Sarah

Thanks Nancy and Marie (and everyone else) for listening, and for your kind words....... I'm definitely going to try and psych myself up for some 'progress' and try to get busy with other non-food related things..... Thanks again, Sarah

Thanks Bright, for your kind words. I will definitely be working on the sugar sensitivity theory and am awaiting delivery of the new book! You're right, at least I'm trying to pull myself together from a position which is a lot lighter than I was this time last year......although it has now been exactly 1 year and 5 days since I had my band put in! Anyway, the only way onwards is forwards (did i really say that?!) so I'll just have to keep scraping myself up off the floor and keep going! Thanks to all for your support - I shouldn't have stayed away so long! S.

Hi folks I'm fairly sure it was the weight that made me depressed (and still does). When I was a kid, my family was rather unstable. My parents divorced when I was 5 and remarried (each other) when I was 8......could it have had anything to do with my father inheriting a large amount of money......? Still, the marriage was doomed and my mum has spent the last 35 years trying to re-divorce him! So, I think my comfort, the only thing I could get hold of easily, was food. Unfortunately these habits have persisted into adulthood and I still react to stress by eating and that makes me depressed because I loathe myself so much for being so weak. I have noticed that I don't actually eat loads (can't now anyway, because of the band), but it doesn't take a lot to pile more on to an already heavy body! It's just Murphy's law that the things that are easy to eat (sweets, chocolate, ice-cream, cereals in milk, etc.) are all bad for gaining weight! I struggle with real meals including meat and even bread is tough.......but sometimes I manage to eat a fair amount of these (particularly in the evening rather than earlier in the day) - which flies in the face of my surgeon's mantra of 4 oz or a yoghourt pot's volume of food 3 times a day! Anyway,....... S.

Hi Bright, hi all It's been ages since I posted to this site - I've really been too ashamed because I've not been losing, in fact the reverse, and my surgeon told me it was all in my mind,......feeling quite depressed actually, even if he's probably right, it doesn't help me to get back on track (have currently regained about 10-12 lbs of my initial loss of 42lbs)! Still, at Bright's recommendation, I read the 'Potatoes not Prozac' book (having given up Zolofs as I was still depressed) and am convinced by the argument. However, the book doesn't give the step by step, day by day support I feel I need right now, but, I've just found out the author's written such a guide. In fact, she has a website (http://www.radiantrecovery.com/) where this is mentioned and there is also a subscription service to direct support via the website. Anyway, I'm still struggling but I thought this info might be useful to someone! Thanks Bright! Sarah

Hi Donali It's been a long time since I've posted too - been on a month long plateau and didn't feel very positive! Still, am moving down again and just read your post......very encouraging! Congratulations on such a fabulous result and for reminding me that losing weight is important, but having fun and keeping one's sense of humour is what life is about! Keep it up! Sarah

Hey Bright, hey all! I haven't posted in a while but I do read the board when I can. I just wanted to add that the weight loss does slow down and at 3 months post op. I got depressed and had this 'failing again' feeling which was, stupidly, making me want to eat all the rubbish Snacks and sweets (don't mention the Haagen Daz) we know we can...........it was like a compulsion. My doctor put me on Zoloft, a new generation anti-depressant often used for Bulimia (to which overeating is related - we just don't throw up!), which has got me over the hill. I'm now losing at the rate of about 2lbs every two weeks but am now weighing myself less and am not feeling as 'driven' as I was. I know not everyone needs this sort of support, but it certainly helped me - at nearly 5 months post op. this is the longest I have ever sustained continued weight loss in my life! I'm now down 42lbs and people are beginning to notice and comment - it's a real thrill. Also, my former fat bits are now squidgy - which suggests I need to tone up, but after all these years of firm fat, I'm really enjoying the squidgy me - at least until the New Year! Anyway, keep on in there folks.......it WILL happen, it WILL come off - I've never felt so sure of that in my life! Take care Sarah

