cashley

Wow - I've been Banded for a month and just found this journal area. It's really nice because so many questions I have of others are right here. It's nice to see other people who have been though what you are going though. I'll start this jounal with how I got to this point... I was young in college and thin. I could eat anything I wanted it was great. Of course you don't realize it then. I taught aerobics to put myself though college and had a weight lifter boy friend. What a life. Had I know that would be part of my metibolic issue now I might not have tried so hard then. I busted my butt to stay fit and thin but didn't diet. Soon it got harder and harder. I had to workout more and there just wansnt that much time. I started dieting but it seemed to be a downhill slope. Getting worse each time and harder to lose. I finally tried Phen Fen... It worked - Lost it all - felt great Until they took it off the market. Gained it all back. Nothing worked.... My doctors didn't believe me they said I wasn't working out enough or I was eating too much. I kept journals they didn't want to look at. I finally went to my endo for my hypoglcymia and she said most people don't really have hypoglcymia that it's in their head... she sent me home but first wanted to do a blood test. My suger was in the 50's and they wouldn't let me drive until it reached 70... and she thought it was in my head. She send me to a dietian and she said cut your carbs... it was such BS! I've told a lot of people I was having this surgery and they said but you don't need it you're not that heavy. (Just diet) People don't realize I work my butt off just to stay at 220 and not go higher. Well I workout more then anyone I know, I eat less then many people I know. My mom has diabetes and heart disease. She had a massive heart attack at only 45 years old and had to have by-pass surgery. She's thin for the first time in her life and she didn't diet or change her eating at all. I swear it's hormones... why would my mom's body change so fast and now she eats way more then me. Anyway here I am - tired of fighting the fight and not going anywhere. I'll just cry if this doesn't work becuase I don't mind the work as long as I can at least see some results. It's the weeks after weeks that turn into months after months of staying on a strict diet, working out and not losing. My doctor finally said once - You're body is just "used" to your workout - you'll have to workout harder. (There just isnt that much time in a day)

Hi! I've been reading your journal. It's very interesting. I haven't been though the exact same problems but I really feel for you. I have fought and fought with doctors the last 10 years and they have no respect. I'm tired of begin handed one medicine after another without any care for what is causing the symptons. I've dieted and dieted and all I get is blank stares from the doctor that I must not be doing them right because if I was they would work. I've pee'd in my pants for the last three years and they said "You're fine just try this medicine" I say "BUT WAIT -I'm young do I have to take it the rest of my life? What's the problem? They just don't know. My mom can't control her diabetes and they don't know why... they say just "Eat Better and try some more medicine" Needless to say I'm so flustrated. I have lost a few pounds since surgery so maybe I won't be a slow loser this time but I read your story and know in my heart how hard you must be struggling. I wish you the best of luck and that they find a solution to the cushing and take you seriously. That's the part I really understand is that feeling of them not taking me seriously. Sorry about the rambling above but after I read your most recent journal entry I was so overwhelmed with things I wanted to say and had a hard time forming a complete thought.

I'm not trying to be mean or hateful to docotors but I have a good friend who's a drug rep.... they might not get kick backs to put you on the meds but they get a hell of a lot of perks. I've been to a couple of dinners (seminars) they put on to teach the doctor about the new drug.... wow that's informative and the lobster was good too. ***evil grin**** I've never seen a bunch of people all in a group feeling like they had to order the most expensive meal in my life. You'd think those guys never had a lobster & steak in their life. (Maybe they don't make a very large salary) Why would a person want to do meds when they could solve their problem with weight loss. Even though surgery isn't natural.... I'd rather take that risk any day over staying heavy and doing more drugs.. My mom has heart disease and she's on so much, then she got diabetes and now a ton more meds. Each one seems to lead to another. Also, my regular doctor didn't approve. I weighted 220 and he said no but I did it anyway. I get so sick of skinny people saying "Just Diet"... My own dad does it all the time.... Just diet Just Exercise - WTF Do you think I've been doing?

I keep hearing from the dietian / exercise psycologist (spelling) that not to let it drop less the 1200 or your body tries hard to hold on to the weight. I'm not sure the real answer but I eat about 1200 and I'm a slow loser now, so I'm not sure how I'd do if I went down to 600 - 800. I will try it after my fill, right now I'm feel too hungry.

My surgeron said that he's turned away people because their liver was too big but I don't know that i believe him. I guess it seems skeptical since he has to get the camera and stuff in there before he knows that your liver is shrunk. He said that was the only reason and that it wasn't to torture us or try and make us learn to starve prior to surgery.

You're pictures look like you are someone who is very confident. That's not a bad thing it's just hard to believe someone who is very "pretty" and looks quite confident would have a social phobia. I know it's not right to judge someone by looks but if people were.... they'd see someone who looks like they have it all together. (I hope you take that as a compliment because it's not a critism)

I'm also pre-fill and go back and forth with thinking the band is tight to thinking it's too loose. I'm getting a fill on 3/21 and my doctor said things will get better. He said I wasn't chewing well enough if stuff was getting stuck at this point. I hate to admit but he's most likely right. I think I'm chewing well but put too big of a bite in, then swallow part and chew chew chew the rest. Well that first swallow is the big chunk that's getting stuck. I'm trying to learn but it's a hard habit.

I have been diagnosed hypoglycemia and have had fainting spells before and I was soooo suprised how well I did the week prior to surgery with the diet the doctor put me on. It was 2 Protein shakes per day, two yogarts, Clear liquids, 2 cups milk, suger free Jello etc. Everything had to be sugerfree so I used Atkins Shakes. I was amazed at how well I did and didn't feel bad at all - didn't need any glucose tables. Then the week after surgery he switched me to Boost High Protein and I was starving all the time and having lots of "weak" spells. I know the suger makes hypoglycemia actually worse but those two weeks actually proved it to me.

I'm really new to this but wanted to respond because I've seen a difference even though I'm not filled yet. So before banding at Taco Bell (good example) Two Burritos and Nacho's Supreme (wow that's a lot of caloreis) After banding but before Fill Two Soft Tacos and I'm stuffed.... (I'm hoping for only one taco after fill) Also I've noticed that I can actually get full from a bowl of raw baby carrots. Before I could eat a bag and still be hungrey. This is how I force myself to get in my veggies.

I went yesterday to my surgeons office support group and learned that they can put 5cc's in a 4cc band. That's kind of weird. I don't think they like to do it since the nurse tried to discourage the discussion on it. I also learned several people are at the limit on fills and they can't go any tighter. Some aren't close to goal - this made me a bit sad. The nurse demonstrated how the band looks empty, with 2cc's, with 3.5 and with 4 in it. She showed us the opening that the food can go though - it was really cool.

I've been getting them and I haven't even had my first fill yet. I know I eat too fast and I'm trying so hard to learn. It's a sure sign when I get the hiccups. It's my bodies way of saying "Slow the #$*@ down"

Welcome Shannon.... I know another guy with that name - it's very cool. Good luck with your surgery. Are you going to post your website here for us to see your progress?

When she filled it up with 4cc's and showed us the opening it looked about the size of a quarter. She said to take in to account that your stomach flesh and fat is in there too. So that makes it even smaller. I can see why it could be so tight thinking about a size of a quarter with some meaty flesh in there. When she changed it to 3.5 and to 2.00cc's I could tell a difference but it's hard to explain but the opening was a bit bigger. When it was completely open it was only about as big as silver dollar. It was a cool experiement. I'm glad she did that. Do any of you all go to support group meetings? They had the exercise therpist talk this time but sometimes they do the dietian or just the nurse. It was nice to see so many sucesses that I didn't realize we'd have so many. Most don't use the computer or visit boards like this so I forget how many more people there are out there.

I wouldn't hesitate to donate to most of the regulars on this board. If a user name I recognized here as a member who particiaped on the forum I'd donate in a minute. I guess a person could still be a members get involved and the turn out to be scammers but I'd be more gullible for that type of person asking for a donation. I've heard that a lot of companies pay people to come to forums and blogs to talk about their products so it's easy to be skeptical. Shakeerah - I wish you luck and I hope you join our boards and hang with us some times. Maybe you might enjoy it and I think more of us would be willing to go out on a limb like Doty did.

I think I've heard statistics that Americans are much more obese then other countries. What I'm wondering is why the European countries are the ones that pioneered the lap-band since the obesity problem isn't as bad? Also for anyone from countires other then the United States are the requirements different.... like here it's supposed to be a BMI of 40 (or 35 with medical issues). I've been to Europe several times and I can just say "Wow" everyone seemed so much thinner. (And their Cola's so much smaller). Coming from the land of super-sized I was very jealous of the less-is-more lifestyle.

I never concidered gastric bypass due to the changes to the plumbing. Also, I realize one thing to me that was really important and that's that the lapband is adjustable. I've heard of gastric bypass patiants gain back the weight or get stuck at a 16/18ish weight and not able to lose anymore because they can't go back for an adjustment and they have grown used to their stomach size.

I guess we can change our culture one person at a time.

You are correct on this and I would have been more kind had this person made an attempt to join our community. Discuss topics with us etc. I'm new here and probley not that well know but you can tell if someone just wants our donations vs someone that really wants our support.

I agree.. I first went to England in my young 20's and I was thin. At the time I was "yes I admit" a spoiled brat. I complained because my hotel room wasn't large enough or the TV big enough. I could eat two or three of their meals and thought I was getting "ripped off" at resturants that charged me for the tiny little cokes and for every refill. Now I've learned... I hope I'm not so spoiled. I'd like to live simipler and those things aren't so imporant to me. But it's hard to change eating habits after always living the "fast food life style" - I know I can do it but I'm glad to have the band to assist.

It's hard not to judge here and I'm so sorry up front but what I find "skepitical" about your story is there are lots of people right here on this forum who have been 300 pounds and managed to work. I have friends who work every day and weigh over 300 pounds. Of course I don't know your entire story but I had to pay $17,500 for my surgery and I didn't just pull that money out of a hat. I'm sorry for you but I think if you have the computer skills that can create that site and link to paypal you're ahead of a lot of other applicants out there for getting a clerical or semi-technical job.

Wow, it's interesting to see that the requirements for the BMI for you are the same as they are here. I wish you luck with your surgery.

I've had heartburn taking different medications even before I was banded. It's weird cuz I never had regular heartburn from food or even acid-reflux but have had it several times from capsule medications. I'm almost scared to try them now that I'm banded because it was such a yucky feeling.

This thread is for discussion purposes only... just curiousity. So... I'm sure everyone here knows the rules but as another thread pointed out some people seem to be less knowlegeable on them. I am very curious on how strict you follow the rules and your opinion of how you think they work. 1. Eat only three small meals a day 2. Eat slowly and chew thoroughly 3. Stop eathing as soon as you feel full 4. Do not drink while you are eating 5. Do not eat between meals 6. Eat only good quality foods 7. Avoid fibrous foods 8. Drink enough fluids during the day 9. Drink only low-calorie liquids 10.Exercise at least 30 mintues a day My issues.... 1. I eat more like 5 really small meal-If not I get low suger crazy. 2. Eating slowly and chewing is teaching me to savor what I can eat. 3. Need to learn this still - I usually go from hungrey to in pain. 4. Learning not to drink is hard but I think I got it. 5. Eating between meals - it's hard not too. 6. Quality Foods - well I hate most quality food so this is a challange too. 7. Avoid fibrous foods - not a problem 8. Drink enough - this is hard since I used to only drink with meals 9. Low-Calorie liquids - I'm doing ok on this exept I like latte's too much 10.Exercise at least 30 mintues - I'm getting this about 4 x Week.

I don't think I realized the ring size would change. I really like this thread to remind me that this tool does work.

I'm glad I'm not the only one. The meatloaf idea is a good idea. I ate some raw carrots tonight (which I don't hate) but I like better if I had some dip. I'm not filled yet so I'm counting weight watchers points so I don't eat too much. The carrots were free but I didn't have any points left for dip. Weight watchers trys to get you to eat 5 servings a day. I have a hard time getting in one. Today was carrots - yesterday I reluctantly ate green Beans.