shy_one

I'm horrified to say that I'm in the midst of bulimia myself. It started at Christmas 2008 and I'm terrified. I started therapy and told my surgery team, so hopefully I can get a handle on this terrible problem. I so don't want to damage my band (sobbing)

Omgosh Mae,

I had a similar experience, but I was never told about the possibility. I couldn't go, had pain and cramps and sweat ROLLING down my body. I was in so much pain! Of course this was on a Friday when my doctor wasn't available and I didn't know what to do. I called a walk-in clinic to see if the doctor there could remove my impacted "steel" ball. I almost went to the emergency room, but didn't want to pay my co-pay. So, I kept at it and FINALLY was able to pass it. Luckily I didn't pass-out from the experience. So, I now take a daily stool softener product.

I can only eat ground turkey, chicken (boiled) or canned poultry. I throw up all other meat.

I've also become an ice cream addict. I NEVER liked ice cream before the band, but now... I restrict myself on eating it thank goodness. I'm still losing because of my exercising, I just wish I could stop the head hunger.

I can't eat Pasta (found that out the hard way PAIN!!), bread (haven't eaten since banding), or rice. Thankfully, I don't miss them. I can eat yogurt, salads (no spinach though), fruit, some veggies, and my Protein drinks. That's about all I eat.

I agree with Thomas about microwaving. Once you start solids, it's best to avoid "dry" foods like bread. They just end up getting stuck. When I first went on solids, I ate a lot of chunky Soups, canned meat, and of course my Protein shakes. If I wanted chicken, I boiled it with lots of spices - it comes out really moist.

I definitely burp more than I did before the surgery. But I've found that the burping is a sign that I've overeaten or I ate too fast. Another sign for me is if I start to sneeze. Your burping might be because you ate the microwaved meal AND the bread together. Hopefully, your burping will subside soon - Brenda

Hi Polly - congrats on starting a new journey. I too live in Kansas, so your post caught my attention. I don't agree with your husband. I tell people about my surgery and if they can't accept that, then that is their problem. I know that I had the surgery to help me become healthier. I have found that some people who are against the surgery secretly wish they could do it or really don't want other people to succeed in "whatever". I'm sure, however, that there are some who truly believe that any weight loss surgery is dangerous. Well.....being "morbidly" obese can also be fatal.

I'm proud of myself for taking the plunge and I am not ashamed to share my journey with others who might be interested. To me, doing something to get healthier and less dependent on food or medications is a reason to celebrate! Brenda

I too am a carboholic. I did follow the pre-op diet faithfully and somehow made it through that okay. Oblivious during that time, I now know that it was a way to rid my body of the bad carbs. Now, I never touch the stuff. I'm afraid that 1 little taste will send me down the tube. I know that I have an addictive personality. Right now I'm struggling with a cheese obsession. I was on a tic-tac cycle a while back, but have gotten that one under control.

If you can stay off the bad carbs, you will be better off. Believe it, you won't feel tired, crabby (most of the time, lol), and you'll have much more energy. This is not to say, that you still wont go through the "mourning" food stage. I went through that after about a month post-op - was depressed, angry, moody, etc. Remember, your body and mind is addicted to food. It's the same as giving up liquor or drugs, you have to go through the withdrawal period.

I wish you all the best. Hang in there, it does get better! Brenda

I also believe that I was led to this surgery. God opened up all the doors for me to walk right through. I was the best thing that I have done for myself in a long time, so no, I do not think that what's happened to you is weird.

If your g/f can't get to her doctor ASAP, she needs to go to the ER. If she keeps up with vomiting, etc., she will have her band slip. My doctor said that persistant vomiting can move the band OR have the inside of your stomach come up inside the band! Don't take no for an answer.

I also like this format. You can easily find the forum topics on the left and I like reading the current posts in 1 page. Before, you had to scroll down to find new posts and sometimes you missed them if they were embedded within a forum topic in the old format.

New underwear sounds like the plan :wink_smile:

Very well written! Thank you for sharing your story and letting others know they aren't alone. What courage it took for you to step outside your box and start questioning what was happening to you. I wish you continued success - Brenda

I'm not sure about what I should do to Celebrate. Any suggestions?

Oh my gosh, I stepped on the scales this morning and it read

I haven't weighed that in I don't know how long. I can't believe it! It feels awesome. I'm ready to jump out of my seat. I am soooooooooo glad that I got banded. It was the perfect tool for me to use, I love my band. Thank you God!

