tonya66

Trust me, I don't think you really want to know. lol. I'm glad to see I wasn't the only one who got suckered into it. Well, from what I can remember - it's been awhile - they take something out of pregant womens urine and basically inject you with it, its supposed to speed up matabolism, burn fat, blah blah blah. I do remember losing weight, but I only did it for a few weeks. Couldn't afford it. Now I look back and say "what the H*LL was I thinking? Gross, but I was willing to do anything to lose weight! I wish I could have all the money back I spent on all the weightloss pills, diets, equipment. I would be a rich woman!

Oh Newgirl, I'm the sugaraholic of all! Its not milkshakes, but anything else with sugar, I'm eating! My downfall lately has been the frozen coffee drinks, so I guess thats kinda like a milkshake. How do I deal with it - lately, I haven't. I know the longer I stay away from sugar, the more I can avoid it. But one bite and I'm hooked. I'm having a hard time right now with it myself.

PS - this post is on page 1 by NewSho. Posted in June of 2006.

I was going back reading some of the post older post (this was 2006) and it is amazing how many were struggling and wondering if they would get to goal, but look at her now, she is PAST goal! in a year too! Her signature now says she has lost 150 lbs in 1 year. A size 6! I hope she can see this post now and respond how differently she might feel now.

Deal, see you in 5!

I don't think its a cop out for not telling. Like WASaBubbleButt stated, I told everyone about my previous diets, like my 7 month liquid diet, my atkins, my WW, my Jenny Craig, my Nutri-system, my phen-pen, my other diet pills, my (don't laugh at this one) urine injections - gosh I still can't believe I tried that diet. The list goes on, and on. Well, it didn't work....I still failed!

Whatever reason people don't tell, its their business, that why we have the HIPAA law. Some are more open, some are more private. I just have mixed emotions about telling/not telling. So until I can figure it out, I've kept my mouth shut. A few people do know, like my mom, my DH and my cousin who had WLS (RNY), she has been open about her surgery and told everyone. Well, now she wishes she hasn't. I have actually lost more weight than she has with the band, weird.

My doc takes every bit of my fill out everytime I go in for a fill and we are always missing about .5 to .7cc's, he said there is no way he can get it all out because the tubing always holds some. So I think its about .5 to .7 in the tubing, just from the 7 different fills I've had.

Sula, here is what I think - according to Welcome to LAP-BAND.com. You should be full after eating 3 oz of food and not be hungry for 4 to 5 hours later. If you can eat more than 3 oz of food, (depending on how much more) then you probably need a fill. If you get hungry sooner, you probably need a fill. As far as PB's, I don't think any amount is normal. I think if you PB alot you need to re-examine your eating pattern, how big are your bites, are they dime size or smaller, if not, maybe the bites are too big, 2nd, how fast do you eat, do you put your fork down between bites? If you are pbing a long, then sometimes the eating pattern should be examined. For me, I am feeling like I need a fill because I rarely if any PB. Its happend 1 x, then the last fill was too tight so I PB'd on my own saliva, so I'm thining 3.8 was too lose, and 4.0 was too tight, maybe 3.9ccs will be just right? I'm hoping the doc will fill me up to 3.8 1/2 or 3.9 when I go in, I'm going to talk to him about it. I wish I could get in sooner but can't get in until 1/18/07.

Man, lately its been too much. I don't know what the heck is wrong with me. Having a hard time lately. TOM even came 10 days early! Yesterday I ended up getting a dinner down at our cafeteria - 4 breaded chicken strips, a huge pile of french fries. I was starvin, but when I started eating, I was only able to eat 4 of french fries and 2 strips, then I was full. So I was happy I still have some restriction, but I was hungry again about 3 hours later. I'm ready to get my fill and I still have 5 weeks to go! I hate that it takes so long to get into a fill. I don't want to use it as an excuse to just eat, however, I'm really having a hard time right now. I just feel like crying all the time, I guess I'm going thru some type of depression or something, its just weird. I'm so emotional these days, and having TOM come early doesn't help. Monday is my 19 year wedding anniversary, so DH bought me a beautiful rhinestone belt (Kippy belt) which I love, not sure if you guys know what a kippy belt is, but they are gorgeous and hard to find. Anyhow, he surprised me and bought me a new one with some new cole haan boots, So I should be happy. Anyhow, I guess I'm just depressed because I haven't lost weight in a long time, and I really wanted to get to 155 by my 1 year, and I know its not going to happen. I haven't been able to get below 167, keep bouncing from 167 to 172 the entire month. I know I just gotta get a grip on myself and be committed and quit complaining and just do it.

