susansilver

Guys, I went through the exact same thing! Firstly - what Donna said about the fills is exactly right - it takes some time to find the right restriction and the band to do it's job. Secondly - just because we are banded, does NOT mean that we have lost our addiction to food or compulsion to eat certain foods. My understanding is that it helps once we reach our "sweet spot". but we have to do some of that work ourselves. Why do we eat? What triggers our eating? Are you finding comfort, solace, stress reduction from over eating? Do you use food (like I do) to displace feelings of anger, helplessness, lonliness? I personally feel that understanding the root of why I have used food is very important and will allow me to identify those feelings and make proactive changes. I see a huge similarity in many of us that we have that "let down" feeling while healing and before the fist fill. I think we need some support in that area. A meeting or at the very least some info pre/post op on this phenomenon so we know what to expect. I have spoken to a number of people who have questioned their decision to be banded at this point! That is very de-motivating at a time when we are most vulnerable. So....hang in there, spend this time as Donna said, working on things like eating and chewing as a bandster, honestly examining your thoughts and feeling around food and looking forward to a good and healthy future. Let's keep posting about this!

Rob - I just answered you on the general discussion.

Rob - give it a bit - I find my restriction comes and goes. Even though you chewed well, many people can't eat pork so with all the sliming your esophagus could be irritated. Go back on liquids until tomorrow morning - then see. Let us know

That sounds good Rob. I have noticed that sometimes when my "Stomach" is full, I still WANT to keep eating, but I have learned not to. I hope that WANTING will start to fade..

I had lunch and I ate much less than previously, maybe 2 ounces of chicken 1 small piece of tomato, couple of lettuce leaves and about 1/2 tsp of feta cheese. This is good. I feel anxious to be losing weight again.

I now have 4.5 cc and do feel a little more restricted - but not as much as I had hoped. Maybe it will start to kick in between now and my next one on the 18th

What did you get on your first fill? How much do you have total?

thanks Doddie - you always have such solid advice!

Kathy - you will see him before the surgery, but I would also email either Kathy Palmero or Daryl Corbeil and tell them that as well.

Welcome Carla! Yup the pre-op diet is awful, but it's kind of like a rite of passage. Once you have gone through it you can brag about it! Congrats on your upcoming surgery.

Sherrylynn, Like you I have tired and failed so many times in the past - that is why I have turned to the lap band. I still have a long ways to go, but I don't for a minute regret having it done. It has and will continue to change my life - but you have to be prepared for that. Your like when it comes to eating will change drastically. No only will you not be able to eat the same amounts, you will find that there are foods that you ocannot tolerate, and that they WAY you eat will have to change and that if you use food (like I have) for comfort, to relieve boredom or stress - it will not be able to work like it did. You have to be prepared for all these changes and more. I hope I did not scare you - but it is important to really weigh your decision. I have been banded since May 2nd which is not a long time and there have been moments that I thought I must have been insane when I signed up for this, but again, I do not regret this for a second. I wish you the very best of luck - keep posting!

Hi Peaches, I have had really good experiences with the folks at TLBC. I adore Dr. Yau and had my second fill with Nancy today. Good luck on your upcoming surgery! I have lost 25 lbs - but most of it was preop. I was banded May 2nd, so I have been on solids for a while. My first fill was two weeks ago and initially I felt restriction and then lost that about a week ago. She put in another .5 cc today, so hoping that will help. This really is a learning process. I have had to relearn to eat! I always took big bites, chewed twice and washed it down with Water before quicky taking another big bite! This does NOT work with the band. As a consequence, I PBed alot after my first fill. Now, I am learning to eat properly. I cannot eat fresh bread at all. Rice does not go down well, but I can eat Pasta and toasted grainy bread. I also had a toasted pita that was fine. I have had no trouble with any meat, fish or chicken even dry. I have found that the only type of lettuce I can eat is icebeg. Everything else gets stuck. No fibrous veggies either. Generally I eat my Protein first and then a few bites of veggies but not always. Last night I had a grilled sausage in a well toasted bun, but I only ate about 1/2 the bun and then had some edamame. My best advice is to be PATIENT! Follow your instructions post op and remember that it is a time to heal. Do not worry about your weight loss at that point. You will be living with this the rest of your life - so follow the rules, learn to re-eat and when you are properly restricted your weight will come off for sure!

I got mine from Canadian Medic Alert. It says: Diabetes on Insulin Gastric Lap Band: Needs flouroscopy with NG tube It also has an ID # and an 800# that medical personnel can call to get more details with all my medical history as well as my doctor's contact information and my emergency contact information. I got a very plain stainless steel bracelet because I did not want it to be mistaken for jewelery of any sort. I feel much better having it.

I just had my 2nd fill and so far, no difference. Will I notice it more when I go back to eating solids tomorrow? She only put in .5cc because of all the PBing I had from my first fill - even though I explained that it was my fault for eting too fast, taking bites that are too big etc. I have my 3rd scheduled for July 18th if this is not the one.

No - it started after my first fill which was 2 weeks ago.

That is how I describe the noises that come from me when I eat. It is not really burping, which is more sudden and quick, but a longer drawn out creaking sound as the food is making it's way into the band. Does anyone else have this and does it go away?????

Hoping to meet some more folks. My appt is a 9:30 this morning.

Yes - so would I

Sorry Can't agree - there is not ONE of those 13 million people who are INSIGNIFICANT!!! And I would sure hate to be ONE of those 13 million people who need any kind of healthcare and cannot get it. Have you seen Sicko??? What about those people??? I am Canadian, live in Toronto. I had to go to emerg with severe abdominal pains. Had blood tests, x-rays and a CT scan. Ened up all was good - especially the part about NO BILL to pay! Yes I spent 4 hours there, but did not have to declare bankruptcy afterwards. I would much rather pay a little more on my taxes and have peace of mind.

I am reading a fabulous book book on addiction called (I think - I don't have it with me at work) The Heart of Addiction by a psychiatrist who (I think) is Lance Doddes - or something similar. It is a really different look at addiction because I explains the difference between addictions, habit and physical addictions. Also explains why 12 step programs often don't work. His premise is that addictions are a coping mechanism for psychological issues - be it anger or rage or loss of control etc. Therefore, when one stops abusing the object that they have chosen (ie. drugs or food) but has not dealt with the reason why they need a displacement in the first place, then they will often turn to another substance or behaviour which will serve the same purpose as the original one. It makes so much sense to me - this book makes so much sense to me as one who has chosen (for whatever reason) food to deal with my issues even though he barely talks about binge eating of food in the book. I mainly focuses on drugs and alcohol - but that just proves his point that it could be anything used. I will try to post later tonight when I am home so that I can give you the proper information.

Seems like the service is good as well. I ordered mine on June 21st and called yesterday to ask wehn it will be ready. They told me it had already coem back from the engravers and I would receive after the long weekend. I am pleased

Thanks for posting - well written.

Girl tell me about it! I take I step forward and 2 steps back! I have been so down on myself this week because I lost my restriction and my eating is way out of control. I keep saying what a failure I am! Then I remind myself that this is the reason I got the band, to help me control this aspect of my eating and it is not well adjusted yet.

Yes, Miso soup is pretty clear and I would eat that. Sashimi, the fish alone is fine when you are on solids. I would not recommend anything with rice. I tried a small yam roll and it was very unpleasant.

I know it must sound very strange and is certainly a psychological component of my obesity, but I actually miss having a great big mouth full of food! How weird is that??? Having to eat small bites, chew very well before each swallow and then wait to take another tiny bite is definitely not as satisifying. Hmmm....maybe that's the point!! If eating doesn't povide the same stimulation/comfort/whatever it is to you that it did before, it will become less powerful to you.... Has anyone else felt this way?