NJGirl32

Well there is no bigger jack ass then me. I had my band 1 year, started out at 276 lbs. when i got operated on I was down to 244lbs.

after the operation I lost only 8 more pounds. I kept telling my doctor that I am struggling & always hungry. He would only put in 1 cc.

at atime and sometime only .5. I was trying to do right but he would say you are relying to much on the lap band, your gotta try harder. So feb. came up

and I was up 6 lbs. I cancelled my doctor appointment and told my self I'll lose next month but I didn't . By July I was back up 266.

I change doctors, I called fill center usa. they put me with Dr. Lee in n.j. What a differents, instead of giving you 1 cc at a visit , he

fills up until you have restriction an then adjust down, for the first time in my life i have control, I don't even think of food. I can do this, its very eaz now.

I don't know if you are only 1 fill away but don't give up you'll know when you get there.

Good for you for being an advocate for yourself and not giving up even when it seemed hopeless!! It is inspirational since I don't have restriction yet. Where is Dr. Lee located in NJ? How does the fill center work? Do you just call them and they hook you up with a doctor? I hear a lot of docs don't want to take someone else's patient.

Congratulations!!!!!! That's quite an achievement! I wouldn't mind losing 10 pounds a month! I was a late May bandster and I am 1 pound away from 30 pounds so 10 a month sounds about right! It's exciting isn't it?!! I haven't been able to lose this kind of weight in the last 7 years so it feels good!

I think exercise has helped me with my plateau.

Good luck and continued success!

I needed to read this info!! Thanks so much for sharing!!!

Just be careful-that's a lot of calories especially if you are drinking more than 1 a day. I also love GNCs brands-I like Total Lean Choc (but all flavors are great). I think it has 170 calories with 23 grams of Protein. I simply do not like all the the thick pudding-like shakes out there.

Plus GNCs brand shakes don't seem to have the nasty after taste more brands have! Sounds like that shake would be great as a Meal Replacement shake!

Awesome!!!!!!!!!!

I dont - I eat my meal all together, and like you say, a lot of meals are something like Soup or yogurt that you cant separate anyway.

I will go to my grave believing that vegetables and fibre are the more important things to get in. If I ate my chicken and then couldnt fit my vegies in, I would consider that a pretty unbalanced meal that was providing my body with the Protein fuel to keep it alive but wasnt providing me all the things that make you look and feel good - the Vitamins, antioxidents, phytochemicals etc.

so whilst I treat protein as important and consider meals that provide good sources, I dont value it above other nutrients. You need BALANCE, all nutrients in your diet so I eat from my plate evenly. I dont know about you, but I dont fancy being thin with no teeth and no hair! We dont generally get the protein first advice in Australia anyway.

Shock, horror! Yesterday I ate zucchini and leek soup for lunch. It had some skimmed evaporated condensed milk in it, but no hard protein source! And wonder of wonders, I got through till dinner! For me, it has a lot more to do with being busy than with what I actually eat. If I have something constructive to do, making the stretch between lunch and dinner is easy.

Hey Nayttap, do you think I will ever be successful with this band huh? I mean, I'm maybe not as edumacated as you and all, but do you think I will ever really figure it out?

Thanks so much for the perspective! So in Australia they don't say protein first? I love veggies and fruits and somehow soup is very satisfyingto me even though it's a "slider." Your soup sound delicious!

I totally agree that it has a lot to do with keeping busy!

Whatever you are doing is definitely working! You are an inspiration!

I, too, was well educated prior to the band. I researched it and bought books etc. I am a teacher and I have a master's degree - I don't make decisions without being completely informed.

But you assume that once you are educated about a topic then that's that. I could read a 100 books on how to fix a car engine, I could look at DVDs and diagrams-but does that mean I will know what I am doing once I am under the hood?

I don't look at this forum as a place where people whine...it's a place where they find support and if they get off track perhaps we can offer some advice on how to push forward.

Like I said-you have read all the books-but you haven't walked the walk yet. You seem to have an all or nothing attitude and that can actually work against you.

Oh, okay...then it is DEFINITELY time to see another doctor! Wow! Can someone recommend one?

I hope everything works out for your hubby and for you too -God bless!

I was tired for the first few weeks post surgery too! They poster is correct-get your Proteins in to help with energy levels-also take the Vitamins and drink plenty of Water to prevent dehydration which can make you feel run down.

Came back from the gym around 4:30 and said to myself "Am I hungry and is it head hunger or stomach hunger" I decided it was head hunger, my stomach was satisfied.

I opted to have a Protein Shake because I don't want to get to the point of really being hungry and thereby eating too much. At dinner I will eat my Proteins first and not drink afterwards!

Good for you! You sound as if you have a plan and are getting back the power he has been draining from you!

Please let us know how you make out-we care!

You might also wantto go to a meeting for women who are abused. Even though you are not physically abused he is definitely abusing you mentally and it is a cycle, once you understand the cycle then you can recognize it for what it is and move forward,

From one teacher to another...just be smart with the lawyer thing- don't let this ruin your credit or financially drain you. Find out what your rights are and at least you'll make an educated decision. I really wish you nothing but the best-that's what you deserve!

Please read this article and the signs of abuse:

http://www.helpguide.org/mental/domestic_violence_abuse_types_signs_causes_effects.htm

Your question was how to reach satiety......I explained that in a couple different ways so that you would have the answer to your question.

My response is not meant as judgmental but a wake up call for you to be successful! I think that's what we all want and why we are all here.

It's too bad that you write me off just because you're a couple months further along in the process.....I feel sorry for you

I am not writing off because of that-I am writing you off because of your attitude. I actually feel sorry for you because you have no idea of what lies ahead. Stay smug while you are on mushies and healing. I do wish you the best and hopefully one day you'll understand what we go through. If anyone would have told me in my first 2 weeks that I still wouldn't have restriction 10 weeks later I am not sure if I would have believed them. You'll be "whinig" so enough!

My first appointment was April 7th -surgery was on May 25th. That was really quick! They will schedule you for surgery right then (at least that's what they did for me). I was given a date for the end of June, but they said if I could get all my tests done I had a chance to move it up. Had all my tests completed and they had a spot available. I am not usre if you are in a hurry-but if so, commit right then and there at the appointment so you can get a date. If you should change your mind you can always cancel. Next, line up all your doctor's appointments - call them right away because sometimes there is a long wait to see the docs.

Good luck!

Okay, so it's 2:45 and I have "head hunger" not stomach hunger- so I am headed to the gym. By the time I get back I should be ready for my Protein shake. It's going to take me a while to sort out the head hunger vs. the stomach hunger. This is a new way of thinking for me.

Thsisme-you are so right-everyone's experience is so different and what works for one person doesn't necessarrily work for another. There's a constant adjusting and readjusting what we do and what we eat-it's such a learning process.

The easy way out, really? He really is clueless about the entire process! And..IF it were the "easy way out" so what? I mean what the heck is wrong with that? Is taking a car to work the easy way out, instead of walking? Is going food shopping the easy way out, intead of growing your own food? Is using a dishwasher the easy way out-I mean why does life have to be a struggle anyway?

He talks to you about what "real women" do....well real men don't put down their wives, real men don't make their wives cry, and real men are supportive of their mates.

I agree, you need to get yourself in counseling so you can get some perspective on your situation. You deserve to be treated with love and dignity.

After seeing a counselor, please get some legal advise...just in case. During my first marriage my ex cleared out all the bank accounts. Think smart-have a plan-my credit rating was ruined after my divorce. Perhaps a trial seperation might work for you both. Talk to a counseler and talk to a lawyer. Like I said girl, you deserve so much more in your life.

Walking around does help. The key is really taking tiny, tiny bits and chewing the hell out of it before swallowing. Some people can't do eggs or crackers. Try eating mushier foods or liquids after a stuck episode. If it continues call your doc for an unfill. Throwing up can definitely cause band slippage and that'a the last thing you want. Good luck to you!

I don't know...Kimmy makes some valid points. I would rather have the doctor err on the side of caution-time is really of the essence especially if you even suspect a stroke.

I think too many doctors shrug things off and then it's too late.

I don't see how she would make extra money buy sayingyou had a stroke-the hospital gets the $$ for the CAT scan.

With all that being said-I can't imagine how scary that must have been for you and your family! So happy to hear all is well!

FROM NJGIRL32: I know we are suppose to eat Proteins first to help with the feeling of satiety. Truthfully I haven't really applied this except for dinners.

This is how the lap band works. These are the rules. You knew them upfront, and yet you question and demand additional fills. Why not follow the rules and use the band as a tool instead of expecting it to be a magic bullet?

The solid proteins are what your body needs first and foremost, with other varying amounts of veggies, fruits etc. The band works by limiting the food intake and the solids keep the pouch full. With the pouch full, the food rubs against the nerves at the top of the stomach and pouch that tell your brain you are full and not physically hungry. With the more solid foods--eg proteins--you are satisfied.

eggs may not seem like a solid--but if you've ever put one in a straw and tried to get Fluid around them, you'd see it was like a solid.

NJGirl32 eat smart. Follow the rules. If you decide not to and then don't lose what you want, please don't whine here....... It's scary when you're so new, and starting out this way. What will happen when you lose your motivation?

Oh...I see you were banded on August 4th and you haven't gone through Bandster Hell-you are still in the beginning stages of healing and losing. Wait until you continue to follow the rules and aren't losing or are losing painfully slow-then YOU will be the one "whining" about fills. How can you be so jusgmental when you haven't even gone through the process?!! You haven't even had 1 fill yet?

FROM NJGIRL32: I know we are suppose to eat Proteins first to help with the feeling of satiety. Truthfully I haven't really applied this except for dinners.

This is how the lap band works. These are the rules. You knew them upfront, and yet you question and demand additional fills. Why not follow the rules and use the band as a tool instead of expecting it to be a magic bullet?

The solid Proteins are what your body needs first and foremost, with other varying amounts of veggies, fruits etc. The band works by limiting the food intake and the solids keep the pouch full. With the pouch full, the food rubs against the nerves at the top of the stomach and pouch that tell your brain you are full and not physically hungry. With the more solid foods--eg proteins--you are satisfied.

eggs may not seem like a solid--but if you've ever put one in a straw and tried to get Fluid around them, you'd see it was like a solid.

NJGirl32 eat smart. Follow the rules. If you decide not to and then don't lose what you want, please don't whine here....... It's scary when you're so new, and starting out this way. What will happen when you lose your motivation?

First things first-this IS a learning process so I don't know where you get off with your high than mighty attitude.

You don't know the first thing about me or the changes I have made in my lifestyle.

I am not sure if you have been banded yet or if you have lost any weight-but it is a struggle and frustrating when you are in "bandster hell." Having proper restriction with help with hunger and help "food to rub against your nerves" without that kind of restriction it isn't any different than before the band-that's why fills are important.

I do have Protein in the mornings but not solid protein-as many successful bandsters have yogurt or shakes in the mornings.

I don't know how long you have been on this forum but we offer advice without judgement and we are supportive of each other on this process. I don'tthink anyone of us expects perfection-it is definitely a learning process.

If we are were perfect at following rules we would never have been overweight in the first place. How many diets have YOU been on? How many rules have YOU broken while on them?

So get on your pedestal and if you can't offer nonjudgemental, supportive advice then don't offer any!

I haven't been really good about getting Proteins in and waiting before drinking anything. Today I decided to make some changes and see how it works.

I usually have yogurt with fruit when I wake up. This is a "slider" type food. So today I loaded up with solid proteins. I had an egg beater veggie omlette with melted string cheese (I watched Hungry Girl and she suggested using string chees in dishes because it's pre-measured and low calories). I also had 2 turkey sauages-(70 calories for 2). That was at 12:30 - I didn't drink afterwards. I am thinking that should last me until 3:30-4:30 at which time I'll have a Protein shake-BUT since the shake is a liquid and not a solid protein,,,I wonder if that will give me the "Full" feeling until dinner time? My NUT said to have a shake as a snack-not as a Meal Replacement so that would fit in.

I'll let you know how eating solid - nonslider foods first works!

I think you will still think about food on the lapband-the lapband seems to be my new addiction but I don't mind because it's a journey of well-being. I think overeaters are complusive by nature for the most part. Why not channel that compusive nature into living a healthy lifestyle that includes proper nutrition and exercise.

Good luck on your journey-you sound committed to the process!

I think Dave said it best when he sid "It's not real" referring to daily weigh-ins at home. Put your scale in the closet or away on a shelf so you aren't tempted to weigh yourself every day. I feel very in-tuned with my body and can tell if I lose a pound or gain. I'll get on the scale when I think I have lost-unfortunately that hasn't happened in a while!

This happens to me too, but then 2 days later I get on the scale and lost it again! Probably not a good idea to weigh yourself every day. Closer to that time of the month I usually show a gain-but then lose it afterwards plus some.

You'll poop! It took me about 5 days post surgery. Don't worry-it will happen! lol

I suggest counseling for you both. He needs to know that his comments are hurtful and his comments are bringing you down. You have children together and have been married for a long time-try counseling or at the very least have a one to one talk to him letting him know how you feel tell him this will have to change immediately because it's emotionally destroying the love you have for him. If he is unresponsive or simply doesn't seem to care then you need to decide if this is the life you want.

I wish you the best!