rachel

Hi Everbody, I have had an amazing recovery since the surgery 11 days ago and I think that lulled me in to a false sense of security. It was explained to me today, by a lady in the intro section of this forum, that what I should be eating at the moment haS MORE TO DO WITH THE BAND SECURING IT'S PLACE, AND NOT ABOUT WHAT WE CAN TOLERATE. i'VE BEEN EATING VERY SMALL AMOUNTS OF (whoops,just noticed the uppercase) lots of things eg: eggs, grapes, cheese, crackers, mince, cereal and a tiny piece of chocolate. Now I'm paranoid that I've done damage. Does anyone have first, or second, hand experience in doing what I've done? The only things I've had trouble with are chicken and bread. Take care all,Rachel.

I agree - you need to speak to the surgeon. It could be something simple, but won't go away by itself. Take care, Rachel.

So far my port hasn't been too hard to locate, although we did discover last visit that i was missing a mil, surgeon puts it down to missing the port. Anyway, i had a fill last visit, and it was too much, so i contacted my surgeon. Unfortunately he was interstate so i had to see someone else. Well, firstly ,he stuck the needle in inches away from the port, then proceeded to dig around on my breast bone. It was at that point i told him to take it out. He then tried to feel for the port, and couldn't find it, so i found it for him. So we get ready to go again and he says "This might take a few tries"! It was then i jumped up and told him to forget it and that he had no confidence in what he was doing. Which all means that i have to wait 2 weeks until i can eat something solid - oh well, i needed a jump start. Can you request the competent Dr. next time you go? Best wishes, Rachel.

Good on you Jenna - the voice of reason, and from someone who has probably seen it all. The point is - what type of person is he? Is the only difference from him having a smoke after work, instead of a couple of beers, so terrible just because of peoples preconcieved ideas about it? I fully accept they he may lay on the couch and do nothing all day, but then again, he might not. I'm just putting the other side forward from a long term regular smoker. I've been self employed for 10 years and function very well, as do most members of my family, who are professional, intelligent people - who don't drink much, but like a smoke when it's appropriate. The whole disrespect / trust issue is another thing because he knew how it would be against the rules. But again, he wouldn't of been able to be honest about it. Take care, Rachel.

Interesting stuff - thanks for the replies. I feel more positive that I will eventually get there. Best wishes, Rachel.

I was wondering how many people have their band filled to the maximum, and if they feel they are tight enough. I had my band done a year ago and have almost maximum fill, and doubt it will ever be tight enough. If you have a leak, is there any physical signs? ( that might be another thread). Best wishes, Rachel.

Niche, I totally understand where you're coming from. I'd liked to have seen more drastic results - I'm sure most people, who are honest with themselves, feel the same way ( those who haven't had drastic results). I find it harder to understand the people who seem to have found it easy to change their attitude to food. I mean, we're here because we have a history of bad eating habits. I don't think enough emphasis is put on psychological change before we are given the op. Best wishes, Rachel.

I'm in Australia and we work in millilitres. Mine is a 9.5 band, and I have 8.5mls in it - I'm coming up for my first anniversary, have lost 26 kilos. I don't think I'll ever get that sweet spot as some things I'm throwing up after a few bites, and some things I can eat a lot of. I'm also a bit confused as to what the "sweet spot" is - I think it would vary from person to person. Laura, it's a bit of a worry, and very arrogant, that your Dr. is telling you how much restriction you have. I think you'd know better than anyone. Don't let him put in any more fills if you don't feel you need it. Best wishes, Rachel.

Hi, Has anyone stretched their stomach / band so much that it no longer works ?

i clicked on it twice, and both times a heavy looking dude pops up with his hand out and FORBIDDEN written in big letters. There is also some writing in another language. WHAT THE.........?

is it just me, or does anyone else find that giggling kid a bit creepy ?

Don't be afraid to demand answers. Dr's are only people NOT God (i think they sometimes get confused). It's your body (and mind) and they have to respect that by keeping you informed. It'll will be sorted out and you can carry on as planned. Best wishes, Rachel.

alcohol was never mentioned to me and i've drink about the same amount as before - about once a fortnight. I find any carbonated drinks uncomfortable so i drink wine, or wait for it to go a bit flat.

Hi Judy, I know exactly what you're going through. I had my band done in february, when my daughter was two and a half. I have never been afraid of things like surgery, or really thought about my own mortality, until then. It just about drove me crazy but i knew that it would make me a more active, and happy person, therefore making me a more capable mother ( although i was 100 pounds heavier than you ). I knew that the minimal risk was worth it. It didn't help my nerves though. Anyway, but the time you read this it will all be over and you'll be on the road to recovery, and a better life. be prepared for a bumpy road, and probably not at all you what expect - but it's interesting. Take care, Rachel.

wow, that is one of my pet hates - squeezing myself in to aeroplane seats - i don't think i've ever been able to do up the belt. i usually put a coat over my lap and feign sleep or intense interest in the inflight mag.

i live in perth and my surgery, fills, dietician, psych etc etc was all completely FREE on medicare. i was about 18 months on the waiting list, going through the motions, and it was done by a surgeon who's done about 500 of them. and people complain about paying their taxes.

i was banded in febuary this year, and until i had my fourth fill a month ago, i felt the same as you - chocolate being the main offender. I can't explain why but i can now put the chocolate biscuits down and back away. eating in general has become harder, and more unpleasant, but the positives far outway the negatives. i think your problem is that you don't have enough restriction. good luck

Yes, isn't it ironic. eating healthily can be a fairly unpleasant experience, but you can eat all the junk you want - no problem. Yes, I understand it's just a tool etc etc etc but it's still a bit cruel

hi sammee, i'm in perth and don't have a bracelet. do you? Rachel

I still don't think I've recovered from "The Blair Witch Project" - but I watch it every now and then, just to make sure. Rachel.

I think most, actually ALL, my high school sport lessons are definitelt up there. The only other thing that always sticks in my mind is being about 4 or 5 and running in to a room, turning around and farting at who I was expecting to be my friend, and was actually her parents!!! I was horified. Rachel

I had my surgery 7 months ago and have just started taking diet tablets. I find that my band is finally getting some restriction which makes it harder to get some things down (and up), but once I find something I can eat I can eat quite alot of it. I'm taking Reductil which is a mild anti-depressant used for weight loss. I'm not planning on it being a long-term thing, but I didn't want to get too discouraged either. It's having the desired effect. I hope it all works out for you, Rachel.

Hi from Perth. I was banded in Feb and have lost 16kgs (only about 75 no go - no joke!!!). I find any situation involving food difficult. The psychological addiction is a shocker! All the best, Rachel.

People like you and your family are wonderful. Getting animals from rescue shelters and pounds is such a great thing to do. To have given Jake the experience of being a loved family pet is beautiful.

I can't believe someone would choose to poke around in that stuff - I think your friends name is well deserved. How long did it take to heal? I was in hospital for the first month, so the lucky nurses got to de-bride mine twice a day. The poor women thought that working in a maternity hospital was all about being a hand to squeeze and checking milk stocks. I soon changed that. Then I spent another 2 months going to the hospital everyday so that they could inject peroxide in to it. That's right - three months!!! It wasn't until I went to a chinese herbalist that it started to heal. It's now two and a half years later and I can still detect the odour of rotting flesh in my ensuite. Lovely. P.S: how come at the bottom of some messages it has "Post quick reply" and some just say "Post reply"?