BandDiva

Congrats!! You are doing great! Keep it up!! )

That is a total exaggeration! I never cut things that tiny. Yes, you have to change some eating habits, chew-chew & slow-slow, but you learn and you move forward in success!! And not every doctor makes you be on liquids prior to surgery. I weighed 289 prior to surgery and got down to 276 on surgery day. I had 2 shakes a day and a lean cuisine or healthy choice as a meal everyday. So, it depends on your surgeon. Maybe you should get a second oppinon. I don't like Dr.'s who put fear in people. The fact of the matter is, obesity kills people everyday & if you don't treat it, it will destroy your life one way or the other. By depression, diabetes, heart disease or just stopping you from living!!! You will eat 1/3 of what you used to, so what?! I have had my band 4 months & everyday I wish I would have done it sooner!! I suggest you watch Dr. Ortiz's videos because he is a very realistic surgeon. Even if you don't choose him as your Dr. listen to what he has to say. I wish you the best of luck! Do not live in fear my friend! www.youtube.com/lapbandvideos

I am very excited about my accomplishments over the last 4 months with my band. I have learned that I do have to work for my weight loss and that it is true, this band is only a tool to help me. There are times that I still have cravings that I know will lead to a big bootie & I must say NO! If I don't get my exercise in, I won't lose weight for weeks, and water and supplements are fuel that I MUST have! I have gone through frustrations over the last month as I have only lost 5 lbs. But, that is still 5 lbs lost, not gained, and not holding. So, I have to be happy. I have my 3rd fill scheduled for March 9, so maybe things will speed up! These are recent photos I took of myself & you can really tell my face has slimmed down. I plan to take full body pics soon. I LOVE MY BAND! BEFORE FEB 09

I am sorry. I mentioned that in my original post. Don't be discouraged. I booked 3 in a row (once a month), you can always cancel if you don't need it. But, go ahead and book them ahead of time.

I use/go back and forth between the Sugar Free Metamucial packets and the Fiber Choice sugar free tablets.

I was banded in October and sleeping on my stomach is still not comfortable. I tried it for 2 days last week and I am still paying for it. My port has been killing me!! I have had to have a heating pad everyday since. So, If I were you, I would just get it out of my head for awhile. The only way I slept was on my tummy and obviously you get used to sleeping other ways.

Please let me know how it goes! I love Dr. Jay he very good, I know you will be happy.

Jude, I am wondering what I should do. I am still eating small portions, but not as small as they were right after my second fill but still 1/3 of what I used to eat. AND remember my fill doc REALLY thought I was fine with just the 1cc, I had to beg for the .5cc more. Anyway, I am not losing weight, at a total stand still for the last 2 weeks. I know this happens to everyone and maybe my body will catch up soon. I am just afraid If I book a fill apt. he is going to be like 'why are you here' and then I get charged 250.00 for nothing, or a tiny, tiny fill. It is such a dilema! ???????????????

The liquids will fill you up more. I did it a few times & did not like how I feel. So, now it is easier for me not to do it. It was definitely a hard habit to break. I used to drink about 3 glasses of iced tea during a meal!! Suck on a piece of ice if you just have to have something while eating.

I never had any remarks like that. I would have to slap the S$%! out of someone! lol I also had to use the extension. I can't wait to fly this next time because I know I won't have to have one!

Yes, I am sorry. It does say 'Lap Band System'. The founding corp is, Inamed. So, sounds like we all have the same band (which is the older version). Here is a thread from lapband talk about the differences. Doesn't sound like a huge difference. I still wonder the OCC's opinion and IF they are going to start using the Realize band. http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f278/realize-vs-inamed-50722/

Stick with it Sandra, Dr. O definitely knows his stuff. Just a few more days, you can do it!

Yeah....that is what I was gettin at. I feel the effects of the band. I am not sure if anyone could feel the band itself.

I do too! Mornings I am soooo tight. I have to have a premade Muscle Milk, it gives me 20 grams of protein in the mornings and then I am ready for lunch about noon.

NOPE. I haven't been able to do those thick breads since surgery either. (i haven't missed it) You may be different though, get the small 4 inch.

Not sure if it is the 'band' I feel or not, but I definitely get an achy feeling sometimes when I haven't eaten or when I might have eaten too much. I was banded a little over 3 months ago & I am still learning portions. Sometimes I am fine and that one final bite, sends me over the edge and makes me feel bad. I told my husband, 'I feel my band, it is irritated.' But, I don't know if that is what it is or not. It could just be my tummy is mad. I feel my port all the time! It was weird at first, but now I am used to it. Sometimes if I sit too long in one spot I am really sore. But all in all this is soooo worth it. I LOVE MY BAND, and never want to live without it!

I remember in your post that you had to get the bigger band, so I thought you knew. Glad you got that straight now!

YEP! I do this too! Take normal bites a lot the time and swallow partial bites. I do take small bites of bread, cakes, meat etc.

I can't wait to hear how it goes. I would love to go there once I get close to goal. I need "the works". But, I haven't had a baby yet, so I wouldn't want a TT.

Good idea! I had not thought about it right after meals, but I do have to chew. My teeth have been giving me grief of lacking of chewing since being banded. You don't think about it, but we chewed a lot more before surgery! I am gonna try gum right after meals now, THANKS!

I was banded 3 months ago, some friends came over a couple weeks ago for New Years. Everyone brought beer etc. I drank 1 small Vodka cranberry. The next day, I PAID FOR IT. My stomach started cramping & I could not stay out of the bathroom. Everything I ate went right through! It was terrible!!!!!! Definitely not worth it. NOt even going to try it again!

Keep in mind milk 2% milk still has fat in it. You can get the same protein with Skim. That is what I drink.

I would call Dr. Miranda and go over your plan with her now. She can go over what you are doing and suggest something else to add that might help speed things along. That is what I did & it helped me lose more weight before surgery. She is the one to discuss it with! As long as she knows you are really giving it your all, I doubt you will be canceled, but she needs to hear from you! Good luck!

It is true, Dr. Miranda is not big on the protein waters. She actually encouraged me to drink Gatorade. I still to this day drink one G2 gatorade a day. I swear by them too. Yesterday I didn't have it because we were gone from the house all day so I was out of my routine, I woke up with a severe headache and dizzyness.