Corliss

OMG I cannot believe how horrible the WW boards are to Lap banders!!!!

I recently started using WW along with the band and have been seeing amazing results! WW has always been my favorite lifestyle plan so I wanted to combine the two together. I talked it over with my doctor and we adjusted my points to fit my band.

I posted a message on the boards saying that I have the band it is the only thing that has helped me to this extent and the combination of the two is amazing.

The responses I got where hurtful and uninformed. First they kept comparing me to a Gastric Bypass patient, which I would never want to be due to the complications. That's why I picked the LAP-BAND®. Second, the called it the Lazy man's diet, also stating that I shouldn't be promoting WLS on their boards. Some of the other things that they where saying: They couldn't believe that i've only lost 35lbs in 4 months compaired to their 45lbs wl in the same amount of time, how could I spend that much money just to be cut up and still have to be doing the same thing as them, Did I mention they called me lazy, said I had underlying mental issues. and so forth.

And I all I said was that they combination of the two for me is a great one! And it's not for everyone but it works for me.

I just can't believe it!

I mean look at this one post!!

" honestly don't care you have taken that route, I call it the lazy route, all I'm saying is please don't be coming to WW and touting surgery as an alternative to diet and exercise.

So, take your story elsewhere. Last thing I want ppl to do is read ur rant and give up on a healthier way to lose weight and opt for the lazy option like you did! your 10lb gain is not "magic" on cruises, its called you can't stop eating. "

My gosh, what a mean hypocritical short sited idiot! You take what you need and leave the rest. Block those nasty posters or better yet, report them. That is all out flaming. Good luck on your efforts. Don't let them discourage you. The beauty is with your band, yes you have to work, but once it is lost, you won't be gaining it back, and the statistics point to the great probability that those who use diet alone even WW will gain their wt back.

Take care!:thumbup:

Corliss

{QUOTE] An appendix is alive as is a tumor, however neither of them are capable of existing independently from the host, neither is the fetus less than 3 months post conception.

Neither is a 2 month old baby that lies on a bed capable of existing independantly without it's mom. (the host) Doesn't mean we have a right to kill him.

That is a different test. It can easily stay alive with the help of any caring person. It is not physically grown to the mothers body after it is born. That is the difference there. It doesn't depend on a direct access to mothers bodily function. It is dependent on someone chosing to care for it.

A tumor or appendix cannot continue to stay alive if it is not getting nutrients directly from a host source. Neither can an early trimester fetus.

Corliss

I believe that I am in a position to state what I think and know about women who have had abortions because I have heard testimony after testimony from women who have had them and are regretting it and feeling guilty about it. Some right away and others down the road after the fact. I also have a niece who had an abortion at age 18 and is very remorseful over it. My best friend had on when she was younger and wishes she could go back and change her decision. Also, my sister-in-law, who can never have children now, had 3 of them in the early stages of her relationship with my brother-in-law. Then she found out, when she was ready to have them, that she couldn't now for whatever reason. She regrets aborting the 3 that God gave her, cause now she is childless. My own mother gaot pregnant when my youngest brother was 13, and she had an abortion. She, too, regrets it and feels guilt over it still, and that was 30 years ago. So, I believe that I can speak for the many, many people that I know who have had abortions.

That is sad and tragic. It is most unfortunate that these women didn't have effective contraception available. So much saddness could have been averted. I cannot speak from standpoint of having abortion but I chose not to have an abortion when my physician reccommended it due to my health. I just knew I would be okay and live through the difficult pregnancy(pre-eclampsia, and toxemia). Who knows, was that the adolescent feelings of immortality or was it some actual God given knowledge? At any rate, I did not make a concious choice to become pregnant and was devistated when I did. It is ironic that in that day and age, 1970, that I was offered a theraputic abortion but birth control pills were not available to unmarried females at least in my area. At 18 I felt forced to rely on the next best thing which turned out to be highly ineffective. I know that I made the right choice NOT to abort, however it was my CHOICE and should remain so in early pregnancy.

Corliss

I am not against any birth control that does not destroy the baby. Once the sperm meets the egg, it becomes a life. If there is a birth control that stops the egg from meeting the sperm, it should be used. If it destroys the egg and sperm together after they met, then it should be banned.

I am against public funded sex education because some of what they teach is not acceptable to me. They may teach about birth control that can kill the baby. They may encourage abortion as a choice a pregnant woman can have. They don't teach abstinance until marriage. But most of all, this issue is for the parents to teach to their children, not the schools. I have always felt that schools should keep to teaching academics only. This is another example of where the gov. takes on the responsibility of the people to do what is expected of them. If the parents knew that their children were not going to learn about sex in school, they would then have to be the ones to teach them about it. But because they think they'll just learn about it in school, they don't ever bring the subject up with them. The government, once again, enabling parents to not be responsible for their own childs sex education. Just like they enable people to be dependant on them for many other things in life that they should take care of themselves.

An appendix is alive as is a tumor, however neither of them are capable of existing independently from the host, neither is the fetus less than 3 months post conception. We don't really know when the soul evolves or enters the body of the fetus. Some religions believe life begins with the first breath. I personally don't know. I do believe that there should be limits on late trimester abortions, because the fetus is viable outside the womb. The second trimester is foggy to me, I am not sure that there is or is not a conciousness at that time. With modern technology some babies who have delivered in the 6th and even 5th month can survive.

This is a very very complicated issue. I envy those who are so clear in their beliefs of right and wrong on this subject, but I am not so clear. As a thinking person, I see too many sides for this to be a really clear cut issue.

Bith control or contraception doesn't kill a baby. That is abortion whether it is chemically induced or surgical.

If we don't pay for birth control and sex education, we pay for the rearing of children with inadequate support systems and we pay through the prison systems. It is all a part of a circle of defeatism.

Corliss

Only she can live with the consequences of her choice.

And live with them she will. Most women, with the exception of a few, live with horrible guilt feelings over their choice of abortion. They know deep down inside, for God gives all mankind a conscience, that what they did was wrong. They will deny what their conscience is telling them because they don't want to admit their wrongdoing and their need for repentance before a Holy God. It is a sad thing to have to live with that burden. But, it isn't necessary to carry it. Our Creator is a very forgiving God. He loves all of us and forgives us when we make wrong choices. All we need do is ask him to.

That is why though I am pro-choice, I don't take abortion lightly. Birth control would have been a much better option for the 15 year old who didn't have access to contraceptives or had too much shame and fear to use them. It would be great if everone chose abstinence until marraige but unfortunately even many of the kids wearing the promise rings don't wait.

Corliss

One big difference between abortion killing and capital punishment killing is that one is innocent killing and the other is guilty, deserving killing.

The unfortunate thing is that every year, people are executed who did not commit the crime they were convicted of. If our justice system were fool proof capital punishment might be more just, but since it is not, at least with life imprisonment when a person is discovered to not be guilty, he can be freed, with capital punishment, there is no reversal.

Corliss

The death penalty shows us that God cares for us ordinary people, that He wants to protect us and that He wants us all well. Without order and without punishment we would only be creatures lacking responsibility that could do whatever we wanted to each other without being held responsible for anything. We would then live in a world that did not have any morals or ethics. Our value and our dignity would be nonexistent. We would be like animals. It is the order of things and the punishments that proves to us that God values us humans as something. If we were nothing God would not have to care for us. But now God so loves mankind and therefore the capital punishment exists as a defence, as a confirmation, as recognition of the high dignity and value of mankind. The death penalty, more than anything else, confirms that we are moral beings and as a consequence of that we can be held responsible for our actions.

Genesis 9:6

"Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made man."

These words are spoken by God. The verse does not only express an permission, but it is a command. It is the first commandment of the Bible that has a common legal character. We find in this verse a "law" draped in a poetic costume that is the basis for all coming laws concerning the capital punishment. It is a foundational principle. And it is interesting to see that the first edict of a legal character is concerning the death penalty. God wants the death penalty for murderers and the reason is clearly declared: "for in the image of God has God made man. One who murders destroys the "image of God" in a fellow man and thereby commits an indirect attack on God himself.

This was not an OT concept that should be abandoned today.

Luke 23:41

"We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong."

These words were spoken by one of the criminals who were hanging on a cross next to Jesus. The scripture clearly testifies of the legal conscience that people during all times have had. A death-sentenced criminal confesses that the flogging and the death sentence that was imposed on him were "just". And not only that, he himself felt that he "deserved" death.

Weren't the two men who died on either side of Jesus theives? Were they murderers?

As far as whether or not God calls for capital punishment I think it should be left up to Him. I am not saying that I oppose it on an emotional level because I don't however if you go by Christ's admonition in the story of the woman who was being stoned, then none of us are fit to cast the first stone, or push the button, or drop the trap door, or initiate execution by whatever means. The Bible is full of contradictions.

The crime rate is far lower in countries where capital punishment has been abolished. Fear based ethics are not higher ethics. This type of ethics results in the ones with the power ruling, whether it is physical strength or political power. Power does not equate goodness or separation from animals, in fact the reverse is true.

Corliss

Hmmmm...

I just figured that the most I can take off is 3 weeks. I could take off a little more if my mom helped pay my car loan...

I will seriously have to talk to my doctor. At my work we have what is called "light duty." It's for those, I guess, have hurt themselves on the job. For most people, it is their back. They want me fully healed, but I understand. I'll have to miss out on one pay check. I guess it's worth it, but it still sucks though.

This is the only thing that worries me now. I'm not worried about the surgery or the lifestyle change... it's my work. Blah!

Hi, I am an RN and work on a total care unit. We only have one tech (nursing assistant) so it is essential that we pull and push patients. I would never have considered going back in less than 6 wks. You will have a port attched to your stomach muscles, it is easy to pull it out of place if you do anything to strenuous.

I have surgery scheduled for this thursday (gall bladder/hernia repair) and have arranged to take off 6 weeks and have my two weeks of accumulated leave paid to me at 24 hrs per pay period. That will give me a small amount of income over the six week time period. I get unpaid leave under FMLA.

It is well worth the down time to get your band and get the weight off. You wil probably loose a lot less time off due to illness and injury not to mention being a more productive, happier Tech! You guys are vital. You can make or break a nurses night and a patients safety. I love good techs!:smile2:

Corliss

Thanks, C'sM. If the anti-choice people would spend as much energy and time on saving the world's children, we wouldn't have to worry about them at all. Wouldn't that be something?

That would be so amazing. Another interesting tidbit is that according to polls (I can't quote them so take with a grain of salt) Most people who are anti-choice are in favor of capital punishment. If a life is a life, who should be killed? Most anti-choice folks are also against public funded sex education and contraception. That stance does not even make any sense.

For the record, I am not generally in favor of abortion and strongly oppose it after the 1st trimester except in extreme cases. I can't decide exactly my criteria for extreme cases, so I don't believe that even late term abortion should be criminalized.

I believe that abortion is a very serious choice that a woman has to make. Only she can live with the consequences of her choice. It is not our responsibility as a nation to make her choices or eliminate them. In the name of health care, compassion, common sense and economics, sex education and contraception should be made available to all of child bearing age.

Corliss

Hi Dwayne, Carrie and Punkster,

It is hard to keep the amount down, we always want just that one bite more. When I had a well adjusted band prior to complications I just measured my food if it was mushie, and when it was solid I didn't have to worry about it because I was quiet full on 2-3 oz meat and a couple of bites of veggies, but if I ate stew or cooked soft vegies or casseroles then I could eat loads more before the band said stop. I did have some "soft stop signals" which were sneezing and coughing. If I wanted to I could ignore them and eat past them on softs but it always made me miserable. I had no problems till my 14th month. I lost about 100 lbs during that period and I lost another 103 after I started having problems.

