Emmy27

You know... I was tempted to jump on this when I realized this is my size NOW... I need to focus on the next size down.... woo-hoo! And I should follow your lead and start going through and get rid of some stuff... That is so generous of you to offer.... thank you anyway. You must be a great person...

There is a difference between an addiction and a habit. An addiction is mind/body dependency and a habit is purely a mind issue. They have one big thing in common - they both SUCK! The heating up of the left overs was, i think, a habit. I found myself having a snack the other night and almost half way into it I realized what I was doing and had to consciously think about HOW I got the snack together in the first place - it was like I was on autopilot. Now, when I eat I have to stop and concentrate... seriously, I stare into no where land and have to think hard "okay, is this full?" "Is my stomach filled?" "Is that real hunger or do I just want to eat more?". It takes me a while to eat JUST because I have to concentrate so darn hard on reading my body signals. The addiction part comes in where I can't stop thinking about my next "fix"... when will I eat, what will I eat, should I eat it with this.... I was at a weight loss support group through Curves the other day (not surgery focused) and a few women and I were walking out together. One woman stoped and asked "am I the only one thinking about what they are going to go have for lunch?" All of us were.... I'd like to say excercise will replace my eating... it won't - it's not feasable. But when I want to eat I make a concious decision not to (most of the time) and just get into something different than what I was doing when the thought occured to me (if I am at the computer I get up to do laundry, etc.) HTH

My heart goes out to you... I have two pupperonis and the thought of going through what you are has brought tears to my eyes. Many hugs,

I was banded two months ago... off to a great start - lost 22 pounds. I had my first fill 6 weeks post op. It did nothing. Well, actually, it did give me enough restriction that things get stuck if I am not careful but I don't experience the "full" feeling until I eat quite a bit (certainly more than half of what I ate prior to surgery but not quite as bad). I haven't lost anything in a month. I haven't gained either which is the only noticable difference (before,when I dieted, I would have gained all this back by now plus some). I am working out 3 times a week and enjoy it - hard to fit in more when I am a stay at home mom and Curves doesn't have extended hours, etc. I go for my next adjustment in one week - I can't wait, yet part of me is worried that it won't do the trick either. I don't "just" want that stuck feeling, I want to feel full so I don't eat. Currently I am eating three meals and two Snacks - making much better choices than prior to surgery (night and day difference) with some chocolate lapses. I guess I just need to put this out there - don't feel like I can talk to my husband about it only because he can't relate - he would try so hard but we'd both feel like it was a burden. He is very supportive and would not discourage me... but still. Please tell me this is normal???? It will change after the second fill??? I have a gift certificate for new clothes that I got for Christmas that I am saving for some nice stuff once I lose a chunk of weight, not "just" 20 pounds or so. I was planning on going out to get new ones when I lose 50 - that seems so incredibly far away. Thanks for listening...

I have it (BC/BS of TN) and my specific plan had an exclusion for treatment of obesity. Needless to say, I was a self-pay. Good luck though... your SPECIFIC plan may very well be different.

I look at those darn graphs and think "I can't wait until I am JUST obese"... whodathunkit? Severely obese.... blech.

I can't offer any advice, etc. but wanted to tell you congratulations!!!!! It's so wonderful to hear of one of God's miracles and a person's determination!

Chili in the blender is great.... Yes to the creamed spinach (yum) Just chew, chew, chew. Mac and cheese is iffy for some - worked well for me (Pasta can be hard for some) Mashed potatos (don't do too much of that though - wasted calories) - with gravy if you need it I also did spaghetti - not al dente at all - mushy - but do not eat it heated up as it gets pastey and sticks. The refried Beans from Taco Bell are great. HTH

Something about "knowing" it is there and "feeling" it makes me feel more secure... sometimes I just check to be sure, lol.

Hi Buttercup! I live outside Chattanooga. I gained some back after I started solids but am doing a little better now. I had my first fill last Tuesday and honestly.... it was nothing. I was so worried and it was for nothing! You know how you get your finger pricked to check hemoglobin? Well to me, it hurt less than that! Good luck! I am calling my doc tomorrow as I don't feel anymore restriction now than I did before my fill but I have been told they are fairly conservative. So... maybe they'll schedule me for another one sooner rather than later. Again, good luck!

Hi Denise!!! I just saw your before/after pics and immediately came down to this section to see if you were here too! You look great! Nice job! You are inspiring. Yes, Dr. Ponce. He's a nice guy. I really feel more "connected" to Brooke and Amanda since they are the front line so to speak. How are you doing?

Okay... so everything was going well, lol. I had my first fill on Tuesday. Suppose to be on clear fluids Tues, full fluids Wed/Thurs, soft food tomorrow and regular food Saturday. So... I did the clear fluids.... had full fluids yesterday and had soft foods today. I know, being bad already but I am starving.... So... I stop eating at a point because I know I should BUT I don't feel any restriction still.... shouldn't I by now??? Two days later? Or am I really asking too much? I don't know how much my fill was but I do know my doc is fairly conservative. Do you know how soon after a fill you can have another? Should I not even be worried about this until I start back on a normal meal deal? Ugh... I want to lose already, lol. TIA

I had my first fill today - congrats to us!!!! LOL My doc told me that I will probably be more restricted the first two weeks and then less so after that. I was warned to be especially careful now... making extra sure to follow the banster rules. I have also heard (not from my doc but from these boards) that it takes two weeks for the fill to "kick in". The most important thing, I think, is to listen to YOUR body and what it tells you - watch for the full sign and listen, don't try to get a little more in (I say this in theory since I at the same spot as you). Good luck and congrats!

Tomorrow is six weeks post op. I HAD lost 20 pounds but then regained two/three when I started solid foods for a total loss of 17 (I am not changing my ticker unless it is GOOD news). The doc said this was very normal (regaining in weeks four and five when you are on solid food) which I knew was going to happen (not a matter of "if") so am fine with it. I joined Curves last week - very excited about it as it is a good match for me (short length and I don't feel like I am dying when I am there). Today I had my first adjustment. I was a bit nervous about it but it turned out to be quite a positive experience. First waiting and waiting to have it done... I happen to sit next to a woman, chatted with her and as it turned out - she was there for an adjustment too. The nurse comes out and calls SIX of us.... as we go back to the secondary waiting room we all realize we are there for the same thing. It was like a sisterhood, amazing. We immediately started sharing our stories - amazing. Then they call me back - my doctor told me I look wonderful (what is he suppose to say - Gee Emmy, you got fatter!?!? LOL) asked me about different foods and how I am tolerating them... They give me an injection over my port site to numb me - and a minute later the second needle was in. They then raised the table so I was in a standing position and while I drank barium (yum) watched it on the flouroscopy machine and injected the saline into my band. Honestly it was nothing (except the yucky barium which I only had to take three gulps of). So here I am - clear fluids for today, full fluids the next two days and then soft to normal foods on day three/four. I feel fine, none of the possible nausea or discomfort they warn you about. They do not tell their patients how much saline they inject because they don't want us to compare ourselves to other people - I appreciate that because that is exactly what I would do and then worry that it was too much or too little, lol.

Brenda! I am so glad to hear you are okay - home and recovering with your new friend. Your poor dh.... were they able to come out and update him?!?! I'll keep you in my prayers that your recovery is smooth and fast. I'm sure you know but just to be sure, don't take antihistamines if you're taking prescription pain meds. Hugs,

It sounds right on to me - exactly what my doc wants me to do and what I am working on (just joined curves this week!)

I understand where you are coming from though mine is possibly a "worse" spot... I see fat people and feel sorry for them. I want to hug them. Because I am one, always have been one and until the band, thought I always would be. I know the shame I feel, the self disgust, the "I am a thin person stuck in a fat body"... and I assume they feel it too and it makes me sad for them and then even more sad for me as I realize I am feeling sorry for myself too. Though now I have hope.... One thing I have to consciously decide NOT to do is run up to every fat person and tell them about this band... I want to share with them because I think they of all people will understand and maybe find some hope for themselves. But then I realize - if someone had done that to me preband it would have reinforced the shame and self loathing.... I would have been mortified. So... niether of us have very "helpful" feelings for the fat people out there but they are helpful to us as we acknowledge them and work through them. I applaud you for being able to recognize it and want to look at it on a deeper level.

- I can eat anything and as much of it as I want.... getting my first fill next Tuesday (thank God)... my question is, is it normal to have no restriction but still PB if I don't chew properly? I am chewing well, just clearly not well enough. Just wondering if I do have restriction but maybe am ignoring my "you are full" signs.... This whole head hunger vs. real hunger is so hard, unless I get to the point where I am physically starving. I am so worried about this fill too? Has anyone had it done with no numbing meds? It seems like I'll be taking one needle so I don't feel the second needle, wonder if I should bother with the numbing stuff... what do you think? Okay - so I had TWO questions, lol.

I have heard, and verified it with my doc, that taking zinc everyday can help. So, I suck on a zinc losenger everyday (for sore throats, must say ZINC). HTH - I haven't gotten there yet and I dread it.

WOW, that must have been terrifying. Glad you are okay and the doc took you seriously.

What makes someone PB vs. slime/golf ball feeling? How does PBing compare to burping and nothing comes up but it moves around... is that a PB? Thanks...

Can I ask about how you were doing BEFORE the fill? I am almost 4 weeks post op - fill suppose to be at six... wondering what your experience has been in terms of how much you were able to eat, how you and your doc decided you need a fill. I found your post (and replies) very helpful too... just wanted to thank you.

I cannot find anything about what I should be taking in calorie wise... help! I've just been trying to make good choices but it'd be good to have a number. Thanks!

Wow... that is a lot to handle. Glad Dr. Billy is on top of things now though. Keep us posted!

That is fantastic Jack. Thank you for explaining his guidelines. I am still losing, though it has slowed down since the second week of full fluids (I was one clear, two weeks of full, now on one week of soft - start solids next week). I am still eating a LOT LESS then before, lol... but more than I think I should be. We'll see. I wish I could stop myself from weighing so often. I am aiming for one time per week too. Alice, I hope this is helping YOU since you are the one that started this thread - sorry to be jumping in so much - you just so happen to ask a question very relevant to where I am at too.