marys

i think this is what kat is referring to - my band sister takes it - it's in little vials - 25 grams of protein each. http://www.protica.com/store/

Ha - I'm not thinking I will ever reach my weight goal but I am leaning toward keeping it in unless I have problems because the band has made me realize and confront all of the behaviors etc that made me fat. While I've made great strides in dealing with these behaviors I do not trust I am 'cured' - without I could easily fall back into old habits.

Hey Sunta - awesome nsv - please keep us posted on how you are doing - I'm about 15 months out and have started occassionally having some pain in the port - a few times it felt extra hard and seemed to be sticking out more - a few times it was kinda burning...thinking it is passing thing but of course wondering too - It's certainly not from my losing weight - ha whereas I see you've lost quite a bit (congrats) - maybe it is closer to the surface on you now? Who knows - just hoping all is ok with you.

Why can't you say - I'm having surgery - of a personal/private nature - thanks so for much for asking but you don't have to worry - I'll be fine in a few weeks. I'd rather not discuss the particulars - I'm sure you understand. END OF SUBJECT. I absolutely can't stand nosy neighbors, co workers, parishoners, etc. it is no one's business but your own. I strongly encourage everyone not to tell anyone but your absolute closest and dearest - you can tell everyone much later should you chose - once you tell it is done and you can't do a darn thing about WHO THEY TELL. Just my two cents...

My band sister (we were banded together) goes to him regularly for fills and I think he has a support group tho not sure on that - anyway she really likes him and his staff - good luck to you!

In the past when I have had a bad pb episode I have gone on liquids for up to 2 days and liquid maalox 3x a day for two weeks (as suggested by my doc) You sound very swollen - probably not a slip. Definitely call the doc for his/her advice and no way get a fill until you get this issue straightened out. take care, mary

I have one to two Snacks per day as needed (usually only when I snow ski and am hungrier)... suggested by my nutritionist - low fat yogurt (for calcium) or skim/lowfat milk I also have fresh fruit - one piece of anything I like low fat mozarrello (sp?) cheese stick 3-4 thin slices of deli meat or 1-2 with small amount of cream cheese on them (like a wrap up) 10 or less nuts 1 stallone high Protein pudding with a few tablespoons of Dr. Sears high protein Cereal 1/2 - 3/4 cup of cottage cheese hard boiled egg - my favorite.

Such very good questions and one that took me almost a year to figure out- i would advocate eating until satisfied and definitely not full. full for most bandsters means pretty darn stuffed. you will have to experiment on this as it takes some practice - honestly satisfied now means to me soooo little - my meals started on a salad plate - now it is a saucer - 1/2 protein, 1/2 vegetable and a spoon or two of starchy carb in the middle - fruit is usually a snack for me - my doc says snacks are fine - just chose wisely - always best not to stuff yourself in anticipation of what will happen later - take each meal as it comes and eat to satisfied - it takes aLMOST 20 minutes to recognize 'full' and if you overeat boy will you feel it.

Many of you have seen my posts of frustration and despair over not being able to lose weight with the band. I'm not here to discuss that other than to say I do follow the bandster rules - my body just refuses to lose weight. After over one year I have gotten my wish of being able to view food as what I refer to 'a normally thin person' - Food no longer controls my every waking thought and action - I eat three meals a day on a saucer size plate and feel fully satisfied. I eat a wide range of foods and a very healthy diet. I actually chew my food and enjoy every bite and can even throw away leftovers without crying. I have overeaten twice since banding but I know what satisfied is now and can stop when I'm there. I eat from all food groups although starchy carbs are now eaten like a condiment. i treat myself usually once a month and can be happy with a piece of candy or a few chips. Right now I have a huge box of godiva chocolates and ate 3 on V-Day and could care less - previously they would haunt me, calling my name until i ate every one. I exercise 4-7 times a week and am pretty strong and fit for someone overweight but the frequency is something I can keep up for life. In the past I exercised up to 6 hours a day and that isn't what i want anymore. My only obsession was trying to lose weight and trying to figure out why I cant. i really no longer care - I'm not gaining and I can live with myself. I may lose more but I'm not changing anything else. I'm content with where i am so if weight wants to come off, great but I don't think I will gain. The yo yo struggles are over. Please no suggestions of what I can do to lose weight - I've done it all - I am just going to live my life, no longer obsessed with my size. The band has stopped my struggles and I feel pretty much normal now. I can live with that.

