sandradee0124

OH MY GOODNESS!!! You look fantastic! You are doing a wonderful job even if (as you say) the scale is not moving. Keep up the great work!!!

Congratulations on accomplishing so much, and best wishes to you as you move forward :-)

I'm the other side of the spectrum. I had 4ccs in a 10cc band at surgery. 4 weeks later I got 1.5 (to 5.5) and last Monday I got 2.25 (to 7.25), only 9 weeks out. I don't need more; I might need a little out, but I'm riding the tide until Monday (2 weeks after fill). My surgeon told me its very individualized as to what amount of saline in the fill creates a "successful fill" or sweet spot -- when you can eat 1 c of food every 3-4 hours and not be hungry in between. I have Blue Cross HMO. I was told I get free fills for a year after surgery and then its $250. I've read on this forum that sometimes a sweet spot goes away and you need a fill or unfill after a month or so. I'm just going day by day and trying not to think about it so much :-). Good luck to you!

Its only 5:30 am, I'm not usually hungry, and my stomach growled over this one! I'm going to make this tomorrow night!!! Thank you again for sharing your wonderful recipe's and have a great weekend.

Walking and GasX strips. Saving grace! Also, in the first couple days I used a heating pad on my shoulder -- really helped. Take care, it will get better..........

Well first of all, follow his rules about not eating solid foods until Monday. You need to give the band/port area time to recover -- it swells during a fill. Second, learn from my mistakes. CHEW, CHEW, CHEW and eat slowly. Allow the bite to get all the way down. I'm telling you this because that is when I get stuck -- when I don't follow those rules. My second fill was good -- I'm pretty close to where I want to be in terms of not being hungry more than every 3 hours, and being full at about 1/2 - 3/4 cup of food each time. However I get stuck a lot -- and its my own fault every time -- eating too fast or not chewing. When I get stuck usually just walking around (anything but sitting) helps. If its too bad I make myself PB (productive burping) and the stuck food comes up with a lot of saliva. It hurts when something gets stuck. You feel like you can't breathe when realistically the food is stuck in your esophagus not your windpipe and your ability to breathe is not impacted. Don't panic, breathe, and walk it out. I hope this helps. You may never experience this, but if you do please know it is ok and it will be over and you've learned. I chew more and slower than I ever did. It works!

Great blog! Congratulations on the "skinny girl" and "low BMI" comments. That, in and of itself, is a GREAT thing.

Thank you for the great update! I've promised myself a BB once I hit the first plateau :-). The amount of data is AMAZING. Keep it up.........

I'm a little over two months out and I started noticing a little thinning and more coming out during washing/brushing about two weeks ago. I did a bunch of research online and purchased liquid Biotin and some biotin supplement shampoos and conditioners on amazon.com. Just started using them so I don't really notice a difference yet. I was also told to make sure I'm getting at least 60 gm of Protein each day (which I do), and drink 60-80 oz of Water. I feel you. I didn't think it would bother me, but it does. I hope these items work and you feel better............

The first emotional eating session held at the surgeon's office by the psychologist on staff starts tonight at 6:00. There are days when I think they are going to be a waste of my time, and more days where I realize most of my eating is emotional and I need to learn how to control it better. Although I'm at or close to the sweet spot, I still find myself reacting to stress/traffic/boredom by thinking I'm hungry. Even if I eat something it isn't much and its healthy, but I can't eat a lot which is good. I'm still basically running for the refrigerator when I get home from work (after a 90 minute minimum commute). Yesterday I tried to drink my favorite vitamin water zero on the way home. I wasn't even hungry when I got in the door but I was hot and stressed and went straight for the turkey meat! After about 3 bites I was full for the time being and I could move on to do something else. I'm hoping to learn better coping mechanisms for the ride home and arrival home. So I'm looking forward to these sessions. They are enrollment only and limited to 12 people so we'll get some great support over the next six (or eight?) sessions. It will never beat the support we all give each other on this site! Take care everybody and have a wonderful day!!! ---- Sandy ----

Happy Bandaversary, Janet! I'm so happy for you, proud of you and inspired by you. I wish you all the best life has to offer............. - Sandy -

I tried some diet coke at lunch a couple weeks ago. First, I made the mistake of drinking through a straw which I've read isn't good. But the soda didn't feel good when it got down. Kind of rumbled a lot. Never did have more than those two sips, and haven't missed it. I used to be a four can a day person. Could not get out the door in the morning without one already drank and one in my hand for the drive...........

Keep us updated on how Jax is working for you and how you are using it. I saw someone at the gym with one on the other day -- it doesn't look to bulky! I'm considering getting one, but I'm kind of waiting for your input and results :-)

And keep resting -- take it easy on yourself! The hard part is over............... If your shoulder is hurting it really helps to walk around a little and dissipate that gas a little. You don't have to go far (I went 20 steps or so every hour).

Try not to set yourself up to fail: don't compare you to anybody else. I've been there and sometimes its a high and sometimes its a low. It sounds like you are in "bandster hell". Working the plan without having the band provide much (if any) support. Keep up your hard work and positive attitude! From one who (on the second fill) is coming closer to the sweet spot. :-) Its alot easier to preach patience now than it was 6 weeks ago lol. But trust me it gets easier.......

Went to lunch today and had shrimp cerviche. It took me 65 minutes to eat about 1/2 the serving, BUT I did it without pain or issue!!! My friend just sat there and watched me the last 30 minutes. I'm fine with that as long as I didn't hiccup, slime and PB for a long time afterwards. It was probably too long, but I didn't want to risk yesterday's situation re-occurring. I think I remember the nutritionist saying what you can't finish in 45 minutes should be left behind. I'll figure this out in the next week (one week post-fill). Now let's see if I stay full at least 3-4 hours. I feel so much better today than yesterday! Got me thinking -- in this lifestyle change I need to be more patient -- eating, exercising, weight loss. Slow and steady will get me where I need/want to be. It won't always work, but at least for now I'm thinking about it. Hope your Tuesday is going well, everybody.

Every person will have a different reaction depending on our surgeon, procedure(s), pain tolerance, experience with anesthesia........ I was in pain for a few days. Day 1 about a 6, by day 4 a 2. I started walking short distances day 1, literally holding my belly. I took prescription meds Day 1 and then liquid tylenol twice after that. I'm almost 9 weeks out. I weigh less today than I've weighed in 3 years. I have more energy, self-confidence and joy than I've had in 5 years. My sugars, cholesterol and blood pressure are within normal range. None of that would have transpired without having the surgery. The band didn't do those things, my adjusting my lifestyle to have the surgery did. My permanent healthy lifestyle transition will add years to my life. I remember crying to someone when I got home 4 hours after surgery that I wish I would never have done it. The next day it was I wish I would have done it sooner. That is my only, only regret. Best wishes to you on whatever decision you make.

It hit me later in the process (about 6 weeks after surgery), but I have had and still have some of the same feelings. I blogged about it on this site, and had a couple people respond that I'm actually mourning my old life. Makes a lot of sense?! Feeling sorry for ourselves for not being able to eat like we want, couch off (potato-wise), get more active. But on good days, I realize I FEEL better: less panting going up stairs, more energy, just a good feeling overall. Give yourself some time to mourn the lifestyle that wasn't healthy and start to enjoy the new, healthier you. And like I've read before, this site is a perfect support mechanism. Take care!

LOL. Chocolate as medicinal -- I love it! I think chardonnay should be in the same cateogry, isn't it??? I've been logging food since the week after surgery and I have found that at night, when I'm "treating" myself, I forget to log the "treat". Jeez. My excuse? I have already shut the computer down? LOL. Good luck to you and Jax!!! I'm anxious to hear how the relationship works as I'd like to "share". LOL. Have a great day!

I agree with responses above. Use a site like sparkpeople.com or livestrong.com and log your food and your thoughts while eating for a week. Can you meet with a nutritionist/dietician at your surgeon's office? Bring the downloaded logs with you. When I started logging EVERYTHING I ate I found it was A LOT MORE than I thought it was. Not more food, more carbs or more calories or too many snacks. Also on exercising, do you have a trainer? Are you working at your target heart rate? Again what happened to me is I was "working hard" but since I was at about 50% of target heart rate I wasn't really burning any fat or building muscle, just pushing pedals on an elliptical. I hope this helps. I think we all go through "stuff" and sharing our experiences and how we've overcome issues is a big part of this site. Good luck to you and keep the faith!

LOL at the title and the blog. The first thing I thought of was drinking alcohol! The cheeseburger picture is priceless. I'm picturing a labor-like "breathe with the contractions". I'm sure it wasn't as funny going through it, but it sounds cute. I hate when I can smell something really really good. Like neighbors grilling......... Take care, and keep up the good work!!!

Call your doctor. If you can't even do liquids you are going to get sick. It sounds like it might be a little much. Good luck; keep us posted.

From what I've read on this site, and what I've heard at support group meetings, it happens. Seems like people change up something -- exercise, eating, combination and the scale moves again. The other thing? I don't think there is a normal or an average? Its what works for you. Do you feel good? Are you getting enough water/vitamins/protein? That is what matters today. Also, there are a lot of other contributing factors: weight, TOM, stress, sleep. Give yourself another week before you get too upset.

You are doing so well, congratulations! Keep it up; you are an inspiration to me, and I'm sure all of us following your blogs. :-) Sandy

This just happened so its pretty "fresh" in my mind.......... I haven't really had any solid food since last Sunday night (Monday fill), and I was ready today at lunch. Didn't have breakfast; had a slim fast shake (1/2 at 9 am), and was fairly hungry by noon. My friend and I went to our favorite Sushi resteraunt to have salads. Mine is crab and shrimp all chopped up in little pieces over lettuce. (I don't eat the lettuce won't even try). I take a bite of crab -- nummy and easy. It isn't really chewing its so small, but I chew chew chew anyways. I sit down my chopsticks, chat for a minute or two and take the next bite. Excellent. But then it happens. AGAIN. Brain fart. Forget to wait and shovel about 2-3 forkfuls in 20 seconds while talking even!!! And AGAIN, I get stuck. Poor friend this is the second time she's seen this in as many weeks. I walk slowly to the bathroom, hoping that getting up will help. NOPE. Slime for awhile, go back to the table with hiccups. Take a swallow of water. WRONG decision. Makes it all worse. Go back to the bathroom, slime again. Back to the table where she is paying already. We leave and then I endure THE LONGEST FIVE MILES ever. Longer than being in labor and driving to the hospital. Hiccups and feeling terrible all the way. She is talking but I can't respond, just sweating and convinced I'm dying (I did not verablize this; I couldn't) Pull into the driveway at work, all of a sudden its all gone! NOT LEARNING is really frustrating to me. I'm not like this with intellectual stuff. This eating is so ingrained I'm not doing well. I'm mad at me. I will keep reminding myself, but I'm mad. I don't want to hurt the band, and I need to figure out what I'm doing and make sure I'm getting nutrients instead of eating and spitting them all back up. Thanks for letting me get this "off my chest", in more ways than one! :thumbup: