2beskinny

Way back in my weight watcher's days (which I think is a great program, but I was never able to keep the weight I lost off permanently) I had a leader used a great analogy that has alway stuck with me. She said losing weight and dieting is like being in a relationship: In the beginning you are in the "honeymoon phase" and you can face anything with the determination you have. After a while, you start to feel "disenchanted" with the whole relationship and question your commitment and might even stray a bit in your thoughts or actions (or food!). Some folks will get a "divorce" after this phase. I have divorced a lot of diets :thumbup:. For the folks who hang in there, next is "renewed resolve" where you recommit yourself to your goals (dieting or relationship). After this phase comes "permanent lifestyle change." It simply a part of who you are. I just loved this analogy and have been thinking about it again recently. I believe I am in the "Renewed Resolve" stage and I hope to stay there long enough to get me to my new permanent lifestyle. I'm done with divorce :smile: :w00t: :thumbup:

Surgery @ 9 am; on my way home by 11:30 am. Needed someone to drive me for sure due the meds. Recovery at home was easy-peasy and would not have wanted to stay in hospital overnight. The only thing I found extremely helpful was a helping hand to get from a reclining position to a standing position. My abs were very sore and I didn't get enough strength back until about 36 hours to pull myself up :thumbup:

So sorry to hear of your set-back. Will keep positive thoughts for you. As far as finances go, while I was insured, my doc has a flat fee for self-pays and that fee is inclusive of ANY services that is needed for 2 years after surgery. Usually it just covers the fills, however, he told me if there were any issues at all - they would be covered within the 24 month window. Hopefully this set-back will not affect your pocket book and I'm confident you will prevail and get to keep the band once the infection is cleared up. Best of luck!

My doc says no coffee till 2 months post-op. I gave it up during the preop diet phase so I would not have the withdrawal on top of recovery. I am now allowed to drink coffee again and drink one cup in the a.m. (started Monday!). I thought I might not go back to it, however, i really do enjoy it!

OK, I know I'm not too tight anymore, but I must have some pretty decent restriction going on from the swelling, etc. OMG, last night I had a meeting that I was rushing to get to and tried to eat a lean cuisine on my way out the door. The entree had salmon and I could tell that the first bite was a little dry. So I decided I could not "rush" through it and took it with me in the car as I had a 50 minute drive to the meeting. After 3 more bites I ended up pulling over on the side of the interstate to throw up! That was by far the worst experience I've had. I'm going to stick to mushies for the next few days and give myself a chance unswell. I think I'm more swollen than I realized from being overfilled, now a "bad" stuck episode. This band does take some learn'n!

Just had the 2nd fill today 1.5 cc's in 10cc Allergan Band (on top of 2 cc's one month ago). Wow...what a difference. However, I'm afraid I might be a little too tight and am hoping that the tightness will ease up in a few days. I can drink water, VERY SLOWLY, it feels stuck for a while and then feels better. I've had the hiccups 2x since the fill this afternoon and now I'm trying to drink a juice type protein drink and it's not going down too well. I am going to switch back to water. I'm supposed to stay on clear liquids today, pureed tomorrow, then soft/regular the next days. What are the opinions of the experienced bandsters...do you think there is a chance this will ease up a bit or am I headed for a slight unfill? I have not thrown up, but have done a little sliming on the protein drink which is why I'm going back to water. Needless to say, I hope this eases up on its own because I don't like going backwards, especially as ravenous as I was prior to this fill. Input appreciated! :thumbup:

I got a bit overfilled at my 2nd fill (which brought me to 3.5 cc's in a 10cc band) and I could tell immediately! The first fill gave me no restriction (although I started hearing the gurgling sounds when I would drink something - that was new). I had .5 removed and it's only been one day with the new level. I definitely feel more restriction than before. I have to chew carefully now if it is something solid. I think it will ease up a bit as I think I'm still swollen from being too tight. My doc's PA said she notices somewhere between 4 and 5 is where most patients feel restriction on the 10cc band. Good luck!

Hey Molly - it's probably a combination of the exercise and needing an adjustment on your fill levels. From what I understand, as we lose weight our band will loosen up a bit (stomach is smaller~makes sense) and will need an adjustment. Taking some of the advice from the posters will help get you through, but I bet it will be the next fill that will really help. Running is my go-to exercise, however I find that i am not hungry after working out. Try changing your calorie levels around a bit, too. I was struggling REALLY hard with my hunger, started eating more and went into maintenance mode where I was gaining and losing the same 2 pounds for a couple of weeks (very frustrating). With my 2nd fill fiasco of being too tight (feeling MUCH better now after removal of .5!) I have dropped 3 quick pounds with the drastic calorie reduction again (reminds me of starting the preop diet). I know it won't continue at this rate, however, but it makes me think there might be something to keeping your body guessing about the calories it's going to receive.

