PhotoNut

The best way to take care of this problem is to never leave the chatroom! Yay! *laughs* It's addicting when everyone has so much fun in there! :scared:

I am not in the chatroom, although it says I am. I have completely closed out LBT two or three times now, and it won't clear me out. *shrugs* Just didn't want anyone to think I'm in there but not talking to ya.

Paula - I have an idea.. do you live near MeganA? *snickers*

After studying the chart that Dawg found, (see the link in my post above) I can see why those with the VG band are so frustrated! Look at the difference in restriction even when it's full. Jonothan brought up the fact that the VG band has fewer problems with slipping and I'm guessing it's because it allows the adjustments to gradually increase over a longer period of time. When I was in for my first fill last week, I was asking a lot of questions about the band I have (10cm/4cc) and the amount of my first fill (1cc). He cautioned me not to compare my band, or my fill amount to other people's because everyone is so different. What works for one, isn't necessarily what will work for another. So, if someone says I have great restriction at 4cc and it took you 6.5cc to even begin to feel restricted, don't get frustrated at the comparison. There are too many variables between each body type and the type of bands we have.

So true Dody. I quit about 5 years ago also. Dawg took my carton and cut it up and told me that was it. No more. That was the first and only time he's ordered me to do anything. Can't blame him though. I was coughing so hard in the mornings that I was throwing up. This was becoming a 30 minute routine to getting ready for my day. Blech. It's not easy to quit. But I do believe that when your mind is sincerely set on quitting, it will be easier. When we are forced into it, we tend to cling to the want and resent letting it go. I did for a few days, but when I realized the morning routine wasn't happening anymore, I got on board and became determined to never go back to it again.

So far today: I will walk a minimum of 1/2 mile on my dreadmill every day. (Done) I will drink 64 oz. of Water every day. (Done) I will take on one achievable project in my house per day. (Eh.. ) I will NOT sit on my arse all day doing nothing but fighting head hunger out of pure boredom! (Did much better today. It helps that Dawg was home with me) I will NOT eat while doing distracting things, which causes me to eat too quickly and not chew well. (Err.. blew it already! hehe Old habits... yadda yadda)

Hang in there Kellie. This too shall pass and you'll come out just fine. You've done a tremendous job so far. Don't give up just yet. The best is still to come! You can beat this, don't even think for a moment that you can't. Don't be fooled into thinking you have lost power over it. You still have the power of making the choices YOU want to make. You're so close, and often times the last few yards are the hardest. Buckle down, get serious and fight for this! It's what you've worked so hard for all this time and it's within your reach now. *hugs you tight and gives you a big encouraging smile* You can do this. I believe it with all my heart!

This is a huge inspiration for someone who gets excited about being able to walk 1/2 mile on the dreadmill! *laughs* Congrats Ray!! This is a HUGE victory!! Great job!

Jack - I can SO relate to what you said, which usually happens, cause you are one smart cookie! (thanks for being an open bag and sharing! hehe) Dawg and I have said so many times in the past, we don't know what hunger really is. Our stomachs are never empty - how could we possibly know hunger?? To add to what I said earlier on this thread.. its not the same feeling I used to get at all when I believed I NEEDED to eat. Now, I can tell it's time to eat. There's no panic, no shakiness, no feeling of "starving". It's just time. And I, like Jack, often eat because it's time and if I don't eat then, I won't get in enough calories and Protein for the day. I'm making healthy food choices, my quantities are small and I'm having to make myself eat more to get enough in for the day! LOL What a difference!!

I had my first fill last week, and a day later the port felt very different to me. It was as if there was no fat between my skin and the port, and I could feel every detail of the port. Typically, I can just feel a lump there. Very weird. It's back to "normal" now, but when I saw your post it struck me that this might be some sort of thing that happens when we get fills. Anyone else?? I have heard of ports flipping (stitches tear loose and the port sticks up). Not sure if there is any pain associated with this or not. Are you in any pain? If so, call your doctor. By the way.. happy almost baniversary, and w00t! coming up on 50 pounds lost is wonderful! Yay for you!

Nykee! How awesome! Eighty pounds is tremendous! Whoooohoooo!!! Happy Bandiversary!! Whoooohoooo!!! **** 80 pounds!!! ****

Apparently so Leener.. my meds weren't the only ones she was tasting. Seems other patients complained about her too and after a formal investigation, she was fired. This is the same woman who was administering morphine to me! *shudders*

What I'm experiencing with my band is exactly what you are looking for. I get the head hunger, where I think I want to eat but I'm not really hungry. But I couldn't eat between my meals even if I gave into the head hunger because of the restriction the band has around my stomach. I make sure to eat plenty of Protein, which stays in the stomach longer. And, I don't drink with meals - this washes the food through the stomach and leaves it empty faster. For some people it takes a few fills to find just the right spot. Some never need any fills at all. Everyone is so different, you just have to work with your doctor to find what works for you. My expectation is to be able to eat 1/2 to 3/4 cup of food and not be hungry for four hours. So far, the 3/4 cup of food does fill me (not the same stuffed feeling you get when youre FULL) and I'm getting hungry about every 3 to 4 waking hours. I don't allow myself to eat in the last three hours of the day before I go to bed. So, for me, the only time I get hunger pangs is when it's time to eat. While the band will not solve all eating problems we face, it does (with the right restriction) limit the quantities we can eat, and help us feel full longer.. which is alway a great start!

What a beautiful young woman! Those eyes.. wow. It doesn't seem as if she's missed out on friends and school activities.. but I'm sure the weightloss will change her life. Sincere congratulations on her approval. Send along best wishes for her surgery, speedy recovery and an incredible journey, from Dawg and me. :confused:

You know what's been really odd? Hearing that I'm no longer on the strict diet. It's like someone said - Go! Have whatever you want! But I can't eat much because on the day of freedom, I got a fill! LOL! Yay for the band!!

*laughs* Hey Kim (Kennedy) I got a fill this last Tuesday and I'm feeling the same way. In my head I think Im starving and can eat a horse. Then I go to eat and I can't eat much at all. It's been messing with my head all day. I haven't had any problems with Water though. That sounds pretty tight. Doesn't your doc put you on liquids for a couple of days after a fill?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the same eating disorders (or issues) that prevent band patients from losing weight, i.e. eating around the band with soft foods that go down easily (ice cream, cookie dough, etc) are not going to be corrected or even circumvented by the bypass are they? If a person will not adhere to the lap band guidelines, why would a bypass fix anything. Sure, maybe it would at first with rapid weight loss. But what about long term? The long term loss is what we are all looking for. Any of us can lose the weight. It's keeping it off that seems impossible.

Grats on your banding! I was a self-payer as well. Mine was about $11 grand more than yours! Eeep! I couldn't be happier with the decision now. But before hand? Oh lordie, I felt guilty for not being able to do this on my own and spend that money somewhere more - important? lol Yep, I figured out that my life is most important and went thru with it. Did I read that right?? Thirty pounds in 10 days?? Good grief!

Wheetsin, why dont you try one of those clear bandages for burns? I had one over my hernia incision bandage and it stuck just fine. (I had a burn right next to the incision) When I peeled it off, it was as thin as peeling skin when you get a sunburn. No sticky left over, no welting, no tearing my skin. They come in good size squares so you could cut them to fit the different size bandages you'll have. Just a thought.

I will! *stands by Penni and stares down the demons* I will walk a minimum of 1/2 mile on my dreadmill every day. I will drink 64 oz. of Water every day. I will take on one achievable project in my house per day. I will NOT sit on my arse all day doing nothing but fighting head hunger out of pure boredom! I will NOT eat while doing distracting things, which causes me to eat too quickly and not chew well.

Oh my goodness! I didn't realize. So sorry! Wow, took the big RNY leap eh? Geesh, you are going to bypass all of us! (har har) At any rate, I'm happy to hear you came thru ok. You're surrounded by a wonderful group of caring people. I envy the NC group. Y'all are so huggable! :confused: Welcome to RNY land Jennifer!

Welcome to bandland! Very happy to hear things are going well for you. By no food for two weeks, do you mean youre on liquids? If so, never fear. The liquids will keep you full. Be sure to get in your protein! :confused:

Thank you, Doctor. I will do that. I've been looking for a good site with up-to-date information, so I appreciate your pointing me to this. And I will ask my doctor where he got this information since he is stating it in his presentations for those who are interetested in the Lap Band. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Errr... I would have to pay for a subscription to this site in order to read the information. Are there no good sites with free, up-to-date, reliable information about these types of surgeries? Also, you didn't respond to my question about the gastric bypass surgery being reversible. I would be very interested in knowing how this is reversible.

Dr. Pleatman - Thanks for responding. I have another question. My surgeon said that the US is the only country still doing the bypass surgery because of the high mortalitly rate. Do you concur with this statement? And you said the bypass is reversible? That's the first time I'd heard that. How is it reversible?

The 21st (Tues) was my six weeks follow-up appt with Dr. Cahn. I had lost 39 pounds. Got my first fill (1cc) and went on two days of liquids again. The first day I managed to drink a protein shake with the Slim Fast in it, and also a can of pureed Bean with Bacon soup. The next day I couldnt face the shakes so just had a can of soup. I was so hungry by Thursday that I could have eaten a house, but well.. no, I couldnt! heh Today I've been tired and really fighting the head hunger. It seems that just the idea of being off of the restricted diet has my brain working on overtime. It's almost like someone said, "Ok, youre diet is over. Go do what you want now." Wow, the brain is a crazy thing to deal with. Paul is doing just great too. 38.5 pounds down as of last Sunday. Dropped out of DeFelcha's challenge, but will be joining Heather's on March 1st. Will track the weekly loss there. Have been walking on the treadmill more. Can do about 15 mins, on a really good day I can do 20, at 2.2 - 2.4 mph. Seeing the nutritionist next week for food ideas. Need to eat more, not getting over 700 calories per day. At 50 pounds, we will update our pics.