June 2006 Band Crew

[Randi L 0]

I haven't posted in a while. Seems all I could do was complain about where I am with this process. I've had too many problems, and not enough loss, and it's hard to just moan about it.

I've decided that I hope my surgeon did the surgery well, as I can't seem to develope any type of talking relationship with the man. He just doesn't talk. My last Appt with him was really frustrating.

I don't know if I need a fill, an unfill, or a kick in the butt.

Some things go down without a problem, I get lulled in to a sense of being ok - 2 seconds later I'm outside a restaurant hurling up a piece of bread.

My next appt is on the 6th, and I'm going to have a barium swallow done at the hospital before I see the Dr... to see how it's going down.

In the midst of all this, I am having horrendous dental problems, and will need to get dentures. For me, this is a fate worse than death. It's not only totally expensive, it is my greatest fear.. anyone have any experience?

Just feels like a bad time in my life. Getting worse. So to post all this all the time seems silly of me. But thanks for being there.

[Pinkylee 7]

Randi--

Did you get any written post op instructions? If you're PBing on bread--no wonder. Most LBer's can't tolerate any bread.

Sorry about the dentures. Having mouth pain will keep anyone down. Not a phobia of mine. My DM has all her teeth and is constantly in dentist office--all the enamel came off her teeth and she had to have them capped. My DD, on the other hand has a handsome set of dentures and looks great--so much better than DM. Has a natural looking set and eats anything and everything! So does my denture wearing FIL. Could be a less complicated way of dealing with mouth pain if you get the right look and fit. Best to you.

I personally think you're doing well. 30 pounds in 2.5 months "ain't too shabby" If you're looking at wearing dentures--you probably weren't born yesterday. Weight loss is much slower for those over 40. Get some good instructions on what to eat and dos and don'ts from the info threads on this site. When I stretch the rules--the scales seem to get "stuck".

[Stephanie MG 0]

HI,

Boy, i totally over ate today at lunch. I went out with coworkers to DUKES chowderhouse, we had a buy lunch get one free, SOOO instead of getting a side salad like i planned I got fish n chips.

I ate a total of 3 fish and like 5 fries and bites of coleslaw. I still feel gross and too full.

I dont get why i dont PB if I over eat?!

Do you think I need another fill? I had one 3 weeks ago and I only felt "restriction" for like 3 days.

Do all of you PB if you overeat?

any how...........now that Im all full I just want to eat more! Yuck.

Thanks for the input :mad:

[Stephanie MG 0]

Randi~ I work at a dental office and sometimes dependnig on the condition of your teeth, people will "just feel" soooo much better getting the teeth removed. Dentures are a hard thing to have to deal with but usually if your at that point, your getting lots of bacteria and unhealthy stuff running through your system, from perio, decay ect that can really make people feel bad.

My Mom got them like a year ago (she's a MAJOR detal fobe) and she looves them now, and she felt so much healthier once the "bad" teeth were removed.

Dont know if any of that helps but, dont worry it's really not the end of the world. A good dentist can make them look and feel great :mad:

Hang in there!!

[Pinkylee 7]

Stephanie--

I can only tell you my experience with feeling like I was over eating and needing a fill--

I told myself as long as I was losing at least one pound a week--no fill. I was--but I felt like I was able to "eat too much" and wanted the band tighter.

I got my wish. An agressive fill nurse and a nice tight fill. The bottom line is, I have no idea how much I'm consuming (or not). I can't eat much without a golfball or PB. I keep thinking it's because I'm not chewing enough or eating too fast, but I may be too tight. I'm rarely able to wait l hour after eating to drink liquids--golf balls and PB's. Exercise is just now becoming a regular habit again--had to quit for a while--too uncomfortable after the fill.

Why does being too tight impair your ability to lose? Beats me--but I'm proof.

I'm working hard to get back to my happy place. Being able to exercise seems to help.

If you've got a reaonsably good thing going--don't mess it up.

[CindyCam 1]

Hi Everyone....It has been a little while since i have posted anything. The last 2 days lapband has been down at least on my computer. I had a fill yesterday and i am not sure yet but i think i might have just a little too much. Last night i took my medicine, which was one regular size pill and an baby aspirin size pill and i thought i was gonna hack them up. Today i have only managed to have one Protein Shake and a cup of hot tea. I need the Protein but too much of it makes my tummy hurt (gets really gassy) Right at this very moment i am sipping on some chicken noodle Soup, so far so good. This fill just feels really different. The doc added .4cc so i have a total of 2.6cc. I don't want to rush in and say that i am overfilled because i know the band can loosen up a few days after. Any suggestions out there?

[stella 0]

Need Advice:

I had my first fill on 8/4/2006 and have not been able to eat anything solid other than veg Soup and goldfish crackers. I pb almost daily if I try anything else. I can't get back to my Dr. (in Mexico) for an unfill for another couple of weeks.

What does the PBing do to the band. I try not to eat anything solid but then get tempted and up it comes. I just dont want a slip. And what is a golfball?

[barbara465 2]

OK guys we need to have a talk. Overfills can cause damage, from reflux, esphogus sensititivity, to slippage. Excessive PBing is not good for us. Also, we must get in enough Protein and other nutrients to feed our bodies and to lose weight. If you have an overfill, run don't walk, to your doctor. If your doctor is in Mexico you might have to visit the ER to see if they can help.

Suggestions that I have seen are drink something warm to open the stoma, sip on a Protein Drink in the morning. Anything that we put in should be good for us. Goldfish does not fall into that category. It should not be in our houses. If you are living on Soups and Protein Drinks, you are overfilled.

The amount of food we can eat is individual. I have been struggling with this one as well. I hear all these stories about 2-3 bites and I'm full. Not me. However, as long as I'm eating the right things and losing, the fill must be right for me. We are wanting too much too soon. The object is to eat food, the right food, and lose weight by eating smaller quantities. That doesn't mean that for me a 1/4 cup is right for you.

I don't mean to come off as an authority. I'm not. However, we need, all of us, to be a little more proactive in this journey. We know our bodies and the band must live with us. It is a tool, but it shouldn't be causing so much discomfort and pain. If it is, something is not right.

OK gang a long weekend is coming up. Let's rid our kitchens of toxic foods. I don't care of they bring us comfort - if they are not protein and vegetable, they've got to go. Let's stay away from foods we know we should not eat - bread, rice, Pasta. Let's get with the program so our bands can work for us.

I love my Junebie friends and I want the best for all of us. Let's get our acts together and go kick some fat! (rah, rah, rah!!!)

[rroswelltx 1]

Amen Sista!!!!!!

[Melissa Lea 1]

I've only had one PB experience and that was before my first fill on some Pasta. I've had 2 fills (total 2.1cc) and I am able to eat anything I want. However, I do continue to watch the types of foods I eat but I let my stomach tell me when it's enough. Some days I can eat more than others. Like this morning, I was wide open but last night, 1 ounce of chicken and 5 bites of green Beans were more than enough. If I eat too fast I can feel a small lump in my chest but after a few minutes it passes and I SLOW way down on my eating.

I've been losing steady so I'm not worried about the amounts I can or can not eat. I eat until I feel comfortable and not over stuffed. I have a fear of stretching my pouch. But Barbara is right --we are all different and will be able to eat different amounts. I don't want to spend my days PBing etc. For now, I think I've hit my sweet spot.

Melissa Lea

[barbara465 2]

Melissa sounds like you are doing great. Hitting that sweet spot is what its all about. Being able to enjoy a variety of foods is also a goal. After all, that's how the lapband was sold to a lot of us. If you are losing and not PBing, then that is the goal.

I also think that restriction comes and goes depending on what's happening - TOM, stress, foods from the day before, Water retention, atomospheric pressures, etc. Each day is a new one and brings different situations. What you can eat one day, you can't the next. Someone once said this band is "fickled" and they were right.

For the question about the golf ball - its a feeling in your chest like something is stuck. Its a heavy feeling that hits in your esphogus and can last a few minutes to hours. It is also the feeling right before a PB if it goes that route. When you get it you should stop eating immediately. Wait to see if it goes away. If it does you might be able to eat some more, but if it continues you don't want to eat. Sometimes a sip of water will bring it up and others say it helps to flush it down. Again, different for everyone.

We must learn to eat slow so we get the signals in time before we PB. Doesn't always work, but it helps.

I am going to keep going with the fill I have and see if I continue to lose. I think I could be slightly tighter, but don't want to overdo it. For now I think I'll leave it alone.

[chako_lady 0]

I'm back! Wow, what a long day for a process that only took 10 minutes top! They put 4 cc's in my 10 cc band. It was so cool to see the port and band! It didn't hurt, still doesn't and I don't feel any different. Of course all I have had to eat is Soup and yogurt and Water. He said I shouldn't have any restriction with water, ever! I was able to drink a 20 oz bottle of water in no time... I just hope in a few days that I have some restriction! According to their scale, I have lost 14 pounds since surgery! Not bad I guess for being able to eat anything. I'm so ready to start feeling some restriction. I just woke up so I haven't tried eating anything yet today, but I hear that sometimes it takes a few days before you start feeling any restriction! Wish me luck!

[PAB 0]

Thanks for the posts- I really need to "hear" from all of you, it really helps me know that I am not all alone in this.

That I am not the only one eating bad stuff and feeling guilty, getting sick at restaurants and needing to hear Barbara's pep talk about getting rid of all the junk.

I have been just a really bad bandster in the past few weeks, candy has become a daily event. Why is it that the bad stuff goes through the band so easily but the good for me stuff always seems to get stuck? The PBing is really keeping me away from the breads and heavy carbs which is such a good thing.

I need to take a hard look in the mirror and tell myself why I did this in the first place and get back in gear.

Thanks for listening - I really needed to share this and own up to my bad behavior

[barbara465 2]

That's why they call it a support board!!!! I have to go home this weekend and throw away the animal crackers. I like them for a snack, but its time to remove them from my house.

Janelle glad it went so well for you. A fill of 4cc is a lot. Just take it easy as these little fills can sneak up on you!

OK my Junebies we are back on track. Areas of this board have gone crazy lately, but we remain strong. We might have to limit our involvement within the June thread until the maddness goes away. :mad:

[Pinkylee 7]

This is a nice safe place. I'm happy to be a Junebie.

Barbara--Thanks for the advice. I can eat mushies or chewed to smitherines food--about l/2 cup. No problem with liquids and no problem in a.m. with an entire cup of whole grain Cereal and milk (that's in addition to my lo-carb shake) I'm going to be extra careful for the next few weeks. I feel better each day and hope I loosen up soon. It is liveable and I would rather not repeat another fill (or unfill) with our new fill nurse "Poke and Search".

Thanks for the reminder that a PB or golf ball can bring serious consequences and isn't just something to be "endured".