fluffycat

I have put off getting a fill i think because i am scared! i thought surgery would be the hardest part. I went in naive and panic'ed at the last minute when i realized what the dr was going to do. now, i think i am scared to commit to a life change. i really enjoy eating--cooking, tasting, all of it. i don't think i can give it up forever.

I can eat anything but if i am really hungry and eat too fast or swallow large pieces of food--i get the frothing,

When you get that tightness in your upper chest while eating -- the very best thing to do is STOP. Until that food passes through the pouch, you will just exacerbate the situation by eating more and filling up that pouch. At that point, there is only one way to relieve the pressure. Upchuck. And believe me, you don't want to go there!

So let me understand this. With good restriction, you eat less. Mentally, how do you handle that? don't you still want to eat more? Don't you still have cravings for the wrong types of food--like sugar? So the way to lose weight is with good restriction and physically you can't eat--right?

I too threw out the scale 3 weeks ago. I know I am not eating right and I don't want it confirmed. I just thought surgery was such a huge step in itself that surely there would be results. I know Dr. Zapata in Mexico actually filled one woman patient (she had surgery the day before I did) with 5 cc's in a 10cc band because he said US doctors were too conservative and its too easy to get discouraged early on. I like his theory.

I am so glad to read these posts. I am in the same situation; 10 weeks post-op, no fills yet, and nothing in my life has changed including my weight. I thought for sure just having the band would restrict somewhat. I read on this site where someone is still losing weight after 6 months and never had a fill. I put off getting a fill for this reason. It doesn't really restrict at all. I have experienced the PB several times, even upchucking once, and its a horrible experience. I kind of thought a fill would put me in that position most of the time. Another reason I have put off that fill for so long. And of course my husband and family remind me how much it costs and what little progress I have had and why did I do it if I am not committed, blah, blah, blah. Yes, its depressing and demotivating. Others on this site ensure me I am in bandster hell, hang in there, get a fill, everything will be all right. Just to know, I am not alone, there are others going through the same thing. I keep thinking, if all these successful bandsters are just eating protein and only 1000 calories per day and exercising regularly--why did they get the band? They could do that on their own--right?

throw away the scale. it is a big emotional killer. 1 day at a time. 1 meal at a time. whatever. i am not going to dwell on the scale any more nor am i going to stress over my "diet." i hate diets. i am now in bandster hell. perhaps after a fill things will get better. but for now, i will do what i can and still enjoy living my life. i hope you can to.

I am just not there yet but it is my own fault. I'm not working the band. i haven't had a fill yet. I am scheduled for August 9th. The closest fill center is Moultrie, GA and the nurse is only there once a month. I avoid the scale and i hate diets. Just the thought of a diet has me craving food. Sometimes I get that golf ball in my chest--it makes me realize I do have a lapband in me. What I don't understand is most times I can eat "normal"--too much food and everything is fine. other times if I rush or am anxious, I can eat 2 or 3 bites (usually meat) and have to stop or i will PB, slime, throw up. How is it possible for my pouch to only hold 2 or 3 bites sometimes and other times I can shovel the food in non stop? Also, what will happen with my eating habits after a fill? Will it be like eating those 2 or 3 bites all the time?

I get my first fill on August 9th. Can someone tell me what the difference is with eating after a fill? do you eat the same things but a lot less or do you have to change what you eat and still eat a lot less?

I encountered another problem the other day. Eating with others. I know to chew and chew, I know not to rush, not to talk and eat, etc. I have even slowed down to the point I can tell when that PB is coming--that big elephant Earl that sits on your chest and will not let anything pass. But I was on a "field trip" and lunch wasn't until 2 pm and I was starving! Some things you can't plan on. 2 bites of chicken and I must have swallowed it too fast or too whole but it stopped dead--stuck. I excused myself, went to the bathroom and stayed for a long time trying to upchuck that. of course, everyone was worried--are you ok? what's wrong? I don't want to explain a lapband to strangers. It eventually came up--in sessions. piece by piece at a time. slime. much discomfort. it wasn't even chunks--it was quite small. I don't know how it got stuck there. I now think being nervous or anxious plays a huge part in how the food goes down. For instance, how can I eat a lot (2 cups) of whatever--burgers, pizza, pasta, etc. and not feel any chest pressure and other times I can only eat a few bites (usually meat) and it stops dead. Right between the breasts or even a little higher. Is that where the abdomen is? And the lap band? I thought it would be lower. If the pouch only holds a few bites (I'm not filled yet); then how come other times the food is slipping right through? What is the purpose of not drinking with your meal if the food is slipping through the pouch anyway? Does anyone in lapband world know the answers? I am confused. Maybe my esophagus or sphinkter muscle is helping to stop the food intake. I just don't know anymore. So, in the end, I did not get to eat lunch.

Ah, the simple things like crossing my legs. It's a habit but with more weight to carry, the legs do not want to cross and stay there comfortably. Yesterday in church, I crossed my legs and voila! I can do it again.

I am down 10 lbs and my lower back no longer hurts!! Also, I don't get heartburn anymore. Its the little thinkgs you take for granted and forget about.

I asked my doctor about sex 3 weeks after surgery. He said it was my abdomen that was operated on, nothing else, so why would I think sex is off limits. He said be sure the position does not put pressure on any "tender" areas.

I am a spiritual Christian. I go to church about half the time these days. I know I am a compulsive overeater. My question is: specifically how is God going to stop my behavior. What do I need to do with my faith in order to trust God to fix my behavior.

The scale is not and never ever has been my friend. I avoid it. Always have and always will. If you know you are eating right and exercising, etc. then why get on that scale just to lose all motivation. You are better off without it. Try weighing once a month instead. look for other successes.

Ha! My family's idea of a vacation is some extreme sports/fitness activities. I need the lap band so i can finally join them. That high ropes challenge/rappelling through trees/white water rafting in glacial water back in September during our Alaskan vacation was enough for me to decide on WLS.

I have always needed an afternoon nap from as far back in my life as I can remember. My family thinks i am just lazy and believe me I have tried to fight it for many years--to the point of taking medication for narcilepsy. If I work out and have not had my nap and feel tired--I will struggle through the workout and still feel tired at the end of it. So i have a new plan. I will nap for 30 - 40 minutes after work if my body wants to. It does wonders! Then I have the energy and motivation to hop up and exercise for 30 - 40 additional minutes. Of course, dinner has to be preplanned and fixed so the family can function without me. After all I am not as hungry as I used to be so why am I still on their schedule? If I skip the exercise, I will have to make it up with a double session on another day. Also, if I crash in the evening in front of the TV I can still do some stretching on the floor. That doesn't take energy and feels really good.

I was banded on May 22nd and yesterday started to jog a little. The problem is my weight of course. After losing 12 pounds my lower back no longer hurts. My next goal is to lose another 10 pounds in July so my hip joints won't hurt as bad. But my left knee is killing me! How do you all handle running? Doesn't your joints hurt you? How about the next day--aren't they throbbing?

I was banded on may 22nd and have not had a fill yet. Earl has come to sit on my chest too. Most of the time it is when I rush and eat too fast. Even if I am chewing my food up well or not having a conversation. The 1st time I wanted to panic because I didn't know how to fix it or how long it would last and I was going into a very important meeting. The 2nd & 3rd times were wake up calls--chew, chew, chew and s l o w down. It also helps to stop eating every once in a while to reassess what's happening inside that pouch. You know Earl comes in different sizes and I would rather deal with tiny Earl. Its a learning experience.

I haven't gotten a fill yet so i haven't really experienced the PB and slime. I am sure if pain is associated to certain foods I obsess over, I will no doubt learn to avoid them. I am also 53 and my blood pressure and wait has been climbing in recent years since menopause. My mother's family is prone to diabetes so it is just a matter of time for me. I probably would not have considered surgery but my gyn told me at my annual visit in February that my weight and health problems were going to exaccerbate in the future. Just because of age and metabolism slow downs. I have lost 11 poounds since surgery and am so excited. Its not as much as others post but for me it is great. Just to go down and 10 pounds at that. Do you know how hard 10 pounds has been in the past? I have been on ketosis diets for weeks to get that result. With every pound comes encouragement and determination. It is going to be a long slow road. I am so glad you all are here for support.

I don't really overeat or binge but I just eat the wrong things in small portions on a regular basis. All the time--a few chips here, a few spoonfuls of ice cream, small piece of cake, etc. i pretty much can eat the wrong things (in small portions) at any and every given meal. which means it all adds up and packs those pounds on. I guess that qualifies me as a food addict. I could never give up sugar or flour so I am just not ready for this. Maybe i am hoping the band will give me better portion control but ultimately i make the food choices.

Does anyone know anything at all about the fill center in Moultrie, GA?

My doctor said except for walking to wait about 4 weeks. He does not want my ab area to be stretched or any strain put on that area.

I know where y'all are coming from because I am there too. I "strayed" from my liquid/mushy diet after the 2nd week. i am so afraid I will stretch my pouch or the band will slip. I can eat anything--bread, pasta, whatever. The band helps me to eat less than before and slower but not any different foods. What am i gonna do; this is my absolute last hope. I won't get near a scale. Its all mental.

i haven't had my first fill yet and so there is no restriction. I can't get my head from thinking about food--all the time. Its become an obsession. i don't know if its because a "diet" is imminent in my near future or what. I just wish it would go away!