cheri52

Hi everyone, guess we're not popping in enough! I just got sent a message to register!!:smile: and I wasn't allowed to continue till I did it. but all I had to do was sign in , which is something I have always been able to bypass by simply using the link when I am notified of a new post. BUT there haven't really been many new posts! So where is everyone?:wink: missin the family:crying:. Hope all is well with everyone, have we all a new favorite thread??

:thumbup:ummm.. does sound good, esp the lasagna! I will have to try that next time I have to go back on mushies. seems that may always happen from time to time. every time you go for a fill you end up on mushies for a day. I liked to throw ham in the chopper with a little relish, a dab of mayo, and the juice of splenda sweetened can peaches for moisture. thanks for the new ideas!

not to worry, once you have all your fills you WILL be on a restrictive diet! BUT, you do still need to be carefull of all the "easy glide" pitfalls(ice cream, sweets,etc.) they will always go down with very little if any restriction. That's the reality, this is still not a perfect world, unfortunately:frown:. Luck to us all!!!

Hi everyone, just wanted to check in and put in. There does seem to be hope for us all, after 5 fills I think I FINALLY have restriction!!!:biggrin2: AND, I think I am finally doing better with my choices (most of the time:blush:) the "real" hunger in the belly seems to be gone most of the time, the "head" hunger is improving. That is the one that is difficult to control. thinking I want something when I really don't need it . I'm trying to stop and figure it out rather than go for the impulse. I find now with this last fill that I am not hungry for much longer than before and when I do eat, I fill up on less. For all you getting stuck, moisture is so very important. anything dry, such as the salmon, and most meats, can be difficult. I found ground turkey to be one of the easiest to go down, just don't dry it out. eat slow and swallow small well chewed bits. the further you get into to this the more important that becomes. the band has a definate learning curve to it. in general , you got issues, you're not learning! I speak from the heart and MUCH experience with the "issues":lol: seems I'm a slow learner! Jude, when you are working out in the gym, are you doing aerobics or just weights? got to get the heart rate up to rev up the metabolism. the Water workout is great but doesn't burn as many calories as on land. I also have a theory that when we get out of surgery and are on liquids and greatly reduced calories, we distroy our metabolism. Then when we can eat again, and eat we do! cuz we have NO restriction at first, then it's even harder to maintain or lose as our bodys have just gone into starvation mode conserving calories for the upcoming famine. I've been told that to prevent this every 4 days or so we should eat a few hundred calories more than usual just to trick our body into losing. I like the idea!

:thumbup:Hi mick, you have done an amazing job of this, we should all learn from you!!! congrats ! I'm finding the same thing, I floundered around for too long avoiding the E word, now that I've stepped that up, the wt. is starting to move. It's actually quit exiciting.

:cursing: there isn't much action anywhere.....maybe we are all just tired, or maybe we are all just bored, after awhile there isn't much new/different or interesting to say. I'd like to think we all have just gotten more of a life and don't have time now in our new skinnier bods! :confused2: Dee, I never knew where this thread was to begin with, so didn't even know they moved it. I just stumbled on it, got lucky and now they email me when there is a new post, which isn't too often now. I tried to find it once when I deleted my link and couldn't. I never look for other threads, have we others our little "family" are more interested in??? We seem to be missing our fearless leader/founder! :tongue:

HI Janet, yes, very silly! I don't understand the tight in the chest thing being anything to do with restriction. I've been around on these pages for a while and never heard of that condition in relation to the band. I think I would have them check into it a little more seriously. If it is the band then maybe there is something in "how" you are eating. I don't really know, just that it is not the norm. so far as I have heard. Anyone else have a clue??? the only time I experienced a similar feeling was years ago when I was in the middle of my divorce and I thought I was handleing it okay. My boss, a registered nurse told me to get to the Dr. It turned out, after a bunch of tests, to be stress!!! once I got him gone, so was the stress AND the chest issues. :thumbup: So maybe you could be a little stressed with all this? I know I was..........:biggrin: need to do something relaxing and try to settle into this. It will all be okay! I'm about to go out into the hottub and unwind. find what calms you and go for it. talk later, Jo

