illion

http://www.5daypouchtest.com/plan/theplan.html That is a link for the 5-day pouch test. I think I will try it also.

Hope everyone is doing well. It's been a while since I visited with you guys. I passed my one-year anniversary, and I haven't been as successful as I had hoped. Since my last fill, it's been pretty rough. Cynthia said I needed a slight UNfill, but I'm so stubborn, and scared that if I do that, I'll be able to eat anything again, and gain the weight back. Well, I've gained about 3 lbs in the past few weeks, and I finally realized I've developed a habit called "eating around the band"... meaning I eat what is EASY to eat, which means, of course, all the BAD stuff. :smile: The question is, how do I start all over and change my eating habits again? I can't get anything down that I'm "supposed" to eat. It's hard to move beyond this frustrated hopeless feeling that I've got right now. I *KNOW* all the right things to do- exercise, eat right- but actually becoming motivated again to DO them is another story. I'm not really asking for advice, just needing to vent my frustrations! But any words of encouragement would be appreciated! Has anyone else gone through this after a year of having their band???

Ok.. this has puzzled me from the very beginning, and I haven't found an answer to it. food is supposed to stay in the smaller pouch and slowly move into our regular stomach, right? So, WHERE, along this process, does the food get stuck that makes us hurt so much? If it's supposed to stop at the pouch, then everything we eat theoretically gets stuck there. But you can actually *feel* the food pass that spot, wherever it's stuck, and the pain stops. Any answers from either the docs or someone who knows? <confused>!!

Misty- Not really except rain and some wind. The weather people had everyone in the Dallas area all hyped up, expecting the worst, but we had stronger winds here just the week before. It never hurts to be prepared, though! I was pretty nervous- and didn't even resort to nervous eating! Glad you're ok!

Misty, how did you guys weather the storm down in Katy? Hope everything is ok!!

Wheetsin, Thanks for that explanation. It makes a bit more sense, except I still can't see how anything can get stuck above it, since that area is not effected by the band- it's the same size it was *before* the band was put in place. But I've had that example happen to me.. I've gotten stuck, drank a bit of milk or Water, then PB'd and all that came up was the milk or water, but the stuck was gone afterwards. The food causing it didn't come up. Weird!!!!! Maybe I should stop trying to figure this all out and just accept it, since it works. *lol* Does the learning curve ever stop? I'm still learning how to eat, by trial and error!

Congrats, Cowboy!! Hi all! I've been taking a break for a while, trying to adjust to this new "lifestyle". It's been frustrating because I seemed to be really stuck on a plateau, but thankfully it seems to have passed. It seems like I've had more non-scale victories than scale loss, so that has given me incentive to hang in there. I cleaned out my closet last weekend and realized that NONE of my winter stuff would fit anymore, so I bagged it all up for the Helping Hands thrift store in Rockwall. Imagine my surprise when I went shopping and bought 4 pairs of slacks that were a size 12!!!! I nearly cried in the dressing room. I never thought I'd EVER see a 12 again! I was in 18/20's when I had surgery. That was such a wonderful feeling! I guess we don't see ourselves as others see us. I knew I was losing inches and sizes, but I still think of myself as "FAT". Maybe that will eventually give way to reality in my head, but it sure felt good to bounce out of JC Penneys with size 12 clothes!!!!!! Hope you guys don't mind - I just *had* to tell someone, and you're about the only ones who can truly understand the emotional roller coaster of all this. So how is everyone else doing? Cynthia, I'll be sad to see George go- he was the BEST! Pat

Cynthia.. Wow.. that's fantastic to lose 2 pounds with all that food 24 hours a day! I've been on several, and we've got two more booked (one in November, one in March). I was told years ago that the secret to not gaining weight on a cruise is to *always* take the stairs everywhere you go. Question: Did you have any trouble finding food you could eat? That's my only concern- living for 7 days on mashed potatoes. *lol* I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one who's had to learn how to eat again after a fill. It's been frustrating.. I've PB'd more this past 2 weeks than in the whole 6 months since my surgery. I don't think I'm too full. My problem is that I wait until I'm STARVED before eating- then I eat too fast and don't chew well enough. I'll learn the hard way, I guess. I hope that person with the bad experience will communicate with you. I just hated seeing them blast you guys when just about everyone on this thread has had good experiences there. I just couldn't imagine you taking this lightly! Good luck!

Hi Cynthia- hope you had a wonderful vacation! Here's the link to the other TLCEdge thread. http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f11/tlc-edge-70541/ Not sure what you'll be able to do- you'll never be able to please everyone, no matter what you do. I wasn't able to make the Saturday meeting but I'll try again next month. It would have been nice to meet some of the others who post here! I'm doing ok since my last fill- but I'm having to learn how to eat all over again. Nothing seems to want to go down except soft foods. How is everyone else doing? Pat

Hey Stephanie- How are you doing? :smile2: I'm going to *try* to go to the next Saturday meeting too. It would be really fun to meet some of the folks on here that we've talked to! Maybe I'll see you there!! I don't think I have the info on when/where- does anyone know? Pat

Howdy! Just got back from my fill appt with George- He says this one should give me more restriction- I sure hope so! He didn't put much more in, but I could definitely feel the difference! Dianne, your comment about yours being tight is encouraging! It's liquids for me now and for the next 24 hours. Ugh! Hope and the others were all in a meeting so I really couldn't find out much about the 6-month checkup but I was told that I needed to make an appt with the nutritionist, so I'll call back later and make that. Dianne, that's wonderful about the size 14!!! I'm close- in women's sizes I need the 14, and even some of those are too baggy, but I am in regular 16's now! Woohoooo!! My goal is a size 10 or 12. I'd be content there, even though it would be nice to be even smaller. Six months ago that seemed like a very unobtainable goal, but the closer I get to it, the more optimistic I am that I'll get there. It sure feels nice to shop on the "normal" side of the stores, doesn't it!!!!!!!!!! Way to go, girl! :biggrin:

This was in NO way intended to be "hostile".. just trying to be fair. Just because YOU had a bad experience doesn't mean that everyone else has or will. Give them a chance- they just opened that location 6 months ago! Sure it'll take some time to work things out, but if we discourage people from going there, they'll never get the chance. Heaven knows, we NEED more places like them, helping people. Nobody is perfect.. WE, of all people, should know that! And for the record, I'm all for freedom to express your feelings and opinions, but I'm also all for giving others the right to defend THEIRS. Sorry you took offense to MY opinions.

Well, maybe I didn't know what I was missing. You might want to be a bit more specific with your complaints if you're going to slam them publicly for things they didn't do. Give them a fair chance to defend themselves, since I know Cynthia posts here regularly. In my opinion, the only problem I ever saw was in getting the fills. Since George is the only one doing them and he floats around, it's sometimes difficult to get in when you need to. I was the second patient that morning and was home by 11am, so I doubt we were there at the same time.

Hey gang... did anyone else see the post from the unhappy patient of TLCEdge? I was rather surprised, but wondered if anyone else had problems like she spoke of (assuming it was a "she".) She was banded on the same day I was, and my experience has certainly been different from hers. I suggested to her that she call Cynthia and discuss the problems she's had that makes her so dissatisfied with their services. Off for my 4th fill tomorrow... I can't wait! I went to Black Eyed Pea tonight and cleaned my plate of chicken fried chicken- my "condemned last meal".. *LOL* Boy do I need a fill!!! :thumbup:

I'm really sorry you've been unhappy with the services at TLCEdge. If you've read the other TLCEdge thread on here, you'll see that everyone who used them has been very pleased & happy with them. I also am 6 months post op as of tomorrow. We must have been banded on the same day. I guess I didnt expect much so I wasn't disappointed, but I feel like I got what I paid for. Maybe you should call Cynthia and have a chat with her about the things you've been unhappy with.

Hey Dianne! Glad you're doing ok! I'm also happy that your hubby is doing a little better. It's good to see you back. I've got an appt for 9:30 am tomorrow for my 4th fill so I'll ask about the 6-month checkup thing. No one has said anything to me about it either. I'll let you know what I find out. I'm still doing ok.. just losing VERY slowly, but I'm hoping this next fill will do the trick. I guess I just still haven't learned patience. *lol* Has anyone gone to the Plano meetings on the first Saturday of each month? That would be about the only location that would work for me. It would be fun to meet all of you guys!! My S/O and I were laughing last night about the "lapband dinners"... one entree and 10 plates? Hey Cowboy, nice to see you here again too!

Hiya, Stacey, I don't blame you for being angry! But consider this- if TLC only charges $80 for a fill, that's *still* a lot cheaper than the $200 or 300 other places charge- IF you can even find someone who'll do it. This is MY last fill Thursday as well, and I was self-pay so we're in the same boat. Another way to look at this is: You'd spend more on groceries than the fill will cost. :seeya: Boy, don't get me started about insurance companies not paying for this.... It's one of my biggest gripes these days, when you consider how much money they'd SAVE on other medical problems. I know all this probably doesn't make you feel one bit better- I'm sorry. But isn't the weight you've lost worth it?? I'm so proud of how well you're doing!!!!!:ihih:

Shannon, I think the protein shakes are certainly ok.. but you'd need to check with them. I'm just going on what was told to *me* in the past.

Hi Shannon, As I recall, they ask that you not eat anything the day of your fill, then go back to a liquid diet for 24-48 hours after your fill. Hope this is a good fill for you! I go for my 4th fill Thursday. This will be my last free fill, so I hope it's that "sweet spot" everyone talks about. My loss has been VERY slow, even though I can't eat much and try to eat the right things. Good luck to you!

