delfinajones

I'm going in tomorrow to request band removal after 5 years. i don't consider it a failure as I got to the weight I desired and will work to stay there. But after the band broke loose we took all the liquid out hoping I could just avoid surgery and things got worse this past year. I figure I may as well resolve this now that I have good insurance and as I heard there is a big chance the second time around it will also come loose I am not getting another one. I would still recommend the surgery as it worked great but things like this do happen so we just move along.

The nurse gets the needle in on the first poke with me -I never get bruises. Make sure you have a good doctor. Sorry you are going through this.

What I found key was the recommendation to "keep moving"-that just "standing up" was better versus sitting around and that just standing could effect long term weight. More gardening, house cleaning or walking can do the trick. Humans, it seems, weren't meant to by laying around watching TV or playing with the computer for hours. Obvious but....

Interesting article on new research on this subject in the New York Times today-link here: Weighing the Evidence on Exercise - NYTimes.com

You need to take a chill pill or lower the dial on the sarcasm.

I had my surgery at a hospital associated with a teaching university medical program and they advise against drinking your meals. The thought is that it is a slippery slope with over eaters who might then start drinking milk shakes. They take a slow and cautious approach and feel if you can't chew and swallow you are too tight which can lead to complications. So yes- there isn't one overall approach over here to bariatric after care. And don't feel bad about sharing your experience.

Not until now. I kept having philosophical discussions about whether I was imagining that I was still hungry despite 5 fills---but with the 6th there is no doubt. I'm not fixated on food period. Plus I can't eat as much or I will get stuck. That helps too. So I would say it took 6 fills to concretely feel something.

Thanks for the responses and support. And yes it will happen for you as well so just hold on.:thumbup:

I am now at 9 cc in a Realize band (6 fills) and finally am where I want to be. Can't eat a lot and most importantly have stopped thinking about food 24/7. The second is the amazing part and I waited 2 weeks before posting to make sure the change was going to last. (I have never NOT thought about food.) I pushed to get the final small fill that did the trick-- which meant I got the final fill only 7 days after. I told the nurse it seemed to me the band was not about a dieting mentality and that is what I have been doing all along. I wanted the band to kick in for me. And it worked. I feel the difference. I am still going to WW for the support and because it is all about good eating/living habits but now I feel the band truly helping as I am not thinking about food.:thumbup:

Glad to hear it went well.

Post what you usually eat each day. Maybe we can help more if we see what might be lacking.

I know you've been waiting for a while. Hope it was easy.

I've been in therapy--off and on--since college and it seems to me it is all connected. You might go in with issues related to a parent or spouse and as you talk it all starts unraveling. I would try a therapist that comes well recommended no matter the specialty. The person I went to was a specialist in couples counseling but did a fantastic job with the food issues which were connected. You might find it helps to have an objective ear tot alk to. As I present my problem to someone who doesn't know me I get clarification from myself as I am explaining this or that. And a good therapist can see when you are avoiding an issue or making light of something important. I think going to therapy also makes you feel you are being proactive and taking care of your self and all these positive moves feed each other.

I have a realize band and felt no pain--I didn't even take any pain killers after surgery.The amount of pain you mention seems severe. I know there is a realize band web site that we can join--you might go there. Your physician should have given you a code to access the site.

I tend to agree with Jachut--especially as there are people online trying to sell books and things associated with this diet. Plus the name makes newbies think it is some official lapband procedure to check your pouch. It's a high protein diet. That said if someone wants to try a different approach--why not. I am saving exercise for my plateau period rather than a new eating regimen.