Gypsygirl

last night....a small piece of gum. I have been able to eat and drink with no difficulties, but I have heard it might not be a good thing! Does anyone out there know if I might be in trouble?? Anyone else swallow gum ? Thanks....Am I worrying for nothing??:paranoid

Hi There, I was banded by Dr. Joffe/Dr. yau team at the Toronto Lapband Centre. They are my saviours!! Back in the day, $10K was the price.....3yrs ago. And worth every penny!

Here is my problem…I'm hoping someone will have a suggestion. I have 1.25cc in the smaller inamed band. I eat breakfast-egg whites or oatmeal. I eat lunch-usually Protein & salad. Within a few hours of eating lunch I find I'm feeling hungry. (I drink 1-2litres of Water daily) Here is the thing that is worrying me. I can eat a BIG amount of baby spinach and a whole chicken breast with no problem for dinner. I think I'm eating more than I should. It's good healthy bandster foods, but not typical bandster portions. Think I'm pouch packing ?? How would I know if I am or not? After I eat dinner, I still feel like I could eat more. And I still feel hungry afterwards. I have managed to maintain like this and my weight is pretty steady. But I feel like I'm struggling. Should I assume now 3 years out, that this is it? Previously at 1.5cc I've been good, but the last time, I had some pb'ing and by insulting my stomach, it threw in acid reflux. So I got a defill. Now I am afraid to go to 1.5cc for fear of reflux /pb'ing coming back. Yet I don't think I should be feeling this hunger so quickly after eating a good, bigger than average portion of food. Any thoughts out there?? I'm thinking of trying a fill to 1.5 and seeing how that goes...hunger wise. Thanks

OMG! Hero of the day! You've made my day! Thanks so much! It's been a battle, as you see my blog is a quite the long read. I'm so very happy I could be of any help to anyone out there who is thinking about it or is just newly banded. If I can help anyone out, all the better. I love my "little friend". I'd have never been able to lose this much weight and keep it off on my own. It is has saved my life. To live! Please keep us posted about your highs and lows. It's how we learn anything in life right? Good and bad is in everything, even the band! Here's to the elusive "Sweet Spot" for you and me! :teeth: Hugs to you too!

If anyone is interested in my many ups and downs, fills and defills, forever trying to find that sweet spot....by blog is at: http://obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/members/profile.php?N=G1029860910 Let me know what ya think! Rina

Hi All! Thank you for all the wonderful responses. Yup, even when I was really tight and could only have a Protein shake for breakfast, drink my coffee slowly in the morning…by the evening, any food went down too well! Christi, I also do not eat anything past 7pm. I only allow myself Water, herbal tea or a cup a Soup. Yes, I can amazingly “pack it in” in the evenings. Susan, first of all congrats on your recent banding and branding! Your doing really well and it sounds like you have a good head on your shoulders and know this is gonna be it! Yes sis, only liquids for 48 hours after a fill (according to my doc). My tummy usually gets quite pissed off at me when I try to strangle it with my little friend, but I’m going to take it slowly. Slowly is key I think. I don’t think I’m much more wrinkly than I already was! My goal initially was anything starting with a “1”…now my goal is a normal bmi. After losing -150lbs I’m still considered overweight. Grrrrr! I am thinking about a Tummy Tuck, but I think I look pretty good when I dressed!! Boise! I’ve corresponded with Dan Lester from Boise...he was a great success, darn it at 60! It’s never too late right?! Thanks Betty…good idea…going slowly. One thing I’ve learned about banding, slow and steady is the best way! Thanks Lourdes….yes, the first 2 years I was banded I pretty well had a Protein Shake every morning. That is all I could manage to get down and stay down! I am psyched now to get that fill. Damn, I’ve only got 15-20lbs to go to a normal bmi…and for the last year, I’ve been on a plateau! Hi Alexander…I actually went for a fluoro in December with this last fill and doc said all was looking good. YUP! Speed is my demon too!! I notice I eat WAY slower than “regular, normal people” but I still eat too fast for a bandster, thus when I’m a little tighter, I start pb’ing because I haven’t chewed enough. Yeah, I have no discomfort or warning signals now at all and I’m feeling a little out of control. I mean I’m maintaining ok, but if I do end up having a few crackers more than necessary BAM, I’m up 5lbs in a week. Although I can lose it in the following week, I have to keep a VERY close eye on it weekly. I’ve made an appt. for the fill March 2nd. I will try a little slowly and remember to slow down when I eat. See guys, 3 years out, and I’m learning and relearning all the time! I’m hoping if I can get the fill to the point where I don’t feel the hunger as often, I won’t want to eat as often or as much. Will keep you updated! Thanks everyone! Happy Weekend! :hungry:

Hi There! No, I don't drink with my meals. I've been good with that!! I wait an hour-hour and a half before I start drinking. I think I'm gonna try a little fill! I'm scared to...but I have to try again!

before a fill, that is the question! :laugh I am going for my 3rd fill Oct.8 -I'm currently at 2cc, but finding the evenings a little more difficult than I think they need to be. I've heard that it's best to have a fill on a empty stomach. Is this true? And if so, does anyone know why? Cheers

Please ask away. I sure as hell ain't no expert, but after 9 months, I like to think I know a thing or two, even so it's always a learning process!

Hi All, My name is Rina. I am from Toronto, Canada. I had my surgery done on Feb.21,2003 by Dr. Joffe. He is to me, my miracle worker! I can't say it's easy, because it isn't. The band has been a blessing and something that has been a tool and has helped me in my weight loss. I've also made many lifestyle changes along the way. I no longer spend $100 a month on my travelling costs, I walk to work and walk home from work almost everyday. That's about 1 hour of exercise I previously didn't have in my life at all! It was gradual, mind you...started out with 5 minutes and worked up from there. I try my best to eat like a bandster and most of time I do pretty good. I eat my protein, drink 1-2 liters of water a day, have veggies and a little fruit. I can't eat bread so that's not a problem! I do have a little rice, but I have to stay away from pasta/noodles/dumplings.....these can slide down endlessly and I can eat them like I did pre-band. Anyhow, enough about me! I'm going to discover the board and the wealth of information here!

Ok....I won't eat before hand. My appt. is at 1pm, but I can't eat early in the day much anyway. I have a big problem with eating after dinner. I didn't at first, but as I'm losing, I'm finding I'm looser in the evening and therefore able to munch more than I want to. Time for a fill and looking forward to it. Cheers!

Hi Jennifer, Yup, I think you might need another slight adjustment. It's a tough one, I know. But if you haven't lost anything in a few weeks, I would consider a top-up! Let us know what you decide!