NJGirl32

I have had 3 fills so far (2ccs, 1cc, .5cc = 3.5ccs total) and I still can not truly feel the effect of the band. I have gotten stuck a couple of times and I can't eat anything in the mornings (except yogurt) so I know it's there. Maybe it has helped a little but nothing to really control my eating. Yeah I know that I have to do my part- but when is the band going to do it's part?! If I could do this on my own I certainly wouldn't have had surgery!!! I know we are suppose to eat proteins first...so that is something new I am going to do with breakfast and lunch. Dinner time I always eat proteins, but for breakfast I usually have slider food and lunch is a salad or something not really protein based. I am working out so that's good. This is so frustrating and the weight loss has been at a standstill for so long! I hear the people with a 10cc band don't truly reach their sweet spot until 5-7ccs. I don't know hoe true that is but that would mean 3 more fills before I am at 5ccs!! UGGGH!!! (my doctor only gives .5ccs for each visit after you reach 3ccs). I have a standing appointment for August 22nd-that would be 11 days after this past fill and I simply don't know if he would give it to me that soon-but why not if it's not doing anything? I am also going on a cruise the 25th and debating if I want a fill that close to my trip. I certainly don't want to eat like a pig-and we all know cruises are pig-fests in disguise!! Oh woe is me! I really thought almost 3 months after surgery I woul be rocking this band thing-who knew that it would take so long before things start moving! But getting back to the protein thing...I do tend to eat a lot of slider-type foods-ummm maybe I need to tweak that and see if I have better results. I'll let you know how it goes!

I had my 2nd fill last week and I can notice a difference in the amount of food I can put into my mouth. I am really trying to be more in tuned with the soft stop signals to avoid discomfort. But last night it didn't work. My family went out to dinner to Celebrate my last day of teaching summer school-my vacation officially began! I looked at the menu choices and decided a sizzling steak would be a great option. It's not that big and I could easily bring half home. I had 1 glass of sangria and nibbled on the salad. The steak came and I had 2 pieces. I cut them up nice and small. Well all of a suddent I got SO sick-it sort of felt like heartburn, but with the need to throw up (gross I know). I made 4 trips to the bathroom within 15 minutes. I am not one of these people wh can make themselves throw up-it goes against my nature! I was slimming like crazy. I manage to throw up in the toilet a little, but that was no relief. I went back to the dinner table after my 4th trip and said I need to go home. Fortunately dinner was over anyway. I brought home my dinner. Outside I felt sick again and threw up slime. Then I felt sick again and stood outside the car. WTH! When I got home I felt better. I kept thinking about my upcoming cruise and now I am thinking about not getting a fill for it. I still need to learn what my body can and can not tolerate. I am guessing a steak is a no-no! Maybe I should just stick with seafood (which I love anyway). So I learned that there are 2 kinds of being stuck -I've experienced both: 1. Hard stuck- when it feels like a rock is caught in the middle of your chest. You are slimming like a rabid dog! This is so painful you feel as if you may have to go to the ER if things don't improve! This happened to me when I was standing over chinese take out and pooped a shrimp in my mouth whole (during my 1st fill stage). OMG- it was the worst pain ever-seriously! 2. Regular Stuck -this feels like really, REALLY bad heartburn with the need to vomit. Slimming happens at this point too. You can sit and feel a need to walk around. I guess I am headed to GNC to stock up on some papaya enzymes to keep in my purse. Does anyone have foods that they must avoid on the Band for fear of being stuck? What are good choices for dining out?

Okay, so in about 1 hour I am heading to my docs office. It's been 20 days since my last fill-my office requires a 6 week wait between fills. I am goingto explain that the last fill doesn't seem to have helped much and I really hope they give me another fill. It can't hurt to try-why should I have to wait until Sept 2nd?!! I'll let you know how it goes...

Thanks so much for the perspective! So in Australia they don't say protein first? I love veggies and fruits and somehow soup is very satisfyingto me even though it's a "slider." Your soup sound delicious! I totally agree that it has a lot to do with keeping busy! Whatever you are doing is definitely working! You are an inspiration!

I, too, was well educated prior to the band. I researched it and bought books etc. I am a teacher and I have a master's degree - I don't make decisions without being completely informed. But you assume that once you are educated about a topic then that's that. I could read a 100 books on how to fix a car engine, I could look at DVDs and diagrams-but does that mean I will know what I am doing once I am under the hood? I don't look at this forum as a place where people whine...it's a place where they find support and if they get off track perhaps we can offer some advice on how to push forward. Like I said-you have read all the books-but you haven't walked the walk yet. You seem to have an all or nothing attitude and that can actually work against you.

Oh, okay...then it is DEFINITELY time to see another doctor! Wow! Can someone recommend one? I hope everything works out for your hubby and for you too -God bless!

I was tired for the first few weeks post surgery too! They poster is correct-get your proteins in to help with energy levels-also take the vitamins and drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration which can make you feel run down.

Came back from the gym around 4:30 and said to myself "Am I hungry and is it head hunger or stomach hunger" I decided it was head hunger, my stomach was satisfied. I opted to have a protein shake because I don't want to get to the point of really being hungry and thereby eating too much. At dinner I will eat my proteins first and not drink afterwards!

Good for you! You sound as if you have a plan and are getting back the power he has been draining from you! Please let us know how you make out-we care! You might also wantto go to a meeting for women who are abused. Even though you are not physically abused he is definitely abusing you mentally and it is a cycle, once you understand the cycle then you can recognize it for what it is and move forward, From one teacher to another...just be smart with the lawyer thing- don't let this ruin your credit or financially drain you. Find out what your rights are and at least you'll make an educated decision. I really wish you nothing but the best-that's what you deserve! Please read this article and the signs of abuse: http://www.helpguide.org/mental/domestic_violence_abuse_types_signs_causes_effects.htm

I am not writing off because of that-I am writing you off because of your attitude. I actually feel sorry for you because you have no idea of what lies ahead. Stay smug while you are on mushies and healing. I do wish you the best and hopefully one day you'll understand what we go through. If anyone would have told me in my first 2 weeks that I still wouldn't have restriction 10 weeks later I am not sure if I would have believed them. You'll be "whinig" so enough!

My first appointment was April 7th -surgery was on May 25th. That was really quick! They will schedule you for surgery right then (at least that's what they did for me). I was given a date for the end of June, but they said if I could get all my tests done I had a chance to move it up. Had all my tests completed and they had a spot available. I am not usre if you are in a hurry-but if so, commit right then and there at the appointment so you can get a date. If you should change your mind you can always cancel. Next, line up all your doctor's appointments - call them right away because sometimes there is a long wait to see the docs. Good luck!

Okay, so it's 2:45 and I have "head hunger" not stomach hunger- so I am headed to the gym. By the time I get back I should be ready for my Protein shake. It's going to take me a while to sort out the head hunger vs. the stomach hunger. This is a new way of thinking for me. Thsisme-you are so right-everyone's experience is so different and what works for one person doesn't necessarrily work for another. There's a constant adjusting and readjusting what we do and what we eat-it's such a learning process.

The easy way out, really? He really is clueless about the entire process! And..IF it were the "easy way out" so what? I mean what the heck is wrong with that? Is taking a car to work the easy way out, instead of walking? Is going food shopping the easy way out, intead of growing your own food? Is using a dishwasher the easy way out-I mean why does life have to be a struggle anyway? He talks to you about what "real women" do....well real men don't put down their wives, real men don't make their wives cry, and real men are supportive of their mates. I agree, you need to get yourself in counseling so you can get some perspective on your situation. You deserve to be treated with love and dignity. After seeing a counselor, please get some legal advise...just in case. During my first marriage my ex cleared out all the bank accounts. Think smart-have a plan-my credit rating was ruined after my divorce. Perhaps a trial seperation might work for you both. Talk to a counseler and talk to a lawyer. Like I said girl, you deserve so much more in your life.

Walking around does help. The key is really taking tiny, tiny bits and chewing the hell out of it before swallowing. Some people can't do eggs or crackers. Try eating mushier foods or liquids after a stuck episode. If it continues call your doc for an unfill. Throwing up can definitely cause band slippage and that'a the last thing you want. Good luck to you!

I don't know...Kimmy makes some valid points. I would rather have the doctor err on the side of caution-time is really of the essence especially if you even suspect a stroke. I think too many doctors shrug things off and then it's too late. I don't see how she would make extra money buy sayingyou had a stroke-the hospital gets the $$ for the CAT scan. With all that being said-I can't imagine how scary that must have been for you and your family! So happy to hear all is well!

Oh...I see you were banded on August 4th and you haven't gone through Bandster Hell-you are still in the beginning stages of healing and losing. Wait until you continue to follow the rules and aren't losing or are losing painfully slow-then YOU will be the one "whining" about fills. How can you be so jusgmental when you haven't even gone through the process?!! You haven't even had 1 fill yet?

First things first-this IS a learning process so I don't know where you get off with your high than mighty attitude. You don't know the first thing about me or the changes I have made in my lifestyle. I am not sure if you have been banded yet or if you have lost any weight-but it is a struggle and frustrating when you are in "bandster hell." Having proper restriction with help with hunger and help "food to rub against your nerves" without that kind of restriction it isn't any different than before the band-that's why fills are important. I do have Protein in the mornings but not solid protein-as many successful bandsters have yogurt or shakes in the mornings. I don't know how long you have been on this forum but we offer advice without judgement and we are supportive of each other on this process. I don'tthink anyone of us expects perfection-it is definitely a learning process. If we are were perfect at following rules we would never have been overweight in the first place. How many diets have YOU been on? How many rules have YOU broken while on them? So get on your pedestal and if you can't offer nonjudgemental, supportive advice then don't offer any!

I think you will still think about food on the lapband-the lapband seems to be my new addiction but I don't mind because it's a journey of well-being. I think overeaters are complusive by nature for the most part. Why not channel that compusive nature into living a healthy lifestyle that includes proper nutrition and exercise. Good luck on your journey-you sound committed to the process!

I think Dave said it best when he sid "It's not real" referring to daily weigh-ins at home. Put your scale in the closet or away on a shelf so you aren't tempted to weigh yourself every day. I feel very in-tuned with my body and can tell if I lose a pound or gain. I'll get on the scale when I think I have lost-unfortunately that hasn't happened in a while!

This happens to me too, but then 2 days later I get on the scale and lost it again! Probably not a good idea to weigh yourself every day. Closer to that time of the month I usually show a gain-but then lose it afterwards plus some.

You'll poop! It took me about 5 days post surgery. Don't worry-it will happen! lol

I suggest counseling for you both. He needs to know that his comments are hurtful and his comments are bringing you down. You have children together and have been married for a long time-try counseling or at the very least have a one to one talk to him letting him know how you feel tell him this will have to change immediately because it's emotionally destroying the love you have for him. If he is unresponsive or simply doesn't seem to care then you need to decide if this is the life you want. I wish you the best!

I think it's suppose to do more than 10% - I mean seriously! It IS suppose to help your hunger or at the very least help you control it. If it didn't do anything then why would everyone be getting the surgery?

Dave-thanks so much for the encourage and congratualtions on losing so much weight!! I do read success stories so I know it's possible!!