Constance

Confession: I've eaten 3 slices of chocolate torte and 5 chocolates. I feel so gross. Carry on...

I've had slime and golfball episodes...maybe one a week since my lastest fill. But no PBs. You can't go wrong with small bites, and good chewing -- just like everyone says.

Guys, I'm struggling a little with feeling like I eat too much. I know this is elementary stuff and I feel I've read so much on the subject. But I just keep second guessing myself. Seriously, how much is everyone eating? I eat about a cup of food and I'm good for 2-3 hours. After I had my last fill I could only eat about 1/2 cup, but after a few weeks I was to a cup. Also, sometimes I feel a little bit stuck -- but I just WAIT for a few minutes and then keep eating. Is this ok? Sometimes the mild stuck feeling happens so soon into the meal that it seems like it is just irritation and not fullness. Also, I have been seriously stuck a few times but never barfed or PB'd more than just a teeny tiny pea size of food. Based on that -- should I be tighter? It just seemes like the truly restricted people have more PBs. Belive me, I don't WANT it, I just wonder if it isn't an indication (unfortunately) that you do indeed have enough restriction. Catch my drift?

Steph M, my thoughts are with you. It sounds like you are doing the right thing and have a healthy outlook on moving on. I'm so sorry -- I know how it feels and I've been there. Keep your spirits up-- we're here for you!

I'm so glad you're recovering well. I'm sorry about the mental part. Just think of this as a perfect time for your transformation -- you can focus on healing your body AND heart. We're here for you!

Losin It, I think if you aren't having any PB/golfball episodes and you're not losing weight then get a fill. I think we can get reluctant to tinker with the tool for fear that we will be TOO tight. But the more I read about it, it seems like the most succesful bandsters go for fills at the first sign of a stall in WL. Thanks for the advice on the pills. I will try some milk today.

Hey all. I'm not lovin' myband so much today. I've had the worst heartburn for several hours now. More like 'throat burn'. Yet, I've been feeling kind of hungry and food obsessed. It is ridiculously cold outside and I so easily turn to food when trapped indoors. I have lost a few pounds since my last fill but I feel a lack of momentum since the holidays. The burning the the throat, I think it is from taking pills. I have 2 small pills I take at night. Since I was get heartburn I switched to day -- but I STILL get the burn. Maybe I should try having them in the middle of a meal? Any ideas? It's not exactly heartburn, but like I said, throat burn. I've found some other threads about it and it sounds like there isn't much you can do.

I'm at 2.5 as of today. The nurse said it was often too much for people with the 4cc band and to take it slow with liquids for a few days. It makes me nervous, but also hopefull. I'm looking forward to the 'sweet spot'

Puddin that is so cool! I kind of like it when things get pushed to sooner than you expected. It gives you less time to obsess over it -- at least that's how I am. please be brave and post before pics -- or put them somewhere. I am so interested in the process and it is so wonderfult o see a real person go through it and share the details. I'm so excited for you! You inspire me!

Alexandra, thanks so much for putting into words what I've been thinking. I am a relatively new bandster, but find myself falling into some familiar and unhealthy patterns. I look at the New Year as a great time to re-commit to the things I have let slip -- and it's the end of COUNTLESS food related events for awhile!

sherilynn, don't stress, you can eat every single thing on that list. Your restriction will vary -- but you WILL get to eat your favorites. I know that might sound scary. If you can still eat that stuff, then why won't you just keep on like you are now, without the band? Well, in short, I find that as I lose weight I am also losing the "I may never have this again" feelings. So it feels a lot easier to not go overboard. PLUS, the band itself does NOT allow for bingeing. Even in your worst moments of gorging, you will be physically unable to stuff yourself. Really, I feel like I can trust myself more around food. I still battle with choices, but quantity wise, I know the band is always there. I use to plan entire days around The Last Supper before I started a diet! It was The Last Breakfast, lunch AND Supper! But I haven't had to o that anymore. It's more like "ok, this is the last soft food and then I swear I will eat my hard proteins" Still a head game, but an easier one to win.

I have felt the tightness in my neck. I think it could be one of 2 things. Either it is referred pain from being too tight, OR it is just from being tense from restriction. I guess those are kind of the same thing. Try if you can, to give it a week or two. I find if I am really tight, losing a few pounds lets the band loosen up. Maybe that isn't exactly what is going on, but waiting it out usually works out. The neck pain and general tightness passes. On the other hand, if you are really hurting, don't delay -- get an unfill. Just try and listen to your body and go slow. Good luck!

I haven't weighed myself for 2 weeks and I KNOW it will be bad news. I even tried to get in for a fill today but it is snowing here again. Did I mention I was trapped in my home for 3 days because of a blizzard...and it is snowing AGAIN!

I was really on the fence since it costs almost triple for me to have flouro. I have found the docs have had no trouble finding my port. Also, once you are closer to perfect restriction, the increments can be so small. My doctor said seeing the miniscule changes w/flouro won't be as good as a guide as I will -- just drinking the Water. He also thinks sometimes flouro fills give you MORE chance of being too full since the tendency is to create a trickle with the barium. I think if it were the same price I would go for it out of curiosity. But really, I've had great success with the "blind" fills. Hit the port on the first poke, etc.

What a tragedy. I strongly considered Dr. Sanchez for surgery. He has so many happy patients and a wonderful staff. I will keep his family in my prayers. What a devastating loss.

Black Flag Dinosaur Jr.

Iron Maiden The Police

Jekbird, I was instructed to shoot for 60% Protein, 20% veggies, 20% starch. I usually end up with more like 40/30/30 -- but that seems like a good balance to me. I aim for 1/2 - 1 cup of food total, per meal. Sometimes I can't eat that much, sometimes more. To continue with the theme of "what I've learned"... I've learned what "oh crap, I'm about to erp up this food" feels like -- and I thankfully haven't goen any further. I've learned random stuff like candy corn is impossible one day, and smooth and easy the next. Bandsters always say that, and now I get it. I've learned that losing weight feels SO GOOD! And it makes me want to do all I can to work with the band to keep it going.

Ok, this might sound gross. But what about salmon and cream cheese blended? maybe throw a little bacon in there? Could you do blended egg salad with bacon?

Tricia I am so sorry. We are here for you!

Wow, that sounds like a really tight fill might have aggravated your esophagus -- but I'm no expert. Maybe it was some kind of involuntary reflux? I think the stuck/burping was indicating you were too tight so taking out 1cc was a good thing! Also, I know the 10cc band can actually hold quite a bit more than that -- at least 11cc anyway. Do you have a surgical report or could you ask your surgeon what size band you have? I know that the CM and the CC are sometimes confused. You can have a 10CM band that holds 4CCs. Or 11CM that holds 10CC.

La Madam, that is so great! You are an inspiration!! Thanks so much for being here to support people with AND without the band.

Lisa, thinking of you and wishing you the best. Just relax, the pros will take good care of you! And we're here for you when you return!

At my local support group I met another woman who sees my fill doctor. (He was her surgeon.) She said he told her the same thing! She thinks it's crazy, too, and she is shooting for 1/3 - 1/2 cup of food at each meal. The support group UNANIMOUSLY agreed that any less than a 1/2 cup 3x a day and you'll have a hard time meeting your nutritional needs. I am debating even going back to him for fills now. How can he be so OFF in his nutritional reccomendations? It makes me question his entire approach to banding. I know he did RNY way before he did banding -- but that's no excuse. I am paying this guy to care for me. He needs to get his facts straight!

No regrets here. I was self-pay and had endless hoops to jump through to get to surgery. I know there are risks -- soem fo which could be financially draining. But I decided it was worth taking on the risks. Staying morbidly obese and continuing to gain was a far worse option. I take one day at a time and hope I am one of the success stories. (And my support and concern goes out to those who have had complications.) Read and be informed and make the best decision for YOU! There is no rush so take all the time you need toc onsider your options. We are here for support no matter what you decide to do.