shanna

Italian Girl, Very normal! It's very normal and totally up to you on what you want to do at this point. During this phase I was fine with just maintaining or gaining a little because I knew a fill would be in my future... BUT if you continue gaining or would like to lose a little my only suggestion would be a traditional diet: protein with good carbs (fruits/veggies) and no bread or pasta. Eat slow and chew, chew, chew. Before my first fill I was able to eat just as much as before surgery, too. Once you get a fill (or 2 or 3), it will be much easier. Good luck!

Boy is this a difficult question to answer. No, you wouldn't absolutely without a doubt know if your band has slipped. Many people who really think their band has slipped came to find out it just suddenly got tight and needed an unfill to fix the problem. With MY slip came terrible nausea, acid reflux, inability to eat/drink and a lot of internal pain. Pain in the area of the band itself - sharp pain. Others experience a sudden LOSS of restriction and can eat everything. The only sure way to tell is to see your dr ASAP. The sooner it's diagnosed the better! What are your symptoms or are you just curious??? Good luck!

Congratulations! I hope you have a very wonderful, low weight gain pregnancy. You're in my prayers...

Wow, Penni & Kelly! PB's, huh! I wish I got PB's or ANY sort of restriction would be nice. I don't think I was banded long enough for my stomach to be molded into that position. I think my tummy went right on back to exactly where it was before they took off my band . No phantom restriction for me - gosh darn it!

If you would have asked me a week ago if I've learned to eat differently now that I have the band I would have said "yes". Things were great - losing weight. I thought that I would be able to continue to eat that way even without the band. Boy was I wrong...now that my band is gone, the answer is "no". Like GeezerSue's friend that had DS said "Not a damned thing. This surgery hasn't taught me a damned thing." At least her friend changed her mind about that, but not me...

I am so relieved for you and I'm very happy that you're feeling better!

Oh, Penni...I totally agree. It definitely SUCKS! I started out good today then POW I ate the tops of 3 choc. chip muffins. Was I hungry? Nope - I had just eated a tuna wrap. They were there.... Yep, it sucks. I don't know what else to say...except, may I go to that fat farm with you???

I was an excellent bandster...and I slipped. I'm sure there are those who have slipped that ate too quickly, too much, whatever - but not me. I was always very careful. I don't blame myself or my doctor - it's just something that happened.

Go to the doctor - it doesn't look good to me, either. I hope you feel better soon!

I'm so sorry you're feeling so bad - I know exactly how you feel. My thoughts are with you today. Did you tell your lap doctor that you think it's an emergency - that you need to be seen right away? I can't believe they're going to make you wait that long. The ER may not know how to help you - some do, some don't. I would try your lap doc again and push them a bit. Good luck - let us know how you're doing.

I wanted to be a mom and a teacher - I became both! I believed snow was frozen milk...for years. I probably was 8 or 9 when I learned different. I didn't see snow as a kid - just on T.V.

Hey, Lisa! How'd you do yesterday? and how are you feeling today? I've been thinking about you...

Wow! I'm a day late - but congratulations! You gave me hope today when I thought it was gone. Thank you.

I second that notion!

I do NOT want to scare you, but those were my symptoms when I slipped. That probably is not the case for you, but you're going to want to see your fill doctor soon. In my case I was also throwing up and could not get ANY food and almost no liquid in so like I said, it's probably not slippage but you're going to want to get it checked. Also, you're right at about time to get an endoscopy. It's probably a good idea to get it done as soon as possible. I hope you feel better soon! Let us know how you're doing.

Small portions...what's that? And I have a terrible time with nibbling - a bite of daughter's cookie, a spoonful of son's cereal, a bite of hubby's cheese bread. But it's their food so it doesn't count, right???

I'm so sorry you're going through such a hard time. What diet pills are you taking? I've just ordered some Zetacap - I'll let you know how they work for me. Also, I've heard that a dose of Metamucil taken before meals helps curb appetite. Maybe try that in your rough period of the day. My rough period of the day is usually between 3-5p.m. but today it's already kicking in. So far I haven't given in, but it's only 12:06...where's that Metamucil??? Hey, if it doesn't curb our appetite - we'll just poop it all out! Take care of yourself, Lisa. Take it a meal at a time - you can do it. You're my inspiration. If you can do it, I can do it. Let's DO IT!

I started in 18s. Now I'm in a size 12 - dreaming of sliding into 8s.

Happy Birthday! I hope you have a wonderful day!

My nephew's doing well in Texas. He and his wife and baby live with my niece (his sister). He's got a job and my sister (his mom) lives close to them so she's LOVING the baby being so close and keeps me connected as to how they're doing. Thanks for asking.

Hi, Kelly! I needed this new forum today! I've been in tears all morning. I think it's just starting to sink in. I am so excited about having you guys to talk to.

Awww Jessie, I'm so sorry for your family's loss. It sounds as if she was a wonderful lady. Her poor children and husband - how hard it's going to be without her. But it sounds like they have strong family support that will bring them through. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers,

I'm so happy for your good news, Alex. What a relief! I hope the rest of your journey is a piece of cake. Ooo, cake - that sounds good. (just kidding)

DH was adopted at birth. His parents have been wonderful! His dad passed away 6 years ago but his mom is doing well. He has always been told he was adopted so it's always been part of his life but he's had no information about them or pictures or medical history. He has had the medical records that record her name and her father's name so he was able to track down her father (years ago but never did anything with it). Well, a couple of weeks ago he finally got up the courage to call his birth mother (he's 36 years old). They spoke on the phone (she lives in Idaho)- it went well. He also was able to get the name of his birth father. He and Anne (birth mom) began sending emails with pictures and information. DH was not ready yet to call his birth father - all of this seemed so surreal and he wasn't sure what to expect so he's put it off for later, but out of the blue last week got a call from Allen (birth father). They talked for 2 hours. He's really been holding a lot of guilt this whole time. We went to dinner with Anne on Wednesday - then had a BBQ at her son's house yesterday with the whole family. She's got 2 other sons and they have 5 kids between them. It's really wierd. My son after we got back in the car said, "that was fun, it was kind of like a family reunion but with people you don't know". I guess it's a little confusing for all of us at this point. Allen will be coming out in a couple weeks to see DH (he lives in Minnesota-we're in California). Where do we go from here? I don't know - none of us do. We'll just have to see. But it has been a relief to let them know that they did the best for him - he had excellent parents and a wonderful life and as a mother myself it was important to me that they know that. Sorry such a long post...

I'm so glad you're feeling better! You've had a tough go - here's to a new you! Wow - 17 lbs. That's terrific! You go girl!