A New Woman

I know you don't want to cut back on your exercise, but please keep in mind that exercise lowers blood sugar. My daughter is a Type 1 diabetic and they highly encourage exercise for that simple fact. However, if you are already a little hypoglycemic all that added exercise may be pushing you over the edge. Try drinking a small juice box or sucking on some glucose tabs before exercise to give you a little boost. Exercise can lower your sugar up to 12 hours later. I know you are an avid exercise fan and I'd hate to see you have to give it up. Just be careful because low blood sugar (assuming that's what it is) can be very dangerous.

I have the Realize band. My surgeon also would not recommend one over the other. He let me look at both and see how they are constructed and the Realize is softer and more pliable and the Lap Band has what I would call little pillows. He said that the port was easier to put in for the Realize band but the band itself a little more difficult, whereas the lap band is easier to put on but the port a little more difficult for the surgeon. And he said that some studies suggest that since the Realize band is wider there is supposedly less chance of a slip. But overall he did not recommend one over the other. Sometimes I wish I did get the lap band because it has taken me several fills to get good restriction (I'm at 8.5 cc's) and surprisingly certain foods like bread do not bother me very much. But then I remember that we always seem to want what we don't have. If I would have had the Lap Band I probably would have thought I'd do better withthe Realize. Bottomline it is just a tool, and they both work equally, it's up to you to work your tool. P.S. What made my decision for me is that although the Realize hasn't been in the US as long as lap band it has been used the longest in Europe and I believe was the first band on the market (used to be called the Swedish band). Good luck.

Very classy! You obviously wear your heart on your sleave and aren't afraid to stand up for your convictions or be open to constructive criticism. A sign of a true class act. You go girl!

My surgeon said for at least the first six months I couldn't have pop (Michigan slang for soda). I was a Diet Pepsi freak and had one with me at all times -- morning til night. I stopped drinking pop in February -- 2 weeks before my surgery and I'm past my six month mark. Honestly I'm afraid to ask my surgeon if I can drink any now because I don't want to go back to wanting it all the time. I'm afraid that if I had one pop I'd be right back where I used to be and I'd ruin my band. So for me no pop is better than trying to drink it in moderation.

Thank you! It looks like a Maltese to me. I have two Maltese babies at home (Romeo & Juliet). They are my walking buddies.

I got banded on 3/12/09. It has been a very slow weight loss for me and at times frustrating as h3LL. But at the same time it has been the single best thing I have ever done for myself. If I am not at my sweet spot I am pretty darn close. It has taken a long time to get here and yes there were times that I struggled with hunger. But that was an indication that I wasn't restricted enough. It is a journey and a learning process -- not only learning about how to eat and what to eat, but also about yourself and what triggers you to eat. I'm learning to really question whether I'm truly hungry or if it is head hunger. Honestly, for years I ate based on head hunger. I hadn't felt hunger pangs in years, but now I know when I'm truly hungry. Do I slide sometimes and fall back into my head hunger? Sure, sometimes. But I am so much more aware of it now. My surgeon was also very clear that the band is not a magic bullet to lose weight but a tool to help you. If I wanted to not exercise and still eat ice cream, cookies, mashed potatoes, chips, etc. I could because those things go down really easy. It's still up to me to decide if I want to exercise and eat healthier choices. That's why it's a tool. Unfortunately, there is no dumping to make you sick when you eat bad things so it is still something you have to work at. I would like to be farther along than I am -- my home scale says 45 lbs down -- but I am committed to making lifestyle changes and that's what you need to realize. You won't "diet" no more, but you will need to make a commitment to eat differently in so many ways and if you add exercise to the plan you will help it along. Good luck to you. It's not for everyone but for me it has been life changing. If you decide to go this route you'll need to continually remind yourself that it is a slow journey but with time you will get there.

Please don't take this the wrong way, but I am very surprised you are Type 1 and obese enough to get a band. Most Type 1's tend to be very thin or in a normal weight range, whereas Type 2's tend to be obese. My daughter has Type 1 diabetes and is also on a pump so I am very familar with the disease. I agree with the other poster who said to keep a tube of glucose with you at all times. But in addition to staying in contact with your PCP consult with your endrocinologist as well on a frequent basis. As you lose weight you may need to reduce your basal readings in your pump so that you are not getting as much insulin and also be sure to always set a temp basal when you exercise. Don't forget about the "sun down" syndrome of getting lows in the middle of the night. Weight loss is probably slower with the band for pump patients because insulin in a fat storing hormone and you will probably have to drink fruit juice or regular pop on a frequent basis to combat the low's. Good luck to you. It's a huge challenge to deal with Type 1, let alone have to adjust to life as a bandster too.

Can't say that I've tried these almonds, but I have found a snack I really enjoy. The True North Pistaschio Crisps. 140 calories per serving, 7 grams of fat (6 grams that are unsaturated) and 5 grams of protein. Very nice crunch and satisfying.

Another Diet Pepsi pop addict here too! Drank it morning, noon, night. (Yes, where I come from -- Michigan -- it's pop, not soda!) I weaned myself off it before I started my pre-op diet in February. The fact that I've been able to stay away from it is something I am probably most proud of, even more so than the weight loss, because it was truly an addiction for me. However, when I made up my mind that I wanted the band more than I wanted my pop, it went really smooth. On occasion I crave one, like today because it is SO hot here in the Detroit area, and I think of that cold feeling in the throat, but I'm not willing to go back to my addiction. I made sure I had Diet Pepsi in the house like others made sure they had cigarettes. I'm glad I have that monkey off my back.

Thanks for the replies. Your answers have helped and I think I have found the answer within myself as well. I had my 4th adjustment on 7/21 and after the liquid stage I am finally noticing consistent restriction. It is gradual and pretty elusive because in past fills I thought I was there but wasn't really sure. When you hit the sweet spot you know it for sure, you don't have to wonder. I can say that I am there -- for now, because as many say it can slide away as you lose more weight. But at least now I can say my body is telling me when to stop eating with a small amount of food and I am not looking for food for several hours later. This is what I've been looking for. I guess it just takes patience to get there.

Muscle Milk Light Milk Chocolate with skim milk. The only protein drink I like. Doesn't have the offensive smell.

Can some folks explain to me when they absolutely knew they were at their sweet spot? I really don't think I'm there for several reasons. I have some restriction but I can still eat way more than I should be able to. What is the real difference between some restriction and the sweet spot? Will you instinctively know when you are there? Are you truly satisified with a small amount of food or is it still willpower? I know it sounds silly but do people push past their sweet spot with additional fills, thinking they are not there only to find out they are way too tight? Or it is that in the process of the doc tightening you that you realize just that little bit puts you over the edge. I don't ever want to end up too tight but I want to make sure I'll be able to read my band enough to know that enough is enough. I hope this makes sense.

I was going to also recommend Muscle Milk Light (be sure to get the "light" brand). The others were very hard for me to tolerate, mostly because the smell grossed me out. But I actually enjoy the Chocolate Muscle Milk Light.

Thanks Melly! It's good to hear someone who has had a similar experience. It's not so much that I want it to go quickly (well, maybe a little), but rather it just seemed like a lot of saline to not be having issues like sliming or PB'ing. I do make a concious effort to chew, chew, chew, but I don't think I've mastered it yet. So it's just a little surprising. Good luck to you. When were you banded?

Thanks for your reply. I asked the doc at one of my first few visits and he said it was a 10cc band. I think I might ask the nurse to check my records to be sure. He answered me without checking my chart so I'm not sure if he was just assuming that was the size of my band. I do think it's odd that I'm at 7cc's and I still haven't hit my sweet spot. But I can tell I'm getting close. It just seemed like an awful lot compared to the other folks. Not that I'm complaining, but I sometimes wonder if the saline is truly in the band and not leaking. Have you experienced that intial sensation of restriction only to have it lessen in a few weeks? I've heard sometimes it takes a week or two for the restriction to kick in. I seem to be the opposite. Does anyone else think that this is like the nurse said, folks adjust their eating after a few weeks of being adjusted?

I'm not sure if I should be concerned or not. Please give me your opinion. I was banded 3/12/09 with a Realize band. I'm very, very happy that I got my band. As of today, my scale indicates I'm down 29 lbs. Not stellar like some folks on here that were banded at the same time, but I'm still happy with the results. My confusion is this... I currently have 7cc's in my 10cc band. I've had 3 adjustments so far. My first adjustment was 4cc's, 2nd adjustment was 2cc's, and my most recent adjustment was 1cc. At my last appointment my doc was teetering on whether or not to adjust me because I had lost 7 lbs in about 5 weeks -- so a little more than 1 lb. a week. At that time I explained that with my first adjustment I felt no restriction (even with 4cc's), with the 2nd adjustment I noticed a difference initially but as the weeks went by it got less and less. The bariatric nurse said that she thinks this is a common complaint because people adjust their eating after a few weeks (basically they start to eat around the band). I really don't think I've been doing that and explained to her and the doctor why. So after our discussion we decided he would do another 1cc for a grand total of 7cc's. I am experiencing the same restriction (actually a little bit better) than I initially did after the 2nd adjustment. But I have to say there are still times I probably could eat more, but am stopping myself, and I have never once PB'd, vomited, or gotten truly stuck. I've had a few occasions I could probably count on one hand where I got that uncomforable sensation and I thought I was stuck but it passed after a minute or two. I do not seem to have problem with chicken or anything else. I don't eat hardly any bread but on the few occasions I've had a bite or two, no problem. Is this normal to have so much saline in my band and to not have vomited or PB'd or any significant problems. It just seems like I have so much more saline that most folks on here that I'm wondering why I'm not having any issues.

Living well and looking good is the best revenge! I say enjoy every moment of it.

Please try not to get discouraged. I know it's easier said than done. I started a blog a while back about how frustrated and angry I was during bandster hell -- after surgery and until my first fill. This is truly the most difficult time because it does rely on willpower since your band is not adjusted. My bariatric nurse told me that another reason besides shrinking the liver for the pre-op liquid diet is to give you a little boost with the weight loss because it will get slow until you hit your sweet spot. If they didn't have you drop some weight beforehand how depressing would it be to only lose a few pounds (or possibly gain) until the band can be filled. I had to wait about 7 weeks for my first fill due to scheduling issues which had my appointment later than I had to be for my first adjustment, and I was very upset because I was hungry and discouraged. Try not to go there mentally because it will get better. I'm not at my sweet spot yet, but I'm a whole lot better since I started getting my fills. My first fill didn't appear to give me any restriction (although I lost 2 lbs in 2 weeks). My second fill I am starting to notice that I am full a lot sooner and I think the scale is being more friendly. My suggestion to you is be conscious of what you are eating and how much, don't become too obsessed with the scale because it will "right" itself eventually, and make sure you have your first fill appointment scheduled so that you do not have to wait unnecessarily for your adjustments. In fact, make a few appointments in advance (you can always cancel them if you don't need them). Lastly, try and tell yourself you are not doing anything wrong, this is just the most difficult phase of the journey and you will get through this. Good luck!

Hello... had my first fill on Monday, 4/27. I got 4 cc's in my Realize band. Not having any restriction yet and no foods are getting stuck yet. Scale not moving yet. I'm okay with it because I know very few people get good restriction on the first fill. I go for another fill on May 11th.

Thanks for your input Melissa. As it turns out my surgeon's office would have done my fill sooner had it not been for the scheduling delays. I have been trying to do exactly what you say as far as making life long changes. I gave up pop (for which I was addicted) and am quite proud of myself that I have gone 2 months without even a sip and don't miss it. I have not had cookies, cake, ice cream or other junk and have been making very good food choices, just eating more than I know I'd like to be able to eat. Hence my frustration about the lact of restriction and lack of guidance from my surgeon's office. As I posted earlier, the nurse coodinator was very glad I brought that subject of bandster hell up since she is the one to instruct the classes. I've also begun to exercise on a regular basis. Somehow my lack of restriction and frustration on not really understanding this phase of the journey has been translated into me not following the guidelines of the program. That's okay. Whatever. I'm happy now that I've got the support from my surgeon's office. I have a plan in place for my first and next couple of fills and am more than happy to continue to make the changes necessary. I WILL be successful with my band. Failure is not an option for me. Also I am choosing not to focus any more on these last few weeks. I will, however, offer support and encouragement to others who are feeling frustrated like I have been.

**UPDATE TO MY DRAMA** I spoke with my nurse bariatric coordinator today regarding my frustrations. She was VERY gracious and thanked me for giving her my feedback. I told her that I was simply expressing my frustrations so that others could learn from my experience. She explained that although they try to be thorough maybe they didn't spend enough time focusing on this aspect. Furthermore, that she has done over 200 surgeries and still learns something new from each of her patients. I found it very refreshing that I could explain my frustrations and they be heard by the nurse (and not criticized or have her assume that I was eating the wrong foods, or had unreasonable expectations like some here told me). We talked about how easy it is to drink water, what foods I've advanced to and she agreed that I'm definitely in need of an adjustment. She also apologized for the phone problems and delays in appointment scheduling they had. To mitigate that in the future, she went ahead and scheduled me for some additional fills which we can cancel if I don't need them. So now I feel like we have a plan in place which is great. That is the kind of support I was lookin for and I don't think it was unreasonable to expect. And she certainly understood where I was coming from. Thank you to those who actually heard my frustration and didn't make it about something it wasn't.

Your point about bandster hell not applying to everyone is well taken. However, it sounds like that is not the norm, but hey this band is not a one size fits all and it's trial and error for everyone. I'm going to post an update to my drama so you'll hear more.

BoxerGirl: All I can say is thank you!

You know what, I'm not going to defend my research any more than this last thread. If you knew me, you'd know that I thoroughly research everything. Analyzing, researching and planning is a huge part of my day job. I know how to google and I did google. I read everything I could that I thought was credible. But I will say it again, no one outside of the lapbandtalk forum talked about bandster hell. No, my doctor does not have a weight problem. But his nurse coordinator did lose 150 lbs with bariatric surgery (albiet gastric bypass). They are in the business to treat patients and not only do the surgery but to provide the support and guidance all patients need. Neither of them talked about the difficulty of this phase and they should be educated enough themselves from treating other patients to talk about this phase. They certainly covered the pre-diet and other aspects of this band well. However, they need to incorporate this into their discussions with their patients -- at the very least at the post-op appointment. Just so I'm clear, I tried calling the nurse coordinator the week I started to notice the lack of restriction -- guess what -- NO CALL BACK! I tried calling the following week -- guess what -- problem with phone lines. I get my appointment pushed back, no call backs, and feel like I've been left hanging in the wind and I'm accused on this site of, let me see: *laying all the blame on the surgeon and taking no responsibility *not educating myself and "jumping into this" (I spent a year considering it) *not being aware of what I'm putting in my mouth *being told I have unreasonable expectations but then slamming me for expecting my surgeon and baratric team of helping set reasonable expectations. I could go on... I'm done

Thanks IndioGirl. I didn't mean to imply that willpower was not part of the equation. However, when I had the swelling after the surgery it sure helped tremendously with the willpower. I just want my tool and I want it to work. I guess that's why I'm so eager for an adjustment. Best of luck to you!