Lana24

hi BASHFUL, I can sympathize with you. I am in the category of sugar addict as well. And really the band doesn't do much to control that part. I also would reach a certain weight and then start packing the pounds back on. I was sick and saddened to watch myself work so hard to lose 5 pounds just to gain back 10. So I started soul searching and asking myself seriously what is wrong. But I had to to stop putting myself down first of all. I confronted myself and realized that at a certain weight was when I last felt my thinniest but I was also the unhappiest of my whole life. My marriage was ending and I was having a lot of family problems to boot. Then I gave the problem to God and God said, just skip it. Skip the depressing part you have already lived it. There is no reason to be unhappy for another day. So I just skipped it, I skipped right over that actual number, surpassed it and rationalized that NOW I am the thinnest I have ever been in my adult life and I am finally happy. The scale started to move again with ease because NOW I am in unfamilair territory, all I know at this weight is happiness. I realized I was just agonizing over every little thing. So I had to put myself in check. Sometimes I crave unhealthy things, it is a fact of life. But I do the best I can to balance that out with diet and proper exercise. I'm not perfect but I had to realize this was about my own self image, my own thinking, I was sabotaging myself over and over because deep down at that one weight I was miserable. It was like an automatic reaction, almost like a gag reflex but an EAT reflex...lol So my advise, soul search, cut yourself some slack and live. Weigh loss is no longer rocket science to me. I no longer weigh, I judge by how my cloths fit. I also find that when I am in a healthier, happier frame of mind, that sugar stuff is no longer appealing to me. Funny how that stuff used to "rule" my universe. How could I go a day without it...

I hear pineapple juice helps with that.

Out of the mouths of babes... congrates on your progress!

I flew from Memphis to Sac and then back again. No problems, felt a little tighter but no worries or problems. I just wasn't as hungry as usual, but I still ate.

Good luck Fanny!

Yes, that time it was because the bit I took was too big. LOL, and at least two more times after that and of course it was a biscuit every time. It seems logical that drinking will help it go down, but during the experince you are very aware that "drinking" is the wrong thing to do! :thumbup:

Hello back and welcome!

Well Hi there I am happy to assist with your question. But keep in mind every one is different. I will share my 1st "stuck" experience. First your question was how does it feel... well it hurts. And No you can't drink. About 6 months after surgery a took a bite of a biscuit, it would not go down all the way. I felt like it was stuck behind my sternum, my chest hurt, my throat hurt and at first I thought I would suffocate. I had to walk around trying to dislodge it, I streched on the floor and on the bed. I was on all fours praying to God to please either let it pass or hack it up. All the while, my mouth salivated and I kept spitting which is refered to as "slimming". It took about 15-20 minutes of walking and stretching before it finally came up. LOL, hope this helps...

Wnderful, thanks for sharing. It gives us all hope!

great info, thanks for sharing

congrats on your success and thank you so much for sharing. It inspires us all. Thanks!~

Here, Here...I agree. See doc misery is NOT part of this plan!

well hi there and welcome. This is a wonderful site to be on. You can use the search feature to find threads relating to your doctor and to your after care. There is a wealth of information already on here, READY, SET, READ! If not for this site I am sure I would not have had the success I am so proud of thus far. Again welcome and explore. Lana

10/09(during) and 7/08 (before)

Thank you for sharing! Don't ever let anyone else tell you whats good for you!

My fee did NOT cover anything like that. I still got seperate bills from hospital, surgeon and assistant surgeron. Please make sure you ask all of the right questions before you do it. Once its done, your in debt.

Thanks for sharing.

HI there, I know your pain, two local docs in my area wanted to charge about that much. I had to find another doctor,as I could not afford it nor was I willing to pay it. I did pay 700 for a program fee, its basically giving money away. I never saw the nutricitionist after surgery nor have I gone to any of the meetings... basically I think its a "required" rip off that the insurance companies should not allow. But that is just my opinion.

PB= Productive Burp PS= Plastic Surgery

Hi, I did I finally made it to my first goal! It only took a year and a half to lose 40 pounds. From what I can understand from my own body, I was not a HUGE eater before, yes I ate too much and too much of the wrong types of food. Whereas some people consume thousands upon thousands of calories per day, then it only stands to reason when banded and unable to eat they have drastic weight loss results. That is why results vary so with each individual. The first six months, I had myself pegged as a failure until I remember the saying, THE PAST DOES NOT EQUAL THE FUTURE. I had to stop my own "stinking thinking" because I was undermining my victories. Every pound, every ounce that comes off is a victory. So instead of sitting around thinking about me and my own ass, I try to get out or stay in but with my mind occupied on something I enjoy like music or playing with my kids. I read more now than ever and I am just generally a happier person inside my own skin. Think about it like this, any journey even weight loss will be as hard as you make it. If you "think" it is impossible your brain will "set up" impossible scenarios... funny how that works out! Ask your self, What can I do to have the most effective weight loss and enjoy doing it... Whatever answer you get is the right path for you. Good luck, Lana

Hi CC, Like the other poster, I stay away from negative people. I feel that a negative self image is what really got me stuck in this terrible self hating cycle. Not that I hated myself it was other peoples lop-sided views I let infect my mind and my heart. And the resulting confusing cause comfort eating. Now that I have shown those poople the door, its all about ME baby!

Hi there! So glad to connect with someone else who had similar question to my own... Thank you for posting. I placed my self in the category of a "slow loser" but now that I have had the band for more than a year and a half I realize that I simply did not have enough restriction. I still don't, but I am getting closer. As you can see by my signature I had a lot of fills, if your hungry go get a fill. You don't need to become an Olympian for the band to work but you do have to exercise (which you are doing). So hang in there, it works when you work it! Lana:thumbup:

Its been 15 months, 30 pounds. For me I realize this is a journey. In the beginning I thought I'll have surgery and lose weight but it has been so much more then that. After 20 years I stopped smoking, I was addicted to fast food as well. I over ate, never exercised and my previous body was a tried and true representation of how I lived my life. Post band, although I have not lost a lot of pounds I HAVE lost a lot of bad habits. All you can do is take it one day, one step and one meal at a time. IF you move and eat well those actions will show on oyur body plain and simple.