MrsParris

AngelaAnn, Thank you so much for that! I am so proud of what I have accomplished so far and all of the healthy changes that I have made. I know I am not completely "there" yet, I am still a work in progress. I love Pilates and I am anxiously awaiting my 3 month post-op to be over so I can start back doing them. This band is hard to figure out! I am early in on the journey and even with all the research and reading Dr. Ortiz' book I still have questions. I just passed the teacher's lounge and its 4 boxes of gorgeously decorated Valentine's Day doughnuts, and I didn't take one. 6 months ago, I would have taken 2. Thanks again for your support and kind words. I hope you have a great Valentine's Day weekend also. Kimberly

Thanks Jude! My original post was describing what my restriction was like and basically wanting to know if it was normal, or if I could get more out of my band with another fill. I wasn't looking for exercise or nutritional advice, especially advice that came off so condescending. People really should be careful how they word their posts to make sure they don't come off as critical. I always try to be supportive when I have the time to post, as do you. Thanks again. Kimberly

I think if you will re-read everything you will see that I have been doing at least my 50%. The only area I am lacking in is the exercise. As I stated, I can only get it in about 3 times per week (45 minutes each time), because I get home late due to working the afterschool program. I have a family and I have all the duties that go along with it, like helping with homework, laundry, dinner, dishes, etc. That program ends the end of this month and my 3 month post-op waiting period is almost over. As stated, I intend to begin Pilates and walking, alternating daily. I don't make a habit of eating McDonald's cheeseburgers. A family friend's mother had died. When I got home from the afterschool program at 6:00 p.m. we immediately left to go to their house. We left their house at 9:00 p.m. I had been without food since 11:00 a.m that day. I was starving. Small town, limited options. I hadn't had one in 4-5 months and I just wanted to try and see if I could eat one. Diets are all about learning to eat in moderation and not to excess. It is ok to eat something like a cheeseburger occasionally. 10 years ago I lost 107 lbs. completely on will power and excessive exercise, so I know how to drop weight. Year by year I gained it back. I paid $8,000 + for my band to help me lose the weight this time around and to help me keep it off. So far I have lost 27 lbs. before my surgery and 27 lbs. after surgery for a total of 54 lbs. At my age, I feel like that is pretty good. I didn't even have my first fill until January 10th, so it has been mostly me not my band. Every bandster that posts writes about foods that they cannot eat. At this point, I haven't found anything that my band won't let me eat. Therefore, it leads me to believe that my band is not working at its full potential.

Thanks for the input everyone. I was hoping there was more to restriction than what I currently have. I've got a sub scheduled for next Thurs., now I just have to tell my administrator that I need to take ANOTHER sick day. I am keeping my fingers crossed that this will be my "sweet spot."

No, it's because even though I can hold much more food, I am still using portion control and I get hungry not too long after eating. I journal what I eat daily and I really watch calories, protein, and fiber intake. I really think the food might be moving through my band too quickly.

Thanks Julie, That is exactly what I was thinking. I have been dieting since October and I think I have the head hunger basically under control. I think I get hungry too quickly after eating. I just finished my dinner and I was able to eat several bites of chicken/shrimp stir fry, and an entire Healthy Choice pizza (It is a large portion on a french bread crust). I didn't even have to chew all that much, not like at breakfast and lunch. I already have 2.8 cc in a 4 cc band, but I think I will get him to give me another .5 cc and see if that helps. I am losing, but not as quickly as I would like to and I feel like I am using way more will power than band power. I haven't found a food yet that I can't eat. Is it true that most bandsters with good restriction have certain foods that they can't eat? My stomach growls a lot, even though I journal what I eat daily and make sure I get in plenty of protein and fiber. I went to a Bariatric Surgery Support Group/ Nutrition meeting last night at a local hospital and from what was discussed, I am doing pretty much what I should be, except getting more exercise. I work the after school program and get home late so I only fit in exercise about 3 times per week. The program ends the end of this month and my 3 month healing period is over the 19th, so I plan on starting Pilates and walking my treadmill daily (alternating the two). I second guess myself often, so thanks for reassuring me that I probably do need another fill. Kimberly

I had a day this week where my restriction was not nearly as good as it had been, so I called my fill Dr. to schedule a fill for next week. The next day the restriction was back, but I am not sure if I am restricted enough. Let me describe. Breakfast- good restriction. I can normally get down a 2 egg omelette with no problem. I am hungry 2 hours later. Lunch - good restriction. Normally have grilled chicken in a salad. Goes down fine. I eat about 2-3 ozs. Hungry 2 hours later. Dinner - restriction not so good. I can eat way too much. Feel urge to snack all evening long. I have to really fight it. I am having no trouble getting down breads of any type as long as I take small bites and chew well. Can still eat an entire double cheeseburger from McDonald's without issues. Hubby is scared of me being too tight, but I want to use this band to its full potential. Experienced bandsters please give some input or advice. A fill only costs me $100, but I have to lose a day of work, which means I have to get a substitute for my class. What do you guys think? Thanks, Kimberly

Thanks for the post. I have the 4 cc band and have fairly decent restriction. My husband is being banded in April and we fully expect him to get the larger band. We also thought it would take quite a few fills for him to get restriction. I can't wait to let him know that he could possibly get it with only one fill. Thanks again! Kimberly

Nicole, You can do it. This whole thing can be so frustrating. 15 lbs is not so much! Hopefully a few of them are just water weight and will come off easily. Set a new goal of how many pounds you want to lose before your fill in March. I keep plateuing and I am so sick of it. I went to a Bariatric surgery support group/nutrition meeting last night at a local hospital. I am glad I went. I learned a few things and it made me so happy that I had chosen a band vs. gastric bypass. I know the band is slow, but those bypass ladies looked terrible. Just hanging skin everywhere. I hope I never have to have my band unfilled. I enjoyed meeting you in January and I am thinking of you. Get back on the wagon girl and keep me posted on your progress!!!! Kimberly

Cindy, Keep your chin up. You are doing great. I was banded the day before you. I am 37 years old. I weighed 225 lbs. on surgery date and I now weigh 198 lbs. That is only 27 lbs. But it made such a difference in my attitude and appearance. We can't compare our rate of weight loss to someone in their 20's. I agree with you on many things and your post couldn't have come at a better time. I have good restriction in the a.m. and at lunch, but at night I can eat way too much. Today, my restriction wasn't good at lunch. I immediately called my fill doctor and I have an appointment for next Thurs. I am working the after-school program until 6:00 p.m. every day to help pay for my surgery, so I am not able to work out each day. I know my weight loss will be slower because of this. I got off track really bad this weekend because I was just so bored with dieting. It is difficult, but I truly believe in the band. We just haven't hit our true "sweet spot." I think it will get easier then. But, I can totally relate to what you are saying. Don't give up. Kimberly

I had no restriction from my surgery. I did lose some weight in between the liquid stage and my first fill. I weighed 225lbs. the day of surgery. I lost about 12 lbs. on liquids and I lost another 6-7 lbs. between starting solids and my first fill on January 10th. I only lost 1 lb. during the Christmas holidays. I really had to watch my portions and I try to stay around 1200 calories daily. I was determined not to be one of those people that gained weight before their first fill. It took a lot of willpower, but it can be done. I am 37 years old, I have lost and gained weight so many times that my body has become very resistant. If I can do it, anyone can. I have now had my 2nd fill and it is much easier, but it is also slower for me because I have already lost 54 lbs. I am steadily losing 1-2 lbs. per week on average. Stick to the rules and I promise you will see results, maybe not as quickly as you would like, but you will eventually.

I completely agree! I found out after I had my surgery with Dr. Ortiz that my Blue Cross policy would pay for lapband after a 6 month period of jumping through hoops. I still don't regret paying for it myself and going to Mexico. My husband refuses to try to get the insurance to pay for his. He went to Mx with me and he wants Dr. Ortiz to do his surgery also. He is scheduled to be banded April 6th. He borrowed from his 401k to pay for my surgery and we are using a credit card to pay for his. Even with the extra bills each month, I have no regrets. Watching the numbers on my scale get lower and lower has been worth every penny. I can't brag enough about how awesome the OCC is. I just wish I could afford to fly out for all my fills.

