cherieinnv

I FINALLY broke my plateau! I dropped 5 lbs and finally got past the number 269, which I have been fighting for 2 months! I "only" have 99 lbs to lose now, but am glad it is no longer triple digits. I've been exercising but was forced to take a break because I came down with a bad cold, and NOW the weight drops off. Back to the gym tomorrow, I want to turn this 47 lb loss into 50! I get my 2nd fill next week, so this is perfect timing. YAHOO!

What a terrible experience! I'm so sorry this happened, but please don't give up on yourself or your weight loss. Talk to several doctors about your options. Please stay on the forum and give us a status.

I've only had food get stuck twice since getting banded and I can't say it was painful but it was really unpleasant and I am glad I was at home both times. After my first fill, I had bread get stuck and ran for the sink and sort of dry heaved but did not throw up. I no longer eat any bread but 1 piece of rye toast once in a great while. The 2nd time it was a spoonful of hashbrowns which I didn't chew well before swallowing. I had the same experience. I have NO desire to eat the foods that made me feel that way. I'm really lucky so far. I can still eat salads and rice and many things that others can't eat, but I eat much slower now and much smaller portions. I chew and chew. The weight is coming off slowly and exercising helps and it is getting easier because my energy level is WAAAY up. This was the best thing I ever did for my health, as long as I learn from my mistakes. Good luck!

I was banded June 27, 2008. I lost 30 lbs preop and 14 post-op. I've gained and lost the same 10 lbs about 3 times but was really struggling with emotional eating and old habits. Joining a good gym and going every day--or close to every day--is helping to get where my head needs to be and I am confident that I will start making progress again. I had my first fill in August and feel some restriction. I can eat most foods except bread as long as I chew chew chew and don't overeat. I can still eat about 2 C of food but am trying to stick to 1C per meal and eat protein and veggies, with very few carbs. I get my next fill Oct. 3. My surgeon seemed fine with my progress. He says 1 lb a week is fine, but I'd like to do better than that. I want to get down another 10 lbs by the end of Oct. when I will see my family. I feel so much better that I am glad I did this, but it still requires willpower and dieting. I'll be happy to answer any questions if you want someone to chat with. Good luck!

I just mean the Nautilus-type machines at the gym. Some days I work the arms and some days I work the legs. You can't work the same muscle groups two days in a row or you won't build muscle.

I have 1 bad knee but have been working out, which helps. Try water aerobics and take it slow. Just do what you can do. I also do Nautilus for upper body. I also work on legs but am very gentle on my knees. Use low weights and slow movements. I am trying to build up the muscles in my legs to support my knees. I also do better when I avoid carbs as much as possible. Don't give up hope! It will start to come off soon!

I can understand why you needed an unfill but don't understand how they can know there is a problem with the band. Did the ER doctor say that or your surgeon? I would insist on a scope!

I lost 30 lbs before being banded at the end of June and 17 since. I've had 1 fill and will have my second fill in Oct. I tend to eat right for awhile and then backslide, but the band doesn't let me backslide too far. I do feel MUCH better and no longer snore (I sounded like a buzz saw before), can walk better, have more energy. My wardrobe is a mess because it is a mix of old and "new" (thrift stores are the best). If my gut ever goes down I will drop 2 sizes in clothes, but it is stubborn. My face is thinner and my legs are much thinner. I work out but something always happens (flu this week) and I stop for 4 days, then resume. My doctor is happy if I lose 1 lb a week, but I want more than that, of course. No matter what, this is the best thing I ever did for my health.

All of my coworkers are normal to thin, and eat candy all day, every day. I have been telling myself that people with candy bowls are evil and want everyone else to get fatter.

Great suggestion Peaches! I am definitely having trouble at night. My plan to spend my evenings at the gym isn't working--I haven't gone in 2 weeks--but I am going today. I may even cancel cable TV, since I often use Sopranos reruns as an excuse. I am lucky that I rarely feel real hunger, but head hunger persists, so I try to eat scheduled healthy foods so I am less tempted. I still eat too much, but compared to how I used to eat? It's not even close. I fear I've stretched my pouch but since my first fill I am content with one serving of whatever Protein I am eating, and very few carbs. When I go out to eat, I know I can eat less than half of what I may have eaten in the past or I will be in pain. I still think the band is a great tool. When I am motivated and work out and eat correctly, I lose weight. When I get depressed or tired and want to eat, I can't get out of control. The weight is coming off slowly, but I am going to push hard to get past the 50 lb mark, which I have been dancing to and from for weeks. Good weekend to all!

Get active after you move and join a few clubs that have activities like hikes, etc. Maybe take a class or two at the gym that men are likely to take, like kick boxing. Join a singles group at church. Keep your eyes open at everyday locations like the book store or grocery store. I often start conversations by asking a question like, "Have you ever tried this Protein drink?" If he says a quick answer and walks away, he isn't interested. If he answers the question and stays to continue talking, he may be interested. If he stays to talk and you think he is cute, say, "I was just about to get some coffee/ice tea/water at Starbucks/Taco Bell/whatever is next door; would you like to join me?" I've had confidence with men ever since the day I told myself that it is just as likely that people DO like me as it is that they DON'T like me. I try to be friendly and ask questions about THEM and try not to talk about me. I don't recommend on-line dating for someone with little experience. There are some real losers out there. But no matter what, always stay safe and meet in public places, never get into a stranger's car, get his number first before you give out your's. Good luck!

I've had one fill and have had 2 incidents: Once with bread and once with hash browns. The bread was the day of the fill and it got stuck but I didn't throw up (I've never thrown up). The other was hash browns, which I shouldn't have eaten anyway, and I didn't chew well enough. I am trying to follow an Atkins type diet, but with salads, which give me no trouble. I do drink coffee, but gave up soda. meat and seafood are not problem at this point. I struggle with my co-worker's darn candy bowl, but plan to "chip in" and buy some candy I hate, like Jolly Ranchers. I chew chocolate Calcium and pretend it's candy. But without the gym, I still don't lose. My metabolism must be skow as molasses.

OK, I've identified a pattern. I do well for a week or two, go to the gym, eat right, lose weight. Then I lose my grip and stop going to the gym, eat too much, eat chocolate, gain a few. WHAT IS MY PROBLEM? Tonight, I argued with myself as I drove home from work. I could have gone to the gym but I couldn't decide and then I was past the exit. I like the support group I found but can't remember when it meets. Hopefully, I'll find info here. People at work got laid off today. I'm still OK but that means more work, more stress, and I feel so sad for my co-workers. I hurt when I eat too much. Tomorrow I am getting my act together again. I know I am rambling but I am tired and stressed. I don't understand where I am at with my new boyfriend. We are talking daily and email but the conversations aren't much. He says we will talk about "us" when he comes to town again this month. I like him alot but am wondering if I am just lonely and will happily take anybody who likes me. No, I've rejected plenty of guys. I like this one, but I have a problem trusting anyone because of past deceit. Too much rambling. Going to bed now.

If fish is dry, it was overcooked. I recently read on a food site that microwaving fish is best because it stays moister. That's a real blessing in the summer when I don't want to use the oven. And fish cooks so quickly as it is! I'm lucky, I guess. I've had my first fill and the only thing that has gotten stuck is French bread, but maybe I didn't chew enough. I always remember to chew meat well, for some reason. I guess I need to skip the bread anyway!

I have really had a bad two weeks. I did great with weeks 1 and 2, but once I could eat "real food" I started overeating, even when it hurt. I don't seem to have any restriction and I know this is "bandster hell" but I am unhappy with myself. I gained weight back and went into a major depression, which I am just overcoming. I know this is a learning experience but I didn't expect it to be so hard. I wanted to be one of those inspiring people, and here I am falling on my face. Well, all I can do is try again. I lost 30 lbs before surgery and I may go back to what I was eating then, since it worked before. I'm so grateful to my penpals from this site, who helped me forgive myself and haven't been at all critical. I look forward to my fills but am afraid that Dr. Teng will be angry with me. He can get really upset with patients who don't do what they are told. Luckily I have some support group meetings coming up. And I have this week to myself, so maybe I can get back on track if I have no kids to cook for.

I haven't posted in over a month, but my life is changing and I am working hard to keep up my progress, since I had a few hard weeks. I started eating bad stuff around my bday (cake, etc.) and my blood sugar went high for the first time since surgery. I forgot how sick I used to feel! It scared the hell out of me and I am being a very conscientious eater now, going to the gym, etc. I got my first fill last week and I can feel the difference. Right after the fill, I tried to eat a small sandwich and started gagging after 4 bites. I stood over the sink for 10 mins, wondering if it was going to be this bad forever, but I was better by dinner. My appetite is way down and I fill up very quickly. I found a support group that actually talks about the emotional side of this surgery, which I needed. I think it will really help me. I also found a potential boyfriend via the Internet. We have been talking 2x day for over a month and we meet today. He likes big girls but I told him about the surgery and he said no biggie. I hope it works out. Gotta go do laundry. Best of luck to all!

I haven't posted in over a month, but my life is changing and I am working hard to keep up my progress, since I had a few hard weeks. I started eating bad stuff around my bday (cake, etc.) and my blood sugar went high for the first time since surgery. I forgot how sick I used to feel! It scared the hell out of me and I am being a very conscientious eater now, going to the gym, etc. I got my first fill last week and I can feel the difference. Right after the fill, I tried to eat a small sandwich and started gagging after 4 bites. I stood over the sink for 10 mins, wondering if it was going to be this bad forever, but I was better by dinner. My appetite is way down and I fill up very quickly. I found a support group that actually talks about the emotional side of this surgery, which I needed. I think it will really help me. I also found a potential boyfriend via the Internet. We have been talking 2x day for over a month and we meet today. He likes big girls but I told him about the surgery and he said no biggie. I hope it works out. Gotta go do laundry. Best of luck to all!

If it doesn't go away, pls see a dermatologist. It may be pustular psoriasis, which is intensely itchy. I know because I have it. Sugar and stress cause mine to flare up.

I have really had a bad two weeks. I did great with weeks 1 and 2, but once I could eat "real food" I started overeating, even when it hurt. I don't seem to have any restriction and I know this is "bandster hell" but I am unhappy with myself. I gained weight back and went into a major depression, which I am just overcoming. I know this is a learning experience but I didn't expect it to be so hard. I wanted to be one of those inspiring people, and here I am falling on my face. Well, all I can do is try again. I lost 30 lbs before surgery and I may go back to what I was eating then, since it worked before. I'm so grateful to my penpals from this site, who helped me forgive myself and haven't been at all critical. I look forward to my fills but am afraid that Dr. Teng will be angry with me. He can get really upset with patients who don't do what they are told. Luckily I have some support group meetings coming up. And I have this week to myself, so maybe I can get back on track if I have no kids to cook for.