Hi everyone,

thought I'd check in and see if anyone is still coming onto the site from March 07.

Today is my 7 year anniversary with my band. I am super happy I did this.... My life looks so different than it did 7 years ago.... I did gain 10 lbs this year so I am working at getting it off. I don't want to go back where I came from... The head hunger really is difficult but I am not going to let it get me.

I stopped eating sugar on Ash Wednesday and I must say the cravings are gone. But it's one day at a time. Sugar was killing me this year.

Last year I investigated switching to the sleeve. Mainly due to normal band behaviors we need to follow like having to chew slow, small pieces and some reflux issues I was having. My doctor recommended against it... I'm glad I didn't go that route because I'm hearing from some people that reflux is worse with sleeve.

So I've disciplined myself to follow the directions I got on day 1 of getting my lapband Mainly eating slowly, small bites, etc.

Anyway just wanted to jump on and check in.... Would love to hear how you guys are and how's it going? JosieK

Edited March 31, 201412 yr by JosieK

"So I've disciplined myself to follow the directions I got on day 1 of getting my sleeve"

Josie, so you did or did not get the sleeve? When are you posting pics?

I'll post pics this week. I have to figure out how.. This site keeps changing plus I'm technology challenged. I started at 270... I'm down to 165. Need to get last 15 lbs off that I re-gained...

Edited March 31, 201412 yr by JosieK

Hi 2 much fun, no I didn't get the sleeve. I'm glad I didn't.... If reflux is worse for some people there.... It would've set me back.

But I've seen some people do well on it.

The band is fine for me. I just had to make a decision to practice the simple steps they taught me in the beginning. It is easier to eat junk then good food, but since over recommitted during lent, I feel so much better... Energy, my skin looks better and I lost 6 lbs.

I'm definitely addicted to sugar and need to stay off it.

I'll post pics later

You might want to edit this from your original post since you don't have the sleeve?

"So I've disciplined myself to follow the directions I got on day 1 of getting my sleeve... Mainly eating slowly, small bites, etc."

Oops... Thanks! . It was late when I posted ha!

Josie..... I'm sooooo happy to read about long term success with the band....7 yrs= WOW. I've read about so many people regaining, and MAINTENANCE was one of the main reasons I got banded. I've lost weight before (many times), but the minute I quit losing, I started gaining. Reading your post offers me lots of hope! Lent is a perfect time to offer a small sacrifice, that hopefully will become a habit in our lives. FORTY DAYS TO FORM A HABIT! That's what the nuns who taught us used to say!

JosieK, thank you, thank you, thank you for coming back to share long term success. I was just banded in March this year and so need to hear that this can work long term. Can you share approximately how many fill adjustments you had after the first year? Congratulations, and can't wait to see pics!

Hi Josie -- congratulations on your long-term band success as well as figuring out the sugar issue. That's a big one! Best wishes to you and thanks for the update. So inspiring for those of us who are new!

Thanks everyone,

Before I was banded I was also afraid. I saw people that were on here for a few years and they hadn't lost anything and sometimes were bigger. I noticed they talked a lot about Dairy Queen, margaritas etc. and they approached the band like it was magic.

I notice another set of people that reached goal and/or were on the way to goal.... They talked about journaling their food, exercising, drinking lots of Water and when they fell off the wagon.... Jumping back on following the "band-rules"

So I made a decision I would follow the latter group.

I will say it has gotten easier because I love seeing my collar bones, and the fact I no longer need an extension for the plane. So I still use myfitnesspal.com when I see myself going off track.

I don't weight myself because I find it triggers my body/food obsession and instead of losing weight.... I start gaining.

I belong to a 12 step program for another issue so I apply those principles to the food/body issues.

I wish all of you lots of good luck. One day at a time you can do it!

One other thing this site helped me tremendously with information both during my weightless surgery and afterwards when I had cosmetic surgery. I did not get involved in nasty comments, or negativity.... Actually it seems like the site is much more positive then years past.

Anyway, if anyone needs help, I'm happy to share my experience.

All the best

Josie

Hey justwatchme.

My first year I think I had 3 or 4 adjustments.

I made a BIG mistake my first year. I made one adjustment too tight and I almost landed in the hospital. I couldn't drink Water or anything. It was stupid because I had it tightened and got on an airplane which made it even tighter. I thought I'd be able to lose faster when in fact I was putting my life in jeopardy.

I could've dehydrated.... I never did that again.

I actually don't have fill now but I still have restriction. And it's actually a correct amount. But the key to any of this is to eat the right foods. For a long time after I reached goal... I started saying "it's to hard to eat good food.... Easier to eat junk". Well when I started putting on weight.... I panicked. I made myself eat good food again. And as I'm doing this it has gotten easier to eat good food. Plus I feel so much better (energy), my skin looks better due to this and drinking lots of water, etc.

I still use Protein shakes for Breakfast because I am tight in the morning.... Plus I make sure I get in a good amount of protein. Sets my day out correctly.

Good luck... You can do it....

I'm actually being encouraged by my surgeon to get my first fill 17 days before a European vacation. The NP says I can wait until I return if I want. I'm not sure what to do, but I want some restriction when I go on solids on April 28. I fly May 15. In your opinion, is that enough time before my flight to know if I'm good to go?

For me, that would've been enough time. I would feel the difference within 3 days. The issue I made for myself was I intentionally let them fill it tight. Then went on a plane. In 2007, we didn't have as much medical info on how we could harm ourselves although I knew being too tight was not good.

Thanks for the info. I'm getting eager to have my band start working but scared of being away from home if a problem comes up. They plan to fill 4-7 ccs in my 14cc band the first time. I'm leaning towards going ahead with the fill and being very careful on my trip two weeks later. I also read on this site to stick to liquids during the flights. Thanks again!

Have fun on your trip