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Band_Groupie’s Posts

Band_Groupie
on 1/20/12 7:12 am

I save it if it will help me meet my daily nutrition needs.

Band_Groupie My Blog "The Sweet Spot" HERE
Proud member of the Century Club...100+ pounds gone forever!
I'm now in the middle of a Normal BMI.
*My new adventure; At the suggestion and support of many LBers, I'm now writing a LB book.

Band_Groupie
on 1/17/12 7:49 am

Topic: RE: Xpost: Old Timers & support groups

I'm coming up on 3 years and I've used my blog for support. I moved it to blogger to help pay-it-forward more. I've met with local bloggers and once a year 50+ lap band bloggers get together from all over the world for a weekend in Chicago...it's great fun and has been the best support system (there's always someone to help when I need it).

Band_Groupie
on 1/17/12 7:34 am

Topic: RE: i have a date..Does a Band help.

I have no hunger between meals and it's now so much easier to make better choices. I don't diet and no food is off limits...that's my lifestyle change; everything in small amounts. I was a former major yo-yo dieter, so I got the Band to keep it off. I'm now smack in the middle of a normal BMI and I'm almost 3 years post-op.

Band_Groupie
on 1/17/12 7:24 am

Topic: RE: Food Addiction

If you didn't see 'Dr. Oz' the other day, the topic was 'Can you really have an addiction to food?' I know, you're all screaming 'YES!' right along with me. It was interesting as the polls of people were pretty split as were the expert's opinions. The Nutritionist's view was that over-eating is behavioral...driven by emotions, learned behavior, and will power. OK, umm, as a yo-yo dieter now skinny b*tch I can personally tell you that anyone who has ever lost big weight dieting has WAY more will power than the average skinny b*tch...When did they ever white knuckle off 50 pounds while starving and shaking waiting for the next meal (I still wonder why I don't get the shakes now on this teeny amount of food). Anyway, the Doctor's view was that there are certain foods (four of them...at least at this point) that trigger the release of natural opiates in our brain that make us feel good and want to come back for more. I think it's a combination of both addiction and emotions.

One study used a medicine that is used to help heroin addicts from overdosing by blocking receptors in the brain that the heroin attaches to. They gave it to chocolate addicts and found that 'chocolate hijacks your brain chemistry, triggering the same receptors that heroin affects'. Great...I'm officially an addict. Apparently those around me knew this before I did...Here's a present I got from my SIL for Christmas this year:

You can read the Doctor's article and see the three other foods that are addictive on the Oz site HERE.

Come follow me on my blog HERE

Band_Groupie
on 2/16/11 11:24 am

Topic: RE: Debating on getting an unfill. Could use some advice.

Agree, you need a small unfill (you've got "SSS' =soft food/slider syndrome). I had a fluoro test AFTER a partial unfill of 2cc's (had gotten very tight). The Radiologist had to give me a thicker barium because the initial stuff wasn't budging. Even the thicker stuff was just barely getting through. I went back about a week later to my (then) Doc and he looked at the films and said the barium looked perfect...it was so NOT perfect as there was no way I could have eaten anything (not even mushies) at the time I had that fluoro test. My point is the fluoro isn't always a perfect test for good restriction.

It's easier to lose when you can eat solid proteins 3-4oz. first.

Band_Groupie
on 2/16/11 6:33 am

Topic: RE: Should i get a fill???

It's hard to advise you as this statement stuck in my mind "but if i do everything i am supposed to i will lose too". Not pointing fingers (I've made every mistake), but for clarification; if when you do everything you are supposed to...if you're hungry in less than 3-4 hours after eating/between meals, then you need a fill. Period (and it's up to you and the Doc to figure out how much fill). If you're not sure, track your attention to the rules/food and when you get hungry for a couple of days (that helps me). You're also losing more than the 2 pounds/week average Bander, so good job! -BG

Band_Groupie
on 2/16/11 6:22 am

Topic: RE: Be honest: Would you do it again? If you knew what you knew now?

YES! Finally getting off the diet rollercoaster was a miracle for me, and no hypertension anymore!

Band_Groupie
on 2/11/11 6:02 am

Topic: RE: Do all Lap Band Patient really lose 30 #'s in the first 6 weeks?

19 pounds the first 6 weeks...and my Doc said 'The first six weeks are for healing NOT for WL!' -BG

Band_Groupie
on 10/3/10 5:39 am

Topic: RE: Sudden Reflux---do I need an unfill??

Yes, to the small unfill. You described acid reflux symptoms and any problems, especially at night is a red flag for a small unfill. Reflux is serious and can cause cancer...call your doc. Feel better!

Band_Groupie
on 9/10/10 4:50 am

Topic: RE: why no coffee??

I didn't have this rule...they brought me coffee at the hospital. I've heard some Docs do this because caffeine can be a diuretic and they want you to get enough fluids at the beginning.

Band_Groupie
on 9/4/10 6:00 am

Topic: RE: Trying to decide if having the surgery is right for me

Just here to say I agree with the poster above...it won't help emotional eating at all...you can gain weight with the Band if you don't do your part. Some of the other surgeries will sometimes (not with everyone) give you negative feedback with sweets (dumping), so you might want to discuss this further with your Docs.

Band_Groupie
on 9/4/10 5:48 am

Topic: RE: Already facing third surgery. I cannot recommend lap band

Sorry, no time to read all the comments, but I'll support your right to post your experiences and your frustrations as you've been through a lot.

The only things I would comment on with your original post (for the newbies to learn) is that vomiting a lot and reflux (especially at night) are both huge red flags that you need to see your surgeon and that your band is very likely too tight...vomiting can cause a slip.

Hope you're port surgery goes more easily for you. Best wishes -BG

Band_Groupie
on 9/4/10 5:39 am

Topic: RE: weighting your food?

My doc allows 1-1.5 C (volume not weight) per meal, 3x a day. I'm to get 3-4 oz. of solid protein first and occasionally I'll still weigh the protein if it's an unusual shape just to make sure I'm getting enough (chicken is still hard for me to judge; depends on how thick it is).

Band_Groupie
on 9/2/10 10:34 am

Topic: RE: Have you named your band?

Fluffy...and my port is Phil

Band_Groupie
on 9/2/10 10:30 am

Topic: RE: Interesting discussion with doc about band success/failures

Great news...thanks for sharing!

Band_Groupie
on 8/31/10 5:25 pm

Topic: RE: My Bubble Buster Admits I'm an Inspiration!

Yay Trixie...awesome NSV...especially from her! Just you wait...the compliments will be coming faster every pound now...enjoy it!

Band_Groupie
on 8/31/10 4:43 am

Topic: RE: Need help? Have a Leak after 5 years with band

Renee, I haven't had a leak either, but after years on the formus, I've never heard of what your Doc is telling you. Leaks are most likely from a fill that was administered badly, making a hole in either the port or the tubing. As Kate said, occassionally the port/band are faulty, but that usually is found right away (and I've seen a few that became 'disconnected'). I'd insist on the injection of barium into the port to find out where the leak is...that's the normal diagnosis tool for this.

Erosion and a leak together aren't likely, but it's possible that erosion can cause lack of restriction. If you have to have another surgery to fix the problem, your insurance may cover that if it's 'medically necessary' ie. erosion, and ie., you may be able to work things out with them so that you only have to pay for the actual band if you need a new one. I'd suggest you get the proper leak test and then contact your insurance company once you know where this is headed.

Hang in there ((hugs)) You've been through much worse, you can do this.

Band_Groupie
on 8/27/10 5:05 am

Topic: RE: THE MOMENT OF TRUTH!!!

Thinking of you...CONGRATULATIONS BANDER!!

Band_Groupie
on 8/27/10 5:02 am

Topic: RE: Pics...and My 15 Minutes of Fame

Hello LBers! Sorry I haven't posted here in awhile, but I have been reading...and commenting some (hoping to get the LB book proposals out soon, so working furiously). Maintenance is great...up four pounds from our vacation to Cape May three weeks ago (yes, even skinny people gain a few pounds on vacation sometimes) and then today...poof...gone...-4.5 lbs....I feel like a 'normal' LOL!

Fog at 1pm on the beach this day and they wouldn't let anyone in the water (weird...they said they've never seen it before) :

Weird things happening this week...I got two emails on Monday and after lots of emails back and forth (I was very wary at first, you'll see why) and me checking these out, it turns out that they were from each of the two Band manufacturers...I confirmed it was just a strange coincidence that these weren't linked in any way. Realize Band wanted to use my pics and a testimonial for a major campaign (don't have that Band, so I turned it down). I did however agree to the Allergan Band request. I did an interview (they'd found my blog about this) about my hiking at the Grand Canyon last fall (no, not all the way down and back, but with only 50 lbs. off then I was proud of what I was able to do already). It will be a short article (maybe a pic) with several other people they chose, for the website, to come out this Fall/Winter (I'll let you know). So there's my 15 min. of fame LOL.

