funky_monkey800

Well I finally had another fill almost two weeks ago, and I may be exactly where I need to be. This last fill really changed everything. Before the fill I could eat steady as long as I ate slow enough. Now things have changed.....a lot! No huge gulps of Water. Or anything for that matter! And warm drinks are way more agreeable with my band than cold. Eating so much slower. Still trying to figure this one out. Seems like I eat too fast....occasional burps! Hiccups are my new warning bell. It means I am full. My gut knows it, but it has to chime in so my head gets it. No meals till mid day, and what I can eat from day to day varies like the weather. This road is different and challenging, just as expected.....and I love it! I am so glad I took the road to WLS. I have never really listened to my body until now! Anyways, I just thought I would share what's going on with my band. Does anyone else have similar experiences?

@@Bandista, that is AMAZING!!! Congrats!

I have a hard time eating out. Most of the time I don't even order because I would rather not know what type of mood my band is in while in a public setting. If I do I usually shuffle the food around..just move it and rarely eat it.....that being said, I find I mostly watch other people eat....which is odd. I can't get it out of my head that a 1/2 cup or less will easily fill me up. And then I compare it to what others are eating. Not judging anyone. But silently doing the math to figure out how many cups of food they eat. Don't judge....I know it's weird, and I wish I could shut it off in my head.. :/

I loved reading through this... It's amazing how differently everyone interprets posts. As for me, I understand getting upset when they read something....I have been upset....but never to the point of depression....I don't know these people personally, and they don't know me. For the most part 99% of us have screen names, so I wouldn't know you if I passed you on the street. Take it or leave it....I'm a firm believer that we as humans are smart enough to keep scrolling or reply. If your feelings are hurt don't reply and move on. You are only feeding into the "depression" by responding and getting more upset....let it go and move on... As for me I am the type of person who needs the friend who tells me I messed up when I ate two doughnuts......

This is why I chose to tell no one...only my husband knows.....why? Because no one else matters to me...not their opinion or how they view me. I didn't want everyone around me analyzing how much I am losing, or eating, or secretly talking behind my back...my husband is my rock.....he has been with me when I was skinny and fat! To him I was always beautiful. Or so he has said so why would I open the door to un welcome responses and comments from people who truly mean nothing? Good luck...I'm sorry I ranted on your post...but some people really get me with their whole "easy way out" mentality.....

As for me, I feel most of my hunger is in my head.....if I am bored, or everyone else is eating, for some reason I feel like I should be too....weird right? Everyone is different.. I just had a fill to 4cc on Monday and it doesn't feel any different. But I will give it a few weeks before I decide if I need something else...my doc did say where I have had 3 fills some people with the band the same length as me have had up to 10. So I think there is a lot of fine tuning involved. I would definitely get in with your doc and let them know how hungry you are, how much you can eat, and how long you can go in between meals. Keep us posted!

I am not sure, but if you have new insurance see if your follow ups would be covered under pre existing conditions....if anything I would think maybe that would be covered? Also if they closed I would see who is billing you...if the company claimed bankruptcy the courts may be trying to collect, but maybe if you are indeed stuck with a bill, they would be willing to settle for a lower amount...sometimes you can ask for a pay in full discount or a reduced fee...it never hurts to ask....sorry you are going through this...what a pain!

@@Keeper, congrats!!! That is great news! I recently (Monday) had my fill to 4cc..... To me my band doesn't feel any different! Did you notice more restriction right away or just less hunger? I knew I needed a fill because I could probably eat everything in sight! I am hoping that once it settles down I am closer to my "green"....also I have only lost 2lbs in 2 weeks...ugh! I stopped weighing every day as it became somewhat of an obsession....

So I love the outdoors....I'm love to ride my snowmobile, dirtbike and my horses.. I enjoy some short morning workouts, but if I had a choice I would be outside doing something else...like walking my dogs or hiking, or fishing. I love snowboarding but at 5 degrees it's not that fun. And a lot of the slopes are closed during the week. My problem is the past few days it's been really cold...what do you do to stay active while stuck indoors? What have you had the best luck with? What program do you use to stay tone? I would like to tone up but not get too bulky! Thanks in advance for your advice!

@Keeper...that weather, 65-75 would be ideal!!!! There are just so many moves that I can't do..especially at a fast pace! Lol....maybe when I get a bit stronger..

@@BluEyedTxan Welcome and good luck to you!! This is a great site. A lot of "veteran banners" who can answer a lot of questions. Keep us posted on your progress!

@keeper- swimming sounds soo nice! I used to rock climb alot! Till life got so busy and we moved..i was never exceptional at it but it is alot of fun....this cold weather is making me very unhappy...lol. i like walking too....this cold has me indoors alot. So i have been incorporating weights. I tried p90x, but i am honestly NOT ready for that...i need some fun..not punishment. I get bored easily :/

@@Pinkygirl, what an ordeal you are going through!! Keep your head up and keep us posted! Good luck!

Amen to that!

I still have about 3' of snow in my front yard...so if anyone wants to come and make Snow cream please come by and haul all of this white stuff off! #readyforsummer

Everyone thinks it's easy.....WLS is not a switch. We don't go from fat to skinny over night....it requires a tremendous amount of work and dedication... And all of you are amazing for taking that step! We all know it isn't easy!

Don't be discouraged @Adelarn13....sometimes it takes a while to find that "happy spot". Going out is hard for me too....but I make wiser choices with my food...there for I feel like I have earned the occasional cocktail and a lot of places now offer low cal meals...which are still amazing. Just be sure you have an idea of what your band agrees with. It looks like you have lost a lot of weight which is amazing! Don't give up you are on the right track! I have read a lot about the green zone, and I know I am not there yet either... While I am not where I want to be I am making healthier choices and portions when it comes to food.

I wish I could quit you delicious, salty, crunchy, Lays Potato Chips....*long sigh

@@JamieLogical, great advice...I think you really hit the nail on the head!

I am sure there are people who truly need these types of meds...now take this as you will, but this is my view on them for depression...not bipolar disorder/mania....which for a true "bipolar" label is a hugely different diagnosis than mild to moderate depression. Because you have a bad day or a tough pitch at work then come home to also manage everything at home does not make you depressed. Feelings are normal. You are happy, sad, excited, nervous, giggly, upset, you want to scream, laugh out loud.....those are normal everyday feelings that we as humans have. They are NORMAL reactions to living in a chaotic world. Are you unhappy at work or at home? If so...make a change. We are not trees, we can move.... To me, walking around in a fog was not the right approach. Changing my views and ways of thinking was....I'm just saying if people want to truly be happy...look for it in life, and the TRUE blessings around you. not a pill. pills aren't a cure all. The simply cover the underlying issue. For those of you that these have worked for, I hope they have indeed helped you....and I commend you for being able to come forth and say they have helped. There is no judgement from me. I was on them for years. Maybe I am the minority here, but they made my life worse.....I didn't care about anyone or anything, even myself. I could have cared less if I lived or died....so did it make me any happier? Was I no longer depressed because I didn't give a sh*t anymore? I thought this was an interesting short read that just came out http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/02/140225122429.htm http://chriskresser.com/the-dark-side-of-antidepressants

@@Keeper I understand where you are coming from. I know there are people who need it....and exactly, it's a band aid. I just worry...docs are so quick to write a prescription.... I'm gonna tell you something my husband told me.... "Feelings are normal. And ups and downs in life are normal." I think once you start feeling better everything will follow suit.... Good luck my fellow band sista! Keep your head up!

@@Keeper I really hope they work for you...please just do your research....also I know in larger cities there offices that are low to no fee when it comes to counselors..good luck! We are all here! While we all have different views our main goal is to support eachother

@@Puppypaws57 For some people they may be...if I had stayed on them I would be dead...also there is no long term research on them.. Also said that it was my 2 cents and talking to someone can be a life saver...finding out what caused or is causing your depression is key...not just medications....they are only supposed to be short term...the research of anti depressants would scare most people..

Anyways....that's my 2 cents.....hang in there! If you need to chat feel free to message me! I don't have any family around either!

@Keeper...ok this is a hard one for me but here goes....I went through an ordeal right before my band. I was on 40mg of paxil, I also took 10mg of buspar (anti anxiety meds) 2x a day, and then a low grade Valium to help me sleep at night. I would never recommend any anti depressants. I took all of these meds for over a year. I was disconnected from family and friends my husband and my kids....one night my daughter said she missed "who I used to be"...wake up call...I stopped taking everything and I thought that alone was going to kill me...I was sick, depressed and riddled with guilt for being in a "fog" for so long...I turned to food... The problem with anti depressants is they are for short term use. And most doctors, who receive incentives for pushing these types of meds don't try to get to the bottom of someone's depression/anxiety. Please try anything before turning to meds.. Get to the bottom of what's bothering you. Maybe some couples and individual therapy? You would be surprised how much talking to someone who listens without judgement helps. I think depression comes and goes....without bad times would we even recognize the good? As humans we are constantly trying to be more, do better, fit in, look good ect....if we stop and look around, the majority of us are very blessed and can find good things in our life! We all fall off the wagon...our band is a tool. Just remember what you are doing this for. To be healthy and happy! I have bad days...as I type this I reflect that I ate a snack size bag of potato chips for lunch... How do I stay positive when I feel like sh*t? I remember that I woke up this a.m. Alive and breathing, and husband and my kids love me..and so do yours! Don't forget that!