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Hi Long2bthin, Your name caught my attention. When I was on South Beach a few years ago, there was a Long2bthin and a Soon2bthin on the message boards there! Great web name.

Hi again. Becky, I want to add to a couple of things and go to what Indiogirl said. First, when I went to my surgeon for the first consult, he told me I was a candidate for either. He didn't say he liked on better than the other, but he made it clear that I'd lose more weight faster have gb rather than lb. I was so taken aback. I was almost insulted. So I told him why I didn't want gb and he said fine, but it was his job to let me know all the options for someone starting at my weight. And as I've come to know him, I've come to think so very highly of him- he's the absolute best as far as I'm concerned. So, don't let one remark through you. Until your surgeon knows you better, he's going to give you the most general info. You know what you want, as I did, and you're gonna do great with it. Indiogirl was 100% correct that volume eaters do the best with lb. It's harder if someone is just sweet tooth, because that can be satified around the band. And changing your life is work, but it's great sweat that makes you happy- like a great session at the gym! Speaking of OPRAH! A few years back there was a story about a young woman she was tracking, who weighed 525 and lost about 300 pounds with GB surgery. She was a very special girl, and I've never forgotten what she said about the GB surgery- all WLS by the way. She said that at the beginning it was 90% the surgery /10% her. And she said that as time went on it changed at at 300 pounds less, it wsa 10% the surgery/ 90% her. It was the most valuable thing I ever heard about WLS. And OPRAH herself! I get very annoyed with people who have opinions like hers who are not really facing their own demons. Here's one of the weathiest women in the world, who has private chefs and trainers and every support imaginable, and she struggles constantly with her weight and lately, she'd been gaining again. The ups and downs of her weight are not healthy and I'd say that if anyone can find an EASIER way to save their life and health and live longer and better.......they are the smartest ones in the room. One last thing. There was a study recently completed in Australia, where they used Lapband long before the US. The study concluded that although one could lose more weight faster with GB, after 5 years the percentage of weight loss was EQUAL. No difference. Okay, I'm off the soapbox as well. Take care!

Hi momof5 I know how good a good day feels so I'm right there with you. My challenge is always, which full signal is really full? Once I take a couple of bites, I am no longer very hungry and I guess I could stop. But I tend to go longer and hit very full, or really full. Now, it's still not that many calories, but I think learning the truth about full is the hardest lesson.

You need to have faith in your surgeon for the medical end, and yourself for everything else. That's all there is to it. And I have to add that for many of us, the band actually does a lot more than 20% of the work. I figure it's 50/50. The band helps me not eat a lot and lets' me know that I shouldn't eat more. I have to learn to listen to it and get my a** moving. Finally, the perfect marriage!

30 years! That will work for me.....by that time I won't have any teeth left to eat with! If I can keep this working until my mid 80s, I'll hope that by then I'll have behavior changes in place! LOL

30 Years! Yippee

Here's one I never thought I would EVER say.... when you take one of those 60 calorie choc pudding Snacks for a late night snack and in the morning realize it's on your night table still 1/2 full!

It's caused by gas. Never had gas there before the surgery. Lots and lots of people get it. It's not fun. Does go away. But mine come back for a short time anytime I have very bad gas- which is often lately. I've decided it's because they make this tunnel of the tube and it opens a passageway to the shoulder. LOL. The official reason is that when one has abdominal surgery they blow up the area with gas in order to work. That gas has to move around until it dissapates. However, 7 weeks later, I'm still getting it.

I thought that as well. At five weeks, just before the fill, I tried sushi. MISTAKE. Where so many others could have it, I was in pain for a couple of hours it stuck so hard and fast. I actually think it was the seaweed,not the rice. So, I had the fill, and it had to be less than usual because nothing went through at the normal cc my doc gives. However, after the first couple of days of liquid/mushies, I find I can eat bread and chicken and things that actually made me feel normal! I eat more and am hungry between meals. So yes, I have that also. There may be a big difference (I'm not doc- this is conjecture) between the feeling from the post-op swelling, and a fill. So, it may throw one off in terms of how it should feel. So, yes, I feel like I can eat more, and am hungrier. However, if I eat past the first "full" signals, and I do because I'm just not "there" yet mentally about not finishing my food (and now I have very little on the plate to eat anyway) I begin to feel uncomfortable. I don't throw up or anything, but too much (especially liquids) after eating, I get a miserable achy stomach for a couple of hours. It's like one moment it's fine and the next, bang. So I am restricted. In a GOOD way. I don't think restricted has to be not getting food down, or pb'ing, etc. I realize I'm facing big issues with mental hunger. Is it possible that's what's bothering you as well? It's very very hard for me to tell the difference yet...at least until I hit that wall. When I know it's mental, and I'm not too full, I drink a diet hot choc (25 calories). A hot, sweet drink helps a lot. I know I have a lot of work to do on this. But I also know that I'm not actually eating more than 800-900 calories, even on the bad days. So, it's cool; it's working.

Thanks for your insights. Yes, it's part of bigger issues, and I started therapy over a year before banding with a psych who specializes in eating disorders. So a year later and YES, my mother doesn't upset me anymore-lol. But there's more to go. I see it now when I want to push past knowing I'm not hungry to eat more. Thankfully, the band won't allow it. I feel it when I've gone past the "full" arrow. Which is good, and I'm glad I recognize it, but there's more work to do. Now, if I just don't "kill" my husband while I'm getting there!

You are 100% right. When I was younger, and 170 pounds thinner, I was a gym rat, dancer etc. It's harder now with all the injuries to knees and back over the years, but I've got to do it for my heart, mind and soul.

I actually understand what you're saying. I was scared to start experimenting with different foods until I finally said to myself...Okay, something could get stuck..so what...you have to move forward. So I moved forward and ate a little whole wheat bread and different veggies and (I'm Jewish) a little gefilte fish. So, the Gfish was fine the first go around. Then I had a little left over and ate it toooo fast- didn't chew enough. It went down but started popping up a bit and burned a little- reflux. So I went into the bathroom, leaned down and coughed twice and out it popped. Absolutely no biggie, but lesson learned. I could have tried to keep it down but I didn't want the discomfort. I look at it as a signal that I didn't do it right. It's like behavorial conditioning. My BIL, who has lost about 120 since banding, said you have to be willing to try new foods. Your body will let you know if it's working.

It's all part of the journey. Take a good look at a lot of threads. Lots of people have problems along the way, but it all works out. I'm not comparing at all, but for me....I still don't feel 100%; there's constant gas, one of my incisions gave me a lot of trouble (healed finally after the surgeon fixed it) and on. For many of us, it takes 2-3 months to REALLY feel good again. Hang in there. There was a day when I said to my husband that maybe I should have just eaten the world and died sooner. But that was the angst talking. I'm gonna make it and so are YOU! Get well soon.....you'll be catching up and passing us soon enough.

Hope so for you as well. I'm doing well. I feel everything go down. Water still is the most uncomfortable and I still find that weird. But I do it. I've had whole wheat bread, and chicken, and several different veggies. I thought I ate a lot at a dinner we had last evening, but then I realized, it was the first time I've had a whole bunch of different things on my plate.....as opposed to just a protein. I also realized that I had the same amount of food on my plate as two of my thin friends who were eating over. That was so cool. Now if I can just lose the gas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wow, I hit on a website today that I have joined and I'm passing it on. myfooddiary.com I'm not good at writing it all down so I was just looking for a way to report in. This site requires some attention and work up front (I've been playing with it all day) but what you get is exactly how much Protein, calories and everything else including Water in a daily report. They give you the number of calories to maintain and to lose what you wish to lose each week. It's the best one I've seen. The rub is that it's not free. It's $9 per week, but you have 5 days to withdraw and then it's weekly.....not a long-term committment. If you put everything in, you'll get a true snapshot. It has over 50,00 food items in the database or you add your own. So I could look up the brand of crackers I'm allowed (Ah-Mak) and all I do is click it and it automatically puts in the nutritional data for me. You don't need the protein counter or anything. When I go back to work, I'll either do it at the office, or send myself an email with what I've eaten. Also adds in exercise into the mix. Even housework. This is also good for the dietician to see how much protein, carbs, calories in an acurate format. Anyway, I'm enjoying it - didn't know if people knew about it. Gwenn

FrenchVanilla Haven't seen you in a while! Everything okay? Had my first fill and love Khalili even more. I had to take 1/2 the usual (2ccs rather than 4ccs) but all is well. He fixed an edge of one of the incisions that was bothering me as well. I SO LOVE THIS GUY. I truly hope you have as positive a reaction. He had me make an appointment in 4 weeks but no second fill appointment- he's not sure I'll need one. And yes, I feel restricted if I eat or drink too much, but I have to say, I've been eating normal food the last couple of days, including a small piece of whole wheat bread. I never thought I'd get there. The key is small bites, chewing a long time, and then waiting a couple of minutes for the next swallow. Funny thing is, I had two thin friends here at a dinner the other night. I noticed that what I had on my plate was what they each had on theirs. HEYHEY- I'm eating like a skinny girl! Offer still holds- if you want me to drop by the hospital, I'm there!! Gwenn

