Calling all April Bandsters!!!!

[Turler 6]

Yes, I'm fine now! I'm already sick of liquids and mushies! I'm kinda over it in that department you know? LOL

I am so excited at the prospect of losing again. This has been quite a stall for me. I was doing so well there for a while and I'm tired of the delay! Listen to me complain...I'm just so glad this is gonna start up again!

How is everyone?

~C

[gdf18 2]

You can complain to us anytime, Carol! HOWEVER, you're doing great and moving on so now you'll have lots of good news....do I sound just a tad Pollyanna-ish? LOL. But you can complain to me anytime...believe me I have mine also.

I love mushies so I can never complain about that. Give me Soup or mashed potatos with a little fish and I'm in heaven. NOT that I don't like all the bad foods (I mean, Haagen Daz is technically a mushie, right?), but I like soft foods so I'm easy. I made a big meat sauce and tonight my husband will have it over Pasta, where I'll have it inside a baked potato.

I don't miss much in general- I almost didn't band because I'd have to likely give up Sushi, but I haven't even missed it. So, you don't know until you do it. My only problem is when I'm at an event, or a synagogue meal, or something like that, when there's nothing that will go down. I try to work around it, but that's my biggest frustration.

Anyone else on the boards today? Is everyone out gardening with the onset of Spring?

[Turler 6]

Gwenn--Thanks! I like most mushies, but have been on them for so darn long now I am just craving normal food! I am a big Soup eater--can eat it everyday. I have to learn to eat other stuff! LOL

~C

[gdf18 2]

There I agree. I haven't had a lot of luck. I find that tuna or salmon salad stick sometimes. I have to be careful. I'm okay with veal but can't touch white meat chicken....just too dry. I can eat dark meat, but this is all when the band is a little softer- right now, with this tight fill, I can't get much down at all. I had a bad episode today with salmon salad- and I'd really pulverized it in the food processor. I irritated myself and now nothing but liquids will go down, and even that's not easy tonight. Happens. I know it will soften up in another week or so. I get scared to add foods.

Quiet here this weekend, eh?

[tyme4change 1]

Hi guys,

So I got an unfill Friday. She took out a full CC which put me back at 8cc's. I'm able to eat alot more than I expected. So I know I am going to have to kick up the exercise and be very careful about what I stick in my mouth. I celebrated my birthday this weekend so I did have some foods that were not good, but I am back on track. I am determined not to let these 20lbs come back.

Edited March 23, 2009 by tyme4change

[lapbandmom89 0]

Thank you Cubs Girl,

I know I need an unfill, I have not felt like myself since my last fill and the rapid loss of weight. My energy has been nonexistent. I am just going to do like you said keep my portion sizes the same and I may need to add in between Snacks too. Thanks for the advise. I'll let you guys know what happened when I come back from the hospital tomorrow.

Wow. Great job! Thats kind of a good problem to have. I get on this forum to try to find supportive information for my daughter who was banded in April. She hasn't lost anything since her original 20 or so after surgery. She has the Realize band which is 9 cc and has 8.2 cc in it and is not at her sweet spot. I must admit though that this is a stressful process for both of us. I'm the one paying for the surgery so I'm stressed things aren't progressing well and shes stressed cause shes the one who went through surgery, is severly obese and is not losing. We did have some setbacks over the winter which is no fault of the doc or the band. Our doc is 3 hours away and during december and january we had to cancel her appointments due to weather conditions. Also one month he felt it necessary to take a small amount out but then put it back in the next month so that is kind of like losing 2 months. She has had six fills not including the one he put back in. I called and basically begged him to see her again instead of making her wait another month. He just gave her .2 at her last and everytime we hope this is the one but once again she sees no difference. I know this thing is only a tool as they say but my goodness. I am happy for you guys but sad that you guys have done so great and she has gotten nowhere. Doc did agree to let her come in 2 weeks early and is going to have the NP take it all out and check the volume and refill her all under the floro. I'm almost hoping they find a problem with the crazy thing. At least that would help to make a little sense of this. I've heard some say something about being small on the inside and that it takes longer to get to your sweet spot. We are all small people in our family if that makes any sense. I've also heard the first generation Realize band can be stubborn. I guess I'd feel better though if someone at the office metioned that other patients they have are going through this too with the Realize. I'm rambling. I'm just discouraged. I'd love to hear one of you say, "hey dont worry it took me that long to get there too but once I got there the weight started coming off quickly." HELP.:frown: Willpower is not a strongpoint of hers. She's only human and this is like not being banded at all. She only has the bad parts of the band and not the good if you know what I mean.

[drh0729 1]

Carol,

It's funny about you talking about almost passing out, I thought I was the only one that almost did that. What a wierd feeling. And yes I have been to Polaris a few times and on the Columbus thread. I don't get online enough and I need to change that so I stay motivated and learn how to do things on the web site. Sorry I could not figure out how to PM you. I thought I knew how but I guess not. I weigh mysel today an I'm up a pound. I have been trying to eat more since I have been exercising more but someting is not working. I just would like to be down some before going back to see Dr. Choban on 4/2. Sorry to hear about your slipage, I think that would be hard. However, it appears that you are doing very well, congrats.

Darla

[gdf18 2]

Dear "MOM",

Honestly, it sounds like this is either of two things and please don't be offended by my response:

1. Your daughter is eating- and it isn't hard to do that with a band. You didn't give her age (or I missed it) but if you're working this, it sounds like she's very young- and maybe not as invested in this as you are. Even with restriction, I can put away a pint of Haagan Daz ice cream in minutes. High caloric liquids are the bane of the band, as are crunchy things like potato chips and crackers. Been there and had to pull myself back before I put the weight back on. And as a secret eater, I can tell you someone can eat a heck of lot without anyone knowing. If that's what's happening, you have to get her therapy to understand this now.

2. You need another surgeon. Your circumstances just don't sound right. Just don't. Small people, big people; one brand of band or another.....it isn't making sense and it's not your fault....it's the doctor's (if it's the banding). Could be many things- are the fills done with a fluroscope so that you know the saline is actually going into the band? I've heard of this and this is only one example of what can be happening. You need to see the band, and see how the food goes through to know if its really restricted. Get a second opinion.

Anyway, my two cents for what it's worth. This is too big a commitment and too much $ involved to be torturing yourself and blaming the band when your surgeon should be working hard to find out what's happening.

Best of luck,

[tyme4change 1]

MOM,

I agree with Gwenn. Both example could be possible. I pray that it's the band because that can be an easy fix. But if it's the eating that takes time. I am still struggling with eating the right foods all the time and not over eating. It's a process that just doesn't happen over night.

[Brandy~ 2]

I am a little concerned "mom" that if your daughter had that much restriction and she wasn't losing that something else might be going on. I also hope that it is the band though.

Have you seen a nutritionist? Is she learning how to eat better and what to eat? Does she get in all her liquids and avoid any caloric liquids? Was/is she a sweet eater? Just things that might help with getting support.

I was a volume eater so the band seems to work great for me. Give me a super sized meal from McDonalds, a dark corner and 5 minutes.... That's what I would do. Luckily I don't like sweets since they are the bands enemy.

You should have your daughter on the forums getting support or atleast point her this direction. We're not all bad... but we try to be honest.

[lapbandmom89 0]

Thanks guys for all your input. Here is some additional information. My daughter isn't really young. She had the surgery at 18 but has always been VERY dependant on me for emotional support. I think she is rather immature for her age and I don't mean that to sound mean or anything.

Yes we do see the dietician everytime we go to the doc. Getting in enough liquids is a problem. She doesnt care much for water(?). The other problem is that she wasn't a person who normally just carried around a drink with her or drank a lot between meals. She drank a lot with her meals but that was it. Now she is not able to drink while she is eating. Said it feels like it just sits there on top of the food and is rather sickning so I think liquids may be an issue. She does like sweets but tries to limit them. She does like crunchies but tries to limit them also.

We go to the doc tomorrow. I guess I need to not stress it until then. I am going to try the thing with them of filling it until no Water will go through and then backing some out. Her first fill was the only one done under flouro. I sometimes wonder about the NP's. Maybe they missed or something on one of her fills. I'm going to follow up with you all and let you know. If we don't hear what we want or they wont do what we want, I may just break down and ball my eyes out right there in the exam room.

[Brandy~ 2]

Being 18 is very young. She has made a life changing decision.... If she is counting on you emotionally at 18 she might not be all in it for herself yet.

Water- Does she like crystal lite? It's sweet and helps you get in Water while making you feel like you have had a yummy sweet drink. What about teas? of course they have to be decaff to count towards liquid intake. This is something she must change to become healthy. I fill up a gallon jug of crystal lite a day. I make sure I drink 1/2 that gallon everyday to get my liquids. It's not the most fun thing to do but I must do it until it's just part of a routine. Somedays I find now that I am drinking more than the 1/2 a gallon.

As a bandster she shouldn't be drinking with meals. The main reasons that I cannot keep food down is when I drink right after or with a meal. She should quit drinking atleast 10-30 minutes before and after meals. This allows her to get all her Proteins in and keep her satisfied for longer. The Fluid flushes the food right out and she will be hungry much sooner.

She might want to consider treating herself every so often to a non fat sugar free pudding or something similar. This is only 60 calories and helps to cure the sweet craving. This obviously shouldn't be a staple though.

My doc does fills like you're mentioning. I lay down he puts the needle in, I stand up and he fills the band to max capacity, I take a swallow of Water and once it's sitting on the band I tell him and he slowly takes Fluid out. Once I feel it slipping through I tell him and he stops. He only had to do this one time and I haven't had a fill since.... That was 6 months ago. I feel like the band has opened up slightly and may consider a fill again in a few months but I would rather see how I am doing then and not worry about it.

From the sounds of it I almost think you're more vested in the band for her than she is.. is that right? I don't mean anything bad. I just get a sense that you want more for her and I am not totally convinced that she was armed with all the tools she needed to succeed at this.

Was it her idea to be banded? Does she go to a therapist about her issue of why she got so overweight?

We all have our own reasons that for sure.

[lapbandmom89 0]

Hi Ladies. Once again thanks for your input. To answer some of your questions, no I never suggested weight loss surgery. I clearly remember the day she called me on the phone crying (again) and saying that she wanted to have lap band surgery. I didn't even know what that was. She told me and I explained to her that our insurance wouldn't cover anything like that but that that would be a good goal for her to set for herself later on. She was quite insistant on not waiting until later, which is different that what I'm used to. Tara is a "I'll do it later" person. I'm a "do it now then you know its done" person. So when she insisted that she didn't want to wait until years later, we started looking into it and making calls. I called numerous doctors offices and couldn't get a clear cut answer on the cost of the surgery. I even called Ohio State University Hospital and they dont even take calls. You leave a message with you name and address and they mail you out brochures with no mention of the cost as if that didn't matter. I then happened to find a doc who plainly advertised his price online, kind of like the ones in Mexico. I liked that and I was never comfortable with the Mexico thing eventhough I guess its been great for those who have done it. We called and attended the seminar and then talked at great length about it and we made the decision. I there is one thing I think their office could do better it would be educating people more. Dont just teach then how they will need to eat. Tell them what is going to happen and how it will feel and use the words "sweet spot". She didnt know about that. She just thought she was failing at this.

When I say "we" I only say that becuase I got to handle the financial part of it for the most part. She got to go through surgery and all that that involved. For my daughter who is very sqeemish about hospitals and needles and all that to go through with the surgery is saying something right there. I'm surprised she didn't back out at the last minute or after a day or so of the liquid diet. :huh2: Shes kind of always depended on me to be her advocate.

I guess the reason I was willing go pay for the surgery was because I saw what she went through. Her self esteem was nonexistant and you can only imagine what high school was like for her. Mind you, she was never huge. She was always the chubby kid but she stayed active in sports in school but still fought the weight. By the end of high school it was to the point where anytime she went to any doctor for anything they would comment about her losing weight. I remember when she was in 4th or 5th grade, she was on a basketball team and was having some chest pain and I took her to a specialist and he said to me right in front of her that she was fine but that he didn't want her gaining anymore weight. I nearly fell over. I always believed what everyone said about not talking to your child about their weight. Can you imagine, not gaining any weight after the 5th grade! I didn't really like that much. Anyway throughout high school a large amount of weight went to the breasts and that was instant popularity, just not the good kind. I think she was known as the girl with the largest breasts in the school. :eek: I just recently found out some things that I never knew about the way some guys treated her and took advantage of her. It breaks my heart. So as you may know, many things can occur emotionally becuase of stuff like that. She dealt with depression, panic attacks and I think thats when she started leaning so heavily on me.

I have three daughters and to make things worse my other two daughters are tiny. My 22 year old weighs 89, I'm not kidding, and my 17 year old weighs about 95. We had thyroid checked numerous times but it always came back ok. One doc went ahead and put it on meds for it anyway because he said the blood work doesn't always tell the whole story. Then later when she got a new doc her took her off and told her to quit eating so many grinders (she worked at a pizza shop). Honestly I thought that was inappropriate too. Shes never ate huge huge amounts of food she just wasnt blessed with great metabolism I guess if that possible. I think to lose shes going to have to be one of people who can barely eat. I just worried that if she had that much trouble as a young person then she would surely be in big trouble later but it was never my idea. I was always very careful how I approached the subject of weight with her.

We had lab work ran again yesterday just to make sure all was ok there and we go tomorrow to the doc. I would greatly appreciate it if you would all say a little prayer for her and pray that this fill would be that one that gets her there. As I said we are going to have it all withdrawn and measured and put back. I'm going to ask that it be done as some of you have mentioned.....filling to full capacity and then letting just enough out for the Water to flow through. I know the pouch isn't stretched because they took a picture the last time we were there so thats good.:heart:

[Brandy~ 2]

Thank you "Mom" for the information and answering the million questions I have. It sounds like a whole different story than I was thinking.

I do have to say though that if she has restriction, she drinks her Water, and gets in atleast something in the exercise dept something will give.

We can't all be perfect when it comes to the band and eating. I know I am not. I don't always want to fess up to it either and honestly... sometimes when I do slip I don't tell on myself... and no one sees it because I ate alone. I am not saying thats what she is doing. I am saying there could be something that she is eating knowingly or unknowingly that is curbing the weightloss.

For me.... it's Wine. I love wine. I know she is 18 but mine is just an example. Even if I have 1 glass a day thats a few hundred calories. If I get rid of the wine for 10 days that's 1lb I could have lost.

You sound like her biggest fan and that couldn't be better for her while she is going through this. WLS is an emotional rollercoaster! We're happy, we're sad, we feel skinny, we feel fat.... It all is something we have to learn to control. Weight isn't all physical..

She will be fine I am sure.. But she really should go see a therapist. There's probably lots in her life or in her past that she would benefit from getting off her chest. You may even want to attend local meetings for WLS patients and families to know how to better deal with the situation.

I can't express enough that she needs to be on here getting support.

Don't you think she would like to see all the posts from people that say OMG I am never gonna lose the weight and 3 months later they are losing once they learned what it was?

This site has kept me sane and that is a hard thing to do.

[lapbandmom89 0]

I'm going to encourage her to get on here. I find this site amazing and addictive. As I have said, I'm not banded but have struggled with feeling "fat" and had attended Weight Watchers. I lost all the weight I wanted, which was 24 pounds, and then I slacked off and gained it all back. That totally makes a person feel like a loser. That is why I find your guys stories so amazing. I know how good I felt about myself and you guys should be very very proud of yourselves. There is a lot of pressure out there on women to be skinny....sometimes way too skinny. For heavens sake look at the manicins (?) in the stores. They look sickly but our girls think thats how they should look. I know that I am content at the high end of the acceptable weight for my height. I'm going to try to curb my addiction to this site. You are all amazing!!