Betsyjane

I thought this article was interesting....especially about pouch volume over time and water loading techniques, etc. http://www.lighterforlife.com/PDF/dummies.pdf

Salt. That's an interesting theory. Will be interested in what you find out. I had a way bad day yesterday foodwise. I was a total pig! Ate food off and on all day...mostly high sugar stuff that went down with no problem. Cannot for the life of me figure out why! Just took a vacation from my new lifestyle. I guess the first indulgence triggeed a day's worth of bad behavior! Ah well...today is a new day.

I had it. I had a fill that was too much restriction, so the food and even liquids sat too long in the band before goijng through. I didn't know it, and went in for a fill because I was eating too much...because the pouch was then too big so I thought I wasn't restricted. 3 days of liquids only restored it. Many people also need at least a slight unfill, but the liquids for me gave me that little bit more weight loss that loosened the bqand enough that my restriction was fine. I guess the larger problem is if the dilation goes on for a really long time and becomes permanent.

My Dr. told me at the beginning that he doesn't give out recipes for bandsters becasue we should be eating normal food, but less. Then, or course, he gave me the sheets that said that I must eat Protein first, chew chew chew, not eat many carbs, etc. So his message was as complex as the bandster lifestyle. I think the answer for me is both! I eat a low carb, calorie counted diet at home, and when I'm out to eat, I order yummies and eat smaller portions.

I had little restriction until my 3rd fill and then it was wonderful. BUT I did dilate my pouch because I was too tight! food and even Water just sat too long before going through the band! I found out because I felt like I could eat anything all of a sudden so I thought I needed a fill. The fluoro showed I was restricted but my pouch was stretched. I was scared! 3 days of liquids only and it was back to normal. Sometimes they do 3 days of liquids and a bit of an unfill. LOTS of people have little to no restriction after the first and second fill....or even the 6th...and some people are restricted with no fill. It's amazingly individualized.

LilTweety! Look at your weight loss!!!!!! Have any good tips or words of wisdom?

Well, my weight loss has temporarily slowed down, so I needed a boost. I was shopping with a friend yesterday and I got one! I went into Coldwater Creek and tried on some things that were XL instead of plus sizes, and they fit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ( I didn't buy any...trying to wait until I'm at my goal weight before investing, but when I got home, I went ahead and ordered a few pieces on line anyway.... )

I blew it yesterday....grazing AND ice cream! Breakfast...sipped a watered down Slim Fast Carb Control....Too restricted in the morning. Late morning: 100 calorie low carb Protein bar Noon: lunch at the Cheesecake Factory. Had the chopped salad. Ate about 6 bites. Full. So far so good. Mid afternoon: Hungry. Ate ice cream with chocolate sauce. (I think I had been just too restricted to get enough of a fullness so I ate easy calories?) Predinner: Had 1/2 dozen frozen blueberries blended in Water and ice. Dinner: Turkey patty and veges. Ate half. Then had 2 bites of fat free cream cheese.

Great! Eating everything, you probably shook up your system. Might help!

wow! What a difference to go from open to 2.2! Go slowly! My schedule says this coming Monday, tax day!

Gosh...nothing in the band and still having a tough time! I guess the Dr. has looked to see if there is slippage..... All I know is that in the old days, when I used to have trouble eating, hot liquid before a meal helped, and hot meals helped. Can you drink shakes and soups and eat mushies to get your calories in? I used to only be able to eat solids in th evening and had to drink breakfast and drink or mushy my lunch... Are you eating tiny bites and chewing alot, and resting between bites? If so, I'd talk with the Dr. again....

I didn't panic until I was actually coming out of anaesthetic after surgery. I had been so calm. My first thought was "What have I done??? I have to tell them to take it out now!!!!" Once I came to completely, I was rattled, but OK. My next panic was in the waiting room just before getting my first fill. I practically passed out! Then when it was done, I was amazed---It was nothing! Other than those 2 times, I have been so grateful for this band. Days that it is finicky or I am, I cuss it, but with a smile.

Facets? I get it! I know a good Tanzanite guy when you're ready, for wholesale prices. Good color Tanzanite is getting soooo pricey! I'll also look at the show and take pics and gets cards if I see anything. Yeah, I thought I felt the IQ rising over here. Must have been you guys at dinner.

I'm gonna differ with the group..... Although I am tickled to have my lap band, and I know I couldn't do it without it, you know you can always make up a darned fine excuse to have the surgery put off....death in the family or sick aunt or whatever, and keep doing it on your own until you are convinced one way or the other...... Who knows. Maybe in another few months you'll have lost more and feel good about it, or you'll know that you need the help. I will say this...if you get the lap band now while you are on a roll, you'll be in the right frame of mind to succeed with it,adding it to the arsenal you already have.

