marys

Leave it to me to pick the hardest fruit for most bandsters to eat - It did feel like a lead weight inside me - different from any food I've tried -it said there like a huge stuck ball - It took forever to pass and I eventually took a sip of crystal lite which i knew would bring it up for good - i hate doing that and I only resort to that on rare rare occassions but I couldn't take it anymore. I like the applesauce idea but I'm staying away from apples for awhile as it did sit soooo heavy in my stomach - I'm probably not describing it very well - Hmm, was thinking about watermelon next.....:girl_hug: Thanks again to everyone who responded!

Hi - am beginning a search for a specialist - preferably a younger(ish) woman (just my preference for personal reasons) in metabolic/endocrine problems and issues. Please pass along any suggestions - thanks, mary

Thank you very much - I'll check that site out. Mary

Thank you for your responses! Yep - definitely the peel and I won't do that again. I hope this thread saves others from this mistake - not good! I do feel better but it is liquids for probably the rest of the day.

I am almost 100% certain that dr. ortiz doesn't charge extra for hernia repair - just ask his staff/him to be sure. Two of my 'band sisters' had hernia repairs when we had surgery and I don't remember either of them saying they were charged.

Ms.vicki and musicalmama - i am with you and know how that hurts - it's amazing what those words can do to us. I too have many many of those types of stories - had even considered starting a thread to see what others have had said to them but thought it would be too painful - one that sticks in my mind - i was walking a huge distance on a nice trail - one of my many attempts at getting weight off and I was pretty large - BUT - several kids on bikes rode by yelling - hey look it's shamu, wide load move over etc etc. I was in tears and of course still remember it painfully. I think all of us should try to put it away and not give that kind of power over to others who are ignorant, stupid and/or mean!

I woke up when I think they were moving me from the or to a recovery room bed - all I know is I felt like I was on a sheet and they were heaving/lifting me onto another table. And of course in my twisted mind i just remember thinking oh my god i am so fat and i know i'm killing them trying to move me and please don't drop me (I have always had a huge huge fear of anyone trying to pick me up - I almost go ballistic) - after that i remember waking up in my room and feeling out of it and wanting to walk cuz everyone tells you to walk. I kept trying and getting dizzy so they made me stay in bed. not much pain but my last night in the hotel i was missing that adjustable hospital bed - it hurt to try to get up.

Everyone is right! Of the four women who had band surgery with me 1 woman - me had absolutely no restriction = I started solids eating very slow and small because I wasn't that hungry and was scared of overeating and pbing. By the time 6 weeks came around I was eating more and more, and could eat all foods, etc. I am still trying to get it right! 1 woman never got a fill and lost over 85lbs 1 woman got a small fill, eventually had it taken out as it was too much and now after almost 15 months is getting another one in a few weeks (wants to try again to lose some weight) 1 woman get fills/unfills regularly every month Every one is different with the number and amount of fills but it is pretty common to not have any restriction right after surgery and need at least one.

I agree with everyone else - esp since I struggle even more then your daughter - of course I am much older etc. 25lbs in a year is actually really good - the 1-2 lbs a week is a 'norm' with many variations from that. Perhaps she does need a fill but being overtight is not the answer either. Even now if I don't track my calories it is pretty easy to eat too many- the band and correct fill level is a fine line - you want to make choices and eat three good healthy meals a day and the band can't control those or other aspects of one's eating/behaviors (overeating, eating junk, etc.) I am also sure she would appreciate your support and love - I am quite close to another bandster in my shoes (has lost even less weight then me and very tight etc.) - her mother and sister both banded on the same day are normal weight now. Some of us have issues probably yet to be discovered. Lastly what was suggested to me (and I'm working on) is finding an endocrinologist preferably a younger woman who is more in tune with new methods/practices/issues surrounding thyroid and hormonal issues - if you are going that route - go all the way and not just get a blood test. Good luck.

I just wanted to add that two of my band sisters (4 of us banded on the same day) are diabetic - one has lost all her excess weight - went from 240lbs to about 126 and is off her medicine and the other one has lost aout 45lbs and stopped one and decreased another. I don't know too much about what they were taking but both are very happy as are their doctors. Not everyone pb's - some never, some occassionally, some excessively. Mostly it can be controlled by your behavior and having the right fill. I wouldn't let that stop you but it is something to think about. good luck!

