Hastings

Way to go, BrandyII. I think you have made a huge step. I can recommend the book by Rick Fields - "Chop Wood, Carry Water." Perhaps your library has it. Hang in there and keep up up to speed on your progress (physical and emotional).

I got 3 ccs in at surgery and i have restriction and no hunger. I was banded in March.

Well done, Ravenlunatic. You did what everyone should do, research, talk to the doc and make a choice. Congratulations on your success. :tongue2:

Winterwish, is your only issue with the port? Good luck to you, and a speedy return to health.

Not only do I not miss the TOM, I won't miss having large breasts either. I'd go to a b in an instant.

Winter Wish, I am so sorry that this happened to you. I can't imagine what it must be like to pay for the band and then have it not work. Hang in there. I hope you are healthy again, soon.

I don't usually do Starbucks, but the other day I got an iced coffee (black coffee on ice) and it was $2.79. Robbery. By the way, Jachut, I agree on both the gum chewing and the slurping from a huge paper cup.

Well try it and see. If you become hungry very soon after then you know it doesn't work. Your best bet is probably something a little more substantial in the cereal department. Cooked whole grain cereal, perhaps.

Being so tight you cannot eat without vomiting does not sound healthy. Having your teeth fall apart/out could be a sign of nutritional deficiencies. I hope you can find a path to health. Starvation is not healthy.

Good luck and I hope you find good health as quickly as possible. :thumbup:

My best advice is that you should call your doctor.

Thanks, MsJai. Are you going to have the band removed or have you had it removed. I'm sure it's very frightening to feel short of breath.

Besides the cardio workouts at the gym, I've started to do T'ai Chi. I love it.

Since the band IS a tool, it is used in different ways. I do not want to get too tight. I can eat about a cup and a half of food, maybe even two cups. I just make sure it is good, healthy food. Lots of fresh fruit and veggies. My band for me is something that will keep me from going way over the border, but as far as day to day operation, I decide how much to eat. Not my band. I like the control.

Of course if you accidentally swallow it, it won't matter if you have no restriction. Once you are restricted, you might experience something different. I regular mints all the time. Life saver wintergreen. Especially at the gym.

I had three ccs put in at surgery and have had no hunger and I do have plenty of restriction. This thread just points out how individual banding experiences are.

Speedy Recovery, Wasa.

You do have to keep in mind that people are getting banded by the hundreds. Many doctors/practices are very practiced at getting people approved by their insurance and banding them. I think a lot of people are banded because it's the new fad diet. I worrry when I see people who think that the band will be their solution for ever. It might not be. They might lose their band for different reasons. I hope everyone takes the time and makes the effort to change their eating habits so that if they lose weight and then their band, they will be able, on their own, to maintain weight loss. If habits aren't changed then the band could be only a temporary solution. Personally I like the band because I still have control and input. My PCP suggested the band to me, and I thought about it for a year and then did it.

Yes, that's why my doctor said he put the 3 ccs in. I benefitted in a whole 'nother way. No hunger and restriction.

You guys, it's such a horrible idea to post your email on a public message board. Please PM them to each other. My doctor gave me a list the week before surgery.

It's not a club, it's just a program. If you want to up your steps per day, do it. It's just a target.

How many calories a day do you eat? How much exercise do you get? Why do you think it's the doctor's fault? How many fills have you had?

Every pound you lose takes four pounds weight and stress off your knees. Debra, perhaps you should call your doctor.

If you do some research on the net and read about a "stitch" in the side, it is almost always the right side. I had this pain for a while, but on the left side. The instructions for an actual "stitch" : "Now researchers believe that the side stitch is caused by stretching the ligaments that extend from the diaphragm to the internal organs, particularly the liver. The jarring motion of running while breathing in and out stretches these ligaments. Runners tend to exhale every two or four steps. Most people exhale as the left foot hits the ground, but some people exhale when the right foot hits the ground. It is the later group who seem more prone to get side stitches." "Exhaling when the right foot hits the ground causes greater forces on the liver (which is on the right side just below the rib cage). So just as the liver is dropping down the diaphragm raises for the exhalation. It is believed this repeated stretching leads to spasms in the diaphragm." It was recommended on a runner's site to cup your hand under the area that is having the stitch and gently lift it. This has worked wonders for me when I get that same pain on my left side. I'm not a doc, but for me it's not gas and it's not from laying a certain way in surgery. I believe it is as explained above because the "cure" did the trick.

I don't care if people can't bear to be on liquid diets for one day and eat a steak the day after surgery. The only thing that matters to me is what I do. I followed the rules I was given to a T.