kgloverii

Ummm... I never want to go back cause of my shelf... No matter how carefully I ate, no matter how dainty I tried to be, I ALWAYS ended up with my dinner on my chest.

In this one, you need to stop thinking of yourself and think instead of your husband. What would you do to HIM if you did that? And how hurt would he be knowing you are entertaining the thought of it? The guy you are 'hot for...' Remember... he's having inappropriate conversations with a married woman. He's hurting HIS wife too. That means he probably can't hold a candle to the honest man you call your husband. AND, if you did something with 'other guy'... how could you ever trust him not to do the same to you? You need to COMPLETELY extricate yourself from this situation. Cut all ties with him. You're already having an emotional affair with him. Continue, and statistically, it will turn physical. Concentrate on the man who you've promised to honor and cherish. Think about it from your husband's perspective... the complete lack of honor and respect you are giving him by carrying this on. I hope you know, I am NOT flaming you. I just hope my words will help you realize that a little infatuated passion is nothing that should end up ruining lives.

Since I've hit an 8/10 size-wise, DH has been letting me shop a lot... my favorite place EVER is Ann Taylor. I couldn't wear their clothes before, and when I was a 12 or 14, the salespeople didn't give me the time of day. Well, they do now. A couple weeks ago, we did some major damage at one of the stores, and DH found a dress that he just HAD to have for me. A nice wool dress, fully lined, VERY fitted. They didn't have my size, so he found one at another store. I went there to pick it up and was shopping for a sweater to match another skirt I'd purchased earlier. A salesperson was making recommendations, and found something I liked. She looked at me, up and down and said, "You're a medium, right?" Well, YES, I am... and somebody from snooty Ann Taylor noticed! Praise be to God! I just had to share... :thumbup:

For our family, there have been no real changes. I am still the cook. I LOVE to cook. I make whatever strikes my fancy. And we all eat the same thing. The only changes in our diet has been an addition of more veggies and less breads. For instance, we had 'green bean spaghetti' last night--- instead of spaghetti I used long green beans and topped them with a burgundy marinara and turkey meatballs. No one missed the pasta and we are must healthier for it. Instead of pastas and rice as sides, we tend to eat steamed veggies. No one has noticed or complained. And we are all healthier for it.

Brad, Most successful people do not have the problems you've stated in your post. I don't throw up all of the time. MAYBE once a week... or less. Seriously. And I don't look like death from lack of Vitamins. I eat a balanced diet... and take a multi and I look HOT if I say so myself (Hey, I'd pick me up! lol). Most of the people on the board are people who are fairly new to the band so they are just learning, or they've encountered a problem, so they come here for help... Most banded people go on their merry way and don't really think about it. Here's the thing so many people don't talk about enough... the SWEET SPOT. Once you get there, you're not thinking of food all the time. No more planning your next meal... This is the beauty of the band, and with another fill or two, I hope you discover it. A lot of people on this board become OCD with their band. They over do it. They over question. They over fill. It is all about balance... and once you find that place, you'll wonder why it took you so long to go there. Good luck...

Katie, I know you like drinks with your food... I did too. but until I realized I couldn't do that, my progress was really inhibited. I changed my actions and now I don't even think about drinking with my meals... no missing it at all. It is just the way I am now. Kick the drinking, even a little, with your food. You'll notice a HUGE difference. Stay positive!

On that Oprah, it wasn't just a couple of people who'd regained, a very large part of that show was dedicated to how people regain and even the trainers said "Life happens after the show" and it is next to impossible to keep all of the weight off. in fact, only the winner from LAST SEASON was still at the same weight; all others had regained at least SOME of the weight back. 98% of diets fail... follow up with the contestants 5 years from now, and they will all be back where they started... basically.

Here's the deal: You are going to get the band. You are going to have to follow a STRICT post-op diet if you want your band to stay in place. After fills, you are going to have to eat specifically, and follow SPECIFIC instructions if you want to be successful, and if you don't want to be puking and in pain and frustrated... So, in a nutshell, you need to make up your mind to DO IT right this second. If you can't do it now, you need to seriously reconsider having a surgery that is going to be full of rules... I hope I don't sound mean or NON-supportive. I don't mean to be. But the stuff I just told you above is what I told myself when I went on my pre-op diet so I could guarantee I was successful. And I am a success. And if you make this commitment, you will be too...

Yes, there are a large proportion of members here who have had surgery in Mexico. I'd do a ton of research about specific doctors... There is a thread about researching Mexico doctors on this site, and that is a good place to start. There are a lot of ads on this website and I do NOT agree that clicking these ads is a good place to start. The previous poster has stated that you should go with what 'feels right to you.' Medical decisions should NOT be made on 'warm fuzzy feelings' that you get from websites, banner ads, and phone calls to patient coordinators who are PAID to solicit your business. Do your homework independently. DO your homework... Don't choose a doctor because they have a good price, or because the Flash on their website is pretty, or because you get a private message from someone on this board who tells you "They got surgery in Mexico and their doctor is great and you won't be disappointed.' There are a lot of people who have made their decisions like this, and have ended up with complications, and severely maimed because they did not ask the right questions. http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f11/researching-mexican-lap-band-doctors-101-a-66635/ Hope that helps.

I suggest you call your surgeon ASAP. An overnight type of change like that is often the result of a slip. An complete unfill may get you back in order, but you MUST call your doctor ASAP.

pizza... is an evil evil food. :smile2: Doesn't work well with me AT ALL if it is regular dough. But a super thin crust is possible for a small slice. If we have pizza, I usually scrape all the 'stuff' off and eat that, leaving the crust behind...

Katie, From one "Katy" to another... I know it is super frustrating... And don't be discouraged... but I'm going to be honest with you--- drinking with meals will SIGNIFICANTLY alter your weight loss. You can consume A LOT more calories even if you only drink a little with your meals... In the beginning of my journey, I drank a teeny bit with my meals. But, I finally buckled down, and got rid of the beverages. That made a HUGE difference. Here's the deal... once you get out of the habit, you won't even miss it or think twice about it. I sat at Thanksgiving dinner, with a huge glass of wonderful wine that my grandmother had poured for me and it didn't even cross my mind to drink it. Later on in the evening I did have a few sips though. Retrain your brain by changing your actions. I promise you that after a few weeks, you'll be so surprised you waited so long. Big HUGS!

PCH, You definitely are witnessing two ends of the banding spectrum. As for the guy who is downing a ton of calories, it sounds like there is a lack of restriction, as well as a ton of poor food choices. None of the choices he made inherently are 'bad' but all put together, they are unwise and making it very hard for him to lose weight... Your mother is being a very judicious bandster who is apparently following the rules very closely. Some may think it too strict, and there are probably bandsters out there who don't think it is strict enough. I went into my surgery figuring if I got down to a size 12 I'd be satisfied because I'd be 'normal-sized.' But once I got there, I realized it was not enough, and I am interested in milking every pound out of the band that I can. I maintain pretty tight control of my eating regimen, but nothing is off limits. I ate sweet potato pie on Thanksgiving and there was not a millisecond of guilt. I eat what I want, but am filled to a capacity where I don't need much to feel satisfied. I'd go into your surgery aiming for the stars... Make your goal NORMAL weight... Some banded patients lose 50 pounds and are 'satisfied' and stop getting additional fills. Some banded people like having tight control and want to defy expectations. Shoot for the latter. Don't shortchange yourself... but don't think you can't eat cake occasionally. You CAN. The road through Band Land is long, and you'll have a few detours... but you'll find your own way...

I am really sorry to hear that. I truly hope your band replacement you have scheduled fixes your issues... Sending you big hugs...

I am NOT one to join the drama that goes on via internet boards... I hate it intensely... HOWEVER, skinnyplease you DO seem to have some sort of vendetta. Seriously. Are you a patient coordinator or something? I've looked through your posts and you really seem to rail Ortiz and ONLY Ortiz, but no one knows your background... I am NOT an Ortiz worshipper. He was my doc. I have been very successful with my weight loss. I have been upfront and honest that the surgical experience went well, but there is always room for improvement... I am very curious to hear what your problem with Ortiz is, because you obviously have one, and honesty is a noble thing here...

I had an interesting thing happen on Thanksgiving. My husband's aunt, whom I have had a very warm relationship with, took one look at me when I entered the room, and would barely speak to me... She answered me in a very ummm... short fashion and stared at me the whole time I ate my sweet potato pie... but didn't say a word. I became self-conscious eating it, lol. Anyway, my husband said he's sure it is because I was the 'big girl' in the family, like her. Now "The Fat girls can't roll together..." Most people have been supportive and positive throughout my transformation... this has been the first blatant disdain for my weight loss. I'd love to hear other banded peoples' experiences. :thumbup:

I think we will ALWAY be aware. The previous posters comments, I echo. DH took me into Ann Taylor and we bought quite a few skirts and shirts... size 8. Ann Taylor is NOT forgiving in size. But I insist that I am still a 10 because somehow admitting that an 8 would actually fit, is impossible. I still see fat in the mirror. But as others have said, I'll see a reflection walking be a mirror and go... HOLY COW. But I have not wrapped my head around it. Maybe someday, but not quite yet... It is funny, cause my family went to McDonald's for lunch a month ago and I had ordered a Filet O Fish. I had 'dissected it' at the table and was eating the fish filet, no bun, and this lady was STARING at me. DH pointed it out and I was like "I can't eat anymore cause she's staring." I thought she was looking at me, going "That girl should NOT be eating that fish." DH told me, NO that's not why she was staring. It was cause me and him were sitting there, arms around each other... a black man and white woman with 2 adorable little MIXED children and in our small town, it occasionally gets looks of interest. But, my fat girl brain thought it was cause of the fatness... I just immediately KNEW it was cause of my weight. I told my mom that and she said "Katy, you would be the LAST person someone would look at and think that about the fish" and I know in my heart it is true... but I am still the fat girl... to me.

Sweets are a beautiful thing. I always have liked them, and ALWAYS will. But I keep my sweet tooth in check by: A) keeping the sweets out of the house. If they are in the house, keeping them out of sight. By simply taking them off the counter and out of sight makes a difference. C) 100 cal packs provide instant portion control. A bite or two is not a bad thing. Half a pack of Cookies is... D) I love Sara Lee cheesecake bites in the frozen section. I can just eat 1-2 bites (20 cals each) and it is the perfect amount... I get the 'taste' for what I want. E) The previous person's idea for italian ices is a great idea. I also have the Flavorice freezer pops in my freezer ALL THE TIME. One of those makes my sweet cravings go away... F) Don't underestimate the power of fruit... Put it on your counter. Eat THAT as your sweet first. It will retrain your brain... GL!

Yes... I am treated much differently than before. my friend Julie and I were shopping in Ann Taylor. Pre-op, and even in the size 14 range, I was invisible to sales people. But now, in the size 8/10 range, I had salespeople hovering on top of me as I tried clothing on. It is an interesting perspective to have... Shows how shallow people are, really.

I am so sorry to hear you are going through this. Stay positive. Hope all is well... Keep us posted.

I couldn't live without my spices. Hotter the better. And lots of cinnamon too...

Just as an FYI- Every month, when it is TOM, I also get the tapeworm. I get ravenous and I swear my band loosens. But as soon as those 2-3 days are over, I'm restricted again and feeling great...

I'd also ask your PCP for a complete blood work-up. You should make sure your thyroid is working properly...

Leslie, I am so sorry to hear you are going through this. It DEFINITELY sounds like you are too tight. I went through your problem for a month, existing on liquids only for the most part and miserable as can be. I started getting reflux, woke up one night with the throw up in my mouth from some juice I'd drank an hour before bed, and got scared straight. I called my doc and got an unfill of .3 ccs and that made ALL of the difference in the world. I am restricted very nicely now, and am able to eat again, although not very much. My husband was scared to death for me, as yours is for you. Imagine if your band slips from being too tight. You'd be kicking yourself for not going to your doc. That is a real possibility, so treat yourself RIGHT and go get a bit taken out. It may not take much and you'll be on your knees thanking God that you can actually can eat. As a previous poster said, the band helps us lose by restricting our portions... it should NOT be making us unable to eat anything. After my slight unfill, I've lost more weight, even though I am eating more now. My body had gone into starvation mode.

On a minor occasion, I take an NSAID paired with Prilosec to protect my stomach. This is only when REALLY necessary.