cQQlgirl

I just got this fabulous new book called, "Weight Loss Surgery with the AGB: everything you need to know before and after surgery to lose weight successfully" by Robert W. Sewell, MD. It is really good and I have purchased many WLS books and researched much on the web. One thing it talked about that I found sooo interesting is that some people become addicted to FILLS. He calls it 'adjustment addiction': "Despite doing quite well, losing a pound or two a week, these patients believe tht continually adjusting the band helps to ensure their continued success. I believe these patients are not so much craving another "needle stick" but instead are simply insecure in their own success. Generally these patients have not yet accepted the fact that it is their behavior, not the band that is causing them to lose weight." He goes on to say that some professionals inadvertantly feed into this behavior because its easier to just adjust the patient than deal with the situation. He says it can be the cause of potential conflict with the medical team and patient. "Put a little in, take a little out--it can become an endless Quest, searching repeatedly for the right amount of Fluid in the band. In this situation the surgeon actually becomes the 'adjustment addiction' inabler." Is that not wild? It made me stop and think a second before my last fill. Not enough to stop me from getting it. I am happy to say that I am good and tight now and am aware that this 'adjustment addiction' can be a real issue. Thought I would pass this on to y'all. Valerie

I think I overdid my goal weight for this challenge. I'm bringing it down 5 pounds to be somewhat more realistic. I hope this isn't cheating!! Name...........Start........Current......Goal.......To Go Brandymom1234...200...........200........185.........15 Candle..........205...........195........197..........0 cQQlgirl........215...........210........205..........5 destiny79.......255...........250........240.........10 Foofy...........242.5.........240........234..........6 Jackie..........164...........162........157..........5 Jill............220...........216........210..........6 Jovi2673........217...........217........200.........17 KarenG .........189...........181........181..........0 kjl315..........227...........220........217..........3 kristin1031.....240...........230........225..........5 legster.........209...........204........196..........8 LessnLess.......164...........157........157..........0 Linda Lu........228...........217.2......215..........2.2 Longhorn........204...........196........195..........1 Mumof2boys......188...........188........175.........13 Marimaru........206...........202........195..........7 PhDiva..........208...........208........195.........13 Rainer..........251...........247........241..........6 Redtulips3......225...........217........215..........2 Renewedhope.....213...........206........199..........7 Sades...........201...........197........190..........7 Skinny_Jill.....186...........179........178..........1 Stacy73.........222...........219........212..........7 Sunny112........143...........143........135..........8 Suzzzie.........291...........291........280.........11 Valstar.........269...........265........260..........5 wombat712.......145...........144........135..........9 debihaines......254...........219........209.........10 4jin............225...........220........220..........0 Trixie..........241...........221........221..........0! Jennypoo........199...........193.5......194..........0!!!

The vitamuffin brownies are awesome! All their products are pretty good.

My doctor was very good about my pushyness and going in every two weeks for fills. I didn't lose any weight until just this past couple weeks since I now finally have restriction. It may be a tad too much but I'm waiting a week to see how it goes (last fill on Friday last week). I see people here who wait so long for fills and it seems like a real waste of time if the band isn't where you need it to be. I think is a shame is where people pay for the band and only get 3 months worth of fills included. What a sham!

I made an appointment to have another fill on Friday. I hope to get .1 or .2 cc's to 'tweak' my restriction again. I had what I thought was my 'sweet spot' for about a week and a half. Now it seems to have gone again. Has anyone had success with real small adjustments?

cQQlgirl ..........220.........195.........212................17 <O:P></O:P>

Name...........Start........Current......Goal.......To Go Brandymom1234...200...........200........185.........15 Candle..........205...........200.5......197..........3.5 cQQlgirl........215...........212........200.........12 destiny79.......255...........250........240.........10 Foofy...........242.5.........240........234.........6 Jackie..........164...........164........154.........10 Jill............220...........220........210.........10 Jovi2673........217...........217........200.........17 KarenG .........189...........186........181..........5 kjl315..........227...........220........217..........3 kristin1031.....240...........235........225.........10 legster.........209...........206........196.........10 LessnLess.......164...........159........157..........2 Linda Lu........228...........221........215..........6 Longhorn........204...........197.4......195..........2.4 Mumof2boys......188...........188........175.........13 Marimaru........206...........202........195.........7 PhDiva..........208...........208........195.........13 Rainer..........251...........249........241..........8 Redtulips3......225...........221........215..........6 Renewedhope.....213...........208........199..........9 Sades...........201...........198........190..........8 Skinny_Jill.....186...........182........178..........4 Stacy73.........222...........219........212.........7 Sunny112........143...........143........135..........8 Suzzzie.........291...........291........280.........11 Valstar.........269...........269........260..........9 wombat712.......145...........144........135..........9 debihaines......254...........219........209.........10 4jin............225...........225........220..........5 Trixie..........241...........227.5......221.........6.5

I took this to mean just what this thread started about. Shut your gob (stop complaining) and move your a$$. Either way it works for me.

Hi Short1, I understand what you say about being so under-appreciated at work and how it's hard to attempt a change at our age. I'm very happy for you. Know that these rough times are what make us strong. The bible says that we should embrace these times, knowing they lead to maturity and hope. God bless you and your new job. Valerie

OK you guys. I had lost 5 pounds since I began this journey. That included my half-hearted efforts at pre and post-op diets. I never lost hope and was very aggressive with getting filled. My doctor allowed me to come every two weeks and one fill was at one week past the last fill. So in all I have had 5 fills and am now at 3.4cc in a 4cc band. Its working. I have lost 5 pounds since last Tuesday and I haven't been exercising (It's been raining like crazy here in soCal and I've been using walking for exercise). I'm weighing everyday and am consistantly losing. I just can't eat as much. I'm pretty tight in the morning and by evening I can eat about a cup at a time. It's not all mushy either: I had some Pasta salad with chicken last night. So don't lose hope!! Just get the fills. Those of you that are losing by your own efforts will see amazing results. Like I said, I have not given it my all, but did not consume high-fat, high-calorie foods, keeping my 'weight-watchers' mentality most times. Valerie

I got that 6th fill and my doc said 'what the heck' and put in .05cc. That was a little scary but woohoo! I am now over one week at totally perfect restriction. I can eat very little now and it's not like it bothers me. I just know I can't and it's not as much of a head trip as I thought it would be. I'm losing half pound per day average and I haven't been exercising because I sprained my ankle. I was never losing hope but it seemed like it was never going to happen. Persistance pays off.

Hi everyone. When I last wrote in this thread I was one fill back from now. I have had 6 fills in 4 mo. Doc said he was getting tired of seeing me lol. He was kidding (I hope). In any case, he went full bore and gave me .05cc. After having posted here last time, my restriction lasted maybe 2 days. But this time....it seems here to stay for a bit. I can eat like 1/4 cup of food at a time and am not hungry. At first I was pb'ing and sliming a bit because it takes getting used to, this eating so much less. And you really really have to chew the food too. I'm very happy because I am losing like .5 pound every day or two. I've been off work for like 3 weeks (vacation and then sprained ankle) so I hope when I go back, someone gives me a nsv. Valerie

Hey Sades! You're nearly in One-derland! You go girl! :biggrin:

Name..............Start..........Current..........Goal ......To Go 1. Sades...........201..............201...............190..........11 2. cQQlgirl........215..............215................200..........15

Easter gives us an extra week and there is that chocolate issue :eek:.

cQQlgirl...........220............215..........210.......5 I got halfway! I had a fill last friday that gave me uber-restriction. Just have to be careful of those 'soft' calories. How bout a St. Patties Day challenge?? Valerie

Ive been following your threads bandster because I am exactly where you are, including the weight. I had my 6th fill on friday and am now very tight. I've lost 5 pounds in the last week or so and am really grateful to see some movement on the scale. I have been waiting (on tenderhooks) to see 215 and this morning I almost went right by it! Scale read 214.8 then 215 is where it rested. So go get tight. It kind of bothers me that I can't eat some of the delicious items that are parading through my mind (and have kept me from losing thus far). But the trade off is well worth it and I know that I won't always be this tight. It's really a head trip when you get to this point though. Sort of like if you had your jaws wired shut (remember that??). You know you can't really have those chewy things you love. Yesterday I was attempting to have some baked potato Soup. I had about a quarter cup and still had to go real slow. It tasted so good. On my trip to get the second helping, I did what I should have done the first time: looked at the label :wink2:. "Put down the soup and step away slowly..." lol. 400 cal./cup. So I realized at that moment the truth in the 'soft calorie' syndrome. So I'm finally living some of the bandster lifestyle and learning everyday. Chin up! Look at my ticker and know I am so right with you in this journey. Valerie :scared2:

I received my 6th fill last friday (02/08/08) and am real tight now. And I'm beginning to lose: I'm down 5 pounds in this past week. It's kind of hard not being able to eat anything until evening but I can live with it if it gets me started on my weight loss. I have always had my fill and a week later could not feel them. So I hope this one stays around awhile. Valerie :biggrin2:

I'm finally starting to lose! CQQlgirl ........ 220 ...... 195 ....... 215 ......... 20

I'm going on friday the 8th for my 6th fill. I'm at 3.4 and for 1.5 days I was at a good restriction. But it loosened up and now I am going back. I am determined . I actually felt what it's like to be near that 'sweet' spot. It gives me much hope. Valerie

I had a girl at work come up to me and ask me how it was going with my band. She'd been banded 1.5 years ago and has lost 60 pounds. She could lose maybe 40 more. So when she asked me about my band, I told her that I was getting close to restriction and maybe one more adjustment would do it. She says "My doc says that I am maxed out. I don't know what I'll do after this." I told her that seems hard to believe and maybe she should see another 'fill' doctor. She says 'Oh no. They don't put anything in...they take it out! Thats how they tighten it. And I'm almost empty so they wont be able to take any more out and I'm not happy about that.' HUH???? When I asked her what sort of band she had, she couldn't tell me. She knows NOTHING about her band. No education at all. She does know some of the band eating rules but you have to learn those or be in pain constantly. I felt bad for her and though I wanted to educate her, I felt it would be presumptuous and it was change of shift so I didn't have time. It's kind of scary you know? So you make that doc to tell you. Mine gives me a paper each time saying what I had in and what was added or subtracted. For my records. It seems like a power trip to me. You have a right to know whats happening to your body. And if you think he'd be vindictive, change docs. You should be able to trust your doctor even if you have a difference of opinion. Valerie

Update: down 3# Allaboutme ...... 238 ...... 165 ....... 211 ......... 46 Allison925 ...... 175 ...... 145 ....... 175 ......... 30 Angie4b1g ....... 237.8 .... 205 ....... 237.8 ....... 32.8 Ariel ........... 199 ...... 169 ....... 199 ......... 30 babs0101 ........ 216 ...... 190 ....... 216 ......... 26 Bigbaby ......... 207 ...... 167 ....... 207 ......... 40.0 chickatee.........184........145.........184...........39 CQQlgirl ........ 220 ...... 195 ....... 217 ......... 22 debihaines ...... 254....... 200 ....... 227.9 ....... 27.9 Foofy ........... 244 ...... 199 ....... 244 ......... 45 Georgia Girl .... 275 ...... 237 ....... 268 ......... 31 Hazeleyegrl1 .... 233 ...... 200 ....... 224 ....... ..24 Hungryforchange . 225 ...... 190 ....... 225 ......... 35 ivyrose325 ...... 342 ...... 215 ....... 261 ......... 46 Jeni 85 ......... 214.4 .... 184 ....... 214.4 ....... 30.4 Jfran ........... 181 ...... 145 ....... 181. ........ 36 KarenG............195........165.........195...........30 Legster ......... 216 ...... 174 ....... 216 ......... 42 Luluc ........... 166 ...... 135 ....... 166 ......... 31 Mamato3 ......... 242 ...... 199 ....... 242 ......... 43 Mary-2b150 ...... 225 ...... 150 ....... 193 ......... 43 Nadean .......... 204.6 .... 160 ....... 204.6 ....... 44.6 Nhanson ......... 226 ...... 196 ....... 226 ......... 30 Rainer .......... 256 ...... 216 ....... 253 ......... 37 Redtulips3 ...... 245 ...... 199 ....... 245 ......... 46 Smithem1 ........ 240.6 .... 190 ....... 240.6 ....... 50.6 Stacy73 ......... 226.4 .... 194 ....... 223 ..........29 Starryeyed ...... 280 ...... 199 ....... 237 ......... 38 Suzzzie ......... 297 ...... 243 ....... 294 ......... 51 Sunny112..........215....... 130........ 143.......... 13 Trish5713 ....... 255....... 230 ....... 255.......... 25 Wombat712 ....... 152.8 .... 120 ....... 152.8 ....... 32.8 <!-- google_ad_section_end -->

You hit the nail on the head socal. I think there are many of us who have had that moment, "Maybe I should have gone with RNY". But I can say that after my fifth fill (I've been aggressive, going every two weeks), I am having the restriction required to eat less. As you can see by my tickers, I am probably the slowest loser (not that I'm vying for a trophy ). I'm patient and am so happy to have lost 3 pounds in the past week. I hope it continues. Valerie

I have a 4cc band and my doc says that it will hold in excess of 5ccs. I'm at 3.4 right now and have some restriction. I just got my fill on Tuesday so I'm trying to get the 'feel' of it. My doctor will see me every two weeks as needed. You just need more fill. When you get to this point in the fill cycle, I believe that small increments (.1cc or .2cc) can really make all the difference. I know it's frustrating. Also realize that 'full' with the band is often times very different than the full you are used to feeling. Good Luck, Valerie

name.............starting#......current#......goal#.....togo# Anitak33...........245............218..........199.......19 Anna2766____.......232............232..........220.......12 TxArcher...........360............353..........345........8 Candle.............218............211..........207.......4 Cerrin.............350............350..........325.......25 chickatee..........188............184..........175.......9 Cookielover........202............202..........192.......10 cQQlgirl...........220............217..........210.......7 Faithmd............306............301.2........296.......5.2 georgiagirl........275............268..........260.......8 Hollyberries.......298............298..........285.......13 Hoppingto..........350............314..........294.......20 Irishmae11.........233.8..........234..........219.......15 Jennie1976.........290............251..........235.......16 jfran..............187............181..........177.......4 Jillrn.............176............176..........166.......10 Jsrico.............255............178..........165.......13 juliegeraci........220............220..........210.......8 KarenG.............207............197..........189.......8 keekahari..........220............217..........205.......12 kjl315.............237.5..........231..........220.......11 legster............223.5..........216..........199.......17 LessnLess..........172............168.5........164.......4.5 liz_hager..........202............198..........190.......8 Manatee............188............179..........175.......4 Mandyjo............191............187..........180.......11 metawnny...........252............252..........240.......12 MJRouse84..........274............233..........218.......15 nip50..............250............243..........238.......5 Rainer.............264............253..........248.......5 Redtulips3.........248............234.5........226.......8.5 RenewedHope........228............217..........210.......7 rharriet...........367............256..........248.......8 Sades..............229............199.7........189.......10.7 Skinny_Jill........195............190..........180.......10 Stacy73............230............223..........222.......1 SueMagoo...........230............224..........220.......4 Sunny112...........145............145..........140.......5 Susan4794..........240............240..........225.......15 Suzzzie............303............294..........290.......4 SWEETY.............180............174..........170.......4 Trystelle..........219............211.5........205.......6.5 Twilight...........206............197..........185.......21 uxbus5.............240............240..........230.......10 want2lose..........236............236..........225.......11 wombat712..........154.8..........150.2........140.......10.2