valgal1968

You look marvelous!!! I wonder if you would share more ideas. You said you follow his (your Doctors) guidelines, what are they?? I broke my foot a year ago and was in a wheel chair or crutches or a walker for 7 months. When I started walking again (every time I walked) something else would break down. I have been so frustrated this year and have not lost anything. In fact I gained 15lbs because of the wheelchair and crutches stuff. I am so desperate for ideas that I cannot stand it. Please share his guidelines. Thank in advance for your help. Valerie

Thanks BJean, I have had 6 fills and am at 2.9. I've dropped about 41 lbs. About the same. Thank again.

I finally relented and had an un-fill. Wow. I can't believe it. I am no longer hungry constantly and on the prowl for something I can eat and keep down. The very day of the unfill (last Thursday) I was better. I can't believe I wasted so much time by not getting an unfill sooner! The doctor's surgical nurse and the dietician both tried to tell me but I just couldn't get it through my head that tigher doesn't mean quicker weight loss. In fact, it can mean the opposite! And the doc told me that I was just asking for trouble. He showed me pictures of an enlarged esophogus from a person who had too must restriction. I am a believer now!! We really should not be hungry all the time and we shouldn't be PB'ing all the time! BJean how many fills have you had and how much is in your band before the unfill and after. Just curious.

Welcome back April, we have missed you and I have had you on my mind lately. Glad your back.

Is April still out there lurking? I was just wondering how she is doing? Has anyone heard from her?

Sandranoelle, I have had 4 fills and went to the doctor the other day fo another one. He is kind of disappointed in my weight loss as I have only lost about 22-24 pounds since my surgery. He asked me how I was eating. When I described to him what I was doing which is exactly what you said, he told me to stop eating at that point, don't wait for it to pass and continue eating, or to even spit up to relieve the pain. That should be my full point, my stopping point for that meal and not to eat any more. He said the pain will subside and that stuck feeling will pass. But he told me he thinks I am pushing it (eating) too much for my poush and that is why I am not losing like I should. He also told me that my mainstay should be protein and to try my substancial foods and not so mushy foods so it will stay in my pouch longer and my fullness would last longer. I am so worried that (I am a self pay) my fills will be used up before I get to the sweet spot if you will. I have 2.2 cc's in my band now. Just a little info to forward to anyone.

How many fills have you had?

Tami: Put your weight loss back in your signature. That's encouragement for us! Pretty Please? :clap2:

Gonnabethin: I read it every chance I get too! If no one has replied I start reading other threads. Not the same though, I just feel like I know this group better, Yea you're family! I have been lurking since August just reading and learning.

BJean: So good to meet you too!! I just got my last fill on the 9th of Jan. so this feeling of confidence just started this week. I didn't have it before. Simple carbs go down way too easy and that was my problem. I think the radio said it was Blue Monday. Hmmm, Go figure, when everyone else is said to be depressed because of Christmas Bills and lost their desire to diet, I get the surge of mind/diet strength and plug away. Oh well, it's working for now and I pray it stays around a while. Tami: Your weight loss has been tremendous! I think it sounds like you need more protein. I was told that would be a sign. I like to drink Crystal Light (Orange/Strawberry/Banana) with my protein powder. Whey Vanilla protein from Wal-mart 110 Cal., 1.5 fat, 1 gm carb. and 23 protein. I just mix the 2 together and it tastes pretty good. I chug it down. Then when I am wanting something like a milk shake/smoothie I add frozen Strawberries and a frozen banana to it. I am not adding many more calories and I feel like I am being so bad drinking this but it tastes wonderful and I am getting one third of my protein. I use the latter one for my snack at night mostly when ice cream would really hit the spot. This protein smoothie will do wonderfully. My DH loves this drink. Just a thought. Keep us posted on what's happening.

On top? No, but trying to get there. Insanity!! :omg: Yes I do remember. I decided this week to restart my old weight watcher points program. I thought well it surely will work this time because I cannot hold as much food as I once could. You know it is working too. (at least this week) I have managed to lose 3 lbs this week and I am not feeling starved. I just buy the dinners and calculate the points and last night I told my DH that I didn't eat enough food yesterday. Wow! :biggrin1: That sure felt wierd saying that! He thought I was lying. I feel really strong now and I can do this from now on until I lose all the weight I want to, at least that is the way I feel at the moment. I pray this feeling stays with me and if it doesn't I pray for strength. My doctor told me also, it was a 2 year program. I have had 3 fills now and I feel quite a bit of restriction since the last fill. I have 2 cc's in a about a 4.5cc band. I do get humgry every 4 hours eating the WW way. That's good. I must have still been eating too much before I started this plan. That explains why I wasn't losing. DUH! Helloooo! I just didn't think I was eating as much as before the surgery and I wasn't, but it was still more than I needed. God willing I will make it. I love this group and I just wouldn't know what to do without all y'all. Sorry about the book.

rms778645: Hi I was banded Sept. 8, 2006 and up until this week I had lost about 15 lbs. and was getting very discouraged,(I wasn't gaining) but this week I am really paying attention to what I eat and am starting to show a loss again. Thank the Good Lord for that. We all lose weight at different speeds, but this group is the best group for information, encouragement and support. They are wonderful! Good luck on your journey as for all of us and remember it's baby steps. Please keep us informed of your progress.