Brenda

Oh dear, I'm really sorry about how miserable you must be right now. Are you able to drink any Protein Shakes? If so, do they come back up? I don't have much in advice, but I do think that you should have an x-ray to make sure that your band is okay. What does your doctor say about you still getting sick and all? Has she suggested an x-ray before? Good luck at your doctor's and I hope that you can get this resolved soon. Believe it or not, once you get over this hurdle, the band is awesome! - Brenda

I had my 2nd fill yesterday. My doc initially put in 3 ccs in my 14 cc band for a total of 6 ccs. I sat up and started to sip some Water. At first I felt okay, I could feel the restriction in my chest, but thought I was okay. All of a sudden I felt clammy, sweaty, dizzy, and nauseous! I was like, hey doc I'm not feeling to good. He had me lay back down and removed 0.5 ccs. OMgosh, that was just enough. I felt sooooo much better :cool2:.

Pour man was so upset for me. I was like, it's okay :biggrin2:. I'm just glad that it happened here. Now I so know what it feels like to be too tight. No problems so far, drinking my Protein Shakes slowly and not needing but small sips at a time. I like my doc, he's so compassionate about his patients and was so cute last night :thumbup:.

Sorry, but I wouldn't make myself sick. I'd drink the pineapple juice in very small sips. Otherwise, the juice will just come up with the slime. Standing and walking around also helps.

I'm not on 1/2 cup yet, but I definitely have more energy. I think it's because I'm not eating any of those junky carbs anymore. I used to be tired all the time. I would take 6 hour naps during the weekends and still feel tired. But since I've been off of the carbs, omgosh, I don't need to nap as much, I can do housework without feeling dead, I can walk so much further, etc. I guess I'll have to wait and see how I feel when I get to my sweet spot.

I also didn't like my psych evaluator, but I was past. I have the same issues as txmomof2, exactly the same. I did really well on the pre- and post-op diet. After about 1 and 1/2 months though, I'm struggling with eating too much. I am proud of the fact that I haven't gone back to eating junk food and stuff (no breads, rice, pastas, McDonald's, candy, ice cream, etc.), but I'm not happy that I can eat so much in 1 sitting. Eating healthy is very important to me. Thank goodness I exercise too. I just hope that with successive fills, my overeating stops. Like you, linigh, food is an addiction to me.

If you can stay away from eating the bad carbs, it might help stave off your addiction somewhat and not make you hungry sooner, tired, etc. Although I can eat a lot in 1 sitting, I do not snack between meals because I no longer eat the bad carbs. Good luck in your journey.

No, I continued to take my Byetta twice a day. I stopped for a short while after surgery, but found that my blood sugar stayed slightly high (not high enough to use my insulin though). Byetta also helps with not being hungry.

I'm with you also. I can even eat 2 cups of food, healthy foods though like salad. I think when you hit your sweet spot is when you can only eat 1/4 to 1/2 cup of food at 1 sitting. Anyway, I hope that's the case! I go for my 2nd fill August 4, so I'll let you know if there is a reduction in the amount I can eat. Good luck on your journey.

The important different between those 2 Protein Drinks is in the number of Protein grams (17 for EAS and 15 for Atkins). I myself prefer the EAS because it also has less calories. I really don't think it matters what Protein Drink you have, just as long as it's low carb and has enough protein in it. Good luck in your journey!

I also have a 14 cc band because of my size. I'm kind of glad he put in the larger one because you're right, you have more to play with. On the other hand, it will take longer for me to get to my sweet spot.

This is why I won't even go there - eating Pasta, breads, rice, etc. - to not get back into the carb roller coaster. When my head hunger rears its ugly head, I try to eat healthy foods, mostly Protein, maybe some fruit. Last night I tried eating raw carrots. MISTAKE! I Pb'ed for almost 30 minutes. I had pain in my chest and back. Finally it went away and I'm hoping I didn't do anything to my band. Won't be eating raw carrots anymore. Now I need to find another alternative snack preferably low fat, high protein, no carbs, no calories....anyone have any suggestions? lol.

I had my first fill and was good for the 1st few days. Now I'm hungry again and can eat whatever I want. My doctor has me go in every 4-6 weeks. Would be nice if I could go in more often though.

I got mine in the hospital also.