Hi Josephine, Oh yes, the trapped gas!!! I never had gas pain in my shoulder until this surgery and I think they left a new route in place for the pain to travel. I have bad gas rumbling around very often now, and it hits the shoulder. Now at least I know it will pass, but yes, the stomach pain is quite unyielding. I haven't tried broccoli yet. But I did by beano so that I can start having my black bean and cauliflower Soup again! I am struggling with real hunger v. mental hunger, but at least now I know which is which and I try to use Hot drinks to take care of the latter. I'm hoping this is the only fill I'll get as I seem to have hit a "sweet spot". I can't eat on and on, nor do I want to do so. Thanks for your thoughts and I still think you're amazing. Gwenn

Hi everyone, I'm Gwenn. 56. Hitting 57 August 11th. Banded 40/30/08 in Los Angeles. Didn't put on significant weight until my 40's. I'm been on the boards constantly, but for some reason didn't notice the age support groups. Lucky you, because I'm feeling better but dumped all my complaining and b____ing on the April bandsters, etc. I've had one fill, could only take 2ccs, and the doctor predicts I won't need another for quite a while. I'm losing well and hope that slowly I can expand my food palette. However, I've had a dicey stomach for years so who knows. For now, I'm eating fish, chicken salad, tuna fish salad, yogurt and mashed potato and cottage cheese sometimes works. I see you've all been talking for so long, and I'm wondering if, beside the food, you've discussed the emotions that at least for me, are surfacing. I think that it can be safely said that the jolly fat lady has left the building! My moods are swinging, and I've noticed I'm yelling at my husband a bit more. I'm cranky. TOOK MY FOOD AWAY. I'm in therapy to help, but always wonder is others are finding their patience a little thinner after banding. The therapist says it will pass, and we'll find other ways of getting rid of stress and anger that food has always comforted. Right now I cannot the forest......only my darling tree, who leaves coffee grinds at the sink, and his clothes on the recumbent bike.

les46932- YOU are amazing.

Hey, has anyone wanted to "kill" their husband, family, colleagues, etc yet????????? Or simply yell at them a lot? I'm having some issues. I'm very very very moody lately. And cranky. I don't feel that great- it varies day to day, and even at work, my patience goes much faster and my mouth is a bit acerbic as well. Guess the jolly fat lady has left the room!

L2L- just read that you're revision was okay'd .YAY!!!!!!!!!!! Now you'll be just fine. I've always found Friday the 13th to be lucky. May it be for you as well! Hang in there.

I came to the site to research also and at first I was upset by all the possible side effects, complications, etc etc. Then I noticed that not once (until I saw a reply on this thread) did I ever hear anyone say they were sorry they did it. Also, other than the period of time you're going through the process and banding, I find that I come here to see if anyone else has my post-surgical or post fill symptoms. By voicing that we feel this or that and hearing back, we find out all is well, and that everyone has some kind of "blip" along the way. You probably could find the same in sites about other issues, diseases, etc. I still have some kinks to work out but I have a new system to learn and so far, even not back 100% yet (I was banded end of April), I've lost 37 pounds that I won't see again. When I left 300ville, I cried because I've dieted down a few times but went back up. Now it is unlikely I will. The band does a lot, but you have to be ready to work as well. There's time adjusting, time healing, time healing mentally as well. You are the only who will know if you can make the committment. I don't know your weight but I know that my life was slowly being held hostage by weight. And my health would soon have followed. It isn't as easy as eating and an alarm goes off to say stop, at least not yet for me. But maybe it will be, or maybe there will always be foods I can't have. But not, I have a chance. Take yours!

Jospephine- I'm facinated that you've done this without fills. I had one and could only take 1/2 the usual my doc gives. He told me I probably will not need another for a long time. I'd love it to be a very very very long time. How did this happen for you?

I get bills all the time. They're from the hosptial saying the insurance was paid X amount and there's balance of X. Scary every time even though I know that it means the hosptial and my insurance are still negotiating the cost. You'll know more tomorrow. Also know that most charges at hospitals are negotiable.

I slept in the chair at the hospital - it was so comfortable and it was great. Slept at home in a chair all day as well. Only got into bed at night.