Monica S

RDUNN, this is what I call the "last supper phenomenon", where you pig out before surgery in case you're never able to pig out again. It happened to me, and to many others. Try to remember that you still can pig out with the band, at least until you have restriction. It's not like you'll never be able to eat again. That said, it's a common thing.

There is so much "lap band is better than RNY" sentiment on this forum, and for good reason I'm sure. I was almost afraid to post that I wish I would have had RNY instead for fear of being attacked. I feel relief to know that there are other people who feel the way I do. I feel less alone, and I appreciate everyone's honesty. I was starting to feel completely alone here. Thanks for letting me know I'm not.

Thanks Birdee! I really needed the pep talk, and you make a lot of sense to me.

Thanks for the encouragement, Bettina. I guess I just wish it were faster and not so darn difficult!

I was banded in November 2005 and have only lost 35 lbs. But I haven't totally stuck to all the rules, and have been battling an ice cream addiction. I also didn't lose anything until I had proper restriction, which took me 5 fills and 2.7 ccs in a 4 cc band. I still am hopeful, and am trying to follow the rules a lot better. Without the sweets I know I will lose faster. But remember, the band doesn't do anything for you. You have to do all the work. It's just a tool.

I have found that the band does not help with emotional eating. I can still pig out on ice cream when I'm sad, lonely, frustrated, stressed, etc. It does help with eating less in general, though, and that makes me feel better about myself, and the weight I have lost has boosted my motivation, and I have fewer nights where I feel the need to emotionally eat. So, whoever said it helps indirectly, I second that.

I have been banded for about 8 months, have great restriction, and have not had anything carbonated at all until about a week ago. I took a couple sips of diet coke and it was the best thing I have tasted ever!!! On a hot day, I'd forgotten how much I love it. I did not have any trouble with it at all. The next day I had a few sips too many and had a HUGE burp, but then was fine. Then today I had just a couple sips and was satisfied and pain free. Do you think I'm damaging myself or my band by taking a couple sips now and again? It seems to me that if it doesn't hurt it should be okay. But I don't want to be stupid either, and I'm not planning on drinking a whole coke or doing it everyday. I guess I'm looking for someone to tell me it's okay. What do y'all think?

Yes, I promise! Just feels like it won't. Hang in there.

Hi Kimmason, The doctor will decide what size band to put in you, and he or she will guide you through fills. I only asked my doctor how much Fluid is in my band because people on this site were talking about it so much. How much you have in there will affect how tight the opening is between your pouch and the rest of your stomach, and will affect how full you feel. You have to work with your doctor to get proper restriction, meaning you aren't hungry even though you're not eating very much. It takes time and effort and is a trial and error way of doing things. The gastric bypass is more extreme but you will lose more at first. We banders need to be more patient, and we end up doing better in the long run. It just takes time and patience, and believe me, it can be very frustrating. You're in for a permanent life change, and it doesn't happen overnight.

You know, I was told when I was preparing to be banded that I could never drink out of a straw again. They said I would swallow air and would be incredibly uncomfortable. I have tried drinking out of a straw and nothing happened. Has anyone else heard of the forbidden straw? Do you drink out of straws? The advice I was given was for bypass patients too, so I'm not sure if it's a lap band thing or a WLS thing.

Has anyone gone to OA or other 12-step programs? I feel like AA and NA are good, but I can't seem to get into the program around my eating. I don't know why. Maybe it's too personal, too complicated, or maybe I'm just not ready to give up an emotional attachment to food.

The only drug I've ever tried to lose weight that worked was cocaine. And that came with a whole other host of problems. But man was it effective! Of course, when you quit, you gain it all back plus a bunch. Wouldn't recommend it. But it does make me think, we KNOW there is a mechanism to drugs that makes people lose a lot of weight. WHY ON EARTH can't the scientists make something that works without the side effects?? Snap to, biochemists!!!

My engagement ring is a beautiful antique from ebay. It's a third of a carat, but absolutely gorgeous, and cost my broke fiance less than $200! It was appraised for a lot more. I wore a 7 1/2 when I got engaged a year ago, now I wear a 7. Still waiting on resizing it.

At 5'3", my "medically ideal" body weight is 116 lbs. Yeah, right! I haven't weighed that since I was 10. My "normal" weight would be 142, which would be absolutely ideal for me. When I was in high school and college I was an athlete and was at 180, was in great shape, and looked fantastic (if I do say so myself). The best I ever looked was a fit 165lbs, and a size 8/10. So I have set incremental goals for myself. First, I want to get under 200 (I'm at 244) by 2007. Then I want to reach 180 again. Then I'll aim for 165. If I reach 165 and plateau, I will increase the exercise, but will be healthy and will feel great. I'll do my best to reach 145, but will be very happy to be between 145-165. The thing is, I have known people my height who are much bigger than I am at 180. It's not just big bones, it's body density. I had 25% body fat (healthy) at 165 lbs. (obese). So you can't just rely on the charts. You have to know your body.