I have lost 53 pounds so far. I do the same thing Ute said. I tend to hit close to 1200 cals. and go over a little bit more than I stay under. I have found that when I try to starve myself, I do not lose, not this far into the game anyway. I may not lose anything for 2 weeks then all of a sudden 3-5 lbs. drop off. I try not to let the scales psyche me out. Women have to eat or our bodies go into survival mode and hold onto fat. I eat plenty of protein, take my Benefiber religiously, watch my fat intake, eat carbs in moderation, and stay around 1200 cals. per day. I also excercise as often as my busy schedule allows. I am not losing fast, but it is fairly steady. I was banded on Nov. 19th and I have lost 26lbs. since my band date.

I have had 2 fills and I was really surprised to find that I can eat large quantities of popcorn without having to do the normal 20-30 chews per bite. Sometimes bread is a problem, sometimes it isn't. I don't eat a lot of it, but I always give it a tentative try.

Welcome to the club!!!! I hit Onderland last Friday at 199 lbs. Stay motivated! Here come the 180's.

Kim, I hope you feel better soon. You have more courage than I do! I thought I was going to die from my C-section, I don't have the guts to get a TT. I know you will love the end results. Kimberly

I have no idea, unless it's the carbs, but I too would love to know. I cut out my lean cuisines this week and I dropped 3lbs. so there must be something to it.

Congratulations!!!!!! I know you are so proud. You'll have the final 15 off in no time. Kimberly

I used a WONDERFUL bariatric surgeon in Birmingham, AL yesterday for my 2nd fill. He only charged me $100 for the fill (no flouro) but he said he would use flouro if necessary. He did not charge me a new patient fee and he and his staff treated me well. I called some offices and the receptionists spoke to me like I was mentally insane for being banded in Mx, but not at Dr. DeWitt's office, they were great. His name is Dr. Andrew DeWitt. He has a website if anyone is interested. Just google his name. His entire fee for lapband surgery is only $11,500. That is fairly competitive with Mx pricing.

I totally agree with everyone else. Find out who else will be banded the same time as you. Contact them through this forum and you will have someone to hang with at the hotel. After I scheduled my first fill and I knew I would be flying there by myself, I went on the forum and looked for someone who would be there too. That's how I met Nicole. It was nice to have someone to walk to the mall with, to chat with about the band, and to eat with at the hotel restuarant. Don't be afraid of the surgery. It was a piece of cake. The pre-surgery stuff and the surgery happens so fast that you will never miss having anyone at the OCC. I was so sleepy from the anesthesia I just wanted my husband to leave so I could sleep. When I woke up the next morning, I got dressed, put on my make-up, and it was time to go to the hotel. You will be fine. Everyone at the OCC takes excellent care of the patients and the staff at the Lucerna is top-notch! GOOD LUCK!

Michelle, You look GREAT!!!!! Kimberly

I was there at the Lucerna on January 10th. Nicole and I walked to the mall. We saw a lot of military personnel in trucks being transported to ? All the trucks had sirens on. I have no idea where they were going or what had happened. That made me feel a bit uncomfortable, but I'm a chicken!!!

After reading your topic last night, I thought, hey, time to try popcorn. It was great. I have a hot air popper, then I sprayed the Parkay diet butter on it. It was heavenly. I could spray as much butter as I wanted on it to coat it, and it slid down easily. I had my first fill Sat. I got 1.8cc and I have really good restriction. I think hot air popped corn is healthier than the microwave popcorn and a lot more economical.

I didn't know any better and I did the Slim-Fast also. I lost what I needed to before my surgery, but had I known better I would have lost much more. I now drink the EAS ready made. They don't taste quite as good as Slim-Fast, but they really are better for you. I buy them at Wal-Mart. I am 37 years old and my fat is stubborn. I have lost 30 pounds including pre-op diet, and I haven't had my first fill yet. I am sitting at the airport now on my way to the OCC to get my "fix." Good luck. Kimberly

My flight arrives at 10:30 a.m. I scheduled my fill for 1:30 p.m. to be on the safe side. I am hoping they will do it as soon as I get there if they aren't too busy. Email me at kp10992@cableone.net