Short and Chunky

OK - I am 9 months post op and I LOVE PIZZA..I can't eat it anymore though. Don't beat yourself up because you scarffed down a slice but do remember that it is not good for your band. When I get that pizza urge and I do get that urge - I eat the topping and throw the crust away (or give it to the dog). I still enjoy the flavor but not the getting stuck part...Yes, in the future, pizza will get stuck and then while everyone else is enjoying their pizza, you are outside barffing in the bushes. Voice of experience....The band does not cure cravings and desires it just makes it harder (if not impossible) to enjoy those desires. The band is not easy and if anyone told you that it is -----well, they did not tell you the truth. I have lost 92 pounds and I don't miss one pound of it (30 more to go)..so If I can't enjoy pizza or a milkshake or a bag of Bar B Que chips - well, so be it..at least I won't die from being fat. Hang in there and be good to yourself. You will soon find stuff you will love and that will be your new indulgence. Good luck Idaho Jenn...Keep us posted on your progress. Melinda in Florida

I am 9 months post surgery and mine still makes noises - not really growling but more like a girgle sound. I work at a large state University and attend many meetings - my stomach sounds are sometimes the topic of discussion - Like - "Feed you band - it is hungry !" It is a joke and we move on. Some days are worse than others. My doctor says it is nothing to worry about and sometimes drinking Water helps (room temp water - not ice cold). Good luck on your journey and congrats on getting the band. Melinda in Florida

OMG, do I know what you are saying...jelly Beans, peeps and marshmellow bunnies - YUMMY....I ate until I got sweet-sick. I finally looked at myself in the mirror and asked "what the "h" are you doing?" I threw that good stuff in the trash and got back in the saddle to do this thing right. I am so glad I had the band - it did stop me from going too far over the edge. Easter and Valentine's Day should be removed from the calendar..that good stuff is slider foods..I brought a good lunch and I plan to train myself not to crave sugar again. I am so glad to hear that someone else had the same problem. Thanks for sharing... Melinda in Florida

Congrats on your surgery Sissy. I was banded 7/7/11 and have been very happy so far. I am down 91 pounds and feeling real good. Easter as a bit rough (I love jelly Beans and marshmellow bunnies) so I have now purged my office and house of that good stuff and am back in the saddle. I get "head hungry" and "cravings" so I have a real battle but I only have 40 pounds more to go...Don't get discouraged and when you do, visit the site - in fact - come back here often,,,it really helps to know you are not alone no matter what you did or feel. Hope your recovery is going well and good luck with your new journey... Melinda in Florida

Hey Jason, congrats on the surgery and doing so well. I too had the herina repair...that was worse than the band. Heating pad to the left shoulder helped me..It became my best friend. On day 5 post op - I was back to work full time, driving and feeling fantastic. Hang in there a day or two and you will be great too. I was done 7/7/11 and have lost 89 pounds so far. Get ready for the compliments as I am sure you will be looking good in no time and feeling that way too. Melinda in Florida

Dzire: Hey, I have been banded since 7/7/11 and have lost 89 pounds. I can eat pretty much whatever I want. I love steak and fish and shrimp. But - I must cut it small (like you would for a toddler) and chew the stuffin out of it, Yes, I have gotten things stuck and have PBd..yuck, it hurts and it is gross. I am still learning on this one as I just recently got enough restriction that this happened. Even as I stand outside barfing in the bushes thinking it will never stop sliming and coming up - I would not change a thing and would do this again in a in a NY minute. I eat out (being careful) and I enjoy almost everything I once liked - Now,that being said - NO bagels, sub sandwiches, thick crust pizza, lasagne, rich deserts..they either get stuck or the sweetness makes e sick but newsflash, I shouldn't have that stuff anyway - so band is doing it's job and I have to do mine, Now about soup, I have not had any since my post-op diet ended. Just don't want any. Good Luck and hang in there. Melinda in Florida

Ready2Bfit..you bet I have cheated on weekends (and special ocassions too). That is why we have the band...even when you cheat is can't be a really bad cheat because the band won't let you that "tool" reminds you. You have horrible pains and then PB...you stop eating junk then (sometimes good stuff too - but that is another whole story). Don't beat yourself up. You are doing great. The pre-op faze is difficult..having the band is actually easier. This pre-op thing will be over soon and you can then start your new and exciting journey. hang in there..you will get through this...we've all been there and understand. Good Luck... Melinda in Jacksonville, Fl

Congrats Trey..that is fabulous !