Valgal1968 Is here. I am a major lurker guys. I look and listen and try to do, but not having too much luck. I have lost a total of 17 lbs since surgery and now have had 3 fills, totaling 2cc's in a 4cc band. I can definately tell with this last fill. My total amount of food is cut way down again, but the weight is still not coming off but it will I feel it. Keep talking I look forward to what everyone is doing. You, my family, keep me informed. Keep on keepin on y'all!

Kathy I went through the pain in the neck part for about a week, about 1 month after my surgery. Every time I burped or Hiccuped it hurt. Then it just went away as fast as it came about. I also had pain in my side for about the first 1.5 months. It seemed like I had it when I was really full from something like a fluffy drink, like a smoothie. something that took up alot of air-room. If that makes any sense. But the pain in my neck only happened when I burped or hiccuped. Now both pains are gone. How long has it been since your surgery?

Shell, I am in the same boat as you. I do not eat near the food I use to, I too am not losing like a lot of the sept bandsters. I think and I hope it is just taking us longer to get started. I have only lost 15 lbs and I had my surgery 9/8/06. I have had 2 fills (totaling 1.5 cc) and with the last one there is a lot of pbing and sliming. I just thought I was eating too fast. We just have to hang on, it will start falling off soon, it has to. I think everyone has problems in the morning. The doctors say that is normal. Hang in there.

My doctor said stop drinking 15-30 minutes before a meal, and wait until 1 1/2 hours after your meal to drink. I have trouble with the 15-30 before the meal.

Melissa, I too feel tighter in the morning, and I was told that's because you have been sleeping. My Doctor also said that after a fill it could get looser or maybe tighter. After my second fill, I felt the golf ball most every time I ate a meal. Last night at dinner, there was not problem. I think I still eat too fast and am trying to slow it down. The one thing I have NO problem with is Christmas sweets. Seems unfair, they go right down with no problem at all. I will go back to the doctor on Jan 11 for my 3rd fill. I feel the golf ball and don't eat much but am not losing any weight. I stay the same. Maybe up one or two and then down again. I also know what you are talking about with people watching you. That annoys me too. My doctor told me going in that this was at least a 2 yr task and not an overnight success story. I have to work harder too I realize that. Tuesday if there is any junk in my house, it goes in the trash. Out of sight out of mind. God Bless all who are dropping their weight like crazy. I am proud of you!! I'm thinking we just haven't hit our sweet spot yet. I am not eating near what I ate before the surgery. I'm hanging in there and waiting for my sweet spot to be found. Merry Christmas everyone!!!

Tami, I have had my second fill and I do feel restriction, I am not eating much but cannot exercise or even hardly walk at the end of the day because I have back problems. I sit at a desk and so I need to do something exercise wise. I have been doing my physical therapy exercises hoping that will help with the pain. I am hanging in there. I go back to the doctor Jan 11, that will be 6 weeks since my second fill. They tell me at my in-town support group that the 3rd fill is usually the "sweet spot" when everything starts coming together. I will let you know. I have heard some people say that they get discouraged with the weight loss but then ... then... then... something happens and the weight starts dropping off. I can only hope that I am one of those people. Some lose it fast and first and others lag behind. That's me I think. I will keep tuning into this wonderful group listening and learning each day. God willing the weight will come off. Thanks for all of the wonderful encouragement. I love this group!!

Thanks ladies for the diet pill info and encouragement that everyone gives. I'm getting somewhat discouraged. I don't eat near as much as I used to but the weight stays the same and even goes up a little. Its been 3 + months since my sugery and I thought my weight loss would be much more. I'll keep trying and won't give up. I guess I will have to be more rigid with my diet. Keep up the good work everyone and thanks so much for this wonderful support group. Later.

I have a question... what diet pills are you taking? Do they help? I think I could use some help I am not a strong person and I have restriction but could use a little extra help.

Good morning everyone. Just checking in, I am supposed to go for a second fill this morning but we have a little bit of snow and ice so they may cancel. I hope not I am soooooo ready for more restriction then I have. :hungry: I am always ready to eat. Hope everyone is staying warm. I'll let you know what happens.

I saw my Dr. today and I get my second fill on Fri morning at 10AM,:clap2: I am very excited about that. My food does not last 3 -4 hours after I eat, I am hungry after 1 1/2 hours. So he said it was time and Fri. will be 6 weeks since the last one. Later.

M.O.M. lost 0 this week . That's okay it's not a gain from Thanksksgiving. (NSV) right? Good luck to everyone. :clap2: You can do it!!!

sandranoelle: I agree that was a good story and a wonderful surprise. No matter how old the kids they still try to trick ya now and then. I'm glad they do.

sandranoelle: I agree that was a good story and a wonderful surprise. No matter how old the kids they still try to trick ya now and then. I'm glad they do. :clap2: