Glass is Half Full Girl

Hi I was banded April 29th and haven't been able to shake this wicked cramp (like a running cramp) in my left side. I desperately want to resume exercising but there is no way...can't run, do sit ups...anything. Has anyone had this problem? Any ideas what it is and how to get rid of it? Feel great otherwords but need to get moving to get the scale to move again. Thanks:bored:

Ok, six months into this and no further weight loss. I have even put back 3 lbs from the original 10 or so lost. I definately feel I didn't research this enough (personality flaw, just jump into things). I have no restriction in food amount. The only thing I do have is recurring difficulty getting things down due mostly to not chewing enough - bad habits take a while to change. I'm miserable, my husband truly thinks I've flipped my lid and nothing fits. My ownership over the last 6 months is in not watching my food types enough and not moving my body enough so I picked up a couple of workout tapes and get exercise when/wherever it presents itself like raking leaves etc. I just feel like an ultimate failure...and 16k poorer. I have had 3 fills and was rejected for my 4th because I was having to spit food back out all the time. I am going for my 4th fill in a couple of days come hell or hi-water. If liquids are the only thing I can get down after that so be it. I'll make sure they are as healthy as possible because my psyche is in deep trouble with my lack of success. This is no ones fault but my own but I do feel the procedure was misrepresented, or at least not presented as "truly" as it should have been. It's all a sales pitch I guess...buyer beware.:smile2:

I never, ever thought I would utter these words but in this one aspect of my life..."I'm a failure". I was banded in late April of this year and have lost a whopping 10 lbs - woo hoo!?! And it took me $16k to figure this one out. Yes, it is a tool but so was Weight Watchers, Optifast, Herbal One and all of the other diets I went on. I don't know why I thought this would be different - good sales pitch I guess. I have no restriction after 3 fills, going for my 4th tomorrow and am so disappointed I could cry. There is no real follow up other than the fill appts. The support groups are driven solely by individuals who meet for coffee - no doctor feedback - he's too buy making tons of money. Just another cash grab I allowed myself to get suckered in to.

I got my first fill a few days ago and still have no restriction. I know it takes time and could take many fills to find my "sweet spot" but the waiting and frustration are killing me. I am still positive, especially after seeing some pictures posted on this site but must admit I am nervous that I paid 16k and won't see my goal weight. I can handle a 18-24 month period to get me there (I think) but am wondering if my expectations are too high and that I will most likely lose only half of the weight I need to lose. It all depends on me, I know that. I have started boot camp 3 times a week and trying to get back into running 2-3 times a week to help get me on track but boy....the same old habits are creeping back. I do phenomenally well until I get home around 5pm and then I totally fall apart! How can I have my act together for 2/3 of the day and so severely blow it the last 3-4 hours. The damage I do is nothing short of embarrassing. Since I do all of the cooking and "kitchen" stuff, it is difficult to step away. I have even thought of duct taping my hands!!!! Desperate to make this work for me. If anyone else shares this dilemma and has some great ideas, I would love to hear them. I know all about finding something else to do, go for a walk, read a book etc. Reality is, I can't even get out of the kitchen (cleaning up after dinner, making lunches, etc.). How do I change my mindset????????? I am truly desperate.:bored:

Well, I am afraid to step on the scale again as I know I haven't lost any more. After my second fill I have had quite a few instances of food getting stuck. Usually associated with white bread and not chewing enough. I knew that slowing my eating (chewing well) would be one of the biggest challenges. It is but I'm having a really stressful summer and you know what happens then. I am almost ready for my third fill. I have been thinking about and trying to wrap my head around when the need for smaller portions will kick in. If the band is already on there, isn't the size of my stomach already reduced? I don't notice any difference and even if they top up my band, the stomach pouch will still be the same size won't it. Won't the opening into the stomach (band size) just be smaller. I guess my concern is, will it just be more difficult to eat normally because the opening to the stomach is smaller? Or, will my stomach actually be smaller with the next fill? I really don't want to get too many fills so I have to eat like a mouse. I guess this is where "my work" comes in. Time to face the music and stop relying 100% on the band and more on my self restraint huh?

Hi ! I had my first fill 7 weeks after surgery and second fill exactly 30 days after that. It is almost 30 days again and ready for my 3rd fill. I think your timing is just right. They wouldn't give you a fill if they thought it was too soon. Good luck

Well, neither of us made it into the 180 somethings and now holidays start so the goal is to NOT gain any weight - hope this is aggressive enough for a couple of weeks! Got my second fill yesterday. Very difficult handling any type of bread and I really notice that I have to chew smaller amounts and chew really well. This is what I have been waiting for. It is going to be a real challenge because I have always been a quick eater. Will probably stay away from bread all together. Hopefully this will work and the scale will begin to move. No boot camp for two weeks - yikes!

Hello Bigbipper Oh honey you are so not alone in the way you are feeling. I even got to the application phase for mini-gastric but chickened out because it was too restricting (and expensive). About a year later an acquaintance of mine had this done. I haven't spoken to him since that point but investigated it further and went for a consult. I just didn't have the willpower - or whatever you want to call it- to do it permanently on my own so here I am, 2 months post op and 15 lbs slimmer. It hasn't come off as quickly as I thought it might but no ones fault but my own. This is a tool and it takes a little trial and error to find out how to use it to your advantage. I know my weight will come off steadily, more steadily if I behave and when I get a couple more "fills". I now know it is not a magic pill but helps me deal directly with my inability to stop eating so much - I simply can't! I struggled with it psychologically for the first month or so but don't even notice it anymore. I have joined a boot camp class to ensure I get heavy duty exercise in to help me lose and I focus on my good meals/days and kiss the others off. I also don't weigh myself daily. I can only speak for myself but I am happy I did this and I know I will only get happier as the pounds come off. Good luck with your decision. I'm always available to bounce ideas off of if you like. Cheers

Wow, that's one I haven't heard before. Nothing surprises me. A neighbouring group in my area actually meets at an all you can eat Chinese restaurant once a month! Sort of like taking an alcoholic to a bar for a mtg. Oh well, I just don't go to those mtg's. Good luck!

Loooooove a good challenge! I'm in.

Good Luck Chantelle! It could be the single best decision you make in your life. Surgery was a breeze for me, as was post surgery. Hope yours is too!

Thanks! She is ahead of me a couple of lbs. but the fun continues. The prize is a manicure! No food prizes anymore - there are so many other "fun", non-food things to do.

So my girlfriend and I have a bet to see who can lose more weight by June 30th. We are exactly the same size. Loving a good challenge I set to work and am managing to see some numbers I haven't seen in a long time! She is doing well too so who knows who is going to win but I love the challenge. A bit of a stumble tonight (night time is my most challenging time of the day) but back at it tomorrow. My goal is to get into the 180's, even 189 would do. Fingers are crossed.:smile:

I attended my second coffee mtg. Friday night. I really connect with one of the ladies there and after describing my insatiable eating from 7-9 pm, she suggested I set a behavioral goal for myself - just one mind you so it is not too overwhelming and I can truly focus on it. So my behavioral goal for this month is not to eat after 7pm every night! I can have tea, water etc. but no food. This will be interesting. The weight goal I have for myself is to lose 8 lbs by the end of June. I have an 8 day business trip coming up so not sure if that will help or hinder but here goes...wish me luck!

Welcome Michelle! This site is a great resource for the entire journey you will begin soon. Visit often, ask any question you can think of and trust that someone has gone through it and can answer you back. It's a great site! Good luck on the 16th !

Hi Ouch, sounds nasty. Were you not told to stay on fluids for two days after your fill? I just got my first fill, 3 cc, and was told to stay on liquids all that day then non-chunky, mushy stuff the next day. Maybe you just took it too fast. Hope everything works out. Always call your Dr. if things are feeling right. Good luck.

Hi Don't worry even a bit. I had my first fill two days ago and it's a snap. Going to get my teeth cleaned is harder. Just a quick pinch and seconds later you are good to go. You will speak with your fill nurse about what to expect. Don't worry about any of that. I think it is different for everybody. Mine was a cinch. No issues with swallowing or eating afterwards. Now, I can't wait for my next fill as I don't seem to have much restriction at all. Easy, peasy!! Good luck!

Hi Sue Our lives are so dictated by the scales aren't they. 18 lbs since May 10th is very impressive. 5lbs overnight will most likely be Water retention. Women particularly (as I'm sure you well know) have to deal with so much in life and then "wham", someone thought throwing in hormonal shifts and swings just to spice it up a bit. Don't beat yourself up about it and maybe the best advice I can give at this stage and going forward would be to only weigh yourself once or twice a week. Weight loss decreased for me after about 10 days post surgery which is normal. Think of your weight loss journey as a reasonable mutual fund - you benefit/lose a little at a time - 1-2 lbs per week - but at the end of the year you could/should be down 52 lbs. It's the only way I can stay sane. I have actually gained about 5 of the initial 12 lbs I lost back but it's because I'm not doing what I am supposed to and relying too much on the band. In a nutshell, stay focused and keep coming on to read comments from everyone else on this community. It's addictive! Good luck.

Almost one month post-op and I have been on regular food for about 10 days. I'm terrified to step on the scale because I just haven't had much self control this past week. Went to dinner on two occasions at friends houses and wasn't able to show much restraint. So much food available. I much prefer to meet at restaurants where portions are limited and you only get what you order. Can't wait for my first fill. I hope there is some restriction. I know in my gut that the scale has probably gone up a couple of pounds but can't "face the music". I've heard that this time is called "bandster hell". My husband is looking for results! He is supportive but at the same time wants to see results for the $16k I spent on this (like there isn't enough pressure already). Of all the "addictions" to have, I had to pick food! Getting desperate.

Wow, it was so nice to read all of your comments. My husband actually called me to task this weekend when we went to dinner. He wants to ensure the $16,000 (yup, we get hosed up here in Canada) will work. There is no way I am stepping on the scale. I know I have gained about 5-6 lbs back which puts me at around 5-6 lbs lost so far. Not good enough. I went grocery shopping today to get lots of easy to grab healthy snacks like fruit, low fat cottage cheese and yogurt etc. Not feeling terribly good about myself right now especially since I had to cancel my tel-appt. with the nutritionist on Thursday because I was in a mtg. Can't get another one until this Friday and then we book my first fill. All I can say is everything that I can cross is crossed. My exercise started this week with boot camp 3 x per week and walk/run? 2-3 x per week. Love to hear from all of you and how you handle the disappointments while still keeping positive. As my username suggest, I am always the "glass is half full girl" but the glass seems to be getting bigger and bigger!! Cheers

Hi USCGal It's a weird feeling isn't it? If I eat a little too much combined with a little liquid I can hear it sloshing about in my upper stomach when I walk - very weird! I was banded the same day you were and lost 11 lbs so far but that was all within the first week post-op. Now that I am eating normally I am afraid to get on the scale. Desperately want my first fill - probably in about 2 weeks or so. Don't want the scale to move up but am noticing my old eating habits creeping back in and my other half noticed as well! Damn!!!

Hmmm, not sure if I follow but I think you are referring to the "main" incisions which is the largest one they use to put the band in. I am almost a month post-surgery and it is starting to go down. Anything like that will become more prominent just after you eat or drink but it is only temporary (if it is the incision you are talking about). It's just scar tissue and will heal over the next couple of months and decrease in size. Don't worry. My port is sideways and sticks out quite a bit (I can feel the knobs on the side). The clinic said they can manoeuver it when I come in for my first fill. It's all good...just something new. Note: I have been using Bio-Oil to help reduce scarring. Got it at the drug store. Cheers

Yup, had the same thing! Mine was/is on my left side. I was told it was trapped gas from the operation and I needed to keep moving to make it better. I am almost 1 month post-op and it has lessened significantly. I did some heavy duty gardening and cleaning up outside yesterday for 4+ hrs and didn't feel it once. Any chance you get, move. Walking is a light, easy way. I propped a pillow under my side in bed which took some of the pressure off. On another note, your appendix is on your right side - any chance that could be an issue? When in doubt, talk to the doctor. Good luck

Good Morning! I was banded April 29th. Your Dr. will obviously tell you not to drink alcohol for two reasons: it contains calories and you will notice the effects with considerably less ingested. Having said that, I have a glass (maybe 2) whenever I am out but make it last the night. Will probably limit it to special occasions. This band is a tool and you have to make it fit into your lifestyle while appreciating you got it for a very good reason. Now, as far as the gulping Water thing goes. You quickly learn to get the water down but not in huge mouthfuls. Just like your eating habits will change - you will chew more and take smaller bites - your water drinking will change a little as well. Just take slightly smaller amounts and swaller more frequently and you should be fine. Good luck.