arianna

How exciting! and from the picture, you do look great but at the end of the day it's how you feel and see yourself. Let me know how it goes because I'm interested in doing a tummy tuck and lipo after I get to my goal. Did your doctor tell you you should reach your goal first or get close to it? Can't wait to see the after pictures. Arianna

oh wow that's awesome!!!!!!! Isn't it a great feeling. all your frustrations, all the hard work, the ups and downs...has finally paid off. I'm so so excited for you. and yeah you do not look like you've got a 20 year reunion coming up. You better give us details afterwards. Arianna

Maybe you're not getting enough during your fills. My friend wasn't losing weight with her band for almost a year and everytime she'd go to her doctor, he'd only put a few ccs in there. She finally switched doctors and found out that her band wasn't filled much. THis new doctor filled it and within 5 months she lost most of her weight. Her theory was that her first doctor wanted her to keep on coming back every month for fills , basically to make more money. one that's one possibility. The other one is yes you can eat whatever you want as long as you chew it well but that doesn't mean you should. I asked my doctor about that and he said the band doesn't stop you from eating any type of food, but rather it restricts your portions. Are you drinking with your meals? because I before I joined this forum, I didn't know that I wasn't supposed to drink with my meals so when I would get a lump in my throat ( a sign that I'm full and should stop eating), I'd take sips of water, which would push the food down, and then I'd continue eating. Watch your food for about a week and see if you notice a difference. Otherwise, get a second opinion. Arianna

It's been really tough for me in social situations. I live in a society where the social life revolves around food. Some of my close friends know but not too many others. When I do go out to eat, I sip slowly on my iced tea ( I know no drinks before meals but that keeps my mouth occupied) and then will order soup of something while the others have their buffalo wings or nachos. I eat my soup so so so slowly and am enjoying conversation the whole time. I do order a main meal but most of the time I'll just try it and then say "oh the soup was really filling I can't eat any more" and then have them bag the rest of my food. It usually ends up being my lunch and dinner for the next day. So far no one's noticed as I don't just sit and stare at their plates. I try to keep my mouth busy by either sipping something or talking (I'm pretty good at both. LOL)... oh but the worst is with my Kuwaiti in laws. They like serve a buffet of food for dinner at weekends and dinner's usually at 10:00pm or 11:00pm (I know bizzarr). My excuse... "Dr. Oz says we shouldn't eat 3 hrs before bedtime so I stopped eating at 8:00". works everytime. Arianna

I'm glad all went well. But I'm surprised you were told to stay on the liquid diet for as long as you wanted. My doctor told me that once the 21 days were over, to start eating solids slowly that I shouldn't stay on liquids and soups. I need to learn to chew solids slowly but thoroughly as a way to prepare me for the real world of eating. But hey if it's working for you, then great. to be honest, I lost most my weight during the liquid phase. I'm thinking of going back on it for a few weeks to try and lose again as I've been on a standstill since. Arianna

Babe, Don't get frustrated. Not all bandsters lose weight quickly..it does vary with each individual. I've also been banded for 4 months and I've lost a total of 26 lbs (most of which was during that first month of an all liquid diet). the scale hasn't moved for two months. That's ok. I'm just living life as well and trying not to think about it. I've noticed that when I think about it too much or obsess about it, it really backfires and I end up eating all the "crap" I shouldn't be. that mentality of "oh well I'm not losing so might as well eat everything I want" kicks in and that's the worst. So just keep on doing what you're doing and it's going to happen. I think we all need to be focused on the bigger picture, not just the numbers on the scale. Focus on all the things you're doing now that you weren't before? Eating healthy, exercising, watching your portions. come on those are huge accomplishments. So give yourself a pat on the back for doing those things. Trust me I need to give myself this pep talk everyday. Arianna

Don't feel too bad or give up. I'm in the same boat. I'm up to 6cc in my 10cc band and I still haven't lost much weight. Everytime I go in for another fill, I tell my doctor that I can eat almost the same as before and he keeps on telling me it'll get better this month and so on. It hasn't for me and I'm really frustrated. I know I've got a sweet tooth, but I've really watched that this past month and the scale still hasn't moved. I haven't gained anything as was the case last month (I'd gained 5 lbs)...don't ask me how? I should probably start keeping a food journal like many do and pinpoint what I am doing wrong. but as far as restriction, it'll get there. My friend didn't lost much weight with her band for almost 9months until he band was completely filled and then within 5 months she lost it all. So everyone's different. That's what I'm hoping for. LOL Arianna

I haven't done too bad either but that's only because I have not kept anything sweet in the house. Today was my cheat day. My kids have been bugging me to bake chocolate chip cookies for them. Of course, I had to try them but I did ok. I've had a total of 2...usually I would've inhaled 4 or 5 straight out of the oven. Scale hasn't moved either. This is the second month for me of no weight loss. I've got an appointment with my doctor this monday and I'll find out what's going on. I might need another fill. Let's just continue what we're doing and it's gotta happen. Arianna

I think after two weeks, I was allowed thicker liquids like shakes and creamy soups. I forgot. but when you get to that stage, I used to make the zero point vegetable weight watchers soup (recipe's on the net) and then puree it in the blender. It was YUMMO!!! or any soup that you make can be pureed. I'd add soy milk to make it creamy. Jello and custards came right before solids. Your body needs time to adjust to the band so I wouldn't be in a rush. plus, I lost most of my weight during this stage. I'm thinking of going back to that for a bit. LOL Arianna

Congrats that's awesome! It's a great way to kick off the rest of your weight loss journey.... I also didn't have stitches removed. Do you mean the dressing or bandages? Mine came off when I showered.. Arianna

When I had my surgery, I had a 22 month old and a 6 month old and I lifted them both fine. Of course, you know your body best and you'll know if there's major pain or discomfort. If so, then take it easy. You'll be sore for a few days but I was also one of the lucky ones. After I came home, I went back to my normal routine. As far as clothes, you can wear anything because like someone stated earlier, the incisions are higher up, above your belly button. I'm assuming you haven't joined the Kuwaiti tradition of having a live in housemaid. LOL!!! Arianna

I know what you mean. I don't drink but sugar is my addiction. I can go all day without eating but show me a piece of cake or pie and that's it...i throw in the towel and binge. I am sure that's why I'm not losing as much weight as I should be. One day at a time...we just need to take it one day at a time. I think we do need to remind ourselves of why we got the band. we can do it. let me know how you feel after your 3rd fill. Arianna

Congrats! how exciting. My goal is to do lipo and tummy tuck next February (that's my next vacation) so I've to to buckle down and lose as much as I can before then. Can't wait to see the before and after photos. How do you feel? Is it really painful? I've got kids so I'm a bit worried about the recovery period. Arianna

I had my second fill exactly one month after the second fill. I think it depends on how you're doing with the fill. I didn't have much restriction with my first fill, so I went to my doctor, he put another 1.5 cc in there. ( my band holds 9cc so even then it wasn't enough). so I guess it depends...maybe anywhere between 4-7 weeks between fills. I just know my doctor won't do any sooner than at least 4 weeks. I'm now waiting for my 4th fill. hope this helps. Arianna

How exciting for you! I'm sure you're all nerves right now, but relax, everything will be fine and you'll be BANDED in no time. Good luck and we'll all be thinking of you. keep us posted. Hugs, Arianna