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 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 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 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)

Hi all, I have the 11cm band and had my first fill yesterday! I was told that it had a capacity of 9cc and was filled to 4cc when I had the surgery. After 5 weeks I lost about 20 lbs but was feeling hungry most of the time. The surgeon put 2cc's in but, after that I couldn't swallow Water properly - lots of burps and I felt as if my stomach was being strangled. The doctor waited about 30 minutes and then decided to take out 1cc. At the time, this felt like the right thing to do. However, today I don't feel the restriction as much and have been able to eat solid food with no problems - and probably more than the 100 grammes he recommended. I'm wondering if my stomach may have gone into spasm or something and has now relaxed leaving the band looser than it should be? When you have a fill, are you supposed to feel tightly restricted as I was with the 2cc top up? I hope I won't have to go back in a week and ask for more! Thanks for any ideas? Sarah

Thanks Larry, your response is very helpful. When I was at the doctor's surgery, I was worried that the initial fill was too tight, but 2 days on, I am able to eat solid food and probably as much as I like! I'm trying to be sensible, but I think I'll have to go back sooner rather than later! Sarah

Hi Jeunesse! Great to meet you - yep, add to the chocs and chips, the beer, of course! Just looked at your fitday journal - very impressed! Great weight loss! I proved to myself I can eat more or less anything at the moment - cold roast chicken 100 g, grated carrots 50 g, 5 cm baguette (oh, the French bread is so wonderful!!!) 50 g (?) and a natural yoghourt 100g. Trouble is, my surgeon told me to eat only a 100 g per meal.......... I'm seeing him tomorrow and I'm going to beg him for a fill. I get really hungry and, though I'm eating much less and much healthier than before, I'm scared I'm going to let go....... I think I'd better get on to fitday - seems like a great idea! TTFN, Sarah

Hi Jeunesse! Can I too be a member of the honorary Dutch club? My husband is Belgian (Flemish) from Ostend - which is almost Dutch! Also, we have friends in the US who lived in Hilversum for 2 years - they worked for Lucent (oh, well.....) and we visited there last Summber before they returned from the US. One thing I noticed in Holland (or should I say, The Netherlands) is how disciplined the drivers are. First, they keep to the speed limit (which is low) and then they always pull in after overtaking - both these disciplines are unknown to French drivers! I was thinking about the sunny, bright and sparkely things on this thread. With your name, meaning 'youth', I guess you also have to be young, sunny, bright and sparkely here! Anyway, I think we're almost surgery twins - I had my band fitted on 5 August, though I'm not losing as fast as you. I discovered on Monday that my band is open (even though the surgeon said he put 4ml in it) and I can eat anything. Of course, up until Monday I didn't know this so although I've been hungry I was too scared to eat anything with major lumps in for fear of throwing up! Of course, now that I know that won't happen......... Yikes! I'd better get down to the gym! I see you're already doing that so I'd better do what I promised myself I'd do and sign up today! Good luck with the weight loss! Sarah (not sparkely by name or young by any means, but definitely a wanabee)!

Hi Bright! I was quite honest with my boys (5 and 10). My eldest son had overheard a few conversations between myself and my husband and a couple of close friends. He knew how hung up I was about my weight and took it all really coolly. My younger son didn't really take it in until the day we went to the hospital. He was a bit worried seeing me in the hospital, but he was fine when I got home. Since then, 4 1/2 weeks later, everyone's forgotten about the op. and life continues as normal. I think kids appreciate you being straight with them. If you are convinced this is the right thing for you and for your family life as a whole, it'll be fine. TTFN, Sarah:)

Hi Babs: Thanks for the info on the band. I was operated in France, but I have no idea which band I have! All I know is that it has a fill capacity of 9 ml, rather than the 5ml I heard of previously. It's supposed to be filled to 4ml, but if it is, it must be a very big band. I'll see the surgeon on Friday and hope to get a fill then, although, as I'm quite new to being banded, my motivation is quite high and I'm being very careful what I eat. The problem is, without the restriction, I'm not sure how long I can keep the motivation up! My best weight loss attempt 3 years ago was 11kg in 3 months with Weight Watchers, but 3 months seems to be my limit for sticking to a diet so the band should help me get past that. Don't worry about the plateau, apparently that happens quite a bit - you'll probably lose quite a lot in one go soon! What's the weather like in your part of Texas? Until 2 weeks ago, we had 42 degrees centigrade (105 F?) in our garden here in France - we nearly melted, but I guess you must be quite used to that sort of heat where you are? Well, gotta go, kids to feed! TTFN, Sarah

Hi Bright Just thought I'd mention, I've been reading another board: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/europeanbandsters/ which is a yahoo group. There's a lady called Jackie, who's using the De Montignac Consultants to get her band done in a couple of weeks.........maybe you want to get in touch wither her. She's also writing a very interesting journal, which most of us can sympathise with, I'm sure. TTFN, Sarah PS: My comment about not being strange was a joke - I know you didn't mean I was strange!

