marys

Sue FROM RUSSIA - how cool is that living there and for 10 years!!! I just got up -having my coffee and 'deciding' on how to get my head together and I saw your post! What timing you have. You have pushed me over the edge to get my butt in gear. I still feel a little shaky but I can do it. Although it works for others I have been eating under/up to 600 calories a day almost since my last fill (and I have lost a few pounds) but I just don't feel like it is enough for me. I think part of what happened over the weekend (PMS being #1) but it was like my old days super dieting - when you go off you explode into food. I am going to eat a little more - i think it is better for me. thanks for the support and kick to get going again. mary

Hi E-Pie, My band sister from Nov 05 recently suffered a bit like you describe. Unfortunately she just returned from Mexico and found out she had a hernia (i think hiatial) and that led to her having the band removed. Now, I'm still not sure (she is recovering) if she HAD to have the band out or it was a choice as she has had other health problems - cancer in remission now - and wanted to eat a little better (more fruit and veges) but she is way past goal weight and I think would have kept it if it was a choice. Sorry to be vague about the band status but thought you might want to check about the hernia - Whatever it turns out to be i hope you have some relief and peace soon -i'm sure that is very uncomfortable and a bit scary.

thanks molly - i'll be thinking of you tomorrow -let's both try to get back on track. I'm shocked at what i got in me these past two days and will eat healthy tomorrow. good luck to you too and i hope you feel better about whatever you were depressed about.

Thank you both for your support - I was able to pull it together a little more today (not great but not as out of control) I think it will be better tomorrow -

way to go both of you!

hey stacy, i understand pretty much exactly how you feel! I was absolutely petrified of the surgery - was convinced I was going to die during surgery and how ironic and bad would that be. I actually cancelled my surgery a few days before and ended up talking (crying like an idiot) to the doctor but in the end feeling better. he said if i came down and decided at the very last second it was perfectly fine and no charge etc. and it all helped me to relax. i don't have kids but was only telling my significant other and boy was I scared. I really think its normal sweetie and i know it's probably worse with your little one but the surgery is very safe and quick and while there can always be something it is very very remote. Just keep talking about your fears and get it all out and if possible talk to the doctor for reassurance. You will be fine - really the harder part is after banding - smile! hang in there - you can do it and you will be fine and on your way soon. take care - we are all rooting for you.

I guess I missed the hopeful segments because this just depressed me. Especially the mary story - still having to exercise three hours a day to stay the course. That's exactly where i was in the past and since i decided i couldn't maintain that anymore i am fat again. No one knows the answer/answers of obesity and it is just continually trying one thing after another. I recognize this is a lifetime issue with little chance of resolution or maintenance over the long haul. As she said in the video - it's a lifelong struggle -

I think most docs say don't get pregnant until at goal for one year is to have the patient focus on weight loss and get it over with etc... if you get pregnant before goal you may not ever get back on track - (their reasoning not mine - many bandsters here have gotten pregnant and then get back on track with fills)i don't think it's medical (reason) but I am not a medical person. i agree with others - it's your choice and if medically you are ok do it when its right for you. my friend lost over 100lbs with the band and she is about 30lbs from goal but almost 10 weeks preggo now - she is just planning on a fill or two after the baby to get back on track. her doc has her almost unfilled completely and her nurse said after the first trimester she could get a fill but she is waiting until after the birth.

I just spent the day with my friend who is 10 weeks pregnant. She was banded over a year ago, lost over 100lbs - had an unfill and just has a very small amt of fluid in her vg (large size band). She is doing great - her band surgeon and obgyn told her to get most of the fluid out but no other issues with the band - she hasn't had morning sickness tho which might be a problem with the band but manageable. I wouldn't worry about - many bandsters become pregnant after banding.

mary beth PLEASE WRITE MORE about your experience. There are only I think three or four of us in the same boat - or at least 3 or 4 that write. i need to know i am not alone and more importantly what everyone's story is.... I sometimes feel almost suicidal because I never ever thought this would be be - why doesn't it work for some??????? I'd like to help but don't have much to offer as I do everything my doc said to do for the band to work Eat three bandster meals a day, exercise, eat protein first, blah blah blah

Keyla i wish i had your weight loss - you are actually doing pretty darn good - a bandster shouldn't even expect weight loss until their first fill which is usually around 6 weeks. have you had a fill? after a fill the rate is typically 1-2 POUNDS PER WEEK. You are already at the top of the charts.

Hi Vampy Great to hear from someone banded some time ago - glad you still have you band. Can you talk a little more about your weight loss - as you can see mine is almost non existent yet i do everything right - in fact for the last month i rarely eat at all - maybe 400-600 calories a day. i don't exercise much anymore - frankly i'm always tired but it gave me SOME hope to see your rate of loss - maybe in 3 p;lus years i can lose 56 lbs too. since i'm going through all this hell with the band i'd like to know it might work some day. At this point the only thing the band has done for me (and it's big) is stop my yo yo dieting - i could and would gain 40-60lbs in a year and or lose 50 or so - that was torture too. hope you stay around -

This thread has really made me smile and even laugh out loud - i really really really needed that this evening sitting here feeling sorry for myself! I'd like to lay on my side without having to pick my belly up i'd like to walk without my legs rubbing together and chafing I'd like to be comfortable in a swimsuit so that i can walk around and not hide on the towel getting sunburned/afraid to move i want to buy clothes cuz they look good not because they finally fit i want the clothes i get for xmas presents to fit is that all too much to ask for?

Lynne, I am sooo sorry to hear of your mom = you are right -it doesn't matter how long we've had our parents -it is always devastating to hear that they are sick and heartbreaking to hear of her cancer. I'm sending you a big hug. Gosh and if a few m&m's help - so be it - i think we have to look at the big picture here. But since you've been banded awhile my guess is you've had other emotional upsets (probably not at this level) and you've had to soothe yourself in other ways so maybe try to do other things to deal with this stress and grief. I like to journal, sit outside in nature, cry, scream, get my nails done - i don't mean to sound trivial as i know you are in a crisis but you have to be strong to deal with what's ahead and I'm betting you have a well of strength to draw on - just try to be open to other ways/things besides food. most of all take care of yourself and your family = good luck! mary

It sounds like when I pb bad and get VERY swollen - sometimes just relaxing and not taking anything in by mouth will get the swelling down. then you can start back very very slowly and carefully with Clear liquids - and i mean by the teaspoonful in the beginning. Did you PB? I know it is scary but try to relax and see what happens over a few hours. if you can't keep any liquids down you will have to get a slight unfill - you can't risk getting too dehydrated but it's ok to miss a bit of food for a few days! I had this happen once and it was horrible but once he took out some Fluid i was immediately better - hopefully you won't need that. also when i've pb'd bad in the past the doc puts me on liquids for up to three days and regular dosing of maalox to calm things down. take care and let us know how you are. mary

I was prescribed raductil and liked them. am considering ordering more off the internet.

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Hi Denise - we are close in height, weight and fairly close in age - i am on birth control pills - don't know how that affects my weight. Your fill sounds right cuz you don't want to pb and not be able to eat some solids -you may just be eating too much for your body to lose weight - even if it seems like nothing! so, yes, please share a few days of what you are eating - that will help for others to make suggestions. here is what I tend to eat B: V-8 juice or Protein shake L: Soup w/2 tbls of cottage cheese; a low fat yogurt with a few spoons of cottage cheese or a Protein Shake D: I use a saucer (cup and saucer plate) that holds about 1/4-1/2 cup and put in a few spoons of food to fill it - protein (whatever works) and a vege - if i can i eat 2 spoons of a carb that totals 600 or less calories not much fun, not much food, still a bit hungry esp in the morning any more calories will result in no loss but no gain. on the weekends i have a glass or two of wine and then my weight goes up only to go back down during the week. i know its frustrating but if you feel your fill is right you'll have to play around with your calories until it works.