I personally go in and out of periods of motivation. I'll get stressed out, or depressed, and not exercise or work on my diet for a week at a time. But then I'll try again, and when I'm trying the band really helps. It doesn't do much when I'm not trying. Sometimes this makes me wish I had gotten the gastric bypass instead, but most of the time it just makes me aware of the fact that this is all up to me, despite the band. Even though I'm not perfect, I keep trying to go back to eating well and exercising. I figure that it will eventually pay off. Right?

I had shoulder pain for 10 days after surgery. It sucked, but it does go away.

It took me 5 fills and 2.8 ccs in a 4 cc band before I wasn't hungry all the time. My doctor told me I'm unusual, but it really took a while. But it will happen eventually if you keep at it. Some of us just need a tighter band than others.

I seem to be one of the only ones here, but I can feel my port very easily. It's close to my skin, and if I were intimate with a new partner for the first time I'm sure he'd feel it. So there's that. Plus, I often need to excuse myself to go to the bathroom to PB after dinner, especially after a nice dinner where I eat anything starchy, and my mom told me that if she didn't know about my surgery she would ask me if I were bulimic. Personally, I'd rather tell a date the truth than have him think I'm purposefully puking up dinner every time we go out. Finally, I think a guy would be impressed and would like it if he knew his girl had had weight loss surgery. First of all, he would think that his girl is about to get a killer bod. Also, men have this "problem...solve" attitude toward things, and I'd bet they would admire the take action, proactive approach that we have chosen to solve our weight problems. So, maybe I'd avoid it for the first few dates, but by the time we were ready for intimacy, I'd just tell him. I would anticipate support and admiration. If that's not what I got, I'd sit on him.

I take herbal supplements in big, huge capsules and have no problem with them at all. And I do have good restriction. I just have never had a problem with pills of any kind, despite a lot of pre-band worrying.

Thanks, Julie! Good idea. That's the real thing about weight loss--you have to find a way to live your life as well. Some of you are giving me good ideas about how to eat moderately as well as exercise moderately. Moderation is not my strong point!!! I appreciate the advice.

How much exercise are you getting? I work out at the gym 3 times per week and do about 30 minutes of treadmill or eliptical machine and then 15 minutes of weights. I felt pretty good about this, until my doctor told me I should be exercising for 5 hours per week. I was in shock! I thought I was doing enough but I guess I'm not. Then on Oprah today she talked about her weight loss, and how her "rule" is vigorous exercise 8 times per week. What the F? How do people do that? What do you do?

Thanks! And congrats to you on finishing comps. The hoops you have to jump through on your way through a doctoral program are a pain in the butt, but I never feel better about myself than I do when I complete something and know I did a good job. Lots of work, but good for the self-esteem. Good luck on the dissertation!

Congratulations, Dancing Queen! I am just finishing my dissertation for my Ph.D. in Health Psychology. Good luck in your doc program!!!

Here are some favorites of mine: Zucchini Soup: So good for you and so creamy. It's hard to believe anything can taste this good! 3 lbs. zucchini--peel, take out seeds, slice 1 medium onion, diced 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 tsp of sweet basil or 1 bunch of fresh basil, chopped 2 slices of bacon--slice in 1/2'' pieces and use this to stir fry the onion, garlic and zucchini 2 slices of bacon--microwave until crisp; drain on paper towels and crumble 1 can of chicken broth 1 cup Water 1/2 tbsp salt 1/2 tsp pepper Saute 2 slices of bacon in a large pot. Add onions, garlic, and zucchini. Add the chicken broth and water. Bring to a boil. Add basil, salt, pepper, and crumbled bacon. Simmer for 30 minutes. Let cool and blend in blender until smooth. Mexicali Shredded Pork (weight watchers version of carnitas, DELICIOUS!) 2.5 to 3 lb. pork shoulder roast (weight after trimmed of fat) 1 tbsp oil 1 medium onion, chopped 2 (1.25-oz) packages taco seasoning mix 1 (14.5-oz) can Mexican style diced tomatoes 1 (4-oz) can diced green chilis Cut pork into 1.5 inch cubes and sear in hot oil until browned on all sides. Add onion, taco seasoning mix, tomatoes and chilis; stir well. Cover and simmer over low heat for 1 hour and 15 minutes. Remove cover and cook 15 minutes more or until the liquid has reduced and sauce is thick. Shred meat with two forks. Serve with tortillas and shredded cheese, chopped tomatoes, green onions, nonfat sour cream, etc. Nutrition per serving (based on 9 servings of meat): 120 calories 10g Protein 9 g carb 6 g fat 30 mg cholesterol 570 mg sodium I also have an incredible recipe for low fat/sugar-free/high Fiber banana walnut bread, if anyone's interested. I never would have thought such a thing could be so delicious, but I almost can't tell the difference from real banana bread!

For those of you who have "shrunk", what do you think is up with that? I used to be 5'4'' but now am only 5'3''. Maybe my extra weight caused my vertebrae to squeeze together? I've heard of old people shrinking, but not of fat people shrinking! Anyway, even though I'm only 5'3'', my goal is 150-160. I am a size 10 at 165. I'd LOVE to get to be a size 8, but I'd settle for 14! I'm about 180 at a size 14.