Recent Posts

Tom C.
on 5/17/11 4:30 am - Mount Arlington, NJ
Topic: RE: Ouch Ouch Ouch!
While I am not a Doctor, nor do I play one on television, I don't think this is normal and should be expected with a band. Honestly, if it wasn't for my own stupidity (like eating too fast), I would never know I had the band. Sure I can feel the port if I press in the area, but I have NO PAIN what-so-ever.

If it doesn't go away in a day, I would go to the hospital just to be sure.
Good Luck on your Journey !!

Tom

“Nothing I will ever eat will give me the feeling I get as when I lose weight”  The views expressed are based on my own experiences - and should NOT BE FOLLOWED IN LIEU OF DOCTOR’S ADVICE/INSTRUCTIONS. Only your Doctor knows your condition, and make sure you talk to them before making any changes to your diet
Tom C.
on 5/17/11 4:26 am - Mount Arlington, NJ
Topic: RE: APPROVED!!!(sorta)
Chelsea,

I didn't know what type of job you had, and in that case I would take 4 weeks. Heck, I may even take 4 months !!

A little off Topic - don't you love JOBS (any job) that expects workers to put the "job's needs" before their own. But when push comes to shove, the job will put "their needs" before the employees. .. OK, I am off my soap-box. I return you to your regularly scheduled postings.
Good Luck on your Journey !!

Tom

“Nothing I will ever eat will give me the feeling I get as when I lose weight”  The views expressed are based on my own experiences - and should NOT BE FOLLOWED IN LIEU OF DOCTOR’S ADVICE/INSTRUCTIONS. Only your Doctor knows your condition, and make sure you talk to them before making any changes to your diet
Tom C.
on 5/17/11 4:21 am - Mount Arlington, NJ
Topic: RE: Help!!! Extremely frustrated

CALL YOUR DOCTOR!! That’s why there are there. Not saying it’s anything, but IMHO it’s best to hear “that’s quite normal", then to hear “why didn’t you call when this first began".

 

Now a pet peeve .. DROP THE WORD ONLY !! I get very upset to read, or hear, “I’ve lost only X pounds". Why use the word ONLY !?!?!?! Be proud of those pounds you lost!!! This is a major accomplishment!!

 

How many times were you NOT able to lose that amount of weight???? Or when you did, you gained it back?? If you lost weight, and haven’t gained it back, then aren’t you really winning?!?!?

  

Remember, this isn’t a race. “Slow and steady wins the race".  We are a generation of instantaneous results, however remember we didn’t put all the weight on at once, it took years. So don’t you think losing it would take just as long? This isn't one of those miracle instantaneous weight loss programs. We all know types of programs always fail. This is a way of life

 

Nowhere does any of the literate state you will lose x amount of weight in x days. Think LONG TERM. If it takes you 2 – 3 -5 years to lose all the weight, WHO CARES!!! How long did it take you to put all those pounds on? Try to remind yourself that even if I lost only 1 pound per week, in year’s time I’d be 52 pounds lighter. Many doctors believe the slower you lose weight, the better chance you have of keeping it off. 

 

Many folks are hung up on the number. It’s not the number of pounds that someone loses in a specified period of time that is important. It’s how you feel. Don’t forget, if you are toning up muscle – your weight loss may seem to have slowed (or stopped), when in fact you are replacing fat with muscle. Muscle is heavier then fat. Someone weighting 200 pounds with a body fat percentage of 25 is carrying around 50 pounds of extra fat. That same person weighting 200 pounds with 10 percent body fat would be carrying 20 pounds of fat. So it’s not the number that is important.

 

The amount of weight lost is affected by many factors. Everyone loses weight at different rates. It has to do with age, gender, one’s weight, exercise, etc.. A 10 pound lost to one person could be as affected as a 40 pound lost to another. Think of it this way: If a 400-pound person loses 40 pounds; a 300-pound person loses 30 pounds, a 200-pound person loses 20 pounds, and a 100-pound person loses 10 pounds – the 400-pound person didn’t necessarily lose more weight than the others. All lost 10% of their body weight. 

 

Remember, there are other “scales" you can use to monitor your success: your constant hunger reduction (eliminated); reduced clothing size; increase energy; re-familiarizing yourself to body-parts unseen for years (errr… toes) ; “common" activity becoming easier (walking, climbing steps), just feeling good about yourself; sleeping better (reduced snoring); the mirror; better medical exam results (lower cholesterol and/or blood pressure); etc.

 

Be proud of your lost. No matter how small it may seem. Remember, it’s better to lose not a pound than to GAIN an ounce.

 

So starting today – let’s officially start a movement to ban the word ONLY, and take pride in your lost

 

Good Luck on your Journey !!

Tom

“Nothing I will ever eat will give me the feeling I get as when I lose weight”  The views expressed are based on my own experiences - and should NOT BE FOLLOWED IN LIEU OF DOCTOR’S ADVICE/INSTRUCTIONS. Only your Doctor knows your condition, and make sure you talk to them before making any changes to your diet
Tom C.
on 5/17/11 4:14 am - Mount Arlington, NJ
Topic: RE: Questions about Realize Band

Abanadarina,

As Kim said, EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT!! I had only 2 fills, and got great restriction, and I do not regret a single day in choosing the Realize band.

In MY research, outside the US the Realize band (well actually the Swedish Adjustable Gastric Band which was the original name for this band) had better results than the Lap-band, hence why I decided I wanted this one. However, I know you can find literature/documentation/findings that will say the opposite.

IMHO, it’s not the BAND that makes the success, but the person. Remember it’s only a tool, and you need to work with it in order to be successful.

If you’re really apprehensive, speak to your Doctor. Maybe he can explain why HE DECIDED to use only one band over the other. And maybe, just maybe, if he knows you have apprehension, he can “sneak in" the Lap-band.

Just know, no matter which band you decide to have, we'll be here for you.  

Good Luck on your Journey !!

Tom

“Nothing I will ever eat will give me the feeling I get as when I lose weight”  The views expressed are based on my own experiences - and should NOT BE FOLLOWED IN LIEU OF DOCTOR’S ADVICE/INSTRUCTIONS. Only your Doctor knows your condition, and make sure you talk to them before making any changes to your diet
Kim H.
on 5/17/11 2:43 am - Duluth, MN
Topic: RE: MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE FOR TODAY
I like that quote

~Kim~

                    
Kim H.
on 5/16/11 10:55 pm - Duluth, MN
Topic: RE: Help!!! Extremely frustrated
I totally agree with everything you said, but that also tells me I may need another fill soon...I ate a lot more yesterday than I know I am supposed to. Nothing happened, except after lunch I felt like I was choking a bit..but it soon passed. Any suggestions!?

~Kim~

                    
Kim H.
on 5/16/11 10:53 pm - Duluth, MN
Topic: RE: Help!!! Extremely frustrated
Only 2 fills in 8 months?! WOW..I have had 3 fills and I had my surgery on 2/28/11

~Kim~

                    
Josie D
on 5/16/11 10:53 pm
Topic: RE: New to the forum...thanks
Thanks for the posts.  It's good to be here!  I think you can get the book from the author's website.  I got mine after reading this forum and seeing a link.   jean-onthebandwagon.blogspot.com. 

Good luck everyone.  It isn't easy, but support makes it a lot easier!!!!  Josie
        
Kim H.
on 5/16/11 10:51 pm - Duluth, MN
Topic: RE: Questions about Realize Band
Unfortunately I think everyone is different. I have started to feel a bit of restriction, however, I was just "banded" on 2/28/11 so I am kinda a newbie, so I am sure it will take awhile. Sorry I could not be anymore help

~Kim~

                    
crystal M.
on 5/16/11 10:40 pm - Joliet, IL
Topic: RE: Help!!! Extremely frustrated
Hello

You shouldn't be throwing up.  If you are throwing up you need to call your doctor.  I was told there isn't a time when throwing up is normal.  I don't think you slipped your band but you could be too tight.  Unless you are overeating...that could cause throwing up no matter what your restriction. 

I had 8-9 fills before I felt good restriction.  I can eat 4-6 oz of solid protein and veggies and I don't throw up.  Also, you have maybe misunderstood your band.  You shouldn't feel full.  If you feel full then you are eating too much...maybe this is why you are throwing up.  You should feel PHYSICALLY satisfied...that's not to say that you won't feel head hunger.  For me this has been the hard part.  Especially if I'm eating something I really enjoy.  My mind is wanting more...even though I'm no longer hungry.   
Most Active
×