Randi L

I'm 5 weeks out with 20 pounds gone. I do think if you start up high, there is a bigger loss in the beginning. (people in the 300's seem to do very well in the beginning) BUT, you'll do what you do - have no expectation, and remember, the band info says 2 pounds a week is your goal. Good Luck!!!

I vote NO, don't eat. At the very least, don't eat the things you know will trigger your wanting to eat more. You've done a great job, and you have your weight loss to show for it. Gaining it back would hurt more than the pain you've gone thru. GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh, how I long for the days of the no fill. While I didn't eat what you're eating, I stayed pretty close to the liquids and soft foods, I did test the limits. Your whole world will change once you've had a fill. and I'm not sure you'll have to have one, but I think probably everyone gets some kind of reaction to something. it's hard - so be careful!!!

I'm only 5 weeks out. I'm EMOTIONAL about that! Does my band help? Nah, I'll still be defiant. Difference is, the band doesn't allow stuff, I can't even imagine eating potato chips now. They'd come up so quick! My first month was so silly. I had no idea how to think about anything .. and had no restriction. Now, it's hard to get anything down - and I'm afraid of my food choices. It's hard to get all the Water down. It's hard to be good to me.... it was before - it is now. If I had the ability to not eat when I had an emotion, I wouldn't have had to get the band. It's a tool - to help you not to eat SO MUCH. But you can still eat. You can fill yourself up with stuff. It's all going to be obvious to you - that it's going to be your choice, not as much emotion. Funny, when ever we cheat - we only cheat ourselves.

Welcome to BandLand!!!!!!!!!!! The first few days after surgery, just be kind to yourself. Walk when you can. Keep your incisions clean - unless they have that glue on them .. I had that.... It's all so new. You think you know how you'll feel, and what you'll do, but you have to remember, your band will control all that for you soon. Read as much as you can on the Forum, I'd be LOST without everyones posts - letting me know what to expect. There's no way the Dr's office will ever tell anyone what's really going to happen. Sounds easy - a 4 week clear liquid diet. I made it 3 weeks? It's so important to drink your Protein, and your Water. I am so sad about my inability to get all the water in, have to keep trying daily to remember to do it. Repeat after me: "I will not look at everyones numbers and compare myself". They told us 2 pounds a week... this ain't gastric.

In the 70's, I was a newly divorced mom of twin sons. I decided to sell Motor Homes, and was the only licensed salesWOman in the State of California. I made a ton of money, and all those old guys drinking their coffee and smoking their cigarettes - HATED my aggresive attitude about sales. They also hated my name on the board for Salesperson of the Month - for a long time. I was heavy, but it never got in my way. We big gals usually have some personality, and that always throws people off. Name calling is a part of our society for EVERYTHING. Tall, short, fat, thin, big nose, glasses, big ears, teeth, gay, straight, white, black, mexican, muslim, hair, no hair, it's all fair game. People are insecure. The only way for some people to deal with all that crap is to make fun of it, but in the process - it's painful for those who get the attention. Sad really, and it starts in Kindegarten. Women can actually do almost everything men can, we can compete in the work force that was normally male controlled. Most men don't like it, unless the package is picture perfect - with big boobs and long legs. Life, is hard.

I got my first fill on 7-19, he started me at 6 <10cc band> and I couldn't even sip Water. Took 1, then another 1 out, and I'm left very constricted. I can drink, but a few bites of anything come right back up. I can eat something one day... like refried Beans - the next, it's back up. I just tried some real chicken, no way. I am frustrated. I'm feeling tired. Do I have to drink Protein for the next month? it's not a good way to do this. How much restricts you is as personal as your face. We are all different in our needs. I do think, you shouldn't start out with as much as I did. I'm going to call the Dr this week to see if I have to get an unfill.

I've been trapped looking at dresses for 4 hours now. I just realized I have a big wedding on August 5th, and I have been trying on things, and looking at all these sites ... The trouble with some of these dresses is they are just too expensive to buy now, as I don't want to invest in this size. Besides the fact - it's only for one event. You girls did a GREAT job with the resources .. and at all different price points, so there MUST be one for the wedding!!

Gosh I'm enjoying all the sites you ladies referred her to. I think I'm going to buy "a little black dress" - there are some great deals!

How many times in our lives have we gone out, thinking we looked awful, and that people talked about how bad we looked? As a Wedding Planner, I have been involved in hundreds of events, and have had to wear attire suitable for day, afternoon, and evening events. I loved the things at Nordies - but not everyone can afford those kind of dresses for one occasion... unless it's their wedding dress! I always let people know that they can find nice things at JC Penneys - < they have special cataloges for evening wear > yes, really - So many stores have Plus Size sections. Actually most of the larger chains do carry plus size things, but they tend to be for older women. Check the Lane Bryant Cataloge out too. There's more than a few available on line, all ready to be Googled. Meanwhile, instead of focusing on your dress - make sure you are in love with your hair, that you have your makeup done, that you are the best you can be at that moment. I know I always get teeth whitener strips, and have my eyebrows professionally waxed - manicure/pedicure. Do the best for YOU, and don't worry about everyone else. Believe it or not they are all worried about how they will look, and have their minds on their own insecurities and issues. Relax, enjoy yourself, enjoy the event, and know that "he" wants you to be with him, and really - that's all that matters.... Let us know what you decide on!

Btw, a friend of mine was talking last night, and said "I need to find the sweet spot" and I started to laugh. I hadn't told him about my band, so he had no idea what was so funny to me. The first time I heard those words in a support meeting - I asked if they were talking about donuts. For all I knew - it could have been anything.

The promise was 2 pounds a week? Here we are, having trouble eating things that are good for us... having to add so many new behaviors, and being mindful of every bite. I ate beans yesterday, they wouldn't go down today. The drinking all my meals isn't the worst thing in the world, but it also has made me tired. I just want to lay down. The heat isn't helping... altho, it doesn't make drinking water any easier. I've GOT to print up a TO DO chart or something, to make sure I get everything all in.

This thread really caught my attention. I met my surgeon at Alvarado Hospital in San Diego, which is near where I live. I found his presentation dry, and that he depended on people who had lost with Gastric, to make his points. He didn't have any zing - but then do surgeons need to be all smiles and personality? He's the only one I found in the area. I didn't know at the time, I'd only be able to have the surgery there if I paid cash, as they didn't accept my insurance. I drove to his office in San Pedro. While he is warm, I never felt he was present in our talks. He even said "you're having gastric, right?" No. When he came in to the pre-op room, he wasn't talking to me, he was trying to get the nurses to hurry up, as he was already almost 2 hours behind. The anethesiologist was not the guy I had met in the office, but I just went with it all. Kind of like I was strapped in to Space Mountain, and couldn't get off the ride. He never came to see me the night of surgery. I was very unhappy with the level of care at Chapman Medical Center. I wouldn't want to end up there again. For my follow up visit - he kept me waiting 90 minutes in the waiting room with 5 people who'd all had gastric. He didn't have my chart. He once again thought I'd had gastric. When I asked him how big my band was he looked surprised, and said 'Lets give you a fill' He started out putting in 6cc - but I couldn't even sip Water, so after 2 other unfills, he left me with 4cc. My confidence is so mixed, as I don't think I'm being myself, and being vocal about the care... all these other people seem to think he's great. All I've seen is confusion, and that was after waiting too long. I don't know anyone else with a band to check with. I went to support groups, but they were all gastric. Had I not found this board - I'd be totally lost.. and very afraid. The PBs I've had, and the sliming - are no where to be found in the patient book. So, I still don't know what to expect at any given time. If you do find a surgeon, make sure you talk to someone who's had your procedure. Also, make sure the place where you'll have the surgery is clean, and doesn't spring any surprises on you. I have bad feelings about the nurses there, and that they never wore gloves - even when I questioned the procedures. Good luck to you!!!!!!

