Phranp

Can I/do I go 5 hours between meals? Yes. Do I have to force myself? No. BUT, and this makes the big difference: physical hunger was never my problem. So, you will probably have a good number of people that will respond that they can go 5 (or more) hours and not get hungry -- physically hungry, that is. I struggle (albeit much less since banding, and much therapy) with "head hunger". Tuesday I was irritable and grumpy. I sat at my desk and wanted to eat something sweet/chocolate ... it was almost lunch time. I called a friend to talk about how I was feeling so that I wouldn't eat over it. When I got off the phone I wasn't hungry but it had now been more than 5 hours since I'd had my breakfast -- a Protein Drink. So, I steamed a handful of baby carrots and ate them, thinking that I would eat lunch later. Well, I forgot -- I actually forgot -- to eat lunch. Before I knew it the workday was done and it was time to go home and make dinner. I didn't get hungry, and this, for me is not an anomaly. The thing that has been changing more and more since banding is that I do not eat over emotions -- most of the time. I still have slips, but I am better than I have ever been in my life, thanks to the restriction provided by my band. So, some people can go 5 hours or more because the band is keeping their hunger at bay, and some people (like me) can go 5 hours or more because hunger was never the issue. I don't think that many doctors consider this when a patient comes in for a fill and they ask "Are you hungry between meals?" All that said, I really do believe that the band, with proper restriction, will keep you from being hungry for a longer period of time. All the best to you on your journey.

And when she asked about sleeping with your husband did you, on reflex, slap the hell out of her!?!?!?! LOL Really, some people have a hell of a lot of nerve. But seriously, of course you could not slap her, but you could have said "Well, sure, I wouldn't mind if I'm dead ... but I'm pretty sure he wouldn't want YOU!!!" Okay, I know, not nice, but that, along with the other things she said, was pretty tacky. Hang in there and get ready for more "haters" once you have lost the weight. All the best to you on your journey. ~fran

Isn't it a great feeling?!?! Today I am wearing a blouse that a friend gave me before I had my surgery. Well, at the time - and for many months after - I couldn't even get close to buttoning it. And here I am today, wearing it proudly with slacks that are 10 sizes smaller than when I started this journey. YAY bandsters!! Congratulations!

LMAO!!! I love your post! It is clear that you are truly happy and I am happy for you! Welcome to the world of lapband. Keep reading this forum (particularly the post surgery threads) to get the "real deal" on the what/how/whens of lap band surgery. Don't let the negative stuff get to you, just take what you can use and leave the rest. There is a well spring of information here. All the best to you on your journey! WOOOOOO WHOOOO! YAY jblady!!!

Take a deep breath and remember: once YOU are banded and your weight is falling like autum leaves, you have have a whole new perspective. You will also be a lot calmer because you will know the TRUTH from first hand experience and you will calmly set them straight. Don't let them get to you, just consider the source. There are so many people that don't have complications (like myself) and are happy and living a much healthier life because of the band. Concentrate on preparing yourself for your upcoming new life. It's going to be great! All the best to you!

I'm like you, Choe ... I never used to watch the weight loss shows, now I do. I watched "Heavy" this weekend. I found it interesting. Now, I do agree that TV shows tend to exploit these people, but, when you desperately want to lose the weight, sometimes that doesn't matter to you. I don't blame them. Just like I don't feel one iota of guilt for taking the surgical route. My weight loss post band has been the hardest I have ever worked to lose weight; and that's okay too.

FANTASTIC!!! And I thought I was doing something when I did my morning walk in the rain ... LOL You've have just raised the bar VERY high! Congratulations! ~Fran

LOL Cleo's mom .. I accidentally hit "reply" to your quote instead of elfipoo (Melody), sorry about that. But, of course you are right, there are many different reasons that each of us is overweight. I know that if I were in your shoes with not getting results with the band, I would be incredibly frustrated. But even with that, you have done an amazing job on your own. Good luck as you continue your journey! ~Fran