I feel your frustration. I have just started to lose weight and that is by lowering my calories to under 600 a day. Even when I ate 1200 or less AND exercised 4-7 days a week - NOTHING. now i don't exercise really - just walk to work and back and well I did start back at the gym but it is very minor - 20-30 minutes of light weight lifting - now it works. Tried everything prior with no results - have had many fills but it is extremem low calories that work - sad, but true.

the best weight loss I've had since going the banding route has been two slimfasts a day (one for breakfast and lunch) and a green salad - no dressing just vinegar for dinner. One more shake as needed as you know you'll be STARVING. I did lose 5lbs in a week before my surgery - your motivation will help you get thru this - how ridiculous! so sorry but don't give up.

First question: Since your surgery, what have you discovered about your relationship with food? The surgery has opened my eyes as to why I am fat and it has thrown all my 'bad' food behaviors in my face for scrutiny and change. I've learned what an emotional eater I am and how I turn to food for everything in my life. It has shown me how addicted I am to food and how I use food for so many reasons - hunger satisfaction being almost the smallest reason. I was hoping the surgery would help me become a normal eater - one which eats when hungry, stops when full and eats a variety of foods - even occassionally snacks/treats. I was hoping I would not be obsessed with food, dieting, my body 24/7. I do not have that and am not sure I ever will. I still struggle daily as my weight loss has been slow and perplexing. I do notice many many changes but they are still not all automatic although I guess if I am lucky enough to keep this band - that will change. For example at a dinner the other night I loaded my plate with pre banding portions then had to sneak my plate over to my husband to not make a big deal out of not eating that much. I still reach for food in the morning when I know it won't go down. I sometimes think I am a basket case - the most hard headed woman around. Second question: Did you experience any complications with your procedure, during or after? If so, briefly explain. Nothing other than one unfill due to eating a piece of sushi for Breakfast and getting so stuck I couldn't swallow my own spit. I'm forever thankful the doc either stiched this band in so good and/or I at least followed the post op diet to the letter that this band is still in me! I do pb a lot and have since banding. Again my hard headed ness keeps me trying foods and pushing the limits. Third question: What are your feelings towards morbidly obese people now, and if you could sit down and talk with them, what one thing would you share with them? I feel incredible sadness when I see morbidly obese people as I know some of the misery, loathing and self hatred that they must feel. I feel the hopelessness and shame of being overweight and the wrath and hatred we face from others in society.

I like to post here occassionally because I am truly and probably the slowest loser on this board. I have been on the brink of despair, considered band removal, been dieting on diet pills, and done everything to try to lose weight. Since my last fill (which was suppossed to be my very first fill level) i have achieved some weight loss. I think this is pretty good restriction for me because it is the first time I truly feel 'full' (you know the full I am talking about - just satisfied) with a small amount of food. And earlier trying to lose weight on a variety of caloric counts from 800-1500 never worked. Now I find if I eat under 600 calories a day I can lose a few pounds. I don't have much energy but if the scale is finally moving I am ok. I usually eat a V8 juice for breakfast and a protein shake or yogurt mixed with a little cottage cheese or soup for lunch and i have about 1/2 cup of food for dinner. I'm finding it is harder to stop because i still feel a bit hungry - heck i don't think 600 calories is much but if i even eat on bite too many i barf it up. whereas before on previous fills i always had to make mysefl stop way before feeling that fullness - I wanted to give up so bad many times but i've now spent almost 20,000 on this band and what else can I do/try - i want it to work. My doc had told me i would be able to eat everything in smaller amounts and the weight would come off quickly but that has never worked for me. I never wanted to eat 600 calories a day but if the band helps me to do that and it WORKS i will live with it. Though I've had my thyroid tested (in normal range) when I have insurance again (later this year) i will explore if there are other reasons i can't lose. My goal is to lose 65lbs and I'm at around a 14-16lbs loss after almost TWO YEARS. I don't think there is anyone else here with that track record. And YES I did follow the rules - until this last fill I exercised pretty strenuously at least 4 days a week.

The mother and her doctor are the ONLY ones who should have a say over her body, her life. IMO there are NO expceptions to this - no matter how 'reprehensible' this may be to others.

Sorry about all your troubles - my band sister just had her band removed - she had symptoms like you describe - they found she had a hernia - have they checked that on you?

What's breakfast? Ha - these days it is coffee and v8 juice or a protein shake.