Doddie63

Love Contact Jill at the TLBC and ask her to review what you have been eating over the last few days. You may be eating too little. I think you would be on mushies and Jill may be able to help you make special shakes, etc. Also, check your blood sugar. If you are faint you could be low in your count. If you are on diabetic drugs, go to your doctor he/she may reduce the amount of medications. They too can cause faintness when you are eating so little. Hope this helps.

Yes, I am thrilled you all invited me to be your friend. Now I don't feel so "woss" with my big fat zero. Lovely weather to work in the garden today, bright sunshine and slight cool breeze. Carlene, where do you hide when it is 101

What is it that bothers you so much about people pointing out the need to research after care. I have never been rude just keep stating the need to research the pros and cons. You keep saying how great Mexico is and I have no doubt you are correct, but there are many clinics and doctors who will not take on patients that are not their own. Thus the need for research prior to taking on a contract. The other thing is, this forum is for all to state experiences and knowledge and pass on research in order for the new potential banders to have a comprehensive knowledge about the band before being banded. I will say this to you. I will always stress how important it is to ensure aftercare has been carefully researched.

Sunshine: If it helps, try weighing yourself precisely on the same day every week at the same time in th same state of dress. Keep a record. Nothing wrong in weighing every day if you like, but that can be distressing to some and weight goes up and down all the time. Once your find your pattern of weight loss you will be more relaxed with gains. For instance, I start of real low at the lst of the month, and gain in the 3rd week then show my true weight at the end of the month. For fun and to keep me focused, I weigh in every few mornings to keep me on track but discount any weight gain. Others feel it better to throw away the scale and only weigh in at the doctors. Whatever suits you but remember you will show weight gains sometimes. Hope this helps

NM Sunshine: My bro-in-law is bipolar and I know what you mean. You may want the doctor to look at your meds. He did and is much better now. Just a hint to slow you down in eating. Take a small bite on your fork put it down and then start counting your chews. 12 is the normal amount before you swall automatically so you don't want large chunks still in your mouth. My clinic told me to try for 20 times or more before swallowing. Sit on your hands if necessary. When I am at a restaurant, I find it easier to chew or eat slowly because of the conversations going on. However when I am alone (that is a lot) I will sit on my hands. Good luck, I know you can overcome your problems.

carlene: I noticed your comment on honey. That is a no no for a diabetic as it is the same as sugar. Seriously cooking for a diabetic is not all that tough. Diabetic association and Company's coming have cooking for diabetics. The key is to keep small quantities and exerecise. If he is borderline it is not usual for him to take glucose readings. Also, fruits are very quick sugar fixes that is why diabetic who feel they have low sugar are told that if in trouble suck on an orange. So be sparing on the fruits and emphasize veggies. Low fat proteins etc. I am diabetic and since the band have gone from 5 metformin a day to 1 as I have lost weight. You should have no problem with the help of a few cookbooks.

NM Sunshine. Hi I asked to be your friend. As for your vomiting stop look and listen. Stop to see what you are eating. Tomato skins can be tough to chew down for instance, are you measuring 3 oz hard protein and 3 - 6 oz veggies? or are you eyeballing. Listen to what you are feeling. Are you sensing a tightness and taking one more bite, or are you ignoring the sighs which are any of/or tightness, pulsating like a heartbeat in the pouch, hiccupping, sneezing. Are you eating slow enough to sense the feelings. Should take you at least 20 minutes to chew through a cup of food which includes the 3 oz of hard protein. If your answer is yes I am doing all that, then you may need a sligh defill for awhile. If you have stresses in you life that causes the stomach to block the opening by swelling, so a defill may be the answer

Thanks froggi. I still am seething though.

yeah, I figured it out and now show two friends. Thanks guys. Still don't like the big fact zero. Being fat all my life, I know what it is like to have no friends and being excluded. I don't need this thread telling me I have no friends. I would like the reps back or nothing at all. We should have a choice on what we display. I can't imagine how many people on this site are feeling the same sickening feeling I felt when I saw zero. Hope they change it.

I HATE FRIENDS. I WANT MY REPS BACK. Being fat I think everyone can relate to the terrible feeling one has when they have "no friends" The big fat "O" takes me back to that old feeling. I am thinking of leaving this site and not recommending it anymore. And by the way, I do have friends but for somereason they don't show. It doesn't matter. Why show up peole that don't have friends. Push our faces in the mud one more time.

justmeyouknow. Yes I agree with you. Phyllis you look great. Are you at goal? Good luck on your journey Justmeyouknow. Your time will come.

See you there. Just got back from having my port corrected and by some miracle still tight. However in July, when I seen Dr. Woodhead will probably get 1/2cc to test the port. See you Wednesday.

zoltrix you certainly are normal. The loss shows you are sticking to the diet as prescribed. Don't forget you carry a lot of water that too has to be dumped by frankly about 4 lbs of that is fat. Well done. Not much further to go. Maybel your clinic could suggest ways of varying your diet. For instance blending in fruit, etc. Whatever you are doing really great. By the way, I don't know where you live in Manitoba but if you e mail me privately, I would behappy to support you. I am on the PC every morning. Also, if you join the Canadianlapbanders.com you will get in touch with Candice who is from Manitoba. She has gone thru a number issues including having a baby with the band. It is on Yahoo and you have to join (free). It is frequented by banders in Canada mostly from the TLBC or the SWLC in Toronto but they welcome all. I would also imagine your clinic in Winnipeg may be starting up a website for support of long distance patients, but in the meantime fee free to contact me privately

Hi Phylliser and Carlene. Thanks I appreciate you both. And frankly I have both of you in my "friends' but I still come up zero. I can only imagine there is a time differential. Whatever even if I show a great big fat zero I know, since the band, I am not a zero. Thanks again.

holty: Congratulations and welcome to bandster land. Your journey is well on its way. I am not familiar with endura, but my experience has been to read what a serving is. If endura is a powder, it may say 2 tablespoons in a glass of water. That means usually 2 T in 8 oz of water. If it is a liquid, it should say what a serving is on the label. I am sure someone else will have a better response, but for the time being, I suggest reading the label closely then follow up with a telephone call to your clinic/doctor. Good luck.

:thumbup: I hope Optifast tastes good, sorry I know it is a strict diet and I am sitting here chuckling,because oh,boy, do I know what you are talking about. I was on cottage cheese (nothing else) for 30 days. Even the fruit wall placks were starting to look good. I found myself halucinating over anything and on top of that I had to cook regular meals for my other half. My total support and sympathy goes out to you, but don't give in. You know why you are doing this strict diet. It is so important to shrink your liver as it is so fragile the less it weighs the easier it is for your surgeon. Plus the added bonus of huge weight loss. It is not far to June 24th.

:thumbup:thanks mzreeda. The only advice I can give you is boring. Stick religiously to your doctors orders on how much to eat and what. Make sure you chew, chew, chew your food and don't rush your fills and defills. Go slowly. To tight a fill can cause issue you don't want such as vomiting, slipped band, band erosion, etc. You have the rest of your life to lose your weight so on the advice of your doctor set goals for yourself. If you hit a plateu then try small fills not large ones so you gradually work up to a good restriction. Hope these h ints help but the journey is yours and you must make your map that suits you. Keep posting and you will get a lot of ideas from fellow bandsters. I am at 5.5 cc out of a 10 cc band and I still vomit from time to time when I forget to chew. If you are excessively hungry make sure your protein choices are hard protein such a chicken, beef, fish (preferrably). These proteins take longer to chew and stay in the pouch longer than say soup, or yogurt, etc.

it is hard. no doubt about it. But by trying all the tricks you know to keep yourself occupied you can do it. Some things I found I could do, was make warm tea or a warm drink to sip on. Many times I sipped on chicken broth really diluted but warm. It seems to fill up the spaces. I don't know your diet your clinic put you on, but mine was cottage cheese and yogurt (unflavored) Yuk! Anyone else out there no some tips for zoltrix

KJillCarr: My mother in laws name was Carr. So glad you have made the decision to have the band and hopefully that slight fever will go away quickly. Are you a type 2 diabetic or insulin dependent. For me and many others, our diabetes is well under control. I no longer am taking 5 metformin a day but am down to one. I am told my Doctor will be taking me off the last one in July. My BP is also well under control. So you have something to look forward to besides weight loss. I think they call it NSV (non scale victories). Have a great journey.

Is it just me or do others feel offended by the words "friend (0)" under our pictures and names. I have friends just not on the website for the public to see. Makes me feel "woss".

wishes 100+ lbs now lost is no small feat. Congratulations. You are on the downside of the mountain now. Is 179 you ultimate goal or is that an interim goal? I had my own little victory today - found I can get back into my size 22 pants. From a 5X to a 22, slowly VERY SLOWLY, the weight is coming off - 1/2 lb per week on average. Sigh! someday I will make one hundred.

zoltrix. Congratulations on your decision and continuation of your journey. Let us know what you think of the Manitoba clinic so others in the area interested in banding can make some informed decisions.

wishes44 - congratulations on your milestone. Keep up the hard work. Canary Queen I love the "time out" what a terrific idea. I don't have children but I think it might work for me too.

well done sunshine. It is great to hear you are following the rules. Then all I h ave to suggest is relax the weight will start rolling off as time goes by. Try not to be impatient as your brain will try every trick in the book to get you to fall off the wagon. For what it is worth, I don't exercise much at all (I am retired and just don't like formal exercise) and I still lose 1/2 lb a week since last Feb. 07. Keep posting we love to hear how you are doing in your journey.

On another link, there was a great deal of discussion that went on about the after care that people experience when going to Mexico. Someof it heated so I don't want to get embroiled in that again. However I place this caution - research your after care and be sure it is in place before you have surgery.