This is the February Chat thread for all of us who've been banded in August of 2006!! We're at our 6 month bandiversary!!!:clap2:

Confessions?? Okay, here's mine. My friend sent me candy from Australia. Violet Crumbles...yum!!! I break a piece off every night (about an inch or so long) and have it with a cup of tea. I'm still losing so I suppose that little treat isn't so bad.

Hi all,

I haven't been posting either, it's embarrassing when you aren't losing as quickly as others. I have been having problems with restriction. I do have restriction, but every time I get a fill, the restriction goes away within 3-4 weeks. And about 2 weeks prior to my cycle, I crave chocolate like crazy. Not just chocolate, either. I crave food like crazy - it seems like it's worse than pre-band. I am kind of at my wit's end. I started exercising on the elliptical machine, and I am down about 2 sizes and 30 pounds. I just feel stuck. Every time I go for a fill the NP reassures me that I have just not hit the "sweet spot" yet but that I am getting there. My next goal is to be in a size 18-I am in a 22 right now (from a 26). Any advice?

Connie

Happy2BMe, you're doing great. Don't be so hard on yourself! It takes a while to hit the "sweet spot" so don't get discouraged. Up until this last fill, mine would always be gone in less than a month also. This one seems to be doing the trick. I'm sure you'll find it soon.

Hey guys, sorry I havent posted in awhile!! So I've been having tons of cravings the last week or so, fast food, chocolate, satly foods....I gained 3 lbs! I need help, I'm getting depressed I want to stop eating bad stuff but I keep craving it, what should I do?? I was talking to someone at work about it and they think I'm pregnant lol, I dont think I am....I hope I'm not but if I am I'd be even more worried because we arent soposed to get pregnant for at least a year....I may be overthinking all of this, I think I'm getting obsessed...HELP

Hey guys, sorry I havent posted in awhile!! So I've been having tons of cravings the last week or so, fast food, chocolate, satly foods....I gained 3 lbs! I need help, I'm getting depressed I want to stop eating bad stuff but I keep craving it, what should I do?? I was talking to someone at work about it and they think I'm pregnant lol, I dont think I am....I hope I'm not but if I am I'd be even more worried because we arent soposed to get pregnant for at least a year....I may be overthinking all of this, I think I'm getting obsessed...HELP

It sounds to me like you need a fill.

Here I am, to spill my guts to my very bestest band buddies.

So, I hit that five months post surgery mark (last month) and thought I knew everything, and could do everything. Well, I have finally realized, I am STILL banded and Bandella is in full control whether I want to admit it or not!! For the last month or so I have been taking big bites, not chewing, eating whatever I want, good or bad, healthy or unhealthy, PBing at least every other day...blah, blah, blah...all the stuff they tell you NOT to do.

So this past Sunday I started coughing up "coffee grounds" looking stuff that smelled horrible! Of course I became terrified and I started reading posts on LBT and came to the conclusion that my esophagus was seriously irritated (dah!) and I had probably broken a few blood vessels in the esophagus thus causing the "coffee grounds". So I put myself back on thin purees Sunday evening.

I am still on purees and think I will stay there through at least Sunday. I am feeling 100% better and actually think I feel better now than I have over the past few months. I am pretty sure I haven’t done anything bad to the band as I have great restriction and very little hunger (kinda like right after surgery). Yesterday and today I have been taking a serious look at my weight loss and have renewed my commitment to myself for the continued journey. I guess, sometimes we just have to get to the end of the rope before we can go any further. So here I am feeling like a new bandster, except one that knows what to expect!

Anybody else hit this wall yet or am I think only one?

StephM

Our lifestyle and the band is a subject we have to revisit constantly because it changes and that turn affects our thinking about our diets. I had my 3rd fill in early January and lost 8 pounds by the end of the month. But then late last month and early this month, I began PBing like crazy. I thought I was eating too fast or making the wrong food choices. I tried every combination of food and ways of eating but I could only eat a few bites and then would have to wait 30 minutes before I could eat more. I finally figured out that I was overfilled, but I decided to hang in there with it to see if it would help me lose weight faster despite not really being able to eat. I didn't lose weight faster and was scared every time I sat down to eat that I would rush off to PB after only 2-3 small bites. My weight did not budge for 3 weeks. I thought I hit a wall but then over the last 3 weeks the fill eased and I was able to eat more comfortably and lose weight. That is the sweet spot I know. Unfortunately after losing 4-5 pounds, either the fill has lessened or my stomach has shrunk again because my hunger has increased and I have to go in for another fill. I could use this time to maintain weight as I have in the past but I have decided to go for a fill because I am very motiviated to lose right now and I always lose 4-5 pounds right after a fill.

I try to tell myself that I am in this for the long haul. I am so glad to be over the half way mark and to see such great results, but I do still have a long way to go. I cannot settle for a size 14. Hang in there, keep moving, watch your food choices, and enjoy the progress you've made.

Thanks Robin for the encouragement!

After a few days of purees, I had my first "normal" dinner tonight. We went to Ruby Tuesday's and I had the broccoli and cheese Soup and the lump crab cake. I ate VERY slow, taking small bites, chewing them to death, and I felt great after dinner. I think I am back on the wagon and ready for another 56 pounds!!!

Good for you Steph!!!

I made bisquits and gravy for my family today. It is my most favorite Breakfast in the world. I can't eat bisquits anymore, so I put my sausage gravy over a scrammbled egg. It was so yummy and I didn't even miss the bisquit!!

I also dropped my goal weight by 10 pounds.

Hi all,

I haven't been posting either, it's embarrassing when you aren't losing as quickly as others. I have been having problems with restriction. I do have restriction, but every time I get a fill, the restriction goes away within 3-4 weeks. And about 2 weeks prior to my cycle, I crave chocolate like crazy. Not just chocolate, either. I crave food like crazy - it seems like it's worse than pre-band. I am kind of at my wit's end.

Hi, we are THE SAME. I feel reluctant to get fills b/c I feel like 2.5 is a lot. I know, stupid right? If that band holds 4cc+ then 4cc would be "a lot". But I'm scared I will push it then be all PBing up the wazoo.

I'm obsessed with food and have been "bad" since 2/1. I do ok for breakfast but by lunch I'm doing whatever I want. Junk, chocolate, processed...not in the huge quantities I used to -- but enough to make me gain. It sucks and I don't know how to stop.

Hey guys, sorry I havent posted in awhile!! So I've been having tons of cravings the last week or so, fast food, chocolate, satly foods....I gained 3 lbs! I need help, I'm getting depressed I want to stop eating bad stuff but I keep craving it, what should I do??

I am a teeny bit worried about being prego too! I just have such insane cravings and my period did happen but it was like for an hour then gone. (I know, TMI) I think I'm looking for a way to explain my crazy food thoughts. I seriously lay in bed in the morning and think "Just one more day of eating crap then I swear I will be good" It's the game I used to play pre-band.

Serendipity, I gained 3lbs too, but I'm too ashamed to update my stats in my signature. :think

Guys...don't be so hard on yourselves. We're all gonna have times where we'll fall back into old habits. That's what we're here for...support. Don't worry about the numbers and who's lost how much.

Now for the kick in the pants you all need.....

GET YOUR BUTTS IN GEAR AND START EATING HEALTHY!!!!!

On a side note....I'm half way there....whoa!!! I'm halfway there!! whoa! Livin' on a prayer!!! ...a little Bon Jovi to celebrate!! heh heh!

Hi ladies! I've finally got restriction now that my port is fixed. I actually had to go in last week to get .5cc taken out because I was too tight and couldn't even keep pudding down. But, I'm at a better place now and can eat more solids. I am discovering a lot of foods I can't eat anymore though, like scrambled eggs, any type of bread, ground beef, etc. I'm getting tired of eating the same things, so I need some inspiration! lol What are you all eating these days? I'm especially stuck for breakfast and lunch. I can't find any type of cereal that I can eat without getting stuck, and now with eggs out, I don't know what else to try, aside from yogurt, which I don't like all that much. Any ideas?

Happy 2B Me,

My fills have only been lasting anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks. Thereafter I have maintained weight but not lost. Sometimes I go right in for another fill because I am motivated to keep losing, other times like at the holidays, I wanted a little more room to enjoy eating a little larger portions but still maintain my weight. My 2nd fill in October only lasted 3 weeks because my stomach shrunk. I went from 1.6cc to 2.0cc. Likewise, my 3rd fill in early January only lasted 3 weeks because the fat shrunk around my stomach so this past week I got my 4th fill. I went from 2.0 to 2.5. It has nothing to do with a weakness but with success - I'm losing weight and fat so the band is not as effective at the lower fills. I asked the tech," Will I reach 4ccs and then the band won't work?" She told me not likely, but that they can actually go more than 4cc if the doctor approves. So what you are experiencing is normal!

Originally Posted by Happy2BMe

Hi all,

I haven't been posting either, it's embarrassing when you aren't losing as quickly as others. I have been having problems with restriction. I do have restriction, but every time I get a fill, the restriction goes away within 3-4 weeks. And about 2 weeks prior to my cycle, I crave chocolate like crazy. Not just chocolate, either. I crave food like crazy - it seems like it's worse than pre-band. I am kind of at my wit's end

Hi, we are THE SAME. I feel reluctant to get fills b/c I feel like 2.5 is a lot. I know, stupid right? If that band holds 4cc+ then 4cc would be "a lot". But I'm scared I will push it then be all PBing up the wazoo.