Hi folks For what it's worth, I took soluble paracetamol for pain relief immediately after the op because I was worried about swallowing tablets....... after about a month, however, I took Vitamin pills, several at a time, with no problems. The only med I was told to avoid, and then just for 10 days before and after the op, was aspirin based products.....this, I assume, was because of wound healing issues. Advil, which we can buy in France both as pills and liquid (for kids) is, as far as I'm aware, an Ibuprofen based product. Hope this helps! Sarah

Hi CJM Don't worry! I was banded in August and so far, things have been fine. This is a place where people look for support and benefit from the various experience of pre and post bansters. You get the whole truth, not just the brochure. But this is good. Forwarned you should be able to recognize feelings that you have later and know how to deal with them. When I look at my mother, who's 77 and too old for the band, and I see her leg ulcers which won't heal after 2 years, her diabetes, her kidney and heart problems, etc., etc., I know EXACTLY why I did this. After 30 years as a near professional dieter, this is the only thing that has helped me stay on track for over 3 months - and, I've lost 33 lbs! So, don't worry, if your doctors are confident that you're a good candidate (and they will check every last little bit of you, inside, outside and upside down LOL), you can feel sure that this surgery will work for you, providing you work for it! (see lots of other posts on this site to understand my last comment!) Anyway, I wish you well on your journey and feel sure that everything will be fine. Take care Sarah

Well done Bright! Glad to read your post-band post at last! I just wanted to add my 2 pence about the banding experience. I had completely forgotten about when you come through from the anaesthetic, it WAS hard to breathe at first! Thank goodness it wasn't just me being daft. Also, re the staples. They are real, metal, like in the office type staples and need to be taken out about 10 days post op. This, however, is totally painless! I wholeheartedly concur with the 'ouch' of the anti-coagulant injections - they hurt much more than insulin jabs! (I had gestational diabetes with my second son - hence my drive to lose weight with the band). Keep going, though, and thank your lucky stars you didn't have to wear support hose pre/post op - they'd have certainly clashed with your flipflops! Anyway, good luck and keep in touch........... Sarah

Hi All Many, many thanks for all your good wishes! Bright left hospital today and is now on her way back to Dublin. I'm sure she'll be on the board tonight or tomorrow to give you all an update! Cheers, Sarah

Please add my congratulations to everyone else's! This is a fantastic loss and you're well on your way now! I can't wait until I join you! Cheers, Sarah:cool:

Hi folks! Just to let you know that Bright was banded today at 2pm French time and I've just spoken to her by phone and she's awake and well! Apparently her French is coming on apace and she even laughed at a dishy male nurse's joke as he put some more painkiller in her canula (as he injected the liquid he announced 'un aperitif Madame? with a wink)...... More news tomorrow when I see her - she's been thrilled with all your messages of support! Thanks! Bye for now, Sarah

Hi folks, Just thought I'd post a message on behalf of Bright, who was admitted to hospital this evening in preparation for her banding on Tuesday morning. It happens that I 'met' Bright on this board back in August and she is now due to be operated by the surgeon who put my band in here in France (near Paris). Just wanted to say she's very nervous but excited all at the same time! Will update you all on her progress over the next few days. If anyone wants to say hi to her this week, I'll be happy to pass your messages along! That's it for now....... Sarah (Banded 5 Augst 03, down 30 lbs and counting!)

Hi Soon2bskinny! This probably won't cheer you up much, but I think the doctors in the US a ripping everyone off! I had my first fill in my doctor's office last week (also have the 11 cm band, originally filled to 4cc now contains 5, but probably should be more) and he charged me 60 Euros, which is about 60 Dollars! Earlier in the week I had a Barium swallow x-ray session, which was very thorough, and that cost me 149 Euros (149 Dollars). So, even with a full set of x-rays plus a fill, the total was just over 210 Euros(Dollars)......... For goodness sake, the fill is only injecting saline using a needle! How much do they charge for a vaccination? Sorry you've had a lousy experience.............. Good luck with your new appointment and let's hope it lasts you as long as you need! Cheers, Sarah (in France)