pretty.potato

So I have been banded for about a year, and I have gone from 387 to 314, and that's having lost and gained the same 20 lbs over and over again. So I decided to get the fill to end all fills. I am now quite restricted. Only problem is, I think I may be too restricted and I am a student on the other side of the country from my home and my surgeon. Although I am losing about 6lbs a week now, I eat, but can't really keep anything down. Even water comes back up. Sometimes I am so thirsty, I'll just down a bottle of water, and although my mind is yelling STOP, my body won't let me. The only thing I don't really have a problem with is slurpees...:scared2: I really would like to lose this weight and have a chance at a normal life, you know where you get on a plane and don't have to fear someone sitting next to you because you are oozing over into their seat, or going to an amusement park and having to get off the ride because you don't fit into it...and actually going on a date! I don't know, part of me is like tough it out, loose the weight and the restriction will ease, and part of me yearns for the embrace of a Big Mac! Please don't tell me I need a psychologist and I wasn't ready for banding, yadda yadda yadda, I'm a human being, with mood swings and second thoughts and there is no ideal that will ever fit everyone, so if that's your first thought, please don't... I just need some help and ideas or suggestions. Thanks, PP

Thank you FighterGirl, there was a lot about banding that my surgeon neglected to tell me. Of course that is no excuse because I should have done the research on my own, but you know, sometimes its easier to be told. I am just now starting to really educate myself on what it REALLY means to have a band. I found a great clinic in Ypsilanti called Barix Clinics, and they were able to help me out. I have never drank that much water in one sitting in my life! So, I'm willing to forgo the 10k, I paid in cash, to a certain Dr. in North Texas and move on with these people. Thanks again to everyone who responded. I know now that being banded is not like gastric bypass, where you lose tons of weight in the first year or so. Its more of a permanent lifestyle change, than a lifestyle reconstruction. I hope that I can become a contributing member to the forum and I look forward to learning more from you all!

Thank you for taking the time to respond. I guess I should start looking for someone in MI who can give me an unfill. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Hi I'm new...born and raised in Texas...and already rubbing people the wrong way. But, I think that a difference of opinions is one of the greatest way to get to know others! Not doing it on purpose, but when I don't agree with something I will say my piece and defend it, unless I honestly am wrong, then I will fully apologize and ask to be educated further. Ok, so now that that is out of the way, I was banded Dec. 23, 2008 and have thus far lost 21 lbs. I am looking forward to finally getting some control in life back, and I hope to learn from you guys, (because this is a big, big thing for me, and I admittedly need help). So, thank you all in advance, thank you whoever started this forum, and I hope to make some friends and learn from some great people. :confused:

I AM a new bandster, and I saw that they ate a hamburger and it sure as hell did not compel me to do the same. I wondered how they managed to pull that off, cause as I said, two days out of surgery I could barely hold down 1/2 a cup of Gatorade Propel Water. And you're right, I'm NOT a doctor, but my brother is, so I address my medical questions to him. Thanks. And furthermore, you are not a doctor either so getting on here and preaching like you are doesn't make it so. You may be more informed, and better prepared, but that does not a doctor make. I didn't make it to the end of this thread to read what others said, but from you saying that a bunch of dolts are on here telling people its ok, is offensive to me, because I never said it was, and neither did the OP, for that matter. I said, and forgive me for being a kind hearted person, that perhaps instead of living in the negativity that we have all been living in, because we do not live in a society that forgives being fat, that perhaps POSITIVITEY would be a refreshing change. Excuse the hell out of me. E.A.D.

First off, I'm new so this may not make me any friends... Second, give the person a break. I know, I know commitment, dedication, mental focus, what have you; but being a fat person, I understand, and being newly banded, I understand all the more. You see the food you want to eat, in the amount you are used to eating it, and its almost like second nature, you do what you know. You have to mentally fight yourself to stay on track. Now maybe y'alls experience has been different, but 2 weeks out of surgery, i know I have had my slip ups, so having sinned, I'm not going to be casting any stones. I know you guys are coming from a "tough love" honesty approach, but the majority of you just sound condescending , like you have never made a mistake or had a set back with this program. I literally cried on Christmas because while everyone else was having turkey and pie, I had been banded 2 days earlier and could only have 1/2 a cup of Gatorade at a time. I don't condone the burger, and I don't even envy it, (and that is saying something) but I also would have expected empathy, not so much apathay, as if some of you yourselves had eaten a burger, hid it, and was taking your angst out on the person who had the courage to speak up. Maybe it is to early in the morning for me to be on here, and maybe I'm nervous about seeing my doctor today, but if I was feeling bad about eating something, and looking for support from people who were sort of in my situation, after reading some of the responses, I wouldn't come here. Now is that going to run me off, naw, you guys are stuck with me because I know the majority of people aren't going to react the same way, and I think I need you all to help me help myself, but I hate to see people pile on, so... Again, it could be the time, or it could be the hunger pains, but I felt that someone had to say something to the effect of, "I understand. This is a new phase in life, and there are going to be set backs, success, and mediocre days, but stick with it, and you'lll get there." Some people did say that, and others...

i used dr. jay as well, and i can kind of see what you are talking about. i went in for a consultation and 10 days later had the surgery, cash pay as well, i never saw him in recovery, nor have i heard from his office since then. i have an appointment on the 7, and i actually hope they do give me a fill. i find that, although i had restriction at first, (surgery was on the 23), i am now being able to eat more and more. altogether, i have lost about 20lbs in 3 weeks, but i have noticed that the scale is climbing again. i know its early to be so panicky, but i know a lot of "people" in dallas, and they know i have had this done. if i don't start really dropping quickly... i forgot to introduce myself. but yeah, i'm from dallas, and used dr. jay.