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Totally agree with mdhannant. Let me add that I am a slow loser. In the early months (I was banded June 15, 2009) I so wished that I was a person that could follow a regimen without benefit of restricition/pressure on vagus nerve. By now I would probably be a size 8 ... or maybe not. But, after 18 months banded I have gone from a size 26 to a 14/16. I'm good with that ... still losing. Here's the thing, feeling bad about yourself and what you're NOT doing isn't going to move you toward your goal. Before I had restriction I had to decide what I was willing to do/give up to help myself. Initially, it wasn't much. I ate half a sandwich and a smaller bag of chips and drank Water for lunch instead of a whole sandwich, a big bag of chips and a juice. I understood that it meant I would lose much, much slower, but it beat not losing at all. Gradually, as I attained more restriction, I cut back more and then started changing what I ate. I completely stopped going to fast food restaraunts (which is not a necessity) because once restricted I couldn't eat even the smallest meal offerings. I got tired of wasting money on food that I could not eat and would not eat later (I've never felt that fast food keeps well). Now I cook almost all my meals myself. If you knew me you'd know that I was NEVER a person to cook (my poor kids ... LOL). I used to say that my kitchen floor was on fire, so anything that couldn't be cooked in 10 mins was not going to be cooked by me cuz that was all the time I could stand in the kitchen. I now only eat boneless, skinless chicken (when chicken is my protein)! Never in a million years would I have thought that I'd be willing to give up chicken skin, with all that delicious (now I think it's "yuck") fat. Anyway, to make an already long story just a little shorter, decide what you can live with and don't beat yourself up. This is not a race. People who work on their food changes before they have restriction just have a head start. Some of us aren't as good at it. Don't worry, we are not being tested on a curve, you will reach your goal when you are ready and willing to be ready and willing. All the best to you on your journey. ~Fran

I have definitely had bouts of depression over the years (even as a child, but no one recognized it). I have been seeing therapists off and on for 35 years ... whenever my life gets to be overwhelming for me. I am currently seeing a wonderful obesity specialist that I started seeing about 8 months before my lap band surgery. In the past I took meds ... took myself off the meds because I felt "artificial" .. but they did have their benefits. Your post struck me because it sounds like me a few years ago when the kids were in high school. I was depressed and lonely and "head hungry" ALL the time. I am a Christian and without my faith and true friends, I would never have gotten through it. Everyone works their faith in their own way, so what I have to say is merely a suggestion. First (and this is NOT a suggestion -- and you probably know this to be true as well), God hears ALL your prayers AND he will NEVER leave you or forsake you, so no, you can never do anything to "turn him off". My suggestion is that you see a therapist and/or get counseling from you minister. I did both and it was a BIG help during those "crazy teen years" when I was so busy getting my kids from one college prep program to another that my head was spinning. Also, while it is good to "give back", try not to "over do". When things got too crazy for me and I was exhausted and getting sick frequently, I had to stop and take stock of my life. I cut back on some of the things I was doing at church and prayed to God about my loneliness. You know what? God answered my prayers. Did he bring someone into my life? NO. But, he gave me peace with being alone because I had a job to do with my kids and I didn't need the distraction of trying to please a man at the same time. In 2 years I read more 150 books while waiting for my kids at football camp/SAT prep classes/YBS college prep/college visits, and the list goes on and on. One of my kids graduated college this past June and will be going to grad school this coming fall and the other is a sophomore in college. My work is almost done ... kinda. LOL The bottom line is that it is so important that you take care of yourself. Having faith gives us hope. And, God will never put on us more than we can handle. Keep praying and take time out to hear what God is telling you ... it may not be what you want, but it is definitely what you need. Take a look back at how far God has brought you and what he has brought you through -- look at all those blessings. He has more for all of us. There is nothing that God cannot do ... even remove your depression. Trust me, I know. Keep the faith and God bless. ~F

In 18 months not one problem with lettuce. For me it's a slider (with dressing, of course). My doc never mentioned it either. But, as it's been said ... we are all different. Good luck.

Go to the top of the page where it says "Signed in as ___", click the down arrow, click "profile" and voila! you can make all the changes you want. Hope this helps. ~Fran

"Does it ever become less of a conscious thought??" My response to that would be yes and no. Yes, it becomes less of a conscious thought in that I don't think about the fact that I have a band every minute of the day. I don't feel for my port the way I did in the early days. And no, I still consider what I am going to eat everyday. I make sure I get enough Protein to have energy to get through the day. I also think about what I am going to eat (when I don't bring my lunch), making sure that I am getting the proper nutrition as oppose to eating something that "tastes good" but has little to no nutritional value (i.e. ice cream, Cookies, cakes, mashed potatoes w/butter, french fries, fried chicken, etc.). I try to get the most bang for my buck so to speak. I guess you could say that I now eat to live -- no longer living to eat. I am not obsessive about it, I am just prepared (95% of the time). It's been a process and has taken time for me to get into the swing of things. Some people are on board right away, others, like myself are slower on the uptake. Either way, if you can get there that's all that matters. I am losing weight slowly but consistently. I'm good with that. All the best to you on your journey.

First, ditto to what Elfiepoo says "you have to do this for you and not worry about what others think". Sometimes, when reading responses on message boards it can be very upsetting. People say really cruel things -- about people they do not even know. The topic can be race, religion, politics, smoking, drugs, etc. The anonymity of the internet removes inhibition, as well as common courtesy. It's just the nature of the beast. That is not going to stop, it is here to stay. Do I think it is a good thing? No. But, you can't let people that don't even know who you are, influence your decision to change your life for the better. Being "fat" has never been acceptable in American society, and it has gotten worse over the decades. It is what it is. I don't listen to them ... at least not for the past 20 years. When I was young, it bothered me. I am older now and have learned soooo much about life that I no longer sweat the small stuff. While it's nice that losing weight through lap band will give me a "more attractive" outside, I had so many comorbidities that my biggest concern was how it would help me on the inside. I was tired of being sick, and sick of being tired due to being overweight. I am sooo much healthier now. Lap band is a lot of work, but for me it's worth it. I lose slow, but the key word here is "lose", so I am happy. I was as size 26 when I got banded and I bought a pair of 14/16 jeggings last week that fit like a charm. Anybody who says that lap band is the "easy way" is truly ignorant and should do their homework. And finally, I don't believe that lap band should be a "last resort". I do believe that if you have tried other things and you haven't had success and you want to get lap band, go for it. I am always happy to see young people that have had the surgery. I was 53 when I had the surgery, I waited much too long (but I'm glad I finally did it). I would not recommend that anyone keep trying to reinvent the wheel before getting the lap band. You know what they say, the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. I was "insane" for a long, long time, dieting again and again with the same results (plus extra pounds). My opinion is that if you have been struggling with your weight from childhood and you still can't get a handle on it as an adult -- if you want the surgery, get it. Good luck to you on your journey.

Well, I come from a different perspective ... I'm not married, and I do almost all of the cooking in my house. Sweets have always been my nemesis -- winning virtually ever battle we ever fought, until recently. I have become a really big fan of cooking shows. In the past I truly hated cooking. After Lapband surgery and proper restriction I found that a lot of money was wasted on buying food out that I could eat only a small portion of. So I started cooking more at home. While at home I started watching cooking shows. A LOT of cooking shows, from "Chopped" to "Amazing Cakes" to "Man vs. Food" to "Paula Dean" to "The Neelys" to "Big Daddy's House" to "The Next Iron Chef" to "Top Chef" to Top Chef Just Desserts" to ... and the list goes on and on. Well, I started cooking at home more and more, now I rarely buy food out, and if I go to a restaurant with friends I order an appetizer and still I bring food home. Anyway, I got sooo in to "Top Chef Just Desserts" that I started baking. First Cookies, then giant cupcakes. When I started baking cookies I found that I was eating them - constantly, it was terrible! I became very frustrated with my weight loss (or the lack thereof). I just couldn't resist the sweets. I would eat my normal menu all day but would come home and ruin it all by eating cookies like there was no tomorrow! So, I did some research to find out why I was craving sweets. First, I should mention that I am an atypical Type 2 diabetic - no longer on meds due to weight loss. In my research it was suggested that if I was not getting the right Vitamins and minerals I could find myself craving sweets. I had recently stopped taking my multiple vitamins because I ran out of the kind I like and replaced it with something that I couldn't stand to take (chewable vs. liquid). Anyway, I started taking a number of supplements including chromium picolinate (it has been suggested that "chromium somehow works to increase sensitivity of insulin receptors") and now I don't crave sweets. I still bake pretty frequently, my kids and their friends eat most it, some goes to other family members homes and friends. Bottom line, I was stunned the first time I baked a batch of cookies (after starting the supplements) and didn't eat even ONE! I didn't crave it, I didn't want it, I didn't care. I also stopped the late night snacking that had been driving me crazy. I am once again losing weight. YAY! I can really tell the difference. Last night I was out late and hadn't eaten much of anything all day (just a couple of Protein shakes -- busy day), so before going to bed I munched on some tortilla chips. When the alarm went off this morning I felt awful! I thought for a minute, "what did I eat last night?", then remembered the chips. Not a good idea! In the end, I find that if my body gets what it needs, it is less likely to crave what it shouldn't have. This may not work for everyone, but consider looking into it. Make sure you are getting what you need and perhaps when your husband bakes you will barely notice. All the best to you on your journey.

I sooo know how you are feeling. Over the Thanksgiving holiday I bought a pair of jeggings (jeans/leggings) in a size 14/16 and was thrilled (when I started this journey I was wearing a size 26). Then yesterday I looked in the mirror and thought "OMG, there's the FAT LADY"! I had to slap myself (metaphorically) and remember that I am still losing and not to be too hard on myself. It's a struggle, but we can do this!! All the best to everyone on this journey! ~Fran

You might want to check with your docs office to be sure, but I think they may have been talking about Tylenol only for the pain. That said, my doc gave me liquid Tylenol with codeine -- which I didn't take -- I opted for the Darvocet pills I had at home. The liquid tylenol with codeine was sooooo nasty ... blech! A lot of people here are on a number of different meds for pain. Some are on Percocet, other Vicodin, etc. As for the sinus problem, I NEVER stopped taking my Zyrtec. I took if from the time I came home from the hospital. Like I said, you might want to verify with your do, but ... I think taking a sinus med should be fine. I must agree, Tylenol is NOT going to do the trick for your sinuses. Congratulations on joining the banded world! ~Fran

In January 2010 I had a 2nd sleep study (original study in August 2004). I received a new CPAP with the same setting, 12. I tried using the new CPAP but felt like I was drowning in my sleep. So I stopped using it. One of the sleep apnea side effects I suffer from is stuttering. This happens when have I have spent months without the CPAP. The neurologist says it is the result of not getting enough oxygen to my brain. After losing more than 60 lbs I thought that sleep apnea was a thing of the past, but apparently this is not the case for me. I was sent home from work last Wednesday because of the stuttering (it also makes me exhausted beyond belief). I tried using my CPAP last night and thought I was going to die! I start with the ramp at "4" and it eventually works it way up to 12. Each time it would reach 12 I would wake up choking, my chest hurting terribly, feeling like I was having an asthma attack and feeling sick in general. Needless to say, after being awakened a couple of times choking I took the mask off. I am, of course, exhausted today. I can't go on like this and I don't want to end up in the hospital again. Any sleep apnea patients out there with some sage advice for me? Will the apnea go away with more weight loss? I appreciate any and all advice.

Thanks Calico, I didn't think of calling the CPAP provider. I will give it a try.

Let me second what MsJeanetteA said, "walk"! I have had back surgery and I have spinal stenosis so I cannot do extreme exercises. Because of this I lose more slowly than some, but the more weight I lose the farther and longer I am able to walk. Do you have an iPod? Do you like music? Or maybe you prefer a book on iPod. Whatever your preference, walking is easy when you aren't thinking about it. When I have an appointment I park far, far away (sometimes a mile away) and walk - making sure to give myself enough time to get there, of course. I see a therapist twice a month, an obesity specialist, to help with "emotional eating". Her office is in the marina so I park a mile away, put on my "walking" playlist on my iPod and enjoy the beauty of the area. Give it a try ... when you see the weight start to drop it will be motivation to continue and do more. I went from a size 26 to ... a size 14/16! YAY! And still losing! All the best to you on your journey.

I have lately had this problem. I don't eat a lot of sweets but when I do, I get a little indigestion. Usually I will take an anti-acid and drink ice cold Water. Not a pleasant experience. For me, it's usually after eating a cookie or piece of cake so I surmise that it is the fat in the dessert that is causing the problem. My meals have been much lower in fat content since getting the band so I think I just can't tolerate the fat the way I could before. ~Fran

I am cooking the entire dinner ... as usual. My brother and his wife are coming and my sis and of course my 2 kids (20 &22 - they still live at home). I did prep work last night and made a dozen red velvet cupcakes w/cream cheese icing. I have not touched even ONE of them. YAY! I made the mac and cheese and dressing today and will put the turkey in the oven in the morning and make the greens and the yams ... and of course the rolls. I am not worried about overeating because I have been under the weather today. Went to work and was sent home. I don't have a cold or anything contagious so cooking is not a problem. I am hoping to feel much better tomorrow. Happy Thanksgiving to all! ~Fran

I agree ... the products they want to create have pretty much already been done. But it would be nice if they can come up with greater variety for us, so if they put it out there I'll give it a try! ~Fran

I read a lot of posts talking about how hungry people are 1-2 hours after a meal. I have read this even from some that say they are at their sweet spot or have restriction. It is easy to understand how frustrated they must be. My experience and my question are a little different. I have been banded for close to 1 ½ years and I have been at my sweet spot since about April 2010. I rarely feel real hunger -- the stomach growling kind. I usually know that I am hungry because I start to lose energy, and have the slightest of hunger pangs. Usually I look at the clock and notice it is lunchtime or dinnertime. When I think about it, being truly hungry was never my problem even before the band. My eating was the result of emotions, ANY EMOTION. Happy, sad, glad, mad, angry, lonely, tired, hurt, and the list goes on and on … as did the numbers on the scale. After I was diagnosed with Atypical Type 2 Diabetes in January 2008 and was put on medication things seemed to level out a bit. More often than not my BG numbers were too low. I lost a few pounds (about 23 lbs), took my meds regularly and I didn’t suffer from “the hungries” as much. Shortly after being banded I was taken off Diabetes meds. I would say that 75% of the time since being at my sweet spot (and much therapy, LOL) I am able to stop myself from using food to quell an emotional ill. I am working toward being at 99% but hey … we all have our flaws. My question is: Are there others of you who, after reaching proper restriction, no longer feel real hunger pangs? Thanks.

LOL Miki, you're right, that gas pain (which for me was in my left shoulder) was straight from the devil! That was the only real pain I had, but if my doc had given me demerol I would have taken it! I took Darvocet religiously -- probably why I didn't feel any pain. Depending on what you're eating, chewing 27 times might be overkill. Stop counting and just pay attention to how mushy the food is before swallowing. You can't spend the months to come counting every bite. And, just so you aren't surprised -- bandster hell is probably in your future too. Read about it on this forum. Forewarned is forearmed, you know? Eventually things WILL get better (barring, of course, unforeseen medical difficulties). Everybody needs to rant every now and again so, have at it! We are here to support you. All the best to you on your journey. ~Fran

WOW! That's fantastic! You went to Dr. Liu, right? I KNEW I liked that man! LOL What a wonderful surprise for you! BTW, thanks again for sharing the info about the focus group. It was interesting. ~Fran

Thanks to all for your posts. Glad to know I am not alone and also to read other points of view. In about 15 minutes we are having our Thanksgiving luncheon here at work. I am hungry ... but I think it is in my head (or maybe my nose cuz I can smell the food ... lol) because my stomach is not growling, in fact I don't feel anything in my stomach. My mouth is watering and I feel like I want to eat something. Wait, I just had the tiniest hunger pang! Wow! Anyway, I definitely want to eat lunch. I think it is important for us to learn to know the difference between head hunger and actual hunger and to act accordingly whenever possible. This is my greatest battle. I will keep working on it. ~Fran

Elcee, do you attribute the lack of the "need to eat kind of hunger" to proper restriction in your band, or do you think you have changed the way you feel/think about food?

I don't know how "great" I'm doing vlp, 75% is not very high when it comes to losing weight. I struggle with exercise and for me, exercise is key. Jacqui, I wish you all the best with your upcoming surgery. Sending you prayers and good thoughts and rainbows and whatever else it takes to pull you through this to a happy ending! You are a phenomenal woman and this thing will NOT keep you down. It will be interesting to know whether there is a noticeable change in your hunger once you are unfilled. Take care.

Elfie, so glad to hear that you have found the answer for YOU. I will be saying prayers, keeping my fingers crossed, wishing on stars ... and everything else (LOL) that BCBS covers your revision surgery. I have BCBS too -- I'm not that crazy about it, but maybe yours will be better than mine. Good luck to you on your new journey. YAY Elfie!!

I have a question: Is the general tone of your husbands criticism of your weight loss out of character for him? After all the work you have done to become healthier it seems a little meanspirted for your husband to say "You should just gain about 15 pounds, that should fix it". So, I am just asking if it is new behavior for him to be mean (which would possibly indicated his fear of losing you), or if it is characteristic of him to say thoughtless things to you (in which case YOU may be the one that has made a 180 and increased your self esteem to the point that you now really hear what he has always been saying to you). Someone told me a long time ago that when we change ourselves EVERYTHING around us changes. Not everyone will be happy with the new you, and I am so sorry that one of the people is your husband. I truly hope that this works out for what is best for you and your family. Somehow I don't get the impression that you are a person that will allow anyone to torture you be it physically, mentally or emotionally. I wish you the best, whatever you choose to do.

I haven't eaten actual food for breakfast in about a year. I am tight every morning, so I drink a Protein shake as I sit in traffic on my ride to work. Sometimes I have to take small sips. I have learned that we all become dehydrated to some degree overnight, and if you are not getting a normal amount of Water daily you can definitely be tighter as a result. I drink a cup of herbal tea when I arrive at work and I try to get as much water in as possible so that I can eat lunch. My blood pressure medication contains a diuretic so I have to drink a lot of water to stay hydrated, otherwise along with my band being tight, I also will suffer from foot cramps (like last night... ughhh!). I am happy and satisfied with a Protein Shake for breakfast, but many prefer food. I would say try the warm liquids in the morning as suggested here, and make sure you are hydrated overall. This could do the trick and you will be able to have real food for breakfast in no time. Best of luck to you. ~Fran

So sorry to hear you were so swollen. Sounds painful too. But I have to say, you have THE BEST attitude! I know you will lose the weight before your next fill. All the best to you. ~Fran