123crod

okay I am gonna be really honest here and talk about some problems have been experiencing. Background info on me; Banded almost 2 years really no problems. Last fill 1 year and 2 months ago. I have a 10cc AP Band and 3.8 cc in it. I have lost 84 lbs so far and would like to lose another at least 15 lbs. I try to work out every night at least 1 or 1½ hours. But in the past month, month ½. I have been experiencing bing eating almost on a daily basis. It lasts about ten minutes but a lot can be eaten in 10 minutes. Did I mention I work from my home and 3 days a week I watch my Grandbabies 4 year old and a 23 month old for about 4 hours or so while I work. I also suffer from clincal depression and have probably my whole life but dignosed about 7 or 8 years. Meds seem to help pretty much but still have some depression and anxiey anyway. I also went through 3 years of therapy. But it was not about eating disorder. I have never been a binge eater in my life. It happens usually once a day. I eat it, but do not vomit it up. It is like my mind just turns off and I will I do it, it seems unstoppable at the time. I am not eating large amounts of food but just lots of little bites of everything bad for you. I usually return to liquids for a couple of days and get back in control. I have not lost any more weight nor have I gained any. I exercise hard. I think if I got on the scale and it showed a weight gain or if my pants got tighter I would be able to stop. Every morning I wake up ready to go and sometime in the afternoon it happens I start out with a Greek Yogart and then I might have a chip or 2, some grapes, maybe eat a couple of small spoons of ice cream out of the containier.or a small package of Dora fruit Snacks and then maybe a orange which always get stuck and puts an end to it. I feel so horribile. My husband works at the chemical plants and has been working a lot of overtime, including the weekends hence I am alone at that time. This has got to stop I can not go on like this. I do not like how I feel thinner, I do not know how to feel . . . .it is as if I lost my idenity. I did like this once before without the band when I lost 100 pounds on my own I totally lost my mind had a break down. The identity issues was what I found out is my problem during therapy that and bad thought patterns. I either think of myself as Roberts mother, or Mauro's wife, Grandma, employee, child of God and nothing else. I do not know who I really am. I did not know I should also be me standing alone, but I just do not get it how do you figure that out? After I reread this I might not post it it but I hope someone will read this and say oh that sounds like me. My therapist does not deal with eating disorders she is suppose to find me one. Even if I am not gaining weight it is not healthly for me mentally or physically. Any ideas? Cheri

I am a Christian too and would love to be a part of that I need some bansters who believe in prayer Cheri

I am 50 and agree with the above post. Would be happy to talk to you anytime Cheri

My Dcotor said not even to be jumping on a trampoline much less out of a plane. That is a question for sure for the dcotor! I know I say this all the time but love the puppy. Cheri

My Doctors asked me why I do not want the bypass as I could lose faster and maybe more weight. I told him one, I was self pay and could not afford it and two I was scared of it. So we continued to talk about the Band. Cheri

You guys make me smile!! Cheri

I totally agree with both of you. Thank you for answering my post. My anxiety keeps me at home alot. I do work a full time job but a couple of years ago I started working at home. I do graphic design for a printing company (23 years), so I am by myself a lot except when the grandkids are here. I am about ready to put a piece of grey heavy duty tape over my mouth. I did so much better when I was going to a support group. But everybody that was going is not interested in the group anymore now that they have lost most of their weight. I need to find a new one. Plus I work out at home since I have the equipment. So I have done a good job of closing myself off. Cheri

Ross, If you eat chicken make sure it had not been microwaved and make sure you have some type of dipping sauce. I had a short period of time where I could no longer eat chicken no matter how much I chewed. Try drinking a cup of coffee before you eat it will help open your band. If you go out to eat when you get there have a cup of coffee while you wait on food to be served. Always know where the men's room in as soon as you come in Cheri

Rachael, I would be happy to talk to you. I am almost 2 years post op in July and am down 84 lbs and working on the last 15 or so. I also am 50 and a Christain and married 30 years, with a 29 year old son and 2 grandbabies, Olivia 4 and Isabella 23 months Could use some one to help pray me through this journey how about you? You can e-mail me or private message me my e-mail is crodriguez17@comcast.net Cheri

Congratulations!!! Cheri

I also would suggest a week or 5 business days. I would plan it in Thurdsay and Friday then you get 2 weekends and and 4 business days Cheri

Wow congratulations to all of you having surgery tomorrow. Somebody please drink and enjoy a diet coke for me today I haven't had one in almost 2 years. Cheri

