Xann77

Thanks guys. It's good to know there are other people out there who have gone through the same thing. Just soooo depressed today and feeling pretty hopeless

I am about 70 pounds overweight (225) and while I could probably live with myself at that weight because I also was and am very confident and was viewed as "sexy" and "voluptous"... the fact that every single year I seemed to put on another ten pounds, no matter how hard I tried to avoid it, is what ultimately put me over the edge. I just didn't want to wait another ten years and be another 100 pounds. As Jack said earlier, most of the people on this board will tell you that their only regret is that they didn't get the band sooner! I sometimes sense that being a "lower-BMI" bandster can *sometimes* bug people on this board (although I think all my bandster brothers and sisters have been AMAZINGLY supportive, regardless of BMI), but my reasoning was to make a change that would help my FUTURE. I've tried and tried to lose the weight and always, always failed. And when I thought of getting pregnant (no kids now), I KNEW that I would gain a ton of weight (I just have that "Baby-making" frame) and I dreaded the thought of never being able to lose it and just getting bigger and bigger and bigger. So for me, the band wasn't just about the present, it was about the future. Maybe that's something you should consider too.

Oh sorry, I just saw Jacqui's message. I gave my doctor the heads up the day before surgery that I had my period and confirmed that tampons were ok. Like I said, he actually suggested it because it's much "cleaner" and less "odorous" and stuff because you probably won't shower until the next morning. I'd go with tampons personally. Good luck!

Happened to me just a few months ago. Not a problem at all. I asked the doctor and he said to stick with tampons because it will be more comfortable immediately post surgery.

I had total "last supper syndrome" Put on ten pounds before my surgery and only now really getting rid of them. I know it's really hard, but take my advice, DON'T FALL VICTIM TO THE SYNDROME! The point of the band is that you will be able to eat basically anything and everything again when you're healed, just in moderation.

Sorry but what is the benefit of fish oil and flax oil exactly? Thanks for the info!

I know everyone is different but I'd like to hear about everyone's different "methods" or "signs", etc. for knowing when they should STOP eating? Is it a tightness in your chest? Something in your throat? In your tummy? Psychological (e.g., you KNOW you should be full after eating a cup of food and so you ARE full)? PBing?? How do YOU know when you've had enough? And how do YOU stop yourself from eating some more?

Lucky you pjpatty! I think that's probably pretty normal. you're only a few days you so you should really just enjoy it! The tightness totally went away for me after 2 weeks. Good luck!

For nutrition you should try Atkins protein shakes -- MUCH less carbs than slim fast, much more protein and the chocolate one tastes really good! Don't think it has much milk at all in it either. Good luck!!

My, my Jack -- you have such a way with words!! Definitely making me laugh in my office!!

Thanks DonnaB and Susan -- just for my info, how much fill do you guys have in your band right now? I just got my first fill of 1.3 on Friday and it's a *little* different but I don't think I'm getting the sensations you guys are talking about. You've both done so well with losing! I feel like I'm constantly losing and regaining the same 15 Hope the band goes to work soon!!

Your friend could check out Dory Ferraro (www.doryferraro.com) for fills. She charges a first time fee of $350 and then $175 after that for each adjustment.

I know I get like that too... I have a MAJOR sweet tooth and could honestly live on chocolate ALONE for months. Have you tried tuna fish? It's really easy to get at basically any deli/caf and it goes down pretty easily but also doesn't pass right through. I find it satisfies my craving for creamy stuff because I get the type that MUST have real mayo in it. You should Really Really Really try to just cut out sugar completely from your diet for like 2 days... sugar is just plain old addicitve. When I first got banded I was drinking a bunch of fruit juice mixed with Water but then I realized that the damn sugar in the juice was making me crave more sugar! Try to go COLD TURKEY on the sugar and it that may really help your cravings. Also, jeez, look at all the success you've had -- do you really want to put on a bunch of weight for the passing pleasure of some candy?? Good luck! Suz

CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That must feel great!

Hi! I just wanted to send out some hugs for you. I know how depressing and exhausting this struggle can be -- especially with family and friends watching you like a hawk! I hate that so much! Sometimes I wish I didn't even tell them so I wouldn't have the pressure. But seriously, 30 pounds since November isn't bad at all! There are some "turtles" on this site who have struggled to lose even ten pounds. You're doing the right thing with exercising. You should be proud of yourself! I only just started exercising again today for the first time (banded on 1/31) and my GOD! I couldn't believe how out of shape I was. ANd it's incredibly frustrating because this time last year, I could do almost an hour of cardio and now I'm barely making 20 minutes. The point is, this struggle is HARD HARD HARD. But side thing down, now you just have to reboot your food side. Do you plan your meals for the day? Eat a LOT of Protein? I haven't felt at all restricted since my surgery, going in for my second adjustment next week, so most of it has been pure discipline (not like I've lost a lot at all!). Just try to remember the saying "you didn't gain the weight overnight, you're not going to lose the weight overnight either." And most importantly, tell your friends/family very bluntly, "look, this is obviously hard for me and your criticisms are NOT helping." Good luck and don't lose faith in yourself! Suzanne

Congratulations! I too am a SERIOUS slob. Most of my friends describe me as "a spilly one." That's gotta feel great to have your first NSV. I haven't even had a SV yet but hopefully I'll be hot on your tracks! Congrats! Suzanne

Oh my gosh ME TOO! I got filled on Friday and literally feel no difference whatsover! She only put in 1.3 cc's. It's very discouraging because I feel like I'm losing time -- not to mention money (each fill with cost $175). Going to try to see her this week.

Has anyone ever tried hypnosis for weight loss? How about smoking, depression, stuff like that? I can't help but think that so much of my porblems with food are coming from my BRAIN and not my MOUTH that it would be great if we could just rewire things subconsciously. The Long Island Bariatric Center has a link for weigh-loss hypnosis and they say it's about $500 for 4 sessions. Here's the link: http://www.doryferraro.com/hypnotherapy.html It's a lot of money but hey, I'd do it in a heartbeat if it would stop my self-sabatoge! Any thoughts or experiences? Suzanne

Hi! I was banded by Dr. Rumbaut on 1/31/06 and am MORE than ready to get my first fill and start losing SOMETHING! I lost about 12 pounds since surgery and I'm completely UNrestricted now and it's not fun Anyway, I found a doctor in NYC -- Dr. Katz -- who will do my first fill next Monday for $350 (which is the BEST deal I've found around here). The thing is, he doesn't use flouro. However, it seems like none of the doctors in NYC use flouro for the fills (Ren, Fielding, etc). I know that Dorry Ferraro -- a nurse practioner who seems really popular on these boards -- INSISTS on doing the first fill with flouro, but her calender is totally packed. Anyway, the point of this long tyrade is -- should I be worried about getting a fill without flouro? My BMI is around 35 and I'm worried about the doctor being able to find my port and not piercing it wrong or something. Do all of you guys get your fills with flouro? I know I should probably post this with the other fill threads but I see a lot more people on here today and I was hoping to get a good response. Thanks so much!!! :help: :help: :help:

Hi All! Well after much fear and worry, I had my first fill of 1.3cc's with no problem at all. Dory Ferraro (the fill NP in NYC) was GREAT. She found it on the very first try which was awesome. Unfortunately, when I weighed in I was up 5 pounds from a few weeks ago so I'll have to update my signature. I'm so happy to finally be on the road to weight loss -- have an unfilled band is so incredibly frustrating! Plus it doesn't help that my annoying mother says to me today, "oh good, I'm glad you finally got the adjustment because I was so depressed when I saw you last weekend and you hadn't lost anything." :angry She knocked the wind right out of me with that one but I'm not going to let her bring me down if it kills me!!! Anyway, thanks to everyone for answering all my questions and please send good vibes my way. Thanks!!! suzanne

Hi All! Well after much fear and worry, I had my first fill of 1.3cc's with no problem at all. Dory Ferraro (the fill NP in NYC) was GREAT. She found it on the very first try which was awesome. It literally took about 1 minute to do and wasn't painful at all-- she didn't even use local and I'm a HUGE BABY when it comes to pain. Unfortunately, when I weighed in I was up 5 pounds from a few weeks ago so I'll have to update my signature. I'm so happy to finally be on the road to weight loss -- have an unfilled band is so incredibly frustrating! Plus it doesn't help that my evil mother says to me today, "oh good, I'm glad you finally got the adjustment because I was so depressed when I saw you last weekend and you hadn't lost anything." :angry She knocked the wind right out of me with that one but I'm not going to let her bring me down if it kills me!!! Anyway, thanks to everyone for answering all my questions and please send good vibes my way. Thanks!!! suzanne

I'm definitely in! Need to jumpstart my batteries here. What do we have to do??

Just had a great fill with Dory Ferraro. She's awesome and serves the NY/NJ area. I think she has a website called doryferraro.com.

Happy Paddy's Day To All! May We All Have The Luck Of The Irish In This Adventurous Journey We Call Life!

Thanks! Wow you lost so much weight! Congrats to you! I'll try not to let my mom bug me but god is it hard! Have a great weekend!