Alexandra

I'm another one who had a lot of problems learning to eat more slowly. One thing that helped me was to start off by cutting bites half as large as I thought they should be. Sometimes I'd end up really just nibbling my meal, but it would go down that way. Take it slow!

Congratulations on your honeymoon!

Also, remember that people are in VERY different stages with their banding. I remember thinking the exact same thing over my first holiday season with the band--I'd only had one fill at the time and was eating what looked like a lot of turkey and whatnot at Thanksgiving. But then the following February I had another fill, and the quantities I could eat dropped like a rock. What's true for you now may not be true in a few months, so just wait. It all changes as you have adjustments.

My surgeon doesn't see a rational explanation for the phenomenon, but there's no question it happens to a lot of people. My theory is that it has something to do with Water retention--our inner organs may swell with air travel in the same way that our ankles and fingers do. I definitely experienced it when I traveled to CA this summer, and it was part of the reason I got so irritated while I was there. Respect your new restriction and don't try to force anything! It will pass, and maybe you will have lost a couple of pounds in the meantime.

Hi Shimmer, You're asking questions that not everyone will answer the same way, but I'll give it a show. Does insurance cover it? Maybe, if it's medically necessary (if your BMI is over 40, or 35 with co-morbidities), and if your medical plan pays for bariatric surgery. What doctors are the best? Visit www.inamed.com for a surgeon locator. In the U.S. doctors are trained by Inamed, the manufacturer of the band, so that's the best palce to start. And what is a "fill"? The band is an adjustable restrictive device, adjusted by adding Fluid to the bladder (which is shaped sort of like an inner tube sorrounding the upper stomach). Additional fluid--a "fill"--inflates the band and creates tighter restriction. This is one of the best things about the band, the fact that it can be adjusted to meet one's individual needs. Adjustments can involve adding fluid or taking it away, that is, a "fill" or an "unfill." So only you can decide if you're a good candidate for the band. It's intended for the use of people who are morbidly obese, not who just have a few more pounds to lose. Hope that helps!

I'm with NJChick. I think it's unconscionably rude to comment on what other people are eating, no matter what!! I would never make such a comment to anyone, other than my own children, and to respond with anything other than a glare is endorsing it. Now, I'm not talking about family members or close friends who are expressing true curiosity or caring about what being banded means in your life--that's a different matter. But acquaintances or colleagues who, out in public, DARE to comment on what or how much I'm putting in my mouth get a hostile glare from me and are thenceforth completely ignored. Comments like those listed in the opening post would absolutely appall me. Where were these people raised? (Can you tell this is one of my pet peeves?)

I think this is one of the most valuable reasons to DO this exercise, actually. It's totally eye-opening to see it all on paper, and really concentrates the mind and will beautifully. Banding really is different than all of those previous attempts, as we can all attest, but it's very important we don't lose sight of the fact that it's a lifelong project. Looking at where we've been is an important first step in seeing where we're going.

Gack, band phlegm? That's a concept I don't want to think about. I'd be all about Soup if that were happening to me. Miso, seafood broth, anything thin, warm, and soothing should help. Yuck. You poor thing.

Lisa, you really DON'T want a Coke!! Think about your poor, sore esophagus and stoma. The poor tissues need to REST and recover, not be further irritated by carbonation! Stick to smooth, comforting, restful things like cream Soups, Protein shakes, frozen things that melt into liquid (i.e., not butter pecan ice cream). In a few days you'll be good as new!! You know that when you talk with a doctor he will recommend an unfill. It would definitely help, but without a port is that a realistic option? So you have no choice but to treat yourself, and I mean really BABY your system. Do it for an entire week and I'll bet you'll heal. Don't think about what you're missing, just think about your inflamed insides and how you can best repair them.

I had a lifetime of diet failures to share, and my documentation consisted of a three-page list. Give them dates, numbers, measurements, results, whatever you can think of to substantiate previous diet attempts. This is in addition to any doctor-supervised program they might require, since the whole point of doctor supervision is to get that third-party documentation. But most carriers ask for a diet history and that has to be supplied by you. Overwhelm them with as much data as you can remember.

My BMI was 47 when I started, now it hovers between 30 and 31. Don't let the numbers get you down.

VQ, you just gave me the warm fuzzies!! I don't really have an answer to your question about things I thought I'd never be able to do. I still haven't done the one thing I thought I'd want to do--rollerblade with my daughters. But that's because they haven't shown any interest in it so far. Yet my future is sunnier than ever because I know that when they DO show an interest in that, or biking, or hiking, or whatever, I know I'll be right there with them. So I guess that's the answer. I'm a participant, not a spectator. I FIT in the world in ways I never did before. It's a joy each and every day.

Hi Laura, If you're going to have fruit at this point, you should probably stick with canned or sauced fruit (like canned peaches or applesauce). pineapple is fibrous, even if it's canned, and I know I've had a hard time with it. Fruit is problematic even now, I'm a little sorry to say--it takes a remarkably small amount to fill be up for a long time. Good luck, and whatever you try, take it slow!

Lisa, this is the sort of thing I felt this summer when I overdid it and then overdid it again without resting. I had an unfill but think that a week or so on all liquids would have accomplished the same thing. I mean ALL liquids, though, not mushies and no cheating. If I ever have the same symptoms that's what I'm going to do. The good news is that it's probably just irritated, not damaged in any way. But your tissues need to rest and any solid food just delays the healing. So call your doctor, absolutely, but in the meantime say hello to Protein drinks and soup! Good luck, girlie, I hope you feel better soon.

This is a VERY old post that was bumped. In general it's a great idea to check the dates on posts you're responding to, just to make sure they're current. Feel free, Johnette, to start a new thread. Congratulations on your banding!

I've lost faith in Lane Bryant too, recently, but it's because of their styling more than the sizing. I haven't found anything I'd actually want to wear there in a long, long time. My preference is Avenue for slacks and Fashion Bug or Dress Barn for tops (on sale). For casual wear I swear by Lands End.

I've never read this thread and didn't realize it was confession time. I'll play. My bad habit, two words: ICE CREAM I'm hoping that cooler weather will help me break this habit; I've been stopping almost every day for frozen yogurt after work.

Always fat, here. I have never been "normal" so I don't know what it would feel or look like. The up side to that is that everything now is new and wonderful, and I don't have some elusive goal I will feel like a failure for not reaching. In that regard I think having always been fat is a positive with regard to this WLS journey--every new milestone is that much more amazing and it helps keep things in perspective. Sanity and peace are more important to me than size 12.

My thoughts are with you too, mom, for a quick and complete recovery. Wow, what an ordeal!

Another addict here. I have 2-3 cups of the real thing every day with sweetener and either real milk (at home) or Coffee-mate (at work). Couldn't face the world without it.

Welcome back and CONGRATULATIONS!!

Hi Elizabeth, I have heard of this before, on another board now defunct so I don't recall the details. But as I recall it has more to do with your physiology than the position of the band. It's been suggested that this may be an effect of long-term banding, that the esophagus of a banded person may decrease in motility function over time. But I don't know if that has anything to do with your pouch not emptying. Maybe you have to go with a lesser fill to compensate? Or is your band empty even now? Sorry I have no good suggestions. Please do let us know if your doctor has any information about it and what if anything you are going to do. Thanks!!

First of all, are you kidding me? A fish filet and a McDonald's sundae (which are minuscule) is what you call A BINGE?? Girl, you have NOTHING to worry about. Secondly, you don't have any fill, right? It's absolutely, perfectly, completely and utterly normal to feel hungry and even a little out of control at this point. You're not experiencing any obvious restriction from your band so your hunger and capacity are close to where they were pre-band. This is the hard part, to be sure, but don't worry about it and don't beat yourself up! Look at where you've gotten--to the point where a fish filet and four ounces of ice cream feel like a binge! You're fine. You'll be a wonderful success, just be a little easier on yourself.

Congratulations!! :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana

I don't think there's any need to be so negative in response to Nykee, folks. She's looking for a place to express herself, and that's what LBT is here for. It's so hard to step back from the impulse we all have to fix things for others, especially when we think we have the answers. But she is not really asking for any help, and has in fact made that abundantly clear. We all know the band is what we make of it. That's the lesson to be learned here, and I for one hope Nykee continues to post. I'm sure there are others reading who struggle with the same issues and perhaps Nykee's honesty will help them through their challenges.