DisasterWalking73

No, I don't slime very much (or at least not what I consider much) - it's happened maybe 4-5 times since banding. Honestly, my experiences have not really been that bad. Just feel a little weird tightness, and now I've learned to quit while I'm ahead at the first signs of that. At first, I didn't realize what I was feeling (that "stop" signal) and let it get to the point where I slimed a little, but no solid food ever came up. It feels like (sorry for the tmi) - when you have a cold and mucus backs up in your throat. I find that McDonald's cheeseburgers and the chicken salad sandwiches from a local deli are the things that are most likely to do it to me. So now I avoid those. Way to go on those jeans, btw!!! I wanna see photos!!

You know, that thought has crossed my mind... that we have magic bands, that is... Honestly, I've never met nor spoken to anyone unfilled who has as much restriction as you and I seem to. You must've winked at Dr. Ortiz or something... But hey, I'll take it! Have you ever slimed?

Hi, AmberStarr - I am sorry to hear about your problems with your band - that is a very frustrating place to be. I wanted to address the issue of your Doc's office advising you to eat low carb - I can think of two reasons for this, and hopefully it will make a little bit more sense to you. First, most overweight folks are insulin resistant, to some degree. Insulin resistant folks have problems processing and using sugar and, on them, it immediately turns to fat. For example, while I was on liquids-only, I actually gained some weight on Gatorade and chicken broth - because the Gatorade had sugar. Hard to believe, but true. Now, what causes weight loss in insulin resistant folks? Eating low carb? In fact, the more fat you take in at a meal, the lower the glycemic index (usually) - so this way of eating is really great if you are insulin resistant. I am insulin resistant, I eat this way (limited carbs, but I do not limit fat AT ALL - I eat real butter, ranch dressing, etc...) and I've had good results. See before and after photos under "Hi, Girls" thread - I'm 3 1/2 months banded. Secondly, some of the low carb foods go down much easier for us than high carb (ie - bread, rice, pasta). Slow-cooked meats, cheeses, most veggies - never a problem for me. So, you might want to give it an honest try and see if it makes you feel better, and see if it gets you some results. Even if this doesn't work for you, I really hope you find a solution! - Deena

Thanks, ladies - I see everyone here is as supportive and kind as ever. Carrie - thanks, I almost feel guilty for seeing that big a change since I have not working very hard over the holidays and my exercise got very sporadic there for a while. But, whatever, I'll take it anyway! I just went and looked at your gallery, and you are looking great, too, girl! Theresa - nice to meet you and welcome to Bandland! Like I always tell everyone, it does have ups and downs, but all-in-all, I think you're gonna like it here. I was getting very frustrated at one point, because I am a slow loser (PCOS, not always perfect with exercise, either) - but when I look at my pictures from 4 months ago vs. now, I feel very happy with my progress. Good luck to you! RevyD - thanks and same to you, Lady! 97 pounds!!! Wow! You are my idol - have you been shopping at Old Navy, yet? In the NON plus sizes? Judging from your photo, that XXL is gonna swim on you, you're gonna have to go down to the XL! You look great!

Hi, Janelle - nice to meet you! Welcome to this awesome journey - it has its ups and downs, but I think you're gonna be very glad you made this decision. As for my weight, I'm not sure what it is right now, but I'm gonna guess in the low 230's or upper 220's. That's fine by me - I'm hoping to see Onederland around my birthday - but, if not, that's ok, too. I'll just be pleased as punch not to be where I was in that first photo! Kristi- speaking of hard work - you're lookin' great, girl! Look at you in your little black dress! This is the first time I've seen that photo! Thanks for your kind words, it is very nice to be back on the board - I've been away too long!

Hi, everybody - I have a quick question for you, and this may be more a matter of opinion, but here goes... I'm 3 1/2 months post-op and I have not yet had a fill. I know that seems like too long to wait, but bear with me here... My "safe to fill" date would have fallen right before the holidays when I was doing a lot of extensive travelling and I didn't want to have complications or be really super-restricted at that time. Thing is, although I'm not filled, I am losing weight and think I must have some restriction! In fact, I've even slimed a couple of times when eating something very doughy (it's happened maybe 5-6 times since banding - no pb, just slime and a feeling of being "stuck") I'd say I can eat about 1/2-3/4 of what I was able to eat before (depending on the food). So, do I have restriction? FYI - I've got an 11cc Realize band, Dr. Ortiz told me it does come "primed" with a small amount of saline and that some lucky people get restriction with no fill. Could it be possible?

...And guys, too. How's everybody doing? I have not been on the board in what seems like forever - but I have missed you guys! I thought once the holidays were over and my schedule got a little bit less crazy, I'd have more time to post and read. And then grad school started. So, needless to say, I've not been around a lot. How were everyones' holidays? Mine were great - a lot of fun and family and travel - and, of course, food! I managed to, by some miracle, still lose a pound or two in those weeks, although I just would've been happy to maintain (it's really hard to make good choices at Cracker Barrel, I found! ) I was getting a little bit obsessed with the scale there for a while, so I've decided that I'm not going to weigh until my birthday (June 5th) - but I can tell I'm losing - for those of you who don't know me yet - hi, I'm Deena and I'm 3 1/2 months post-op. The first photo below was taken about two weeks before my surgery, the second was taken about three days ago (complete with toothpaste splatters on my bathroom mirror - how embarrassing!) Sorry these are so huge - I wasn't quite sure how I could size them smaller!

Oh my gosh, RevyD!!! All I can say is WOW. You look SO great - I can already see a big difference just since I a saw you at OCC. Way to go, girl!!!

Hey, RevyD - how are ya doing, Lady? I just read your stats and it looks like you're doing really well! That is so awesome - I am so proud of you and how far you've come already. You inspire me with your unwavering dedication - and way to go on the 2X - we're now the same size, girl! Let me share my little fashion secret with you (lol) - don't know if you have an Old Navy nearby, but if you do, the size XXL they carry in the store is exactly the same as their 2X. So, by Old Navy standards, we are both officially able to shop in the regular ladies' sizes. Goodbye plus! lol Hope you are well. -- Deena

Hi, Babe (and hi to all my other awesome friends on this board, I've been MIA for too long! How has everybody been?) - I just wanted to chime in and tell you that I sympathise because I, too, am a VERY slow loser. I found out shortly before getting banded that I have a condition called PCOS which causes hormonal imbalance and severe insulin resistance (which almost all of us overweight folks have anyway, but PCOS worsens it) and my weight loss has been sloooooow. Basically, 15 lbs so far and I was banded Sept. 29th. Most of that was from the pre-op diet - and on the post-op liquid phase I lost nothing. Seriously. Not one pound. In fact, I gained weight one day on gatoraid and chicken broth. Basically, if I'm not eating extremely low carb, I'm not losing weight. Sad, but true. Also, with Thanksgiving having just passing and other holidays looming on the horizon, I haven't exactly been eating spectacularly (I'm not filled yet) - but, somehow, I've found new motivation. My goal is to be 10 more pounds down by the time I leave for our annual holiday trip North (Dec. 20th - I'm publicly declaring it, right here and right now! And the good news is, although the band isn't helping me LOSE weight yet, it does seem to be helping me keep it off (a BIG plus, in my book, and something I have not been able to accomplish before) So, basically, I'm saying - I know how frustrating it is - but let's keep going - I'll bet we're gonna get there!

Hi, Anicoler, and welcome to the board. Well, anyone will tell you that this is a decision you ultimately have to make for yourself. That's a no-brainer. BUT, I can also tell you that the vast majority of folks on this board have had very positive experiences with the band. For me, my surgery was very good - but, I am severely insulin resistant (have pcos) and the weight loss has been slow and hard-won for me. I am now in what is known as "bandster hell" - the period between being banded and getting a fill - and have not lost any more weight (nor did I lose much on the liquid diet). So, yes, there can be frustrations like that. All in all, though - I'm still very happy with my decision (I have lost some weight, and my acid reflux is cured) - so I would say read and research as much as you can (I find blogs of people who've had the surgery really helpful) and then just see if you feel ready. If so, go for it - it's a change for the better!