7 days clear liquids 14 days full liquids on day 22 start full solids i never cheated during the post op diet above as i was super scared of hurting the band/healing process. i think it has helped me (i always say that doc stiched the band in good) cuz i've messed up plenty since banding - i always try food that might not work one day but works the next (my band is very fickle and i like eating a variety of foods) i have pb'd many many times mostly from bad habits - though i am learning and probably being too tight and eating the foods i mentioned above. i am a hard headed stubborn woman sometimes.

absolutely frightening - this sends shivers down my spine.

I like the chili idea cuz i prepare it in the crockpot so I'm not crazy in the kitchen when everyone comes and prepare a variety of toppings for everyone to chose from - onions, jalepenos, cheeses, olives, lettuce/shredded, tomatoes, and then maybe spaghetti(some like to top with chili) and some tortillas. I can also eat chili pretty well so I don't have to worry about pbing, etc. And, you can make a vegetarian version and meat version as needed. have a good time and don't stress too much is also my advice! Also i immediately checked out wheetsin's crustless pizza and i'm trying it tonight - girl you can cook

Thanks Julie - that is very helpful - esp coming from someone who is so successful at 'banding' - weight loss. I did measure for awhile then got into 'eye balling' everything but I'm going to try what you described. Since I eat mostly 100% Protein at Breakfast, I normally try to do 1/3 of protein, 01/3 cup vege and maybe a (1/3 cup)carb so I'll use the 1/3 cup measuring cups for lunch and/or dinner! Getting excited for your upcoming p.s. - take care, mary

I totally agree - poor Emily - esp at that age - I'm sure she would like to be included and what a ridiculous reason - auntie doesn't sound very conventional to me so why is she being so 'conventional' in the staging? Why can't Emily walk down the aisle with her sister and partner - a girl on each side? Or with the ring bearer? Jeez = it seems very stupid to me Or could Emily do a reading - if you are willing to buy the dress - that might work if she is comfortable in front of people I'm not sure how I feel about your other granddaughter being in the wedding - seems she shouldn't be made to be left out because of Auntie's insensitivity either but a whole week away to get fitted seems a bit much when Emily is not even included. Tough call but in the end it is Auntie's wedding and if she wants it a certain way I guess it is her day but imo it does seem like you've made it easy money wise for both kids to be incoluded and she could find a way. Good luck keeping the peace!

Dr. C www.thebanddoctor.com participates on this board and helps many people - he is in Cincinatti - not sure if that's close to you. So sorry about your troubles. While I agree with some about needing a fill to help control your eating - for where you are at this time in your life - I agree/ suggest an unfill and counseling/support. Believe me I have my demons and struggles and the band does not make them go away - in some ways they make it worse because the band throws up all the bad behaviors, etc in your face and you can't deny them. But if you continue to stuff yourself you risk losing the band/slips, etc. The band can stay in for life and you can always get fills later when you feel a little stronger and a little more in control. You know you can do it - really - there are so many more in the same boat as you - i hope you will seek personal counseling and support groups - who cares if you've been away for 4 months - just make a decision to go back - you have nothing to lose and you are not alone!!! Take care and good luck to you.

Jessy - i see so much of myself in you - especially the desire to eat those wonderful carbs - even after all this time being banded I still try - not too often and very carefully but I have learned I am a stubborn hard headed woman - most people here seem to have given up so many foods and I understand but i want to eat everything - just in small amounts! - I try to eat starchy carbs like condiments now - maybe a slice of toast or 1/2 grilled cheese sandwhich (never white bread) maybe a few crackers, melba toast, a little rice works for me, Pasta is not a problem - again i only eat a small small portion and after my main Protein. And, by the way my nutritionist said it is perfectly ok to eat those carbs if you can and watch the portions. Banding is such a learning process and i just want to encourage you to be patient with yourself. Every day I am amazed at the changes I am making - my overeating and bad relationship with food and my body just isn't going to go away quickly. If I don't think about it - I take too much food, eat too fast - etc. nothing or not much is really automatic and that is why I got the band. I also think you might be too tight - many live like that but think hard if that is working for you and maybe get a little out. Since my last unfill I can eat three meals of solids a day - sometimes Breakfast is still tough but I actually lost two pounds since that unfill and I never lose weight. Plus if I'd rather eat than not - No matter what eventually the band can't do it all so learning how to chose wisely, stop when satisifed etc is better than living on liquids (in my opinon). hang in there - you are not alone.

What instructions did your fill doc give you in regards to food after your fill - my doc suggests for the first fill - 3 days on liquids/mushies, for subsequent fills it is 24 hours of liquids. Since it's been two days and you are getting liquids down (right?) i would wait until day three - if you still can't eat solids in my opinion you are too tight. Sometimes just taking out the smallest amount helps immensely. Usually after a fill you swell -and everyone is a bit different with how much you swell, etc. And, some fills take a while to kick in but if you are this tight right off the bat - give the doc and call and consider a slight unfill. Take care.

can your doc prescribe phenegrin (not sure correct spelling) but Dr. Mckeen gave me an rx when I saw him for a fill - it's liquid and i took it once and it worked immediately. I keep it around in case of flu etc.

Awesome - welcome to the other side! You'll do great. Rest, follow the doc's post op diet closely as you can - you are healing. Congratulations.

You will be in my thoughts and prayers - as hard as it is - try to relax and know that many/most of us have been through exactly what you are going through emotionally and had the surgery. I was most surprised it wasn't as bad as I expected and believe me I was petrified - almost cancelled a few days before and the day of! You will be a little sore/uncomfortable and may wonder what the heck you have done -but I promise it won't be 'as bad' as you are probably imagining it.

You got it - prayers, good wishes are coming your way. You'll be feeling fine in no time. congrats

Lapband4menow - unfortunately yes i was banded in 2005 but please please please don't let that discourage you. I am a very rare and strange case and mentioned i am seeking metabolic help. Right before i was banded i tried ww 3 times and couldn't lose and then did scarsdale once which in the past was successful and didn't lose and then decided on the band. if i was a bit smarter i might have checked out my problem sooner - my body just doesn't seem to want to lose weight. But as i said please don't go by my slow weight loss - i only know one other bandster like me - i know many others and thousands here that keep plugging away and it will work. And, as a serious yo yo dieter (i could gain easily 60 pounds a year if not more and have done that my whole life) I am happy with even 11 pounds - and by the way today it is 13lbs - yippee. Kat - I love you - you are so supportive and kind. BubbleBut gave me tons of good info last night and I'm looking for an endocronologist as we speak. I will post again when I get some results/news about it all.

Absolutely - food was my everything and I mean that - I used it to Celebrate, for every emotion, when I was bored - I ate non stop - food was on my mind constantly. It was my best friend and worst enemy. After about 15 months it no longer calls me as it once did and i've replaced probably hundreds of situations I would have used food with other things. It continues to amaze me how ingrained these behaviors are as I will always need the band to remind me. For example: I ate dinner at a friend's and wasn't even very hungry due to eating a late lunch. Before I even realized it I had filled a large size dinner plate with pre banding portions - i was astonished - I normally eat off a saucer and eat very small portions but without even thinking I had enough food for 5 people on my plate. I kept sneaking it onto my boyfriend's plate. I still have to be very careful focusing on my meal becaue i can easily go into a 'trance state' and eat and eat and eat rather than stopping way early when satisfied. Very little is 'automatic' - not sure how long if ever that will happen. It is a 'goal' of mine though.

Hi Deb, Welcome and congratulations on finding the lapband -I hope you are able to go through with it. Many of us, like you, have lost and gained the weight you describe. The band will 'force' you to see all those behaviors that may have contributed to your weight (overeating, eating too fast, not chewing, etc.) I did notice you said something about hormones and some other reasons for your weight gain and just wanted to suggest you really explore that fully before getting banded - I've had many struggles getting weight off and do follow the 'bandster rules' (not perfectly but pretty darn close) and am just exploring what I know will be a long and probably expensive road to figure out what is going on metabolically/hormonally. However, even if I don't lose another pound the band has helped me in other ways with my eating, etc. Please know i am NOT discouraging you from the band - just suggesting you check out all reasons for not losing weight prior to doing this. Good luck.