Anwyn

I started to gain weight around 3rd grade. My mom says that my twin and I were always more into food than the other kids. I can remember lying in bed at night as a child and fantasizing about going to McDonalds and ordering 20 Big Macs. The weight didn't really come on until I met my boyfriend in college (now DH). I think once I found him, I just stopped trying for a few years. Soon I was around 230. I dropped down to 190 for my wedding, but a move across the country had me depressed. Within 6 months of getting married I gained 65 lbs! Two pregnancies had me over 300. I'm not sure how much over - at some point I refused to get on the scale. After the birth of my second child two years ago I've been bouncing between 270 & 285. It feels so good to be under 250 again! I love my band... What bothers me the most is that I truly have no reason to overeat. I have two healthy kids, a great marriage, no money problems, and a great husband. I consider myself one of the luckiest people in the world. Why do I not think I'm also worthy of being skinny? Is it genetics? My parents are skinny. Their parents are skinny. My brothers and sisters (except for my twin) are skinny. Sorry - I don't know why this turned into a rant. I've just always been really mad at myself for getting so big. Thank God for my band... I have hope for the first time in a really long time that I can reach a healthy weight and maintain.

Hi Nykee, First of all, congratulations on your weight loss! It's a great idea to write down your diet. I've never been good at keeping track of my intake (too lazy). I don't think you need to worry about drinking too much milk. The only problem is that it won't make you full, but it's definitely a healthier choice than juice. La Madam is right - you really need to get in more Protein. Try putting a scoop of Protein powder in your milk. You've mentioned in previous threads that you have some health issues. If you're tired a lot, not enough protein is probably the reason... I know you're trying to get more solids into your diet, but Liquid Protein is better than not enough protein.

After reading your replies, I realize that I really don't want to push her on this issue. I'm hoping that my weight loss will inspire her to success, whether she has surgery or not. This surgery isn't for everyone, and it's not like she won't be giving it a lot of thought since I talk about it all day, lol. Thanks for sharing your experiences with me. It really helped me work through this.

I get this too! Here is my process for every meal I eat. I take 2 or 3 small bites. I sit for 2 minutes while my food gets cold. A ball of air forms in my pouch. I get up and walk around for 2 minutes until the blessed burps come to release the pressure in my stomach. I return to the table to eat a few more bites of cold food until I feel full. The burp sensation (for me anyways) is different from feeling full. It occurs no matter what I'm eating, how slowly I eat it, or how well I chew it. I think it may be a sign of a too tight fill, but I'm able to eat a small portion as long as I take my burping break so I'm going with it for now. I've never burped much either. Instead of sticking your finger down your throat (which I would think would cause gagging) try getting up after a few bites and walking around the house for a few minutes. It always brings my burps eventually. Good luck!

I just read this entire thread and... wow. Nykee, I think you should read the whole thing over again from start to finish. Do you realize that your main complaint in your first post is that your current diet is making you gain weight. Your main argument in your last post is that an unfill won't work for you because your... current diet is working out so well for you. HUH? You can't have it both ways. What's the worst thing that can happen here? You get an unfill and try it out for a few weeks and you gain a couple pounds because everyone here was wrong. According to you, you're gaining weight anyways. I'm trying to hold out hope that you'll see sense in this, but you make it really hard! Maybe you're one of those people who will only do things for others but not themselves... If so, get an unfill for me because I'm going to have to go on blood pressure medicine if I keep reading this thread...

As far as your question about why you're not losing weight right now, your body is having the classic starvation reaction because you're not getting in enough calories. It's holding onto the fat because it's afraid you're never going to feed it again. You need to be getting in 1000 - 1200 cals a day. I was just like you - during my first week post-op I lost 8 lbs, and then I gained a pound my second week of liquids. I was only getting in about 800 cals a day and it was sooo frustrating to not lose more weight, so I feel your pain! Eat more cals, even if it's a Protein shake. Kathy's right though - you are losing like crazy if you look at your overall loss! Also, I second what everyone else is saying. Time for an unfill as soon as possible.

Need more info.... When were you banded and when were the fills? How much saline do you have in your band? I've only had 1 fill and I have good restriction (so far at least). But, there are some people out there who have had 6 or 7. It all depends on the size of your band, the size of your fills, and your own stomach. Unfortunately, it's not something you can really compare with other bandsters because we all respond differently to the band - there are some out there who have NO fill, but their restriction is fine without it.

I lived on refried beans with cheese melted on top during my mushy stage. I was also told that I could put stuff in the blender with broth, but the thought of a whipped cheeseburger just never appealed... If you blend it enough with some fat free mayo I don't see why you couldn't have tuna or chicken salad.

I love this thread - sometimes I think I'm the only one with these bad habits, so it's reassuring to know I'm not alone. 1. I repeatedly eat potato chips even though they sit like lead in my stomach and hurt like He**. 2. I eat too much ice cream. 3. I eat too quickly. 4. I split a bottle of wine with my hubby about once a week. 5. I weigh myself every morning. And every night. And every time I pee.

Good luck tomorrow - you're going to do great! Just a few hours left...

Congratulations! The long wait will be worth it.

That's great news glitterqueen! You're proof that anyone can make it work out if they keep at it. Good luck with your surgery - we'll all be wishing you a speedy recovery!

Ditto what Vinesqueen said about the pain meds. I was told it was referred pain caused by the band rubbing against the diaphram. I don't know what really causes it, I just know it hurts! Hope you feel better soon!!

That's a great goal Carrie! I always do better when I have a big event coming up to give me focus. You're going to look amazing!

That's great news! Have a speedy recovery and keep us posted on your progress.

What an AMAZING list! Thanks for sharing - you're an inspiration!

Good luck to you both!

I use Bare Minerals (I think that's the same thing as Bare Escentuals, but I'm not sure). It's the loose stuff in the tubs, right? I really like it. No heavy feeling at all, and it covers up my red patchy areas nicely. It can be a little messy too if you're not careful. I made the mistake of letting my 2 year old play with my makeup bag and she unscrewed my dark brown eye makeup. What a mess!!

I didn't want to weigh in on Monday (denial). I stayed at 250 even. Hope everyone is having a good week!

I was banded by Dr. Ganaw at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. I've been very happy with my experience. Fair warning - they primarily do RNY's so he's only done 13 or 14 band surgeries. But, he's a very experienced surgeon and placing a band is a relatively simple procedure. I'd recommend them in a heartbeat. If you're interested in Henry Ford, the contact person for the Bariatric Surgery department is Wanda Szymanski. The main hospital number is 1800-HENRYFORD. Good luck!

As I stepped off the scale yesterday, disgusted with myself for only losing 5 lbs during the first 5 weeks of the Fall Weight Loss Challenge, I decided to think positively. I've come up with a list (some of it just a tad tongue in cheek) of why we should never lose more than 1 lb per week. 1. We've all read it time and time again. It's much healthier to lose weight slowly and steadily, blah blah blah... wait - did I already lose everybody's attention? 2. Give those naysayers time to accept your decision to have WLS. Maybe if they see you're not emaciated and malnourished 3 months out from surgery they'll come around to our way of thinking and get off your back. 3. Who can afford an entire new wardrobe every 3 weeks? Not me. 4. You won't lose 60 lbs in 3 months like our RNY friends, but hey - nobody likes a showoff! 5. My stomach is already sagging down to my knees. That skin has been stretched out for a long time. Give it time to snap back! 6. These boobs are already sagging down to my bellybutton. That skin has been stretched out for a long time. Give them time to snap back! 7. Ice cream has Calcium and Protein. And doesn't dairy help your waist shrink? The people who are losing 3-4 lbs are week surely didn't enjoy a big bowl of Haagen Daas last night like I did. I'm not trying to say you people are going to end up with Osteoporosis, but... Those are all the reasons I can think of for now, but feel free to add yours if you're so inclined.

Okay, here's my list David Ducovny (from the x-files) Johnny Depp Orlando Bloom (in full Legolas gear) Viggo Mortensen Antonio Banderas And I know I'm supposed to be dieting, but I'd never turn down a Colin Firth/Hugh Grant sandwich...

The electroshock therapy was the worst part of it for me... Just kidding! It was a piece of cake for me as well. Just a very expensive conversation. You're going to do great!

Way to go!!

I'm so sorry this has happened to you. If he gives you a fill, I would just make sure it is a very small one. I would hate to see you in pain from being too tight after all you've been through! Good luck with your recovery. December will be here before you know it! (((HUGS)))