Eris

I live in southern Connecticut and attend a monthly support group. I would like to attend more because I don't find one to be enough. Are there any other groups around? I go to the one at St. Vincent's. - Dee

Hello. I am not in recovery for anything, but I have some training in working with people suffering from an addiction and a mental illness. I don't want to sound rude or judgemental or uncaring, but it sounds like you are hiding behind your doctor's lack of support as an excuse not to do something that will be very difficult. You have to quit because you want to do it for you and it is totally in your hands. However, I am an absolute supporter of programs like AA because everyone needs support. If you liked it, go back. It was suggested that I attend OA after I was banded at a rate of six different meetings in two weeks to find one I liked. If you don't have a group to fall back on you might try that. After you find one, ask them for help. They will help you. And, as my training dictates, you need to attend 90 meetings in 90 days, whether you are sober or not. You will only absorb about a third of those meetings. Please don't let people who have very likely never had an addiction dictate how you proceed with your own recovery. They can't understand what you are going through. It is good to keep them informed, especially the doctor dealing with your psych meds. And keep in mind that mental illness and addiction are SEPERATE illnesses and both must be treated. Don't neglect one and hope it will go away when the other is treated. I hope I didn't sound preachy or offend you in any way, I want to be helpful and encouraging. I wish you the best of luck with your endeavors and I hope you obtain the support you need. -Dee

I'm sorry people are making you feel bad about your decision. I had my surgery about three months ago, and even at this point I don't tell anyone I don't have to. Would anyone from your family be willing to go to a seminar? I took my mom even though I had already been to one and it helped her understand that I wasn't just lazy and lacking self-control. She also saw how much I was willing to give up for my band, in terms of foods I thoroughly enjoyed. She also spoke with my primary care physician with my father (I wasn't there - my father has the same doctor) and he explained why he felt it was important for me to have the surgery and that I had a real medical condition that prevented me from losing weight and that it wasn't because I was lazy. I don't know if any of this helps, but I hope so. Good Luck! - Eris

I have the cramp too. My doctor told me its because the port is sewn into muscle and can be painful when the muscle stretches and relaxes. The more you move, the better it gets. I only get it once in a while now, its been 2 months since my surgery. - Eris

I didn't feel any restriction until my third fill. But...the PA allowed me to get a fill every two weeks instead of once a month because I was struggling with having no restriction. Ask your doctor if they will allow you to do that. Congratulations on 45 lbs, however. I had mine on 03/18/08, and finally hit 20lbs today. You are doing great! - Eris

Hello! I am two months post-op and I went through the same thing. I won't tell you to stick to the diet because I didn't, but I strongly suggest it. Eating now won't hurt your stomache itself, but if something does get stuck and you vomit, you can dislodge the band (or so the doctor told me) because you are not healed yet. I didn't feel any restriction either until I ate something too big and too fast (sushi) and had to throw it up. If you absolutely must eat, stick with high-protein, low fat/sugar, and EAT SLOWLY with LITTLE BITES!! It is miserable and I feel for you, but remember that it isn't forever. Also, I gained weight right after surgery because of the same problem and I felt even worse about myself than I did before surgery. That was even harder on me than the hunger and need for food. Good Luck! Call a friend to take you away from food if you need to. - Eris

Greetings all! I was banded on March 18, 2008. I immediately gained 6lbs back after. (I had lost 15 on the liquid diet before). I have since managed to lose the 6 I had gained plus 7 more. I am not saying that is a bad amount, but I have not managed to shed the bad habits in spite of the opportunity I have received and I am thoroughly disgusted with myself. Anybody else going through this? Hope to hear!! :thumbup: