Fatcat

Hi Redgrid, Hope you are feeling lots better today. What did the doc say about the lump? So many women in my family get cysts in their breast and they are all fine; hope the same for you! Helen

I want banded! That was good news. I also have the slouch problem (LOL) but I am so glad you emailed Dr. O and he said it's ok. I keep thinking it's going to pop out of my skin before long - ha ha. I feel so much better now. Good luck with your fill next month > . Helen

Dear Blazn, You really have had a tough time. I am so sorry for your loss. It is so rough to lose someone you love. As far as your band goes, it is great you are starting to feel better - I bet u are right - you must have caught something and now you are just about better. Great! Helen >

Hi MM, Your attitude is great as always. Still, I think you should call OCC (for us - haha) and ask about why you are still able to eat so much. I know you are ok with it, but I think all the rest of us are so curious. You have been a great motivator to so many of us and quite knowledgeable about our bands and I want to thank you for always being there for us - I know that is why you have so many well wishes. You also seem to have great will power and that is fantastic. Keep up the great attitude, and if you find out anything from Dr R please post it. Best, Helen >

Hi Brook, That isn't cheating at all and so healthy and yummy! I wish I had thought of it. It's a good one for all newbies to keep for yet another food to "sip" Helen >

Hello, Since my surgery on April 2, I have been able to feel my band slightly down from my incision and a little to the left. It feels like a knot and is pretty close to the service. Is anybody else experiencing this and does anyone think this is cause for concern. Thanks, Helen >

Hello All you newly Filled Bandsters, I hope you know how good it was to hear from you and to know that all went well. I, for one, can't wait to watch your progress. I also read the couple of blogs that were written and they were interesting and fun to read. I could picture, TJ, the OCC and a few other things from what you had to say. I have to admit it was comforting to me to hear all of you thought the experience great. Please keep us posted as you walk down the aisle to total success. Wishing you all a "losing" year. My best, Helen > =D>

Hi Lisal, I agree with your completely. In our quest to lose weight, we know that eating more protein less carbs usually helps. However, as always, everthing in moderation. If any of you feel you are eating too many proteins, please check with your doctor - also the scale Lisal shows is a great estimate. He has me a little high also, but I what I should be eating so I'm ok. And again, ANYTHING, we eat too much of turns to sugar and fat so we want to be careful there. thanks for all the thoughts and info from all of you - it allows us to make better choices. Best,Helen >

Ok Red, So a 200 lbs person would need only 72 g of protein (200 x.36) = 72 - the ball park of what I said and I know carbs break down into glucose; but so do order foods we take in (please see below) when you take in more than your body can handle. Excerpt from article: Protein is broken down into tiny building blocks called amino acids. These are essential in our diet. Nothing else will do to provide the building blocks we need for muscles and other tissues. We need about 1 gram of protein per day per kilogram of body weight. Anything we take in over that gets turned into glucose or ketones (another source of energy) and used as energy, or it can be turned into fat for storage. So too much protein will make you just as large as too much butter. http://www.jtcrunning.com/Articles/Metabolism.htm Best, Helen >

Hi Nereston, You say you lost 9 lbs post op but very little since - 10 or so lbs in almost 7 months is really nothing. U have the right to be discouraged. I think it is great how hard you exercise and continue to keep the faith. Have you been eating more protein than carbs or the other way around? You could have a food allergy that is keeping the weight on - far fetched - but maybe Has your doctor checked to see if your band is ok; and have you had a fill yet? Your weight loss is so slow and I feel for you and I'm just wondering if all is being done for you that can be - that is why the questions. Let us know. My best, Helen >

Hi Everybody - This is food for thought - no pun here. We all discuss how we should drink, drink, and eat, eat protein first and get in about 90 grams a day. I think the normal is between 40-70 a day depending on your weight . If anything is wrong with our kidneys, we can damage them more by eating too much protein. Also when we eat too much protein, our body turns the protein into glucose. There are other reasons why our intake shouldn't be so high. Normally our diet would be about 50g carbs (I know that is too high for must of us though) 17g fat, I believe, and I mentioned the amount of protein above. And I'm starting to wonder about this - did we all have to be lapbanded to lose weight if our diet is mostly protein? Why didn't we just follow the Atkins diet, after the second week, which truly is just a modified version of a high protein diet - but without the banding and without the many restrictions? Just throwing this out here to get a good discussion going. I find I get more confused by all this with each new day and the more I read. I've been banded, and I don't want to go through being upbanded, but this is a good subject I think we should have on this forum so we can : weigh the pros and cons of lapbanding, ensure we have a good diet, and to help those thinking of this type of weight loss method by passing on informative and correct information. Helen >

Hi, Helen again. Just noticed my topic lists "Sorry Lap Banders" - I honestly don't know where that is from - I certainly did not add that as the topic center and I don't mean to imply that all of us are doomed. So Pllllllease don't take it that way. I am just looking for some happy long term bandsters. Helen >

Hi, I am feeling a bit down right now. I was searching the web on lap band procedures this am and came across soooooooo many people who had their bands removed, bands eroded, being sick, sick, sick while being banded and not losing but a small amount of weight. Some of these people had their bands from 6 months to years and were very very unhappy with them. Now I am upset and wonder if the lap band,long term, really works. Anyone who is long term, please let us hear from you. The complications the people listed were numerous and I actually feel frightened that these can happen to us. Best, Helen

Hi Calicat, I started eating some solid four days before the three weeks were hope. I kept it light; tolerated most - but not bread - Gads! it did stick and cause me pain. It was grain and toasted, but.... I started eating just to taste the food and then I kept at it the next few days to get more protein in me - I started feeling really tired and didn't like that. Today is my official eat day - so we shall see how I do from this day forward. Helen >

HI MM, That is a great picture - thanks to you, we no longer have to imagine it - we see it. It sure doesn't look like anything can pass that band - it's amazing we still can eat. Helen >

Hi Diana and all others who might be interested in getting a fill in Ft Lauderdale Fl. The doctor's (Dr. Robert Marema) returned my call today to tell me since the doctor DID NOT do my original surgery; he would NOT do my fill. I never had the chance to ask what they charge - too bad - as I looked him up on the internet and he receives rave reviews! Boo hoo! Really don't want to make that looooooooong trip back to TJ. I know there is a place in Tampa, but I have two calls into them and still have not heard; guess I will try them again. I guess I should be filled about the 16th or later of May so I still have time to keep looking. Please, let me know if you hear of anyone else. Helen >

Hi Scared, I took them for over a year a long while back and never saw any difference; however we are all different. My best, Helen >

Caro, You don't have to tell a soul. Most people, out of ignorance, not meanness, just don't understand - so why go into it. Simply, I'm not so hungry, I'm dieting, etc etc - that is what you can say when asked why you are not eating - Let them envy your resolve - because it does take that - being banded doesn't force us to lose weight - it only helps. Helen =D> >

lisalisa21' Definitely post! We are are having one difficulty or another - nothing in life is 100% smooth sailing and especially, as we all now, where weight is concerned. You did great losing the 17 lbs so it shows you can do it. I lost only 7 and now it's down to only 5! I'm waiting and yet also a bit leery of the first fill. Yesterday for the first time, 17 days post op! - I ate a piece of grain bread and boy did it hurt - We all mess up - that is what living is all about - As far as the fill is concerned, I have to admit it is a shame you can't do it on time. Were you planning on going to TJ for it? If not it will probably be cheaper closer to home if you don't need a plane ticket? Where do you live? Some bandsters may be able to share a doctor they know who is close to you. And, of course, call the OCC and explain what it happening to you. They really seem to be there for us. The worse that can happen, is you will have to use tons of will power and save every cent you can - but the weight loss is in your future. Be positive - just another set back - but boy they do build character. > Helen =D> I've been debating whether or not to post this but finally, my overwhelming need for support convinced me to do it. I am about 7 weeks post op and due for my first fill. I had lost 17 pounds during the first three weeks of the post op diet but quickly gained it all back. I understand that this is common and that the band is not a quick fix so I've tried not to beat myself up about it too much. Unfortunately, due to some financial "issues" I will have to wait a few weeks to get my fill...maybe longer. I'm trying to stay positive but am not really doing a good job of it. To top it all off, work has been incredibly stressful and has only added to my sadness. I guess you can say I'm down right depressed Going to see my doctor this week but am hoping to get some of that wonderful support and encouragement you all so well known for

Hi, I am 18 days post op - 3 to go before I'm allowed to eat solid foods. Yesterday, for some unknown reason - and I mean that - I wasn't extra hungry or anything like that - I decided to eat. I ate a small plate of some of the breaded eggplant my neighbor sent over for my daughter and her family and I ate a small piece of cheesecake - This was my lunch. For dinner, I had a small piece of grain bread with butter and 1 scrambled egg. The bread killed me - lots of pain in the chest area - Otherwise it felt great to eat. Any and all comments - I need them. Today, I just couldn't bear a cold shake for breakfast, so I had some creamy soup - My weight lose has not been great - lose 5 lbs up 2 etc etc. Yesterday, somehow I gained two lbs again - don't know why - so I'm only down 5 lbs again - I know we are not supposed to be worrying about losing at this point, but I notice some great loses happening to others. Help! Helen >

Hi Shorty, Did the doctor who filled you, band you? If the banding doctor is different, give him a call to see what he says. Otherwise, if they are one and the same, I would be inclined to listen to him, but try to call other doctors' offices for a second opinion also. The more knowledge from a doctor, the better decision you will make. Keep us informed. Helen >

1 Fat Cat Name and Location: Helen from south Florida Age: 64 Gender: F Band Date:April 2, 2008 Height: 5ft 1in Highest weight: 230 Band Weight: 194 Current Weight:189 as of April 19/08 Goal Weight: 130 or so =D> >

Hi Diana Thanks, I am very close to Ft Lauderdale - I go there sometimes to shop etc. I appreciate your info and I will look into this dr. I'll let you know if I find out anything good. Helen >

Hi Banded football coach, First, let me say I don't think your 25 lb weight loss in one week is anywhere near normal - however, having said that - if you feel well and you were very large to begin with, it's probably ok. Check with your doctor who banded you - and while you are at it - crawfish - well that is another one for the doc. Some questions are best answered by the experts. But, congratulations on your terrific weight loss and hope you get to enjoy the fish! Helen >

Hi Wendy, Your attitude is great - I think that your realizing that giving up cigarettes is one of the best things you can do. You should feel happy and proud. You deserve it. I smoked from age 17 till my granddaughter was born 21 years ago and I am still so proud I was able to give up such a nasty habit. Don't be too hard on yourself for gaining the weight back. I was 1 lb heavier and so upset when I met Dr. Miranda but she was totally understanding. I did try to lose some weight, but I had relatives visiting from another state and it was impossible to diet while entertaining etc. Well, at least I thought it was - Anyway, keep up the good spirits - they will work in your favor. We are all cheering you on. Helen >