Wow, finally I can feel restriction. I have lost a bunch of weight and have followed the rules (more or less) and have great results but I did not feel any restriction. 2 weeks ago my Dr. did a fill using the Floroscope. He said I had virtually no restriction so he did a fill - I drank more of that great tasting white liquid and he said he had it too tight so he took some out. Fine, the next gulp went down like it should the next time. Well, I have completed a 5K and done tons of yard work since but it seems like at least once a day here comes the PBing. In fact, as I type this I just finished an episdoe that lasted almost 45 minutes. I don't think I am too tight and I do have 60 pounds more to loose (lost 88) but darn, this PB stuff is for the birds. I am work, so I go outside my office and hide behind the bushes with a roll of paper towels and a trash bag..This is no fun. Oh, what had I eaten..2 bites of tossed salad, 1/2 cooked baby carrot, a couple of bites of black eyed peas and 2-3 bites of filet (very tiny bites, well chewed). Fromt the looks of things, it is the salad that caused the problem (sorry TMI). I am not new to the band as I have been banded since 7/7/11 but now I am really seeing what goes on and the PB stuff is no fun. I don't want to call the doctor as he will take more out of the band so I guess it is liquid Protein for a few days till things calm down. Thanks for listening. Melinda in Florida

Hey Byrd: So glad to hear you are doing so good. I hanging in there too. surgery was 7/7/11, lost 88 pounds so far and got a fill about 12 days ago and FINALLY I have restriction that I know is there. How do I know? Been PBing almost every meal until last night - I think salad and coleslaw may be on my NO list for now. Anyway..feeling great, did a 5K on March 10 and finished in under an hour. The weight loss is very slow now - 1-2 months a MONTH instead of a week but I know who is at fault there...ME...I have been eating some comfort fodds that I had been missing and that is all shades of wrong, plus I have not been walking as much as I once was. Hopefully, all of that will be behind me and I can get back up on that horse again. You take care and so good to hear from you. Keep thinking those SKINNY THOUGHTS.... Melinda in Florida

Teri, so glad to hear that you and others have had the same problem with PBing once you finally get that restriction feeling. It has been about 12 days since my fill and I have PBed 1-2 meals a day since that time..some quite hard to get over. But...last night no problems - meatloaf and grilled zucchini (yummy too) but NO salad. I don't know if it was salad causing my issues but I am going lay off of it for a bit and try later on (I love salads). Hang in there. I feel much better today (I have my leftover for lunch too !!!) Melinda in Florida

Debra: I had Gastric Plication with the lapband on 7/7/11 in Jacksonville, Florida. Dr. Cywes. True, it is not FDA approved yet, but Dr. Cywes is in a controlled study about the proceedure. As far as I could tell, there is 3 or 4 surgeons who do this type of surgery in Florida. You might want to check them out before going all the way to Mexico. By they way, I have had no problems and in the 8 months I have lost 88 pounds. (I am 60 yrs old too). Melinda in Jacksonville, Fl

The process takes a long time..why not go ahead and start moving through and then when it is time for the surgery tell your SO. My husband (41 years married) was not in favor of the surgery, he did not see the need...I did...120 pounds over weight, High BP and Diabetes on the way..Well, I want to live to play with my Grandchildren so I did it and did not tell him until I was almost through with the process. He is now one of my biggest cheeleaders and helps me when I get a bit down (no more chicken wings, fried fish, pizza - you know, the good stuff). Good Luck on your journey and whatever you decide - your health comes first and we are always on line when you need to vent...Would I do this again ? YOU BET !!!!! Melinda in Florida

Thanks guys for all these posts. I was banded 7/7/11 and have lost 85 pounds. I have a 10 cc band and I don't know how much is in it but I think around 5-6cc. I don't feel any restriction yet but do see the doctor on Friday of this week. I have not had a fill since December and it is time to do one again. I get very hungry between meals..not a good sign. My new problem is BLOATING. I feel like a beached whale with an intertube around my lower abdomen. I have enough gas to fill a taker truck and I can clear a room (sorry , I know TMI) when the gas decides it is time to leave the body. My stomach makes so much noise I can't attend the weekly business meetings here at work, the whole room laughs at my belly noises (not me). HELP ! I told the doctor and he shruded it off - I don't get it. Something is causing this and it is related to the band/diet as I did not have this before. I have gone from a 20W in slacks to a 14 but every few days the 14's get very tight in the waist and this tube developes around my middle. I have tried Gas X and more Water, no carbonated drinks and stepping up the exercise but "really" !!! this is the pits and I would like my doctor to care as much as I do. I have had no complaints with him until now, but he and I are going to talk this Friday !!! FYI, I am doing a 5K on Saturday - maybe I can walk off some of this "GAS" !!! Has anyone else had this problem and if so..what did your doctor say and what did you do about it....I really need you help/advice.....I love my band (with plication) but not the gas/bloating/stinky stuff...HELP !!!!!!!!! Melinda in Florida

Margaret - I write down what I ate - subtract the point value and the put that I PBed the stuff back out... After I stick, I don't eat much for the rest of the day so there is no way I could go over my points value. I had that happen to be yesterday - tossed up my lunch so dinner was a Protein shake and then only part of one. Today, doing ok and back to normal. Melinda in Florida

