New Joy

did you do it?

Dana, YOU CAN DO THIS! YOU CAN DO THIS! as Catherine said---if you were scared of the having the band itself we would perhaps say to think this over or wait. But you are saying you are scared of going to sleep---which is like giving up control for a few minutes. Do you ever ride roller coasters or airplanes?? This is the same thing. You get in....strap yourself in...and give control to the trained professionals. The seconds before you hit the top of the big hill or befor take off are nerve racking but as soon as it happens you are FLYING HIGH. You can do this ! You can do this ! You can do this!

good lord sweetie--they make a pill for that! tell your doc that you have anxiety and they will give you a nice little med that will make your fears go away. Also ask for anti nausua meds before hand and you will be fine. I have had 9 surgeries and all turn out fine. You don't fall asleep like in your bed...it's more like an instant out and then you wake up. It will be so worth it...we promise you. YOU CAN DO THIS! Big hugs!!

it took 50 pounds for me to see the difference unless I look at photos --then I can see the difference on a monthly basis. A few days ago I saw my self naked and I had to double take---it's a NSV to notice it on yourself.

well.... I had the Novasure procedure done on Monday and rested Tuesday. I am okay...not on pain meds but no exercising for two weeks. I haven't lost at all in the last 3 weeks....not a single ounce. I have only lost 1 lb in the last 4 weeks. WTH is going on?? I haven't gained....but the scale keeps bouncing between 219 and 220. I can't blame it all on my monthly cycles and surgery can I?? Any tips to getting things back in gear???

I had my 3rd fill a week ago bringing me to 6.25 cc in a 10cc band. I am eating 3 meals a day-- high Protein. I am not snacking. I can eat anything--in small amounts. I do not throw up or PB or slime. I have a bubble in my throat---it felt odd at first but I have gotten used to it. Is this the sweet spot??? How long will this last???

May 2007 I was 270 lbs May 2010 I am 219 lbs

Protein is easy for me. I usually have a Greek Yogurt in the morning (12-18g) I eat a protein pack of cottage cheese and hummus (22g) every day with lunch. I eat alot of chicken and turkey chili. If I haven't gotten at least 60 g in with my other food options I drink a Unjury Shake in the evenings ( 20g)

sugar free popsicles were my go to. I could not have lived without my heating pad. I also had liquid Tylenol on hand because I hate the way narcotics make me feel.

Hey ya'll. I went to the doc today was thrilled to see that I have lost 6lbs in 3 weeks. Total lost is now 30lbs and I am officially 25% closer to my ideal weight. She gave me my 4th fill of .50cc bringing up to 6.75cc in a 10cc band. She thinks this is going to get me to my sweet spot. All in all, I am starting to feel great. I am less than half a pound away from being at the 50lb loss mark ( since my non-pregnancy highest) So happy...my little man turns four next week and I weighed 270lbs on his first birthday. I can't wait to take a comparison shot.

Both PB have been recently.....NOT in the 10 days that I felt restricted. Monday monrning was the pizza, this morning was the bagel. I normally don't eat until 9:30 and I usually have yogurt for breakfast.

Hey Mushmat, I didn't realize you were doing your fills with the barium. That totally changes things.....if the docs and you can SEE that you are restricted...then maybe you need to fight the head hunger etc? have you journaled everything?? My doc does not do the fills under floro ( or if he does I haven't had that option) so we have to do an assessment each time. I have been getting very small fills as we go. I mean like .50 or .25 at a time. It is a slow process working up to restriction for me....but I am battling the head hunger as we go and fine tuning my skills. Are you seeing the same doctor each time????

okay guys and girls....I have a decision to make. I am supposed to go back for a fill on Tuesday. I am at 6.25cc in a 10cc band. The first 10 days after my last fill I felt restricted..and now I don't. I do stop myself from eating but I have only lost a pound or two ( by my scales). I am not super hungry ( like I was preband) but I don't feel like I am at my sweet spot. The thing is...I have PB for the first time.....TWICE. Once was on left over pizza. The second was on a toasted bagel. Both were in the morning and the second bite. At all other times and all other foods...I am fine. No issues at all. So...should I get a little fill and be more diligent about my food choices? Or am I PB because I am already at restriction and I am fighting it???

Mushsbat, I would have a fit if my surgeon said 1.5lbs a month is fine. NO WAY JOSE---are you paying a copay to hear that?? Do you see the same dr everytime?? Is that what he told you to expect before surgery?? I would do some serious research and perhaps look into changing doctors.........

hey girls! I lost a pound this week. I was shocked...I was traveling and drank lots of calories. I saw my doc on Monday and my ablation is scheduled for May 10. I have never had heavy bleeding...but I have a small amount of daily bleeding. He said I could also do the hysterectomy but I am just not ready for the recovery that comes with that. I go next week for a fill-- I am hoping it will get me to my sweet spot. I think I am close..... I also PB for the first time on Monday....on a slice of left over pizza. totally my fault..didn't chew.......it came up in one small cough but I did liquids the rest of the day to make sure I was safe.

Hang in there girls. I agree it is very anticlimactic-- I have a friend right now considering the lapband ( she does not know I have one) I am going to have to have a talk with her as she gets closer to deciding between this and bypass because I honestly don't think she can handle the band. There is too much wait time between surgery and the weight coming off......you gotta play the head game. I don't think the band is ever going to tell me what I can eat. I think I am going to have to learn to force myself to eat the right things only. I did some arm exercises last night at an incline and my bubble in the throat feeling is gone. BUMMER I really liked it as a reminder. I made a bad food choice this morning and I am starving even though I already ate lunch. My trigger foods are still there. I am going to have to grin and bear it for the day and hope that by starting my day off right tomorrow I won't have the cravings. I weighed in and lost 2 lbs last week...but I normally lose a larger amount the week after a fill. It's been 15 weeks today. Has any one here had an Endometrial ablation? I have to see my OBGYN on Monday and I know this is the next ( and final) step for my girlie issues. I was hoping losing weight would correct it....but I am 50lbs down from my highest and it's still here. I am nervous about going in for surgery again but I really need to do it bsoon if I'm going to.....all my deductibles were met from the lapband surgery so this would be a freebie....

hey girls! its been a week since my fill and I think I might be at or close to my sweet spot. I have the lump in my throat and although I can eat anything I want--I am able to go in between meals for 4-5 hours. I went to lunch with my friend who was banded 2 years ago ( lost 140lbs) and talked to her more. She said...she never feels full. The point of the band ( for her) is not to feel hungry. BIG DIFFERENCE ya know?? So I got thinking like that......yes I still have to stop myself but I am ABLE to stop myself. So---thought I would throw that out there. I put my scale away and I plan to weigh on Sunday and Wed only. Tomorrow is my official weigh in.....I am thinking I am going to be down at least a pound.

My band was placed with 4cc in it. I never went through true bandster hell. Don't get me wrong---I was hungry. But I didn't have the feeling that nothing was there. I had my first fill at 6 weeks and have had two more. I am at 6.25cc in a 10cc band and I think I am getting close to my sweet spot. Consider it a blessing!!

My DH got rid of all the candy for me!! Yeah!! My lil guy hasn't asked for any of it either so that's good. I am starting to feel my fill now. I have the lump in the throat. I am going 4 hours between meals. I haven't tried bread or chicken yet but I am not having issues with my turkey chili ( with beans). I didn't get on the scales at all yesterday or this morning. I am going to see if I can go until Sunday and then maybe do a twice a week check in??

When I had my first fill ( to 5cc) I felt a tightness in my belly. When I had my second fill ( to 5.75cc) I FELT it right away. I had the lump in my throat and felt full quickly. Not alot of hunger pains. After 3 weeks it wore off..and I was hungry again. I had my hird fill yesterday (.5cc up to 6.25cc) and I feel NOTHING. I am hungry, very hungry...did I mention hungry. I ate like 7 times today ( Protein protein) and I still want to get something to eat. Is it weird to feel nothing right after a fill???

Lady, You are not a statistic and to lump you in with everyone else to make himself feel better is wrong. Are you happy with him otherwise?? My doctor is very frank---and I confess my food woes. I received a stern talking to for drinking a soda..and he flat out told me that every time I put carbonation in my tummy I am choosing to mess with my band/ pouch. That was enough for me. I don't want someone to handhold me the entire way...but I also don't want to be scared to see my doc for self esteem issues. A road trip for 18 days and you ONLY gained 5 lbs sounds like a success to me. Can you imagine the outcome preband?? Get your water in, get your exercise on, and get back on plan. YOU CAN DO THIS!

Hey ladies!! I *BOMBED* Easter big time. There was so much candy in the house...I swear it popped in my mouth on its own. Plus we traveled---at one point I was drinking a soda and then went S@&^#!#. I had a fill yesterday....my third....it brought me to 6.25cc and I am starving! starving! starving! I don't have that lum in the throat feeling like I did with the other 2 fills and I feel like I am eaing way too much. ( protein soft foods only) any thoughts??? I did lose 5 lbs in the last month but that was by will power. I haven't been exercising ( due to job restrictions) but start up on Monday full time again. I need someone to pep talk me...... oh...and how often do you weigh yourself? I am scared not to weigh everyday...that's how I gained 25 lbs last summer but my doc wants me to only weigh in the office.

Hi! I am only 3 months in so I don't want to advise on the fill. However, I can suggest something that really worked for me. I used to be really hungry like you...and then I realized I was eating way too early in the morning. Now I do this: 6am up for day 7am coffee 9am Greek Yogurt with Special K flakes 130pm Turkey Chili with a side of cottage cheese 600pm dinner Just delaying my first bite by a few hours really sets the tone of the day---I am not hungry. If I eat *anything* including a Protein shake before 9am I will be starving the rest of the day. And The more protein the better... your doing great though!

My friend saw the surgeon today for a follow up and wrote me this: He said that when he got in my stomach was swollen with gas, they couldn't get the tube far enough down my throat to expel the gas. My liver was large and actually over the stomach and down into my abdomen. With the small space, and the extended stomach and large liver he just couldn't see what he was doing. He did not think he could safely place the band without seeing what he was doing. He indicated that after seeing everything, he didn't feel like WLS was a safe option for me. He said there probably are surgeons out there that would do surgery and they may be successful, but that would be my decision. I told him I didn't want to do anything that wasn't safe for me. I feel so bad for her. Logging everything yesterday made me alot more conscious of not snacking. Let's home it shows a loss tomorrow when I step on the scales.....

it's me....missing in action girl. A friend of mine went in for lapband last week--and they couldn't do it. ;( still unclear of the details or weather or not she gets another shot. I am so sad for her....all that money and nothing to show for it. I decided that I need to work even harder in honor of her. and I realized I *have* been eating around my band. I am still eating smaller portions and losing 1lb a week but I haven't been following some of the rules. I have a 10 day challenge for myself...from now until good friday I am going to be even more mindful--- following all the rules and documenting every bite. We will see how that goes. I had coffee at 7:30 am and postponed breakfast ( greek yogurt with Special K flakes) until 10:30. It didn't kill me. Getting ready to eat my lunch black beans and cottage cheese. I miss you all.....and need to get better at posting. PS--- My hubby bought me a bike for our anniversary last week. We spent all weekend on the trails. That is a HUGE NSV for me~