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

I say if you want it bad enough, then you should do it. I went through so many emotions when I first started thinking about getting the lapband. Of course everyone is different but for me I didn't want to feel I'm taking the easy way out, or that somehow I'm not strong enough or have enough willpower to try and lose weight naturally. But then I thought of how long I'd been this weight and it's been over 10 yrs, so if I was going to lose it on my own, then it should've happened by now. Then came the financial aspect. Do I really want to pay that much and is it worth it? We pay so much for other things (including eating out or going grocery shopping etc.) but this is for YOU! Not only will you lose weight, but you'll improve your health, live life to its fullest, socialize again, feel good about yourself inside and out...the list goes on. Those things are priceless. You deserve to be happy, to be confident, not to live life in hiding but be open and free. You are worth it! So to answer your question, yes I went through the same thing you are going through but then made the decision to get it done. I'm happy and I know it's still up to ME to make this work, which gives me ownership. It's not a magic band, but it's teaching me how to eat healthy. Good luck with whatever you decide. Arianna

I still haven't found my sweet spot. I have a 9cc band and now have 6cc in there. I feel a little restriction but expected more since it's more than half full now. I have a question though...what's a blind fill? I've never had to swallow anything before a fill. I just go, lie down, and my doctor injects the saline into the port or whatever it is. He keeps track of how much he's put it in. I'm going in to see him next week and I'm going to ask about flouro or blind fills, etc. Like I've stated eariler in my posts, I'm in Kuwait and sometimes I feel I may not be getting what I paid for. Arianna

When I joined, I also didn't realize it was for Dr. Ortiz's patients until most of the posts kept on referring to the OCC and Dr. Ortiz. LOL. and then I was like hmmmm I'm way out in Kuwait. but I was also given a warm welcome. I was glad because everyone has been so informative and supportive. I wished I'd joined earlier. so welcome aboard!!!!!!! Arianna

Hey Sabrina, Remember we were supposed to start our 2 weeks of no sweets or junk? I tried and it's been a struggle for me as well, but I'm taking it one day at a time. I did ok for about 2 days and then a friend had a birthday party. YIKES. I did ok with not eating the chips and dips and then it was time for the cake. I knew that if I took one bite, it would turn into 5 bites, and a whole slice to possibly a second helping. but once again, I thought one bite wouldn't hurt and I would stop at that. yeah right! I ended up eating an entire slice and later went back just to lick more frosting. I'm telling you for me it's an addiction. It would've been better not to have touched the cake at all. for me it's all or nothing. I'm not to the point of a few bites or 7 chips. So what you might need to do is get rid of all the bad food in the house. It's very easy to revert to OLD HABITS and that's what they are. You are right about not being hungry... and even if you were, eating junk wouldn't satisfy that hunger anyway. It's just the act of grabbing certain foods and munching away. Dr. Oz explains it in his book.. basically our brain remembers how certain foods make us feel so when you see those same foods (cake, chips, pasta, whatever your comfort food may be), your brain sends signals for you to grab it. It's not about willpower. There are reasons for our behaviors. Plus eating things like sugar makes you want even more sugar and the cycle continues. On a positive note, I have done better the past couple of days. I'm just trying not to think about it as much or obsessing and i've been ok. Whenever I think about it, I feel so bad and guilty that I end of eating more. Focus on the positive and it'll remind you of well you've done and how far you've come. You have lost a ton of weight. that is a huge accomplishment. every pound, every 1/2 lb lost is to be celebrated. This is a commitment for life and just like everything else in life, there are going to be good days and bad days. Arianna

I did exactly the same thing, especially in that first month after surgery when I was on an all liquid diet. I felt like the pounds were coming off daily so I weighed myself several times a day. however when I started eating solids, the weight wasn't coming off as quickly. I continued to weigh myself daily and when the scale wouldn't move, I'd become very discouraged and frustrated and threw in the towel a couple of times and said.."what's the point?" and reverted back to some of my old habits. eating because I was frustrated...eating because I felt like I'd failed...NOT A GOOD IDEA. I ended up gaining that month. so your'e right, the scale can become our nemesis. I've come to the realization that I shouldn't look at this as a temporary thing. I just need to continue eating healthy and watching my portions (which is what we're supposed to do anyway) and the weight will come off....eventually. I don't have to give myself a deadline or a magic number. I think when we do that we set ourselves up for failure because somehow we'll convince ourselves that once we reach that magic NUMBER, then we've achieved our goal and that's it. time to go off the diet. Trust me this is tough for me as well. I put my scale in a drawer and will check my weight every 4-5 days now. Arianna

Once you've completed your ticker, scroll down where it says codes for cutting and pasting on your webpage etc. highlight that code, copy it on your profile page for this forum and that's it. It won't show the diagram when you do it, just the website code, but when you write your posts, it automatically adds the ticker chart to it. not sure if that makes sense. arianna

The band always feels tighter right after a fill and then you don't feel much restriction after a while. Because it's only been 2 1/2 weeks since your fill, I'd wait at least another couple of weeks. Your band is almost half full so it's not as tight as it could be. I felt the same way, but my doctor had told me he didn't want to do fills so close together nor did he want to make it too tight too quickly. your body needs time to adjust and you need to adjust your eating habits as well. How much are you able to eat at mealtimes? If you're hungry between meals, then allow yourself a healthy snack. I don't think we're supposed to be hungry with the band, but rather eat smaller portions and make healthier choices. When you do get another fill, wait another few weeks and you'll know whether it gives you enough restriction or not. good luck, Arianna

It sounds like you're working out quite a bit. Are you losing inches? because a lot of times when you work out, you're building muscle, which weighs more than fat. You might be building muscle (which is a great great thing because you'll be burning fat when you're just sitting- How awesome is that?). so I wouldn't focus on the numbers on the scale so much. continue doing what you're doing and it'll come off. but like I said check your inches... Arianna

a big congrats! you're family is going to be wowed and so proud. and about the dress being too big...hey girl enjoy it....how often do we have that problem? LOL. Arianna

oh wow you're also in kuwait! small world. I had it done with Dr. Sharraf at Salam hospital. I'm not sure why you'd have to fly to Dubai. Dr. Sharraf is great and does many lapband surgeries here. I was given his name by someone else. My only complaint is that as you know in kuwait, I was given a lot of instructions on when and how to eat, or like I didn't know I wasn't supposed to drink with my meals, and so forth. I've learned a lot from this forum. Let me give you his contact info... Dr. Khaled Al Sharraf 2223 2000 ext. 1235 He usually takes appointments in the evenings as he does surgeries in the mornings. Good luck and let me know how it goes. Arianna