weightloss has slowed a little. Just in time for my first fill. I have lost two lbs since that magical .5 cc was put in this past Tuesday. I am not sure if it really was the fill or me being more conscience of eating more Protein again. Which ever it is I am glad to see the scale moving down. 43lbs now since surgery. I was told I am not typical. Heck, I have been told that all my life So glad I have my band. Life if good!!!

How are all you November bandsters doing? I had my 2nd fill today. My weight was pretty much unchanged from 6 weeks ago so I hope this fill starts some movement!

Banded 11/18/2013. Lost 44 pd but gained 2 this last fill. I have been on a eating binge., Last week.

This is a hard diet. I go back for my 4th fill on Mar 11. I hope it starts to work. Good Luck to all. Elaine

Good to hear from you Smpin and Forward! I agree this is hard. My doctor says I will be on the same diet forever. Not quite sure I agree with him.

First 2 weeks after fill: non carbonated diet beverages, two Protein shakes per day

Second 2 weeks after fill: Same as above, plus 3 60 cc Soup meals per day

Third 2 weeks after fill: beverages, 2 Protein shakes and three soft meals per day 60 cc per meal.

Forth 2 weeks after fill: beverages, 2 protein shakes and 3 Proteins per day, 60 cc per meal.

Repeat after next fill...Thats IT. Maybe it will change after my fills are complete?

The not losing alot after first fill is my fault.

This time I am doing better, but only into week 1 after my 2nd fill.

I did try a yoga class last week and I am getting in more exercise this time.