silvers320

I operate with 3 ideas in minds: 1. Does Water make the craving go away? If not see #2 2. Can I get the taste I want another way for example a SF choc pudding with Peanut Butter gives me the taste of a bag full of Reese's cups but with far less calories. There are a lot of ideas on smart sweet swap outs on the web -you just have to look at them. 3. With my good friend the band - some times I just have what ever it is that I am craving. I am now content with 2 oreos instead of 3/4's of the bag. So even when I am bad I am so much better then I was 9 months ago.

OOHHH its getting ugly. Kristen calling Mike out as taking the easy way out - with his choice I think Ron's biggest surprise was that maybe he doesnt have total control of his son anymore. Loved the scene with Jullian and Mike that pushed him to address the issues with Ron. As touchy feely as Bob is - I dont see him doing that. Couldnt believe Ron not really answering Mike's questions. Well Mom was fat too, not the kids question. WHEN WILL HE GO AWAY ALREADY!

I had the surgery on Friday morning was back in the office on Monday. Monday was a little rough so I maybe should have taken it also. I was on liquids for two weeks after surgery - so my diet required very little extra thought or work to need time off for.

Your finger tips no longer have that permanent orange stain from all the Cheetos.

You borrowed your dinner plate from Barbie's Malibu beach house.

You order an M&M for dessert and you take 1/2 of it home in a doggie bag. You shave an ice cube to make a sno-cone.

You win the Lifetime Supply of Rice-A-Roni on the Price is Right and they deliver one box

A thimble of vodka gives you a buzz- a cap full gets you wasted. You can't remember the last time you used the tablespoons - they dont fit into anything your eating out of

Soup- just because your on mushies don't mean you must eat them at every meal. Soup was a good cover during work meals for me. Drinks - order what ever you would normally drink, no one is really going to notice that you arent pounding them down. Maybe the friend .... depends on the friend

I have always thought of the reformed as the worst. Ex Smokers, Ex drinkers, and to that list I now add: Ex -Fat Asses- most notably - myself. First - I am very thankful for finding this site and support I information I have received - it has been so valuable. Now for the rant : I cant take these people that are 4 days after surgery and say "I ate a 40lbs chicken- is that ok". No you made a commitment - that chicken is risking your already poor health. It's 6 weeks or 6 months of hell to possibly add years to your life- think about that. I worry about these people that say "I can only eat ice cream". Its not healthy, its not what the band was designed for and it wasn't wasn't you signed up for. Please dont accept it - you're worth more. I worry about these people who say I PB every day. PBs happen but they should be rare - when you eat too fast, when you take too big of a bite, when you are new and learning. The point of all of this is that I really worry that people really aren't committing to the lifestyle changes. They are ramping up these bands to lose weight, which they are doing but by eating only ice cream and throwing up all over town. Understand I am not perfect - no one is. But maybe I understand the ex smoker and the ex drinker I little more then I ever have before

You look at the serving size of Triscuts and think "7 crackers - I'll never eat all those, so you take 3 and are full" You can make more then one meal out of a can of Tuna. There are more clothes in your garage then there are in your closet

I completely agree and on some levels I want to blame the company's who make the bands. In the last year or so ads are all over the place and I think people are running out and say "ok banded me - I want to go to Paris with husband" ( That woman just rubs me the wrong way - What she couldnt go to Paris before??). But these people dont stop to read the literature, do the research, etc etc. Did I know what to expect going in, not 100% but I knew that I wouldnt drop lbs overnight. Did I know that I was going to have to make changes in me - YES!

I think you have the right to angry about scheduling issues but I think you are completely off base about looking for your surgeon to support you. That's not his job, most do have some sort of support group with their practice - you should find out if he has one and go if you need it. I also think you may have had unrealistic expectations going in - thinking that you would be noticeably different in 10 weeks. The weight didn't come on over night and it isn't going to come off over night. Please understand, I wish you luck but this is a tool, lifestyle changes have to be made, and Rome wasn't built in a day.

She will change her tune in about 6-12 weeks as the lbs start to drop and you become horny like a 12 year old boy. The crack of dawn wasnt safe around me.

See Jim what happens is the guys start a tread and then the women take it over - the next time you know there are flowers all over the place and we are taking about periods! There are men here, different the minority - both because we are mostly likely banded in smaller numbers and a society believe that weight is a woman's issue. As far as the cheese - you will find most people on here will say - check with you doctor. So say no cheese, only low fat cheese etc. I eat cheese, when I was doctor shopping it was important that I found a doctor who was on the mind set that you should be able to eat anything you want - just in much smaller amounts. I used the liquid phase to really learn about food, portions, intake etc - I wasnt eating so I had time on my hands. Like they say A little knowledge goes a long way.

Who would ever think surgery would be the easy part??? But the fact is, for this it is. The lifestyle part is hell to master, but can be done. This board and its people are great, so welcome!

Only you (and the doc) can decide if its time for another fill but here are my thoughts: 1. Eating some pizza is fine- eating a whole pizza is a problem. If it was a one time mistake fine, but you can't continue the same behavior as pre-band and expect different results. 2. You acknowledge that you are an emotional eater. Did you get sufficient counseling to deal with these issues going forward? If not maybe that should make that call. 3. You acknowledge that you would allow other people to shame you into eating less food - see point #2 :smile: 4. Eating only one meal a day DOES NOT WORK. I did it for years and it does not work. You have to train yourself that your health is worth 30mins 3 times a day to eat. 5. I suppose you could go get a fill - but what happens the next time you have an emotional issue, if you haven't addressed the root of the problem? Not trying to preach but you asked for support. Its a battle but it is win-able. Good Luck

It took me over a year for insurance approval during that time I think I was so focused on approval - I never thought about the actual operation. In the days following the operation - I had a ton of doubts - "Why did I need this" "I can do it without outit " "Why did I put myself thru it". Again I think this was mostly because I was ill-prepared for surgery and hadn't found this website. Now - almost 9 months later and a port replacement (which meant 2 surgeries I hadnt counted on), I have no regrets are all. It's not a cure all but it works if you are willing to make changes.

I am not a doctor but here is what I can tell you. My first port became infected and was removed - leaving the band in tact for a month and 1/2 while I healed. After the second port was installed - I experienced some issues and discussed with my doctor leaving the band in place long term without a port. So it is possible. The port removal was a less then 20 min operation, if my insurance hadnt covered it - doc said he would have charged me $1,000. Good luck.

Funny I had Aenta and they required 5 years worth of proof of my BMI. I still ended up denied and appealed both to Aenta and the state insurance department and won. Point being there is hope. I would think if you can get the medical records from the earlier years that would help your case.

I can relate. I threw up Mexican on a street in NYC and up muffin on myself on a train. I think the train might win as the those worst LB public display ever. I vowed then that I would never eat anything "new" in public again. What I learned later was that it wasnt the newness, it was the fact that I waited too long to eat. I need to eat ever few hours, if I wait too long- I want to scarf it down too fast and then it wants to come back up I have been doing this and it seems to work for me.

I will admit that the pain from my 1st surgery was worst then I thought, I think I had underplayed the pain in my head. Bending, wearing a belt, pants all presented problems I hadnt counted on. Thankfully I have a job that I can go to dressed like a bum. Lasted about a week. The second surgery (a new port) was less painful from a body standpoint but way worse in terms of gas. Also lasted about a week.

John - good luck its right around the corner. I think you will find your goal is within reach. I was 296 and thought 200 was a believable goal. I learned how to re-eat, added some work outs and couldn't happier with the results. Good luck

Pre Band I was anti breakfast and would eat 2 huge meals in a typical day. Now I avg 5 small meals a day including a breakfast. I have to admit that breakfast makes a difference. Some days a drink a protein shake on my way to work and nuke egg beaters once I get there. I know for me I feel better when I plan my foods - I think its easier not to have to think about it during the day. From a guys point of view this felt "very old lady" like. I am have very little fill so I am not sure my amounts are right on for every one. In terms of foods - lunch meat, peanut butter on a slice of wheat bread with an apple or a banana. Tuna fish, Canned chicken.

When I first got mine I noticed a couple of changes. I always struggled to get up in the morning, sleeping with the CPAP made it easier to get up with the clock. Pre-Cpap I would "zone out" sometimes at work worse sometimes driving. This stopped once I started using the CPAP. I dont know about energy - people keep telling me I should feel more energeric with my weight loss and yet I don't??? Maybe it will come one day