doinitagann

Glad to see you back!!! It has slowed down in here over time, but it has kind of been nice. Back in the day I remember it being busy, but there were also a few "not so positive" people in here i'm sure you remember that caused unneccesary drama. So i'm glad to see it like it is now. Still some veterans and some very cool newbies as well.

Hope to see you around!!

Any you look amazing!!!!!

Hi ALL!!! I haven't been here in forever but wanted to stop in and say hi. I have been banded close to 2 years now and I just recently got a good fill and have some pretty decent restriction about 3 months ago. Before that, I was using shear will power and failing. I am down 21 pounds since the fill and 38 from my highest.

Okay so now, I am a little lost on the new format of the forum. Not sure if there are less people here but the posts seem to be so minimal... Just wondering if I am on the right board.

Just wanted to give a shout out and say hey. Hope all of you are doing well in your journeys.

Heidi

Thanks all for your replies and support. I don't know why I stopped coming around here for the support I needed. Today is a new day and I am happy to report that so far so good. I have switched up to a high protein diet and went for my walk/jog this morning...it felt WONDERFUL (not while I was doing it but after I could breath again). I am stoked to get back in control of my health. I was hoping a fill would help cause the only time I do feel anything is when I am on the monthly.

so just stopping in again and letting you all know I love your support and look forward to actually posting my success on here soon. (I have to first get the courage up to stand on the scale again....ugh)

Heidi

Hey all,

It has been way to long since I have posted here. I really don't even know where to start except to say I am failing. I still am not sure what to do about the fills, It seems like I can get stuck on just about anything but I never feel full. I say never but I mean as far as quantity, I can eat as much as I used to. I only have a really hard time getting food down when it is that time of month. I usually end up PBing once a day at least during these few days. I am going thru a divorce right now so funds are not as easy to come by as I had expected when I got this thing over a year ago. So a fill is not in my near future. I originally lost 48 pounds but I do believe I only have 20 still off. The reason i am here now is to get some much needed support. I am getting my life in order and with that comes my body and health. Tomorrow, I start a couch potato to 3K in 90 days program with my friend. (she is a paramedic, thank GOD!!!) I am also going to live on the points system from WW for a while till i can afford the fill.

i really am curious for those who have success with the band, Have you gone thru this type of problem? DId I waste 8 grand? Am I just not at my sweet spot? I was so hopeful that this would disable my ablity to eat like I can. Ugggg.. any and all advice would be lovely. Thanks

OH SARAH!!! HOW WONDERFUL!!!!

I remember how very clearly you wanted this. I remember how you told us that you were doing the band for that reason as well. I will never forget the look on your face. It was heartbreaking. I stopped at that minute and WILLED a baby in your womb. (I do realize I had NOTHING to do with the child growing there now. ) But I am saying a prayer of thanks because I KNOW you will be such an awesome mother. I only knew you for a few hours but you inspired me. Congrats on everything. If you remember I had 4 lost pregnancies without the band, so if you ever need anything, I am so here. Let me know how you feel, any sickness? I am so very very happy for you. Some people just deserve this miracle more, and you are definatley one of them.

-Heidi

I am sorry you are going thru something. I know life gets rough and sometimes you just need to vent a bit. We are all here for support. Lets face it, every aspect of our lives directly influence our new lifestyles of being banded. I wish you the best.

I am floored. I loved this post. I have found yet another HERO!!!

I am so very happy, happy, happy for you! You are such a beautiful person inside and out. I truly enjoyed meeting you when we were getting our fills. I finally had my second fill on the 12th of March. I only have 15lbs. till onederland. It is so exciting how this band is working. I find it amazing that I can say only (15lbs.). It is such a different mental attitude than I have had in the past. Have a great weekend. Anne

Are you serious???? Did you go back down to TJ for the second fill? I am so jealous, I have not found restriction yet. Good for you though. You two are making me jealous with all the weight loss. I was banded before you.

Have any of you tried the "5-day pouch test"? It is five days on liquids to sort of reset your pouch, especially if the "no restriction" demon surfaces.

5-day Pouch Test

I have done this and it helps with refocusing on the "tool" aspect of the lap-band.

(Dana--I think you're great! Always posting something worth thinking about. Thanks for doing that)

Diana

Hi Diana,

just curious about this test. First can you add veggies? Next, can you have what you had on day one to day 4? Is it a progressive thing where you add to the day before or is it strict "only that on that day?" You know what I mean?

Hi Sarah,

I remember meeting you last month and you told me how this was your goal. I am soooo super excited for you. I can't help but be so jealous though. My second fill has not done anything for me. I have not lost an ounce since we had our second fill. I wish all the best for you and I am sure you will be going to Europe soon. You are on a roll.

I just reread your post. that was taken a week ago? Girl, that was a bad angle. maybe get one that is more straignt on,

Gorgeous before...gorgeous after. But I can sure see the difference. You are doing Great

:lb24: :lb21: :lb10: :lb13:

Good for you. what a great milestone to make. let's see some PICTURES!!!!!!! You will be happy you keep an account of the progress.

Thats pretty cool, I am suppose to be 151.2. I was that when i got married 10 years ago and thought I was a fat cow. Huh. Should have been "happy" with that. My fill doc here in South dakota said he does not forsee me getting anywhere below 175. I am not good with that. I plan to be a hot mama once again.

Goodness, I stopped spicy foods long ago. I LOVE spicy foods but I tried them once after the band and I was in hell. Not because of the way it affected my tummy but because I could not wash the spice out with a drink. I had to sit there and allow my saliva to build up to quench the burn. Oh it tasted so good but the fire could not be put out. Now I can do a bite of spice then put in a piece of chewing gum to help with the burn. I do miss my spicy foods but I have not had any heartburn since I was banded. Go figure. :ireful3: :heat: :heat: :heat:

Also - I really dont think that you are "feeling" restriction just because when you eat fast or too big of bites it gets stuck....Isnt restriction when you feel fuller longer and it takes you less food to feel full. Its bad band practice to eat fast and big bites - dont get yourself into trouble (I personally have to be VERY VERY careful)

Amen, Amen & Amen! Restriction is not what you are feeling, what you are feeling is food getting stuck.

Be careful eating larger portions, the last thing you want to do is to stretch your pouch and have to go back on liquids or get the band removed. Limit yourself to no more than a cup of food at a time. Take small bites, chew them well, and lay your fork down between the bites.

You are going thru a stressful time right now, but do not add to that stress by eating around the band. Hold your head up, stick your chest out and move forward into the new you!

I want to, I really do. Will someone please fly out to SD and kick me in the butt to get me going. :lb20: :aggressive: I need the motivation I had when I first started this journey.

Hi Heidi,

I have been watching the forum for you. I know you are feeling discouraged but you have a lot going on in your life. Don't give up. Don't beat yourself up. That is what got us here in the first place. We are our own worst enemies. When something doesn't go right. We eat. Thus we gain. Take one day at a time. Just get through today, then start over tomorrow. I have been writing down the portions of what I eat and how many calories, protein and fiber each serving has. Add it up, so that you are mentally aware of what your intake is.

I do not have the long term wisdom that our encouragers on this sight have. I just know that it is very hard for me right now and I am trying to follow my own advice. Hang in there.

I enjoyed meeting you. Anne

It is nice to hear from you Anne. I sure hope you are doing better with your fill than I am with mine. I really am glad I got to meet you. Maybe we will bump into each other again in TJ one day. Thanks for the encouragement!!!

Thank you all for your support. I know I read a lot of topics on this but I guess when it is me that it is referring to, I get so discouraged. Especially when the scale goes up. I know I am not eating healthy like I should. I know I am still running to the kitchen for my emotional support during a hard time in my life. I just was hoping the band took more of the hunger out of the equation, not to mention stopped me from eating more than the third I am suppose to. I have to wait 4 weeks at least to schedule another fill, just to make sure all the adjusting is done. Who knows, I may wake up tomorrow with perfect restriction. Spring is around the corner and I was hoping to be able to go out in shorts this year. Oh well, guess it won't happen this time. Thanks again for all the support

Hey y'all

I am a bit discouraged of late. I was banded 9/2/08 and did really well the first few months. I lost so much weight that I thought the band was my miracle cure. However, since Christmas I seem to have....fallen off the wagon. I do not have restriction unless I eat too fast or too big of bites, then I get stuck and have to either wait it out or PB. But if I eat slow and small bites and every thing goes down okay, then I can eat pretty much how much I used to. I try to eat the 1/3 of what I used to but then I am hungry in 20 minutes again. I am so frustrated. I fear this band was just a placebo, something to make me think that I could do it. I have gained 14 pounds since my lightest (on my ticker) and I could cry. This is just like ALL the other times I have lost weight. I lose then I gain it right back. I have had 2 fills, so I am now at 2.8 cc in my 4cc band. my last fill was Feb 11 at the OCC. So my question. Is this restriction??? Is the rest of the process seriously just going to be will power. Cause if it is, I could have saved the 8 grand and still been miserable.

I am excercising and I am trying to eat the protein first. But I have no problem making it to the grains and still wanting some more. Could definitley use some encouraging words. Has anyone else been in my situation even after 2 fills? UGgh.

HI MY NAME IS LAURA AND I WAS SCHEDULED TO BE BANDED ON 2-12-09 BUT FOR SOME REASON THEY SWITCHED MY DATE TO FRIDAY THE 13TH. I WOULD LOVE TO TALK TO YOU SO CALL ME LAURA 209-201-2751 PLEASE TEXT ME FIRST.

I LOOK FORWARD TO TALKING TO YOU.

LAURA

do you live in central california?

Skinny, I've lost 110 lbs. since I was banded in August. I eat less, sleep better, play harder, work out 3-4 times a week instead of sitting on the couch and watching tv, party like a rock star and bang like a porn star. My house is cleaner, projects are actually getting done. Hell yes I'd do it again. My only regret is that I couldn't do it years ago.

I'll have what they are having. Oh wait, that's right. I have what they are having :good2: :heat: :yes: :secret:

I think that there are alot of stories on how "bad" the band is because those are what get headlined. I kept my surgery a secret and I know many on this site kept their surgery a secret too. It is like plane crashes. Everybody is afraid to fly, but that is because it is such a big deal when one crashes. Forget the million of flights that go off without a hitch. Same with any optional surgery.

I love my band. It was my family that were FREAKED about going to TJ mexico for my surgery. Now that is where I heard horror stories. Even my mexican friend (husband blabbed) begged me not to go down. But once I showed those closest to me the OCC site. They were convinced. This forum helps too.

I quit smoking in November and you are right, not eating is hard when you don't smoke. I used the patch but have heard great things on Chantix. One word of advice. IF you take any depression/anxiety medication, ask your doctor about taking anything. I was not aware that the patch can interfere with these medications and I had some major issues. :tease: :tease: I figured it out right away but I refused to stop using the patch. Just a warning.

I will be flying in on the 11th for my second fill. Hope to see you there.

We need some before and after pics!!! You should be sooooooo proud of yourself. Keep up the inspirational stories, some of us REALLY need them now.