olwen

TOM and colds/virus are notorious for affecting restriction. it often follows that the week before and during make it tighter as does any cold etc. i was always like this and now on combined HRT the pattern has stayed the same. On the bright side, i have avoided the weight gain sometimes seen with HRT :thumbup:

i wonder if it might be a bit of water retention? i get a 'hangover' type headache/fuzzy plus my skin feels too tight for my body if that makes any sense? keep an eye on yr urine colour. dehydration and water retention go hand in hand, tho this may seem contradictory.

i think the egg problem is the revenge of all the chickens we are noshing now we are protein crazy!!! i can manage a runny yolk with a toasted soldier but any other egg form is too rubbery for me.

i ate normally post op (HA!!! if i d ever eaten normally i wouldn t need a band!!) it was my 3rd fill when i felt restriction kick in. i keep my band pretty tight and it took me about three years to realise that when i am full i get what i call 'bulls bum' sensation - i want to go to the loo! not in a runny tummy way, just that kinda heavy 'i will use the bathroom soon' way. to this day, i dont like that feeling - but i have come to valure it as i know while it is there i dont need to eat agin. Gross, but there it is.

you are working terribly hard - i'd start by grabbing some 'me' time, for enforced relaxation (long soaks in the tub, painting your nails etc etc). Exercise can come later. Ruts are too easy to fall in to so dont switch the tv on as soon as you walk in the door - put some music on n tidy yr house to some uplifting tunes now n then! N if fitting in a social life is not possible, grab a glass or three of wine now n then n dance around your lounge! You are not obliged to be exercising big time. you recently had surgery plus a drop in calories, presumably? your body will get into the groove of managing off less - give it time. Maybe someting more relaxing, like pilates/yoga might help tone plus help you park the day? i personally have concerns about heavy people bouncing around too much - knees n other joints need to be taken care of so easy does it is my motto. of course we should endeavour to exercise but it will come more easily to some thsn others. i never did a single thing apart from the odd walk till a game of tennis last week n my skin has shrunk back just fine. i did swing my lil dumbells when the mood took me but it wasnt often. dont beat yourself up but keep an eye on your emotional levels - not being able to 'engage' can be a hint of mild depression - big up to those who are keen on the gym etc but i never was - i hated it, hate swimming and all the messy organising of kit etc. Guess im one of nature's cats - give me a snooze on a sofa anyday - you'll find yr time - just dont beat yourself up as lazy! you sound anything but!!

just to update - fter the saturday disaster, i had another fill attempt last thurs - seemed ok but two days later - no real restriction - so tonight i ahd a fluoro xray and apirartion - had only 4 in should have been 4.5 - so allseems ok - no leaking or disconnected tubes etc - band n port n piuch all looked great (not seen them for a few years!!) so heres hoping this fill stays put - am very tight now but it should ease off after a day or two as i just got my period n this always causing tightening <nos how without Punch, eh?) anyway am just glad no leaks or revision etc. fingers crossed i can drop my recently regained 20 lbs n get back in my jeans! i squashed into them for the hosp visit n was mortified when he stood me up to drink the fluid n as my shirt was raised, this huge roll of flab was bursting over my jeans! that should keep me off the nibbles even if the band doesnt!!!

i had my band 5 years ago. like you, i had a bad pain day then picked up over the next week. i had my op in belgium monday afternoon and flew back to UK weds morning, then drove my car home from airport about 40 miles. i had physically recovered when i got home but emotionally, i felt lost. i went to bed, not because i was ill or tired but it was the only normal thing i could think of to do. i lay there n out it cam e- i cried my eyes out 'my poor body - i only have one and what have i done to it?' - but this can be a natural blues time after gen anaest and it is a big decision we have made. I do not ever regret my decision, i swear that to you, but there were hard times, that i wont deny. like any addict, we have to withdraw from our drug and i remember sitting with two bowls - one to eat my small amount from, then overeat a bit, then chuck it up into the second bowl n do this over n over - this went on for about a week then i had a 'talk' with myself - but we have all these craves to break and i know of others who have also succumbed to this. There will be many highs n probably a few lows on your own journey but you will get there. its such a weird world to wake up to when suddenly, like a brake slamming on, the whole food groove has stopped dead. Over-shopping, over- eating, planning the next feed before finishing the current one - severing from your best friend/worst enemy. Iys a massive change n alterations need to be made. But if i cpuld offer one thing - share how you are feeling. forums like this are priceless - sure, there will be afew loons who exagerrate n frighten the life out of newbies, but on the whole, this site seems far more sane than the UK ones! good luck xx dont be afraid hon - you couldn t walk once upon a time n baby, look at you now!!!l!!!!

thank you so much - bedtime for me now but just had a quick read and very keen to read more tomorrow. Im amazed that pretzels etc are slider foods - i fear a rude awakening tomorrow when i read it fully! my cat has his head on the keyboard now so think thats my hint to bid you goodnight n many thanks again :cursing:

plus - i had always read the slipp[age showed as mad overtightness? would welcome any info please?

what is the five day pouch test, please? i seem to be in the same boat - i definitely got another half 4 days ago and i am no different - am filling in up on salads but this is not the way a fill goes for me.

are you saying your fill from 1.5 years ago has gradually faded or are you saying that you have had fills in the last 1.5 years but that what once would have kept you tight n losing/maintained is no longer having the same effect?

how inspiring to hear your story, and how you have decided to fight back n try again! As one of the naughty ones who keeps it very tight i feel it is likely, given the massive loss in short time, that u were maybe also living too tight but loving the results? Learn by it, hon. I am trying to find the courage to stay at a sane level of restriction but fighting the regain fear is the worst bit. i had determined yesterday to re-start my own journey behaviourally - <see my old timers thread> where two ladies posted good advice plus a link to a food journal site. I wonder if anyone could direct us to the bandster rules? i too have forgotten them very best of luck to you - and well done again for going back into battle :thumbup: