karenlynn79

Yea Julie!! Have fun!! Congrats!

Hey Lauren, I am sorry you are having anxiety attacks. I am a mental health professional so I know how it feels (through clients). Are you able to do talk therapy with someone qualified to handle anxiety disorders?? Talk therapy can be as effective as meds and sometimes more effective.... Just wanted to throw that out there. Also marital therapy might help? I hope that things get better for you soon. Just stay positive and focused on the weight loss and healthy eating and exercise- you are going awesome! Karen

Hi Julie, I know how you feel! Yesterday I finally got out of my week-long overeating. I can't even buy those 100 cal packs because I too will eat like 3 or 4 packs at once if I buy them. Just remember that it was only one day and it's over. Also I used to overeat because other people made me feel bad. Then I realized that I was letting people I didn't even like affect my life! Not anymore. They are just jealous becase you are changing and change is hard for most people. Don't beat yourself up!!! Karen

Oh my gosh Misty! I hope you feel better soon and take it easy for a while!

I have Kaiser for medical insurance and I knew they did the band. I asked my doc about it like 2.5 years ago. She said because I was in grad school (at that time) I should just wait until I was done because everyone gains weight in grad school! What! That is so dumb. Basically keep gaining and then we'll talk. So I looked into Dr Ortiz (actually my husband found him) and 4 months later I was banded. I changed docs too.

Thanks. It did feel better to kind of get my feelings out there into cyberspace I guess. I do keep reminding myself that I have come a long way and that no one is perfect and I know I will make mistakes. I also need a small fill so I can't wait to get that! Anyway I know I'll feel better soon.... thanks for "listening".

I usually don't vent or post on here when I "mess up" so as not to dwell but I have been sinking this week into this crappy foggy I don't know what to call it! It started last Saturday, I got cramps which I shouldn't have, long story short switched BC pills again and I have been having a half-period all week. This I cannot stand!!! I have tattoos all over and a high tolerance for pain, but not cramps and pain pills are like water to me. Anyway I have been eating and eating all week. No probably not more than 1500 cal per day but it's way more than I am hungry for. Today I even went the store and bought cookie dough (my old nightmare of a pig out food) and ate about 1/5 of it and I have been so sick for hours. I HATE periods! I feel like I am not in control this week which I also hate to feel like. Plus I stay at home with my kids so all day this week I have been thinking about food and I ate all of my son's cookies. Embarassing! And he's 6 so he knows a bunch of cookies are missing...... Anyway I thought I might feel better venting because you guys understand. My husband is awesome and wonderful but has no food issues so cannot really fathom my feelings. Plus he is too sweet to say no when I send him to the gas station at 10pm to get a twix!!

It's funny because I am usually sensitive to people's professionalism and if they treat people well and I don't remember disliking her. It's been a while but I do remember she was very fast and didn't seem to invidualize anything. I think she is like the typical doctor here! Compared to the other docs at the OCC though I can see how she comes across as rude or uncaring. But you are all right, we shouldn't be treated like cattle or not individuals by anyone there because everyone else is so great! I think she might get wind of this.... To her credit the few times I have emailed her she has been prompt with the responses though they didn't seem to be specifically tailored to my needs either....

Hi Barb, Where are you getting your fills? 1.7 after 3 seems very small to me. I usually tell people not to compare fill levels to others but usually 1.5-1.7 is a typical starting fill..... I would say you need another fill with someone who will give you more than .3 at once! Is it under flouro? They should be able to see how quick the barium stuff goes down and immediately see if you are too tight... good luck! Karen

Pilates would definitely be considered abs so not til 3 months post, I don't so yoga so not sure on that....

Awesome Kim!! I also have some old navy stuff that is tight but hey, I can zip it! Can't wait to see the pics.

Hey Kevin, I am not a vegetarian but I do get most of my protein from soy beans and veggie burgers because I just prefer it most days. With those things and supplementing with whey powder twice a day (half scoop each time) and milk, I get close to 70 g of protein daily. I agree with being able to have the surgery while in school, I actually had it my second semester of grad school and was at school about 7 days after and was fine. However, if you need time to save up the money that of course needs to be considered. I think it's great that you are taking this step now! I am only 29 but I wish I'd done it sooner too! Good luck! Are you going to Dr Ortiz?? He really is the best! Karen

Erin, check your protein and fiber intake and then guzzle water everyday. Also a little bit of exercise will probably make a difference, even 20 minutes! Also I would schedule another fill if I were you, it's been a while and I doubt restriction will just hit after this long. Good luck!!

Has anyone tried the Vanilla no carb Isopure powder with milk? I am looking to get a new flavor to mix with milk and not sure if I should get the Vanilla or the Dutch Chocolate. The Vanilla is no carb so I am leaning towards that....... anyone??

I can't say that I have felt depressed. Everyone is right, once you start losing consistently and feel like you have control, you feel good about yourself. Sometimes I do indulge, as long as the band lets me, and then before I get too wild I just ask myself if I really want to undo the hard work etc... I think it's silly for a doctor to tell you that. Sure, some people might feel depressed. But to suggest it ahead of time is a little weird. I bet if you did a poll most people would say once they started losing and working with the band, they feel better than ever!!! mentally and physically.

