SherryW

Hello Novbeginner....I live in Massachusetts so unfortunately I can't help you with a physicial support group in NJ but there is a NJ forum here at LBT that has wonderful people in it. I know it's not the same as meeting in person but, it definately helps. Plus this post will help bump yours up so maybe someone will see it on this Monday, President's day Holiday :wub: Good luck

Hello Mrs. D, I hope you're able to get your support group going. When I first glanced at your post i was thinking I could help because I live in Taunton however, .....Taunton, Massachusetts in the US :wub: Somerset is right around the corner as well here in Massachusetts. Anyway, I just wanted to say hello and good luck with getting something going out there. :tt2:

Hello BScott.....I'm wondering if your fill involved the doc taking out some fill first in order to see what was in there...in other words does your provider draw all the fluid out into the syringe and then push it back in with the additional fluid? Mine does that so he can check to see the fill level I have in my band already, then he pushes that back in plus more until it "kicks back" against his thumb (is how he put it the last time I asked him how he knows how much to put in.). I'm wondering if there is a chance that your doc didn't actually add much more if anything. They sometimes loose track of what was in the syringe in the first place. I have had fills where I barely noticed the difference but, I've also had fills that were too much and ended up with acid reflux as I got closer to my sweet spot. Go slow with your fills too because it helps you adjust to what you can and cannot eat as your band gets tighter. Also...after a fill it sometimes takes a week for it to kick in. Just some hints I hope are helpful for you. If after a week you don't feel restiction or it seems loser then definately call your provider and let him/her know. Let them check whats in there again. Good luck.

Hello SS, It seems we're all given different pre-op diets to follow depending on your physician/surgeon. If you're having a hard time or feeling hungry maybe you could call your bariatric center or nutrionist for suggestions on how to stick to it? Maybe there are some foods for you that take longer to digest that you could eat first then the other things? You'd have to pay attention to your body's cues for that. Keep a food journal so you'll know which foods digest faster for you so you know to stay away from those until you get your band. I wish you the best with your band surgery :wub:

Hello Maire, I often find that my band is tighter during the morning up until around 10am for me then it losens up a bit for afternoon and night. Until you have the "sweet spot" of a fill you'll probably have fluctuations in restriction during the day. Unfortunately, the head hunger part doesn't go away and takes practice not to indulge. Perhaps making sure you eat protein first in the afternoon/evening time would help you stay full longer. Good luck

Anita, Sorry to hear that things have been put on hold as far as your sleeve but, I'm glad your doctor is on top of it and let you know about the issues with your stomach. Sounds like you're in a good frame of mind and that's the best thing to keep you motivated and healthy. Good luck with your future revision. You don't say when the band came out but, I do hope you're feeling better now :cheers2:

Countrygirl - You really shouldn't have that feeling all the time. I'd definately talk to your doc about that. Have you tried taking a tums? Just wondering if it's stomach acid causing irritation but, not so bad that it's coming up at ya? I know I do have more sensations with my band during TOM but, nothing that seems to feel how you're describing. I hope it gets better for you.

I'm looking forward to next weekend as well. I hope the weather holds out for us all so we can finally meet and get some support from one another face to face. It should be alot of fun and helpful for everyone. If we end up with enough people that would like to meet each month, maybe we can pick topics for discussion and/or get some speakers? That might be fun :wink_smile: I'm really hoping this kicks off to something bigger for all of us! Hugs!

I'm peeking....been really busy :thumbup: I'll play more this weekend since it's a long one :crying: TGIF!!!

Jill.....Congratulations on your pregnancy!Does your OB already know you have the band? It's great that you spoke to your surgeon but, I'd highly suggest you speak with the OB regarding your caloric intake prior to next month. Surgeons know alot but, OBs know more about pregnancies. Just my humble opinion. Best wishes for you and baby!

Hi Linda, I haven't had my band removed but, I wanted to wish you the best with your surgery. There are threads within LBT that are related to this topic. Take a peek around and I'm sure you'll find some of the answers you're looking for.

Leena, Unfortunately some friends (dating or strictly friends) do react this way no matter how long you've known them. I guess it's their own uncomfortableness with their own weight issues and seeing someone else succeed makes them feel even more out of control and they have to face that every time they are with someone losing weight. Sometimes, from my guess, they feel like in the end they'll get dumped or looked upon as someone who's losing weight isn't going to think highly of them so before being dumped...they do it. Just a thought anyway. Sorry you lost your friend...but as they say...one door never closes without another opening. Good luck with your journey.