Everyone's opinion is so different not one side against the other side but a lot of in betweens, pretty neat. I guess that is why our children all grow up so different. But we all know no matter what they eat or don't eat most of all they need our love and understanding and encouragement . . . but love most of all Cheri

I will be Banded 2 years in July. This past weekend I have had a stomach virus and have had so much trouble with my Band. My Band has stayed so tight for the last couple of days and anything gets stuck. It will pass as I have not had a fill in over a year and am not too tight it just does that when I get sick or stressed. I think this is the first time I really realized I have changed my body and it works different and will for now on. Don't get me wrong I love my Band but I guess it just kinda hit me the change that is. Anyone else gone through this? Cheri

During my first year I vomited all the time. My Surgeon could not figure out why. Sometimes the food would hit my pouch and just shoot back up and I better be close to a bathroom. If I felt I might be stuck while out to eat I had to go to the bathrooom several different times and a few times I barley made it. He always used floro at every office visit and fills so we knew the band was in the right place and the Water moving through the band. But after surgery my gag (?) reflex got so sensitive. I will be 2 years in July and I have not vomited much in this last year. It was never about being too tight as I only went through that a short time once and had a small unfill. It is just this weekend I really found out my band really does control if something goes down I only control what I try to eat. I do not think what is in the bottom of your stomach will or can come back up through the Band. I have had the dry heaves many times and I think your body is just reacting to the trauma. But what is in the pouch will come back up no problem. I am so suprised that my Band never slipped with all the vomiting. But thank God it never did, I am very thankful it never has. Cheri

I was banded by Dr. Spivak in July 2009 I am down 84 lbs. I was self pay. I love Dr Spivak he is such a nice person and a great surgeon. He really cares about people he has a great bedside manner. The whole process was a breeze. Brenda and his office staff are very nice and are always willing to answer any questions you may have. I have even talked to Dr. Spivak on the weekend on his cell once when I needed to ask a question. He always does all the fills himself and since he placed your port he know right where it is. His also does floro all the time as he has one in his office where many surgeons do don't and you have to go to hospital to get one. I like leaving his office knowing my band was in place and everything was good. Cheri

So glad you got to meet Dr Spivak. He really is great! I think what I like about him is that he does his own fills. He put the port in and he know where it is so always gets it with no pain or trouble. Brenda I think is his office manager and did a small unfill for me one day when he was on vacation. Everyone there is so nice. He also always does floro as he has one in his office. So many surgeons do not and people have to go to the hospital to get one. I like knowing when I left his office after every fill we had looked at the band and knew everything was okay. Cheri

I would tell you to look up Dr. Hager Spivak in Houston. He is a very good surgeon and such a nice person. He only takes people who are self pay he has a really good price too. He and his staff are so great. Cheri

Dr Spivak really is the best. Like I said when you go in for a fill he always does it himself. I loved that! Will you be a Park Plaza? Cheri

I agree with the above post. I love Dr Spivak, hey is a great surgeon and person. He did all my fills himself under floro. NEVER had not one problem with him or any of his staff. I would recommend him for sure!!! I have had to call him on the weekend and the answering service gave me is cell number and he took the time to talk to me and make sure I was okay. Cheri

I take Zoloft and never gain weight because of it. I have been taking it about 6 years and have lost 84 lbs with the band. Now Paxil was a med that I did gain weight on, but the Zoloft has not affected me that way. Cheri

When my 30 year old son was an infant he ate all the vegetables you gave him. As he got older he developed his own opinion and maybe did not like some foods because of the way it looked or smelled or the texture. I try to get him to eat all the right things but he refused and I was not going to punish him for not wanting to eat a particular food, Food is not something I thought should be a punishable offense. As he aged he has learn to eat many vegetables and fruits that he would not touch at our house. I think food is a personal thing and no child should be sent to bed with out a meal because he does not like a certain food. I sat at the table for hours as a kid waiting for my mother to give in and let me up as I was never going to eat the liver or whatever vegetable it was she was serving that night. My son grew up healthy and happy and has not had a weight problem. I on the other hand having had things forced upon me did. I also think you should pick your battles with your children carefully. Cheri

So sorry for you, That is like my worst nightmare. I would get my records and surgery reports and find me another surgeon. Cheri

I would be happy to talk to you if you want to e-mail me or private message me. Cheri

Sending prayers up for all that have surgery this week. It is well worth the minor discomfort you with have for 3 or 4 days. And then it is all uphill from there! Cheri