Congrats!!!!!

I am sorry to hear that. Why don't you "pretend" to have the band? Follow all the bandster rules and the basic dietary guidelines? I KNOW I'll need the band later to maintain, and that I would gain again. You can do it!

In my experience, the worst things to do when food is already stuck are 1) eating more and 2) drinking! Next time either wait to see if it's going to come up on it's own, or eventually it will pass. I have had food stuck for hours and hours. Sometimes if it's bad I'll force myself to throw up but I try to do this as a last resort. Don't drink if you are stuck and never eat more to see if it will slide down. They used to tell people this at the OCC. I just remembered you had your surgery elsewhere. I actually remember the first time I had food stuck and it was KFC!!! I took a drink of water and had to pull over off the freeway for like 30 minutes!

PB stands for productive burping and it's basically when food gets stuck, it comes back up because your band has restricted what you can take in. It's avoidable like I said earlier. I think there are others on here from Toronto, you might want to put up a post to see what they do for fills? Good luck! You'll love the OCC.

You're doing great! Just keep up the willpower. I did not and went right back into my habits and then waited a while before getting 2 fills and getting serious.... Don't do that! Don't slip back into it! I could have lost all my weight before I had my baby if I hadn't slipped back into it, right where you are! I like that you said eat like the skinny person, I am doing that now too. I have lots of friends who eat very little (like what I eat now) and I think that's a great way to think!

Trudy, Yes it does suck to PB! It's a learning process. I HATE trying to PB while driving. I rarely if ever eat while driving for this reason. Mari, It's possible to always PB and I am sure that bypass people have to puke stuff up too. BUT if you are careful, follow the rules, go VERY slowly, tiny bites, etc.. you can avoid it. The only time I PB is MY fault so I don't get mad "at the band" itself, but myself. I tend still to either eat too quick or too big of bites. But I know how to avoid PBing, I just have to be very mindful of what I am shoving in there. Don't freak out! I remember thinking B4 surgery that "I'll never PB!". I don't think it's possible to never ever PB, especially with a good fill, BUT you can avoid it like I said by taking everything slow. You will learn what foods will give you trouble and you'll be fine! Karen

I am so there too! I had cramps yesterday and went NUTS, I ate SOO much, nachos, popcorn (at the movies), candy bars for dinner etc... And I feel awful still today and can barely eat. AHH! Periods suck...... It's so funny because in Parents Mag today I read that women lose their cravings during their periods. What?? No way, it's the only time I literally crave chocolate!

Hey Erin, I just hit 41 lbs in 4 months (since my fill in April) so I am pretty darn happy! This is what I've been doing, 1) keep track of calories, fat, fiber and protein (at a minimum) to make sure I get ENOUGH! 2) have basically the same stuff daily, with obvious exceptions and changes when I get bored: Breakfast: 1 cup skim milk with 1/2 scoop Optimum Whey protein powder chocolate (195 cal, 23 protein) I add fiber in this too Snack: 1/4 cup roasted Edamame (soy beans) 130 cal, 8 fiber, 14 protein (they are good! at Costco) Lunch: either soy burger, soy chicken patty, or lunchmeat (around 100-160 cal) plus maybe something crunchy like a few cheezits or chips Snack: goldfish crackers or something similar (140 cal) or yellow corn tortilla (70 cal) Dinner: I have been trying to eat what I make for the fam, like chicken or tacos, just a small amount, and corn on the cob or artichokes (fresh) usually about 200 cal Night: 1 apple chopped up into little cubes Sometimes I have strawberries or grapes at night instead. Sometimes I also have a small pack of mac n cheese (220 cal) but that's usually too sticky for me. I try to stay between 1100-1200 cal a day I also work out for about 20 min daily, either strength training, running, or pilates And yes about 2 or 3 times a week I have a "goody" like a couple cookies, a york patty, etc... otherwise I'd go nuts! What I've found most important are: Tons of water, lots of protein and fiber as well as making sure to get enough calories I tried so hard to eat Tilapia but I HATE fish! I just couldn't do it, but the nutritional values are amazing so I really wish I could do it! Anyway good luck! You'll get into a routine once you find a plan that works for your body. I haven't hit a plauteu but I know I will, so I have a few "tricks" that I'll try when that happens.... Karen

I like the SlimFast chocolate ones with added Whey Protein powder, the dark or milk chocolate. BUT I don't know what the rules are for pre-op as far as adding choc protein..... It's super chocolaty though!

Was this your first fill? At OCC they say 3 days of liquids only after your first fill. After that usually 24 hours.... I doubt you hurt anything. Just go back to liquids at last a couple days for your body to adjust to a major change again. You wouldn't want to irritate it, then they'll tell you MORE days of liquids! Eat thicker soups, or Starbucks, that's what I survive on after a fill.