A thread for super-sized bandsters - starting BMI over 50?

[MissSac 0]

Ok, so I don't know what bandster bite and sip is... I am guessing that means to learn to eat slow and sip all day?!?!?!?

[Cerrin 3]

MissSac I should be banded in December too. and I am also starting at about 360. cool

[MissSac 0]

Hey Cerrin...

Where is your surgery happening at?

when in December?

[queenmama 0]

Hi all

...well, I made it to Hawaii and home without incident. I didn't even need a seat belt extender on the first leg of my flight but did use it on the other three flights as I needed about another inch. I even used the bathroom on the plane! All that worrying for nothing.

I am so glad to see goals of 10 lbs by Thanksgiving. That doesn't seem so far fetched. I know that I was told a 1-2 lb loss per week was what I should expect but then you read some of these huge losses and wonder what you are doing wrong. This just makes me feel like I'm not doing so bad and it sure is better than gaining a pound a week!

Good luck to all on your mini goals and big ones too!

[mmcbelle 0]

Ok, so I don't know what bandster bite and sip is... I am guessing that means to learn to eat slow and sip all day?!?!?!?

Hi MissSac,

A banster bite is very small. Think the size bite a toddler takes when eating. I use a seafood fork and spoon when I need reminding of what the bite size should be. With each fill, it seems to get smaller and smaller. You won't be able to just gulp down drinks as well. I am still working on the sip as opposed to a 2-3 oz drink. Sometimes I can take the bigger drinks and others result in pain. Your idea of sipping all day is very accurate.

Good luck to you,

MMT

[mmcbelle 0]

Hi all,

I need some help:help:. I had a fill about two weeks ago. I have been having some trouble and I don't know what to try next. I am having lots of trouble with hard Proteins like beef, tuna and chicken (PBing with these). I can do cottage cheese, cheese, ground meat, shrimp, even hot dog/links type of meats fine.

Am I not taking small enough bites? When I see it again, it is tiny - so I think this is not it. Am I eating too fast :hungry:- I think this may be it, can anyone give me guage as to how much over what period of time? I don't think I am too restricted because of the quantity of the other food I am eating. Or am I at the stage that I may have to give these foods up (please don't tell me this, I am a proteinaholic and I love my meat)? Is there something I am not thinking of? Please:help:

Any help or the benefit of your experience would be MUCH appreciated.

Happy banding,

Mary

[Cerrin 3]

MissSac I am having it done in Louisville KY. At St Mary's Dr Lusco is doing it I have really good feeling about him. Where are you having it done?

[insubordination 0]

QueenMama, I just wanted to congratulate you on the no-seat belt extender. I don't care which leg it was on. You must have been over-the-moon. I'm also glad you went to Hawaii. Didn't you say that you usually refuse business trips because of your size? Bathroom was no problem as you'd feared. Well done man! Good luck on your goal too. That extra inch will be gone in no time.

Can't help you Mary as I'm a vegan!!!! A vegan who got to a BMI of 50+. Who'd have thunk it?

[MissSac 0]

I am being banded at the Elkhart Surgery Center in Elkhart, IN by Dr. Hoekstra. Getting closer!

[lizrbit 0]

mmcbelle,

are you too tight? The fill before last for me was the one that went too tight. SInce i live in Maine and flew down to houston for the fill and had to fly back before i could give it a test run, i was too tight for a month! i was in constant contact with my dr though through email the whole time.

he said the goal until i got back was "DONT THROW UP" no matter what. stay on Protein Drinks (atkins, lowcarb slimfast, musclemilk) four times a day, plus Vitamins and Calcium, and any soft foods i can tollerate well. By the time you do four of those Protein Shakes a day you arent that hungry. When i flew back id lost eighteen lbs that month, and he said do NOT let that happen again, because of malnutrition concerns. We did a slight unfill (just a few points of a cc) and it made ALL the difference in the world.

i learned from that experience that if you have even one vomiting episode, it can irritate the esophogus and your stomach such that it swells and wont allow solids through for a while till the swelling goes down. Im under instruction now to where ANYTIME i throw up, even a little, go back to liquids for a day. I havent minded this yet at all.

the soft foods, the mushies and even Cereal slip right through the band once your not irritated anymore.

sounds like your stomach or esophogus is just irritated or you might be too tight. IF it were me, id go on liquids for three days and see if you can get a few oz of solid Protein down after your stomach has a chance to calm a bit?

if you still cant do protien after that, id go get a little unfill. sounds like your at the fine tuning phase of getting to the famous "sweet spot" !!!

When you try solid protein again after a calming period, they say thirty minutes for two oz is a good rate?

anybody relate to that? how long does it take you to eat solid protein?

mm, let us know what you do and what happens!?

[mmcbelle 0]

mmcbelle,

are you too tight? The fill before last for me was the one that went too tight. ... what happens!?

Hi lizrbit,

Thanks so much for your response. I decided to go with Protein Shakes and mushies for a while. Then give hard Protein another try in a couple of days. I don't know if I need to get an adjustment, I will go with your advice and continue the mushies for a couple of days to see if it calms down. I only have about 16 days til my next follow up.

The guideline you gave of 2 oz in 30 minutes showed me that I am eating too fast and maybe that is my issue. I MUST SLOW DOWN.

I am really curious at what rate bandsters are eating hard protein. Please chime in with your response.:help:

Thanks again for the response, I really do appreciate it! Your an :angel:.

On a better note, I hit a mini goal today. I am officially 50 lbs lighter than my starting weight. :whoo:

Cheers,

Mary

[phyllser 3]

Found this on another site.100 Reasons

to Lose 100 Pounds

1. 
   
2. To feel good about ourselves.
   
3. To have GREAT sex!
   
4. So we won't think people are laughing or talking about us.
   
5. To buy clothes in a normal store and actually get clothes with some style to them that fit correctly.
   
6. To have more energy!
   
7. To be able to tie your shoes/paint toenails.
   
8. To be able to sit on a floor and get up gracefully.
   
9. To wear a bathing suit.
   
10. To cross your legs or sit Indian style.
    
11. To fit into an airline/theatre/bus/whatever seat without spilling over and without having to see "that look" from the person who has to sit beside you.
    
12. So our ankles won't swell.
    
13. To fit into a booth at any restaurant.
    
14. To not need an extension to a seat belt on an airplane and to have the tray table not balance on our bellies.
    
15. To not worry about being decapitated in our cars with our seat belts on if we should be in an accident.
    
16. To not turn beet red after moderate exertion.
    
17. To be able to pick something up off the floor.
    
18. Panty Hose that fit!
    
19. To go to an amusement park and ride the rides.
    
20. To be able to sit in any chair without worry of breakage.
    
21. To not have to apologize when caught in a narrow aisle and have someone need to get by.
    
22. To go dancing, sky diving, bungee jumping....
    
23. To be able to go horseback riding or ride a bike.
    
24. To not worry about rashes and sweating.
    
25. To not have to listen to "caring" people ask why you don't diet or worse still... "gee youhave such a pretty face".
    
26. To not worry about spilling food, sauces or gravy down the front of your blouse/dress/shirt when eating.
    
27. To not have to think up some excuse for not doing something because you know your weight will impede you.
    
28. To not have your belly hit the steering wheel and to be able to fit comfortably in the driver's seat.
    
29. To have a bra fit comfortably and to be able to buy underwear at Victoria's Secret rather than at "Tubby the Underwear Guy".
    
30. To not have to worry about the weight limit of step stools, ladders, motorcycle, exercise equipment, etc.
    
31. To not get stuck in a turn style.
    
32. To not wake up feeling achy in the back..or to have ache free legs and feet.
    
33. So the bathroom scale won't creak and groan when you step on it.
    
34. To be able to leave the tablecloth on the table at a restaurant instead of dragging it with you when you get up.
    
35. So you won't look the other way when you see yourself in a monitor where they have security cameras.
    
36. To never be embarrassed about your size.
    
37. To not count tying shoes as daily exercise.
    
38. To not have to wait for the handicap stall when there are plenty of other stalls available.
    
39. To not be more out of shape than seniors.
    
40. To not break toilet seat when leaning to one side.
    
41. To be able to put on wedding rings again.
    
42. To try to make a double chin and fail!
    
43. Buy clothing bargains to fit the next year ... and they do!
    
44. Not to have to worry about plastic zippers or having your pants bust open.
    
45. Normal waistbands rather than elastic!
    
46. To wear knee socks correctly instead of worn like slouches!
    
47. To look good in a tee shirt!
    
48. To try on slacks or jeans and have the pant leg actually fit over leg!
    
49. To be able to get close to sink and not come away with a wet belly!
    
50. To get out of a stuffed chair GRACEFULLY and not look down to see if the chair has come up with you!
    
51. To not worry if the hairdresser's smock will fit!
    
52. To not be self-conscious about eating in front of others!
    
53. To not be afraid to ask which hairstyle suits your face.
    
54. To not have people checking you out after looking in your grocery cart.
    
55. To not feel (and look) like a sausage in stirrup pants.
    
56. To have your friends NOT be embarrassed to be seen with you.
    
57. To get promotions/hired or close that sale.
    
58. Pants that stay up because your waist is smaller than your butt!
    
59. No more boobs! (this is for the guys!)
    
60. Wearing shorts or tank tops without fear of arrest or grossing out others!
    
61. To not have the fear of being rejected.
    
62. To successfully flirt!
    
63. To not worry about how to get in and out of the back seat in a two door car!
    
64. One size fits all and it fits you!
    
65. To have a lap.
    
66. To not have the car you are ride in slant in your direction.
    
67. To be able to use toilet paper as it was meant to be used and not to have to invent ways to "get the job done".
    
68. To not have to watch TV news reports on fat people in hopes that you haven't been caught on camera!
    
69. To be able to get between cars in a parking lot without wiping the dust off with your belly and your butt.
    
70. No more heat rashes and chafing in the upper thighs.
    
71. So that the cloth in the thigh area doesn't wear away long before the rest of the slacks do!
    
72. To meet a friend online and not be horrified to have to send a picture of yourself.
    
73. To not take fat references and fat jokes personally.
    
74. To know you can go anywhere because wherever you sit you CAN be comfortable and look at ease.
    
75. To shop at the mall and not have your back ache from lugging your huge butt and stomach around!
    
76. To be able to stand still, carrying nothing and still look poised.
    
77. To be able to cross your arms across your chest without them resting on your stomach!
    
78. To have your feet get smaller.
    
79. Using your mouth to taste and chew food rather than as just a route to get the food from your lips to your stomach.
    
80. Blood pressure returns to normal.
    
81. To avoid other health complications from being overweight.
    
82. To be able to borrow a co-worker's jacket for an important meeting.
    
83. To meet someone for the first time and their eyes don't pop out of their head with amazement...because they never knew you're fat!
    
84. To see your reflection in a mirror or store window without turning away!
    
85. To wear a watch with a regular length watch band.
    
86. To look in the mirror when getting your hair cut without thinking you have the biggest face in the world.
    
87. To not mind getting your picture taken.
    
88. To not avoid going to the doctor because you have to get "weighed" in.
    
89. To wake up each morning feeling energized and ready to go.
    
90. To not even worry about squeezing into small spaces.
    
91. To not have to enter an elevator and check the weight limit.
    
92. To look in your closet and have problems deciding which stylish outfit to work since you have so many that look good and fit well.
    
93. To not have to lie perfectly still in bed at night for fear of breaking the bed!
    
94. To buy tie shoes instead of slip ons!
    
95. To be able to walk any distance without looking for a bench to sit on.
    
96. To look forward to shopping and just trying on clothes!
    
97. To be able to drive by any fast food place without salivating!
    
98. To be able to shop at the same store for food instead of having to remember where you shopped last night for the junk food so you can avoid that store for a few days!
    
99. To not feel lower than low when an innocent child remarks about your size!
    
100. To not constantly be thinking of where your next morsel of food is coming from.
     
101. And the 100th reason to lose 100 pounds.....
     I'M WORTH IT! -- Author Of List Unknown
     

[Suzzzie. 3]

Thats a great list! Thanks for sharing!

[smilin_apple 0]

I don't know if I'm the best person to ask about recovery, I've had a pretty rough time. I have had previous surgeries, many years ago, I have a large sunken scar on my far right side from appendix surgery and a very long mid-stomach scar from gallbladder surgery. So all of my banding scars are on my left side I have a total of 7 incisions which I am told is abnormal, but was necessary because of my previous scarring. Recovery the first 4 days was really rough for me, my sister came and stayed with me for those days, it was a real life saver. Don't be afraid to ask for help if you have the resources. Just remember to sip fluids as much as possible, I got a sippy cup to use, it really helped in reminding me not to take a big drink (very painful). I also stocked up on gas-x strips and Mylanta, and let me tell you a made a major dent in my supply (ha ha). I heating pad is also a must, or was for me, helps with the stomach discomfort and I also have left shoulder pain. It helped for me to make a list of things I though I would need and went shopping prior to surgery, I wish you the best of luck and let us know how things progress.

Thanks Brenda - I will definitely be adding those items to my pre-surgery shopping list. I have always been terrible at recovering from surgeries in the past but I am hoping this one is better.

I am SO glad this thread exists... My surgery date is 12/17 and I am starting at 360..... Good luck to everybody!

WELCOME MissSac!!!

[smilin_apple 0]

I go to see my surgeon for a final checkup on November 1st and also to meet the anestesioligist (sorry for the misspelling). I am so excited but a little nervous too because if I gain weight at my Nov 1st appt they will cancel surgery. I went to my PCP today for something else and I gained 5 lbs and now I am getting close to my monthly cycle....which means Water gain possibly. So I have to try and lose that 5 lbs by next week...:help:I hope I can do it!!?? But I need some suggestions I only have one week to lose it!