susansilver

I agree when peaches says that she is beinge eating because even if she is not eating the whole bag in a minute or eating 2000-3000 calories she has admitted that she is obsessing over them - Thinking about getting them how to conceal them etc. She is bingeing in her head and that is the more destructive behaviour. I was doing the same with chocolate recently. Any kind of chocolate. What helped me is to give it up completely. Cold turkey. It was like quitting smoking the cravings were so bad at times, but take it a moment at a time. After a few days the urges will begin to subside. If you feel up to it, I would also recommend detoxing by avoiding all refined sugars and white foods (flour, rice) etc. This will help with the cravings as well. Good luck.

Stick with the post op diet. Tell yourself (and it is true) that you will have spent a lot of money just to mess up your band for a cookie! Try jello (which is a clear), take 1/2 c. broth every hour, sip some juice for flavour, lots of water, but STICK TO IT! It is important for the band to settle in ordr for the surgery to be successful. Hang in the BettyB - We have done it and you can too!

I think this is a great thread because SusieQ and Jack are being very truthful. One of the bandster rules I need to relearn is to eat what I can and not what I want. I don't want that lesson to be learned with a slip and a trip to the OR!

Thanks for your words of welcome and wisdom. I am pretty much on a full Fluid diet with my chewing problems, but mostly because my band is so tight right now! I am dealing with it, because it is temporary and I know it is the kick start that Susieq was talking about. Bettyb - I am glad if my story can help you and anyone else realise the truth of the band - we are all told - it is only a tool, but I think I secretly thought it was a magic cure. Not so, but I also know that I would have regained all my weight and more during this stressful time if I did not have the band. Tool = works. becca77 - congrats on the baby! I know what you mean about the rules. I had even started drinking right after meals again! I was really sabotaging myself. I continue to put one foot in front of the other... Susan

How about an area where those of us living with diabetes and the band can share thoughts and tips. For example now that I am banded and filled, I am finding I am haveing many low blood sugars and would love to hear how others are handling that. Thanks for your consideration

The clinic is open on Saturdays?? I am a downtowner also, so we sill let lisa in toronto get her butt down here!

Green, it was so great to meet you! Now I know that not only are you smart and funny, you are beautiful too! Let's get together again soon!

Lisa - I am trying hard not be jealous of your weight loss and the fact that "nothing fits"!!!! Can't wait to meet you and Green!!! And Peaches and the Yodas and everyone!!!

Hi guys, YES! I will be there tonight and can't wait to meet you all. It has been adventurous to say the least in the last couple of weeks since I have been on the board. I got my fill but in a few days it got too tight. I tried and tried to stick with it, but I was hardly able to eat, PBing almost every meal. The morning that I work up (last friday) and could barely swallow my saliva, I called and got in for a defill. Wow - what a difference - sweet spot? Might just be. I ran into Jill that Friday and she told me about the boot camps she will be running in January - I told her that is exactly what I need. She told me to make an appt with her. I went back to my office, emailed her and she said why wait? I will start you on boot camp right away! I went in to see her this Wednesday and she was AMAZING!!! So supportive, gave me some good tips to deal with my hectic lifestyle right now and weighed me in. Since my schedule is so crazy, instaed of making an appt for next week, she said just to call her and she will fit me in. Fabulous support! I feel better all ready and am losing weight again!!!! I know that I can do this know - it seems like she was a very important piece of the puzzle that was missing for me. Anyways - so looking forward to tonight - to seeing all of you wonderful people. Bringing my non banded husband along- you will see that he does not require a band). Are you guys getting dressed up?? Susan

Has anyone had any difficulty contacting people at the Centre? The first time I called for information, I left a message to call me back, waited 3 hours and then finally called them back and she answered the phone. This morning I emailedthat I was ready to book and then called early afternoon, leaving a message and have not heard back. Has anyone else had similar experiences or is it just my bad luck? Susan

Congrats Lizzie and LindyLoo! I also had my surgery in May with Dr. Yau and adore him. Remember to follow the clinic's instructions and be patient with the process. It takes some time to get it - but it is well worth it!

What you are feeling is very, very normal. For most of us here, food has been our best friend and worst enemy. It is scary and sad to say goodbye. Recently I went through a very stressful time at work and completely lost track of being a bandster. I could actually say out loud that I wanted and needed the food and was SO frustrated that I could not eat exactly what I wanted. I cannnot tell you how many times I was sick in the last couple of months trying desperately to eat too much or the wrong things. Thanks goodness for the band because I only gained 8 lbs and not 80! I know now that I need a little more psychological support and I am looking for that from my clinic and fellow bandsters. I may even try some therapy. Don't be scared off - what you are doing is giving yourself the best gift in the world. Holidays will come and go, but you may not be here for future ones if you won't take control of your health now. Understand and embrace your sadness and depression and then you will be ready to let it go for a more positive outlook. Good luck and let us know how it goes. Susan

Congratulations Donna! What a momentus occasion. Your post is full of good advice and what really sticks with me is reaching out for help when needed, going to support meetings and events and most of all good restriction! I had my 4th fill the other day and only now can see that I was not at my sweet spot previously. I would eat to fill, but would mostly feel hunger about 1 hour later. Now I am finding that I can go 3+ hours without hunger and my portions are so much smaller. Congratulations again and thank you for your words of wisdom. Susan

It's been ages since I posted here because I am so far off base it's scary. It's almost as if I am pretending I am not banded! I havebenn going through a great deal of turmoil and work and some with my daughter, since August and it is since then that I have not done anything to lose weight. In fact I have gained about 8 lbs because I eat tons of junk food and whatever goes down easy. I am also afraid I have streetched my pouch. For you newbies - this is what is meant by eating around the band! I am so ashamed of myself. Here I spent a fortune to purchase this device to help me lose weight and I have done nothing about it. I feel like I have lost all motivation and do not even exercise 10 minutes a day! I have stayed away from here because I am terrible showing how weak I am and asking for help. I finally called Nancy at TLBC and scheduled a fill for next week, but I know from experience a fill a lone will not do anything. Any suggestions?

Thanks again to you all. I had my fill yesterday and am delighted to report that my portions are back to bandster size again! I had one small slip today, when without really thinking, I took a lolipop from the halloween leftovers in my office. Sugar is the enemy. Once you start on it you can't stop - at least for me. I have to detox from it completely so I don't have the cravings. Other than that, I feel good and am excited to be in the mindset of anything is possible - including getting to goal! I even updated my ticker. Yes, we all need to support each other and even though I don't have as much time to be on the forum, I will do my best to support all of you guys as well! Susan

I hardly know what to say because I am crying so hard. I am so overwhelmed by all your responses. After I posted, I got so scared again and almost called a dozen times to cancel my fill. But...I went today and did get it. I am fortunate that my work situation which was causing me all the stress finally worked out at the end of last week. I am happy to report that I ended up receving a promotion and nice compensation increase as well. All after I was not sure that I would even have a job anymore! When I walked into TLBC today, I was so nervous. I was so ASHAMED. But everyone was so nice and supportive, understanding and empathatic. I feel so much better that I went and will not let myself get to this place of shame again. I have learned something very valuable, and that is that I MUST deal with my emotional reactions to stress - i.s. eating. It is time to really do some serious work on myself and I am determined to do it - otherwise this will continue to happen again and again. Thank you everyone, I am back on track and here to stay! With love, Susan

Do you have any pets? Here are my girls: Lily the Cat and Kayko (Japanese Spaniel) If anyone knows how to resize these babies - go ahead!

Perhpas you just need another fill?

Thanks all - I feel better that this is "normal". Things should resolve themselves at work within a couple of weeks, meantime, I will try to compartmentalize - the weekend is coming up, no work and relax!

I am a dog person too! I have a Japanese Chin! I cannot stand bad manners on kids - they are not born that way - they need to be directed to learn what is appropriate. I blame the parents.

This is fascinating. WasaBubble butt - can you explain the physiology around the band tightening at times of stress?

I am a parent and I say teach the kids some manners! Thanks

Yeah Mandi! 20 little suckers to go!!!! You can do it for sure. Congrats.

Glad you are doing so well!

I was exactly the same way after my first fill and yes - it is because you are not eating properly. You must slow down in between bites and CHEW CHEW CHEW!!! I remember thinking at the time that I was crazy for having this surgry and then I learned to eat like a bandster. Have now had my 3rd fill and hardly ever get sick unless I FORGET TO EAT PROPERLY! Go for your fill but make sure you have learned from the first one and good luck!