emjay

I had my best success with the Atkins diet in the past, but unfortunately, once I strayed I put the weight right back on. Still, I try to refrain from eating refined carbs and concentrate on getting carbs with fiber, or from fruits/veggies. I'm not entirely strict about it, but I feel better and lose weight better if I cut/limit those things from my diet. It is about balance, and sad to say there is so much in the way of refined carbs out there, especially in snack foods. And I do notice that the more carbs I eat, the more I want them. So, it's better to limit them or keep them as a certain % of your overall food choices for the day. You just have to figure out what works the best for you...

Sorry to hear about your cousin JayTee. It does seem like weddings and funerals are the only events where you see your family. I haven't checked in awhile. I keep floating around 3 - 5 lbs from my goal weight. Been there for about 3 months. I really don't want to get a small fill, but it really takes focusing on dieting and eating right to lose right now along with exercise. My band seems fairly loose and I'd like to keep it that way to avoid any problems. I can eat anything but still feel restriction. But it does seem like I'm not as full on the quantities I was eating before. Still working it though.

I agree...I know I could use all the support I can get to keep on the right path.

I take pretty much normal bites, chipmunk part of it in my cheek, chew small portions and swallow the small portion before getting another small piece from my cheek and doing the same. My band is pretty loose so I don't have near the problems I had when it was tighter. Also the 10 minutes between each bite? You must be kidding. Most doc's don't recommend eating past 30 minutes total. So that gives you, what 3 bites? I need more substance than that. You just need to really get to know your band and what works for you. Don't be afraid to put the fork down and wait a couple of minutes if you feel some pressure in your stomach or are uncomfortable. Better than reliving it!

I guess the best advice I can give is use free weights or some strength machines to try and tone your muscles. Also, give your skin up to a year to see if some of it shapes up. But short of hanging upside down, I'm not sure what else you could do except surgery. My upper legs look terrible - no shorts for me. My arms are kind of like crepe paper on the underside, but not too much of a bother that I won't wear sleeveless. And the stomach, well that's a lost cause. In clothes I look good, just not great without. Don't think I'll get any work done though. The possibility of dying from a cosmetic procedure or having complications is enough for me to say no. At 45 I'm not interested in looking like Barbie. I'm satisfied with how things turned out - it could have been much worse. I just look at my imperfections as battle scars - a battle I won.

Sounds like you have pretty good restriction already! That's great! Or your stomach can be a bit swollen from the fill. Maybe try liquids, yogurt or pudding for a day and then try again. Eggs should be a food that go down fairly well. Try to wait a minute or two between bites and see if that helps. Sometimes it's not just small bites and chewing well but giving your stomach a little time for it to register. I doubt if 1 egg was too much, you should be fine with that.

I can't say that I knock my socks off, but I started out this journey by walking, then progressed to using the strength machines at the "Y" and the elliptical. I get bored easily so hubby and I mix it up. Hiking, walking outside, taking different and new walking paths, elliptical when it's crappy or hot outside or bike riding. A decent workout for me is 1/2 hour on the elliptical and about 25 minutes on the strength machines. It sincerely helps that hubby and I motivate each other to at least do something every day. Whatever you decide to do, I really recommend some sort of strength/weight training. It has really helped with toning and also with some nagging back pain I've had for years. I think my arms would look really bad had I not done this. Good luck with your workouts!

Becca---please keep us informed of your progress. It sounds like an interesting type of WLS and one that if the band ever fails me and needs to come out, one that I might consider long term. Thanks!

Interesting...I wish they would have listed the drinks they tested. I use Unjury 1-2 times a day.

Jazz - If they aren't doing these "aggressive" fills under flouroscopy, I imagine what you went thru is pretty routine in their practice. It took several months for me to get to the proper restriction and the last couple were very small amounts, because when you get close - just a .1 or .2 cc fill can make a world of difference. I don't know if I would feel very confident in their practice knowing what I know now with fills. Some people are incredibly sensitive to fills and have alot of swelling. It kind of sounds like they just don't want people coming in again and again for fills. I'm not trying to knock your doctor's practice but in the interests of your well-being I would DEMAND smaller fills until you get to proper restriction - or at least get them under flouroscopy so they can see what is going on during the fill and not guessing. Sorry to hear you had such a rough time. That is terrible!

I'll be the first to say I'm not a medical expert, but I think the reason is many times that area is stitched to reinforce it and help with any reflux issues. I too had a hiatal hernia repair, but it sounded like the surgeon routinely stitches this area to reinforce it and help keep food in the stomach and not migrating up into the esophagus along with the stomach acid (reflux).

I had my surgery in West Chester (north of Cincy). About 75 miles from home. Best decision I ever made for myself.

Good luck MBWALKER! Just take it a day at a time. It's not overnight success, but slow and gradual and that's the way it should be to keep it off. It helps you to develop new eating habits. Actually the band forces you to develop new eating habits in some ways. In others, it's up to you. To help things along - if you haven't started exercising - do so. Start by walking. That is still my good old standby and something hubby and I do together. And look forward to your new journey - it's hard but oh so worth it!

Is it possible that you have a leakage? Not to knock the GI but is he/she qualified to say that you have no restriction? I would explain some of what you say. It "sounds" like you have some, but maybe not enough. Can you doc take out all the fluid and see how much is in there for sure?

Way to go Adagray! Doesn't it feel great?! Also, congrats on all the NSV's. That is really something to be proud of - definitely getting healthier!

Bandmom - as a side note, I wouldn't think about getting a fill right now with a swelling issue. If your doc has the capabilities to do a flouro while you're there, get one done to check your band. Just to be on the safe side...

I was on clear liquids for a day or two and then proceeded to full liquids for the rest of the week. You may want to keep it safe and do clear for a day.

Yep - some days it feels like you can eat a whole lot more than others and still aren't satisfied. On those days - it seems to be mind over matter gets me through (or bare knuckles). Luckily, those days don't happen that often. I notice it at certain times of the month - along with the migraines :ohmy:

I live about 40 miles north of Dayton. Lots of corn, soy, wheat fields and small towns :scared2:

You know Willowcat - I don't think there is any shame about it. The way I look at it - is that I know my personality and who I am better than anybody. I haven't been able to keep this weight off for 25 years and if it took getting banded to do it, then so be it. I can't say that I shout it from the moon because I don't. I also don't necessarily tell people that aren't close to me because sometimes the reason they ask is not to be supportive, but because they want to know your business and gossip (I live in a small town). I just feel that getting banded is making my life so much more enjoyable. I don't feel it is shameful so much as I don't want to have to explain my reasons to people. Nobody knows what it's like to be obese unless you have been - and I don't know of anybody that wants to be. You took the initiative and did something positive about your weight - there should be NO shame in that. Other people with addictions or medical issues seek help too. Don't sell yourself short. You could have tried for the rest of your life and struggled just like we all have. But why if you don't have to? Why not make it a bit easier than going it alone? Do something that helps keep your hunger in check and limits the amount of food you can eat? Nothing shamefull about that if you ask me. Nothing.

Thanks for the update Suzanne. I'm glad you're feeling better after going so long with your heartburn and nausea. Hopefully your stomach just needs a little break from the restriction and then you're ready to go back to getting fills. Good luck in the meantime. This is the kind of thing I'm concerned about. But it sounds like your doc has checked everything out as far as it possibly being a slipped band or dilation. The WW idea sounds great and keeping active will be a bonus. Keep us posted!

FYI - Magic Bullet is on sale at Kohls for $39.99 right now. The Rocket (kind of a knock off) is $19.99 at Kohls. Just so you know.

lose the mess- the best advice I can give you is if you have apprehension about whether to tell or not - don't. If you don't want to be judged - don't put it out there. But when 1 person knows, word travels fast. So, that being said, if you want your journey to be yours alone, keep it private. If you don't want the questions, scrutiny, people checking out what you are eating, well-meaning but back-handed comments (on one hand) or if you would want the support and comfort of family and friends (on the other) - then weigh the pros and cons for YOU. Nobody will understand what you are going thru as well as other bandsters. And sad to say there still is a stigma to having any type of weight loss surgery and people that don't have food issues may not understand there is a whole other aspect to losing the weight than being banded. In the end - you have to do what it right for you.

I don't think there is that much difference between the two. They are made by two different companies (AP - Allergan, Realize - Johnson & Johnson) and while the sac around the band and the port may look a little different, they do the same thing. The weird thing is - is my sister had all her Fluid taken out and then put back in and just doing that made a difference in her restriction. Her doctor explained that sometimes the band readjusts around the stomach and you feel more/less restriction with the same amount of fluid. If you were adamant about wanting the AP band, then the physican should have complied. Maybe there were other reasons he didn't mention. He may have a personal preference in finding it easier to place the Realize band or it's cheaper or he gets an incentive for using it - I don't know. But you should have gotten what you paid for.

I love the Mystic tan too. Too expensive to get done all the time, but natural looking. Also as a side note, don't let salons gig you for the excise tax in July on spray tans - they are not taxable! But the beds are. I have done both but at my age am converting to the Mystic when I need some color.