Me on South Kaibab trail last fall, 5 months post-op, 50+ lbs. gone

So two great NSV's and a WL week...can't get any better!

Band_Groupie
on 8/24/10 7:55 am

Topic: RE: Are One-A-Day Gummies OK for us bandsters?

Yep, my Doc just said you have to take twice as many, for me that would have been 2 in the morning and 2 at night (I do two Centrum/day).

Band_Groupie
on 8/20/10 8:46 am

Topic: RE: Question for those who have made your goal...

I had the same fill/sweet spot for 10 months (got to goal) and had to have a 2cc unfill recently due to some reflux and esophageal spasms that came on suddenly. It's a funny thing that the fill level I'm at now is between my 1st and 2nd fill and I have some restriction now...I had NO restriction until my 3rd fill on the way up. I'm up a few pounds from goal, but only because I went on a vacation and indulged. I just cancelled my fill appointment next week and I'm thinking I might not need one again, but if so, then just a smidge. Even though I didn't have any problems with that last fill until the 10th month of it, I'm thinking I would have been fine with a little less fill.

I'm definitely looser with 2cc's out, but It's nice to not have to worry about PB's or reflux/pain and it's easy to maintain if I follow the Band rules.

Band_Groupie
on 8/20/10 7:21 am

Topic: RE: Scary - chest pains and total unfill yesterday

I had the same thing, twice and after having 2cc's out haven't had them again. I posted about this on my blog and was surprised at the number of people who've had these...VERY scary and VERY painful!

Band_Groupie
on 8/4/10 3:04 pm, edited 9/2/10 10:26 am

Topic: RE: Share Your Funniest Post-Op Moment!

Here's one...excerpt from my book I'm almost finished writing...The Horrific PB Event

We were sitting outside for dinner at a restaurant in Gatlinburg tonight. I ordered an appetizer…shrimp, chicken, ribs with a Jack-Daniels sauce. I didn’t realize the shrimp/chicken were batter fried. The kids were anxious to start walking the street/shops, so I drank while eating and had a few items eating as fast as I could manage…doing OK, then WHAM…stuck…it’s not passing. The guy at the next table saw my wild eyes and I think I permanently scarred him when I PB’d (Productive Burp/Vomit) into my napkins. Still stuck…big PB in my mouth…eww…thought it was going to come out my nose…still not passing…I excused myself for the bathroom and had to walk through the inside to find it in the back…wondering who was going to get a lap full of PB as I passed booth after booth…PB’d again in my mouth…nothing to do but SWALLOW! Eeeek!!! The bathroom was standing room only….I finally made it into one of the few stalls and I was too embarrassed to face the toilet as everyone could see under the stalls. I was feeling a tiny bit better so I had the bright idea to sit and if I needed to PB, then I could do it between my legs…there was plenty of room….ummm…NOT…huge PB and it went between my legs into the toilet…AND…all over my underwear….I mopped it up as best I could cursing my vanity for not just facing the toilet. I knew the ladies waiting were probably cursing my slowness as well. I mopped and dried and pulled up my underwear…OK, just a little damp, I can deal…I pull up my Capri jeans…DEAR G*D!!!! What’s that slimy feeling? Pants down...down I say!!! Holy COW CUD!!! I PB’d in my jeans and down the leg!!! Quick more mopping…I’m now hearing grumbling from my audience outside as I’d already flushed. Got to look…D@MN!!! Wet jeans show everything!! All over my bum and starting down a leg…

No amount of toilet paper is going to fix this…luckily I was carrying a suitcase sized purse so I awkwardly tried to hold it behind me as I tried to wash one hand at a time…with my audience watching. I made it back to our table and told them I’d had an accident and would need to go back to the hotel. DD came with me and luckily the hotel was only a block down. I told her I’d had a ‘pee accident’ and with my history of incontinence problems, this was plausible. By the time we got there my bum was totally soaked and DD was horrified (and laughing) at how big a spot I was trying to conceal with my purse across my bum….horrific, just horrific.

(I can provide a photo of me, no not of my wet pants)

Band_Groupie
on 7/25/10 7:49 am

Topic: RE: 3 Years Out Baby!!!!!!

Congratulations!!! Great WL!

Band_Groupie
on 7/8/10 5:33 am

Topic: RE: Has anyone lost 100LBS or more?

100+ in about 13 months.