Hello Junbies ......

I haven't seen a June Band Crew thread yet so thought I would start it .

I'll be banded on June 9th in Texas. I'm getting very excited about it. I know that the band is just a "tool" to aid in my weight loss journey and it will take a lot of hard work on my part to make it successful. I've been overweight my whole life with the earliest memories being around age 4. Although no one else in my family is overweight, I am extremely fortunate to have full family support in my decision. I know that there are many people who's family doesn't offer the support they need. I would love to meet other pre-bandsters being banded in June to walk with me to the banded side of life and offer each other support.

I wish you all the best.

Melissa Lea :hippie:

Pre-bandster 240 lbs

June 9, 2006

Spivak

self-pay

Carol

I've never been sick all day. Does it come out of the blue or while you are eating?

Pinkylee it comes after I have had that slime stuff, the sliming did not last very long, but it made me nauseous for about 12 hours after, just a little nauseous.

After a PB episode I am usually wiped out for about an hour. Don't know how people do this working outside the home.

I will do better if I stay on my feet. Walking seems to help. Warm liquids too after I've PB'd some of the slime.

I've gotten nausous after an episode. It's like you want to PB, but you don't. I had to sit in my recliner last night for a good hour and not move. I didn't want to PB and have to start all over again. However, I haven't had it last all day.

I had a cup of coffee this morning and a few sips of Water. I have been trying to eat my activia, but I'm getting the gurgles and hiccups. Not sure what is going on. I may have to start taking my aciphex and see if that calms me down. I really don't want to go for an unfill.

I am really confused because some of the posts seem like this is how its supposed to be. This is not as bad as when I was really over filled. It is just a come and go kind of thing. I think there is a time of day when I can eat. I guess I'll just play with this for a while and see what happens.

Most of the time I don't worry about any of this. I've started going back to my life and not letting this consume my every thought. I think that is best. A little planning up front for meals and then let it go.

I'm losing and that is a good thing. I still want to do it in a healthy way so I'll be careful. Love you guys for all the support. It's nice not doing this alone.

Kym,

The episodes you are hearing about here are not normal. In fact the lap band is different for EVERYONE. Take these posts as a guide and realize they are somone else's experience, and it may not ever happen to you. For example, I have NEVER had the recurring complications that some bandsters have had. I have PBed a total of FOUR times in 3 months since I was banded. The first two times was before my first fill, and I contribute them to not paying attention to HOW I was eating (too fast, big bites, and too fast). I had no problems after my first fill, but Since my second fill on October 5th, it has happened twice more, and this I can contribute to what I was eating (and probably not chewing enough too).

If you pay attention to what you did, and how to prevent it you will start retraining yourself for healthy and better eating habits.

Some people have posted their concerns about calorie intake, and the truth is - if you consult with YOUR nutritionist and doctor, you may find it suprising that a low calorie intake is better for you for weight loss. I've heard some people say on here that less than 1000 calories is not healthy, but in reality under a doctor's monitoring you can have an intake of 400 calories a day and lose weight without compromising health. Kaiser's Optifast program is a prime example. Unfortunately it doesn't help keep the weight off, since once the program is over (and they don't teach healty easting) you gain the weight back. I know because it happened to me. Which is why DIET is a four-letter word...it's only temporary.

The process of using the lapband is a tool to change your way of eating. If you aren't going to use it in that manner, don't put yourself through the procedure. I see Sharon Osborne is having her Band removed because she can't deal with the psycological issues. I think it's a problem for her since she doesn't have the support network that we have here online.

Best of luck!

Darrin...........I appreciate your perspective. Not everyone has problems and some of us have problems but don't make a big deal out of them. I get golf balls almost every meal (when I'm not careful) but I stop eating until it subsides and then continue. Sometimes it doesn't stop so I don't eat anymore. There are many days I probably don't get 1000 calories and I think I am doing fine. My hair's not falling out yet.............and I'm losing weight. The band is doing exactly what I need it to do. It stops me from overeating....sometimes it's not a pleasant experience......but it does stop me.

Hey guys,

Don't assume Sharon Osbourne is your typical bandster. I think the combination of the band and bulimia has to cause some physical problems we don't have to deal with.

Manchester News, September 2005:

Sharon: I'm still fighting bulimia

Nicola Boden

BULEMIA: Sharon Osbourne.

X FACTOR judge Sharon Osbourne is still battling bulimia after 35 years with the eating disorder, she revealed today.

Sharon, 52, said she gorges on Pasta and ice cream before forcing herself to be sick.

The wife of ex-Black Sabbath rocker Ozzy Osbourne has had her stomach stapled and spent £300,000 on cosmetic surgery but said even this had not cured her of the condition.The mum of three still has eating binges and makes herself sick once a week - down from four times a day at its worst.

She said: "Some people do drink and drugs but for me it's food, food, food. It's about having low self-esteem. It's not socially acceptable to be fat."

Maybe I'm overly sensititve today so take my comments as they are intended - to share information.

I consider myself a really good bandster. I don't eat any of the forbidden foods, stay within an acceptable calorie and carb range, drink my Water, don't eat solids if I can't devote 45 minutes to eating, chew, chew, chew, don't drink with meals and wait at least 60 minutes after, use a small plate and small utensils, cut my meat into tiny, tiny, bites, and eat solid Proteins instead of relying on liquids.

I follow the guidelines of my doctor concerning fills and go on Clear Liquids the day of a fill, 3 days of liquids after and 3 days of mushies. I don't use dry Protein for shakes and I don't have oatmeal (doctor's orders).

That being said: I have had two episodes of PBs 6-10 days after a fill that required an unfill. I could not recover from them and knew enough to go in and get an unfill so I wouldn't do damage.

I've had 1 episode 11 days after a slight fill (happening now) that caused a PB on scrambled eggs that took me almost 7 hours to recover from, followed by another one the next morning that took about 4 hours to recover. I went on liquids/mushies for several days to minimize problems.

I now seem to be in an unpredictable phase of my experiences. I can't eat in the am (activia takes 3 hours to eat). I can drink my water and coffee. lunch is going down well and late afternoons restriction returns and dinner is a golf ball.

In desperation the last episode has left me eating an ice cream cone several hours later for dinner. I'm a bad bandster!

Although these are MY experiences, they are NOT because I'm doing something wrong, or not paying attention to how I'm eating, or eating the WRONG food.

Although this thread is open to everyone and they are welcomed, the thread is for those banded in June. The theory being we will understand each of the phases we are in and can help each other. I post things here I wouldn't post in the general threads. I share my experiences because a. I need support b. to share what I'm going through c. to explain my action/reaction d. so others will know. I read the posts for the same reasons in reverse and to offer support/encouragement/praise/sympathy when needed and wanted.

No one should assume that because someone experiences something "bad" that it is their fault. Sometimes it is, but sometimes it isn't. This is the risk we took when we got banded. Our comments here are concentrated so maybe we come across as whiners, complainers, or not using the tool as intended. I personally don't feel that way, but I guess others reading our posts may.

I'm personally thrilled that I got the band. It has helped me tremendously. It does confuse me at times and I get distressed when it doesn't behave. I am a rules player so I follow the rules of being banded pretty darn well.

One of the things we all have to stop hiding is the fact that the band is still relatively new and its long range effects on our bodies is unknown. Also, complications happen to the best of us. The "it won't happen to me" statements have to stop. It can, and probably will. Some may be more severe than others, but there are definitely oddities about the band. There are few that go through this process with absolutely NO side effects. Its all a matter of what we are willing to accept. I accepted all the risks and I'm willing to put up with reasonable side effects. However, I use this thread to help keep me sane, to get support, to get advice, and to get suggestions on making it better.

OK, I guess I've said enough. I'm not trying to make anyone mad or uncomfortable. I just felt this needed to be said. Take it in the spirit in which it is written.

Barbara

The Junebies thread is about keeping it real.

I'm having lots of episodes lately after a relatively quiet few weeks. Wish I'd kept a better journal. Seems like my last episodes were after I had a 2 pound loss (overnight). I can no longer blame them totally on fast eating.

I don't mean to pry, but have you ever read that many bandsters PB on scrambled eggs. I'm about 50-50 in the egg department. One day I can eat them, the next day I can't. Eggs over easy have never been a bother.

Quite frankly, since my last fill didn't keep me from hunger pains and definitely seemed to coincide with a slower weight loss, I'm waiting until I'm not losing and not PBing so frequently for another fill. Hunger pains signal a nice glass of iced tea for me these days.

Cathy

I love to hear about famous people with real issues. Makes me feel less geeky.

Anyone ever worry about boulemia being banded? I never wanted to throw up before band. Now if I get a really painful golfball, I walk around outside. I can't go near a bathroom with a golf ball without throwing up. Preband--almost never.

Have you always been unfilled? Sorry, I can't remember what your history is.

Yes I've heard about eggs. However, I've never had a problem. Its been one of my safe foods. I'm not going to try scrambled eggs for a while. I may try egg beater omlette, but not anytime soon.

I'm wondering if part of my problem now is reflux, but it mainfests differently than pre banding. I'm going to start taking my aciphex for a few days and see if that helps.

I seem to be open in the afternoon. Lunch went down just fine today, but it was a mushie. I'm drinking my water now. I'm not gulping it, but can take some pretty big swallows. Not sure what will happen come dinnertime.

I'm just going to go with this for a while and see what happens. I'm not Pbing so I'm not in danger. I do stop eating when the golf ball appears.

I just spent a wonderful hour playing my piano that's resting on our new wood floor. It reminded me of my grand I had to sell when we moved from Michigan. I feel better right now than I have in a long time.

What's your best one hour get away?

I love to stick my nose in a good book, or read one of my magazines, or just chill with a good program I've recorded. I love to put some quiet music on and take a nap.

I am so desperately sad, down, frustrated and well...just sad! I am doing everything right, tracking calories on fitday.com drink nothing but water exercising and I am still only 15 lbs lost in 4 mo's. I am awaiting results from the Endocronologist and yet, he says I have no symptoms of a health issue, he suggested I go see a dietician. I am just at a loss for what to do next. I just want to cry and cry and cry - my band is so tight i can't even eat to make me feel better *lopsided grin*....

Hey Pinky,

I have never had a fill. I had enough restriction until the last month or so. Now I'm down to a pound a week, so I went in Wednesday for my first fill. My doctor warned me that if he couldn't find my port, I might have to have it done with flouro, but he was confident. Well, five minutes of poking and digging later (ouch!), he admitted defeat. However, now I have to make an appointment to go to radiology at the hospital, so it will be at least another week...

Sorry so many people are having problems. My doctor asked me if I wanted a big fill or a little fill. When I said a little fill, because I didn't want to be too tight, he told me that was a great decision. I told him hearing all of your stories made me conservative.