Your post is one loud cry for help. I think in many ways, it's what all our posts are about. We are all addicts - all praying out loud here, for a healing of our obsession with food. While it may be fun in the moment, drugs are never the way out of the pain you're in. We all understand how you feel. We all want to help you. We're here for you... but, I'm not sure if that's going to help you. Girl, get to a meeting. Stand up and admit who you are, and what you're going thru. Let the warmth of other real arms surround you, and welcome you - because no one will accept you more than another person who struggles too. I know there are NA meetings, OA meetings - almost everywhere... and I know they will listen to you, hear you, and maybe that will give you hope. If you have good insurance - take advantage, find someone who can help you out of your own way, so you can break free and step "into the light"..... I'm so sorry life has to be so hard.

my dog loves these eggs.

It started out simple enough, I wanted eggs for breakfast. After 2 bites, there I was - running to burp them up. For those of you who read the "don't do eggs" posts, and think, "I can".... just don't. Now I feel lousy, I get nervous that it does something to the band itself, and I'm back to liquids all day. I know someday, when I've lost a large amount of weight, and know how the band works, and what I'm supposed to do each day - this will all be a funny memory. No, it won't. This hurts, and thus far, none of this has been fun.

It doesn't matter what the WLS is. Some people will lose the weight, and some won't. Some will do it fast, some will go turtle slow. Some will overcome the battle of head hunger, while others lives will continue to be consumed by the comfort of eating. Generalizations are just that. They don't include or exclude anyone. It all takes work. It takes diet, it takes exercise, and it takes some kind of determination or discipline - to want to NOT be fat, more than to want the food. 3 years or 50 years from now, we'll all still suffer from food addiction, on some level. So I just feel bad for everyone, that this is what we all suffer in life from.

I was so lucky not to have any big pain, and being 55 I sure do understand the whole "it will take us longer" train of thought. I got my band on June 20th. I was in the hospital overnite, and was up all night as well. I was in a room by myself, had the tv on all night, and the fan on too. Just as well as often as nurses come in and do things to you. I had no pain for the month - no real hunger, and was eating soft things my 3rd week - feeling like I'd had nothing done at all. Then came my first visit with my doctor, yesterday, and my first fill. I was very unprepared for how that all is. I had a harder night last night than the night I got home from surgery. I am RESTRICTED. Hard to drink anything without burping up - and this after a month of being able to drink my Water, Protein, v-8 - etc, diet Jello, eggs, etc... Had I not faithfully read the posts, I'd have NEVER known what I was feeling. I was never told anything at the hospital, or by my Doctor, about how this would feel. I had a PB and a sliming last night and was burping and f*arting and moaning.. So today, I had to move and get the air out, it's walk walk walk, and keep sipping. Protein and water. I'm sure that it will be a few weeks like this before I can start soft stuff again. So don't let it surprise you - like it did me. Enjoy your first few weeks without band restriction, keep drinking as much water as you can, walk as much as you can, and take it easy on yourself, you've been thru A LOT!!!!!!! God Bless*

Kaybee - you lucky girl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You don't have to join, your band will do it for you if it feels like it. I had my first fill yesterday - and he put in 6cc, <without me knowing> and had to take 2cc out for me to drink Water <no fllouro involved> I had the pb, the sliming, the everything last night. So my one month honeymoon of no restriction is over, and my real marriage to my band has now begun. I found out I have a 10cc band. YIKES! Without reading the boards, I wouldn't know anything about this whole adventure. THANK YOU GOD for letting me find the forum.

Wait. I had weight loss surgery AND I have to count calories? MAN, LIFE IS HARD!!!!!!!!!!! ::stomping around:: My Dr gave me a 4CC fill yesterday - my first. I now know what restriction feels like. He started with 6 - and I couldn't swallow Water. Took 2 cc out, and said "this will be good for you" I was in shock - and didn't say HUH??? Last night I had a sliming, and a pb, and pain. It worse than the night after surgery. Today, I have been moving - walking - anything to feel better. I am SO not doing anything but liquids for a few days.

Okay, here goes. I went to my one month visit today - and it was all surprises. I lost 15 lbs for the month. I know it would have been more if I had gotten ALL the water in. I know it's a big part of this, and I have a hard time getting 64 Ozs in every day. I also think I ate too many mushie things too soon. I'm back to liquids only now. Anyway, the appt was at 10:30, and they didn't call me in till 12:00, and then he confused me with someone else, and thought I'd had gastric, and when I asked him how big my band was, he said "oh, that's right you have a band, well let's give you a fill". They couldn't find my chart, and that bugged me. I was irritated, agitated, mad - nervous.. He started the fill, and when I sat up he said "ok, I put in 6cc - go drink some water and see how it feels". I took a sip and started burping, so he said he would take some out. He left me with 4cc in a 10cc band. I hope it's not too much. I felt like an idiot - because I kept thinking about all the posts of people having 1cc fill and feeling good restriction, but I didn't say anything. It's an hour drive, and the whole way home I was taking sips of water, and now I have a protein shake to get down. More water, more walking, more fear of eating anything. :burp: This is like Mr Toads Wild Ride!

Ok, I'm single - and I've had all the same thoughts - and you did a really good job posting how you really feel about it all. I keep thinking - I'll buy great lingerie and not deal with the naked issue either way, as I'm not going to sleep with someone without feeling something deep for them. I've been to Texas, I've been to New Orleans, I lived in Los Angeles. I've spent time in New York, and spent a year in Las Vegas. Talk about your big hair, big makeup, look perfect all the time in heels women~~~ I was fat in all those places, and never had a problem finding someone, who really didn't care what I looked like.... I guess, because I've always had boyfriends. Back to the lingerie - I can't wait to shop in Victoria's Secret -!!!! I can't wait to buy it for ME... I'm tired of buying cotton nightgowns at Walmart because "it doesn't matter what I wear", and I am REAL TIRED of buying the bra's and underware at Lane Bryant that NEVER fits. Men are horny, yes, but some men (as I've been lucky enough to find ) really do care about a woman's personality. By the way, the most beautiful girls in the world get DUMPED, and they don't even have stretch marks, let alone big scars from the fat battle. I have no desire to wear a bikini, my one piece will be fine. Shorts would be really cool - and a simple white t shirt, I'm a simple gal.

Ms Lynn: I know JUST how you feel. My weight loss has been less than I hoped for. The people who know, "LOOK" at me - but I told them early on, not to say anything for a year. I go to my Dr tomorrow, first visit since the band, and am nervous about what his scale will say. When I read some posts about people with 20-30 pounds gone in a month or 2, I feel jealous - but I'm happy for them - and it means it can happen. I need to drink more Water maybe ... Keep going, we'll get there! < I hope I hope >

I'm sorry - I DO feel good for everyone who is doing this - and having good results. I read so many posts, I find myself also feeling so sad for people who have so many big problems, and feel so bad! Really, I am in an emotional bubble right now, and could blow at any minute. Anyway - tonite was my first night out to dinner, and as I looked at all these huge portions, big burgers, and people eating the chips, and fries and ( I was at Chiles ) while my friend ate her steak fajitas - I also knew I wasn't hungry, and the soup was fine for me. I'm even over wanting to drink ice water or ice tea with a meal, don't even need to order it. I am glad I have the forum to come home to. It allows me to feel good, and bad, and jealous and sad - and I don't have to eat about it. I'm not stomach hungry most of the time, my head, however, wants stuff every moment.

When I read the posts of people losing 20 - 30 pounds, I feel jealous. I'm just past 10, and yearning to have a big drop. Maybe after my fill?