cherieinnv

I am almost 6 mos after surgery and my hair has improved. It looked thin before surgery so I cut it short when I started to work out again. It is looking fuller now. I try to take my multi daily and use a gentle shampoo. Plenty of protein is key. I also drink lots of water.

I was banded 6/26/08 so I am more than 5 mos out and only 20 lbs lost. I lost 30 before surgery. I just received an email from a friend who was banded the same day and has lost 50 lbs. Oh well, I am exercising and I know it will start coming off again. I am doing 1 day at a time...

Thanks for the encoragement, Michellelei! It wasn't as bad as I thought. I only gained 2 1/2 lbs. Dr. Teng gave me a lecture, though. He said I'm the quarterback of the team and I have to be willing to go for the touchdown/ My 3rd fill was a little bit more intense than the first two. I asked the doctor to be more aggressive, he said no, but then said he put in so much it was squirting back out. For the first time, I could hear gurgling when I drank the water. I was able to drink coffee and a small yogurt later on. I am hopeful that I'll make it through the holidays.

Thanks for the encoragement, Michellelei! It wasn't as bad as I thought. I only gained 2 1/2 lbs. Dr. Teng gave me a lecture, though. He said I'm the quarterback of the team and I have to be willing to go for the touchdown/ My 3rd fill was a little bit more intense than the first two. I asked the doctor to be more aggressive, he said no, but then said he put in so much it was squirting back out. For the first time, I could hear gurgling when I drank the water. I was able to drink coffee and a small yogurt later on. I am hopeful that I'll make it through the holidays.

I see my surgeon tomorrow for my 3rd fill. I was banded 5 months ago and have gained some weight back. I don't think the doctor is going to be very happy with me, but I have next to no restriction except on the day I have a fill. Yes, I stopped going to the gym and have been eating too much. I'm hoping that this 3rd fill actually makes a difference on how much I can eat. Dr. Teng is very conservative with fills and I am going to ask that he get more aggressive this time. If I could only drink protein drinks the rest of my life, I would cope. My teen daughter even said she was disappointed in how I am doing. I did better in the pre-band stage than I've done since the band. I told her you don't get restriction until the third fill. I hope it's true. I still feel so much better than I did, and I went back to the gym yesterday. I am dealing with the emotional side of my weight by going to on-line Overeaters Anon. meetings, and it helps tremendously. I underestimated how much food can be an addiction, but I am fighting it now every day. Let's hope I haven't gained more than 10 lbs back. I need to get back down to the -50 mark and then start losing again. We'll see what happens with fill #3!

I see my surgeon tomorrow for my 3rd fill. I was banded 5 months ago and have gained some weight back. I don't think the doctor is going to be very happy with me, but I have next to no restriction except on the day I have a fill. Yes, I stopped going to the gym and have been eating too much. I'm hoping that this 3rd fill actually makes a difference on how much I can eat. Dr. Teng is very conservative with fills and I am going to ask that he get more aggressive this time. If I could only drink protein drinks the rest of my life, I would cope. My teen daughter even said she was disappointed in how I am doing. I did better in the pre-band stage than I've done since the band. I told her you don't get restriction until the third fill. I hope it's true. I still feel so much better than I did, and I went back to the gym yesterday. I am dealing with the emotional side of my weight by going to on-line Overeaters Anon. meetings, and it helps tremendously. I underestimated how much food can be an addiction, but I am fighting it now every day. Let's hope I haven't gained more than 10 lbs back. I need to get back down to the -50 mark and then start losing again. We'll see what happens with fill #3!

I haven't started attending meetings yet but am working on removing sugar and chemicals from my diet. I am allowing myself to eat and food that has 1 or 2 natural ingredients. My box of raisins just says "California seedless raisins." I also snack on dry roasted edamame (soybeans) which only contain soybeans and sea salt. I can also eat meat, vegetables, etc. I tried eliminating all flour, but they had a free turkey dinner at work yesterday and I ate the stuffing, etc. But I get my 3rd fill Monday and will ask my doctor to be a little more aggressive with the fill. I am going to try to attend a meeting, but I'm nervous about walking into my first meeting. So many people downplay that FA is an addiction; I feel embarrassed to admit it to anyone.

