maryrose

Lawbing, I would check the site here marked "fills". They talk about restriction and fills. Everyone is different. I was able to eat just about anything before my first fill. I am actually about 5 months out and hit a snag in the weight loss dept. Just got my third fill last week and things are moving along again. It's different for everyone, but you will feel a big difference once you start getting the fills. I needed 3. Some need less.

Angel, Another thought....are you under 21?

I find that very odd. I would call the office and ask why. I can see recommending that if a person wanted to bring someone for support, etc., but that should just be optional. I am married and did not bring my husband to the meetings nor any of the visits. My daughter is a nurse and I didn't even think to ask her to come. I hope you get some answers.

Thanks chickie and mari! I think I probably have been talking myself out of it, and am leaning toward waiting at least a few more months anyway. My only problem is that they are getting in the way of my exercising and getting around the way I need to right now. I am in pain every day. I am just getting anxious I guess. Thanks again. ps: Chickie....we call my daughter Chicky....that is her nickname...

Hi Marcy, I also did not tell too many people, just a few close friends and family. I wanted to see how it went and did not want to feel like I was being watched and judged if it did not work out. Everyone has been great! A friend did make a comment yesterday..I am down close to losing 50 lbs...I don't think she knows how much I really need to lose..anyway..I was having a day where I just had no appetite and just munched on a few things. She just blurted out "with that tiny bit of food you are able to eat now, I'm surprised you have not lost more weight"....that was odd. Oh well.

Julie, I just want to add one more thing.... 40 lbs. to go...........that is fantastic!!!! Just think about it. Think about the total amount you needed to lose in the beginning..and how overwhelming that amount seemed. I have about 50 more lbs. to lose...wow..50....heck of a lot bettern than 100..I can tell you that.

Gosh Julie, I know the feeling. It takes a lot of soul searching. What has helped me lately is focusing in on what got me into this mess in the first place and dealing with my "issues". I dont want to call them "bad habits" because we are not "bad". One of my problems is recreational eating in front of the TV. I still have to have my popcorn with my Sat. night movie - and not the sawdust variety either..the good stuff. Other than that, I had to cut that right out. Once I get that under control, it's onto plan 2, whch I think will be taking better care of "my" needs and what my body/soul needs instead of food. That will be a biggy. Good luck Julie. We are all in this together and here to help you.

Great post! I'm staying on play today because it "does" work if you do! Plus my daughter is getting married next year and I want to wear a size 12!....lol.

Agrees with Jack. After my band misbehaves a few days of liquid Protein drinks are my best friend. Also, I find if I stick pretty much to the same diet every day, I have less problems. Of course I am not perfect....and do slip...but I end up paying for it dearly.

Lapdancer, Those darn choc. covered cherries! I have done similar things..and scolded myself...with the same thoughts about what I went thru to get this band. Don't beat yourself up. I am 4 months out also. I think this a very "hard" point right now. Almost stuck in the middle. I don't have another appt. til Oct. and I feel a little lost. Thank you for your honesty! YOu are an inspiration.

<p>Hi angel,</p> <p> </p> <p>I assume you have not had a fill yet?</p> <p> </p> <p>I don't have a problem with lettuce and tomato. I' am 4 months out. Lettuce actually goes down pretty well. I actually order salad in a restaurant. Everyone is different though. The lettuce is the easty part, its the toppings that can get you.</p> <p> </p> <p>You could have a problem with the salad "toppings" if they are too heavy. I have a problem with raw carrots, onions, peppers (spicy veggies). A chef salad with meats would be hard to tolerate.</p>

Put me in that 14% group! I don't belive in studies. There has been some much medical advancement in 10 years, how can you even go by a study that started 10 years ago. Do not let this discourage you!!! please!! I love my band, BUT you do have to follow the rules, be ABSOLUTELY ready for it, and have good follow-up care.

Like the song, I feel stuck right now. I am about 40 lbs. down from my band date of 4/9. I lost about 10 lbs. before the banding. I think my restriction is good, but wonder if I am "subconsciously" fighting this. How do I get back on track? I know the next 40 lbs. is going to feel wonderful..whty can't I make that happen? :cry

Bubblebut..yes...WW is something I am seriously considering. I went to 1 overeaters anonymous meeting, but being no really religious, I really did not feel that was the way to go at this point. Being accoutable every single week and being weighed in really makes a difference. I wonder why they don't require weeking weigh-ins at the bariatric center. I think it's really important.

Thanks you all so much for your support! I thought I was going crazy. I don't have another appt. with the nutritionist til Sept. and I feel kind of lost right now. At first the weight seemed to come off faster, now I worry that the slower pace is going to hurt my overall outcome and that scares the heck out of me. I really want to succeed. At this at the point we have to pull ourseves to the next level, which means we have to work harder, kind of a mid point revelation that the band is only a tool...yes...we knew that...but this now has to come from "US".. Jeeze...lol. OK..OK...time for another shake! Thanks for the support.

lapdancer, Thanks so much for sharing this. What wonderful inspiration your post was. I am 4 months post-op and feeling a little "overwhelmed" and stuck. I have been at same weight give or take about 5 lbs. for the last month and wonder if I am in rut. I know the band is just a tool and I have to put more work into it.

Good for you. Restaurant eating is always a challenge for me. The shrimp went down OK? I thought shrimp would be hard to eat with the band? I have been sticking with salads pretty much..Chicken is definitely a no-no. Thanks for the tip.

Kacee, I love your description! It made me laugh so hard. I was in the Dentis's office having some work done, and my stomach started in, my fault..I skipped Breakfast...well, the dentit's stoamch growls every day at lunch time..and he thought it was his...I just went along with it! The were joking about it saying..Jee...your stomach usually does not start up til after 11:00....lol. I think it's the bottom part of the stomach saying..."feed Me"....lol. It does get better though. I actually use this now as a sign to tell me it's time to eat a little and try "not" to eat unless I really am empty. This does help.

I'm about 7 weeks out. I can't believe how much my stomach growls. Anyone else with this problem?

Hi thinking, I think the hardest part was actually making the decision to just do it. This board helped with that decision. I think the second hardest part (but that is really a GOOD thing) is looking at something really good and not being able to eat it....yest. I went out with a friend for an ice cream..a treat I have not enjoyed in a very long time..and could only eat maybe 1/3 of it.

Judi, Ahhh..the old frat parties. We had quite a few frat houses in my neighborhood living in a college town. Those were pretty wild. I remember walking by those old homes, which were converted to frat houses not being able to wait til I was old enough to go...lol.... That happened to me with coffee brandy. It was not fun. I find a nice red wine to be fine once in a while. I do not really feel the difference as far as getting too tipsy. I think the RNY patients would be the ones to really notice that. I like your logos...you sound like a girly girl like me...lol. Good luck. Hope everything goes well. Nothing a good lipstick can't fix and the right hair gel!

I'm just wondering how long I can expect a fill to last? I am sure it is different for everyone, but I feel I need another one only after about 8 weeks. I could tell at the exact meal when I lost the good restriction. Has this happened to anyone else? when you do reach the "sweet" spot I am wondering how long it lasts?

Alexandra, I do the same thing too. I try to figure it out, but the only conclusion I came to was the fact that for those "few" minutes I am eating, I feel pretty darn good! A food high. Now, if I could figure out a way to replace this with something else..well...we all know the answer to that. Something I have observed however is the fact that all of the people on this board are extremely giving and caring people. I think the overeating is a way of "giving" to ourselves because we put outselves last. You are all just too darn nice!

Orange shake? Interesting..I can't find a good organge Protein shake that I like. I'd also like a good raspberry one if anyone knows.

lets see if I behaved..lol. 2 soft boiled eggs 2 skinny cow fudgicles (not so good) Protein bar few pieces of cheese for dinner a greek salad Picked at it the rest of the night Still about 1/3 of it left. now 10:30 and thinking about making a Protein shake