lafsalot

Harley - congrats on the size 10 - that is a real accomplishment. I went dancing on Saturday and almost lost my britches. I'm going to have to take in the waist of all my pants. Irony of ironies... band doesn't work for 6 months, so I'm close to giving up. Get new job at new school and my DH says - "Go shopping. I know you didn't want to buy any clothes until you lost weight, but you can't start your new job in rags." So I shopped. 2 months passed and then Oct. 6 rolls around. I get one more cc in the band and here I am 50 lbs lighter and all my new clothes are falling off. I'm not complaining BTW, just pointing out the irony. The best thing though - the pants aren't just falling off, but they are too long now too. WWhhhoooo HHOoooo. I was thinking about asking for the Wii fit for my birthday. As I've stated, I have 3 kids and between day school and night school, if I leave them with anyone else to work out, then I'll never see them. I need to exercise at home. Is the Wii fit worth it?

I don't keep track of anything... but I should. I feel like I keep saying that "I should" - but since I've found restriction, I let the band do its job. I watch what I put in my mouth, and know that the band will not let me eat too much.

Thanks Special. I'm glad he's being careful too. I have 3 beautiful daughters and I can't let anything happen to me. Hell, the biggest reason I got the band was so I could be a better mother for my children. I would hate it if they were to miss out on something because mommy was too fat to participate. I did it for myself too, but those kids need an active, healthy mommy.

no, Sharone, I'm right there with you. I just hit my 50lb mark about 2 weeks ago. Don't feel down, I try not to. I console myself sometimes by making myself realize that those 50lbs are gone forever, and if I never lose another pound then at least I've lost those. When I fist decided to join in on the discussion again, I was hoping that my jealousy wouldn't show. I'd love to be in a size 10 by now, but I'm not... I will be someday though. Losing is losing it doesn't matter how fast or slow. Keep going and yours will come off too.

I haven't had any trouble with the cold, but I did find that I had trouble with a cold. I've had a terrible cold the last 2 weeks, and I think all the coughing has swollen my stomach some. Also, I find that coughing can induce an unexpected pb. I'm ok with it though becuase it's time for a fill, and I've been able to put it off for a while due to the increased restriction. speaking of fills, my doc is concerned because it has taken so much fluid to reach restriction, and he wants me to have a barium swallow before he'll put anymore fluid in. I have 10ccs in a 14cc band. He said that most of the studies stop at 9ccs. I've put it off because the band is working so well... I don't want to jinx it. It's time though, and I'm going to make an appointment next week. Thanks for the advice Fenton I have a pedometer, but it won't work if I don't wear it. School's starting and kids are arriving... gotta run.

HI guys, I'm not sure if any of you remember me, it's been a while since I've posted. My name is Carrie and I live in Houston Tx. I'm also a Shrinking Shamrock. I've been following this thread off and on for the past (almost) year - gosh it's been almost a year!!! I feel kinda like a stalker because I've read about you guys during your journey, I feel like I know you all... There are several reasons why I've stayed off on the sidelines, but the biggest one is that my band didn't work for me until October. I'll never forget the date, October 6th, because in some ways, it is more important to me than the day I got my band.I didn't get any restriction at all until the doc filled my band to 10cc's. Then finaly it worked. It was a miracle. I've lost 47 pounds since then and I love my band!!! I didn't want to post on this very positive and supportive sight with all of my failure, so I stayed away. Now I feel the need to share, and say congratulations to all of you!! WOW - you guys have lost some serious weight!! FENTON - 100 pounds. I have to admit... I'm a little jealous. Now, I feel a little bit like and intruder, or the 3rd wheel on a date, but I also feel like I'm talking to friends. I'll tell you a little about myself, then maybe you won't feel like I'm a stranger. I live in Pasadena (suburb of Houston) TX and I have 3 kids. I am happily married, and I teach English to 10th graders. I'm 37 years old and will be 38 in April. I lead a fairly uneventful life... I teach and I spend time with my family. I teach a night school class on Mondays and Wednesdays, and I'm currently using that as an excuse not to exercise. "I don't have time" is my favorite answer. I'm beginning to realize that it's just an excuse though and that I will have to eventually get off my shrinking rear end and get to the gym, or I won't shrink any more. Since I've started to lose weight, I've begun to feel like part of the club, and you guys are an inspiration. I want to say thank you. Even though you may not know it, there are those of us out there who read the things you write and we are motivated to make this work for us too. I'd really like to see some pics and put names to faces, where might I find those?? I'd also like to use them for a little push to get my butt to the gym. As soon as I hit 50lbs, I'm going to post some pics somewhere... just not sure where yet. Well, I think I've said enough for now... I'll check back in soon. And thanks again to all of you ... you don't have any idea what your posts do for those of us "on the sidelines".

Hi Devon, I was very happy with the UTMB weight loss program and the surgeon. It's worth the weight :thumbup: My surgeon is Dr. gomez and he is very good. Their entire program is wonderful. I didn't find the nutritionists all that helpfull, but they are a requirement for the insurance. It took a while for me to find my sweetspot - 10cc's - but once I did, I dropped 40 pounds almost immediately. Now I find that if I stick to a reasonable diet and eat slowly, the pounds will continue to fall off. Good luck, and keep in touch.

I'm trying to check my ticker... please ignore me.

Hi Katcap - I am right there with you. I'm extremely frustrated. I don't regret getting the band, but I'm so ready for restriciton. In my head I knew about the "healing period" but I feel like I'm past that now, and I want this damn thing to work!

Ajoneen - I'm right there with you. Only I don't regret getting the band, I'm just ready for it to work. I too can eat anything I want, and I've justified it by telling myself "when I get restriction, I won't be able to eat like this". We've talked about having conversations with ourselves before, I'm definitely having the wrong conversation. I'm really frustrated and beating myself up, but I know it will get better. I have another fill on the 27th and I'm hoping it will help some. Keep your chin up and hope your next fill gives you some restriction too.

I'm tired of waiting. I've been fat my whole life! It's time to be thin. I went to all this trouble and this damn band doesn't work. I want restrction and I want a fill, I want to eat less, I want to stick to my diet, I want to lose weight, I want control, I want will power and I want it NOW!!! I know~ "it's a journey" - "it's a process" - "it takes time" - BLAH BLAH BLAH!!! I WANT IT NOW! Sincerely, Baruka Salt

I'm tired of waiting. I've been fat my whole life! It's time to be thin. I went to all this trouble and this damn band doesn't work. I want restrction and I want a fill, I want to eat less, I want to stick to my diet, I want to lose weight, I want control, I want will power and I want it NOW!!! I know~ "it's a journey" - "it's a process" - "it takes time" - BLAH BLAH BLAH!!! I WANT IT NOW! Sincerely, Baruka Salt Thank you all for letting me vent.

Deke you may be an "air-swallower" like I am. If you are a smoker, it makes it even worse. Call your doctor and ask for "metoclopramide" and it will help get things moving. You must close your mouth to breathe and don't swallow air to try and help yourself burp. I was in the same position you are in and thought I was going to die - that's when the NG tube came in. I feel your pain my friend and hope that you feel better soon. Good news - after my hospital visit and the medication, I'm doing fine. I've even had a fill without any more complications. I'm only taking the medication once a day and all is well. I do however feel the need to belch frequently... only now, I can.

Wow!! thank you sunshine. I was already aware of most of the things you said, but I learned it all over time. This was all in one succinct punch. I printed it out and plan to read it when things aren't going my way. I'll keep it as a reminder of how to help me help myself. Thank you.

Jen, you may not need a fill. From what I understand, the lining of everyone's stomach is different and yours my thick enough that your band causes enough restriction without any fluid. As you lose weight and your stomach shrinks then you might need some fluid. Unlike you, I've had my first fill (Thur) and I am able to eat as much as I want whenever I want. I need more fluid to reach restriction. Unfortunately, I have to wait 6 weeks before I can get another fill. Patience... patience... patience... this is a "journey" not a sprint.

Nice tat harley... I got my first fill on Thursday, 2 cc's in a 10 cc band. Doc said I wouldn't feel any restriction, and I don't... but I do feel like there's just a little pressure. I have an air issue, but that seems to be ok too. I'm not eating normally, but almost. I'm ready for another fill already. It's really hard to be patient when it seems like I've waited my whole life for this opportunity. I'm ready for it to work now.

