countrygirljtl

Thanks Cheri52 I get that the band is just a tool, but If I am "dieting" the way I have for years and still not looseing weight, isn't there something not right?? Yes, I indulged here and there, but pretty much tried to stick to the rules. I have stuck right by the book for 1 whole week, today I am going to the YMCA to weigh myself to see, I hope I lost a few pounds. So, do you think I should consider myself lucky that I never had PB'ing, sliming or got too stuck (exept for that one time)? I have also not seemed to get a "sign" for when to stop as they said we should get. For months, they said that some people take more fills than others and that it will come, why are they changing that now?? I just hope the band didn't slip or is kinked or anything. Also, I have a huge amount of scar tissue at the port site, only a problem when the fill. But also at times the port site is sore, like when I bend over to tie my shoe, weed the garden, pick up something from the floor, it feels as if is bruised or something like that. Also, sometimes when I eat, the port site gets hard and bothers me (I don't know if is gas pressure or what) It has been a year since I started this whole journey, and if it wasn't for my supportive husband, a few band friends who have been successful and this website, I don't know what I would do, really. So, this week, I have been eating all low fat solid protiens first, then vegi's and than the carb. stuff like 6oz of fish, green beens, and brown rice, only with spray butter if any at all, and not drinking with my meals. I still get hungry between meals ( I know head hunger, this is stomach growling hungry) I have been white knuckling it, keep myself busy, really just suffering through it, again, ready to give up somedays. I just don't get it. Most of my friends have lost 50-90 pounds. Since surgery I have lost 8-10 pounds. I am exercising and praying. Thank you for your support. Janet:regular_smile:

Hi Everyone, I haven't written in quite a while because frankly, I have all but given up. I am trying once again though. Just to update: I had my band put in 7 months ago (Oct 07). I have had 6 fills now, I think and I have had only a tiny bit of restriction recently. I only had one episode of being really stuck which resulted in my trying to get it up with some slime. That happened after one bite of chicken and not chewig it enough. My last visit to Lahey Clinic resulted in them saying that they are not going to give me any more fills because they think that I should have plenty of restriction and should be losing weight (which I have not lost any exept for the first week out of surgery) due to the fact that I have NO restriction. They said that I am not eating properly and until I do, they will not even consider any more fills. I am at 3.2cc's with a 4cc band. I was devistated with my last visit. So, tomorow will be a week since that visit, I have stuck to all the rules and documented all that I have eaten and drank and my exercise to show them. The amouts of food that I eat at one sitting does not indicate to me that my band is restricting very much. I kind of feel like it is starting to work, but I am eating alot more than what others are saying that they can get down. So, I welcome oppinions, tips, ideas, thoughts, support, anything. I really need you. Janet :cursing:

Hi Sharon, I had my surgery on Oct 4, 2007 and have had 5 fills with NO restriction thus far, I have only lost 8 since surgery, so I understand how you feel. I just had my 6th fill 2 days ago, have 2.9cc's in a 4cc band. I am worried about the sliming, pbing because I have never had it, and don't want it. but I do want to start losing wieght. I am glad that you are "loving" your band now. I really want mine to start working for me. Janet

Sherry W. I wasn't able to go to your get together, but boy don't I wish I could have, it sounds like it was very motivating. Just reading your post uplifted me, thank you. I like that you are so supportive and realize that everyone needs a little lift every once and a while. I suppose that is the name of the game is just keep looking for that gimmer and pick yourself back up when you are falling down. I appreciate everyones good tips and support, I have no one else. Janet

Hi Girls, Wow, great advice, so maybe I have hope when I go for my 5th fill. Last night I went to dinner with my hubby and ate the same as I use to, French Onion Soup, salad and fish with potatoes, I couldn't finish the entre though, about half way through, it all starting to go down real hard 'stick', so I just had to stop. I suppose, I was just plain filled to capacity. I need to call to schedule another fill though. So would you say that you were surprized with the difference between no restriction and "boom" - restriciton? I need to kick my exercise back into gear, I was doing so well and now, I haven't been doing anything, not good, I know. but I do have to say that I am happy with the fact that despite the fact that I have had NO restriciton since a few weeks out from surgery in October, and with all of the holidays, and now with a little less of the exercise lately, I have not gained back any of the 20 pounds that I lost both before and right after. So that gives me hope to, that hopefully the band is good for keeping the wieght off. Don't get me wrong, I know I have work to do, and I am going to do it. does anyone get to see "Big Medicine"? I tape it on my DVR, it is on TLC and it is a motivator. Let me know what you think. Thanks for the encouragement, keep it coming. Janet:tongue2:

Hey Jude, hang in there, I feel your pain, I wish I knew the answer, All I can do is just hope and pray that one of these fills will do the trick. Some days I just wish it would all click and some days i want to give up. Where did you have your surgery done?? I am definitely not waiting the 5-6 weeks, I spoke to the NP last fill time and she said go ahead and shorten the length between fills to see if we can speed this up, they unfortunately still have to be conservative with the amount of the cc's given at each fil, Protocol. SherryW, I think it is great that you girls are getting together, I wish I could, you are quite far from me, But have fun, get support. If anyone lives up by me, I would be willing to have a get together like this. Let me know Janet

Thanks Girls, yeah, I got stuck with left over salmon (reheated), it becomes tough like chicken, so that didn't work for me, I gave it to my dogs (lucky them:tongue2:). I don't know what that constant feeling is either, I did bring it up to the docs but they were not sure or too worried, they thought it was connected to the heartburn I was having which may be connected to an ulcer that I have. I am probably not chewing sufficiently because I feel like I haven't had to due to having no restriction. I know I need to change my ways, maybe that would fix the problem, I just think it is an unexplained wierd constant feeling that I certanly have never felt before, I have stress and heart issues but none that feel like this, this feels like in the center of my lungs and almost feels like when a drink goes down the wrong pipe and you cough and cough because of the irritation, that is sort of what it feels like. Well, this thursday will be 2 weeks after my last fill and the NP said to call for another fill if I am still not restricted, that will be my 5th fill The other thing I thought, is maybe it is taking me so many fills and so much time because perhaps my stomach was very small in diameter and it takes more saline to expand the band to reach the small diameter of my stomach. What do you think?? Janet:rolleyes2:

Hi Cheri52, Thank you for asking, I was wondering the same thing, where was everyone, that is why I stayed away, silly huh. Anyway, My last fill went alot better, My NP said that each time will be different. So yesterday I was eating chicken and it definitely got stuck, I just slowed down, calmed down and walked around, it hurt alot, but went down, hurt again, went down some more. So at least I am starting to get restriction. I just wish I understood why I have a nonstop feeling in the chest/lung area, it seems that it is part of the restriction, but why all the time, I thought, other than having a "tight" sensation when eating, that other than that you would feel "normal", not feeling the band inside of you. I wish I wasn't such a worry wart about everything to do with the band. Janet:rolleyes2:

Where i was banded, We were strictly told, no liquids with the solids as it will wash through the food, leaving you not as full or satisfied and restricted, making you take in more calories later. Also, the shake in the morning may not be keeping you satisfied either, again where I was banded they insist on us having 3 solid meals a day to have the full effects of the band work for you. I lost a good amount of weight in the very beggining but haven't had any restriction due to the band not being tight enough. Now I feel a tightness in my chest all the time, don't know what that is all about. Good luck, Janet

Hi, I have had 4 fills now, I had a bad stomach flu right after I got through with the liquid stage after the fill, The heaving was so violent, none like I have ever had, I felt like I got beat up for days!! And now I am finally eating solids again. I have never had PB or stuck or slime, I do not wish to experience it either. However, I don't know if I really have restriction either. I still can eat quite a bit, I am less hungry though. I feel a pressure in my chest pretty much 24/7 with or without food or drink. Is this restriction?? What the heck is this annoying feeling?? It is sort of like the irritating feeling after you drank something and it went down the "wrong pipe" and you cough and cough, but your lungs are left feeling irritated. Does anyone know what I mean?? Is this normal to have this feeling all the time regardless if I have eaten or not? Janet

Thanks girls for the advice, tips and encouragement, I see the nutritionist and get a fill tomorow, somthing has got to get better. I am not losing, have'nt in months. I know that I am not eating good and exercising the way I was due to being so damn discouraged. So keep up with the great support, it is very helpful Janet :confused:

Hey Sheri and Sherry and everyone else, thanks for the invite, great idea, I doubt that I could make it to Taunten, but I will look it up on Mapquest, because I could really use the support. Sue, Thank you so much for you Day example, I am with Cheri52, I am not restricted enough to be full or even near satisfied with the small portions you are taking in, but Kudo's to you for all your efforts, that gives me inspiration. Hey did anyone see OPRAH yesterday?? it was on teens getting banded and getting the bypass, they seemed all successfull, there was lots of contraversy from the adults and professionals though due to their ages and development, and the fact that they still have to go to Mexico to get it done. Let me know what you thought Janet (I wish I could get a ticker for myself, I tried twice with no success)