cathyRN

I don't know about anyone else but I can feel when I have had "enough" and can't eat anymore but otherwise do not feel the band but I am almost 2 years post op and not successful, emotional eater and all that. I haven't been able to get my head banded if you know what I mean. Good luck, get SUPPORT where ever you can and you will do fine.

I hope you have better luck than I have. I was banded two years ago come Sept and have not lost any more than the first 50# that I lost during the 1st weeks pre and post surgery. It still all boils down to willpower and keeping close with your surgeon for regular fills and check ups. Join a support group if you can, not just this one online. I still have hope that I will get there despite myself, someday. I have about 200# to lose and sometimes feel so alone and frustrated but am going to join a support group (the closest is 65 miles away) they meet once a month and hope that will help. I pray you will be strong and wish you all the luck. Cathy

LisaWA Be careful tho, I know it feels good to be tight but you have to make sure you get your protein in that you need. If you don't it messes with your immune system and you can have trouble healing even the smallest wound. Not only that but your muscles need some too, along with Potassium and other electrolytes, without which you will end up with muscles loss and cramping. I know how bad we want it to come off fast but one of the positive things about banding vs bypass is the weight comes off more naturally without the problems with malabsorbtion. Being too loose isn't good but being too tight could actually be worse for your health. Please talk to your doctor, you may need to have a small amout of saline removed from the band. If you can't get coffee down there is a problem. Sorry to sound like such a wet blanket but if you lose your health it won't matter if you are skinny or fat. Good luck to you. Cathy

Hi all- I'm doing much better since I had my third fill in May. I couldn't tell you what I have lost in pounds because I haven't seen a scale in awhile but I can feel the difference. I am not hungry. Once in awhile I will feel a little hungry but a couple bites of anything will take care of the problem. I am pretty restricted at this point. If I want a slice of pizza it has to be small and about half way through I have to throw the crust away or I get sick. When I eat I usually only have about 1 or 2 bites of whatever is on my plate (meat, starch, veggie) and I am done. Bread usually makes me sick after the first bite so I stay away from that. Chew, chew, chew... It really does make a difference. Increase your exercise slowly. What I do is walk, I'm slow but I can walk just short of a mile. I know that doesn't sound like much to some of you but I was just about in a wheelchair when I started. It was an effort to walk to the bathroom, know what I mean? I had my surgery 09/23/04 but had some set backs along the way. I feel pretty good about myself today ( that is unusual also). I say please hang in there. If you want it bad enough you will put in the effort that is required to take this weight off. As you go the better you will feel. We all have bad days, but those don't come as often either. I still have about 200# to my goal but instead I try to look at it in terms of what I can do now that I couldn't do last September. I can walk farther, I can put my shoes on without help, I can wear clothes that were too tight before, etc... Have a great day (one day at a time). Cathy

Hi Barb, welcome from another newbee. I know the feeling, no matter how fast you run you don't move an inch. It is very frustrating. I don't know what kind of insurance you have but I do know that the rules are changing. More insurance companies are getting on the boat for the simple reason that they are being pressured by the public. My insurance originally would not pay for any assistance, then it was only if I had been unsuccessfully treated for my obesity for 3 years without success and then they wanted to do bypass or stomach stapling. This last September they actually agreed to pay for the lapbanding since we could prove medical necessity and it is quite a bit cheaper than the other two procedures. Hang in there. They will eventually come around but you have to inquire frequently or, in other words, pester your insurance contact person until they are sick of hearing from you. Good luck and don't give up!

I haven't noticed a problem with eggs but bread, tortillas, pasta... I can eat two, sometimes 3 bites and no matter how much I chew I feel sick and either up it comes or I sit for 20 minutes trying not to. This last fill has really helped me to slow down eating. If I don't go really slow I have to stop after the second bite in most cases. I haven't even tried pop or any other carbonated liquids because my doc told me that was a big no no. So even tho I have heard other people drink that stuff I haven't had any since the day before my surgery. If I keep it in my head that I can't have it, it is easier for me to stay away from it. cm

Denise L, I have no regrets even tho I am not having much success at the moment (my own fault). I initially lost 50# during the week prior to surgery and the 2-3 weeks following. My weight loss slowed then but I was having other problems not related to the band and I was putting on water weight. Then for some reason (family crisis at home) I started eating like I use to (too much and too often, hungry or not) and that just can't be a good thing. I have gained back most of what I lost but as of last Friday (my 3rd fill) I am back on track, I eat when I'm hungry and I stop when I feel full (no snacking!!!!!!!!!!) and I walk during my breaks and part of my lunch break. Please God, help me be strong! The nice thing is that with the band I don't have do be strong without help, if I eat too much or too fast I vomit. Plain and simple. Since I don't like doing that I have to follow at least part of the rules. I keep thinking about how good I felt just losing the 50# (on me that is a drop in the bucket). Besides, I told everybody I know that I had the surgery and they keep asking me how the weight loss is going, or, how much have you lost so far? Too embarassing to say that even surgery won't help me, if you know what I mean. I think I am the worst case senario tho, listen to all these other people who have done so well, I am definitely the minority. And yet, when it is all said and done, I would still do it all over again! This has been the best thing that has happened to me in a long time. It has given me hope again. I will lose this weight no matter how long it takes me! Good luck to both you and your daughter. I don't think you will regret it. The surgery itself was a piece of cake (no pun intended) and recovery was quick. Cathy

Hi all, My name is Cathy, I am 44 years old and had my banding done 09/23/04. I initially lost about 50# but have gained at least half of that back. It feels like I am all alone out here, I live an hour and a half drive from the closest support group. I am praying that I have found some help with you all. I went in for a fill (3rd) last Friday and Cameron the surgical asst to my Doc told be about this site. Both Cameron and Dr Smith are very supportive but, again, they are an hour & 1/2 drive away from me. I am hoping this fill will help to keep me from over eating and start the loss again. I am able to eat about 1/2 a sandwich with this fill before I start to feel full, or get the hiccups, whatever comes first. I have been reading the introductions and they have got me feeling excited about this again. I hope to get to know you'all a lot better. Cathy

Thanks for the feedback. I have been terribly non-compliant, of course that's what got me into this mess to begin with. Before surgery I use to drink lots and lots of water but I just don't get thirsty too much anymore. I find it hard to make myself drink at times. Also, the time when I am the most thirsty, when and after I eat, I am not allowed to drink. I hope to get this all figured out. I am just so discouraged because the first emotional crisis at home and I am back to where I started, eating everything in sight ( it just takes longer ). I have decided to take things one day at a time so I won't get anymore depressed. My biggest problem I think is that I did not follow up with my doc when I was able to eat more than my band should allow. Too many other things going on, yadda, yadda, yadda. I have to learn to put myself first and it is hard to change my way of thinking, that's for sure. Thanks for your kind words, I will need to hear them often I am sure. Cathy

:nervous Hi all I am new here and I'm not sure where to start. I had my band placed on September 23, 2004 in Pueblo,Co with Dr Smith. I am desperately in need of some support and would love to hear from any of you. Unfortunately I live too far away to attend an organized support group but sure could use some help. I hope to hear from someone (anyone) out there. Thanks, CathyRN

Hi scottygyrl, I know where you are coming from. I have not had a lot of luck myself. I have a great Dr but I'm not so hot at being compliant. I had my third fill yesterday but hadn't been in to see him since January and I had gained back almost all of what I had lost initially after the surgery. Simply because I had no problems eating almost anything and I have no self control. Besides, I don't eat because I'm hungry, I eat because I'm happy, sad, bored, awake... I have been really good about staying away from some things but not so hot about others. I have never really felt all that limited in what I could eat. I'm hoping that will change with this last fill. I now have almost 2.5cc in. I'm sorry you are having problems with finding a local fill dr. I am told that my Doc won't take any Mexico patients on, probably due to liability reasons. Like you, I have waited all my life for this opportunity and I am really down due to my lack of strength. Have you thought about substituting protein shakes for one or two meals a day? Some yogurt, frozen fruit, ice and protein powder in a blender makes for a pretty tasty and filling drink. Good luck to you and I wish you only the best. CathyRN