Update from Mon's Band Land

  

Hi everyone,

 

It’s been awhile since I updated. Yesterday I went to the clinic for a follow-up. Things are going great; I have lost 89 pounds with about 40 pounds left to lose. My goal is to lose those final 40 pounds by July 2010 which will be my 1 year “bandiversary". All in all; it’s been a fantastic 7 months and know I will lose those last 40 pounds; I have 5 months to do it and I CAN do it! They seem to be the hardest to get rid of, but I’m up for the challenge.

 

I did not get a fill yesterday; I currently have great restriction with 6cc in my 10cc band and my next scheduled fill is for April. The team told me that in a few weeks should I lose restriction, I need to call and they will schedule me earlier cause for me, I tend to lose restriction as I lose weight. I had so much fat around my stomach that my sweet spot will really only last once I reach maintenance mode. Luckily, I still have 4cc to play around with.  

 

I’ve been out of surgery 7 months and I have officially hit “onderland". I love my band, it takes a long time to get used to and I’m still learning new things everyday, but I do not regret this surgery. It has given me my life back. I now care about my appearance, do not avoid social situations, and overall my self esteem has improved drastically. Health wise, I am no longer on Nexium or a pre-diabetic, plus my blood pressure is always excellent!

 

I have a new interest in nutrition and I am learning so much about it, never would I have thought I would become a nutrition nut! Like everyone, I’ve had a few struggles along the way (eating too much, not eating enough, etc), but nothing I couldn’t tackle and balance out with proper education.

 

I hope everyone is doing well. If anyone needs someone to talk to, I’m always available.

 

M

Scartears, I just read your post...you are so inspiring. I am still waiting for my first consult, but I know in the end the wait will be worth it.  Congrats to you on all your success, even reading your post I can tell you are very happy. I look forward to reading more about your journey as time goes on. Thanks for posting and allowing me to be apart of this journey with you.

Dawn

 Hi Dawn,

Thank you! I am happy to motivate people and to show that it is possible with hard work and determination. Do you know when you can expect your consult with Dr. Savoie and his team? They are an amazing group but they do expect you to work hard for your success.

 

I am super happy I had this surgery. I’ve had moments where I regretted the surgery (2 weeks liquid diet, recovery period, etc) but honestly, I love my band! I wouldn’t trade it for the world!

Keep me posted and thanks again!

Scartears, you seem to be doing exceptionately well with your band. It is inspiring to read your posts. You always seem so upbeat! Glad to see you are happy and doing well. I have no doubts you will lose the last 40 pounds by July. You go girl!!

 

Mary, thank you! Honestly, I think that a big part of my success has been because of positive thinking. I never try to get discouraged and always aim for the gold no matter what! I’m a pretty optimistic person by nature which could explain my “upbeat" posts!

 

Lol

Wow- I am so impressed. I have had periods of good weight loss and periods of nothing. I only lost really well in July & August when i had really good restriction. I lost 13 pounds in 2 months. During my 2 unfills, I  didn't lose the first time & gained weight the second time. After not being able to eat for 3 weeks, I gained 5 pounds in 2 days. I gained 5 pounds over Christmas, but lost 4 pounds before going for a fill. Since Jan 21st I have been struggling to lose the rest of the 10 pounds. I am almost there- .8 of a pound to go. Then I will be on to new numbers. YEAHHHH!!!

Weirdly enough, between each fill I have lost 11 pounds and I have gotten a fill every 4 weeks since surgery. I lose very quickly after a fill and then plateau until the next. That’s my pattern.

 

I strongly believe in keeping my band on the tight end of the green zone. If I’m loose, I’ll go overboard and eat too much. Right now, I can’t eat pass my 1cup maximum per meal. I’m never hungry and I always feel super stuffed. I eat so I can function, I don’t eat out of hunger (on occasion, I will emotionally eat, darn you chocolate!)

 

Eating more than between 1000 or 1200 calories a day is impossible for me (unless I eat something super high in calories each meal). Right now I eat 1200 calories a day and I find it difficult. I force myself to eat those 1200 calories a day to stay healthy even if I have lost all my love for food and always feel full. Its strange how before surgery, I wanted to eat, eat, and eat, and now I’m like “Uh, its supper I have to eat, rolls eyes". I went from “live to eat" to “eat to live".

 

I divide my daily calorie intake as follows:

 

Breakfast – 300 calories

Snack – 100 calories

Lunch – 300 calories

Snack – 100 calories

Dinner – 300 calories

Snack – 100 calories

Water throughout the remainder of the day (when I remember)

 

I find eating snack keeps my metabolism up so I do it, even if it’s not really recommended with lapband.

 

You’re doing great Kittymom. Honestly, while I’m happy to motivate folks, I don’t think that my results are typical from what I can gather from the board or people I’ve met at the clinic. I hate to think people look at me and expect the same results. It’s obviously possible, but the last thing I want to do is discourage anyone because you are all doing so great in your journeys.

 

Everyone is so different. Yesterday I met a lady who can eat Burger King with her band. I COULD NEVER eat Burger King. It’s just not physically possible for me. Nothing would go down even if I tried my hardest. I’ve met so many different people who are at so many different levels of restriction and weight loss; it’s really an individual journey.

 

Good job on losing those 10 pounds! That’s the worst, trying to lose what you’ve already lost before; I do that every once and awhile with a pound or three, it can get discouraging…KEEP IT UP!

 

Kick that 0.8 of a pound’s ass!

 

 

How I feel about my band is directly related to whether I am losing or not and whether or not I can eat. I lose well when I am in the zone. I wouldn't expect to lose as fast as you. You are a young chick and I am an old broad! LOL  My biggest enemy is my love of chocolate. I am going to try to give it up for lent,,,,,,40 days without chocolate....is life worth living???

Right now, I am in the start of the red zone. My band is super touchy. I keep wondering if I need a small unfill. I have hard time taking my pills because I have to drink a lot of water at once early in the morning. I would be well advised to take something hot first thing but I am always late crawling out of my warm bed. I feel full and almost stuck from the water. I only have trouble with water when I take pills. I breath out so as not to swallow air.  On the other hand, I had a steak for supper last night- no problem.  At times, seem to be so tight I can't hardly eat. Other times, no problems. I have had a few incidents of  vomiting, but not one after the other.  I go on liquids, then  I go to mushies, but I seem to need two mushie meals and only one solid meal per day. I have to be super careful with the solid meal.

It's normal to be tight in the morning, or so my surgeon says. I always have my coffee before any meds or any solid food. I can't drink water or milk before I've had my hot beverage in the AM so I don't even bother. I wait at least an hour  after my coffee and then I eat breakfast, which I usually do at my desk at work cause I drink my coffee on my way to work.

The band is finicky and I don't think that with restriction, there's any way around that. Some days, nothing goes down with my band. Weirdly enough it's usually on Sundays so maybe it's because Saturday is my eat what I want day so my stomach is irriated, I don't know.

Other days, I  eat without the slightest problem. I agree it's very strange but I believe it has to do with stress, anxiety, what you're eating, what you ate the day before, etc.

I hate that it's finicky, but I take it for what it is really because it seems to be a very common thing for ppl with restriction.

Chocolate is evil but an important part of my life (and every female's life I think). I restrict it to one day a weekend and that's it. If it's my TOM week, I'll have it one day in the week just because I'll go crazy if I don't haha!

Easter is bad for me, I love those darn mini eggs and creme eggs!!