nothereanymore

I think you got some great tips here - and I still have never heard of anyone being turned down. Start each day fresh and don't beat yourself up too much. But know that when your banded it does get really serious - no cheating there! But we all made it through and you will too!

Wow, long surgery! Glad everything went well - and hope you have a speedy recovery! Best, Lisa (And Mrs Parris, how cool that your hubby was banded as well - congrats)

Hey LaWanda, I think part of what I went through was understanding what my new “banded” full felt like. Many of us feel it differently, I remember one person explaining how it felt like a golf ball in her throat, that little uncomfortable feeling that too means to stop eating. That’s what fit my full and when I realized how different it was from my old stomach full feeling. However if you’re not getting it, and you’re feeling hungry between meals – I think you need another fill. Sorry to say it – but first do like you note and what Linsay recommends, look at your diet and what and how you are eating. Try measuring your food, eat really slowly and chew each bite 30 times and make sure not to drink while eating. Eat your protein first followed by veggies/fruits and last carbs and make sure that you aren't drinking an hour after as well. If you do all that, and you’re still hungry (and you’re sure its not that emotional head hunger that some of us go through) its time for a fill! With a good fill, you know when to stop – if you don’t it can get uncomfortable and if you don’t have that – I don’t think your using your band to it full capabilities. Take care and hope it gets better! Lisa

First of all Happy Birthday! Congrats on your success and it made my day to read your response. The band is a gift that we have given ourselves, and sometimes we’re the last ones to take the time to give back (to ourselves). And it’s kind of sad since it’s an amazing gift that benefits our families so much as well! In our happiness and health improvements! Here’s to you’re best birthday ever – and for many, many more in your new sexy healthy size 14, most likely will be a size 10 before you know it! You'll never miss out in anything again! Life is just so much better banded! Best, Lisa

I was like you, I wasn't really hungry and I didn't have any cravings. I started out with scrambled eggs with my veggies to the side. It really didn't taste very good - it was odd. I think my advice would be pick what sounds good, what's good for you and take small bites - the hardest part is chewing 30 times (and not drinking while eating - remove all liquids from arms reach when you eat - or old habits jump in) and eating protein first, Veggies, fruits then carbs. (we're so use to mixing up our foods) So really practice - for many of us we're not too tight at first and it’s hard to feel the band until you get a good fill. So that's why we really measure our foods and prepare then practice. Congrats on making it through the liquids faze and this part can really be fun if you make it that way. I was totally into organizing and measuring - got a little bit caught up in it - but had fun - you're learning to eat in a different way than ever before!

Hello, I reached my goal and had much of my fill removed – you really want to start eating real foods and it sounds like your body is craving them so you need to listen to it. You don’t want to get to the point were you are losing muscle not fat. And that can often happen if we remain on a liquid diet for too long. (So I’d go for an un fill now) I’d start with a partial un fill since you still have a little bit to lose – focus on eating really good foods that your body is craving and let it get use to eating again. Make sure to chew really good – remember its 30 times (and think of all the calories we burn with all that chewing)! Understand that at first you may fluctuate, (don’t be afraid of it – understand what it is, its your body adjusting) but if you focus on eating good for you foods it will settle down and start losing again. (If you are exercising now – Yaa for you – if not try and add that in). You’ll be amazed at how much it helps. Take care, Lisa

Done - wow!!!

Kim, congrats, you look awesome!! Isn't it great to have that gone!! You'll be amazed how much the swelling goes down - you'll go down a couple more sizes! I'm so happy for you - it’s like a weight was lifted off me - I hope that's how it is for you too! Lisa

Hey!! Congrats and welcome to Bandland!! Glad it went well and hope you have a great journey - you own it now - make it fun!! And 11 pounds is awesome in that time frame - you're kicken butte! Best, Lisa

Ohhh, kind of like Wonder Womans outfit from the 70's - I loved that show......

