ValJean

I think Betsy makes a very good point here, and I'm glad she did because it got me thinking. I truly believe that, in order to make the band work for life, we can't live in fear of food. Of course, we aren't like everyone else, but part of having the band, for me anyway, is changing my habits and getting to a place where my relationship with food is more like that of "normal" healthy people. 95% of the time eating nutritious foods, and allowing treats once in awhile without guilt and fear. Again, I can only speak for myself, but I found it a good test of myself and my life changes by allowing an indulgence once in awhile and really seeing if I can eat a normal, band-sized portion of those "treat" foods. I can say from my own experience that, as a life-long food addict and compulsive overeater, I was terrified the first time I decided to venture beyond my very strict post-banding eating regimen--then completely surprised and thrilled to find that I could eat a small amount and be satisfied physically--and mentally. Again, I can't say enough that I am only sharing my own thoughts/experience, not prescribing a system for anyone else--as we all know, what works for one person doesn't always work for the next. And I will say too that I didn't indulge in treat foods until several months after banding. But the idea of chewing and spitting out an entire meal's worth of food worries me a bit, and and almost seems like punishment--and you don't deserve that! Val

I had a very similar experience--I went back to my surgeon and found that my band was too tight, which had caused my pouch to stretch and become inflamed. I say get in to see your doctor ASAP. With an unfill, my pain went away immediately, and the inflammation and stretching corrected itself within a month. I'm now working my way back to restriction. Please don't wait to see your doc! Val

I'm not yet at goal so I can't give you advice about maintaining, but just wanted to congratulate you on your wonderful success! Val

Thanks Juliansmom--getting a fill this afternoon and am definitely going to start things off right with this pouch test. Have been plateaued for 3+ months and need a jump start! Really appreciate you posting the recipe PDF too!

Dear Sandi, I can't quite find the words to express the joy I feel for you in your amazing success!! I am year out, 100 lbs down (40 to go) and am stuck on a 3-month plateau. Going for another fill today, after being too tight, getting a complete unfill, filled back past good restriction to too tight AGAIN, complete unfill AGAIN--this will be my second fill since this last unfill. Struggling to get back to the sweet spot. I've been very dedicated in my exercise routine, but have definitely fallen away from the basic rules of eating. I'm trying to process why this is. Partly it was the problem with keeping food down, I would think, it's probably going to come back up anyway, why not just eat something I really like/want? Foolish, I know. I was fearful to get an unfill for awhile, finally gave in and am so glad I did, as my pouch was inflammed and I was on the road to some severe problems. But more than that, it's been almost like, as soon as people started noticing my weight loss and saying how good I looked, I kind of panicked and felt "exposed." I didn't want my friends/family to see how my eating had changed, I wanted to just be "normal" and do what everyone else around me was doing. Even writing this I'm not sure that I'm expressing the feeling/impulse accurately, but it's like I reached a point where I no longer feel that everyone stares at me thinking "what a fat woman" that I want to just "blend in" with everyone else, not be seen as vain or obsessed with being thin. Does this make any sense? I realize I just went on a ramble, and am tempted to just delete and not post, but I am so inspired by your success and journey, I'd be grateful just to hear your thoughts. Thanks for listening. Val

Congratulations on both these wonderful triumphs!!

Dr. Elly is my doctor now, too. I was banded by Dr. Galvani, but he left the practice recently. So far, I think Dr. Elly is great. I've had some ups and downs. Was too tight for awhile, and having some pain/vomiting problems, so I got a complete unfill a month ago, was unfilled for three weeks, went back last week for a fill, and am not feeling much restriction so I'm going back on Friday for a little more. My first two months were definitely a challenge, especially before I got some restriction--definitely felt hunger--but I was so excited about having the band, the excitement kept me on track until I got to a good restriction level. Up until November I was losing really steadily, 10 lbs a month. Have been stalled at my current weight since then, pretty much. Trying not to get discouraged--hoping to break through this plateau soon! I really think Day One's aftercare is pretty good--Lauren, the nutritionist, is really nice and helpful, as is the rest of the staff there. Hopefully I'll see you at the next support group meeting (Feb 16th, I think?). In the meantime, feel free to send me a private message if you ever want to chat or have questions. Best, Val

Hi Reneez, Congratulations on getting banded! I too was banded at Day One. Who is your surgeon? I have actually never gone to the support group but think I should get myself to the next one. What time is your appt on Friday? I'll be in for a fill at 3pm. Take care, Val

Dear Cheri, I am so sorry for your loss. My heart and thoughts go out to your family, your brother's wife and son, in this sad and difficult time. I also commend you on having the strength to share this story in hopes that it can help others. Yours, Valerie

And I have to add that this made me seriously laugh out loud: "Tweezers may come and go, but apparently whiskers are forever." Oh, those wiry, wiry, whiskers... Val

Dear Amy, Congratulations. Such a wonderful post--thank you for your clear, honest, and very important information. Though I don't know you, I feel such pride and joy for you and your success! Today (1/28) is my first year anniversary and it's amazing how many emotions are coming up. I simply can't wrap my head around the fact that a year has passed. You've inspired me to write up my own "bandiversary" reflection! Again, all my warmest regards to you on your life-changing year! Val

There are also over-the-counter anti-nausea meds that you can get at walgreens, cvs, etc. if you are in a pinch. I'm not sure of the difference between those and the dr. prescribed stuff, but the drugstore brand worked for me awhile back when I was sick/throwing up. Take care and feel better!

Hi everyone, Was anyone banded by Dr. Galvani at DayOne Health in Chicago? I was banded by him about a year ago. I had my last appt with him about two months back, and called in last week to schedule a check-up since I'm coming up on my one year anniversary in a couple weeks. They told me that he no longer worked there--I was shocked! Shouldn't they have contacted his patients and let us know this? I should have asked the receptionist for more information but I just made an appt with the doctor who is taking over. I see him next week, but this has really been bugging me. Just wondering if anyone has more information on Dr. Galvani or advice/thoughts as to how to handle working with a new doctor. Thanks! Val

Thanks Kimmy. They put me with Dr. Elli, and so far he is great. So weird that Galvani just "disappeared" though. Another question: have you been to the support group there yet?

Yes--absolutely! I love spin--it was one of my favorite workouts back long before I got the band and it was great! Beware that you will likely experience some "saddle soreness" in the beginning; but, from what I understand, pretty much everyone has that experience, whatever their size. Have fun!! It really is a fantastic workout! Val

I'm 9 days shy of my 10-month bandiversary, and at my weekly weigh-in this morning, the scale said 190. That's 101 pounds gone--so excited! This has been such an amazing journey, and I am grateful to everyone in my life, including all the wonderful people on this forum, for so much support and encouragement along the way. I couldn't have made it this far without you! Val

Lisa, you're doing great and have so much to be proud of! Please know that you're not alone, I think we all feel this way sometimes. I'm 100 pounds down, and yet still in the "obese" category, with 40 more to lose, and have been stuck at a plateau for two months. I do bikram yoga every day, and the front wall is floor to ceiling windows. I'm always one of the biggest (if not THE biggest) women in the class, and it's so hard not to compare myself to those around me. That's when it's so important to remind myself where I was a year ago, and how far I've come. No one else in the room may know what I looked like before the band, but I KNOW. We have to remember to Celebrate our victories, not measure them against others. (Easier said than done, I know! But I keep trying to remember! You've had wonderful success up to this point, and with all your hard work, you'll surely continue to do so.

It's also a great substitute for mayo in tuna or chicken salad. If its too tangy, just mix in a small amount (tsp or less) of mayo to mellow the flavor--you'll still be saving a ton of fat and calories.

Hi Chaka, Quick question--how is your restriction? I know the first couple months, between recovering from the surgery, going through "bandster hell," then finally getting the fills I needed for restriction, my loss was kind of slow and unpredictable (I'd have a great week, then a couple when the scale did not move at all). I agree with thebandedgirl--keep doing what you're doing, it'll kick in! And it's really great that you are keeping in close conversation with your nutritionist. It's also a great idea to keep a food and exercise log.If you continue to feel frustration, take your log to your doc / nutritionist so they can see clearly what you're routine is and hopefully they can give you some "jumpstarting" tips. Also, I'm in Chicago too! Where were you banded? Hang in there--I'm here to help if you ever need to chat! Val

Name***********Starting****Current******Goal******ToGo Astrasmom.............254...............254...........170..............84 Babe......................265...............265...........199.... .........66 Band_Groupie........172.5...........167.5..........158..............9. 5 BetsyB..................226.6.............226.6.........109...... .......117.6 BobbieND..............224...............221.6.............175..... ........49 Brigette.................198...............198.............150.... ........48 crzytchr.................217...............217..............180.... ... ....37 DANA36.................233...............233..............160...... .....73 destined4thinness...215.5.............215.5..........150.............6 5.5 ericanda1973..........198.5............198.5...........130......... ...68.5 HummingBird..........204...............199..............150........ ....49 jenibeni.................224...............221.5..............165..... .. .......57.5 Jennih...................232................232..............130.... .......102 KDEE....................240................240...............150...... ......90 Lisa65...................174.5............174.5.............145..... ......29.5 lotzasunshine.........247...............246.2.............175........ ...71.2 newdicarlo.............187...............187................135...... . ...52 ol55andahalf........184.................184................144........ .....40 RandaPanda...........194...............191................150........ ....41 scoutmama............270................270...............180........ ....90 SNDYCNRD.............207...............207................140......... ...67 TARASGIRL.............305...............302................225........ ....77 TeriLu....................215...............215................150.. .... ......65 TIGGER71G............224...............224................130....... ......94 Tabithan...............244...............234................190....... ......44 Valerie...............190...............190................150....... ......40

Hi Bethany, I was having similar symptoms recently, and finally saw my surgeon this week. Turns out I was too tight, and as a result I had stretched my pouch slightly and had some inflammation (food just wasn't getting through). He deflated my band some and told me to come back in 3 weeks, by which time he thinks the issue will have corrected itself, and I can get a fill. So I now have very little restriction, and I have to be very careful to monitor my portions so I'm not overeating between now and my next visit. I felt immediate relief with the unfill--no pain after eating and no reflux the past two days! Of course, your situation might be different--but I just wanted to share my experience and HIGHLY RECOMMEND that you see your surgeon sooner rather than later. In my situation, if I had gone on too much longer I could have done much more serious damage. Good luck to you! Val

Congratulations!! I am also in Chicago--do you attend a support group of any kind? If so, I'd be interested in getting more info from you, and/or meeting up sometime to chat. I would really like to make some banded friends in the city! Take care, and congrats again on your wonderful success! Val

I live in the city, and do not have a support group, so I'd love to know of any. Also, would be interested in starting a group if there are others who'd like to find a time for an informal meet and chat. Best, Val

Hi Jan bandsters, I got banded on Jan 28th--can't believe it's almost been a year! So far I am down 100 lbs, with 40 more to go. 20 of those was lost in my pre-op diet, so 80 since surgery. Right now I'm down to pretty much the lowest weight I've been in my adult life, and have stalled over the past few weeks. Maybe it's a psychological thing? That, and all the holiday food temptations don't help, of course... I wasn't prepared for how easy it would be to get away from my routine around the holidays. Am really trying to keep on track with my exercise, but since Thanksgiving it's been hard! That said, I am so happy with my band and excited to Celebrate one year since I started my new life! Good luck to you all and congratulations! Val

Just thought I'd chime in and say that I have become a total convert to turkey bacon--much lower in fat and calories than regular bacon, and a good source of lean protein. Very tasty, too.