mypov

For me it is the lack of fat that is making my arms look horrible. Its the hanging sacks of skin where the fat USED to be. I've been lifting a lot of weights and the tops of my arms are starting to be much more toned but underneath you would never know because it just hangs like bat wings. I'm only 25 but I was/am quite overweight. What's really strange is that one arm is more uniformily hanging and the other is firmer part way up and then as you get closer to my armpit there is that saggy skin all of a sudden. I won't be getting surgery on my arms and I'd rather have saggy skin then die from complications with obesity- and hey, maybe it will tighten up some, eventually.

My husband works evenings/nights and pre-surgery I would sit on the couch all night and "referee" my kids from there. After I started losing weight and began to exercise, I started taking my kids on long walks with me every evening. I take the stroller and they take turns walking or being pushed. My kids love getting out of the house and the walking wears them out so that bedtime is much easier on us all. I always felt bad that I wasn't the kind of mom that was active and taught her kids to be active as well- I AM that kind of mom now!

Thanks Afrykanvyolet! That's especially nice to hear when I'm on a bit of a plateau. I see you were banded in March and have lost 38 lbs already, so looks like you are doing great too! Congrats!

Anyone know why I am sweating so much? I'm able to move a lot easier than before surgery so why am I sweating MORE whenever I move, even doing little things? Anyone else experienced this? What's the deal?

I'm not sure if you're describing something similar to what has happened to me from time to time. Sometimes I get this sensation of trapped air in my pouch, like I need to burp but can't. It causes the slightest bit of pressure in my chest. I Have had no luck in figuring out what the cause is but believe it may be related to gulping Water too fast or chewing gum and just getting air stuck in there. It's always resolved itself in a day or two. Is that similar to what you are talking about?

I have only liked chocolate and vanilla unjury so far. Especially the chocolate. I mix it with skim milk in my bullet blender and it comes out very smooth and yummy. Sometimes I add fruit or a touch of cinnamon, or even fiber powder. I the strawberry unjury didn't taste "natural' enough for me though. I have pretty much gagged on any other protein powder shakes I've tasted. The only thing is the fact that you have to order it off the internet and it seems to take a couple of weeks for it to arrive which is annoying when I forget to re-order in time to have my morning shake.

I knew I was a food addict before I was banded. The week after banding was like detox for me and it was HELL. I ranted and raved, I cried over Nothing, I cried for food and one morning I couldn't find my Protein shakes and I think my husband was about ready to have me committed to a mental institution. I am 4 months out and the more restriction I have, the more I am aware of just how powerful an addiction this is for me. Some days I do great and appreciate every time I have a bit of healthy food and feel satisfied, other times (usually when I'm bored, stress out, overwhelmed or depressed) part of me wishes I could just have a couple of big juicy burgers or half a cheesy pepporoni pizza like the "old days". yet- the other half is glad my band makes it NEARLY impossible to mess up that bad. Even though I'm doing well in my weight loss, it is not without difficulty emotionally. I've been in counseling to get to the root of what has led me to become addicted to food- and i'm trying to avoid simply swapping it out for any new addictions. I know that no matter if I get to my goal weight, my original goal of being "done" with my food issues will never really be realized. I will always be an addict to some degree, even if in recovery, and I will always have to fight the battle of temptation. Still, it's is worth the fight. I

I agree with everyone's posts. I have become more aware than ever how powerful an addiction food is for me. It's like people who say they can quit drugs IF they wanted to- but if they really tried to go without , then that is when they discover the true power of their addiction. My addiction just happens to be food and it has never been so clear as when I have a good fill level and don't feel hungry but I realize I miss it desperately and it still has control over me. At the heart of every addiction are underlying thoughts and feelings that are leading to the behavior. I realize this and am seeking counseling as well. Having an addiction to ANYthing is just a method of coping or escaping from what the true issue is. The overeating is not the problem, the over drinking, using drugs, being addicted to sex, shopping, stealing, lying, smoking, WHATEVER it is, is NOT the problem. The problem is the thoughts and feelings you are trying to mask with those behaviors that are causing the addiction. They are the distractions that keep you from having to deal with it. This is so clear to me now and I hope through counseling and self-relection I will be able to discover those real issues that cause me to feed the food addiction, and not simply trade it for another in another in an attempt to not have to deal with whatever that is. What a waste of a life if I spend it trying to avoid the issues through my addictive behavior, rather than tackling it and hopefully someday being able to say I've truly made peace within myself. If I can do that, I believe my weaknesses WILL become my strengths.

I went to a local dietician yesterday that is not affiliated with the place I had my lapband. She said she has other patients with lapband and that we often eat too few calories. But honestly, I don't lose any weight if I eat more than 1200 calories a day now. She wanted me to have that amount at the very minimum. She even wanted me to up my carb intake! I don't lose weight without pretty much pairing my carb/protein intake so I end up with about 80-100 of each, each day. She asked me if I just wanted to lose weight or do I want to be healthy. I told her BOTH. I want to healthily lose weight but I haven't been able to lose weight by following what she suggests. So, how can I take in more calories and still get my dang body to burn 'em? I think my metabolism is horrendously slow Thoughts? Suggestions??

AFter my last fill I had great restriction for about 3 weeks. I lost about 10 lbs in that time. Then last week within a few days it felt like it was pretty much gone. Is it normal to just disappear over a few days time? I still have some restriction but its less and less everyday. I can eat more than a cup of food at one sitting (though I've tried hard not too) and feel very hungry after my meals even though I'm still not drinnking for 2 hours after. My weight has been at a standstill for a week even though I've been fighting off my hunger and sticking to the same amount of calories as before. I almost feel like my body won't lose any more even with a fill since my caloric intake has remained pretty much the same. Anyone else freaked out when you lost restriction because you felt like you were going to go back to your old ways??? Thanks for letting me vent and please answer if you can. Thanks!!!

Thanks so much for the reply!! I have really been wanting a bodybugg. I think seeing those numbers will be a huge motivator for me too. My Dad is a bike-a-holic and I know he'd love some company in his passion but yeah, I tried a bike a few weeks ago and it was just too hard at my current weight. I have been going to the gym though and doing cardio/weights. I just want to find something else that I really LOVE. Thanks again for the advice and tips!!!

I'm sorry you're not having an easy time! From what I've heard from others, you can be overfilled even by .1cc or so! you never know what a big difference a tiny amount of saline can do. Anyway, if you are throwing up all the time, something needs to change. If yogurt is a problem, you could definitely be overfilled. chicken is a problem for lots of people and sometimes adding something like gravy to it helps. Anyway, of course you need to eat slow and really chew, but since it sounds like you are already doing that, I would look into getting an adjustment. PS- I prefer to call it an adjustment rather than a fill or unfill because sometimes people think of an "unfill" is like taking a step backwards-but there is NO benefit to being having an incorrect "adjustment level". Good luck!!

Restriction doesn't "feel" like anything, like, I can not feel the band or anything when I'm restricted. I believe I am at a perfect level of fill for myself as of right now. At the beginning, I was getting to know the band and I never felt "full" just suddenly uncomfortable feeling in my chest (never stomach itself). Sometimes I would still eat and then I'd have that painful "flaming golf ball" Jack describes. I have now learned pretty much how to eat the right way and I chew just enough and have the right swallows so that now I feel comfortably full. I really was starting to feel like I'd never have that satisfaction feeling again, but it has come back as I've learned to listen to my body and the band. I think what you are describing is just eating the wrong way for your current level of fill. Usually meaning you are eating too quickly (even if your eating slower than prebanding it could still be too quickly for the band) It just takes time to get to know your new way of eating. I was the same in the beginning. Oh, and after each fill you sort of have to re-learn how to eat and find that satisfied feeling opposed to the pain or uncomfortable feeling. So restriction is being able to eat a little bit of food (half a sandwich, couple ounces of meat or cheese, etc) and feel comfortable but not stuffed, or in pain. I get b/w 800-1200 calories daily and I can gulp Water with out trouble. So slow down, and REALLY feel and taste each bite. You will soon find out how it all works. Good Luck!!

