I had my surgery 1/28/08 and did good on my post op diet for 3 weeks but then I started "cheating". Am I the only one??? I have not had a fill yet but when the food is by me I will eat it. I don't feel I have control. I am very ashamed that I did this surgery and feel good enough to eat regular food and "cheat". Please tell me I'm not the only one and that I'll have more control after my fills.

Best wishes to you! I am sorry about your son. I can't even imagine how hard that must be.

Good thing you like to exercise! I am glad I had the exercise habit long before I got the band. It didn't pay off though, until I got my band.

Janeth5 - I wish you the best on your journey to the new you. So sorry about your son, I will keep him in my prayers. Keep us posted on your surgery date and progress. We will be cheering you on. I wish I could fall in love with exercise!! I do have a gym membership, hope to be more faithful as I begin my new life! Good luck!! P.S. my surgery is in 2 days.

Janet,

congratulations on your decision to go forward. I wish you all the best. Can't wait to see your "after" picture!

My Dr. won't fill until at least 90 days post-op. Needless to say - I haven't lost anything in the last 2 months!!! I'm getting very discouraged. No restriction at all and I eat everything in sight! I wake up with hunger pangs and my cravings are as bad as ever. I am a carb addict and of course that's what I'm eating most. Due for a fill in two weeks - can't wait!

Janet

You are a beatiful person - good luck on your surgery... I am so very sorry about your son - I totally understand - the problems with my son aren't as difficult as yours - but I feel your pain... Hugs to you ....

Lynne---I know it is easier said than done, but try to approach each "snack attack" individually---find several things that you can snack on that are high Protein, and no to low carb---and stock up. Divide up some raw almonds for instance into 1/4 cup snack bags, and when the urge to snack hits, go for one of your healthy Snacks. It might not ALWAYS work--but every one you avoid is a step in the right direction!

If you are eating the SF/FF puddings, you can make your own and add extra Protein powder, which sometimes helps with the hunger--if it is stomach hunger as opposed to head hunger.

Since you have no real restriction yet, fresh veggies are always an option.

When I have fallen off the band wagon, and have to drag myself back on, I have to purge the house of the things that seem to call to me--and do as I said, stock up on lots of healthy options, so I am not left to my own devices of looking around through the cupboards---or I'll find something I don't really need!!

I'm not saying your first fill will take you to a restrictive point, but it will be a start----and before long the band will actually be helping in controlling the hunger, as well as portions. I know it is hard til then though!!

Hang tough!!

Kat

Janeth5 - I wish you the best on your journey to the new you. So sorry about your son, I will keep him in my prayers. Keep us posted on your surgery date and progress. We will be cheering you on. I wish I could fall in love with exercise!! I do have a gym membership, hope to be more faithful as I begin my new life! Good luck!! P.S. my surgery is in 2 days.

Best of luck on Friday! I know you must be so excited. Keep me posted on your progress. I'll cheer you on all the way!

Janet

Janet

You are a beatiful person - good luck on your surgery... I am so very sorry about your son - I totally understand - the problems with my son aren't as difficult as yours - but I feel your pain... Hugs to you ....

Thanks Janet.....and by the way.....love your name....LOL! Best of luck to you. I see you are 13 pounds from your goal. That is awesome. Thanks for your sweet post.

Janet:wub:

Thanks Janet.....and by the way.....love your name....LOL! Best of luck to you. I see you are 13 pounds from your goal. That is awesome. Thanks for your sweet post.

Janet:wub:

Yep I like your name too :drool: - Because of that (our names being the same)and your story - Just wanted to give you a little shout out and welcome you to LBT...

Good luck on your journey - with your mindset you should do just fine - imho it really is our brains that are the problems not our stomachs and the band is a great tool to help win the battle of the buldge...

Blessings....

KAT817

I don't know how I did it but I was able to paste my ticker on another thread following your directions. Do I have to transfer it to every entry I make in the threads or is it supposed to follow my entries?

Anyway, I am still in bandster hell. I have had 2 fills and still no restrictions. I was disappointed to hear on the other site that it can take 9 or more months to get restriciton. How do I hang in there. The food keeps calling my name.

Talk to you soon and thanks again.

What? Nine months please dont tell me!!! I have gotten one fill and NO restriction and I am still packing in food if I choose to --- but somehow I have to still stick to the calorie will power restricted diet plan which is what I FAILED TO DO BEFORE HENCE THE NEED FOR A LAPBAND. I want to hear from folk that are actually loosing weight on this --- what the heck --- when do I get the restriction I need

What? Nine months please dont tell me!!! I have gotten one fill and NO restriction and I am still packing in food if I choose to --- but somehow I have to still stick to the calorie will power restricted diet plan which is what I FAILED TO DO BEFORE HENCE THE NEED FOR A LAPBAND. I want to hear from folk that are actually loosing weight on this --- what the heck --- when do I get the restriction I need

Are you saying you are 9 months out and only had 1 fill - I am 8 monts out - 3 fills and I have restriction - am at my sweet spot - you just keep going back to get fills until you hit your sweet spot - for some it's no fills - for some 1 or 3 - some 8 - it all depends on you and how agreesive your doctor is on his fills.

Ok, put me down for eight fills and four months post-op and still waiting for restriction. I have approx 7.75 cc's in my 10 cc band!

I can eat apples with the skin, salad, beef, grilled chicken, shrimp, pork and while I don't eat white bread, I can eat a piece of whole wheat bread untoasted with Peanut Butter.

Now don't get me wrong, I am happy I can eat these foods, they are healthy, but you would think a bandster portion of chicken or fish would keep me full for several hours, but no, not yet!

Only for a few days after a fill will I have a meal or two that might kep me full for four hours and then a day later, gone.

I guess I need over 8cc's in my band before I get to my sweet spot. Next appt May 3rd, by then I'll be past the 5 month post op mark.

Thankfully, my band does offer some willpower to resist eating sooner, but I find I am clock watching all the time until the next meal time. And my Dr. allows me to come in as often as every two weeks, so that's been a help.

There's been times, I've waited longer than the two weeks because of my own schedule. That includes this month, I'd go back for another fill sooner, but I am going out of the country, if the next fill end ups too tight, I might have a problem while I'm away.

I'll use my willpower and wait until I get back.

Shortgal

Good luck with your vacation. I know it's hard. I can eat the same as you. It's been 2 months for me and 2 fills and no sweet spot yet. All we can do is try to "diet" (can you believe this) until we reach restriction. The main thing is not to gain any weight back. Hang in there.

Janeth,

You are obviously very passionate about this. I hope you are able to meet your goals, although it is important to remember that the band is not like gastric bypass. The band is designed for us to lose a healthy 1-2 pounds per week.

The reason we are all here is because we have an addiction to food. We gather here to seek comfort, support, advice and friendship from others who share our addiction. As with all addictions, it is not something that just goes away over night. Yes, we have our band and it is a wonderful tool. I believe every one of us made the commitment that we were not going to cheat post-op or pre-op when we made the decision to get the band. However, despite our best intentions, those old demons do come back to haunt us. If we were able to control them, we would not have needed the band in the first place.

The great thing about LBT is, if we do cheat, or feel the need to we have a place to come to and share our thoughts and issues with others. We offer and gain the support we need here. We help each other get back on track.

Obviously, as you have lost all the weight once before and then regained it, you must understand what a battle it can be. Life does happen and stress does happen and those little unplanned things can cause us to turn to our old comforting friend, food. I believe every bandster will have times when they eat something they probably shouldn't have. What is important is that we do not beat ourselves or each other up over it. Instead, lets offer the support and comfort we all seek to help get us back on track.

I look forward to seeing your before and after pictures once you have had the band for six months. With your determination, I am sure there will be an amazing difference. However, if you should find it to not be as easy as you had hoped, we will all be here to help and support you.

Thought some of you might like an update on my progress since I stirred up a little fuss a couple of weeks ago. I've had my lap band for 9 days and I've lost 19 pounds since my surgery. I'm in the liquid stage for 16 days total and I drink Diabetic Boost, Glucerna and water....about 600 calories a day. I started walking on the treadmill yesterday for 30 minutes and plan to do that daily while increasing the speed and incline slowly and then increasing the length of time to an hour daily. I plan to start weight training as soon as I lose another 20 pounds which should be in about a month. Best wishes to all of you in your weight loss journey. Remember to tell yourself each day....I can be healthy and make the right choices just for today.

Janet:wub: