bluehill

I've had three fills. But despite several PB events -- which remind me that I have some restriction -- I am STILL HUNGRY! The band is definitely working for me in some capacity, because my weight loss has been substantial. But I am not at all satisfied with eating minuscule portions, and that's where I had expected a lot of help from the band. I'm the one exercising portion control. So what's the band doing?

4-3: JenRN - 263/257/248/150 - 15 total 4-3: jenn28 - 282/265/229/165 - 53 total 4-3: Picardy3 - 298/300/271/150 - 29 total 4-3: tipper - 300/290/259/165 - 41 total 4-4: Sugar1 - 311/289/239/150 - 72 total 4-4: Dak – 255/251/225/150 – 50 total 4-4: Angels - 264/255/235/? - 29 total 4-4: Harpseal Al - 327/295/220 - 34 total 4-5: Boo - 208/203/188/130 - 20 total 4-6: Disneynut - 290/287/260/125 - 27 total 4-7: Guysis - 234/205/134 - 29 total 4-10: JulieNYC - 358/298/150 - 60 total 4-11: Vickie1177 - 320/297/267/137 - 53 total 4-11: tellymelly - 240/235/184/135 - 55 total 4-11: Fel0816 - 307/284/265/to get under 200 - 42 total 4-11: dsrjrr - 231/230/210/130 - 21 total 4:11: truckinmama - 262/234/160 28 total 4-13: Nursekathy2u - 358/356/335/175 - 23 total 4-13: NJgirl - 248/230/212/140 - 36 total 4-13: Miper70 - 217/201/145 - 16 total 4-17: Amourette - 22.5 total 4-17: Jeepergurrl - 242/222/140 - 20 total 4-17: MelAnne - 245/207/150 - 38 total 4-18: Danaclark2 - 270/260.5/245/150 - 25 total 4-18: LapBandit - 392/369/347/336/324/308 - 84 total 4-20: Omamoon - 220/211.5/202/130 - 18 total 4-20: KimInMD - 288/288/253/156 - 35 total 4-21: Yoda - 273/257/234/150 - 39 total 4-21: kristielynn - 310/302/259/150 - 51 total 4-22: alisonb - 286/270/176 - 16 total 4-24: Eficka - 125/117 op.day/106.6/69 - 18.4 kgs/40.4 lbs total 4-24: Ceparano - 255/270.5/235/170 - 35 total 4-24: Kat - 289/281/250.5/165 - 38.5 total 4-24: hlj25950 - 262/257/241/160 - 21 total 4-25: momof2boys - 270/266/244/145 - 26 total 4-26: Bostongurl - 264/244/208/145 - 56 total 4-27: tinaj - 226/221/210/150 - 15 total 4-27: lookingout - 185/178/165/101 - 20 total 4-27: flowergoddesstn - 214/204/190/130 - 24 total 4-27: Dimples0323 - 284/284/241/145 - 43 total 4-28: Susan4794 - 283/267/260.2/145 - 22.8 total 4-28: bluehill - 333/278/145 - 55 total 4-28: Irish Girl - 224/214/182/135 - 42 total<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

Bermy: What's with your ticker? Why do you have a goal weight of 14 lbs?

I had no dietary restrictions pre-op, but the nutritionist advised against coffee as part of the Bandster diet. Did I listen to her? Nope. I drink coffee whenever I please (black, no sugar) and suffer no apparent consequences. In fact coffee makes me happy and improves my mind.

I would never have opted for gastric bypass surgery, so I feel fortunate that a much less invasive procedure was available in the form of lap banding. And it is working for me like a charm! I like the idea that the band will continue to be fully adjustable throughout my life, a feature not available with RNY. It's a great mystery to me why some people respond so well to the band while others lose so slowly. I do believe, however, that the band wins out in the end.

Well said. I too have experienced a change in taste and in cravings. Another lapband plus.

I just found the April Bandsters' July thread today! I don't know where my head was at, because, yes, I did go looking for it on more than one occasion. It's my three-month bandiversary, and I've just passed the 50-lb. mark!! (All since the day of surgery, since my Dr. didn't require any pre-op diet.) I'm so damned pleased with the band AND so proud of myself for staying committed to small portions and smart choices. I'm off all my diabetes meds and feeling great. Although I experienced several restriction "events" after the second fill, they were all caused, I think, by my own sloppiness in eating, e.g., too much, too fast. So I went ahead with a third fill, today, and am hoping that the increased restriction will allow me to feel full after eating, and also help with the hunger I still feel, especially late at night -- yep, that's when I miss food the most.

It's my three-month bandiversary, and I've just passed the 50-lb. mark!! (All since the day of surgery, since my Dr. didn't require any pre-op diet.) I'm so damned pleased with the band AND so proud of myself for staying committed to small portions and smart choices. I'm off all my diabetes meds and feeling great. 4-3: JenRN - 263/257/248/150 - 15 total 4-3: jenn28 - 282/265/229/165 - 53 total 4-3: Picardy3 - 298/300/271/150 - 29 total 4-3: tipper - 300/290/259/165 - 41 total 4-4: Sugar1 - 311/289/239/150 - 72 total 4-4: Dak – 255/251/225/150 – 50 total 4-4: Angels - 264/255/235/? - 29 total 4-4: Harpseal Al - 327/295/220 - 34 total 4-5: Boo - 208/203/188/130 - 20 total 4-6: Disneynut - 290/287/260/125 - 27 total 4-7: Guysis - 234/205/134 - 29 total 4-10: JulieNYC - 358/298/150 - 60 total 4-11: Vickie1177 - 320/297/267/137 - 53 total 4-11: tellymelly - 240/235/184/135 - 55 total 4-11: Fel0816 - 307/284/265/to get under 200 - 42 total 4-11: dsrjrr - 231/230/210/130 - 21 total 4:11: truckinmama - 262/234/160 28 total 4-13: Nursekathy2u - 358/356/335/175 - 23 total 4-13: NJgirl - 248/230/212/140 - 36 total 4-13: Miper70 - 217/201/145 - 16 total 4-17: Amourette - 22.5 total 4-17: Jeepergurrl - 242/222/140 - 20 total 4-17: MelAnne - 245/207/150 - 38 total 4-18: Danaclark2 - 270/260.5/245/150 - 25 total 4-18: LapBandit - 392/369/347/336/324/308 - 84 total 4-20: Omamoon - 220/211.5/202/130 - 18 total 4-20: KimInMD - 288/288/253/156 - 35 total 4-21: Yoda - 273/257/234/150 - 39 total 4-21: kristielynn - 310/302/259/150 - 51 total 4-22: alisonb - 286/270/176 - 16 total 4-24: Eficka - 125/117/108.7/69 - 13.3 kgs/36 lbs total 4-24: Ceparano - 255/270.5/235/170 - 35 total 4-24: Kat - 289/281/250.5/165 - 38.5 total 4-24: hlj25950 - 262/257/241/160 - 21 total 4-25: momof2boys - 270/266/244/145 - 26 total 4-26: Bostongurl - 264/244/208/145 - 56 total 4-27: tinaj - 226/221/210/150 - 15 total 4-27: lookingout - 185/178/165/101 - 20 total 4-27: flowergoddesstn - 214/204/190/130 - 24 total 4-27: Dimples0323 - 284/284/241/145 - 43 total 4-28: Susan4794 - 283/267/260.2/145 - 22.8 total 4-28: bluehill - 333/282/145 - 51 total 4-28: Irish Girl - 224/214/182/135 - 42 total

Hello, fellow Bay Staters! I'm in the Berkshires, but I was banded at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield by Dr. Haag. In fact I'm going there tomorrow for my third fill. Do the Haag/Fiallo patients still attend the monthly support meetings? I stopped going when I found this forum, which pretty much answers all the concerns I have.

150 lbs in just eight months?? That's unbelievable!! Congratulations on the outstanding job! I should be so lucky

Down 60 lbs! Good work, Julie!

I'm disappointed that the band has not kept me from feeling hungry. Despite two fills and several PB events that occurred when I ate too fast or took too large bites, I STILL get very hungry, especially late at night (when I used to indulge). I feel that the only thing preventing me from eating more is my own will power. So far I have been able to exercise control over portion sizes, but it's hard to deal with the hunger.

4-3: JenRN - 263/257/248/150 - 15 total 4-3: jenn28 - 282/265/229/165 - 53 total 4-3: Picardy3 - 298/300/271/150 - 29 total 4-3: tipper - 300/290/259/165 - 41 total 4-4: Sugar1 - 311/289/239/150 - 72 total 4-4: Dak – 255/251/225/150 – 50 total 4-4: Angels - 264/255/235/? - 29 total 4-4: Harpseal Al - 327/295/220 - 34 total 4-5: Boo - 208/203/188/130 - 20 total 4-6: Disneynut - 290/287/260/125 - 27 total 4-7: Guysis - 234/205/134 - 29 total 4-10: JulieNYC - 358/303/150 - 55 total 4-11: Vickie1177 - 320/297/267/137 - 53 total 4-11: tellymelly - 240/235/184/135 - 55 total 4-11: Fel0816 - 307/284/265/to get under 200 - 42 total 4-11: dsrjrr - 231/230/210/130 - 21 total 4-13: Nursekathy2u - 358/356/335/175 - 23 total 4-13: NJgirl - 248/230/212/140 - 36 total 4-13: Miper70 - 217/201/145 - 16 total 4-17: Amourette - 22.5 total 4-17: Jeepergurrl - 242/222/140 - 20 total 4-17: MelAnne - 245/207/150 - 38 total 4-18: Danaclark2 - 270/260.5/245/150 - 25 total 4-18: LapBandit - 392/369/347/336/324/308 - 84 total 4-20: Omamoon - 220/211.5/202/130 - 18 total 4-20: KimInMD - 288/288/253/156 - 35 total 4-21: Yoda - 273/257/234/150 - 39 total 4-21: kristielynn - 310/302/270/150 - 40 total 4-22: alisonb - 286/270/176 - 16 total 4-24: Eficka - 125/117/108.7/69 - 13.3 kgs/36 lbs total 4-24: Ceparano - 255/270.5/240/170 - 30 total 4-24: Kat - 289/281/258.5/165 - 30.5 total 4-24: hlj25950 - 262/257/241/160 - 21 total 4-25: momof2boys - 270/266/244/145 - 26 total 4-26: Bostongurl - 264/244/210/145 - 54 total 4-27: tinaj - 226/221/210/150 - 15 total 4-27: lookingout - 185/178/165/101 - 20 total 4-27: flowergoddesstn - 214/204/190/130 - 24 total 4-27: Dimples0323 - 284/284/241/145 - 43 Total 4-28: Susan4794 - 283/267/260.2/145 - 22.8 total 4-28: bluehill - 333/285/145 - 48 total 4-28: Irish Girl - 224/214/182/135 - 42 total

Angels: I've added you to the list, but fyi, the way to do it is to copy the most recent list into the message box and then add your own update. You didn't say what your goal weight is, so I put a ?. 4-3: JenRN - 263/257/248/150 - 15 total 4-3: jenn28 - 282/265/229/165 - 53 total 4-3: Picardy3 - 298/300/271/150 - 29 total 4-3: tipper - 300/290/278/165 - 22 total 4-4: Sugar1 - 311/289/239/150 - 72 total 4-4: Dak – 255/251/225/150 – 50 total 4-4: Angels - 264/255/235/? - 29 total 4-5: Boo - 208/203/188/130 - 20 total 4-6: Disneynut - 290/287/260/125 - 27 total 4-7: Guysis - 234/205/134 - 29 total 4-10: JulieNYC - 358/303/150 - 55 total 4-11: Vickie1177 - 320/297/267/137 - 53 total 4-11: tellymelly - 240/235/184/135 - 55 total 4-11: Fel0816 - 307/284/265/to get under 200 - 42 total 4-11: dsrjrr - 231/230/210/130 - 21 total 4-13: Nursekathy2u - 358/356/335/175 - 23 total 4-13: NJgirl - 248/230/212/140 - 36 total 4-13: Miper70 - 217/201/145 - 16 total 4-17: Amourette - 22.5 total 4-17: Jeepergurrl - 242/222/140 - 20 total 4-17: MelAnne - 245/207/150 - 38 total 4-18: Danaclark2 - 270/260.5/245/150 - 25 total 4-18: LapBandit - 392/369/347/336/324/308 - 84 total 4-20: Omamoon - 220/211.5/202/130 - 18 total 4-20: KimInMD - 288/288/253/156 - 35 total 4-21: Yoda - 273/257/234/150 - 39 total 4-21: kristielynn - 310/302/270/150 - 40 total 4-22: alisonb - 286/270/176 - 16 total 4-24: Eficka - 125/117/108.7/69 - 13.3 kgs/36 lbs total 4-24: Ceparano - 255/270.5/240/170 - 30 total 4-24: Kat - 289/281/258.5/165 - 30.5 total 4-24: hlj25950 - 262/257/241/160 - 21 total 4-25: momof2boys - 270/266/244/145 - 26 total 4-26: Bostongurl - 264/244/212/145 - 52 total 4-27: tinaj - 226/221/210/150 - 15 total 4-27: lookingout - 185/178/165/101 - 20 total 4-27: flowergoddesstn - 214/204/190/130 - 24 total 4-27: Dimples0323 - 284/284/241/145 - 43 Total 4-28: Susan4794 - 283/267/264.2/145 - 18.8 total 4-28: bluehill - 333/285/145 - 48 total 4-28: Irish Girl - 224/214/182/135 - 42 total

Irish Girl: You add yourself by copying the MOST CURRENT list into the message box, then add your own entry in the proper place and format.

This evening I had a very scary thing happen to me, and I'm wondering whether other bandsters have ever experienced anything remotely like this. I was banded just under two months ago and had my second fill four days ago. For the first two days I consumed only Protein shakes, followed by a day of mushies. Today, the fourth day, I had hot Cereal for Breakfast with milk and yogurt. In the afternoon I ate a slice of watermelon. Then for supper I was planning to eat a small piece of fish, mashed yam and steamed broccoli. I tasted the yam, ate one spear of broccoli, then a forkful of fish. It all happened VERY fast. Suddenly I felt restriction -- something I had never felt before. Almost immediately I felt superhot and dizzy. The room began to spin, I put my head down on the table, and at that point I lost consciousness. My daughter says I lost all color, my face turned grey, and I slid off my chair onto the floor; my eyes rolled back in my head, I was gasping for air and wheezing, then not breathing at all (or so she thinks). 911 was called, and paramedics arrived within 5-7 minutes. But by that time I had regained consciousness, and I recovered very quickly -- the entire episode lasted only a few minutes -- no residual pain, normal blood pressure. It being a Sunday night, I have only been able to speak to the on-call doctor at my medical practice, someone I do not know. He could not explain what happened to me and at first suggested that it had nothing at all to do with the band! I don't believe that for a moment, and I will talk to my own doctor tomorrow. It was NOT A GOOD THING to pass out. I have never in my life fainted. What if I had been alone? Very scary.

You bet. Especially because I have been completely off diabetes meds since surgery two months ago TODAY! And I'm pleased & proud to report that diet alone has brought my blood sugar back into normal range. So although I will always "have" diabetes, it has been "resolved" by lap band surgery. Hooray!

4-3: JenRN - 263/257/248/150 - 15 total 4-3: jenn28 - 282/265/237/165 - 45 total 4-3: Picardy3 - 298/300/271/150 - 29 total 4-3: tipper - 300/290/278/165 - 22 total 4-4: Sugar1 - 311/289/248/150 - 63 total 4-4: Dak – 255/251/225/150 – 50 total 4-5: Boo - 208/203/188/130 - 20 total 4-6: Disneynut - 290/287/260/125 - 27 total 4-11: Vickie1177 - 320/297/267/137 - 53 total 4-11: tellymelly - 240/235/184/135 -55 total 4-11: Fel0816 - 307/284/265/to get under 200 - 42 total 4-11: dsrjrr - 231/230/210/130 - 21 total 4-13: Nursekathy2u - 358/356/335/175 - 23 total 4-13: NJgirl - 248/230/212/140 - 36 total 4-13: Miper70 - 217/201/145 - 16 total 4-17: Amourette - 22.5 total 4-17: Jeepergurrl - 242/222/140 - 20 total 4-18: Danaclark2 - 270/260.5/245/150 - 25 total 4-18: LapBandit - 392/369/347/336/324 -68 total 4-20: Omamoon - 220/211.5/202/130 - 18 total 4-21: Yoda - 273/257/240/150 - 33 total 4-21: kristielynn - 310/302/270/150 - 40 total 4-22: alisonb - 286/270/176 - 16 total 4-24: Eficka - 125/117/108.7/69kg - total 13.3kgs/36 pounds 4-24: Ceparano -255/270.5/245/170 - 25.5 total 4-24: Kat - 289/281/263/165 -26 lbs total 4-24: hlj25950 - 262/257/241/160 - 21 total 4-25: momof2boys - 270/266/255/145 - 11 total 4-26: Bostongurl - 264/244/214/145 - 50 total 4-27: tinaj - 226/221/210/150 - 15 total 4-27: lookingout - 185/178/165/101 - 20 total 4-27: flowergoddesstn - 214/204/190/130 - 24 total 4-27: Dimples0323 - 284/284/241/145 - 43 Total 4-28: Susan4794 - 283/267/264.2/145 - 18.8 total 4-28: bluehill - 333/290/145 - 43 total <!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

Andy, you were dead on with this diagnosis! At least that's what the doctor confirmed at today's appointment. He had me drink a cup of Water and observed that I did not have a restriction problem. But he was not able to determine the cause of the vasovagal (fainting) episode that I experienced on Sunday. However, he did give me exactly the same advice: Take smaller bites and allow plenty of time between bites. I'm now exploring the google results for vasovagal to learn more, but what I'm reading is so much mumbojumbo to me. Sympathetic/Parasympathetic nervous systems, yadda yadda.

I'm seeing the doctor tomorrow (Tuesday). He thinks I may have too much restriction. But I ate the same food this evening with no problem, so I'm not so sure. Perhaps it was my carelessness in the way I ate. Anyway, I'll report back tomorrow after my appointment.

Here's the correct update: 4-3: JenRN - 263/257/248/150 - 15 total 4-3: jenn28 - 282/265/237/165 - 45 total 4-3: Picardy3 - 298/300/271/150 - 29 total 4-3: tipper - 300/290/278/165 - 22 total 4-4: Sugar1 - 311/289/248/150 - 63 total 4-4: Dak – 255/251/225/150 – 50 total 4-5: Boo - 208/203/188/130 - 20 total 4-6: Disneynut - 290/287/260/125 - 27 total 4-11: Vickie1177 - 320/297/267/137 - 53 total 4-11: tellymelly - 240/235/187/135 -53 total 4-11: Fel0816 - 307/284/265/to get under 200 - 42 total 4-11: dsrjrr - 231/230/210/130 - 21 total 4-13: Nursekathy2u - 358/356/335/175 - 23 total 4-13: NJgirl - 248/230/212/140 - 36 total 4-13: Miper70 - 217/201/145 - 16 total 4-17: Amourette - 22.5 total 4-17: Jeepergurrl - 242/222/140 - 20 total 4-18: Danaclark2 - 270/260.5/245/150 - 25 total 4-18: LapBandit - 392/369/347/336/324 -68 total 4-20: Omamoon - 220/211.5/202/130 - 18 total 4-21: Yoda - 273/257/240/150 - 33 total 4-21: kristielynn - 310/302/270/150 - 40 total 4-22: alisonb - 286/270/176 - 16 total 4-24: Eficka - 125/117/108.7/69kg - total 13.3kgs/36 pounds 4-24: Ceparano -255/270.5/245/170 - 25.5 total 4-24: Kat - 289/281/263/165 -26 lbs total 4-24: hlj25950 - 262/257/241/160 - 21 total 4-25: momof2boys - 270/266/255/145 - 11 total 4-26: Bostongurl - 264/244/214/145 - 50 total 4-27: tinaj - 226/221/210/150 - 15 total 4-27: lookingout - 185/178/165/101 - 20 total 4-27: flowergoddesstn - 214/204/190/130 - 24 total 4-27: Dimples0323 - 284/284/244/145 - 40 Total 4-28: Susan4794 - 283/267/264.2/145 - 18.8 total 4-28: bluehill - 333/292/145 - 41 total

MelAnne & Angelu: If you want to be on the list, you have to do it yourself by copying the MOST CURRENT list into the message box, then adding your own entry in the appropriate place.

Thanks, everyone, for your immediate support. You were as quick as the paramedics! I will call my surgeon tomorrow and report back. As for now, I'm off to bed and hopefully some sweet dreams.

Thanks for responding, lighter. Yes, I have Type 2 diabetes. But the medics tested my blood sugar, and it was not low. In fact it was somewhat elevated, reflecting the distress I had just experienced. One of the great things about lap-band surgery is that I am now completely off diabetes meds and maintaining normal blood sugar levels. This is such a mystery to me. I was prepared for some of the problems associated with restriction, but not losing consciousness! I sure hope my doctor will be able to explain what happened to me, because this is seriously creeping me out.

Welcome to the band of losers, Steven! And I mean that in a good way. Join up with the rest of the April Bandsters at April 2006 Bandits June Gab Fest and April 2006 Bandsters - Running weight loss totals