My son's office had pre-ordered several and one guy decided he didn't want his so my son told me I could buy it from his co-worker if I wanted it. I have to say, *personally*, I think they are a waste of time unless you just want one to have some fun with now & then. It takes too long to get to the real exercise parts, and it ties up your TV while you're using it. I enjoy my eliptical and stationary exercise bike more, because I can watch TV while using those. My advice? Don't waste your money on it.. - just buy a nice stationary bike or something!

Good morning, Stephanie! Some of us (me!) may grumble about the ups and downs of having this surgery, but even with all of that, I still would have done it! It's been a very long time since I felt the *hope* that I've finally found something that would help me get this weight off and KEEP it off. I think that's one of the most important gifts we can give ourselves by making this choice.. that hope that finally we can control this monster that lives inside of us. I know you're nervous but just keep busy this weekend (stock up on everything you'll need for the first week or so.. go shopping and buy something a size smaller than you are now.. just a little added incentive!) And drop us a note and let us know how it goes after your surgery! Hope everyone has a wonderful 4th of July weekend. Don't forget the sunscreen. :thumbs_up: (Stephanie, you *can* put BBQ in a blender.. *LOL*) I'm having a family reunion/bbq/pool party and this year since losing almost 30 lbs, I might even get in the pool! What are the rest of you planning?

Hello gang, Been a while since I checked in, and it was nice to see we were all missed!! :hurray: I've been pretty down about not losing faster, and even wondered if it was all worth it, but the scales have finally started moving once again, and I feel much better now! It's been a time of adjustment, because after my last fill I couldn't eat much of anything and *still* wasn't losing. I feel like I'm more in control now, and I'm becoming more comfortable recognizing the signs of being full- both physically and mentally! That's been the hardest part, seeing the small portions that I'm only able to eat and realizing that's all I'm *supposed* to eat! It's still hard not to drink with a meal because I feel so thirsty when I start eating! I've got to work on that. Stacy, Cowboy- you guys are doing so great that I'm embarrassed by my measly amount of weight loss compared to you. *sigh* I guess slow is good though, as long as it keeps going down, right? Has anyone heard from Dianne? I wonder how she's doing. Her last posts said her hubby was really not doing well. Dianne, if you're out there, let us know how things are going with you, girl. Ok? After Cynthia slapped my hands about not attending that meeting I kinda got my feelings hurt and stayed away for a while, thinking I could handle this alone. :blushing: WRONG.. We do need each other for help and support and I'm glad you all are here! Thanks to all of you.

Wow.. Cher, your weight loss is incredible! Congrats!! I'm also hoping you'll find your "happily ever after" guy. :cursing: I'm at a very frustrating point in my journey. It's like, one day I can eat salad, the next day it gets stuck on the very first bite. It's that way with everything- I can eat it just fine one day, and the next time it hurts so bad that I have to give up after the first bite or two. I can't even think of all the food that I've fed to the disposal or trashcan. *sigh* On those days, I opt for easy food, like mashed potatoes. Bad for me, I know.. but it just feels so good to finally eat something that doesn't hurt. Does it EVER get easier to figure out??

Sorry you're having such a rough time. I was banded in January on a Thursday, and thought as you did- that I'd breeze through and be back at work on Monday.. WRONG! By the 4th day I was asking myself "What have I DONE??" I was so miserable, in pain, weak, etc.. feeling pretty much as you do. But as time passed I felt better. Quitting the pain med was the best thing I did- it was doing more harm than good. I felt so bad that I wasn't eating or drinking enough, and became dehyrdrated, which made it even worse! I ended up missing an entire week of work. So.. take care of yourself, and you'll feel better with each passing day. Recovery is different for everyone, as we've discovered. Use the info you find on this site for what it is- "other people's experiences"- but remember, you'll have your own, and it won't be *exactly* like anyone else's. Hang in there- you'll be glad you did! :cursing:

Hello everyone~ Just checking in to see how everyone is doing. It's hard to believe that it's already been 4 months since I got my band. In some ways, though, it's been the longest 4 months of my life. It's almost like a roller coaster- there's times when I feel on top of the world, and other times where I'm not losing as fast as I want to, and start feeling down and depressed. Sometimes I feel like I'd give *anything* to just gobble down a whopper, fries, and shake. I start thinking about all the things I've had to "give up". Those are the times where I need someone to say "wow.. you look like you've lost weight!". So.. I come here to this site and it always makes me feel better. It puts me back on track and makes me remember why I'm doing this. Stay in touch, all you TLCEdgers.. we need each other for help and encouragement. You just never know when something you post will be exactly what one of us needs to hear on that particular day! This isn't easy, and anyone who thinks it will be will be very disappointed. It helps to see others here who have lost so much more than I have, and even much more than I even need to. It makes me realize once again that I CAN do it!! We ALL can do it! <hugs>