One Year Ago Today ....

Thank you so much for sharing.  I just celebrated my one month bandiversary and you've commented on so many things  that I felt...yes, I AM making sure i get my proteins and i am watching how much/what i eat.  BUT...I do think i agree with you on the changing what you eat and how much you eat...so, does that mean i MIGHT be able to eat a waffle fry???? 

I go see my surgeon next tuesday, and we'll discuss fills/adjustment.  Even though I do have some restriction, i think i'd like a bit more...but i also am not unhappy with what I have now.  in other words, the amount of restriction the band gives me is comfortable.  If I'm hungry between meals...I've learned to drink water, go for a walk, etc.  I'm hoping I can keep up these GOOD habits so i don't have to "have a fill".

I really applaud you...in so many ways you are using the band as a tool....I like that. ALOT.

and congrats on the NO SMOKING.  I'm not a smoker, but for you to do that, AND lose weight is wonderful!

Betsey

Betsey,

Congrats on your surgery and you are doing great :o) .  Do what is best for you and not what everybody says you have to do since you got the band.

You know your body better then anybody else, you know your eating habits better then anybody else.  You and You alone need to make the decisions on when to get a fill, or if you dont want a fill.  If you feel comfortable enough where you are at then dont get one, if you feel like you need a small one get one.  Dont let anybody force you into something you dont want to do :o) .

When I eat my meals I go as long as three to five hours of not being hungry between meals and that is what the band is designed to do for us to keep us full for  that amount of time between meals.   Like today I skipped breakfast which is really bad on my part since I did Curves this morning . After Curves I went shopping and didn't sit down to eat lunch till around 130 this afternoon.  I ended up eating two small drumsticks and that was it . I wasn't hungry . Before it use to be stopping at Mcdonalds and getting a Big Mac and large fries on my way home, but I hardly ever do fast food anymore and I havent had a fast food cheeseburger in over a year now.  Instead I came home and had two chicken drumsticks . Its little things like that are just as important as the number on the scale and to me more important because that is showing how I am changing my eating habits :o) .  

  For my snack I had 10 carrots and some light ranch dressing.  For dinner I had 4 oz chicken when grilled onions , green peppers and some melted cheese and some french fries.  Not the best meal planning on my part it was just one of them days nothing sounded good and I wasnt hungry very much.

Usually I eat between 1200 to 1600 calories per day. Three meals and two snacks due to my Zumba classes I take .

Just do what is best for you , if you feel like you dont need fills then dont get them , just because you dont get fills dont mean you are not using the band to its full potential !!!   You might be one of the lucky ones that have just enough restriction that you dont need fills, or you might be very mentally strong and the band is a reminder at all times that you dont need to sit down and eat like a pig no more .   There is quite a few of us on here that dont have fills the ones I talk to dont post on here no more they have moved onto different websites .

I wish you the best of luck Betsey !!!  You are doing fantastic  keep up the great work !!

First off you might want to work on your anger management issues.


Uhhh .....she's a steelers fan.....I think she has enough to work on already!

HAHAHA

lol. Gotta love a sense of humor! ;-)

Congratulations on your first year banded!  And...a special congratulations on quitting smoking!  You're right!  That is the best thing you've done for your health and you should be very, very proud.

We all work our programs differently so disregard anyone who questions your choice to fill or not to fill.  Call it a diet or a new way of eating, whateve!.  This is your journey.  We're all just trying to do the best we can and you're doing a great job!

Happy Thanksgiving and here's to another great, no smoking, banded year!!!

Best~
Lisa O.

Steelers Fan,

Nice to see you posting again.  I wondered where you had gone off to!

I am like you and have not had a fill yet.  I'll be 8 months on the 29th of November.  I am not afraid of fills, just haven't needed one. 

I think Maria is right though in that we have been dieting.  We have not HAD to use the band as it has been advertised.  I have a friend who had the band about 3 months after me and has just gotten some restriction with over 4cc's in her band.  I know for me I can eat anything, but I don't.  It's just that simple.  My personality is such that I am an OCD control freak and I can do this for a period of time.  For me I know the band is in there and when I am in need of a fill I am so going to get one.  I lost 130 pounds in 2005 and gained back everything but 20 pounds, so I know dieting is not lasting or forver!!  I like the fact that, like you, I have been able to lose my weight so far without it.  Yes, I also feel restriction in that I can't eat much at all, and I don't get hungry as fast.  But for me that's a whole lot of mental adjustment as well.

For some it's not nearly as easy just eating a little or attempting to gain control of their eating habits.  They really need that tool, whatever WLS it might be, in order to succeed.  For some Lap Band will never work, and that is heartbreaking. 

We really haven't been using the band as advertised, and I'm good with that.  But I do know that it is there for when I lose control again -- you notice I said when....SADLY -- and have to depend upon it.  Again, Maria is right, I didn't blow all this money on a device I don't plan on using.  I just haven't had to do so YET!

Congratulations on the weight loss, congratulations on the way your life is going, and of course AMAZING congratulations on the smoking!! If all you did was quit smoking, that would have been wonderful all alone!!

And Happy Thanksgiving!!

Donna

Research is the way to avoid disappointment, whether you are having WLS or any other surgery...we have such a wealth of information about how WLS of all kinds work and don't work and lap-band specifically states that diet and exercise are key to success, post-op.  I have copied and pasted from the box on the left of the forum page...

Your New Nutrition Plan
When you can eat solid foods without problems you will need to pay close attention to your diet. Liquids will pass through the reduced stomach pouch quickly and will not make you feel full. The LAP-BAND ® System was designed to restrict solids, not liquids. Drinking liquids during or immediately after meals tends to flush food through the pouch and you will not get the prolonged feeling of satiety needed to help you eat less.

Staying hydrated throughout the day is important. Drink at least 6-8 cups of water per day and make sure you consume them between meals.

Many patients have a difficult time with solid foods during the morning hours. If this is the case for you, you can open up your LAP-BAND ® System by starting with a couple of glasses of liquids before your first meal.

Too much food or big chunks of food can block the stomach pouch outlet. You can avoid this problem by chewing food welland eating small bits at a time. It is important to remember that your new stoma opening is approximately the size of a dime. Chew your food adequately so that it can easily fit through the opening.

Eat only three small meals a day and make sure that these meals contain adequate nutrients. Your stomach can only hold about1/4 cup of food or 2 oz. at a time. Stop eating when your hunger is gone or when you feel comfortable.

You may find that the small stomach pouch makes digestion of high-fiber, high-fat and dry foods more difficult. Tolerance will vary from person to person. Ask your surgeon and/or dietitian about your food choices. The general guide below can help you create good and healthy meals that contain adequate nutrients but little sugar and fat.

Good Food Choices

1. Fruits and vegetables

• 1 to 2 servings of fresh fruit daily
• 2 to 3 servings of fresh vegetables daily

2. Breads and cereals

• 1 small portion of low-sugar cold or hot cereal
• 1/2 to 1 slice of toasted whole wheat or rye bread each day.

Note: some patients have difficulty eating bread.

3. Meat, fish, poultry, eggs
1 oz. to 2 oz. of meat, fish, or poultry or one egg each day. (Remove all visible fat from the meat. Remove the skin from poultry. Prepare the meat in ways that need very little fat. Grilling, steaming, microwaving, or boiling are all good ways to do this.) Note: some patients have difficulty eating meat.

4. Dairy products
Milk and yogurt are calories in liquid form. However, these types of food have calcium, which makes them an important part of a healthy daily diet, so choose a maximum of 2 cups of skimmed milk or low-fat yogurt and 1 oz. of cheese a day.

5. Fats
Restrict the use of fat to 3 to 4 teaspoons of margarine, butter, or oil per day. You can have low-fat salad dressings and mayonnaise in moderation.

6. Drinks
Drink as many calorie-free liquids per day as you wish (though not with meals).Suitable drinks are:

• tea or coffee (black) with low-calorie sweetener
• water
• non-carbonated beverages containing few or no calories

Some doctors have reported that carbonated beverages may contribute to enlargement of the small pouch and recommend they be avoided.

Foods to Avoid
Some foods have a concentrated supply of calories with little nutritional value and should be avoided as much as possible. They include foods such as:

• syrups
• cakes
• biscuits
• jam
• honey
• pies
• chips
• pastries

Alcoholic drinks should also be consumed in moderation, for example a glass of wine per day.

Common Problem Foods
Some foods have difficulty passing through the opening of the stoma and may cause blockage. These include foods such as:

• dry meat
• shrimp
• untoasted or doughy bread
• pasta
• rice
• peanut butter
• dried fruit
• fibrous vegetables like corn,asparagus and celery
• nuts
• coconut
• popcorn
• greasy or fried food
• seeds and skins of fruits and vegetables
• membrane of citrus fruits

Introduce these foods slowly and individually to see if they are tolerated. Always be careful, chew well, and follow your surgeon’s or dietitian’s advice.

Exercise Guidelines
Incorporating regular physical activity into your daily routine is as important as your nutrition plan. Often patients have been sedentary due to decreased activity tolerance, psychological constraints, and in some cases, physical disabilities. After LAP-BAND ® System surgery, aerobic activities—particularly walking and swimming—are generally best tolerated. Consult your surgeon and weight management team to find out which activity is right for you.

Having done my research, I am not disapointed with my choice due to the requirement to diet and exercise to maximize my success.  I knew this going in, and since I am disabled, exercise is not really an option.  My results are totally within my expectations going in.  I am, however, concerned with some of the issues I have seen with regard to vagus nerve damage and related issues, but I am prepared to deal with them if they come up.  This wasn't a widely communicated issue when I made my choice and if I had known, I most likely would have made a different choice.  That said, my band is working the way it is supposed to and I currently don't have any complications or issues....

Congratulations Steeler!  It is true that some people can lose with a band without fills for quite some time.  My doctor's practice has one patient (70 yrs old) who has lost over 100 lbs without a fill...there are a few people on this site who have lost substantial weight without fills or with minimal fills (I have only 3.5 cc from 2 fills, 3 cc and .5 cc).

