cashley

Leener - I just have to say your signature is always so entertaining... Dee - that's weird about the band they choice for you... Have you found a fill doctor yet? It should still work you just might have to have more fill then most since you have less to lose. I've heard that they (some doctors) are doing cosmetic lapband for one 40 pounds over weight. I haven't seen any places but think i read it here. I'd be really interested in the cost... it's too late for me but not for my friends.

Hey Nanster, I totally agree with you on the pills... wow it's just hard to get them down. I hate the taste and it's even hard when they are split in half. As far as the ticker goes in your signature you just click on someone's ticker and it will link you to the website. You can go though the steps to create your own ticker with the designs and weights you want in it. When you are done you will copy the BB code (they give you several but this site uses the BB code) and then come back here. Once here go into the User CP area (control panel) and you can create a signature. From there you will paste the code you copied from the other site. For copy and paste you can use your right mouse button and select copy (or paste) from the menu. You can also do Ctrl C (to copy) or Ctrl V (to paste). Good luck with your signature.

That waiting for the "sweet spot" on restriction is really hard. I empathize with you. It's just when you are waiting for the rest of your life to begin you want it to begin "NOW"... (I totally stole that line from a movie) I tried so hard to think in terms of just being happy with knowing it was going to happen "SOON" Also, I just keep thinking "At least I'm not gaining" since the previous months before surgery it was a struggle and hard diet just to maintian and not gain.

Since your previous thread started with my name I would think that it was addressed to me... I've read the entire thread!

Some doctors have you drink Water while they are filling and you have to tell them when you feel the water move though the band. It's kind of hard to tell. Some doctors also do the fill under the floro. Both methods will get you a "custom" fill which will be exactly what your doctor thinks you need. Other doctors use a standard fill schedule.

I also didn't tell her I did the same thing and turned out fine... I told her to call her doctor.... I don't guess you've read though the thread...

Who said that? This is (and has been) a relativly smart, effective and stimulating conversation between posters who just happen to have different opinons but not once reading though the entire thing do I see anyone say that?

I also think (but not sure) that they count everyone that started in the study even if they had their band removed for any reason. A few people not losing at all or gaining (from having their band removed) would really skew the numbers. Just like if you have three people that do 100% and one that does 0% then it looks like a 75% average... but if they took only the people who started and ended banded I think the average would go up.

I've been using the Hot Tea idea and love it. It allows me to get "Almost Normal" bandster amounts per meal of solids. I find that it really helps with that first bite syndrome. Thanks for the tip StrawartS.

Woohoo! Contrats... So you made the two pound challenge over the weekend right? That was a good challenge.

I'll start with a disclaimer that I don't cook and never eat at home. I used to blame my weight on my travel schedule and not eating wholesome meals but I've come to realize I can still eat out and make some pretty good choices. Today I went to applebee's and had a tasty bowl of tomato basil Soup... I was totally full when I finished and noticed everyone else was still eating but it didn't bother me. I guess the key is once you get restriction you won't feel so "deprived" I used to get so depressed over that "deprived" feeling... the feeling that everyone else could do things (eat things) I couldn't... Now I'm so happy to say it's gone. I'm sure you're sick of hearing "when you get restriction" things will be better, and I know it's so hard to wait. But the good news it eating doesn't have to be a struggle for the rest of your life now we have "HOPE"

I think us "Rule Breakers" feel just as attacked as you "Rule Followers"... I believe it's the nature of this communication medium. I think that the people who follow the rules and preach about it are well meaning but still if can be confused with "Judgmental"... Since we all agree that the Band is different for everyone... different fill levels, different doctor's, different weight loss rates then I would suspect that the necessity to follow the rules are also individual and there isn't always one right answer. I think the person asking the inital question deserves to hear what I’ve been though and what you’ve been though and what everyone has been though… that's why people ask to hear the answer they want to hear. Edited because - Above "Preach" isn't the right word but I can't think of one that fits better... I mean - witness or tell about or.... still thinking of a better word! I know - how about "advocate"

Susan - I'd like to address your concern on the Nazi comment since I was the one that made it... I didn't obviously say you were the Band Nazi since I didn't get to read your post which were already deleted when I joined the discussion. My response and choice of that term was more in jest and I apologize if I offended anyone or if it was judgmental. The term to me was more in reference to examples like the "Soup Nazi" from Sinfield who say's "No Soup for you" if you don't follow the rules... or the IT Nazi's from Saturday Night Live who rules the companies computers with an Iron fist....or even the "Gym Nazi" from Saturday Night Live who is the workout "boss".... There will always be people in the world who are "Rule followers" and there are also "Rule Breakers"... (And some people are in-between) I honestly wanted Danielle to just ask her doctor like I did and see what his/her answer was. I don't think that because a person doesn't follow all the rules makes them a person who isn't ready for the band. For some people this band will still work even if all the rules aren't followed. I retract my Nazi comment and want to point out again that word was used in jest... and admit I wasn't thinking of the German military of the Second World War. Another comment I also wanted to make was "THat everyone is different.... I said that in the original post and that moving to mushies or solids early shouldn't be determined by us and our one size fits all rules.... that's most likely a subject that should be addressed with ones doctor.

Thanks for the reply.. I was only taking a tablespoon which I realize now isn't enough. I'm switching to a shot glass. The berry flavor isn't too weird and I could almost drink it like a beverage (cept it's kind of expensive to be drinking glasses of it). I have just a bit of acid and it seems to be soothing and helps.

I'm at 2.7cc and only on my second fill. It's fairly tight and I concidered an unfill but the doctor told me to wait for my next appointment. I guess he's right since I'm doing better the week then I was last week. I think if you have more to loose you can get by with less fill.... I had "no restriction" at all from the band alone like some people get.

This is a good reminder not to do this to our own children. I don't have children but my niece has went though chubby stages. I didn't say anything but don't want her to suffer as I have as an overweight adult. I wonder what the best way is to work with a child so they don't develop the bad issues (not just habits but other issues) that cause us to over eat.

My problem is knowing when I'm hungrey at this point (not a bad problem to have)... I'm trying to decide between head hunger and real hunger. Also I can go all day without eating but then I get a headache and feel real bad. I'm glad I'm at the point I have to "remember to eat"... it's a good feeling. To answer your question - at this point I'm a bit too tight so I know when to stop from "Pain"... I don't think it will always be that way but the doctor wants to wait longer before he removes any fill. Actually I guess he's right because it's been two weeks and I'm getting more in at each meal. (still it's only about 1/2 cup but that's ok with me)

It's not recommended by who? Where did you hear that? This is what's in the Inamed's FAQ Q: What about alcohol? A: Alcohol has a high number of calories and breaks down Vitamins. An occasional glass of wine or other alcoholic beverage, though, is not considered harmful to weight loss². ²Dixon J., Dixon A., O’Brien P. Light to Moderate Alcohol Consumption: Obesity and the Metabolic Syndrome. Am J Bariatric Medicine 2002; 17(4): 11-14.

Well finally... Weight Loss seems to be settling in. I'm still not at my goal of 2 pounds loss average per week but I'm getting close. My fill level is at 2.7 now and wow I can't eat much. I'm vomiting every once in awhile but keeping some stuff down. I'm so happy to finally be losing and hope that it continues. I know that there will be stalls and I'm anticipating them. As of today I'm 193.5 which is 21.5 down.

I can't burp... I've felt like I've needed to a few times but then I can't get it out. Weird how we have the same tool but everyone is so different.

Wow! La_Madam - Impressive... I was so glad to read that you've made it 5 months without putting on any weight. Congrats!

Well finally... Weight Loss seems to be settling in. I'm still not at my goal of 2 pounds loss average per week but I'm getting close. My fill level is at 2.7 now and wow I can't eat much. I'm vomiting every once in awhile but keeping some stuff down. I'm so happy to finally be losing and hope that it continues. I know that there will be stalls and I'm anticipating them. As of today I'm 193.5 which is 21.5 down.

I did the "barium swallow" prior to surgery but I do remember another girl getting to be "exempt" from it, maybe from an allergy like yours. Have you called your doctor and asked if there is an alternative or if you can still have surgery without it?

Wow - you've gotten tons of advice here Danielle... So I'm curious what did you decide to do? ~~ Disclaimer~~ If you admit to eating solid foods here you may be stoned to death or at least given thirty lashes ~~evil grin~~ My advice is still - Check with your doctor and go with your gut... (no pun attended)

Yep... it was worth it. I'm losing weight and I'm doing it on my terms. I'm not exactly following all the rules, I eat more then three meals a day. I eat fast food, and damnittohell.... I keep tring to get bread down because I love it. My doctor doesn't have a problem with soda's as long as I can tolerate them. He said if they don't cause pain or gas then have them in moderation. He's firm on a few rules like not drinking while eating, and that was hard for me. But now that I have decent restriction I find it less hard since drinking can equal pain if you're eating too. I don't really mind the pain or the golf ball too much since it's a sign to me to stop eating. Sure I admit I'd rather have a gentle nudge to stop but sometimes it's a sharp pain. And I agree with someone above the PB's for me are more like a mild spit up or very small vomit. I actually love my band today since I'm tight but not too tight. I'm not interested in most food or eating that often and that was my real goal. I wanted to lose my interest in food. I come here for support and realize that it's better support then food. And my last point is... I haven't given up on eating anything for the rest of my life.... I can still have fries, bread, sweets etc but all in moderation. (Breads are tough for me now due to the tight fill but I'm fairly sure that won't last for life)