S@ssen@ch

Molly, The first step was probably the hardest.....admitting that you have fallen off track and seeking support. This is the best place, a place of peers. You sure have had one heck of a year and I don't think anyone would fault you for this setback considering your loss. Grief can be one heck of a deterrent. IMHO, you've done the best thing you can do........picked yourself up, dusted yourself off and sought the right path once again. NEVER consider yourself a failure. That in and of itself will make the road harder to travel. You made mistakes (haven't we all?) and you're going to choose the right road from now on. You have a great tool, one that will be with you whenever you're ready for it. It sounds like you're at a place where you can focus again and from what you indicated about your pouch......the band is at attention too.....waiting for your direction. I wish you all the strength and courage to move on and fight this battle.

Lapgirl, A little over a year ago, I was having so much trouble. Nearly every time I ate I had pain although I never really PB'd. I was sleeping with my head all propped up on a wedge pillow yet I was still waking up with sore throats so bad that sometimes I swear I tasted blood. My doc did all the tests and although he found nothing wrong, he thought that my stomach just needed a break from the restriction. When he completely unfilled me I was elated because I was so miserable that I was desperate for relief. It took a while to feel better, but I did. I maintained my own eating routine. I went through a brief period of fear that I would end up where I started, but I got hold of myself and took control. I figure just because I can doesn't mean I should. Yes, I can eat MORE, but as long as I've made the right decisions of WHAT is in there all is well. I picked up a regular exercise program that I love and you know what? I actually lost weight! I toned up, lost 2 pant sizes and have maintained that for a year. I am STILL completely unfilled and have no real desire to go get one. Lap band has changed my life, but not necessarily in the way I had thought it would. It helped me lose the majority of the weight, but it helped me to learn a healthy lifestyle and embrace it as who I am. You can do it. Find what works for you in the meantime and after you heal, if you really NEED that fill you can go get it.

I agree, counseling.....even if it's only for you would help you. It helps you understand yourself, see the picture and make your own decisions. It's amazing how many people are in situations just like this. I think men just don't know how their behavior affects us (and vice versa). Their own fears and weaknesses come out in this negative way but essentially push us away. My husband does exactly the same things you described. I've been accused of sleeping with more people than I could count, wearing perfume or sexy clothing to "turn so and so on". I've been told I'm worthless, lazy, etc. but yet I'm so desirable every man is screwing me! Only you can make this decision, but you have to reach a point where you KNOW it's the right one. By asking us, I don't think you're sure. Seek counseling. They won't decide for you, they'll help you understand yourself and your situation better so that you can feel good in making the right decision for you.

Peggysue, I'm sorry that you feel that the band is a "scam". But from what you've indicated in your message, I must wonder.......other than the seminars, how much research pre-op did you do before jumping into this? Everyone's experience with the band is individual. Some can eat breads/carbs. Some absolutely cannot-the band itself will not let them. Some have trouble with certain meats. What the band does is RESTRICT you. You will learn your band and what your band will tolerate. It can be defeated. By using the band properly, you can overcome those tendancies to eat poor quality foods, processed foods, etc. You learn a more healthy relationship with food. I'm so sad to hear when people think the fills will do everything for them. They have to invest themselves as well. Learn all you can. Commit to this. The band makes a lifestyle change so much easier. I also question your doctor, a little. Why would he tell you "no carbs" at all? Did he send you to a dietician? Especially one experienced with the band and not necessarily bypass patients only. How experienced is he with the band? To tell someone they will lose weight without the band/a fill/etc, defeats his goals and sets YOU up for failure. And for goodness sake, how can he work with overweight individuals who have eating issues and then be upset with 1 stinking pound! Besides, it's not uncommon in the first month or 2 to actually gain because you've healed and you're transitioning back to solid foods. The journey of lap band success is filled with pot holes. Don't get stuck in this one. Crawl out and instead of buying an Atkins book, buy a book about living with the band. Learn how to eat healthy. Find a form of exercise that you like. Success will creep up on you and the next thing you know, you'll look in the mirror and ask who that gorgeous chick is!

When I was banded, and still to this day, I take a seizure medication that is about the size of a birth control pill. The day of the surgery, they asked me if it was O.K. to hold off until after the surgery to take it. I did and didn't have any trouble. With BC pills, if you don't take it the nearly the same time every day you may need to use another form of BC until the next cycle. Check with your doctor. As for the Vitamins, once you're discharged and back home I would recommend either liquid or chewable vitamins until you're healed. It's only been in the last year that I've taken standard sized vitamins (and my band is completely empty). liquid vitamins taste yucky. Chewable, like flintstone's complete or viactiv or Centrum chewable would be better. If you're allowed tomato juice, V-8 qualifies. It's a vegetable juice, but it is mostly tomato. Although it does have a lot of sodium. Maybe consider the low sodium variety.

37 here. I've had various "reshapings" of my body. When I was in the more steady weight loss, I noticed loose skin in various places like my boobs, my belly and between my thighs. But as I've held steady for over a year and been exercising regularly, my body has kind of re-shaped and porportioned itself out. No more loose skin. I won't say things are perfect, I do have a bit of a pouch but as I recall I had that in high school only smaller. My own bit of advice: give it time, your body may surprise you and catch up to itself. Mine did.

I finally finished reading through all of these posts. Although I would NEVER encourage ANYONE to fill themselves or others, I sincerely don't see anything wrong with someone who has training to perform emergency unfills on themselves. I'm a RN who has experience accessing ports. I haven't done it in a while, but with the proper equipment and in an absolute emergency with no other resources/access to help, I would. With that being said, we'd have to really investigate what constitutes an "emergency" worthy of an unfill. Being a little too tight and getting something temporarily stuck or not being able to eat a certain food, is NOT an emergency. If you're going out for the evening and want to be worry free in the resteraunt.....that's not an emergency. Being unable to keep fluids down possibly including your own saliva for an extended period of time (24 hours or more) IS an emergency. You put yourself at risk for dehydration, erosion and possibly band slippage in a situation like that. I've been in a situation where I was too tight for an extended period of time. I could swallow the doctor's fluids in the office just fine, but months later........WHAMO! I was too tight. I had trouble with most solids, had pain nearly every day and sometimes even tasted blood. I can't tell you how many times I considered unfilling myself if I'd had the equipment. But I didn't and I had to wait to see my doctor. I wasn't at risk for dehydration or malnutrition. I was uncomfortable and the whole situation was inconvenient because I had to be even more conscious about what I ate (softer foods) and chew VERY, VERY well. But I didn't consider that an emergency and even changed doctors while I waited this problem out.

What you're describing sounds to me like soreness at your port itself, probably from coughing. Remember, your port is secured directly to the muscle wall. Coughing hard or twisting the wrong way could make it sore. I've heard of people literally flipping it, but what you're describing sounds more like some soreness I get if I do a few too many crunches or press up against a counter too many times. Although I cannot state from experience, I wouldn't think you would feel a slip in this area. You would have different symptoms, like a sudden increase or decrease in the amount of food you are able to eat. I mean a significant increase/decrease. The people I've met who have slipped, slipped after violent vomiting such as the flu. I wouldn't think some coughing from a cold would do it, but if you are really concerned by all means.........contact your doctor. That's what he's there for.

Lainee, It's not necessarily up to the bands or the fill level to do this for you as you elude to in your message. In fact, after various fill levels I'm happiest at totally empty. I feel more in control of things and believe it or not, I'm healthier and more fit. I'm 100% in agreement with Jaqui. The "all or nothing" mentality is partially to blame for where you are right now and the failure of diets the world over. As soon as someone thinks they've "cheated" or "fallen off the wagon", they give up. Part of a healthy lifestyle is to understand that you are human and you will make poor decisions once in a while. But a poor decision today can easily be remedied by making an about face and making a better decision the next time food is presented. I'd recommend reading up on diet, nutrition and how the body reacts to a change in diet. Portion size is only a small factor in this. A small portion of Ben and Jerry's ice cream is still 300+ calories versus a large portion of other food. Watch for calorie dense foods, empty calories and liquid calories. Get active even if it's only walking or doing something very low impact. The key is to move. By moving, you burn off calories and improve your muscles (which burn more calories than fat). Track what you're eating-you'll know exactly how many calories, fat grams, Protein grams you're taking in and you'll be a well informed bandster. FitDay - Free Weight Loss and Diet Journal has free food logging, but programs can be purchased for your personal PC or even a hand-held device. I used a program for my hand-held and kept it in my purse so that I could log as the day went on. Whenever I feel myself getting "off track", I log again. Good Luck and be patient with yourself. This is an individual journey. Try not to compare yourself to others (as hard as that may be).

That doesn't sound TOO bad, but I'm sure it was kind of scary when it happened. But again, if you have ANY and I mean ANY signs that it's getting infected I'd call my doctor right away. Redness, swelling, bloody or puss-like drainage. If you develop a fever, that's another sign. Since you have it closed, it could be infected under the skin. So just keep it clean and dry, be very alert to any changes. More than likely, there won't be any problems but it's good to be aware and alert. Good Luck.

Fluoroscopy is like a moving x-ray. You stand in front of the machine and your doctor can see your stomach and your band to make sure everything is in place. He can have you drink either Water or that wonderful (yuck!) barium so he can see how things pass through. No pain, no suffering other than the glorious taste of the barium-chalky. Heck, it doesn't even really touch you like the ultrasounds. You just stand in front of the machine.

It's not uncommon for you to seem "tighter" some time AFTER a fill. I got too tight 3 or 4 MONTHS after my fill and had to get unfilled. My advice, first of all back down from the solid foods. After all this PBing, your stomach is swollen and irritated (which makes you even tighter). If it were me, I'd probably go all the way back to liquids for a day or 2 and slowly introduce the other levels: full liquids, puree, soft, etc. If you're still having pain and having to PB after only a few bites once you "transition" back to solids...........OR (God Forbid) you can't even get to solids without pain and PBing, I'd call my doctor and ask for a slight unfill.

No offense to Laura, but I wouldn't bother with the steri-strips. You are more than 7 days post-op. By closing a wound that age, you are inviting infection. If it is as small as you lead me to believe (maybe half a centimeter or less) I'd just keep it clean and dry. If it gets really red and has drainage coming out of it (not just a little moisture at the wound site. I'm talking yellow or green pus that would come off onto gauze). I'd let my doctor know. Unfortunately, you're probably going to have a larger scar than you anticipated.

I'm kinda with Jaqui on this. I think you guys are making it way to complicated. I've read up on diet and nutrition. My personal guides have been Drs. Roizen and Oz with the YOU: On A Diet method. They have many of the same principles you mention in your "7 rules" or whatever. They explain the body's metabolism, how your body takes in food and uses it. It explains why you crave certain items and why certain items are "bad" for you. Their exercise program is simple: walk 30 minutes a day and have another work out twice a week. I've taken up a yoga/pilates-like program and I'm telling you, I've never been stronger. I've never had better posture. My core muscles have never felt more toned. From all readings and lectures I've had, I'm not convinced you need all the free weights. Your body and gravity provides all the resistance you need for strength. And walking, true walking and paying attention to your step, posture and body position is very good for cardio and endurance. This truth I know: you MUST find something that works for YOU. That YOU are willing to do and can be faithful to. If you don't do it or lose interest, it will never work. My motto: keep it simple and portable.

Wheetsin, I was banded 4/4/05. I have had various stages of fill from none to up to 2.8cc in a 4cc band (which was very tight for me, I slimed a couple of times and ultimately experienced such reflux that I had to be unfilled). Other than vomiting related to stomach viruses and gall bladder attacks........I HAVE NEVER PB'd. I don't think it has anything to do with being "extra careful" or my various fill levels. To be honest, I just think I've been very lucky. I know there have been times that I didn't chew very well or ate too quickly. I have no food restrictions. The only thing unusual, is that Dr. C told me that the surgeon who placed my band placed it a little higher than he would have. Just FYI. As far as "band babies", I think it's great when anybody asks questions intended to elicit information about banding and banded life. An informed bandster is much more apt to be a successful bandster. Hopefully, they have done their homework BEFORE they've been banded then things don't come as much of a surprise. I do however, have trouble with questions meant to justify behavior that is unbecoming a healthy bandster. When someone has deviated from his/her doctor's advice, for whatever reason, and they come here searching for advice......I really have to tie my fingers and look the other way. :censored:

Loreen, Just a caution about the Topamax, I've been on it for years. I don't remember ever noticing the appetite suppression side effect. I was on it when I reached my highest weight of 285lbs and am still on it today (for a seizure disorder). I see that you also tend to "look at menu's and food like a Bandster". Those skills will probably serve you better than the Topamax. Learning to eat healthier is the only way to come out of this experience in a positive light. So sorry you have had a bad experience with your former band. Fortunately, that's the advantage of the band. It's easily reversed. Good Luck with those 30 lbs.

:whoo:CONGRATULATIONS!:clap2: YOU'VE ARRIVED! I couldn't have said it better myself. So often I see bandsters hanging out here freaking out because they aren't achieving the results they wanted, they're frustrated and are searching in a wilderness trying to find their own path. That's what theses support forums are for, but it's so very exciting to see someone who has found their way through the darkness.

The "sweet spot" is more of a state of being than a physical state. You may reach a certain level of restriction that you're comfortable with and are steadily losing 1-2 lbs a week. That's generally considered "the sweet spot". There's no specific feeling I could tell you, no specific types of food you should be restricted from, no real specific amount of food you should be able to eat. (Although personally, if I could only eat 1/4 cup of food I would think something is wrong.) It's all very subjective. For me, when I could feel those first couple of bites go down or feel a certain amount of pressure after a small amount of food I was too tight. So again, it's very subjective and bottom line it's how YOU feel. Are you happy with where you are? Are you able to eat comfortably? Are you losing at a steady rate? If not, search out why. Is it behavioral (such as diet or exercise levels) or do you need a slight fill to help you modify your behaviors?

I think we all have that "inner child" that stays with us. Whether it's the little fat girl or the little awkward girl or the little ugly girl or the little shy girl (maybe a combination of lots of them). The experiences of our past impress these little children upon us. They become our solitude when we feel vulnerable and are our safe haven when we need a break from life's stresses. When we major changes happen in our lives, whether it's for the good or the bad, these little children come to light and fight against the change. They've become comfortable right where they are and serve their purposes. I think that's part of the reason we fail at long term weight loss without professional help. We literally sabotage ourselves against change. We'll all just have to help these little children in our psyche grow up or evolve into a more positive influence. Just my 2 cents.

I went through a period, at about 8 months post banding where I was really upset......."I'm going to have to diet for the rest of my F-ing life!" I didn't have this surgery to diet. I wanted to change myself, my lifestyle, lose weight and get healthy. When I found myself simply trying to follow a diet, I got really depressed and angry with myself. SOOOOOooo, I did exactly what I had originally set out to do. I read up on healthy eating and started with that. I changed my "diet" by slowly adding healthier items and schedules into my daily routine to make them part of who I am. THEN, I started adding activity to my daily life. I started slowly, walking every day then I started exercising two or 3 times a week with a type of exercise that I really love. And ya know what? It is now who I am. It's not a diet. It's not some regime that I follow to lose weight. It's ME. It makes me feel good whether I lose weight or not. I am healthier, I stand more erect, I have more energy. I feel good in my clothes and I have the confidence to start my day every day with my best foot forward. I hope that all of you can find your path in this wonderful journey to better health.

Beka, As someone else said, healthy and standard weight loss with the band is 1-2 lbs per week. It seems slow, but it adds up. The worst part of banding is that first few weeks when your post op, trying to understand what you've done and what you're supposed to be doing. It's this learning period when you have to pay attention to your body and learn to read it's signals. When are you really hungry versus when do you think you're hungry, etc, etc. You want the weight to fall off, it doesn't always. This is commonly referred to as "Bandster Hell." Remember that once you begin solid foods, your body will often stop losing weight and in fact, gain a few pounds because it literally holds onto the bulk of the solids in your intestines. It's not a true weight gain, it's the way our digestive system works. When you're on liquids or even very soft foods, there's not enough bulk in that food and it literally goes right through you. Be patient with yourself and your body and don't miss your appointments. Follow your doctor's orders, he understands this process better than you do at this point and is there to help guide your journey. If you REALLY feel like you're not on track, log your intake and make a note of your output. Make sure you're getting enough Protein and calories. Inadequate caloric intake will actually sabotage your weight loss by slowing your metabolism even more. Good Luck,

Wow! I'm impressed Josephine. Your success is inspiring. I'm a food addict. I'm addicted to lots of things. I've learned to live with my addictions and my new credo is "moderation". If I must have ice cream or pizza or chocolate or whatever.........I have it, but I have very specific limits that I hold myself to. I only allow myself 1 or 2 mini or snack size chocolates and I dish out enough of the other risky items to satisfy, but not enough to fill.......so I don't go overboard. I box the rest up and put it away or give it away. It's by doing this that I NEVER feel deprived and my own eating disorder is under control. "One day at a time" is the way we all must deal with any addiction whether it is food, alcohol, drugs or an activity/obsession. Good luck to all of my fellow addicts!

I knew I was significantly overweight and had tried countless diets to try to lose weight. I avoided scales and cameras for the last few years prior to banding, but when I saw photos taken of me at a holiday get together.........MAN OH MAN, I knew something had to be done. It's amazing how you adjust the other things in your life like the larger clothes, the uncomfortable positions you have to get into for those activities of daily living or the activities you avoid because they're too exhausting or even painful. But to see yourself through those unbiased lenses were just too much for me.

Wisegrl, I have chronic reflux since banding. My original surgeon placed my band too high and I have difficulty tolerating any fill. So Dr. Curry totally unfilled me in January. Since then I feel much better, but still wake sometimes with a sore throat. I take the Nexium they've prescribed me and do all the same things you're talking about. I found a wedge pillow similar to the one you have linked here at Bed, Bath and Beyond for about $20 or $25. I've been sleeping on it much better than all the pillows and blankets I used to gather up to help position on. Also, I realize you're having difficulty with hunger but really a fill will only make reflux worse. Take it from someone with experience. I'm surprised Dr. Curry will fill you knowing that you're having this problem at night. In my experience with him, he's very conscientious about things like that. Helpful Hints.......I find that I get it worse if I overeat a little. So be very careful with your meals. I've tried aloe very juice. It doesn't seem to be very effective with this. I usually have a small glass of Water shortly before bed to flush out the pouch.....this does seem to do a little good but remember I also try never to eat after 7 P.M. Good Luck from a fellow reflux sufferer,

Peg, I've been banded 2 1/2 years and I have occasionally had abdominal pain that doctors have been unable to explain. I've already had my gall bladder out, so that's not it. After having all the tests and just living with it, I studied when it came on. I discovered it seemed to come on after eating certain foods or possibly from not chewing well enough. Everyone's feelings and sensations from having the band and his/her body's reactions are a little different. It's possible that yours is telling you something about your habits. Let's hope there's nothing seriously wrong such as erosion. Good Luck,