susansilver

Good luck today Andree!!!!

Congratulations! Let us know how you are doing.

Throw those superstitions out the window! And welcome to Bandster Hell!

When you are first banded you have NO restriction. Although some people do feel a little bit, it is usually from the swelling due to surgery. If you are like me and recover well from surgery then you will definitely feel hungry because you are taking in very little food at this point - however....it is very important to follow your post op diet because it is allowing your stomach to heal and adhesions to form to keep your band in place and avoid slippage down the line.

Drink as much Water as you can to help fill you up and add lots of Protein Powder to your mushies - that will help to keep you feeling full.

I had my first fill 6 weeks after surgery and although I had some restriction, it was not enough - most people need 3-4 fills and I have had 3 so far and feel pretty good. I am losing the requisite 1-2 lbs per week. Not speedy, but safe and those pounds are gone forever.

Remeber that the band is a tool (imagine a $17K tool on the shelf in home depot)! It is not a magic cure and you still have to work it.

Hang in there - it WILL get better.

Mandi that is fabulous! So romantic your Dan! I am sure that you guys will be very happy and healthy together. CONGRATULATIONS!

Hi Jannet,

Yes please go get a defill - see if they can take you today. Good luck with your Dad.

Wow! i never thought of it that way, but you hit the nail on the head! Thanks for the "diagnosis"! I never had that insight from my psych, probably because he's never been there. It can definitely help me to realize why and work from there instead of getting down about it. As far as the sneaking and whatnot, true, true, I used to keep frosting and a bowl of sugar mixed with lemonade in my top dresser drawer when I was a kid, right next to my diet pills! My dad (bless his heart) had his own weight issues and trying to "help" had me run for miles when I was 10, and promised me $250 if I lost 50 pounds before I went back to school. (in 3 months? i was a kid!) Anyways, I have always hated eating in front of others and only within the past 2 years have been ok with it in front of my husband. He is SO supportive with the band, but I know it deeply concerns him (as it should)when I throw up because I eat too much and am in terrible pain. You have helped me open a door and given me alot to think about! Thanks for all your help, and for sharing, the injustices alot of us have faced as kids can either help or hinder us (if we let them).

Oh Yeah! I remember the money bribes! (My grandfather even offered me a car)! One of my saddest moments was when I was about 16, my mother had passed away the year before and my emotional overeating was out of control. I woke up one morning and there was a half eaten sandwhich on my night table. I had absolutely no memory of getting up, making it or eating it!

I really admire you Vessa, what you have undertaken with a new baby is amazing! You are truly selfless because it is not just for you -b ut for your wonderful husband and baby!

Hi Vessa,

I am going to ask you a strange question and then explain why.

Have you ever been a sneak eater? Especially from people who you feel are expecting alot form you?

I am a nighttime eater too and realized that I eat at night because I am a sneak eater! I have been doing that since childhood when my mother had my on amphetamines at 11 yrs old to loose weight. food was always forbidden is some way so I learned to sneak eat. I have only had one night time episode since being banded (and a few daytime ones) and realized that I don't want DH to see because I think that he will assume that I am not committed to this very expensive procedure (self pay from Canada). I am a people pleaser and could not bear to dissapoint him!

Realizing the root of my behavious has helped me to deal with it. You are right - you are much better off resting or coming on this board or doiong anything else but sabotaging yourself. Think about your own situation and how you can best find solutions.

I know you can do it! Good luck.

I saw it and it was very sad. I remember when I was pregnant with my daughter 11 years ago. I had a high risk pregnancy and was at the clinic every 2 weeks right from the beginning. Plus, I had tons of ultrasounds, tests, even a fetal EKG. I remember thinking at that time thank goodness that I live in Canada, I would be bankrupt if I lived in the States.

Sweet,

Be careful about the amount of pressure you are putting on yourself. Yes it is important to make a commitment to this and yes it is expensive, but the world will not come to an end if you don't lose 150 lbs by next year. Some of us are slow losers, slow fast, some take a while before they "get it".

Just remember to belive in yourself and take it easy.

Sorry Coco,

I don't know enough about slippage.

You did not vomit - you slimed. The milk did not come up it was the saliva that was trying to push it down and had no where to go so it had to come back up,

What about a spa gift certificate or a certificate for a manicure pedicure - that tells her she is special, feminine and can pamper herself without the sugar.

Good luck!

I had the same issue with my 10 year old - even to the slightly overweight and bigger than the other girls (she is tall as well).

I thought and thought and finally I decided to tell her the truth. I told her that I had struggled with my weight ever since I was her age and younger, that in my time we didn't know enough about how important healthy eating and exercise is and now that I am older it is even harder for me. She saw me lose 60 lbs with WW, but I reminded her that I could not keep it off. I told here that this was my last option to come down to a healthy weight and get my health better so that I would be around for a long time. I told her that if she continued eating healthy and being active she would not have my problem and would not need surgery to deal with it when she was older.

She was great about it! Really seemed to understand and I have noticed that she is making better choices, talks about healthy eating and has slimmed down this summer.

Good luck whatever you choose to do. Remember that kids are smart!

You have put a huge smile on my face! Congratulations, I am sure there will be many more wonderful moments for you!

It has been ages since I posted here. Here is my update:

Had my third fill July 18th - another .5cc for a total of 5 cc. I think I am at my sweet spot, perhaps a little tight but if all goes as with the other fills, it should loosen a bit. Got weighed at my fill and I am right on target - losing 2 lbs per week. I am trying to curb my impatience ( wanting to lose 5 lbs per week), and feel good about what I have done. To be honest some days are tougher than others - I still miss big quantities of food and there are times when I cannot eat another bite, but I don't feel "full". Head hunger I know, so I am working on that.

I am very excited because I am just 12 lbs from where I got to with WW before I started gaining again. This is a huge physical and emotional milestone for me (225 lbs) and can hardly wait to cross that barrier - and it has been a barrier for me.

I am also realizing that as much support as I get at home, on here and at the clinic - this is a very personal journey. So much of it happens in my head and I am the one who has to make the decisions, expecially about what I put into my mouth, day in and day out. This is good, I am taking ownership for how I got here and for getting to where I want to go.

Hang in there LL - we all will have small ups and downs now again. The main thing is that with our band we can keep on track and wont gain all of it back!

Hi,"Green"

If you can make it to Bloor and Spadina, on TTC, I can give you a lift from there. Susan Silver is also coming with me, I think???

Hi Guys - sorry was out of commission for a few days. Yes I still want to come - Lisa I will call you. I will reread this thread today to find out who to rsvp to so the reservations are correct.

Mandi - LOVE your haircut!! You are looking fabulous. Hope AC finds your luggage that is a huge loss.

I like being a pale face as well!

Sounds great! You can be the navigator, as I was born lacking a sense of direction! Are you in the telephone book?

By the way, is anyone having problems with fatigue and weakness?? I'm exhausted, and break out in a cold sweat every time I expend any energy at all. I realize part of this is from not having eaten solids in 4 weeks (I'm on Day 2 of Full Fluids). But, I'm REALLY exhausted, despite sleeping well. Any suggestions?? I have to get back to work.

I was exactly the same. Very weak and dizzy at times. Are you drinking Protein shakes? That will help. I will PM you with my phone numbers.

Would love your take on what I ate yesterday because I am trying to figure out if I need another fill or not (have had 2)

3/4 toasted bread sandwhich with ff cheese and lean ham

1/2 grilled ww pita with tuna and cheese, 2 Tbsp crunchy pea & nut salad, 1-2 pieces of cut fruit salad

1 Tbsp brown rice, 1 c. black bean chicken and rice stirfry with veggies

1 packet 100 calories thinsation Cookies

Too much?

hi sherilynn....I too WAS diabetic....on insulin 15 long years....

was at 100 u Humlin BID...PLUS orals....

The secret I learned is not "I am diabetic so I have to be sure to eat enough to keep my sugars up."....

it was 'learning to eat RIGHT enough to keep my sugars DOWN'....

I've been off the needle for 18 months....

Jack - you are giving me hope!!! I was diagnosed 25 years ago. Went on insulin immediately then lost weight and went on orals meds until 11 years ago when I was ready to conceive (cannot take oral meds if you want to conceive or are pregnant).

I never went off insulin after that. I currently take 48 units of Levimir which is a 24 basal insulin and take Novorapid (which works within 15 mins and finished by 3 hours) with every meal depending on the carbs I eat. Some meals I don't take any because I am not eating carbs at all.

I have always doubted that I would get off insulin, but now you are giving me some hope. Thank you for posting about your experience.

Thanks Julie - now I feel more confident that when I go for my fill next week I can tell them that I need it.

I have trouble with most lettuce except iceberg - which of course is the least nutritious! I can eat small bites of crunch veggies fine.

I can never eat a 1/2 of a pita. More like a 1/4. I can only consume 1/4 to 1/2 cup of food, more like 1/4 at a time. I am now at my sweet spot. It sounds like your diet is right though. Are you losing weight?

I am now after my second fill, but not really sure if I am still eating too much. I was able to more than 3/4, but a little less than a whole toasted greainy bread sandwhich w/ff cheese and lean ham - for Breakfast yet! I think that is too much!

Hi,Marcar:

Take a look at Donna D's posting " July Luncheon". I live in the Bloor?Spadina area, If anyone needs a lift .

I am not far and would love a lift! I live at Spadina & Queens Quay. I can come up to your area to meet you.