Kat- This 800 number thingy, was it a free service? How do you sign up for it? Thanks!

I feel your pain. (Pun intended). I too have a low pain tolerance. Surgery wasn't really that bad as long as I kept up some walking every hour (to ease gas pains, took my Loritab and then after 3 days took liquid tylenol, and slept in a recliner with my feet up and a hot pad on me. The pain moderate pain was well worth it. I am 60 lbs down as of today and I don't know HOW I carried all that weight around with me all the time. THAT is painful. Just follow your docs advice and don't be a hero. If it hurts, take your meds. And remember to walk to ease the gas pains.

I'm so sorry this happened! So glad she will be okay! She probably won't remember this eventually but hopefully you will be able to move on as well. I will keep you in prayers!

With protein also comes fat. It might be the type of protein you are getting as well. The amount of carbs you are taking in is DEFINITLY less than you should be having. Are you on a really low carb diet? You really shouldn't get less than 60 grams a day of healthy carbs. Otherwise, your body can be thrown into ketosis. Ketosis can wreak havoc on you. Look it up on the internet but make sure you get info from a reliable source. Diets such as Atkins praise ketosis- but it can lead to a lot of problems.

I like books. I have read several good books recently, "You:On a Diet" by Mehmet Oz; "Weight loss surgery For Dummies" "Lapband..." by Jessie Ahroni; and "The Insulin Resistance Diet" What I like about books is that the ones I read are by people in the medical field who know what they are talking about on the best ways to lose weight and/or succeed with lapband surgery. This board is great for opinions and shared experiences, but its good to get information from experts as well. I have read all these books cover-to-cover but I keep them by my bed and read a little bit out of them every few nights, just to remind myself of the best and healthiest ways to do this. Just MY opinion:)

I picked yes but not because its physically easier but, I'm going through this stage right now, where my appetite is pretty much gone. The thought of having a "meal" just doesn't appeal to me. The problem is, If I'm around snack foods -cookies, chips, whatever- I still get that sudden craving. I nibble on it then and then Im not hungry later for "real" food. I've got to nip this in the bud now. This is NOT why I paid all that money for surgery. I set up an appointment with the nutritionist next week. I want to be accountable to someone- not just my weight loss but with my eating habits.

I want one!!!! My gym has a program where you can rent a bodybugg for about $70 a month for at least one month- basically use it for a month to see where you are at and then give it back. I might do this sometime in the future.

Thank harley, but I guess what I'm asking is- I feel like I've got the perfect level of restriction right now. Will that change as I lose weight? If so, in a month? more than a month? Or will now that I feel I've gotten to the level that's just right for me, I won't need fills from now on....hope I'm making sense.

Once you feel you are at a proper level of restriction, how long does it take before you will need another fill? I know everyone's different but I would like to hear some of your experiences. Is there anyone who has never needed another fill? Thanks!!!

I am 3 months out and have not yet. I have slimed a few times. Ick.

I hate those charts! I think they're the devil!!! If you find a surgeon that will do it, I think weight loss may be a bit slower for you but you could probably still lose all your excess weight if you follow the band rules. How many calories/ how much do you eat currently?? If you are already on a really low caloric intake I don't really think the band will help you other than to make it easier to stick to less calories.

I don't recommend weighing every day........that said, I am a scale-addict!! I would love to keep it to only once a day! There are so many reasons not to weigh every day though, like the fact that my emotions are all tied up into that stupid number on the scale. And the fact that sometimes when you aren't losing pounds, you are still losing body fat. On the other hand.....If I hadn't been weighing myself so often I wonder if I'd be so good at being accountable for what I eat. I wonder if I'd learn about my body as much as I have. Like, that I generally weight 1.2 lbs more at the end of the night then I will the next morning. And my optimal amount of calories and exercise for optimal weight loss. I track my morning weigh in and all my calories on fitday.com. When I go back and look at the graph vs. my calorie input/output the weightloss makes sense. There are some rough times though when My husband gets frustrated that I beat myself up over a dumb number and he hides the scale from me for a couple of days.....those have been pretty nice days! Did I just confuse you more?!?!? lol