illuminationlady

Due to complications, I started with an empty band. I just had my second fill yesterday and am not sure if that did anything. My point is that I haven't lost much since surgery but I know that is the way of the band. Until you get to your "sweet spot", after several fills your weight loss may slow or stall all together. I am just happy I haven't gained any weight. Being on this forum has really helped educate me to this fact. Take care and hang in there! It will happen for you soon enough!!!

Great idea!!!!

That's amazing! You're doing great!!!! Congrats on the weight loss. Are you hungry??????

I'm with those who treat food as it was meant to be treated. Bravo!!! I agree that we should not deprive ourselves of the things we love, or you have less chance for sucess. I also am a classic for portion control. That is totally my problem. I do make good food choices, just too much of it!!!

I got my second fill today. I now have 5ccs in a 10cc band. I do feel some restriction and am now being careful...small bites...chew..chew..chew...breaking pills apart...but am not certain I'm at my sweet spot. Can't tell yet. Not until swelling subsides...will keep you all posted. Best wishes all!!!

Too funny!!! lol :lol:

Those pictures will be important one day! Congrats on the weight loss. You're doing great!!! But force yourself, for your grandchildren's sake, to be in those pictures!! Best wishes always!

The only time I'm not hungry is after dinner. This is where I allow myself to eat a normal meal (just because I starve all day). You need that fill, girl! I know you can't get in to the doc until the end of this month. Hang in there. Many of us are in the same boat!!! It feels like we are dieting all over again, now with the band!

Sounds yummy! Opps. I'm not supposed to say that...lol

Way to go Elfie!!! Congrats!!!

Is chili a slider food? Someone on another thread said it is. I eat chili all the time. No fat, low cal and high Protein. Someone please clarify. And yes, we are all food adicits! Otherwise we wouldn't be in the shape, or position, we are in. It's very hard to retrain your thought process to no longer think of food as "yummy" and "wonderful". My therapist tells me to replace thoughts such as these to, "We need food to sustain life." So HARD to do this!!!

I, too, was banded on Dec. 16th. I am getting my second fill today. I, too, have NO restriction. Am hungry all of the time. It's very anticlimatic, getting the band and then being hungry all of the time. Just hang in there. Elfie is right. You will get there after several fills and no longer think of food all of the time. Best wishes!

I have no pain at all anymore (Dec. 16th too). If it continues call the doc. Best wishes!

You're an inspiration to all of us! Congrats!!!

I don't know if it was your gallbladder or not but I had mine out before being banded. I had one episode at work so bad I couldn't walk, breath or talk! My husband had to come and get me at work and took me to the hospital. It was terrible and yes, I wanted to die!!!

I'm so sorry about his crappy attitude. My husband is supportive but makes comments such as the ones above, all in jest, but still makes them. He has always been possessive and it doesn't really bother me. But he'll walk by the computer and say, "who you talkin' to?" However, he doesn't sabotage my eating, which is good. Most of the things he says are joking around by he still says them. From the beginning he has said, "I know you're going to leave me once you are skinny." I chalk it up to his own insecurities. I hope things get better for you! Best wishes!!!

I have trouble with any exercise. I do my daily household chores, garden, etc. But I need knee replacement surgery on both knees. The problem is that the surgeon won't do the surgery until I'm under 200 lbs. Therefore, I have to rely on myself and what goes into my mouth. And the weight is coming off slowly. I don't argue that exercise is good for you. It's just very difficult for me to find anything (except maybe swimming) that doesn't hurt me greatly. But as the OP stated, and I'm living proof, the weight will come off if you eat less, even without exercise.

I've been fat and I've been thin and believe you me I know I'm fat! I especially hate to see myself in a picture. I won't even post pictures here where I won't be judged...notice my cat is my avatar. I might post them after weight loss as before and after photos but while I'm fat...no way...... ps. an eating disorder is an eating disorder, whether it's anorexia or overeating. But I believe you can see yourself in the mirror skinny just as an anorexic sees themselves fat!

This gives me hope! My second fill is on Monday. Can't wait!! Can't wait!! Can't wait!!!

Hope all goes well for you! I know these posts and threads have soooooooo helped me during this time period of no restriction for me. I don't know what I would have done without you guys. I will say a special little prayer for you about the cancer thing. Take care!!! ps. I get my second fill Monday. Will be thinking of you!!!

I walked, and walked and walked. I walked the neighborhood with my daughters. The GasX strips helped too but had the gas pain only a short time due to the walking!! Best wishes and hugs to you...

Be sure to drink inbetween meals. Are you getting in 64 oz of fluids a day? I have had one fill and still have no restriction. It could be 5-6 fills before you get restriction. So, hang in there and try to eat sensible. A growling stomach does not always mean hunger. My tummy growls all the time. You need to be able to tell the difference. Also, like the other poster said, be sure to get your protein. This helps a lot with hunger. Best wishes!!!

Good prespective on the whole thing. I, too, am not "dieting" and doing exactly what you describe. I believe it becomes "hell" when one diets because of no restriction. I got tired of starving with all the Protein shakes for the preop diet and decided to go with good food choices and keeping myself comfortable. My doc does fills every two weeks also. But many do not and that's when people lose the faith!

Welcome to Bandster Hell! Yes, this is it for a while. Some people don't reach restriction until their 5-6 fill. Just be patient with yourself and the band will soon be working. Eat healthy foods and try not to eat too much. I have maintained for 4 weeks and am proud of that! Although I was 2 lbs. lighter is a.m. Look for support here. I couldn't have made it this far without my band buddies!!!!

Look for a crisis/suicide hotline in your area. Type that into Google. I know you said your not suicidial but they are there for all kinds of problems and can refer you to somebody.