Thanks you Sandy...next time I am tempted I will remember your words and PUT DOWN THE chips AND Cookies !!! the 5K is on 3/10...I am too old to start running so I walk but I should finish in under 50 minutes (that is my personal goal). I'll keep you posted...FYI - these size 14 pants sure feel good as I started out in size 20 !! Thank you again for your kind words.... Melinda in Florida

Good Morning bandersters with the WW twist !..Went to WW last night and I lost 2.8 lbs ! Yay me !. I have not been following the plan like I should and I have been lax in my walking but now I appear to be back in the saddle. I don't have much restriction so I plan on getting a fill on 3/9 (my next appointment). On 3/10 I am doing a 5K so I hope to be loosing like a winner again. My total loss is now 85 pounds (banded 7/7/11) so I feel good about the loss, I don't feel good about sliding back into my old ways (cookies, potato chips, ice cream) - No band and no WW can stop this it is just ME and ME alone---I do find myself getting hungry (stomach hungry or head hungry not sure which one) so maybe a slight adjustment will help. Hang in there troops, we are all in this together...Thanks for all the support and great e-mails on this thread, you have no idea how you touch a nerve and can get me back on track some days.....Thank you !!!!! Melinda in Florida

The only food I have problems with is chicken or Turkey...I have found that I need to put a bit of low-fat gravy (like the McCormick mixes) on it, then no problem. It sounds like you have a mild sticking problem. Once you have a real stuck, you'll know it and there will be no doubt. You will throw up and have sliming...quite gross..could take 1-2 hours to get it all out but that is part of the learning process. Once you have that sticking problem, you can't eat the rest of the day - only drink as the stomach is inflammed. Melinda

Hey Lois in StA. Glad to hear someone else over 60 is out there. I am 60, lost 80- pounds and I have some sag too but that's OK with me. I was banded 7/7/11. I did not do this to become a swimsuit model. I did it to get healthier and to see my Grandchildren grow up. I walk about 3 miles per day and love my lband/plication. I would do it again in a minute. I too have reached a small plateu but I will work through this and move on. I kind of lost my "mojo" and drive over the holidays, then a bad cold, but I will find it again and thanks to the band, I did not fall too far off the wagon. Not much loss, but NO GAIN, so I am good with it. Blessed to live in Florida so I can walk year round..my goal is to loose 120 pounds so I have a ways to go...Good luck with your weight loss and glad to hear from you. Melinda in Jacksonville

I have had 4 fills so far and will probably get one in March (none since November). My doctor is one of those "non carb" people, well, that;s just not me. I tried and failed to be able to do that. I cannot each sandwiches- they just don't go down and once you have had a true sticking episode, you don't want a re-run of that (I have had about 6). chicken or turkey (if it is dry - white meat) sometimes give me a fit, I have learned to make some low-fat gravy and put it on top and then, no issues. I eat steak and I even had a slice of pizza yesterday - small bites and chewed well. My biggest problem is eating too fast or too big. I sometimes forget about the band and scarf my food and that gets me into trouble. Other than that - no problems and as far as I know I "can eat" just about anything - I know I should not eat some things that I still enjoy, but that is how I ended up overweight in the first place. With the band/plication I just don't eat as much - example: One donut hole instead of 2-3 large donuts...I hope this helps. Melinda in Jacksonville

OK, I was banded with plication on 7/7/11 and I am down 80 pounds. I would have both again in a minute. That being said. The first 5 days, I questioned my own wisdom. I had gas pains and left shoulder pain and was miserable. Day 6 I was a new woman. I returned to work had energy to burn and have not looked back since. I have had some issues with sticking but that is my fault (don't eat too big or too fast). My weight loss was rapid at first and has now slowed to a regular weight loss of 1-2 pounds or less a week. Some of that is ME. I stopped walking due to winter and a bad cold. I also lost a bit of the "drive" that I had when all of this first began. I will find it again and that is the advantage of the plication - I can't go back to my old ways (I get full too fast). I still have some issues with gas and bloating but I understand that is normal with my new way of eating - it passes and then I am good. Good Luck with your surgery and your new journey. Melinda in Jacksonville

Pyrex and Corningware make 1 cup containers (they are glass) and are great to use. If you want to keep using your plastic and move it over to glass...sit the frozen plastic container in warm/hot Water for a few minutes and you food will slide right out of the container into a glass dish. Great idea about the pre-packaging. A great suggestion for those of us who work and bag it to stay on track....I am having a salad with 3 ozs of roasted chicken and a babybel light cheese. I was banded on 7/7/11 and am currently down 80 pounds but have slowed a bunch - almost 3 pounds lost in the past 2 months...I feel no restiction so I guess it is FILL TIME...haven't had one in a couple of months. Have a great week everyone... Melinda in Florida

Skinny3 - sorry you had such a wild weekend, but I cannot fuss at you...the funny part of this whole thing is, because this is the first time in 7 months you have done this, you might actually "jumpstart" your weight loss. Get back in the saddle and behave the rest of the week and see how all of this plays out..Happy for you that you recognized the error of your ways - but hey, don't beat your self up about it. Have a great week.