I thought it might be a good idea to have a thread where we could discuss the different challenges/issues we face as being single and banded.

I'll start with introducing myself. My name is Chris, I am 32 and live in a suburb of Boston. About a year ago I got out of a 5 year relationship and have just casually dated (online dating) since then. I have decided to take a break from dating for a bit, so I can focus on myself and adjust to living life as a bandster. (I was just banded on 10/2). One of my biggest concerns when I start dating again is if/when to tell that I am banded. It's not that I don't want to tell people, it's just that my idea of great dinner conversation does not include discussing my weight. Overall I would say that I have a great life. I have a good job, a very supportive family, and lots of friends. I am happy to be taking control over my weight and issues with food, and am excited at the prospect of my future as a not-so-fat woman.

I look forward to meeting more single bandsters and hope this thread takes off!

Chris :cocktail:

I just had a fill this morning. He commented that I REALLY needed a fill when he was looking at the flouroscope and I was drinking the barrium. They can tell just by looking??? I guess. I really think he measured incorrectly last month because I have starved for the last 5 weeks.

I just had a fill this morning. He commented that I REALLY needed a fill when he was looking at the flouroscope and I was drinking the barrium. They can tell just by looking??? I guess. I really think he measured incorrectly last month because I have starved for the last 5 weeks.

I am not sure how all this works...so what is Barrium and what does it do? Do you have to drink it everytime you go in for a checkup/fill?

I haven't done a barium swallow since I was first banded. All my fills are done sight unseen and the amount we decide to put in is based on our discussions. But barium is this thick yucky stuff they have you drink, and they kind of x-ray your insides at the same time so they can watch and see the liquid go through the band. I'm not sure if it's the same thing as a fluro though.

The fluro is the x-ray machine, but I think it has "become" a term for a barium swallow.

MY BIG FAT OPINION HERE! Everyone should do a barium swallow the first time out. The reason is that some people, myself included have low sensitivity in their stomach, it has caused me problems. I can have liquids backed-up almost to the top of my throat and not feel it. So I can take sips and swallows while having saline added and not realize I am being overfilled with no way of knowing without a barium swallow.

Hi I everyone and thank you for the support. I guess this is a huge TEST for me, I was planning a huge bike ride and just got all the supplies I need, however my surgery date will conflict with this ride.

I am one stuborn, determined and driven person. So I imediatley started planning an Intrastate ride that I could do in the next few weeks. Then yesterday I get a phone call that my Department Head is in the hospital with a very serious condition. I will give you one guess who fills in when he is absent. I wonder why I always have so much vacation time banked up?

So to sum it up I have no restriction, require surgery, personal/business life is seriously limiting my excercise and there is no end in site. I am lucky to have these broad shoulders, I just wish they did not reqiure so much load testing.

JC

Chrispy, I had 5.5 cc this last time. I have had as much as 8.5 in the past and think that is where my trouble began.

It is difficult for me to see myself as an inspiration, because I feel so inspired by you and a few others on this site.

JC

You both are inspirations! We should just leave it at that!! =)

JC--How did this happen to your stomach? Or do you know? I remember it twisted but thats all! YOU will make it through this! You are very strong!

Hey Ses, That's a great goal! I wish my lungs were larger!!!

JC, I'm sorry you are going through this, but remember - you really are an inspiration... You still have a positive attitute and are doing everything you can to deal with it. That, in itself, is inspiring!

So update on Matt,

we talked and we are gonna try to make the long-distance thing work. I can't believe I let myself fall for him, when I am SO guarded and have never let anyone in like this. It's hard for me, because I've had to be so independant my entire life. Even a simple thing like him paying for me is hard for me to deal with. He doesn't like it when I pay for stuff, but I feel horrible when he does. Yesterday, he tried sushi and like it!, and then we went to a county fair, then went back and he watched some of my opera stuff and was really impressed.

No matter how much I know I'm in a relationship, its really hard to let myself depend on him as much as I should. I guess I still have a few walls to break down. We'll see....

It is difficult for me to see myself as an inspiration, because I feel so inspired by you and a few others on this site.

JC

JC - so sorry to hear about your troubles and I shall keep you in my thoughts and prayers. You are an inspiration. I was getting tired just reading how active you are

Best of luck to you and keep us posted.

Carla

JC, what do you do for a living? Sorry you're feeling so overwhelmed at the moment, but this too shall pass. Oh, I got the impression that the surgeon you talked to this week is not the same surgeon who did your lap band. Why aren't you returning to the original surgeon? Did you go to Mexico?

Smilin'apple, Chrispy and JD are right about the barrium swallow. And, yes, it IS gross. But it's not horrible. I actually think most protein drinks taste as bad--at least this New Whey Grape protein I recently bought. Good lord that stuff is bad. My surgeon doesn't like to do fills without fluro/swallow. It takes away a lot of the guesswork--otherwise they don't know EXACTLY where your port is and you might have to be stuck with the needle a couple of times before they find it. So if you haven't picked a surgeon yet, you might ask.

I have found that sticking with the Low Carb Slim Fast has been my best option! quick and convenient too! It has 20 g of Protein and 4 carbs!

Only that two pounds has moved and it is frustrating me!!!

PigsRFlying, I got sick, I am not real sure what caused it but there was some violent vommiting going on. I am a very strong person, I just need to be reminded from time to time thanks. How are you feeling?

Leona Thanks, it really sounds like you have some exiting things on your horizon!

Carla , thank you, I love giving and recieving prayers! I will keep everyone posted. I am trying to figure out how to shoehorn more exercise in, Doc told me to start adding solid foods into my diet to see how I react.

Derbygirl, I'm a computer network administrator/Engineer. (Nerd/Geek) lol

I self paid in Mexico. The surgeon I am working with is in Tampa, which is only about 35 miles away. I am feeling good and upbeat right now, it is amazing how just getting that stuff off your chest helps.

JC

I am feeling good and upbeat right now, it is amazing how just getting that stuff off your chest helps.

I'm glad to hear it, JC.

Chrispy, how come we haven't heard about any hot dates this weekend??

Here are the pictures of my new Hammock Tent.

I can't wait to put this thing to use.

str8jacket29 - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

JC

haha derbygirl! I had a date with Mike on Friday. He's been working the rest of the weekend. So just that one date for me. It was pretty hot though. lol

<p>Derbygirl, </p> <p> </p> <p>A fluoroscope is an xray tube that shows live xrays, not just an "xray"picture. You are actually seeing it live, watching your insides. Barium is a liquid they give you to drink while watching the fluoroscope. Barium is radiopaque, which means that the xray beam cannot penetrate it, or can only penetrate it very little. The rest of your body however, can be penetrated to differing degrees by xrays. Thus the shades of black, white, and grays on the image, or screen. The barium usually shows up as white, or very dense. (allthough sometimes its the opposite, if the fluoroscope is set on negative.) They are usu. in negative, so the barium would be darker. The doc. or pa can see you swallow, watch the barium travel down your esophagus into your pouch, and see how much keeps on going through, or if it just sits there. They can also see leaks from this kind of exam if your band has eroded, for example. I think every banded person should have a fluoroscopic exam with the barium at least once a year, to check for erosion, just my opinion. </p> <p> </p> <p>JC, </p> <p>Sorry you have to have surgical correction. That really bites. And the timing is all off. I rode my bike 8 miles yesterday, and 5 today. My legs are killing me today!! I bought a new Trek last summer, it is really getting its usage this summer, but I love that bike. Its actually a hybrid, so I can go anywhere, have beent rying to teach myself how to jump curbs and stuff. Some of the neighborhood boys watch me and laugh, I have those front shocks, so I don't get very high. LOL</p> <p> </p> <p>Leona,</p> <p>Glad to hear about you an your man. I hope everything works out well. </p> <p> </p> <p>Chrispy,</p> <p>Yeah, tattoo boys need to be avoided at all costs. I guess maybe I am just a bad judge of character at first. I lwant to like most people, so I have on blinders most of the time. Anyway, I have a great one now, so I may not have met him without having first gone through the bad ones. </p> <p> </p> <p>Okay, well I am done for now. Fingers hurtin, so sore from typing since I havent done it in a while. ttya'll later! Bye</p> <p>Kristi</p>