Monica S

I have no idea what to do either. Exercising just doesn't ease the pain like bingeing on chocolate.

Wow, interesting thread! I personally believe that God made doctors, surgery, and medicine because He wants us not to hurt if we don't have to. I believe God wants us to be happy and healthy. And I belive God made WLS to help us.

Believe me, you don't want to see pics...at least not yet

Just walk, as much as you can, even if it's only for a little at a time. I'm now doing 30 minutes per day on a treadmill but had to work up to it.

Mikey, your response was so awesome. Thank you for sharing your personal journey. I have to agree with Mikey in that you can't change anyone else but yourself, and someone has to be ready to change in order to be successful. There is a field in psychology called "motivational enhancement" or "motivational interviewing" that was designed to help alcoholics who don't want to stop drinking. I think it could be applied to addictions of all sorts, including food. There is a book by William Miller called Motivational Interviewing where he describes how to do it and how it works. You might want to check it out. It basically describes what happens when you reinforce change talk. For example, if your hubby says "I'm thinking about exercising" you would positively reinforce that, but if he says "I don't ever want to change" you just ignore him. Somehow, by selectively reinforcing positive change talk, the person starts to believe that thinking positively will be reinforcing. And we all know where positive thoughts lead...positive action. But nothing will ever top loving support and unconditional love.

Old Navy regular clothes run small, but I think the Plus size clothes (I can only find them online) run big.

I too have trouble not eating at night. It's such a long standing habit, I think it will take time to change. For now, just trying to snack on nutritious things and not go overboard. I am getting used to not drinking while eating. I make sure, before a meal, that I am not thirsty. I am still able to chug Water. I just don't do it when I'm eating.

No. My doctor just says to stay on liquids for 24 hours after a fill.

I had some slime once, but haven't thrown up any food. When you guys PB, does food come up too?

Anyone know what's going on with the pb?

Thanks! I knew it had something to do with eating too fast, but wasn't sure of the mechanism.

I just had my first fill 2 weeks ago. I have 2.2 ccs in a 4cc band. I am able to eat pretty much whatever I want. I am not losing weight, and I have not had a PB, vomited, felt sick, or had trouble with any kind of food. I do feel pressure in my chest if I eat too quickly, but it goes away in a minute if I just sit there and doesn't happen if I eat at a regular (not slow) pace. Is it too soon for me to get a fill? I don't want to wait until my next dr. appt in 6 weeks. What do you think?

It's funny to me how celebrities get all up in arms about the paparazzi and their privacy, especially since most of them worked their asses off to get famous to the point where they are recognized in public. I think it would be really horrible not to have any privacy, but the paycheck might ease the pain...

I like ELITE whey protein in chocolate. It tastes like chocolate milk and is very creamy.

Just so you know, I felt exactly the same way you describe after the surgery. Try not to worry about it until after your first fill. Good luck!

Before my first fill I was able to eat anything I wanted. I did not stick to my diet, and nothing bad happened.

I LOVE that "secret lives of women" show. They also had one on women who work in prisons, one about women who are addicted to plastic surgery, and the eating disorders one. Really good show. I think I have a lot in common with anorexics, bulimics, and overeaters. The biggest thing being an obsession with food. I can't even imagine what it would be like to view food as something to keep you alive. It means so much more to me. I think about it all the time! As far as Star goes, she had surgery. She lost too much too quick, and I agree that if it had been on weight watchers or jenny craig or something she would have said so. And I think she should come forward. WE don't have to, but we are not famous. Being a celebrity has a lot of perks that come with it, but it has some downsides too, including having a responsibility to the public.

ShavieLou--thanks for the info and validation about the HPV thing...

I ate a lot in the days leading up to surgery, but was on clear liquids only on the day before. And I didn't have any problems

One thing you might want to consider... The lap band is not as dramatic as I thought it would be. The surgery didn't hurt as much as I thought it would, the recovery was easier than I thought it would be, and I can eat way more than I thought I would be able to. Now, I don't think I have proper restriction yet (I've just had my first fill) but my life has not changed all that dramatically yet. I was scared that I'd wake up from surgery and EVERYTHING would be different right away. I understand that life changes a lot when you lose weight, and those who were banded a couple years ago are very different than they used to be. But it's so slow with the band that you have plenty of opportunity to get used to it. So don't think that life will be THAT different when you're banded. In fact, before you get a fill it's almost like nothing ever happened to you. Just my opinion...hoping to alleviate anxiety

my first fill was 2.2 ccs in a 4cc band. I don't feel restriction. I can't wait to feel the fullness some of you are writing about

Check out your pain meds. If they contain opiates, that really could be a contributing factor. They are not meant for long term use.

At the same time I was preparing to have surgery, I also had an abnormal pap and found out I have HPV, a virus that causes cervical cancer. My gyno did a biopsy and told me it's fine and I just need to have another pap in 6 months. So I told my boss that my many dr. appointments were related to that, even though that thing had been resolved. The funny thing is, I was more embarassed about WLS than about a sexually transmitted virus! How weird is that? I mean, everyone already knows I'm fat, it's not like that's a big secret. But for some reason I wanted my WLS to be a secret.

Well, I just had my first fill a week and a half ago. He put 2.2 ccs in a 4cc band, and I didn't notice anything. I am glad I read this thread because I didn't know it sometimes takes a couple weeks to feel restriction. I feel a TINY bit of restriction, but nothing like what I'd hoped for. I was thinking about calling my doc and asking for another fill. How long do you all recommend I wait until making that call? I have never vomited, had a PB, or felt sick since being banded. Should I worry that this is not working for me? I can eat a lot and have no trouble drinking anything cold or hot at any time of day or night.

I was wondering how many people follow which rules--the eating and drinking rule in particular. Answer what you actually DO, not what you were told to do.