Life is funny. I went to a woman's store who had said she wanted to buy a sapphire and diamond earring set I had. She didn't want it, but she did want a very specific type of earring, so I took her order... Dave and I went from there to the Star Cafe for lunch, and I was looking at the earrings...a woman came by...and bought them. All of which got me thinking. I go to the quarterly gem and jewelry show in Houston, and I am admitted into the wholesale section. I usually pick up a few things for friends at wholesale cost...I don't make anything on them, but since I'm there, it's no trouble to pick things up. Anyway, if any of you are looking for costume or fine jewelry and want me to get something for you, just tell me what it is and what price and I'll go grab it. (Or if anyone wants to go as my buying assistant, you're welcome to come with me and I'll get you stamped for the wholesale section. I go this Friday for the whole day, so unless you are craving a day of jewelry, you might want to arrange to meet me there rather than go with me.) It's at Reliant Park.

For now, all you do is study, learn, and pretend you ahve restriction, pracitcing eating like a bandster when in reality, you ahve your old habits and cravings. You won't be perfect. You're just waiting for your fills. I had pouch dilation awhile back, and after much soul searching, I found that it was due to being too tight in the mornings, and even liquids were sitting too long before they would go through. I had thought I needed another fill because I could eat way too much, but it was because I had a large pouch in which the food would just sit! Several days of liquids corrected it. I had to decide whether to get a slight unfill or change my morning habits. I now very slowly sip my morning shake...the pouch seems to be fine, but I still might do a slight unfill. Pouch dilation is something you don't want, but if you get it, you want to catch it fast so it doesn't become permanent. I caught mine because I thought I need ed a fill and the nurse saw it on the fluoro.

Well, I haven't seen this stupid behavior in ages.... I saw the trainer day before yesterday and worked out hard. Had a massage yesterday. Went back and did my exercise routine again today and then stayed for water aerobics. And then went and pigged out! I used to do that alot---exercise and then feel a big urge to binge. Of course with the band, the gbinge was 1.5 chicken McNuggets, eaten very slowly and carefully. Not like the odl days, but definitely it was a drive through fast food behavior. anybody else have post-exercise cravings? Or drive by eatings?

Daffodil- Remember until you have your first fill, you are wide open. You could probably eat a house if you put your mind to it. Just do the very best you can, and you'll see how things change after you have enough fills to hit your sweet spot.

I do! I do love you!

I don't remember....Do you have a knee brace?

I think I'm wanting to go all the way with this new lifestyle. I want to eat raw and whole foods, become a vegetarian (maybe), exercise religiously, etc. Is there anybody out there who feels the same way? I don't want to just eat everything, but in moderation. How do I get there and still get enough protein and frankly enough calories if I have to chew chew chew a bunch of raw veges?

How many other sites can you go to and read about green bowel movements. I tell you it's a great country. LOL I think it's worth calling your doctor and asking...if for nothing else than your own piece of mind.

I used to put metholatum under my stallion's nose so he couldn't smell the mares. Maybe that will work for cooking. LOL!

Aw shucks. I feel the same way. Now, Lana, I didnt' say I was enjoying it! Entertained by it is another way of saying if I don't laugh I'll cry sometimes. I'm totally obsessed with it because I don't have my patterns down. I'm all over the place. I envision someday eating incredibly healthy raw and whole foods routinely, and then when I am out to eat, having whatever I want to splurge on but in moderation. And eating mindfully. And being a dedicated exerciser, but in what style, I don't know. And diligent with water, no sugar, etc. I feel like none of it is a habit yet.....but I know where I want to go with it. I didn't unfill. Every day is a new day so I'm still not sure.... Suzanne really needed to do it! You should have seen her face at dinner. Barabara spotted "that" face immediately. But enough pickin' on Suzanne. I went to the first session with the personal trainer yesterday. We just did upper body. I'm really comfortable with her. Must be her age, which is the same as mine. So today I felt mildly sore, but it was enough of an excuse to go get a massage. Leaving the massage and feeling in tune with my body, I felt like I could eat right, exercise, and really develop a physical culture. But the feeling fades. Gotta figure out how to keep it going..... Hey Lana! Will you invite me to go for a brisk walk with you around The Commons someday?

Hey! I walked differently today. Not sure how, but I felt lighter and stronger. My first time.....