wt - 171.4 Well, I finally figured out why my weight is bouncing! Woke up this morning and had my visit from TOM, EARLY! He was not due to visit until another 10 days! Weird, I've always been late, not early, especailly not 10 days early! I woke up in a bad mood. I feel bad yelling at my daughter and DH, they were both walking around on egg shells this morning. I've finally calmed down, but I hate that I acted so bad toward them this morning. I think I will just sit in my office today and not talk to anyone at work, just not in the mood to deal with people today, not sure why I'm in such a fowl mood, but I suppose it must be PMS. Man, somtimes I hate being a woman!

wt - 171.4 Well, I finally figured out why my weight is bouncing! Woke up this morning and had my visit from TOM, EARLY! He was not due to visit until another 10 days! Weird, I've always been late, not early, especailly not 10 days early! I woke up in a bad mood. I feel bad yelling at my daughter and DH, they were both walking around on egg shells this morning. I've finally calmed down, but I hate that I acted so bad toward them this morning. I think I will just sit in my office today and not talk to anyone at work, just not in the mood to deal with people today, not sure why I'm in such a fowl mood, but I suppose it must be PMS. Man, somtimes I hate being a woman!

Twig, you can do it! You are going thru what many call Bandster Hell, the first 6 to 8 weeks until you get your fill and off of the mushies. Most of us had "buyers remorse" after banding too, I know I did. I also mourned the loss of food and felt I would never be normal again. As Jack said, it does get better everyday, I promise you it does, so hang in there and just know this is just a temporary phase of the plan. Hugs!

Thats a great compliment coming from a teenage boy. The other day my son's friend told him that if his dad (my dh) every kicked the bucket, he was moving in on me. lol. He then told him I was hot. My son was totally grossed out that one of his friends thought his mom was hot. I loved it. :eek:

I had mine sized about 25 lbs from goal, my wedding rings went from a size 8 to a size 6. I just had my Grandmothers ring that I inherited re-sized as well, down to a size 6 1/2 for my right hand. I have numerous rings that I inherited from my Grandmother that are different types of precious gems, I've been trying to get them re-sized a few at a time, the jewler is charging $75 per ring, it can add up. So I would wait until your closer to goal then get them resized. If you must wear something, buy a cheap knockoff wedding set ($10 - $20) to wear until your ready to get one sized. I almost lost mine in the ocean before I got mine re-sized, so be careful wearing them when they are too big.

I can certainly understand that. We all know that the band is just a tool, and I know for me, I've worked really hard to lose the weight I've lost. So I feel that I've done it, not the band. However, there was about 3 months this summer when my life was in turmoil (got hurt, house completely flooded, gma died, the list goes on) and I ate whatever I wanted, lots of sugar. In my pre-band days, I would have gained 20 - 40 lbs (I've done it in the past many times), but with the band, I gained very little. It was then that I realized the band will not let me get fat ever again. I was able to maintain, or go up just a few pounds, which was simply amazing to me. So, for that, I am so grateful for the band! I know that I will never weight over 200lbs again! I know I feel like I've done all the work, but pre-band, I was never able to get under 190 lbs, I am now smaller than I have been in over 17 years. So its a wonderful tool to help me. I've had to make the right choices, I've had to exercise, and I've had to use the band as a tool. Indiogirl, you've done really good on your weightloss! I told everyone at work and my DH family that I had a hernia repair (which I did), but I think they are a little suspicious and they just don't talk about my weightloss (my DH family). People at work are always complimenting me, by I think the people who suspect something just stay quiet. I just don't bring it up and they don't either.

Here is some more info on the sleeve over at obesityhelp.com. Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum (VSG) - Home

Another reason I didn't want to tell people - I was embarrased that I couldn't do it on my own. I don't feel this way at all now, and again, I wish I would have been more honest in the beginning. I'm proud that I decided to take control of my obesity related issues, just like someone takes control of their high blood pressure or any other medical problem. There were just so many issues in the beginning and I just felt that it would be easier not to tell people, I remember reading a post where they said you can always go back and tell people if you decide to, but you can't "un-tell" people. It made sense to me - so I chose the secretcy. Again, now I want to run up to everyone that has weight problems and tell them about the band. I have to refrain myself because having WLS is a personal decision and not for everyone. And who am I to judge someone that in my eyes is overweight, maybe they are happy with the way they are and that is their business. So, I just keep to myself about it. I do still feel guilty when people ask me how I am losing my weight and I tell them "eating less". Because I feel like they think they are a failure when they eat less and then gain it back - I've been there myself. So I'm just at a point where I'm trying to decide How to come out, or should I just keep quiet. Its a confussing issue for me.

I guess for me, it was embarrasment. I just knew how embarrased I would feel (this is just me) failing another diet. Now, looking back, I wish I would have told more people but now I feel like I look like a total liar going back and telling people. Not sure if it makes sense, but thats just the way I felt, at the time anyhow. I do feel differently now.

Donna - personally I don't think there is a set number of cc's that people need to get to. I think everyone is different. For me, I lost a lot of the weight in the beginning, but I really tried, I actually dieted and exercised HARD. I ate NOTHING bad. I measured all my food, etc. So, I feel I did the work. The band did help me a little. I was trying to find the story of the lady who did not start losing until after 9 months, when she finally reached restriction, but haven't been able to find it yet, if I do, I'll post the link. I know some feel great restriciton at barely anything, but for me, it takes a lot. I'm at 3.0 and have 0. Or so I think, but I still can't eat as much as I did pre-band, so I must have some. Another reason I didn't tell people about my surgery is because I didn't want people asking, how much have you lost everyday. I know it gets frustrating, just stay on top of your fills. I would have restriction too when I left the doc's office and I could see the barium stuff sitting there too, but by the afternoon, I would lose all my restriction. My doc said its because my stomach swells, or spasms out and so now he takes it very slow, has me sit for a little then looks at it. I think this has helped because the last few fills I've felt more restriction than ever. I would just stay on top of your fills and try and make the best choices in eating and you will get there. Another thing we have to remember its not a race, but a life long commitment to get healthy. The beauty of the band is it will work longer than 1 year or a few months, we can continue using this tool for life. I hope this answers your question. Please feel free to PM me if you have other questions and don't want to post it all here. You can also review my journal and can see how I had restriction,then didn't etc. I try and keep track of everything in my journal.

First of all, I'm so sorry about your loss. Death is such a tragic experience for the ones left behind. I recently experience losing my dear grandmother and I miss her everyday. People deal with emotions in different way, a common one is not eating, your depressed and just don't feel like eating. Sometimes I think deep inside, you feel that if you eat that your "getting over it" so maybe there is some type of guilt assoiciated with it. Just my opinion. Others turn to food, Its comforting. I seem to be one that turns to food, chocolate, or something of that sort. I tend to drown my sorrows in food. I've learned it only makes me feel worse, not only am I sad, but even more depressed because I eat even more.

Boo Boo - you've done sooo good. How tall are you? My goal size is an 8 too and I am wondering what weight that would be. I'm currently in a size 10, barely. My size 12's are big and baggy, the 10's are a little snug but work.

Sula - I still battle with my binge eating. But I have gotten better. In my old days I would binge eat for months, now I just do it here & there and then I gain control. My binge eating still needs to be worked on, and I work on it every day, but I still haven't been able to overcome it completely. I am happy the band keeps me from going overboard. I'm happy with my progress with the band, and I feel so much better. I know it is going to take awhile to lose the last of my weight and I know exercise is the key for me. Knowing it and applying it is two different stories. I did exercise yesterday and have plans to do it again at 3 today. So I am trying to get back into the full swing of things. Its hard, but I'm doing my best and forcing myself to at least put in 20 to 30 minutes a day. I want to start another BFL challeng on 1/7/07, I just hope my knee can handle it. I'm working right now on building the strength back up so it can handle another challenge. I can't believe we are about to be at 1 year with our band. A lot has changed this past year for me, my weight, my attitude, everything. I hope everyone else is doing good. - Enterprise, you really do look good, your arms look wonderful!

I would ask your surgeon for another physchologist. Get another opinion. Sounds like the psychologist is pushing for RNY.

Yes, I'm guilty of low Protein as well....and Water. Sometimes too many carbs! Fitday really helps me see where I'm lacking, I need to get back to recording my food intake more regularly.