An even bigger accomplishment is quitting smoking!  Your children and grandchildren will thank you.  My grandmother quit smoking at age 76 when her first great-great-grandchild was born and lived to see a total of 7 great-great grandchildren grow into pre-teen and teen years.  She passed away 3 years ago at almost 93 years old.  My mother died of pancreatic cancer at age 53...smoking is a risk factor in that terrible disease!  You have given yourself a huge gift by quitting smoking.

Steph

Thank you Steph  I'm glad to see things are going well for you and congrats on the weight loss for the yr.  You are so right it could have been 12 pounds you gained this yr but you still lost so that is a huge plus right there no matter what the number is .  A weight loss is so much better then a gain :o)   You keep  up the great work and in the end slow and steady really does win the race in the end !  Happy Thanksgiving Steph to you and your family !!!

Thanks Lisa !! You are right everybody works this program different  way . There is no wrong or right way to lose weight or work the band. As long as you are doing it the safe way and following the band rules then everybody is a winner no matter how its done with fills , or with no fills .  Have a great Thanksgiving to you and your family !!

Thanks Donna, congrats to you on your weight loss also you have done a amazing job !! Keep up the great work . Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family !!

Maria, this is the last discussion we will have on this and then it will be the end of it.  I have never once say I didn't have restriction. I have always said i have had some restriction.  It might not be as restricted as some on here but I dont want to be that way . I have never wanted to be that way and my doc knew that with me getting the band.     I have always been very honest in here about that. I have never wanted the restriction where I am down to eating 1/ 2 cup of food or less to me that is not healthy and I refuse to do that. 

I have always been honest up front I have been nervous about fills , I have never lied about that but I have always said I would get one if I need one .  But you just love to leave out little tidbits of information just to start a fight with me or to make me look completely stupid and not using the band to its full potential.   Anybody would be a total fool if they didn't have concerns getting fills . There is things that can go wrong getting a fill. 
But to come on here when I had good news to start a fight with me and that is exactly what you was looking to do that is just not cool.

Think whatever you want of me I really dont care , its not like your post is going to ruin my day lol.   I follow the band rules. I eat a cup of food per meal, a healthy snack , I exercise and I go at least 3-5 hours of not being physically hungry.  If that is not following the band rules then I am in some deep trouble then.

Have a great Thanksgiving Maria , try to be happy for people instead of coming in here and crushing down people's posts when they have lost weight . no matter how they have done it with a zillion fills, a zillion unfills, or even with no fills. 

It's truly sad I can see why alot of the vets and the people that had surgery the same time as me dont post on this board anymore.  You cant even come in here and post some happy news without somebody coming and trying to drag somebody down . Now I know why I have stayed away from posting .

~Maria, this is the last discussion we will have on this and then it will be the end of it.  I have never once say I didn't have restriction. I have always said i have had some restriction.  It might not be as restricted as some on here but I dont want to be that way . I have never wanted to be that way and my doc knew that with me getting the band.     I have always been very honest in here about that. I have never wanted the restriction where I am down to eating 1/ 2 cup of food or less to me that is not healthy and I refuse to do that. 

I have always been honest up front I have been nervous about fills , I have never lied about that but I have always said I would get one if I need one .  But you just love to leave out little tidbits of information just to start a fight with me or to make me look completely stupid and not using the band to its full potential.   Anybody would be a total fool if they didn't have concerns getting fills . There is things that can go wrong getting a fill. 
But to come on here when I had good news to start a fight with me and that is exactly what you was looking to do that is just not cool.

Think whatever you want of me I really dont care , its not like your post is going to ruin my day lol.   I follow the band rules. I eat a cup of food per meal, a healthy snack , I exercise and I go at least 3-5 hours of not being physically hungry.  If that is not following the band rules then I am in some deep trouble then.

Have a great Thanksgiving Maria , try to be happy for people instead of coming in here and crushing down people's posts when they have lost weight . no matter how they have done it with a zillion fills, a zillion unfills, or even with no fills.~

I am very happy u have lost weight and quit smoking............JUST AS i POSTED TO YOU PREVIOUSLY! I am NOT trying to start a fight. I just requested that you be HONEST about WHY you don't get fills! Do NOT try to mislead the pre-ops!

And as far as what I have stated as to why you don't get fills..........I am going by the statements that YOU made regarding this!


~It's truly sad I can see why alot of the vets and the people that had surgery the same time as me dont post on this board anymore.  You cant even come in here and post some happy news without somebody coming and trying to drag somebody down . Now I know why I have stayed away from posting .~

I can see why a lot of vets and ppl that had surgery the same time as me don't post on this board anymore also. BECAUSE THEIR BAND FAILED! (And just how much do you think it "drags somebody down" to post about their band not working.........only to be blamed for the problem when it is clearly NOT their fault!??!) Or at least that seems to be the case of most ppl that leave this forum!

And you don't have to stay away from posting. Feel free to not read anything I write since you don't seem to approve of anything I say!

Have a nice day!