AUGUST BAND BABIES and FRIENDS -LONG TIME NO POST

Hi Friends: It has been a really really long time since I posted anything.  I wanted to reach out and say hello; and find out how everyone has been doing thus far. for those of us who had surgery in August '07 - how are you all doing?    I have not gotten on the scale in a long long time because I was frustrated by it.     Although I will say that my appearance and body have changed dramatically.    I am now a size 14 and when I went into surgery I was a size 18/20 (tight). So that's good.    People comment all the time about my weight loss; and you start to get those looks.... the really loud but silent ones.     Either way, my knees do not hurt any more at all.   I get to places much much faster and never noticed when I increased my speed to begin with. Now, keeping it real, I will say that having this band is no pic nic (no pun intended).  I am glad for my health and the weight loss but I am constantly worried about whether there is something wrong with the band and how it is situated inside.     I am very limited in what I can eat comfortably.   Of course soup is good but you don't want it all the time.    Most of my proteins have to be ground or flaked because otherwise i'm off to the bathroom to throw up.    I was under the impression that the more time passes, the more comfortable you become with the foods and in general.    I also find that I can't really eat at all during the earlier part of the day.  As the day progresses, then I can eat but morning time, most I can have is hot coffee or orange juice.   If I try to eat, I get stuck. So, needless to say, I can't say I LOVE MY BAND the way others do.   I am happy for the weight loss which should be about a good 45 to 50 lbs at this point (i am guessing) but it certainly has been really really tough with this band.     Somethings just hurt going down. I can't wait to hear from all of you guys. I hope you are enjoying the beginning of Spring. Best, Nilsa

Hi I'm doing pretty good...I've lost 45 lbs so far...I am having pretty much the same issues with food..but most of my problems are my fault...as I am still eating too fast...and not chewing like I should...I do LOVE MY BAND though...because it does limit how much and what I can eat...I wouldnt be where I am today had I not had this done...Another part of my slow loss is getting motivated in exercising....I do hope that things get better for you... And no I am not enjoying Spring...the beauty of the flowers and everything blooming yes...but not the pollen!! Stef

Hi Steph.  Sorry about the allergies, that really makes us miserable.   congrats on your loss as well.  You are doing great.  I have to exercise too.  Haven't done it AT ALL since surgery because I never know when I am leaving work at night but...which shouldnt really be an excuse. Keep me posted on the progress! /nilsa

Nilsa, I am not an August bander, but I was banded in July of '07.  Congratulations on your successful weight loss journey so far. Kudos to you for being able to put the scale away and not be a slave to it...that's really big.That hunk of metal can make or break or break your day if you allow it too. Going from a an 18/20 to a size 14 is awesome....after all your appearance is what you and others see most, not the numbers on the scale.  Maybe you might want to speak with surgeon about your concerns about your band. Share your challenges with him/ her about not being able to eat solid protein.  Speaking from my experience, I am able to eat most foods but definitely in smaller abouts.  I have lost a similar amount of weight as you...about 60 pounds.  One thing that really has helped me lately is keeping up my cardio exercise.  I walk or do a dance video for about 45 minutes at least 6 days a week.  I try to take one day off to give my body a chance to recoup.  I never thought that I would see the day when exercise was such an important part of my life.  I think that it is like anything that you do on consistent basis, it becomes a habit. Well good luck to you and keep up the good work. Lindsay 258/230/170/148 Highest/ Surgery/ Current/Goal

Yes.  you are so right.  I have to exercise for sure.  I am going to speak to my doctor and try and schedule an esophogram because a friend of mine who had the surgery in March 07 had to be reopened to fix it and then ultimately removed and had the sleeve upon removal.   SCARY!   Thanks for the wonderful words. /nilsa

Hey, TexasAngel we have the same surgery date.  I've been doing pretty good so far.  I've lost about 43 pounds to this point.  And I must say I love my Band!!!  Even on my bad days, I still love having it.  I have never lost this much weight and actually kept it off.  Usually by this point in time, I would be packing the weight back on.  I'm very happy with my progress and each day is exciting.  I love the compliments, now(it took me a while to get used to accepting them), I love trying on clothes and them being baggy, I do love the attention I get when I go out, and most of all, I love how I feel!!!  Keep up the good work everyone, we are all doing great!!

You look great!  What size are you in now??? Subrina

Hi! I am an August Band Baby too!  (I barely made it in by the end of the month!!)  I have gone from wearing 26/28s (and some 30/32s) to the size 14 jeans I am wearing right now!  Some days I can barely believe it's me in the mirror!   You are doing great!  I don't think I could keep my band as tight as yours seems to be - I get frustrated too easily and I would start eating around the band.  I keep my band fairly loose - so I can eat just about anything and some days I do just about that!!    ....but overall - I stick to the rules and enjoy the ride!!    The thing that amazes me is when people think surgery is "the easy way out"!!!!  There is nothing easy about it and it's ALOT of work!  But as the saying goes - anything worth having is worth working for!!!   and this is DEFINITLY worth having!!! Keep up the great work!!!

Hi There ShelliBean: interestingly enough, i had some taken out of my band back in October and it is still fairly tight. I just have to go check it out and make certain that it is doing ok in there. I'll add you for future posts!   have a nice weekend.

Hey guys! Nilsa - glad to see you back! Congrats on your continued success, I know it hasn't been an easy road for you. I can't really say I love or hate my band - I don't even really notice it's there. So far, I've been VERY successful with just diet and exercise and haven't needed to use my band or get fills. I’ve lost 105lbs since the start of the liquid pre-op diet and I'd like to lose another 20-25lbs.Then I figure at least another 10lbs will come off with a TT and breast reduction/lift. Unfortunately, naked -  I looked better at 300lbs than I do now.

 I’m trying really hard right now to get these last pounds off  so I can start buying some summer clothes. I have -o- clothing that fits and don’t want to buy anything yet.

 My brain is finally starting to catch up to my body and I'm noticing the changes now more and more. I still dread seeing people I haven't seen in a long time and having them comment on my weight loss. The attention just makes me uncomfortable. I transitioned from walking to running recently and surprisingly, it wasn't that hard. I really need to start focusing on weight training now. I'm looking forward to hearing how everyone is doing!