Band_Groupie

Thanks gals! Dear Lord Mechelle...too much pressure LOL...I still learn something new here every week from others. Fever's gone finally, just sleeping like twice as much as normal...on the mend, thanks for asking! -BG

First, contact your ins. co. for a copy of your bariatric policy so you know what they require. Second, set up some seminars to attend (I went to the 3 best hospitals in my area before deciding, and I learned new things from each seminar). Third, while you're waiting for those seminars start doing a lot of research here...read all the Stickies (top threads of many sections on the home page) and develop a list of questions you still have. Have fun and get started! -BG

Go to Tickerfactory.com and follow the instructions there. You post the Picture (not the code) in 'edit your signature' under 'user cp' (top left here). Send me a note if you get stuck. -BG

WELCOME to LBT! If you do a search on the Home page under Docs/Hospitals you should find others. There's also a group just from California (Home page, under groups, states). Have fun! -BG

CONGRATULATIONS Bander! Hunger is normal as you've now entered 'Bandster Hell'. Just try to at least maintain your weight (protein will help the hunger some) and keep practicing the bander rules. This period is for healing so rest up. -BG

CONGRATULATIONS Bander and WELCOME to LBT!! Those SF popsicles saved me (they come in tropical flavors even now). Thin the oatmeal with some milk and it will not cause as much pain. You'll feel better when you get back to food. I was dizzy by the end of that liquid diet. -BG

CONGRATULATIONS Bander! Scooching down on the Loser's Bench for you! -BG

I know the BMI charts aren't the 'Bible for WL', but I just checked and even 190 is in the Obese category...sounds like he's setting the bar really low. I'm allmost 5'9" and I'm shooting for at least the high end of a normal BMI (I started at 248 too). Sometimes I think the docs just go by the LB statistics...what is it most say- 60% of excess weight lost. If you want to get healthy you'll need to set your own goal. Go for it!

:cursing: Alright Paxie...ONEDERLAND!!!

I’m coining a new phrase here on LBT. Because I’m going to need it. Soon. How many threads, posts, and blogs have you seen here about LB’ers who are getting close to goal (usually starting about 30 lbs. out from goal, depending on their BMI) and are facing a whole new set of challenges. Their BMI is lower, as is their weight. Although they’re at their Sweet Spot the amount of food they can eat and still lose weight is no longer working for them. The same goes for exercise. Yeah, they’ve hit plateaus before, but that doesn’t even come close to this…it’s much worse…the weight loss stalls and slows down to a painful crawl…a death march even. I’m paying more attention to all those ‘30 and Goal’ posts (sounds like a football commentary, doesn’t it?). They feel guilty for complaining or even asking for support here…How can they not feel guilty for even seeking support when they’ve lost a ton of weight and are now in clothes sizes they haven’t seen in years…for some, since grade school? How can they justify needing support when others are struggling just to start losing their weight? After all, they’re so close to goal…and look at all the newbies here just starting their 6 mo. diet…or those that are now in ‘Bandster Hell’ and are just trying so hard to maintain and wait for those fills. What right do they have to complain? They’d look like FOOLS for complaining! They’ve lost a ton of weight…they’re almost at goal…they look better…they feel better…they are so happy with their weight loss…I’m with you…WHAT THE HECK DO THEY HAVE TO COMPLAIN ABOUT? Except…now…I’m almost there… These Banders get that. They feel the same way…they feel happy and frustrated at the same time…they’re happy with how far they’ve come, but they’re frustrated with their slow progress getting those last 30 or so pounds off. Should they feel happy or sad? They don’t even know how to feel about it…and it‘s not like the NSV’s are still pouring in to make them feel good as they‘ve now been this weight for awhile. Maybe they even feel a little like a failure and as though they’ve let others or themselves down with their slow weight loss. These Banders feel like they have to apologize for even complaining. Over and over they feel like they had to justify why they had a right to be frustrated at all. So how do you go about explaining how horrible it feels being so close to goal and for your weight loss to stall. You lost the bulk of the weight at least somewhat steadily, but now the scale is barely moving and at this rate it might/is taking years to get to goal. Those people generally get sympathy from others who are in the same position they are, or others that have already been through it (and we know there not as many ‘old-timers’ here…maybe this is why some disappear even?). Don’t we all give great sympathy to those going through ‘Bandster Hell’? It’s because we’ve all been there. I kept thinking…heck, when I was going through that period after banding and before restriction and I was feeling down and needed support all I had to say was ‘I’m going through Bandster Hell’ and I’d get all kinds of support…‘Oh, I’ve been there too’… ‘This is normal’ … ‘Don’t worry it will end soon’ … ‘Try this…’ Mention just two words ‘Bandster Hell’ and you need not have to explain any further…we get it…we sympathize. Here’s the thing…I’ve decided I’ll need an acronym or at least a term for this period in my Band journey. If I can say PB, Slime, Stuck, or Bandster Hell and I don’t need to explain or justify these terms and my being there, then why isn’t there one for this tough, usually longest phase in the Band journey? I looked on several sites and there isn’t one. I need a term so that I can talk about this without having to give a lengthy explanation and justification each time…something like ‘Bandster Hell’. I figure the best time to come up with this is even before I start into this phase. I don’t need your support yet for this, because I’m not there yet, but I will be soon. I looked at words and I found one that really struck home…LIMBO, in limbo: a state of uncertainty or of being kept waiting; a state of oblivion or neglect; a condition of uneasiness or aprehension; a state or place of profound anxiety brought on by the unknown; indeterminate state; a condition of unknowable outcome. Well that works. So I’m coining a new phrase for myself (and anyone else) here so I won’t have to explain or justify why I need support. I’ll soon be 30 lbs. or less from goal and I’m sure I’ll need to continue getting support here. You’ll read this phase name and you’ll just nod your head and know exactly what I’m talking about and hopefully give me the support I’ll still need (because if your not there yet, you know you soon will be). You’ll understand that I have the right to be frustrated or upset because this phase of the journey brings its own set of challenges and it’s own set of emotional issues. I’ll need the same support you give all of us at any point in this journey. You see, I’m headed into that last phase of Weight Loss…and I may be there a LOOONG time so I’ll need your patience and understanding. I’m headed into ‘Goal Limbo’.

I'm sure you know that you're both going through 'Bandster Hell' (got a band but no restriction yet, but lots of hunger). At this point it's all up to you whether you lose, maintain or gain weight (many do gain during this period). You'll get there with more fills. ...and kcweir- I don't know how she knew 'things would be very different now' because unless the fill is done under flouro she couldn't know the restriction level...we're all different and some need their bands almost full before they get restriction. If you remember the food and liquid gurgling through your band right after surgery (without the pain), well that's how I tell I have restriction. My doc makes us drink a glass of water right there after a fill and I can feel the water gurgling through the band. If things don't tighten up keep getting those fills. Patience...you'll get your tool helping you soon! -BG

Besides homemade broth SF popsicles were my savior....they even come in tropical flavors...gives you a crunch. I also used the K2O protein water mixes to add to all my water. You can do this! CONGRATULATIONS!! -BG

Glad to hear they all recovered just fine. It's always so scary for us moms when it's our kids that are sick. -BG

60 pounds is awesome WL!!! Some need there bands almost full...so you'll get there, we're all just different. Three weeks of vacation and three pounds (that you've already lost) is not bad at all. Going away from home is almost always a trigger for me...it's hard to be eating out a lot. Eating breakfast does seem to help me with the rest of the day and if I get at least 20g of protein in at breakfast then I'm not playing catch-up with the protein total for the day. Keep up the good work, and thanks for the shout-out, that was so sweet! -BG

YAY! A normal 16 is awesome! Sounds like the Sweet Spot to me, but I know it's a hard decision to make (not that we can't go back anytime for a fill). I'm sure DD was as proud of your new pants as you are! -BG

You'll feel a lot better a few days from now. Your body is just getting rid of all the gas they pumped into you to do the surgery. A heating pad helped me with the bloated feeling and walking helps the gas to migrate out of your body. The belching hurt because of the stitches on your stomach and the stoma is still swollen from the surgery. Belching itself in the future isn't a problem (I still belch a LOT), but you do need to keep a careful eye on the reflux which can lead to serious issues (It sounds like you've got a plan to treat that though). Best wishes! -BG

I love days like that...you deserve to pamper yourself! Great NSV on the jeans!!! -BG

Up and down a lot last night still, but I slept better late morning (didn't wake up until 10:30 wow) and now the fever is finally under control. I feel so much better. Thanks for all the 'get well cards'! Sorry for the whinefest...I just felt like a mess that day. Virus in my eye muscles...ewww! -BG

Just few more days GF! Get those FF refried beans lined up...some salsa and cheese ontop (I ate that more than anything in the mushies stage). Greek yogurt with SF preserves and healthy harvest applesauce flavors with a little nutmeg or cinnamon ontop... Now I'm just making your mouth drool, sorry. You're doing great!!! -BG PS Tickers don't show up automatically in blogs, just posts and threads

Julie Ann you look amazing! Love the new pic! You're always an inspiration and have such great and useful advice. Your blog has been invaluable to me. You look fantastic!!!! -BG

OK, I didn't realize you can't keep anything down but water!!! Guess that's what you meant by the title, sorry. You need to call your doc and get in now, not Thursday. No question that you are too tight and you can quickly get dehydrated. You don't want to find yourself not being able to swallow your own spit in the middle of the night...and that can happen quickly (your stoma will continue to swell as liquids have trouble getting through). Please call them today...sometimes even .1cc out can be enough to make a huge difference.

What’s your best feature? How many posts have I read here from obese women saying they’re sick and tired of hearing they’ve got ‘such a pretty face’. I’ve always been told it’s my eyes, but they're not my best feature. OK, I’m not usually a ‘cutesy’ or what DH would call a ‘hokey’ person (he's dating himself...and what does that mean LOL). I haven't named my cars or my houses. I’ve seen lots of people here who’ve named their bands…weird? Maybe. After all, we have names for all our other body parts right? I haven’t shared my band with anyone but DH so how could I openly call it ‘My LB’? Out of necessity (or so I’m telling myself, well, and you) I gave my band parts names…naw, they‘re more like code words that happen to be names. After all…when I was having a problem with my band in front of others and DH would ask me ‘WHAT‘S THE PROBLEM?!!’ How could I answer (and no, I haven‘t had to use the code names much at all, maybe twice ever)? Shhh…don’t tell anyone…and I’m NOT being cutesy, or hokey, or weird (OK, maybe a little). I answer in code (depending on the problem)… ‘I forgot to call Phil!’ or ‘I need a Fluffy pillow for my back!’ I’m sure you’ve guessed…Phil is my port (I know, no elaboration necessary on that one)…and Fluffy (my first Avatar phrase here was ‘I’m not Fat, I’m Fluffy!’ It was something my DS2 always said about me…cute, but it hit home too) so Fluffy…yeah, she’s my band and gets even Fluffier with each fill as I get…well, less fluffy. Phil and Fluffy…they’re a good couple…sure they fight sometimes…first one is happy, but then the other one isn’t…then vice versa…then they’re both unhappy…but mostly they get along (sorry, it’s the drugs talking). It’s like having new family members…they’re there to help (sometimes annoy) and support me and that’s just what they’re doing. I think they’re my new ‘best feature’.

My doc says I should never be drinking meals/protein, if so, then I'm too tight. I too drink a cup or two of hot coffee and it loosens me right up.

Hearburn/Acid Reflux is the most common side effect of banding. It can have very serious repurcussions so you need to seek some treatment immediately. I just posted a blog here on LBT about what I found out, and no, I'm not too tight, but my reflux isn't to the point that I'd need an unfill (signs of needing an unfill are problems at night or getting tighter). Even I though started a treatment plan and I've had immediate relief. For more info, read the blog HERE

Agree with the above. If you haven't loosened up enough in a few days that you can eat the 1C of SOLID foods (or whatever amount your doc recommends), then you need a little unfill. You're past the Sweet Spot right now. My doc recommends 2 days of liquids and then ease back into mushies then solids...if you've gone back to solids too fast (the food you mentioned sounds like mushies though and if you are having a problem with mushies that's not good) it may just be some swelling of the stoma, but you should know in a day or two. Good luck ! -BG