:tt1:Happy Valentines everyone!!! :thumbup: actually, where is everyone? things are VERY quiet around here! Janet, how was your fill? I went last Monday on the 11th and it was the best one yet! she got it on the first try in just seconds, it was just amazingly easy. still, hope it's my last. time will tell. I did well at the weigh in and they were pleased, which was very pleasing to me. We think it is the stepped up exercise plan. I'm also begining to feel some restriction now. We think that is getting close. it was a good session, I picked her brain once again as to why it's taking so many fill, I guess I got it! we are all very different and they are very careful! Well, hope to be seeing some activity on here, be good everyone:wub:

Janet, I wish I could remember just how I did the ticker, I know it took me about 3 tries and I was never sure ! I know you click on someone elses to take you to the site. when you are done creating it you cut and paste the code at the end, (not sure which one it was, I think that is what took the many tries) when you have the code highlighted you do the cut and paste thing on the "edit your signature" page . I know it's frustrating, but once you get it you never have to redo that part again. you can make changes and it just does it. Also I found that the changes don't take place till you post another message. I remember I was suprized when it showed up cuz I didn't think it took. Sorry, if I were a little more "smart:cool2:" I could teach you better:rolleyes2: it was more dumb luck that got mine done! Sue, so if I added right , you are doing about 2 hours of walking a day?! My nurse,pt would Just LOVE you! I'm sure that plays a big part in your success. I really don't have that kind of time but I have started to go down now that I am adding days to my curves workout AND going line dancing every Friday night. we'll see......

:wink2: No wonder! that says it all, I have a 4cc band too with 2.5cc fill, and I would be starving if that was all I ate! I go for another fill on Monday, and maybe it will allow me to be full longer, but I think it will still take more than just an egg to do lunch! I wonder if the different surgons leave various size pouches?? sometimes I think that mine holds way more than some. thanks for the schedule, you really are workin' it !!

WOW Sue :eek:, you're my hero! you got banded after me and you are SOoooo... way ahead of me. That's great!!! If you got a minute I'd love to know what your typical day might be like as to food and exercise, also, how many fills did it take to get there? I have just recently "stepped" it up a bit but would love some insight from one who has done so well. Do you get a lot of the nasty side affects that keep you from eating? or are you the poster child for the band:smile:?!

Hi Kimberly, You CAN do this and it IS worth it!!! Just think back at your history and how "well" you've done in the past, Sure, like me probably not so good, which is how you, we, ended up here. I can't speak for the preop diet , my dr. did not require it of me. I think it is an individual thing so as to get you in the best possible shape for the surgery. I carry most of my wt. below the waist which makes for an easier time. I did have the post liquid diet for a week , I didn't find it too bad. your stomach is swollen so you really aren't very hungry. it goes by quick! Like Ted, wish it had been an option when I was your age. Good luck and keep us posted.

Yes! there is hope for you!!! I had very little if any either after 3 fills, I feel some now with 4 but am going for 5, I did feel full sooner on much less at 3 but I was still hungry way too soon. now I'm satisfied on about half of what I used to eat. I'm actually not sure if I need the next one or not, but I'm sure I could be losing faster so I'm going on that. What I do find is that it forces me by way of consequences to change how I eat, I think you will find as you get more fill that will happen. But, maybe not, I tend to "test" the rules:unsure::party:. I find it more of head hunger than real hunger at this point, I'm trying hard to ignore my head!! it's difficult to seperate the two sometimes. the band only helps with the ''real" without the consequences I mentioned, it's the head hunger that gets me into trouble! When you get the pbing, slimming, and all that wonderfull stuff , that is what I think of as restriction, it's like it's telling you to knock it off with the food, or I'll make your life miserable. I don't know, maybe it's just the rate at which it goes through the stomach by "restricting " the flow and thus keeping the full feeling longer, but the other works for me! anyone know the true meaning:confused: good luck with the fill

