BANDERS UNITE ! Get to know each other chatter !

[Rache]

I think we are all very sensitive because losing weight is so important to us or we wouldn't be going to such lengths with WLS etc.
I take things to heart easily and it's usually a misunderstanding of what is really meant.
I think being sensitive people we always think negative things are about us and it has caused so much misunderstanding and upset in the forum before...probably will again too...simply because everyone is a bit vulnerable and needing help x

Perfectly said Neen. Case in point was something you said earlier this week. I was convinced you meant me and was so relieved after I pm'd you and you let me know how daft I was being. We're only human and this is quite a rollercoaster ride we're all on.xxx

 

[BlueDiamond]

Morning laydee's

I just wondered if anyone elses band is more restrictive in the morning as mine seems to be and gets less restrictive during the afternoon / evening (thanks in advance) Julie xx

 

[Rache]

Hi Julie
Yes am definately tighter in the morning. I can manage a drink before work but then need to wait half an hour or so before I can get anything down. Lunchtime I have to be very careful how quickly I eat otherwise it comes back to say hello, by the evening I can eat anything. That's the real test for me. xx

 

[emmarfrost]

Hi all,

I am a bander, and its worked wonders for me- really has switched my life around, and I would recommend it to anyone.

Its not a miracle cure- you have to work with it, and have an element of self control re: choccies/ben and jerrys etc, but its been a life saver for me.

The band has let me lose more than i thought possible-I tried on a skirt today in a Size 10 and it was too big, so tried on an 8- laughing as I thought 'No way is this going on'- it fitted! I never thought I would see the day.I used to be a Size 24 after having my children and was 18-20 prior to banding.

The lapband has helped me to gain the confidence to exercise in publis, and I ran my first half marathon this year for Children with Leukaemia.

The band can, and does work- it takes willpower as im sure bypass/sleeve does and all wls has its pros and cons, but id definately give a thumbs up for what its done for me.

Always happy to answer any questions xxxxxx

 

[jayney3252]

Well done Emma very inspirational post thank you x

 

[Neen]

Thank you so much for posting Emma xx It's so vital that us banders starting out or in the middle of the journey get to see evidence that achieving goal weight is possible with a band!
Thanks so much for showing us how wonderfully you have done and how positive you feel about your band...certainly much appreciated and needed right now!!

 

[cah-ching]

Hi Gang,

I'm back!!!!!!!!

I left London at 6:00am this morning and drove straight to the gym did the bike and cross trainer, then drove to my Rosemary Conley class got weighed and did the aerobics class there.... call me weird but I loved it.
Now I'm just having my first proper meal of the day ... Heinz Big soup .. chicken curry flavour. Never tried it before, I don't really like it if I'm honest.
Then I'm off to the gym later to work on my shoulders and biceps as I had to rush off to RC class before I had chance. Well I got a little carried away on the Cross trainer and stayed on it much longer than I intended to ... I was so damned focused you see. I wanted to stay on it longer as I could feel my glutes beginning to burn (which feels soo good) but I didn't have time .. so may do five minutes before biceps/shoulders later.

Emma,

What a wonderful inspiration you are. Thanks for coming on and sharing with us. I look forward to picking your brains.

BlueDiamond aka Me Julie,
My band is tighter in the mornings. I guess it's due to lack of use for 7+hours. Sambucca once told me that a hot drink does wonders for her in the morning and I find it works for me too.

Mazza,
I really did think your was a 'proactive dig' (not a nasty dig) in my direction. I'm really sad to know it wasn't as it really bouyed me up and made me realise that the band isn't the be all and end all. Heck people have been losing 100+Ibs without surgical intervention for years and still are so why can't I be any different if not better with the band???? I'm going to be extremely frank here and say that may be I've been far too influenced by some (NOT ALL) of the posts on here whereby the thought process is that a band/bypass is the magic pill that will result in weight loss. Far too often I've seen posts that suggest that folk think that WLS is IT the magic pill. If I'm hgonest I see it more with bypass posts than any - clearly understandable when the bypass itself offers malabsorption which thus results in dramatic weight loss in the first 12 months .... little wonder it more or less is viewed as a magic pill, the answer to all dreams and woe betide any man/woman or beast that stands in the way of having said op

So back to what I said before .... if people can lose 100, 200, 300+ Ibs without surgical intervention it demonstrates it CAN be done and we are lucky to have an aid that makes the journey a little easier, but is in no way a free pass to weight loss (this goes for all WLS).

I'm happy to lose slowly, so long as I LOSE ... this in turn will reduce the potential of subsequent skin issues (IMHO).

So onwards and downwards folks

 

[candyb]

well, im not sure where to start..other than i feel like such a failuer....
had my band done on 1st sept, and so far its caused me nothing but grief....i can now eat a 3 course meal without any problem and i just wish id of never had this done and begged for a bypass instead
im gaining 3-5 lb a week...because im so hungry all the time....people who i talk too who have a band cant believe the amount of food i can eat
all the weight i lost pre op..ive now put back on and more...so im heavier now than i was to start with
im seeing my consultant on 18th november and im gonna ask for band to be removed and to be put on list for bypass....band is simply not for me....ive no will power any more, i feel so low, so depressed......never in a million years did i believe id feel like this......i dont know how most of you have lost weight, ive tried everything including very expensive protein powder, buying foods i couldnt really afford just to keep me fuller for longer....and nothing as worked.....guess im one of those people who's bound to be fat for the rest of my life.....im crying my eyes out writting this, never felt so sorry for myself....part of me wishes id just curl up & die...i feel such an idiot....cant believe ive failed my band, i so much needed it to work to get my life back on track and improve my poor health....now it lookslike my future is planned for me....fat, fat and more fat

 

[jayney3252]

have you had your band filled yet??? it is doing nothing once the swelling has gone down so you need to get a band fill and pretty sharpish!!! I was too scared to try a 3 course meal but if you can do it then a band fill is required big time. Dont give in!! your working alone at the minute

 

[emmarfrost]

Thanks ladies-i feel really proud of how far Ive come.

Candy im sorry to read that things are rocky for you regarding your band.Within 4 weeks of surgery I was back to eating almost the same size portions as I did pre surgery and also put on some lbs.My first fill helped, but soon i was eating normally again-so I paid for another-which helped me lose another stone or so-then i hit a plateau at 13.7'bs and it would not budge.

Although my portions were smaller-i was still able to eat toast and chicken, and didn't really have to chew too well either-so I went back in march this yr for my 3rd fill which took me to 9ml in my 10ml band-and that one did it.

Im now on small portions-have to thoroughly chew and can manage small mouthfuls of bread, other foods are good, but I fill quickly and know when to stop as my restriction is now right.

Pls try a fill before you have the band removed-it took me almost a year to find the correct restriction for me, it really is a learning curve.I also stepped in a bit of exercise when I plateaued, which really helped.

Pls keep us posted-Its so deflating when you go through surgery pinning ur hopes on it changing everything and then it appears to have not worked-i felt the same initially too.

big hugs hun xxxx

 

[Neen]

Thanks for that reply Emma...It took me all of the first year before I felt good restriction as well.
It is hard not to want instant gratification Candy, especially when our surgery is a last resort after years of being unhappy.
Look at Emma though, I know I am still in the middle of my weight loss but Emma is at goal and proof that even with a slow start, you can lose all your weight and you just have to be patient and help it along.
Any plan of action is going to require a good amount of time following it before you see proper results...weeks rather than a few days.
When you start eating normally again after the mini famine of pre-op and liquids stage, yes it is possible a couple pounds might go back on...but that doesn't mean they stay on or that anything has failed.
You have to stick with this to get the reward but it's not failed yet at all.

 

[candyb]

ive had no band fill, and been told i cant get one until end of november as their is a waiting list...
i have given up - totally - had no idea how stressfull all of this was going to be....

 

[candyb]

thanks ladies-i feel really proud of how far ive come.

Candy im sorry to read that things are rocky for you regarding your band.within 4 weeks of surgery i was back to eating almost the same size portions as i did pre surgery and also put on some lbs.my first fill helped, but soon i was eating normally again-so i paid for another-which helped me lose another stone or so-then i hit a plateau at 13.7'bs and it would not budge.

Although my portions were smaller-i was still able to eat toast and chicken, and didn't really have to chew too well either-so i went back in march this yr for my 3rd fill which took me to 9ml in my 10ml band-and that one did it.

Im now on small portions-have to thoroughly chew and can manage small mouthfuls of bread, other foods are good, but i fill quickly and know when to stop as my restriction is now right.

Pls try a fill before you have the band removed-it took me almost a year to find the correct restriction for me, it really is a learning curve.i also stepped in a bit of exercise when i plateaued, which really helped.

Pls keep us posted-its so deflating when you go through surgery pinning ur hopes on it changing everything and then it appears to have not worked-i felt the same initially too.

Big hugs hun xxxx

how do i go about getting a private fill?
I dont mind paying at all...as long as its done right and safely - this seems to be the only way forward for me
ive got a large ap band, with 14mls....and nothing it in so far, so yes i guess i do need a few fills before i get this right...
Any help at this stage would be apreciated

 

[cah-ching]

ive had no band fill, and been told i cant get one until end of november as their is a waiting list...
i have given up - totally - had no idea how stressfull all of this was going to be....

please don't give up. nothing is lost. i had my band in april. my firt fill was end of june - i needed time to get better internally. i put weight on. my weight has only started to fall now. right now your stomach has no restriction the band is not doing anything in there. neen and emma are right it takes time. your first fill will be under xray and may not be adequate. it takes a few fills to get it right.don't be disheartened. as banders i realise we have to exercise a lot of patience it will work for you though and you will be ok honest.

:hug99:

 

[cah-ching]

how do i go about getting a private fill?
I dont mind paying at all...as long as its done right and safely - this seems to be the only way forward for me
ive got a large ap band, with 14mls....and nothing it in so far, so yes i guess i do need a few fills before i get this right...
Any help at this stage would be apreciated

please don't do that. i understand your desire to get the job started but please wait. i am a big advocaet of slowly slowly with fills i.e. slow fills therefore slowly getting used to the new feeling of full, because when you have a modicum of restriction it's a whole new game of eating and if you get it wrong due to practising old habits you'll be vomitting for england and doing yourself more harm. a bit like trying to run a marathon when you've never ever jogged a day in your life.

also with you being so new out of surgery you don't want to compromise the work of the nhs by going to a private clinic. please wait for your fill at hospital 4 weeks is not too long. when you go for the fill discuss your feelings and how much they intend to put in your band initially and why.

 

[Neen]

Sorry I'm late with the beefcake but I had a nice family day yesterday.
Dean and I started our diet today so this time next week I am hoping some movement occurs.

Candy I have tried to answer you as fully as I can in your diary and also here.
No-one gets immediate loss..even bypass patients can have a slight regain after they come off the sloppies.

We can help you but if you don't take in what we are saying or at least call your team for reassurance, then I am not really sure what else we can do.
You have heard from 3 of us banders now that nothing is going to start til you get restriction and if it's not what you want to hear and you don't take a moment to calm down and be rational then you are going to get into a right depression and miss out on the help we are trying to give to you.



OK here's the beefcake everyone...cross fingers for a good week x

This weeks hairy hunk

This weeks clean cut beefcake Ryan Barry

And this weeks bit of rough long haired tottie Beiron Andersson

 

[dottychic]

flamin nora! how could anyone go vegetarian with beefcake like that around XX

 

[cah-ching]

neeny - love the third picture. you are so naughty for making me look

how are you getting on with RC?

 

[Neen]

Yep Jacqui! That beefcake has to tide me over for the whole week!!

 

[cah-ching]

flamin nora! how could anyone go vegetarian with beefcake like that around XX

VEGETARIAN??!!!!