Hi Guys! Babs: Didn't actually get a fill today, only got to drink that ghastly stuff - seemed like a couple of pints!(Shame it wasn't Guinness!). I see my surgeon on Friday, hopefully to get a fill (although I'm really pleased what I've managed to lose without any restriction!) I'll also ask him for details of his language scope and prices. I did ring the Clinic today, but they said only Dr Marre could tell me. Bright: They did seem to think that you could get reimbursed by your Irish medical cover - have you already checked this out? If you could get a referral from your GP, could be worth a try? Anyway, must go, boys to feed! TTFN, Sarah:cool:

Hey Bright! I'm not THAT strange! Check out the prices of the UK company..........they have to take a cut, though, so I'll try and find out how much it would cost over here. Just as a guide, I had to pay 145 Euros for my Barium thing this morning, but it took them half an hour and they took loads of shots. It may be that for follow-up visits you could get some of it reimbursed.......I think you have that E111 form in Eire, don't you? It's supposed to be fore emergency type stuff, but works for coughs and colds type visits to the doctor and my sister-in-law had a gallbladder operation (which was an emergency) in Belgium once, but the follow-up op. was also done in Belgium. Anyway, just a thought! If you want to come over and have a chat to the Doctor as part of your research, I can make an appointment and you can talk it over with him (I will, of course, come with you if you want!). I guess I'd need to know your full name and details, though...... If you want, you can email me directly! Sarah PS: My boys both go back on Wednesday. They go to an international school and are both now bilingual - which was one of the main reasons we came here!

Hi Bright Just to let you know I survived my Barium x-ray (disgusting, though it truely was) and it confirmed my own thoughts, that the band is not tight enough - in fact, the Dr said it was if there was nothing there! Well, that actually makes me feel quite good about myself because that means the 8kg I lost over the last 4 weeks is almost entirely down to me! Anyway, I did enquire as to whether Dr Marre spoke English or not and was told (not by him because I don't see him until Friday) that you shouldn't worry and that they usually manage to get by! So, if you want, because the clinic is near to where I live (which is actually West of Paris between St Germain en Laye and Versailles, I could even come along with you to have a consultation..........what do you think? Well, better go.........boys to sort out! How old are yours? Mine are 5 and 10 (I'm a late starter!) TTFN, Sarah

Hi Babs Thank you so much for the info on the fills! I'm having my first barium swallow this morning (which I'm REALLY looking forward to ! I hope they find my port and can do fills easily...... Bright: You asked about who you should tell.......well, I told a few close friends, most of whom were supportive. A couple of them were shocked, but came around when I explained how the op. worked. Then they were also supportive. My mother was the worst. She told me off for making a decision about my own body without consulting her! (which must be normal, after all, I'm only 45!) Anyway, she reluctantly accepted that I did have the right to make my own decisions, but I've not felt very supported by her - quite the opposite. Anyway, I'm not planning to tell anyone else as I have quite a peverse desire to see whether people change behaviour towards me when I get slim. The way I see it, the people who accepted me fat, are good enough to be my friends when slim. Those who suddenly start taking notice of me after having ignored me before, won't impress me....................... I'll just tell them I did it with 'diet and exercise', which won't be a lie! But, don't tell yourself that this is an easy way out! It is a way out. It takes courage to be able to admit we can't do this alone and we're merely using our common sense to take advantage of a tool which will help us to overcome our eating disorder. I didn't realise how big a trigger hunger actually was until I got the band. I am feeling quite hungry now and then, but most of the time it's around mealtimes and I can delay it by having a cup of tea or some Water (something that Weight Watchers recommended but it never worked for me before). Anyway, I have to go for my barium thingy now so, I'll let you know how it went...................aagggh! Yuk! TTFN, Sarah