I couldn't burp and the air got trapped inside, it was excrutiatingly painfull... be very glad you can and do burp, in fact I encourage it as often as possible. The other alternative is an NG tube and two days in the hospital. That's just my experience. Thankfully, there is medicine that will help you burp, so I'm hoping all is going to be fine now. I however, received my first fill last Thursday and was very worried that the problem would come back. No problems so far, but there is a pressure there that doesn't seem to go away. It's not painful (as of now) but it still worries me. BURP AWAY and smile sheepishly if anyone says anything.:smile2:

I'm back on track - thanks in part to you guys... thanks so much. Harleygirl ~ you are too funny. I recently wanted my family to choke on the double chocolate fudge birthday cake they recently bought ME for my birthday. I was sure to tell them all how evil they were. We then had a serious discussion on how to support mommy and her new life style. Fenton ~ I just love your posts, you are a very eloquent writer... bet that helps with the whole novel thing.:thumbup: I managed to talk my doc into a fill yesterday, so I'm starting over today. I think I'm going to have to have those conversations with myself as well. I've done well and I will take this one food decision at a time. Again... thank you all!!

Kerri those exercise bands look great - might have to get me some of those. If I can ever get back on track. thanks for the link and the info.

hello all... Fenton congrats on your NSV - I've noticed that my slip-ons slip on a little more easily too. I would like to thank all of you for your encouragement and your advice. I'm not sure where I'd be without this site. I did eat one of the candy bars, but I gave the rest out, in pieces, to my students. They were so thrilled, and supportive. They knew I wasn't supposed to have candy, and how hard it was for me to give it up, so they worked extra hard to earn it. I know many of you have kept your surgery a secret, but I've told everyone I know. I need the support... I need for people to watch me and comment and criticize when necessary, it makes it harder to justify when I do things I shouldn't. I'm just going to come clean to you as well... because I know I want to tell. Did I eat all the chocolate... no! But instead, when my dad offered to take us out to eat last night for my birthday, did I do the right thing??? NO ~ there I was eating fried shrimp and french fries!! Just like before. I didn't even feel guilty. I do now! I'm praying that the doc will give me fill tomorrow and help me get back on the path. I really want to do this! :tt2: Even more... I need to do this. I"m stronger than this ~ or am I? **sigh**

I haven't posted on this thread very much, but now that I'm all caught up... Fenton - congrat's on your new book! Harleygirl - I feel like we're old friends podski - I would love a long island tea ~ it has been too long!!! Scrappy - congrats on making that darn scale move!!! And to all of you with snow ---- who forgot to tell the weather man that it's April for goodness sake! As for me, well... this ride has been a roller coaster. I did really well right out of surgery. I was up and moving on day one. Then I had a little air issue and was readmitted. Turns out I'm an "air swallower" and must watch how I breathe. So, one NG tube and a few pills later and I seem to be better now. I still feel the need to get the air out, especially if I eat too much. Speaking of which... my appetite found me this weekend. But, it isn't physical hunger (most of the time) it's mental. I feel myself spiraling out of control. Today, I ate WAY too much. I had 2 regular pre-op meals. NOT GOOD. I go to the dr. on Thurs. but it's not for a fill, it's just a check up from my little hospital adventure. My doc is pretty strict about timelines and such, but I'm going to beg him for a fill. I'm five weeks out tomorrow, so I'm hoping he'll give a little. Otherwise, I have to wait until May 8th because he's on vacation and then I'm a teacher and we have TAKS testing for a week (no chance of taking off then). UUGHHGGGGGGHHHHH! I bought 5 candy bars today - didn't eat them, but I bought them. HELP!

Lafasalot March 18, 2008

Or at least I feel like I am. I was banded on March 18th and am finding that I can eat almost normally. Yesterday, I had 3 meals, not preband size, but 3 full meals none the less. :crying: I used to have a kolache, two donuts and a dr. pepper for breakfast and today I had a kolache and a protein shake. This has managed to keep me full through lunch, so I just had a banana, but for some reason, I still feel like I'm gorging myself - in my head I'm "eating way too much". Am I? Should I be able to eat this much? Keep in mind I don't get my first fill until May 8th. I just know that I'm going to gain all of my weight back. It's only 17 poinds, but I suffered a lot to lose that weight.:crying:

Be very glad that you can burp. I couldn't and ended up in the hospital with a distended stomach. The air was trapped and could not get out. The doc had to put an NG tube through my nose and down in to my stomach. It was very unpleasant to say the least. They've put me on medication, and things are much better. ~~ Belch away!

Hi, I'm Carrie. I'm a mother of 3 (12, 4, and 1) beautiful girls, and wife to one loving husband. I am a highschool English teacher in Pasadena Texas (a suburb of Houston). I hit a rough spot with some air issues over the weekend, but seem to be doing better. Glad to meet all of you. Harleygirl - thanks for introducing us all.