You make a good point, Melody. Why not just cut the vagus nerve? IMO, the reason is because not everyone is overweight because of constant physical hunger, and to discover the true reason for obesity in each person before deciding which surgery is the right one would take more time and effort than many doctors (and/or patients) are willing to put into it. Add to that the fact that insurance companies are looking at their "bottom line" at ALL times, it would seem that generalizing about the reasons for obesity is the easiest path. I have for years thought that I was different from my (always thin) sister. I thought that she didn't get hungry EVER, and, to an extent this is true. After much therapy I learned to pay attention to what I was actually feeling BEFORE I ate the cake, candy, mac & cheese, etc. I discovered (and this was before lap band surgery) that my stomach was not hungry. I wanted to eat because I had a need to stuff down my feelings and using food (a habit learned in childhood) was my vehicle for doing that. Since being banded I feel even less physical hunger than I did before surgery. I get weak and lose energy, but my stomach rarely growls. So, for me, restriction is important. It makes a difference because it stops me before I have done damage to my weight loss efforts. Restriction gives me time to think about the "why" when I want to eat more after I am full. You say that you continue to feel hunger (only not as much), and that you are able to eat large amounts of food, but you don't. You make a conscious choice to stop eating. For me, making that choice was my greatest challenge. This says to me, that whether you have head hunger or physical hunger, it still comes down to making a decision that will get us to our goal weight. Making a decision to change our lifestyle as it pertains to food so that we can keep the weight off. So, cutting the vagus nerve AND doing the mini bypass is kind of a "catch all" if you will. It will help those with constant hunger, while at the same time helping those that eat even when not hungry. Just my opinion. ~Fran

Ok, does it REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY (and did I say REALLY - LOL) work? But seriously, I ask because about six months ago I tried the sublingual B-12 vitamins and didn't feel any different. But, if you tell me that the "liquid" REALLY works, I will be happy to give it a try. Thanks for the suggestion. ~Fran

@Trish, it is definitely time for a physical. I should have my thyroid checked while I'm at it. I so hate going to the doc, but I know I must. "Is it possible you're going too long between breakfast and lunch? When I do that, it doesn't matter that I'm eating lunch, my blood sugar levels have dropped enough that I'm still fatigued for hours. Same thing if I don't drink enough Water. You might try having a Protein snack mid-morning (a hard boiled egg, 1-2 oz of hard cheese)...maybe even mid-afternoon. I tend to avoid carbs (except those in vegies) at my lunch meal because just 1/4 cup can set me up for mid-afternoon fatigue. Might not be an issue for those who aren't carb sensitive." @Elfiepoo, I frequently wait too long to eat lunch. I have been very busy at work lately and sometimes lose track of time. But, I also have a problem when I don't bring my lunch, trying to think of something to have for lunch. I don't buy food out very often since banding, so thinking of something healthy and tasty and small can be a challenge around here. You know, I tried a "light" string cheese between breakfast and lunch the other day. I don't know if it was that the cheese "actually" tasted horrible or if, because I was not really hungry, I just didn't feel like eating. Either way, snacking is sometimes a problem for me -- unless I am eating a cookie, cupcake, or something ELSE that is sooooo BAD for me, but sooooo GOOD to me. LOL I also tried some steamed baby carrots the other day before leaving working because I knew I was not going straight home. They were okay. I looks like I am going to have to experiment and keep notes until I can get this right. Thanks to all for your very helpful advice! ~Fran

I DO love my band! Probably not for the reasons you might think. Before I got my band I thought that it was much like GB only less invasive. Turns out .... not so much. I have never worked harder to lose weight in my life; I have never been more challenged to be patient; and I have never learned more about myself and my relationship with food. Oh, and I have never been more determined to exercise. I hate exercise ... or at least I did before my band. I won't say I am madly in love with it now, but I DO look forward to getting up at 5:30 a.m. M-F to walk 2 miles at the track before going to work. And, I am looking forward to adding a quarter mile this coming Monday, even though I have been struggling this week because I am exhausted (i.e., busy workday, busy evenings). I love my band because restriction means that when I feel overwhelmed about the process of losing weight (or anything else for that matter) I don't have to start from square one again because I messed up my diet -- for a month, or two. With the band I am unable to go overboard. I have time to think, write, and use the tools my therapist (an obesity specialist) taught be about dealing with emotional/head hunger. I don't know exactly how much weight I have lost because I stopped weighing myself after I had lost 50 lbs. I was becoming obsessed with the scale and it was ruling my life. But, I do know that when I started this journey on June 15, 2009 I was wearing a size 26 and today I wear a size 14/16 -- and still losing. There are many who have had a much smoother journey, and still others with more difficult journeys. Remember this, each person has an individual journey that is is unique. I MUST add a disclaimer because lately there has been quite a bit of vitriolic discourse about the band: The band is not the right WLS for everyone, it does not work for everyone. As for myself, I think if I truly understood the band before I had the surgery, I would not have believed it was for me. But, once it was in, and the truth about the band was made clear to me (mostly through this forum), I decided to work with what I had and so far ... so good. I DO love my band! All the best to you on your journey. ~Fran