You are so welcome and glad you are feeling a little better! Just take it day by day on this new life journey. Mary

I think all these ideas are good - Here's some things I've given to my older folks who are on a fixed income and really have everything they want... My mom sends lots of cards so I got her a hallmark box and an assortment of cards and several books of stamps - every xmas I 'refill' it. *calling cards so they save on long distance *gift certificates to their two favorite restaurants *gift certs to their local grocery store and gas station Does she like the movies or theatre - something like that she wouldn't splurge on herself? Sometimes cash is really appreciated too though I think your spa day sounds wonderful!!!

oh my gosh tinker - i would take a guess that 99-100% of us here feel the same way as you - food is our everything - I know it was to me. Yes, it is a bit hard but it gets easier. It's taken over 1 year for me to really start feeling and making changes - not so much what I needed to eat and when, etc. but stuff like, throwing food away - oh my god - I almost killed my boyfriend a few times when he would take my plate away when I said i was full - or - being finished eating and watching others eat - kill me now!:omg: or not binging when I am upset or finishing a box of Cookies - well, you get my drift! You will find that band will help you but can't totally stop you - you can still derive pleasure from food and hopefully eat a wide range of foods (everyone is different here). You will also learn lots and lots of new ways to be and act around food. That's why the band is good - it helps you make changes. And it helped me realize why I was fat - it throws all your bad habits in your face and strongly suggests you make changes. Properly restricted means you should be able to eat three good meals a day - you will have to watch your portions - although properly restricted means you won't be able to stuff yourself to the gills either - or you will hurt bad. You will enjoy food again - and maybe more because it won't be ruling over you. And broth does get boring, ick - can you expand your diet (within docs orders - I could have popsicles, creamy but not too thick Soups, full strength juices, milk, hot cocoa, etc.? Also, ramen noodle broth is good) hang in there sweetie, you can do this, really!

HI Andi, I'm so sorry for your frustrations! I sincerely know a bit of how you feel - everyone has such good advice for you- I hope you will be able to try some of the suggestions. Sometimes just one very tiny change can start things turning in another direction. You may notice from my ticker info - I am not very successful with the band. However, I do follow those dang bandster rules, I do eat under 1000 calories a day and I do exercise and I still don't lose weight. Now I'm not telling you this to discourage you more, just to tell you I'm still not giving up either. You know we did this for life - so even if it's 15 pounds for you know, it could be 15 more in 2007 - and going down is better than going up. I'm not one for Weight Watchers but maybe a group like that would help you be more accountable for your food choices and a support group of sorts. I would kill for a local support group as I had my surgery in Mexico and really need face to face support as I struggle so. You absolutely know what you are doing to sabatage yourself so try to be kind to you - you are not a failure you are just discouraged and a bit mad at yourself. You can turn this around - remember, small baby steps like eating a healthy 'bandster type dinner every night". good luck!!!

I felt a little strange after surgery for awhile - like, what have I done and what the heck is in me. That passed pretty quickly and I do feel normal. I can feel my port sometimes but it isn't noticeable and mostly i don't thinik about it. The other day it felt 'bigger' than normal and it felt hard when I touched it but that seems to be gone. Sometimes if I sleep on it 'wrong' I may feel it but it's never lasting or really painful.

Shape.com has a good triathlon training program. Here's a running program for beginners - everyone's advise on other aspects of training are good (proper shoes, good running form - i.e. relaxed posture, rythmic breathing, etc.). You should be able to comfortably walk 30minutes at a time before training to run. Jog-Walk Program to run continuously for 20 minutes Perform each 'week 3 times, resting 1-2 days between runs" Consistency is key*** - each weeks builds upon the earlier week If you miss a week, go back to earlier level Week 1: Run 30 sec. Walk 90 sec. Repeat 10 times Week 2: Run 60 sec. Walk 60 sec. Repeat 10 times Week 3: Run 90 sec. Walk 90 sec. Repeat 7 times Wk 4: Run 2 minutes, Walk 1 minute, Repeat 7 times Week 5: Run 3 minutes, Walk 1 minute, repeat 5 Wk 6: Run 4 minutes, Walk 1 minute, repeat 4 times Wk 7: Run 6 minutes, Walk 1 minute, repeat 3 times Wk 8: Run 9 minutes, Walk 1 minute, repeat 2 minutes Wk 9: Run 10 minutes, walk 1 minute, Repeat 2 times Wk 10: Run 12 minutes, Walk 1 minute, repeat 2 times Wk 11: Run 20 minutes Tips: Do not worry about speed at all - go as slow as you need to to complete the run portions - this is about building endurance not about speed. If you miss a week, move back one week of the program Even when I was pretty fit - running requires a specific set of muscles and cardio endurance - it was hard for me to run even for 30 seconds in the beginning. Have fun

I am a part time personal/exec assistant to the most wonderful man - he lets me basically run the show and work whenever I want - I also work part time at a ski resort for a free pass (not the money) and ski almost every day. My guy is a computer consultant so makes the bulk of the money. We've lived this way for almost 5 years. Unfortunately we are going back east this year to traditional jobs - we need the benefits and to make some money. Our plan is to buy some real estate over the next three years and then live in Hawaii for 6 months and Utah for 6 months.

here's a good one for the triceps - You will need one big hand held weight anywhere from 3-10lbs depending on how strong you are starting out or a large, heavy phone book works good... you can stand or sit but hold in your belley and watch your posture. Raise your arms over your head holding the book or weight = keep your arms close/tight to your ears. Lower and lift the weight bending at the elbows, slowly feeling the tension in your triceps Keep the weight or phone book behind your head, lifting straight up - don't bring it foreward Start with 3 sets of 10-12 For inner thighs... Do you have a larger ball at home like a basketball or anything similar? Sit, place between your thighs and squeeze - hold for up to 30 seconds, rest and repeat - good to do during commercials if you are watching tv. For outer thighs, stand behind a chair (sideways) holding onto the back stand tall with one hand on your waist flex your foot and lift your leg to the side, raise and lower 10-15 times change sides repeat 3 times

Hey Helen, So sorry for your pain and troubles. Yes, yes please call your doc - there was a woman who posted on my docs website who ate a piece of chicken a few days after surgery and did have a slip. Our doc prescribes liquids for 21 days to really ensure that band stays in place. How long are you suppossed to be on liquds for? Does your doc have an emergency number or doc on call - i would strongly suggest you call him/her just in case. And no you are not alone - lord knows we have all done stuff we shouldn't but this is the most important time for you - healing - no food/solids. take care.

No don't worry about a slip - but be careful - you are learning and overeating was and sometimes is the hardest thing for me to learn as a bandster - it has taken me a year and let me tell you - your definition of full is really going to change - in fact, i NEVER EAT to full anymore - full to me pre banding was stuffed and now it is way before full - it is a feeling of satisfied and that is quite different. I have overeaten twice bad and let me tell you i was hurting so bad i thought i would die - definitely never want to do that again. Go slow, don't eat past 20 minutes and listen to your body - it is a learning process.

Well I'm not an expert by any means but right before i decided to be banded i tried weight watchers 3 times and couldn't lose weight - maybe 1-2lbs and i followed it - also i tried scarsdale diet which i had tried many times in the past and lost pretty well and i only lost about 3 pounds so i was so frustrated i said i'm getting the lapband as a last resort - i guess i should have known i would have trouble losing with that too - i think it is my age going through perimenapoause and years and years of yo you dieting. If you can lose weight now but have bad habits the band will help you. Even tho i haven't lost near what i want - i havent really gained and let me tell you i had so many bad habits around food etc that i didnt even realize and the band doesn't let you fool yourself. So after a year plus I don't eat to stuffed anymore, I can stop eating and watch others eat without freaking out, i can throw food away (tho that is still hard) and I eat slower and chew which i only inhaled before. I did have my thyroid tested and i am smack in the middle normal - go figure. I am a pretty rare bandster so don't be scared it wont work for you - I am still hopeful -

Anyone else see the Dr. Phil with the 500lb woman and 1000 pound man? It is so sad.

I don't think it is strange - I'm pretty hungry normally every few hours and think its a bit hunger and also low blood sugar issues. I recently had an unfill and am enjoying wonderfully small bandster meals three times a day. My doc and nutritionist told me two Snacks added to that are also ok. It is just important to chose good foods. Try not to get too full - that took a LONG time for me to learn - i never eat to full anymore or i hurt too - also try to eat a varied diet, Protein first, then some veges, maybe some fruit and then a couple spoons of carbs - not sure where you are in your banded life, etc but also ask your doc or nutritionist for help and suggestions. I can now eat three good meals a day and don't always want snacks - if i do i eat a low fat yogurt usually. But I make a nice small plate of food for every meal and try to get some variety. Some bandsters eat the tinest portion and are full for hours - everyone is different. Plan and watch snacking - if you are truly hungry - eat something high in protein, etc and see how it goes. good luck!

Aimee, I think you are right although I am still perplexed that the less fluid i have, the tighter i feel. After a year of banding i do have a bit more control and have learned to eat slow and stop way before full so right now i am very happy - for example, no pbs since the unfill and i've had a nice small breakfast every day - my favorite meal and a wide range of foods in very small amounts for lunches and dinners.

Hey Keli, No, don't mind you asking - I recently went back to Tijuana to my doc's for a consult to remove my band - no particular probs but just disgusted that no matter what i do or try i can not lose weight. Extreme frustration led me there. I was examined and ok even tho i had been pbing for a week every day - just getting off my period and really tight and sore. My exam showed everything was ok with my band and parts - thank god and then the surgeon - not ortiz but martinez came and talked with me for quite some time. He thought my erratic eating may be messing with my metabolism (and some other things) and I toldhim what i was eating - i have over one year of food diaries but was eating a lot of liquids and mushies due to tightnesss- he said he wanted me to eat three bandster meaLS and up to two Snacks every day - and i said if i could eat like that i would be so happy and at least if i didn't lose weight i would understand it, etc. so he suggested an unfill and i'm at the lowest ever - and really again surprised at the level of restriction - i do feel it - almost like i did on my first fill at 2.3 - and maybe a little more - i still have to make good choices and really do my part but i can eat a lot better and more often. then i talked to the nutritonist and she gave me 30 days of appetite suppressent - raductil - and that has really taken away my appetite. i'm not suppossed to weigh for onemonth but i've been popping on the scale and still holding at about 3lbs less but i'm not too freaked out. i am definitely even eating less than before the unfill so i think i should be dropping like mad, but that's probably never going to be me. anyway,, that's whay these fills are so elusive (i think) - everyone always gets more but i seem to get less - go figure.

You know Keli that is very interesting - i wrote that idea up somewhere else (a little differently) Anyway, I just had an unfill and am at the lowest level of fill yet, yet i still feel pretty good restriction - it perplexes me but that's a good suggestion - it just might work to take it out and start again -