Kat817

I am so glad to hear from you! It sounds like your life is as crazy as ours! Hope the anitdepressants settle in with your system soon. My DIL is on them, and it took awhile to get to a therapuetic level, where she felt good, she was just lethargic before that. I am glad all went well with Tina's birthday surprises. We may not always act like it, but I know personally I LOVE all the things my DH does out of the ordinary for me---or mre technically for us. So is her Mom out and back to normal for her? Check in with us when you get a chance. I imagine you spending time with Tina and off the computer got you bonus points too!!! It does me when I stay away from it during DH's days off---actually not me stay away, but let HIM have it!!! Hugs to both of you----hope your health, and happiness both continue to improve. Kat

Pamela---my DH calles me Kitty---but he is the only one, so I didn't want everyone else calling me that!! Maybe it is the way his smart a$$ co workers said kittykat at me after they heard him call me Kitty, that made it feel that way!!! I almost went with the screen name of Gato---which is what my neighbor calls me, it is Spanish for Cat---and since everyone else calls me Kat....they call me Gato! I very likely have spelled that wrong, I just spelled it the way it sounds when they say it! Kat

Julie---BRAVO my friend---awesome results, you have done an excellent job working that band!!! I always knew you could and would do it. I am anxious to see how your life changes. I hope you realize what hope you have instilled in others. Kat

I have had mine almost a year, and I would be devastated if something happen and I lost it. My life is so much better it is hard to convey the changes! My health is back, my energy is back. I am buying size 14 pants, not a 24! I LOVE my band! I am able to eat most anything (I can't do yeast donuts---they made me sick)---I just eat it all in small amounts now. The only thing that would have made my band experience any better were if my insurance had covered as well as yours is!!! Good Luck! Look around, read up on several posts, and ask ANY questions you have---Welcome!!! Kat

My ability is similar to Katgirl's. I can eat it all, but much less of it, than of other things. I can eat more protein, than I can these things. They feel like they swell when they hit the pouch, so a really small amount is plenty. But that's all good by me. I still enjoy a taste now and then, but cannot go overboard, which I ALWAYS did before! Kat

Awwww Mandy, I am so sorry you are going through this. I will say in total honesty, if you are absolutely sure you want to more children, then the surgery will be a blessing!! I have not found anything to be sorry about my hysterectomy. It and my band have both improved my life hundreds, no thousands of times over! This possible tumor, did she give you an idea of location? Would the hysterectomy deal with it? I had no tumors per se, I had cancer in the endometrial lining of the uterus. Which in itself can be invasive, in my case, with the years of endometriosis, they were somewhat worried. My surgery was extensive in the cleaning me out aspect of it, but was successful! I am 4 years out now...and feeling incredible!!! I do hope you find what the problem is, and find a way to deal with it that you are comfortable with. Big giant hugs to you!!! Before I forget Mandy, a girl on my April surgery thread, might contact you for some advice on a Disney vacation. I told her you were the "go to" person for advice!!! Beannie---what's halal? Hamburger mixed with something else??? I sat here thinking to myself----hmmmmm maybe a typo? No that would be me...we used to get beefalo---beef/buffalo combo. But Halal has me lost!!! Sherry---I am so glad your guys treated you!!! Sounds like you needed some special time with them. Sorry about BIL, you guys have gone above and beyond helping them I know, and now when you are trying to get into the new job---he flakes it sounds like...sorry. We didn't have a nice pretty day like Beannie did, it was windy---big time! DH goes on 4 days off and the weather is supposed to be yucky until Sunday. So we are shooting for a Sunday ride. We have several day trips planned, and are anxious to get started!!! Everyone have a good night. Mandy if you need to talk---call me! Kat

You can mix it with anything you want, or use it to flavor plain water---personally I viewed it as a necessary evil, and chose to get it over with as quickly as possible. I did the Zero Carb Isopure like Tracy is doing, and those blended with ice, and some flavired syrups, made for some nice summer like drinks (think frozen margarita texture---or 7/11 icees). I also used unflavored protein powder from Unjury (www.unjury.com) . Now I do my best to get as much as possible from food---but will add some powder to a shake of some kind on occasion. The protein really did make me feel more energetic---so I made myself drink it! Someone ask earlier about vitamin B12---I use a B complex, sublingual. It is by dropper, and goes under the tongue---and absorbs in quickly. Doesn't taste great, nor is it terrible. Use it, breath out with your mouth open kind of, and it is over!!! Kat

Banded me, I froze some a couple of times, but the flavor to me was not something I wanted to savor, so shooting (as in the old days of tequila shooters!!) it as much as I could was best for me! It doesn't affect the protein count. As for when to take it....I was told not to do more than 20 grams per sitting, or your body eliminates it before being able to absorb and utilize it. So I would split it morning and afternoon. Nighttime would work, but you can use the fuller feeling the protein gives you to get through the day. At night, sleeping, the munchies don't get to you so badly---so I would keep the protein for the times of day or early evening that plague you with hunger. Sounds like you are doing great!!! Kat

Oh Lunasa---you can officially calm down---it is nothing like you are fearing!!! There will be times between now and you finding a good spot of restriction that yes you may be hungry. But they will not last forever! Right now, you have the fear of the hunger, the upcoming surgery---everything coming in at you at one time. Once the surgery is behind you---you will likely have several days or even longer that you simply are not hungry. I don't know how much your Dr. told you, but the nerves (I think my Dr. called them the Vega nerves) are located at the top of your stomach, and they are the nerves that send the signal to the brain that you are done. Which is why now, pre banding, you have to eat a LOT to truly feel full. And once those nerves are hit, it takes awhile for your brain to fully recognize and tell you to stop eating. There are often times quiet simple signals---that you will learn, to know you are full. Once you are banded, and there is just a small pouch at the top, it is quite simple to hit those nerves quickly---in just a small amount of food. The first days following surgery the nerve pretty much stays activated, due to swelling---your stomach often swells over the indignity of that tight belt being slapped on there!!! Once the swelling goes down, hunger will return, often with a vengeance---because you are on liquids. Liquids are given to allow the band to set into place, and stitches used to do that to heal. When liquids are consumed, they usually slide right through, so the nerve is not triggered. This is the time referred to as bandster hell. A band with no restriction. It is not easy---but if you just repeat to yourself that this is the last time you truly have to "diet" ever again---and weight frequently to see the weight dropping off---you make it through. Then you begin the fill process. With my first fill of 1.25 cc.'s I suddenly felt my band work! I had allowed myself in the hunger of things to slip into some former bad eating habits! Suddenly when I ate too fast, or did not chew, it hurt! Nothing serious, but I knew that the band was there---and I was scared of a real PB or getting "stuck"---so I worked hard on my bandster eating habits. My Dr. allows a fill in 4 weeks, if you are still hungry within an hour or so after eating hard protein. I was---so a month later I had my second fill. It was small, only 1/2 a cc. I thought if 1.25 didn't do anything--then .50 is going to be a waste of time and $$$. Wrong!!!! With that little tweak of .50cc I got excellent restriction! I was no longer hungry----EVER! I am still not ever what I would call hungry. I occasionally feel hollow or empty, and realize I need to eat---but hunger---like the raging, fear inducing, more important than ANYTHING, kind of hunger----gone from my life! Used to be when I would come in at the end of the day, I grabbed anything close and easy---a bag of chips, or cookies, whatever, just so there was lots of it. Now, since I am not really hungry, it isn't a big deal to take a few minutes, and throw a salad in a bowl, or make a half a pita with some chicken salad...finding a healthy alternative, is easy, because there is no rush! I still can have some chips with a sandwich---but I get full very fast, so if I eat the worthless chips, I have taken up valuable space, with not so valuable of a quality of food. If I eat ribs, or a steak for lunch---I can easily not eat another bite of food until morning if I don't force myself. I get busy now and forget to eat---my granddaughter tells me when it is time to eat now!!! And we eat better than I used to, without a doubt. Food is no longer the center of my thoughts. I don't know what is for dinner tonight, and it is time for it---but I'll throw something together, and it will be fine, it will be enough---it isn't a concern. I used to plan dinner as I ate breakfast. I always thought that was one of the reasons I was bigger than my DH, I planned all the meals to what sounded good to me! Occasionally he would say, let's have such and such for dinner, and I always tried to do it, but sometimes it just didn't appeal, so I didn't eat so much. But no, I planned meals way before time to have them, what side dishes would go best, based on the tastes.....now it isn't a big deal. There is a saying I had always heard, of Eating to Live, not Living to Eat. I get it now---I live it! It isn't a real concious decision to change---but when you are not starving all the time, it loses its appeal. You learn that you actually only get the big pleasure of the taste in the first 2-3 bites, then your tastebuds are adjusted...so you totally enjoy the 2-3 bites---and are done with it. I know I have gone on FOREVER---but I want you to know it DOES change---life simplifies, and changes----you enjoy moving your body----and not being chained to the kitchen----it is nice going, and not caring if someone else eats more than their share of an appetizer! When you are going through the bandster hell---we will all be here, to help you and offer suggestions to make the time pass---and suddenly one day you will wake up and be heading out the door to go somewhere, and think, 'oh yeah I better grab a yogurt or something'----because you forgot to eat breakfast---it WILL happen. Your band will be in there waiting to work with you---so when you and your Drt. can begin the adjustment process---get ready for a change!!! Til then, relax---it is all gonna be ok. Kat

Stephanee, you either didn't say, or I missed it whether or not you are doing much exercise. I know what exercise I do helps me, but I also know it doesn't make a HUGE difference in anything except how I feel. It releases feel good hormones I am told on here. I DO feel better about how I look after I DO something. Slowly things are less jiggly---I still have almost 40 pounds to go, but life has changed a lot already! But if the weather gets bad, and I stay down a couple of days, my emotions drag down too---I feel like it is nevery going to all go away, and I have all this skin....just down on myself. But when I even just take a walk, breath some fresh air, work my muscles a bit, soak up some sun---I come back with a whole new frame of mind. There was a thread on here called Body Dysmorphia---or something like that, dealing with similar issues. Still seeing yourself as fat, when you are not. It goes both ways---we have all seen the gal in the micro mini, who should NOT be wearing it!!! You, right along with the rest of us, will get used to the new us!!! Kat

Before my first fill, I felt hungry! I like you kept control simply because I did not want to regain the weight l Had lost. When I got my first fill(1.25cc's), it changed very little to be honest. It did make me realize, I had slipped back into some bad habits, of eating fast, and not chewing well. If I ate too fast, or swallowed too big of a bite, it hung up enough to cause pain. Reminded me it was there and in charge down there!!! Since I could eat solid protein and was hungry again an hour later, my Dr. did my second fill 4 weeks later. It was a small amount-.50cc's---but it made a HUGE difference! I got excellent restriction from it. I eat small meals, I am not hungry, with the weight loss, exercising is easy---and don't tell anyone, but I actually even enjoy it!!! I have been working this fill for almost 9 months!!! I think one day I might be ready for a tiny fill now, then the next day I feel tight enough---so I have been putting it off! I do NOT want to be too tight! Before my first fill I was a little aprehensive, nervous, about the needle, but it wasn't a big deal. The needle is BIG---but the poke is no different, than a smaller needle! It was done and over before I knew it! You'll do fine! Kat

Hi Cindy---yes my husband---DH (Dear, Darling, Damned---depends on the mood---Husband!). His problems began a year ago---his mitral valve in his heart failed. The Dr. scheduled him for open heart surgery to repair/replace the valve, and one of the tests they did prior to the open heart was an angiogram--to see if he had an artery problems to address during the surgery. He didn't, but developed a blood clot at the site of the angiogram catheter insertion. So he was put on blood thinners. He took them for 2 months, finally the clot resolved, and he had his heart surgery. It was a lot more involved surgery than they anticipated, they actually reduced the overall size of his heart! He recovered wonderfully. He had to stay on the blood thinner for several months due to an implanted plastic piece in his heart. About 2 months out he got bronchitis, he was put on Avelox antibiotics, which made him sick to his stomach---nd on the 3rd day of the 5 day regime of the antibiotics, he threw up---and it caused a very serious tear of the esophagus, where it joins the stomach. They told me he likely would not live through it! He was bleeding to death, because he was on all the blood thinners! Through several experimental procedures, they saved him, and he recovered again. Though he said he just felt tired all the time, and he had constant cold like symptoms. We chalked the fatigue up to the massive blood loss. We kept worrying that in all the transfusions he got something because he coughed, and his throat was sore, and he spit ugly brown like mucus up all the time. About 3 months ago, he began choking on food, he said it felt like his throat just closed off. I have done the heimlich on him 3 times! The last time was about a month ago, and the little bite of chicken actually moved down past the trachea so he could breath, he just could not swallow! Teh Dr. that saved him during the bleed come in to the ER to see him, and had to use the scope to remove the chicken. He was shocked at how horrible his esophagus looked, said he had massive reflux damage! That the brown tinge to the mucus was possibly dried blood from the esophageal erosions! So now he does not take any antibiotics, he takes a Prilosec OTC in the morning, and a Protonix at night. He is well rested, not coughing, his breath is much improved!!! He said he actually feels good for the first time since October when all this happen. He did have a voice change---like I say he had common cold symptoms. Do you ever wake up with a nasty taste in your mouth? The Prilosec OTC he takes we buy at Sams Club because it is cheaper, but it is over the counter----Walmart sells it. I doubt it would hurt you to try it---but I would be talking seriously to the Dr.s and make them take me serious! I finally come to the conclusion I pay them, not the other way around, they need to work with me! Keep us posted----I can tell you are worried, and I think you are right to be that way. If you need to talk, you let me know, I'll PM you my #. Kat

You very well may regain some of the lost weight, as you add foods. The best way I found to counteract that---was to start walking, and moving more. It is a given that the foods you will be able to begin eating will be more calorie laden---but your body needs the nourishment. So you need to burn the excess calories, with exercise. If you happen to put a bit back on, when you begin finding restriction with your fills, and some exercise becomes a part of your day, the weight will continue to drop. I would try to limit each serving to say 2/3 of a cup. If you are still hungry in 30 minutes AFTER you quit eating the 2/3 of a cup, then have a little more, just do not over stuff your pouch---it is still healing. I used to blend what the family was eating, but a lot of it did have carbs....I do eat 3 meals, and about 3 snacks a day. Be sure to keep your protein up, it will help with the hunger issues. Does your Dr. consider fish to be a mushie? Mine didn't, I had to wait til real food to have anything like that. Let your body heal, try to eat as healthy as you can, begin some sort of exercise, and it will all work out!!! We all went through the phase---it is a necessary evil as we work our way to being filled!!! Hang in there!!! Kat

I too would seriously question if the 2 issues are not related. My DH had a serious GI bleed, and developed problems following it---relux problems---that we didn't know about. He had a sore throat, cough, nasty breath---but until he began choking on his food, it went undiagnosed! Now he is on meds, and it has changed things dramatically! He was coughing so much at night, it was interupting his sleep, his lungs were constantly congested....now he actually sleeps at night, and he can breath deep....it was a HUGE difference! I agree with Alexandra---I would NOT wait. I would call my band surgeon, tell them the fear of aspiration, and if they are not willing to see you today, tell them they will be hearing from the Dr. in the ER. This is not something to mess with, we only get one set of lungs! Good Luck! Kat

My DH had a serious medical issue that led to a major GI bleed this last fall, it was where his esophagus connected to his stomach that tore. Since then he had a sore throat, lots of mucus spitting up and coughing. His voice changed...and he also found he was choking on food quite often. He said it felt like his throat just got too tight as he tried to swallow. Well about a month ago, he did it with a little tiny bite of chicken, so off to the ER we went. We met up with the gastro Dr. who saved him during the GI bleed, and he had to use the scope to get the chicken out, and he said he had horrid reflux---that his esophagus was just raw looking! He never knew he had it. He coughed at night, but thought it was drainage! I have had GERD for years, and believe me, when my acid refluxed---I knew it, I woke up spitting and choking, he has never!!! They put him on a double dose of Protonix each evening, and Prilosec OTC in the morning, and he has quit coughing, quit choking, and his breath is better---his voice sounds good again. I was shocked by all the change in less than a month! Might be something to check---we are living it---and it can be SERIOUS!!! Time to have it checked out I think!!! Good Luck-- Kat

:happybday2: :happybday2: :happybday2: HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHERRY!!!!!!!! :happybday2: :happybday2: :happybday2: Hope your special day is happy, and full of great surprises! A wonderful person like you just deserves a wonderful day the way I see it!!! In fact I think all of you deserve to have a great day. It is supposed to be windy here again. I am so sick of wind! It messes with me wanting to get outside and exercise. I am renewing my efforts. I figure with Spring, and Easter, it is time for new beginings---so it is back to basics for me. Like Cindy the scale is playing games with me, I see the infamous 199 and by the next day it is 201 again---and I have had enough!!! Going to try to work it off, watch what I eat a bit (not gonna go totally nutso here!!!), and see if I can do it with this fill. I don't feel hungry, I am begining to eat just because I CAN! I hate to chance another fill, and get too tight, and start all the trouble that can lead to. I think in all honesty, my fill will be ok, if I respect the foods I put into it!!! I like being able to eat anything---I do not want restriction that causes me to eliminate foods---so it seems heaven forbid, I may have to pick up my pace here!!! I began Monday, and am now back to seeing 201 on the scale again---it had went up to 203 again. I think one thing I really need to pay attention to is my sodium intake, because I retain water like crazy!!! For the last several years pre banding I took a diuretic as part of my high blood pressure meds, and now, if I eat chinese for instance, it is an instant 4 pound weight gain---which has to be fluid---it goes away quickly---but it sucks seeing the weight go UP! So watching my salt....that's hard! I actually got into a bit of a "discussion" regarding my band, and my SIL with my MIL on the phone last night, and neither of us hung up very happy! She tells me she has a message for me, and the message is (done in a Kindergarten sing song) "Ha ha ha I have lost 80 pounds!" It just struck me in the wrong way!!! So I told her I was glad my SIL had lost weight, I wasn't sure who decided I was against her doing so, but they were wrong, that I would no longer discuss my band, nor my weight loss with either of them, I was sick of her acting like a 5 year old. Of course.....I had to add that no this was not jealousy, I had lost more than 80 pounds, and I would never again tell any of them how much! This is an 80 year old woman telling me what a 58 year old woman said. It has been building, all along for the last year! She had tried making it a competition at first, then she had complications from being too tight, so I had to hear how bad the band was---and amazingly now that she found the right place of restriction, they love the band again---and I am the enemy! The two of them are very close-as I am with my own Mom, but I don't appreciate being made the common denominator for them to pick at---and it has been non stop....little jabs. I know I have to have a TT---I have had a muscle tore loose on the left side of my stomach for many years---courtesy of my ex husband and a well placed boot. And they make non stop comments about how my stomach really needs work, and how atleast the way SHE is losing, is feminine and attractive, as men like broader hips. I would love not to have the issue I do with my stomach---I cannot help how I am built otherwise, I have now and even at my heaviest had slim hips and legs--it is the way my Dads family is built. My DH tells me to make gray hair comments, because she went gray in her late 20's. But I can't do that! Ok I'll quit----thank you for listening, I have been stressing over this! Whew----thanks so much for always being there!!! My Mom went and did her sleep test last night following her problem waking up after her knee surgery. The technician told her she fought sleep all night long, that she would hear back today, that her condition is quite serious! I hate that she had the problem, but I believe it was a blessing in disguise, we had tried to get her to ask about her sleep before, and her worthless PCP blew her off! I am so glad she is going to get help! I am off to lunch with my friend Marie, here soon. She wants a burger at Fudruckers (oh do NOT try to get my 2 yr old granddaughter to say Fudruckers---it ends up a 2 syllable fu'uckers----sounds SOOOO bad!!). I think I can get a salad, or some chicken---and if not, I'll do better tomorrow!!! Everyone take care, will get to personals next time, I used up all my time and space venting---thank you AGAIN!!! Kat

Feedback????? Ummmm how about.....BRAVO!!!!!! WAY TO GO GIRL!!!!! I am proud of you! Kat

Only the insurance Gods will be able to tell you for sure. I wouldn't have been approved---I was required 2 co-morbidities. Which I had---but it was on the list of requirements. 1. BMI of 40+ 2. Minimally 2 co-morbidities and had a list of about 12 3. 5 years of medically documented morbid obesity 4. 12 consecutive months of medically supervised weight loss attempts, coinciding with bi monthly nutritionist consults. Some of this was standard BCBS of TX. The remainder was added by my husbands employer in regards to WLS. Each insurer, and each employer has different guidelines it seems like. Good Luck---call them---the # should be on the back of your card---if they say you do not qualify--ask for a copy of the requirements, so you can look it over yourself. Take detailed notes of what they say, when you called, who you talked to etc. Document EVERYTHING--in great detail!!!! Kat

Excellent point Sunshine---and totally TRUE!!!! I think even I need the slow down reminder still sometimes!!! Kat

Hi! Tracy---glad the previous owner is coming with his knowledge. I hate when you are left not knowing where to turn next. The weight you gained from the pizza will drop back off---it is most likely caused by the high sodium in the pizza---you didn't eat a pound and a half worth---but you are likely retaining that much fluid from it. Chinese always makes me gain that way---but it goes away quickly too! Laura---when it comes to men and women and weight issues in general...you are looking for justice in an unjust world!!! Keep in mind when you buy your pudding, that if you have any unflavored protein powder, you can use a spoon full of pudding mix added to a protein shake for flavor---just don't use too much, or you do have pudding!!! GR8---I would be on the phone NOW!!! I would want to know about the biopsy! Many time results from something come back and the office fails to inform you---well if you were not aware in the begining of WHY it was done....if there is a problem it could be disasterous!!! I would demand some answers! Let us know!!! Will be thinking good thoughts for you! Michelle---I too was denied. My issue was that I missed an appointment, so it cancelled my 12 consecutive month clause. I had been going 2 times a month. Once to see my Dr. as a patient, and 2 to see him as a nutritionist. Which was required, but since there are none in my area, BCBS of TX allowed him to do it. So I saw him every 2 weeks for 10 1/2 months....paid my co pay each time...Then I was in a car accident, and required surgery to repair my knee. I called, in fact the Dr. saw me in the hospital---but because I missed the scheduled nutritionist appointment, it invalidated my 10 1/2 months, and had to start over, as it had to be consecutive. I appealled it, and was told they would approve it with the 12 consecutive months clause met. But they would not re pay for another sleep study (which would be required) nor for another psyche analysis (also required to be within 6 months of surgery date). I was so mad!!! Mad at the stupidity of the insurance nit picking---but mostly I was thoroughly P.O.'d at my Dr.---technically his wife who is his greedy office manager! It was her that put the brakes on. I think she liked the knowledge that I was paying her $60.00 a month, who knows how much insurance paid on each visit---and as soon as I had surgery, they wouldn't be getting that! My DD (who ironically is his nurse) said she is as greedy as they come, and jealous of my having it done. So in the end, I was given a cash settlement from my injury in the accident, so I took off running to MX with it, and had it done self pay. One way or another you will figure this out! It sounds like you have willing helpers anyway! Somewhere there is a thread that has some appeal letters in it---I will look for it, and ask a friend I know has one in there---it might give you some guidance if it goes that far. Will be thinking positive things for you!!! As for my Dr. both my DH and I pulled from that office, and my DD is leaving in a few weeks to attend the Police Academy---they can do without our $$$$!!! Everyone take care!!! Kat

What I found worked for me pretty well before I got decent restriction, was to stop before I felt full. I sometimes left a bowl of food out, so if I got hungry again it would be there, but I never actually got hungry soon again. It sounds like you are eating to a point of food backing into the esophagus, then it is irritated the next day from all the work it took to process and push the food through. For a few days, try filling your plate with what seems a reasonable amount of food, then eat it, and leave to DO something, whether it is walking around the block, or logging on here, to chat. DO something to break the EAT cycle. See if you can cut down the amount of food you are taking in that way, and see if the next day is any easier. I hope you get it under control. When can you get your next fill? That should help the most!! Good Luck Sharon!!! Kat

LJS69, getting your head in it IS the biggest hurdle. However, having a back up plan, and healthy snacks available will help keep a hunger BINGE from happening. IN my case, I could get on a diet, and do ok for a few days, then the HUNGER hit, and I literally felt out of control!!! I did not have my head in it---no matter how well I thought I was doing---I was on a binge! When I feel deprived, I tend to binge. I fought this weight for years---I know my downfalls. I want to think of myself as a strong person, and in many ways I am, but food---it was my major weakness. It was ALWAYS there. It is a necessity. It wasn't like when I quit smoking---cold turkey, no more cigarettes---done deal. 2 weeks or so, and the worst of it was over. Not so with food---everyday I HAD to eat---so there it was, and if I didn't have it---there was a store right down the road that DID!! I struggled, trying to keep my head on straight---but my weight just gradually crept upwards. Then come the band. It simply being in there, gave me another help with the head hunger. But simply being prepared for it was the best thing I could do for myself! I am not suggesting a non stop grazing. Just to stock up, and be PRO active to the binge monster, instead of RE active. I applaud you for being able to measure out a cup, and stick to that without any back up plan----that is awesome! Kat

I started this WLS journey at 289 pounds. I have got myself down to the 200 range now (well me and my band). There are people I talk to daily, who are celebrating being where I was when I started---and they have already lost a lot of weight! We all come at this at different weights, and different health issues. The one thing that all Dr.'s agree on is that obesity is dangerous to our health. When I went to my first seminar, the Dr. there, was so excited, you could see the spark that pushed him to become a Dr., and he was telling us that he fully believes this type of surgery, or the things we will learn from this will help to eliminate diabetes---and eventually obesity in other ways. He said in his opinion almost all diabetics regardless of weight would benefit from this surgery. My PCP here, is taking his wife to Mexico for the surgery, and she is only 45 pounds overweight, but she is diabetic. Obesity is dangerous. The blood pressure may not be up now, but it will be eventually. Do we really think that Sissy should wait until her organs are being damaged before she is offered the same help we wanted? 100 pounds is nothing to sneeze at! I would imagine with a personal trainer, strict diet, etc. she might be able to lose it---but statistics show it will NOT stay off. Now she is a yo-yo statistic too. It looks to me as if you only had 45 more pounds than Sissy does----to lose. That puts both of you in the relatively light weight category here. I think choosing the band was the smart thing to do with 145 pounds to lose. I also think it is the smart thing to do with 100 pounds to lose. Sissy posted this in the support section, not the rants and raves. If you feel strongly about speaking out against what she discussed concerning gaining 10 pounds to qualify---then it would be the right place to say so in a thread in the Rants and Raves. I want to lose 124 pounds---right smack in the middle of what you guys have! I was banded in Mexico as a self pay---because my insurance was causing me so much grief. I found a way and wanted it done, before my health became more of an issue. I WISH I had done it when I only had 45 pounds to lose like my Dr.'s wife. It doesn't matter how much it is----losing it and keeping it off have proven to be 2 different things in my history. No offense taken----I still say, sometimes you gotta play the game! Kat

Gina--your post op directions sound just like mine. I did pretty well following them. I stuck to the clear liquids exactly as told---and jumped from full liquids to mushies a day early, then mushies to solids a couple of days early. But I took a long time out from expecting my stomach to digest serious food. There is a wide range of dietary instructions. There is also a wide range of fill schedules, and pre-op diets, and how they close your incisions---everything varies. The success rates vary as well---and there are so many variables, it is hard to say which ones may lead to slips. My Dr. that does my fills is even more conservative than my surgeon! I figured it was a month out of the longer life I was hoping to have with weight loss. It does allow your band to become set. I agree talking to your Dr. is the way to go, don't just take it upon yourself to change the plan. It is my understanding that some Dr.'s are using different manners now of "setting" the band. In my case, the lower stomach was brought up and stitched to the pouch area, enveloping the band. As scar tissue (adhesions) grow, it secures the band in place. If you make your stomach digest food before this can happen, it leaves wiggle room for the band. It is in a moist environment, so it takes longer to heal the stitches than the ones on your belly outside. A friend on another thread said her Dr. told her he did not stitch her band in any way---so there may be Dr.'s doing it in ways that no longer require the extended liquids. But be sure to ask---you don't want to lose your band over a few weeks of liquids. It is doable---I'm proof!!! I am a firm believer in ASKING the Dr. I ask mine all kinds of questions, but I went in fully informed!! He should be willing to answer anything! You are paying him good money---he works for YOU!!! Hope everyone is doing good this morning. I am suffering from allergies. And I do mean suffering. My DH put all my beautiful lillies he bought me out in the garage to see if that helps me or not. They were so beautiful---it makes me sad, that I cannot see them. He has never FILLED the house with them like this before---so I don't know if they would do it or not. I checked, and the neighbors lilacs are not blooming yet, and that is what usually gets me going! Terri---if you are still having problems with protein, you might want to get some unflavored powder that can be added to food---as opposed to shakes. I keep some on hand, and use it, when I feel like I need to bump my intake. I have added it to spaghetti sauce, beef stew---all kinds of things! Not enough to alter the flavor, but just a part of a scoop, to add some protein. Sara---you are missing....chocolate!!! Jut kidding---but maybe add some sf pudding cups, or popsicles for flavor. They just give a lot of bang for the buck, when it comes to taste! I enjoyed family style meals, that I mushed more for myself. Chicken & dumplings, or I would belnd some roast & gravy with a cooked carrot, and eat that over some potatoes. I don't know what the calorie count I ate was, I never paid it any attention. I know I didn't eat a lot of it, but it tasted good---like the food I was used to eating! Gotta go find another box of kleenex---ttyl Kat

I don't know that it keeps you from falling, but since you are truly not hungry eating this way, it just becomes habit, or "normal" for you. I still feel thrilled that I can eat this way, and that it is enough, and I feel good, and am losing weight. I no longer think about food a lot, but when I tell someone how I eat, or what I relate it too, like I did you--I still get that zip of enthusiasm you refer too. I love my band!!! Kat