Kelliebelly

My Dr really doesnt have much to do with me either, just for fills and such. The dietician I see is more like my "coach". Shes the one that helps me, gives me advice and lays everything out on the table. I really would recommend seeing one. Good Luck

I put on alot of weight pre band too. I had all the last suppers of all my fave foods I thought I would never be eating again. Well sitting here 8mths later with pretty good restriction there is nothing I really cant eat if I am careful...so all that binging trying to get everything on was a waste. Actually I can eat steak but I find it so not worth the chewing chewing for so long...so if you like a good sized steak Id recomend that, because I dont think I have seen anyone here who is properly restricted and can eat steak easily. Anyhow I really wouldnt worry too much about the weight gain, but I do look back and wish I hadnt put on so much pre op because it was so much more I had to lose. Good Luck

With proper restriction I find it impossible to eat when I am full. I mean I could graze a bit if I wanted to, but once I am full as in satisfied or start getting the siganls to stop I really cant go on.

I was moved to solids by week 3 to 4. I know I was really worried about it, but discovered quickly enough I really had no restriction and it was no different to eating preband. It was when I started getting fills that I began eating different it was either that or PB every meal. I quickly learnt. As they say now is the time to start training yourself to eat different whether you have restriction or not. Use small plates and small forks etc. Chew your food chew chew chew till you cant chew anymore Good Luck

I have pretty much the same fill amount as you and I am nearly 8 mths out. I have had reflux since I had about 7.5mls in the band. I have only started taking medication for it in the last 2mths. If I forget my medication I certainly know about it...painnnnnnnn. If it has just come on you might want to just get it checked out...or watch the kind of foods you are eating and no eating after 6pm or so...sleep with your head raised. I am sure someone else will offer some advice on things to try.

Hey Loulou thanks for the compliment. I have and still am going through the huge loss of food thing. I was and still am an emotional eater, so I am trying to find other ways of dealing with issues instead of with food. The reason my weight loss has been so slow is because of this reason. I lose 2 kgs and put them back on and lose them for a couple of months and so on. I am alot better than what I was, but nowhere near "cured". I really wonder if I ever will be. Im also fighting the head hunger thing alot too. You will have to meet up with Jess and I one day we will organise an Aussie LBT meet up.

I have been like that from the start...I cant really eat in the morning, I can eat a little at lunch, alot more at dinner and then I have to fight not to eat until I go to bed. I have trouble eating bread at anytime except late at night so I know I am definately less restricted after about 7pm.

I know it wont make you feel any better but 3 weeks out I remember asking my Dr why I was still getting shoulder pain. He said it was normal and not to worry about it...Dont worry you will look back in 12 mths and it will all be a distant memory...especially when you will have probably lost stacks of weight by then.

OH man, I am so so so sorry this has happened. Concentrate on healing first and the other stuff later. I am at a loss for what to say - Just know we are thinking about you and pulling for you. Like pps have said everything happens for a reason....

I agree with Terri, that is what I did. Hubby had been holding out on me. Telling me all these years he cant cook but when it came down to it he made some really nice meals for the family. Incase I am not on before Friday good luck with your surgery and I will see you on the Banded side. Hugs

Hi Fee I am in Aus too and have been researcing for months. How did you have yours completely covered by medicare and who done it? I cant get much covered from Medicare at all, some minute amount not even worth worrying about. Please let me know your secret. Thanks

I think the same way...where ever I go whatever I do...constantly comparing. Am I as fat as that person, is my butt as big as that. The list goes on and on. I will compare how much room someone has left in their chair to how much I have left so I can work out if my thighs are bigger than that person or not. Weird I know!!! After this thread at least we all know if we meet what the other is thinking haha jk

I have had 2 ceasars and a life of up and down weight. When I started at the gym and explained it all to my fitness trainer she said she would be honest with me. There is no way I could do anything about my belly. There is too much loose skin. You cant tighten loose skin, you can only lose or tighten fat. The stretched skin is there to stay and man do I have alot of it. I have an appointment in Feb with a PS for a TT...its the only way Ill be getting rid of the big ol danglin thing.

I am sorry you had to go through all that and I want to thank you for your post, it was informative and eye opening. I was just wondering if the infection all clears is there a possibility you will be banded again, or would the infection come back or do you think it was just a one off that happened?

I cant offer advice only support. I too am an emotional eater and food controls alot of my waking moments...with head hunger or eating for emotional reasons. Sometimes knowing you arent alone can help....and...you definately arent alone. Hugs

I had my first fill 4 weeks out because I have the VG band my Dr doesnt wait as long to do the fills as by 4 weeks most have no restriction.

Welcome Home and I glad you made it through without any problems. I am sorry about your band but knowing you, you will do just as well without it.

Good Luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I know how nervous you will feel, but just think of what it is going to be like when it is all over. Then think about what its going to be like in 6 and 12 mths time. See you soon on the band side.

I have had heartburn and since October have been on Omeprazole. It worked immediately. I take it daily. The other day my prescription ran out so i thought I would give it a couple of days and see if I get it back. Boy oh Boy did I ever. The next morning when I woke up I couldnt get to the chemist fast enough. I will ask my Dr at my next app next year, he is off till end of January....but do you think that means these tablets will have to be taken for life or should I be on another tablet or what?? I know I read a few ppl had heartburn etc and after going on a tablet for a bit it went away...should I expect mine will go or only by taking a tablet daily? Thanks for advice in advance.

Cool Jess...its been months for me too, I have to get my butt into gear and get back to the gym.

I am down 53lbs, the last few months have been up and down up and down. A constant battle for every kg lost. I still have reflux which I am on a med for and helps. I have had another fill since our last update but do not think I will get another fill because I cant take the reflux that comes with it. Sigh Sigh Sigh.....I just dont want to be fat anymore. How is everyone else doing?

I had my step daughters 18th last weekend and decided to do entree type things before the main. I gave your egg muffins a go with egg bacon and cheese. Took me all of 10 mins to make and they were an absolute HIT!!!! I didnt make enough, people wanted the recipe and were praising my fine cooking skills. Hehe I took it all in and told them it was from years of practise lol . I just wanted to thank you for the recipe they are quick easy and yummmmmy.

I asked my Dr about it and he didnt have any so I went to the inamed site and emailed them and they sent me a few straight away. If any of you cant get them from your Dr email inamed.

Hi There are alot more experienced ppl to reply to this, but I will tell you what I know from my experience. DO YOU HAVE TO HAVE ANOTHER SURGERY TO HAVE ALL THE EXTRA FAT REMOVED? That is optional. Whether or not you have loose skin after losing weight depends on the individual...how fast they lose it...how good their skin tone is...if they try and exercise and tighten as they lose and many more things. That being said I desperately need a Tummy Tuck and am seeing a PS in February 06. WHAT KINDS OF PROBLEMS ARE ANYONE HAVING, AFTER SURGERY,IF ANY? This varies also, I have the big 10ml Vg band and have found it taking longer to get restriction, getting the band has also bought on reflux/heartburn...but as I have said before I would do it all again. I love my band!!! WHAT OR HOW DO YOU FIGURE ON MEALS OR food INTAKE ON A DAILY BASES? DO YOU OR ARE YOU GIVEN A STRUCTURED PLAIN TO GO BY? This varies too, my Drs office plan is compulsory which involves seeing a dietician before surgery and then regularly after. She gives me plans to follow which I dont very often. I try and get my Protein in each day and my Water, other than that I dont stress too much about what I eat. IS THERE A WEIGHT THAT THEY WON'T OPERATE ON ? I know we have ppl on both ends of the scales here, there are ppl at 190lbs and ppl that have been 500lbs plus, that is something you talk about with the Dr. The band has changed my life, it has given me back some control over my life and food. I cant allow food to control me anymore, I just cant. I cant let it soothe me when I am upset or down. I can eat a certain amount and thats it. Look into all the options and decide what is best for you...but I went with banding as it is the least invasive and reversible. Good Luck

We are pretty much on par...except I was banded before you. I know I am on the slow end of ppl banded the same time, but I dont feel deprived in anyway. I want this weight loss to stay off for life so I want to be able to maintain how I am living for life. I could lose more alot quicker if I cut the chocolate and other bad things, but I find it so hard, so the couple of bites I have a day keeps my weight loss to a minimum but its definately something I can stick with. I dont know how true it is, but they say if you lose weight slowly it stays off longer...look at it that way. Now that I have wrote all that I sit here and think Oh Gee compared to most mine is slow...I want to get a move on...They have just opened a contours in the next suburb, might go find out about it and start the exercise back up. Good Luck