dishdiva

It's crazy trying to figure it out, isn't it? My definition of restriction changes by day -- sometimes by the hour. For me, it's been more about discomfort with moderate pain. Most recently, after I eat certain things or if I eat too fast, I get this feeling in my upper abdominal area that feels like I've done 200 sit-ups. (Go figure.) I've never had the feeling of fullness that so many people seem to get... I only have about 1.4 ccs...and sometimes can't imagine that more would be better. I'm waiting to have insurance issues resolved before considering my second fill -- and I don't mind the extra time. This takes much more getting used to than I ever expected. Some days, I don't know it's there. Some days, I'll PB with Water. I just try every day to be more mindful of the "rules" -- chewing, eating slowly, etc. I know I didn't answer your sweet spot question, Alicia, but just wanted to share my experience. Elizabeth 8/28/03

This is a problem for so many moms, myself included. It's like Halloween is a license for a sugar binge. My strategy is to buy mostly things kids like but I don't -- gummy bears, sweet tarts, skittles, etc. Also, I find that abstaining totally is better than the "just this one" mind game. Don't get me wrong...I sneak in a chocolate or two. A skinny friend of mine puts about four little treats in a plastic zip-lock bag and sticks to that quantity each day. That's also something I've learned in working with my nutrionist. When buying Cookies or chips for school lunches, I immediately pack small portions into sandwich bags. The rationale is not denying yourself treats, which sets you up for gorging on them down the road. Although the band is a good deterrent there!!!!! I let my son pick out what he doesn't like and bring that to the office. He tends to get sick of candy after a day or two...I'll find a pillowcase of rejects in his closet a few weeks later and toss it. Elizabeth 8/28/03

I've always liked Geneen Roth's book, When food is Love. She has a website, geneenroth.com (I think). Or, you can probably find info. about her book(s) at amazon.com. Happy Reading! Elizabeth

Thanks so much!! I'm at about 1500-1700 calories a day and exercise 3 times a week. I'm sure if I knock the cals down and bump the exercise up, I'll move. Discomfort is decreasing, so that's GREAT news. Take care and congrats on YOUR success! I've worked on many of the same issues as you have regarding food/emotional eating, etc. One thing I haven't seen you mention that I'm very big on is not categorizing food intake as being good or bad. As in, "I was good today" or "I was bad today." That is so self-defeating! We are ALL good...just some days are better than others. Elizabeth

Hey -- I posted a few questions about a week ago under this subject and no one has replied. Waaah. If someone -- anyone (!!) has any observations, or comments it would be greatly helpful. Thanks. Elizabeth

Is there such a thing as a "bad fill?" By that, I mean it just doesn't take as well to some people? I was filled 1.6 cc's on 10/6 and had a little (.2 cc's) taken out the following day because I was too tight. Since then, I never have the sense of fullness people talk about -- yet, it's hard to imagine "tighter" would be better. I tend to get pain and mild discomfort after eating (not always), rather than full. It's random as to what foods create that discomfort, if there is an relation between the two. It's like I'm wearing pants that are two sizes too small and are pinching, almost like a cramp, but not a gassy cramp. It's not there all the time. Some things go down well. Some things don't. Some days are more restricted than others. Sometimes the stop-you-in-your-tracks golf ball strikes, but not often. It passes very quickly. I also still get pain in my port area, but mild and ocassional. I've had two PB episodes, nothing alarming. Weight loss remains stagnant since the fill, maybe down a pound or two. It's certainly a question for the doctor, but thought I'd throw it out there for the experts here that live it. It's starting to depress me...as if this hasn't worked and won't. I try sticking to the basic band rules, but it's tough when I don't have a problem with most foods. Thanks for any advice and support. Elizabeth 8/28/03

Hi -- Go to yahoo.com and then click on "groups" (I think) and then search for Mexican Bandsters where it says "search." You'll have to join the group to read the messages, but that's no big deal. Hope that works. Elizabeth

Hi Denise, Sorry no one has responded to you yet -- I can't help you, but can suggest visiting the mexican bandsters group at yahoo.com Good luck. Elizabeth

My plan (Cigna) requires 2 periods of "professionally" supervised diets with monthly weigh ins. Each one had to last 26 weeks. Now who here has stayed on a diet for six months???!! Insurers in general seem to be creating an environment where it will truly be impossible for many people who desperately need it to get the surgery. Sadly, it's all about profit margins. Elizabeth 8/28/03

I've had huge problems with Cigna...but totally agree with Alexandra's assessment -- they'll (usually) pay -- but not without a fight for a lot of us. Their official stand on my POP policy is they cover it if it's medically necessary. Their determination of what's medically necessary can be very "flexible" to their benefit, if you know what I mean. Good luck to your family member. Eli/zabeth 8/28/03

My first fill was Monday, 10/6. The procedure itself was fine. He gave me 1.6 ccs. I felt fine initially, but later was just miserable. Nausea, unrelenting gas and pain that felt like I was wearing pants three sizes too small. After vomiting that night, I went back the next day and am now at 1.4 ccs. Definitely better. I had/have some pain in the general vicinity of the band. The doctor said that is normal...there's some stomach swelling, etc. To be honest, my post-fill recovery has been a little worse than my post-op!! My post-op recovery was unusually easy. Doing mostly liquids, but I've been able to hold down a little mushy food. Too much and I get that crazy gas thing that's relieved only by a UB. (Unproductive burp!) The feeling is uncomfortable enough that I don't push the envelope on food. I have dinner plans tonight and a lunch tomorrow. I thought about canceling both, but decided I would probably be fine if I just went someplace that serves Soup. Anyway, I'm sharing for those of you who haven't had a fill. I'd never read a first-fill experience like mine. Elizabeth 8/28/03

Hi everyone! Tomorrow is my b-day, and when I was scheduling my appointment for sometime this week, instead of thinking the old way ("but I'll want to go out to lunch...and dinner...and have cake..."), I decided to schedule my fill for the lunch hour! Figured that was the best gift I could give myself. I'm hopeful for some restriction, but realistic enough to know it may take a few more. Hang in there, my fellow August bandsters! Elizabeth

I can see the difference! Congratulations! 40 lbs is awesome! Elizabeth

I don't know where you are in Maryland, Sparkle, but if you have Whole Foods market, they have lots of good soy Protein drink mixes. They're in the section with the Vitamins and supplements. Good luck. Elizabeth

Hey Ga. Gang -- Just wanted to check in...I'm coming up on one month post-op. As of last weigh in (weekly), I was down about 14 lbs. I've had no restriction, especially this past week, so I'll just be happy with no change. I don't eat as much as I did pre-op, but my food selections could stand improvement. I get some exercise in every other day, so I feel good about that. Scheduled for a fill 10/6, my 41st birthday. At first, I thought I might want to do it another day -- celebratory lunch, celebratory dinner -- but then, decided this would be the best gift I could give myself (or that anyone else could give, for that matter!) Bring it on!! They told me to bring a check for $200 -- that was a surprise! The doctor files with insurance, but the radiology group wants to get paid and have me file the claim. Trying to stay positive that this was the right thing for me and the true benefits of the band will be more evident post-fill. Keep on keeping on, everyone! Elizabeth, Alpharetta Dr. McKernan 8/28/03

Wow. Yes, yes and yes. To everything! Three weeks post-op. No restriction. Scares me. I'm just happy to keep off what I did lose (approx. 15) Fill coming 10/6. Hang in there, everyone. Thanks for the mantras! Elizabeth 8/28/03

Congratulations, Adele, on taking this big step for your health. We see so many stories of people who have chronic health problems that improve dramatically with weight loss. Good luck at your initial appointment. Elizabeth 8/28/03

...and I'M two weeks out and moved to solids pretty quickly...the doctor's nutritionist said it was okay as long as I chew/chew/chew. (Will the word "chew" ever stand-alone with us again?!) I had bad diahrrea until I moved into more solids. Which just goes to show you how everyone is different. I'm a big believer in listening to your body. It's also important to try one food at a time to know what works and what doesn't. There have been few foods I've had trouble with (if PB'ing is the big indicator). From my own observations on this and other boards, people who wait longer to introduce solids tend to keep their initial restriction a little longer...and keep the weight loss coming in the healing stage. I think you're wise to be conservative. Take care, Elizabeth 8/28/03

Hi -- I also am a single mom and, boy, everything takes extra planning and organizing, doesn't it? But, now that mine is older (13), I can tell you everything happens for a reason. Just be still and trust that a higher power is handling everything. There is a perfect plan for you. If the band is in your future, I know you will do whatever it takes to make it happen... Good luck. Elizabeth

Hi Lisa -- My surgeon said at my post op he'd do a fill in a month if I needed one -- if I wasn't losing weight or feeling restricted. I'm kind of freaked because I have NO restriction right now. As long as I chew like crazy, there's little that I can't eat. Isn't it possible to stretch the pouch??? I'm scared that's happened. Anyway, I'll be needing a fill. How's your recovery going? If I recall, we were banded at about the same time. Elizabeth 8/28/03

Hey ya'll -- I went to my support group meeting with the nutrionist last night and she said the dr. could write a prescription for kid meals/portions. Might be a good place to start. Elizabeth

And just to show that every doctor is different: At my one-week post op, my doctor said I was good to go on exercise, including some weight lifting. Just no sit ups. I walked 20 min. on treadmill five days after surgery. It really seemed to fast forward my recovery. I did some weights yesterday...no discomfort.

Alexandra -- I know a pep talk from me (miss "too much, too soon") may not be what the doctor ordered....but here it is. First, you are doing SO well. Do not ignore or minimize the success you've chalked up after nearly three weeks. Also, I don't think you'll find the choices in solid-food-land to be all that difficult. The band will help you know what's right and good for you and what's not! I would guess that a kind of "letdown" at this point would be normal. We have all the excitement and drama of pre-banding...then, we're focused on recovery. After that, it's more like getting accustomed to a permanent lifestyle change. All we can do is take it one day at a time -- one meal at a time -- one food choice at a time. We will have great days and not so great days. But at the end of every day, we can know that by having the band, we believe we're worth it and have done something for ourselves! Hang in there! Elizabeth

Thanks! Sometimes, we just need affirmation of what we know! Elizabeth

Hey ya'll -- I've moved right along from liquids only to mushy and have been trying a few other foods here and there. Since its only been 10 days, I have no restriction. I've had a few things not go down well and obviously stop eating whatever it is. Tonight I was at a friends and had some tortilla chips and cheese dip plus a few chocolates. Chewed very well. Obviously, not good food choices for long-term success and don't plan to make a habit out of it. Don't feel great (duh) now...in addition to guilt, have some tightness in/above the stomach area. Now I'm worried I've messed up the healing process for my stomach. What do you think? Am I pushing it? I was thinking I'd go back to liquids and Protein shakes tomorrow to give it a rest. Plus, I plan a good pep talk...after going through all this, sabatoge is the last thing I want to happen. Elizabeth in ATL 8/28/03