Shelly, you lost 75 pounds in a year!! That's awesome and you beat what the average banster loses!! Congrats - sometimes part of it is expecting too much - we have bands we didn't have GBS and bands do move slower on the weight loss, however based on what I'm reading - we have longer "long term" success! Don't sell yourself short - you in the upper class of bandsters!! You're doing awesome!! Lisa

Great post and great job! We're all different - and thanks for pointing that out! Please stay on the board and keep posting – we need you here! Congrats on your success!

First of all congrats on taking the first step to make a change – research. And many of us have been in your shoes. The reason we’re on this site is we were able to get a lap band from one of the best doctors at a very affordable price. I lost over 130 pounds – I really just followed the bandster program, had some fun and made amazing changes to my life. (My family on my father's side is very morbidly obese). I thought that who I was going to take after - but was able to make the change - I did it late - wished I hadn't waited till my mid 40's to do this - you're smart to look at it now at 19 - my only regret was I waited too long and missed out much in life. Losing a significant amount of weight doesn’t just change how you look on the outside, it can change who you are on the inside. I went from a morbidly obese woman, who could barely climb up a flight of stairs, someone who tried to hide from the public as much as possible (at 275 pounds that can be hard) to someone whose life is now focused on eating healthy organics and exercise. I now have no problem being in the public and enjoy the spotlight! (I actually speak in public here and there)! Being morbidly obese affects the quality of your life in so many ways, we have health issues – I had knee surgery and being mobile was becoming more difficult, breathing was becoming an issue as well and I was sick more than most people. My self esteem was low, and this can cause problems in your marriage as well as in your work environment. Losing the weight opened so many doors for me, or it actually allowed me to have the confidence to walk through a door that was already opened, where before I would have been afraid to take that step to the outside and grab an opportunity that was there just waiting for me. I have been married for over 28 years, my husband is very proud of the changes I made and our relationship is so much better. It’s like we are dating again! I get out more, can keep up with things going on around me and I have the confidence to take chances and make more contributions to my job which has allowed me to move up in my position. Life is fun again for me – and I look forward to living, and I’m not afraid that my weight may shorten my life – my new active and healthy lifestyle has allowed me to fully live with the knowledge that I am doing everything possible to insure that I live a long and healthy life! All the best - make sure to check out the gallery for before and after pictures. There are many great story's you can see and research this board. Its a wealth of information. Best, Lisa

Stacie, If you have a slipped band - you have to stop being mad at yourself - you have a broken tool and its not working right. Heavy emotions don't help - but I know someone who lost her band and what she did was pretend she still had it. She changed her view - and until you get yours fixed you may want to try to do the same. Eat bandster style, good for you foods like you know you should have. If you can get all the food out of your house that is a weak point for you. We're here for you - and would love to help. I hope you can get it fixed soon! Lisa

Good to hear! Now go get Will please!!! He needs you to give him a hard time! Lisa

Hey congtrats Greg! And how cool that you are both now doing it together! And a 45 pound weight loss before the surgery - way to go!!! Welcome to band land! Lisa

Hey Wendy, Sorry your post was kind of hidden down there. I pretty much lost consistently and when I first had my band before restriction settled I watched my calories - but I finally learned if I just focused on eating three meals per day, of protein/veggies/fruits and if I could fit them carbs I lost consistently. I wasn’t trying to hit the 1200 calories per day like everyone does nowadays; I was focused on my bandster style meals and exercise. For a while there I was tight in the AM I’d have a protein shake (also to make sure I had enough protein, but never more than one per day and my goal was to eat my meals. I rarely ate over 1000 calories per day. I don’t know how you can when you’re truly eating bandster style. We’re all different, so you kind of have to figure out what works for you. I had to lose 130 pounds and the more you have to lose it seems like we have a steadier faster pace than the lower BMI folks. I've been on maintenance for coming on a year now and I ate very clean food, really just the basics. Protein: Eggs, tuna, Salmon, Chicken (dark meat) very thinly sliced beef. (Usually I soak my chicken and beef in broth so its softer and goes down easier Veggies: what ever looks good cut up into small pieces Fruit: same as veggies Carbs: I normally would eat the brown wheat toast from Trader Joes; it goes down OK and is good for you. I would try to eat cottage cheese and beans daily as a change up, (cottage cheese has high protein) and easy for us to eat if we're having a tight day. I'd just have between a quarter cup of each (protein/veggies/fruits) and had a hard time fitting in the carbs. Never drink your calories, at times I would have a glass of wine but not more than 2 per week and I watched the liquids, those calories can jump up on you. (And widen you butte') Get moven your body, when I first started exercising it was alone in my bedroom from dancing to belly dancing - whatever got me moving. I'm now into heavy duty cross fit and can do things I never imagined. (I have a 4 pack now- I use to have a very big kegger.... I'm not kidding, I'm pretty darn buff - surprised I've actually been able to do this) But start slow and have some fun so you start burning those calories and move you butte' Let your world stop revolving around food and let life take over – its now just your fuel so you can have fun – but you should enjoy it. Food use to be my enemy – no longer, it is what keeps me strong and thin – as long as I eat right my body responds in amazing ways! Best, Lisa

Congrats, and it’s true, its really hard to tell for 6 months - they look much better after they "simmer" down. (In other words after the swelling goes down) I had lippo with the tummy tuck, on my back and sides - there first few days were painful so be careful with the little ones and no lifting - you can really hurt yourself. You're going to love it - and honestly it was a year for me before everything really came together - I think since I added on exercise to really start working my shape you could really see the changes. I did tighten with my tummy tuck, I think since even though they avoid our band they have to pull somewhat and that causes swelling. All the best! Lisa

My sizes are perfectly fine – and don’t need to be verified….. However what is a “lacy eye catcher” I’m imagining some lacy thing hanging by my chin in case my eye balls fall out to catch them????....

Ckiki, I have the larger one as well, love it!

You go girl, when I finally made into VS and started worken the.... undergarments... is when my weight loss really kicked in. Its fun to fit in those things!

Bill, I am so proud of you and I miss you! Congrats on your success - doing it your way is really the only way to go. We all support and learn from each other, and share in our successes! That’s what’s so cool about this board! Keep up the hard work and make sure to keep checking in – I miss your fun posts! I hope someday to meet you! You’re one of my heroes! (You helped me more than you'll ever know) and I'm glad I was able to help you as well! Take care and don't forget about us! Lisa

We all do it, and its OK - I let myself have treats one day and just eat less the next - that's realy what my doctor pushes as well so we don't feel deprived and we get to live life! (Girl Scout cookies are traditional this time of the year and they don't work without milk) mmmmmm - sounds good even in the morning....

I agree Mona, just take it easy with liquids for at least 24 hours, you're most likely fine - between the exercise and carrots you may have caused some irritation. When you start back on solids, go for soft foods and eat small amounts, you’re doing the right thing, you just don’t want to push yourself. Take care and keep us updated! Lisa

Hi Shiney, This has been a topic that has been discussed many times over. Lori actually has a response up above - take a look and make sure to read it. We live in scary times, for some reason (and this isn’t just a Mexico thing) killings are up all over. I had a friend whose relative from abroad called her to ask if she felt it was safe for them to go to NY, they have been reading so much about the violence (in the US) in Europe and were really worried. She thought it was funny, I got it, look at what's been in the news lately. Would I let my teenager go to Mexico alone, no – but here’s why – they can put themselves in situations that are dangerous and make stupid decisions. (Sorry to all you teenagers and I know we have some super bright one’s on this board, however I have a couple of guys that there’s no way I’d let them go). However would I go – yes. I would be cautious, remain in safe areas and just focus on my surgery and not travel around. I’d listen to the Hotel staff – they are really focused on serving you and want you to be safe – as well as Dr. Otiz’s staff. That’s my opinion, you have to make yours based on you comfort level. And if you do go, use common sense. Best regards, Lisa