warmmorningsun

Oh wow, they didn't tell you? Being Banded means no more sex.... wha ha ha ha! Whew. Okay, seriously; I had it at day 6 and it was fine on top and from behind. it wasn't comfortable with him on top until week 4.

Melissa, Alexandria is about 2 hours from BR, but we could still possibly do lunch one day! or dinner.

Socal, I agree w/barbara - take in what you can to get in more calories, just in spaced time periods. My MD told me back then to take in 1/2 cup every 2 hours. Hope that helps, so glad to hear that you are recovering well!

Melissa, I'm in Louisiana, Baton Rouge to be exact! Where in LA will you be?

My daughter, no question. She's 5 and I want to be here for her for a LONG time.

Lisa, support love and friendship is yours! No worries. On another point, have you seen how much we've lost lately? I was reading past posts and looking at tickers and such...WE ROCK! Even with set backs, slow losses, depression, etc. we've all accomplished a lot in the last few months. And all took brave steps towards becoming healthier and happier. GO US! (or, congratuations junebies....my daughter would say "Go US" ....)

Hmmm, that's a good idea. I've been trying to think about my weight loss in 10's. (moving from the 80's to the 70's, etc.) I can't get out of the 60's though..... My current goal is to get on the doctor's scale that has those moveable weights and not have to move the large weight starting at 250. I want to start at 225!

I just realized how close to the end you are...only 15 lbs, how awesome!

I've been a bit unfortunate in the area of support groups. My surgeon has groups but they are mostly made up of bypass patients, so I'm usually the only one with the band. I've found I have more of a group here!

Lisa, with all due respect, I don't think Barbara asked you to leave the group. Please just take the words at face value - we're all here for support or to give support, and the ability to express ourselves in a nonjudgmental environment. All Junebies should be included in the trip, and I believe all have been included or asked if they want to participate. Barbara expressed herself as well. I dont think any apologies are needed at all on either part- you both talked about how you felt, and offered up opinions and facts. It's okay! Time to move on and get with the supporting and chatting The trip will come up here, invariably. I just skim by those posts as they don't currently apply to me (not able to go) and get to the ones that do. Peace group! :hippie: :peace: (I am actually 36, so the hippie may not apply, but look, it's cute!) Just a tidbit of statistical data to consider.... Studies show (please don't ask me to quote which, I haven't done enough homework to do that...) that communication is made up of three parts: words, body language and gestures, and tone. Word=7% Body Language=38% Tone=55% Guess which parts are missing in email and forums???? Kind of ironic that we rely so much on written word for communication, huh?

Lisa, no worries! We do have this thread so we can do just that - get things off our chest. You are right in that we discussed this kind of early on in the thread, I think starting around July or August (not 100% sure). But I can be 100% sure that no one meant to not include anyone. I can't go to the trip because I will be just returning from my honeymoon. Maybe (hopefully) you can still go! This is a great group (the junebies). I hope you do feel a part of it! I think the other thing is that there are a few ladies here who are from the same general area (Houston) and may have met a few times due to locality. How awesome to have that kind of support! But I wanted to say they've also been really inclusive of all those of us not local to them. Lisa, just jump right in, the Junebies are a very caring and open group! Glad you are here a part of us.

Actually, the trip was discussed in the earlier stages of our banding of the Junebies, and all were invited. No one was excluded. If you were a part of the Junebies, we had talked about getting together around our one year bandiversary. So, no need to feel left out, I believe you may have just come onto the thread after it was first brought up. To be a Junebie, you needed to only have met one rule: being banded in June 2006. I think if you ask some of those who post frequently here (Barb465, Poodles, etc) you may be able to get more detail.

Well, Lisa, we question it too! (laughing) The band did not address all food demons for me. I still deal with the same behaviors that got me in the boat I'm in today. But the point of this thread is support I believe, so I feel comfortable in expressing when I fall off the wagon here because others may also not have taken care of their food demons. It's not lack of knowledge, believe me - I could probably be a nutritionist at this point. It's the same demons. I come here to throw things out here and ask for support and suggestions because I assume others are still dealing with the same thing.

hola junebies! i've been lurking this week, but just haven't slowed down until tonight to post. it sounds like we've all had an eventful week, and everyone seems to be doing so well on water! I can claim success on the exercise route only. i've eaten and drank everything under the sun...i have a suggestion for the chips. it's more expensive, but it does help me...i buy single serving chips. pringles, cheetos, etc. so i might eat one serving versus the whole damn bag (why is it that chips and m&m's go down soooo well?) best wishes for a wonderful and relaxing weekend to everyone

This is to me the hardest lesson of all. I've struggled with this for my lifetime. I'm coming to realize that my disappointment in myself is only buffered by my perceived disappointment from others...so I've got to let it all go! Um....no. Nope. Not me. I really have not adhered to this AT ALL. I have gotten better on exercise and protein intake though, so one step at a time. We're freezing! Good Lord. I really do like cold weather, but because Jan has been so rainy too, it's been miserable. Oh, and official statement about the Saints: we're very proud. They played with a lot of passion and heart. Maybe next year

Barb465- so glad you have relief! I learned my lesson on my last fill as well - too much is too much! Best wishes for living better now that you've had some relief... Randi - where are you? I'm concerned. I hope that you have had some time to seek out a doctor to help you with your overfilled situation and things improve. rroswelltx - I say go .2; it will give you some restriction and you can ad .1 later if you like. I think the overfill thing is tempting at times but in the end, do we set up a bad situation for ourselves? If we don't get in enough hard protein and food, does our body learn to maintain on lesser calories, making it harder to lose weight? Just food for thought. Welcome Kynekke! To everyone else - Happy Tuesday

Randi, I think the replies here all have good points: 1. First and foremost, you HAVE NOT FAILED. You're in a situation that needs to be changed. 2. You really are the only person that can change it. From what you are describing it definitely sounds like you are too filled. That would make life miserable and your health horrible. The choices you have are to either tolerate it (definitely NOT a good choice, as you attested to), or change it. Randi, you need to seek medical attention. Either through the MD that did your band, or through another MD if he's not willing. But you DO NOT HAVE TO TOLERATE THIS. Your health is in jeopardy, as well as your mental well being. PLEASE take some action and make this better for yourself. I'm sorry to be so pushy and opinionated, but your post concerned me deeply. I read it and can sense your frustration but more than that I sense that you're giving up, and YOU CANT DO THAT! You dont' have to do that.

I get comments mostly from people who see me only weekly. Those who see me daily comment every so often, more likely if I am wearing something fitted. I think it's more "dramatic" if someone doesn't see you constantly. But there are certain things I wear that make it appear more 'outstanding'. I think I was about 30lbs when people started noticing. the thing that gets me is every once in a while someone will ask me how much i've lost and when i tell them I get the "no way!". Hell yes, I did. You just can't tell because it's a drop in the bucket!

My belief wasn't that it couldn't be reversed - just that reversal was a more laborous, more dangerous surgery. And that was a deciding factor for me; the other issue of malabsorption - I think perhaps your husband has been either lucky or diligient not to experience negative side effects from this. It's wonderful that his blood tests, etc. prove this not to be an issue for him. I was was thinking long term for myself when making the decision. I believe (as you probably LIVE on a day to day basis) that there is a right decision for everyone, but not everyone's decision is right for another

1. Not permanent - reversible if necessary 2. Malabsorption is NOT a good thing (RnY) 3. Likelihood of maintaining a "normal" eating pattern (You don't HAVE to eliminate food groups in order to succeed or even to live) If I lost my band I can honestly say I would ot do RnY. I think the risk of long term issues is greater.

This was interesting to me; I think I probably would not make the choice to do this; I'm a physician and well skilled at injections and invasive procedure. However, I'd probably not do this because of the issue of liability and introduction of bacteria if not cleaned properly. To me the question of whether you're skilled enough to do it probably isn't that big an issue. You're right, if your port is placed high enough and close to your skin, the chances of missing or puncturing is probably small. I would think though that if you did make a mistake, you have basically nullified any type of financial restitution or help you could have by taking things into your own hands, so to speak. Your call I know, but still a little risky. Then again, everyone's tolerance for risk varies. I think if I were in the same situation you were in (and I could see how frustrating that could be) I would try to approach another bariatric physician to see if they would be willing to increase my fill, and hopefully move my care to a physician that is more willing to listen to my personal needs and questions. Barring that option, I believe I'd practice quite a bit on a "dummy" band before attempting it myself (that's what we do - practice). My only other concern with your story is your "tests" to see what your band is capable of doing. I think we can all eat past what is considered appropriate for banding, if we pushed it. But pushing it has it's risks too: stretched pouches, slipped band, etc. Perhaps you can be alittle more careful with your tests... Just my 2 cents worth!

Barbara465 - I really think you should get an unfill. For one thing, the PB'ing can't be good. You could take out a few 10ths and just ease up on it one 10th at a time. If you can't eat more than you have, something is not right. You've done so well - a little blip in the progress is okay if it means you find that really good spot. just my 2 cents

I am totally a girl but I wanted to say 1) good for you guys for getting your own thread...no broken nail comments *HA* and 2) don't worry that your band will be filled only to 10. If you fill it to 10 it fills the band without stretching it; it can be filled to approximately 14 before it's completely filled. and 3) last time you hear from me, promise

Actually, most weight charts have been developed for life insurance companies! Prior to this, there were no weight charts. Life insurance companies wanted ranges that were considered healthy, and I imagine would also decrease their liability. I had set a goal that just sounded good to me - I'm 5'7 and want to be 160; I think the closer I get, I may just shoot for a % body fat goal...

Someone said something to me that makes so much sense about perfection. She said "if you expect yourself to be perfect all the time, you're expecting that you don't make mistakes. Isn't that a bit arrogant? We're all wrong sometimes". I am not calling you arrogant! (please don't read that). What I am saying is that we all screw up. I think striving for perfection is fine; as long as you understand that when you don't quite hit it, you can still make an "A". Kind of like getting a 94% and getting an A and getting 100% and getting an A. It's still an A. Girl, you have done so much in the last few months! You are so far ahead of where you were 9 months ago. You are 70 lbs lighter. You are going to have days when you do nothing but eat crap; you're going to have days when you do nothing but good, too. I have to remind myself that I am no different than my 5 year old. If I constantly point out what she does well, she feels good about herself. If I constantly point out what she screws up, she's going to feel horrible. We're the same way. You're going to do great, you have done great, you are great. Hold on and keep going!