LollyMoe

I had my first episode of both yesterday. It was so painful!!!! I know that I was chewing well and the bite was small. The only thing I can figure out is either my body doesn't like a grilled pork chop or the chop was a little too dry (which it was ). Since we were eating with friends, I went to the bathroom thinking I could bring it up by bending over or holding arms up. Nothing worked. I took a sip of water and OMG, that made it worse. I thought I was dying. Finally, it came back up and I got immediate relief. I hope I never go through another episode in my life!!!

Depression is caused by a chemical inbalance in the brain. It hits people of all ages and some very famous people have suffered from it. It's good that you now have it under control with meds. Go back to your band doctor, explain what happened to you and the meds you are taking now. Tell him that you want to be successful and willing to try again. Don't be embrassed. Most doctors have heard it all, seen it all. Please don't give up completely.

I can't eat a cup of food. My doctor says to eat 1/2 cup.

My PCP changed all my meds that were larger than a M&M to a liquid form or a smaller different pill. Works fine for me for now. I take them with my morning hot tea.

Why is chocolate so close at hand at work? Do you buy it and store it in your desk? Since chocolate is a NO-No, you will have to find ways to stay away from it. Take a little "ditty bag" with you to work that has some proper foods in it.

When I went to the original seminar, one surgeon said that a person had to be careful about losing during the seven months it takes to qualify because the insurance will see that you have a steady losing pattern and will say, "she doesn't need the band, she's doing fine on her own". His partner, which I used eventually, said that "I couldn't lose enough in the seven months to change my BMI enough that the insurance wouldn't pay for it". I didn't lose anything pre-op. So go figure! I had my band placed on 8/11/09, am doing great. Good luck to you too.

As of today, I have lost 33.2 pounds and wish I knew how many inches I've lost. I don't measure but I'm buying myself a tape tomorrow and keep up with it from now on. At quilting on Monday, I was infomred that it was time to retire the capri's I had on. They are too loose according to my friends. Last summer, they were rather tight!:sneaky: Tonight, at church, I had on a new (never worn) pair of jeans. It has been years since I had any jeans. Anyway, I was again told that I needed to retire these new jeans because they were too big..especially in the butt. They weren't too loose when I purchased them last Friday. The only thing I can figure out is that I must be losing a lot of inches lately. I am excited that I am losing pounds/inches, so I guess it's important to measure my body after all.:thumbup: I love my band and am so happy I did it!:frown:

Everyone is different, so don't be disappointed if you don't match others. I was banded on 8/11/09, no pre-op dieting at all, and I've lost 33.2 pounds.

Will see everyone at group if nothing happens. I look forward to group so much each month. They help me a lot. Ford....can't wait to see you in your new thingy. Bet it will make you look really small.

Don't give up! Re-think all the reasons for having the band and start again. Journaling is a great tool too.

My advisors say 1-2 lbs per week. So far, I'm on schedule. However, from previous experiences, I know I will probably reach a plateau sooner or later. Just hang in there and eventually you'll lose again.

I am not diabetic but as a nurse, I would advise you to see your PCP at once. It is very dangerous to let your sugar get too low as it is for it to get too high. You don't want any comas. Please see your doctor soon.

As a patient, you have the right to refuse any services from the fellow in the future. It's in the Bill of Patient's Rights. Ask your doctor for it. I'm sorry you had a bad experience with the fellow. Some people are so full of themselves, they can't admit to a mistake. Consider the source and go on from here. Good luck on all your endeavors.

Nazzy: You can contact the makers of the band and they will answer your questions.

EffiePoo: Unforunately, there are posters that think just because they got the band, it will magically make them lose weight w/o all the hard work that is required. It just isn't so. You have to use a tool of any kind in the right way for it to work properly.

I am so sorry to hear about the MS. Please contact your doctor and get his advise. He is the better choice for you right now. Good luck.

Drink lots of water. It helps.

My surgeon is very experienced but he still made me feel bad at my first follow-up visit. Even tho I had lost 17 pounds in one week, I got a lecture from him on the importance of what & how much I put in my mouth. He made me feel that I was going to fail. I left there so mad at him. I came home and thought it over a lot. I decided that I wasn't going to let him make me feel like a failure and he could go jump in a lake! If I'm doing what I'm suppose to do, eventually I'll get to goal. Thankfully, I don't see him when I get fills. His nurse praticetioner (sp?) does the fills and she is very nice.

I was a diet Dr Pepper addict. I drank a two-liter everyday. When I was told that I couldn't have them at all, I went cold turkey off of it and haven't wanted it even once. There is a lady that I know who thought she could beat the system and drink the cola IF she let it go flat. Well, she almost lost her band completely. The pouch swelled up and then drooped down around the band. Why would you want to pay so much for surgery, go thru everything post-op and then take the chance of complications all over a cola? There are reasons WHY the doctor says no cola. Ask him the whys/whynots. If you can't follow the rules up front, how do you expect to be successful? Please re-think the cola...for your own sake.

Cream of chicken soup is the only slider food I've eaten.

I weigh every Wednesday morning and am keeping a record of it. I don't even think about it until Wed. I just feel that I do need to know how I'm doing at least once a week.

The band is NOT a magic wand! It is a weight loss tool only. You will still have to work hard to lose the weight but it can be done. After the swelling goes down, you may experience hunger. It may be head hunger or it could be real hunger. It's different for each person. Once you get your fills and reach the sweet spot, it will be much better for you. I haven't gotten to my sweet spot yet but I believe what the others have said and am looking forward to it. I refuse to give up. I want to be healthier and off all these meds I have to take. Do what your doctor says and work hard to eat less with the right kinds of foods. You'll be okay.

Are you exercising? You have to burn up more calories than you take in. No one really wants to exercise in the beginning but after awhile, it becomes second nature to you. The body will revert to a starvation mode if it thinks you are trying to with hold food. Add some more exercise and watch what you eat. Writing it all down in a journal is very helpful. Each night, take a look-see at it and you'll be surprised at what you have done all day. Good luck and keep us posted.

I suggest you call your doctor at once! Don't fool around with this.

I didn't have true hunger until recently. It's almost time for another fill and right now I could eat the dog if I had one. I hope my second fill will be more successful. I am more than ready to get this weight off me and on to a healthier life. Perhaps some of your hunger is "head hunger" too. Find something to get you busy during those times. You can always drink a Protein shake between meals. Hang in there.