NJGirl32

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!

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?

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!

I think it's suppose to do more than 10% - I mean seriously! It IS suppose to help your hunger or at the very least help you control it. If it didn't do anything then why would everyone be getting the surgery?

Dave-thanks so much for the encourage and congratualtions on losing so much weight!! I do read success stories so I know it's possible!!

Truthfully I am so tired of hearing that I have to track this and record that - I didn't sign up for weight watchers which is all about keeping track of "points". I mean we had surgery-yes surgery-our bodies have incisions on them and we had a piece of plastic put inside around our stomach! It needs to do it's part too!! I feel like I shouldn' have to wait months and months before the band starts having a significant effect on me and my ability to control portion size and satiety. Oh it's so frustrating-I feel like I am doing my part the best of my ability-my kitchen is filled with diet friendly food and I go to the gym 3-4 times a week, even Zumba classes! I am at 3.5ccs in what I believe is a 10cc band. Wow, I never knew the band could be such a slow process! I am hoping with a couple more fills my attitude will change and I'll have better control of my eating.

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. Breakfast is usually yogurt - so no solid Protein there- lunch is salads, Soups, or egg beaters, or veggies/fruit so limited solid proteins. What proteins to you eat first for breakfast, lunch, and dinners? Does it really make a difference getting proteins in first?

OMG! I am so sorry to hear you had to go through all of this-how terrible! But it is such a good thing they caught it in time! What are the signs of a band slip? How did your band erode so much? I thought they were suppose to last forever (pretty much)? Does the band actually erode into your body? Thank you for the advise and I wish you a speedy recovery!

I have had 3 fills so far (2ccs, 1cc, .5cc = 3.5ccs total) and I still can not truly feel the effect of the band. I have gotten stuck a couple of times and I can't eat anything in the mornings (except yogurt) so I know it's there. Maybe it has helped a little but nothing to really control my eating. Yeah I know that I have to do my part- but when is the band going to do it's part?! If I could do this on my own I certainly wouldn't have had surgery!!! I know we are suppose to eat proteins first...so that is something new I am going to do with breakfast and lunch. Dinner time I always eat proteins, but for breakfast I usually have slider food and lunch is a salad or something not really protein based. I am working out so that's good. This is so frustrating and the weight loss has been at a standstill for so long! I hear the people with a 10cc band don't truly reach their sweet spot until 5-7ccs. I don't know hoe true that is but that would mean 3 more fills before I am at 5ccs!! UGGGH!!! (my doctor only gives .5ccs for each visit after you reach 3ccs). I have a standing appointment for August 22nd-that would be 11 days after this past fill and I simply don't know if he would give it to me that soon-but why not if it's not doing anything? I am also going on a cruise the 25th and debating if I want a fill that close to my trip. I certainly don't want to eat like a pig-and we all know cruises are pig-fests in disguise!! Oh woe is me! I really thought almost 3 months after surgery I woul be rocking this band thing-who knew that it would take so long before things start moving! But getting back to the protein thing...I do tend to eat a lot of slider-type foods-ummm maybe I need to tweak that and see if I have better results. I'll let you know how it goes!

Thanks guys! Unfortunately this fill hasn't done the job either! I have an appointment with my surgeon on August 22nd-that would be 11 days between fills - so I really don't know if he'll do that-plus I have a cruise to go on the 25th. I might just wait until 9/2 for the next fill. It's so frustrating not getting the proper fill! Well I guess I got this far and each fill is a step closer to my sweet spot! @ Melissa-how did you know that you had a band slippage? What were the signs? Did they have to operate again or just let things work themselves out? How big is your band? Good luck to you!

Update- well good news and bad news...they did give me a fill (very happy about that), but it was only .5cc. The doctor was very nice and agreed that I needed a fill and actually took time to ask me questions and give me advice. He explained that after 3ccs (which I had) they only put in .5ccs at each fill. I don't feel too bad because I remember someone saying the band is like a balloon and after you inflate it somewhat it simply doesn't take as much to get it filled (tighter). SO far I don't feel any different at 3.5ccs-so we'll see! Good lesson though-if you are hungry and not losing weight go for a fill even if it hasb't been 6 weeks or 4 weeks! Can't waitto get this thing on track!

That is the craziest thing I've heard of! Why on earth would they want you to sign that?! They might as well had you sign a paper saying you'll never over eat again-I mean seriously!

Okay, so in about 1 hour I am heading to my docs office. It's been 20 days since my last fill-my office requires a 6 week wait between fills. I am goingto explain that the last fill doesn't seem to have helped much and I really hope they give me another fill. It can't hurt to try-why should I have to wait until Sept 2nd?!! I'll let you know how it goes...

You are right!! I looked up a diagram of the stomach!! Thanks, I never knew the stomach was that high up!

Keep us posted!!! Thank goodness they took the fill out-I am guessing they'll wait and see if it slides back into place? Hope everything works out for you soon!

OMG!! What a difference!!!!!!!!! You look amazing!!!