Curious to get some input here. What do you guys think about using Apidex (Phentermine) until restriction sets in? I know, I know, diet pills are not a long term solution. But why not make Bandster hell a little easier on ourselves? When we finally get to restriction, our appetite is controlled and making good choices, portions, etc., is easier, therefore we lose weight. Diet pills do the same thing. They reduce your appetite and make choosing healthy foods, smaller portions, etc. MUCH easier. While we are blowing in the wind during this pre-restriction phase, why not use them if we feel like we could use the help? I guess the challenge would be coming off them so you could actually know you have true restriction versus just the effect of the pill. Hmm...something to think about. I think I will talk to my doctor about it on Monday when I go in for a fill. He does offer apidex to his patients who are close to goal and need a push to lose the last 10-15 pounds. I would appreciate some feedback!

Aaaaahhhhh....much better :thumbup: Got .5 taken out today. I was able to swallow Water again immediately and then had a bowl of veggie Soup (mostly broth) for lunch. The surgeon who did my fill was in surgeries today so his PA did my unfill. She did a great job and wanted to go the whole .5. I asked her if we could do .2 or .3 as I was trying to avoid feeling the NO restriction feeling again, but she assured me that it was best to go .5. I was very swollen and got immediate relief. I still felt some restriction with the soup (probably mostly the swelling) but I'll take it. Being overfilled is miserable! It kinda made bandster hell seem OK. It was a learning experience I couldn't even exercise this morning because of the weird feeling in my chest after just 2 sips of water! My next fill is in 5 weeks. She made the observatioin that most people with the 10cc band that I have feel restriction between 4-5 ccs. Maybe the 3rd one will be the sweet spot! I'm at 3 now after the partial unfill, plus maybe a touch more from the priming procedure during surgery. Kydman - my doc says eat "lightly" the day of the fill, then after - clear liquids only for 24 hours. Then pureed for 24 hours, then soft for 24 hours, then regular food again. I can tell you that with my first fill I had no problems whatsoever. I felt I was pretty swollen from the surgery for only about 3-5 days. After that initial period I didn't necessarily feel hungry, but I could eat a container of yogurt or 4 oz. of cottage cheese, etc. whereas the first couple of days I could only do a couple of bites. I remember thinking that I might not get my first fill as scheduled because I really wasn't hungry. By the time the date rolled around, I felt like I could handle it and did fine. My doc, however, is only 20 minutes away, so I always have an option. I know some folks travel quite the distance to their docs so you have to choose what makes sense for you. One more week into the healing process can make a HUGE difference in how you are feeling

This morning I can't even seem to do water. I brewed a cup of decaf thinking the warm temperature might help, can't do that either. The liquid sits in there and is painful. I'm calling the doctor today and I guess will get an unfill (hopefully small). I don't want this cycle to continue and have to get everything removed! Will post a follow-up later.

Congrats!!!! Awesome accomplishment :thumbup: I can't wait to hit onederland and only have 50 pounds more to lose. That just sounds do-able to me :) I have not weighed in the 140s in 14 years! Congrats again!

Great idea! Good luck with Karate! I also hate exercise, but I love what it does for me. I literally force myself to do it and then I'm always so glad I did!!! I am running 3 miles again and signed up for 2 5ks. I still hesitate each time I go out, though!

I had the exact same mind-set until I hit about 6 weeks post op and 2 weeks post first fill. My hunger is ravenous again. I guess it's only human nature to look for an easier way out of a hard time. I know restriction could be months away and I would like to lose weight while I'm getting there. Yes, I have done it so far the old fashioned way, but I'm scared that I won't be able to continue for so long without some help. If we could lose weight without the band, none of us would have needed this surgery

That is definitely true. It's just that for me, personally, when I am not hungry, I don't make bad choices. When I am not insanely hungry, I make great food choices and enjoy the healthy food that I eat. Diet pills kill my hunger and really work for me. It's just that you cannot be on them indefinitely. That's why I got banded. I need a permanent solution to my appetite!

I am in! I picked 10 pounds as it will get me to onederland :bored: I go for my 2nd fill on Monday, so this is great timing. I can and do eat anything I want these days - no restriction at all and very hungry. We get leftover bagels from a local bagel shop for the football players after their games. I probably still have 100 bagels at my house AFTER the football players had them. I ate 2 today (one for breakfast, one for lunch :smile:. I have no problem eating them at all. I definitely don't have restriction...hopefully after Monday I won't be able to eat things like that!!!! My son is turning 18 on Monday and we are going to one of our favorite ($expen$ive) restaurants for dinner. I am ready to get back on the bandwagon on Monday!

I feel your pain! I go Monday for my 2nd fill and can't wait. The 1st two weeks after my 1st fill were fine. I don't know what happened then. It's like my hunger went into overdrive. Now I just bounce around with 2 pounds (up/down/up/down). I guess that's "maintaining" so I can't get too down about it. I will be happy if I make it through this Bandster Hell period without gaining the 30 I've lost. I'm disappointed though that I have stopped losing. I'm just so hungry, and this all feels like another diet that I am failing. There is such a broad range of emotions that go with it. My inner conversations with myself go from, "you are failing" to "you are doing ok, maintaining until you get restriction is a success" to "just get back to where you were and start dieting again!" Uggg! I am trying to stay positive. I am exercising great again and I tell myself that maintaining a steady weight and exercising will give my body a chance to adjust and maybe the skin issue will not be as bad!

To Everyone On This Thread: I am right there with you! I am a hungry, hungry hippo these days and any weight I've lost has been on my own. The nice "placebo" effect of the band has worn off for me and I am just plain hungry. I've gone from thinking that I can lose more weight on my own (before restriction) to being happy if I am maintaining. I was out of town all weekend and had to eat out for a few days in a row. Didn't eat as much (about half what I used to) but still gained a few pounds due the salt in the restaurant foods:redface:. I have fill #2 on Monday, I can't wait! I do think I have some restriction as I can feel food actually going through the band now, and I have gotten stuck 2x. I know it was eating too fast that caused it, however, it was not as bad as some claim it to be. It was a little uncomfortable (tight feeling) and then subsided within a few minutes (happened to be drinking decaf coffee just prior to episode and the warm fluid helped work it out, I think). I am trying to take some pressure off myself and maintain the 30 pounds I've lost. I am exercising regularly and feel a lot better. I know more good things are to come - just have to get to restriction. My doc only put 2 ccs in at my first fill, so I'm not optimistic for a big one this time either. Oh well, it's a process, right? Hang in there everyone!:thumbup:

Eight pounds to go for me...2nd fill in less than two weeks...just want to keep on rolling!!!!

Sue - How are you feeling? I've been thinking about you. Is your recovery finally behind you and are feeling normal again? I hope so!

I have not ever been a huge fan of group exercise, however, ZUMBA is different! The classes are full of positive energy and it really is sooooo non-judgmental - I love it. It's the first exercise I've ever done where I don't care what's shaking or how it looks. I'm not the fattest or the thinnest or the oldest or the youngest. I can do some of the moves, but am still learning others. That's how the entire class is! Our instructor is great. The only downside is the class is at a large community church and costs $5 per class. That can add up if you go multiple times a week! I think I will do it one or 2 times a week as a cross-training to the other exercise I do. 4-5 times in one week would add up quick! But hey, I used to spend that much on fast food per week, so I guess if you look at it that way - who cares!

You are correct - we all must recognize the difference between the two! The point of my post was that my appetite had come back with a vengence at 6 weeks post-op...it is definitely real hunger vs. head hunger. However, I think that when we are really hungry, we can get into a red zone and make bad choices if "good choices aren't readily available. Let's face it, when we are hungry - we want to fix it fast! I know the value of keeping ready sources of Protein, yogurt, and cottage cheese stocked and ready to go for those moments. If you don't have good things around, the bad things will eventually call your name

My doc says no alcohol for four months post-op. I thought this would be a very hard rule for me to follow (we are very social and drinking is usually always involved!) but it has me feeling a bit empowered, if I do say so myself! He also says no caffeine 2 months post op. I went cold turkey on both, the day i started my pre-op on July 5. Haha, had a great 4th and then the party ended! I feel more awake and alert since I have given up caffeine and giving up alcohol has saved me a lot of empty calories and bad decisions on post-party eating. Right around Thanksgiving will be the 4 month mark for me, so I might enjoy some wine with my Turkey. When I do go back to drinking, I think it will be a weekend only thing for me...not daily like it used to be. No beer, though. I've given up carbonation, too! I like the idea of crystal light, G2, and Fuse Slenderize with a little vodka My husband is AMAZED that I have given up alcohol so easily. I always tell him that food is my vice, not alcohol. I really can take it or leave it even though I used to enjoy it quite frequently.

Only 6 weeks out from surgery...never have questioned my decision once. I did question the few cookies I ate over the weekend , but I take ownership of that...it wasn't the band's fault! I can't wait for true restriction, but I knew this part of the journey was coming so I am dealing with it the best I can!