Wow! Sherry, mega info, thanks!! I'm afraid Taunton is just as much a problem as Boston. I'm on the vineyard. Pork is NOT my friend either, although I keep trying. same with ham, I made a baked ham over the weekend and just can't get it down as a "piece" so tonight I put it in the chopper and made ham salad! that works:biggrin: I cut the mayo by adding some juice from sugar free can peaches I had,but pickel juice would have been good. I found the trick is to make it nice and moist. Janet, I always have Pam for my fills, and I got to say some are better that others. I had one difficult one and was dreading the next, and it went like a charm. there is just no way to know. I'm not "tipped" that I know of. But I was supprized at the hard one cuz my port is very easy to feel. I'm bottom heavy so the post has always been near the surface. Oh, if you haven't mentioned popcorn to Karen, DON'T! for some reason, that is a BIG NO NO. I got hell! I don't know Deb. I was more concerned with the added chest pressure that you may be having heart problems, but I guess the ulcer could be causing the pain. Are you far from Boston? I go for my next fill 2/11. (shopping day:lol:) I think the most important thing that I keep forgetting is that this is JUST a tool! the rest is just as hard as always. :frown: calories in /calories out, chips go down good! could have chose the bypass where eating junk comes back, trading easy and a little more sure thing for risking my life!!!OR this....this is a piece of work but I'm still sure it was the right choice:wink2:.

Hi Sherry, I've seen you around on the threads before, I was just trying to help out countrygirl(Janet) , please feel free to jump in with any advise! That isn't quite true, I do chew well, but on occasion if I'm in a hurry, I forget and have eaten a little too fast and ended up in trouble. But it's not usually a big problem, just a "reminder" , nothing has even gotten "stuck" but it might come up! or, my throat might get what I call a spasam , usually though it is WHAT I eat rather than HOW I ate it that is the problem. It's a learning process! Mtnihi, sounds familiar, I remember the port area hurting for awhile. it takes some time, probably hurts more in the morning from sleeping on it or moving in the night. I wouldn't be too concerned, but if the pain gets really bad i would double check that with the Dr. AND........:tt1: welcome!

:tt1: Oh my, hair falling out isn't good. Yes I had mine at Lahey, Do you remember them telling us that we needed 60 grams of Protein? are you getting them? My understanding is that a lack of enough protein is a major cause of hair loss, and other things, that is why they stress having that first, in the event you run out of room. Although that is rarely a problem with me! sometimes I think they left my pouch too big! I can always eat more that a cup:frown:. I'm still working on the "do i need more fill" myself. I'm due for another 2/11. I think it has to do with how long you go before you are hungry on the recomended amt. of food. If you are hungry all day or soon after you eat, AND are doing the proper things (ie:No drinks before or after, no Soup, etc.) than I would say you do. But, they will tell you that. Did you have Dr. Bram? The ache in you chest, heart burn? I would definately get checked out!!! that may have nothing to do with the band. you need to call them ASAP. It may only be stress, but it could be something more serious. PLEASE:target::frown:(got your attention?) go get checked out!!!

Yes you do ! waiting to get to inspired!!! (pictures?)

Janet, wouldn't that be nice! eat whatever! probably not ever, that is what got us here in the first place. restriction only works with solid foods. picture an egg timer as the hour glass with the sand running out. solid foods stay put in the top and make us feel full. We eat slowly to make sure that it is small enough to eventually go through and also to give our brain long enough to get the message that we are full. chewing takes time! things that I would want if I were not in "diet" mode , such as icecream , shakes, chocolate,cream soups, etc, (you get the idea) go right through so those calories go unchecked and we don't get or stay full for long, thus, we eat again. it will still always be about calories in , calories out. if we don't burn them we'll wear them. actually I can swallow ok if I don't chew well (or is it slow:confused: I'm never sure) , it's when it gets futher down and some weird thing happens and my gut rejects the whole idea. early with the fills I was having trouble swallowing just the 1st bite, how strange is that!!! my throat would close up like a spasum, that seems to have gone, now it seems to be a speed or stress thing. I swear I have never been a nurotic person before, eating or otherwise. took me by complete suprize :cursing: but all the side effects I think are designed to make us slow down ! the body is trying hard to get me the message, I just need to pay attention:wink2:

hay there countrygirl, there is nothing "wrong" with you , the folks at Lahey like to take it slow with the fills. I've had 5 and am just starting to feel some restriction, but I did have some of the bad sides when I eat too fast. unfortunately that doen't stop me, only delays what I eat and thus, I end up eating too much ...........hang in there, I'm a hard core foodaholic so it's taking me longer to "get it" I'm sure you will do better!!!! I find that I am needing to still think of this as a diet cuz when I don't I make poor choices, so when they say this in not a diet, yah! bull....this is harder that it would seem.

what are "OPM regs"? mine are done by the assistant and I told the insurance person that and she said nothing about that. actually my insurance would benifit from this also because we both get slammed the way it goes down now!

Welcome 'home' Eddie, we've missed your wonderful self! Glad you and the family had a great time. When my kids were little we went to a place called Steel Creek, somewhere in the N.C. mountains , I forget the town. camped and hiked. Really pretty up there:photo:

Welcome Penney, I think more people tend to talk about bad experiences than the good. and I think the band has come a long way since the beginning. problems like you discribe I think happened more in the past when it was still a bit more experimental. They have found ways to perfect both the band and the procedure and many of the past problems have been resolved with time and testing. AND having a good , experienced doctor in a good hospital. there may still be some quacks out there illegally doing this. DO your research!!!Go to a place with a good record, and DO what the Dr. says and you should be very fine! that being said, I never needed the pain pill once I left the hospital, the next day, but did find rapid blast liquid Tylenol to be helpful for the first few days. It was sore around the port site, never felt anything anywhere else. Good luck. Keep us posted!

actually , this is a hot topic for me right now! so the surgery went well and most all was covered for me $ 150. co-pay was all. nothing was said about the fill co-pay in the Dr. office, just the office visit co-pay. Later I get a bill for $48 and they say that it is an "out patient surgery" for which my co would be $150, but they pro-rated it because the procedure would be LESS than that if I didn't have the insurance. that being the case I accepted that , reluctantly. SO..... that was the case the next 3 fills. NOW :angry they are billing me the $150 for the last!!! I've talked to them and the insurance people, both pass the buck and say it is the others fault and I must contact them. I finally got a simpathic insurance person who when to bat for me and finally said the hospital claims it is correct and I must pay it. I have a very long and costly trip to just get there, I just can't beleive the whole mess. I still owe the 150 , not sure when they will get it, but damm sure I won't have another fill if that is the way it will be!!! I am feeling restriction now, just keeping my fingers crossed. If anyone has any luck resolving this I would be gratefull to learn how.

Katie, I know exactly where you are coming from, same here. I didn't even tell my kids!!! they all are noticing but I joined Curves and they all know I am trying real hard. It also helps that I'm not losing fast! there is a plus to everything. I just tell them it's the "small plate diet!" I just use a small bread plate and sm. bowl and only eat what fits and no seconds. and I throw in that I "try to make better choices" and I'm exercising my ass off. Drinks? tell them too many calories, rather chew what I can have. no drink with the meal? I get that one a lot, I just tell them that I find I eat less in the long run if I don't fill up on drinks, that they make me hungry later. All true! no need to lie, just no need to tell them more than necessary. so far it's worked great for me. not to worry, you'll get to be a pro. you can also expand the time line a little also if you need to and just say you started a while ago ....thanks for noticing! you know people never notice the first 20 lbs anyway.

Ackmayi, sometimes you need LOTS of grease! Did they give you an emergercy number to call? They should have someone to cover the Dr. who could okay a change, It may not sound like an emergency but I'd like to see them follow the liquid diet ! We don't have fast food places over here on the Vineyard either, but I still got into a lot of trouble. How long have you been there? I'm told it's grown a lot since I visited (before you were born :rolleyes ) still no word from Eddie????? hope he is OK !? HI Raynae, welcome, sounds like you are doing great! Just a side note, I was down on myself that I went so long without any progress, when this morning I finally figured out that even though I'm only down 40 "now" I am actually down 83 from my all time high , so I guess I need to let up on myself. It's been a process for a lot longer that this! what's cool is that I've been bumping into people that haven't seen me since the 83 lbs. It's a good boost.