2Ba12by50

Have been reading these posts and I am with you! I was banded on 5/15 with the realize band. I had 3.5 cc on first fill and .8 cc on second. I can eat anything! I have lost about 20 pounds and have stopped losing - actually gained 3 ounds on a weekend trio this weekend! I am hungry and trying really hard not to be discouraged. I have been excersing (walking and Water aerobics at least four times a week and TRYING to be good about eating! I decided this morning I am going to one shake a day, no breads, no sugars and try and "up" the excercise. I do not have another fill for two weeks! And I keep hearing in my head...it is only a tool, it is only a tool, it is only a tool.....

Me toooooo! So glad to find your post. I am sorry to hear anyone is sharing the frustration but feel so much better after reading yours and others! I was banded May 15. I went in after two weeks and managed to work out a fill on June 16. I had lost about 19 pounds but got on the scale this morning and had snuck up a few. ACK. Scared and so discouraged ...which is why I ended up looking for support. I can and could eat anything and everything! I find that sometimes I eat too fast and then cough it up (so to speak) but other than that it is hard to even realize that I have the band. I am getting back into bad habits and of course the easy stuff to eat is the BAD stuff - sugars, starches... you know. Anyone who thinks that surgery is the easy way out has not had any experience with this. Over and over again we have to remember its only a tool and there is still a lots of work to do! We will do it! I am hoping a fill will help me! You too! Good Luck!

Me too! Was banded May 15 and am hungry hungry hungry. Also have found I can eat almost anything - except for cold fish - who knew? I have only lost 6 pounds since being banded and have follow up appointment today with doctor. Have lots of questions like...why? SO glad to hear I am not alone. I am sure this is a phase for both of us!

I too was banded last week - on the 15th, The nurse told be pain in the shoulder was gas pain and very normal. I have walked walked walked but still feel like a mariachi band in my tummy! Have taken the gas-x strips but need to take more. Finally took Milk of Magnesia last night and that took care of one of my problems this morning. And yes I hurt but only when I move - getting up and down is the worst. But I AM HUNGRY! I have been sticking with liquids, jello and popsicles, and protein shakes but I think I am hungry!!!! Is anyone else hungry? My husband said I was crazy - how could I be hungry if my stomach was only the size of a walnut. Well he has a point - is it in my head? Thanks everyone!!! This will all be so much better in a week...we will laugh! :leaving:

I am being banded on May 15th - this thursday!!! Have to admit I am a little nervous. REALLY sick of the liver shrinking diet!:welldoneclap: My Dr.s office gave me a number (password) to get on the REALIZE site a few weeks ago. You are only allowed to see a specific area of the site but it does give you an idea of what is (or will be) available. Ask your doctor's office! They sent me a reminder when I did not put my weight in a week later! Cool!

That was extremely helpful!!! Thanks! I am to be banded on 5/15 and am not staying the night so hearing of your adventure was just what I needed. I am in Richmond Virginia and will be operated at St. Mary's. Do you mind telling me where you are? Best of luck to you! sounds like things are going great!

Dear Newme - yes will be 50 next May (09) so I thought a 12 by 50 would be realistic! I too have told no one and I have also never really done these groups before. I did have my psyche today and she said to be sure to do support groups if I don't have the friend network, She said they were very supportive and full of great info. The only thing I have left to do is a nutrition meeting next monday. My only problems is that I have nodules on my thyroid which I had a needle biopsi on yesterday and if they decide to remove my thyroid, Brengman has already said he would rather do that first - unless it can wait until the fall and there will be less neck to go through! I am hoping for the best and proceeding as though this will all happen on May 15! Keep your fingers crossed! This will be fun to have a Richmond Buddy!

AllisAngel- so glad to hear from you and that you are doing so well. I would think your reaction is very normal - combo of HUGE life change, change in food, not to mention - surgery and kind of laying low for a few days. Once you get out with your friends and family, I bet things will normalize. So much new - very surreal - but how exciting! Hang in there and Congratulations! (want to hear more about experience!) NewMe - you and I are almost the same date - I am 15th with Brengman. Who is your dr? Have you done your psych evaluation? When are you going to your nutrition meeting? I bet you will be fine by the 17th! Just add some blush a good lipstick and think of all the weight you will already have lost from the liver shrinking diet (they need a new name for that phase!)! You will look great. I too have told few. Told a good friend- great reaction, told sister - bad reaction and now I am keeping quiet. Husband has been ultra supportive (thank goodness) but I usually like bringing my friends into my decisions. This is such a big one for me as weight has been a HUGE cloud over my head my entire life! I need support right now - not negativism!

AllisAngel - have been thinking about you all weekend! Hope everything went well and you are now feeling great! Can't wait to hear. I did get my surgery date - may 15. Day before my Birthday! Fitting huh? Anyway - thinking of you. Did they send you home or let you spend the night (I mean make you pay to spend the night :biggrin:) Hang in

OH THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE!!! I had pretty much decided to tell VERY few people. A couple of freinds and family only. My first friend I told on Sunday was fabulously supportive. My husband has been WONDERFULLY supportive (especially as I told him our insurance would not cover it!) My confidence was up! So yesterday I got my surgery date (5/15) and called my sister. She started in on how dangerous it was and that she really could not be happy about it that she had a friend whose sister had gotten very sick ( I think she did gastric bypass!) I was so suprised at her reaction and did not handle it very well - a few tears! But I told her I would send her some articles about it and ask her to please do some research or at least some reading before she passed judgement on my decision. It really took the wind out of my sails and just reinforced my decision not to tell many people. The trouble is I was really hoping she would help support me when I told my mother. Oh well! Learned my lesson, huh?

Is your surgeon Brengman or are you with another group? You only have a few days to go!! YEAH! And about the mexican...try to forget it! Remember it was carvings like that that got us all here to begin with. You are so close! And as my eight (or more) memberships at WW taught me...nothing tastes as good as being thin feels! I'm sure I will really believe that some day! LOL!!! Hang in!

I have had so much fun reading this thread! I went to Meeting at St. Mary's on 3/19. I meet with Dr. Brengman on 4/8. He has come very highly recommended by my GP. In the meantime I have found out that my insurance does not cover this so I will be self pay. I am hoping that the process will be a little faster because I don't have to wait for insurance approval. I do have a question though...does everyone have to do a sleep apnea test? Hang in everyone and keep writing - I so appreciate the advice and hints to success!!!!!