It was almost 3 years before I had my band removed. With this new band, I have had no wt loss at all, I have actually gained. I am on steroids for hand problems, and had a duodenal ulcer, both of which set you up for wt gain, and to top it off, I have gall bladder issues and can't have my band tightened due to frequent bouts of dry heaves. I have had two fills before the gall bladder made itself known, but i can still eat anything. I am afraid of a slip again so I am just trying to hold on till I can get the gallbladder yanked. I am finished with the steroids now, and the hand problem is still there, but I really don't want surgery and don't want any more steroids. I think I will try accupuncture for the hand issues which have largely improved.

Right now I am tentively set for gallbladder surgey and hernia repair Jan. 7th. I am actually excited. I feel like I did when I was awaitng the band, because I am fairly certain with an adjustment I can get this extra wt. off again. I have finished the treatment for the ulcers and I am so over steroids, so keep your fingers crossed for me. As soon as I am past the adjustment to no gall bladder I am setting up a fill apt. Complications will definately slow you down and in my case lead to wt gain. Someone asked me "why don't you just starve to keep it off?" Well if I could do that I would never have had a wt problem. :tongue:

I sometimes wish I had taken Dr. Zapata's advice and had the sleeve instead of a band replacement. I know I would be at goal now, but I didn't, I made this choice, and now I have to protect my band so that I can use it later. I hope this makes sense to ya'll. I am rambling but have a lot on my mind. Good luck to all.

Corliss:thumbup:

With these last two fills, I have been getting indigestion every time I eat. Not heartburn, but the 'liquid on the stomach' kind. Is that normal?

Unfortunately that sounds like reflux and is generally a sign that you are a bit too tight. I would try a couple of things, 1. don't eat for 4 hours before laying down. 2. Drink a little hot tea about an hour before going to bed, herbal is best. 3. Eat very small portions and chew extremly well. If the "Liquid on the stomach" doesn't disappear with any or all of these measures talk to your doc. He may want to give you some nexium or reglan or worst case scenario, take just a tad of saline out. Good luck! Corliss

"I have a fill appt. today at 1. Hope this is the one what will allow me to really control how much I eat. I think this is the 7th or 8th one. Surely I will get there soon. I am happy with my progress so far, but the last 3-4 months have been slow"

Good luck to you! I hope all goes well.

Corliss

I thought this forum was for those who are low carbing to encourage each other.

For those who believe white flour and sugar are essential to good health, enjoy it. I'm not going to go to your high carb forums and tell you that diabetes is difficult to control with that type of diet. Nor will I go there and tell you that I don't personally know one person who has kidney disease/stones due to low carbing (I didn't say they don't exist, I just haven't personally met one). But I know plenty who have had stones who don't low carb including my close relatives, (and I've never had a stone). So when they worry about my kidneys I laugh sweetly and tell them that it diet is the cause, I'd be terrified to eat their diet after seeing the pain they have. And I know plenty of people whose kidneys are a mess due to not controlling their blood sugar. Dialysis isn't pretty.

I was recently given a low carb diet by my dietitian to follow for a month while my band has to be unfilled. I'm following Atkins because the plan I was given didn't allow enough vegetables and berries for my taste. The dietitian thought she was giving me a higher carb diet, bless her heart. I've lost 5 lbs this week. And I'm almost 2 years post band.

My Atkins (on-going weight loss phase) menu allows me to get the nutrients I need without wasting space on empty calories that I don't need. Now if I were an athlete at goal weight, I'd be looking to add calories. But in my case I've got plenty stored in reserve as fat that I need to deplete.

Ah when I was young, I really did need those empty calories, my metabolism and activity level required them, I didn't have extra fat. But alas, I don't need them today.

Yeah I think those of us who low carb just get tired of the yaya :cursing:and dont' check in here that often. BTW, I have noticed some of the most vocal anti low carb folks on here like to rant on other boards too. I just don't waste my energy, but would love to get this board active with pro low carbers. I know it is fantastic way to go. I myself am not consistant but I should be.

Thanks for your post. Corliss:thumbup:

When considering plastic surgery ladies, don't forget Monterrey Mexico! I am very happy with the work I had done there, (face lift and arms), and will be glad to provide contact information. I had great care and great results for about 1/3 of the cost in US even considering travel and hotel expenses. I think Costa Rica with the experience they have there would also be a viable choice, but prices seemed a good bit more expensive, plus I had my lap bands done in Monterrey and was familiar with the agents that refer to Monterrey. I love the city also, though I missed the former driver a lot. I had a lovely sitter for the first few days when I was healing. She took great care of me and I hired her to be my travel guide more or less the last few days I was there. :drool: If anyone wants more info just let me know and my pics are posted in my profile.

I may go back for a touch up next summer, I am not sure at this point.

Corliss

You guys are scaring me with all the stories about the band. What are the figures on people who never have problems?

I honestly don't know of any verifiable stats. I think the most you can do is find out your docs rates. I have heard of docs who say that they only have had one or two of their patients slip. I don't know how I got so lucky to wind this lottery! I would much rather win money instead of a slipped band. It was so good for so long though that I chose to have another instead of having a sleeve. So far this one is doing great, but no wt loss as of yet. I am thinking I have to get one more fill and then maybe I will start working it, lol!

Don't worry, just enjoy the ride. :scared2:(Ride it till the wheels fall off!)

Corliss

Thank you all for your help regarding the Gastric Sleeve site. I've put in a query to find Oregondaisy to see how she is and to find out more about the

sleeve.

Best wishes, Katydid.

I talk to her every now and then when she comes on chat, and she loves her sleeve!

Take care,

Corliss

I think I will go ahead and call for an apt for next week. I definately don't have much restriction at all. I have pb'd on fresh pineapple so I know I have some. I am low carbing now to try to take a little off, but i am not optimistic about staying with it long enough to seriously help. Dr. Sass had mentioned taking a bit out if I needed it without fluoro but I am to scared of a puncture since I am self pay to let anyone near me with a huber without fluoro. So I will just have to get another dose of radiation I guess.:thumbup: Mine are all self pay so I hope this is the last one I need for a long time. I have been under a load of stress lately and thought I might tighten up, but if I have it is not significant.

Corliss

My surgeon automatically repairs hiatal hernias when he puts in the band. Gets permission to do it ahead of time. Totally eliminated my reflux.

Personally, if I had that much trouble with the band, I would investigate something less dangerous for me.

When the first band was placed, my surgeon supposedly repaired the hiatal hernia which he found, I had a difficult recovery, but did really well after the gastric edema resolved. I lost over 200 lbs. I started having problems about 14 months out from the time the first band was placed, I eventually had all my Fluid removed and I got better and worse and better and worse. Eventually it got so bad I could keep nothing down. :redface: I had the first band removed in Sept. 2008, hoping that I could keep the wt off without revision. The doctor who removed the first band did not find a hiatal hernia but the scar tissue was keeping my stomach inplace more than likely. My band was not out of position but my stomach had prolapsed above it. Then when I had the second band placed and the surgeon went inside, he had to pull my stomach down out of the Hiatal Hernia in order to visualize it. He then repaired the hiatal hernia which was huge. I asked him how the surgeon removing the band could have missed it and he told me that they were very difficult to visualize unless the stomach was passed into them and that they are usually seen on the upper gi, but mine had not shown up. He said that it was probably nor neglect or carelessness that it was not found by the surgeon removing the band, but just something that was very easy to miss. I have had no problems with reflux since this banding but as I said in my earlier post, I am not quiet at the right point for loosing. I need just a bit more fill.:wink2:

I will definately not have another band if I have problems with this one, but so far so good. I didn't want to have my stomach cut out if I didn't have to. Enough cutting for me already. I am fortunate not to have the problems Katy has but I do understand what she is talking about as my daughter has had similiar issues.

Corliss

Hi Corliss and If Your Stomach Offends You,

Thank you both for replying, I appreciate it. My 6 hernias have all been large abdominal ones where the intestine protudes through the lining and pushes the skin out like a soccer ball running the risk of twisting and blocking, like yours Corliss. Hiatal hernias are off the osophagus (not sure if I have the spelling right) and are situated under the liver. I have one of those but the last operation was so life threatening that the surgeon could not risk lifting the liver to get to it. My body was in a malnutrition state, had absolutely no Protein in my blood and my inner flesh was "like dried raw meat". He tells me a little more info each time I see him = He'd never seen a live body in such a bad state until he opened me up. The band had been put in far too low and not even saliva could get through as even after fasting he found 1.5 litres of saliva in my stomach that had to be emptied before he could do anything to help me. I'm keeping this surgeon and will do what he says. The other one was far too careless, even in his attitude. "Oh, it will be fine, don't stress" and that was with scans etc in front of him showing proof that things were NOT ok.

So I hope you understand why I'm wanting to find out all I can. Actually there was a lady on this site who had the gastric sleeve operation after banding but I don't remember her name. If anyone knows how she is, could they let me know please?

Many thanks, Katy

Katy, One of the reasons you have gained wt is because your body was in such a malnourished state. How is your prealbumin (protein precursors) now? My daughter who had complications for Gastric Bypass has had many abdominal with protruding intestinal hernias. Her prealbumin stays very low due to the malabsorptive issues which she has which are beyond the norm for even gastric bypass patients. She has had many, many abdominal hernia repairs. It sounds as if your safest bet would be to avoid another banding or even sleeve because of you issues. I wonder if you have malabsorption issues? You did not say, but have you had intestines shortened from gastric bypass or any other proceedure? Take care of yourself. Being overweight is not as bad as some things. Stay healthy and exercise as much as you can and the wt gain should stablize since you do obviously have malabsorptive issues.

I don't know who on this thread has had revision to sleeve but I think there is a thread for people who have had gastric sleeve or are interested. If you want to learn more i would check that thread out. Also Obesity Help has a thread for folks who are revised to gastric sleeve. But like I said, you would probably be better off without another surgery. It sounds like this is a good surgeon.

Take care,

corliss

Hello Everyone,

I haven't been on for a long time but have a strange question to ask. Has anyone had banding done three times?

I've had it done twice, with bad results leading to removals as a few of the regulars may remember. The last removal was in March this year and was touch and go. My problem now is that I have put on 10.5kilos and my surgeon is afraid my abdomen will rupture again (have had 6 abdominal hernias) as the wall is so thin and scarred and understands that I am an emotional stress eater and need the help. He has suggested the band again but says he's not brave enough to operate on me yet and will look inside with a camera next March before he makes a decision. You'd think that sort of a fright would stop my eating and it did for a while, but........... I'd appreciate any information at all.

Best wishes, Katydid.

Katy, I fully understand the wt gain. I lost my first band in Sept. 08 ad by Dec. 2008 i had gained 65 lbs. I leveled off and actually lost a bit but I was up and down, up and down. I had another band put on in June of 2009 and haven't lost any since then. I have had two fills. I can eat most anything. This bnd is doing fine, but I am not useing it the way I should. I need another slight filla nd I think I will start loosing. If anything happens that I can't keep this band, my plan is to have a revision to a gastric sleeve. I don't have any problems with abdominal hernias but have had two hiatal hernia repairs and I wonder if the band may have cause the second one, or did the hiatla hernia cause the first band to fail??? I will probably never know the answer to that question. My Mexican surgeon strongly advised a gastric sleeve this past time, but since I had such good luck with the band for such a long time, he agreed ot do another band. I chose the Realize band because the slip rates are slightly less than for the Allergan Lapband. If I loose with it great, but my main goal was to stop gaining.

Corliss

WOOOO! I am now allowed to post in the 50+ to lose! I used to be in the 100+ :smile2:. Now I've got about 79-89 lbs to lose, depending on whether I want to be 160 or 150 when I'm done.

I've been walking a lot, and am going to start doing Yoga Booty Ballet twice a week for toning. I've been chubby and overweight my entire life, so I'm very worried that I'm going to have loose skin. I've started a cosmetic surgery fund, just in case, for afterwards! :smile2:

Now that I'm at a good spot with my fills, the weight feels like it's falling off. I hit a huge roadblock right after surgery (losing only 3 lbs in 4 months!), but now am down another 11 lbs since July 10th. Hopefully by the end of the week it'll be down 14 lbs. :frown2:

Off to work out!

Hey Nurse, how long did it take you to get the right fill amount? I have had 2 fills for a total of 5 ml in my 10 ml realize and have only lost five lbs which was immediately after banding. I hope hope hope that my tummy tightens up a bit, as I had my last fill a week ago today and started solids yesterday with minimal restriction. I can and do eat too much to loose

Today I started back low carbing as this seems to be the only way I can loose without restriction. I had good restriction for a long time with my first band before it went bad, (long story posted on several other threads) so i know what good restriction is like. I was glad to see someone else who started out slow but is making it work for them. Thanks, Corliss

It is very confusing because there is a fine line between being too tight and not tight enough - I was getting fills about once a month because I could eat too much - my last one was back in June - only .25 and that did it - I can barely drink my Protein Shake in the morning - can only eat a small amount of food and food still gets stuck if I don't chew it enough- the thing that still confuses me is that even with all this restriction and not eating much food at all compared to what I was eating before I am losing weight so slow - only 22 lbs in a year. I had 50 to lose so I guess I shouldn't complain but I thought I would be at my goal weight by now - I must not have any metabolism and yes I do exercise a lot.

The less you have to lose the slower you are going to lose, and you said yourself that you just got your fill right in June, okay, so now you will pick up a bit. Just think at this rate, you will be at goal in another year, or at least within 3 lbs of it! I have to remind myself of this too, lol! I need to loose 45 and it sure is major hard compared to loosing when I had over 200 to lose.

Good luck to you,

Corliss

Please help w/this ? I am about in tears trying to figure all this out. If you chew chew chew so the food does not get stuck then it must go through to the bigger part of your stomache, in this case u can still eat alot. I have had 5 fills I can eat tons still as long as I really chew and I do eat alot. I have only lost 20 pounds in 8 months I thought I understood how this works but I am know cofused.

Barney, Chewing is neccessary to keep from getting stuck. Yes, it will allow it to go through the band, but when your fill is just right, it will slow it down enough that you get the satiated feeling after eating a small amount.

I have not lost any since getting re-banded (long story found on other threads) except the initial 5 lbs. I just got my second fill, but the key to loosing for those of us who haven't quiet arrived at the sweet spot with our fills is to measure our food. :angry:Eat no more than a cup of food starting with Protein 3-4 times a day. Keep your carbs low, avoid sugar, bread and Pasta. Also potatoes and other soft foods should be last on the list. I am at 215 now and need to keep my calories less than 1200 and carbs less than 60 to loose. When I was 350 I lost like crazy on 1800 to 2000 cals per day. The band doesnt do it all for us, it just helps. I am so looking forward to getting to my sweet spot, but I am having to work harder at it right now to just maintain and I have not been willing enough to actually loose. :smile2: I started solid foods yesterday and realize that my restriction is not adequate as I am able to eat far too much, so I will have to measure and work harder to follow the rules of band eating another month, while I give my body a chance to see whether or not it will tighten up and not actually need more fill or if I have to go back for another.

There is a really wise bandster on Yahoo groups who says frequently, "Just because you can, don't mean you should!" :smile2: I have to remind myself of that often.

Good luck to you,

Corliss

Hey punkster. I am doing ok. I am just not sure how much I will be on this site anymore. I wil try to check in with you all to make sure you are doing ok. Thanks for asking. I hope that everyone is ok.

Take care.

Hey Slim, I hope all is well. I will miss hearing from you regularly.

Corliss

Hmmmmm....... never thought about it. Don't have it frequently, but do eat it from time to time over the last 2 years without any problems. Like it with hot dogs or sausage. Mom used to make it with spare ribs, too. Problem is, then I want some mashed potatoes with it, too!

Oh yeah!