illuminationlady

Be prepared to feel this way for a while. I was banded Dec. 16th and have just now reached restriction. Be prepared also to combat this with healthy food cholices and portion control or you could gain weight. It was everything I could do to just maintain for what seemed like forever! Best wishes!!!

I believe I am at my sweet spot or close to it. I had a reallly rough time of it after my last fill. Now I can eat but much smaller portions, chewing well and slowly. I have a new lease on life as I see it! The band did that for me. Thank you! Finally!!! Sorry, I'm just really excited after going through months and months of hunger and stalled weight loss I finally am not hungry!!!! On a smaller scale (no pun intended) I am really enjoying this thread. Thanks Leigha!!!

I finally have restriction!!! Ahhh, sweet restirction. I have 6ccs in a 10 band and that is enough for me. It's been almost a week and I am finally learning how to eat again. I don't go for another fill until a week from Monday. But I think I'm finally there! Yeah me....

Yes, I would get a fill. Do what Elfie said to do. Pretty good advice from someone who's been there done that.

I'm going to be 51 in March! Was banded on Dec. 16th and sooooooooooo glad I did it. I probably added years on to my life by doing this. You are not too old for this and will live many more years most likely.

My doctor said at the last support group that he did this only once for a woman exactly in your situation. She wanted to eat lobster. He said the only reason why he did it for her was because she was at goal and he knew she would, after the cruise, want herself refilled and back to eating well. If you were at goal this might be an option for you but since you are just starting out, I doubt by July you'll be at goal, you probably shouldn't consider it. Sorry!

I, too, continue to struggle with eating. I had my third fill Monday. I am learning to eat much more slowly, take smaller bites, and chew, chew, chew. Yesterday was the first day without getting stuck, sliming or PBing. So, I was pretty proud of myself. It's a whole new way of life for us. One that I'm ready to embrace. I lost 3.4 lbs. as of Monday. But since then the scale hasn't budged either. And I'm eating way, way less. I don't get it! Anyway, thanks for starting this thread for all us positive posters!!!

I just can't imagine having myself cut up like that. It was a big decision just to get the band...which is reversible. Also the band is adjustable. I go to support group meetings and there are GB patients there. We banders all talk about our adjustments. Once the GB is done it's done and what happens is up to the patients. I don't know that much about it but to me it just sounds intense. They do lose weight faster but studies have found that over time in comparing Lap Band and GB patients they both even out and lose the same.

I love it! Hey! We have a theme song now...lol

Welcome allison and Mishay! This site has been my backbone through this whole process. Feel free to ask any questions and keep us updated on your progress. I love my band although I'm just getting restriction now (was banded Dec. 16th). It hasn't always been easy and it's work but the payoff is tremendous!!!

I've had three fills and have restriction...finally... however, life has not been easy these past five days. I've PB'd 3 times and gotten stuck a lot. I know I'm not too tight because I can eat, when I eat correctly and the correct foods. My band is doing it's job...finally...just wanted to post to those who don't have restriction yet...it's comin' soon. My new way of life includes much smaller portions, much smaller bites, chew, chew, chew and chew some more, a lot of water and hot tea, and no hunger. That last one is a big one that I've been waiting for. And it's here. So, fret not my friends who don't have restriction yet...you will and it's a new way of life. I'm lovin' it!!!

I can't find it anywhere and am afraid to take it now. I've had 3 fills. The doc says it's okay but I'm scared. I've PB'd a lot this week but am learning how to eat a new way. It's been work and food has not been my friend.:cursing:

Wow! That's a good one. Congrats on your weight loss and keep on huggin' that beautiful girl!!!

Yes, my therapist and I do visual imagery a lot. Many times she leads me, in my mind, to when I was a little girl. I have found out that my family glorified food. We had big celebrations and Sunday roast beef. Everything centered around food. And, of course, my mother always had me on a diet; taking my to doctors and trying to figure out what was wrong with me. Just knowing this has helped reverse the negative inner voice. I have learned a lot about myself through therapy. It's the best thing I've ever done for myself.

Congrats on making it through the social event. I'm at the point now where I don't feel I could ever eat out again. I've PB'd twice this week and really have some great restriction. The problem is now I'm afraid of food. I don't think I'll ever be able to eat in a social setting again. I know I'll get past this, just not right now. Glad you're doing so well!!!

I posted this a while ago. Thanks for responding. I guess unless you're in deep analysis you don't really understand what "negative self talk" is. I will look for the book. I, too, am recognizing now when I do it (neg. self talk) and making the necessary corrections to it. Best wishes!!!

Eating is a chore for me now too. I just got my third fill on Monday and now I'm having a hard time eating. I've Pb'd twice since Monday. But I'm giving it time for the swelling to go down. I can eat and have eaten but very little. Trying to keep my Protein up. Can drink easily also...so I know I'm not too tight. But I can see over time how I'll just say, the heck with it and be done with obsessing over food. I'm getting there already. Feels good...:eek::thumbup::mad2:

I do the same exact thing....so I can't help ya there girl...

Being banded and having true restriction involves following rules. As the PP stated you must take small bites, chew, chew, chew, eat slowly and not over eat. If you don't follow the rules you will have many problems. You must be committed to changing the way that you eat or you will have problems. And vomiting all the time can cause your band to slip and you will have further complications. Hope this helps. Best wishes!!!

I believe that with the weightloss the pain will go away also. I'm quite relieved to hear this! My pain in more in the left side of my neck. And it isn't there all the time. I notice it more after a "stuck" epidsode.

So, so sorry for your loss...I will say prayers for you and yours...

This is a sharp pain...like the gas pain you had after surgery. No like fibro...I have fibro and those are dull pains. Fibro makes me feel like I have the flu. This is not like that at all.

I'm 8 weeks out and completely healed. I can feel my port with my fingers or if I lean against the counter in the wrong way but for the most part don't even think about it all day!

Since being banded I have this pain on the side of my neck. Sometimes it's really bad. I noticed with this last fill that it's gotten worse. Last night I even took Tylenol. Is this the same thing...I wonder? What do you think? Could it be because of the band. I don't think anything would make me give up my band. What are you gonna do? Oh no!!! I'm so glad you posted this. I thought I was nuts with this pain in my neck. Let me know what you think...

There are a few basic band rules that I do try and follow. Yes, drinking 64oz. of water or fluids a day is one of them. Another I try and follow is portion control. I use a toddler plate that is portioned out. Also, small bites and chew, chew, chew. Otherwise I would be stuck all of the time. I don't do carbination at all but do have a glass of red wine occasionally before dinner. I might try a beer this summer. I go back to the doctors for my fills regularly until I hit my sweet spot. Some people don't follow up on fills...that's why I mention this rule. For the most part I follow my doctor's orders. Once and a while I'll treat myself only so I don't feel like I'm always on a diet. There are rules we all follow being banded. And those who don't follow the rules probably have a hard time with losing the weight!