ElfiePoo

Yeah. I finally said the heck with it and made them take me down to 6cc. I stayed there until I was sure the pbing, sliming and reflux were a thing of the past. Just had 1 cc put back in yesterday and so far so good. .

Dottie, If you wait until after the holidays, will that give you time enough to recuperate before next fall? If so, I'd be tempted to wait for the other knee surgery (assuming you aren't in a lot of pain with the knee now) and keep losing weight. I'd think recovery from surgery would go better with less weight on the knee, yes? Melody .

I've only lost 35 pounds in the 9 month since surgery but I can see my body physically rearranging where I hold the fat...most likely because my diet has changed. So, even though it's only 35 pounds, I'm down 3 sizes in pants and almost 3 sizes (I like 'em loose) in tops. I'm even wearing 1-1/2 size smaller shoes! I no longer really care what the scale says. I'm going by the physical evidence of my body.

Everyone's body and metabolism is different. The biggest favor you can do yourself is stop comparing your losses with others. Your doctor probably already told you (or should have) to stop worrying about losing weight right now because your body is healing. Optimum weight loss for most people is on a 1200 calorie diet. Below that and your body starts to get more efficient at burning calories and weight loss slows. You may be below that amount since you're so soon postop. Might as well get used to it because most people, until they get restriction are up and down on the scales. Even after restriction, if you aren't watchful about what you put in your mouth...meaning calories and not quantity since a milkshake isn't much but it's close to a day's calories...you still won't lose weight...or worse will gain. Be patient. You've taken the first step. The rest will follow. .

I used to say the band won't help with head hunger but I'm not sure that's true...at least in my case. After 9 months experience with the band, having too much fill and taking it down to try and find that sweet spot again, I think it does. Seven weeks ago I got so sick of PBing, sliming and urping that I had them take me from 8cc down to 6cc. During that time I had no restriction whatsoever and, even though I was never hungry, felt like my stomach was this bottomless pit that needed to be constantly fed. This morning they put 1cc back in and that 'emptiness' and head hunger vanished! I had a salad and Protein for lunch and I'm having a bowl of lentil Soup for dinner even though I really didn't feel the need to eat. The band is helping with the head hunger in my case because I don't even want to eat. .

Before band, I would eat 2. After band, only 1...assuming my band would let me eat even that. Most mornings I'm so tight I can only manage a protein drink.

Congratulations!

My surgeon has been doing this for a very long time and when I asked him about stretching the pouch, he said too many people worry needlessly about this. You'd have to seriously overeat every day for a very long time (he said 'years') before you'd stretch your pouch. He said if you were eating this way, you'd most likely have band erosion problems from the constant PB'ing, sliming and throwing up you'd be doing from not listening to your band *long* before you stretched your pouch.

Oh crud. My left shoulder pain is back. I certainly haven't missed *that* over the last 7 weeks. Guess the answer is to lose weight fast so it'll stop rubbing on my diaphragm.

Yeah...that's how I ended up with an overfill. My band fluctuated from day to day and it was a royal pain in the behind. I'm not sure what you do long term except eat as the band lets you. On those days where you have no restriction, assuming it's a temporary thing, hold on to your self-control and wait it out. That's what I'm going to do this time around rather than go in for a fill...and end up with too tight of a band all the time.

Just had 1cc put in my band, taking me to 7cc and I'm not feeling any pain...I mean hunger. So I'm having a bowl of homemade lentil soup and *maybe* a small slice of homemade french bread.

Same here. It's been raining all day and I know this means I'll have to mow on Monday. Now you'd think I wouldn't have a problem with that since it's a riding mower, but I still hate to mow. ;-p

Aw Denise. I am so sorry you're going through all this and yes, it does suck to not lose weight or gain when all you can eat is liquids or mushies! I know that just cuz it's a liquid or mushie does not mean it's necessarily low calorie, but my head says they should be! Feel better! Melody

Good morning my fellow banders! The weather here is gorgeous...and has been for the last week. Typical fall weather and no humidity! I feel human for the first time in months! I went in for my fill this morning and was surprised that they wanted to give me 1cc to take me up to 7cc. Apparently, based on their records, I was having no problems before at 7cc and, since I said I'm slipping further into the darkside, they wanted to get me as close as possible to the sweet spot before I go to Disney. Let me tell you. I can already feel the difference! For the last 7 weeks I've felt like I have a bottomless pit inside me. Not hungry...just never 'content'. Within 15 minutes of that fill, I was and am still (3 hours later) 'content'! I'd forgotten that this is part of what the band does. Their scales confirmed that I have not gained or lost a pound in 7 weeks despite no restriction so at least I'm not playing catchup! With the shopping NSV of yesterday and no longer feeling like I need to fill the pit, I'm extremely motivated. Add to how good this cool weather is making me feel and I think I'm going to go drag my honey out for a walk again today! Have a good one everybody! Melody (ElfiePoo)

Most of the time I drink decaf iced tea (no sugar). When I want 'flavor', it's Crystal Lite Cherry Pomegranate although over the last 10 months I've found it to be somewhat overpowering so I use 1/2 packet in a 16 oz bottle of water. When I really crave the fizzy, I drink the Faygo Sparkling Water (grapefruit).

What a day! I went shopping for clothes this afternoon and was dreading it. Usually I spend hours and come home with only one or two things that actually fit...and I'm not always thrilled with the material, look, color, etc. but fat people can't be picky. ;-p HUGE HUGE NSV moment. I picked out 5 shirts, two lightweight dress type slacks and a pair of capris in less than 30 minutes. Not only do they all fit beautifully, but I *love* the colors and the way they look on me! <drum roll> Bonus moment...the pants were 14/16 and the shirts were 1X!! Yeah I know they've changed sizing so fat people won't be dismayed at what size they're actually wearing (obviously they think we're stupid too), and I'm guessing the 14/16 pants were actually 18/20 but I haven't worn an 18 since high school!! Actually the only reason I think I can now is because I've lost the oversized hips and butt that I've carried for most of my adult life. Going from a size 26/28 to a 14/16 and a 3x to a 1x made my day! I am so *high* right now! Think I'll go drag my honey out for a nice fall walk! .

I know I've been MIA but a lot has been happening over the summer and I guess I've just been so overwhelmed by it that I've been hiding in stupid mindless facebook solitaire games. At the end of July, I ended up having 2cc taken out of my band because it was decided that PBing, sliming, etc. several times a day (when I was taking small bites, chewing well and swallowing in several pieces) meant I was most likely too full. Rather than continue to deal with that until I made my way down to the sweet spot, I chose to just go below and start over. Then I thought I might wait to get the next fill until after I came back from our Disney trip in early October. Well, 7 weeks later I have been able to eat whatever and how much I like for the last 7 weeks! Guess I must've learned some good habits in the previous 9 months though as I have not lost or gained a single pound. Whew! I have noticed that I've begun to slide a little more to the dark side though so I made an appointment for Saturday to get a small fill. It probably won't help with restriction but at least I'll be able to get another small fill as soon as I get back from Disney. Hummingbird, no I haven't gotten another dog and I don't think I will since it looks as if I may have to get a job. However, we found 3 small kittens (about 5 weeks) abandoned in one of our outbuildings (think the mom might've been hit by a car or killed by a raccoon) and decided to keep the little male. After a month of no success in finding them a good home (and husband getting progressively irritated at tripping over 3 more animals), I took the two females, who had very friendly dispositions, down to the local non-kill human society where I know they'll find a good home (since they spay them and make the people pay a $75 fee to adopt a cat). The male, named Beelz (short for Beelzebub) is attitude with fur and claws and they said since he's antisocial and drew blood (from me), they'd just put him to sleep. Couldn't do it so we took him back home and told husband to 'bite me...I just lost my dog and I'm not putting this little kitty to death'. A month later and the little monster (the most feral of the 3 and who hated me the most) is now sleeping in my bed. Interestingly, just like Sophie, he comes and stares at me around 10 p.m. to let me know he's tired and "we" need to go to bed...and then curls up against me exactly where Sophie used to. Made me cry for the first week or two but now it brings me comfort. Then about 4 weeks ago, my son's mother-in-law died from a blood clot to her lung after minor surgery. She was only 49 years old so it was quite a shock to everyone. The world will be a sadder place with her gone because she was such a loving wife, mother and person in general. Why God takes these people and leaves the toxic ones is beyond me. <sigh> On top of all of that I think the economy is finally taking my business under. At this point it's going to be a race to see if I can sell our warehouse (which we had to sign for personally) before our sales go down so far we can no longer make the mortgage payments. Since we live in the most economically depressed state in the country and the most depressed area in the state, I'm not holding my breath. Now to figure out if we can let them foreclose on the building without going bankrupt since the building is the only thing that hurts us financially. Any experts on this type of thing lurking out there? So I've started looking for jobs locally (HA!) but let me tell you...*nobody* wants to hire a 54 year old woman who's been out of the job market for 15 years and they don't look positively at the fact that I've run my own business during that time. I'm crossing my fingers for an academic advisor position at the local community college (where I'd rather work anyway), but prayers would be helpful. Well, better get moving. Need to bail out our other kitty from the Vet where they're treating her for a bacterial infection in her ear. Good grief...she's an inside kitty...how does she do this?! Then off to see if I can find some end of the summer bargains on clothing for my Disney trip. The upside...I can actually shop in a regular store now! Woohoo! Have a good day everyone! Melody (ElfiePoo)

Ok, I'm catching up on some of the posts (which go back to August 8th!) so bear with me... Christie: ROFLMAO about your '8packs'. I'd take it as a compliment! Stacie: Just read your post about possibly going back to school. Just do it. I know 'years' sounds long but, trust me, they go by so fast! I went back to school at 28 to get my bachelor's and the years sped by! Hummingbird: Congrats on the NSV moment! I like those much better because it makes me realize that the scale is not 'king'. Bobbie: Woohoo! on Onderland...and the job! Cocoa: Sorry to hear about your tooth! I did the same thing though and I had insurance. After playing around with it for months trying to figure out why it was causing me pain, I told them to just take it out. Best decision I ever made. Hey...you're on FB? Friend me! Melody Parker Upham Shad: How come they're waiting so long to flip your port?? Betsy: I am so sorry to hear of all you're going through. There's a BPD (borderline personality diagnosis) board at home that I've found amazingly helpful in dealing with my own BPD family member...who I am thankful to say lives 5 hours away. The support there is tremendous. Bob: Great news on the plastic surgeon! Are you getting this done before you've lost all your weight or just 'checking out' the possibilities. Leigha: Love your before and after pics! So did you find the 'bandit'? Dottie: Welcome back from one MIA to another. Ok, I hope I didn't miss anyone!

You and me both. ;-p

Yep, what she said.

Is the pain actually up in the shoulder (which could be gas) or is it in your left upper *arm*. Since my day of surgery I have had pain in my left upper arm (just past the shoulder) and, after much reading, discovered that is normal to the band. It is because the band is rubbing on the diaphragm and, while it affects one of the T vertebrae, it's actually referring the pain to the arm. As you lose weight, the band will drop and loosen and the pain will go away. Mine didn't go away until about 7-8 months after my surgery because I was losing so slowly. I think at the point where I'd lost 40 pounds, it stopped. .

I want to thank you all for your comfort and support over the loss of my little 'girl'. Today was a particularly bad day as I was packing away some of Sophie's toys, but I didn't wallow in the food. One day at a time...

Ouch! :w00t:

At one point I was up to 8.5cc but was pb'ing and sliming at almost every meal. They took it down to 8 but still had a lot of sliming. So I had them take it down to 6cc and I'll work my way up again. Somewhere I passed my sweet spot before because I didn't know what I was looking for. So my sweet spot will be somewhere between 6 and 8cc in a 12cc band. .

My personal favorite is Fitday.com