Thank you for starting this thread. I had stayed away from this site for awhile because I had discovered I really did have a food addiction. I never believed it until I got banded and then started fighting the band. I thought only "idiots" did that, but now I know the word is "addicts." Being a food addict felt so lonely. I tried to talk to a friend who is in NA and she dismissed my issues as being nothing compared to her addiction. I stopped talking to anyone but I wanted to say, I'd give anything just to stop eating. I know I have a compulsive nature but I stopped drinking and stopped shopping (gave up credit cards) and am very careful not to get addicted to my medications (although Xanax is a struggle). I have been roaming the Internet reading up on FA and then came back here and found this thread. The band helped me lose weight (30 pre-band and 20 post-surgery) and it stops the binge before it can get too out of control. I read last night that it takes 10 days to get out of the addictive behavior loop and today was Day 1 of no sugar. Tomorrow I add flour. I'm not ready to give up coffee, but I'll start looking for an OA meeting. I went to 1 about 20 years ago, but left because I was too proud to think I had anything in common with the OA group. Thanks for reading this, but I had to get it off my chest. Thanks for letting me know others are fighting FA and balancing the band.

Hi Purplesloane! There are a bunch of bandsters in Las Vegas and Henderson and we're all here to support you. This site is a wealth of information. Read through the various topics and you'll see that you are not alone. I was banded in June by Dr.Teng and have had a positive experience but am losing slowly. I am very happy that I was banded and I'm sure you will be, too. There are some monthly get-togethers in Las Vegas for several bandsters, too. Best of luck with your surgery and recovery!

I'm out of town that weekend but have fun!

I'm so excited! I am only 1 lb away from the 50-lb mark. I got my 2nd fill today and the surgeon said I was "right on track." I lost 30 lb before the surgery so "only" 19 since surgery on June 27, 2008, but I am happy that the scale is finally moving again. It was almost comical how it never budge from 269. I am staying home from the gym tonight but have been going religiously, which helps with the stress and mood. I am also doing well with "head hunger" since I started researching food addiction and admitted I have an addiction that is easily triggered by some foods. I have 1 good support group and just found another for eating disorders which I will attend next month. I see my family for the first time in 3 years later this month. I hope they can see a difference!!

I'm so excited! I am only 1 lb away from the 50-lb mark. I got my 2nd fill today and the surgeon said I was "right on track." I lost 30 lb before the surgery so "only" 19 since surgery on June 27, 2008, but I am happy that the scale is finally moving again. It was almost comical how it never budge from 269. I am staying home from the gym tonight but have been going religiously, which helps with the stress and mood. I am also doing well with "head hunger" since I started researching food addiction and admitted I have an addiction that is easily triggered by some foods. I have 1 good support group and just found another for eating disorders which I will attend next month. I see my family for the first time in 3 years later this month. I hope they can see a difference!!

My surgeon invited a plastic surgeon to speak at one of the support meetings, but it all seemed to apply more to those getting gastric bypass than those of us getting banded. I have no interest in (and no funds for) PS, which is one reason I went with the band. Seeing photos of people and their scars was nothing I wanted to see. I think people should be informed about the possibilities, but I would also like to hear about skin care to help avoid PS. I am using Neutrogena's body oil to help my skin stay moist and Vitamin E cream on my scars. So far, so good.

I FINALLY broke my plateau! I dropped 5 lbs and finally got past the number 269, which I have been fighting for 2 months! I "only" have 99 lbs to lose now, but am glad it is no longer triple digits. I've been exercising but was forced to take a break because I came down with a bad cold, and NOW the weight drops off. Back to the gym tomorrow, I want to turn this 47 lb loss into 50! I get my 2nd fill next week, so this is perfect timing. YAHOO!

What a terrible experience! I'm so sorry this happened, but please don't give up on yourself or your weight loss. Talk to several doctors about your options. Please stay on the forum and give us a status.

