Ms.Teacher

Howdy Bandsters! My name is Helena, I will be 42 next week, the new 25 I've heard, hee-hee. I've been married 18 years and we have 2 incredible sons, 17 and 14. I've lived in Las Vegas for the past 12 years, but I was born and raised in Irvine, CA. I've been a K-2 elementary teacher and reading specialist for the last 15 years. It is my true passion, except for my kids. I'm very athletic, and I swam professionally for 9 years. Never skinny just muscular, through a 2 year stressful time I put on 80lbs. I got the band. Some days I love it (today) some days I curse the day I got it. I've lost almost 60lbs and over 25 inches. I'm an exercise freak, it let's me eat more while I continue to lose. I refuse to starve myself. Anyway, I'm incredibly blessed, and I feel lucky to have this support group!!!!! > Helena

What I meant by six meals includes snacks. I drink about 32oz, or about 5 pints of water a day. Usually before and after working out, and mostly before I go to bed, between 7pm and 11pm. I'm up at 4:30am and I usually don't make it to bed till around 11pm, which gives me plenty of time to eat and drink. Plus another thing that helps, during the week (m-f) I don't eat after 6pm. I hope this makes better sense! Thanx! Helena >

Hi Cathy! Idon't know about the freezing thing, but I've been banded over 3 years and I've never given up my addiction to Fresca. When I have a really tight fill I don't drink it. Other than that, I drink it. If you were just banded, you probably shouldn't, you are still healing. I know my doctor recommends no carbonation at all, but having my Fresca keeps me from making bad choices, plus I haven't damaged my band. Good luck!!!! :-h Helena

1. 50lbs.-25 inches lost. 2. About 8 fills/unfills @1.6cc in band now. 3. Exercise, eat 6 small meals daily, drink your water, get support, and most importantly make sure your mind matches your band, it's a tool not a miracle worker! Helena >

Hi Maggie! Keep your chin up! You are almost at your half way mark. That is an awesome acheivement, just remember you didn't put this weight on over night. I know with me if I depended on the scale I would have slit my wrists. I have 25lbs more to go and it's been a long journey, but I've lost over 25 inches. Plus I'm down 5 sizes. Don't depend on the scale you will get depressed. Have you been exercising? It really helps rev-up your metabolism, and tighten everything up as you lose. You are doing so great, don't let this bump in the road break all of your wonderful success so far. Take one day at a time and talk to friends, get support, it really helps! Good luck, and stay strong! > Helena

Misty- Stay strong! I am so sorry, having gone through this myself I can only say I understand and take the time to grieve. You have many friends on this board who will continue to support you. Slipped bands are extremely rare, I want say less than 5%. On that note constant pbing can cause your stoma to swell which is painfull and make it hard to swallow. Drink liquids if this happens again atleast for 24 hours. Your band is stitched in place, so feel safe. Please take of yourself during this time, you are special. Helena >

Hi Traci! Whatever you decide I'm sure you will make the best decision for your situation. That being said, being banded almost 4 years, having friends, 3 to be exact, having GBS, and talking to hundreds of bandsters over the years you're going to find they are 2 dramactically different surgeries, with different results, as well as complications. The biggest difference is the pace of weight loss. With GBS your weight loss is fast, incredibly so. Due to the surgery, not your mind over food, not emotional eating, not exercise. You have no choice. The band is only a tool. Dramatic weight loss comes from huge calorie restriction and excessive exercise. The band can be an incredible tool, with education, support, exercise and your mind being in the right place. Just remember your pace os wiehgt loss will be slower. Another thing to consider 50% of people who get band surgery would not qualify for GBS, due to their BMI not being high enough, no other medical problems, no family history of morbid obesity, etc. It is much easier, especially in Mexico to qualify for the band. My GBS friends are lucky, great results, little if no complications, I've heard happy and not so happy results from other bandsters. Find other websites or support groups with veterans of all weight loss surgeries. Good luck in your journey, and I wish you all of the luck in the world!!!! Helena >

Hi Dominique! Good luck on your weight loss journey and congrats on the choice you made!!!! =D> Helena

Hi Christine! I'm sure it definately depends on the person and their personal history. At the time of my surgery, not with your doctor, but one from Mexico. I weighed 30 pounds more then you and I'm a little over 5'8, I wasn't put on any diet what so ever, just liquids for 24hrs before surgery. That was what happened with me, but I know other patients of his were put on restrictive diets, I guess I got lucky. The great thing is, is that it is a wonderful jump start to your weight loss, and a new way of thinking. Good luck!!! =D> Helena

It's been 3 years since I was banded but I remember the tugging feeling. As well as when I first attempted crunches, I experienced a pinching. My doctor said what I was going through was normal. Good luck! =D> Helena

Hi Mona-Camille- I would recommend to continue with cold fluids so you don't dehydrate. Call your doctor all liquids should be able to go down at this point. Good luck! > Helena

Hi Redhead! It sounds like for me it was a little different then anyone else I've talked to. No genetic history of obesity, yet growing up in avery superficial community in Southern California I felt I never fit in, which unfortunately caused an eating disorder for over 20 years. That's how I kept my weight down. Well, when I turned 35 my mom was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, she lived 400 miles away, so while working about 55 hours a week, taking care of my family, I drove to take care of her 3 weekends a month. I gained 75lbs in those 2 years. After screwing up my metabolism for so many years I tried everything I was desperate. Make a long story short, my mom died, my best friend was killed, and my contract wasn't renewed at a school I had been teaching at for 5 years(that was for the better I found out). All within 3 months, that's when I deceided, after much research, and support of my husband I got my band. I hope that wasn't overwhelming, just my story. The lapband has been a wonderful too for me. Good luck on your journey!!!! > Helena

Hi Donna! It really depends on how much of a fill you received, and what size band you have. We really need that info to answer your questions. In the last 3 years I've had about a half dozen fills and unfills. My doctor, in Mexico is very aggressive with his fills, that's why the unfills. Let us know your info and hopefully we can help. Through my experience, with a good fill you know right away. > Helena

I am a veteran bandster and soooooo scale obsessed it's crazy. On the days I know I should have lost instead of throwing my scale at my husband, who loses weight by just wishing, I wait till the next day and weigh myself again, if no change, or worse it shows a gain, yes I'm ready to slit my wrists, thank god I'm a clean freak, I try on something that has been tight on me. Now listen during this time I have not cheated, I'm exercising, no bites of peanut butter, no finishing the last thing on my child's plate, and no just 1 cookie won't hurt. I'VE BEEN GOOD. My tight clothes show some give, beleive me it works. Only if you are being completely honest try it. If I depended on the scale for my motivation I'd be dead. Chin-up, don't give up, and think thin!!!! Helena

Congrats to you!!! You have made a wonderful decision that will change the rest of your life. =D>Helena

I'm sure you did your own research. Most people don't have any restriction until your first fill. The post-op diet sucks, but you are healing. I'm sure your hunger is real, don't give into it. Successul bandsters usually lose weight before their first fill due to they follow their post-op diet to the tee. It is extremely restrictive, plus some start an exercise program. I hate to say it but your band isn't working yet. Drink V-8, chicken broth, H20 with Crystal Light, protein drinks you can handle, fruit juice is ok, but usually high in calories, get one that is 100% juice. Get support, remember why you got the surgery, how important this is to you. It is only 6 weeks of your life that it has to be this restrictive, than it will be so much easier. Now is the time to get our head in the same place as your band, the band is only a tool, "a safety net" to help you along your weight lose journey, the rest is mental. GET SUPPORT!!!! It will keep you motivated. You will do awesome, it just dosen't seem like it now. The band works, just be patient. Stay strong!!!!!! > Helena

I truly understand what you are saying, and completely understand your concerns. When I researched the band the more people or doctors I talked to, the more questions I had. It went from one extreme of it was a complete lifesaver and basically their lifes changed overnight to, they were completely disappointed because their own expectations were too high. The band will change the way you eat and how you look at food, which is a good thing, plus you do have to eat differently, but don't look at it as a life long diet. You will be eating smaller portions, and hopefuly better choices. You will eat slower which makes you get fuller so much sooner then you would expect. As you lose your weight, which I'm sure you will with great success each day gets a little easier. You will have those days, especially social functions when it is hard, don't deprive yourself just make better choices. Get support, post on the forum when you need help, ask questions, #1 think of yourself and what a wonderful gift this can be and how much you deserve it. Good luck & stay strong! > Helena

Please, please, please just drink liquids. You are still in the healing phase. You probably caused some swelling. I know the liquids really suck but think of everything you've already gone through. Good luck and stay strong!!!!! =D> Helena

My best advice would be make sure your mind matches the band. If you are thinking the band is a cure all it is anything but, unless you are willing to make some lifetime changes. It is extremely easy to cheat the band, and the resrictive pre-op, and post-op diet can deceive you into thinking it is the band that is making you lose this weight. The band has been a true life safer for thousands of people, but it takes discipline, smart choices, patience, support and exercise. The band can be wonderful tool if you are in the right state of mind to change your life. Talk to veteran bandsters like myself and others who have been banded atleast 2 years, read the books and try to join a bandsters support group, it will really help. Good luck with this fantasticl journey you are about to under take. > Helena

Congrats!!! Drink, drink, drink!!!!! You are healing, just relax and enjoy the down time. Good luck with your recovery! =D> Helena

Don't stress, most people don't see much of a loss until their first fill, unless they are on a very restrictive diet. You're healing, you will start losing! > Helena

Alana- My husband had great success, me not so much. I couldn't lose a pound. It is extremely high in fat and calories, and during the induction phase you aren't allowed any carbs. This is the first 2 weeks. I modified it by substituting egg whites for whole eggs, lowfat, lean meats instead of bacon or the other high fat choices, and I didn't eat any bread, pasta, sugar etc. But I did have vegetables and fruit. I did lose a little but it wasn't until I restricted my calories more then I lost more weight. You are never hungry on Atkins, but I always felt I wasn't on a diet. Like I said my husband did great, about a pound a day, it didn't work for me. Good luck with whatever you do, I hope this helps! :-h Helena

Crystal Light is awesome! It's the only way I get water down. Good luck! Helena

Guess what? After being banded over 3 years I sometimes have problems too. It's mostly eating too fast, not chewing enough, also talking when I eat. I know that sounds crazy but it's true. You should never drink while eating, it can cause serious, painful problems. Fully hydrate before a meal, plus stay away from too much salt, which makes you thirsty. Maybe eating smaller meals with low calorie healthy snacks throughout the day instead of 3 larger meals. It's awesome you're exercising, keep up the good work! You will do fantastic! =D> Helena in Las Vegas

I think there was a huge misunderstanding here. Your band can "stretch" these were the words of my doctor. He said one of the things that can do this is carbonation. Anyway, what I meant by normally, is it sounds like she was losing great before her last fill, maybe to do what she was doing, it's what worked for her. I've been banded over 3 years and researched this for 1 year before, as well as I've talked to hundreds of bandsters much more experienced then myself. I would never throw info out there that I wasn't sure was true. On a nutritional point I truly understand being an overeater, but most people who have been banded didn't get to their highest weight by eating 1200 calories a day. I'm just telling you my experience, I am not casting any stones, and mostly trying to support everyone. Nothing more, I hope this clears that up. Helena