DynamoMini

SuzyGayle - I am happy to say that I am coming off my diabetic meds. I was diagnosed about 10 years ago and have taken up to three different meds twice a day. I am down to 1 1/2 pills, with the 1/2 pill the newest reduction. I am hoping that in two months I will be off that pill. Perhaps in the next 30 pounds I'll be able to get off the other one. so you may be really happy with the results, I am. Denise - how is the fill doing? You have to be able to drink at least, so you may need a little unfill, I was right where you are after my last fill, and it did loosen up just enough. I am at a really good spot. Hugs and best wishes, Michelle

notmzperfect - I just wore a mumu housedress that came half way between the floor and my knee, no undies and slip on shoes. It worked well for me. I know I wasn't beautiful, but didn't care. Post surgery I only had to lift my arms into the sleeves and slip on my shoes and I was good to go. Nothing rubbed on the incisons this way. Good luck with your journey, this is part of the continuing weight loss/maintenance journey that you have already been on, the band isn't the "answer" to all the issues you will face, but it sure has helped me to face some emotional stuff that I never would have.

The whole fill thing is a conumdrum (sp). It is hard to know whether the band is filled enough until it is, then it might be overfilled. Recently, I have been having problems drinking without swallowing air, which really makes the hydration process uncomfortable. So I have to really THINK before swallowing even water. I will learn.

Here is the site that I found an interesting article. It sure applies to my eating. Hope it helps. http://www.calorieking.com/library/articles/Is-Your-Inner-Child-Making-You-Fat_cGlkPTEzLDY2JmFpZD04ODQ.html

Hi all- I had the instant fill restriction when I had my 3rd fill. I couldn't tell at the docs, and since the 2nd fill missed the port, we can't exactly go by amounts. I hear you BJean, I wasn't so aware that the fill process was so inexact. I was disappointed at first, but I guess you just have to keep trying and look at the lifestyle changes that you have made that are good for your health. My appetite still fluctuates based on stress and triggers. I loved the article on the child, parent and adult. I will see if I can find that link and post it for all of you emotional eaters. Probably all of us, how can we get over 50 and be struggling with a basic 0 - 5 age phenomena "give me". I think we are really brave - heros to be confronting this here and now!

It is wonderful to have a place where people understand me. Thanks for being you. About the slow weight loss, you know there is a reason we are obese, it isn't only poor eating habits, lack of exercise, etc. I am amazed how "little" I can eat and not lose weight. So now, I am eating my 1200 - 1300 calories every day and exercising. I lose a pound or so every two weeks. I figure I can starve, but that puts me on a binge cycle that is destructive. So I am just "doing it my way." Best to all, Michelle

I found that each fill had it's own reaction. Nothing too awful. My third fill hit the money. I am restricted tightly and have to be careful to chew and eat slowly. I thought about an unfill, but decided not to as I have adjusted my eating. Best wishes all of you that are just beginning your journey. The band is a tool. Weight loss is work, but this time you won't regain if you are properly filled. yeah! Michelle

Kacee - I'm with you. Plastic surgery is a good choice after we have stablized our weight. I would want it even if I had never been heavy. My neck bothers me the most, i am hoping I can avoid a lot of body surgery, but I will see what is possible with my trainer guiding me to develop a better muscular base than I ever had. Amazing to get with it at 57. Hugs and best wishes, Michelle

I was able to go home a couple of hours after the surgery. I think I could puke at home or at the hospital. Smile. I react to the anathesia, no matter what. The suspositories were imperative. My docs post diet was 1 -3 days liquids 2 - 7 days mushies and whatever after that. He doesn't believe in a too restrictive diet. It worked for me. My body told me what I could tolerate. The real band work started after getting filled a couple of times. I imagine you will need to follow your docs orders, because they know your case best. Best wishes, Michelle

chickatee - you are almost there. Just keep doing what has worked for you and you'll be there. You deserve a healthy life! Everyone - I am continuting my Onederland experience and want to break through the 190 barrier. I don't know why I have set these silly weight goals up as barriers, but I want to leap over them. I have been sitting on 192 - 193 for several weeks. I am ready to plunge down the scale now. I have a feeling that when I get snared, it is both psychological and physiological. Must have been a past set point. Hey, I'll figure this out. I can smell the 180's/ Can't wait! Michelle

marywalker and all other newbies - Welcome! The band is a tool, I have found that means I still have to confront my demons, habits, and thought patterns. It isn't a straight line for me from banding to goal, but I am working my way through each roadblock. It is great to get psychological support as well. We know, it just isn't about the weight. hugs and best wishes, Michelle

green - you go girl! I'm with you. I have to zap the eating demons first and toss off the extra pounds. I hear you about the rosecea. I wonder if all overweight people have that? or it is genetic? Anyway I have had the capillaries zapped and it works but I have to redo frequently, and it is expensive. Man, I stay out of the sun as much as possible and always wear a SPF makeup now. green - I think you have a very good surgeon who isn't sugar coating it. It sounds like he knows his stuff and you will have great results. I wouldn't worry about the healing time, as I for one, know I have wasted a lot of my time anyway. So, enjoy the autumn colors. By winter you'll be a knock out inside and out. Hugs all, Michelle

I don't know anyone who works harder at their looks than us here at bandland. So, why shouldn't people go for a face lift if it makes them feel good. I for one, will do whatever it takes, once the weight is gone to help myself feel great. Don't worry about the skin. Because of my weight, my face and neck look younger skin wise but not energy wise. Really look at women your age and see the lines and wrinkles. We have covered up all sorts of crevases with fatty tissue, so it will go away and we can get it surgically fixed, just like our sisters. I have heard good things about that thermage, but hear you have to go back every couple of years. A face lift is supposed to be good for ten years or so. By then maybe I won't care as much. Hugs to all of you, Michelle

Hi Everyone, Schemgie - Wow! Congrats on your weight loss. What are you eating? BJean - how are you doing? I'm with you. I didn't like Curves, but it might be a good place for some to start. Small group, social, quickly changing activities, all women... Personally I like the gym. I can go to class or do my activities on my own. My trainer has recently moved, so I want to continue with her, but feel a dilemma. Can I afford to belong to two places? I don't know. She will have to lower her fees, because I would miss the gym a lot. Unless I can get a few people to join the other smaller gym where she works, I think I'll stay where I am and pay through the teeth... is that the expression? nicknaknut - hi, you have to come to our Red Robin group on the 11th. We are all Dr. K's patients and support each other once a month. I hope you'll consider it. Currently I am fighting with my band. It tells me I have eaten to much, I PB, then try and eat some more. Is this abusive? I don't know why I think I have to fight the information it is giving me. What's the deal?

Hi Colorado - I am so glad you are doing well Connie. Wow! I have stalled again at 192, it seems that every ten pounds or so I go into a plateau, then drop easily 4 pounds, then holds again. I haven't been perfect in the eating department. The PBing has made me angry and I push food down sometimes in spite of the feedback my tummy is giving me, the result of the disease. Sometimes I feel as if I have lost my best friend. Does anyone else feel this way? I am working hard in therapy to understand and accept this part of the journey. I am tired of being so alone emotionally. And now I am four months out I can see challenges ahead if I don't resolve these feelings. Michelle in Denver

Hi Everyone! Thanks for the headwork ideas. It is a challenge to change a lifestyle and self image. I am losing about a pound a week. I am working out. I think I focus too much on eating and food, with a liquid diet, I didn't think about it, but then, the addiction isn't with liquids or nutritional needs it is in the HEAD. I am glad I work with a psychologist too. I used to go to OA, but didn't find it helped. Perhaps I wasn't ready to give up the struggle to a higher power. green - sorry about the reflux, but you don't necessarily HAVE to regain the weight, you are smart to be vigilant. Those old habits are always lurking around my next corner. But this thread is testimony to the fact we deserve a healthy life and weight. You go girl! Indiogirl - you are inspirational! amazing. i am getting rid of the clothes that don't fit. I have a friend that lost 100 pounds last year with GPS, she gave me her clothes. Some of which fit now, others for later. I have always made the mistake of having fat clothes there. If I deserve to be healthy and thin, then I deserve to buy a few new things to get me through the losing time and a new wardrobe when I am at goal. I am jealous of the people that lose so quickly, but emotionally, I don't think I would be able to cope. Each pound seems like losing a friend. It is sooooooooooo weird. Hugs to you all, Michelle

I love the feeling of the pounds dropping off, but have confronted a psychological barrier. I have substituted food for a best friend. Yuck, like who needs a best friend that makes my knees hurt? etc. but that is the plain truth about it. I have personified food into a friendship, that through good control, I really miss. Sometimes it is downright painful. Any ideas for me? Has anyone else made their food almost into a person? :help::help::help::help::help::help::help::help::help: Hugs all, Michelle

Well another day, another dollar - Janet? I am packing up for the weekend art show. I am so excited about doing this. In the process, as is always the case, my partner and I have met a few people who want to show our art. The latest, was a Kinkos. He owns a coffee shop in downtown Denver and loved our whimsical ladies and wants us to show our stuff. Amazing how the law of attraction works when you are happily doing what you are supposed to do. Be well, I did binge last night, as my partner's mom fell and broke her hip, not an auspicious beginning, just worry set me off, but I was ready to do the show alone too, after thinking it through several Cookies, a cup of ice cream, some stale bagel chips, you all get the idea. I did log everything that I ate and it was 1560 calories, give or take a few. So not crazy, but it hasn't taken me a month or two to rein in again. Yeah me! Hugs, Michelle

Same here - the band is a tool not a cure. It has taught me about me eating habits, sometimes it's a love affair, sometimes I hate it. But what I am confronting with the band is that I have an addiction and behaviors that have supported that addiction, that have to change if I want a different, healthy lifestyle.

pjanes - I went through a time of "last supper" eating before my preop diet. I think it didn't hurt. The fact that it wasn't THAT fun was an eye opener. There is a sensible part of me that really likes being under control. Thank G-d for Lean Cuisine and South Beach frozen dinners. I seem to go for those more than tuna these days. I love filet and try to have it every other week. Last night I was out and treated myself to crab legs. Wow! I hadn't tasted anything like that for a long time. It was a meal with a long time friend. It wasn't hard not to eat the rolls and rice, knowing the alternative was King Crab. Yum! Sorry if I got you all salivating. I do think it was nice to desire something and really enjoy the taste without stuffing. Hugs and happy Sunday eve, Michelle

Indigo - you are so right. It is a diet that isn't a diet. But if you want to lose weight you have to gear towards, low fat, high protein, low carb choices. Congrats to those with new band dates!

Hello Everyone - About the PB's/ most of the time occur when I am shoveling in food because I feel hungry. If I slow down, cut everything up, chew to mush and swallow, I do a whole lot better. I think I just swallowed my food before. I am going soooooooooooooo much more slowly when I eat. i am practicing throwing my food away after I am full or just tired or eating. This is new behavior. A huge departure from my former eating life. Now I have problems eating and talking. I just have to do a lot of self talk to not do the shovel, swallow so I can talk, because I invariably will PB. Sometimes I think the PB can be random, but usually I can figure out what whent wrong. I also think I won't be as chatty at a meal as I used to be. Or just have to talk between bites. It helps to order easy food, like a soup. Hugs all and welcome newbies. Michelle

Weighed in this morning at 193, I guess I am for sure in Onederland. Ain't it great? Now I crave the 180's. Hugs all, Michelle

Hellooooo All of you, Well, I had to face the fact the band isn't always a warm hug. I have had to face the fact that I gulp, don't chew enough and some foods are a no no. I have always been a positive whoopee type person, but now I will have to accept that not everything is a whooopee experience. For example today I had a piece one bite of California roll at our local King Soopers. Not 10 minutes later I was barfing it into a kleenex in the car, with lots of burps and pain. Besides being embarrassed when this happens it is painful. So yes, I am getting lots of information from my band, does it make me happy? Not all the time. Will it help me confront my eating habits? yes, it will. I liked the idea of moving more. When I am busy and moving, I do use more calories. Now, I am working out, but find the rest of the day, that economy of movement will have to go. I love you guys and Indigo I am so happy you are in the clear! Hugs, Michelle

I got a card but haven't used it. Usually any restaurant will let you order off the kids menu or senior (well, I'm almost there) one without an explanation. However - A funny thing happened at book club. We ate at Pappeadeaux's and had arranged to order one meal between two of us because of our WLS ahead of time. This was a banquet situation This clueless waiter said with a shout, "oh, you're the ones that have had the weight loss surgery!" I wasn't embarrassed for myself, but was for my friend who had had bypass surgery and was already 100 pounds down and close to goal. Now, I think about it, we bandsters need to campaign for understanding out in the community and educate restaurant staff etc. I have hidden as a fat person, from the realities of being different from everyone else, but wtf, we are different and we deserve to live a healthy life without public embarrassment.