I've only had food get stuck twice since getting banded and I can't say it was painful but it was really unpleasant and I am glad I was at home both times. After my first fill, I had bread get stuck and ran for the sink and sort of dry heaved but did not throw up. I no longer eat any bread but 1 piece of rye toast once in a great while. The 2nd time it was a spoonful of hashbrowns which I didn't chew well before swallowing. I had the same experience. I have NO desire to eat the foods that made me feel that way. I'm really lucky so far. I can still eat salads and rice and many things that others can't eat, but I eat much slower now and much smaller portions. I chew and chew. The weight is coming off slowly and exercising helps and it is getting easier because my energy level is WAAAY up. This was the best thing I ever did for my health, as long as I learn from my mistakes. Good luck!

I was banded June 27, 2008. I lost 30 lbs preop and 14 post-op. I've gained and lost the same 10 lbs about 3 times but was really struggling with emotional eating and old habits. Joining a good gym and going every day--or close to every day--is helping to get where my head needs to be and I am confident that I will start making progress again. I had my first fill in August and feel some restriction. I can eat most foods except bread as long as I chew chew chew and don't overeat. I can still eat about 2 C of food but am trying to stick to 1C per meal and eat protein and veggies, with very few carbs. I get my next fill Oct. 3. My surgeon seemed fine with my progress. He says 1 lb a week is fine, but I'd like to do better than that. I want to get down another 10 lbs by the end of Oct. when I will see my family. I feel so much better that I am glad I did this, but it still requires willpower and dieting. I'll be happy to answer any questions if you want someone to chat with. Good luck!

I just mean the Nautilus-type machines at the gym. Some days I work the arms and some days I work the legs. You can't work the same muscle groups two days in a row or you won't build muscle.

I have 1 bad knee but have been working out, which helps. Try water aerobics and take it slow. Just do what you can do. I also do Nautilus for upper body. I also work on legs but am very gentle on my knees. Use low weights and slow movements. I am trying to build up the muscles in my legs to support my knees. I also do better when I avoid carbs as much as possible. Don't give up hope! It will start to come off soon!

I can understand why you needed an unfill but don't understand how they can know there is a problem with the band. Did the ER doctor say that or your surgeon? I would insist on a scope!

I lost 30 lbs before being banded at the end of June and 17 since. I've had 1 fill and will have my second fill in Oct. I tend to eat right for awhile and then backslide, but the band doesn't let me backslide too far. I do feel MUCH better and no longer snore (I sounded like a buzz saw before), can walk better, have more energy. My wardrobe is a mess because it is a mix of old and "new" (thrift stores are the best). If my gut ever goes down I will drop 2 sizes in clothes, but it is stubborn. My face is thinner and my legs are much thinner. I work out but something always happens (flu this week) and I stop for 4 days, then resume. My doctor is happy if I lose 1 lb a week, but I want more than that, of course. No matter what, this is the best thing I ever did for my health.

All of my coworkers are normal to thin, and eat candy all day, every day. I have been telling myself that people with candy bowls are evil and want everyone else to get fatter.

Get active after you move and join a few clubs that have activities like hikes, etc. Maybe take a class or two at the gym that men are likely to take, like kick boxing. Join a singles group at church. Keep your eyes open at everyday locations like the book store or grocery store. I often start conversations by asking a question like, "Have you ever tried this Protein drink?" If he says a quick answer and walks away, he isn't interested. If he answers the question and stays to continue talking, he may be interested. If he stays to talk and you think he is cute, say, "I was just about to get some coffee/ice tea/water at Starbucks/Taco Bell/whatever is next door; would you like to join me?" I've had confidence with men ever since the day I told myself that it is just as likely that people DO like me as it is that they DON'T like me. I try to be friendly and ask questions about THEM and try not to talk about me. I don't recommend on-line dating for someone with little experience. There are some real losers out there. But no matter what, always stay safe and meet in public places, never get into a stranger's car, get his number first before you give out your's. Good luck!

I've had one fill and have had 2 incidents: Once with bread and once with hash browns. The bread was the day of the fill and it got stuck but I didn't throw up (I've never thrown up). The other was hash browns, which I shouldn't have eaten anyway, and I didn't chew well enough. I am trying to follow an Atkins type diet, but with salads, which give me no trouble. I do drink coffee, but gave up soda. meat and seafood are not problem at this point. I struggle with my co-worker's darn candy bowl, but plan to "chip in" and buy some candy I hate, like Jolly Ranchers. I chew chocolate Calcium and pretend it's candy. But without the gym, I still don't lose. My metabolism must be skow as molasses.