smitten kitten

I'm a self-pay, so because no insurance company is involved the process tends to go much quicker.

TY to those who sent PMs... I can't wait to get back to the states and have it done

I'm curious because I know there are people that fail at using the band correctly. For the people that gain back or never lose, is it because they primarily eat around the band (ice cream, shakes, ect.) or do they still overeat? I was under the impression that overeating with proper restriction would be painful (food stuck). Are these incorrect assumptions?

Someone posted about it here. Apparently their nutritionist recommended that at meal time fill a glass with ice. Whatever melts as you slowly eat, is what you can drink. If memory serves me, it helped the poster break the nasty habit of drinking and eating. *fingers crossed*

Unfortunately for me, I'm a volume eater and sweets lover, so polishing off a pizza AND some donuts has never been a problem here. Making healthy food choices has to be my number one priority and hopefully the band will help with the portion control.

I'm not a dr and I didn't do a sleep study, but it might have to do with the fact that sleep apnea is a co-morbidity many obese people experience. Also, if your bmi is on the lower end, but you have 2 disorders considered co-morbid, you have a greater chance of getting an insurance company to cover the surgery.

I don't want to hijack the OP's thread, but the hood is the only piercing I have never had done that I really want. Do you mind sharing your experience?

I had mine pierced over 10 years ago, so I can't even remember the gauge, but I do recall my piercer putting in large vertical bar bells due to swelling. I had discharge for a little over 6 months and thought I'd never heal and then almost overnight I was fine. About 6 months after I healed I had captive D rings put in. Definitely get the over sized barbells. I know it looks odd at first, but once you heal you can go smaller or switch to rings. Also, I'd suggest using titanium jewelry to lessen the risk of your body having an adverse reaction.

I hadn't even considered washing food down until btrieger made the point. Thanks for responding with your story, because to hear that it has actually happened puts things into perspective for me. I am struggling to break the habit and now realize how seriously detrimental it can be to my weight loss. I assumed overeating and eating around the band were the main factors and I stand corrected. I have read here about the ice trick and will be trying it out tonight with dinner. I wish you the best in getting back on track. You have done it before, you can do it again!!

I love reading blogs that include personal experience with the band, so thank you. Also, I'm a vegetarian but "Santa knows I love meat, Mommy" just cracked me up She's too adorable!

I think you're being too tough on yourself. No one is perfect and if you were you wouldn't need the band in the first place. I had the same doubts as you before getting banded. I also had the Last Supper Syndrome and gained 5lbs the month before surgery. I'm only 18 days post-op, but I'm doing fine and no cheating. I think I overate because I was stressing about the surgery and I had the wrong mindset. It might make it a bit easier to keep in mind that after being banded we can eat a lot of the foods we ate before, only in smaller portions. You may be overindulging in foods that you're going to eat after the band.

Thanks for responding and congrats on your weight loss - 114lbs OMG!! I think gaining with proper restriction scares me the most. I have a sweet tooth that is out of control and learning new eating habits will be the hardest for me. I guess I was hoping that having some sweets every now and then would still fill me up (provided they are solid). I was also hoping that if I slip and make a bad choice that getting "stuck" would be so uncomfortable it would be a future deterrent.

I think the sugar might have had something to do with my nausea, because the day it started was the day I began mushies. Right after I had some pudding is when it began. My dr had me go back to liquids during the nausea phase. The transitioning is really tricky, so take it slow.

I had nausea from the pain killers in the hospital. It was so bad, that they took me off them. By the time I got home I was fine, until day 5 and I was hit hard. I was dry heaving so bad that my doctor wanted to admit me for a few days. I really did not want that so he had me do an IV of fluids and prescribed me the anti-nausea meds that they give cancer patients on chemo. After a day they kicked in and I was on them for about 6 days and now no more nausea. I really feel for you because I know it's hell! Have you doctor prescribe you some meds. It's not good for you to be so sick and heaving - especially when your band should be settling in. Best of luck!

What is amazing to me, is that some people appear to reach it after only two fills, while others take numerous fills. It really seems like a YMMV type thing. I am hoping and praying that it takes no more than two or three fills *or* if it does, I have the strength to keep the weight loss going by making good choices and staying active - only time will tell.