Actually there are a lot of us bandsters that cannot eat solids for breakfast. I don't have a problem with it because I don't get hungry before lunch. Chances are because I take a BP med with a diurectic, I am prone to being dehydrated in the morning, as a result my band is tight when I wake. Once I am hydrated, I can eat. I have a Water and usually a cup of tea between breakfast and lunch. Physical hunger has never been my problem -- "head hunger" all the way! Now, as for my calorie count ... you may have something there. Between breakfast and lunch I am probably averaging 400-500. I do better at dinner, maybe another 500. I must pay closer attention to my calories. I have been trying to cut my carbs drastically in hopes of greater weight loss in a short time period. Even when I was on diabetes meds (that ended about 3 months after lapband surgery) I had more issues with low blood sugar than high blood sugar. I have to keep an eye on it. Thanks for the Nature Made Sleep Aid suggestion. I will try ANYTHING to cure this insomnia. I appreciate you taking the time to respond. ~Fran

I can give that a try. I can probably play with my calories and have a small protein shak mid afternoon. Thanks!

I have stepped up my exercise: I get up at 5:30 a.m. M-F and power walk 2 miles at the track before going to work. I am being disciplined with my food: Protein drink for Breakfast (I haven't been able to eat solid food for breakfast for over a year now); meat/protein and veggie for lunch; and meat/protein, veggie and starch for dinner. I am trying to only eat a cup of food at each meal. The problem is that my energy level start going downhill around noon each day. My days have been very busy at work, and long due to responsibilities after work. I am happy with the improved weight loss, but I am tired of being "tired". BTW, I take multiple Vitamins, Calcium, Fiber, etc., daily. Still, I am dead on my feet by the time I get home to cook dinner. I am not sleeping well, I suffer from insomnia ... but it has not been too bad lately. I'm sure it's because I am exhausted. How do YOU keep your energy up and get enough nutrients with exercising AND minimal food intake? Please help. Thanks very much, ~Fran

Juliansmom, take a breath and relax. While it is true that since you are so close to goal you may need an adjustment, you may also need to adjust your thinking. Your "irregular eating" while on the business trip is NOT punishable by law. LOL You HAVE been and STILL ARE a success story! You give good advice and now you have a new and different experience to share with others. We both know that you will get back on the wagon and continue to lose more weight. I would bet my paycheck that you have not stretched your pouch. Yeah, I know, my paycheck wouldn't pay for a European vacation, but still ... LOL I think it takes more that one weekend and 3 glasses of bubbly to stretch your pouch. If you want to put your mind at ease, why not try the "5-day pouch test" and see if you don't feel restriction again. Just a suggestion. No one is perfect and no one is expected to be perfect. You are doing great. Keep up the good work. Trust me, the things I have put my band through ... and still my pouch bounces back and tells me STOP, I'M FULL!!! Take care! ~Fran

Yep, my feet got smaller. I am 5'8" and was wearing a size 10 before, I now wear a size 9 1/2.

Isn't it great not to have that nagging back pain anymore?! Congrats!

In 2004 I had back surgery for herniated and ruptured disk, as well as a spinal bone spur. The surgery helped but I struggled to lose the weight needed to really get the benefits of the surgery. One of the things I noticed after surgery was that when I would lay in bed on my right side, often I would feel pain. It felt as if my lower spine was in a "V" shape. I would have to change positions quickly or the pain would become really bad. It was the weight of my stomach pulling on my back. Since lapband surgery and weight loss I hadn't even given it a thought, but this morning I noticed that the pain was gone and that my back felt ... normal. For me, this is a really big NSV. Anyone else with back problems notice a difference? ~Fran

Following your doctors instructions is important, unfortunately doctors don't always tell you everything you need to know to succeed AND, because we are individuals, one size does NOT fit all. It is so important to EDUCATE YOURSELF. This forum is full of information -- try not to let it intimidate you. Use the information that best fits your situation. Learn how the band works and how to work the band. Once you get your band, there will be nothing like the "on the job training" you will get once you start the ride. LOL Go into this with your eyes open, knowing that this is a "tool" not a "magic wand". In the time before you are approved, learn more about yourself and your relationship with food. So much of this journey is about the head, and not the stomach. It's about what you are willing to do for yourself to reach your goal, about habits you are willing to give up to reach your goal, about being honest with yourself. You will learn that you have not taken the "easy way out", not by a long shot! Some people lose fast, some people lose slower. You might do well to read about each type here on this forum. There are a lot of wonderful, supportive people on this forum that are willing to answer your questions no matter what you ask -- or how many times they have answered the question. Do your homework, keep an open mind and be prepared to do what it takes to reach your goal. I hope some of this information is helpful. Good luck to you! ~Fran

I agree with everyone ... call your doc. We all heal at a different pace. Forabetterlife, two days after surgery they could not have gotten me to go back to work if they had rolled me in on a gurney. LOL But, I'm older and take a little longer to heal. But, I did go back on the 5th day after surgery for half day -- I'll just say that I was glad it was only a half day. By Monday I was good though. Autumfirefly, take it easy and BE SURE to call your doc if you continue to not be able to drink liquids. I say this because if you become severely dehydrated, you will see your doc -- in the emergency room. Staying hydrated is a MUST! Many bandsters have found themselves in emergency a week out of surgery due to dehydration. And honk is soooo right, take your pain meds! Don't try to be brave, don't torture yourself - take them! Hope you feel better soon! Hang in there. ~Fran

WOW! I am just ... WOW! Can't believe that "grandparents" would be so insensitive ... just threw me for a loop. But, hey ... we can't pick our family, can we? LOL I am sorry that they think it is okay to say these things to you. What on earth will they have to talk about when you are a size 8? All I can say is: Living well and being thin is the BEST revenge! Congratulations and continued success! You are well on your well! ~Fran

Is there a reason you and your husband don't want to drink it post surgery? If it were me, I would probably use it on the days when I am too busy to prepare a meal or when I am on the run; you know, something to keep in your purse should you get hungry and not able to find an appropriate meal. Just a thought. ~Fran

I would suggest you ask your doc to be sure, but I can tell you that I have arthritis, spinal stenosis (arthritis of the spine) and screws in my lower back from surgery in 2004. My orthopedic surgeon told me that the spinal stenosis was not going to get better and that it is so pervasive that surgery is not an option. He told me that I should exercise in order to the strengthen the muscles in my back which would help. To be honest, because the pain had been soooo bad at times I was afraid to exercise. AND, I am allergic to ibuprofen! I believe that if I could take ibuprofen I would be in MUCH better shape ... but I digress. I had lapband surgery on June 15, 2009. Initially I was a slow loser -- not losing at break-neck speed now, but the momentum is picking up. I now walk 2 miles before work M-F. I even did 2 miles this past Saturday. I started this journey a size 26. I am now size 14/16. I did not start out doing 2 miles, I worked my way up. It has helped tremendously! Do I have aches and pains? Yes, even as I sit here typing my right shoulder hurts, but ... I don't care ... I will be up at 6 a.m. tomorrow morning to get to the park and walk 2 miles -- without fail. BTW, I am 55 years old. So, my experience with arthritis and lapband has been very positive. Talk to your doctor and unless he gives you a very good reason not to, I would go for it. I feel better than ever! Good luck to you! ~Fran

Well, I can tell you that with my first fill I felt absolutely NO restriction. I am impatient too so I was anxiously awaiting my next fill which was 2 weeks away. I will say that as soon as I was on solid foods post op I started cutting back. Just little things like only a sandwich for lunch, no chips and Water was my beverage. Then I cut it down to 1/2 sandwich for lunch, etc. Now that I have proper restriction (which came 7 months after surgery) I don't eat sandwhiches at all -- bread gives me too much trouble and makes it hard to get enough Protein per meal. At 18 months out my diet has changed tremendously, but it was a gradual change. I was never a physical hunger person so I cannot speak to your being hungry all the time. My issue is head hunger and, with the band, I cannot binge to any degree ... it will come back up if I do. The good news is that there are people on this forum who have experienced restriction with their first fill. Not many, but I have read about them here on this forum. Perhaps you will be one of the lucky ones too. If not, do not despair ... patience is a virtue (and I used to say "not one of mine"), and developing patience while waiting for your tool to work is an interesting experience. I suggest that you not conentrate on what you want to happen, but that you concentrate on the things within your control (i.e., changing your eating habits, getting more exercise and staying hydrated). You can do this! Just don't stress yourself, and let your body heal. All the best to you on your journey! ~fran