nanster

Cashley: I agree totally with you...eating out and/or fast food make it difficult to eat and eat healthy. Nachos Bellgrande is also one of the few fast foods I've found that stay down. We went to Joe's Crab Shack last night and I had a tossed salad and crab-stuffed shrimp. They were very good, just had to eat VERY slowly. Couldn't eat the broccoli, rice or bread but the rest was the biggest meal I've had in over 2 months!! Can any of you "suggest" some of the better eating out/fast food choices you get that go down well. I hate to order something that I end up unable to eat or throw up and waster the money and still go home starving! Also, it REALLY sucks to PB in public and have to rush off to the restroom. I'm otherwise doing very well except I cannot seem to get myself exercising as I should. Story of my life. Later, Nanster

Hey Fellow Feb Bandsters! I'm baaaack! I've been doing pretty well, although I've had some ups and downs for sure. Had my second fill May 15 and it has been very tight. Got a small unfill and I have very good restriction. My band is VERY fickle. One day I'm PB'ing on liquids and another day I'm able to eat and eat and eat. I'm finding the "honeymoon's over" syndrome hitting me a bit too. I'm bored with eating the same old things, but I actually find I have very few foods that I can eat more than 3-4 bites of comfortably. Surprisingly, I had one very small piece of pizza last week (first time trying that) and I did pretty well with it. I ate like 2 bites with crust and the remainder of toppings only. I couldn't eat much, but it sure was good. I had hoped to eat a hamburger for my birthday dinner. But, for whatever reason, burgers don't go down well...even meat only! I actually ate a tiny piece of steak twice...the pieces were about 1" X 2" and about 30 pieces, but I got it down no problem. I do NOT eat bread AT ALL (minus the one pizza slice!). I eat WAY TOO MUCH in "junk" food...crackers, cheetos, fritos, cream cheese/crackers, but that stuff just goes down well with no vomiting or PB'ing or chest pain!! Scrambled eggs are not going down as well as they once did. I can eat refried beans. I CANNOT eat corn on the cob. I CANNOT eat rice. I'm getting to the point that I only eat crabmeat, shrimp (although since my last fill/unfill, I can only eat 3-4 and I'm done!), tuna, cheese grits, crackers, cheetos, fritos, coffee, watermelon and salad. I love those foods, but I miss eating a "regular" meal from time to time. Chinese food almost ALWAYS makes me throw up since my last fill. I can eat the inside of about a 1/3 to 1/2 of a burrito with refried beans. I can't eat sandwiches of any kind. I can eat soup of almost any kind. I MISS MEAT. I MISS HAMBURGER PATTIES. I MISS SHRIMP. I throw up still every few days or so...the food just sits there and I slime and then it comes back up and I feel better. I just worry about the "damage" it could do to my band. (and my teeth, etc. from vomiting!) I almost feel anorexic/bulimic - how weird is that???? I really feel awkward when I go out to eat. I try to get just an appetizer, but many of them are things I can't eat...wings, potato skins, potstickers, etc....I can usually eat stuffed mushrooms or fried cheese, but I have to make that my entire meal, which seems a little odd--no veggies or meat or salad with it....just cheese???!!! I think I have quite a bit of restriction, but I feel I'm getting "hungrier" because of not having a more varied diet. Do you think that's just part of the "banded life" adjustment or is it a behavioral thing (longing for bygone food friends??) or what? Obviously if I'm PB'ing often, I'm pretty restricted; yet I'm hungrier than I've been in over a month!! I have to admit, I haven't gotten on the "exercise as a lifestyle" bandwagon yet. I am more active and I WANT to do more, but I just HATE exercising!!! I admit it...I will NEVER be one who says "I just don't feel right if I don't start out my day with a brisk workout"...it just WILL NOT HAPPEN. We have been having a LOT of rain here in SE Texas, and it's hot, hot, hot....maybe I just have a small case of rainy day blues. My knees have been bothering me more than usual for the last 2 weeks or so, which is unusual (since my knee replacement surgery), so maybe it's just a little minor "funk" that I will come out of when the weather clears!! Hope all are doing well. My loss is still hanging at the 35 pounds mark. But, I have noone to blame but myself. Although I don't write in as much, I'm still reading about everyone's progress. Where IS Janet?? What about Julie...are you out there? Looking forward to reading your posts when you can, Feb bandsters. Nanster

Hi All! Just had a birthday, so I indulged in birthday cake...several times! My weight loss is still happening, but slower than I'd like. Hopefully, I've found my "sweet spot" with the 0.2cc unfill...I can eat solids, just small quantities. I ate my first STEAK!! I cut a 1in x 2 in piece into about 15-20 TINY pieces and savored each one! Wow, when it comes to steak, I'm a CHEAP date!! I can't eat much, but if I keep pieces tiny, I'm able to eat almost anything I want. I STILL have not had ANY bread since surgery and plan to continue to avoid that. I can drink a coke from time to time, as long as I drink it on an empty stomach, by itself. I don't feel that it's "outsmarting" the band, it's just a way for me to have some of my favorite things, but have them in quantities that are acceptable/agreeable with weight loss. I almost feel that I can eat TOO much, but I can't make the band do the work....it has to be partly my responsibility too! Decreased portions and smaller bites are the things the band provided to me...along with a feeling of fullness that I didn't have before. BUT, I have to be the one that changes my eating habits and exercises and eat more like I should. It's a partnership, me and my band!!! Nanster

Hi all, Well, today I ate a 1/2order of burrito/refried Beans for lunch today...very full, but NO slimes, NO PB's and NO chest pain. Yeah...maybe this will be the sweet spot for me...1.2cc. Dancer...I've noticed just today that my port is "pulling" a little after having it "messed with" yesterday at the unfill. I suppose it readjusts with any changes in that area...exercise, weight gain, weight loss, snug clothing on top of the area, etc. so it kinda makes sense that you'd be having lots as you increase your workout routine!! Way to go!! At least now, you won't have to "worry" about that little "TUG" from time to time. (P.S., the lady that did my unfill said she speculates that its related to increases in body temp...take it or leave it!) No cheetos needed today...or crackers! Just a nice, nourishing, satisfying 1/2 order of Mexican fare!!! It has been a good day!!! Nanster

Hi All!! Got back from the doctor's office about an hour ago. Had a SMALL unfill (about 0.2cc) and hope it will be just enough to help me eat, but not enough to stall my weight loss. YEAH!!! According to the doctor's scales, I've actually lost MORE than I thought from my scales at home...a total of 34 pounds!! WHOOOOOOHOOOOOOO!! My original fill was 1.5cc; they said only 0.9 was left at my 2nd fill. That fill was 1.4cc - I've kept all of it and that was slightly too restricted. Today she removed 0.2, so I'm at 1.2cc now. I had grits for supper, as I'm supposed to stay on mushies for 24 hours, so I'll be able to report back after that whether I'm TRULY able to eat a meal. Tips given to me today at my appointment: 1) Do not eat for longer than 30 minutes - if you do, you're GRAZING; you need to eat a meal. 2) almost ALL bandsters keep cheetos on hand for emergencies--either can't eat other stuff or just have a dire need for crunch. 3) The "pain" that some people feel around their port is SMALL adhesions (which is normal) and, as you exercise, lose weight, get a fill/unfill, etc., it "adjusts" slightly to your "new anatomy" so you feel a little "pull". (She said to expect it quite a bit when first starting to exercise!) I guess those are all the tidbits I got from today's visit. I'll report over the next few days whether I can actually eat a (small) "meal" with my 0.2cc unfill. Thanks for your support, guys! YOU ROCK!! Nanster:D

Hi Everybody! Seems odd that so many are reporting more frequent PB's and/or tightness. Is this just a coincidence because we're all at the 2nd, 3rd, 4th fills??? I "lost" my first fill and they said that was "normal". Ever since my 2nd fill, I haven't eaten much in the way of "real" food. Tonight I had 1/2 a (small) new potato and 5-6 green Beans...it all came back up immediately. For lunch I had a strawberry yogurt and for Breakfast a 1/3c. egg salad (which really caused major chest fullness). My dear sweet hubby just about has me convinced that I need a slight unfill. I hate to take a day off work to go downtown to the surgery center for it, but I am really negative about eating now...I actually dread mealtime! (Never thought I'd see the day.....) I feel like I should be able to eat a small salad or a 1/2c. egg/tuna/chicken salad or a small amount of meat and right now I can't do that. Julie...you're a bit ahead of me in your weight loss...but I'm betting you are better at exercising than I am!! I'm right on your coattails, so watch out....I just hit the 29lb. mark!!! I'm gonna try to be committed to exercise from now on so that even if I get an unfill, I'll still continue to lose weight. Now I have another reason to work towards a goal...to get "ahead" of you!! Ha, Ha. Not that it matters, but it gives a reason to "compete". PB'ing sucks, huh? I find that sliming is almost as bad as just throwing it back up. I walk around "spitting" slime for a long time, then STILL end up throwing up. Now I just lean over the toilet and let it come on up and get it over with!! I'll keep you posted on if/when I'm able to schedule an unfill. Thanks for your support, you guys!! You're the BEST! Nanster

Hi Everyone! I'm down to 229.1....woohooo! I finally broke the 230 barrier (just barely!) I have been feeling somewhat angry and/or depressed about the restriction I've been getting. I can't eat much at all. I know that's good for weight loss, but it's frustrating to not be able to eat anything. I can eat yogurt, cheetos, cheezits, coffee, creamed soup, (sometimes) lettuce/tomato, cheese and a bite or two of egg salad or scrambled eggs. Went out to eat with a couple friend of ours and their 5year old daughter. To OUTBACK no less!!! I had an order of garlic mashed potatoes and a ceasar salad. I ate about 3/4 of the potatoes and about 1/8 of the salad. NO MEAT!!! NO DRINK!!!! We had a family get-together last weekend--a shrimp boil. I ate 3 shrimp and PB'd them back up!! Tonight I tried a hamburger pattie. Ate slow, small bites, chew, chew, chew....PB'd back up. I don't understand how cheetos and cheezits go down fine and no other solid food will go. Even egg salad makes me have the chest heaviness...but I always manage to get a little bit of it down each day. At least I know I'm getting some protein in that way! I'm still losing weight very slowly, so I'm hesitant to get an unfill. Am I just being whiney that the band is doing it's job, or do I need an unfill??? I just can't be objective enough about it to make that decision. I miss eating meat and veggies and eggs!! Amazingly, a piece of wedding cake went down just fine at my neice's wedding reception!! GO FIGURE!! And, I had several (probably 6-8) peanut butter M&M's last week at work...they went down fine too!!! Any suggestions would be appreciated. Like many of you, I just need to make a commitment to exercise as a part of my daily routine...I hate it, but that's what it will take I know. Small NSV...I ate part of a chocolate/caramel jr banana split from Sonic...it came right back up...I think it was the banana. It also gave me a tummy ache...maybe too much sweet/calories?? Does that mean I've actually gotten out of the habit of eating that poorly (maybe, maybe, I hope so!!!) Thanks for your feedback bandsters. You all have more good advice for me than the doctors or the band manufacturers. THANK YOU ALL!!! Nanster

Hey Feb bandsters!! Good news, bad news with me. Good news...lost a total of 27 lbs now at the 3 month mark. Bad news...still not able to eat much AT ALL since my 2nd fill. I'm feeling good and not particularly hungry, so I'm going to keep the fill in for now. It sucks for socializing, because everyone wonders why you're just sitting there, but it's nice to continue to lose a little every few days!! Went to my husband's neice's wedding this weekend. Couldn't eat anything (although I SOMEHOW managed to get a half piece of wedding cake and 1/2cup of punch down!!) except a few green Beans and a few pieces of lettuce. Several commented on the fact that I'm showing my weight loss now. (YEAH!!) But...I couldn't find any new outfit to wear to the wedding (Boo!!) I thought I'd be feeling "prettier" when I went shopping, but it was depressing. I wanted to go home and drown my sorrows in some junk food....but I COULDN'T!! How's that for a bummer....couldn't even drown my sorrows when I saw my figure in those darn dept store mirrors!!! I may still have to get a little unfill, and probably SHOULD, but I'm enjoying the weight loss for now. I had 2 bites of grits for Breakfast and 2 boiled shrimp for lunch. (Had coffee in between). Not much food, but---then again---I have lots of EXTRA fat to use for fuel. Please keep me in your prayers, as I have PB'd and/or vomited food up quite a bit lately. I guess I'm getting the "negative" feedback ingrained in my brain, because I'm beginning to not even want to eat at all...partly for fear of PB'ing, but also because it's easier to avoid food completely than to try to figure out what will go down smoothly or what won't. My biggest issue is not exercising...I just hate it. I know I need to...my knees are doing better...I just don't like to do it at all. But, I know it will make the difference in my measurements as well as my weight loss....so I'm gonna do it....tomorrow... Hope everyone is having great success with their band. Love and prayers for you all! Nanster

Thought the post didn't go, so I re-did. Sorry to bore you!

Hey Feb Bandsters! I had my 2nd fill last Monday. Ever since, I've PB'd pretty much every day if I eat "real" food. I've been living on coffee, yogurt, cheese-its, egg-drop soup and omlets. I've even PB'd on omlets and soup. I'm losing again, which is great, but I'm afraid I'm not getting enough nutrition. I don't understand why, but cheez-it crackers and cheetos are the easiest things for me to eat! Yogurt and even a "large" drink of liquid sometimes make me slime...sometimes it's fine. I've definitely been feeling discomfort in my port area...slightly to my left side of the largest port incision. The incision is totally healed and "clear". But, when I lean over, I feel it and sometimes it's just annoyingly evident...like it feels raw or rubbing or something like that. It doesn't do it if I push on the port site, so I'm wondering if it's the actual band site (i.e. stomach) instead of the port...maybe where they "cinched" it up tight?? I don't know, but I never had it bother me like this before. Yesterday and today I've had a "lump" in my throat. I think that's just from PB'ing...don't you??? It's almost like my esophagus is irritated. I'll do liquids for another day or two before deciding on an unfill. JanetC (and others)-I asked the PA at my last fill about the "spasms" that everyone mentioned. She said it was ESOPHAGEAL spasms, not stomach. She said there's nothing you can do about them, they just happen. I said I guess that's why I had acid reflux??? And she said yeah, I guess. SO....nothing sinister, just spasms. I don't know if I consider myself as still having GERD, but maybe that is contributing to my PB's, port pain and throat "lump". I sound really whiney, huh?? I'm actually feeling pretty well and losing slowly again. I don't understand...they tell us that they need to keep track of exactly how much is in our band, but then, when I "lost" .7cc, they said it was "normal" for your first fill and that from the 2nd on, you usually "keep" it. Is it just me or do they contradict themselves a lot? On the one hand, it's bad...on the other, it's no problem. If anyone has any advice on the port/unfill, etc. I'd appreciate your feedback!!! Nanster

Tamryn: I have found it VERY common to PB one day on just about everything and then be able to eat fine the next day. Are you PMS'ing? Many report feeling more restriction then. I just had my second fill and the first two days was PB'ing on EVERYTHING. I'm starting to eat small bites of food now...but I fill up QUICK!!! But, the scale has restarted some minor movement downward, so I'm happy. Several at the surgery center expressed real frustration...most were at the 2nd/3rd fill stage and were disappointed with their overall weight loss. So, I consider myself pretty lucky that I've had some losses and haven't felt particularly deprived. I've had some episodes of PB'ing and some episodes of being able to eat almost pre-banding...it has been an experience of ever-changing situations. I can't say I'm not slightly disappointed in the slowness of the loss, but I realize it took me a long time to put it on, so I expect it will take even longer to take it off. I'm generally pleased with things overall. Does anyone else have "pain" in the port area?? I don't really consider it PAIN, but I feel a "raw-ness" in that area almost daily. Do I need to be concerned??? I mentioned it Monday at my fill and the PA said she'd look closely on fluoro at the port and band, but didn't indicate any problem during my swallow. When I bend over at the waist, I feel it almost every time. (I AM very short-waisted, so could that be it???) FYI--didn't have this feeling when I first got banded..after the initial post-op phase, that is! Slow and steady it goes. No major hunger attacks. A few too many PB's. Not missing chocolate or coke much at all (what a BIG NSV!!!) and rarely eat rice, pasta or potatoes. Never eat bread. Don't drink at meals. Saving money on eating out!!! Starting to lose again. Life is pretty good for me these days! I am still undecided about getting an "UN-fill". I think if I hang in there, I'll be fine after another day or two. After all, the whole point of the band is to have restriction, right? WELL, I GOT WHAT I WANTED-and then some!!!! Thanks for your support and valuable opinions Feb. bandsters!! Nanster

Hey Everyone! Been MIA for awhile. Had to work lots so I could be off when my family came from FL. My sister, neice and GREAT-neice came to TX for 5 days. My little great neice is 11 months old and is ADORABLE! Of course, I'm biased, but I think she's gorgeous. So, to catch everyone up.... I went for my 2nd fill yesterday (Monday). Had only .4cc left in my band-the PA told me 95-99% of bandsters lose some of their first fill, probably just evaporation, seeping into the band material, etc. She put in 2cc and I was "closed" so she removed some twice...I think she said she ended with just 1 cc, but I don't know if that was PLUS the .4cc or if that was the "grand total". Anyhow, the fluoroscope showed it to be "trickling" through (that's the phrase the PA used). It's good to have such restriction, but I can't eat hardly ANYTHING. Even liquids make me almost slimey. I had 4 cheetos, 2 bites of chicken salad and I was PB'ing like crazy. Last night, I had 4 bites of a cheese omelet and I threw up twice at the restaurant. On the 20 min drive home, I had to stop to "spit" about 7 times. I was so embarrassed but I had to do it I was so miserable. I asked about my port being more "evident"--the PA didn't have any comment or concern about it. Fairly often, I feel a little of a "raw" feeling, but it's slightly to the side of the port. I guess it's no biggie. But, sliming and PB'ing with almost ANY food is annoying. (Although, that's the whole point of the band, isn't it?) I have "officially" lost 23 pounds total. Not great, but in listening to other bandsters in the surgery center, quite a few are either gaining or not losing at all, so I'll consider myself doing well. Several indicated a growing frustration with their band and/or their lack of loss. I have to admit that I was eating more and more just before my 2nd fill. The PA said most people keep their fills from the second time on...that first "fill loss" is a one-time phenomenon. I need to increase exercise mainly. I have altered my food choices but haven't really gotten on board with exercise. Dancer: My knee replacement went quite well. The first two weeks were somewhat painful as well. Once the post-op pain ends, there's a period that is not painful but is VERY frustrating and you go through that "this isn't any better than before surgery-why did I do this?" phase. But, several people told me it would take a YEAR before I'd REALLY be glad I did it and they were right. I am now 1.5 yrs out and I'm pretty much pain free and more mobile than pre-surgery. It still has some "crunchy" days or there's swelling when the weather changes, but I'm finally at the point of being HAPPY that I did it. (Of course, mine may not be typical, because I had broken my leg in a car wreck the year before (right at the knee), so my recovery may have been slower). But, tell her to hang in there and that everyone gets frustrated with it at times...it's just part of the process. (HMMMMM...kinda sounds like the band, huh? Frustration is just part of the process!!) Anybody have suggestions on when to get a little "UN-fill?" Obviously if I PB on everything that's a sign, but what if it's not all the time...then should I just be happy with BIG restriction???? Talk to you all more soon. Gotta go back to work tomorrow....back to the real world. <<<SIGH>>> Nanster

Cashley-thanks for the "ticker" help....I think I got it done!! Now to try to cut/paste the May worksheet from JanetC...wow, ultimate computer challenge, huh???

Hi all! JanetC: Count me in too. Although I don't know how to "download" the recording sheets you so kindly provided. Could you give me some instructions? I am scheduled for my 2nd fill on May 15th. I find my band to be very flexible...meaning, one day restricted like crazy and the next very little restriction at all. I can eat salad REALLY well, which is surprising to me. I haven't really eaten ANY meat yet at all, other than ground beef or chicken breast (bite size) pieces. No pork chops, roast, steak, etc. but I honestly haven't felt deprived of it either. I have not been PB'ing much at all anymore, but I do get the golf ball rather quickly when I reach a "full" level. No warning usually, it just starts. But, if I stop RIGHT THEN (with THAT bite!) I do okay. My most annoying problem has been taking my medications. I have a total knee replacement, so every time I go to the dentist I have to take prophylactic antibiotics. I have to take FOUR capsules at a time. I open them and put them in a spoon of yogurt but they are still REALLY nasty (bitter) and it lasts a long time in my tastebuds!!! They tried to find an alternative, but liquid would require drinking almost 100cc and injections can only be given IV, not IM, so my dentist won't do it. So, I'm stuck with unloading capsules every time I go for an appointment. Also, one of my daily medications is a capsule and I have to do the same thing with that one. It's not that bad, it's just a hassle that I never had to deal with before. If I needed a medication I could just pop a pill--much easier for me than liquids. But, now I HAVE to take liquid because of the band. I know, I know...small sacrifice to pay, but it's just annoying to me. I am hovering again at the 22 pounds lost mark. I confess that I haven't been exercising like I should, although I do eat quite well, I think. And, I have to confess also that I had a part of a caffeine-free Coke last week for the first time...it was AWESOME!!! But, I'm not going to restart that habit. I have gotten used to no drink at meals and am satisfied with my Water and coffee the rest of the time. All is going well for me overall with the band. It is no longer the entire focus of my life/time. It has blended smoothly into my life. Stomach flu has been very rampant here the last 2-3 weeks. I really have a phobia about getting that...would that cause erosion or anything or would you just be sick like everyone else is sick?? Just wondering. Guess that's all for now. I'll catch up on personals later this week. My sister, neice and GREAT-neice are coming May 11, so I have quite a bit of getting ready to do. Mainly house cleaning and shopping for baby stuff. I can hardly wait to see them!!! How do you guys get your "ticker" and "signature" and photos into your log area????? Do you have to download from a site??? Please help me, all you computer wizards out there! Have a great week, Feb bandsters!! Nanster