With the weight you've lost, I don't see you as a failure at all. However, I would change doctors asap. If ridicule helped overweight people to lose then I think most of us would be skinny little twigs by now - at least I know I would. I wish you the best of luck and hope you find a doctor that is understanding and supportive of you.

I'm experiencing the same thing and I hope it is normal. I attribute it to no longer drinking caffeine. I was drinking at least a 2ltr a day of diet coke and lord only knows how much coffee.

* In one week I have lost 10 lbs. Is that average? BamBam hit the nail on the head - we are all lose differently. I lost 17 my first week, but I'm slowly adding more solid food and getting my appetite back, so it won't be long before I expect to gain a few back. * Which are the best Vitamins to take and what dosage? A multi-Vitamin should be fine, unless you have a particular deficiency. * What are the best supplements (calcium citrate or the other, etc) I really don't know. * Best chocolate Protein drinks or powder without chalky taste? I'm using Ultimate Nutrition Iso-Sensation 93 and there is no after taste, but it's actually a bit too sweet for me - oddly something I've never had a problem with before when it comes to food. * Best tasting clear liquids protein drinks? I haven't tried one, but I've read comments about the difficulty of finding one that is truly tasteless. I think GNC sells samplers, so you might want to check there before you spend big money on Proteins that taste bad. Also, I think GNC has a good return policy for that type of thing. * Any lotions or tricks to prevent saggy skin? I'm using some peptide cream on incisions to reduce scarring, but I don't think anything will help with saggy skin. It has a lot to do with age, genetics, weight yo-yoing before the band and things we just can't control. I'm crossing my fingers on this one, but like you said it will be what it will be. If I have serious issues and I anticipate my arms will need some help, then I will most likely look into a brachioplasty or some form of plastic surgery. * When will I feel normal again? I'm only two weeks post-op and a week ago I felt like I was in hell with the fatigue, pain, gas and nausea. Today I feel like I never had surgery, but everyone's body is different. In general, it seems like everyone says to wait until week two or three and you'll start to feel like your old self. * Any good blogs or website that could be helpful now that I have the band? For me, this site has been invaluable. It's really the only place I use, with the exception of reading personal blogs - I find the links from other members here. * Any other good tip you think I should know? Relax and let your body recover right now. You just had major surgery and it's going to take a bit before you feel "normal". Also, keep posting here - the support I get has helped me tremendously and right now that is what you need most. Keep your chin up - this is a brand new beginning for you *yay*

I've had them before and have to agree that they reek of fish. I was so grossed out by the smell that I tossed them.

Welcome Jessica I think the time line is different for everyone and the type of insurance you have is a factor in how quick or slow the process goes. You might get more helpful answers if you post your q in the pre-op or insurance thread. Cheers~

I'm less than two weeks post-op and wish someone would have told me that recovery is not always peaches n' cream (the gas pains are horrid; nausea too!), and just because one person had it relatively easy does not mean you will too. That aside, I'd do it again - in a heartbeat! BOL with your decision

I might be wrong, but I thought it was ebay style where you get to see pics and a description of what you're trading for.

Considering you just had serious surgery, have probably been on some meds that made you dopey and your body is freaking because it's not getting all that sugar/caffeine/etc, I think the fatigue is normal. I was banded on 12/30 and haven't felt like myself since. I figure it will be another week or two before my mind and body get it together.

I don't disagree that to lose weight you have to burn more calories than you consume. But, having restriction and reaching the "sweet spot" means having hunger under control. For most people, that means eating less food and therefore taking in less calories. That definitely contributes to how much you'll lose and how fast (considering the person is active) - also the point of this surgery. I think that is why a lot of people focus so much on the fills and reaching that restriction. If I eat a pan of low cal this and a box of low fat that, plus a tub of low carb blah blah, than that workout I had this morning isn't going to do much - because even though I made healthy choices and I burned calories, I still ate like a football player. This might not be the best example, but I hope you get my point. The band helps control how much we will consume, which is half of the problem.

Yeah, I suspect I will be gaining back a few for sure. I also think much of what I've lost thus far is just water weight. But I won't let any weight gain discourage me - keeping my chin up :thumbup: