trishtlc

Hi Lolly! Thanks for your input. I guess the thing is that if willpower would work and I would only eat the right things I wouldn't have had to get banded in the first place. I studied, read forums, read research and basically all the info said you "can't" eat or you'd get sick. And 1/4 cup is all you can eat. I purchased lots of dollars in Protein drinks, protein shots (3 oz of pure horror) and chewable Vitamins that I didn't need. I guess I thought if they sold it and the doctor recommended it that I had to have it. I can take regular vitamins, pills and eat steak, too. Also, we do make appointments before we leave the office but they won't let us make appointments closer than 8-12 weeks later.

He was an excellent doc as far as procedures and care are concerned. The problem is that his practice is like a cattle car. He does many, many surgeries every week so with all the people that need fills there aren't enough appointments. When we go in for a fill the physicians assistant gives you a slip of paper on your way out to make your next appointment for 2-3 months. I know what you're going through. But at least you feel guilty about eating more than the cup. I'm to the point now that I didn't feel guilty and was almost mad because basically "everyone knows this is going to fail, too" attitudes from people. So that sort of brings on a depression. I had my fluids today and my can of reduced sodium healthy choice chix veggie Soup so I'm good for today. Maybe if I get hungry I can just go to sleep! LOL Thanks for your input! Trish

Thanks a lot! I think I will start going after this fill. Although they only have 1 a month. Maybe I can find a group closer to my house, too. Thanks for the encouragement. I'm going to work at it. Keep in touch?

Rebecca! That is fantastic! You are doing great! And you are working on it. You are an inspiration and I am doing better today. I need a few days to clean out my system and then start to eat regularly (but waaaay smaller portions again) and I WILL do it! Maybe I thought this was the easy way out, too. But I didn't think it would have to be 100% willpower either. I can't wait until next week when I get my fill. I'm glad it's before the holiday dinner, too. Hopefully I won't be able to eat very much at all!! :thumbup:

Hi JennaBoo -- Interesting! That would have made me upset not getting that fill. That means you're working on strictly will power! That's great! Also, you seem to be able to get an appointment. My doctor doesn't like to schedule appointments any closer than 3 months apart and when you call they are full! This past time the Physician's Assistant did the fill and scheduled me 2 months later which is next week. I'm happy now but a month ago when I was trying to get in they said no. I'm so glad to hear that other people are having my problems. I don't really have anyone to talk to about it because basically nobody was wanting me to have this done in the first place so now they sort of say "eh, something else that's not working". I think I'll look to all of you nice people for support! And thanks so much. I'm committed again. Trish

Happy to Lose -- Does that 1/2 cup help you? Right now I can eat an entire meal although I only put like 1/2 of what I usually would. The problem is that after I eat (and I eat slowly) maybe 1 hour later I'm hungry again and my stomach is churning. I do prefer to cook whole foods like chicken, fish, Ground beef and turkey with some fresh veggies grilled. I understand also about the liquid type diet. I was just going to do it for a week or 2 to get a good start and start feeling better. I actually feel sick today. I can't go to any of the meetings because I'm the only one that hasn't lost anything. There are people that have lost 100-200 pounds within 8 months (Gastric bypass) and most people with the band have consistently lost 10 pounds per month. I'm ashamed to show my face because I don't know any of them and the first thing they want you to do is introduce yourself and tell how many pounds you've lost. The last time I went I was sooooo embarrassed to say 8 pounds after 3 months. :thumbup:

You guys have all helped more than you know! I, too, feel I'm not giving it my all. believe it or not I have the exercise down. I take a morning walk with the dogs that's about a mile. I do 1 mile on the treadmill and a Ball Exercise Invigorating the Spine for flexibility. About 2 -3 times a week I go to the gym at night (really late). But everything in my family revolves around food. We meet over buffets. I plan ahead of time what I'm going to have and when I get there it goes out the window. :thumbup: I made a pact with this site last night that it started then. Last Night! Of course, after I ate everything in site. I've cleaned out the pantry and today is the first day of a new day. I have a fill scheduled for next Thursday and I will work hard to get down to where I was when I went in last time. Thank you all so much! Scout! Thanks I guess my mistake was NOT checking out these boards a long time ago. Trish

He told me NOT to take any Metformin after surgery. The only med I take is Levoxyl for thyroid so I can't even use that as an excuse. I have just been eating way too much and believe it not it came crashing down on me today. I went to bed sick of overeating. I woke up still stuffed to the brim and feeling like the old days (like having a heart attack) Ugh! THAT'S IT! for me. I bought some Progresso soups (they were on a huge sale yay) and I have my protein drinks so I'm sure of getting all my protein per day. My doctor requires 80 grams of protein per day. Thanks!!!

Hi all! My favorite was premier nutrition at Costco. 18 ready to drink shakes for $23. They only have chocolate but I felt good because each shake has 30 grams of protein. Yay!

LOL Thanks so much! That means there is still Hope???? I'm also nervous about going into the doctor. He may think I'm an utter failure. I will try extra hard for the next week starting this very minute.

Thanks so much for both of your insights! It is really helpful. I was wondering if you have a problem getting in to get a fill or see a doctor? The waiting is really doing me in. I haven't been tight enough to stop eating. Maybe this next one will be the charm. I wish I could feel the rest of the time like I do the 2 days after the fill. It feels terrific and I am almost euphoric but that fades in about 6 days. I read a lot of the posts from here and everyone seems to be doing great. On average about 10 pounds per month. That's all I want. I started at 233 on the date of surgery and right now I weigh 230 and it's 4 months later. You have been a great help for me. And SCOUT My doctor told me to stop taking the Metformin after surgery. My blood sugar hasn't gone down at all. So even that has me worried. Take care and keep writing. Trish

Even though nobody has responded yet I know that it is my fault. I really need some restriction. I'm eating the wrong things and too many of them, too. And although I knew this was to be a "tool" I really didn't expect to have to have all the willpower to get through this. I mean, that's just like being on a diet. I read and re-read everything before surgery and just knew that 1/4 cup was all I was going to be able to eat. That never happened. I can eat just as much now as I did before. I don't have the willpower and that's why I'm back to not losing. Still really want help.