Welcome Lisa and this is a great place for support. Glad you came in and best wishes with you band.

Just the booster that's needed to keep people motivated :biggrin: Thank you posting it.

Wendy, Thank you for sharing the book title....I might have to check that out. Thanks a bunch!

Hello peek....for me sliming is when I've taken a bit too big or have eaten just a tad more than I'm suppose to.....so you start to feel this bubbling sensation in your throat and those bubbles of saliva eventually make their way up to your mouth. The reason for this is because your body is trying to get the food to move down your stomach and out of your esophogus. The best way to get rid of it is to walk, walk, walk. I wouldn't recommend drinking when this is happening because you'll just add to the fluid/slime already in your throat...I know I can't drink when this happens anyway. Most of the time if you swallow that slime it just makes the reaction worse, best to spit it out until the food moves down. Hope that helps.

Hello Nathenag, Sorry I don't live in VA but, I wanted to say hello and welcome.

Glad to hear you're ok Betty...I know all too well what you mean with being busy. It's been crazy. I'm happy to help LBT in anyway I can so I was glad to be asked to become a moderator :scared2: Now....just gotta figure out how to do what needs to be done hahaha. I'll play around with it more over the weekend so I can help more. I'm peeking in just for a few but, wanted to wish everyone a wonderful day! Still stressing here at work but, keeping positive.....as they say "This too shall pass" right? :wink2: Now if the weight would pass on through that dang scale that would be just so cool. It went in the wrong direction again this morning grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. Never ending battle...thank goodness for this band though because without it and all this stress....I'd of gained 20 pounds by now. UGH. Hope you're all doing well and hope to chat with ya soon! HUGS

Nana...just eat slow, chew well and you'll know when you're full. You don't have to have 2.50 to feel the fullness. Believe me! You're going to feel so much better now that you can actually eat something instead of just liquids/soups and soft stuff. You can do it!

Mona be careful with your fill. If you're unable to drink water without havnig a golfball in your chest then sip it slower but, make sure it gets down. I suffered with reflux so if you've suffered with it before you may find with a fill it will come back. I've had to go back for a slight unfill after the fill a few times. I found this last time, my doctor only taking out just a slight amount did the trick. Good luck.

Well folks I wish I had a miracle answer for you...I'm two years out with my band and I still fight the head hunger. I have noticed though that it's usually when I'm bored or really stressed...typically when people overate really. One of the things that really helps me is always having something to drink nearby. Our bodies will tell us we're hungry when in actuality we're thirsty so try drinking something. Another thing I do...when that thought eating hits I ask myself if I'm really hungry and I pretty much get the answer...no pains in your tummy so no..it's my head. I'll then get up from my desk at work and go for a quick walk around the office or go dow the stairs to the first floor and walk the perimeter of the building and go back up the stairs. It works...just needs decipline. Again not an easy training to go through...I still lose sometimes and eat something but, I try to make a smarter choice. On those days where only chocolate will do....I'll eat one of the hershey miniatures (54 cals in one of those little things people! zoiks!) as I go for my walk so that at least I've burned some of it off. I wish you all the best with that head battle. We're here to support each other.

I was told with my surgery for the first 8 weeks it's not about losing weight it's about healing. The last thing you want to do is move that band around alot before it "sets" in and the sutures are all healed up inside and out. Keep the exercise going, make your food choices Protein based first, then fruits/veggies then carbs if there is room. You'll get there and as stated sometimes the first fill isn't what you expected. It can be too much or too little but, you definately LEARN to eat better because it will slow things down but, may not be at your "sweetspot". Its really important to concentrate on the chewing and portions right now so you'll know better and not have lots of issues of pbing or throwing up once you do get your fill. You're definately NOT a failure...you're healing...you made the decision to help yourself get healthier. It took time to get the weight on so it's going to take time to get it off. Best wishes!

Sounds like getting the Lap-band was the "in" thing to do for them. Know that you did it for all the right reasons!

There is a book put out by called "Lap-Band Companion Handbook" written by Mark J Watson, MD and Daniel B Jones, MD. It has the explanation of lap-band and other medical stuff but, it has a section called "A Little Pep Talk and Tesstimonials" thats great. Patient's wrote in about their experiences. It also provides online resources, reflections from support groups, food journals etc. Great book. If you can't find a copy I know they are selling them from the Bariatric Center at Beth Israel Deconess Hospital because Dr. Jones runs that center. (My doctor) Good luck!

Congratulations and Peaches is right...you've paved the way for others so they won't have to go through that same mess. Good for you and Lucky future bandsters