stevegoad

I've been on a CPAP for 11 years this coming April. I love it, and have no desire to get rid of it. I will say that three days is not enough time to get used to it. In essence, it is one of the bigger changes you'll make. But it takes getting used to. I know dozens of people who give up on them. But for me, it is fantastic, and well worth it. (even though at times I wish my wife would agree to me shaving my beard... sometimes the mask gets uncomfortable... but that's another story).

In the early stage, before the fills get you to your sweet spot, and even after, the only trick is the same thing as before the band... just make yourself do it. That sounds harsh, but it is the truth. The band is on your stomach, not your brain. You've still got to commit to using the tool correctly. That said, I am the worlds worst at drinking too fast. And 7 months into it, I have to say, it is not a big problem. Once you hit solid foods, don't drink too soon after meals and it won't be a big deal. I still drink Crystal Lite out of litre bottles, drinking 5 or 6 a day, it doesn't matter, except that I wake up during the night to pee. Eating, there are some tricks that help. My favorite is putting down my fork during the chewing (don't be anticipating your next bite until the last one is swollowed). It helps. But as far as drinking, I wouldn't worry.

I don't usually drink while I eat... only very rarely, in social situations. Most recently, last week when my mother-in-law was in town from Chicago. We ate at a restaurant, and without thinking, I was drinking with my meal. No big deal. Usually I don't... this time I did. I've never heard about "stretching your pouch" with drinking. Only that it pushes the food through quicker.

OK... I've had really good weight loss so far... and am happy with the way things are going. But yes... I have regrets. Some big ones. Some will say it's stupid, but I regret that, being a fantastic cook, I am not able to eat as much as I would like, and that if I do I PB. I regret that I won't get to enjoy as many social situations in life where food is the centerpiece (I have been judge at some food tastings... there is no way I could do that again). In essence, while I am very happy with the results, I don't like my band. While I like the feeling of being slimmer, I don't like the stomach rumblings, the gas, the giving up of diet coke, and the general discomfort that comes with it. I got the band so that I could have a better chance than my father had of living a long life (he died of a heart attack at age 43). I did it because getting married at age 46, I didn't think that 2 years with the woman I love was enough. I love the results, and I don't regret that I made this decision... but I regret that I got to the point of having to make this decision. It was the right decision, it was a good decision... but no, not a fun decision.

Why is it that when I read this one, I just want to say "Oh well." Mine took 3 weeks start to finish, and I am pretty successful so far. Enough said.

You're perfectly normal. I was on my third fill before I began feeling restriction... even more, lots of people gain during the "mushy" stage. Just stick with the plan, and it will happen.

I will throw my case as an example. July 3rd - Called True Results, set up appointment and faxed forms (downloaded from web). July 7th - Had appointment and EKG. July 8th - Had bloodwork. July 11th - Set surgery date and started pre-op diet. July 25th - had surgery. Feb. 12th - down 90 since surgery, and about 100 including the preop diet time. I don't see that my speed caused any problem. But that is one example. I don't really know anything other facts other than my own.

I was at my third fill before I felt restriction. Not uncommon for that one. Hang in there. It will get better.

Definitely praying.

I'm going to be cold hearted here... STOP IT. It is not an addiction. There are no physical things causing you to need to shop. You are doing it because you want to. If it is getting in the way of your life, then get back into the real world and get your priorities straight. But that said, of course we all know what it is like to make the wrong choices, and to enjoy making them (that is how many of us got fat to begin with). So give yourself special permission to say NO. If our kids want something that is not in their best interst, we can say no... why can't we say no to ourselves. Sorry to be so blunt... but if you are buying clothes and can't pay your bills... then stop it and get your priorities straight. What good are clothes if you don't have a closet to hang them in. End of reality check.

You're in Australia, so I am assuming no Protein shakes (I know many of your doctors don't want them). I would not worry about damaging your band with soup. The first month is hard, because there is often no restrictive feelings. Do the best you can until your first fill and go from there. But try to watch and measure, because soup, and in a few days, the mushy stage, are easy places to trick yourself. You think you are eating well because you eat less than you did when you gained weight, but you are still eating a lot. It takes time to get the band adjusted to the right place, so just watch it and you'll be fine.

Well, maybe another fill is in order (a month is not too soon). I know between my second and third fill, I had the exact same situation - I could eat anything after the second. After the third, I hit a sweet spot, and now after 4, I am just feeling so good - real restriction. So while it is true, if the band doesn't work, we need to check ourselves first, give the band a check - it sounds like another fill might get you back on track.

congrat, you triple-digit maniac!

If you have pretty good credit, some groups (like True Results) have credit plans. That is how I was able to afford it as a private pay. I hear Medicare covers the cost to some extent if there is other medical reason. But I will be blunt, one fat person to another. Don't look for quick miracles like someone jumping in and paying for your surgery. Most of the world considers it elective surgery, and as such, has no interest in paying for it. Hang out here to get support, but don't wait on the surgery. Keep trying to get it if you feel it is the best plan for you, but if you think you really need to lose weight to save your life, than be working on it now. Get some Protein shakes and have one for Breakfast, eat a small healthy lunch, a healthy supper, no Snacks. Start exercising now. It won't be nearly as easy as when or if you get the band, but I have no reason to believe that you can't at least get a good start now. Just hang in there.

There is no doubt, there is prejudice in the world. Prejudice mean, literally, to pre-judge or to judge before knowing. That is why I hate people making the statement "you only have one chance to make a good first impression." It is literally opening the door for prejudice. Fat people are prejudged as being lazy, slow, smelly, and often times unintelligent. So the fact that when I weighed over 400 pounds, I worked 3 jobs, started my own business, got a masters degee, and have a 140 IQ (not to mention showers daily) doesn't matter to some. Receiving awards for creating programs for people with special needs or having computer presentations to be nationally published doesn't matter. Having songs that I have written being noticed by international recording artists didn't matter. I was fat, so I was lazy, slow, smelly and not to bright. But that said, that is how people are. We have all judged people wrongly because we haven't taken the time to know them... and certainly there are many who have been prejudged more harshly than we have just because of how they look, or act, or think. So in the end, yes. We have had people act wrong. In my case, at one point I lost a career, and in such lost many people who I thought were friends who only heard half the story, all because 1 person was prejudice. I have also had many lesser slights. But it doesn't matter. We should not let the stupidity of others stop us from being the best people we can be. It is not worth arguing with them. As one comedian put it... beauty is fleeting, but stupid is forever.

Any of the doctor's at True Results in Houston are very good. I self paid, 12,900... including 2 years followup and 10 fills in that time. Excellent staff.

Not sure where you are, bluemonkey. I am in Houston, and had my operation through TrueResults. If you are private pay, they are fast (I was 3 weeks from my initial consult to surgery) and pretty good to work with, though you need to stay on top of them about apointment - don't expect them to do it. I paid 12,900... and that included 2 years worth of followup and 10 fills. As for surgery recommendations, since I don't know anything about you as far as health, how much you weigh, how long you have fought weight problems, other health issues, etc., I couldn't even begin to recommend surgery. but then again, I am one of those who really doesn't like the band, even though I like the results. It was just something I needed to do. But the proceedure itself, the restrictions (both on my food and my social life) and the general thought that I am forced to be in it for the long haul. Unless you really have a reason that it is the last alternative, I would not recommend it. But if you are in the US, and are set on surgery, True Results is a good option, and they have sites all over the country. (I think their website is www.trueresults.com).

I had that after my second fill. It was like there was nothing I couldn't eat. So yeah, it happens. As soon as you can, go in. After that second fill, I waited a month, without losing a pound. I should have gone back much sooner. I have now had a total of 4 fills, and am well back on track. But you've got to keep up with those things. Check it out.

I don't have gas pain, like I did immediately postop. But I have noticed a major change in the amount of gas I have. I have just chalked it up to one of the prices I pay for the band. Just try not to make a major gassy spectical of yourself in public. Maybe gasX will help. Haven't tried it recently.

I know it's rough - but you had a pretty decent surgery. I was hurting for about 5 days, mostly the gas end... but it gets better. Liquid tylenol works wonders. GasX... I was not as impressed as others.

I'm in the same camp as everyone else it seems - wait 30 to an hour... but make sure what your doctor says. But each person is different. 2 weeks ago, after my 4th fill, everything changed. I hit a sweet spot after my third, but the 4th... man. Suddenly, I don't eat near as much, I can't eat fast... and it pretty much makes me sick to drink right after I eat... For the first time in my life, drinking with food does not appeal to me. So it might be something that when you really hit that sweet spot, you get past.

I know I am the exception to the rule. I don't have any trigger foods - As far as bread, I do have to take it slower than I used to, but that is nothing, since I in general used to eat like a pig. I have to take everthing slower than I used to. That is why I got the band in the first place... to make me eat less, and slow down. But in and of itself, bread is fine with me.

Interesting. I will keep this one in mind. Thanks.

Your surgeon is the best one for that. There are several different opinions, some vary strongly. Certainly around here you will get lots of voices telling you that "my doctor says..." , or "my surgeon says..." You get a lot of good insite... But your best bet is always follow your doctor. And if you have questions, ask them first. And if they don't give you an answer, ask again... Heck, you're paying them to do that. Then, when you get the answer, follow it. It might not be fun, but it is the best way to make it work.